(S09e03) Toxic

Office CW Episode Description:

OLIVER FLASHES BACK TO HIS DAYS ON THE ISLAND AND LEARNS MORE ABOUT HIS PARENTS’ DEMISE — Oliver (Justin Hartley) collapses at a charity event and reveals he only has 24 hours to live. Clark (Tom Welling) and Chloe (Allison Mack) call Davis (Sam Witwer) for help but his prognosis is grim. Delirious, Oliver flashes back to when he was stranded on an island and first learned how to use a bow and arrow. He also recalls meeting Tess (Cassidy Freeman) for the first time on that island after she had been kidnapped by a drug runner. Meanwhile, Chloe decides to use her new powers to help save Oliver, shocking Clark.

Tonight’s edition of “Smallville” was heavy on the soap opera drama. We got to learn a bit more about new series regulars Oliver Queen and Tess Mercer – and their history together. Tess is now tied to the origin of Oliver’s alter ego “Green Arrow” in an interesting way that I won’t spoil here.

A “friend” from both of their pasts returned and poisoned Ollie, giving us a look back into his past, and letting our new gang of series regulars, including everyone’s favorite “Doomed” medic, join in the saving game.

For the most part I thought Ollie’s origin was well handled, and Tess’ back story was also intriguing – it wasn’t until the two got together in the present that things got a little too soapy. Right down to dialogue that would even make the “One Life to Live” crew cringe, the story hit some rough patches when things got overly emotional.

The story of Chloe and her Brainiac powers continued to evolve this week as did her relationship with Davis Bloom. Not a whole lot to report there – it’s really all set up for stuff that is going to happen later in the season.

Still, all things considered, this episode may be the worst of season 8 thus far – but its still heads and shoulders above the quality of the last few years of the show. I’m still excited to be enjoying “Smallville” again – and I’m looking forward to more episodes.