Cast

Tom Welling as Clark Kent
Kristen Kreuk as Lana Lang
Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan
Erica Durance as Lois Lane
Aaron Ashmore as Jimmy Olson
Laura Vandervoort as Kara
Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor
John Glover as Lionel Luthor

Guest starring BSG's Aaron Douglas as Pierce and Flash Gordan's Gina Holden as Patricia Swan.

Written by Holly Henderson and Don Whitehead
Directed by Glen Winter

Original Airdate

Traveler originally aired on Thursday, March 20, 2008.

Synopsis

Clark is held prisoner in a Kryptonite cage by Lionel Luthor. Thankfully, Lana and Chloe figure this out soon enough to mount a rescue, beginning with the restoration of Kara's memory.

High Point

The elimination of white noise from the soundtrack in a scene near the end, right at the moment Clark decides to stop listening.

Low Point

As much fun as it is, this felt like yet another reset button. If not for Kara and knowledge of Clark's secret, the character positioning is pretty much like it was four or five years ago.

The Review

This doesn't feel original, but that doesn't mean it's not interesting. It seems we've finally hit the plot thread that will carry us through the rest of the season, and it's a good one. As plot threads go, we've seen it often here and elsewhere, but some ideas are used a lot because they work well. I give it 2 out of 6.

The effects were restricted to a few moments near the end. One had a CGI cage that didn't quite mesh with the room it was in, but the rest looked good enough. I suspect it's another sparse episode because next week's will be effects heavy and expensive. I give it 4 out of 6.

The story got a little predictable, but somehow overcame that. I give it 4 out of 6.

The acting was solid all around, with some others taking up the mantle of heroes and rescuers this time around. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response was stronger than it should have been with such a derivative and predictable plotline. I knew where it was going, but I still wanted to see it get there. I give it 5 out of 6.

The production may have had a lot to do with my enjoyment this week. There were a few little nuances like the High Point that brought the episode together for me. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, it was more entertaining than it really should have been. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Traveler receives 31 out of 42.