Episode Report Card Tippi Blevins: B+ | 1 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT (Almost) Everybody Loves a Hero
By Tippi Blevins | Season 10 | Episode 13 | Aired on 02.11.2011
Martha steps up the podium, surrounded by American flags. She encourages people to speak up for their heroes. "My father once said, 'Life only asks of you what you can handle,'" she says. So the platitudes weren't just on the Kent side. Then she says, "Sometimes we can't do it on our own, and that's why we need to join together in this crusade like a family, so that our united strength shines through the darkness like a beacon!" She's raises her arms and the crowds cheer. Argentina won't cry for you! "None of us is born to hate," she goes on. "We're taught to." She says that's what they need heroes for. She whips the crowd into a frenzy. Truth! Justice! Take a stand against fear and hate! And so on! She leads them in another round of chanting against the VRA, punching the air with every word. "See, there's still hope," Lois says. Clark smiles like he's starting to believe it. That's when the sound of gunfire rings out from the TV. Clark turns back toward the screen. The moment draws out in slow motion before Clark super-zips out of the living room. We are spared having to see Martha shot, which I wonder may have been an editing decision after the recent tragedy in Arizona.
Metropolis General. By the time Clark gets there, Martha has already been admitted. Did he run around the planet a couple of times first? People drive from Smallville to Metropolis faster than he super-zipped there. He opens the door to the exam room, fearing the worst, but finds her chatting on the phone with Lois. There's a spot of blood on her shoulder and her left arm is in a sling. She holds out her other arm for a hug, then finishes up her chat with Lois. "Are you OK?" he asks, sounding very young and scared. Nothing turns us back into kids quicker than seeing our parents hurt. She assures him she's fine. She was wearing a bulletproof vest and the second bullet just grazed her. Now that he knows she's OK, he gets a little upset that she didn't tell him her plans. "I could have protected you," he says. But she's the one protecting him. It's too dangerous for any of the heroes to go out in public now. She's determined to get back on the campaign trail right away, but Clark is worried that more people will be hurt. "Clark, if you don't let me do this, there will never be a day you can come out of hiding." Her voice is pleading. She's not scared of dying. She's scared for her son. She says that she and Jonathan agreed they would protect Clark at any cost, even if it cost them their lives. "I'm willing to sacrifice the same thing your father did," she says. Oh, please don't! There's not enough of the show left to deal with all of Clark's resultant moping! "I'm not ready to say goodbye to you, too," he says. He vows to find the shooter and zips away.