This week Zach is joined by Rob O’Connor from the All Star Superfan Podcast and Craig McKenzie from Kneel Before Blog to discuss the one hundred ninety second episode of Smallville, “Upgrade.” They talk Craig’s Smallville fandom, the return of Brain Austin Green’s Metallo, the John Corben/Lois Lane dynamic, Red Kryptonite and the episode’s alternate ending. Jor-El might be silent this week, but the latest Always Hold On To Smallville isn’t!
Check out the Rob on the All Star Superfan Podcast. Check out Craig and his work including the Kneel Before Pod podcast at Kneel Before Blog.
Episode roundup
- Zach’s Grade: A-
- Rob’s Grade: C
- Craig’s Grade: B
- IMDB Grade: 7.8
- Superman Homepage Grade: 4.5/5
- Bechdel Test: FAIL
Series tally board
…From Metropolis: 17
Amazing Technicolor Kryptonite: 17
Amnesia Count: 73
Blue Shirt/Red Jacket: 89
Chloe’s Unseen Connections: 29
Clark Loses His Powers: 15
Episode Title Said In Episode: 79
Hospital Visits: 148
In Media Res: 7
Injection Count: 55
Kent Truck Accidents: 10
KOs to Keep Clark’s Secret: 58
KOs to Keep Oliver’s Secret: 4
Lana Kills: 7
Let’s Do The Time Warp Again: 9
Lois Arm Punches: 10
Lois’ Costume Closet: 16
Main Character Deaths: 24
Mind Control Count: 26
Movie Plot As An Episode: 21
Not The Last Son Of Krypton: 46
Possession Count: 30
Product Placement Pete: 32
Queen Airways: 8
Shirtless Oliver: 11
Shower Count: 25
Shut It Down: 10
Shut That Laptop: 34
Smallville High School Faculty Deaths: 5
Smallville High School Student Deaths: 17
Under The Influence: 45
Wakes Up Tied Up: 11
Weddings: 4
“You Weren’t Yourself”: 37
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Photos from ‘Smallville’ — 9×18 Upgrade
Brain Austin Green as John Corbin and Erica Durance as Lois Lane. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery 
Brain Austin Green as John Corbin and Erica Durance as Lois Lane. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery 
Brain Austin Green as John Corbin. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery 
Tom Welling as Clark Kent and Callum Blue as Zod. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery 
Brain Austin Green as John Corbin and Erica Durance as Lois Lane. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery 
Tom Welling as Clark Kent and Callum Blue as Zod. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery 
Tom Welling as Clark Kent. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery 
Tom Welling as Clark Kent and Callum Blue as Zod. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery
Zod (Callum Blue) poses as the Blur and asks Lois (Erica Durance) to investigate one of Tess’ secret labs; Tess (Cassidy Freeman) turns to Chloe (Allison Mack) for help when Clark (Tom Welling) is infected with red kryptonite.
Currently, “Smallville” is available to stream on Hulu. “Upgrade” aired April 16, 2010.
