Line #20 Recap/SmallvilleS07E15Veritas


1	Originally aired March 27, 2008
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3	Written by Creator/BrianPeterson & Creator/KellySouders
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5	Directed by Creator/JamesMarshall
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7	When Brainiac returns and offers her a surprising proposition, Kara decides to teach Clark how to fly in order to even their chances of taking down the Kryptonian supercomputer; unfortunately for them, Brainiac has a shocking bargaining chip. Lex investigates the Veritas Society.
8	----
9	!!Tropes present in the episode:
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11	* AintTooProudToBeg: In the final act, Lionel desperately begs Chloe on his hands and knees to listen to him as he warns about "[[VaguenessIsComing something terrible]]" coming. Chloe isn't moved.
12	** Mind you, he's willing to fall to his knees before one of the few people he gleefully screwed over throughout the series so far.
13	* AndIMustScream: What Brainiac does to Lana amounts to this. He even describes it as such.
14	* InternalReveal: Lois and Jimmy are the first to find out that Patricia Swann is dead... and by the end of the episode, that Lex may be responsible.
15	* ManlyTears: Clark is heard crying by Lana's side after [[MouthOfSauron Brainiac tells him through Lana]] that he's too late.
16	* MouthOfSauron: In the final scene, Brainiac speaks through Lana to tell Clark that he's too late to save her.
17	* NotMeThisTime: Lionel tells Chloe he didn't kill Patricia. But of course, she doesn't believe him, as he also killed Patricia's father.
18	* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Near the end, Lionel, who's known for being calm, collected, narcissistic, and arrogant, ends up getting on his knees and begging Chloe to listen to him as he tries to warn her of [[VaguenessIsComing something very bad coming]].
19	* ProphetEyes: Lana gets these after Brainiac takes control of her.
20	* ReformedButRejected: In the final act, Lionel insists to Chloe that he's repented of his past sins, but Chloe dismisses his claims and accuses him of taking advantage of Clark's AllLovingHero nature.
21	-->'''Lionel:''' Miss Sullivan, you must talk to Clark. I need you to talk to Clark.
22	-->'''Chloe:''' A little late to mend that fence. Amazing how a couple of cold-blooded murders can come between people.
23	-->'''Lionel:''' [[TheAtoner I have taken moral responsibility for every atrocity I committed in the past.]]
24	-->'''Chloe:''' "Past?!" Try last week! Maybe even today. Who knows with you?
25	-->'''Lionel:''' [[NotMeThisTime I did not kill Patricia Swann.]]
26	-->'''Chloe:''' After you knocked off her father and the rest of [[SecretCircleOfSecrets that Veritas coven]] of yours, I'm supposed to believe you why?
27	-->'''Lionel:''' Because I was given a gift. I was chosen by Jor-El to serve him, to be [[MouthOfSauron his vessel, his emissary]]. [[HeelFaceTurn And that changed me. That made me a different man.]]
28	-->'''Chloe:''' We're not stupid. You preyed on Clark's [[AllLovingHero inherent need to find good in all people, and his constant willingness for forgiveness]]. But now you have [[CryingWolf cried wolf]] one too many times.
29	-->'''Lionel:''' Please. I'm begging you to listen. Clark won't talk to me. He's turned away from Jor-El, and now he is vulnerable. He is in terrible danger.
30	-->'''Chloe:''' If he's in any danger, it's only from you.
31	-->'''Lionel:''' ''[[SuddenlyShouting I've repented]]''!
32	-->'''Chloe:''' That's right; [[SarcasmMode you're an intensely spiritual man]]. You amassed all the power a human could until you found out about Clark. Befriending him is the closest thing you'll ever get to seeing {{God}}.
33	-->'''Lionel:''' Protecting him is the only way I found to pay for my sins. And isn't that what we all want? To repent, and be forgiven. But none of that matters. Because [[VaguenessIsComing what's coming, is so terrible]].
34	-->'''Chloe:''' Another false warning. You seriously need to come up with a new line. ''[leaves]''
35	* SecretCircleOfSecrets: The Veritas Society, whose members included Lionel, Dr. Swann, the Queens, and the Teagues. It was founded around the prophecy of the Traveler (Kal-El/Clark).
36	* ToThePain: Brainiac describes what's happening to Lana, saying she can't scream or move but is experiencing immense pain.
37	-->'''Clark:''' What did you do to Lana?
38	-->'''Brainiac:''' A little adjustment to her central nervous system. Absolutely irreversible by any human standards; completely reversible by me.
39	-->'''Kara:''' Whatever you want me to do. Just don't let Lana suffer.
40	-->'''Brainiac:''' I'm afraid that she ''is'' suffering. [[AndIMustScream There's part of Lana that is completely aware of what's happening around her, but she has no control over her body. Her motor skills, her speech, every breath she takes, is controlled by me.]]
41	-->'''Clark:''' Leave her out of this.
42	-->'''Brainiac:''' Did I mention that Lana is in excruciating pain? She just can't express it.
43	* VaguenessIsComing: Lionel insists to Chloe that "something terrible" is coming. (See ReformedButRejected above.)
44	* WhamLine: It's in a flashback, but at the meta level it qualifies.
45	-->'''Lionel:''' ''[to young Lex]'' We are going to fly in a helicopter, to a little town called ''Smallville!''
46	* YouAllShareMyStory: Apparently LaserGuidedAmnesia from being at ground zero of the original meteor shower caused Lex to forget that he used to be playmates with Oliver Queen, Jason Teague, and Patricia Swann.
47	* YouAreTooLate: Brainiac tells Clark such through Lana in the final act.
48	-->'''Brainiac:''': ''[[[MouthOfSauron through Lana]]]'' You're too late, Kal-El.
49	* YouHaveToBelieveMe: No one believes Lionel has truly changed or listens to his warning. Since this is Lionel we're talking about, we're forgiving if no one will hear anything he says. No matter how much he pleads and begs, even if he's being sincere.

Context Recap / SmallvilleS07E15Veritas