Reaper

'Smallville' explores an interesting theory in this 17th episode.

A young man named Tyler is believed to be dead when he actually is well, alive, and with the ability to end others' lives. He does so with his sick, bed-ridden mother, since she asks for it. This event causes Tyler to believe that all sick, bed-ridden, and older people wish for the same fate. Clark is able to convince Tyler that everybody has their own opinion on how they want to die, and that choosing that fate for them is wrong.

This episode is also good since it hints in Clark's belief to let the natural way decide people's lives. As a superhero who doesn't force death on others, but lets other factors decide their fate, this was an interesting character aspect to feature for an episode.

While visiting his sick mother Rose Randall (Retha Htton) in the hospital, Tyler Randall (Reynaldo Rosales) is requested to commit euthanasia with her. The nurse witness the attempt, the security guard tries to arrest Tyler, he falls from the sixth floor and dies. When the coroner removes a green stone from his wrist, Tyler returns to life with a lethal touch. He decides to help terminal people to die becoming "The Reaper".

"Reaper" is an excellent episode of "Smallville", with a discussion of father and son relationship: Clark and Jonathan, Lex and Lionel, Whitney and George, all of them facing and superseding somehow different situations. The difficulty of Clark and Jonathan to approach to each other after arguing is very human and real. Lex Luthor again is amazing, with his bitter relationship with his father, and trying to resolve the problems of his real friends, and Jonathan Kent finally shows some respect for him. The quote of Lex talking to Clark highlighted in IMDb ("When my father dies, kings will come to his funeral, but when your father dies, his friends will come") is one of the best moments of this episode. In my opinion, "Reaper" is not perfect because of the sad fate of the character of Tyler, who was pressed by his mother's request ("you will do it if you love me") and became "The Reaper". My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Anjo da Morte" ("The Death Angel")

"Reaper" has some great ideas and great moments, but the episode itself is only merely good. The villain of the week, Tyler, has a sad backstory and you can reason with some of his decision-making. His spontaneous combustion power is actually pretty cool. But there is some staleness and similarities to previous villains. That said, there is some great father-son ideas. Clark and Jonathan get into a fight. Plus, Lex gets involved, which is always something.

In this episode, Tyler Randall is visiting his sick mom in the hospital. She requests that he use euthanasia to end her life and will do so if he loves her. After being witnessed, he falls six stories to his death. When a green rock is removed from his bracelet, he returns to life...but with a catch. He has a lethal touch and will kill anyone upon touch. He uses this power to help terminally ill people die with dignity. Whitney's father is slowly dying, and Tyler has his eyes on him. Meanwhile, Dominic Senatori is sent by Lex's father to investigate his finances and learns that Lex is investigating Clark who in turn tells Jonathan. Lex tries to mend fences with Clark and Jonathan. Lex also tries to set up Clark with Lana.

Overall, this is a decent episode. Lex manages to deliver some memorable quotes (when does he not?) "When my father dies, kings will come to his funeral, but when your father dies, his friends will come." Lex with the truthful words. That line stood out to me. The villain of the week was alright and honestly could have been better.

My Grade: B.