TAKE IT FROM KAL=EL

TAKE IT FROM KAL-EL

Well, don't know if you're a big Smallville

fan (like me), but season 10 -- the final season

has started, and we are already headed to

episode 6.

What I wanted to touch on is episode 4.

"Homecoming"

*****

Clark, the reluctant hero, who always seemed

to struggle with his real identity and true

calling/destiny in life, has finally embraced

his Kryptonian heritage and destiny.

But, Jor-El (his bio-father)

told Kal-El (Clark's Kryptonian name) that

he would "never be earth's savior", due

to the darkness that was in his heart.

After all my 'saves'?

Darkness? Me, Clark? Yep. "Pride, vanity",

to name a few things. Anger, to the point

that he almost killed a man.

So, our Clark has been mystified for many days.

He knows he's not perfect.

He knows he has made many mistakes.

Too many for a superhero for sure.

What's a superman to do?

Well ... we see little hints of things here and there.

Like Jor-El sticking Kal-El's super suit

in a block of ice. AS IF  he has to earn it.

But AHHH . . . maybe he hasn't given up on

his son after all. Jor-El seems to constantly

test his son. This is probably another "test".

Enter BRAINIAC 5.

We have seen this guy,

in other episodes before,

in not-so-friendly renditions

of himself. This time he's

a member of the future "Legionaires"

and is even sporting "the ring".

He tells Clark that he, Clark, cured him.

He is no longer evil.

In the 31st century, he's a good guy, too.

So, what's he doing here,

at Clark's Smallville High School Reunion?

I LOVE THIS.

They have pulled off a nostalgic

Scrooge-like scene of redemption.

Brainiac takes Clark to 3 places back in time,

unseen by others (of course), to show

him just where the darkness in his heart began.

The first place is his earthly father's

(Jonathan Kent) burial.

He then is transported to the scene where

Jonathan goes all postal on Lionel Luther with

his fists. Jonathan's heart gave out. He died.

Clark is absolved from his guilt.

Clark thought he had caused Jonathan's death.

The next scene is at Oliver's (Green Arrow) office.

He had just told the world his true identity.

Brainiac shows Clark how much Oliver needs

his support.

And then, he is transported back to the present,

to the homecoming. Brainiac shows how that,

even though Clark does indeed loves and protects Lois Lane,

he somehow distances himself from her.

And then, before they (Clark & Brainiac)

could go the final place together,

the future, Clark reacts to the sight of a former menace he took down, 

touches the ring on Brainiac's finger, and propels himself

into the future.

ALONE.

SEVEN YEARS AHEAD.

There he meets the Lois of the future,

at the Daily Planet,

who knows that he is Superman.

And she knows the entire secret, not

just the super-powers part. The "alien" part.

He then  meets his future self and says

"How did I get so uptight and nerdy?"

He ends up helping Superman, er himself,

by staying on the roof and saving Lois,

while Superman saves the day across town.

Through all of this journey of redemption,

Clark realizes that the "darkness" inside him

is guilt over past mistakes,

fear of the future, and how

it affects him and everybody around him.

I LOVE BRAINIAC'S LINE RIGHT HERE:

"Heroes are made in the moment, not from questioning 

the past or fearing what's to come."

From there, we see confidence returning to Clark ...

pride going ... and a renewed love for Lois,

his biggest fan & supporter.

KAL-EL GOT IT.

He got the message.

It is totally vain and useless

and even destructive to

continue to kick yourself over

the mistakes of the past,

holding that guilt even over others,

and fearing what the future will bring.

Kal-El found out that his future would

turn out just fine.

He would be just fine as a real Superman.

Moral of story?

What are you holding on to that's hindering

YOU from being a hero . . .

that's hindering you from reaching

your full potential . . .

from discovering your true calling and destiny

in God?

Hopefully you can find out this week.

And then, the Legion won't have to send

in Brainiac 5, freeze time and take you

on a similar journey.

SMILE A WHILE

IT REALLY CAN'T HURT.

Until next blog,

I remain

TONY
 ***
{Photo courtesy of The CW Network}