The beginning of the end.

[greenygal]

--Okay, so this whole temptation of Brainiac 5 thing comes out of...not quite nowhere, but nearly. I know LSH is an episodic show, but a few hints between now and "Message In A Bottle" that Brainy was losing it would not have gone amiss. Also, Kell having future knowledge that Brainy is evil comes completely out of left field. Wonder if they had to wrap all this up faster than expected?

--That said, the opening sequence helps to set up the idea that this has been going on behind the scenes, and it was visually marvelous, particularly Brainiac taking on Brainy's appearance. Deeply shudder-worthy.

--"Brainy acting strange? I hadn't really noticed." *cackles*

--As previously mentioned, Superman suddenly knowing that Brainy is going to go evil comes out of nowhere, particularly since he clearly did not know about the Brainiac legacy prior to "Message In A Bottle." (Perhaps he and Kell have had an off-screen scene since then?) But Clark arguing that something might "change Brainy's path" adds interesting potential dynamics to the relationship; of course Clark would be determined to be the one who saves Brainy from himself. (Usually this is a Clark/Lex thing. Let us hope for a better outcome here.)

--Also, the pastry chef line made me howl with laughter. Somebody should write that, or draw it, whichever. Brainy in an apron making pies just needs to happen.

--The trouble with the training session scene is that Brainy is not so much being tempted, or even going insane, as randomly flip-flopping from good to evil when his eyes glow. And while I find the "control" motivation plausible, particularly when Brainiac is purring it into his ear like that, I'm kind of lost as to how trying to kill the Legionnaires constitutes "imposing order." Of course, a thirty-minute kids' cartoon is not the ideal format for this sort of thing, and for that matter his original comics flip-out was not any better worked out...

--Also, in a strange piece of characterization, Kell is a wimp. He's in a training session to help prepare for an imminent battle against the conqueror of the galaxy, and he complains because they aren't warned when the difficulty level goes up? Yeah, you know, I'm with Lightning Lad on that one.

--The Brainy/Clark scene makes me wibble. Brainy's sudden sardonic chilliness, Clark immediately picking up what Brainy means by "pretty full in here," Brainy telling Clark that his being there means the world to Brainy...and then, oh man, that promise, and Brainy's voice as he begs Clark to kill him.... Eeee. He keeps asking Clark to make the hard choices, the ones he hates--in retrospect I wonder if this is what "Fear Factory" was really about, preparation for the day that Clark wouldn't be able to save him.

--"Confine Brainiac 5 to quarters?" Sweet, stupid Superman. You seriously thought you could use the computer to lock Brainy in? Yeah, because that's a winning strategy.

--Brainy taking down the Dominators made all kinds of sense as the temptation for him to access his dark side, and man, he's scary when he cuts loose. "I have shut down the Dominators." And then he just goes back to normal and that's even worse, tiny innocent-looking B5 smiling and telling you there's nothing to worry about...eep. You can tell it freaks Clark out, too.

--"We'd so make terrible ninjas." Man, who even picked Garth for this assignment? I suppose it's irrelevant; it's not like Cham did any better. And watching Brainy beat down his fellow Legionnaires is just ouch. And then Superman, and Brainy, and "don't do it, Clark"...god, Evil Brainy knows just how to push Clark's buttons. And then the Kryptonite "as a token of our friendship"...ow, ow, ow, this entire sequence was nothing but pain. (Although my inner slasher was blackly amused to note that even Evil Organic-Hating Brainy has to take the time to note that Superman is the finest specimen of humanity.)

--When Imperiex began his victory speech, I started counting down. Brainy stabbed him through the chest before I got to zero. Foolish, foolish evil overlord; Brainiacs do not play well with others. "You I will simply...delete."

--Kell having a fit because Brainy killed his nemesis is...woefully in character. I suppose I can't blame him; he's been fixated on that one thing since literally the day he was born, and it wasn't like there was something else he could have been doing. Still. Less than mature.

--So to sum up: Brainy's out to conquer the universe, he's destroyed the season's Big Bad with a flick of his hand, he's headed off to Colu, and Superman's...dead? *whimper* Why is it not next week already??

--Next week: I don't know, because I purposefully did not watch the previews. But the series is going out with a hell of a bang.

Comments

[odditycollector.livejournal.com]

So, basically, will Brainy's love for Clark be enough to save the universe - tune in next week? This is the sense I am continuing to get.

[greenygal.livejournal.com]

Well, Brainy's love did not stop him from killing Clark, so I kind of fear for the universe. (Meanwhile, Clark's love for Brainy has doomed us all. It is possible that this relationship was not such a good idea!)

[odditycollector.livejournal.com]

Erm, wot. Somehow I doubt this is a sticky death.

[greenygal.livejournal.com]

You haven't seen it? Brainy clamps a "crown" of Kryptonite on Clark's head and then gloats as Clark writhes in agony. By the end of the episode, he's apparently succumbed to Kryptonite poisoning.

It's not that I seriously think Superman is actually dead--all else aside, there's that pesky "causality" thing--but it, er, really doesn't speak well of Clark's ability to sway Brainy from his evil ways.

[odditycollector.livejournal.com]

We're on a break. 'Though I expect I'll catch up for the last one.

But if not Clark then *who*? Because the theme of the series is "Brainy really likes Superman, like, a lot." You think they will undermine that in the end?

[greenygal.livejournal.com]

I don't know! I mean, you're right, and I can't think of anyone else it could be (Violet shows up just long enough for Brainy to punch her into a wall), but I'm kind of stuck on "but Brainy killed him!" If the real Brainy was going to struggle against his evil programming, you'd think that would be where it would happen! Maybe he just needs more time?

[odditycollector.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's the shock of killing the thing he loves and/or not killing the thing he loves after all and getting another chance? Or Clark will think of a stirring and heartfelt speech! HEARTFELT SPEECH >> KILLER ROBOTS. I vaguely remember watching cartoons before!