Superman on Television

Lois & Clark: Episode Reviews

Lois & Clark

Season 4 - Episode 18: "Shadow of a Doubt"

Reviewed by: Nathan MacKenzie

Originally Aired: April 19, 1997
Directed by Philip Sgriccia
Written by Grant Rosenberg

Guest Cast:
Patrick Cassidy as Leslie Luckaby
Keith Brunsmann as Troll/Mr Smith
Matt Roe as Edward Hanson
Pierrino Mascarino as Dr Angelo Martinelli
Kenneth Kimmins as Dr Klein
John Shea as Lex Luthor (Voice)
Leonard Kelly-Young as Detective
Michael Keenan as Lawrence Rankin

Synopsis:

This episode continues on from Faster Than a Speeding Vixen and this time we are seeing that those involved with the creation of Vixen are being targeted by our newest villain, aka Mr Smith and to do his bidding Mr Smith is using a man who was unfortunately involved in a lab accident causing him to lose molecular density turning him into a kind of a ghost like figure, kind of like a shadow. Mr Smith and Leslie Luckaby both have a crush on Lois Lane and they also learn Superman's secret identity, and they learn this by none other than Lex Luthor.

3Review Rating - 3 (out of 5): This episode continues on where we left off with the taking over of the former business as owned by Lex Luthor but before that can occur, no one is to know how Vixen was created. So, Mr Smith has hired a man who can turn himself into a shadow and sneak into lockable places to murder his victims, Vixen's creators. We also learn what Mr Smith is doing in his hideout, it is the same underground lair where we last saw Lex Luthor before his death and he is searching for something so powerful that it can give him and Leslie Luckaby the world. Leslie is able to get Lois and Clark to appear at the International Association of News writers in Atlantic City, a very esteem event where only a handful of newspapers are invited. Lois flies off ahead to Atlantic City with Clark staying behind to find out about the deaths caused by the unknown. Leslie tells Clark that he has got a great opportunity for him, he will be interviewing someone on death row and this has been a hard interview to get my any newspaper. Clark accepts, Leslie takes his place and goes to Atlantic City to be with Lois.

Continuity is key, especially when it continues on from the previous episode. We learn a bit more about Mr Smith but we also learn that he is the boss, not Leslie Luckaby. We also learn that not only does Leslie like Lois Lane, but so does Mr Smith. The item that Mr Smith is searching for is actually a tape recorder, and that voice on the recorder is none other than Lex Luthor. We hear Lex talk about Superman's true identity. Mr Smith uses the shadow man, Mr Hansen to continue to do his dirty work but offering an antidote in return, Mr Smith does not agree to terms on this promise. This does not go down well with Hansen, so he will go after what Mr Smith and Leslie want most. With Clark on assignment, Leslie takes advantage of Lois but to Lois' credit, she puts him in his place straight away. After this incident, Leslie tries to put Clark and Lois against each other which was done to great effect. It was always the plan to drive a wedge between Lois and Clark. The episode also continues to look into if Lois and Clark can have kids, which was a fun scene which we saw between Superman and Dr Klein when Superman talks to Dr Klein about this.

I am really enjoying the story line of the events in this group of episodes. It looks like the writers sat down and planned out what was to occur during these episodes and I have liked that not only has continuity occurred between episodes, but between seasons as well. We continue to explore and learn more about Mr Smith and Leslie Luckaby, who they are and what they are actually after. The continuing telling of the story if Lois and Clark can have children is an ongoing thread, which will continue until the end of the season/series. We got to see a different side to Clark, especially when he feels that he has been deceived or lied to by Lois, good news is they both came together at the end of the episode which is always a great sight to see.

The likes of Leslie Luckaby and Mr Smith are starting to grow and get better, the scenes they have together are quite good. Patrick Cassidy has almost more scene time in this episode than anyone and I feel he does a great job. He plays his role with Mr Smith with a quite serious tone and changes his direction when he is with Lois and Clark. I always enjoy the dynamic between Superman and Dr Klein and this episode is no different, it's always fun to watch these two in a scene together.

Next week, the story arc concludes with "Voice from the Past".



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