Smallville (TV Series) Wither (2006) User Reviews

The Little Shop of Horror

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 23 March 2008]

While dating with Jimmy Olsen in a forest near Metropolis, Chloe hears weird noises and finds a dead girl on the branch of a tree. Clark visits the crime scene, finds the missing boyfriend and meets the park ranger Gloria in the spot. Martha Kent is expecting a personal contact with Oliver Queen to be sponsored by the millionaire, but Lois commits a mistake when she is contacted by Oliver; she is forced to date with him in the "Dark Thursday" charity ball at Luthor's mansion. Meanwhile Lana dates Lex in the benefit ball and begins an affair with him in the end of the night. Clark finds that Gloria is a fugitive of the Phantom Zone and responsible for the mysterious deaths in the woods.

"Wither" is a soap-opera episode of "Smallville", with many romances and the funny jealousy reaction of Clark with Chloe and Jimmy Olsen; Lois seems to be falling in love for Oliver Queen; and the relationship of the insecure Lana and Lex finally ends in a love affair, or at least one night stand, the future episodes will confirm. Meanwhile Clark ends the episode playing with a tennis ball in the barn of his family farm. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Murchando" ("Withering")

Wither

[Colcatron · 7/10 · 8 April 2011]

"Wither" introduces the first escaped Phantom from the Phantom Zone, and it could not have been a less effective introduction. The season premiere set up the Phantoms as being the ultimate threat Clark had ever faced. What do we get when one is finally tracked down? An extremely un-intimidating park ranger. Not the best way to establish the incredible threat of the season. Not to mention her power being about as cheesy as it can get.

Having said that, if you put aside the disappointment of the first phantom being a boring park ranger, this was a decent "freak of the week" story that would have been enjoyable enough in season 1. Although many people were bothered by Jimmy this season, I thought he brought an amusing awkwardness to the character, which is especially well played in the opening scene with Chloe in the parked car.

On a side note, Lex uttered a line to Clark in this episode along the lines of "Your days of showing up at my home unannounced are over". Great line, except I think they've used it about 3 times already in the past 3 seasons.

Park Ranger? Try Alien!

[Rcwilkinson123 · 7/10 · 7 October 2007]

Clark battles the first Phantom Zone escapee, and relationships grow stronger, in 'Wither.' Mysterious deaths have been occurring in a national park near Smallville. Clark is suspicious of the reason behind it, and he's right- Gloria, the park ranger, is more than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Lex holds a costume ball with all proceeds going towards the revamping of Metropolis in the aftermath of Dark Thursday. Oliver Queen attends, and takes Lois Lane with him. The audience also finds out that Chloe Sullivan has a little thing going with a familiar name from the Superman story... Jimmy Olsen.

The appeal of this episode is the arrival of the first Phantom and a hint at Green Arrow's ability. Not a great episode, but a good one.