Season 8 introduces another DC character with Maxima, and the result is another enjoyable entertainment driven episode, which is even more enjoyable on second viewing, since I know how dark and boring many of the upcoming season 8 episodes will end up being. Considering Smallville usually alters comic book characters drastically to make them more reality based, Maxima is surprisingly closely adapted from the comics. The best thing about "Instinct" is that it escalated the Clark/ Lois dynamic, as has been handled very well in the early episodes of season 8. Not so well handled is the annoying scenes between Jimmy and Chloe about Clark. Having Jimmy get repeatedly jealous about Clark after 2 seasons has more than run it's course, and it only comes across as juvenile at this point.
5 Reviews
Jimmy's insecurity strikes again!
colaof7 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Jimmy finds Chloe's letter that she wrote to Clark way back in season 2, and freaks out once again. What does Chloe have to do to prove her love to this guy. She (foolishly) agreed to marry him, what more does he want? Chloe is way out of Jimmy's league to begin with, so he should be thankful that she's willing to settle for him, and back off before it's too late. Not to mention the fact that the letter was written a long time ago, back when her and Clark were still in high school. I can't for the life of me understand why Chloe even puts up with his crap. I wouldn't. What's worse is he actually seems to think that he's in the right, asking why Chloe never said those things to him. Well maybe because she never had to. Clark was always chasing after Lana, and it's kind of hard to admit that you have feelings for your best friend when you know they don't feel the same way. Jimmy, on the other hand, is completely transparent with his feelings. A simple I love you should suffice, but that's just not good enough for him. Then, what does Jimmy do? He goes to the Ace of Clubs, and starts making out with the first girl who hits on him. He has a moment of hesitation, but in the end makes out with her anyway. The little prick gets his though, because the girl is none other than Maxima, who's kiss can be deadly to humans. Serves him right. I actually liked the Maxima character though, because she reminded me of the Neila character from Superboy. Neila was actually based off of Maxima originally, but my introduction to the character came courtesy of Superboy. I was less than pleased with Clark's reaction to Jimmy's cheating though. Maxima may have had a power over him, but I think Jimmy would have succumbed either way. It's not everyday a beautiful woman goes after a guy like him. I also wasn't too happy with Chloe just blowing off the whole thing, or feeling guilty over the letter she wrote to Clark where Jimmy was concerned. I mean she admits to Clark that she no longer feels that way, so what is there for her to feel guilty about? Jimmy's feeling? He's the one who got all bent out of shape over ancient history. It's not Chloe's fault that he's unable to trust the fact that her and Clark are just friends. The Clark and Lois stuff was great in this episode, as it has been so far this season. All in all not a bad episode. Minus Jimmy I'd give it a 7, but I just can't overlook his idiocy.
Thank the Arrow-verse. No seriously!
sophiejensen-1306316 April 2023
Several unrelated notes from the episode: the Actress to play Maxima looks like Caity Lotz who plays Canary/White Canary Sarah Lance in the CW Arrow-verse. Two: I wholeheartedly agree with Chloe that Jimmy's jealously of Clark and constant insecure suspicions of Chloe's infidelity are getting tiresome and broken record. A perception and obsession that unfortunately would only get worse and more destructive (not to mention tiresome and exhausting for the viewer) as the season went on.
Three, I assumed Maxima was a canonical DC character, she shows up again played by a different actress on Supergirl's Earth. She is one of very few examples where I can unequivocally say Smallville gave the same character far greater depth. Or at least, showed more than the stereotypical hot kick-ass female alien trope.
It is neat to see proof that Lois and Clark have a connection rather than just explosive chemistry. Ironically enough proved by literal chemistry and alien psychology. They'll doubt where to go and what to do about it for a while longer but this is the first time either of them have actually considered that, to quote a Disney classic 'there may be something there'. It's also nice to see that the line in Supergirl where Maxima says she once sought to make Kal'el her mate wasn't throw away line created by the Supergirl writers to create a connection to Superman out of thin air. But ultimately, if I hadn't already seen Supergirl and Arrow before going back to Smallville to watch season-8 for the very first time, I wouldn't have seen anything except cheap, tired attempts to hook viewers and keep the tension between characters alive alive...at the all-too-familiar expense of actually being an interesting or even watchable episode.
Three, I assumed Maxima was a canonical DC character, she shows up again played by a different actress on Supergirl's Earth. She is one of very few examples where I can unequivocally say Smallville gave the same character far greater depth. Or at least, showed more than the stereotypical hot kick-ass female alien trope.
It is neat to see proof that Lois and Clark have a connection rather than just explosive chemistry. Ironically enough proved by literal chemistry and alien psychology. They'll doubt where to go and what to do about it for a while longer but this is the first time either of them have actually considered that, to quote a Disney classic 'there may be something there'. It's also nice to see that the line in Supergirl where Maxima says she once sought to make Kal'el her mate wasn't throw away line created by the Supergirl writers to create a connection to Superman out of thin air. But ultimately, if I hadn't already seen Supergirl and Arrow before going back to Smallville to watch season-8 for the very first time, I wouldn't have seen anything except cheap, tired attempts to hook viewers and keep the tension between characters alive alive...at the all-too-familiar expense of actually being an interesting or even watchable episode.
Another DC comics enters the Smallville canon
Rcwilkinson12324 August 2010
Alien Superman ally, sometime-nemesis Maxima is introduced in an episode that, if anything, at least established a connection between Lois and Clark. When Maxima arrives on Earth, she comes looking for the Kryptonian man whom had escaped his planets' destruction who might be able to withstand the same passion and power that Maxima possesses. When Maxima goes from male to male unable to find the suitor, she remains unsatisfied- until she finds who she is looking for. Only then is her heart shattered when she learns that Clark has accepted that his future is on Earth, not be be with a queen from an alien world, even though he might relate more to her than any other human woman on Earth. For these reasons, it's good to see Clark stay committed to his calling on Earth, and to see that he pulled away from Maxima's passions because of Lois' being there. But it is also largely an immoral episode that really only explored one small element of the Maxima character.
Instinct
ballouvince3 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode once again establishes the testosterone driven writing team. It finds a way to blame the woman for the man's passions. Since the comic fits the writer's bill, it takes a break from straying and follows the comic. Try as it might, though, it fails to remove the mist of Clark's first love. It's too clunky, and only the knowledge of Lois and Clark let's on that they are endgame. Leave the romance writing to the women.
This is another in the series of episodes that established that even the execs thought Clark's ego was too big, so a justice league must be formed. Maxima is this episode's latest addition.
This is another in the series of episodes that established that even the execs thought Clark's ego was too big, so a justice league must be formed. Maxima is this episode's latest addition.
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