A very intense flashback chapter. It really shows how hard these memories are for Clark to work through, but it's good that he does - both for himself, and for Lois, Martha, and Jonathan so they know what they have to deal with and can help him better. MAybe he should also consider seeing a therapist over these things. Like sure, secret identity complicates things, but...there must be someone to trust. Wasn't there one in Season 2? I think... (it also reminds me about something I didn't even consider: After all his experiences, is Clark even going to return to being Superman? Me might, or he might not. Both would be understandable for different reasons inhis situation).
I think part of the pain of this memories is not just the physical stuff but also mentally, like, he has to face the harsh truth that despite having spent 10 long years on NK trying to do something and putting his family on hold, he ultimately didn't really change anything, and as a thank you he was thrown off the planet and his only two friends got killed about it. (THer emight also be a guilt complex since the whole plan was basically his idea so there. Which might also be a reason he has difficulties to face Jor right now. At least, that would be a good explanation of why, after they seemed to have figured some things out a few years ago, they are so distanced now once again. THe father-reveal might also play in. I get the sense that while he doesn't openly show it, Jor was not unaffected by that revelation and the deception he got from everyone in his fam there).
Kudos for Z&C for trying to get Clark off-planet. Too bad they failed...back then at least...
Loved the Clark/Jor bonding moments, as bittersweet as they were. And of ourse there wasn't an easy answer to give to the kid...a lot of ambiguity there.
And the fact that the NK's basically give command over the war to someone who has zero experience in war or their society just due to his royal position is really telling about the stupidity of it all. Clakr is for sure trying his best but ultimately, someone who actually knows what they're doing might have been a better choice, and that's hard for all of them. Ironically, I think Clark could have done NK a better service in raising Jor to become a good ruler-in-spe than all he could have done commanding people around on the front. But of course, they'd never understand that...
Really looking forward to what comes next. I love the flashbacks, and there's certainly still a lot questions that can be dealt with, but to be hones,t I also really want to return to the present and see how things will continue now. But whatever comes next, I'll be here for it.
