Ep 3.19 - Memoria

[yellowqueen22]

Dr. Garner uses his technology to help Lex revisit and remember past repressed memories, and in the process, Lex remembers moments from his childhood, including who really killed his brother, Julian. Lionel lures Clark into a trap for his own examination.

Guest Stars: Alisen Down (Lillian), Wayne Dalglish (Young Lex), Terence Stamp (Voice of Jor-El)

[AverageJoe]

This episode kicked butt! I loved the appearace of Lillian and seeing how Lex and Lionel interacted before lionel started hating him. The little snippet of Lionel's little lecture where he gave Lex the lead box majiger was so excellent :D
And the scene at the end where Lex tells Daddy that it wasn't actually him who killed Julienne and such. Great acting very emotional, quite the tear jerker.

[OutlawAngel]

I still cry whenever I watch this. The scene of the big birthday party for Lex and no one showed up is heartwrenching. It is no wonder he becomes such an evil villian in his future. And Lionel clearly did show his love more then too.

[Supersonic]

Yeah.... what a great episode. Why couldn't they make "Reckoning" sad like they did Lex's birthday party.

If anything... Reckoning just made me angry that Lana got saved.

Im not joking. That episode really made me angry.

[greggbray]

Memoria is my hands-down favorite episode, bar none. As much as I love Perry, Relic, Rosetta, Arrival, Solitude, Run, Hourglass, Lineage (eh, you get the idea..), this one takes the gold.

Every scene, every line of dialogue, just works. Lex's memories, Clark's memory of Lara (and his first word), explaining Lex and Lionel's Love/Hate (it's mostly out-revenging one another, now, but at that point it REALLY came to a head)--it all works.

I didn't know television writing could be so good (outside of Firefly)!

My hope is to see another Memoria-leve episode sometime this season. While I didn't feel it with Reckoning, moments of Vengence came close. I truly hope the season finale (this season) stands up there with Memoria. There's a LOT of potential.

Back on track--Lionel's acting during Lex's confession--he saw his mother do it--was incredible. JG is just one of the finest actors on the tube!

[jdot]

The ending of this episode gets me every time. Clark talking to Martha about Lara and Lara's fears for him and Martha's response to him ("A mother's love never dies.") chokes me up every single time I see it. This is a moment that has so much meaning to anyone who has lost a parent (or both in my case) when they were too young to really remember them. Those few memories you do have become very precious and VERY powerful.

[vyperman7]

A great episode. The insight into Lex's childhood, combined with the performances from MR and JG made this one hell of a memorable episode. The dream sequence with Krypton, and the loft scene with Clark and Martha set to Evanescence's "My Immortal" was one of the most touching scenes ever. Definately one of the series best episodes. I don't think it is quite as good as everyone says it is though. A lot of people say this is the best episode they have done. I don't think it is, but it still has a place on my top 25 list.

[nighthawk]

The best Lex Luthor episode EVER!!!!

The last scene between he and Lionel...amazing. It really shows that it makes sense for him to become a villain. His life is FU**ED UP!

[vyperman7]

The best Lex episode is Shattered. That is the best episode of the show in my opinion. I really do love Memoria, but it is not quite as good as everyone makes it out to be.

[Supersonic]

The best lex Episode? I dunno about that, since you could define 'best' in so many ways.

I mean... Onyx definitely gave Lex the most, "wow", while Memoria and Shattered gave Lex the most sympathy.

[MBCorp]

In my opinion Memoria is the only completely flawless SV episode. I can't think of one thing that I'd change about it. The direction, dialogue, plot, acting, etc is remarkable. It's absolutely perfect, even better than Shattered (and I love Shattered dearly).

[OutlawAngel]

I liked this episode becuase there wasnt any silly story B teenage love angst stuff here. It was just one big story and that is the best way to go.

[vyperman7]

Originally posted by MBCorp
In my opinion Memoria is the only completely flawless SV episode. I can't think of one thing that I'd change about it. The direction, dialogue, plot, acting, etc is remarkable. It's absolutely perfect, even better than Shattered (and I love Shattered dearly).

Even though the episode was not about Clark, I would have made the Krypton flashback better. This is also just personal preference, but I wish they could have gotten the actor who played Lex in the Pilot and Lineage. It always bugged me a little bit to see a completely different actor playing the character. Although the kid did do a good job. I just think the other actor actually looked like MR at a young age. The kid who played Lex in Memoria, had no resemblance to MR at all, aside from the baldness that is.. LOL

[Shadow116]

Great episode more of Lex's dark past revealed.

[UpandAtom]

i thought the flashbacks were great. this was an episode that made use of all the main characters. it definetely beats out "Rosetta"

[shy175223]

when I saw Clark at the end it kind of broke my heart because it look like he had his insides torn right out of him or something.

[vyperman7]

Originally posted by UpandAtom
i thought the flashbacks were great. this was an episode that made use of all the main characters. it definetely beats out "Rosetta"

In my opinion it doesn't.

But it all depends on who your favorite character is. My favorite character of the show is Clark and I watch for his journey towards becoming Supes. Since Rosetta was all about him finding out where he was from, CR guest starring, the Supes score, the flying dream, etc it was all great.

Memoria is an amazing episode no doubt about it. I thought they did a great job giving us hints at why Lex will become the way that he does.

I just don't think it is as good as everyone says it is.

[Clark/Lois-fan]

I'm a Clark fan, so I say that the only good moments this episode had was with Clark. First the flashback to his birth parents- and at the end of the scene the camera goes away from Clark as he yells " LARA! LARA!"

the very last scene with Clark and Martha. A truly touching scene with the music playing in the background... Kudos to AOT and TW

[brainiacowen]

For me, the most exciting character is Lex...Clark is a close second, I LOVE Superman, but villains always just captivate me. Maybe because I could see myself becoming a man like Lex before a selfless Superhero(Clark).

This episode gave him a great reason for his darkness...he wasn't born with it...Lionel and Lillian pretty much gave it to him(though I'll forgive Lillian, she was so messed up...).

[Firebunny]

This is definitely my favorite episode. It's all about mothers and love and it's really sweet/sad/frightening. Its a watershed episode for both Clark and Lex.

First Lex remembers that his mother killed his brother. Why did she do it? Because she loved Julian so very much she couldn't let him suffer through life with Lionel. Lex is still alive, ergo, his mother didn't love him as much as she loved Julian. How sick is it to realize the only reason you're alive is because you're mother didn't love you? And to top it off, the thing Lex does to protect the parent who doesn't love him causes the parent who does love him (his father) to stop loving him. No wonder this guy is so messed up.

And then there's Clark. He's incapcitated, violated physically as well as mentally, then almost killed. Yet the experience turns out to be a positive one for him 'cause he recovered a memory of his birth mother and how much she loved him and worried about him. Then Martha tells him that a mother's love lives on even after she has died and you realize Clark has two mothers who love him and Lex has none. That's the reason one of them is good and the other is bad.

There's so much in the episode. It's just amazing to watch and ponder.

[OutlawAngel]

Also what I got from this is the differenve in all the parents and even some similarities.

Lex was believed to be responsible and Clark is greatly responsible for the death of their siblings. The difference is though is that Lex's dad never forgave him after all these years but Martha and Jonathan accepted what happend and never loved their son any less. Even when Jonathan was mad and upset and hurt he obviously never stopped loving Clark.

There differences in similarities might be a big part of the results of who and what Clark and Lex will someday be.

I never really believed that Lillian loved Lex any less. I think she was thinking if she killed one child she could save both of them. She couldnt of known how Lionel would turn so evil against Lex and she might not of even ever meant for Lex to be held responsible for Jullian's death. I thought she just thought if she killed Jullian then the 2 would never have to fight for Lionel's love and Lionel would love and nurture Lex to be a good person. Back then I think Lionel was cruel and twisted, but nothing like he is now. Sure he killed his own parents but back then he loved Lex and while he was still rough and slightly twisted in his ways of raising him he still loved him and never would bring anything too harmful down on Lex.

[ckfan]

Probably the most emotionally powerful episode, and the best one about the love of mothers for their sons.

Probably the best episode, also, for understanding why Lex is the way he is and the warped nature of his family dynamics.

But the Clark-Martha barn scene at the end is the most beautiful scene ever, in all of TV. Just perfect. Wow.

[brainiacowen]

Another sweet part, the only power Clark used was X ray vision. I assume he speed there, but they didn't show it, which I liked. They don't need to show it in EVERY episode, and they proved it here.

[RedKalEL]

Originally posted by OutlawAngel
I liked this episode becuase there wasnt any silly story B teenage love angst stuff here. It was just one big story and that is the best way to go.

there was almost going to be a b plot involving lana and a fbi guy thank god they cut that. That another thing i like about this episode is that lana is in the beginning does her part and is done. but this is my second fav lex episode first is onyx

[UpandAtom]

My favorite part of this episode was at the end when Clark had a conversation with his mom. That was so heartwarming. This episode really showed how mothers are willing to do anything for their children.

[Clair de Lune]

I forgot how intense this episode was until I watched it last night for the first time since its original air date. Wow. It seemed to affect me more now, maybe because of how Lex has changed over the last two seasons. It's a really terrific episode---one of the best, in fact (IMO). The scenes with Lex and Lionel are outstanding. The scene when Clark is screaming out "Lara, Lara!" ripped my heart out. And the scene with Martha in the end is very moving. What an interesting way to show how the choices of two mothers affected their sons; both mothers wanted what was best for their boys, and both went about it in such dramatically different ways.

I love this episode!

[maryjanewatson]

This is probably one of my favorite epsiodes, if not my favorite. It's probably the only episode i have seen so far that had me crying with tears. I mean, there have been episodes that have made me come close to crying and stuff, but this one, ugh, i cried. it's so sad through out the whole thing, what with lex's memories, and clark and his mom. so sad! it was so well made and powerful. I usually don't cry in shows, so that is saying something.

[Clair de Lune]

I know. I got all teary too!

[Welling_is_pretty]

This episode was great (though I'm in the Clark fan camp and I wish there had been more with him).
Learning the secrets about Lex was amazing and the birthday party scene was so sad. You really felt for the kid. It explains a lot about 'future' Lex. Though I'm sorry they chose to make the reason that Lionel is the way he is with Lex to be that Lionel thinks/thought Lex killed Julian. It explains a lot and yet nothing at all, at the same time.
But the best stuff, for me, was Clark and his mother(s). Hearing him shout Lara's name in such agony (heck, her FINALLY getting a mention at all) was great!
Welling's expression in the barn later and his scene with Annette was fantastic. People can talk all they want about Jon Kent but the truth is, Martha is the real foundation for the hero he will become.
And finding out his first word was 'Lara'.
I wish this had been a springboard for more mentions or whatever about Lara. Guess not.
A great episode. One of the best.

[Keldaz]

My absolute favourite episode of all times, no doubt.

I remember when i saw this the first time, i walked around like a zombie the next month, thinking of what happened to lex.

My ABSOLUTE favourite scene, no doubt, at all, im 100% sure is when JG is about to breakdown in his office when Lex had said what happened.

I mean, i couldnt love an episode more!

And i couldnt help crying everytime Wayne Dalglish was on screen, hes so emotional. I think he fit into the role perfectly, i really cried at the end, thinking of Lex.

Nothing more to say then:

ITS SO SAD!

#1 Episode of all Smallville no doubt, i love these kind of episodes, after this one comes Relic, its kinda the same but i love this episode more.

Oh did i forget to mention that i loved the scene with Lionel and Lex? Undoubtibly my ABSOLUTE favourite scene of ALL TIMES!

And im not joking, i cried. :(

[Linnyta]

Memoria I can say its my favorite episode, it was nice to see where did Lex got all of his evils from...he is my favorite character as well so gettin to know that being the way he is was not all his fault was simply great for me..

[newscaper]

I just saw it for the very first time a couple of days ago -- I'm a new SV fan working thru the DVD sets.

Love all the Lionel/Lex.

And the Clark/Martha scene at the end is one of the most moving bits of television I have ever seen, for real.

[MarkAllan22]

Such an emotional episode. I remember the first time I watched it, I teared up at the end. Just got through watching it again for the second time, and again I teared up.

[kryptonson]

you should read the backend comic of superman/batman #26 sometime. That had me completely choked up

[WriteAngel1]

uh, is this in the right forum???

[Detorio]

Memoria was a great episode. Certainly one of the best in season 3. It was interesting to see just how 'lonenly' Lex was during his childhood. The scene that i felt trully sorry for Lex was when the table of party goodies was shown. It was like a 20 metre table full of food, lollies, drinks...u name it. And rite at the end was Lex. At that moment i realised how freaking lonely and heart broken you would be. An excellent episode!

[Smallvilleprincess]

I Missed this One. So I Just Reading tO gET iNFO.

[jay dante]

Best episode of season 3 no doubt. Very good job showing Clark and Lex's past. Only thing that could make this perfect would be deleting Lana's scenes.

[tallville]

I love lex's birthday scene. it was very sad. i like this little lex better than the one from the pilot. i like seeing more of lex's past.

[EricN68]

I had a hard time accepting Clark's decision to go to Lionel with the news that Lex was trying to recover his memories. It's one thing for him to have to lie when asked about his powers or whatever, but to go out of his way to sabotage Lex, behind his back, and then righteously claim it was to protect Lex... Hard to watch.

I agree about the touching loft scene with Martha -- "A mother's love never dies." Beautifully contrasted against Lex's last scene with his father -- a father's love that did indeed die, when Julian died?

[SKUID87]

WOW!

What an amazing episode! Easily up there with the best of the show. Heck I wouldn't shy away from saying this IS the best episode of the series so far!

So good it actually had me sign up to the forums just so that I could talk about it! :D

Really had my emotions moving in all directions. The Lex history was absolute brilliance...the scene with Lex and Lionel towards the end - Fantastic!

I loved the Clark/Martha scene too....I was all teary eyed thinking to myself "not gonna cry, not gonna cry", and she came out with her line "A mothers love never dies..." The tears began to flow! My Immortal playing in the back made it just perfect...

Does anyone know where I can get the lil tune played in the background in the LexPast scenes? It's not in the Music section of the site...its a lovely piano tune.

If anyone knows where I can get it from...please let me know!

Thnx

[LuthorRequiem2]

SKUID87,

I believe that music is just something that the composer of the show, Mark Snow, composed specifically for this episode. He wrote it specifically for the sadness of the flashback scenes and the poignancy of the episode. Great music. I wish I could download it. I hope that they come out with a "Music of Smallville" CD that has just the music written for the show. That'd be fantastic.

I agree with you that this is one of the best episodes of the series. When I first saw it, I was so choked up, especially that scene with Lionel and Lex. The part when Lionel says, "If I'd known...if I'd seen...what...things would've been so...so different between us," and Lex responds, "Yes, Dad. You might have actually loved me," was just so tragic, and then John Glover is such a great actor. You could see he was trying to reach out to Lex, trying to say, "It's not too late," but Lex just says, "No...NO," and walks off. What a truly inspiring moment in directing/writing/acting history. Everyone involved did such an exquisite job.

[The_Frag_Man]

This is one of the best episodes of smallville, and I think it really shows why clark's friendship is so important to lex, because he never had any friends as a kid.

Also, JG's acting at the end, perfect. Where he almost begins to say "I do love you" to lex right as lex leaves the room, just brilliant.

[fresh prince]

I just saw this again and I thought it was amazing one of my favorite episodes of the season this was just perfect

[Jill]

I just saw it again too.

I loved the entire episode, they explain so much stuff about Lex's past, that I really like.

GREAT EPISODE. MUST SEE :)

[Lex Don't Got Hair]

This is the only episode in any series that almost made me cry =/

[genvillewars92]

i loved this ep!and the ending*sniff*

[wearetheborg]

Holy crap, the scene at the end with Lionel and Lex - its got to be one of the most moving scenes in TV history. I loved the background music too. I've been watching all the smallville episodes the past few weeks, and man this episode hit me hard.
The best epsiode in smallville IHMO. Not a whole lot of special effects, just brilliant storyline and brilliant acting, and fantastic music.

[Lex Dance]

I always used to think that Shattered was my favourite episode of Smallville - no questions asked - with Memoria a close second. But having just watched my S3 DVD for the first time in a long while I think the two have swapped places. Possibly it's to do with how well the two episodes have aged, or possibly it's to do with having had a baby in the time since I last saw either of them; but for me, Memoria is as perfect an episode of the series as we could expect to see. Not a scene or line of dialogue is wasted, the acting is simply superb, the pace of the episode is masterful (don't forget it's only 45 minutes of television), and the story and it's implications for Lex Luthor are wonderfully told.

There are so many excellent parts of Memoria - many of which have already been discussed - but I think the back to back scenes between Lex and Lionel, and Martha and Clark make this episode so memorable. These four actors are excellent throughout the episode but those two scenes show quite how good they are. When John Glover tries to embrace Michael Rosenbaum, who denies him through gritted teeth with that "No. No", it sends shivers down my spine. I love the way the scene leaves Lionel physically swaying with emotion too. And by the time Martha has told Clark that his first word was "Lara" I'm just in bits. Being a father of one (with another on the way), Memoria now holds a lot more resonance for me. People have talked on this thread about Lilian Luthor's lack of love for her first son, but I don't agree. Later appearances in Lexmas and Void make her love for Lex very apparent but here her actions are as much for his sake as for Julian's - the survival of both is what would cause the misery.

A great, great episode.

[Alexius]

Another of SV "golden" episodes, in my Top 5 also. It gets deep inside of you with a lot of emotion, unforgettable!

[chriskent]

How did Lex forget that it wasn't him, but his mother, who killed Julian in the first place?

[Lex Dance]

Originally posted by chriskent
How did Lex forget that it wasn't him, but his mother, who killed Julian in the first place?
I suppose from that night on Lionel treated Lex as if he HAD killed Julian. Grief, guilt, stress and all the rest of it would probably cause Lex to believe that he had indeed killed his brother. Lex tells Lionel at the end of Memoria that he took the blame to protect his mother, that as Lionel's only heir he knew he would be untouchable. So to some extent Lex had probably built that reality on purpose, regardless of his father's treatment of him.

[shy175223]

Originally posted by Lex Don't Got Hair
This is the only episode in any series that almost made me cry =/

I concur. It showedClark at his most vulnerable..the scene when he dropped into tank and he cried out his mother's name and at the end it looked like he had be tortured at the end. It just broke my heart to see him that way.

I am watching right now and I will never get tired of watching it..

[The Great Ymmij]

Yeah, I just watched it right now on tv again, and it reminded me why this episode is in my top 5 smallville episodes. Absolutely terrific!!

[tibbit78]

What did I think of Memoria?


I loved this episode where Lex tries to get back his last 7 weeks. Poor Clark tries to stop him. Usually it's Clark who rescues Lex, now it was Lex's turn to rescue Clark. Clark was inside a green tank that had meteor rocks in it. It was making Clark very weak and sick. Lex smashes something into the tank and pulls Clark out of it. Later on, Clark and Lex had a conversation about it. I loved their conversation. First Lex said to Clark, "What were you doing at Summerholt, Clark?" Clark answers Lex, "I was trying to save my friend from making a big mistake." Lex answers Clark, "That was your opinion. I told you to let it go, but you kept pursuing it. You even involved my father. He betrayed you, Clark. He stopped my sessions with Garner by offering you up as a lab rat. I've tried to keep my father away from you, but he's obsessed. If I'd got back those 7 weeks, I could have finally stopped him."

I loved the answer Clark gave to Lex. That Clark Kent sure has wisdom beyond his years. It's always great to listen to what Clark has to say on Smallville. Clark says to Lex, "Maybe, Lex. Or maybe you'd make it worse. You're always telling me how you don't want to turn into your father. But the more you two go at each other, the more like him you become and the more people get hurt."

Lex replies back to Clark, "I will never become my father. I would never sacrifice you or anybody I cared about to bring him down." (This was the old Lex Luthor. I really did like the old Lex Luthor when he and Clark were best friends).


I liked the Lex and Lionel scene. Lex talks to his father Lionel about Dr. Garner's experiments.

Lex: Dad, in yesterday's melee, I didn't get a chance to tell you about a repressed memory I recovered. Don't worry, Dad. It wasn't about those 7 weeks. It was about Julian.

Lionel: Yes, we put that tragedy behind us years ago, didn't we?

Lex: I didn't kill him.

Lionel: Lex, I understand you need to excuse your behavior, but I saw you, Lex. I saw you standing over Julian's crib. It's the past. It's history.

Lex: Mom did it. I walked in, and I found. That's what I repressed.

Lionel (has a shocked look on his face): Don't you dare. I won't let you desecrate your mother's memory like that.

Lex: I don't blame her. I blame you.

Lionel: What are you talking about? Your mother loved Julian. She wasn't capable of murdering her own child. She loved him.

Lex: She loved him so much, she couldn't bear the thought of subjecting him to your particular brand of parenting.

Lionel: All right, Lex. Why would you take the blame for your brother's death?

Lex: Because I was your sole remaining heir, dad. I knew you wouldn't let anything happen to me. But mom, she would have been the lamb to the slaughter.

Lionel: If I had known, if I had seen, things would have been so different between us.

Lex (smiles): Yes, dad. You might have actually loved me.


This next scene that I liked is the Clark & Martha Kent scene. After what happened to Clark being in the tank, he talked to his mom about what he had seen. He had seen his earliest childhood scene. He saw Jor-El and Lara talking about him.

Clark tells his mother Martha, "Lara is my biological mother's real name."

Martha: "Clark, how did you know that?"

Clark: "When I was in the tank, I saw my earliest memory. She was putting me in the ship. Her only fear was that no one would love me."

Martha: "I can't imagine the agony of putting my son in a lifeboat and sending him across the stars."

Clark: "Because of Jor-El, I always thought that my biological parents were monsters, but she wasn't. I just can't believe I have forgotten about her."

Martha: "You didn't, Clark. Your first words were Lara. Your father and I could never figure out what it meant. Now we know."

Clark: "I wish she could have met you, to see what a great mother I have."

Martha: "She knows, Clark. A mother's love never dies."

[lilkoolmaria]

Favorite episode of all time!

'Nuff said.

[kal-el_Girl]

Originally posted by Supersonic

If anything... Reckoning just made me angry that Lana got saved.

Im not joking. That episode really made me angry.

LOL you're not alone my friend... the story of my life. *signs petition for lana to die*
:p

Originally posted by tibbit78

Lionel: If I had known, if I had seen, things would have been so different between us.

Lex (smiles): Yes, dad. You might have actually loved me.


excellent just excellent!!
and it perfectly shows the audience why of MB's hate for his own son.
thank you for the quotes *runs home and watches eppy* *cries of happiness* *laughs at her own craziness* :p

[LuthorKent90]

Best episode ever!! :D

I'm so glad that Grant turned out to not be Julian, otherwise it would have ruined this episode, and I would've stopped watching completely. ;)

[tibbit78]

Originally posted by kal-el_Girl
LOL you're not alone my friend... the story of my life. *signs petition for lana to die*
:p



excellent just excellent!!
and it perfectly shows the audience why of MB's hate for his own son.
thank you for the quotes *runs home and watches eppy* *cries of happiness* *laughs at her own craziness* :p




Your welcome, kal-el_Girl. I hope you enjoyed reading my post.

[Firebunny]

I really enjoyed reading other's posts on Memoria. Hands down it is my favorite episode.

[jadzia2000]

Just when we thought it was safe to hate Lex, you come up with these amazing performances like Memoria and Lexmas that just want to grab you and give you a big hug!!!

The big hurt that MR brings out in Lex, it's pretty amazing.

I hate to say this, but I prefer the Lex episodes over the development of Clark.

I fear the worst for season 8, as I don't think it will make it past mid-season. Sorry, but we don't need Green Arrow hogging up the screen.

[Bethel-Knee]

This is one of my favorite episodes.
I love how Lara appeared and that was Clark's first word. How neat is that?

That's just awesome writing if you ask me.
=)

[Bilza]

Just when we thought it was safe to hate Lex, you come up with these amazing performances like Memoria and Lexmas that just want to grab you and give you a big hug!!!

The big hurt that MR brings out in Lex, it's pretty amazing.

I hate to say this, but I prefer the Lex episodes over the development of Clark.

I fear the worst for season 8, as I don't think it will make it past mid-season. Sorry, but we don't need Green Arrow hogging up the screen.


Couldn't agree with you more. Well said! MR is a genius! the finest actor on TV let alone smallville. Should be showered with recognition and awards. Even watching "evil Lex" in Onyx or insane lex in shattered and asylum or in Lexmas struggling between good and evil ..in the end finding it more hurtful from the death of Lana. "Everyone I ever loved has died!" He summed it up perfectly. Even evil lex in Descent..watching Lex descend into evil villainy is heartbreaking and tragic in itself ...he just makes u sit back and admire his performances and almost root for this character. You get emotionally involved. I think in other episodes he goes unrecognised. I like all the cast members. I think the casting of this show is greatest thing that's happened in Television. Great chemistry between the characters, it grips the audience emotionally. I'm a Clex fan because their relationship is the most fascinating to watch along with Lex's conflict with his father (Lionel who is also great!). People have only started to realise why Lex turns out to be who he is. I thought it in shattered and asylum and to a certain extent in previous seasons of how everything goes bad for Lex whether intimidation and abuse by his father or mistrust from his friends who look at him differently and betrayal especially from his first real love..Helen. Tragic story!

The scene at end got me emotional. Lex/Lionel and Martha/Clark. This is from someone who doesn't get emotional over such things. But watching all these years, it's hard to hold back the odd tears because it's such a tragedy of Clark and Lex and what they were put through in their lives (more so lex). I seen alot of hurtful scenes but the whole mother love for their children got me emotional. I went to hug my mum after this episode lol.

Season 8 is going pretty well actually but if Lex was still with us , he would make this season perfect..the best of them all perhaps.

[e-µ-i]

An amazing episode. I really enjoyed, plus the background music is well picked. I almost cried at the end when Lex said to Lionel 'maybe you could have loved me'. Quite an emotional moment.
Oh, and we heard Clark's biological mom name. Lara. Very interesting moment in this season also.

[ManOfSteel87]

Yeah, I pulled out the DVD set to watch this one the other day. . . great episode. And season 8 isn't like season 6 was as far a GA goes. He hasn't stolen the spotlight so far this season and its going great. It would be nice if MR was still around, but I'm liking all the mystery that is surrounding Lex and his disappearance/return.

[jon-el87]

I wish the writers will have Dr. Garner wake up from his coma, next season. I really liked this character, it's sad they only used him for three episodes and then had him fall into that coma. He would have been a great recurring villain (much better then those FOTW) and when you think about it, Dr. Garner's character is very similar to the original version of Lex Luthor (when he was a mad scientist, not an evil billionaire).

[Var-Zol]

i want a revisit of that scene where jor el and laura put kal in the ship, except terrence stamp is shown as jor el and helen slater as laura in that scene.

[sithius]

Amazing. AlMiles actually specifically wrote this episode... I was expecting it to be some writer that had also written some other great episodes. AlMiles showed some really good work with this episode, why did they run out of ideas if they managed to come up with this masterpiece? It had everything. I loved the continuity, I mean, Clark even mentioned 'Ryan' who the other writers seemed to instantly forget about after his death.

Hats off to those guys for this episode. It's just a shame that they couldn't keep this level of writing/storyline up. It's the only one that nearly made me cry, from what I can recall at least. I think it speaks volumes about how they had some really good initial ideas for the show, and they definitely cared about it in the early seasons. They just simply stopped caring/became obsessed with KK from season 4 onwards.

[Lex Dance]

^^^^^ There is a thread on the general discussion board about favourite writers. I had to go with AlMiles because of what they achieved with Memoria, even if I think what they did with other elements of the story damaged the series. I think you're right to call it a masterpiece, Sithius - it's one of my favourite pieces of television. What they managed to do in only 45 minutes is quite staggering. I think people who have never watched Smallville, or only have a passing knowledge of the Superman story, can find lots to admire and enjoy in this episode.

[Clark/Lois-fan]

Truly a masterpiece in television history in my opinion. Writing, directing, acting, choice of music... outstanding

[Selina]

Truly a masterpiece in television history in my opinion. Writing, directing, acting, choice of music... outstanding

I wholeheartedly agree. I watched it for the second time yesterday and was captivated by it all over again. One of Smallvilles finest. Class in a glass.

There is a reason why I consider season 3 to be the best Smallville season ever and this episode basically represents why. The writting was simply incredible and I love how deep they dug into Lex's character and the relationship with his father. A fantastic season and the episode was the epitome of great. It's up there with Shattered.

[Nimkong]

This episode is so goodbut not on my top.Liked the acting from MR and JG,like how they flashedbacked,and how they intoduced lara.