Shattered

I change nothing for this episode. Who could not give it 2 roses? Sadly, that means Alicia makes no appearance. I don't think that would be unheard of for a guest star to be left out of one episode. That happened plenty of times with Lois in season 4. I've provided a recap, but feel free to move on or scroll down for my rant.

Recap:

Lex locates Morgan Edge and manages to get a confession about his and Lionel's involvement in Lex's grandparents' death. Lex begins to hallucinate but insists that it's all Lionel's doing to discredit him for finding the truth. Clark believes his friend and sets out to prove Lex's sanity.

As Lex is hiding in the Smallville Stables, Lana stops by with some food and agrees to stay with him as Clark goes off to investigate. Lex has a paranoia attack, causing him to push Lana into a stall. The horse is spooked and breaks one of her legs. Clark takes her to the hospital as Lex goes after Edge.

Edge reveals that it was Lionel drugging Lex as an attempt to stay out of jail. A fight ensues where Clark must use his powers in front of Lex. To protect his secret, he speeds away, and Lex is taken to Belle Reve.

It is important to note that at the end of the episode, when Clark is visiting Lana in the hospital, she says these words:

I always thought you were being paranoid. That being around you was too dangerous. But it's true. It's okay, Clark. I know you're only looking out for me. But you're right. I think I have to stay away from you.

And now, my rant. This episode, that last line in particular, is why I stopped being a Clana fan. Immediately. I mean, Lana's initial response was anger at not being told about Lex's condition right away. Lana wanted to help Lex. The only way Clark can be blamed for this accident is for leaving her alone with him. Which, Lana was okay with. I repeat: she agreed to be left alone with a probably drugged/ mentally unstable Lex Luthor! Not her smartest decision, but it was hers. She could have said 'no'. It was toxic to solely blame Clark for her accident. Lana had zero anger towards Lex, who actually did it, because he "wasn't himself", which is fair.

The gravitas created from that closing scene, especially with Johnny Cash singing "Hurt", made me feel heartbroken and craving a resolution between these two. I didn't realize it until after a couple watch-throughs that the resolution occurs in "Whisper" with Lana and Clark talking in the truck. That scene did not match the emotions I felt in "Shattered".

In the series "Whisper" episode, Lana approaches Clark several times. He clearly feels awkward around her, because of the words she said to him. Words she is aware of saying, as evidenced by her conversation with Martha Kent in "Asylum". Yet, Lana doesn't seem to comprehend why Clark is pulling away. Why Clark refused Lana's help when he lost his sight. Lana instead plays the victim; that Clark is the one hurting her when in reality, he's just trying to respect her wishes. And he's trying to respect them because, oh, I don't know, Lana doesn't clarify what she said. Lana just wants to ignore it and move on, even after seeing how her words affected Clark. Lana won't be giving any apology today folks.

You know who does apologize? Clark. Clark apologized for expressing frustration earlier in "Whisper". Which, to me, is completely valid considering the circumstances.

The closest we get to Lana showing regret or remorse over her words, is hearing Lana say she "overreacted". But by that point Lana isn't the focus in the scene. Clark is. Her line is glossed over. You blink and you miss it. And I blinked. So, all the emotions I felt during the previous scene from "Shattered", never got repaired.

In case you haven't gotten the impression that this really bothered me, (like really, REALLY, really bothered me) it did. So, Clana and/or Lana fans, please come to her defense. Tell me what I'm missing. I will not accept the argument that she's just 16/17 right now. This is a TV show, and these teenagers are depicted with a heightened maturity.

Bottom line, Lana knew what she said, ignored how what she said affected Clark, did not apologize or at least clarify her meaning, and thereby refused to accept responsibility for her actions.

But not this time, Lana! (Maniacal laughter.) Not this time! I'm getting closure.

P.S. In case you are worried, my goal is to provide myself closure while not falling prey to Lana-hate-bashing. Outside of Clana, I can appreciate her character journey.