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Superman (1996) :: Blasts from the Past, Part I (02x01)
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Episode Information |
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| Title: | Blasts from the Past, Part I |
| Episode #: | 02x01 |
| Production Number: | 014 |
| Original Airdate: | Monday September 08th, 1997 |
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 MoggIntellect
Total Reviews: 1
Not Useful
Useful
| A Thought Provoking Journey
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!!!!!! This review contains spoilers !!!!!!
This episode serves as an example not only of the difficulty of classifying 'good' and 'evil', but also of Superman's fallibility.
To begin with, this entire episode begins with Superman's error in judgement. That mistake, however, was not bringing Mala out of the Phantom Zone, rather, his betrayal of her. Of course we cannot know what has transpired 'off camera', so to speak, but we can be sure that Superman has not yet grasped the essentials of communication as evinced through his conversation with Professor Hamilton. He expressed his displeasure with her and vocally pondered returning her to the Phantom Zone. This begs the question, 'is that within his rights to determine?'
It was at that point that he crossed the line between upholder of law and protector of the people, to slightly more than that. He has – at this moment – become a determiner of another person's fate, merely because her methods don't agree with him. Up to that time, she had not exhibited any 'wrongful' deeds, and in fact had sworn to follow Superman's lead. Yes, her methods of protecting the populace were different from Superman's, but does that mean they are 'wrong'? In another series, Justice League, a similar character – Hawkgirl – is among the crime fighters. Like Mala, she displays a penchant for violence, and rarely restrains herself when it comes to fighting criminals. Surely she is not wrong as well.
In speaking behind her back, rather than speaking openly to her face about his concerns, he shows that he doesn't truly trust her, which in turn results in her mistrust of him. The situation with Lois Lane was not only a question of love; instead, it was a moment of truth in her mind. Does Superman not only trust her, but also believe in her as an equal? The harsh reality, was 'no'. Rejecting her in front of Lois, only served to further isolate Mala in an already shockingly lonely situation. She has just come into this new world, and taken under her wing by this strange man, who – in many ways – betrays her. It isn't surprising she sought the comfort of her previous lover. Is Superman to blame for her reaction? Of course not . . . completely. At the same time, can he be entirely exonerated? Maybe not.
Mala is not a leader; she's a follower. Superman had the opportunity to have her side with him, but that chance was thrown away by his lofty expectations. Mala's sole purpose was not simply to dominate, but to assist the 'dominator' in whatever fashion he had determined, and for her and Superman, it meant peace. It's difficult, therefore, to think of her as purely evil, instead of purely misguided. Certainly she was strong and ambitious, but is that inherently evil?
How accountable is a man for the reaction his words create in others? Is Superman to be praised when his words evoke peace? If so, is he not equally linked to the words that incite anger and loss of life? No doubt these questions have no definitive answer, yet this episode has cleverly laid them before us, if not to answer, then to ponder.
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| Review posted on Tuesday, October 31st 2006 12:05 am |
3 members found this review useful, 1 member didn't find this review useful
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