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This review contains MAJOR SPOILERS for ?Abyss,? the ninth episode from ?Smallville?s? eighth season.

Forget Krypton, the Phantom Zone and even meteor freaks; ?Abyss? takes ?Smallville? back to the central characters of the series for a very intimate adventure that will re-set the series to a familiar set-up of times past.

With Chloe (Allison Mack) very quickly forgetting elements from her life (including a certain extra-terrestrial secret), it is up to Clark (Tom Welling) to remove the Brain Interactive Construct from her mind and rebuild her persona. Aided by Jor-El, Clark immediately reaches the conclusion (as usual) that he is to blame for her current situation and so works to not only exorcise Brainiac, but also to remove all traces of his secret from her memories.

Noble though his intentions maybe, this has one rather large snag: everything built over the last four years in terms of close-knit development between Clark and Chloe is completely eradicated in a single swoop. Close encounters of the Krypton-kind, the expanding Kent family tree, several brushes with the Luthors and also the Justice League are all wiped out in the blink of an eye.

In essence, Chloe?s character is essentially re-set. That in itself serves as something of a face-slap to fans who have watched the two grow close through the sharing of Clark?s secret and, since the revelation was made in the third season, the show has been better for it. While removing that element from the show may allow for some fun nostalgia in the form of Clark using his powers in public, it is ultimately unnecessary and a step backwards in ?Smallville?s? mythology (as were the conversations in which no one looks at each other).

To the episodes credit though, Welling and Mack are unmitigated joy to watch in the episode and their deep history on the series is clearly evident in every scene they share. The obvious example is Chloe?s fears of forgetting Clark while he is gone and her entire reaction in general to losing her memories one-at a time. Victoria Duffield did a good job as the young Chloe, however she is no match for the real Chloe, and once her memories move into the fifth season territory her terrifying and dark journey becomes that little bit more enjoyable.

And the episode also trades cryptic references to the Clark?s future identity as Superman for ambiguous hints at Davis? alter-ego as Doomsday.

What Worked

There was something unusually scary about a faceless Jimmy Olsen and Chloe?s inner-battle with Kryptonian code as she relived her engagement party in a completely different and surreal way.

There was also a deep nostalgia to having Clark zip off to save the world, leaving Chloe wondering where he has disappeared off to. Once in ?Abyss? is fun, however now that Chloe?s memories of her extra-terrestrial escapades have been wiped it is only a matter of time before these now-cliched exits force their way into the forefront of the series. So far season eight has been new and exciting, resurrecting the past though pushes ?Smallville? in the opposite direction.

Also, for long-time fans of the show, Clark referring to Jor-El as his father is a momentous occasion and should not be forgotten. The following scenes as the Fortress turns black with the eerie and disembodied voice of James Marsters echoing that Doomsday is coming does somewhat diminish the significance of it though.

What Didn?t Work

The way in which Chloe successfully manages to negotiate her way into Metropolis General?s research facilities was also a bit of a letdown; who knew all it took was a 30-second conversation. And ?you?ve been kinda forgetful lately? at the episodes opening is another convenient and throwaway line that is intended to have a larger purpose, and had it not been for the fact that none of it has been seen on screen, her memory lapse seems to come out of nowhere.

And with such a serious condition affecting Chloe, loving cousin Lois (Erica Durance) was noticeably absent during her time of need.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Smallville" stars Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Allison Mack and Justin Hartley. "Abyss" was written by Don Whitehead and Holly Henderson, and was directed by Kevin G. Fair. "Smallville" airs on The CW Thursday at 8 p.m.

Alan Stanley Blair is the Assistant News Editor for Airlock Alpha and its sister site Rabid Doll. He is currently studying for a diploma in Freelance Journalism and can be reached at ablair@airlockalpha.com.

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