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This review may contain spoilers.

Last week saw Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) take the forefront in an utterly forgettable comeback tale as the character struggled to deal with his dark impulses, developing alcoholism and his growing directionless in life.

"Crossfire" more than makes up for "Roulette," featuring a return to form for Oliver Queen, classic Lois (Erica Durance) wit and a bad-ass Tess (Freema Cassidy) with mad assassin skills capable of taking down a Kandorian. Plus, the mild mannered Clark Kent (Tom Welling) finally grows a pair when it comes to his love life.

Keeping close to the original DC tale, Ollie encounters a young girl named Mia Dearden (Elise Gatien) who was forced onto the street following a life of abuse and extortion. Trapped under the influence of a pimp named Richard (or Rick as he is known in this episode), she struggles to pay off her debts and cage fights to release her anger. Seeing something of a kindred spirit, he offers her another path; the way of the hero.

The duo has an edgy relationship, and as far as casting goes, Gatien was the perfect choice for Speedy; she pulls off the role with an ambitious level of complexity that shows there is certainly a place for this character on the show. Most of the "Smallville" characters have their baggage, but nothing on the scale of Mia Dearden and Gatien expertly offers glimpses into the different facets of the character. Smart, stunning and deadly, she shows a slightly more accessible side when Oliver offers some shopping bags of clothes (more sophisticated than the kind of lingerie she is undoubtedly used to) and his car keys, her eyes light up with the warmth of a child making it so easy to sympathize with the character.

Aside from seeing Oliver Queen back to his old self, "Crossfire" deals a multitude of fun loving character moments what are well worth a giggle. Opening with a lighthearted "Good Morning Metropolis," Lois and Clark offer the most chortle worthy banter through their on-screen chemistry as hosts of the newest re-tooling of "Good Morning Metropolis." Their little argument delivers some cracking lines, including (but not limited to) a pan faced, "Of course I care, I bought a new tie." Welling delivers the lines with expert comedic timing, so much so that one can't help but wonder if a sitcom could be in the pipeline for his eventual life after "Smallville."

"Crossfire" goes on to play with the two characters and their continued will-they, won't they dynamic, this time throwing Oliver's rekindled feelings for Lois into the works and leads up to the moment that fans of the couple have been waiting for.

What Worked

The closeness to the DC mythology is another notch in the "Smallville" belt. This year has been a fantastic comic book thrill ride, offering the return of Zod (Callum Blue), Metallo (Brian Austin Green) and now Speedy. While Zod's presence on Earth may be unique to the series, but Metallo and Speedy are impressively close to the original canon.

Zod's entrance at the Luthor mansion certainly packs a punch. Packed with vague threats, the dialogue is given extra weight thanks to the skills of Blue who has an astounding ability to generate a malevolent atmosphere. His ominous references to Kandorian power is far more threatening to that of previous villains and the ease with which he infiltrates human society is startling.

And the final few scenes simply ooze cool as Chloe (Allison Mack) recruits her opponent and Oliver very coolly cocks his head and drives off with Mia. And then there is the big kiss … you know, the big kiss.

What Didn't Work

The hack-off may have allowed for Chloe to have something to do in the episode, but turned out to be just a pointless as last week's "Roulette."

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Smallville" stars Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Allison Mack, Justin Hartley, Cassidy Freeman and Callum Blue. "Crossfire" was written by Don Whitehead and Holly Henderson, and was directed by Mike Rohl.

"Smallville" airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.