From the Ashes reviews

Episode 6: From the Ashes

Piper (satxmover@stic.net), 11 November:

Interesting but way, way too many holes. First of all, clones are not merely identical twins - they are the same. Exact, down to the fingerprints. If the fingerprints were different, that should be a red flag to Superman, or at least Dr. Klein, that this was no clone, but some kind of construct, possibly using extensive plastic surgery. And who is the Highwayman? Where did he come from, and why does he think he's a highwayman? How does Beth figure into the whole scheme of things? You say she was his former girlfriend - are they both from the past? And where did he get the weapon - from Mindy? If she was involved, why? She is running the largest "evil empire" in the city. Why risk it for the few trinkets he brought back to her?
I always liked Lex, so I'm glad he's back.

Reply from Leanne Shawler (volterra@znet.com), 18 November:

Hi Piper --
I just read your review of my ep and thought it deserved a reply.
First, the clone: twins are clones, twins have different fingerprints, therefore clones have different fingerprints. Much as Klein explained to Supes in my story. And it's true -- my husband is a biologist who has worked in gene therapy for over 15 years and told me about it in the first place.
You ask: And who is the Highwayman? Where did he come from, and why does he think he's a highwayman?
Just our villain of the week.
"How does Beth figure into the whole scheme of things? You say she was his former girlfriend - are they both from the past?"
Everyone's from the past (and everyone *has* a past). And Beth's position in the scheme of things will eventually be revealed.
"And where did he get the weapon - from Mindy? If she was involved, why?"
Where the weapon came from was explained in the story. It wasn't Mindy. Evil empires are not made of big things only, small too. I made it clear (I thought) that Intergang had a finger in every pie: from street gangs to beggars.
Leanne

Mercedes (galvez@pacbell.net), 17 November:

I enjoyed greatly the Ashes episode. You brought back the Church's, son and step-mother. Well at least the stepmother. Keeping the original character's way of speaking ("Well, maybe--oh, I don't know....).
KEEP UP THE GREAT WRITING YOU GUYS!! I feel like I'm back to watching LNC on Sundays again. Phew!!, what a RUSH. I FEEL GIDDY AGAIN!! Thanks.

Sarah Wood (sarahwood@compuserve.com), 24 November:

I'm so happy with this episode! Lex is back, and he wasn't killed off! Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!
The whole press conference with Lex had chills running down *my* spine! What if it's really true? What if the DP take-over and on *was* a clone of Lex? He'd committed enough villainy beforehand for Clark (and therefore Lois) to know that he's still a bad guy (she'll believe Clark this time around), but the rest of Metropolis will think he's innocent!
>> As Lex paused, Perry exclaimed: "Frank Jersey, you better be in that crowd, or your name is mud." <<
ROFL! It's so good to see Perry-the-editor, Perry-the-boss, the newshound!
>> "I--" Lex stood straighter and continued with anguished nobility, "I was forced to eat rats and slake my thirst on water that fell from a hidden grate above." <<
I can just hear and see John Shea doing this scene! Brilliant Luthorism! The speech patterns and choice of words fit perfectly. "Slake"! There's a Lex choice! "Anguished nobility", what a great description for the charming philanthropist we knew so well in the first season! He sure knew how to con people, and he's doing it well here!
>> "Lois, you're both too close to the story. The things Lex -- Lex's clone," Perry corrected himself, "has done to you two doesn't bear repeating. If I put you on the story, all you'd do would attempt an expose--"
Clark interrupted, "Isn't that what you want? Do you believe for a moment that he's telling the truth?" Clark's face was stony hard. <<
Yay, Clark! Put away that naivete! I like the tension in both Lois *and* Clark over Luthor's return. After all, Clark almost lost Lois to him twice! Even though he's now married to Lois, he has to be on edge. Nice to see this side of Clark.
>> "you can't arrest someone if you don't have proof. That's false imprisonment. That's how the last D.A. got elected out of office." <<
More continuity from season 4! I love it!
>> Their editor softened slightly. "Aw, Lois honey, you know I want the best for the two of you. Right now, your emotions are raw and you both need time out to take the edge off them. Why after Elvis left Priscilla, that's exactly what he did. Took some time out, and then came back as hot as ever. So go home, talk it over, take it easy, by which time we'll see whether we have a story here or not." <<
Perfect Perry, both editor/boss and Lois' father figure. And the subsequent order to go home was perfect! Vintage PW! And I think we're getting at least one Elvis reference per episode!
>> "Well!" she said. Her frown implied that things were anything but well, as did the tapping of her lacquered fingernails upon her desk. <<
Mindy, too? I'm in heaven! Beautiful description!
>> The phone rang. Clark pounced on it. "What?" He winced as he recognised the voice and spoke more calmly. "Oh, hi Mom." <<
ROFL! Don't you just hate it when that happens?!
>> She looked up at Clark, smirking slightly. "It's not like we haven't gone behind Perry's back before!"
Clark smiled and kissed her smirk. "Speak for yourself!" <<
ROFL! Touche!
>> Clark smiled. "I guess we better see what obituaries Perry has lined up for us."
Lois winked back. "And see what else we can dig up. Pun intended." <<
ROFL again!!
>> Jimmy and his girlfriend Penny walked up. <<
Hey, Penny from the fourth season episode AKA Superman? Cool!
I love Lois reminding Clark of what Superman stands for. That "it takes two" theme has always been one of my favorite aspects of this incarnation of the Superman story.
We got guest stars galore in this episode! Lex, his new wife, Mindy Church, Asabi, The Highwayman, Henderson, Wanda-Mae Walldecker... Sheesh, what a cast!
Throughout the episode I was looking for clues. Is Lex telling the truth? Was he really replaced with a clone of himself, as the evidence suggests? Or did he prepare this "evidence" way back then to clear his name?! He's smart enough to have done just that! The mystery continues, and I'll be looking for more on it in future episodes. This one didn't actually end with a "To Be Continued . . ." so I'm hoping it'll be a season-long affair.
Much as I loved the Lex aspects of the episode, the Highwayman parts didn't do it for me. Oh well, you can't have everything. Lex is still alive!! *g*

Lynda Cook (taxmam@mscomm.com), 4 December:

Great episode!!! I liked the Highwayman touch. It reminded me of a historical romance I once read. Lex coming back was a little confusing to me, though. Lex jumped off the Lex Tower, but it was really his clone??? I thought his ex-wife had stolen his body and froze him and later brought him back to life. Then who got buried under the falling building in "Seconds"??? Was that really Lex or a clone???
I don't think there was a clone of Lex at all. "Beth turned and hid her face against Lex's chest. Lex looked beyond the aghast Superman to Mindy, who smirked at him and winked. Lex's eyes narrowed and he nodded in acknowledgement." I think somehow Lex managed to escape and now those two are cooking up something together; and I can't wait to find out what it is! (I do hope you are going to tell us in a future episode.)

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