This episode had an interesting setup that I can't say paid off too well. The entire solution to the mystery was given by the antagonist just saying what it was while none of the main characters were even present. Our trio of journalist heroes didn't get to really put their investigative skills to use, even though that's what Perry sent them to do. Plus, the solution to what was going on had nothing to do with anything that was previously established in the episode, making it kind of uninteresting. It's even more disappointing considering that Perry had a theory the paper mill was being sabotaged to disadvantage the Planet, which could have been really interesting, but it turned out to have nothing whatsoever to do with the Planet.
Thankfully, this episode had a major saving grace in the acting and dialogue of the main characters, with Clark Kent's and Lois Lane's interactions with each other sticking out to me in particular, provided both by snappy dialogue and excellent acting by Reeves and Coates. You really get such a strong impression of Clark and Lois being two people who don't get along and have disagreements and issues, despite ultimately being friends. I think that caustic element is an important part of their relationship that keeps things interesting. Coates' Lois is such a treasure - a woman who may have some "damsel-in-distress" elements, but who is never afraid to speak her mind or do what she thinks needs to be done (even if she ends up making a questionable decision and/or getting herself in trouble). She was practically a perfect Lois, and this episode does a great enough job of showcasing that to be worthwhile. Of all the things I love about this show, quite possibly the thing I love the most is the way it made the characters feel like real people, and this episode certainly had that.
Another weak point is too many longish sections of stock footage to pad out the episode, which makes it seem duller. Overall, it's not a great episode, but Reeves and Coates ensured it was still enjoyable and worth watching.
Thankfully, this episode had a major saving grace in the acting and dialogue of the main characters, with Clark Kent's and Lois Lane's interactions with each other sticking out to me in particular, provided both by snappy dialogue and excellent acting by Reeves and Coates. You really get such a strong impression of Clark and Lois being two people who don't get along and have disagreements and issues, despite ultimately being friends. I think that caustic element is an important part of their relationship that keeps things interesting. Coates' Lois is such a treasure - a woman who may have some "damsel-in-distress" elements, but who is never afraid to speak her mind or do what she thinks needs to be done (even if she ends up making a questionable decision and/or getting herself in trouble). She was practically a perfect Lois, and this episode does a great enough job of showcasing that to be worthwhile. Of all the things I love about this show, quite possibly the thing I love the most is the way it made the characters feel like real people, and this episode certainly had that.
Another weak point is too many longish sections of stock footage to pad out the episode, which makes it seem duller. Overall, it's not a great episode, but Reeves and Coates ensured it was still enjoyable and worth watching.