This is the middle part of a three-part story arc. I remember when this episode first broadcast, my brother commented, "Huh? Things are exactly the same as they were at the end of the last episode." While this statement is grossly inaccurate, it also has some underlying truth, because this episode does an awful lot of marking time, and ultimately seems to exist for no more reason than to allow Teri Hatcher to strut her acting chops in a triple role (as Lois Lane, Lois's clone, and "Wanda Detroit").
I'm keeping this review spoiler-free, but the lack of plot momentum is most apparent in the episode's ending, in which both Clark and Lois act in a way that makes no sense. The reason given for Lois's actions is so convoluted that you get the sense the writers were hoping to discourage viewers from thinking about it and thus realizing that it doesn't work even by its own terms.
There is one really good aspect of this episode: The Lois clone's decision not to have sex with Clark. While during the original broadcast I think all of us L&C fans were simply breathing a sigh of relief at that small mercy, re-watching the episode, the humor which ensues as Clark struggles to understand Lois's lack of libido and as he resorts to euphemisms in order to discuss the issue with his parents is absolutely uproarious.
And in a way, it's frustrating, because I'd love to simply say that you can just skip this episode and jump right to the concluding chapter, "Seconds", without worrying that you're missing anything. But as bad as this episode is, you will be missing a few good scenes if you don't watch it.
I'm keeping this review spoiler-free, but the lack of plot momentum is most apparent in the episode's ending, in which both Clark and Lois act in a way that makes no sense. The reason given for Lois's actions is so convoluted that you get the sense the writers were hoping to discourage viewers from thinking about it and thus realizing that it doesn't work even by its own terms.
There is one really good aspect of this episode: The Lois clone's decision not to have sex with Clark. While during the original broadcast I think all of us L&C fans were simply breathing a sigh of relief at that small mercy, re-watching the episode, the humor which ensues as Clark struggles to understand Lois's lack of libido and as he resorts to euphemisms in order to discuss the issue with his parents is absolutely uproarious.
And in a way, it's frustrating, because I'd love to simply say that you can just skip this episode and jump right to the concluding chapter, "Seconds", without worrying that you're missing anything. But as bad as this episode is, you will be missing a few good scenes if you don't watch it.