This has never been an episode that I particularly enjoy, but looking it over it's hard to come up with a good reason why. After the previous five episodes recycled ideas from seasons 1 and 2 (clones, amnesia, brainwashing, Lois singing at clubs) and didn't always do those ideas justice, this episode takes a fresh idea and executes it with confidence. Lois goes to her high school reunion and gradually discovers that one of her former classmates is taking revenge on everyone who belittled her by shrinking their spouses.
Actually, I can come up with one reason for not liking this episode: The villain's comedic henchman, Hans, is painful to watch, with a very overwrought German accent. But that's a small complaint against everything that works here: The plot flows logically with some unexpected turns, Dr. Klein is around to provide first-rate comic relief, Superman performs a very cool feat in the finale, and most importantly, Lois and Clark convincingly behave as though there's no guarantee that Clark's pint-size status will ever be reversed. Even if an experienced viewer can guess he'll be cured by the end of the episode, the drama feels real.
At the same time, despite the relationship tension between Lois and Clark and the harrowing life-or-death conflicts, this episode is a nice breather in between the amnesia subplot and the epic Kryptonian saga which begins in the following episode. For a brief moment, Lois and Clark get to again be what passes for "normal" in their little world. That's refreshing, and ultimately makes their past and future ordeals seem more harrowing.
Actually, I can come up with one reason for not liking this episode: The villain's comedic henchman, Hans, is painful to watch, with a very overwrought German accent. But that's a small complaint against everything that works here: The plot flows logically with some unexpected turns, Dr. Klein is around to provide first-rate comic relief, Superman performs a very cool feat in the finale, and most importantly, Lois and Clark convincingly behave as though there's no guarantee that Clark's pint-size status will ever be reversed. Even if an experienced viewer can guess he'll be cured by the end of the episode, the drama feels real.
At the same time, despite the relationship tension between Lois and Clark and the harrowing life-or-death conflicts, this episode is a nice breather in between the amnesia subplot and the epic Kryptonian saga which begins in the following episode. For a brief moment, Lois and Clark get to again be what passes for "normal" in their little world. That's refreshing, and ultimately makes their past and future ordeals seem more harrowing.
