Ch. 61Why Did You Send Me to the West Coast?!
Here is a concise summary of the chapter:
Key Plot Points
- Locke is accidentally teleported to San Francisco (West Coast) instead of Smallville by Zatanna, due to his magical resistance destabilizing her spell.
- Zatanna’s magic is nearly drained, and she realizes she lacks the power to send him back.
- Locke discovers a flyer confirming their location (San Francisco), and orders Zatanna to explain why they are far off course.
- Locke contacts his assistant Gray, who is surprised but arranges a LuthorCorp helicopter pickup from the city’s tallest building.
- Gray mentions Lionel is in a high-security Asia-Pacific meeting regarding a new strategic material, but her tone reveals unease; Locke suspects something is wrong with Lionel.
Character Developments
- Locke: Learns his Qi of Gen Mountain can absorb pure magical energy, not just “eat” physical things — this makes him realize mages could act as power sources. He grows more pragmatic, calm, and slightly intimidating when frustrated.
- Zatanna: Portrayed as apologetic, curious, and nervous. Her mistake shows her inexperience or underestimation of Locke’s magical resistance.
- Gray: Professional and efficient, but her hesitation and forced explanations about Lionel’s whereabouts hint at hidden concerns or a brewing crisis.
Significant Themes
- Magical disruption and unintended consequences: Teleportation goes wildly wrong due to Locke’s unique physiology.
- Power dynamics and trust: Locke’s realization that magic users could be “batteries” foreshadows potential exploitation; his interactions with Zatanna shift from mutual curiosity to wary tension.
- Corporate intrigue: Gray’s vague responses about Lionel suggest looming trouble beyond the immediate travel problem.
Character Interactions
- Locke ↔ Zatanna: Tense and one-sided; Locke is curt and demands answers, while Zatanna is flustered, apologetic, and intimidated by his intense gaze.
- Locke ↔ Gray: Professional but layered — Gray is eager to help but suspiciously curious about his “mission,” and her concern about Lionel slips through her formal tone.
- Locke’s internal monologue: Reinforces his practical nature, his growing awareness of his own abilities, and his distrust of others’ motives.
This chapter advances Locke’s understanding of his powers and introduces a new potential ally/liability (Zatanna), while sowing seeds for future complications involving Lionel’s corporate dealings.