Smallville: All's Fair in Love and Doom
Hahaha! The comments from last week leave us with fear of even mentioning Ms. Lang again, so we will steer clear. As you know, the next new episode of Smallville won’t be aired until March 12, which gives us plenty of time to discuss a few more of the nuances of the show.
For curiosity’s sake, let’s go to the polls.
From one of last week’s polls, it looks like a very close race between viewers wanting a Clois finale and a Clark/Doomsday battle. We know! You’re probably holding out for both in all fairness, but let’s talk about the individual elements in these options. First, a quick nod to David T. W. for his elaborate description of a good season finale.
From the trailer, it appears Clark will be revealing his secret to Lois and letting her put it in the paper. That obviously does wonders for her career as a journalist, but is it the smartest idea for Clark? With Tori Spelling’s Linda Lake returning, going public looks like a bad choice…of course, that would kill Linda’s blackmailing opportunity. And wait. Did they give away too much in the trailer? It distinctly looks like Clark slams a high-voltage cable in Linda’s chest.
Okay, reset. We’re talking about Clois. Though many of you want the season (possibly the last?) to end with the romance of Clark and Lois in full effect, aren’t they both a bit young (character-wise) to enter that stage? The comics (yes, we realize Smallville is a different interpretation) drag out the love triangle of Clark/Lois/Superman forever and though the setting has changed to Metropolis, let’s not forget the name of the show. This series is supposed to be based on Superman’s formative years, not his love life as an adult, right?
We’ll ride the segue-wave right into the introduction and battle with Doomsday. Should a show named Smallville, which until recently, has been about the life and times of a young Superman, even approach the battle with the villain that eventually kills the Man of Steel? To last week’s commenter, TLW: would the show really be pulling a Quantum Leap if the series ends without the death of Superman (a Superman who doesn’t know how to fly)? It seems it would be hard to pull off the iconic Death of Superman image with Lois cradling him since the backdrop is the red cape and that doesn’t exist in the show.
Sniff, sniff. What’s that? That’s right, it’s another poll.
All of this to say, look, we understand that big explosions and powerful enemies excite people, but the “human interaction” between Clark and those around him should be enough for a powerful storyline and ending, right? A comment from Karen last week stated:
“I first got into Smallville because it was about a young man struggling with growing up (and superpowers just happened to be part of that struggle). Somewhere along the way, the show became more and more focused on the superpower part of it--which is fine, but I feel that it gets more and more difficult to identify with the plot/characters. Maybe if the writers could bring back more of that "everyday struggle" bit...?”
We couldn’t create better comment-bait if we tried! Post your thoughts below and, as always, check back often to see what others are saying.
Comments
I would like to see at least one more season and maybe that season can do a spin off for another show with possibly the same characters...maybe the Justice League.
Posted by: Matthew | May 9, 2009 10:36 PM
CW stations are going bankrupt. Smallville is old and gray and having a middle aged Lois with fake boob implants is not enough to sell to the Howard Stern audience. Smallville season 9 is like what the manopause years.
Posted by: jene | February 26, 2009 3:23 PM
Hey Drew -- inasmuch as I am disgruntled and disappointed about the current season’s storyline(s), I totally get (and agree) what you're saying which is why I wanted this to be the last season. My gut tells me that the producers and writing staff were unprepared for an 8th season and just ran out of fresh ideas for Smallville. It’s obvious they’re grasping at straws. Each time I tune in, I find myself becoming increasingly indifferent to the show and its characters. I’m just saddened by the direction of this series. At this point, I actually don’t give a f****, and I watch the show merely out of habit. I won't be there for the 9th unless they finaggle a way to get Rosebaum back. The party’s over and I know a good party when I see one. For me the show was never about Superman, inasmuch as I am a BIG Superman fan.
Posted by: Just Tina | February 25, 2009 1:40 AM
I think Smallville is hitting a threshold now where they are describing in a much more believable way how to superman. I for one feel that the continuity of Samllville still has a ton of potential and still deserved a season 9. I would ask that if you have a problem with Smallville and don’t feel that it is for you anymore, that maybe you could just stop watching it, rather than jeopardizing the current fans chances of having a season 9 by posting nasty, biased posts about the shows death. Lois and Clark, the New Adventures of Superman did not have ANYTHING that was canon other than Lois Lane and Clark Kent. And they did have doomsday; they just called him something else. They called him “the Assassin-Tez” and he appeared in the episode called “Big Girls don’t Fly” (season 3). He had all of Doomsdays adaptive powers and got stronger every time superman faced him. I think Smallville is on to something with this new season, but all they need is a bigger budget. I agree that Lana returning was the worst decision that the writers have ever made, because that triangle needs to die, but to say that Smallville has to end with Doomsday killing superman does not make sense. Superman fights doomsday many times. And Zod was supposed to be someone Superman faces too. The whole point of Smallville is that these creatures and villains that Clark encounters are what shapes him to become superman, so he can face bigger and better things, like Darkside. Please stop commenting on the negativity of the show and please realize that it is taking a big step now towards being a great mythos.
Posted by: Mike | February 23, 2009 11:51 AM
I think I love where Smallville is going this season.
Minus the Lana arc that was terrible, I think it was about time to see Clark act like a Superman instead of a whiny kid who couldnt get over his puppy love.
I dont mind the whole superpowers and identity being dealt with, cause I think it was SV should have focused on to begin with.
To be a super hero, Clark needs to figure a lot of things, and while doing so and growing up, its obvious that he has to realise that he cant be around saving the world without hidding his identity, because the display of his superpowers its necessary for it.
As for the Clois and/or Doomsday season finale, Id love both. I dont know if as season finale, or not.
If theres a 9th season, they could play the Doomsday card for the series finale, and the Clois can still develop.
But I do want to see more Clois in whats left of this season. I want to see Clark chasing Lois, cause its his time to do it.
I dont know what was wrong with the writers, but the way they played Clark while Lois was out and Lana in left Clark in an awful position.
He was handling that past relation with Lana in Bride very well, and all of a sudden, the puppy love striked again.
And they didnt even break apart like grown ups, but because of the kryptonite, which was a very lame plot.
So I hope they somehow will fix that image Clark's left, and to really begin the Clois the way it should have been, despite Lanas presence.
PS: please fix this blog, cause to be able to post I have to try several times, due to a suppost Error cause Ive posted too much, when this is just my second comment.
Posted by: Manu | February 23, 2009 10:55 AM
I'm a huge fan of clois, and i am really glad that lana may not be coming back for a while! What I am just really hoping for is a SEASON 9, and if season 9 is the last season, I wouldn't mind cause that way, they could give the show a progressive lead up to the ending and not rush each storyline by trying to end the series so quickly! If they end it with season 8, i feel that each of the characters may not get a proper closure seeing that we're practically half-way through the season. (The writers have practically written most of the episodes ... and are in the process of filming it!) By not rushing the storyline and using season 9 to slowly progress to the finale, that way, the writers can prepare the arcs for an ending that all fellow Smallville fans will be pleased with!
And I reckon if they do make a season 9, maybe then, they could somehow introduce the superman thing, hence the CK/Lois/Superman love triangle! Cause' come on! They've already introduced the Clark/Lois thing, and is already leading up to it ... so why not tempt fate? LOL
BUT in saying that, they should introduce the Superman storyline in a way where they aren't jumping the gun, and straying too far away from the what Smallville was all about to begin with in regards to Clark Kent and his early years leading up to him being Superman. And I have faith in the writers! LOL
(I don't know if that makes too much sense or if its totally contradicting each other but what the heck! LOL)
As for Doomsday .. I'm not too sure about that storyline, but I totally agree with the above comment about the Justice League!
BRING BACK THE JUSTICE LEAGUE!
:)
Posted by: elaine | February 22, 2009 6:04 AM
I'm all for a CK/Lois/RBB triangle and this Clark Kent has to WORK to get back into Lois' (and my good graces) after the Power/Requiem/SuperLana debacle. However, whether the showrunners can manage this without assassinating either character beforehand is doubtful (Lois in love with Clark first before meeting Superman? Please!) Whether the season or series finale should end with a full-blown romance.. not so much. The fun is in the chase.
With regards to Doomsday killing CK, I think the writers have painted themselves into a corner. Although I find this alternate take on Doomsday interesting, I am aware that the imagery of the "Death of Superman" is iconic and requires all the elements you mentioned. Anything else, in my opinion would be just like Lana and Clark, not Lois and Clark, kissing on the DP roof (oh, wait..).
And by the way, even though the show "is supposed to be based on Superman’s formative years, not his love life as an adult" I would like to add that had there not been so much STALLING on his adolescent love life right into adulthood, we may have seen more of how this Clark Kent became Superman instead of watching this Emo kid and wondering how we slipped into "One Tree Hill" territory. No offense.
Here's an idea, why don't we scrap the "Smallville" tag altogether since this is now essentially so far removed from the original premise of the show and teetering on Superman territory already thus preventing the headache of Clark regressing further just as a new season is announced.
Hence, one can either do justice by the characters or end it already before any more damage is done.
Posted by: Charlotte | February 21, 2009 6:37 AM
Hey, Just Tina, thanks for the comment this week and the past two! :)
It's unfortunate when any show has to come to an end, but with love storyline moving straight from Lana to Lois, there's no time for Clark to just find himself and no way for the writers to take it back to a simpler time (time-warp) without reintroducing Lana.
And Doomsday has to spell the end, regardless of interpretation (nod to kyle).
Posted by: Drew McGee | February 21, 2009 3:58 AM
i say, write some stuff about supernatural on this blog. not all smallville, one tree hill, and gossip girl
Posted by: Anonymous | February 20, 2009 11:38 PM
I'm reminiscing about the earlier years of Smallville right now. The years with the kryptonite infused teens, which were beautifully thought out metaphors for what real teens go through when their a little different or outcast. When Clarks powers were more about a boy in puberty and less about special effects. I miss that relatability.In my opinion, this season has dealt better with that. I was pleasantly surprised. But a season nine would be pushing it. Come on people! we are officially in Superman territory. Smallville is over.
Posted by: kyle | February 20, 2009 8:02 PM
Totally agree with you, Drew:
“[. . . . ] let’s not forget the name of the show. This series is supposed to be based on Superman’s formative years, not his love life as an adult, right?”
Superman and Lois Lane is a given and, quite frankly, is really old news. Please, writers: tell me something I don’t already know. To me, that is what Smallville has always been about: the myth of Clark Kent. I already know about the myth of Superman. Tell me more about the myth of this mild mannered man from Smallville, Kansas. Bringing Lois into the picture was plain premature. It just told me that you ran out of fresh ideas and needed to rehash/regurgitate old/used ideas. Further, Doomsday is Superman’s problem, not Clark’s. Why jump the gun?
And again, Drew, I agree:
“[. . . .] but the “human interaction” between Clark and those around him should be enough for a powerful storyline and ending, right?”
I really do want this to be the last season. Dragging it out for a 9th is just a slower, tortuous death for a (once?) great TV show.
Posted by: Just Tina | February 20, 2009 4:48 PM
I am hoping for a season nine and put doomsday on hiatus and bring back the Justice league story line. Doomsday is jumping way too far ahead as would be the romance storyline with clark and lois. showing the formation of the justice league characters and their relationship with clark is what I would love to see unfold. Oh and give the man from mars back his powers please, this detective storyline has dragged on long enough and one last thing lets see Chloe really develop her meteor powers give her a couple new ones to I just love her character! Smallville season 9 PLEAAASSSEE!....
P.S. I soooo love what you did with Lana getting all that kryptonite, I was tired of the Clark and Lana love thing like 3 seasons ago. She is so whiny and annoying and always clingy ugh her entire story line is damsel in distress I liked her better when she was with Lex Luther. I so love smallville!
Posted by: nina | February 20, 2009 12:53 PM