It’s been a while since I put on the spurs. I missed a couple of episodes, got behind, didn’t even know where to start to catch up, and then just kind of backburnered it. But let’s start climbing back in while we’ve still got some season left of stuff, shall we?
Spoilers:
SMALLVILLE: It’s been an interesting season thus far, and stronger than the one before, even if it fell victim–yet again–to the infuriating reset-to-status-quo-no-matter-how-much-it-hurts syndrome after the first couple of episodes.
As one of the foremost advocates of the Chloe-is-Lois theory, I’m not too proud to say I’m happy to be wrong. Opinion seems divided on Lois, but personally, I like her. There’s any number of females on TV that have guts, determination, drive, etc. But Lois has got spunk. The last time I saw a female on TV with spunk, it was Mary Richards. I like spunk. If you’re Lou Grant, then you probably hate Lois, and she’s a welcome addition.
I am somewhat torqued over the demise of Clark’s teleporting girlfriend. She threw herself into harm’s way to save Clark, and I thought, Man, how cliched that they’re killing her off just when she’s getting interesting. And lo and behold, they DIDN’T kill her off and I thought, Marvelous! Brilliant! They avoided the cliche! Better yet, they stood it on its ear. Well done. And then she’s dead the following week. Cliche wins.
Still, the one good to come out of it was that Chloe has now become Pete Ross of the comics; the boyhood friend of Clark who knows his identity and doesn’t let Clark know about that awareness. So that’s cool as Chloe has a new role in the series, yet it’s organic in the way that it happened.
Inorganic, on the other hand, is the only way to describe Lana, the human plot device.
Here’s the problem with Lana: Clark? Never gonna get laid. Not gonna happen, kids. Absolutely never. If they were making Superman II today, Clark would give up his powers and then he and Lois would go and take in dinner and a show. The DC of today places far too much value on the family-friendly importance of the “S.” Witness “Lois and Clark,” in which not only didn’t they have sex until they were married, but it was made explicitly clear that Clark was a virgin. Which means that Lana is by definition a dead-end character because the relationship can only go so far and no further.
So she’s there instead to serve whatever function is required. She’s the girl who Clark pines after but is involved with a swaggering jock…until that dead ended. So the jock vanished and now Clark could pursue her. Until that dead ended for the reasons stated above. So now she’s…I dunno what. A refugee from a “Charmed” storyline. I have no clue what the hëll is going on with her. It’s certainly not the actress’ fault. It’s not even the writers’ “fault” because the situation as it is is problematic. There’s a constant sense of “What do we do about Lana?” in the same way that one worries about a problem child. But, geez, now she’s a combination of Endora and Xena as she and Clark play “Romancing the Krypton Stone?” And the palace is guarded for centuries by an idol with Kryptonite in the eys, except Kryptonite was created by the explosion of the planet which didn’t happen until centuries later, so what the fork is up with THAT? It’s total breakdown in interior logic such as that that makes me worry they’re really just kinda making it up as they go and praying nobody notices. Guys? We’re noticing.
Nice send off to Doctor Swann though.
WEST WING: Y’know, a lot of people are claiming the current season is better than the last one. But I’m watching last season’s on Bravo and, y’know, that one is starting to look better in comparison, and I wasn’t that wild about it during the initial run.
This week was definitely a nadir. Personally, I had no problem with Leo having a heart attack because, hey, šhìŧ happens. Nor, after some initial thought, did I have a problem with CJ as COS. The problem is that the campaign episodes in particular have been impressively one-note. For a show that benefits from an interweaving of complex an and challenging storylines, this season oftentimes seems dumbed down and simplistic.
Sometimes it’s downright painful. Bartlett becoming increasingly marginalized. Abbey looking like she’d rather be back at Rydell High or anywhere else.
And my God, did they go off the rails this week. It’s like they’re coming up with scenes specifically for insertion in promos. Josh and Toby in a FISTFIGHT? Are you freaking KIDDING me? Bad enough that the episode looked like it was directed by a drunken carousel horse. But this…? I can’t help but wonder if Schiff and Whitford read the scripts, called each other and said, “You wanna call in sick this week?” I mean, yeah, okay, it was a mildly interesting twist that the woman Toby was talking to was the new candidate and you didn’t realize it because they never assigned a pronoun to her when talking about her earlier. But, y’know, so what? So the candidate’s a woman. To quote the leader of the Black ‘Lectroids, “So what? Big deal.”
There have been some bright spots. AnnaBeth is a marvelous addition, but I suspect that’s largely because Kristen Chenoweth is one of those rarest of commodities, a writer-proof actress. Her voice, perkiness and physicality are an irresistable blend, although kudos must be given to whoever thought up the notion of putting her and CJ together in a walk-and-talk. Having her fall into step next to CJ, start talking, and CJ literally not seeing her at first–“My God, voices at my elbow”–followed by the hilarious, “It’s hard to believe we’re the same species,” was just brilliant. That was the funniest scene in “West Wing” since Will found a goat in his office.
You want to know how dire “West Wing” has become? If it were happening in the real world, I’d be giving serious consideration to voting for Alan Alda, despite the fact that it would mean having a president who is (a) Republican and (b) named Arnold.
PAD
• 
Great to have the Cowboy back! 🙂
Eager to hear your views on LOST as well. I’m still loving it but some viewers are bìŧçhøņg about wanting to get to the Big Answers…which would be Huge Mistake, in my opinion. Let’s face it, there is no way that they can tie up all the clues and loose ends in a way that isn’t either incredibly contrived or one that we’ve all thought of already. Better to get us hooked on the characters first, then try to tie things up.
I still have trouble seeing the show last more than 2 or years. I hope that next year isn’t going to be Twin Peaks version 2.0. I’m also guessing that this shows season ending cliffhanger will actually end with the entire cast hanging over a cliff which, like a dog named Fido, is such a cliche that it hardly ever actually gets used.
WEST WING: I officially gave up on this series when Alias returned in January. I’ll try to catch the episodes when they go to Bravo, but I’ll level with you, my interest has waned. Yeah, there are still nice moments in the series (I did see the first half of this season), but it’s just evolving into something that doesn’t interest me as much. It’s still a well-written show, by and large, but it’s not appointment television for me anymore. Plus, I don’t have TiVo/DVR, and I have digital cable, which means that I have to choose which show I want to watch. Alias is a show with a future. West Wing, for me, isn’t.
BTW, Peter, I’m curious about your reaction to the new season of Alias. Are you digging it? I haven’t been a huge fan of the “done-in-one” episodes they started the show with, but this week’s episode with Anna Espinosa and Sark…that’s just classic Alias right there. Any chance of seeing your general reaction to this season?
Are we forgetting the ancient carvings in the cave? Maybe Kryptonite is older than we think…
He’ll probably write about Alias later. We are one episode behind on it , Lost, Desperate Housewives, and Boston Legal.
I know that you haven’t discussed “Lost” in a while, Peter; but its the major show that you’ve been watching that I’ve been watching, too. Now that the castaways have been on the island for over a month, Hurley (can’t remember his real name) REALLY has to be dealt with, one way or the other–if only to establish that his weight is due to a hormonal problem to explain why he isn’t losing it. Anyone wanna bet that Hurley’s a gamer (D&D, Everquest, etc)? It’d be a bit cliche, but it fits what we’ve been shown; I’m looking forward to some back story.
I’m wondering is if you’ve watched any of the Battlestar Galactica episodes, and will that be joining the Roundup?
For something completely off topic, I was reading the SCi-FI BG board that Ron Moore uses to answer questions in his Battlestar Galactica blog, and a poster named Diane Duane posted a congratulations to him about the show.
She’s from Ireland, and I was wondering if you might know if that’s the same Diane Duane who writes Star Trek Novels?
Thats not Hurleys backstory; I was reading up on this weeks upcoming episode, and it is quite a suprise what his story is, and its not as predictable as I would have figured.
That’s almost guaranteed to be the same Diane Duane, eclark — the novelist you’re thinking of (fondly, I hope 🙂 ) has lived in Ireland for years and years now.
We now return to your regularly scheduled thread.
TWL
Have they mentioned on Smallville when Krypton exploded, relative to Earth’s history? Clark’s ship could have been travelling for thousands or maybe even millions of years. Even if it was just thousands, and it’s power system was rugged enough to still be active, it might not have travelled at the same speed as the rest of the kryptonite fragments.
I know I’m reaching to explain events that the show doesn’t take time to explain, but that’s one of my superpowers (the other is to remember obscure things about movies, many of which I’ve only seen previews of).
I know, I know, you’re asking “but why did Clark’s ship arrive during a kryptonite meteor shower?” If I recall the pilot, Clark’s ship was shown approaching Earth. Maybe, as it entered the solar system (and off camera) it was encased in Kryptonite rock. Or it could have generated enough of a gravity well that it slowed just enough krytponite to innudate Smallville with fragments.
In any case, I know that I and my Smallville watching crew are enjoying this season less than prior seasons. I did like Krypto’s episode better than I thought I would. But I found Alicia’s death, and Chloe’s reveal of Clark’s powers, to be horribly written and way too contrived.
I always thought that the Pete Ross idea was brilliant–he knows superboy’s secret but doesn’t let on, even to Superboy. It allowed even the puniest reader to see a way that he could potentially be a hero himself. (it also contrasted nicely with how Jimmy “Yoko” Olson carried himself).
By the way, was I reading way too much into it or did Chloe admit a few weeks ago that she’s lost her virginity to Jimmy Olson??? If so…yikes!
Thanks Tim. Yes, I like Diane’s Star Trek books as much as Peter’s.
Bill,
If Chloe did the deed with Jimmy Olsen, who’s traditionally always been at least five years younger than Clark or Lois, I think she qualifies as a child molester. I didn’t see the episode in question though, so I’ll assume they aged him appropriately? Which irks me. I’m still not right about the idea of Bart Allen being introduced as the Flash instead of either Wally West or Barry Allen.
SMALLVILLE – yes, Mary Richards had ‘spunk’. But, though sometimes persistent about it, she was not the condescending, impolite, and flat-out irritating type that Lois all too often is seen to be. Growing up on an army base may be the ‘reason’ for her lack of manners, but it doesn’t excuse them.
LOST – When Sayid admitted to the improbability of the basic premise I opted back into the show as it suggested the writer(s) knew what they were doing after all. Unfortunately, the doctor’s actions a couple of episodes later killed it for me. On the unsubstantiated word of a wanted felon (whom he knows to have tried to deceive him before) he threatens another survivor to recover a case which he has NO PROOF WHATSOEVER really belongs to her and, on finding FUNCTIONAL WEAPONS in it, decides to HIDE THEM instead of handing them out as defense against whatever’s trying to eat people. Beyond stupid. At that point, I started to root for the monster. And, when that happens, you know it’s time to turn off the show.
I think West Wing might have benefited by turning the whole campaign thing into its own mini-series. I miss the regular cast and with the story jumping back and forth I feel no real emotional connection to the storyline. Wed they could have had West Wing come on at 8pm and then West Wing: Campaign 2005 come on at 9pm.
As an independant I always look at the best man for the job and I think Alan Alda’s character might be the one I would vote for.
I have had to stop watching Smallville because everytime Clark gets shirtless (quite often ) my partner-husband-Civil Unionzed person who makes sure I dont spend all our money on dvds and comics, slaps me for staring.
I think West Wing might have benefited by turning the whole campaign thing into its own mini-series. I miss the regular cast and with the story jumping back and forth I feel no real emotional connection to the storyline. Wed they could have had West Wing come on at 8pm and then West Wing: Campaign 2005 come on at 9pm.
I hate me too, posts, but Christopher, this is, in my opinion, a genius opinion. If only we had a time machine to go back in time and suggest it.
RE: Smallville
I’m a late-comer to this show. Luckily ABC Family airs rerunsevery weeknight at 7:00 so I have a continual fix.
From the ‘git-go’ I have found Chloe to be a far more interesting character than Lana. Poor Lana is too often the damsel in distress when it would make more sense for Chloe to get into all manner of trouble just by virtue of her Wall of Weird and her penchant for investigative reporting.
Lana Lang is a character with great possibilities. I find it sad that the writers can’t see that and have reduced her to background noise. Like Peter David says, it’s not the actress’ fault.
Another little something that irks me about this show is “Meteor Rock.” How stupid do the writers think small town people are? I could understand if they were to say “Meteor Crystal” because the Kryptonite (before it’s refined, made into a health shake, elixir, tatoo, Ovaltine, or a salt substitute) is evidently crytaline, upon first sight. Also Kryptonite is too often the villain. Sometimes it seems like they just want to see how they can manipulate Kryptonite this week. Hey, wouldn’t it be interesting if someone in Smallville had Kryptonite related abilities and DIDN’T turn into the bad guy of the week? Maybe show that strong ethics isn’t the sole property of the Kent family?
Another bad plot device is having too many of Clark Kents/Supermans future associates visit Smallville. This kind of writing is something that I see all too often: everyone is related or somehow knew each other in their early years. Why would the entire populace of the DC Universe go to Smallville? Is it sheer desperation on the part of the writers? I could see maybe a young Bruce Wayne visiting to conduct business with Lex Luthor or some such, but the writers would likely create a subplot where Young Mr. Wayne is bitten by a “Meteor Rock” infected bat that creates a compulsion within him to wear a cape and sneak about at night.
The thing is I really DO like this show. It’s a fascinating look into the life of young Clark Kent. It’s cool to see how his abilities develop and how he has to cope with them. What’s especially neat for me is Clark’s friendship with Lex. Knowing that it will be going to Hëll in the future makes it all the more tragic.
It’s sad that so many of Smallville’s possibilities are untapped in favor of contrivance and the status quo.
As far as Kryptonite being on Earth centuries before Krypton exploded… well, simple answer, really. Someone predicted the destruction of Krypton hundreds of years before Jor El and she launched her only half-neice on her fathers side, twice removed (don’t ask) toward Earth in an attempt to save her neices life. The Kryptonite, in this case, was several data crystals that were sent with her so that she could know her past. Of course the half-aunt in quest made some miscalculations. Her watch was fast so she misjudged the time that Krypton would explode and the ceramic tiles on the ship were affixed with a substandard glue because of corporate cost reduction efforts, thus causing the ship’s fuel source to ignite upon entering Earths atmosphere.
It’s just a theory.
Peter:
1. I’m surprised you’re still watching “The West Wing.” I’m not sure if the show has officially jumped the shark, but it may be a good idea to feed Brad Whitford to the sharks.
2. Never caught on to “Smallville” chiefly for three reasons: John Schneider, John Schneider and John Scneider.
Enjoy the bowling,
Mark
Mark, you don’t like Bo? Or was it Luke? I forget. But mostly, I’ve found him really fitting as Pa Kent. He hasn’t had much to do this season, but for some reason, he’s just the type of father you could see Clark/Superman having.
I kinda like the way the writers toss little nods to the comic community. From what I’ve read, WB/DC has given a lot of creative flexibility to the show to deviate from Superman canon. So having Wally show up and toss out the names Barry Allen and Jay Garrick as aliases he’s used in the past was neat.
I think one of this season’s best moments was two weeks ago, when Clark was forced to ride with Lana while looking for the truck getting robbed. Unable to just zip about and find the truck, Clark has to turn to super-hearing in order to find them. It was a real subtle moment, yet showed how Clark’s abilities continue to develop, and how he learns that he can’t always use strength and speed to solve tasks.
That, and Chloe’s “what, are you just going to zip over to the vault, rip it off the wall, and steal the code” moment. Humor aside, it provides a way for the writers to describe exactly what Clark does, without having to spend the $ on the CGI SFX needed to film the scene.
I disagree about Clark & Lana never having sex. Clark was a virgin in Lois & Clark only because Lois was the main female character there. Here, it’s Lana. Lana and Clark will sleep together (and they will both be each other’s first); it just won’t happen until the show’s final season (or possibly next season, which will be its 5th, which is when a show hits the guaranteed syndication mark, and when a lot of stuff that’s been put off usually happens).
*My* problem with Lois isn’t her spunky, hard-drinkin’ character; it’s her very presence as a semi-permanent addition to the show. I always thought it was cool that she’s Chloe’s cousin. I would have loved to meet her character if Chloe met up with her in Metropolis and they got involved in some hijinks together for an episode. I even would have tolerated her visiting Smallville once or twice. However, having her in at least half the episodes, living with the Kents, hanging out with Lana, Chloe, and Clark just undercuts the purpose of Lana and Chloe. Not to mention, she steals screen time from the actresses. How often do we see Allison Mack nowadays? The new revelation/in-joke about her banging Jimmy Olsen (or his analogue) doesn
SMALLVILLE:
For one thing, Chloe should have been Lana. Lana Lang was always Superboy’s version of Lois (trying to uncover his secret, always getting into trouble). That more accurately describes the plucky Chloe than the frankly annoying Lana (I still can’t forgive her for being pìššëd at Clark for the injury she received when Lex when nuts when Clark had saved her life at that point about a dozen times — and Lex was supposedly her friend, as well).
If Lana were just some made-up character, then there could be potential for something interesting (maybe she would fall for Lex or go bad or any number of things that LANA LANG can’t do).
Oddly enough, this whole Isobelle storyline is the only thing that comes close to the spirit of the Superboy comics — Lana was often turning into weird things — Insect Queen, anyone?
Also, who are Lana’s guardians, exactly? One thing that bugs me about this show is that it insisted on being set in high school despite — unlike Buffy — doing nothing with that concept. They might as well be college students at the University of Smallville or something and it would at least explain why they’re never in class and why the adult Lex hangs out with them.
People are starting to compare WW to ER, and after this week I’m starting to agree. Rather than having a general plot proceeding to a naturally end-point, they are writing the plot around the artificially contrived end-point.
Now, that can be done well. However, you don’t up-end your character’s personalities at the same time you are contriving an ending. It’s annoyingly manipulative to an audience.
I hope they turn this around. Last week really made me question why I still watch this show.
In terms of Lana, I disagree, PAD. It is both the actress’ and the writers’ “fault.” The writers because, as you yourself pointed out, the storyline makes no bloody sense. And the actress mainly because she CAN’T ACT! In fact, watching her attempt to do the possessed bit, after it was handled so masterfully on episode after episode of “Buffy,” was like watching a new member being inducted into the Pantheon of Horrible Acting.
And don’t forget Lionel, a character who once electrified the screen with every appearance, who’s now just another bland, exposition-spouting talking head.
I do agree with you that Doc Swann’s sendoff was handled well, but why did it take 2+ weeks for his last friggin’ e-mail to arrive? One of the most brilliant scientists in the world shouldn’t have been so easily stymied by a computer virus.
I normally don’t watch SMALLVILLE — I can only tape 1 channel at a time, I usually work Wednesday nights, and LOST takes precedence — but from the few I have seen, it’s… okay. Because of the current Purita- er, Family Values mood sweeping the country, they can’t have the hero lose his virginity. (Yes, Chloe admitted that she slept with Jimmy Olsen — how unfair is it that Jimmy Olsen got laid before Superman??? — and even that brief telling resulted in the actress pitching a teen pregnancy site at the end of the show. Not anything on safe sex, or Planned Parenthood, but teen pregnancy. Gotta be scary, not responsible. Or teens might actually want to have sex!) They also seem to be, as PAD pointed out, maintaining the status quo no matter what. Remember when Lionel had a crystal that switched people’s bodies? That is an *astounding* power, and Clark and Lex shrugged it off like it was getting the newspaper on time! And how often will Lex aaaaaaaaaalmost see Clark doing something no one else can, or being where he couldn’t possibly be, and not thinking twice about it? I know the show would end if they finally gave Clark his Superman outfit, but can’t they do better?
Plus side, I am *still* drooling over Alicia’s wedding night corset, gerter belt, and tiara. Wowwwwwwwww…
Re: When did Krypton explode. Well, there was a whole episode about a young Jor-El on Earth in 1961, so that pretty much nukes the extremely long travel time theory (and opens up a whole ‘nother can of worms as the reasons Jor was one Earth pretty much nails down that Krypton had easy and casual interstellar travel…so how come Kal-El gets sent solo a short period later?).
And Smallville’s already in “syndication”. Reruns are on ABC Family. Yeah, that’s not local station syndication, but how many hour dramas show up there these days (I can only think of five; Buffy, Angel, Practice, West Wing, and ER. And those are only once or twice a week, not stripped).
Tom, that opens up even MORE cans…such as, did Jor El go back to Krypton? Did he somehow beat Kal’s ship to earth? Was Jor El/the Drifter the REAL Jor El, or a manifestation of the cave, similar to Kara from last season.
I guess there’s enough plot holes, errr, loose ends/mysteries from the first three seasons to give Lost a good challenge.
I like Smallville best when it follows plots, and keeps the threads going. I’d like it more if they’d tie off a few plot threads before introducing new ones. A lot of this season has felt like filler…you know, when your regular creative team skips an issue to allow the book to make a deadline, and the publisher takes a filler story from the drawer in order to make a shipping deadline. Some of these plots could have been dropped into the series at just about any point with a little tweaking.
Wow. I never thought I’d disagree with PAD so much. Usually, he’s dead on about stuff..but here I have to totally disagree with him about Season 4. I think season 4 has been the weakest season of Smallville so far. Yes, weaker then season 1 even. Its just full of WB-soap opera stuff, weak plots, a witch plot that obviously came from the writers watching too much Charmed (never a good thing, imo), and basically, its just a disappointing season, imo. Sure, Lois IS cool. I agree with him there. But the rest….not so much. Well, expect he was right that it was Cliche that Clark’s girlfriend died, but personally I thought she was an AWFUL character. She just had no personility at all. Sure was good looking (but not, imo, as good looking as Lois or Chloe or heck even Lana), but thats it. And her relationship with Clark made NO SENSE. Ok, I can see the first time because Clark really wanted someone to love and not have to keep his secret from her. But then she tried to KILL him. heck, I guess I can see the second time..maybe..but then she DRUGGED him (basically) and got him to do stuff he didn’t want to do! I mean come on! Earth to Clark! Kyrpton to Clark even. Clark is being written so stupid this year. I mean come on! Even the Chloe/Clark stuff is written dumb. Its obvious that Chloe knows. Clark is being so stupid about it. I like the fact that Chloe knows, but I wish they’d just have her say, ” Um, Clark, I know your secret..” or have Clark say, ” Chloe..we need to talk..” Just get on with it already!
That all said, ya there are still some good episodes. The Flash episode, the body switch episode, the Kyrpto episode, heck even last episode with Witch Lana was good. But this season is definitly not better, imo, then season 3. Season 3 was really, really good. This..not so much.
I wish it was. This show use to be really, really good..*sigh*
DF2506
” As for West Wing, I don’t watch it anymore. Too busy watching ALIAS. 🙂 “
Hey, Cowboy Pete! What did you think of the Impulse/Flash episode? I enjoyed the idea of someone who could help Clark stop obsessing and angst-ing over his powers and perhaps see the possibilities in them. Sorry to hear about Fallen Angel though I’m so happy you’re back on the Hulk.
I’ve all but given up on “Smallville.” I watch “Lost” instead. Although when “Lost” was in re-runs a few weeks ago, I did watch “Smallville” then, just to see what was happening.
I think there are possibilities with Chloe in the traditional Pete Ross role; and, to me, Lex’s arc remains the most interesting storyline in the series. Beyond that, however, “Smallville” seems to have lost all sense of focus; and I’ve lost all interest.
And I agree that it would have made more sense if the characters were in college, given the storylines these last few seasons.
Rick
Great to have the TV reviews back.
Veronica Mars is the best show on television right now, and I’m interested in PD’s thoughts on that.
I too am gonna have to disagree with PAD on Smallville. Or, should I say, Sexville?
Yeah, Lois is cool. But why does she stay with the Kents when she’s in town instead of with her cousin, Chloe? When I stopped watching about a month ago, the “over-arching” plot was about a witch who was, apparently, Lana’s ancestor. I wish they’d stuck with the Krypton stuff.
Sure, I’m mildly interested in why Lionel’s apparently gone all good. I *was* interested in the quest for the three stones, which, as of the premiere, looked like it was going to be the main arc.
I haven’t liked Clark exploiting his powers to win at football. Nor do I like how they’ve never really developed him as a journalist.
And yeah, Chloe lost her virginity to Jimmy Olsen? Musta’ been rebounding from Clark at the time…
Before Donna left the White House to work with Bingo Bob, she heard the speech Alan Alda gave and said to Josh, “You’ve got 15 months to convince me not to vote for him.”
Kristen Chenoweth is fantastic as Annabeth, but she isn’t writer proof, did you see her short lived sitcom?
I’m liking the campaign episodes. It’s interesting to see Josh butting heads with his own candidate over strategy.
Oh, and that little bit of flirtation between Mary McCormack’s character and Will Bailey? EWWW, no way.
I loved Lily Tomlin’s simple yet effective doorstop to the President.
I have to agree with platocave, Veronica Mars is one of the best written shows this season. Why are the ratings so low. Please everyone who reads thses posts, let’s not let this show slip out of our hands. Watch it, get your family to watch and get your friends to watch it.
I have to disagree with Pete also about this season of Smallville. It is the weakest one ever. If this is family friendly TV then why is it we have had so many Lana shower scenes, a shower scene with two teenagers undressing, etc. The amountnof skin they have pandered this season is amazing and most times not even plot necessary.
Afor Lois, Lois has not helped the myth but instead has hurt it. More and more a lot of the regular viewers are starting to ask why he would marry Lois Lane, especially the one we have here. She can’t pass high school, gets thrown out of college, because a bunch of frat boys were too nosy whle she was trying to study, she challenges them to a drinking contest (one in which she drank enough alcohol to incapacitate an elephant or lead to the drunken girl waking up in strange bed syndrome)and the urban wittiness they have given her looks out of place against the background of Kansas cornfields. On the family friendly subject, one early episode you might have missed made clear that Lois isn’t a virgin at this point either. So much for Clark being her first.
As for Lana, they have drained the character of anything that made her special, childhood sweatheart, lifelong friend, the girl left behind (think of all the soldiers from WW I and II and you can see who Lana represents.) In the producers own words all they see for Lana is the role of damsel in distress. It is ashame because I still contend that John Bryne gets teh mythology right and does a better job with the characters than anyone. For a good example see what he does in the first Generations storyline. Clark marries Lois but in the end Superman the immortal eventual finds a Lana who also achieved immortality and they are together for the rest of time.
Chloe, well we discover this season that her mother didn’t leave the family, she actually, like all the woman in the family, suffers from mental illness. Chloe knows the secret, is still in love with Clark (a plot line that most thought ended last season)and is as some of th spoiler imply about to find that both Lana and Clark still love each other. I don’t see things going well for her.
And Lex, for the greatest villain in the DC Universe, he is a real idiot and, even worse, has been portrayed as noble as Clark.
Finally the show has reverted to the worst elements of the Superman myths. When you plot is stuck, invent a new kryptonite.
No, it started out so well, but just seems to not have a strong game paln. Becasue, yes, they are making it up as they go along.
Sorry, I really vented here, but having been a avid reader of comics (and for that matter everything), since I was 4 and now being 51, I find that people who don’t respect the characters really don’t respect the American story that they are actually a metphor of.
I am getting bored with SMALLVILLE this season. I like the personality of Lois Lane and the actress who plays her. Unfortunately, Lois makes Lana irrelevant. The whole Lana storyline this season is a joke.
Perhaps the reason why the show has gone downhill is the absence of Mark Verheiden from the show? It was my understanding he left to do the pilot for Dark Shadows that was not picked up. Too bad.
Peter David: SMALLVILLE: It’s been an interesting season thus far, and stronger than the one before…
Luigi Novi: Blasphemy.
Peter,
I can’t believe you are still watching West Wing. It jumped the shark a loonnnnnng time ago.
Spend the time with your baby. If she’s asleep at that hour, spend the time making a brother for her. 😉 Do something constructive with your time!
I’ve agreed with many of the comments on this season of Smallville. I too enjoy Lois Lane, but she should not meet Clark Kent till they’re both working for the Daily Planet. Hate to be a prude, but I’ve seen too many young ladies writhing on top of a bare chested Clark this season. All ages should be able to watch any Superman story. I’m guessing that the WB execs want some of those O.C. ratings.
Because of my second VCR, I’m able to enjoy Lost. After hearing reports of the demise of a major character, I’m guessing that Hurley will not be around in the Fall. Afraid his girth would provide too many problems in future shows. I’m really gonna miss the guy.
I am consistently amazed that everyone keeps trying to make Smallville “fit” into the current Superman mythos.
For what I’m sure won’t be the last time –
It’s. a. different. story.
Elseworlds – Imaginary – Hypothetical.
take your pick.
sigh.
sorry.
Anyway. I’m not sure it’s a good show. I mostly watch it for
A) in-jokes
B) cool superhero moments
C) Tom Welling tearing his shirt off.
(not in that order)
I must agree that Veronica Mars is consistently good. She is the new “Buffy” IMHO.
(But the best show on TV right now is Arrested Development.)
FINNNALY Cowboy Pete is BACK! I missed your reviews on TV shows especially Smallville. And I have to agree with Peter about Lois, I too personally like her because I think she adds a dynamic to the show since there’s Lana always whining of how Clark is keeping secrets from her and Chloe whining of how Clark doesn’t have feelings for her, but she does. Besides Lois (imo) adds humor to the show. Man, not sure if I’m the only one, but is anyone else really confused by the Lana/Jason/Lex/Genevieve storyline? I’m just not feeling it for some reason.
As for Lost, well I missed one episode and needless to say had a hard time keeping up with it (since they only showed the repeat of it like five episodes later)…so I somewhat dropped it. I think I’m in the same boat as Stephen King who also wants to see some answers being revealed. Honestly, does anyone here think the show could maybe go on for a couple of seasons??
Veronica Mars…just one question…what was up with the guy running away from the diner (where Veronica found her mom) at the end??
Interesting how they’re using Lana to show Superman’s weakness to magic. I just hope they’d get on with the Jor-El stuff and send off the cast to college before they all spontaneously combust from raging hormones.
Veronica Mars…just one question…what was up with the guy running away from the diner (where Veronica found her mom) at the end??
That was the head of Kane security, the guy who took the threatening pictures of Veronica and sent them to her mother. That’s why Veronica thinks her mother left in the first place.
I love Lois Lane. So i`m sorry to say THIS thing with no charm or redeeming value is no Lois Lane. And I hope Bryan Singer is getting that.
As for the others, I never liked this Lana because the constent cat and mouse game with Clark felt like teen soap after-school specials. And it never made sens to me: Why Lana always felt like Clark was hidding things from her, like he had a secret? Does she knows he`s Superman? Only in a medium like TV could writers get away with setting up a character-arc around something only the viewer knows and turn it into something a character might know because of it. It`s weird because Clark was never secretive around Lana, why on Earth does she think he has a secret and she`s mad because he won`t tell her? It seems far-fetched to me. Perhaps Lana has telepathy.
But yea, I think the writers and producers must have heard the cries from the fans overwhelmingly hating the Lana character but instead of focusing on Cloe, they bring Lois has full-fledge character because they figure fans wanted the complete opposite. But she`s as annoying as Lana, only from the opposite side.
Really, as boring as those Clark-Lana moments were, they should have stuck to their guns, because the way they`ve built the shows it was an essential ingredient to it. After the ping-pong matchs in fact, just have Clark and Lana become boyfriend-girlfriend, it was the logical thing to do even if she doesn`t know he`s an alien.
But now it`s like the Lana character is in freefall. Never mind that she was a damsell in distress, she was the girl of his life outside of the “super-things”. But not knowing where to go with her because they didn`t know what to do with the character and because the fans hated her, you have her embarked into a moronic witch-watever concept about maps and stones and her having powers. Probably to try making her character more “interesting” for the fans. Dammit she doesn`t have to be more than she was, it was her purpose to be the girl Clark wants, isn`t that enough?
What is this Mort Wessinger`s Golden Age stupid Superman adventures?
And I haven`t talked about Lana`s boyfriend. Jeez. Bad actor with a character with no complexity. He`s also pretty much a plot device, just have him not talk for an entire episode, but being there and you`ll understand what i`m saying here. They figured at first to creat this guy to predictably put a barrier between Lana and Clark it was too scary for them to have them become boyfriend-girlfriend and that`s such a cope-out. Seriouly, please get rid of the guy.
This season`s Smallville has no solid, meaningful direction whatsoever.
“how unfair is it that Jimmy Olsen got laid before Superman???”
And how realistic? I may be wrong here, but I always got the impression that Jimmy was younger than Clark. And even a couple of years makes a big difference in high school. Yet he ‘did it’ before Clark? Yeah, right.
As for Veronica Mars’ poor ratings, take your pick
– seemingly endless reruns (when it’s on at all)
– schedule changes
The above being frequent gaffes by networks seemingly bent on killing shows
– a main character who seems to have a “the end justifies the means” philosophy of life (it’s what killed me off it)
I only saw the pilot of VERONICA MARS, but that alone makes me a definite to buy the DVD box set when it’s released. If you get the chance, look at the episode again and observe the extraordinary number of plot elements — her whole backstory, the new friend, the high school rivalries, the mystery around her mother, the relationship with the father — they effortlessly squeeze into one episode.
I missed the penultimate episode of LOST, where Sawyer is convinced one of the boars is obsessed with him. Anyone want to fill me in on what happened? (I’m smart enough to know that the previews used editing to make it look like he was going to kill Jack. That ain’t happening.)
As for Hurley, he’s shown a lot of geek qualities before. My guesses are he’s either an Internet multimillionaire, but his money and computer skills are useless on the island (and his owing over $80,000 to Walt from Backgammon is something he plans to pay back!) or he’s some sort of undercover agent who’s using the nerd image as a cover to mask his deadly nature.
We shall see.
SMALLVILLE: It’s been an interesting season thus far, and stronger than the one before, even if it fell victim–yet again–to the infuriating reset-to-status-quo-no-matter-how-much-it-hurts syndrome after the first couple of episodes.
Cowboy Pete is back! And the peasants rejoice!!
I completely lost interest last season and saw less than half of them. However, this season has kept my interest. I hated the reset the status start to the season, but otherwise have been far more interested.
My biggest problem right now is with Clark. They write the character as too dumb. He should be far better at dealing with situations and having answers when Chloe or others question him. I don’t think he should be slick and perfect, but there has not been as much development as you would have hoped. He is not a “Bruce Wayne” tactician, but Clark should be far better at thinking ahead.
This season has also been confusing in its sexual messages. You have steamy epidsodes (too steamy, in my opinion, for a show that kids may want to watch), then you have the afterschool message special saying think twice about sex. As afterschool messages go in an episode, it was better than some, but the season really contradicts the message.
I absolutely love the development with Chloe. As PAD says, it seems very organic. In fact, I missed the 2 episodes with Clark’s girlfriend and was confused when Chloe seemed to know about Clark. But I liked it. It holds up even better now seeing the big reveal and how it happened and Chloe’s reaction. My estimation of Lois also changed with her advice to Chloe.
I have found the Lana storyline too disconnected (though I missed the “Crouching Tiger” knockoff episode this week — will have to watch the tape later). But her coach boyfriend saves it from being horrible. They seem to better develop him than Lana.
Thanks, PAD, for bringing back Cowboy Pete. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on my favorite show this year, LOST.
Iowa Jim
Yee Hahhhhhhh!
Ride’em, Cowbow!!!!!!
Probably to try making her character more “interesting” for the fans. Dammit she doesn`t have to be more than she was, it was her purpose to be the g”irl Clark wants, isn`t that enough?”
Maybe my experience is of a very limited time frame but in all the old superboy comics I have Lana is everything but the girl he wants. Maybe the girl he wants to kill. She’s an incredible pain in the ášš, forever trying to prove that Clark and Superboy are one and the same, thus opening the way for every criminal on Earth to torture and kill the residents of Smallville (including, one hopes, her).
Her only saving grace, and this is a thin thread indeed upon which to hang a character’s good qualities, is that she can turn into Insect Queen, the world’s most repulsive super hero. “As a giant foam beetle I can immobilize criminals in their tracks!’ “Hey, just where is all that foam coming from?” “None of your god dámņëd business!”
BOY do I wish they’d give her that power on Smallville! Big ratings for sure! They’d blow the entire season’s budget on costumes but it’d be worth it. I hope if they do it they keep the best part of Insect Queen’s attire–the silly mask. Like she needs it. A 6 foot tall dung beetle skitters toward me in the dark and I’m gonna notice the color of her eyes? It would take years of psychotherapy before I could again remember the face of my own kids, much less hers.
>> “how unfair is it that Jimmy Olsen got laid
>> before Superman???”
> And how realistic? I may be wrong here, but
> I always got the impression that Jimmy was
> younger than Clark. And even a couple of
> years makes a big difference in high school.
> Yet he ‘did it’ before Clark? Yeah, right.
My thought on seeing that scene was that perhaps they were planning on bringing back the dropped-in-the-second-season smart-ášš, streewise, may-or-may-not-have-served-time-in-reform-school Jimmy Olsen from the first season of Lois & Clark, although the “cute in a bow-tie sort of way” description somewhat contradicts that.
As for the fact that Jimmy has always been younger than Lois and Clark, either that’s not true on Earth-Smallville, or the writers just didn’t think of the contradiction with established canon when throwing in that in-joke — or Jimmy is just a sexually precocious ninth-grader (see above), which is hardly impossible.