Obviously the Cowboy is particularly interested in this season since Supergirl is slated to show up. Spoilers below:
“Smallville” takes on the formidable task of trying to tackle all the dangling threads from the previous season. Overall an impressive endeavor, I thought.
Most heart-stopping moment: The death of Chloe. Even though her demise set a land-speed record for being overturned, even by DCU standards, it still felt like a looooong commercial break. Chloe always seems to have a target on her back since she is the only one on the program who is original to the series. Still, she should count her blessings: At least she did not wake up on a slab in the middle of her own autopsy.
Clark does double duty (again) as an evil version of himself, who frankly seems indistinguishable from the other evil Clark incarnations. I kind of wish they had kept the Bizarro look throughout, instead of having it be limited to certain situations. But it probably was not feasible, especially since it appeared to have been done via CGI rather than make-up.
The Martian Manhunter remains a welcome addition to the cast; as an old, wiser, potentially mentoring figure, it beats the hëll out of the disembodied voice of Jor-El.
Meanwhile, while Lex wrestles with his conscience (who even knew he had one at this point?) and we mourn the departure of Ma Kent, the single oddest scene was discovering the fate of Lana. I mean, unlike Chloe, I doubt anyone REALLY thought Lana was dead. But that she would turn up doing a Sydney Bristow impression? I will be interested to see where they go with that.
And then, of course, we have Supergirl. Except there was not really enough to judge on, although I was amused to notice that in her first appearance, she very much had an angelic appearance.
Anyway, a promising beginning. But then, “Smallville” tends to excel in first episodes. When it comes to sustaining things, on the other hand, it can be hit and miss. Fingers crossed.
PAD
• 
Up to halfway through, I was hoping that the blond Supergirl was some kind of avatar or projection of Chloe, who was apparently-dead at the time. But since Chloe’s all better now, and SG’s still around, looks like not. (And since Chloe destroyed her death certificate, nobody at the hospital will remember anything about it, right?)
I enjoyed watching the season premiere of Smallville. Bizarro Clark at first reminded me of him being on Red Krptonite, until he started killing people. Just small difference, I think.
How they intergrate Supergirl into the show will be interesting, especially when she finds out he can’t fly! I wonder if they ever will change that this year.
How is Lex even alive? Yes, he was saved by Supergirl from drowning, but how in the world does he survive being hit by Bizarro, and then crashing throw pipes in a wall!
Yes, I know its only TV, but at least give the guy a sling to put on his arm so that I may have some sympathy for Lex.
Who took Lionel? Probably a disgruntled Farmer looking for some payback.
Was that La Femme Nikita in the end? Nope, just Lana in hiding. Your right Peter, it’ll be interesting to see how this subplot plays out.
I laughed my ášš off myself seeing Supergirl all angel-y. My husband thinks I’m a weird fangirl. I deny nothing.
I loved this episode; there were a couple of “oh, come ON” moments – someone mentioned above that Lex should be in at least critical condition after being thrown that hard by Bizarro, and if Lana wants to blend in in China, why would she wear a blonde wig? – but overall I thought it was fantastic.
Allison Mack is undoubtedly the best actress in the series. She’s the only one I really felt react to Lana’s “death,” and “WHY AM I IN A MORGUE?” had just the right touch of panic to it. I hope they’ll deal with the psychological impact of Chloe’s death, as well as exploring more of exactly what her meteor power does.
I wasn’t a fan of Bizarro; I thought the whole concept was stupid. But when he crispy-fried that guy with barely a thought – WOW! That was actually dámņëd scary! I still don’t see why he would give a crap about freeing Lex, but it was nice to see an otherwise groan-inducing character become a genuine threat for all of thirty seconds.
I’m on board for the season – not least of which because both my husband and I think Laura Vandervoort is a honey. 🙂
I wasn’t a fan of Bizarro; I thought the whole concept was stupid. But when he crispy-fried that guy with barely a thought – WOW! That was actually dámņëd scary! I still don’t see why he would give a crap about freeing Lex, but it was nice to see an otherwise groan-inducing character become a genuine threat for all of thirty seconds.
My theory is that since Bizarro apparently has all of Clark’s memories, one thing that also stuck was his friendship with Lex. Bizarro doesn’t have any of the moral hangups of hanging with Lex though.
“why isn’t Lex dead”? We will find out.
Am I the only one who thought “Fallen Angel” when I first saw ‘Kara’ bathed in light(should have been a red light) ‘saving’ Lex?
I was hoping that we’d find out what happens to Bizarro if he’s exposed to red K (since the green stuff heals him, does the red stuff turn him good?) but it wasn’t to be, sadly.
Am I gonna get yelled at because I gave up on the show shortly after Chloe found out about Clark? It seemed just to be taking to long not to be getting anywhere, and I just gave up. Maybe I’ll tackle the DVD sets one day.
I was hoping that we’d find out what happens to Bizarro if he’s exposed to red K (since the green stuff heals him, does the red stuff turn him good?) but it wasn’t to be, sadly.
They got rid of Bizarro in a most efficient way to ensure his return. (Far side of Mars indeed! Might as well put him in a time-release capsule.)
“Am I gonna get yelled at because I gave up on the show shortly after Chloe found out about Clark? It seemed just to be taking to long not to be getting anywhere, and I just gave up. Maybe I’ll tackle the DVD sets one day.”
I felt the fourth season was one highschool season too many. Things picked up again in the 5th, I felt. although I would not consider it a great show.
Isn’t it nice hat they decided to refer to PAD’s Supergirl, even if indirectly?
How is she going to fit into the continuity?
Lana is a problem. I like her, but she’s been overstreched in this show beyond what her character seems able to sustain. That’s why they removed Angel from buffy after the third season, I think.
I’ll confess to having never seen even one episode of this show on my own teevee – and only one on someone else’s, actually.
OTOH, i never picked up on “Sandman” because i only heard about it fairly late and wouldn’t have been able to get back to the beginning. I suppose i ought to look around…
You can make this one drinking game in Smallville, take a shot whenever someone’s in the hospital. Those people must have a great insurance plan!
“Lana is a problem. I like her, but she’s been overstreched in this show beyond what her character seems able to sustain. That’s why they removed Angel from buffy after the third season, I think.”
Angel was removed from Buffy because he was spinning off into his own show. That’s a surplus of potential, not an overstretching.
“Angel was removed from Buffy because he was spinning off into his own show. That’s a surplus of potential, not an overstretching.”
I didn’t explain myself well.
I think that if Angel had remained in Buffy, with al the angst etc. it would have been difficult both for him and for Buffy’s character to grow, and he would have suffered from similar problems as Lana’s character. I think he was removed from Buffy because Joss Whedon understood that it’s time to free Buffy from this epic relationship, but he was also smart enough to realize that Angel has more potential. Also, by giving him his own show he was able to take Angel to places that he couldn’t go if he remained on Buffy. Although I doubt Lana has as much potential. I do think Smallville found it increasingly difficult to use Lana’s character as time went by.
You can make this one drinking game in Smallville, take a shot whenever someone’s in the hospital.
I’m always amused by how dramatically underlit Smallville General is. Whoever’s in charge of their facilities clearly has a stronger sense of drama than of utility or safety.
You can make this one drinking game in Smallville, take a shot whenever someone’s in the hospital. Those people must have a great insurance plan!
That goes double for car insurance. Anytime a car is wrecked, chug!
I loved this episode. I think Smallville is the best comic based TV series ever. The characters have been adapted and changed from their CB origins, but still stay true to the concepts.
I totally accept all the characters. I think Clark will become Superman, and Lex will be an evil genius. Yeah, they play around with ideas when they adapt them (as they do in comcs also) but they usually work and they are always fun. When the last episodes comes and Clark puts on the cape and flies off to Metropolis, I will probably shed a tear.
From everything I’ve read I ‘m afraid the ongoing characterization of Supergirl will be more like the current comics. Superskank.
“… although I was amused to notice that in her first appearance, she very much had an angelic appearance.”
And they could have been nice and passed you a little credit, or maybe even a couple of bucks. But nooooooooo . . . . ^_^
Julio asked: “Who took Lionel? Probably a disgruntled Farmer looking for some payback.”
When I saw him being dragged away and saw the feet and legs of the dragger, my first thought was Solomon Grundy for some reason…
Julio asked: “Who took Lionel? Probably a disgruntled Farmer looking for some payback.”
When I saw him being dragged away and saw the feet and legs of the dragger, my first thought was Solomon Grundy for some reason…
Julio asked: “Who took Lionel? Probably a disgruntled Farmer looking for some payback.”
When I saw him being dragged away and saw the feet and legs of the dragger, my first thought was Solomon Grundy for some reason…
1What happened to Martha Kent? I saw every episode they made, but I must’ve missed it. I remember she was going to Washington or something. I label Lana as the sucking life character. There has only ever been a handful of episodes where she has ever appeared being happy. She can suck life out of a room like nobody’s business. Yeah for Supergirl appearance, and apparently regular appearances (on opening credits) on the series. It was a bummer a couple years ago when the false Supergirl appeared and then was discovered not to be a Kryptonian. Smallville is one of the few shows left to watch on tv (that’s new), and a good start to the second season of Heroes.
I was particularly noticing the colours in the show. Clark wears a blue shirt and red jacket (echoing his Superman costume and cape). Bizarro wears a red shirt and blue jacket (inverted colours). Kara wears a light blue shirt and red vest/jacket (Superman lite?).
Is anyone on this show going to college anymore?
I caught bits and pieces of the show (sorry, but my true loyalties are with MY NAME IS EARL; and isn’t 30 ROCK coming to 8:30?), and here are some thoughts.
First, it’s almost a given in comics that even non-powered characters can be hurled into walls, through glass windows, onto cars, and either lie unconscious for a few minutes or groan and rise to their hands and knees. (In the real world, they would have died on impact, have numerous broken bones, or massive internal injuries.) Also, a while back they had suggested that Lex had some sort of amazing healing ability that let him recover from almost any wound. (Then again, they also said because of some massive poisoning his blood had to be recycled/replaced every few hours; I don’t know if they ever explained how that was resolved.)
Second, is Bizarro a vampire? If his kryptonite is sunlight, that’s a dámņ big weakness. And was he destroyed at the end, or did he fly off?
Third, didn’t one season finale have Clark in China? How’d he get there, and could Lana have gotten there as well?
Finally, SMALLVILLE has gotten some nice advertising in the pseudo-pørņ mag arena: Erica Durance was featured in SMALLVILLE, and the new Supergirl (sorry I don’t know her name) graces the cover of the final issue of STUFF (the magazine for those who find MAXIM too cerebral). Woot!
Is there an official Smallville drinking game? I’ve been doing a shot every time Lex gets shot. Two if it’s anywhere other than the chest.
One shot every time Clark wishes he’d never gotten his powers.
Four shots any time Lana emotes anything other than shocked hurt or semi-righteous anger.
I could go on.
You forgot the most obvious: Throw back a shot every time someone is driving somewhere in Smallville and an auto accident ensues.
I’d love to do a whole episode in which the main characters barely show up and you deal entirely with the people in Smallville who are impacted by everything that goes on. Like the auto insurance company that’s barely hanging on because they’ve had to pay out so many claims. Or the guys in charge of paperwork that’s filed when someone dies, and they have to come up with new forms when someone who they thought they died comes back to life…again. (“Chloe Sullivan reported dead AGAIN? You know what…let’s hold off on filing the death certificate for a week, just in case. I’m still smarting over the incident with her getting blown up in a house.”)
PAD
Peter, those are great ideas for an episode. You should’ve just submitted a script with them. I think it would really add more depth to the show.
It’s pointless to submit a script for an ongoing series to the series itself. Weekly series are almost entirely staff written. Plus the producers have very definite ideas of how a show should go, so if you submit a “Smallville” script to “Smallville” you are pretty much guaranteed that it’ll be rejected…presuming it’s read at all.
PAD
Queen Anthai: Is there an official Smallville drinking game? I’ve been doing a shot every time Lex gets shot. Two if it’s anywhere other than the chest. One shot every time Clark wishes he’d never gotten his powers.
Peter David: You forgot the most obvious: Throw back a shot every time someone is driving somewhere in Smallville and an auto accident ensues.
Luigi Novi: Oh, c’mon, Peter, you wouldn’t want those playing that game to die of alcohol poisoning!
Peter David: It’s pointless to submit a script for an ongoing series to the series itself…
Luigi Novi: I don’t know how well you know Jeph Loeb, but it’s a shame you couldn’t parlay your reputation in the comics field by asking him to let you in the door, given that he used to be one of the producer/writers.
Speaking of Jeph, Peter, do you watch Heroes? I just caught up with the first season on DVD, and finished watching the second season premiere last night on NBC’s website. What do you think about it? Me, I think that it demonstrates a lot of the ideas and sensibilities that writers in mainstream superhero comics might try considering, specifically that it shouldn’t focus on spandex and arbitrary slugfests. (Yours and those of The Ultimates being others.)
1″It’s pointless to submit a script for an ongoing series to the series itself. Weekly series are almost entirely staff written. Plus the producers have very definite ideas of how a show should go, so if you submit a “Smallville” script to “Smallville” you are pretty much guaranteed that it’ll be rejected…presuming it’s read at all.”
PAD
The last poster brough up a good point with Loeb, but how about Mark Milar? Isn’t he still a producer on the show?
Rob
Dunno. Maybe. But again, keep in mind that very very few episodes are not staff written. And more often than not, the non-staff-written episodes are handed over to close friends of the exec producers. Simply having a nodding acquaintance with one of the show’s many producers isn’t going to get me anywhere.
I’m simply not going to go pitching stories to Mark or Jeph or whomever else and put them in difficult positions of having to say “no” since I know for a fact that’s what they WOULD say.
PAD
I’m simply not going to go pitching stories to Mark or Jeph or whomever else and put them in difficult positions of having to say “no” since I know for a fact that’s what they WOULD say.
Totally understandable, you’re exactly right about what would happen. But here’s my question–these are obviously smart guys. Too tough a business to think otherwise. Wouldn’t it just make common sense for them to reach out to the creators who have proven time and time again to be able to come up with memorable stories? Even if they just take the idea and let their home crew do the actual script.
This is one area where places like Marvel seem to be smarter than the hollywood big boys. I don’t imagine Harlan Ellison had to corner Stan Lee in a restroom to get him to accept the idea of Ellison penned story ideas for HULK or AVENGERS. Ditto the original Star trek, where several legit science fiction writers made memorable contributions.
It isn’t like most writing teams couldn’t use an occasional outside written episode. Every season of virtually every show has a few eps that are obviously padded water treading.
If they do reach out, they don’t have to reach very far: There’s plenty of talented comic book writers in Los Angeles.
PAD
I cant wait to see this hot supergirl at wizard world texas in november.
“I won’t move to LA for HEROES” says Peter David.
😉
edhopper” I think Clark will become Superman”.
That would be a pretty safe bet.
Well, if Tim Kring contacted me, said, “We love your work, we want you to move to LA and work on ‘Heroes,” I can’t say I’d rule that out. Kath and I have discussed that in the past; if there’s a project major enough that requires me going to the West Coast for a time, she’d hold down the fort here.
PAD
edhopper” I think Clark will become Superman”.
That would be a pretty safe bet.
Badly written on my part.
What I meant was that the way the characters are portrayed, I BELIEVE that this Clark will become Superman.
Actually, Smallville has done something that for all intents and purposes should undermine Superman continuity, by having both Luthor and Lois Lane know a Clalk Kent that is much closer to Superman than the mild mannered reporter. Yet in both cases the interaction between them and Clark Kent feels very convincing.
I wonnder what they’re going to do with Supergirl?
From the chapter wev’e already seen they seem to be hinting on a Wobder-Woman-ish direction. I’ve always regreted that they didn’t have a Wonder-Woman guest appearance.
“You can make this one drinking game in Smallville, take a shot whenever someone’s in the hospital.”
And yet when it comes to the series w/the all-time most hospital scenes, it still doesn’t hold a candle to “The X-Files!”
Really liked this ep and the fact that they tried to cram so much in, especially since most of it worked. But I certainly miss Ma Kent, she was hot! Couldn’t they keep her and REALLY kill Lana?!? I think that would be a more than even tradeoff…
It’s pointless to submit a script for an ongoing series to the series itself.
Hey Peter, is there anything in the world stopping you from doing a quickie fanfic? 🙂
I’m always a bit surprised when people ask PAD questions about the writing he’s not doing. I mean, he’s got many, many novels under his belt, including movie adaptations, licensed properties, and his own creations. His T.V. credits include Babylon 5 and Space Cases, the latter being a show he created along with Bill Mumy (admittedly, Space Cases was short-lived, but most T.V. shows that are pitched never even make it to the airwaves). He’s written assloads of comics, including a run on The Incredible Hulk that many consider to be “definitive;” and the ongoing series Fallen Angel, which many consider to be one of the high points of his already very noteworthy career. I’m sure all of this merely scratches the surface.
I don’t know Peter, and I don’t know how he feels about his career. I can only say as an outside observer that looking at his impressive array of credits, it seems to me his glass is half-full rather than half-empty.
Oh, yeah, more on topic:
I was pretty disappointed with Smallville’s season premier. After all of that build-up, I thought Bizarro turned out to be a very uninteresting dud. What should have been the climactic battle turned out to be anything but.
I realize that Bizarro may be coming back, by the way. After all, we didn’t see a body. And on Smallville, even getting shoved in one of the coolers at the morgue doesn’t mean you’ve shuffled off. Just ask Chloe. Still, I wish his presence in the first ep of the season had left more of an impression.
I was also disappointed that the war that was supposedly building between Clark and Lex went nowhere. Oh, and where in hëll was the Justice League? I realize Martian Manhunter was there, but the way that Green Arrow, Impulse, and Aquaman were dogging Lex, their absence from the season opener was kind of a let-down.
I agree that the show did create some new and very enticing plot threads. Nevertheless, my overall reaction was one of disappointment.
I’m always a bit surprised when people ask PAD questions about the writing he’s not doing. I mean, he’s got many, many novels under his belt, including movie adaptations, licensed properties, and his own creations. His T.V. credits include Babylon 5 and Space Cases, the latter being a show he created along with Bill Mumy (admittedly, Space Cases was short-lived, but most T.V. shows that are pitched never even make it to the airwaves). He’s written assloads of comics, including a run on The Incredible Hulk that many consider to be “definitive;” and the ongoing series Fallen Angel, which many consider to be one of the high points of his already very noteworthy career. I’m sure all of this merely scratches the surface.
Yeah, but we want him to write TV shows so that tens of millions of regular people will become fans and he’ll become the go-to guy in Hollywood for superhero films and then he’ll forget about all of us who liked him back when he was just the best writer in comics and he’ll stop answering our phonecalls and when he’s driving his new Ferrari down the street he’ll be too busy lighting his cigars with 100 dollar bills to notice us waving forlornly at him from the corner.
Bill, I think he’d stop answering your phone calls anyway. Especially when he’s using the UltraMabel to navigate the Ferrari the heck away from you. And lighting cigars with hundreds is so twentieth century. We rich types use debit cards now. Sure, they’re harder to light, but the colors are pretty.
Overall, I liked the Smallville season premiere. Was it an exciting, keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller? No, but as JMS said about Babylon 5, you want to start a new season out slowly, to let new people sample the show and come on board without feeling lost.
I have to agree with Bill Myers about Bizarro, however. Not quite as exciting as he could have been.
On the other hand, at least this version of Bizarro uses proper grammar.
And Lex has finally moved from the number three spot in the credits to number two. Does this mean the season will be heavily focused on the Clark/Lex enmity? Possibly, but there was a lot of that last season, too. Wonder why the credits weren’t switched around then.
Anyone have any predictions as to how many episodes will go by before one or more of the other characters learns Lana’s still alive? My prediction: episode four or sooner.
Let’s hope that no one finds out because Lana was stupid enough to call, write, transmit an E-Mail or send a singing telegram, but you never can tell.
Since the subject of whether PAD would, could or should write for Heroes has come up, I have a question along similar lines. PAD, if you had created a TV series in which “ordinary” people discover they have super powers, would you have them don traditional comicbook type costumes? Keep them in street clothes? Put them in some sort of uniform? Or maybe have different characters take a different route, “costume” wise?
Myself, if I’d created such a show, I don’t think I’d have any character wear a costume. Even though I enjoy comicbooks and enjoy the superhero genre (though I’m not currently reading any superhero books save Astro City), I wouldn’t put on a traditional superhero type costume if I gained super powers; I doubt very few people would. Therefore, if I wanted to have a “realistic” superhero show, I probably wouldn’t have my characters in costume, either.
(And if they did wear costumes, they’d have a very, very good reason for it).
What’s more, while Superman, Batman and Spider-Man continue to wear their traditional garb (with minor alterations) in the films, the X-Men wore outfits that would better be described as uniforms than costumes in their films.
Even in some of the comics themselves, while characters continue to wear costumes, that term seems to have fallen by the wayside. When Tim Drake sought to become the new Robin, Batman spoke of when he’d be ready to wear the suit. As far as I know, a costume in one of the Bat books is still referred to as a “suit.”
And then there’s the question of masks. Somehow I can’t see anyone wearing them unless they had a costume/suit to go with it. I suppose someone could make “The Spirit” look work, or make a sartorial statement by fighting to protect the innocent while wearing a Shadow-style slouch hat, but that’d pretty much be it.
Well, the Green Hornet’s look works, too.
You know, this new Bionic Woman series naturally reminds me of when I used to watch The Six Million Dollar Man and (to a lesser extent) the original Bionic Woman. In many ways those were superhero shows, but neither Steve nor Jamie wore costumes. On the other hand, they both often kept their “true identities” a secret to the world at large.
Anyway, Heroes seems to have done quite well without costumes. Smallville, too, Green Arrow being pretty much the sole exception. So, are costumes even necessary any more? On TV and film, at least? I imagine one reason they’ve remained in the comicbooks has to do with character trademarks and things of that nature.
Rick
I haven’t seen Smallville in a long time.. but when I heard that Supergirl was coming on board.. I spent awhile trying to find it online somewhere (why isn’t it on itunes?) anyway I did find it (don’t have a tv) and I was pretty impressed with it.. I LOVED how Lex thinks he was saved by an angel… and this may beside the point now, but I haven’t seen the 2nd episode yet, Does anyone else think that the “Wonder Woman” braclet she puts on at the end is a throw back to the Helen Slater movie where she had the braclet that detected the Omega Hedron… perhaps this braclet glows when she gets close to Kal-El’s ship or Kal himself… she knew she would need a way to find the baby when she got to Earth.
I’m alaso hoping that because it sounds like Kara won’t like the idea of keeping here superness a secret, that she’ll eventually need to wear a wig and glasses to be Kara Kent.
Oh and Clark Kent can leave this show. The sooner the better. What is he still doing in Smallville? It was cool to see him stop the wall of water with his heat vision, and the very Superman look he gives the kid…
Let’s bring in Lucy Lane, Ðìçk Malverne and Streaky, and I would love to see the Kent family farm get a horse named Comet.
No need for a Supergirl spin off. She can just take over as Smallville’s main character.Long story short (to late) I’m watching Smallville again.
Weird, wild stuff, that Smallville. I like Bizarro, thought the episode was okay. This week’s wasn’t bad either, but haven’t they overplayed the “do we trust this Kryptonian?” card over the last few years? Anyway, good to see Chloe still alive, and good to see Jimmy as part of the regular cast, even if he hasn’t been in a single episode yet (…has he?).
Oh, and PAD aficionados take note–look on eBay right now, I’ve got PAD’s full run o’ Supergirl comics–the whole 90s series–up for auction (search for “Supergirl Peter David” and you’ll find it, or search for auctions by hulksmash!–with the exclamation point). Someone’s going to be a lucky winner, might as well be one of you guys…
~G.