Ratings prove it's about CK and not Lex or Lana

[galatians221]

Or anyone else for that matter. While TPTB stalled the progress of CK fulfilling his destiny the ratings suffered. The continual, pathetic Clana thing almost destroyed the show. Many were upset that MR and KK wanted out and how would the series succeed without Lex? Well, we don't miss him at all and frankly I wish Lana wasn't coming back. We also don't need Kara because the show is about Superman. Frankly I wish we didn't have the JL or the FOTW's or any super powered people other than Superman. He should be the focus and he shouldn't be one of many but his uniqueness should be stressed. In any event TPTB have to now see that they are on the right track; Superman solving crime problems in Metropolis and having a dual identity involving Lois Lane. Chloe can go, Tess Mercer isn't necessary they are all interchangeable and disposable. It's about CK and they are finally getting it right.

[Rafael122]

The show reminds me of the adventures of Lois and Clark, that show that ran in the 90s. Not from a storyline standpoint, but the way the show was written, it was straight forward, and to the point. Smallville, now, is like that. Not only that, they are giving us all a taste of the comic book stuff that many fans had wanted to see for years, with Green Arrow, and Aquman, and Cyborg and so forth. Storyline progression is also huge.

Probably the most enjoyable season since Season...4 at least.

[hemmy]

First half of Season 5 up to (and through IMO) Reckoning was still great.

Season 8 is a huge improvement though over the episodes since then

Of course, Lex is awesome, and Michael Rosenbaum is an awesome actor, but his story lines became ridiculous

[BadToad]

I've never had any doubt that for the majority of SV viewers out there, its about Clark. That doesn't mean other characters aren't important, or loved. It just means that I think the show, at its heart, is about Clark, and the show works best when it keeps its focus on him.

[dotsie23]

Or anyone else for that matter. While TPTB stalled the progress of CK fulfilling his destiny the ratings suffered. The continual, pathetic Clana thing almost destroyed the show. Many were upset that MR and KK wanted out and how would the series succeed without Lex? Well, we don't miss him at all and frankly I wish Lana wasn't coming back. We also don't need Kara because the show is about Superman. Frankly I wish we didn't have the JL or the FOTW's or any super powered people other than Superman. He should be the focus and he shouldn't be one of many but his uniqueness should be stressed. In any event TPTB have to now see that they are on the right track; Superman solving crime problems in Metropolis and having a dual identity involving Lois Lane. Chloe can go, Tess Mercer isn't necessary they are all interchangeable and disposable. It's about CK and they are finally getting it right.

I agree with just about everything you said here, although I don't mind seeing some of the JL members featured.

[galatians221]

I agree with just about everything you said here, although I don't mind seeing some of the JL members featured.

It's difficult for TPTB because Superman for many is a comic book character. For me he was a TV character in the late 50's although I read the comics I never got into the far out cosmic stuff. I was into CK with Perry White, Lois and Inspector Henderson solving crime in Metropolis. I don't like to see other superheroes because it lessens the impact of a man who came from another planet with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. If he is one of many then he is not as unique as was depicted on the George Reeves TV show. I understand how hard it is for the writers to satisfy everyone. I go back to my original statement however; it's about Clark Kent. Everything else should take a back seat. In Superman Returns it was half about Superman and half about Lex Luther. I don't give a rats ear about LL. When I watch it now I fast forward the scenes with LL in it. I do the same on Smallville. I want Superman.

[Tompouce]

I've never had any doubt that for the majority of SV viewers out there, its about Clark. That doesn't mean other characters aren't important, or loved. It just means that I think the show, at its heart, is about Clark, and the show works best when it keeps its focus on him.
I think both of you are right. To me, all characters are important but honestly I prefer when it is all about Clark. I dont' care abour Kara for example, I am here to see TW (yes, I admit that he is soooo good to play CK:p), to watch how CK becomes Superman. The show needs plots and ennemies,...but if the characters are changed (like Tess for LL), it is okay for me as long as I can follow THE hero. It is the same for Clark and his loves. It was Lana, it is over and now it is Lois. We know how it will end but if there is no love, it loses its interest. Whatever are the protagonists around Clark, I need to see him a lot, the lives of the others, well it is not my problem (lol):rolleyes:

[Animation]

I agree that I don't think the show is about Lex and Lana or any specific character other than Clark. I enjoy the other characters, but I don't mind them moving on. As for the Justice League, I'm happy to see them in the show. They haven't upstaged Clark at all, but their presence in the universe allows his story to be fully fleshed out, as it should be. The same goes with all the other characters from the universe like Jimmy, and new characters like Chloe (in the sense that she is original to Smallville, not the comics).

So it is good to have the other characters in the Clark orbit, but none of them are required at any one time other than Clark.

Things are going great with the show currently.

Lewis

[mistaguitarmasta]

First half of Season 5 up to (and through IMO) Reckoning was still great.

Season 8 is a huge improvement though over the episodes since then


I agree, with the exception of 3/4 of Season 4.

[Storm45]

Superman sells Superman.
I never believed that the ratings depended on the presence Lana/Chloe/Lois or any pairings displayed on an episode-as some likes to argue. I might never took a second glance at this series if it wasn't a Superman-related series.

[TheANIMAL (marcus)]

I just wish that the CGI, and general SFX were better :(. But i'm glad that ps3 are focusing on CLark intensively.

[Tompouce]

The only character I miss very much is Martha. I loved the way she was as a mother, it was so tender and cute...And John Glover, I miss him too especially because he acts very well and above all he was the one I understand without problem lol, he speaks very clearly (not like Lois, sometimes I can't understand a word, she is speaking so fast, brrr...!)

[Clana Kent]

The fact that Prey did very well proves that people don't care if Lois is in the episode or not. I'm glad about that to be honest!

I'm wondering how many viewers the Lana-episodes will get! Especially "Bride", which seems to become a great episode!

[Sweetie]

I agree that I don't think the show is about Lex and Lana or any specific character other than Clark. I enjoy the other characters, but I don't mind them moving on. As for the Justice League, I'm happy to see them in the show. They haven't upstaged Clark at all, but their presence in the universe allows his story to be fully fleshed out, as it should be. The same goes with all the other characters from the universe like Jimmy, and new characters like Chloe (in the sense that she is original to Smallville, not the comics).

So it is good to have the other characters in the Clark orbit, but none of them are required at any one time other than Clark.

Things are going great with the show currently.

Lewis


I agree.The show is centered on Clark now...AT LAST.I miss Lionel & Lex but,it's okay that they are gone,their time on Smallville was over,their storylines became repeatitive latelly.I like the Justice League's members,Clark needs friends he can relate to.

I want to see Martha returning.Clark needs his mother at home right now mostly when his secret is in danger to be reveal.As for Lana,it doesn't make me happy to say this but,she has to return,she owes Clark alot of explanations:why did she go away,crual break up video,why does she makes this awful scratchy voice when she talks(sorry couldn't resist).

[RedKRules]

I don't think it is the case ..... look at S5 and S6 rating and tell me if I am wrong ...... I do miss Lex a lot !! I know the show is about CK ..... but Clark alone would had never be able to bring Smallville to S8 by himself!

[galatians221]

I don't think it is the case ..... look at S5 and S6 rating and tell me if I am wrong ...... I do miss Lex a lot !! I know the show is about CK ..... but Clark alone would had never be able to bring Smallville to S8 by himself!

You're right but the point is that the ratings are fantastic without those characters. This proves that the other characters are interchangeable as long as the focus remains on CK and the writing is superior. Lex is gone, Lana is gone and we're doing fine with Tess and the paramedic guy. It's more about CK now than it has ever been and the ratings prove that.

[RedKRules]

I know I am glad about Davis being on SV :p:D!!

[Cage]

The show is now "Metropolis" and not "Smallville" = Clark with Lois is just an example of him progressing to where he should be. - I also like that the eppies are Clark centric - It's what I watch it for - "Superman" not lana lang or oliver

[Bre723]

While season 8 is an obvious trump over season 7, i still miss lex.
he is such an important character.
kara i don't really like and can do w/ out though.
lana, i think it's good that they have her back for some episodes, not all of them.

----- Added 1 Minutes later -----

oh and btw, smallville's name will never be changed to metropolis.
idk, i just can't see such a famous show having a name change, kinda dumb.

[RedKRules]

I watch/used to for Clark, Chloe, Lana, Lex, Lois,Lionel, Peter, Meteor Freaks, Shelby, Pa and Ma Kent, Davis, Tess ..... they did and do Smallville as a whole ..... Metropolis doesn´t interest me much because I have seen LnC!

[theartist27]

While I believe that the ratings have been fairly decent because Clark is no longer the mopey, brooding shell that he has been in previous seasons, his current supporting cast certainly doesn't hurt ratings. Personally, I initially started watching Smallville for Clark because I love Superman. But eventually I grew to love other characters like Martha, Jonathan, Lex, Lionel, Lois, Oliver and Jimmy. So I watch for Clark and his supporting cast because it makes for a more interesting show. :)

[RedKRules]

Exatcly !!! :)

[galatians221]

While I believe that the ratings have been fairly decent because Clark is no longer the mopey, brooding shell that he has been in previous seasons, his current supporting cast certainly doesn't hurt ratings. Personally, I initially started watching Smallville for Clark because I love Superman. But eventually I grew to love other characters like Martha, Jonathan, Lex, Lionel, Lois, Oliver and Jimmy. So I watch for Clark and his supporting cast because it makes for a more interesting show. :)

No one is arguing that point but rather that the secondary characters are interchangeable. The ratings are fine with Tess and the ambulance guy and not hurt at all by the lack of Kara, Lana or Lex or for that matter Jonathan, Martha or Lionel. The writers need to keep this in mind instead of emphasizing the JL or other super heroes. The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing and the main thing is Superman.

[DGirlLois4Clark]

Yep, CK RULES:D

[RedKRules]

So does everyonelse IMO :D

[Flowergirl123]

I don't miss Lana but I'm not sorry to say that I do miss Lex. I've been watching since I was eight and when the Clana thing got boring I always had character like him and Chloe to fall back on. I will never forget him.

[galatians221]

I don't miss Lana but I'm not sorry to say that I do miss Lex. I've been watching since I was eight and when the Clana thing got boring I always had character like him and Chloe to fall back on. I will never forget him.

One other aspect of all of this is that Clark had to move beyond saving and dealing with his inner circle. I mean every week one of his friends gets knocked out and is in the hospital. How many concussions can they sustain? That's another reason why it's so great that he is now saving others and expanding his focus.

[sailordom]

On some level I agree, in that I think the Clark-Lana thing was just overdone.

I think people are responding to the idea that this show is finally going somewhere in terms of Clark actually becoming a hero. That's why I finally came back to the show this season -- I figured it was near the end, and stuff had to finally get wrapped up.

OTOH, I strongly disagree that other heroes or people with powers take away from Clark's uniqueness in anyway.

Because Superman isn't Superman because he is an alien who has superpowers on Earth. His powers don't make him special, his "Clarkness" (for lack of a better word), makes him special.

Of course, the problem is that Smallville hasn't done much of a job showing that at all. So while I guess he could be "special" only because of his powers on Smallville, I'd rather the show get on with making him actually Superman.

[xrayvision]

No one is arguing that point but rather that the secondary characters are interchangeable. The ratings are fine with Tess and the ambulance guy and not hurt at all by the lack of Kara, Lana or Lex or for that matter Jonathan, Martha or Lionel. The writers need to keep this in mind instead of emphasizing the JL or other super heroes. The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing and the main thing is Superman.

Yup. Same thing I've been saying.

[galatians221]

On some level I agree, in that I think the Clark-Lana thing was just overdone.

I think people are responding to the idea that this show is finally going somewhere in terms of Clark actually becoming a hero. That's why I finally came back to the show this season -- I figured it was near the end, and stuff had to finally get wrapped up.

OTOH, I strongly disagree that other heroes or people with powers take away from Clark's uniqueness in anyway.

Because Superman isn't Superman because he is an alien who has superpowers on Earth. His powers don't make him special, his "Clarkness" (for lack of a better word), makes him special.

Of course, the problem is that Smallville hasn't done much of a job showing that at all. So while I guess he could be "special" only because of his powers on Smallville, I'd rather the show get on with making him actually Superman.

Fleisher and Siegel, the creators of Superman envisioned him as a type of Messiah. They were both orthodox Jews and for instance, "El" in Hebrew stands for God. Beth-el for instance means "house of God" and so we have Kal El. As a born again Christian I consider Superman a poor imitation of Christ but for instance, he came from outside of our world and entered it anonymously and grew up like one of us and drew no attention to Himself. The real Christ was supernatural and used His abilities as God to save people. John 3:17 says "for God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world but that the world should be saved through Him".

I realize that Superman grew into more than what the authors intended but that is the origin. In Identity, one of the secondary themes was CK understanding finally that it wasn't just the people he saved that counted but the hope that he gave all people; that there was someone out there who offered hope and could save them from their present condition. That is Messianic all of the way. The JL and FOTW's and outer space nemesis' all dilute the original intent of the concept of Superman. I understand that the writers have to please the comic book crowd, the movie crowd and those who grew up watching Superman on TV and I love watching Smallville. But I do believe the other "super" beings destroy the original intent of the authors. I repeat that the main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing and the main thing is Superman.

----- Added 14 Minutes later -----


On some level I agree, in that I think the Clark-Lana thing was just overdone.

I think people are responding to the idea that this show is finally going somewhere in terms of Clark actually becoming a hero. That's why I finally came back to the show this season -- I figured it was near the end, and stuff had to finally get wrapped up.

OTOH, I strongly disagree that other heroes or people with powers take away from Clark's uniqueness in anyway.

Because Superman isn't Superman because he is an alien who has superpowers on Earth. His powers don't make him special, his "Clarkness" (for lack of a better word), makes him special.

Of course, the problem is that Smallville hasn't done much of a job showing that at all. So while I guess he could be "special" only because of his powers on Smallville, I'd rather the show get on with making him actually Superman.

One other thing that I didn't complete on the previous post: the Messianic comparison is being more and more fulfilled in SV in S9 as Clark has positioned himself at the DP and is listening to police radio and is out in Metropolis saving people. We know that eventually as we saw in Superman Returns, he will be saving people all over the world. This is the "sweetspot" as I see it or the primary reason for Superman. When it then digresses to intergalactic war and space beings and "Maxima" and "Doomsday" and on and on the show takes on a different purpose and it becomes a comic book. Clark ends up being the best of the super beings instead of THE Superman.

We all know that the entire story is fantasy but the main story line is more believable than turning it into science fiction and intergalactic forces battling to destroy the earth or invading us for whatever reasons. I understand why some like that stuff I just think it makes an incredible story too far out for most to stick with. We can fantasize about someone who can rescue us from our present circumstances who is superior to us in power, intellect and abilities, but that gets thrown off track with the plethora of other beings and that is what I meant by focusing on CK and not on the science fiction/comic book aspect of Superman. I guess in the final analysis I'm agreeing with you that it's his "Clarkness" that should be emphasized while the science fiction stuff emphasizes his Kal El side.

[Animation]

Just because the authors drew from religion, as well as the loss of those close to them, to get the idea for Superman, that doesnt mean that the attempt was to make a religious superhero. It was simply an inspiration, and not the only one. If they had any intent to make superman into a messiah, they would have done so early on.

Besides, Superman is only messianic in the sense that people try to claim that positive attributes in characters can only be a pale comparison against their own favorite heroes. Hope and Self Sacrifice existed long before Jesus.

I'd suggest that we simply let Superman be Superman, both the religious parallels and the comic book superhero stuff. There is no need to re-filter him as you feel he should be. There ARE purely religion-based Superheroes outthere, such as Bibleman: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibleman

Lewis

[Tompouce]

On some level I agree, in that I think the Clark-Lana thing was just overdone.
Because Superman isn't Superman because he is an alien who has superpowers on Earth. His powers don't make him special, his "Clarkness" (for lack of a better word), makes him special.

Of course, the problem is that Smallville hasn't done much of a job showing that at all. So while I guess he could be "special" only because of his powers on Smallville, I'd rather the show get on with making him actually Superman.

It is funny, I was thinking of that today. Clark has abilities but it is not the only thing. He is a true good personn thanks to his parents and education. Because he could use his powers as a villain but he is deeply good and he wants to see people around him happy, he is here to make the world a better place, it is his choice. I find it is shown in SV this season, especially in "identity" when Jimmy told him "I was wrong, you are not the super hero but it could have been you because you really care about friends and everyone" (something like that). Superman makes the difference that's why we love him:D

[Animation]

Yeah I was sad that Jimmy was tricked into thinking it was NOT Clark, but I was a) happy he figured it out on his own before they tricked him and b) happy he expressed that about Clark and that his opinion of Clark was still high, even after thinking it wasn't Clark.

Lewis

[Eurynome]

I agree with most of what you said. The show has been about the journey of Clark Kent becoming Superman. While at first I missed MR, the Lex storyline had reached its fulfillment last season with Lex becoming competely evil. It was time for him to go. I never missed Lana (nothing against KK) and the whole pining over Lana was really starting to wear thin.

However, I'm such a Chloe fan, that if AM left the show, it wouldn't have as much as a draw for me. Not that I wouldn't watch it; I mean TW is a huge part of what makes it worth watching.

I also like it when the other members of the JL make an appearance. I loved Season 6 because of the Green Arrow storylines.

[Tompouce]

[quote=Eurynome;4133869]
However, I'm such a Chloe fan, that if AM left the show, it wouldn't have as much as a draw for me. Not that I wouldn't watch it; I mean TW is a huge part of what makes it worth watching.

I agree with you for Chloe. I remembered when it was not sure she would come again in season 8, I was very indignant. I think she is very important in Clark's story in SV, it can change but it is the only character which is to me the exception, the show without her wouldn't be the same...

[oqllcksmallville]

I've never had any doubt that for the majority of SV viewers out there, its about Clark. That doesn't mean other characters aren't important, or loved. It just means that I think the show, at its heart, is about Clark, and the show works best when it keeps its focus on him.
I agree with you wholey . = )
and now that they are continuing the storyline's ,
and we dont have back-to-back FILLER episodes ,
the show is getting somewhere .
+ everyone's becoming their iconic characters <3

[Hippolyta]

I've always watched it for Clark. He's such an interesting character, a person who is ultimately good, but has all these road bumps to face before he gets to be the big S, its just fascinating to me. I did love the Clark/Lex relationship in the first few seasons. Somehow I found it much more satisfying watching them when they were friends than when they were enemies. I loved watching them and knowing what was to come...it gave the show a great pathos. But somehow Lex became less interesting when he completely accepted his dark side- I think PS3 being forced to come up with new bad guys has been one of the best things to happen to Smallville Season 8- its given it a freshness, which previous seasons have lacked. However, I would love for Lex to come back for a few episodes before the show ends for good!

[Tompouce]

To me, Clark is very interesting because of his difference. It is a big part of him and he talks a lot about it with his parents. He has questions and they cant' always answer, they just trust him and act like very good parents. That is what I love most in the story. In life, being different is always a kind of weight and it is true for Clark even if his difference means powers and makes him Superman at the end. When J. Schneider left SV, he told in an interview in the dvd, that the story is done to give hope for everyone and he was happy to think of it especially for people who feel different. I was happy to hear it from an actor involved because it was not just my feeling, people who are working on and for SV have this idea in mind somewhere. To me, it is efficiently hope and it conforts me in the idea that everything is possible even if the way is hard:)

[DontCha]

correction

they show its about Clark and Lois

Prey = lowest rated episode of the season and that was ALLL clark. But sadly there was no Lois so the ratings dropped.

Toxic with little to no lois/clois promotion was the second to lowest.

Identity however rated nearly the same as Odyssey

Bloodline, well I think that will be higher

and everyu other non lois episode will drop again.

[Storm45]

Yeah, back in the days some said it was Clana and Lana that brought the ratings. Another camp said it was Chloe and Chlark that brought the ratings. Now a camp says it's Lois and Clois that brings the ratings. Its about which girl and ships these camps like.

I have a hard time believing that thousand of casual viewers only watch Smallville for which chick or romance/relationship is featured on one episode and that Smallville's survival only depended on this lone character.

[DontCha]

then why are the ratings up for every clois heavy episode and down for every non clois and non lois episode?

its a hard fact that the ratings were down for Toxic and especially for Prey, then they shoot through the roof again in Identity

Just watch Bloodline rise then the ratings drop for Abyss

mark my words.

If it really WAs all clark bringing in the ratings....then why was Prey: a very clark and supermanish orientated episode one of the lowest rated of the season so far?

[Storm45]

How do you explain Smallville getting ratings for the past 8 years? Because I don't remember Lois being in much of these seasons when not at all.

Also there's the theory that ratings depends on the episode that aired before. Before Prey it was Committed. So people can easily spin it around.
Also after Toxic there was better ratings for the episodes that aired after.

[DontCha]

im not talking about past years im talking about this year and the ratings being factually and particularly higher for every heavily promoted Lois lane and clois episodes and lwer for Episodes without Lois/clois. Im sure the promos and adverts are whats bringing them back.


I believe even CW have taken notice of this as I saw a glance of something they wrote about it, will try and find it and post it

[BadToad]

then why are the ratings up for every clois heavy episode and down for every non clois and non lois episode?

There isn't really any major fluctuation week to week. Any variations could probably be explained by markets in which the episode may have been pre-empted, or just the natural ebb and flow of weekly ratings. If you see a major drop, something along the lines of 400k, then I think you might be able to make a case. But as it is, I think the ratings show that any initial hit SV was going to take from losing cast members happened at the beginning of the season, and the show as it is now, with the focus on Clark, and some new supporting cast, is holding very steady, with a core audience tuning in weekly. Thats a very good thing.

and BTW, Toxic was the lowest rated episode this season, not Prey.

[sailordom]

Fleisher and Siegel, the creators of Superman envisioned him as a type of Messiah. They were both orthodox Jews and for instance, "El" in Hebrew stands for God. Beth-el for instance means "house of God" and so we have Kal El.

Actually, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were not Orthodox Jews. They were Jewish, as were the creators of many (if not most of the well-known) heroes. Bob Kane, for example, the creator of Batman, was Jewish, as was Will Eisner, Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

There is also absolutely no evidence that Siegel and Shuster envisioned Superman as a Messiah figure. Some scholars have postulated that Superman's origin was partly influenced by the story of Moses, but Siegel and Shuster never said so. The influences they did discuss were science fiction.

I do believe that all of these creators were influenced by their backgrounds as the children of Jewish immigrants. Superman, is, after all, the ultimate American immigrant's tale. :) But I just don't think it's deliberate or anything Siegel and Shuster gave a lot of particular thought to.



I realize that Superman grew into more than what the authors intended but that is the origin. In Identity, one of the secondary themes was CK understanding finally that it wasn't just the people he saved that counted but the hope that he gave all people; that there was someone out there who offered hope and could save them from their present condition. That is Messianic all of the way.

I think far more of an argument can be made that the Smallville writers were influenced by a Messiah idea than the original creators of Superman were, as that's clearly evident in Smallville's mythology and nowhere to be found in other interpretations.

Krypton and Superman's "alienness" were actually not featured very much in the Golden Age. A lot of things that we associate with Superman's mythology, including the theme of his being an orphan from another planet, weren't actually developed until the Silver Age, years and years after Siegel and Shuster worked on the comics. The basic origin story was there, but it wasn't dealt with much until the Silver Age, when it was really expanded and explored.

I actually find the Messianic stuff the Smallville crew has tacked on Smallville's mythology to be the weakest part of show. It's a big part of the reason why I feel that Smallville is one of the worst interpretations of Superman yet. Superman isn't Superman because he's destined to be some great hero, he's Superman because Clark Kent is a decent, caring guy who wants to help people and decides to use his powers to do so. People may find hope in the world because of Superman's actions, but that's not one of his motivations, nor is it what makes him special.



The JL and FOTW's and outer space nemesis' all dilute the original intent of the concept of Superman. I understand that the writers have to please the comic book crowd, the movie crowd and those who grew up watching Superman on TV and I love watching Smallville. But I do believe the other "super" beings destroy the original intent of the authors. I repeat that the main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing and the main thing is Superman.

I think we'll just have to agree that we have very different ideas of the character. I don't like the idea of a Superman who's here to save us, nor do I think it's ever been a theme in the character's history.

Superman's powers aren't what make him special, so I don't think other superpowered people detract from his specialness. Actually, I think that highlights what makes Superman special -- powers don't make heroes. That's the contrast -- would you really want anyone else other than Clark Kent to have those powers? Clark does what he does because he genuinely wants to help people and do good. He's the very best that a superpowered person can hope to be.

This is where I think Smallville falls short; SV's Clark Kent is only special because he has powers. By trying to tack on a "destiny" narrative, the creators have made Clark Kent someone who is struggling with destiny instead of Superman. Smallville's Clark Kent would probably rather not be Kryptonian at all, but a "normal" guy -- and that's just not Superman at all. I would rather have seen a story about a guy who grows up to become a hero, not just "accept his destiny."

But Smallville's producers decided to tell a different story, so, really, I just kind of go with it at this point. But I really want to see Smallville's Clark Kent finally grow up and become a hero instead of, well, whining all the time. :lol: And I'm hopeful to see that this season.

[galatians221]

Actually, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were not Orthodox Jews. They were Jewish, as were the creators of many (if not most of the well-known) heroes. Bob Kane, for example, the creator of Batman, was Jewish, as was Will Eisner, Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

There is also absolutely no evidence that Siegel and Shuster envisioned Superman as a Messiah figure. Some scholars have postulated that Superman's origin was partly influenced by the story of Moses, but Siegel and Shuster never said so. The influences they did discuss were science fiction.

I do believe that all of these creators were influenced by their backgrounds as the children of Jewish immigrants. Superman, is, after all, the ultimate American immigrant's tale. :) But I just don't think it's deliberate or anything Siegel and Shuster gave a lot of particular thought to.



I think far more of an argument can be made that the Smallville writers were influenced by a Messiah idea than the original creators of Superman were, as that's clearly evident in Smallville's mythology and nowhere to be found in other interpretations.

Krypton and Superman's "alienness" were actually not featured very much in the Golden Age. A lot of things that we associate with Superman's mythology, including the theme of his being an orphan from another planet, weren't actually developed until the Silver Age, years and years after Siegel and Shuster worked on the comics. The basic origin story was there, but it wasn't dealt with much until the Silver Age, when it was really expanded and explored.

I actually find the Messianic stuff the Smallville crew has tacked on Smallville's mythology to be the weakest part of show. It's a big part of the reason why I feel that Smallville is one of the worst interpretations of Superman yet. Superman isn't Superman because he's destined to be some great hero, he's Superman because Clark Kent is a decent, caring guy who wants to help people and decides to use his powers to do so. People may find hope in the world because of Superman's actions, but that's not one of his motivations, nor is it what makes him special.



I think we'll just have to agree that we have very different ideas of the character. I don't like the idea of a Superman who's here to save us, nor do I think it's ever been a theme in the character's history.

Superman's powers aren't what make him special, so I don't think other superpowered people detract from his specialness. Actually, I think that highlights what makes Superman special -- powers don't make heroes. That's the contrast -- would you really want anyone else other than Clark Kent to have those powers? Clark does what he does because he genuinely wants to help people and do good. He's the very best that a superpowered person can hope to be.

This is where I think Smallville falls short; SV's Clark Kent is only special because he has powers. By trying to tack on a "destiny" narrative, the creators have made Clark Kent someone who is struggling with destiny instead of Superman. Smallville's Clark Kent would probably rather not be Kryptonian at all, but a "normal" guy -- and that's just not Superman at all. I would rather have seen a story about a guy who grows up to become a hero, not just "accept his destiny."

But Smallville's producers decided to tell a different story, so, really, I just kind of go with it at this point. But I really want to see Smallville's Clark Kent finally grow up and become a hero instead of, well, whining all the time. :lol: And I'm hopeful to see that this season.

Agreed and it seems to be happening. Our difference is that I want the show to be more normative; more realistic (I know it's a fantasy but a realistic fantasy) rather than science fiction which is what it becomes when all of the other supers are added. I'm in the minority, I understand that but I love what's happening now and Identity was my favorite SV episode ever. I hate to leave that context now and have Lois getting yet another concussion in the Phantom Zone. I just don't think the L&C relationship has been developed enough to have her prancing around in the PZ with CK. Too much too soon.

[devilneedsaride]

While I agree that the show should remain very centered around Clark, I do think it would take a drastic hit with the loss of either Chloe or Lois. While Clark is the centerpoint, certain supporting characters really do bring a lot of depth to the show. Lex and Lana will not be missed (jeez, I'm suddenly feeling assailed by all the L names), but the show was never quite the same after the loss of Jonathan and Martha Kent.