Loved it? Hated it? What did you think of "Power?"

[jjsmallvillelvr]

I don't mind the Clana... I think it's kinda sweet... Though, WHY at THE DP???

and a very teeny tiny error... My friend just point this out... The last time we saw in Arctic, Lana was wearing Hospital gown when she filmed the "breakup" video, and now she wore casual. Weird twist to the whole video thing, and it leads to a very stupid and nonsense error. I don't know who's to blame.. The writers, or AM.


lol so true, and you think they would have caught it cuz clark watched the tape during the episode!

[mfarhaniqbal33]

After every darkness there is dawn and i promise u dawn is coming. I believe in Smallville and will always be behind it no matter what they gave one crappy epppy so dont bash them i m pretty sure one mistake is allowed because this season every episode rocked so lets hope and give Requiem a chance now please stop criticizing the show. I m a show in allison fan but plealse do not direct another episdoe again. The scene which involves tess killing the missing guy should have been intense given the fact he shouldve had a much fleshed out role because he was missing for a long time he should have been up to noooooooo goood in a big way like after clark or some shitt!!! well next week another series regular makes a return KRYPTONITE yay!!!!!

[SVfan87]

Just finished watching the episode online and I rushed here to see what everyone else thought. And I have to say I'm shocked at all the negativity. I liked this episode! Frankly, Legion and Bulletproof bored me. The long break killed the momentum of the first 10 episodes and I was beginning to think that Smallville just wasn't doin it for me anymore. But finally with this episode Smallville is back!

From the previews I didn't expect much. I thought "oh boy, more Lana bein a ninja... Why cant she just be a normal woman and move on with her life?!" But I was actually entertained by tonight's storyline. I mean, Lana still confuses me but now I'm interested in what she's doing whereas before I didn't get it and I didn't care.

I liked how they went in and out of season 7 and filled us in on what happened to Lana and the story behind the breakup. Usually I dont like when they go back and add to old plots and when I saw that they were starting to change the story about Lana's breakup video I was not happy. But they made it work. Now, I'm really intrigued by Lana. And I wanna know what's her motivation? what's next for her? Is she gonna be a superhero? Is she and Clark gonna be some sort of superduo? LoL. I actually think that'd be pretty cool. I was never a big fan of the Lana-fu but Lana in a cape would be pretty cute.

And I know you're all gonna hate on me for this, but the Clana didn't kill me. The kiss in this episode was so much better and didn't seem as forced as the one in Bulletproof. What I don't get is why Lana was pushing Clark away last episode only to turn around and suggest that she wants to get back together in this episode. Also, Clark was in Lana's face last episode tryin to get back together with her but then at the start of this episode he's bashing her! and sayin that it was a good thing that she left. Now, I wouldn't call myself a big Clana fan but I didn't like how he was attacking her in that scene. Especially when he just flip flops again and is kissing her at the end of the episode.

Now I know everyone is gagging and screaming for Lois to return. And I too was getting a little fed up with Lana Lana Lana. But as the last scene was playing I thought about it. And I realized this is Smallville. The premise of the show is Clark growing up and the experiences that push him to one day become Superman. But it's not about Superman, per se. So they have a right to keep Lana around. And Lois, traditionally, is paired with Superman. And we don't have superman yet. We've got the red/blue blurr. They're still trying to portray Clark as a young man, growing into himself. He just got his first job. He's still hung up on his high school sweetheart... blah blah blah. It's just hard for viewers to keep thinking of him that way since it is the 8th season and Tom Welling is looking like an old man at this point...

Anyways, bottom line: I'm into Smallville again. And Lana doesn't irritate me anymore. So just for that, Power was a good episode! :D

[jjsmallvillelvr]

I don't hate you for liking the clana. ^^^ it was sweet. and more ppl should have enjoyed it! lol. smallville's a great show and it will all turn out ok. i have faith. all the cloisers need to chill. it WILL happen, maybe not even on the show, but everyone knows that's how it is, eventually!

[DGirlLois4Clark]

USELESS EPISODE!!!! Nuff Said:(

[AgentChaos]

I gave this episode a 6. In my opinion, it's WAY better than the bulk of episodes in several past seasons, but it's WAY WORSE than pretty much any other episode in this entire season. Honestly, I've LOVED Season 8 compared to the 3-4 seasons that came before it. It's had some really cool twists, turns, new characters, and development of the old ones in unexpected new ways. But "Power?" It was just plain weird...

For starters, I thought the directing was pretty good. Nice job for Allison Mack's first attempt, especially considering she didn't have a TON of great stuff to work with in terms of some of the plot elements. So, way to go, AM!

Now for the pros... I, too, liked the way they brought back Regan and Grohl. I always enjoy seeing recurring guest stars, especially when they're used in cool ways, and this episode definitely delivered on that front.

The flashbacks were excellent, in my humble opinion. They were ABSOLUTELY necessary, in my opinion, and filled in all those gaps, answering the many questions that had been lingering in the back of our minds for so long regarding Lana and her mysterious disappearance and reappearance. Most of them even made sense, and fit pretty fluidly into the continuity of the rest of the show/season.

Allison's acting was top-notch, and it was wonderful to see her get SEVERAL scenes, including some great heart-to-heart talks with Clark, though I'm getting pretty sick of her having to remind him that she's allowed to keep other people's secrets other than his. Argh!

Kristin did an awesome job of portraying Lana and all her different emotional moods and moments. Some of the stuff they DID with Lana in this episode was WAY CHEESY and over the top, but Kristin did the best she could with what she had to work with, so props to her for that.

Tom actually seemed to be OVERacting a lot of his scenes -- he just seemed a little TOO dramatic for my taste, though I may be in the minority in thinking that. He seemed to get better as the episode progressed, except for that last scene... *gag* That's not really his or Kristin's fault, though...

And whoa, Tess... Whew, she REALLY got to show some great range and versatility in emotion and character beats in this episode, which made me really happy. I feel like we're just starting to see the real depths of her character, and she's developed a ton just in the past two episodes. The whole "bashing Regan's head in repeatedly" was a little much, in my opinion, but the way she acted in that scene, and her facial expressions... superb. The tear that rolled down her face afterwards was great, and I LOVED her scene with Clark. Those two have some interesting and unique chemistry.

Now, as for the actual plot? Err... Grr... Ugh... Some of the Lana elements, like I said, were good, simply because we needed to know what she'd been doing all this time and why. But the "Prometheus Super Suit" thing seemed over the top for me, and is an obvious plot device to give Clana one more brief moment in the sun before SOMETHING dramatic and awful happens next week to undoubtedly strip her of her powers a second time. People who think Lana's going to die, however, are totally kidding themselves. Forget about it! She lives on in canon, so they wouldn't do her in here. She'll undoubtedly lose her abilities and then head off into the sunset again... At least, that's my prediction.

I am ready for this storyline to be over with, even though it actually has been kind of fun to see Kristin Kreuk back. I was actually surprised how much I'd missed her, though I also admit I won't be too depressed to see her go. 5 episodes was enough of Lana to last me a good long while. :D No offense! Like I've said in other threads, I think SHE has grown a lot as a character. It's CLARK who needs to learn how to move on and move FORWARD with his heroic destiny. Lana keeps telling him to live in the present, but with her around, he seems bound and determined to stay rooted in the past. Let's move on to some fresh, newer, better things, shall we, future Superman?

Those are my two cents! Take 'em or leave 'em.

--SGuthrie ><>' :)--

I'll take 'em. I agree with most of that.

[monel49]

Simply a crap episode--the worst since the Pete Ross Stride ep of last year and a real contender for the worst episode ever. Don't get me wrong. Directed well, acted okay, production good, even the story flowed fine, so what was wrong? Clana, Clana, Clana. You knew she had to have a special destiny, but an invisible power suit? A mooning Clark still carrying the torch for this woman? Absolutely pathetic. A real waste of money. What was everyone connected with this show thinking? It's going to lose viewers. We should be happy there is a break coming soon, maybe folks will forget this stupidity. Terrible, terrible, terrible. Piece of crap.

[Bre723]

Wow, I can't believe all the ones.
Now i can't help but ask, was it really the episode you didn't like.....or just Lana?
I think everyone should take a step back and calm down,lol.
I think alot of people are set on not enjoying the Lana episodes, because in our minds we already see anything with Lana in it bad.
Agreed?
I really don't think that it was that bad....at all.
I thought Bulletproof was alot worse.
And hey this will really make some of you mad, I thought that last scene was beautiful.
And NO i am not a hardcore Clana fan, i enjoy them when they're good and don't like them when they aren't.
I think it's really that simple.
Overall I gave this episode a 7.
I also think it's interesting that in the "Best 13th episode of the series" poll "Power" came in second to "Crimson"..but ratings in this poll are the lowest I've ever seen....interesting.

[SVfan87]

Simply a crap episode--the worst since the Pete Ross Stride ep of last year and a real contender for the worst episode ever.


:eek: Are you seriously comparing this episode to last year's Stride gum infomercial?! LOL
I'm STILL laughing at how bad that Pete/Stride episode was. "Power" was not that bad. LOL. Again, I'm shocked at how many disliked the episode. But I guess diff people, diff tastes, right?

[AgentChaos]

Now i can't help but ask, was it really the episode you didn't like.....or just Lana?

I can't answer for anyone but myself, but from the posts I've been reading, it seems to be Lana that's driving the scores down.

I have to ask everyone that hated this ep: if it were Lois or Chloe that were in Lana's position, would you still hate the ep?

[Bre723]

I have to ask everyone that hated this ep: if it were Lois or Chloe that were in Lana's position, would you still hate the ep?
That's what I was thinking as well.

[La Donna]

A play by horrible play...

What the f***! Don't you dare show Lois in the "previously on Smallville" scenes. How dare you!

You big tease. Clark seems to move forward with his feelings. Oh wait, he's just being a pouty baby about getting dumped. Nevermind.

Chloe, what the hell! Pushing Clana. You're my girl, Chloe, so how could you betray me?

Of course, Lex bad bad bad! Poor Lana, she had no idea what she was getting into when she started dating Lex, so she's a victim. Oh wait, she knew some of the stuff he did. So really, she made a mistake, and should just be pissed at herself for having poor judgement.

Clark learns the DVD was faked. His little face saying "Lana didn't want to leave me!". I want to throw up, but I don't want to lose my dinner because of Smallville. It would be wasting a great meal. I'll suck it in for now.

Man, Lex and Clark are having the worst iconic enemy journey ever: Who hurt Lana more and who tried to save her more. So of course, the legendary relationship between Lex and Clark is centered around Lana. Wow.

Lana killed the dude. Cold! I really like Lana who is on the edge of good and evil. Why can't they just take her character on a path and keep her on that path. This shuffleboard Lana is losing her points. I feel bad for KK, and I feel bad for Lana. Clark would never kill anyone, and neither would Lois. This is a good example of why Clark and Lana shouldn't be together. But, I guess PS3 don't care about stuff like that.

She didn't go back or send a message telling Clark she was safe? Not cool.

I'm sick of Clark going crazy and mean on everyone he thinks has ever met or helped Lana. Seriously, his behavior should just scare anyone out of ever speaking to Lana. He's the crazy ex-boyfriend stalker that scares the poop out of all her friends.

I guess Lana does live in the talon now. Bye Lois, bye Jimmy. Out of sight out of mind.

"What did you do with Lana?".... 800 times and counting. All Clark wants is Lana. It's all he's ever wanted. I'm sad:(

Now, here's where the character is going to show her true colors: She wants to be invincible. Her plea is "help me- help the world". Really all she was doing is asking for power, and so no matter what she's planning on doing with the power, it's obvious she's power hungry so I can't believe that doctor fell for it.

The guy who's training Lana is Lana's perfect mate. They'd be great together.
Here comes more of the Clark I detest. Let me paraphrase: "You hurt her? I will kill you. Lana was always perfect so she never needed to change! How Lana feels doesn't matter. I should get to say what happens to Lana, so how dare you listen to her and not consult me". He's borderline abusive ex with his attitude.
Let me insert here: Damn she looks good with short hair! The show made a huge mistake with the wig.

Too bad for AM that this is the episode she's directing. She's doing a pretty good job. I think she should have had a better episode. Sucks hard that she's directing an episode where Clark yells at Chloe and blames her for Lana getting kidnapped. I could have done without that.

"I need power". Once again we see power hungry Lana, who doesn't want to take the right way and instead opts for the easy way (the choice the villains love to take, by the way). Lana says "I did it so I could do some good in the world". Apparently, Lana looks down on those who wish to use there mere mortal skills to save the world. Cops? Nurses? Fireman? They must not want to save the world as much as Lana, because she's suggesting that anyone who really wants to save the world would of course try and obtain superhuman powers. I didn't mind Lana in Legion. I can't believe how bad this episode made her character look. She comes off as a power hungry, manipulative and selfish girl. Why did they have to take Lana down this road? They could have done so much more with her.

The guys advice: You rise higher and higher and never look down. What kind of advice is that? If someone has those powers, and continues to rise higher and higher and never looks down, what's to ever teach them how to use their powers in appropriate ways? If you never look back at what you've done, how do you move forward morally? How do you ensure you haven't squashed all those under you? That kind of attitude is Lex's kind. No Superhero should have that view point, if you ask me.

She went to metropolis, and yet didn't call Clark. Real nice.

Clark, you are a filthy hypocrite. I can't believe he is blaming Chloe. Talk about Clarkie taking some steps back. This is why I used to get mad at Clark in past seasons. He had this "All that matters is finding Lana" attitude and Chloe often got the shaft end of that. And yet he does it again. However, since he mind wiped Chloe a few episodes ago, and kept the truth from her, how dare he yell at Chloe for keeping Lana's secret, and how dare he accuse her and blame her for Lana's disappearance, that oh ya, Lana orchestrated herself!

Chloe gives Lana sound advice, and yet Lana explains how Chloe just doesn't get it and doesn't see the real Lana. Apparently no one on this show sees the real Lana. So of course, Chloe says it's all her fault. I can't believe this.

Now Tess. I'm loving her. When that guy was standing up to her, I was hoping she'd shoot him. The blood was out of place, the kicking was cool, the performance was good, but the slow-motion was a bit over the top. I love tess.


Okay, they are learning all this s*** about vengeful Lana and yet Clark wants her. Big time! Seriously, this superhero in the making needs a good psychiatrist.

When Lana talks about the suit, she's basically saying "Lex is bad, I'm super cool. Choose me choose me choose me!". And of course, the doctor does, because Lana makes such a wonderful argument.

It's odd how she's supposed to come off as heroic, yet her argument is "If you want to save people--give me power". Let's see, who does that remind me of? Oh, I remember, LEX!!

Tess did what Lana should have done. Tried to destroy the technology instead of wanting power. If Lana wanted to ensure that evil men like Lex never had the ability to obtain those powers, she should have destroyed the whole thing. But no, she went with "I can handle it, so give me the power".

Why did she race past Clark and smile? Why didn't Clark go after her? Are we to assume that Clark was struck dumb (which could be believable in this episode) or that Lana's faster than him? Either way, give me a f****** break.

Ya Tess standing up to Lana. It's too bad they didn't have those two ladies in season 6. I would have liked to see an evil team up of Tess and Lana.

Here comes the worst of it. I had a pain in my chest as soon as I saw the DP, and when he ran to the roof, my anger began to mount. Surely, they are not going to take something that is incredibly iconic, the DP roof kiss with Lois and Clark, and hand it to Lana at this point in time, when Lois has already fallen in love with Clark and it's where Lois works. Not to mention it's a slap in the face to the Chlark fan in me that thought the Chlark kiss at the DP was beautiful and iconic. The Clark, Lois, and Chloe fan in me is disgusted.

Lana's plan: Live in the present. Oh God, sex is coming. The music? I can't believe the way this scene is set up. I hate it. I think Clark should just put her in a bubble, and then spend all day staring at the bubble and ensuring no one comes near the bubble. That's his true dream. I hate that freaking look on his face. "Nothing can hurt me, we're equal, let's make the world a better place"..... thanks PS3, go ahead and keep spitting on who Clark is as a hero. I guess with this Clark Kent in this episode it makes sense that Lana is his equal. And that is horrible. Clark says "It's exactly what I want. It's my dream."

Hey Lois? Can you hear me? Don't come back. Please don't come back. You are worth so much more than what this Clark can ever give you. He tried to kiss you, but a few days later, the only thing he wants is Lana. It's his dream. So you? You were a mistake in his ideal world. Run away. Run far away. Take your stiletto and shove it up Clark's a**.

And they did it. They flipped off the majority of the fandom. They had the super kiss with the sun rising on the roof of the DP. Wow. It's no wonder PS3 stopped giving interviews recently. I'm so mad that I had faith that the showrunners who gave us episodes 1-10 of season 8 were going to do the Lana return better than Al/Miles ever could. What a fool I was. I won't make that mistake again. They've ruined the entire Clois romance, which, according to episodes 1-10, is a big arc this season, and according to every Dick, Joe, and Bob is "meant to be".

The preview for next week seems to be the proof that my biggest fear of Lana's return is indeed coming to pass. Lana and Clark are going to be forced apart against their will, and Lana will always be the girl Clark really wants to be with. Lois? Oh, she'll probably end up getting some Clark action too later on, but really, he'll be thinking of Lana the whole time. They can't write themselves out of this hole. Clark chose Lana over Lois. And I'm not talking about in the future, or at the end of the series. I'm talking about right now. In Bulletproof, Clark heard that Lois had feelings for him. And yet, at the end of the episode, he chose Lana. This episode, he learned many things about Lana that any normal person would be turned off by. And yet, he chose Lana. Once he heard about Lois having feelings for him (whether he fully understood Chloe or not), he was presented with a choice of Lana or Lois. He chose Lana in Bulletproof, and then he chose her again in Power. Even worse than that, he made an informed decision at the end of Power. He heard and saw what Lana was all about, and he picked her. I wish I could kick someone in the balls right now. I don't know... it'd make me feel better.

Couple other thoughts: Why the hell is Lois still in Star City with Jimmy when Chloe is just hanging out all happy and casual in Metropolis and Smallville. I love Chloe, but by not even mentioning why she's there or giving us an update on Jimmy, it made her look bad. First they have her push Clana, and then they have her hanging out getting coffee, visiting Clark at the farm, and not giving us any reason why she was there in the first place.

It seemed like they were building this episode toward Clark finally seeing the true lana. He basically did end up seeing the true Lana, or most of her anyways. And what happens? Apparently, he liked what he saw. That's the kicker here. We all thought once he learned who Lana was, and that she wasn't the perfect girl he always thought she was, that Clark would realize he no longer loved her. But this Clark Kent, at that moment, wanted her more than ever. Apparently, he's living the f****** dream. How nice for him. I'd love to have the faith some of you have that this story may just still turn itself around next week. The only thing I saw in the preview is the telling of the heartbreaking tale of the doomed romance between this Clark Kent and his soul-mate Lana Lang. I watched season 8 when it first aired up till Legion. For Bulletproof, I couldn't decide whether to contribute to the ratings or not, so I ended up watching it anyways. I decided I'm not giving them any help in the ratings this week, so I DVR'd it. I'm so glad I didn't give them a ratings boost.

Now all that I have left to decide is if I'm done. I'm pretty sure I'm done. God help me if I'm not...

[Bre723]

WOW....(to the huge post above me).
umm, deep breaths maybe?
Sorry that you hated it that much.

[La Donna]

I'll answer for a lot of us: THIS IS NOT JUST BECAUSE OF LANA. While some people didn't like Lana to begin with, not all of us felt that way. It's mostly because MOST of the people who watch this show love Clark Kent. How they wrote Clark Kent in this episode was a huge let down for a lot of us. While some may spew Lana hate, that's not the only reason people were upset by this episode. You guys aren't giving us any credit as viewers, and you shouldn't lump everyone who didn't like it together. There are Cloisers, Chlarkers, anti-Shippers, and even a few Clana fans who didn't like this episode, so please don't try to reprimand any of us that were upset by this episode, this portrayal of Clark Kent, and even this portrayal of Lana Lang. We are speaking of this episode, and we have a right to judge it as such.

[Bre723]

I'll answer for a lot of us: THIS IS NOT JUST BECAUSE OF LANA. While some people didn't like Lana to begin with, not all of us felt that way. It's mostly because MOST of the people who watch this show love Clark Kent. How they wrote Clark Kent in this episode was a huge let down for a lot of us. While some may spew Lana hate, that's not the only reason people were upset by this episode. You guys aren't giving us any credit as viewers, and you shouldn't lump everyone who didn't like it together. There are Cloisers, Chlarkers, anti-Shippers, and even a few Clana fans who didn't like this episode, so please don't try to reprimand any of us that were upset by this episode, this portrayal of Clark Kent, and even this portrayal of Lana Lang. We are speaking of this episode, and we have a right to judge it as such.

I hope this wasn't directed towards me, yikes.
Sorry if i upset you, it was just my opinion, just as you stated yours.

[borednow]

Now i can't help but ask, was it really the episode you didn't like.....or just Lana?


Given that this episode was all about Lana...
actually I don't dislike Lana, I hate what Clark does around her, she creeps me out sometimes but I don't hate her. I hate that the writers let the universe revolve around her and only her...

I gave this episode a 1
because couldn't keep my interest
made me consider re-starting up my insulting 'is Clark a _________?' threads again...
Chloe once again switched her advice direction... can she stop being the bi-polar love guru already?
No Lois, no Jimmy, no Oliver, not one giggle! Not even a tickle of a giggle! It was over dramatic, not a bit funny and there was no pay off to anything, "Oh Lana is in danger, oh wait no she isn't... never mind..." :\
and as much as I don't hate Lana, I really really didn't care what she was doing that whole time, and I am so sad that Clark is getting back with a girl who cared way way way more about getting revenge on Lex or whatever and didn't give a crap out his feelings or their relationship...

[La Donna]

I hope this wasn't directed towards me, yikes.
Sorry if i upset you, it was just my opinion, just as you stated yours.

It wasn't directed at you. Don't worry:)

It was to the general post after post on this thread that seem to insult and belittle all of us who had a negative response to the episode. Your posts are polite, so it wasn't a direct response. It was more of a fact that I read post after post of people generalizing all those who were against this episode, and insulting us as viewers by claiming we all have bias and we all can't review this episode in an intelligent manner.

[jjsmallvillelvr]

WOW....(to the huge post above me).
umm, deep breaths maybe?
Sorry that you hated it that much.

lol that was EXACTLY what i was going to say...take some deep breaths, lol. i couldn't read the whole thing. there was to much hate evident there!:\

[La Donna]

And since I'm usually the "middle of the road", "let's all be friends", "there's good to be found", "every character has good attributes" poster, then that should tell you something :)

[Sunny8]

Oh my God. What a piece of crap!

[coco#1]

the acting was very hammy. i dont know if it was the writing or the directing but i would pick the directing as the cause although there was quite a few cringe worthy moments

[Kalista]

the acting was very hammy. i dont know if it was the writing or the directing but i would pick the directing as the cause although there was quite a few cringe worthy moments


I'm going to have to agree with you. Clark's scenes at the Talon and the Luthor mansion were pretty bad. I found the rooftop acting prior to the kiss to be cringe worthy myself.

[badraven]

Well...they can't all be winners. But hey, I liked Allison Mack's direction. Everything else...not so much.

[jjsmallvillelvr]

but i do know that if i had superpowers and wanted to save the world, i would do it on a rooftop in a tight, shiny, leather dress. *raises eyebrow* :S

[tibbit78]

I thought the episode was all right. I've seen better episodes, though. Great acting from both Allison & Kristin. Tom did great, also.

Wow! This is Friday (day after Power) and we already have 14 pages? That's unusual for the Loved It/Hated It thread!

The last 2 episodes had 14/15 pages only. This is great!

[La Donna]

but i do know that if i had superpowers and wanted to save the world, i would do it on a rooftop in a tight, shiny, leather dress. *raises eyebrow* :S

I'm not sure I'd do it in a dress, but I'd certainly do it alongside Tom if at all possible. I can't fault Lana for wanting the guy:lol:

[jjacobs]

Is that all we do on the forums? Complain? No analysis?

Look, if the episode had such a negatively lasting impact on you (by you I mean everyone), then STOP WATCHING! It is as simple as that. Yes, there are bad episodes of Smallville but to complain about Lana and the writing over and over again is redudant and annoying. Get over it.

[Imzadia]

Well Allison Mack you are amazing and as a Director you have a great future ahead of you.... but it's not your fault that you were given such a horrible story to tell in this your directorial debut.

PS3, I wanted to have faith in you and I've been watching with much optimism this Lana Arc. Boy was I a fool to believe that you would have any respect for the Lois and Clark fan base. It is no mystery that I am an avid Lois and Clark supporter and I was thrilled to see that after past seasons of toying with us you guys were finally giving us what was long over due, Clois. The first half of this season I will say was and will forever be amazing to me. Not just because of the Lois and Clark developments but because of the fluidity, consistencies and great writing of episodes 1-10.

But what has been done during these last 3 episode is humiliating to the Lois and Clark Fan base. It's humiliating to the creators of Superman and the relationship, love, and bond that they establish 70 years ago between Clark and Lois. What happened to Lois Lane's credibility? Her worth as a women? Or is Clark Kent just a jerk who toys around with people's feelings? Why go through all the trouble of establishing such romantic tensions between those two or even go as far as have Clark attempt to kiss Lois when as soon as Lana Lang shows her face Clark forgets about the world and only has eyes and ears for her?

How can you elevate our hopes and then in a matter of seconds destroy them with such a poorly thought out story line about Lana Lang. I understand the need to give her character a proper farewell from the show and the need for closure in the dragged out Clark and Lana relationship. But this is the best you can come up with??

This episode proved one thing only: Clark Kent will never be able to let go of Lana Lang. After all that her character has done; Secrets, Lies, Betrayal, Infidelity, marriage to his best friend, etc. I mean gosh, you've managed to convinced me that if Clark Kent ends up with Lois Lane in this twisted Smallville Universe it won't be because of the Iconic Love that we know he has for her but because she just happened to be the rebound girl.

News Flash PS3: Lois Lane is no one's Rebound or Seconds. Once again in this twisted Smallville Universe she might end up being, but there is no way in hell that she is anywhere else outside of this show. PS3, How will you manage to convince me *which I highly doubt you will in 1 one episode* that Clark Kent is forever over Lana Lang and ready to move on to his one and only true love "Lois Lane"? I don't know but I will stick around to see.

I go to sleep tonight with such disappointment in my heart... I even feel ridiculous for being so upset over a show. I hold my opinions dear to my heart though and regardless of how insignificant they might seem to others, I must let them be heard.

:( Me, too. ITA with your assessment of "Power". I'm so SAD and DISAPPOINTED, too. For me, it would've been a little Less Painful IF Lana hadn't 'announced', for the second week in a row, that she was "Equal" to someone that she's not, especially to Clark. :eek: What were the writers thinking when they had her Have That 'Superior' Attitude? Saying that twice only makes her appear Crazy to me. I'm confused even though I am Aware that for 7 years there's been a fervent Smallville campaign to have us Worship at the feet of the 'goddess' Lana Lang, right behind Clark Kent.

:confused: Why has the 'adoration' dial been turned up so high at this point in the story? The 'Wierd meter' was turned up way too high as well. Lana, while acting like she was the 'selfless do-gooder' who wants to Save the World, seems to be 'Obsessed' as Lex about Clark's powers. She had them once, and she seems to 'covet' them within the same vein as anyone who craves Power. Lana has always expertly practiced Self-Preservation. There must be a 'Character Analysis' of Lana Lang hanging on the wall of the Smallville Writers' Room that includes a list of traits basic to her unique but confusing personality make-up. Yes, she's trained for 7 months, nurturing That SAME Attitude she's had since Season 2 about Not wanting to be a Victim. :mad:

Lex was her first coach who taught her some important techniques in Self-Defense when she recounted to him her unfortunate attack by some college students at the Talon. Of course, Clark had saved her. One of the students tried to Sue him for injuries during the aftermath. Lana stopped it by speaking on his behalf when she defended herself against the same attacker when he tried it again. She was Angry and no longer wanted to feel helpless and victimized and she did something about it. She became less likely to be easily overcome by would-be attackers. She became a Stronger individual.

Since then, however, she's suffered so much more, but after this last abduction by Lex's orders, her vengence factor kicked into super-overdrive, and she wants to fight back, too. IMO, that's what this is about as much as her coveting Clark's powers. :eek: That's CREEPY! Nevertheless, now she's become even stronger after seeking out someone who taught her intense survival skills. She actually told him that she wanted to be "Invincible"; she wanted 'real' power.

She was right about Clark wouldn't have calmly stood by and watched her carry out her plan for changing into "him". So, she stayed away from Clark deliberately to hide what she was doing. She 'manipulated' Dr. Grohl into 'assisting' her plan by using his professional pride and ambition against him agreeing to use her as a 'guinea pig' for his experiments. Oooh, she's so Devious and still an Enigma just as Tess accused. She doesn't seem to have Really changed as much as she claimed. Poor Clark; :( he's powerless under her spell, and that's an embarrassing predicament for a hero to be in. :o

I'm DUMBFOUNDED at how much influence Lana's presence has on Clark's journey, unfortunately, as he surmised at the beginning of the episode, Not a positive one. He is responsible for making his own choices, though. I'm holding on to Hope for this 'show' by firmly believing that there's so much more that's going on with Lana that will prove to be 'a fork in the Clana road'.

After Lana broke free in the lab, saved Dr. Grohl and stopped Tess, she paused to look at Clark who'd just arrived and she smiled triumphantly at him and then supersped off. :confused: Clark was shocked! Unexpectedly, he had witnessed Lana do a superheroic thing. Was he too shocked to run after her? All of that was truly WIERD!

PS3 really have done an Amazing job with the first half of this season; There Must Be some Redeeming Explanation in the face of all this Madness. I'll also be waiting and watching to see IF it's possible to Recover from this story arc blunder. :\ I give it a 5/10; the lowest I've ever rated a Smallville episode.

[Mr.Magic]

boring + annoying = 2/10

[Riccardo]

I haven't seen it yet but was it really that bad??!!

[La Donna]

Is that all we do on the forums? Complain? No analysis?

Look, if the episode had such a negatively lasting impact on you (by you I mean everyone), then STOP WATCHING! It is as simple as that. Yes, there are bad episodes of Smallville but to complain about Lana and the writing over and over again is redudant and annoying. Get over it.

Many people are saying they will stop watching. It doesn't erase this episode from our mind, though. And yes, there are posts that give analysis and complain. This is a forum, where both is allowed. This is the night of the episode, and it was an episode that generated a lot of emotion. Of course the responses are going to be full of that emotion, positive or negative. Otherwise, a lot of us wouldn't have jumped on here right away to give our opinion.

We shouldn't have to defend ourselves from giving our opinion. It's fine if you have a differing opinion and want to debate it, but I don't think it's okay that there are posts telling those of us who disliked the episode that we need to stop watching and get over it. If the same person posts over and over the same thing, that would be redundant. However, the posts that you are reading that are negative are not all from the same poster. There's a reason you're reading so many negative posts, and why this episode is by far the worst rated of the season. It's not as if all of us who disliked it are "whiners" as we've been called. If this was all about hating Lana, then Bulletproof and Legion would have gotten this same negative response. They didn't, so that should tell you something. They took a huge chance with this story arc. They had to have known that. Unfortunately, it seems to have bombed with most of the audience.

I know there are some that love it, but it seems to be a failure for the most part. Since those of us on this forum love this show, it upsets us that this has happened. We're not asking those who love this episode to stop posting, or saying you guys are annoying us, or accusing you of only loving this episode because you love Clana. So please don't do that to us.

[joemamma]

I haven't seen it yet but was it really that bad??!!

yes

[coobee02]

2/10 lame... I'll save 1/10 for the following episode...that one will surely take the house down! It would have been an awesome series if it was called Lanaville... so yeah didnt work for me!

[Kal-ed]

The votes for this episode are very telling.

The raitings will be more telling and I anticipate the trailer for the next one wont help. I think that by Infamous whether its good or bad, fun or not, it will have very bad raitings and probably for the rest of the season, things will go downhill.

Thank gawd I didnt watch it, wont be watching SV untill I see some spoiler that points towards Clark growing back what he lost the second Lana walked into the barn in Bride.

I dont dispise Clana, I dispise Clark around Lana, its just unbarable, its horrible writting, Lana with Superpowers?? and they seem to be keeping her like that. I knew this Clana break would be so and what upset`s me the most is that all the progress, raitingswise we had in the first half will be so easily lost and never recovered. KK coming back for 5 episode came at a terrible cost.

Feel sorry for AM, per people`s opinions it was good directing but not even Spielberg could have saved a script like Power, oh well, Smallville, nice knowing you.

Clark and Clois RIP.

[Pal-El]

I agree. The drivel I just had the misfortune to see, followed by what looks like more of the same next week and then the long break will affect the ratings. It cant not.

They should have just left the Lana arc where it was.

[DGirlLois4Clark]

2/10 lame... I'll save 1/10 for the following episode...that one will surely take the house down! It would have been an awesome series if it was called Lanaville... so yeah didnt work for me!

:rotfl:

[La Donna]

Even saying it's more of the same next week based on the trailer is being optimistic, in my opinion. Next week looks far worse as far as I'm concerned.

What sucks is this show was getting rave reviews this season. They were getting momentum, they were getting noticed, and they were getting viewers to tune back in who had left because of the season six and seven angst. Perhaps they don't feel this will have long term effects. They may feel that once ED returns, the ratings will pop back up and continue the momentum that Bride left off at.

What they must not realize is that they have ruined some of the future story lines with this current arc. They may try to pickup right were they left off in Infamous, but seriously, how the hell could they think that would work with the viewers? They took the potential that they had built up with Clark moving forward in his life and growing closer with Lois and they peed all over it. Then they expect people to continue with peed on potential in hopes it smells good at the end? It's peed on. It will never smell the same as it did before the wretched urinaters doused it with their pee.

Now we see that the anvils presented to us in episodes 1-10 were just inside jokes from the writers room that the viewers misinterpreted. "Lois and Clark would be great together".... Power showed that the writers must not really believe that. Hark! I hear them snickering somewhere.

Lana killed someone who wasn't presently attacking her. That's wrong. Lana didn't just want to save the world, she wanted power. She indicated that to save the world she must have power. That's wrong. Actually, that's Lex. She could have tried to save the world without gaining "invincibility". Chloe's been trying to. Shoot, Clark isn't even invincible, and he's been trying to. But apparently, Lana needs to have superpowers that don't rival Clark's, they actually beat Clark's. So, we got an episode showing us how a girl who makes the wrong choices but for the "right reasons" (supposedly) should be viewed as a superhero who is SUPERMAN'S EQUAL. Funny, because when we got episodes that showed us a boy who makes the wrong choices but for the "right reasons", we were supposed to view him as the villain? Lana's journey in Power had a lot of resemblance to Lex's story. They tried to bring Lana up to Clark's level, but all they managed is to pull both Clark and Lana down to a level that is breaking the hearts of many long term Clark fans.

Sad, Sad, Sad, bad, bad, Sad:(

----- Added 10 Minutes later -----

Craig, did you know this was coming? I'd be interested in hearing what you thought of this episode, and even this arc in general. You're a Clark Kent fan I believe, so do you hold him in the same regard as you did pre-Bulletproof? Just curious.

Clana4Life, where are you? It turns out you and I were right. You and I have a different dream for the ideal Clark relationship, but we both guessed this past week on where PS3 seems to be taking this. Usually I like being right, this time I don't. I am interested on if you enjoyed every part of the episode, though.

[Kal-ed]

What about Superman`s powers, meh they dont seem so special really, I mean if a mere human can get them... they might as well have a Kryptonian powers vending machine and be done with it

John: "Hey Joe, what do you want to do today?"
Joe: "Lets go to Kmart and get Kryptonian Powers, run to Punta del Este and chill out for a while with some hot southamerican honeys, its summer down there ya know, maybe we can have some burritos in Mexico on the way back"
John: "Sure sounds fun but we need 8 quarters and the machine doesnt take bills"
Joe: "We have the laundry jar"
John: "That`s right, lets go..."

Jeez, Clark having those powers doesnt seem that big of a deal now... oh well

[jor-eldeux]

Kudos to the director and to the acting - probably the most sincere (or crazed psychopaths) portrayed in the series - too bad the material and story line were poo-poo - unless .... that's the point - she's gone about this all wrong - since it's not about "power" - and it will indeed "blow up" on her ... perhaps .. and I'm being generous here ... next week will be about exposing the fallacy in the thinking, actions that led us up to this point .. on the other hand the kiss on top of the building, the American flag in the background, but was that "sun down, or sun rise?" (Captain Jack Sparrow) Then again, maybe she will turn into the Phoenix and join Patrick Stewart. Just log me in as don't know, don't care. They can't mess with the Superman I grew up with - if this series doesn't correct itself - it will disappear in the vault. The only thing that will make this a keeper - is if they correct it with Kal-El coming to himself and making the break - and moving on. I don't care if they have him choose Lois. I want to see him choose to be Superman - understanding the cost. They have made this version of Superman so hormonal driven - the emotional wimp - which is a shame since TW has shown so much strength in his portrayal (at times when its written in) that it will have been an effort that has added nothing to the Superman mythos (with the exception of Chloe). Honestly, I'd like to see the cast move on and do something else. I enjoy them all as actors/directors and they have interesting careers in front of them. Unless there is a surprise plot twist (as in Helen Hunt swirling in a tornado) SV has jumped the shark ....

[DGirlLois4Clark]

I hated this episode.,with venom!!! Wtf

[sebari77]

Immediate rewrite before the next episode!

Someone get Patrick Duffy (is he still alive?) and put him in a shower for the opening scene of episode 14.

As to the events of season 8 episode 13 goes, "It was all just a dream" .... and it's erased from memory.

Seriously, though. I'm withholding judgement on this massive curveball into the series' mythos. It's either a stroke of genius that eventually pays off. Or, it's just another meandering, painted-into-a-corner contrivance on a show that all too frequently chalks up their bizarre plottings with the ultimate get-out-of-logic card, 'hey it's just a comic-book show with freaks and superpowers, anything goes!'

I understand the principals wanting to restore some sense of dignity to the Lana character which had gone off the rails. But at what cost?

I'm hoping against the massive evidence to the contrary that this is part of a well-architected plan, some preliminary groundwork.

On its own, it was an entertaining episode. Mack has a good eye, some occasional hiccups for a first-timer that can be forgiven (struggling with the whole 'axis' problem, for example), some nice touches - loved the subtle homage to Scorsese, loved the homeless' fire visual/prometheus connection.... and she was far more engaged with the material and the non-linear storytelling was handled very well.

But, as a plotted point on the graph in Clark's continually delayed and stifled "development," it was another jarring and frustrated setback.

I applaud this season's general effort to try to undo the damage done in the awful seasons 6 and 7, to try to position it back to a progressive vision for the story. Instead of taking the easy way out, of moving past all of the Clana issues by mere velocity and relying on fading memories to give the illusion of progress, they've made the brave choice of trying to end that storyline on their own terms, to engage with the problems and resolve them - but in order to do so, they've used some really crazy and unbelievable devices (even by the standards of this show) to bring themselves to this point.

It might work. It might. But, it all depends on where they go from here.

And quite frankly, this kind of massive detour from the direction the first half of the season was going, only seems plausible if one assumes there will be a 9th season (which I don't assume). There's already far too much territory to journey before "Smallville" Clark's story can be satisfyingly concluded, with less than half a season to go.

This is one of those rare instances where the episode can't stand on its own merit, and the risk it's taken for the story as a whole, is so unexpectedly bizarre and out-there, one has to reserve final judgement. This episode is either a "2" or a "9".... just not sure which yet :)

[jobookjunkie]

I'm not reading any other reviews before I type this, I'm just adding it to the last page so that it is entirely my own opinion.

In keeping with the title of this thread, I hated it. I am furious.

Since when did this show become Lanaville? Before my opinion is dismissed as "shipper" talk, let me explain. First, I didn't even know what a "shipper" was until I started checking out K-site during season 7. Second, if I squint just right, I'm watching the show and thinking that I liked Lana and that she was one of the more believable elements of a show that revolved around the fantastic. Even during season 6 and the whole Lexana/Clexana debacle, I was more easily sympathetic to her than might have been expected due to her behaviour. However, this constant deification of her and now this development of her character into superwoman has completely changed my opinion of her. Is it any wonder that many fans saw the return of Lana in season 8 as the equivalent of a dark gloomy cloud hovering in the distance?

Thirdly, and the most important reason, is that I am a Superman fan. I have been ever since I was 6 years old. He's on my list of heroes, in 2nd place behind Jesus and in front of Elvis. I started watching Smallville because I was one of the mugs who bought into the concept of a pre-Superman Clark Kent and was excited about how they would show that development. The beginning of season 8 repaid all the patience I had kept for the show, in showing Clark's progression from a farm boy to a big city reporter who was using his abilities to help other people. And yes, I know Lois was there too, but that's not my point. The questionable choices made by Clark and the writers in recent episodes have, as far as I'm concerned, regressed his character back to the droopy idiot I had to suffer through in season 7. Though I guess if you can turn a lightswitch on, you can always turn it back off again when it suits.

So here's a message to The Powers That Be : congratulations. You did it. And they said it couldn't be done. You have lost one of the shows most devoted fans, who has championed it and stuck by it through thick and thin, and always found good things to say when things weren't going so well. Way to go, PS3. I won't be watching next week, and I'm debating whether I should watch the rest of the series, which is a measure of how truly disgusted I am. In fact I feel utterly betrayed that having kept the Superman fans hanging on a thread for 8 years, suddenly Clark no longer needs to save other people but rather focus on getting his love life back together. This Clark is no Superman.

On an objective note, the directing was excellent. Allison Mack deserves fulsome praise for the job she did, and I was impressed with the way that she framed the actors - in particular, the combination of Cassidy Freeman's acting and Allison's framing made that long close-up of Tess after she kills Regan a real stand-out shot.

Finally, I am no longer interested in whether there will be a season 9 or not. If the show ends after next week, it will not be soon enough.

[galvo]

Ok so let me start by saying I am in no way a shovanist but this needs to be said. In my past postings I made the comment that our present Lana issues must be due to one of the writers that has the hots for Lana and wants to keep her on set so he can steal bits of her hair from brushes and rifle keepsakes from her trash but after this episode it is all to clear. The coments Clark made about women not being able to take care of themselvs, that look on Cloe and Lanas faces the two times he did such. The constent demasculation of superman wile in just a short time a women proves she can do it better and faster. Im not sure what writer we have to thank for teaching us about extreamist Femanism but perhaps in a couple shows when she drives this show into the grownd she can get a coushy job with Oxygen or Lifetime.:rotfl:

[SupaBoy]

Wasnt the best but still enjoyable. I wouldnt stop watching it just because of a few bad story arcs etc, I dont like Clana but it would not make me slate the programme.

[stenochick]

I watch Smallville with my husband. He was the original fan from the beginning. When we got married I started watching it with him during the season 3 summer reruns. As the seasons went on, I became more and more obsessed. My husband has definitely lost interest in Smallville. Every time we watch it, he laughs. The problem is, it is intense drama not comedy. If I use his laughter as a litmus test, then I would have to say he thought this episode was really bad, and unlike me, he likes Lana and is annoyed by Lois.

I thought AM did a great job directing the episode. The writing was really off, however. It was like they took a two-hour feature film script and had to edit out all but 40 minutes of it.

Things I liked:
1. It had a nice fast pace to it.
2. It explained things from season 7 and tied things from season 7 to season 8.
3. I liked Lana in this episode. No one was worshipping her.
4. I liked Tess in this episode and her interaction with returning Luthorcorp guys.
5. Regan and Dr. Grohl showed some nice continuity with past Lex projects.
6. As far-fetched as Lana having super powers is, from what we have seen on Smallville in the last 7 1/2 years, it was believable that Lex had a suit and that Lana, with her millions, would be on Lex' trail and find out about it and work with Dr. Grohl.

Things that didn't quite fit together:

1. Lana finding the Navy Seal guy to train her to withstand torture. You would think after 3 months of being tortured by Brainiac, she wouldn't need that. But they needed her to be in dialogue with another character for exposition for the audience to know what is going on in Lana's head.

2. There simply was not enough time for Lana to wake up from her coma and do the video at gunpoint before Clark arrived at the hospital, no matter who supplied the video camera.

3. Lex hires the worst goons. Lana was able to take out two goons in a moving van prior to her navy seal training and prometheus suit.

4. Why is Chloe back in Smallville/Metropolis hanging with Clark if Jimmy is still hospitalized in Star City?

5. There's probably more, but I don't want to nitpick.

I can totally overlook the above because they only have 40 minutes to tell their feature film length story.

Things that I think are just plain wrong:

1. Clark finds out that Lana had the opportunity to come back to him for months and she didn't, knowing that he is in love with her and worries about her. She has been keeping a huge secret from him about her. He gets it that she was more obssessed with Lex. That's fine. She is her own person. But, why, Clark, why, do you then want to be with her and kiss her passionately on the roof of the DP? You are sloppy seconds to Lex Luthor in a very twisted way.

2. I can totally understand why Lana, of all people, would want Lex' prometheus suit for herself. We saw glimpses of that in Wrath. What I thought was wrong was that the suit made her just like Clark. It made me a little sick to see them on the rooftop of the DP as super-powered equals. It just wasn't right. They could have made the suit have powers different from Clark's, like a meteor freak suit. Or have it had just one of Clark's powers. I mean, it was still a prototype afterall. I can totally see Lex creating a suit that made him equal to Clark. But for Lana to be wearing it while making out with Clark was weird.

I think there was a lot of symbolism with the suit and being equal to Clark that runs pretty deep if you analyze the episode enough. It just seems more suited (no pun intended) to the Clark-Lex relationship, not Clark-Lana.

I don't like the idea of Lana having Clark's powers. I agree with Clark when he said it's dangerous. Based on the preview for next week, either the suit dies and Lana lives, or the suit and Lana die.

I don't think it's good for Clark to be with Lana or Lex, because both want to be him (invincible) more than they want to unconditionally love him. IMO, that is the lesson that Clark needs to learn so that he can finally let go of his obsession with Lana.

[La Donna]

I think it's fair to assume (based on people's posts in this thread) that AM's directing helped this episode's poll results to be as high as they are. I think if she hadn't directed this episode, the numbers would be even lower than they are now.

On a positive note, I really like Tess. Too bad for me:(

[Alania]

I think it's fair to assume (based on people's posts in this thread) that AM's directing helped this episode's poll results to be as high as they are. I think if she hadn't directed this episode, the numbers would be even lower than they are now.

On a positive note, I really like Tess. Too bad for me:(

I never had anything against her, actually, and now i like her even more! There are two shows for me, the one up until Bride and another from Legion till next week. I'm still waiting for that other show to come back, so i can actually say something about the episodes.:rolleyes:

[FlashInSV]

Oh, Lana. You’re still here. How...nice. *cringes* I’m sorry, I hadn’t realised the ‘Dear Clark’ video was a box-office hit that can be watched again and again! And you “needed to remind yourself” Clark</ST1:p, REALLY??!! :mad:

Chloe, are you bipolar? Last episode you were telling him to not hurt your cousin and now you’re literally pushing him towards Lana? There’s a little thing I like to call “stability of opinions”. You don’t have it.<O:p</O:p
<O:p
Oh! So Lana is a martyr! :rolleyes: Wow, yeah, I’m impressed. Not. And wow again, I had no idea you could have such a great hairdo with a razor. I’m changing my hairdresser. ;) Okay, hang on...Is this Smallville meets G.I.Jane meets Terminator? :confused: I'm confused. Argh, Clark “if” you knew and “if” you had done this, then that wouldn’t have happened...As we say here in <ST1:pGreece, if my grandmother had wheels, she’d be a freaking skateboard! Get over yourself!<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

Tess!! THANK GOD FOR TESS! I have never been happier to see you! Cassidy Freeman did an excellent job as Tess and I am excited as always to see her on screen. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but Regan’s blood looked a little bit like the strawberry syrup I use on my pancakes.:p

I think Cassidy is the ONLY actor in this epi acting decently! WTF? Everyone else seems to be in front of the cameras because they have a binding contract!! It's like they can't wait to finish shooting and go home!<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

Okay, let’s stop here for a second. Lana is a superhero now?!? *scratches head in thought* And she’s giving speeches like Obi One Kenobi! On the other hand, whatever she’s preaching about helping the world does sound very convincing. And under different circumstances, I would have taken to it.

A Clana kiss in front of the sunrise...Hmm... I may throw up.
So what now, PS3? Are we going to team up Clark and Lana? I am honestly wondering how on earth are you going to wrap this up again. Honestly, how will you justify Lana's departure and how will you force Clark to "begin falling in love with Lois" again?


Allison Mack’s directorial debut let me down slightly, but not because of her. I believe she did a wonderful job and if you think about it, she had to work with pretty much every kind of scene; a fight scene, a dark brutal murder scene, a stroke of romance towards the end which - Clana aside - was magnificent. For a first time director, I think she did well, there's always room for improvement, however and if S9 finally happens, I'd sure love to have her direct again, in a better episode this time.

Is it just me, or is this show going downhill again? I know SV jumped the shark a long time ago, but seriously, this season had been awesome so far. And now something is missing. And for those fellow Cloisers out there who will seize the opportunity to scream “Lois! Lois is missing!” let me stop you there. Of course I miss Lois, but this is not what I’m talking about.

This season had a dynamic hitherto, it was impressive, with vigor, with negligible plot holes and most importantly: it was a change from the previous 7 years of lurking in the swamps. Because to me, that’s what it was; a swamp, one we couldn’t escape. Clark Kent spent all this time worrying about his immensely complicated love life, consequently messing up the love lives of those around him, dropping out of college, sticking to farm life, ignoring Jor-El and in general doing very un-Superman-ly things, minus the regular heroics. In season 8, things started to stir. <ST1:pClark </ST1:pseemed confident, with a purpose, he was slowly, but steadily discovering his own way - “looking out of his wheelhouse”, if you like - realising he doesn’t have to save only those close to him, but alas, the entire world. <O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

In those latest episodes, <ST1:pClark'</ST1:ps trip in the world of maturity has been abruptly cut short. This has very little to do with Lana’s reappearance. It’s not Lana’s fault per say that he’s acting like this. The PS3 chose to have him act this way in front of Lana. They chose to have him return to his old ways, when they could oh-so-elegantly allow him to treat Lana with respect, but from a distance. Lip-locks and pompous proclaims of love and choices are out of the question. Closure is not achieved that way.<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

My only comfort is that we’ll get an eyeful of Ollie’s chest and arms in 8.14 “Requiem”. :eek::DAt least the next episode will be something to look forward to. For now, I give this epi a bitter 4.

[Tompouce]

OMG, I can't see the epi until this evening (for France)and when I see your votes, I am worried, please just tell me that Clark is not on his knees in front of Lana like a poor man who is trying to not understand it is the end with his girlfriend....Clarkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...:D

[SupaBoy]

^ well...:rolleyes:

[Tompouce]

^ well...:rolleyes:
Thanks, I think I have my answer :(

[FlashInSV]

And what is this fascination with Lana Lang and giving her all of these special powers? First, the Countess - then the clone, then the equal of Lex Luthor...now this. Who is writing this, and what are they smoking?


:rotfl: :rotfl:
My thoughts exactly. Well said!

[Alania]

OMG, I can't see the epi until this evening (for France)and when I see your votes, I am worried, please just tell me that Clark is not on his knees in front of Lana like a poor man who is trying to not understand it is the end with his girlfriend....Clarkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk...:D


Karine, never think that things can't get any worse, because they sure can.

[llk6165]

The reason I bash the episode is because they should never have brought Lois character on. I don't feel like they have respected the traditon of the character with how they have developed this character. I also have a problem with putting it out that they are going to get to Clois if they are not. I feel like it was just to draw in Clois fans. Like it or not there is a 70 year tradition of Clois. If they choose not to follow that, it is the perogative, since thye have the money to do a tv series, but don't denegrate the ship for no valid reason.

If they want to go with the Clana thing over and over, that's fine. If they were going to have Lois on, then what is the point of having her fall for Clark and pine away for him like a lovesick dog. I hope now, they don't have her moping around for Clark, like Clark did for Lana. It was tiresome. What is the point of doing the Clana thing for one episode. Eventually fans of both ships get the short end of the stick. Clana fans have waited 7 years for what? And Clois fans have been strung along. If Smallville was a time for Clana, they should have stuck with that, then ended the series. I have found many plot lines to be choppy and inconsistent or just plain irrelevant.

I am glad some fans are happy with it. I'm just not one of them.

To answer an earlier question - Yes, I would feel the same way if it were Lois or Chloe instead of Lana. For me it has nothing to do with the character. I don't "hate" a person who is not real. It is all about the arc and the direction they are taking something that has existed for 70 years.

[superpal1]

I gave this episode a one. It has nothing to do with Allison Mack. The directing of this episode was great and there are some scenes that were beautifully done. The story sucked. Horrible. I have watched every episode from day one and this by far (for me) is the worst episode they have ever done. The ratings for Smallville this season and the episodes up to this point have been great. To bad in one episode they have managed to wipe away all the good that has been done. I will not be surprised, but I will be saddened when the ratings for next week tank hard, as I predict by the the majority of us who hated this episode that they wont watch next week. I wish I could go into all thre reasons why this episode was bad, but there are sixteen pages of people who have summed it up pretty well.

[stenochick]

One thing I have to say for "Power" is that it still has me thinking. The whole symbolsim of the suit and being equal to Clark is pretty deep. This is what Clark has always wanted, to not feel alone in the world and to be able to be with a woman. Clark now has what he has always wanted, a Kryptonian soulmate. They hinted at it in Instinct with Maxima and in season 6 with Raya and in season 3 with Alicia.

Hopefully the irony will be that even this suit will not be enough to make Clark and Lana's relationship work out. These two are not meant to be. At the end of the day, Clark is in love with Lois, not Lana.

[Sports72Xtrm]

Ok time for some brutal truth. This episode sucked. Like Vampires in Smallville sucked. I could deal with all the Clana fluff and I still have hope that they can end it in a respectful manner. No actually that was a lie, I'm very concerned about how they will end it but I hope to strive for some optimism. But giving Lana powers? Really? That's going too far. You are straying from the DC continuity by giant leaps. Clana is not a superhero. And neither is Chloe. I would be fine with it if it was a temporary thing but it is quite obvious you mean for it to be permanent as the suit is permenantly grafted to Lana's skin. Powers are for superheroes and supervillians. Lana is neither. I was fine when you gave Lana kung Fu. I was fine when you gave Lana the Isis Foundation, setting her up to be a female Bruce Wayne who uses her skills and influence for good. But I have to put my foot down at her being given powers. The only way to remedy this is to kill off Lana and I don't want that either but you are writing yourself to make that the only option. It's one thing for Lana to leave Smallville with a bang, it's another to make her a superhero martyr. Superman doesn't need a robin or a Jason Todd and of all the people to full fill that role, it certainly wouldn't be Lana:mad:

[smallvillefanboy]

If this is how you are gonna write it ... nevermind. And I was just thinking how this season was shaping up to be one of the best. They should NEVER have brought Lana back. FATAL mistake IMO. I mean the fans endured this soap opera for 7 seasons only because we love smallville so much. Please don't let it end like this. Or better yet, if this is how you, the writers are going to handle a season nine.....don't bother. This is sad coming from me. I am a HUGE fan.

[punpun214]

okay honestly i just joined this forum.. and for the first time voting.. i had to give it a 1... like holy crap guys.. what was this bs with lana super powered?? when i saw that.. i was like "wtf...."... and the kissing scene on the planet... come on.. that was totally reserved for clark and lois... smallville totally ruined the superman legacy turning him into a selfish [Mod Edit] ... god...

[quietone]

I gave it a 3. And I'm being generous. This episode is right up there with Magnetic, Trespass, Promise, and Sleeper as one of the all time worst episodes of the series.

Only good parts were AM's directing debut and Tess vs. Regan. Everything else was made of fail.

[cma_454]

:eek: Are you seriously comparing this episode to last year's Stride gum infomercial?! LOL
I'm STILL laughing at how bad that Pete/Stride episode was. "Power" was not that bad. LOL. Again, I'm shocked at how many disliked the episode. But I guess diff people, diff tastes, right?

It seems quite a few thought Power was worse than Hero (if you go by how they rated it):

http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86445

[Hakoon]

This episode was better than I expected, but Lana getting super powers just made me roll my eyes. I do understand she was under contract for 5 episodes and had to come back, but couldn't they have come up with a better story line than this?

As long as they let Clark make the decision to move on with his life instead of Lana I will be happy. I thought we were done with Clark "Pining away in my loft for Lana" Kent, but I see some of that in his character right now yet again.

Hopefully everything will turn out for the best next week:)

[JAMHEXXX]

This episode should be in the dictionary as an example of FAIL.

Right under the definition should be this crappy ass episode. UTTER FAIL in every regard.

[stenochick]

Lana getting superpowers to help the world and have her finally stop being a victim is fitting storyline for her.

KK looked gorgeous and she and Cassidy Freeman were great in their action scenes.

And thank you TPTB for giving Clana's a huge gift in the last 5 minutes! I wish PS3 were in charge of last season. I think Clana would've been written so much better than what AlMiles threw at us.

I rate it a 10 for the Clana. :D

You know, you bring up a good point. If Clana was written like this in season 7, I would have welcomed it. It is just so out of place in the middle of season 8.

I am not a Lana or Clana fan, but I agree with you that Lana wanting superpowers to help the world instead of being a victim is so...Lana.

She has nothing to lose by being a superhero. She is an orphan, has no kids, has millions of Lex's dollars, and has a score to settle with one Lex Luthor. It totally fits her.

I also found Lana very likeable in Power and KK kicked ass (pun intended) with her acting skills.

Tess totally rocked, as did Allison Mack and her interesting camera angles and close ups.

Even Clark's reaction to Lana and her secret made sense if you read my previous post. It just seems too late in the series and in the season to be making yet another loop around the Clana rollercoaster.

There should be some lightbulbs going off in Clark's head by now that this is still not going to work or make him happy and that he needs to back off and let Lana and Lex dance their little dance.

Lana must know that Lex knows Clark's secret by now. The fact that she would keep her dealings with Lex a secret from Clark is not cool because that puts Clark in more danger. Clark needs to realize that.

[LoveHurts38]

I have never given a 1 but, it was pathetic episode. Great job AM**smile** I hope she can direct again but, a better action packed script.

[Krypton935]

I can't believe all the negative feedback of this episode. I thought it was amazing! I rate it 10! It finally gave us a lot of answers and had great consistantcy (sp?) from last season. I think that the only bad thing about this ep is that it was Lana centric, which is not my favorite. Other than that though I was thrilled with how good it was!

[Glove]

I thought it was kind of a weak story. Allison Mack did the best she
could with a subpar script. I thought the suit was going to be more
clunky like Robocop as was seen in the scematics. The training
sequence was reminiscent of Kungfu...I almost expected that guy to
tell Lana,"If you can take the pebble from my hand you can leave
the basement." It was a silly episode that I rate very low.

[Saber]

I thought the way the episode flowed was brilliant; Allison did a great job directing. I love how each scene moved from third person to first person. It was different in it directions and it really helped I thought a poor storyline move forward.

The premise of the episode was just overkill. They took Lana and raised her to idol/icon status embracing all these powers without even building the character before hand. Overnight she’s on the same level as Lex and now on the same level as Clark. It’s a travesty to Clark’s character that it’s been eight years and they still haven’t written Clark with that level of confidence in his powers or even with some emotional growth (it's just sad on that level).

I give it a 6 :\ for the story plot and a 10 :D to Allison for directing.

[Dosvse]

If you think this was bad wait till next week.:eek:

[cma_454]

Is that all we do on the forums? Complain? No analysis?

Look, if the episode had such a negatively lasting impact on you (by you I mean everyone), then [Mod Edit] It is as simple as that. Yes, there are bad episodes of Smallville but to complain about Lana and the writing over and over again is redudant and annoying. Get over it.

Of course the obvious response to that is:

Look, if the criticism of this episode has such a negative impact on you (by you I mean everyone), then STOP READING! It is as simple as that. Yes, there are bad reviews of episodes of Smallville but to complain about the opinions and the writing of them over and over again is redundant and annoying. Get over it.

[Valor15]

Seriously why was it a good idea to put Lana back in the show? What a waste of an episode.

[stenochick]

Dear god I just saw in another thread that the reason Lana may be FORCED to leave Smallville & Clark is because she has an encounter with some green kryptonite & will become "toxic" to Clark so to speak?:\


Talk about symbolism! She and Lex have been toxic to Clark since season one, only now he is no longer a boy under the protection of his parents.

Even if he believes he and Lana are in love and Lana martyred herself for him, Clark must see the dark side of Lana and realize that many of her later actions belie her ability to trust and love and emotionally protect him.

This will be how he realizes that he loves Lois and Lois loves him. He will compare it to the drama he had with Lana and see the difference between a dysfunctional relatioship and a healthy one.

Lana and Lex are cut from the same cloth. They want external power to cover up the deep insecurity and fear they feel inside. She is not equal to Clark. Clark is more than just invincible skin.

[GaidinDre]

I didn't know how to rate this episode. The Samallville fan in me hated this episode, but the TV lover in me appreciated the execution. I thought the story was told well in an interesting way, I just hated the story. If this was my first Smallville experience I would have loved it, but being a fan of the show the WTFness of it was too much to bare. I gave it a 3, the quality of the production being the only saving grace.

[BabyDee]

The Good: Allison Mack's directorial debut. She did a great job with an icky script. :-)The Bad: Everything else. :-(The Ugly: Super!Lana? Are you kidding me??!? :-O

[petitemimi]

Wow. Not only this is the worst episode of the series, but they also officially jumped the shark on that one. I don't kow how they can come back from that; this is extremely disappointing. At least, if they announce that S8 is the last during hiatus, it will be a freaking relief.

[LuckyLois]

^ That is exactly how I feel. How Can they have Lex without Lex? It's an insult to MR. Last nights episode (although AM did a great job) was so over the top. Maybe if it were last year I could have dealt with it but, even my 8 year old got so annoyed. Why does Lana have powers, mom? I said well GA is a hero (trying not to sway her to my feelings) and she said, Mom, only Clark should have powers! Lana is driving me crazy, she said. She is a smart 8 year old.

I would love to hear what Tom thinks about what they are doing to his character. It's so bad for him right now. Lois aside, his character is looking even worse next week! it reminds me of when he ran off with Alicia just because he was afraid to be alone and she had powers too so she understood how he felt!! GROW UP!!

I am almost outraged at how poorly the writers have let us down after a great start to SV S8. They may as well have let Kristen write all her episodes! I wish I could change my 3 rating to a 0, but I liked Tess and AM did well.

[Sarevokcz]

two parts i liked:

Clark actually trying, for like 20 seconds, to move on
Tess killing Regan

and Lana flashbacks were atleast filling some plotholes

everything else was messed up IMO

[Joelito]

awful, sorry that Allison Mack picked this epi to directed... so sad :(
5

[Jedimaster_TTBaby]

:eek: WOW! This is the first episode (for me at least) that bombed this season... actually in the entire series! I mean jeez...that really, really, REALLY SUCKED!

Words can't describe how crappy this epi was. The only Highlight for me was that end scene (not the Kiss) but the zoom out of the daily planet rooftop, it was cool!

Just WOW! EPIC FAIL!!!!!

PS
for the first time ever, i don't want Clois...they destroyed Clark's character to a mindless puppy who worships Lana Lang.

[svtwamedfan05]

Worst episode ever!!!!!!!!

[SupaBoy]

I cannot stand these boards anymore. All there is here is hate for the series. I know I'm going to get flamed for posting this, but whatever. Every single episode, I come to hear what other "fans" think, and more often than not, I'm left with the impression that *nothing* will satisfy the haters here. I'm thoroughly convinced that most people who post here simply watch the show week after week to get more and more pissed off at what it is. Season 8, for my money, has been absolutely perfect. The writers even attempted to TALK to you people in the opening Clark / Chloe scene. But no matter. They'll just get nothing but criticism no matter what. Kristin was coming back for a few epiosodes and Lord knows they had to do SOMETHING different with her character. Well, they did. And now everyone hates that, too. I think the only thing that would please some people is if Clark crushed Lana's skull between his hands just to get rid of the character. Forget what THAT would do to the "Superman Legend", people would love it anyway. Did anyone actually bother to watch the trailer for Requiem? Anyone bother to pick up on the fact that Requiem is Lana's final episode EVER" Anyone actually know what the word requiem MEANS (so, in effect, this plotline of her being with Clark and having powers CANNOT AND WILL NOT LAST)? Anyone care that this brief "relationship" that Clark's having with Lana might prove to him that he DOESN'T want to be with an equal because it puts them in harm's way, too? Which PUSHES HIM TO LOIS, PEOPLE?! Oh, good Lord, I am SO SICK of the hate hate hate toward this series. WHY WATCH A SHOW YOU DESPISE??? ::sigh::

I said something along the lines of this in a thread i made earlier, though it was not as detailed:lol: Glad we share somewhat the same opinion.

[Jedimaster_TTBaby]

I cannot stand these boards anymore. All there is here is hate for the series. I know I'm going to get flamed for posting this, but whatever. Every single episode, I come to hear what other "fans" think, and more often than not, I'm left with the impression that *nothing* will satisfy the haters here. I'm thoroughly convinced that most people who post here simply watch the show week after week to get more and more pissed off at what it is. Season 8, for my money, has been absolutely perfect. The writers even attempted to TALK to you people in the opening Clark / Chloe scene. But no matter. They'll just get nothing but criticism no matter what. Kristin was coming back for a few epiosodes and Lord knows they had to do SOMETHING different with her character. Well, they did. And now everyone hates that, too. I think the only thing that would please some people is if Clark crushed Lana's skull between his hands just to get rid of the character. Forget what THAT would do to the "Superman Legend", people would love it anyway. Did anyone actually bother to watch the trailer for Requiem? Anyone bother to pick up on the fact that Requiem is Lana's final episode EVER (so, in effect, this plotline of her being with Clark and having powers CANNOT, by definition, last). Anyone care that this brief "relationship" that Clark's having with Lana might prove to him that he DOESN'T want to be with an equal because it puts them in harm's way, too? Which PUSHES HIM TO LOIS, PEOPLE?! Oh, good Lord, I am SO SICK of the hate hate hate toward this series. WHY WATCH A SHOW YOU DESPISE??? ::sigh::

Really? Cause I am lovin season 8 and I've only had good things to say about all the episodes...untill now! This episode was really bad...I just have to be honest.

[SupesComicFan]

I loved the direction, so good job AM.

Other than that, this episode wouldn't be wished on my worst enemies.

I am a Superman fan. Clearly. I don't really care about 'ships, other than Clark has to end up either with Lois or single and liking Lois. All else is gravy.

Still, this episode regressed Clark by about 15 steps. Lana with superpowers? I think my bunny slippers just ran for cover. SO OVERDONE. That "trainer" guy, the one who said she had to do this for her? SHE DIDN'T. She did it so she could BONE CLARK. She never did learn that lesson he was trying to teach her. I hope it jumps up and bites her in the behind. She is still obsessed, but now her obsession is Clark and not revenge on Lex. She still can't do what Lois will be able to do so easily, LET CLARK BE THE SUPERHERO without NEEDING TO BE HIS EQUAL. That is what Clark needs, and I hope that he realizes this.

I hope he is the one who decides super-sex with Lana doesn't do it for him anymore. I hope this all ties in with the last episode where Danny told him he had to have someone to love, someone to go out and fight for, because that person, sure as poo, is not Lana.

Regression. Clark didn't save anyone in this episode, and hasn't since Lana has been back. HE HAS to see that as a regression. He has barely even used his powers at ALL, let alone for good. This is the reason Clark and Lana don't work and I never want to see them on my screen again (though I will have to next week). I don't want Lana to be infected with Kryptonite, I don't want her to die, I want Clark to boot her on her rear end because she is bad for him. I want him to say this, and mean it.

I doubt this will happen after tonight's episode.

[llk6165]

I cannot stand these boards anymore. All there is here is hate for the series. I know I'm going to get flamed for posting this, but whatever. Every single episode, I come to hear what other "fans" think, and more often than not, I'm left with the impression that *nothing* will satisfy the haters here. I'm thoroughly convinced that most people who post here simply watch the show week after week to get more and more pissed off at what it is. Season 8, for my money, has been absolutely perfect. The writers even attempted to TALK to you people in the opening Clark / Chloe scene. But no matter. They'll just get nothing but criticism no matter what. Kristin was coming back for a few epiosodes and Lord knows they had to do SOMETHING different with her character. Well, they did. And now everyone hates that, too. I think the only thing that would please some people is if Clark crushed Lana's skull between his hands just to get rid of the character. Forget what THAT would do to the "Superman Legend", people would love it anyway. Did anyone actually bother to watch the trailer for Requiem? Anyone bother to pick up on the fact that Requiem is Lana's final episode EVER" Anyone actually know what the word requiem MEANS (so, in effect, this plotline of her being with Clark and having powers CANNOT AND WILL NOT LAST)? Anyone care that this brief "relationship" that Clark's having with Lana might prove to him that he DOESN'T want to be with an equal because it puts them in harm's way, too? Which PUSHES HIM TO LOIS, PEOPLE?! Oh, good Lord, I am SO SICK of the hate hate hate toward this series. WHY WATCH A SHOW YOU DESPISE??? ::sigh::

I tried to keep watching to give the show a chance. For me this is not about ships, but about continuity and overall vision. I do not see that. Therefore, I think I will take you advice.

[cma_454]

I cannot stand these boards anymore. All there is here is hate for the series. I know I'm going to get flamed for posting this, but whatever. Every single episode, I come to hear what other "fans" think, and more often than not, I'm left with the impression that *nothing* will satisfy the haters here. I'm thoroughly convinced that most people who post here simply watch the show week after week to get more and more pissed off at what it is. Season 8, for my money, has been absolutely perfect. The writers even attempted to TALK to you people in the opening Clark / Chloe scene. But no matter. They'll just get nothing but criticism no matter what. Kristin was coming back for a few epiosodes and Lord knows they had to do SOMETHING different with her character. Well, they did. And now everyone hates that, too. I think the only thing that would please some people is if Clark crushed Lana's skull between his hands just to get rid of the character. Forget what THAT would do to the "Superman Legend", people would love it anyway. Did anyone actually bother to watch the trailer for Requiem? Anyone bother to pick up on the fact that Requiem is Lana's final episode EVER" Anyone actually know what the word requiem MEANS (so, in effect, this plotline of her being with Clark and having powers CANNOT AND WILL NOT LAST)? Anyone care that this brief "relationship" that Clark's having with Lana might prove to him that he DOESN'T want to be with an equal because it puts them in harm's way, too? Which PUSHES HIM TO LOIS, PEOPLE?! Oh, good Lord, I am SO SICK of the hate hate hate toward this series. WHY WATCH A SHOW YOU DESPISE??? ::sigh::

O.K., I can understand where you're coming from.

But really, if reading these posts bothers you so much, why you keep reading them?

[Cogito17]

I agree with a lot of what Croweyes said.

And part of the reason that (like Croweyes) I read through all these bashing posts is because they are hard to miss on K-Site. I would like to be able to come here and discuss the show, but its difficult to do because there isn't much discussion, mostly just complaining/bashing. I keep coming back because I would like to discuss the show, but its impossible to miss the bashing when you come here.

On topic, I gave it an 8. Not the best episode ever, but certainly not the worst either.

[LuckyLois]

The reason people are upset is because it makes Clarks character an afterthought! This is not about SuperLana and how she will save the world. It is about Clark's journey. Lana does not make the choice for him! It is insulting to the fans to have her character become the reason he is Superman and he is not alone anymore. Next weeks episode will be even more insulting when she makes the ultimate sacrafice! Please!!!!! I feel bad too that MR is being ripped off!

This is my first rant about the show ever. I am so disappointed in the writers!

[DGirlLois4Clark]

I cannot stand these boards anymore. All there is here is hate for the series. I know I'm going to get flamed for posting this, but whatever. Every single episode, I come to hear what other "fans" think, and more often than not, I'm left with the impression that *nothing* will satisfy the haters here. I'm thoroughly convinced that most people who post here simply watch the show week after week to get more and more pissed off at what it is. Season 8, for my money, has been absolutely perfect. The writers even attempted to TALK to you people in the opening Clark / Chloe scene. But no matter. They'll just get nothing but criticism no matter what. Kristin was coming back for a few epiosodes and Lord knows they had to do SOMETHING different with her character. Well, they did. And now everyone hates that, too. I think the only thing that would please some people is if Clark crushed Lana's skull between his hands just to get rid of the character. Forget what THAT would do to the "Superman Legend", people would love it anyway. Did anyone actually bother to watch the trailer for Requiem? Anyone bother to pick up on the fact that Requiem is Lana's final episode EVER" Anyone actually know what the word requiem MEANS (so, in effect, this plotline of her being with Clark and having powers CANNOT AND WILL NOT LAST)? Anyone care that this brief "relationship" that Clark's having with Lana might prove to him that he DOESN'T want to be with an equal because it puts them in harm's way, too? Which PUSHES HIM TO LOIS, PEOPLE?! Oh, good Lord, I am SO SICK of the hate hate hate toward this series. WHY WATCH A SHOW YOU DESPISE??? ::sigh::


Firstly, if you come on here to read people's opinion, then why are you getting yourself worked up over these said opinions. I just dont get it.

I happen to feel really passionate about Superman/ Clois, and if I see something I do not like, I will say it. No harm there mate. This is a forum for goodness sakes.

Secondly, if we despise this show so much, as you put it, we wouldnt even bother to comment or get annoyed about it or put any energy discussing it. You wont see me getting angry over 90210 even though I hate that show..Why, cuz it doesnt bother me.

Think about it, people are most likely to get angry and upset over things they care about the most. Been angry and upset is a NATURAL human emotion. Its healthy for ya;). Release the anger, I say. As long as we are not hurting anyone. Nobody is marching down to Vancouver to smack PS3 or KK, so chill:)

[ClubXerxes]

I don't see any issue with fans being upset about the writing. Sure the venom towards the characters can get downright personal, but I am certain no one on this planet things KKreuk is anything but nice. In terms of her character development on this show, however, I think there are plenty of valid concerns. The show needs to be about Clark's development, and the supernatural sidebars they have had concerning Lana just don't fit. IMO, her character would have been much better served as a normal human being who is conflicted about the feelings she has had for other men.

Lex and Lana wedding? Why not?
Lana possessed by a witch or turning into a vampire? Why??
Lana and Clark breaking up and getting back together? Why not?
Lana putting on an alien suit and enduring superhuman torture? Why??
Lana seeking revenge on Lex? Why not?
Lana faking her own death by breaking into a highly secured facility, stealing her clone and blowing it up??? Why?????

What is Clark supposed to learn from all of this? All I see is more hesitation on his part. When he is away from her, he is focused - when he is with her, he is a mess (certainly no Superman). Ollie was right - he was sitting on the farm playing house with Lana. Just deal with that aspect - why the need to ascribe to her character this desire for superhuman traits?

This to me is why people hated this episode - it was the culmination of years of bad writing for Lana. I feel bad for KK having to endure this and the venom towards her character. Blame the writers, IMO...

[petitemimi]

All there is here is hate for the series.
Kristin was coming back for a few epiosodes and Lord knows they had to do SOMETHING different with her character. Well, they did. And now everyone hates that, too. I think the only thing that would please some people is if Clark crushed Lana's skull between his hands just to get rid of the character. Forget what THAT would do to the "Superman Legend", people would love it anyway.

This is a gross exaggeration. All the fans wanted was a decent and mature clana closure where they BOTH agree that they were not right for each other; and we end up having this delirious and ridiculous arc.


Anyone care that this brief "relationship" that Clark's having with Lana might prove to him that he DOESN'T want to be with an equal because it puts them in harm's way, too?

Lana is NOT Clark's equal. This is plain bad.


Oh, good Lord, I am SO SICK of the hate hate hate toward this series. WHY WATCH A SHOW YOU DESPISE??? ::sigh::

Well, first, it's against the rules to say "Stop watching the show if you're not happy". Second, it's because people love the series so much that they're so bitterly disappointed about an episode that makes no sense and where Clark looks like a side-kick on his own show.

[mysticrose624]

I'm new here, but I've been reading posts forever, and after seeing Power, I knew I had to register so I could post.

I thought it was the worst episode I've ever seen. Of course, I've only been watching since about season six and only have DVD's from four and five, but i hated it.

The main reason I hated it is because I was blown away at how unbalanced and crazy Lana came off, yet Clark is okay with it. Lana clearly has unhealthy desire for power. Clark had it right when he realized that Lana didn't want to destroy that suit and he was horrified, and yet somehow, just because she said she could handle it, he was willing to accept it? She set up that lab with money she stole from Lex. She is still profitting from her embezzlement. She was selfish enough to leave Clark thinking that she had left him on her own via DVD until she got everything SHE wanted. That is not honorable in the least and it isn't love. Love isn't selfish. And they spent the entire episode showing us how crazy and selfish Lana is and showed us that others were clueing in on that, only for clark to decide he didn't care in the end. Ridiculous.

Also ridiculous was Lana deciding that the world needed her as a superhero. That reeks of self entitlement. She literally formed the words if you help me, you'll be helping the world, and the worst part is the man bought it hook, line, and sinker. And not only that, he decided to give up his former life to devote himself to the cause of Lana.

I am not a Lana hater. I liked her as a character and I even liked some aspects of her relationship with Clark, but this episode to me is only for the extremely devoted to Lana because I lost it all for her.

And far from thinking this spit upon Clark and Lois, it showed me that Lana will always love herself more than Clark. And one day, even if it takes initially being with Lois by default, he will wake up and realize what true love really is and how far away from it his relationship with Lana really is.

[cma_454]

I agree with a lot of what Croweyes said.

And part of the reason that (like Croweyes) I read through all these bashing posts is because they are hard to miss on K-Site. I would like to be able to come here and discuss the show, but its difficult to do because there isn't much discussion, mostly just complaining/bashing. I keep coming back because I would like to discuss the show, but its impossible to miss the bashing when you come here.

On topic, I gave it an 8. Not the best episode ever, but certainly not the worst either.

Understandable.

But, did you ever consider that posts praising (and giving a high rating to) an episode that a person thought was really bad could be viewed in the same light?

Discussion doesn't only have to be a bunch of people writing about which aspects of an episode they liked.

Believe me, unwarranted praise (in the view of the reader) can be just as annoying as unwarranted criticism (also iin the view of the reader).

[candor]

they need to get lana out of my face before i punch my t.v., i cant stand her "im just as good as you now clark" additude. clark should have just decked her to prove a point. i think lex looks pretty pissed in the previews for requiem, i know its not M.R. but he said he didn't wanna come back so i doubt he is insulted, howerver if i was him and i got a call saying they are gonna have someone new play lex i would have been like "ok ill come back for ONE episode".

[stenochick]

I can't stop thinking about this episode, so it can't be all bad.

It reminds me of this scripture in the bible "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

Also, I looked up the Greek myth of Prometheus. Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals for their use. Prometheus is also known as a "lowly challenger to Zeus' omniscience and omnipotence."

To me, that is the difference between Clark and Lana. Clark is god-like but treasures his humaness. Lana hates her human weakness and wants to be a god. This just cannot end well. It will be interesting to see what happens in Requiem and if/how Clark is changed afterwards.

[SupesComicFan]

To me, that is the difference between Clark and Lana. Clark is god-like but treasures his humaness. Lana hates her human weakness and wants to be a god. This just cannot end well. It will be interesting to see what happens in Requiem and if/how Clark is changed afterwards.

This is exactly what I was thinking when I watched last night. I am a huge Greek mythology fan. Clark and Lana are completely non-compatible on every level. This is going to bother Clark greatly (or it SHOULD) and he will (or he SHOULD) want to move on from Lana. What attracts Clark to Lois in the comics is her humanity (both good AND bad) and that she doesn't need to be Clark's equal in superpoweredness.

[LuckyLois]

This is exactly what I was thinking when I watched last night. I am a huge Greek mythology fan. Clark and Lana are completely non-compatible on every level. This is going to bother Clark greatly (or it SHOULD) and he will (or he SHOULD) want to move on from Lana. What attracts Clark to Lois in the comics is her humanity (both good AND bad) and that she doesn't need to be Clark's equal in superpoweredness.

But if you watch the coming attractions, this won't be the reason Clark moves on from Lana! Therein lies the problem!!!!!!!

[Jedimaster_TTBaby]

Understandable.

But, did you ever consider that posts praising (and giving a high rating to) an episode that a person thought was really bad could be viewed in the same light?

Discussion doesn't only have to be a bunch of people writing about which aspects of an episode they liked.

Believe me, unwarranted praise (in the view of the reader) can be just as annoying as unwarranted criticism (also iin the view of the reader).

Well said!

I'm sorry to those that don't agree, but,this episode was rubbish and i can totally see why fans are disappointed and expressing it in this manner. The thread asked to rate the show and that's how the majority rate it...the epi was not good, simple fact!

[WELLINGWIFE#2]

I can't stop thinking about this episode, so it can't be all bad.

It reminds me of this scripture in the bible "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

Also, I looked up the Greek myth of Prometheus. Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals for their use. Prometheus is also known as a "lowly challenger to Zeus' omniscience and omnipotence."

To me, that is the difference between Clark and Lana. Clark is god-like but treasures his humaness. Lana hates her human weakness and wants to be a god. This just cannot end well. It will be interesting to see what happens in Requiem and if/how Clark is changed afterwards.

that is a very interesting point that you make...I'm glad that there are people that can see beyond the "ship madness" and analyze the show and storyline. I am very interested as well to see what happens next.

[Alania]

Oh, good Lord, I am SO SICK of the hate hate hate toward this series. WHY WATCH A SHOW YOU DESPISE??? ::sigh::

I don't hate! I just want back that show we were watching up until Bride, that is the good show, the one truly showing Clark's progression in every way.

[stenochick]

But if you watch the coming attractions, this won't be the reason Clark moves on from Lana! Therein lies the problem!!!!!!!

It's all in the writing. I believe we all can "have our cake and eat it, too." Lana can be a martyr and despite Clark not being the one to break up with Lana, he can still realize afterwards that he loves Lois more and in a healthier way than Lana. But, only if he is written that way.

I think there is a lot of disdain for the Lana-arc because it makes Clark appear to be stupid, moreso than how it characterizes Lana as a superhero or Lois as a rebound girl.

Please PS3, let Clark mature emotionally from this just like he has matured emotionally in the other areas of his life this season.

[SupesComicFan]

I am hoping there are many ways for Clark to move on. I don't watch spoilers anymore, because they are misleading. Lana can be a martyr, and Clark can still decide to walk away, both, mostly because if this were Chloe, he wouldn't allow her to BE a martyr. He would find a way to save her. Obviously, he doesn't next week. Why?

[mysticrose624]

It's all in the writing. I believe we all can "have our cake and eat it, too." Lana can be a martyr and despite Clark not being the one to break up with Lana, he can still realize afterwards that he loves Lois more and in a healthier way than Lana. But, only if he is written that way.

I think there is a lot of disdain for the Lana-arc because it makes Clark appear to be stupid, moreso than how it characterizes Lana as a superhero or Lois as a rebound girl.

Please PS3, let Clark mature emotionally from this just like he has matured emotionally in the other areas of his life this season.

THIS.

I totally agree with this. All the Clana fans declaring the endless supreme reign of clana and all the clois fans mourning the irrevocable murder of Clois need to slow down. If at any point Clark realizes that what he has with Lois is better than what he had with Lana, and if he wouldn't go back for anything, then mission accomplished. The past will be the past. I mean, if Clark simply deciding to be with Lana regardless of all logic meant the end of Clois or even Chlark, then I would have come to that conclusion years ago, or at least this Christmas when my husband bought me the season four and five DVD's.

[WELLINGWIFE#2]

exactly...We need a mature Clark..especially if he is on his way to becoming SUPERMAN..

[Promise]

CLANA CLANA CLANA!!!

So sad that people can't understand that this is Smallville, its not about Lois and Clark. Enjoy the beginnings. Smallville has been on for 8yrs, that says a lot. But this board is funny though, if it was Lois in the suit, trust me, everyone would love PS3, but now they suck, but on 3/5/09, they will be loved, wow. That's funny.

If anything, to be honest, the Clois in S8 was being rushed anyways.

Anyways, I love the episode, love how things were tied up, at first I didn't know, but it was all about the suit. Now if Lex was still on Smallville, then Lex will be known as Super Lex, I wonder what the ratings on this site would be then? So sad that people are caught up in there shipper vs watching an episode, a lot happened. Either way I'm enjoying seeing the last of my Clana because it deserves a proper ending. The passion is back, love the Kiss on the Daily Planet, with the sun light, and that makes another mark in Superman history that Lana was on the roof with Clark before Lois.Good job AM in directing.

[DreadShamus]

Where the heck is LOIS?!???

They first half of the season was fantastic with the Lois and Clark relationship, but as soon as Lana shows up they drop Lois like she never existed!

Superwoman Lana? GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! This is quickly turning into a horrible season.

[LuckyLois]

Unfortunately, when Lana i s involved, we don't get mature Clark. Why? I don't know. Honestly, in season 5, when he told Lex off and went to Lana and explained that he had just said goodbye to a friend and they consumated their relationship, was probably the most grown up episode ever. Clark really spoke up for himself, was proactive and he and Lana were on their way to what seemed to be a fresh start. I was a fan. Now, I just hate the way Clark gets around her, it's like he has no center and it's frustrating to watch. His character was doing so well and the writers just dropped the ball.

[tibbit78]

I wasn't really disappointed in this episode at all, because I watch Smallville for Clark Kent only, and for no other reason. I don't expect anything else from the show Smallville.

[stenochick]

Unfortunately, when Lana i s involved, we don't get mature Clark. Why? I don't know. Honestly, in season 5, when he told Lex off and went to Lana and explained that he had just said goodbye to a friend and they consumated their relationship, was probably the most grown up episode ever. Clark really spoke up for himself, was proactive and he and Lana were on their way to what seemed to be a fresh start. I was a fan. Now, I just hate the way Clark gets around her, it's like he has no center and it's frustrating to watch. His character was doing so well and the writers just dropped the ball.

For me, it all boils down to this: When Lana is in Clark's life, the needle on his moral compass spins erratically instead of pointing due north.

For Superman, that is deadlier than kryptonite.

If the writers can put even one line in Clark's mouth about him coming to this realization, all will be right in the world.

[blackcelebration]

Here we go.

This in my opinion was one of the worst episodes ever!

I'll admit since Season 3 I've never been a big Lana fan but what do we get this week??

SUPERLANA

I thought that Toxic, The Green Arrow origin story, was done badly but this episode took the cake.

ok

I'll start with the GOOD

Err... well, damn I can't think of anything, hell even Spell had Lionel returning and Subteranean with Lex in Section 31 and Ageless with Lionel poisioning Miss Teague but damn I can't think of anything!

THE BAD

Oh my...

Well, when has Lana suddenly been both Clark and Lex's equal.

Also she is basically a villain, she strives for power, hell she's even willing TO PAY for it, and all this to get revenge on Lex!

Tess was the best part of this episode BUT she is one of the worst things this season, she is still to me a poor girls Lex or Lionel!

Clark just wants to dump everything for lana

Inconsistant writing for the Chloe character, one week she roots for Lois the next for Lana!

Soap Opera teen angst crap

Basically having a show that's supposed to be about Clark becoming Superman being second fiddle to Lana's stupid Adventures!

So Lana basically faked her own kidnapping???

Why doesn't Chloe visit her husband? It's not like he wasn't involved in some horrific accident on their wedding day?:lol:

Also, HEY CLARK THERE'S A MAD MONSTER CALLED DOOMSDAY KILLING EVERYONE AND IT'S NOT LIKE YOU WEREN'T WARNED BY YOUR KRYPTONIAN FATHER!!!

In Onyx evil Lex once said "I'm the villain of this story," sorry Lex but "Lana's the villain of this story!"

THE UGLY

Clana kissing on the Daily Planet. That's right just piss on 70 years of history!

Lana a martyr??? Gimme a break!

Tess kills someone and then kicks their head in and therefore looks like a vampire!:lol:



FINAL THOUGHTS

Makes Sleeper look like a masterpiece.

Kryptonsite Grade 1/10

Personal Grade 0/10

[BlueKryptoKalEl]

I have to admit, its not the best episode... however, they need to wrap up ALL lose ends... with Lana, like they did with Pete and the others. Lana had history with Clark, not to mention she was bent to helping others. As with all the rest of smallville, its a sort of fan fiction is it not? Its not ALL the same. Because if we complain about this... then what about Clark. When he first came to earth, he had full use of ALL of his powers! He did not, "discover" them. Lets be more open minded here, remember the writers say the show is passing smallville and heading towards his future. That means, as we all know, Lana is leaving. And with all decency they had better NOT kill her off. That would kill the entire history of Superman.

Small differences in his history... Clarks father died in one series and actually loved to see him become Superman in another. Thats quite different.

[BAMAGIRL]

This is my first post, but I'm a long time lurker on this board. I have been a rabid fan since the pilot.

I have been bragging to my friends and relatives about season 8, trying to get them to start watching again. Most of them got bored and quit years ago. I assured them that Clana was finally over and Clark was moving forward and becoming Superman. After last the last two epidsoes, I feel like such a fool.

Never in the last 8 years have I felt so disappointed. I will continue to watch, because I am not quite ready to throw in the towel on a show I have invested 8 years in. I just hope it gets better.

[joshw_24]

I had to give this episode a 1 because despite how well directed the episode was, its still awful! The Clark-Lana story just feels stale and after dragging it out over 7 years and I thought that the perhaps final season was supposed the chance to see the Clark and Lois relationship forming and Clarks journey into Superman. Season 8 started well but this was one of the worst ever. The whole Lex thing seems overdone as well...if Michael Rosenbaum isnt coming back just leave it rather than use all these body doubles as can be seen in next weeks preview...maybe its best if this is the last season!!!

[BabyDee]

Imra said that Lana was destined to be great in her on right. Did you think she was lying?

No, but Lana also mentioned that their destinies are not set in stone, and that they make it up themselves everyday. To nick a quote from Terminator 2, "The future is not set. No fate but what we make."It's possible that Lana, in a misguided attempt to force destiny's hand, went a bit overboard in her quest for heroism. I have a sneaky feeling this might come back to bite her in the butt next episode - she may have inadvertently re-written her entire future.

[DreadShamus]

I gave the main story explaining Lana's missing past a 10. The powers and CLana part got a 1.

Somehow I rounded that to a 7. HAHA~!

[FlashInSV]

Also, HEY CLARK THERE'S A MAD MONSTER CALLED DOOMSDAY KILLING EVERYONE AND IT'S NOT LIKE YOU WEREN'T WARNED BY YOUR KRYPTONIAN FATHER!!!


Well said. :cool:



Clana kissing on the Daily Planet. That's right just piss on 70 years of history!


:mad: That's right. The rooftop of the DP is iconic for OTHER reasons! *whispers personal mantra "I will not say Lois Lane. I will not say Lois Lane"* ;)

[Jedimaster_TTBaby]

^^DreadShamus

Yeah I agree with you there, I really liked finding out what Lana was up too during her disappearance, very interesting! But the epi sucked.

[cma_454]

If PS3 can put this series back on track in the 40+ minutes they have left (Requiem), I’ll gladly credit them as geniuses.

If they can’t I’d still give them credit for being creative.

However, I’d have to say that their status as good show runners is seriously in doubt. Above all, a show runner needs to grow (or at least maintain) the show’s ratings. I just don’t see how this is going to happen.

I’m afraid, no matter what they do in the next few episodes the ratings will fall (only time will tell).

A series isn’t like a movie.

In a movie, if you start strong and end strong, people will usually forgive and forget a lapse or two in the middle.

In a series, each episodes needs to build (or at least hold) momentum. A few weak episodes can really kill momentum, and hurt ratings. A few really bad episodes can seriously derail a series, and make survival questionable. This is particularly true for a series that already has marginal ratings.

IMHO, PS3 has gotten Smallville to the point where the show’s survival is really questionable.

Can they save it?

It’s certainly possible. I think if they read the comments in this thread they’d likely be able to do so. The problem is Requiem has already been completed. So the question becomes, did they?

I seriously doubt it. All indications are that they may actually have made it worse.

I truly and sincerely hope I’m wrong!

[Marfeic2011]

A play by horrible play...

What the f***! Don't you dare show Lois in the "previously on Smallville" scenes. How dare you!

You big tease. Clark seems to move forward with his feelings. Oh wait, he's just being a pouty baby about getting dumped. Nevermind.

Chloe, what the hell! Pushing Clana. You're my girl, Chloe, so how could you betray me?

Of course, Lex bad bad bad! Poor Lana, she had no idea what she was getting into when she started dating Lex, so she's a victim. Oh wait, she knew some of the stuff he did. So really, she made a mistake, and should just be pissed at herself for having poor judgement.

Clark learns the DVD was faked. His little face saying "Lana didn't want to leave me!". I want to throw up, but I don't want to lose my dinner because of Smallville. It would be wasting a great meal. I'll suck it in for now.

Man, Lex and Clark are having the worst iconic enemy journey ever: Who hurt Lana more and who tried to save her more. So of course, the legendary relationship between Lex and Clark is centered around Lana. Wow.

Lana killed the dude. Cold! I really like Lana who is on the edge of good and evil. Why can't they just take her character on a path and keep her on that path. This shuffleboard Lana is losing her points. I feel bad for KK, and I feel bad for Lana. Clark would never kill anyone, and neither would Lois. This is a good example of why Clark and Lana shouldn't be together. But, I guess PS3 don't care about stuff like that.

She didn't go back or send a message telling Clark she was safe? Not cool.

I'm sick of Clark going crazy and mean on everyone he thinks has ever met or helped Lana. Seriously, his behavior should just scare anyone out of ever speaking to Lana. He's the crazy ex-boyfriend stalker that scares the poop out of all her friends.

I guess Lana does live in the talon now. Bye Lois, bye Jimmy. Out of sight out of mind.

"What did you do with Lana?".... 800 times and counting. All Clark wants is Lana. It's all he's ever wanted. I'm sad:(

Now, here's where the character is going to show her true colors: She wants to be invincible. Her plea is "help me- help the world". Really all she was doing is asking for power, and so no matter what she's planning on doing with the power, it's obvious she's power hungry so I can't believe that doctor fell for it.

The guy who's training Lana is Lana's perfect mate. They'd be great together.
Here comes more of the Clark I detest. Let me paraphrase: "You hurt her? I will kill you. Lana was always perfect so she never needed to change! How Lana feels doesn't matter. I should get to say what happens to Lana, so how dare you listen to her and not consult me". He's borderline abusive ex with his attitude.
Let me insert here: Damn she looks good with short hair! The show made a huge mistake with the wig.

Too bad for AM that this is the episode she's directing. She's doing a pretty good job. I think she should have had a better episode. Sucks hard that she's directing an episode where Clark yells at Chloe and blames her for Lana getting kidnapped. I could have done without that.

"I need power". Once again we see power hungry Lana, who doesn't want to take the right way and instead opts for the easy way (the choice the villains love to take, by the way). Lana says "I did it so I could do some good in the world". Apparently, Lana looks down on those who wish to use there mere mortal skills to save the world. Cops? Nurses? Fireman? They must not want to save the world as much as Lana, because she's suggesting that anyone who really wants to save the world would of course try and obtain superhuman powers. I didn't mind Lana in Legion. I can't believe how bad this episode made her character look. She comes off as a power hungry, manipulative and selfish girl. Why did they have to take Lana down this road? They could have done so much more with her.

The guys advice: You rise higher and higher and never look down. What kind of advice is that? If someone has those powers, and continues to rise higher and higher and never looks down, what's to ever teach them how to use their powers in appropriate ways? If you never look back at what you've done, how do you move forward morally? How do you ensure you haven't squashed all those under you? That kind of attitude is Lex's kind. No Superhero should have that view point, if you ask me.

She went to metropolis, and yet didn't call Clark. Real nice.

Clark, you are a filthy hypocrite. I can't believe he is blaming Chloe. Talk about Clarkie taking some steps back. This is why I used to get mad at Clark in past seasons. He had this "All that matters is finding Lana" attitude and Chloe often got the shaft end of that. And yet he does it again. However, since he mind wiped Chloe a few episodes ago, and kept the truth from her, how dare he yell at Chloe for keeping Lana's secret, and how dare he accuse her and blame her for Lana's disappearance, that oh ya, Lana orchestrated herself!

Chloe gives Lana sound advice, and yet Lana explains how Chloe just doesn't get it and doesn't see the real Lana. Apparently no one on this show sees the real Lana. So of course, Chloe says it's all her fault. I can't believe this.

Now Tess. I'm loving her. When that guy was standing up to her, I was hoping she'd shoot him. The blood was out of place, the kicking was cool, the performance was good, but the slow-motion was a bit over the top. I love tess.


Okay, they are learning all this s*** about vengeful Lana and yet Clark wants her. Big time! Seriously, this superhero in the making needs a good psychiatrist.

When Lana talks about the suit, she's basically saying "Lex is bad, I'm super cool. Choose me choose me choose me!". And of course, the doctor does, because Lana makes such a wonderful argument.

It's odd how she's supposed to come off as heroic, yet her argument is "If you want to save people--give me power". Let's see, who does that remind me of? Oh, I remember, LEX!!

Tess did what Lana should have done. Tried to destroy the technology instead of wanting power. If Lana wanted to ensure that evil men like Lex never had the ability to obtain those powers, she should have destroyed the whole thing. But no, she went with "I can handle it, so give me the power".

Why did she race past Clark and smile? Why didn't Clark go after her? Are we to assume that Clark was struck dumb (which could be believable in this episode) or that Lana's faster than him? Either way, give me a f****** break.

Ya Tess standing up to Lana. It's too bad they didn't have those two ladies in season 6. I would have liked to see an evil team up of Tess and Lana.

Here comes the worst of it. I had a pain in my chest as soon as I saw the DP, and when he ran to the roof, my anger began to mount. Surely, they are not going to take something that is incredibly iconic, the DP roof kiss with Lois and Clark, and hand it to Lana at this point in time, when Lois has already fallen in love with Clark and it's where Lois works. Not to mention it's a slap in the face to the Chlark fan in me that thought the Chlark kiss at the DP was beautiful and iconic. The Clark, Lois, and Chloe fan in me is disgusted.

Lana's plan: Live in the present. Oh God, sex is coming. The music? I can't believe the way this scene is set up. I hate it. I think Clark should just put her in a bubble, and then spend all day staring at the bubble and ensuring no one comes near the bubble. That's his true dream. I hate that freaking look on his face. "Nothing can hurt me, we're equal, let's make the world a better place"..... thanks PS3, go ahead and keep spitting on who Clark is as a hero. I guess with this Clark Kent in this episode it makes sense that Lana is his equal. And that is horrible. Clark says "It's exactly what I want. It's my dream."

Hey Lois? Can you hear me? Don't come back. Please don't come back. You are worth so much more than what this Clark can ever give you. He tried to kiss you, but a few days later, the only thing he wants is Lana. It's his dream. So you? You were a mistake in his ideal world. Run away. Run far away. Take your stiletto and shove it up Clark's a**.

And they did it. They flipped off the majority of the fandom. They had the super kiss with the sun rising on the roof of the DP. Wow. It's no wonder PS3 stopped giving interviews recently. I'm so mad that I had faith that the showrunners who gave us episodes 1-10 of season 8 were going to do the Lana return better than Al/Miles ever could. What a fool I was. I won't make that mistake again. They've ruined the entire Clois romance, which, according to episodes 1-10, is a big arc this season, and according to every Dick, Joe, and Bob is "meant to be".

The preview for next week seems to be the proof that my biggest fear of Lana's return is indeed coming to pass. Lana and Clark are going to be forced apart against their will, and Lana will always be the girl Clark really wants to be with. Lois? Oh, she'll probably end up getting some Clark action too later on, but really, he'll be thinking of Lana the whole time. They can't write themselves out of this hole. Clark chose Lana over Lois. And I'm not talking about in the future, or at the end of the series. I'm talking about right now. In Bulletproof, Clark heard that Lois had feelings for him. And yet, at the end of the episode, he chose Lana. This episode, he learned many things about Lana that any normal person would be turned off by. And yet, he chose Lana. Once he heard about Lois having feelings for him (whether he fully understood Chloe or not), he was presented with a choice of Lana or Lois. He chose Lana in Bulletproof, and then he chose her again in Power. Even worse than that, he made an informed decision at the end of Power. He heard and saw what Lana was all about, and he picked her. I wish I could kick someone in the balls right now. I don't know... it'd make me feel better.

Couple other thoughts: Why the hell is Lois still in Star City with Jimmy when Chloe is just hanging out all happy and casual in Metropolis and Smallville. I love Chloe, but by not even mentioning why she's there or giving us an update on Jimmy, it made her look bad. First they have her push Clana, and then they have her hanging out getting coffee, visiting Clark at the farm, and not giving us any reason why she was there in the first place.

It seemed like they were building this episode toward Clark finally seeing the true lana. He basically did end up seeing the true Lana, or most of her anyways. And what happens? Apparently, he liked what he saw. That's the kicker here. We all thought once he learned who Lana was, and that she wasn't the perfect girl he always thought she was, that Clark would realize he no longer loved her. But this Clark Kent, at that moment, wanted her more than ever. Apparently, he's living the f****** dream. How nice for him. I'd love to have the faith some of you have that this story may just still turn itself around next week. The only thing I saw in the preview is the telling of the heartbreaking tale of the doomed romance between this Clark Kent and his soul-mate Lana Lang. I watched season 8 when it first aired up till Legion. For Bulletproof, I couldn't decide whether to contribute to the ratings or not, so I ended up watching it anyways. I decided I'm not giving them any help in the ratings this week, so I DVR'd it. I'm so glad I didn't give them a ratings boost.

Now all that I have left to decide is if I'm done. I'm pretty sure I'm done. God help me if I'm not...

I love your reviews - and you hit the nail on the head with this one, I feel your pain & I already decided not to watch anymore, I might check out the reviews next week before deciding whether or not to watch it, but if they force them apart - thats definately it for me, no more... such a waste of a good season huh?

[diinIN]

This storyline, Lana all superpowered and ready to save the world alongside Clark is PATHETIC. They've made Lana out to be WAY more than she ever was. All she was was Clark's high school sweetheart (a really cute one at that, as played by O'Toole), and now they've got her as SuperLana. It's INSANE.

My daughter gave this the worst SV of the series. I wouldn't go quite that far, because there were some good scenes here and there. And BTW, Allison did a nice job directing. The encircling cameras were a nice way to transition from past to present. I was so fixated on watching the directing that I had to keep backing up again to see the show!

But I, like many others, are sick of Lana and what has been done with her. The kiss at the end made a bad episode even worse.

BRING BACK LOIS!!!! Is she back in the Phantom Zone or something? I know she had a movie or something else to do, but we are seriously missing her and the storyline that SHOULD be. I can't wait until after next episode when Lana is GONE.

I gave it a 3, the worst rating I've given in a long time. That said, this season has been excellent overall, many really good episodes. I'm still rooting for a season 9!, as long as it's Lanaless.

[scooper14]

You people call yourself Smallville Fans, this was a pretty good episode. It tied up some loose ends left from last years "strike" shorten season. All the people whining about the Superman myths being ruin hello Smallville has been putting its spin on the DC Universe since season 1. You guy know Chloe the girl we al love she does not even exist in the Superman mythos.

Lana having superpowers you people know it wont last, next week is the last episode for Lana to be on the show. I dont like Clark crying over Lana anymore than you people do, but guess what he's not even suspose to know Lois Lane yet so them getting together is not gonna happen on this show either.

To all the people who whine and cry, give it a 1 rating, and call for the end of the series. Suck it up and just watch the freakin show. How about pointing out the good in an episode instead of ripping a new one. Every episode cant be a 10 there has to be some filler episodes. There is a reason for everything it opens doors for the rest of the season. So just wait and watch the show.

I totally agree with you. Smallville has always taken its own course when it comes to the superman persona. People need to remember that this is all happening before he becomes "Superman" There is nothing stating that he didn't have a love before lois. Also, the writers stating in an interview that the five episodes that Kristin Kreuk was coming back for, was to give her the proper fairwell that she deserves. She has been a regular for seven years and because of the writers strike, she wasn't able to finish that. That is why the episode was mainly about her, they're trying to close that chapter in smallville history and I think they did a wonderful job. You also have to remember that next week is Kristin's last episode as Lana Lang and from the looks of it, it seems that she risk her own life to save metropolis. Like lurchdaddy87 stated, we just have to sit back and watch.

[krypto77s]

This episode totally sucked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My gosh who wrote this crap!! The only episode that was worse than this is when some idiot decided to make Jimmy Olsen 007. C'mon people!!!!!!!!!! This season so far has been the best in a while. I can honestly say I have never missed an episode since the first time it aired. I can not wait until Feb. 5th and Lana will no longer be seen on Smallville. I hate her character! Kristin Kruek may be the nicest person you may ever want to meet, but Lana's character is horrible. The relationship between her and Clark is like beating a dead horse, it is almost as bad or worse than the whole Rachel and Ross crap on friends. Now, now they have Lana running around with nannite induced powers, please!!!!!!! Could you be more stupid?! Why? why give her powers? To me it takes even more away from Clark and who he is. If everyone else has powers what is making him special? Heroes anyone? anyway I digress, the show has been great without Lana, it is like a inflated balloon, everything is great until a needle is poked into it. That is what it feels like when Lana is on an episode, it is like ughhhhhhh! Please get her the heck out of there, make Clark get some new powers, fly or something, where the flop is his glasses, and get something going beteween Clark and Lois (speaking of which where has she been, I hope she hasn't been working with ex-military getting new powers too) I hope and hope that there will be a season 9. Please writers, get your heads out yo butts and get back to what we the fans like.
As far as Allison Mack's director debut, she did great!

[eyeceman]

Lana definitely deserved this, and deserves better from Smallville fans.....I hate the Superman strict interpreters.....This is Smallville, not Superman........it should be Clana and end that way....Superman is Lois......this is not Superman.... story has already been told time and time again in the same boring way.....

This creative Smallville take on Lana is great. Great courage and creativity by the writers...way to go

[iluvSmallvilleandi'm24]

Have to be honest, I didn't enjoy this story arc at all. I gave it a 3/10. One of the lowest rated episodes for me for SV ever :(


i second that motion...

My goodness this was a bad episode, not a 1 though for two reasons: a) great directing by allison and b) that 'SAW' like episode a few seasons back with Lionel and Martha remains my most hated episode.

Ok, now let me begin by stating that it's incredibly hot in Melbourne at the moment, so the heat may have contributed to my poor rating of this episode, however:
a) how many cliche's did this episode have???


Lana managing to escape out of a van with two armed men...
Lana seeking help from Master to improve on her skills blah blah blah (I'm amazed they didn't cast an old asian man to teach her the way of chi - ala Karate Kid style)
Lana leaving Master because she is ready, but Master warns her not to...
Tess meeting mister soon to die in car...
Tess getting the better of man with gun pointed to her face, who has just killed a male bodyguard
Scientist wanting to actually help human society instead of progression of science

b) flashback to season's gone by:


Chloe telling Clark (yet again - isn't he supposed to have a mind that doesn't forget) that she won't betray a friend (i've seen that before!!)
Lana wanting to be Clark's 'equal' (why? so that they can consummate their love, post saving the world one assumes)
Lana telling Clark she doesn't need protection
Lana telling Chloe not to tell Clark
Clark and Lana... OMG seriously, wasn't this the season where Clark was supposed to fall for Lois.

c) Man of Steel vs Man of Feel


enough said really...

Ah well, here's hoping that the writers turn it around, but I aint holding my breath...

not a good ep

[petewillreturn]

This is my first post, but I'm a long time lurker on this board. I have been a rabid fan since the pilot.

I have been bragging to my friends and relatives about season 8, trying to get them to start watching again. Most of them got bored and quit years ago. I assured them that Clana was finally over and Clark was moving forward and becoming Superman. After last the last two epidsoes, I feel like such a fool.

Never in the last 8 years have I felt so disappointed. I will continue to watch, because I am not quite ready to throw in the towel on a show I have invested 8 years in. I just hope it gets better.

Same here. I’ve been telling people in real life and on line how great this season was, and that there wasn’t any Clana. Clana was the main reason many people I know stopped watching the show.

[RedKalEL]

:mad:wow, what a slap in the face to the Lois & Clark we all love , on the roof top of the Daily Planet??? you got to be kidding me!!!

yea i no it was bad enough lex/zod and lana up there but this is worst. y couldn't it be in the loft the clana spot leave the clois spot alone

[Sunny8]

Well if you could not stand Lana in this episode just wait to you see her flying in the next one. And no Clark still won't be able to fly:lol:.

[marcella]

My friend,I totally agree with you

[One-Winged-Angel]

AAAAAAAAAAMEN!!!! to that!!

[WELLINGWIFE#2]

YOU KNOW REALLY DEPRESSES ME ...NO SHELBY...I MEAN CK AND THE FARM WERE IN LAST NITES EPI..WHERE THE HECK WAS HIS BEST FRIEND? FOR THIS ALONE I AM TEMPTED TO GIVE THE EPI A 1..I mean shelby has no super powers..the poor pup has to eat..and be played with...So this is telling me that CK yet again is too immature to have a pet.

[Clana Kent]

Why is everybody always so hard on Lana? :(
Would you be angry when there would be a Lois-centric filler episode? (Watch Stiletto)

I loved this episode! I understand that Lana would want superpowers to take care of Lex! I'm proud of Lana, cause she's trying to be a tougher person and she's trying to do something good to this world :)

----- Added 34 Seconds later -----

My friend,I totally agree with you
And I totally don't...

[Mr.Magic]

I haven't seen it yet but was it really that bad??!!

No, it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. It's worse.

[Jedimaster_TTBaby]

^^ lol

[~*Lois & Clark Fan*~]

Where's Lois? This show is mega boring with her gone

[ZODisGOD]

I wouldn't go that far to saying it's one of the worst or near the worst, because it's not. This episode ties so well with last season and it significantly advanced the lex luthor arc. Power pretty much hinted at a JUSTICE vs. INJUSTICE, GOOD vs. EVIL, CLARK vs. LEX LUTHOR superhuman battle that is to come towards the end of the series in which I'm really really excited for.

[ims001]

I haven't seen it yet but was it really that bad??!!

If you're a Lana fan/Clana shipper you might like it.:)

If you're not, you probably won't like it :( (and may even hate it).:mad:

[Lurchdaddy87]

Reinvent a character who was stood the test of time and remained an icon and the most popular superhero ever? They tried to reinvent Superman in SR and look how that went over.


They are not reinventing Clark Kent or Superman they are reinventing Lana Lang. Its a shame that as good as Season 8 has been so far, all these haters who think this was the worst episode ever, will let this effect their judgement which will kill the ratings for the rest of the season no matter how great it is.

You must not know that much of the history, because they have been reinventing the character for the last 70 years. Go back and read Action Comics #1, read Superman in the 80's, then they kill him in the 90's as a filler story because the "Lois & Clark" tv show wanted to marry Lois & CLark first. Killing Superman was one of the biggest events in his history. Now the comics of today are different from previous years.

Another thing you have to remember is that the written verison (Comics) is always different than the film verison.

When we first see Lana on Smallville this season she is snooping around like a Super-Spy where Lex once was. Remember the Text she got in hat episode "Did the Green Hood beleive you"

I bet half of these people who say OMG they are spitting on the history of Superman prolly dont know the whole story. Go back and read the comics

[iluvSmallvilleandi'm24]

YOU KNOW REALLY DEPRESSES ME ...NO SHELBY...I MEAN CK AND THE FARM WERE IN LAST NITES EPI..WHERE THE HECK WAS HIS BEST FRIEND? FOR THIS ALONE I AM TEMPTED TO GIVE THE EPI A 1..I mean shelby has no super powers..the poor pup has to eat..and be played with...So this is telling me that CK yet again is too immature to have a pet.


wait for it...

shelby's been kidnapped by Lex and given superhuman powers and had a chip installed into his head, he will magically reappear in the next episode and HE'LL BE ABLE TO TALK... :lol:

seriously the way the writers are going about this show, anyone but clark will embrace/seek superhuman powers

[WELLINGWIFE#2]

wait for it...

shelby's been kidnapped by Lex and given superhuman powers and had a chip installed into his head, he will magically reappear in the next episode and HE'LL BE ABLE TO TALK... :lol:

seriously the way the writers are going about this show, anyone but clark will embrace/seek superhuman powers

:rotfl: well since everyone else has had a turn I say give the pup a chance

[ims001]

wait for it...

shelby's been kidnapped by Lex and given superhuman powers and had a chip installed into his head, he will magically reappear in the next episode and HE'LL BE ABLE TO TALK... :lol:

seriously the way the writers are going about this show, anyone but clark will embrace/seek superhuman powers

shelby's been kidnapped by Lex and given superhuman powers and had a chip installed into his head, he will magically reappear in the next episode and HE'LL BE ABLE TO TALK AND FLY...

seriously the way the writers are going about this show, everyone but clark will embrace/seek superhuman powers

Fixed it for you.

[Mr.Magic]

wait for it...

shelby's been kidnapped by Lex and given superhuman powers and had a chip installed into his head, he will magically reappear in the next episode and HE'LL BE ABLE TO TALK... :lol:

seriously the way the writers are going about this show, anyone but clark will embrace/seek superhuman powers

Er, well, I don't know if I should bring this up, but Lex already gave Shelby superpowers in Krypto.

[Tompouce]

I don't know what to say. I am between the laugh and the angst. This epi was totally NUTS. I felt it would be completely absurd and I was right.
Come on, Superlana ???? Clark's equal ? Warffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff...I have always said Lana/KK deserves a good end, a kind of redemption, I thought it was right but THIS...lol !
The only thing right is Clark saying at the beginning "maybe" Lana is not good for him, since she was gone he was realizing his potential,...
But the thing is everybody is doing exactly the opposite of what they said the last weeks. Chloe who saiys to Clark maybe Lana is good for him, he has to talk to her (last week, it was "you know that your story with Lana never ends good and think of my cousin), Clark who was still in love then wondering and at the end, he kiss AGAIN Lana, Lana who told him "they were not meant to be together" and now she is powerful as him so everything is fine...CRAZY !
Well, the option for me is laugh ! The only thing I can't stand is a whole epi about Lana, knowing that we have seen Clark for what ? 10/12 mn ? THIS IS ABOUT CLARK, I watch the show for him...:mad:
I vote a 3 and I am indulgent...

[Nerwen Aldarion]

Hey my first post, this episode was so bad that I had to talk about it to vent.

Why did I hate it, I am a Clois fan but that doesn't mean that I vehemently hate Lana. On the contrary, when I first learned that Lana was coming back I celebrated, it meant tying up all of her loose ends, but this episode and the last one has me convinced that they are going about this all wrong.

Remember last episode when they talked about how Lana would become this great fabulous person...not true. I did my research, Lana takes over Luthercorp and tries to kill all the Kryptonians on earth...I'm waiting to find out how great that is. Basically she becomes First Lady and repeatedly tries to steal Clark from Lois. Yikes.

But that didn't stop me from being optomistic about this episode, right away though I began to feel down. The dialogue for this episode was awful, I kept cringing at the pathetic lines. Then they tried to make Lana GI Jane which I'm sorry didn't work in the second season, why would it work now.

Having Lana break Clark's heart with a video was in character, she did it with Whitney and made total sense. Having her be kidnapped by Lex, escape, try to turn into Lara Croft and then decide to become Superwoman was pathetic. It was abysmal. The kidnapping wasn't realisitic even for a show about Superman, once it turned out Lex was behind it I seriously thought about turning the TV off.

I agree with those who said Chloe's character switched sides, it was weird how in the last episode she was rooting for Clois, telling Clark not to break her cousin's heart and then suddenly she want's Clark back with Lana? Did the writers think we watched the episode last week with the sound off?

The ending was the worst, it was cliche and just way overdone. I felt like vomiting at the end, again this has nothing to do with Clana as I thought the kiss at the end of the last episode was very well done and natural.

There was just too much going on in this episode, Clark's story, a million Lana flashbacks, Lana's story, Chloe's story, Tess's story...it felt like there was no point to this episode whatsoever.

Tess was the only good thing about this episode, that one scene where she beat the crap out of that guy was the only good thing.

When this season comes out on DVD, this is the episode to skip. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one.

[disciples of zod]

wow...seriously? wow. that was just...awful. seriously, i expected WAY more out of Allison that that!

Too much Lana. Too much Clana. And a suit? HELLO????????????????????? just awful.

~H

[tyson08]

50% of posters have given this episode a '3 or less', that's very telling. I'm afraid Smallville is going to lose a lot of viewers with this horrible route they are taking.

[HeartChakraBabe]

This episode was LAUGHABLE!! I'm all for Lana being strong, but this is taking it WAY TOO FAR! Clark's equal?! It was bad enough she thought she was LEX's equal! And suddenly, now that she's wearing a supersuit (which is bad enough), her and Clark are destined to be together?! WHAT THE HELL! Clark accusing people like a self-righteous jerk, for the millionth time, and one of those people being Chloe no less, for keeping a secret Chloe had EVERY RIGHT to be keeping from him. Of all people, as Chloe had to remind him, AGAIN, he should understand and respect that she honored Lana's request.

Not to mention, the kiss on top of the Daily Planet. I'm in no way a Clois fan, but I can understand their disgust at Lana stealing something so iconic to Lois and Clark. Unbelievable.

Now, nothing against Allison's directing premiere. I thought she did an excellent job, but unfortunately she was working with a terrible script. :(

I'm not abandoning the show. I've stuck with it this long, so I won't stop watching until the series ends. But this painful Clana rehash, these last few episodes, has almost been too much to bear.

[kavalier]

Listen...lets not give up on this show just yet. I truly believe that the first half of Season 8.....without Lana.....has been as good as Smallville has ever been. Truly inspired.

But this Lana arc has been CRAP! This show is tanking and tanking fast! They have to pull out of this nosedive. The Lana arc has been singlehandedly the worst character arc in the history of freaking television!! Im sick of it!! Get her off the damn show already!!

[disciples of zod]

This episode totally sucked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My gosh who wrote this crap!! The only episode that was worse than this is when some idiot decided to make Jimmy Olsen 007. C'mon people!!!!!!!!!! This season so far has been the best in a while. I can honestly say I have never missed an episode since the first time it aired. I can not wait until Feb. 5th and Lana will no longer be seen on Smallville. I hate her character! Kristin Kruek may be the nicest person you may ever want to meet, but Lana's character is horrible. The relationship between her and Clark is like beating a dead horse, it is almost as bad or worse than the whole Rachel and Ross crap on friends. Now, now they have Lana running around with nannite induced powers, please!!!!!!! Could you be more stupid?! Why? why give her powers? To me it takes even more away from Clark and who he is. If everyone else has powers what is making him special? Heroes anyone? anyway I digress, the show has been great without Lana, it is like a inflated balloon, everything is great until a needle is poked into it. That is what it feels like when Lana is on an episode, it is like ughhhhhhh! Please get her the heck out of there, make Clark get some new powers, fly or something, where the flop is his glasses, and get something going beteween Clark and Lois (speaking of which where has she been, I hope she hasn't been working with ex-military getting new powers too) I hope and hope that there will be a season 9. Please writers, get your heads out yo butts and get back to what we the fans like.
As far as Allison Mack's director debut, she did great!

i could have not said this better myself! Period.

~H

[disciples of zod]

50% of posters have given this episode a '3 or less', that's very telling. I'm afraid Smallville is going to lose a lot of viewers with this horrible route they are taking.

i totally agree! me and my sis will probably be 2 less viewers come next week. i tell you what, next week's better knock me on the FLOOR!

~K

[Sunny8]

Why is everybody always so hard on Lana? :(
Would you be angry when there would be a Lois-centric filler episode? (Watch Stiletto)

I loved this episode! I understand that Lana would want superpowers to take care of Lex! I'm proud of Lana, cause she's trying to be a tougher person and she's trying to do something good to this world :)

----- Added 34 Seconds later -----

And I totally don't...
I like Lois and Chloe and even if they had been in Lana's place I would not have like this episode.

[kavalier]

And listen...Im just gonna go ahead and say it:

Kristin Kreuk SUCKS as an actress. Forget the fact that its a terrible story line. Every expression that comes off of her face and every word that comes out of her mouth is just painful to endure!! I cant stand it anymore!!

[yosemiteangel]

the only thing that saved this episode for me, was the rest of the cast and Allison Mack's good directing. If this is what it took to get Kristen Kruek back for 5 episodes, a Lana lovefest episode, then I think they wasted their money and our time.
BLECH!

However, I won't let this episode keep me away from the rest of the season. I'll just keep a bottle of Pepto next to my chair for next week.

[HowardFilms]

So bad. SOOOOO bad.

[Tompouce]

I would like to add : it was totally insane, violent,...To see Tess beating this man like this (even if I can understand her angst and emotions), it was so shoking. And the scenes with Lana completely burned, brrr...I don't watch the show for this. If I want to see some kind of horrors, it exists movies for this...

----- Added 47 Seconds later -----


This episode was LAUGHABLE!! I'm all for Lana being strong, but this is taking it WAY TOO FAR! Clark's equal?! It was bad enough she thought she was LEX's equal! And suddenly, now that she's wearing a supersuit (which is bad enough), her and Clark are destined to be together?! WHAT THE HELL! Clark accusing people like a self-righteous jerk, for the millionth time, and one of those people being Chloe no less, for keeping a secret Chloe had EVERY RIGHT to be keeping from him. Of all people, as Chloe had to remind him, AGAIN, he should understand and respect that she honored Lana's request.

Not to mention, the kiss on top of the Daily Planet. I'm in no way a Clois fan, but I can understand their disgust at Lana stealing something so iconic to Lois and Clark. Unbelievable.

Now, nothing against Allison's directing premiere. I thought she did a really good job, but unfortunately she was working with a terrible script. :(

I'm not abandoning the show. I've stuck with it this long, so I won't stop watching until the series ends. But this painful Clana rehash, these last few episodes, has almost been too much to bear.
So we are both laughing. I choose this way because, well, there is nothing else to do:(:D

----- Added 4 Minutes later -----


50% of posters have given this episode a '3 or less', that's very telling. I'm afraid Smallville is going to lose a lot of viewers with this horrible route they are taking.
Yes, I think you are right. She will be gone for good soon but I am afraid some people won't come back anymore. But we can hope : the epi to come after seem really really good especially stilleto which is totally about Lois and Clark as the future mythic couple...OUF !:p

[HeartChakraBabe]

So we are both laughing. I choose this way because, well, there is nothing else to do:(:D

Exactly. I just laughed my butt off at it, with my sister, because, for the most part, it was a steaming pile of you-know-what. :lol:

[melissan02]

i totally agree! me and my sis will probably be 2 less viewers come next week. i tell you what, next week's better knock me on the FLOOR!

~KOh, next week is sure to knock you on the floor.....with HOW BAD it's going to be!!!:mad:
I'll go on record as saying that right now!!

[carlralph]

My God, I haven't visited this forum in a long time, but after watching Power I wanted to comment on Ms. Mack's outstanding work. I'm really shocked how nasty and negative people have been about this episode. To tell the truth, I haven't really liked Smallville much this year. But Power was tight, it popped visually from start to finish (Mack found interesting ways to make pedestrial scenes/dialogue work), and the story is actually in keeping with how the Lana character has been used in the comics (not specifically, but the comic writers have given Lana things to do that would curl the toes of some of the posters here). At least we can appreciate fine work (Mack, Kreuk), overlook the tedious (Clark Whiner Kent), and enjoy the show for what it offers us. For free.

[Mars Investigations]

7 out of 10.

I'm not keen on Lana having powers at all, but I'm hoping that storyline's resolution in "Requiem" will be satisfying. I can understand her motivations, and the flashback sequences were great, but she should - in my opinion - never have been successful in getting abilities. Then again, I don't know what PS3 have planned for the general narrative, so I can't judge.

However, I can't help but feel disappointed. Just when Lana is being portrayed as a strong character independent of Clark, they make her Super-Lana and throw her back into Clana. All I can say is: BRING ON LOIS! I can't wait until she's back :(

[HeartChakraBabe]

My God, I haven't visited this forum in a long time, but after watching Power I wanted to comment on Ms. Mack's outstanding work. I'm really shocked how nasty and negative people have been about this episode. To tell the truth, I haven't really liked Smallville much this year. But Power was tight, it popped visually from start to finish (Mack found interesting ways to make pedestrial scenes/dialogue work), and the story is actually in keeping with how the Lana character has been used in the comics (not specifically, but the comic writers have given Lana things to do that would curl the toes of some of the posters here). At least we can appreciate fine work (Mack, Kreuk), overlook the tedious (Clark Whiner Kent), and enjoy the show for what it offers us. For free.

I agree Allison Mack's directing was awesome; she saved the episode from being a complete disaster. But the writing of the episode sucked rotten eggs, for the many of us who are fed up with the Lana-Lovefest. :\ I gave the ep a 3; though, if I was voting for directing quality I'd give it a 9.

[devilicus rebel]

Truly, truly sucked. Lana with powers = :(. AM's directing was really good though. I am not a person who often recognizes that sort of stuff but I could definitely see a difference in this episode and it made it almost barely watchable. 3/10.

[carlralph]

I agree Allison Mack's directing was awesome; she saved the episode from being a complete disaster. But the writing of the episode sucked rotten eggs, for the many of us who are fed up with the Lana-Lovefest. :\ I gave the ep a 3; though, if I was voting for directing quality I'd give it a 9.

Fair enough. If I think about the writing, it did a lot of what Smallville does at its worse...lots and lots and lots of exposition in dialogue scenes, unlikely connections made by characters so that they can get to the next beat in the story (or save the day in the nick of the time) and over-write Chloe with too much witty word play. Granted, Chloe is a wordsmith, but her linguistic acrobatics sometimes start to sound like Doctor Smith scolding the Robot in Lost in Space...still, the direction was above fine, and a cut above the original material. (Oh, I don't have the hate/hate relationship with Lana that so many do. My daughter and I were commenting last night about how far all pink and frills Lana has come in eight years.)

[cloisthelegendbegins]

EVEN LONGER POST THAN USUAL. But an episode this controversial required it. Skip at will as usual.

*deep breath* I'd left writing my full thoughts on this episode until after I'd had a second viewing and a night's sleep. I'd really hoped to be calmer about it and to be able to view it from a more detached viewpoint. But honestly? Although the outrage has calmed, the hurt remains. I couldn't have loved the first half of the season much more than I did, and my levels of excitement for season eight had been off the chart since Comic Con. This episode made me feel like a complete fool for staying so loyal to the show frankly. That was my initial reaction. But I'll come back to that once I've looked more closely at the episode itself.

First up. I want to put several things in to perspective before I get started. Anyone who has read my posts knows my feelings on who is the HERO of this story and how secondary characters should ADD to his story. I also don't happen to think that any characters back-story should take away from Clark - back-story can be threaded through the main plot-line. (as was demonstrated by Bryan Q Millar with Bulletproof) And I know some people can say the PS3 only had four episodes to do this arc and a lot of loose ends to tie up, but the fact they devoted the guts of an entire episode to it? Unacceptable to me. Anyone tuning in last night who had never seen the show before would have thought it was the Lana Lang show and she was the main character. And THAT isn't good. (I'll be interested to see BadToad's break down of screen minutes to see how Clark's time on-screen compares to Lana's - cos maybe I'm wrong about how much screen time Lana had... But it didn't FEEL that way. Even on a second viewing.)

Secondly. Stand alone episodes versus continuity from the first half of the season to the back end of the season. This year more than any other there have been story arcs that have been threaded throughout the episodes. Clark, naturally, is the one constant - and should be above all else because this is HIS journey. A young Clark Kent's journey to becoming Superman. That's the premise this fan was sold the show with before the Pilot episode. The simple fact is, this three episode arc - cos Legion can't really be counted as it wrapped up the Brainiac arc from the first half of the season and continued placing the emphasis on Clark's journey to becoming a hero - is NOT a continuation of a large number of the arcs set up in the first half of the season. And Power in particular is a remnant of season seven. I understand that this is because of the writers strike/Lana Lang's limited appearance etc but it was jarring in the middle of what, up until and including Legion and even Bulletproof, had been running pretty much on track. It again makes me feel that dropping half the cast for this arc was a huge mistake.

Thirdly. And this is the one I know a lot of people may disagree with me on, so I want to make it clear it's MY opinion. As I've said I was sold into this show on the premise that it was a young Clark Kent's journey to becoming Superman. This was a conscious decision made by AlMiles and approved by DC and WB or it would never have made the light of day. And unlike some fans, I can work with the writers with how much they have shaken up the story and messed with the time-lines and taken risks and very new approaches. I'm a pretty tolerant kinda gal that way. BUT - and it's a BIG but - at some point I'm supposed to believe that this Clark Kent will BE Superman. And for that reason above all others there are some things, that to this Superman fan, are sacrosanct. If anything, this show has really made me think about why the Superman story means as much to me as it does, and why I've loved it for as long as I have. I've had to think about that even harder after this episode. So yes, my thoughts on this episode and Smallville in general are coloured by this. And no, I won't back down on that. If they wanted to have a story about a young man becoming a superhero they didn't have to use Clark Kent - they could have created an original character and done whatever they wanted with his story. They didn't. They CHOSE Clark Kent and all the background and history that went with him. They made a CONSCIOUS decision and they made it to give them a step up with viewers. I get that. But certain things are written in stone for this Superman fan. A lot less than some people and up till now I've been a lot more open minded than some. I've even softened on the 'this is Smallville' escape clause. But the simple fact is no Superman = no Smallville to begin with. So the Superman fan in me came to the table when watching this episode, the same way she has from the beginning, and frankly, she wasn't happy with what she saw.

On to the episode itself.

I really have to say, and I said it about the last episode too, if THIS Lana Lang had been written several seasons ago, I could actually have enjoyed her character a lot more than I did at times. Explaining what happened between the end of season seven to the present time-line WAS necessary. I might not have been 100% sold on that going in, but what I saw convinced me it was. I do still feel it's out of place, but I can understand the reasoning behind it, and for the most part it made sense and tied together a lot of things from seasons past. There was a LOT of continuity in this episode. And I'm a huge fan of continuity so I was more than happy about that. The trouble with having an episode like this in the middle of a new season is that from episodes 1-12 it felt like the show was moving FORWARDS and to have Power then focus on the PAST was jarring, particularly if you're a fan who has been there from the get-go. We didn't just look back one or two episodes, we looked back as far as season six and Prototype where we learned about Project Aries. And I'm torn about this. On the one hand I understand why they did it and I love the continuity and it makes sense of the bigger picture... but on the other hand in a very Lana-centric episode in the middle of a very forward moving Superman-ly season it DID feel jarring. So, like I say, I'm torn...

Lana's journey from DVD to reappearance in Bride also made sense to me. And as a modern independent woman, I'm all for empowering women and women not being victims and women standing up for themselves. So I didn't have as much of a problem with this part of the episode per se. I did have a problem with how much it reminded me of a vengeful Lana as per season seven. This was clearly a woman on a mission. And not just to leave behind the part of her that had felt like one of life's victims as far back as when her parents were killed in the first meteor shower. I understood that, particularly during the 'commando-lie' training scenes when she was given such a mental and physical beating. The Lana who started that training wasn't the same woman who came back to Metropolis. Actually, I was absolutely fine with all of that - even the retcon of the infamous DVD. But the fact the Lana equivalent of a vendetta was then written as some kind of holy mission grated on me somewhat. Because by reminding me of season seven Lana, they were reminding me of the worst of season seven Lana; the Lana who kidnapped Lionel, the Lana who tried to kill Lex when she had Clark's superpowers. And reminding me of that in action AND with dialogue wasn't a good thing. Yes, it's all part of her 'journey', but no matter what, if she's being portrayed to me as a heroine; it's as a FLAWED heroine who will always come across to me as one who could very easily be tipped over into the 'dark side'. But even so, I was still fine with this and it made sense to me. I have to say it DID redeem her some. Add that to a mature, stronger, less angst-ridden Lana, and as I've said, I could have liked this character a whole lot more in seasons past...

THEN came the power suit. And this, to me, was a step too far. But I'll get to that in a minute.

Chloe in this episode was a difficult one for me. She's been friends with Lana since High School so I get that coupled with the role of 'secret keeper', it made sense that she knew more than we'd previously realized. Having her walk in on Clark watching the DVD and talk to him about Lana also made sense. What irritated me was the inconsistency in character from the last episode. I understand she's in a difficult place with this. Clark's secret keeper, Lana's secret keeper, Clark's BFF, Lana's best friend from High School and at the same time Lois' cousin. Talk about being stuck in the middle! And it's why I can forgive the sudden change of attitude from Bulletproof some. There's no win-win in this for Chloe, no one side that she can stand on without feeling she's somehow betrayed people on the other. But to have said what she did in Bulletproof telling Clark not to hurt her cousin, only to encourage him to go back to Lana an episode later? It was inconsistent. Taking both POV's means looking/talking about both POV's, it doesn't mean you drop one one minute and pick up the other. There was no balance in this scene the way there was during the scene in Bulletproof. And they can't tell me that's because she knows more than she did before. Because I now know different... So the writers were hoisted by their own petard as far as I'm concerned...

I can't over-look the Chimmy angle in this episode either. Her husband is in HOSPITAL in ANOTHER CITY being looked after by her COUSIN. And Chloe's wandering casually around Metropolis buying cups of coffee :confused: How does this reflect well on Chloe? Even if she has the Isis foundation to run and use of Oliver Queen's jet to bounce back and forth, she didn't mention Jimmy once or even look TIRED or CONCERNED :confused: And her cousin, who has an EMPLOYER and a full time JOB is being left there to look after him instead :confused: It's not like Clark couldn't have RUN to Star City for the same conversation in the kind of random hospital corridor Lord alone KNOWS Smallville has as one of it's standing sets. This was very badly handled IMO and anything that reflects badly on Chloe irritates me. If at a later point in the season she feels guilty about everything that happened and her part in it, I'm gonna find it difficult to have sympathy for her if this kind of attitude for the well-being of the guy she MARRIED continues. It's a basic human kindness, a nice thing to do, and to me very out of character. Didn't like it at all!

The most compelling character for me in this episode and who frankly stole the show? Tess. And part of the reason for this was because she was a season eight character flying the flag almost single-handed for the season eight I'd been enjoying so much. I have to hand it to the Smallville show-runners; they write a MUCH better villain than they do a hero!!! But considering this is a story about a HERO'S journey, it's a REAL problem. In the same way Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker overshadowed Christian Bale's Batman in The Dark Knight, both Lex and now Davis and Tess' stories are overshadowing Clark Kent IMO. By the end of Power I was more interested in Tess' journey than Clark's. The fact that I'm wavering between rooting for Clark and Davis in a later showdown is also a HUGE problem. And it's something I feel the show-runners and writers need to take a long, hard look at before they go much further. I'm not saying they should do less with the villains, I'm saying they need to work hard on their HERO. As it was in Power, Tess was darkly compelling and vengeful and brutal and yet easy to understand, while meanwhile, Clark's role in the episode did nothing to make me want to root for him.

Which brings me neatly to Clark. This flip-flopping of attitude while Lana's around may supposedly be confusion on his part. But frankly, it's as annoying as HELL. In Bride he was understandably shocked and hurt by Lana's reappearance, by Legion it was brushed under the table because of bigger things, by Bulletproof it looked like we might have an amicable parting, but then by the end of Bulletproof he doubted/conveniently forgot everything that had happened before and was fondly reminiscing about being fourteen again while he made yet ANOTHER ATTEMPT at getting back with Lana. The start of Power made it look like he'd realized that was a mistake. My god, was that progression I could see?! My hopes for this arc sky-rocketed - albeit briefly. But it didn't last. And the fact it had been dangled under my nose like a goddamn carrot and then snatched away made the conclusion of this episode all the harder to take. Having Clark play catch-up for the remainder of the episode along with the rest of us was understandable, but it was hard to watch. And I wish I could come up with a clear reason why it was so tough without looking into TW's performance and AM's direction as well as the writing, but I don't think I can. There's a saying that you're only ever as good as the material you're given to work with, but I don't believe that in this case. Clark's facial expressions and swift changes from confused to pained to guilty to angry to frustrated were too much, and at times some of the fine lines between emotions were too subtle to differentiate while at others they were so extreme it was like watching two different people. And again I get that this is all supposed to be part of Clark's confused emotional state, but it made the episode choppy for me. As to getting angry with Chloe because she kept secrets? As I said about Oliver in the last episode - HYPOCRITICAL MUCH?! This is the guy who WIPED HER MEMORIES without her knowledge not so long ago talking to the girl who has RISKED HER LIFE and jeopardized her relationship with her husband while KEEPING SECRETS for Clark! I might have bought this two seasons ago, but from the Clark of season eight it SUCKED. That by the end of the episode he'd been once again suckered into an illusion of a relationship with Lana because of a power suit was PATHETIC. In this case the 'suit' does NOT maketh the woman. It's the people underneath who make a relationship work, and even if they hadn't tried this relationship from a hundred different angles with varying degrees of disaster, the fact that they've BOTH changed so much from the two starry eyed teenagers they used to be wouldn't give me faith this relationship could work even if I DIDN'T KNOW Lana will be gone soon. There was a brief moment of doubt before the final kiss, I'll give them that, but just like little kids who know fire burns and continue to put their hands in the flame to see if it hurts, by the end of Power we were right back where we've been time and time and time again ad nausea. As a stand-alone episode I honestly think I would WANT these two to make things work. But I'm not a stand-alone, casual viewer, I'm a long time fan. I've been here before. The fact Clark doesn't seem to have any kind of a learning curve when it comes to Lana after SEVEN YEARS makes me VERY angry. If the spoilers for next weeks episode play out the way I suspect they will, I don't think I can come back from this. And that hurts.

Which brings me back to Lana and the power suit and the conclusion of this episode. They had me on the newly empowered Lana until the second they put her in the suit. From what I understand the word 'suit' is a loose term, as the Smallville version is bonded to her in a new layer of skin. Clever. Very Smallville. I might even have bought into it as a way for Lana to do good and to be stronger and for Clark's fears about her safety to be put at rest. Using it as a way to make them equals and for them to do the horizontal mambo without Lana spontaneously combusting I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. And it's this mythical phoenix rising from the ashes to become a superpowered heroine on a par with Superman I have the biggest gripe with. How MANY TIMES does this show have to denigrate the importance of Clark's role as a hero before SOMEONE realizes the damage it does?!!! And it's why I can understand so many people having a problem with this arc. The almost beautification of Lana in biblical terms at Clark's expense is UNACCEPTABLE. When it was brought home to me all the harder was on a second viewing of that final scene.

And I'm sorry, cos on the whole she did a great job with her directorial debut, but Allison Mack got this last scene COMPLETELY WRONG in my opinion. I don't know what possessed ANYONE to think a kiss between Lana Lang and Clark Kent on the ROOF OF THE DAILY PLANET with an epic shot that panned out to include a goddamn sunset and the freaking DP Globe wasn't a HUGE SLAP IN THE FACE to anyone who has ever loved the Lois Lane and Clark Kent part of the Superman legacy. But more that that, whether it was meant to be reminiscent of a Romeo and Juliet balcony scene, the majority of it was shot with Clark standing ON A LOWER LEVEL TO LANA - LOOKING UP AT HER! Having her standing over him like that with him looking up and with the conclusion of this scene taking a huge step into a relationship we all KNOW isn't going to last was bad enough ending with a kiss ON THE ROOF OF THE DAILY PLANET without such a HUGE and GLARINGLY BAD decision on the part of Allison Mack. Rookie mistake maybe. But putting it into the context of a doctor, a rookie mistake would be overlooking a small line on a x-ray that signifies a fractured leg. - it WOULDN'T be amputating that leg ABOVE THE KNEE. And what it did was add to the deification of this relationship on Smallville. The Clark on a lower level to Lana is a bad enough mistake IMO but them kissing on the roof of the freakin Daily Planet was both deliberate and INSULTING. That scene could have been shot at the Talon or the farm or in the barn or any number of a places Lana Lang fans hold dear. The roof of the Daily Planet was hallowed ground to this Superman fan. And even now, almost twenty-four hours later, it hurts. I can NEVER forgive the showrunners for that.

Will I watch next weeks episode? Not live I won't. And this time it IS a conscious decision. Will I watch it on a re-run or buy it off ITunes? If they do what I think they're going to do, no I won't. And nor will I be the kind of long term Smallville and diehard Superman fan who will mentally block out this arc and forget about it for the sake of the rest of the season.

As a stand-alone episode or as a show that isn't leading up to Clark Kent becoming Superman I might have enjoyed this episode more. But it's not a stand-alone and this IS Clark Kent's journey. So I marked this episode with the worst rating I have ever given any episode of Smallville. I gave it a three. I'd have given more if they hadn't completely disgusted me with the final scene. But it's UNFORGIVABLE. Even if by some MIRACLE they manage to salvage this in the end and have Clark go on to better things.

You FAIL on this one PS3. You fail BIG TIME.

[STFanatic]

I just had a thought.. (yeah it was painful)..

If the suit is bonded to her skin, how will she ... ummm ... go to the bathroom? :eek:

[carlralph]

I hadn't seem SM in a couple of weeks, so I didn't know Jimmy was in the hospital somewhere else, so, yeah, double yeah, having Chloe la-de-dahing around is awful, again, the worst thing Smallville does, which is ignore character logic in order to tell the story they want to tell. (If my wife were somewhere else while I was recuperating, we would have some words, yes we would.)

As for Lana having powers, and Clark and Lana going round and round, I know this is a longstanding horror for a lot of viewers, but, again, in the comics--the REAL continuity and canon--Clark and Lana still swing into each others' lives from time to time, and there is still some sense of affection/love, even though Clark and Lois are happily married. We have to accept that Lana is one of the evergreen characters in the Superman mythos and she's not going to go away.

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


I just had a thought.. (yeah it was painful)..

If the suit is bonded to her skin, how will she ... ummm ... go to the bathroom? :eek:

The way I saw it, the process nano-somethinged Lana's skin, but the suit is separate...it's something she puts on and the suit plus the nano-skin give her the powers. I don't think the suit is glued to her.

[HeartChakraBabe]

Fair enough. If I think about the writing, it did a lot of what Smallville does at its worse...lots and lots and lots of exposition in dialogue scenes, unlikely connections made by characters so that they can get to the next beat in the story (or save the day in the nick of the time) and over-write Chloe with too much witty word play. Granted, Chloe is a wordsmith, but her linguistic acrobatics sometimes start to sound like Doctor Smith scolding the Robot in Lost in Space...still, the direction was above fine, and a cut above the original material. (Oh, I don't have the hate/hate relationship with Lana that so many do. My daughter and I were commenting last night about how far all pink and frills Lana has come in eight years.)

I'm not familiar with this Doctor Smith, but I can agree that they do sometimes give Chloe too much witty word play, even though I usually think it's funny, and I'm a huge fan of Chloe (which makes me biased, I guess :lol:)

Lana has come far (and mostly for the better) since the early seasons. When I said 'Lana-Lovefest' perhaps I should have said 'Clana-Lovefest', because the drawn-out drama there is what frustrates me most. I can deal with, even like, Lana by herself, but when they get Clark and Lana in the same room and they're reduced to acting like lovestruck teenagers, I have a serious problem with it. And as I said in one of my earlier posts, I'm all for Lana being strong, but there's a line between being strong and being overdone, and IMO they just crossed that line in "Power". Unless they turn this around with an excellent storyline next week to explain it, there's no excuse. They could have done something interesting with Lana without giving her super-powers.

[LuckyLois]

Annie I for one totally agree with you, and Steve you make a good point!:lol:

I feel like Clark was back in season 4 with Alicia. Mom, I can finally be with someone who understands what it is like to be different.

Honey, with Lois Lane she will make you embrace being different not want to run away from being different!

Wow this episode really brought out the newbies!!! Welcome, we are usually not so riled up!

I wish I could hear how TW felt about this episode and his characters decline!

[9-SOSIHTWB]

It wasn't terrible!!!!!!!!!
I gave it 9/10!
The only thing I didn't like was the ending!!

[thehenry89]

Great post Annie

as a cloiser I felt disrespected when they had lana and clark kiss on the DP roof. As a superman fan I was upset with lana being put above him.

[tyson08]

PS3 has disappointed me. I thought they were going to take Smallville into a new light and a new direction. They have really taken things back down the ugly route it's been in for the last seven years.

[stenochick]

I just had a thought.. (yeah it was painful)..

If the suit is bonded to her skin, how will she ... ummm ... go to the bathroom? :eek:

That is now one of her superpowers.

[ims001]

PS3 has disappointed me. I thought they were going to take Smallville into a new light and a new direction. They have really taken things back down the ugly route it's been in for the last seven years.

Worse, they actually took it down that new road for a ways before cutting back to the same old pothole filled path we've been down before.

[La Donna]

Croweyes1121 wrote:

I think this earlier comment I read really sums up what I think the problem is with people:

"If this were my first introduction to the series, I would have loved it".

So that says to me that the show was well-executed, but it just didn't take the story where that person particularly *wanted* it to go. But the thing is, that's not up to us. As fans, our function is to go along for the ride on which this show is taking us. We may agree or disagree with this plot thread or that, but as long as the ride is well-executed, you won't see me having a problem. To me, there's a world of difference in saying "I don't like the Clark / Lana dynamic right now and I really hope Requiem resolves this in a good way" and "worst episode ever, this show has jumped the shark and has sucked since Bride". The first comment is constructive criticism. The second is general show bashing. I come here for the former, not the latter. In my opinion, you just have to decide what kind of person you are:

1. A person who watches a well-executed show and trusts the writers to get the story where it's supposed to go in the end.

2. A person who writes television shows.

My problem with these boards lately is that they're becoming more and more show bashing and less and less constructive comments. And to the previous poster who said saying "don't watch if you don't like it" was against the rules, I'd like to point out that I never said that. I just asked why anyone WOULD watch if they despised it so much. And it's a valid question, I think. Anyway, that's my two cents.

The thing is, we don't think it was well executed. It's good for you that you thought that, but most of us don't. It's not that we just hate where they are leading us because we are tainted by our likes and dislikes of this show. It's also that within their own narrative, they've gone in a direction that makes no sense and takes the characters down. That's our big problem.


Promise wrote:

CLANA CLANA CLANA!!!

So sad that people can't understand that this is Smallville, its not about Lois and Clark. Enjoy the beginnings. Smallville has been on for 8yrs, that says a lot. But this board is funny though, if it was Lois in the suit, trust me, everyone would love PS3, but now they suck, but on 3/5/09, they will be loved, wow. That's funny.

If anything, to be honest, the Clois in S8 was being rushed anyways.

Anyways, I love the episode, love how things were tied up, at first I didn't know, but it was all about the suit. Now if Lex was still on Smallville, then Lex will be known as Super Lex, I wonder what the ratings on this site would be then? So sad that people are caught up in there shipper vs watching an episode, a lot happened. Either way I'm enjoying seeing the last of my Clana because it deserves a proper ending. The passion is back, love the Kiss on the Daily Planet, with the sun light, and that makes another mark in Superman history that Lana was on the roof with Clark before Lois.Good job AM in directing.


So is the consensus here that those of us who didn't like the episode are blinded by our Clois, Chlark, Clex, Superman love, and so we couldn't see a good story with Lana in it if it bit us in our a**? Is it also the consensus that the self-described Clana fans who loved the episode are merely able to see the actual episode for what it was, without blinders or bias, and are so commenting on the true and accurate audience reaction? If so, I strongly disagree and find myself quite offended.


stenochick wrote:

For me, it all boils down to this: When Lana is in Clark's life, the needle on his moral compass spins erratically instead of pointing due north.

For Superman, that is deadlier than kryptonite.

If the writers can put even one line in Clark's mouth about him coming to this realization, all will be right in the world.

I agree. It's Lana's affect on Clark that makes it so hard to bear.

It's not as though Lana as a character has failed and failed and failed at every level, because it hasn't continually failed. But the way they use her and change her does not endear her to the majority of fans, because it's hard to get behind a character that has behaved and journeyed in such a way. But mostly, it's how Clark reacts to her. We were all hoping that Clark would be able to be mature with or without Lana. It sucks big time that this story arc is showing us that the only way Clark can be mature is if they take Lana out of the show. That sucks big time! We want mature Clark, even if it meant Lana and Clark had some smooches during this arc. The problem is that when Clark's around Lana, he doesn't come off as Superman. That's the problem.

BAMAGIRL wrote:

This is my first post, but I'm a long time lurker on this board. I have been a rabid fan since the pilot.

I have been bragging to my friends and relatives about season 8, trying to get them to start watching again. Most of them got bored and quit years ago. I assured them that Clana was finally over and Clark was moving forward and becoming Superman. After last the last two epidsoes, I feel like such a fool.

Never in the last 8 years have I felt so disappointed. I will continue to watch, because I am not quite ready to throw in the towel on a show I have invested 8 years in. I just hope it gets better.

Welcome! It's the same with me. I've tried to get a couple other people to start watching again, or start for the first time. I'm glad they didn't listen, so they don't have to go through this!

I'd like to add that most people are not saying that this show shouldn't have offered us some sort of explanation for Lana's past seven months. I'd go so far as to say most of us wanted an explanation and a tie up to all of the loose ends from season 7. We also mostly wanted a Clana closure that made both Lana and Clark look mature and show the friendship that should have developed before this point. It's the story idea they came up with to cover those points that we have a problem with.

Come to think of it, I wonder if this story was originally intended to be Al/Miles dream ending of the series? That was a pretty epic last scene. It would follow the setup that Al/Miles created, of Lana being Clark's true love and that Lana is all Clark ever wants. They would have found a way to keep them together, and that was going to be their take on the Superman story. I don't seriously think that they would have written that or planned that, as DC wouldn't have approved it (or maybe they would, after last night I've got to question who at DC is making the decisions;)), but this could be their dream scenario for Clark. In fact, Clark came out and said it's his dream!

There are so many people who've posted on this thread for the first time, and they've joined up and delurked because of how disappointing this episode was. And those aren't just Lois fans/Clois fans/Chloe fans/Clark fans/etc. There are all sorts of fans who found this episode to be an unwelcome disappointment.


Marfeic2011 wrote:

I love your reviews - and you hit the nail on the head with this one, I feel your pain & I already decided not to watch anymore, I might check out the reviews next week before deciding whether or not to watch it, but if they force them apart - thats definately it for me, no more... such a waste of a good season huh?

That's very nice of you to say! Thank you!! I feel the same way. I have a morbid curiosity as to how the next episode actually goes. But, I don't think I can watch it. I feel like there is a 0.00001% chance that they could flip everything around, and have Clark realize that Lana's not for him before Lana has her "situation" that forces them apart. But, KK did say that Lana had a hero's sendoff, and I don't see Clark all of sudden realizing that Lana's not for him in the same episode that gives us Lana's hero's sendoff. Especially considering next weeks preview.

If next week gives us a Lana who is Kryptonite infected and thus her and Clark cannot physically be around each other which is what forces them apart, then Clark logically wouldn't just move on to Lois. He would spend every single freaking day trying to reverse what happened to Lana. Hell, this Clark would use every crystal in the fortress, his Legion ring, and money he'd steal from a bank to find a way to change the situation so that he and Lana can be together. Remember, from Clark's words, IT'S ALL HE'S EVER WANTED, HE WANTS IT MORE THAN ANYTHING, HE'S LIVING THE DREAM WITH LANA.

I don't see that Clark saying "Wow, that sucks Lana that we can't do it anymore. I guess you can go live in a different place with your hot little krypto-bod and I'll just stick around here. It was great while it lasted. Well, okay it wasn't great very often, but when it was great, it was blind bliss beyond reason. But, the thing is that I needs to get me some, and since you and I can't really rock the town anymore, I have to go to my number two lady, Lois. I'll see if that army training can help us out in the sack. Best of luck and all that!".

No, no. This Clark, this Lana obsessed Clark, would spend the rest of his existence trying to "heal" Lana so that they can be together. Logically, I mean, this Clark would do that. I'm not saying they are going to go that route, but how they've written this Clark it's impossible to believe that he would just move on to Lois in the next episode. It doesn't make sense. I guess that's the problem, that I expect TV shows to make sense within their own story...

[Poweranimals]

152 1's? Are you serious? Wow! I didn't realize there were that many Lana haters.

[diinIN]

PS3 has disappointed me. I thought they were going to take Smallville into a new light and a new direction. They have really taken things back down the ugly route it's been in for the last seven years.


This season has rocked, IMO. The only thing that has ruined it is Clana. As soon as she's gone, they can get back on track again.

Don't judge the whole season by two or three episodes. Every year has its lemons. The good news is, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel, after the next episode when she is gone!

I'm glad the ratings were higher than we expected, and of course it's because of Allison's directing debut, but I want success for this show, no matter how bad last night was.

[Marfeic2011]

I was so disappointed by this episode & by the previews coming out for next week that I started a thread elsewhere (under general smallville discussion) to encourage everyone to email the cw & the writers/producers of the show & express all this directly to them - unfortunately I don't have very good contact info & this is all I have:

http://www.cwtv.com/feedback/comments
smallville@talk.thewb.com

If next week is going the direction the previews indicate than its a nail in the coffin for many of us, based on the feedback given here, so our only hope of salvaging the show is to speak up. Of course I don't actually think it will change anything but it sure makes me feel better & my conscience is clean about throwing the towel in...

i think they need to be hearing all this - does anyone else know better contact info?

[ims001]

152 1's? Are you serious? Wow! I didn't realize there were that many Lana haters.


Only 52 10's? Are you serious? Wow! I didn't realize there were that few Lana lovers.

[WELLINGWIFE#2]

I Personally thought last season was not as good as this season ..I'm loving PS3 ..I think the new direction of the show is alot better .. MY ONLY GRIPE is the SHIPS ..GET RID OF THEM ALL and concentrate on Clark becoming supes already for the love of Tom..geesh..they killed the only SHIP that matter to me Chelby ..(and i mean the loving ship between a man (Clark) and his dog (Shelby) and not the perverted kind) So I dont care for any ships anymore..WAAAAAAAA!!!!! Kill them all .WAAAAAAAA I want my Chelby.To the new powers that be: Please KILL ALL THE SHIPS ..Can't u see how you are dividing the world (well at least in the boards) ...WE want PEACE and LOVE man eh men! KILL THEM ALL!! Just keep Clark!!!! CAN"T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!

[Poweranimals]

I was so disappointed by this episode & by the previews coming out for next week that I started a thread elsewhere (under general smallville discussion) to encourage everyone to email the cw & the writers/producers of the show & express all this directly to them - unfortunately I don't have very good contact info & this is all I have:

http://www.cwtv.com/feedback/comments
smallville@talk.thewb.com

If next week is going the direction the previews indicate than its a nail in the coffin for many of us, based on the feedback given here, so our only hope of salvaging the show is to speak up. Of course I don't actually think it will change anything but it sure makes me feel better & my conscience is clean about throwing the towel in...

i think they need to be hearing all this - does anyone else know better contact info?

I highly advise against this. Chances of a ninth season are already up in the air.

----- Added 2 Minutes later -----


Only 52 10's? Are you serious? Wow! I didn't realize there were that few Lana lovers.

You just know that if it was Lois instead, all the comments would say stuff like, "OMG! This iz da bestest epi-sode EVAR!!!!!111 PS3 I LUV U! Mary Me!!!1"

[ginevrakent]

152 1's? Are you serious? Wow! I didn't realize there were that many Lana haters.

Personally, I don't hate Lana. I rated this episode a 1 for one reason: the last shot on the DP roof. This has nothing to do with the characters, but the writers who were under the misguided impression that they could take that piece of Superman canon and crap on it.

If anything, I hate Clark for being fickle. He doesn't seem to know his mind from day to day. I also don't understand how he could possibly just forget all of the negative aspects of his relationship with Lana. What makes either of them think that this time things will work out?

----- Added 4 Minutes later -----


You just know that if it was Lois instead, all the comments would say stuff like, "OMG! This iz da bestest epi-sode EVAR!!!!!111 PS3 I LUV U! Mary Me!!!1"

First of all, Lois would never want superpowers. She can be Clark's equal and opposite without any biological enhancements.

Second of all, of course Lois fans would feel differently if Lois had kissed Clark on the DP roof. That is their special place. It features in every movie and comic. It belongs to them.

How does the DP roof fit Clana? Wouldn't it have made more sense to have them kiss in the barn or underneath their picnic tree? Why the DP roof?

[cloisthelegendbegins]

You just know that if it was Lois instead, all the comments would say stuff like, "OMG! This iz da bestest epi-sode EVAR!!!!!111 PS3 I LUV U! Mary Me!!!1"

And then there are those of us who left HIGH SCHOOL a long time ago and don't appreciate the sweeping generalization.

[vyperman7]

Hated this episode!! I don't remember the last time an episode made me so upset. Now, I don't feel like it was the worst episode ever. Nothing is worse than Ageless. However, I hate this episode for the fact that there was so much regression.

Things I especially hated :

. SuperLana - Are you kidding me? "Now we are equals" - This line really pissed me off. The whole bit with the suit sucks because it totally steps over Clark donning the suit down the road. I can't believe the writers are so obsessed with Lana that they would have to put her on the same level as Clark.

. Romantic Clana in full force - Jeez. That makes two kisses in two weeks. The second one being on the roof of the DP no less. Totally insulting to Clois and cannon overall. How are we supposed to take any feelings that Clark says he has for Lois seriously? Lana only came back for 5 episodes. So why use that time to resurrect Clana and then shut it down when she leaves? I couldn't believe next week's trailer where you hear Clark say "We can still be together". Makes me want to puke. They should have had Lana come back, and when she suggests getting back together, Clark says that he had moved on and that he had feelings for Lois. Then Lana's story is brought to a close over the next four eps, and she helps Clark deal with Lois. Even down to the very end they shove Clana in our faces. What everyone wants, is the one thing we have never seen - Clark being the one to end things because he has moved on. Hypnotic doesn't count because he still wanted to be with her. However, once again the writers have shown that they love to have Lana lead Clark around by his d..k.

. Chloe coaching Clark towards Clana. The previous week Chloe is telling Clark not to hurt Lois, and the next week she is telling Clark to go to Lana and tell her his feelings? Makes absolutely no sense. Everything that they did in the past few episodes, completely over-rode everything Clois that happened this season.

I did think that the writers did a decent job with the explanation of how Lana was really kidnapped, etc.. However, the fact that they are still pushing Clana so hard and that they made Lana into a superpowered person donning a suit before Clark makes me extremely upset. Terrible episode overall.

[Kalista]

Second of all, of course Lois fans would feel differently if Lois had kissed Clark on the DP roof. That is their special place. It features in every movie and comic. It belongs to them.

How does the DP roof fit Clana? Wouldn't it have made more sense to have them kiss in the barn or underneath their picnic tree? Why the DP roof?

That's a good point. I do feel that certain things should be left alone and not rehashed by other characters.

[La Donna]

Annie, great great great post. I think you've summed up a lot of our feelings. Thank you for taking the time to so eloquently speak on our behalf:)

[Super Maverick]

worst of the season so far

[Kuzz]

Why does everyone keep speaking about the PS3?

[carlralph]

152 1's? Are you serious? Wow! I didn't realize there were that many Lana haters.

That's what I'm sayin', I would hate for Allison Mack to see these numbers and thing she totally bombed in her first spin in the director's chair. Here it is, direct to you Allison -- you did a fantastic job! Don't let the Lana haters and the serial cynics (a little alliteration, just for you) get you down!

Your pal, and Superman's too,

JO

(ooh, unfortunate initials)

[SVfan87]

i just wanna know: what's going on with doomsday? that story was developing really nicely. davis had huge presence on the screen and i miss that. who's the villain this year- doomz or lex? there are way too many things going on at once on this show right now.

[ginevrakent]

That's a good point. I do feel that certain things should be left alone and not rehashed by other characters.

Great, another SWF dig.

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


That's what I'm sayin', I would hate for Allison Mack to see these numbers and thing she totally bombed in her first spin in the director's chair. Here it is, direct to you Allison -- you did a fantastic job! Don't let the Lana haters and the serial cynics (a little alliteration, just for you) get you down!

Your pal, and Superman's too,

JO

(ooh, unfortunate initials)


Just for reference, I loved Allison's directing debut. I thought she did great. Still, hated the episode.

[cloisthelegendbegins]

Why does everyone keep speaking about the PS3?

They're the show-runners - Peterson, Slavkin, Swimmer and Souders - P + S3

[ims001]

That's what I'm sayin', I would hate for Allison Mack to see these numbers and thing she totally bombed in her first spin in the director's chair. Here it is, direct to you Allison -- you did a fantastic job! Don't let the Lana haters and the serial cynics (a little alliteration, just for you) get you down!


I wonder how many people feel the same way you do?
Quite a few, I'd wager, considering how popular Allison is here.
But that does make me wonder, just how low would the ratings here be, if not for those inflating their score to spare Ms. Mack's feelings?

[Kuzz]

Ahh i see thanks for that :) well they definatly need to sort it out with this whole clana thing getting really annoying now! Like i keep saying kill of lana get her out of there, make chloe leave or kill her off get lois back with clark, get lex back on the show make clark fly, end the series! Everyones happy! :)

[red_sun1938]

Power = EPIC FAIL

[Celestx88]

This is my first post, but I'm a long time lurker on this board. I have been a rabid fan since the pilot.

I have been bragging to my friends and relatives about season 8, trying to get them to start watching again. Most of them got bored and quit years ago. I assured them that Clana was finally over and Clark was moving forward and becoming Superman. After last the last two epidsoes, I feel like such a fool.

Never in the last 8 years have I felt so disappointed. I will continue to watch, because I am not quite ready to throw in the towel on a show I have invested 8 years in. I just hope it gets better.



lmao i share your story...my sisters who were loving season 8 just gave up because of the return of Lana (even if it is for just 5 episodes!) Still try to convince them that the dull lana will be gone!

I make fun of their fav shows like gossip girl and 90210 because its full of that cheesy soap opera teen relationship issues and now they r just poking fun at smallville because the clana thing is getting boring.....really..really.....reallllly boring lol

[SandyV]

Wow 23 pages. Because I am so into SV, my mom has been watching past episodes. She has not been watching all the episodes, just the ones I like and think are important to the overall story. Which means 2/3 of the episodes aproximatly. I went into her room after watching Power and said "You are not going to see that one..."

I think why so many people are disapointed is because PS3 has done so well with this current season. It is hard to watch Clark slip back into being passive to Lana. If Clark would not be following Lana around like a puppy looking for treats, the reaction would be different.

It is not about being a Lana hater, I found it interesting to see what happened to Lana in the last seven months. But Clark should have maintained his integrity. I felt he lost that in the last scene. Just my opinion.

[cloisthelegendbegins]

I just had a thought.. (yeah it was painful)..

If the suit is bonded to her skin, how will she ... ummm ... go to the bathroom? :eek:

:lol: I would assume the same way Superman/Clark Kent does?


Annie I for one totally agree with you, and Steve you make a good point!:lol:

I feel like Clark was back in season 4 with Alicia. Mom, I can finally be with someone who understands what it is like to be different.

Honey, with Lois Lane she will make you embrace being different not want to run away from being different!

Wow this episode really brought out the newbies!!! Welcome, we are usually not so riled up!

I wish I could hear how TW felt about this episode and his characters decline!


Great post Annie

as a cloiser I felt disrespected when they had lana and clark kiss on the DP roof. As a superman fan I was upset with lana being put above him.


Annie, great great great post. I think you've summed up a lot of our feelings. Thank you for taking the time to so eloquently speak on our behalf:)

Thanks guys.

[carlralph]

I wonder how many people feel the same way you do?
Quite a few, I'd wager, considering how popular Allison is here.
But that does make me wonder, just how low would the ratings here be, if not for those inflating their score to spare Ms. Mack's feelings?

I am not saying this to spare her feelings. She demonstrated skill and talent, the episode benefited from it, and that is worth making part of the record.

[vdodirector]

Noooo! Say it isn't so. I registered today just so I could post about this episode. I was watching thinking "please don't give lana super powers, please don't give lana super powers", but I knew where they were headed with it. I'm with most here, I hated the episode, and I am a HUGE Smallville fan. Isn't Clark supposed to be the hero of this story? Lana, super powers? Nooooo!

[ims001]

I am not saying this to spare her feelings. She demonstrated skill and talent, the episode benefited from it, and that is worth making part of the record.

Still, I have to wonder how many other AM fans rated this episode higher than they would have if the exact same episode had been made by a different Director (or if AM Directed it, but it wasn't known that she did)?

[ZODisGOD]

I Personally thought last season was not as good as this season ..I'm loving PS3 ..I think the new direction of the show is alot better .. MY ONLY GRIPE is the SHIPS ..GET RID OF THEM ALL and concentrate on Clark becoming supes already for the love of Tom..geesh..they killed the only SHIP that matter to me Chelby ..(and i mean the loving ship between a man (Clark) and his dog (Shelby) and not the perverted kind) So I dont care for any ships anymore..WAAAAAAAA!!!!! Kill them all .WAAAAAAAA I want my Chelby.To the new powers that be: Please KILL ALL THE SHIPS ..Can't u see how you are dividing the world (well at least in the boards) ...WE want PEACE and LOVE man eh men! KILL THEM ALL!! Just keep Clark!!!! CAN"T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!

wow. it's like you're me. will u be my bff? hehe

[virginie]

i think it's the first time that the majority of people vote for 1/10... this episode and all lana episode except for bride and maybe legion is all going to put the season down... season 8 was like the best season since the begging of the show because there was no Lana and maybe no Lex but what is the problem it all started so well and now...
:(:( im sad...

[La Donna]

By reading the posts on this site, it would be rated much lower had another director tackled it. A lot of people gave a few points or more because they thought AM did such a great job with what she was given. It may have a little to do with us liking AM, but I think it mostly came from being impressed with her directing, despite having deep disappointment with the story and showrunners. That tells me that in any other random director's hand, it would have gotten less. They could have gotten another director that did well with the direction, but part of it was the merit earned by AM for this being her first time out of the park.

[cma_454]

Currently, those rating Power at 3 or less = 51.96%.
Those rating Power at 8 or more = 24.75%.

Whatever the reasons, this is not good.

In searching through the 'Loved it? Hated it?' threads for past episodes, I can't find another episode that comes close to that.

[vdodirector]

I didn't know Alison directed it until I read in this thread. I'm a fan of hers too, but there isn't a direct correlation between directing and writing. Directing was good, I just don't like the direction the series is going.

[ticker]

I have to give credit where credit is due.

Artistic-wise this episode was very good. The directing (from Alison) was excelent and finally we got some answers. The script was well put together and it all kinna' makes sense..

The acting was as well top notch.

I don't get it why there were so many bad marks. It hasn't been the worst episode ever... I gave it a 9, although I'm a die-hard Clois fan. I hated all the Clana, but it will be over soon. I am not obtuse and I can't give the episode less just because of all the Clana.

Clois-wise we did get some hints. Also Clark got to open his eyes a bit in this episode and this gave ma a good feeling for the future.

[Marfeic2011]

Annie, great great great post. I think you've summed up a lot of our feelings. Thank you for taking the time to so eloquently speak on our behalf:)

Yes thank you annie for taking the time - very balanced review & I hope all those people who think our negative feelings after last night are just based on our ship or because we hate lana will read your post because it very clearly spells out that there is alot more to it than that - :)

[ChaosMaster16]

Great, another SWF dig.

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




Just for reference, I loved Allison's directing debut. I thought she did great. Still, hated the episode.


Why? I think it was really good. Why?

1. The whole show basically told us what happened from Season 7 when Lana left until now. I think it is really good how they incorperated Tess into the flashback.

2. With it being all about Lana, I think the Clark/Tess storyline was amazing.

3. The action was good, and Lana getting powers is . . . Only for one more episode.

5. Lex is back next episode!!

I think after bulletproof, which was okay, Power was amazing.

[jrobins75]

Loved It! I think this would have been a great way to end the Smallville series. But then again I hate Lois and want Clark to be with Lana. It is so nice she is not mopy all the time anymore.

[redRound]

What in gods name was that!!! I can't believe what I'm watching. It's like the writers have gone mad!! [mod edit] . I was actually looking forward to Lana's storyline, I hoped they'd give her a good send off, (for Kristin's sake if nothing else), but instead we got this farcical rubbish.

1/10

[kryptoniankilla]

A super powered Lana??? AGAIN??? Really??? She should have never come back period. I thought we were passed her.

[WELLINGWIFE#2]

it's quite comical to me how some people get all wrap up on their Ships..I;m not saying everyone here is but some are ..After seeing the extended trailer for next week's epi....I can't wait to read what people gripe about next week..that epi might give both clois and clana fans a massive attack..who cares about the epi I can't wait to read the boards next thursday..:)

----- Added 7 Minutes later -----


wow. it's like you're me. will u be my bff? hehe

:lol: well as long as you support my CHELBY ship then YES we can be BFFs!!:D

[Jack-El49]

Lana will choose her new-found power over being with Clark next week and it will open his eyes and he'll take Clana to the curb in a big garbage bin, where it belonged four years ago. I think this episode was absolutely ridiculous as a setup to ending Clana.

I would have preferred Lana destroy the suit, decide that being a force for good in the world did not require her to be superpowered and that she could have left to expand the Isis Foundation elsewhere.

[Mad Madam Mimm]

I gave it a 5/10. Not the best, not the worst that I have seen. I am amazed at the vitrolic sentiments being spewed on the message boards and sad to see that so many are giving up on SV.

I liked Allison's directing, I liked the Tess storyline. Not sure where they are going with the Lana arc, but reserving judgment for now. I was very optimistic following the opening scene between Clark and Chloe, but felt that flag with the ending shot on the roof of the DP. At first I was like, "Whoa people! Boundary Violation!!" But then I started to think about it more and I decided I liked the shot and thought that it was meant to convey a great deal. The way it started with Lana standing above Clark and Clark coming up to her (they looked surprisingly even in height so we know Kristen was standing on like a ladder or something!) Then it panned back with the sun rising in the background and Metropolis at their feet. Made me think it was a new beginning, the era of Clark and Lana who are out to save the world together. I fell full-force into the fantasy for a moment, just as Clark surely did.

Now I am eagerly anticipating the shattering of that new beginning. Come on folks, the name of the next ep is "Requiem" so that tells me that either their new beginning is going to metaphorically die, or maybe we will see Lana go out in flames. That would be a great send-off. Mind you, I like Lana. I think she has been an interesting character over the series. She has struggled, she has given in to her darker side, and fought to redeem herself. (Though I still regret that Clark never found out about her killing Genevieve Teague.) I hope she goes out big and PS3 earns redemption in the eyes of all those who are so vocally disappointed by the Lana arc.

As for Clark, who can blame the guy for wanting to fall back in to a familiar, safe little world - especially when you add the incentive of a Lana/Promethius who can share his world in a way no one else can (anyone recall his connection with FTW Alicia? Same thing. Connection in a way he has with no one else, not even Lois.) I cannot blame him. He is an optimist, in the extreme, and no matter what the subject always wants to believe in the most positive outcome. Of COURSE he is going to fall into that pothole. The real meat of the matter lies in how he extricates himself. (One big con for me was the Dear John DVD being forced at gunpoint. I would have liked it if she left of her own accord and went off to train - still would have worked for me.)

I for one am not disappointed, I am intrigued. I am hooked like a fat fish on a chewy metal-spiked worm. I cannot wait for more.

BTW The opening scene solves the much-debated question of the look exchanged between Clark and Lana at the end of "Bulletproof" He obviously regretted the kiss and felt that it was the wrong thing to do (ahem, LOIS!).

[Hippolyta]

I gave it 2/10.

I thought it was well-directed (kudos to Allison Mack). I thought Tess was given depth and is suddenly an extremely interesting character.

All the rest? Awful. I don't see how anyone can think that 35 minutes of Lana thirsting for power/people could ever be entertaining. I thought we'd left all this behind. Why does this episode feel like it belongs in season 7?

Without a doubt the worst episode of the season. Toxic was pretty bad but this one is terrible- plot wise. I'm sick of Lana-the-saint.

Also, did anyone else pick up on a touch of the Tess/Lana UST? Beecause THAT would've been better than flogging the dead horse that is Clana.

[La Donna]

I don't consider myself a big shipper, but it doesn't make sense to cut out all shipper talk and discussion when this show makes 95% of it's story about love angst. Everything on this show, unfortunately, ties to it. DD's here, yaaaaaaaa, he's wrapped up in love with Chloe. Green Arrow's here, yaaaaaaaaa, he's mainly a love interest to Lois. Lex is becoming the ultimate villain, yaaaaaaaaa, his time and energy is spent wrapped up in obtaining Lana. Clark is going to save the world, yaaaaaa, yet his growing romance with Lois is a huge arc for season 8. Clark's focus might move to saving the world, yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Lana returns and Clark's focus becomes Lana. I'm not saying this is the major downfall of the show, but it is there, and there's no point trying to pretend it has no affect on the plots and characters.

People can say all they want "shippers hate", "shippers are biased", "let's keep shipping out of this", "do a review without any ship talk", etc., but that's not going to erase what is often the focus of the episode, or the angst obsessed writers constant attempt to insert drama in the most ridiculous of circumstances.

[DavidM2]

^ Yes, I would dislike it; we've already had multiple episodes where people get Clarke's powers, and it doesn't matter if it's Lana or not. I personally didn't like the storyline.
And I admit, I am a fan of Clois, but her absence didn't make me hate the episode. I just don't understand why PS3 brought Lana back and have all of this stuff happen (powers, hooking back up with Clark) when she is leaving after the next episode. KK deserves a decent farewell, but it all seems too far-fetched for me.

[ozmette]

this was to first time i ever gave an epi a 1. i never intend to watch this episode again - that is saying a lot since i've watched every epi of sv several times. i have invested too many years in this series to jump the ship now. i will stay the course and watch to the end. but today i'm sad and very disappointed. after a great first half of the season, where it really looked like clark was embracing his destiny, i feel like i've been punched in the gut. i am very rarely compelled to express my opinion on the boards but this episode left me so frustrated that i had to get the words out.

[cloisthelegendbegins]

Yes thank you annie for taking the time - very balanced review & I hope all those people who think our negative feelings after last night are just based on our ship or because we hate lana will read your post because it very clearly spells out that there is alot more to it than that - :)

No problem ;) It's part of the reason why I never post a review before I've watched the episode a couple of times. The first viewing can have a gut level reaction. Unfortunately with this episode my reaction didn't improve much. But it was several things for me.

[jobookjunkie]

I was furious the first time I posted on here. So just to make sure that I wasn't being biased, or a "shipper" *shudder*, I watched 'Power' for the second time. Against my better judgement, I might add, but my brother was so shocked that I hated this episode so much he insisted I watch it over.

I was right. It's terrible. Just to be clear, I like Lana and have defended her on many occasions. I am primarily a Superman/Clark Kent fan, which is why I tuned into Smallville in the first place. At the moment, however, I am a very disappointed Superman/Clark Kent fan.

*sighs*

P.S. Annie, you did it again and read my mind. I have never been so sorry to be right about something.

[sarcami]

Loved? Hate? I'm too stunned right now to give an apt emotion. At the end of Requiem I will give my views.

[ginevrakent]

Why? I think it was really good. Why?

1. The whole show basically told us what happened from Season 7 when Lana left until now. I think it is really good how they incorperated Tess into the flashback.

2. With it being all about Lana, I think the Clark/Tess storyline was amazing.

3. The action was good, and Lana getting powers is . . . Only for one more episode.

5. Lex is back next episode!!

I think after bulletproof, which was okay, Power was amazing.

I orginally wrote a much longer response, but for some odd reason it didn't go through properly. However, having just read the IGN review of Power I thought I would quote this part of it because it expresses some of my sentiments:


That's the problem with Lana Lang. We've spent seven years watching a girl grow into a woman and throughout all that time her motivations have never been clear. She's what the story needs her to be in that season and never really driven by any sort of character arc. Sometimes she's a witch, sometimes she's in love with Clark and sometimes she's in love with Lex. She's left Smallville more than once with the intention of not returning, yet she always finds her way back home.

Lana Lang is supposed to be Clark's anchor and just a couple of episodes ago we saw just that. In an insane world of super humans, Lana is a reminder of why he fights for humanity. Instead, "Power" presents a woman who is blinded by her need for artificial strength. She could never be Clark's anchor because she doesn't have any real strength of her own. What's worse is that Clark, someone who has developed so much over the course of the season, is blinded by this and succumbs to his lust/love for Lana. I'd hoped by now that Clark would see right through Lana's motivations and notice that while she wants to help others, she's really just crying for help. Sadly he doesn't, and that schoolboy crush rears its ugly head. I thought we left puppy-dog eyed Clark behind last season. That's what troubles me about Lana most; it's not as much what the writers do with her character, but how they let her affect Clark.

In Plastique, Clark commended Davis by saying guys like him, an EMT, were the real heroes. I had hoped that Lana would return with an inner strength and altruism directed towards helping people--not with superpowers that allow her to be fast, strong, invulnerable, but with the wisdom of her experiences. She could have helped orphans or victims of abuse, for example. Instead, whatever admirable direction from AM, great acting, and awesome action scenes were in this episode served only to develop a story that, in my view, makes every character look bad. Moreover, the use of the iconic DP shot for a Clana kiss and the revival of the Clana romance has tarnished an important mythos image as well as mythos relationship. Lois Lane deserves better than this Clark and Superman deserves a better prequel than Smallville.

Right now I feel as if irreparable damage has been done. I'll continue to watch the show, but I don't think it'll ever be the same to me again. Perhaps, just maybe, they can pull off a miracle in the remaining episodes and a possible ninth season, but the former faith I had is gone.

[drvr8]

Mack did a commendable job given the crappy script to work with, however, the entire episode felt like a Scooby Doo ending where all the plot lines are weaved together and then everything feels wrapped up at the end. Clark felt like a pinball being bounced around from puzzle piece to puzzle piece.

[Marfeic2011]

[quote=WELLINGWIFE#2;4402474]who cares about the epi I can't wait to read the boards next thursday..:)

----- Added 7 Minutes later -----

Actually I wish I had found this forum years ago - I am having more fun discussing the show than I have had watching it these last few months... thanks everyone for your passion - regardless of where you stand...

I'll come straight here next week rather tahn watch the show I think :)

[WELLINGWIFE#2]

[quote=WELLINGWIFE#2;4402474]who cares about the epi I can't wait to read the boards next thursday..:)

----- Added 7 Minutes later -----

Actually I wish I had found this forum years ago - I am having more fun discussing the show than I have had watching it these last few months... thanks everyone for your passion - regardless of where you stand...

I'll come straight here next week rather tahn watch the show I think :)

You are right too..even though people's opinions vary, you gotta appreciate the passion that they have for the show, ship or character.

[HeartChakraBabe]

[quote=Marfeic2011;4402752]

You are right too..even though people's opinions vary, you gotta appreciate the passion that they have for the show, ship or character.

Absolutely! ITA :D

[monel49]

I've plowed through most of these posts and we ought to make one distinction. The criticism of this episode is not the usual whining of those who simply hate the show. I've loved every episode this year; so have many. But those of us who think that the show jumped the shark with lana's powers or just plain reeked as an episode should be able to criticize this less than stellar entry into the SV canon. I've had a night to sleep on it, and the episode is still unbearably bad. I usually see these episodes several times. It will be painful to watch this one again.

[Luci3000]

Ok I'm new to the forum and the only reason I joined was to share my feelings about the "Power" episode.......man i can't belive my eyes this was by far the worst episode i ever seen i never hated a character in any movies i've seen as much as i hate CLANA...WTF was that all about CLANA superhuman that is just way out of the direction they should be heading for....if this keeps going in this direction i'm saying goodbye to my favourite tv shows.....Man this was HORRIBLE

[gerber]

absolutely a lame episode. i don't like where smallville is going. it needs to end at the end of this season.

[Xanderman]

Wow so many posts. Nothing polarizes fans like a Lana worship episode eh, lol. Aptly named episode (Power), given the "power" the character of Lana has to piss so many people off. lol

I need to see the ep one more time, but I didn't think it was THAT bad...outside of the pathetic Lana worship/KK obsession of the writers/producers that is.


they need to get lana out of my face before i punch my t.v.:lol:

[KryptonianMastermind]

absolutely a lame episode. i don't like where smallville is going. it needs to end at the end of this season.
I don't necessarily think the show needs to end so soon, but the Clana and superpowered Lana definitely need to go...and quick.

[beatles4]

Many moons ago there was a division in fandom of an old TV show called Beauty and the Beast because in season three, they killed off Beauty. What does this have to do with Smallville, you say? Well, it seems that there are many Lana fans who enjoyed this episode and many who do not, but the biggest thing I've noticed is that fans are debating and discussing this show with fervour and great interest! My point being is that because of this "division", it looks as if there are likely way more postings than usual. Just think, not many years ago, who would have thought there would have been a season eight! I like to look at this "arc" as a learning lesson and appreciate just what we are all getting out of it, even if many of us don't necessarily like what the writers are doing at present. It most DEFINITELY is going to improve, just wait and see!

As for this episode, it looked to me as Lana was doing the Sarah Connor thing, as far as improving and training her body. Linda Hamilton enjoyed spending hours in preparation for T2. I wonder if Kristen also appreciated her character growing in strength. I liked that part of this episode, even though I truly missed Lois and didn't like that last scene on the DP roof. I'm very curious to see how all of this will transpire in the next SV, so unlike some who have chosen not to watch until Lois returns, I will remain loyal and continue watching my VERY favourite TV show until it ends, hopefully in season 9!

[Amylia]

Many moons ago there was a division in fandom of an old TV show called Beauty and the Beast because in season three, they killed off Beauty. What does this have to do with Smallville, you say? Well, it seems that there are many Lana fans who enjoyed this episode and many who do not, but the biggest thing I've noticed is that fans are debating and discussing this show with fervour and great interest! My point being is that because of this "division", it looks as if there are likely way more postings than usual. Just think, not many years ago, who would have thought there would have been a season eight! I like to look at this "arc" as a learning lesson and appreciate just what we are all getting out of it, even if many of us don't necessarily like what the writers are doing at present. It most DEFINITELY is going to improve, just wait and see!

As for this episode, it looked to me as Lana was doing the Sarah Connor thing, as far as improving and training her body. Linda Hamilton enjoyed spending hours in preparation for T2. I wonder if Kristen also appreciated her character growing in strength. I liked that part of this episode, even though I truly missed Lois and didn't like that last scene on the DP roof. I'm very curious to see how all of this will transpire in the next SV, so unlike some who have chosen not to watch until Lois returns, I will remain loyal and continue watching my VERY favourite TV show until it ends, hopefully in season 9!



i completely agree, I am loyal no matter I still love every episode....they are moving her on just a little slowly,,

[starflower69]

I know many are upset with that final scene on the roof of the Daily Planet between Lana and Clark but all I was thinking about was when Lex aka Zod asking Lana to meet him on the roof of LexCorp (do the writers of this show have to keep rehashing old ideas?).

Lana feels powerful now and she thinks she's invincible. That's the only reason why she kissed Clark ( she was ready to go separate ways last week). Clark has many doubts, he voiced them to Chloe at the beginning of the episode and then again to Lana at the end. I think that Clark is very easily led by his friends ( he doesn't know what he wants) and it won't be until Lois comes back and starts talking complete sense to him, that he will finally come to his senses. She is the only one that tells him the truth in a direct and honest way. Chloe and Lana are always keeeping secrets from him for one reason or another (Lois desn't do that. If she does she'll say that it was to protect him, cos his signature tune is driving a tractor!!). I am hoping the episode after Requiem will get Smallville back on track. I love Smallville and I get upset when I see Clark not progressing towards his destiny. So even though this episode tied up a lot of loose ends for Lana, it should have been more focused on the Superman arc. Which IMO was non existant for this episode. I hope next week will be closure for Lana and Clark and we will get back on track with the Superman story.

[Jaderoyale]

Thursday. The day most Smallville fans look forward to. Because of course its the airing of a new epsiode. Theres usually madness in the air; complete excitment over the upcoming episode. I usually feel it. I revel in it, inhal it if you will. But this week? There hasn't been so much excitement. Why is that i ask myself? Last week we had Bulletproof. An episode that utimatley was extremley good (i watched it several times after my review and realised that it wasn't as bad as i thought it was), i almost felt guilty for rating it 7/10. Until i remembered those last three minutes. Yes. The Clana kiss. There was so much angst from us all over the boards, which utimately went kind of wrong and we were out of hand. But, those last three seconds have plagued our minds and expectations of the next two upcoming episodes. We can't deny that theres going to be Clana within the midst. We just have to try and accept it. I'm having trouble doing it, i must admit that to you. I thought i was harsh in my review last week, until Cedric told me i actually wasn't. I was shocked, i thought i'd been lethal. An MB if you will. But alas, that was not the case.

So now, a week after Bulletproof we have Power. The next instalment in what can only be described as Lana's last arc on Smallville and i don't say "Lana's last arc" in a bad way, there are loose ends that need tying up, considering just vanished in Artic. I'm the most optimistic person ever, but i can't deny that the pictures showing Clark and Lana kissing on top of the Daily Planet roof haven't sent me insane. But alas, i will be calm. This is Allisons directing debue, i must get behind her, root for her to do well. I haven't seen the DC or anything so i have no idea what to expect. If i don't like it, i am not going to hold back this week. *takes deep breath* Okay. *cracks knuckles*
Let us begin....

Previously on Smallville. Dear John video. My guess, dominant players in the episode are Clark, Lana and Tess. Yes Jade, they're the only cast members. Oh... Regan. Let me guess, he's alive. Oh and there it is. My eyes. Breathe Jade, breathe.

Dr Grohl. He looks stressed. Studies on mice. Oh its just like when i was at school during science. I wanted to experiment on my classmates. Wasn't allowed. Saddened. WHOA. Why on earth you would set fire to water? I didn't even know that was possible. Is it Lana? Oh yes it is. She looks scared.

Opening credits. I'm getting a cup of tea. Its soothing. I think i'm going to need the whole soothingness this episode. Ah Erica. Gosh i miss her. I miss Aaron as well. Tear.

Kent farm. Hello Chloe. I've got a hat like that. Why is Clark watching that video. Gosh. Yes Chloe turn it off. Throw the TV out the window, just get it away. Yes Clark it was a mistake. Good boy. Man, whatever. Oh look. "Directed by Allison Mack,". Aw. Yes Clark, i like what your saying right now. Right Chloes done a U-Turn. Last week she was all for the Clois, and now she seems to be pimping out the Clana as well. Breaths. Deep breaths.

The Talon. Nicely messy. Gosh Chloe, i know your busy visiting Jimmy, but a clean up once in a while wouldn't hurt you. Oh Tess. With a gun. Is this a new theme? Course she's been snooping around Luthorcopr technology. Okay i kind of agree with what Tess has just said, Lana did show Tess what Lex had done to her. Oh here comes talk of the DVD. Oh a flashback. Was this filmed last year? Actually, the hair looks like a wig. Compound? Hello Tess. Eeeeevil. Calm down Clark. Gah.

Random van. Oh flashback again. I forgot how much better Lana actually looks with short hair. Much more mature. And kick him. The obvious way to escape a moving van. DID SHE JUST SHOOT HIM!? Crikey Lana. Oh okay.... so that explains to us why "Lana" has short hair now. She cut it in a form of rebellion? Hoping she wouldn't be recognised by Lex's hencemen? My eyes starting to twitch. Oh! I have to say. Why have they made her have hair put in? It looks SO much better like that. Her real hair.

Back to the Talon. "Thugs". Haha, sorry. Calm down Clark. Course they're both dead. Oh whats Clark found here. I have to say, i'm liking Clarks hair. Oh have we got desperate Clark back? Nice necklace. I've got one like that. Have the SV costume department been in my room? First Chloe's hat, now this necklace. Of course moneys nothing to you Lana, you must have inherited a country from Lex in the divorce. Yes, i want to be invincible too Lana. Oh whos this man? I like what he just said. "You tortured her?" No Clark he didn't. "His names Clark,". Gosh. Oh i can feel where this episode is going. I've just realised something, what on earth is this? Is Lana becoming Chun-Li on SV? Okay, why did she just do that? I must say i'm baffled. Hang on. Is she referring to "Wrath"? Oh no.

Oh, so Lana and Chloe were in touch. Gutted for you Clark.

Random lab. WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT?!!? Oh wait. Sorry. I actually didn't realise that was Lana. Honestly. This episode is going downhill for me now. I knew Regan was alive. Slap him Tess. Theres something about the way she talks that i like. Back in the random lab again. Okay Lana seems human again, well her skin anyway.

Metropolis streets. Oh look an angry Clark and Chloe scene. Haven't had one of these in a while. I don't like it. I'm not liking Clark. Oh gosh this sounds like S7. Is this an episode an entire flashback then? Oh. Right. Lana knew Chloe was getting married. Gosh. GOSH. This episode. Its making everything thats happened this season seem like a lie. Chloe being all surprised when Lana appeared in Bride, when she'd actually seen her months before. My interest has gone. Must stay focused. Course there's more to her coming home Chloe. Ares. Clones. Oh gosh. I thought that had been forgotten. Yes put it behind you. Move on. Oh gosh you won't tell Clark.

Back to the "present day". Oh this is really annoying me now. I feel like i've been transported back to season 6., saving Lana, Lana innocent. Oh look someones been shot in the head. I think thats the only interesting thing right now. Oh shut up Regan. I never liked you. Yes Tess! Oh hang on. You've actually killed him. Bad girl. This musics stressing me out.

Isis, the obvious hang out. Chloes in this episode alot considering AM's directing it. Oh, i actually forgot AM was directing it there. Because you are cracking open her diary Clark. Oh look. Talk of Lex's suit. Oh let me guess, Lana's wearing the suit for the "good of mankind". Paaaaaah. Eye twitch. Life source draining. I could really smoke a cigarette right now. But i quit 3 years ago. Thats what this episode is doing to me.

Back in that lab. Oh Lana's alive. Hello Tess. Destroy. Do whatever you want. I don't care anymore. Oh gosh that was the most ridiculous thing i have ever seen.

Luthor mansion. Pffft friend my behind. Lana you're still in that tunnel. Whats happening? I was staring at my hands. They seemed more interesting.

Daily Planet. Roof. Oh god. Whats with this music? I'm zoning out. Lana comes back, as does the pop music. Okay. Its ended.



THE VERDICT.
What. What was that? Hvae i been transportted back to 2003? Surely that was S2? No? It was S8? Don't be absurd! S8 has had a wonderful manly, proactive Clark, supermanly themed music and general iconicness all round. This was.... i don't know what it was.

First of all. Clark. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. PS3, what are you DOING? You've spent the first half of the season redeeming Clarks character from the mess he was dragged through by ALMiles during S5 to S7 only to mess it all up in 1 episode. TW, i love you, i really do. But please, is that what you wanted? You've seemed so happy. Clark has been great, YOU have been great. And now this.

Lana. I just. I really don't know. I understand, that they are trying to rectify the character and make her into the character she is in the comic books. But in this case PS3, it is TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. Everything that Lana has done, from how ALMiles wrote her, has stuck in our heads; it won't go away. I just can't handle it. How dare they, give her superpowers so she can "be" with Clark. SHE DOESN'T NEED POWERS TO BE WITH HIM. Can she not handle the fact that he is different? If she truely loved him she'd be with him besides the powers and now she feels they can be together because shes wearing the suit? Bite me.

Tess. I have nothing bad to say about Tess. I like Tess. That will be all on that matter.

Clana. *says words i would never say in front of my mother*
I'm sorry. Please don't think i'm a "Clana hater", because i'm not. I'm not a fan of the ship, AT ALL. Honestly, i was so optimistic. Hoping that PS3 would be great to us and have them end it this episode. But no. They're going to be together for Requiem aren't they? Right i'm a Cloiser (i hear you say no duh) - and this is setting one thing in my mind; how on earth are PS3 going to move Clark to Lois after this? Its making Lois out to be a rebound or second best. WHICH SHE IS NOT. We've had such a beautiful start to the blossoming relationship, we were starting to see Clark's feelings a bit in Bride, then POOF, up popped Lana, everything went wrong. PS3 have gone insane.

AM's directing debue. I'm gonna give her praise. She did good for her first direction. Its a shame it was this episode. Its tarnished. It was just ridiculous. I feel sorry for her. She's been waiting to direct since last season and they throw this, this.... i don't even know what to call it, at her and she accepts it? Allison honey, you've been dupped. Sue them. Quit. Just get away from this show before it ruins you. If it carries on like this everything is going to be ruined.

I knew i wasn't going to like this episode. I'm just shocked at my overall distaste for it. Never before have i finished watching an episode of Smallville and wanted to cry from sheer anger and frustration (even Sleeper didn't make me want to do that, mainly because i was alseep by the time it send, ha, sorry) - i feel, let down by PS3. The inconsistencies in this episode were stupid. Chloe and Lana months before the wedding. The whole flashback scenarios. What have you done to me? The end scene? Why? Why would you do that? Clark and Lana on the DP roof?

I feel let down by the actors. But mostly? Mostly i am disappointed. The fact that i am one of the fans who has constantly been sticking up for PS3 since Legion, i've been on their side. They know what they're doing, thats what i was saying. Well now i feel like an idiot. They're made everything i've said seem pointless, and my whole faith in this show pointless.






Sorry. 1/10; my lowest EVER rating.

[rtm321]

Not as bad as Sleeper, but still the worst this season. Over half rated this as poor with a 1, 2, or 3 vote. I'm in agreement with the majority for once. I also disagree with the sentiment that this one was polarizing. That would require large numbers of both low and high votes. This one is heavily skewed to the low end, and is as close to a consensus vote as we're ever likely to see.

[newbaggy]

O.K., before I start I'll admit it: I don't much like Lana as a character, and I'm counting down the days until Lois comes back into the series. However, when I see an episode where Lana is well-written and KK gives a good performance, I will give credit where credit is due (I actually liked her performance in the Talon scene in "Bulletproof" - the script was gave her some decent dialogue for once, and she responded well to it). Besides, the problems with this episode ran far deeper than simply "too much Lana and no Lois".

Firstly, the script. Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer have written some great episodes in the past, and normally can be replied upon to provide some decent dialogue. So I have no idea what possessed them to produce this absolute stinker! Oh, we've had some bad dialogue over the seasons, but rarely have I cringed so much during one episode. These characters didn't speak to each other like normal human beings - they spent most of their time simply telling each other the plot, with little attempt at humour or small talk. Admittedly, there is a greater than average amount of exposition in normal Smallville dialogue, simply to keep the story moving. In this case, however, there was so much of it, with so little attempt at genuine characterisation, that the episode was fatally flawed before the cameras started turning.

And filming itself brings me, with great sadness and a heavy heart, to another of the episodes great problems: Allison Mack's direction. Yes, Allison's portrayal of Chloe has been one of the best things about Smallville over the years, and her interviews reveal someone who is (IMHO) pretty, smart, funny, thoughful and generally immensely likeable. However, I have to be honest and - one or two nice camera moves aside (which could have been suggested to her by the DoP, camera operator or another director) - I think her inexperience showed badly at times. In particular, her inability to get anything other than crude, unsubtle and unconvincing performances from the cast. True, the poor script didn't help, but I don't think that was the only reason for Tom Welling spending half the episode bellowing his lines whilst mugging furiously for the camera (it was easily his worst performance all season). At times, the cast might as well have just stood in the middle of the set with scripts in their hands and simply recited the lines at each other.

Before I move on, a small point: Tess killing Regan. Crude, nasty and gratuitous, it seemed to me to be particularly poorly-handled. The blood-splattering - possible, in real life or not - looked ridiculous, especially when we saw Tess taste the blood on her face ("Look folks, she's not just bad, she's bloodthirsty!" - yeah, we know, give it a rest!). And the slo-mo simply lessened the power of the scene, rather than adding to it.

So, even without Lana, I wouldn't have liked this episode much. However, her presence made it even worse. Firstly, Kristin Kreuk can give a good performance - if the script is brilliantly written and the episode has a really good director. Unfortunately, she seems to lack the ability to rise above remotely sub-standard writing, and we get left with the glassy stare, the plastic smile and the ability to make Lana's most sincere lines sound utterly insincere. Sadly, we got all these in "Power". But it isn't all her fault. For years, Lana hasn't really been a character, but a shallow cypher. She isn't mysterious or enigmatic - she is simply an blank slate upon which the producers can impose a character to fit their current plot requirements; a necessity because a consistently-written Lana Lang would have become increasingly irrelevant to the series post-series 4/5. So now we have a vengeful Lana turning herself into a ninja-warrior with hacking skills who manages to get one of Lex's scientists to give her superpowers. If Lana had been consistently well-written, and KK's performances had been ten times better, there might have been a faint possibility that this plotline could have appeared vaguely plausible - if you didn't think about it too much. Oh, and Clark - despite faint indications that he might possibly realise that no good will come of all this - still thinks that it's worth kissing Lana on the DP roof! Now, I might be in a minority, but I didn't think that the Clana kiss in "Bulletproof" represented a serious regression on Clark's part. That final scene on the DP roof, by contrast, made him look like a complete and utter moron. No wonder that Tom Welling had the look of a man praying that someone would put a bullet through his brain!

In summary, I gave it a 3 on the basis that I don't think that it was the "Worst Episode in the History of Smallville Ever! Ever!! Ever!!!". However, I do think it was an utterly misguided story that I suspect all associated with it may end-up wanting to forget.

[Tompouce]

This season has rocked, IMO. The only thing that has ruined it is Clana. As soon as she's gone, they can get back on track again.

Don't judge the whole season by two or three episodes. Every year has its lemons. The good news is, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel, after the next episode when she is gone!

I'm glad the ratings were higher than we expected, and of course it's because of Allison's directing debut, but I want success for this show, no matter how bad last night was.
ITA. I was expecting the worst for this epi. It happened. So now there will be "requiem" and life will become again what it was BEFORE:D

[Loisdragon]

LFMAO LFMAO you crack me up Jade and I do agree with everything u said

[Tompouce]

That is now one of her superpowers.
:rotfl:

----- Added 2 Minutes later -----


So this is telling me that CK yet again is too immature to have a pet.
:lol::rotfl:

[Marissa]

I don't think this episode was bad at all. I'm shocked about Lana's powers, I'm not sure if I like where that is going, and I think that the kiss thing with Clana was pretty stupid, but I'm glad we finally know what Lana was up to this last 7 months. And I thought the storyline with Tess and Clark was pretty cool. I give it 8/10.

[babyluthor]

I rate it a 7. I'm surprised most people didn't like this episode. I thought it was ok, much better than last week.

I like episodes where they flash back and fill in the blanks. Who would have thought Lana went through all that. I did find it a bit confusing, I don't know if that was just the writing or the directing. Also I don't know about this whole super Lana. Haven't we done this already?

I didn't like the end, especially with the music playing over it. I thought it was a poor choice of song and would have been better without music.

Overall I did enjoy it even if it did cause controversy, at least it gets people talking.

[Tatiana]

Wow seems like a lot of people didn't like it, I have to say I don't think it was the worst, but i gave it a 6. I liked the first half, they were tying everything real well and I liked the continuation of it. I even sorta liked that Lana wanted to stop being so winny and protect herself. I hated that she thought she was going to save the world, and that thought she could be like Clark. I definitely hated the ending, especially when Lana said Clark and her were equal, how dare she?

I was so happy when at the beginning Clark had made it seem he realized that it was wrong to be with Lana, but noooo Chloe had to change his mind and make him go visit her lol. I liked Tess a lot, and even the whole Lex plot. All I know is that the ending almost made me puke, I did like the shots though and I think Allison did a good job as a director.

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

I definitely do not think this episode was better than Bulletproof, I do think these powers are going to go against Lana, I don't think she knows she is tied to the suit now does she? that wasn't clear to me

[LuckyLois]

Did Craig post his review yet?

[mysticzine]

So,

Season 8 was going along and doing really well. It was interesting, well thought out, and finally got Clark on the path to becoming Superman. The best part was, of course, there was NO LANA. What happens when she comes back? The plots instantly becoming ridiculous. Tess has a chip in her brain so that Lex can see and hear everything she does? Lana was really abducted and forced to break up with Clark via video at gun point? She spends 7 months underwater and picking up hot metal? She gets superpowers?
This is the worst episode I've seen in years. This is even worse than the eps where Lana becomes a witch. I've sat through a LOT of bad Smallville episodes throughout the last 8 years. Each week, I tune in though, hoping that I'll see something worth watching. For the past season, I've been happily surprised. This episode, however, is really making me question whether to watch the show anymore. I'm just sick of Lana.


Hey show runners: Lois= good. Lana= crap.
mysticzine

[unfocused]

Did Cedric post a review yet? If not, I hope he posts another entertaining one :)

[Tatiana]

I wouldn't lose faith in PS3 though just because of this episode, I think they were trying to fix Lana's character and make her less of an "evil" person as she appeared last season, they did a bad job yes, but hey we all make mistakes I guess they tried to make Lana fans happy too

[SupaBoy]

Tess has a chip in her brain so that Lex can see and hear everything she does?

I thought it was in her neckless lol

[kjedi]

Directing = 8; Script = 2

Totally jumped the shark. Lana with superpowers. I guess to follow her own destiny. Well, it does put her out there for the new Street Fighter movie she's in as a kick ass fighter.

They shouldn't have gone to the Clana kiss. The man of steel didn't even think twice about Lois. The romantic developments for Lois were all there in the beginning of the season and to not even address Lois...

Is it me or does it seem like Clark has even less control of things in these last couple of episodes?

I thought I'd be fine with the prospect of Season 8 being the last, but now I hope there's a Season 9 to actually dive deep into the Lois-Clark-Jimmy-Chloe wouldn't be too bad either ;) saga.

It'd be cool if Lois and Clark got married in the end, though.

[Tatiana]

I thought it was in her neckless lol


I think the neckless was like the signal no?

[marcella]

For the directing=10/10

for story=1

The worst episode of the series IMO

[ginnyfan]

I watched "Power" again and it was much better the second time. I'm glad I waited before voting. Annie you said so many things so well in your post so I'm quoting it.


First up. I want to put several things in to perspective before I get started. Anyone who has read my posts knows my feelings on who is the HERO of this story and how secondary characters should ADD to his story. I also don't happen to think that any characters back-story should take away from Clark - back-story can be threaded through the main plot-line. (as was demonstrated by Bryan Q Millar with Bulletproof) And I know some people can say the PS3 only had four episodes to do this arc and a lot of loose ends to tie up, but the fact they devoted the guts of an entire episode to it? Unacceptable to me. Anyone tuning in last night who had never seen the show before would have thought it was the Lana Lang show and she was the main character. And THAT isn't good. (I'll be interested to see BadToad's break down of screen minutes to see how Clark's time on-screen compares to Lana's - cos maybe I'm wrong about how much screen time Lana had... But it didn't FEEL that way. Even on a second viewing.)

This was the main reason that I originally would have rated the episode a five or lower. Clark Kent was minimal in the episode and the first time around came off as a big dope. The second time, I could see that even though Clark often took a back seat to Lana, Tess and Lex Luthor's machinations, he was still proactive in the investigation. He used his heat vision to discover key clues. He was working at the DP when he couldn't sleep, not staring at Lana's necklace or sitting in the loft. So I appreciated all these things the second time around, and felt better about Clark in the episode.

Clark gets this dopey facial expression he's concerned about Lana. While investigating he'd get that look on his face, slam people against walls, shout "Lana" a lot. It wasn't Supermanly though... it was desperate. Sometimes Clark slams people against walls and he seems STRONG! Not here. :confused: So I think that's why originally he came off as lost in the episode at times.


I really have to say, and I said it about the last episode too, if THIS Lana Lang had been written several seasons ago, I could actually have enjoyed her character a lot more than I did at times. Explaining what happened between the end of season seven to the present time-line WAS necessary. I might not have been 100% sold on that going in, but what I saw convinced me it was. I do still feel it's out of place, but I can understand the reasoning behind it, and for the most part it made sense and tied together a lot of things from seasons past. There was a LOT of continuity in this episode. And I'm a huge fan of continuity so I was more than happy about that. The trouble with having an episode like this in the middle of a new season is that from episodes 1-12 it felt like the show was moving FORWARDS and to have Power then focus on the PAST was jarring, particularly if you're a fan who has been there from the get-go. We didn't just look back one or two episodes, we looked back as far as season six and Prototype where we learned about Project Aries. And I'm torn about this. On the one hand I understand why they did it and I love the continuity and it makes sense of the bigger picture... but on the other hand in a very Lana-centric episode in the middle of a very forward moving Superman-ly season it DID feel jarring. So, like I say, I'm torn...

This paragraph perfectly illustrates the best thing about this episode. I knew that it was good for Lana Lang's character, but it really tied up questions about Lex and his plans also. The continuity of this episode isn't limited to the past either, though I'd say the bulk of it was about Lana and her past. It also tied into the season premiere, Lex as I already mentioned and Tess Mercer. This Lana arc, and this episode in particular have had a lot of wonderful growth and movement for Tess' character and story. I really think it was smart of them to tie Lana to Tess' story through Lex Luthor. If not for Tess and the connection to "Odyssey" the episode could have been even more jarring than it is.


Lana's journey from DVD to reappearance in Bride also made sense to me. And as a modern independent woman, I'm all for empowering women and women not being victims and women standing up for themselves. So I didn't have as much of a problem with this part of the episode per se. I did have a problem with how much it reminded me of a vengeful Lana as per season seven. This was clearly a woman on a mission. And not just to leave behind the part of her that had felt like one of life's victims as far back as when her parents were killed in the first meteor shower. I understood that, particularly during the 'commando-lie' training scenes when she was given such a mental and physical beating. The Lana who started that training wasn't the same woman who came back to Metropolis. Actually, I was absolutely fine with all of that - even the retcon of the infamous DVD. But the fact the Lana equivalent of a vendetta was then written as some kind of holy mission grated on me somewhat. Because by reminding me of season seven Lana, they were reminding me of the worst of season seven Lana; the Lana who kidnapped Lionel, the Lana who tried to kill Lex when she had Clark's superpowers. And reminding me of that in action AND with dialogue wasn't a good thing. Yes, it's all part of her 'journey', but no matter what, if she's being portrayed to me as a heroine; it's as a FLAWED heroine who will always come across to me as one who could very easily be tipped over into the 'dark side'. But even so, I was still fine with this and it made sense to me. I have to say it DID redeem her some. Add that to a mature, stronger, less angst-ridden Lana, and as I've said, I could have liked this character a whole lot more in seasons past...

I completely agree with this paragraph and I love that you mention empowering women and Lana as a flawed heroine. I was worried that Lana would be portrayed as a saint. I loved the line "I'm not training you to be like anyone, I'm training you to be Lana Lang." I felt, whether the writers had this intention or not, that this wasn't enough for Lana. She wanted the power she had in "Wrath." I also liked Lana's interrupted sentence, "If I had even a fraction of Clark's power..." or something like that. She's not as full of hate as she was in "Wrath" but there is darkness in her pursuit of power that is more in line with Lex Luthor than Clark Kent. I liked the connection to "Wrath" and the differences between super Lana then and now.

I think Clark's dream of Clana is really more like the end of "Bulletproof." Lana's dream of Clana is probably more like this ending. I liked the differences between the kisses. I actually watched the whole kiss at the end of "Power" this time rather than closing my eyes until the wide shot. This time Lana was more the initiator and aggressor than Clark. And Clark was sort of along for the ride... sort of like a reverse of the Clana kiss in "Red." Part of me felt happy about Clark's delirium in that moment. He really has been wishing for Lana since the beginning of the show. But... there are huge problems here that the show highlighted rather than resolved. I hope the last episode addresses them. It's possible that the writers see Lana as an antihero who is not in need of reformation but... Clark could never live happily ever after with Lana as she is. I think they disagree on how to be a hero in a fundamental way. Really Lana's actions here are comparable to Oliver in "Rage", just without the side effects.

I liked Chloe in this episode but she lacked bite. She was cheerful and she had a cute hat on... but she just seemed to connect dots rather than generate story. It didn't bother me that she was urging Clark to examine his feelings and not completely dismiss his desire to kiss Lana. But why was she so happy? I'm going to fan wank and assume that Jimmy's health took an upswing. LOL!

I don't mind Chloe being in town to run Isis or whatever, but where is Lois? That's what doesn't make sense IMO. The minute Lois found out that Chloe was okay she should have returned. I hope when Lois DOES return they have more of an excuse for her absence than Jimmy. If he's not sick enough to keep Chloe there then he certainly isn't sick enough to keep Lois there. My fave Offscreenville idea is that Lois caught wind of a good story in Star City and can't let go.


The most compelling character for me in this episode and who frankly stole the show? Tess.

Oh yes! I agree with everything you said here Annie.


Which brings me neatly to Clark. This flip-flopping of attitude while Lana's around may supposedly be confusion on his part. But frankly, it's as annoying as HELL. In Bride he was understandably shocked and hurt by Lana's reappearance, by Legion it was brushed under the table because of bigger things, by Bulletproof it looked like we might have an amicable parting, but then by the end of Bulletproof he doubted/conveniently forgot everything that had happened before and was fondly reminiscing about being fourteen again while he made yet ANOTHER ATTEMPT at getting back with Lana.

I was annoyed but OK at this point.


The start of Power made it look like he'd realized that was a mistake. My god, was that progression I could see?! My hopes for this arc sky-rocketed - albeit briefly. But it didn't last. And the fact it had been dangled under my nose like a goddamn carrot and then snatched away made the conclusion of this episode all the harder to take.

Wasn't it wonderful while it lasted? *sigh*


Having Clark play catch-up for the remainder of the episode along with the rest of us was understandable, but it was hard to watch. And I wish I could come up with a clear reason why it was so tough without looking into TW's performance and AM's direction as well as the writing, but I don't think I can. There's a saying that you're only ever as good as the material you're given to work with, but I don't believe that in this case. Clark's facial expressions and swift changes from confused to pained to guilty to angry to frustrated were too much, and at times some of the fine lines between emotions were too subtle to differentiate while at others they were so extreme it was like watching two different people. And again I get that this is all supposed to be part of Clark's confused emotional state, but it made the episode choppy for me.

I agree with this. And really the transition for Clark in this episode reminds me of Clark's transition during the episodes from "Hydro" to "Promise." On one hand he seems to see all the problems in their relationship and take a realistic stand, and then, when faced with Lana Lang in danger, his brain goes blank and he's drawn to Lana like a magnet... and has a really dopey expression on his face.

I pretty much agree with all that you say about Lana and the suit.


The fact Clark doesn't seem to have any kind of a learning curve when it comes to Lana after SEVEN YEARS makes me VERY angry. If the spoilers for next weeks episode play out the way I suspect they will, I don't think I can come back from this. And that hurts.


Which brings me back to Lana and the power suit and the conclusion of this episode. They had me on the newly empowered Lana until the second they put her in the suit. From what I understand the word 'suit' is a loose term, as the Smallville version is bonded to her in a new layer of skin. Clever. Very Smallville. I might even have bought into it as a way for Lana to do good and to be stronger and for Clark's fears about her safety to be put at rest. Using it as a way to make them equals and for them to do the horizontal mambo without Lana spontaneously combusting I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. And it's this mythical phoenix rising from the ashes to become a superpowered heroine on a par with Superman I have the biggest gripe with. How MANY TIMES does this show have to denigrate the importance of Clark's role as a hero before SOMEONE realizes the damage it does?!!! And it's why I can understand so many people having a problem with this arc. The almost beautification of Lana in biblical terms at Clark's expense is UNACCEPTABLE. When it was brought home to me all the harder was on a second viewing of that final scene.

I REALLY hope the writers don't see it that way. Lana does but... clearly she is NOTHING like Superman. Also, she not even anything like Clark at this time. He would give up power to protect those he loves. At one point I thought clearly, Power isn't what makes Clark who he is. It's only a part of who he is and why he's a hero. They could have made Lana out to be this angelic hero but IMO they clearly showed that being a hero on her own steam wasn't enough for Lana. She didn't take Isis to full potential. She didn't take herself to full potential. She bailed out of her training, seduced by the power of the suit. Tess was actually more heroic than Lana in this area. She wanted to destroy the suit, though, who knows maybe in time she would have used it for evil. Also, Tess' motivation was revenge not heroics. A more heroic message would be that Lana doesn't need a suit to be a hero and help the world.


And I'm sorry, cos on the whole she did a great job with her directorial debut, but Allison Mack got this last scene COMPLETELY WRONG in my opinion. I don't know what possessed ANYONE to think a kiss between Lana Lang and Clark Kent on the ROOF OF THE DAILY PLANET with an epic shot that panned out to include a goddamn sunset and the freaking DP Globe wasn't a HUGE SLAP IN THE FACE to anyone who has ever loved the Lois Lane and Clark Kent part of the Superman legacy. But more that that, whether it was meant to be reminiscent of a Romeo and Juliet balcony scene, the majority of it was shot with Clark standing ON A LOWER LEVEL TO LANA - LOOKING UP AT HER! Having her standing over him like that with him looking up and with the conclusion of this scene taking a huge step into a relationship we all KNOW isn't going to last was bad enough ending with a kiss ON THE ROOF OF THE DAILY PLANET without such a HUGE and GLARINGLY BAD decision on the part of Allison Mack. Rookie mistake maybe. But putting it into the context of a doctor, a rookie mistake would be overlooking a small line on a x-ray that signifies a fractured leg. - it WOULDN'T be amputating that leg ABOVE THE KNEE. And what it did was add to the deification of this relationship on Smallville. The Clark on a lower level to Lana is a bad enough mistake IMO but them kissing on the roof of the freakin Daily Planet was both deliberate and INSULTING. That scene could have been shot at the Talon or the farm or in the barn or any number of a places Lana Lang fans hold dear. The roof of the Daily Planet was hallowed ground to this Superman fan. And even now, almost twenty-four hours later, it hurts. I can NEVER forgive the showrunners for that.


I disagree. After showing for the entire episode the GLARING differences between Clark and Lana when it comes to heroism. AND showing the GLARING similarities between Lana and Lex when it comes to power they then show Clark's blindness when it comes to Lana. She's so high above him and he deifies her in a way that is... WRONG. I'd love to find the lyrics to the song that was playing but the one thing I picked up is waiting. Clark's been waiting to be with Lana for so long and he wants it to work so bad blah blah blah... but it won't. It was kind of creepy for a moment before it was beautiful at all. *sigh* But maybe you're right.

I think that when it comes to Lana, Clark is cowardly. He's tricked himself into thinking she's his last chance streetcar to happiness. While she was gone... in "Bride" there was a window in which I guess Clark was clueless and bumbling toward Lois. But when Lana returned... all those hopes resurfaced. He's been through hell with Lana over his secret. Maybe he can't imagine going through it all again with someone else. I dunno. And think about it, when has Clark EVER been proactive in a relationship? Lex had to dare him to ask Lana out. Chloe's passivity seemed to cancel out all the other glaring hints shouting at him that she loved him. Alicia and Kyla practically jumped him with their aggressive pursuit of his love. He certainly didn't initiate anything. *shakes head* I dunno.

Well I give this episode an 8. I went back and fourth between and 8 and a nine because of the fantastic continuity, all the great twists, the idea of Lex Luthor returning wearing that Prometheus suit *fangasm* - what a cool plan - Tess Mercer and so many other things.

Long ago someone said, you can put shoes in the oven but that don't make them biscuits. Lana and Clark can kiss on the DP roof but... it's hollow in the light of all the darkness Lana courted in this episode. It'll be great if she can wear the suit and do good in the world. But the lengths that she has to go to fill a void and not feel like a victim are chilling. Very like Lex Luthor.

Great post Annie!

[Justin Murad]

I loved this episode... :^^: