My Thoughts On This Episode - Don't Give Up Just Yet

[Kschreck]

Lana Lang has always been a love or hate character. She has her fan base and she has her haters. I've always been neutral when it comes to her character. I got tired of the Lana/Clark 7 year long relationship trouble then eventually she left the show.

Now Lana is back and the writers have a 5 episode story arc for her in which has her turning into a super hero using Lex's Prometheus technology. Also back is the love triangle. Lois has been seemingly removed from the show until episode 15.

We are on Lana episode 4/5 now and things are heating up. At this point, Lana has abilities like Clark and she apparently can now handle herself and wants to work side by side with Clark. However, we all know it wasn't meant to be and she only has one episode left now.

Overall, while it's always annoying to see the love between Lana and Clark start back up, I did actually like this episode. It wasn't a season highlight but it did half a dark tone to it and ultimately, it ended up working out well enough.

I personally don't mind the writers taking a step backwards and bringing back some of the content which made the first seven seasons great (to me) and I am glad to see some story arcs forming in season 8 as well.

Many people consider this a massive regression for Clark Kent but I don't think that is what is going to happen. No, instead I think Lana will get the heroic sendoff in a way in which will furthermore push Clark towards his Superman career. You just wait!

I want to tell people not to give up because Lex is coming back (in a limited fashion and possibly for good with perahaps a robotic Prometheus suit), Clark is rumored to be flying within a few episodes and if you read the spoilers for episode 15, you will notice just how "Supermanish" that episode will be. There is also talk about a possible "Legion of Supervillians" and confirmed Toyman, Zatanna as well as other DC characters appearing this season.

There is just so much announced for the "after Lana" episodes that I think you should just wait and episode and then concentrate on what comes next. The Lana episodes are not even bad in my opinion but I can support those who don't like them and that is why I can only tell you to hang on for a few more episodes.

Sadly, the Lana episodes have been dragging down the show's ratings which is unfortunate at a time when they are considering canceling the show for a new Melrose's Place remake. If people stop watching then you will be complaining more next year when you see a Soap show in place of Smallville.

I enjoyed tonight's episode and I am looking forward to seeing what they do with both Lana and Lex's character in "Requiem" next week. I also noticed that the show has finally incorporated at least a small handful of new locations other then using the same generic set pieces.

I think when Lana's arc wraps up, it is at least possible that seeing the full arc completed will give a better understanding why the writers were confident in her arc to begin with and I think I even read somewhere that John Geoff gave good comments about the Lana arc some time ago. Lets just wait and see what happens next week before burying the hatchet. Enjoy the show for what it is because quite frankly, their isn't a whole lot of quality programming left and Smallville is still going pretty strong in my opinion.

[paolinki25]

I wish I could be optimistic, but I'm not just going to magically forget crappy events like this. This show is about Clark's journey and when they tainted it so much, it's impossible not to have a bittersweet feeling to the upcoming episodes.

[MetropolisGirl4SV]

I HOPE YOUR RIGHT. But frankly I'm not as optimistic as you!

[SGuthrie27]

That was a very well put together speech, Kschreck, and I agree with you. There just aren't enough people on the forum who are looking at the BIG PICTURE of things and are focusing too narrowly on the events of this one episode, knowing, like you said, that all these Clana elements will never last. It'll be over in two episodes, friends. Be patient. :)

--SGuthrie ><>' :)--

[smallviluva]

Lana Lang has always been a love or hate character. She has her fan base and she has her haters. I've always been neutral when it comes to her character. I got tired of the Lana/Clark 7 year long relationship trouble then eventually she left the show.

Now Lana is back and the writers have a 5 episode story arc for her in which has her turning into a super hero using Lex's Prometheus technology. Also back is the love triangle. Lois has been seemingly removed from the show until episode 15.

We are on Lana episode 4/5 now and things are heating up. At this point, Lana has abilities like Clark and she apparently can now handle herself and wants to work side by side with Clark. However, we all know it wasn't meant to be and she only has one episode left now.

Overall, while it's always annoying to see the love between Lana and Clark start back up, I did actually like this episode. It wasn't a season highlight but it did half a dark tone to it and ultimately, it ended up working out well enough.

I personally don't mind the writers taking a step backwards and bringing back some of the content which made the first seven seasons great (to me) and I am glad to see some story arcs forming in season 8 as well.

Many people consider this a massive regression for Clark Kent but I don't think that is what is going to happen. No, instead I think Lana will get the heroic sendoff in a way in which will furthermore push Clark towards his Superman career. You just wait!

I want to tell people not to give up because Lex is coming back (in a limited fashion and possibly for good with perahaps a robotic Prometheus suit), Clark is rumored to be flying within a few episodes and if you read the spoilers for episode 15, you will notice just how "Supermanish" that episode will be. There is also talk about a possible "Legion of Supervillians" and confirmed Toyman, Zatanna as well as other DC characters appearing this season.

There is just so much announced for the "after Lana" episodes that I think you should just wait and episode and then concentrate on what comes next. The Lana episodes are not even bad in my opinion but I can support those who don't like them and that is why I can only tell you to hang on for a few more episodes.

Sadly, the Lana episodes have been dragging down the show's ratings which is unfortunate at a time when they are considering canceling the show for a new Melrose's Place remake. If people stop watching then you will be complaining more next year when you see a Soap show in place of Smallville.

I enjoyed tonight's episode and I am looking forward to seeing what they do with both Lana and Lex's character in "Requiem" next week. I also noticed that the show has finally incorporated at least a small handful of new locations other then using the same generic set pieces.

I think when Lana's arc wraps up, it is at least possible that seeing the full arc completed will give a better understanding why the writers were confident in her arc to begin with and I think I even read somewhere that John Geoff gave good comments about the Lana arc some time ago. Lets just wait and see what happens next week before burying the hatchet. Enjoy the show for what it is because quite frankly, their isn't a whole lot of quality programming left and Smallville is still going pretty strong in my opinion.

i totally agree with everything u said!!!!! i used to be a clana fan, and am enjoying these lana episodes, but i became a huge clois fan in season 8. I totally agree, and we all know after next wk lana will be gone, and from an interview with ed apparently clois from clarks perspective is just beginning! so cloisers have a lot to look forward to, and superman fans do to! and like u said, its better to watch it, because sucking it up for the 5lana epis, the ratings will stay good, they might actually do a season 9, nd then we have soo much more to look forward too!! see positive thinking! and lana haters can think alot positive but thinking next wk is the last lana epiode ever! so there u go! enjoy it! byeeee

[Hugo]

I agree also, but I think that everybody has decided to wrap up Smallville.... after seeing the trailer for next week episode. Although I'd love, love, love a season 9! Having said that other viewers may be disapoinnted by PS3 (I know I'm indifferent about this episode since, it had both good and weak points) but I'd be be shocked if they couldn't give viewers a great series or season finale. I just have faith that they will along with an awesome final four episodes.

[superspider02]

yea i am opstimistic myself but i too have hated all this lana stuff. i hope after next week's episode we have a good reason for clark and lana are over for good and hopefully it is done so clark looks like a man and not regressing any more.

[victory01]

Enjoy the show for what it is because quite frankly, their isn't a whole lot of quality programming left and Smallville is still going pretty strong in my opinion.

Put in this context, OK, I agree.

[Kal EL2380]

Its a filler episode. Plus Lana is leaving the show so they have to give the Clana fanbase what they want. When its gone will be when the show gets good.

[abbimorgan]

I agree with a lot of what you are saying and I too am trying to look at the bigger picture here.

***SOME SPOILERS, BUT A LOT OF SPECULATION****

Here's what I think - First, let me start off by saying that I am Cloiser and have never been fan of the Clana relationship. Parts of tonight's episode was painful to watch, just like I know parts of next week's will as well, but I think I get what the PS3 are trying to do. Clark has been in love with Lana for most of his life, blindly so at times, not seeing the imperfections in her that a lot of us see. He makes excuses for her, blames himself, thinks that if only everything was "perfect" then the two of them could be together. He can't see that maybe he's better off without her. Now at the beginning of "Power", he was realizing that, was seeing the progression he has made since Lana has been gone, unfortunately Chloe butted in and made him doubt his thought process.

So fast forward in the same episode - Clark sees Lana superfied, clearly has worries, and Lana plants a smile on her face and dispels them, reminding Clark of his dream to be with her, leading him to believe that nothing is in their way now.

This brings me to next week's episode. It starts off with Lana and Clark having their dream life. Their together, fighting the bad guys, sharing the superhero dream. All seems well and good. Then they come across something that Clark can't fight, that ball shaped machine laced with kryptonite. Lana "sacrifices" herself to save the world. The machine does something to Lana's supersuit, making it difficult for Clark to be around her. Lana is all "we can't be together" and Clark is all "I'll make it happen." still believing in Lana and Clana.

As of this point it doesn't look too good for the Cloisers. It looks like Lois will be second choice because he can't be with Lana cause of the kryptonite, so he'll love the one he is with.

So here comes the second half of the episode, and we soon discover that all is not right with Lana and maybe she's not as ready for the "power" as we've been led to believe or at least what she keeps telling everyone. Maybe she is power hungry, and with the little run in with the ball shape machine, she's realizing she's more invisible than Clark, and essentially better. What if a situation presents itself where a bad guy must be stopped (maybe the Toyman is working for Lex, and/or he is responsible for lacing Lana's supersuit with kryptonite) and Lana and Clark differ on how he should be brought down. Lana goes out on her own to take care of the situation, and she almost succeeds in killing him, but Clark stops her, taken aback but what Lana was about to do. It is then when the blinders are taken off of Clark's eyes, and he realizes that no matter how "perfect" things are, no matter what they change, they are not meant to be together. That Lana isn't the girl he thought she was. I predict Clark will tell her it is over. She'll come to in, brushing the situation off but Clark won't let her. He will be strong and difinitive with her, which at first she won't want to her, but I think Clark will help her to understand how he can't love the person she's become.

Now I know this paints Lana in a bad light, and Kristin did say her character will get a nice sendoff, but that doesn't mean Clark can't end it with her before she goes. Maybe she will have come to an understanding about herself, that she's become someone she doesn't want to be, but she's ready to change. Ready to let go off the hate and selfish desires and find some redemption. Clark can wish her well, but it doesn't mean he'll be waiting for her when she comes back. He's letting her go because it is the best thing for the both of them.

So at the end we have the end of Clana and Clark free of relationship baggage so when Infamous rolls around and Clark is sitting at his desk and Lois walks in, he will finally see that his soulmate has walked back into his life.

Now I know this little theory I have doesn't take away the pain for us Cloisers, but I'm trying to think of it all like this. I'm married, love my husband dearly and he loves me, but we weren't each others first loves. Now just because we were in love with other people, before each other it doesn't take away from what we feel for each other. In fact, we are better at our relationship, because of what we have learned from our previous ones. Just because the powers that be had Clana together for so long, had them share in so many firsts, it doesn't mean that Clark and Lois's relationship has to be anything less or that Clark can't love Lois with the same intensity that he loved Lana. In fact, he will love Lois even more. Comic book history has proven that Lois will be is ulitmate love. She will be everything he has wanted and he will never regret being with Lois. I have faith that this show can show us that, that they are trying to show that.

If Lana never came back, the ending of the relationship would have been her call, and Clark would probably always have doubts and what ifs. By going this route, painful as it is, in the end it will be Clark's call, leaving him doubt free. That's what I'm clinging to for next week. If the producers don't make it be Clark's call then my optimism balloon will have definitely popped.

[marcella]

I won't give up

I will pretend this episode never existed

[doodie8808]

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH ABBIMORGAN EVEN IF HER THEORY DOES NOT HAPPEN! i am not upset about clana and it is ending! i don't feel that lois is second choice or will be i feel that clana will learn the hard way that they can not be together! I THINK CLARK WILL REALIZE IT AND SO WILL LANA. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT CLANA BUT KK DOES DESERVE A GREAT SEND OFF CAUSE HER CHARACTER GOT ****ED OVER A LOT! I STILL FEEL SHE IS A VICTIM IN HER OWN RIGHT BECAUSE SHE HAS THE IDEA THAT POWER ALONE WILL MAKE YOU STRONG AND IT THATS MORE THAN THAT! WHEN LOIS COMES BACK I THINK SHE WILL HONESTLY BE OVER CLARK BECAUSE OFF HIS 1ST LOVE AND SEE HIM WEAK PLUS WHO SAYS LOIS HAS NOT DIPPED OUT ESPECALLY AFTER COMMITTED! SHE HATES WEAK MEN! I HATE THAT CLARK HAS REGRESSED HIMSELF BECAUSE HE IS STILL WANTING A LIFE THAT IS NOT MEANT FOR HIM! HE WANTS IT ALL (TO BE HERO AND FAMILY MAN )WITHOUT SACFARICE AND IT DOES NOT WORK LIKE THAT BECAUSE I WOULD BE RICH BY NOW! IN ORDER FOR HIM TO DO THAT HE NEEDS TO TRAIN FOCUS ON HIMSELF AND HIS WANTS ALSO REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS AND NOW JUST BRUSH IT UNDER THE RUG . JUST MY TWO SENSE FROM SEEING STUFF LIKE THIS IN REAL LIFE! bUT WHAT I DON'T GET IS HOW CLARK CAN ALMOST KISS LOIS AND WHEN LANA IS AROUND FORGETS HER AND THEN WHEN LOIS COMES BACK FOR GETS LANA WAS EVER IN TOWN! i DON'T WANT TO SAY HE IS PLAYING WITH PEOPLES EMOTIONS BUT IT LOOKS THAT WAY FROM BOTH CLANAS AND CLOISERS POINT OF VIEW. EVEN SOME CLANAS AGREE WITH ME IM SURE!:rolleyes: WHAT DOES PISSES ME OFF IS THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE NERVE TO CALL LOIS WEAK WHEN SHE WAS THE FIRST STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER ON SMALLVILLE. YES LANA IS THAT WAY NOW FOR THE MOST PART(I STILL SEE VICTIM A LITTLE BIT) LOIS WAS BORN THAT WAY AND HAS ALWAYS HAD A MIND SET OF CARING FOR SELF! I FEEL IN A LOT OF WAY THAT IS HER DOWN FALL BECAUSE SHE CANT BE VURNLABLE AS TO LANA CAN BE TOO MUCH STILL!

[Alania]

I cannot find words to describe these clana episodes. The writing is just too confusing, i don't know what happened to the first half of season 8, it is still in hiatus:rolleyes:. Impossible not to give up and i am terrified about next week. Lois Lane is a strong character, with presence, but i don't think we'll ever see in SV what she represents in the mythos, she will always be compared to Lana Lang and very likely to end up as a rebound. For the real deal, we need to go for the comics.

[DGirlLois4Clark]

Are you one of the show's producers undercover.lol.:p