Shipper-free Analysis of Power-Lana-Prometheus Arc Thread

[stenochick]

All the objective reviews and analyses of Power are buried in an avalanche of anti-Lana, anti-Clana posts in the "Loved it, Hated it..." thread.

There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I just wanted to open up a thread where people could intelligently discuss Power/Lana without venting their frustration and anger toward different aspects of it, if that is even possible. Mine may be the only post in here.

I will start by copying my letter to PS3.



Dear PS3:

I made the following comments in a thread about the episode, Power:


Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">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. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">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. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I am finding the Lana arc entertaining and am enjoying this complicated Lana Lang. I actually find it quite plausible that she has the will and the opportunity to become a "superhero."

I just think Clark should be portrayed as having more of a grasp on the situation and more moral objectivity. He has been portrayed this way so far this season in other areas of his life. Lana and her secrets, her thirst for power, and her pride (like John Jones pointed out just last week) should not be such blind spots for Clark after all these years.

I still trust you all to deliver a great show week in and week out and will watch this show religiously until the end.

--Stenochick
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[thehenry89]

I thought this episode was bad for alot of reasons. Firstly Clark was barely in it, and when he was all he did was run around like a jerk throwing random speculation and innuendo at the person he was interogating. Second Chloe was written very inconsitantly with regards to her feelings on clark and lana's relationship. Third Lana tried to equate herself to clark, shippyness aside it just speaks to her sever insecurity that she has to have super powers to feel like she's worthy to be with clark.

I can't be more objective than that.

[stenochick]

I thought this episode was bad for alot of reasons. Firstly Clark was barely in it, and when he was all he did was run around like a jerk throwing random speculation and innuendo at the person he was interogating. Second Chloe was written very inconsitantly with regards to her feelings on clark and lana's relationship. Third Lana tried to equate herself to clark, shippyness aside it just speaks to her sever insecurity that she has to have super powers to feel like she's worthy to be with clark.

I can't be more objective than that.

I totally agree. It is a little creepy for her to decide to wear the suit instead of destroying the suit like Tess wanted to. And Clark should have told her that.

Clark should have supersped to the Star City Hospital's cafeteria for some Chloe time, instead of Chloe leaving her husband with Lois so she could travel to Metropolis and Smallville. And then what she said was out of left field.

[Sunny8]

I thought this episode was bad for alot of reasons. Firstly Clark was barely in it, and when he was all he did was run around like a jerk throwing random speculation and innuendo at the person he was interogating. Second Chloe was written very inconsitantly with regards to her feelings on clark and lana's relationship. Third Lana tried to equate herself to clark, shippyness aside it just speaks to her sever insecurity that she has to have super powers to feel like she's worthy to be with clark.

I can't be more objective than that.

I agree. Also, stenochick, nice letter even though I don't agree with all your points.

[thehenry89]

I totally agree. It is a little creepy for her to decide to wear the suit instead of destroying the suit like Tess wanted to. And Clark should have told her that.

Clark should have supersped to the Star City Hospital's cafeteria for some Chloe time, instead of Chloe leaving her husband with Lois so she could travel to Metropolis and Smallville. And then what she said was out of left field.

If they address Lana's almost obsessive need for power next week, then maybe I won't think this episode was so bad, but until that happens for me Power was worse than Promise.

[stenochick]

If they address Lana's almost obsessive need for power next week, then maybe I won't think this episode was so bad, but until that happens for me Power was worse than Promise.

I don't see it going down that way. I think Lana will be written as a Christ figure in Requiem, denying her own personal happiness to make the ultimate sacrifice for mankind.

You know who she reminds me of? Instead of Prometheus, she is Icharus. He is the one who wanted to fly to the sun so his dad made him wings. But he made the wings out of wax, so as he got closer and closer to the sun, the wings melted and he fell into the sea.

She allowed the suit to be melded to her body so she could be like Clark and be with Clark, but that same suit will force her to absorb kryptonite and she will be forced to banish herself from Clark because she will become his poison.

[thehenry89]

I don't see it going down that way. I think Lana will be written as a Christ figure in Requiem, denying her own personal happiness to make the ultimate sacrifice for mankind.

You know who she reminds me of? Instead of Prometheus, she is Icharus. He is the one who wanted to fly to the sun so his dad made him wings. But he made the wings out of wax, so as he got closer and closer to the sun, the wings melted and he fell into the sea.

She allowed the suit to be melded to her body so she could be like Clark and be with Clark, but that same suit will force her to absorb kryptonite and she will be forced to banish herself from Clark because she will become his poison.

Well put.

As the great Larry Smiley from LnC: TNAOS

"Your arms are too short to box with god"

[Bizarrolover]

Power was about Lana's ambition to become something she's not. She thinks herself as Lex's equal but she wants to be like Clark. But she can't have it both ways.
I found interesting that Lana went through a special training to lose her 'human' traits, the ones she thinks are making her weak. Because without fear or compassion she'll lose her humanity and she'll never be like Clark. I have faith that the writers will close this arc properly because they've given us every hints that that is how it's going to be.

[stenochick]

Power was about Lana's ambition to become something she's not. She thinks herself as Lex's equal but she wants to be like Clark. But she can't have it both ways.
I found interesting that Lana went through a special training to lose her 'human' traits, the ones she thinks are making her weak. Because without fear or compassion she'll lose her humanity and she'll never be like Clark. I have faith that the writers will close this arc properly because they've given us every hints that that is how it's going to be.

Oh, the irony of your statement that I bolded. That is my take on it, too. Clark is in a league of his own. He is without equal. You can't just hate your human frailties and have some creepy prototype technology adhere to your flesh and become equal to Clark.

[REebee52]

I don't see it going down that way. I think Lana will be written as a Christ figure in Requiem, denying her own personal happiness to make the ultimate sacrifice for mankind.

You know who she reminds me of? Instead of Prometheus, she is Icharus. He is the one who wanted to fly to the sun so his dad made him wings. But he made the wings out of wax, so as he got closer and closer to the sun, the wings melted and he fell into the sea.

She allowed the suit to be melded to her body so she could be like Clark and be with Clark, but that same suit will force her to absorb kryptonite and she will be forced to banish herself from Clark because she will become his poison.

Very nice Icharus analogy. I like it a lot, and it fits well.
I think this has the potential for a poetic tragedy, and I don't fully understand why this episode was so hated. So Lana wanted to be a Superhero. Had I the means, I would want to as well.
She actually is, in some stories, the "Insect Queen," though if they go that route I'll puke up bile.
And while I protect this episode, if they force a separation between Clark and Lana because Lana is a kryptonite machine I won't be so pleased.

[ledzepfan23]

If they address Lana's almost obsessive need for power next week, then maybe I won't think this episode was so bad, but until that happens for me Power was worse than Promise.
I think a lot of the Lana stuff that is making everyone mad will be cleared up in Requiem. After next weeks episode i guarantee people will look back on Power and have a different opinion.

[red_sun1938]

OK, let's look at this from a different prospective entirely. Remove Superman and the 70 year mythos entirely.

Our "hero" learns that his ex-girlfriend's break up video which was noble and instrumental in his development was forced at gunpoint. His "ex" then bests two armed men and escapes only to train as a navy seal and seek revenge on her ex-husband by stealing his ultimate weapon for her own personal development so she can equal her ex-boyfriend. She returns to town, not to rekindle her relationship but to wage a personal war against her ex-husbands empire and when she finally has what she is after then she feels that she is on the same platform as our hero.

In what universe is that a good story or even watchable TV? No matter who the characters are or who portrays them.

[stenochick]

OK, let's look at this from a different prospective entirely. Remove Superman and the 70 year mythos entirely.

Our "hero" learns that his ex-girlfriend's break up video which was noble and instrumental in his development was forced at gunpoint. His "ex" then bests two armed men and escapes only to train as a navy seal and seek revenge on her ex-husband by stealing his ultimate weapon for her own personal development so she can equal her ex-boyfriend. She returns to town, not to rekindle her relationship but to wage a personal war against her ex-husbands empire and when she finally has what she is after then she feels that she is on the same platform as our hero.

In what universe is that a good story or even watchable TV? No matter who the characters are or who portrays them.

That's what I'm saying. Lana wants to be god-like, like Clark. Clark should be totally creeped out by this. Plus, he is sloppy seconds to Lex! She had the opportunity to come back to Clark and she didn't until Ollie had to talk her into it.

Clark, dude! C'mon!

[red_sun1938]

That's what I'm saying. Lana wants to be god-like, like Clark. Clark should be totally creeped out by this. Plus, he is sloppy seconds to Lex! She had the opportunity to come back to Clark and she didn't until Ollie had to talk her into it.

Clark, dude! C'mon!


How does anyone keep falling for this? I just don't get it.

[damara531]

And while I protect this episode, if they force a separation between Clark and Lana because Lana is a kryptonite machine I won't be so pleased.

I completely agree. After 7 years of angst I'd hate feeling like Clark was unable to learn from his experiences with Lana and realize for himself the importance of his responsibility to the world. There is no reason in my mind that I can think of that it would do the Clark character justice to have his relationship with her finally close on that note. As Chloe tried to point out in last night's episode...Clark has finally grown up and realized what he wants to do with his life. Even Clark himself last night said that he's come a long way since Lana's departure. I just hope that the writers in Requiem provide the characters with the proper closure. It would be a tremendous disservice to both of them if the truth behind their fate was masqueraded as something other than it is. Especially if the intention is to bolster Lana to some undeserved status.

[davidbrenton]

If they address Lana's almost obsessive need for power next week, then maybe I won't think this episode was so bad, but until that happens for me Power was worse than Promise.

Agreed.

[Cogito17]

One interesting thing that I think has been somewhat overlooked is the fact that Lana was not necessarily doing all of this for herself. She is also doing it to help Clark. Not so much in the sense of fight alongside him as a superhero, but to help point him in the right direction. As Stenochick said, Clark's moral compass can spin erratically with Lana around. Lana is aware of this and made herself super in part so that Clark would not worry about her, and thus be unencumbered to do what he has to do without worry (I remember this being stressed at the start of the rooftop scene).

Lana's intentions are good, but you know what they say about the road to hell...

I do find it interesting that people drew parallels to Batman Begins in regards to this episode (which I kinda see). But Bruce Wayne seeking power to fight injustice is heroic, while Lana Lang seeking power to fight injustice is painted as a flaw by many. While I certainly see where this impression comes from (her last encounter with super powers didn't go well), I think they will have her use them well this time around as redemption.

Aiming for superpowers is a bit much, but I won't fault Lana for wanting to make the world a better place.

[Shadowlord367]

I really, really liked this episode.

I thought that two things that the trainer said really rang true to Lana's character, and kind of addressed alot of the problems fans have with her. He said "I'm not training you to be like [Clark], I'm training you to be Lana Lang."

Through the entire series, Lana has been totally dependent on Clark. Her character has always been written to react to Clark solely, and that's it. However, since she's been gone, she has embraced adulthood and alleviated herself of her insecurities.

The second thing he said, was the comment about feeling sorry for herself. Lana has had alot of misfortunes in her life, that's unarguable. But it's true, shes felt sorry for herself since the Pilot. Now that those two character flaws are gone, shes brought herself to a position where she can respect herself and truly make a difference in this world.

I loved her interactions with Tess. Tess throughout the episode proved that she has a very dark side, through her bloodlust with with Raegan and also her relentlessness to kill Lana to save the world from Lex, but it also proved that shes not black and white. She does the wrong thing for the right reasons, and she has Lex's "end justifies the means" complex.

I also loved the continuity, that they recalled Lana's season seven escapade to take down Lex, her previous encounters with superpowers, and many other things.

I just wish they hadn't retconned two things in "Bride," Chloe shouldn't have been "shocked" at Lana's return, because she had seen her just a month before. Lana also should have known about Chloe's wedding, which would have made her less likely to give in to Oliver's request to come to the reception.

I didn't really care for the flashback and timeline lapses, but it definately brought us to a position where we can understand Lana better.

[stenochick]

I rewatched Power by myself without distraction and it was much better the second time. It reminded me of Odyssey. I guess it was the Tess-Regan interaction. I stand by all my comments, but I like the episode a lot more after a second viewing.

[Bizarrolover]

When I rewatched the episode today I noticed that Lana's 'now we are equals' speech was given from a superior place, looking down at Clark. The girl really think she's a godess.

[tyson08]

Everything was going okay, until Lana got super-powers and said she was "equal" to Clark. I didn't mind the flashbacks, I had wondered where she'd gone. I would have actually said this episode was a 7 instead of a 3, if Lana hadn't gotten super-powers and said she was equal to Clark. The last 15 mintues of the episode killed it.

[stenochick]

Everything was going okay, until Lana got super-powers and said she was "equal" to Clark. I didn't mind the flashbacks, I had wondered where she'd gone. I would have actually said this episode was a 7 instead of a 3, if Lana hadn't gotten super-powers and said she was equal to Clark. The last 15 mintues of the episode killed it.

I thought the whole episode was good. It told the story of Lana. Lana is free to make these decisions on her own and to acquire superpowers and to not make contact with Clark and to keep secrets from him and to literally look down at him and tell him that they are equals. The episode did a great job of tellling that story and it was very entertaining.

The only thing that "ruined" it for me is that Clark thought this was great and still wants to be a committed, intimate relationship with her instead of just being there for her as a "friend."

I know there is too much history for him to feel nothing, but where is that moral compass that is able to see when Chloe, Ollie, and Lois are crossing a line? He has no problem putting up healthy boundaries with them and seeing their little bits of crazy and their flaws.

Lana can be Lana. They did a great job of showing me that it is plausible for her to want this and to acquire it. I just don't get why Clark would think that this is an ideal situation. This should have been where he decides to let go of the idea of them as lovers, as just thinks of Lana as a peer who he no longer needs to protect.

Lana even said she did it so that Clark would not have to be distracted by her or protect her. Then she goes in for the kiss. These two are so conflicted.

[ClarkyBoy14]

As for the episode itself...

Really, most of it wasn't bad. I really enjoyed Tess in this episode. She's an interesting character, especially now that she is free of her Lex-love, and I'm glad PS3 created her. I also liked her interactions with Regan--the car scene was especially great. It's actually too bad they had to kill him off, because I think they could have done more with him.

I don't really have an opinion on Dr. Grohl, but it was a nice nod to continuity to bring him back.

I think one of my bigger problems with the episode was Clark. I liked how determined he was to save Lana; however, I hated seeing him act like such a jerk towards Tess, Lana's trainer and Chloe. Especially Chloe. She doesn't have to tell him everything, and she's already given him that speech before. I also hated seeing him being so mopey. I think he should be trying to wrap up the roma!Clana, instead of re-kindling it.

I think AM did a great job with the directing duty of the episode. It just looked nice--I especially thought the last shot looked good. And I don't know if this was her decision, but I liked the way they would cut to a flashback: they would pan over to a different part of the room and start the flashback.

As for Lana and her arc...

Mostly, I'm enjoying it. I'm glad that she's acting more mature and (I hope) she truly is over being the victim and feeling sorry for herself. I just think she should try to be like Clark, rather than actually BE Clark. Why can't she do good for the world without superpowers? Shouldn't she try to adopt some of Clark's good characteristics rather than change what she is? I think her power suit is kind of a silly idea. Maybe "Requiem" will result in a "life lesson" for Lana Lang, I don't know.

I just hope Clana is actually ended, and they aren't forced to be apart again.

[Bizarrolover]

As for the episode itself...

Really, most of it wasn't bad. I really enjoyed Tess in this episode. She's an interesting character, especially now that she is free of her Lex-love, and I'm glad PS3 created her. I also liked her interactions with Regan--the car scene was especially great. It's actually too bad they had to kill him off, because I think they could have done more with him.

I don't really have an opinion on Dr. Grohl, but it was a nice nod to continuity to bring him back.

I think one of my bigger problems with the episode was Clark. I liked how determined he was to save Lana; however, I hated seeing him act like such a jerk towards Tess, Lana's trainer and Chloe. Especially Chloe. She doesn't have to tell him everything, and she's already given him that speech before. I also hated seeing him being so mopey. I think he should be trying to wrap up the roma!Clana, instead of re-kindling it.

I think AM did a great job with the directing duty of the episode. It just looked nice--I especially thought the last shot looked good. And I don't know if this was her decision, but I liked the way they would cut to a flashback: they would pan over to a different part of the room and start the flashback.

As for Lana and her arc...

Mostly, I'm enjoying it. I'm glad that she's acting more mature and (I hope) she truly is over being the victim and feeling sorry for herself. I just think she should try to be like Clark, rather than actually BE Clark. Why can't she do good for the world without superpowers? Shouldn't she try to adopt some of Clark's good characteristics rather than change what she is? I think her power suit is kind of a silly idea. Maybe "Requiem" will result in a "life lesson" for Lana Lang, I don't know.

I just hope Clana is actually ended, and they aren't forced to be apart again.

Excellent post, Clarkyboy14

[stenochick]

I just think she should try to be like Clark, rather than actually BE Clark. Why can't she do good for the world without superpowers?

Because she is a little crazy.

[tippership commander]

I agree with the some of the comments on the first page ,because i know the writers will finish this properly


THAT said, 'm realyl bugged by you guys who say she eefs to d oit without suoperpowers

we know why she did it, to help point clark in the right direction

NOW, lets talk superpowers


D Oyou hate lana having super[pwers, even though she's redeemed, ISN"T POWER HUNGRY, and will help clark become superman? I mean, WRATH was a mistake she corrcted, and yet, we all want her to do well, and help the world like she will

But..on her mission t osave the world, suddenly you see her get powers, and you're like

"OKAY, that it, She CANNOT have powers while she's doing good, so i'm really against her now"
did KAra make you critise her actions that much?

or the justice league?


Look , Lana having powers does NOT kill things..


equals....i dont evem pay attention to that, because in the end, Clark becomes superman, so....

Might do him good , to have someone SUPERPOWERED ,cloer tha nKara, and MM, help him on his mission

i mean, think about it...he learned better self control training Kara on the few things she didnt know

you CERTAINLYdidnt wail on Raya....

This could be his one shot to discover more about himself, before he's on his own...

so let him try to do it!

[SparkleforSmallville]

I find it interesting, that Lex has been trying to develop this Promethius suit. i wonder if it was Titan's dna or another Alien. Did Lex still think about saving the World with his superpowers or was it for full blown Villiany. Maybe he just wanted to live forever.

It looks like it's going to be Lex that splits up Clana. I wish MR would come back for this next Arc! I liked the Episode, very Comicbook-ish, and I'm excited to see where PS3 are taking this.

[silveralex]

Good discussion here.

I do agree that Clark should be a little more "whoa..slow down Super-Lana". However, I do see the noble side of what Lana is doing.

She has been kidnapped, hurt, etc. so many times on the series. That plus the orphan at a young age thing, her biological father ignoring her, and various boyfriends (including Clark) turning her away - have left her wanting a way to feel "invincible" as she puts it.

She gets the powers because:

a) Clark will no longer have to worry about her
b) She can do good in the world, inspired by Clark's example

Countless superheroes in the comics are inspired by Superman, so I have no problem with Lana being likewise inspired on SV.

She is very clear at the end that she is doing this to try to do good in the world. Whether or not she gets a relationship with Clark out of it is something maybe she wished for, but it's not the main reason she does it.

So - yeah it's a bit rushed, but they only had a few episodes to work all this in, but I do think it's an honest attempt to show Lana evolving. Interested to see what happens next week.

[skully]

I liked the Prometheus suit arc. It is a device to not only "repair" the crippled Lex, but in that Lex way, it would've given him much more - superpowers. It is Lex personified - evil and greedy.

And for Lana to deny him that and make herself invulnerable to allow her to stand beside the man she loves, without distracting him from his cause, is admirable.

[tippership commander]

Good discussion here.

I do agree that Clark should be a little more "whoa..slow down Super-Lana". However, I do see the noble side of what Lana is doing.

She has been kidnapped, hurt, etc. so many times on the series. That plus the orphan at a young age thing, her biological father ignoring her, and various boyfriends (including Clark) turning her away - have left her wanting a way to feel "invincible" as she puts it.

She gets the powers because:

a) Clark will no longer have to worry about her
b) She can do good in the world, inspired by Clark's example

Countless superheroes in the comics are inspired by Superman, so I have no problem with Lana being likewise inspired on SV.

She is very clear at the end that she is doing this to try to do good in the world. Whether or not she gets a relationship with Clark out of it is something maybe she wished for, but it's not the main reason she does it.

So - yeah it's a bit rushed, but they only had a few episodes to work all this in, but I do think it's an honest attempt to show Lana evolving. Interested to see what happens next week.

you know, i admire you-you're one of the few who has figured out just what's going on, while so many others think otherwise

[stenochick]

you know, i admire you-you're one of the few who has figured out just what's going on, while so many others think otherwise

I get where you are coming from. I just think that Lana has some issues, based on her character development over the years, especially in season 7. Clark should put up some healthy boundaries. Either she wants to do her own thing and not be a distraction to him, or she wants to sleep with him. It is a little messy for both of them for them to want both. That is just my opinion.

----- Added 6 Minutes later -----


I liked the Prometheus suit arc. It is a device to not only "repair" the crippled Lex, but in that Lex way, it would've given him much more - superpowers. It is Lex personified - evil and greedy.

And for Lana to deny him that and make herself invulnerable to allow her to stand beside the man she loves, without distracting him from his cause, is admirable.

I agree with the former, but not the latter. Clark was doing just fine with his life and destiny with Lana simply leaving town with the break-up DVD. I can understand why she would want to be equal to Clark and not distract him, and that she could make it happen. She just seems conflicted: "I don't want to distract you, but I want to sleep with you." It's just not about physical invulnerability, but emotional health as well.

We'll see how it all plays out in Requiem. I just want Lana to leave the show with dignity and for Clark to have dignity, too. Right now, where things were left at the end of Power, they both seemed a little desperate and "crazy."

[dcmarriott]

If the idea of the episode was to show Lana's empowerment, and by extension, female empowerment generally, then I really think the episode worked against itself. In spite of some of the dialogue that suggested that Lana was trying to become the best that she could be, rather than just like Clark, in the end, what she becomes is just like Clark. The message in the final scene was that the only way for Lana and Clark to be equals was for Lana to aquire superpowers, in any way that she could. The message seemed to be that the only way for her to help others was to become super-powered, like Clark. Is that really empowerment? Isn't empowerment doing the best that you can with the abilities that you have? Couldn't Lana have helped others without becoming a superhero? Doesn't that final scene imply that Chloe, Lois, Jimmy, Martha, etc. are not Clark's equals? One of the strengths of the show has always been that Clark treated others as equals, in spite of his powers. There have been a number of episodes which have sent the message that it is moral strength, not physical strength, that makes a person a hero. This episode seemed to completely undercut that message.

[SuperheroFan87]

I do find it interesting that people drew parallels to Batman Begins in regards to this episode (which I kinda see). But Bruce Wayne seeking power to fight injustice is heroic, while Lana Lang seeking power to fight injustice is painted as a flaw by many. While I certainly see where this impression comes from.

You can't compare Bruce to Lana. Yes, Bruce becomes Batman out of revenge.......but he truly has the drive, the desire, and the motivation to insure that no innocent person would have to suffer like he suffered........he takes his revenge and makes something good and worthwhile out of it........he makes Gotham City, the most dangerous city in the world, safe for innocent people to live in without fear.
Lana on the other hand, is just out for herself and I believe she only wants to "save the world" and have powers because she is jealous of Clark.......she's jealous that he has abilities that she doesn't and to be even remotely worthwhile in his eyes she has to adopt his "save the world" attitude. So if anything, I'd say she's Batman in reverse, she's using her training for herself.

[Storm45]

Batman also has no superpowers. Its with his natural skills that he became a hero its not by seeking superpowers.

[SuperheroFan87]

Batman also has no superpowers. Its with his natural skills that he became a hero its not by seeking superpowers.

Exactly, he didn't seek to be invincible..........he simply honed his exceptional mind and his body to the peak of human perfection. Plus, he's not doing what he does to make himself feel better........he does it so innocent people can be safe and free from fear.

Lana is the exact opposite of that IMHO.

[stenochick]

I think Lana is confusing physical invincibility with spiritual power. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi are two examples of changing the world through spiritual power. Their feeling of "invincibility" came not from a suit of armor, but from transcending their fear of death.

Like Prometheus, Lana is playing with fire here and, like all Greek tragedies, it won't end well for her and Clark.

[Bizarrolover]

Originally Posted by Cogito17 http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4402813#post4402813)
I do find it interesting that people drew parallels to Batman Begins in regards to this episode (which I kinda see). But Bruce Wayne seeking power to fight injustice is heroic, while Lana Lang seeking power to fight injustice is painted as a flaw by many. While I certainly see where this impression comes from.


Lana lost perspective once while superpowered and made some questionable choices in the past and nothing assures me that that is not going to happen again. Just because she says she's a different person now it doesn't mean she has the mental stability that is necessary to be a superhero. A faux pas can mean the death of many people. It took Clark a lifetime to adjust to his powers and control his impulses, and after 7 months of training with an ex navy seal or whatever (whose background we barely know) Lana thinks she ready to save the world.

[Cogito17]

You can't compare Bruce to Lana. Yes, Bruce becomes Batman out of revenge.......but he truly has the drive, the desire, and the motivation to insure that no innocent person would have to suffer like he suffered........he takes his revenge and makes something good and worthwhile out of it........he makes Gotham City, the most dangerous city in the world, safe for innocent people to live in without fear.
Lana on the other hand, is just out for herself and I believe she only wants to "save the world" and have powers because she is jealous of Clark.......she's jealous that he has abilities that she doesn't and to be even remotely worthwhile in his eyes she has to adopt his "save the world" attitude. So if anything, I'd say she's Batman in reverse, she's using her training for herself.

I'm not saying that she is his equal by any means. But I wouldn't say that Bruce was naturally born a master martial artist with the ability to fight crime, it is something that he sought out and trained himself to do. Lana did the same thing, she sought out power to fight the good fight (though she took a bit of a shortcut with the suit :lol:).

I, personally, never got the impression that she was out to get power for selfish reasons. I thought it was clear that she did have good intentions for the world, and for Clark (He wouldn't be so fixated on worrying about her now that she is invulnerable, freeing him to be as heroic as he wishes). Nor did I see anything that indicated a jealousy of Clark.

I agree with Stenochick's comments. I think she is playing with fire (with good intentions), and will inevitably end up getting burned. Her intentions ARE good imo, but the outcome is not likely to be as nice.

[stenochick]

Lana lost perspective once while superpowered and made some questionable choices in the past and nothing assures me that that is not going to happen again. Just because she says she's a different person now it doesn't mean she has the mental stability that is necessary to be a superhero. A faux pas can mean the death of many people. It took Clark a lifetime to adjust to his powers and control his impulses, and after 7 months of training with an ex navy seal or whatever (whose background we barely know) Lana thinks she ready to save the world.

Looking back at her training, I'm thinking she did it in order to endure the procedure of having the suit melded or grafted to her body. The training involved withstanding being submerged in ice water and scalding her skin. That is what they did to her in the tank to get the "suit" to meld with her skin. When the nave seal guy told her that now she needed to learn skills, she said no thanks, I need power. Her goal was to get into that suit from the beginning. She put the pieces together with Prometheus and Project Ares and then made her game plan.

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I, personally, never got the impression that she was out to get power for selfish reasons. I thought it was clear that she did have good intentions for the world, and for Clark (He wouldn't be so fixated on worrying about her now that she is invulnerable, freeing him to be as heroic as he wishes). Nor did I see anything that indicated a jealousy of Clark.

I also got the impression from Power that Lana's intentions were pure. I just think that they were misguided.

[Bizarrolover]

Looking back at her training, I'm thinking she did it in order to endure the procedure of having the suit melded or grafted to her body. The training involved withstanding being submerged in ice water and scalding her skin. That is what they did to her in the tank to get the "suit" to meld with her skin. When the nave seal guy told her that now she needed to learn skills, she said no thanks, I need power. Her goal was to get into that suit from the beginning. She put the pieces together with Prometheus and Project Ares and then made her game plan.

I didn't notice that. I guess I didn't pay much attention to their conversation (I really didn't), but I do recall a part when Lana said that she had the power once and she misused/wasn't ready to handle it. I watch it again. So you say that the training was more about making stronger for the procedure? Well, that certainly makes great TV drama, but makes little sense, as a dose of anesthesia could have spared her from the pain. But it would have been less dramatic if she slept through it and her sacrifice less meritorious.

[stenochick]

I didn't notice that. I guess I didn't pay much attention to their conversation (I really didn't), but I do recall a part when Lana said that she had the power once and she misused/wasn't ready to handle it. I watch it again. So you say that the training was more about making stronger for the procedure? Well, that certainly makes great TV drama, but makes little sense, as a dose of anesthesia could have spared her from the pain. But it would have been less dramatic if she slept through it and her sacrifice less meritorious.

just some speculation on my part. When she said she had power before, I assume she meant her experience in Wrath.

[ClarksGal]

I liked the Prometheus suit arc. It is a device to not only "repair" the crippled Lex, but in that Lex way, it would've given him much more - superpowers. It is Lex personified - evil and greedy.

And for Lana to deny him that and make herself invulnerable to allow her to stand beside the man she loves, without distracting him from his cause, is admirable.

I like the Promethius suit arc, and I agree with what you are saying here. I'm not even surprised or offended that Lana went after it...I think that it is definitely keeping with her character, and it's not a stretch even that she wants to use it for good, or that she's inspired by Clark.

I just have a problem with Clark being all OK with it. I'm struggling to find the lesson here, and with Superman, you need to have a clear lesson (sometimes I really think that's what's lacking in the later episodes that I used to see more of in the early episodes).

If the lesson is truly that Lana's hunger for power results in her losing Clark forever, then I guess I can live with that. But I just don't know how clealy that message is going to come through...I have a feeling it's going to be more of Lana the martyr sacrificing her love for Clark to save him/the planet. And then what? Lana goes away, to fight crime elsewhere away from Clark? Or is she permanently Powered-down (sorry for the pun). If she loses her powers AND Clark, then that will be enough for me. But I don't think they are going to send KK out like that. I think Lana is going to be the hero of another city besides Metropolis...before Superman. That's pretty cringe-worthy in my book.

[sarcami]

As a Naruto fan I will share some Gaara quotes



When you feel that the one you admire is disgraced, you are terribly hurt as well and become enraged. The more precious the person you worship is to you... Fighting for those important to you...But just because someone is important to you doesn't necessarily mean that person is good.
Even if you knew that person was evil, people cannot win against their loneliness.



Perhaps the companionship of an evil person is preferable to loneliness.



You have someone in your life whom you honor and revere so much that every hurt on them is inflicted on you as well. And the closer they are to you, the greater the pain.

To feel so strongly for someone you would fight for them... and die for them... However, what if this person you would honor and die for is not a virtuous person?This just shows me how dysfunctional their relationship is. Clark does not want to be lonely so he settles for Lana because he loves her and she knows his secret. This is what is driving him. He has doubts because what she did was morally wrong but he is still emotionally 14 years old. Lana wants to be with him and it's a dream come true.This should not be. The future man of steel needs to realise for himself that the relationship is not what he always dreamed it was.

[SnowBird]

Thank you, Stenochick for starting this thread. It is the only one I even opened besides the "Loved it, Hated it" and "TV Ratings" threads for this episode. I just couldn't bare to go where I thought Lana would be treated so badly. It isn't just Lana I care about but all of the characters and I don't like the bashing and the calling of unflattering names that goes on sometimes. Guess I'm too sensitive.

There were good points made and I learned some things. I'm looking forward to seeing the next episode to get some answers. For the record, I did like "Power" except for the fact I didn't see Clark enough. I suppose Tom likes to have a little break sometimes from his busy schedule.

This thread is the way it should be with sharing point of views in a cordial manner. Would you consider making a thread like this next week? I hope so.

Thanks again...SnowBird

[stenochick]

As a Naruto fan I will share some Gaara quotes
This just shows me how dysfunctional their relationship is. Clark does not want to be lonely so he settles for Lana because he loves her and she knows his secret. This is what is driving him. He has doubts because what she did was morally wrong but he is still emotionally 14 years old. Lana wants to be with him and it's a dream come true.This should not be. The future man of steel needs to realise for himself that the relationship is not what he always dreamed it was.

That is very deep.

My guess is that Requiem would have been titled, Requiem for a Dream, if that was not already the title of a movie and if Smallville was not limited by one-word episode titles.

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Thank you, Stenochick for starting this thread. It is the only one I even opened besides the "Loved it, Hated it" and "TV Ratings" threads for this episode. I just couldn't bare to go where I thought Lana would be treated so badly. It isn't just Lana I care about but all of the characters and I don't like the bashing and the calling of unflattering names that goes on sometimes. Guess I'm too sensitive.

There were good points made and I learned some things. I'm looking forward to seeing the next episode to get some answers. For the record, I did like "Power" except for the fact I didn't see Clark enough. I suppose Tom likes to have a little break sometimes from his busy schedule.

This thread is the way it should be with sharing point of views in a cordial manner. Would you consider making a thread like this next week? I hope so.

Thanks again...SnowBird

Oh, most definitely, Snowbird. I will name it something like, "Now that you have vented your anger, come in here for some rational discussion..." Just kidding. It will be a shorter title.

This thread is like our little secret club since it keeps getting buried under pages of other threads. The only way I get to it is to look up my own previous posts on my user page and click my post to get back in here.

I created it for my own best interest because I saw a lot of really deep symbolism and mythology going on in this arc, while, at the same time, I had the urge to fire off posts venting my frustration with Clana using lots of sarcasm. We all kind of feed on each other's emotions, even online where we do not have voices, faces, or body language. So, I thought it would be a good thing to have a calmer, more positive place to post about Lana.

[ClarksGal]

That is very deep.

My guess is that Requiem would have been titled, Requiem for a Dream, if that was not already the title of a movie and if Smallville was not limited by one-word episode titles.

----- Added 9 Minutes later -----



Oh, most definitely, Snowbird. I will name it something like, "Now that you have vented your anger, come in here for some rational discussion..." Just kidding. It will be a shorter title.

This thread is like our little secret club since it keeps getting buried under pages of other threads. The only way I get to it is to look up my own previous posts on my user page and click my post to get back in here.

I created it for my own best interest because I saw a lot of really deep symbolism and mythology going on in this arc, while, at the same time, I had the urge to fire off posts venting my frustration with Clana using lots of sarcasm. We all kind of feed on each other's emotions, even online where we do not have voices, faces, or body language. So, I thought it would be a good thing to have a calmer, more positive place to post about Lana.

Very good points. Thanks. :)