All the 'News!' and "What Has Smallville's 'Power' Wrought?"

[Imzadia]

:D I'm sincerely Happy about all the Good NEWS about Smallville's 'jump' in Viewership as reported Ratings for "Power" have revealed. I'm sure that it 'impressed' Dawn Ostroff because it proves that it drew in the Female and Age Demographic that she 'Courts' with The CW. I am happy, because I'm one of those fans who wish for a Season 9 for Smallville as well. I'm hoping the Needed extra Time will give the Smallville Writers an opportunity to 'Reroute' Clark's story back in the Right Direction. :\

This would probably be considered a 'BLOG' (or an ESSAY), so IF this is not posted in an Appropriate place, Moderators, Please Direct me to the proper place. AND I apologize if I've done something wrong by posting here.

I would Appreciate some FEEDBACK; Agree or Disagree. Over the course of the series, this is how I've seen it. I've posted some of this in the "When did Lana Lang become Mother Theresa?" thread. You may have seen it, but It's Just My Opinion. :\

Thoughts on what is happening to our Beloved Smallville and my efforts to untangle the reasons why I feel so Disillusioned and Sad are also what's URGED me to start this thread. I Respect and Admire ALL of the Actors who have done their part and contributed to Smallville's Version of Clark Kent's 'early years'. I also Love EVERYTHING about Superman and his 70 year Legacy/Legend. (Except every comic and cartoon where he said, "Up, up and away!" just before flying off, or when he said, "Great Scott!") I was absolutely Fascinated with the first 2 Superman movies, but wasn't too fond of the goofy, klutzy Clark alter ego.

Then I fell 'in Love' with Clark Kent (Superman, and the ADVENTURE that goes along with him, was just the added 'spice' on the side) when he was played by Dean Cain on Lois & Clark: TNAoS, but I fell for Clark because of the way he 'Loved' Lois. Some of the comics helped contribute a lot to helping us understand Clark's devotion and undying love for Lois, but seeing Dean Cain 'act it out, Clark's soft-spoken, shy and humble sincerity coupled with Superheroism, in the flesh' Totally demonstrated to me the way Every Woman WISHED they were Loved. When TH's Lois said her marriage vows to Clark, she described everything about him that made her fall in love with him. What she described is, IMHO, exactly what every woman would hope to find in the man she vows to spend her life with. It's a "Romantic Fantasy", of course, but one of the Best ones I've ever known about in 'modern history'. I watched L&C: TNAoS for their RELATIONSHIP.

I Hated the stupid 'villain' plots and 'campiness' of the series, though. I read the comics and went to the movies for the Action & Adventure. However, SMALLVILLE and it's Clark has the 'Potential' to be BOTH because of the DRAMA that IS Smallville's 'story signature', IMO. The Writers gave him the same basic personality and demeanor as DC's/L&C: TNAoS Clark Kent. Tom Welling was perfectly cast to pull it off with an even more believable physical presence than even Dean Cain's 'Clark', IMO. ;) If Dawn O wanted the writers to 'Work that Angle', I'm sure it'd work for all the ladies, because I know it would work for me. :p :D The guys will always be drawn by the Superhero/testosterone-action angle of it.

Smallville's Clark displayed his Hero/Lover Potential with his feelings for Lana Lang. I was waiting for everything else to fall into place, then as he matured and moved on from his 'childhood/high school sweetheart', he'd meet Lois Lane and eventually, he'd recognize that she was his 'Soul Mate' or 'True One' as they put it in Smallville. IMO, Allison Mack did a Wonderful job on her first outing as Director with "Power"; it's just that The Landscape of the Relationships between Lana & Clark and the Possibilities for Lois & Clark were Altered. So, I guess that's the GIST of my Dilemma. :( :\

I guess my feelings about this whole Lana 'arc' is 'Evolving', too. I've been giving it a lot of thought, because Right Now, I'm feeling :( and :confused: about it all. I 'like' Lana, but since Season 2 I've felt sorry for her... can't help it. She was always such a sweet girl; kind to everyone and a bit quiet but only loosely attached to Anyone, and that includes her Aunt Nell who raised her from the age of 3. Lana was assertive enough and never failed to defend herself if she felt threatened, however, she was a reluctant 'princess' who was put on a Pedestal because she 'was so beautiful' by the Whole Town of Smallville.

She first got a lot of attention because of the Tragedy she suffered at the loss of her parents in the first Meteor Shower. Her picture was on the cover of Life (or Time) magazine. She was Obviously and Understandably Traumatized by the experience since she Saw it happen. Because of her Emotional and Psychological Pain, she resented anyone making references to it. When Perry White went to Smallville, Clark unwittingly introduced him to Lana; unaware that he wanted a chance to interview her again about the 'tragedy' years later. She angrily attacked Clark for being inconsiderate and 'in league' with PW. She 'tattled' to Lex about PW's intentions and 'brought out the Guard Dog in him' to rescue her from the 'bad' reporter.

Lana wanted to know everybody's Secrets, especially Clark's; maybe to feel some 'connection' or included, but when she wasn't trusted enough to get that, she reacted angrily. 'Tantrum', maybe? I thought that was why Clark's 'greatest fear', as revealed in the episode... ??? :eek: [Sorry. Can't remember the name! ...from season 4 with the LexCorp Toxic gas cloud over Smallville that made everyone hallucinate about their worst fear then fall into a coma.] Clark's 'greatest fear' was having Lana find out that he was 'an alien' that 'Came with the First Meteor Shower that Caused her Parents' Death. At first, I figured that's why he felt he couldn't share his 'secret' with her. He feared her Anger and Rejection. On the other hand, in that same S4 ?? episode, Lana's 'greatest fear' was seeing all of her 'loved ones' dead in a morgue; her parents, Chloe, Clark in a deleted scene, and finally her. It seems she was afraid of DEATH. Sadly, Clark pushing her away because he couldn't trust her greatly contributed to her feelings of insecurity and fueled her already seething anger, because she couldn't Control any of it.

Later, I felt it was because of her Association with Lex that he couldn't trust her with his secret. However it happened, in the writers' minds or whatever, Lana always carried around this 'seething anger coupled with a sad need to feel included' and she cleverly or 'Subconsciously' "Covered It Up" with her outwardly 'Sweet' demeanor. I don't think Lana ever wanted to be that person who was put on a pedestal, but she didn't seem to really know Who she was ...outside of a relationship with a boy, because she was never 'unattached' for very long. Yet, none of her other relationships lasted or ended well; and she ALWAYS found her way back to Clark who ALWAYS accepted her back. It puzzled me as to what the REAL reasons were WHY their relationship could never work out, though. Finally, I just figured out that it MUST be because he was Destined to fall in love with his Soul Mate, Lois Lane.

During the first season, Lana and Clark met because she was still visiting her parents' grave at night and talking to them, which wasn't so bad, except she didn't seem to have much of a close relationship with her living Aunt Nell. Then she was quite eager to separate herself from her aunt when her new 'uncle' entered their little 'family'. She never seemed to 'Belong'. Yet, what she most wanted in a relationship was to be Trusted. When Lex 'Deceived' her into believing that he trusted her, he won her over. It was her weakness and became her biggest mistake, too. The 'Writers' wrote her character this way. It's Sad! :(

Lana sincerely wants to help people. When she was with Lex, it gave her the resources to reach out and help those in need, except when Lex interfered with her. I'm thinking that she thought it was the least she could do to feel 'Useful'. I feel Sorry for Lana because Lex's keen eye recognized her vulnerability waaay back in season 2 when they first forged their friendship and partnership. Lana was so young and Naive. Lex started 'Grooming' Lana for himself and just patiently waited for her to become old enough to make his 'move', IMO. She just didn't know how to defend herself against that type of sophisticated attack.

Now, after going through the emotional, psychological, and physical trauma she suffered at the hands of the Luthors, that Anger is Thriving just beneath the surface; especially after her last kidnapping just after coming out of a Brainiac-induced coma. I don't care what type of training she's gone through for a few months, she's MENTALLY UNSTABLE, IMO! :eek: That's Basic Psychology; if the 'Writers' aren't familiar with the situation they've created, then they should've done more research before giving Lana SuperPowers. Now, they need to recognize it and show us that they DID know what they were doing in the first place. They Must Know that Some of us are feeling Panicky at this point in the 'Lana Arc'.

Another Important subject to address about Lana is that she's KILLED people, albeit in self-defense, and although she expressed to Clark that she acknowledges her Responsibility for the mistakes she's made and for the decisions she's made in her battle for survival, she's never paid any penalties or made restitution for any of her misbehavior. The Authorities have never been involved, and I'm sure Lana feels guilty for the lives lost, but she feels it's only fair after what she's had to suffer. In her defense, she pointed out to Clark that 'he has a Fantasy Portrait of who 'he' thinks she really is', and he needs to open his eyes and see and accept her for the Truth of 'who she is'. So far, I don't think that he's opened his eyes, YET. At least, that's the way I see her. :\

I'd truly like to see Lana rise from the Ashes of her past 'horrible' life Like the Phoenix and BE WELL then Happy. :) Of course, she may have truly found what she's been looking for all along and 'Finally feels like she BELONGS'. Afterall, she wants to be like Clark now (Just like Oliver wanted to be in "Rage",) and that's just what she's gone and done. All Clark has ever known was that he wanted her and to be 'with' her. I'm hoping that THIS TIME he'll come out of his love-sick stupor and finally SEE the trouble with Lana and try to Help her before it's too late.

:rolleyes: Then again, we have "The LoSH's Imra's Lana Praise and testimony from the future", `a la Geoff Johns, that Lana will leave behind an Illustrious Legend of Heroism during her lifetime. That's a GOOD Thing!

:\ Unfortunately, ALL THIS leaves the Iconic Romantic CLOIS in Disarray, so to speak... :( Unless the Smallville Writers have a Miraculous Way to make reparations.

[Sunny8]

This is a very good essay. Thanks.


Then I fell 'in Love' with Clark Kent (Superman, and the ADVENTURE that goes along with him, was just the added 'spice' on the side) when he was played by Dean Cain on Lois & Clark: TNAoS, but I fell for Clark because of the way he 'Loved' Lois. Some of the comics helped contribute a lot to helping us understand Clark's devotion and undying love for Lois, but seeing Dean Cain 'act it out, Clark's soft-spoken, shy and humble sincerity coupled with Superheroism, in the flesh' Totally demonstrated to me the way Every Woman WISHED they were Loved. When TH's Lois said her marriage vows to Clark, she described everything about him that made her fall in love with him. What she described is, IMHO, exactly what every woman would hope to find in the man she vows to spend her life with. It's a "Romantic Fantasy", of course, but one of the Best ones I've ever known about in 'modern history'. I watched L&C: TNAoS for their RELATIONSHIP.

I loved L&C, also. It was a show about the relationship between Clark Kent/Superman's and his great love, Lois Lane. It was originally supposed to be a show about that and it was written about that. That is why it is so good from start to finish. You see more progress in that 4 year series than you ever do in the 8 years of SV.

On the other hand, SV originally was supposed to be about Clark Kent and his journey from high school to adulthood to becoming Superman. As an afterthought, however, TPTB tried to make it about the Clark and Lana relationship after they saw that there was a great fan base for it. However, they ruined the character of Lana so much that the relationship between Clark and Lana comes off looking dysfunctional and unhealthy.

They should have stuck to their original plan. If they had, SV would have gone down in history as one of the best series about Clark Kent/Superman ever written. But they allowed the screwed up relationship of Clark and Lana to ruin the show. An example of this is season 8. They were doing so well in the beginning of season 8, without all that Clana/Lanadrama. But as soon as Lana comes back, instead of the writer's going down a new path and presenting the audience with the now mature acting Clark Kent from the first half of the season, they regress his character back to the mess he has been in past season's. Also, instead of developing Lana by letting her appear as a mature, independent woman, they have her acting like some kind of psychotic person that never should be in a relationship with Clark Kent/soon-to-be Superman. With this Lana arc, they missed a great opportunity to allow season 8 to be one of the best season's they could have had in a long time. It is so sad.

[melissan02]

Enjoyed reading this essay post. So many points right on target.

You know, in the beginning of Smallville, I fully expected Lana to be part of the story ---it made sense, she's a canon character. I also enjoyed the story/show. However, I enjoyed it knowing full well that since the show was based on the Superman mythos, Clark Kent/Superman ends up with Lois Lane. I knew that's the way the story would go...even though I didn't expect Smallville would ever have Lois Lane or go that far into the mythos. Then, much to my pleasant surprise:) in Season 4, Lois Lane was added to the Smallville version of the Superman mythos. Adding her was a twist, but the show stayed true to the story....the story of how Clark Kent becomes Superman...his journey, if you will. The destination of that journey brings him to become Superman, Clark Kent journalist, and having Lois Lane as his love and soulmate.
Of those three, we have one destination already reached. This season--or, at least at the beginning, I thought we were well on our way to the other two. It appeared that way because that's what TPTB were giving us....in loads! The buzz was about how much more super-manly Clark was becoming, and it was terrific! The other buzz was about the budding romance...or feelings....between Clark and Lois. Clark's have been more subdued compared to Lois' feelings, but nonetheless, his have been there. This was refreshing, and exciting! It was also expected...afterall, this is Lois & Clark.

Now, the entire landscape of this story/show has changed DRASTICALLY! It's become a show unrecognizable. Clark Kent has now become unrecognizable. In the matter of four episodes, this show has vastly changed from what it was at the beginning of this season. There are lines that have been crossed here, and that's not only wrong, it doesn't make sense. :confused:
We, the fans, are just expected to watch and swallow whatever we're fed...if we don't like it, we can change the channel--right?:rolleyes:
But, that's a shame. This story was written long ago. And while I don't mind veering off course a bit from an original story, a complete derailment is unacceptable! So, my channel will be changed this coming Thursday during "Requiem". I was watching Smallville at the beginning of this season....now, I have no idea what you call the debacle of the show I'm watching?????

[Sunny8]

I was watching Smallville at the beginning of this season....now, I have no idea what you call the debacle of the show I'm watching?????

This is what we are watching--Lana and Clark: the adventures of Superboy :). Yep, maybe that is what the show should have been called, because that is definitely what we are watching now.

[supercatmom]

Smallville should be called "The adventures of BDA"

[Imzadia]

Thanks for reading my Essay, and I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. I wrote it to help myself Sort out what I was feeling about my Favorite TV escape series that had me squirming with excitement to watch a new episode each week THIS SEASON especially. Up until "Power", because I was able to let that last scene of "Bulletproof" slide by as something that Had to happen between them, so I was hoping that now they had gotten it over with. Clark had been acting more Mature and definitely More Supermanly this season, so I was satisfied with his reaction to Lana's return in "Bride". I thought that he handled himself well. He's been acting much more emotionally Balanced as he was more accepting of himself and his Destiny. I just wasn't prepared for him to do a complete 'About Face' Emotionally where Lana was concerned, ...even with or especially Because of their past experiences together. Lana is just as crippling to Clark as Kryptonite. It's as if Clark gets 'Brain Fog' when Lana's "in his orbit" as Chloe put it. His assessment of himself at the beginning of "Power" while watching Lana's 'Good-Bye' DVD again was Right On, IMO. I'm sure THAT'S HOW the Writers KNOW We Feel about it. So, that's why I'm holding on to the hope that they Have A PLAN to FIX this "Debacle".

It IS Sad! Unlike you, Melissa, I WILL be watching "Requiem" on Thursday night. I HAVE to see what they'll do with 'what they've Done'. I'll be staying on board until it's Done. That's the only way I'll be able to group it all together and have some proper perspective of this series as a whole. Yes, Melissa, I Agree; a line Has been crossed that shouldn't have been crossed, IMO. Although I haven't heard Any Good Ideas and I certainly haven't got one of HOW this can be Fixed, so if I'm wrong and TPTB didn't already have a PLAN to RESTORE the Original Path of Clark's story, then I'll be staying close by, GRIEVING, watching Every episode as if I'm waiting for a Friend who is Terminally Ill to Die. :( It'll be so much Easier to WEAN myself from Smallville when it's over.

:) Neither of you said Anything that's made me feel any better. So, I'm hoping some others will join in and have something to add that will maybe lift the heavy Air of Disappointment we have here. :\

[supercatmom]

I'm sorry I have nothing to say that will lift your spirits. PS3 had a great chance to end Clana with dignity and grace and they are blowing it.

I don't hold much hope for Requiem based on what we have seem in Powers.

I liked legend although some of the Lana praise was thick.

I actually liked Bride, and Bullitproof up to the kiss. But I thought based on their past history, a kiss was inevitable so get it over with. But then came powers and everything went down the drain.

Maybe we can all have a party and burn the tapes of powers and requiem or just tape over them.

[Hopefulsuicide]

very good points imzadia, and interesting to read

there are times when i was smallville had never been made. because we should have seen this coming from the pilot... we should have realised that the way Lana and Clark's love was set up as 'star crossed' would mean that it would never really end as long as the show kept running... i guess i didnt expect the show to last this long...

but thats the thing, the longer it lasts, the more it screws up Clois and the more it screws up the Superman mythos

There are four things i am grateful to smallville for. 1. chloe sullivan 2. lex and clark's friendship 3. justin's oliver queen and most importantly 4. that it brought me, 5 and a half years ago, to kryptonsite... :)

everything else i wish i could erase... well actually ED's Lois can stay :lol: