a non-shipper's point of view on PS3

[cksidekick]

okay, i know i'm not the only person here on K-site that doesn't get caught up in the polarizing effects of shipper drama...there are tons of threads on the boards asking whether or not we have all lost faith in PS3... i thought it was about time that someone started a thread, for those of us who don't find ourselves at the far ends of the shipper spectrum...for those of us who don't watch this show with shipper blinders on...

for me, the simple fact that Clois supporters were so happy during the first ten episodes just shows us that PS3 can and WILL write Clois as well as anyone ever has...the fact that so many have such a passionate hatred for the current Clana situation (and that Clana fans seem to be quite happy) is proof that they can and HAVE written Clana extremely well...i just watched the best all around performance, from the whole cast, in years...


season 8 has had good episodes and better episodes, but either way, PS3 has me as hooked on Smallville as i have ever been...if they (Tom, Erica, and PS3) can return in one month with the acting and passion i saw in both "Requiem" (Clana) and "Commited" (Clois) then i will be one happy Smallville fan...

I never lost faith in PS3! ;)

what do you think?

[Jade4813]

I would agree with you that if you look at these two episodes independently, you can say to yourself that PS3 can write ships well. The problem is, IMO, that when you look at them TOGETHER, they don't work well as a show. The characters are inconsistent. If you look at Clark in "Committed" and Clark in "Requiem," you'd probably be thrown as to how he could get from point A to point B.

The problem with this analysis is that it still asks for us to look at the show from a shippers' perspective; it's just asking us not to care what ship is in the forefront at that moment. My problem is, however, that while I confess to having BEEN an SVshipper, when I look at the show now, the storytelling itself is problematic in its overall arc. Individually taken, every one of the episodes may be fine, great, or fantastic. But when you place them all in a line and watch them one after another, the characterization lacks cohesion. And as I understand it...that's not a problem that's going away soon, if spoilers are any indication.

Looking at individuals, Smallville may be great for ships. Looking at the season as a whole, it's terrible for characterization, IMO. And, at the end of the day, characterization is more important to me from a storytelling perspective than shipping. YMMV on all of this, of course.

[christian_kryptonian]

They are AWESOME

[cksidekick]

Jade4813,

trust me when i say all of my thoughts are not really in that first post...your statements speak to the point i want to get at here...at least your negative opinion (if that's the proper way to put it) comes from somewhere other that a blinding hatred of one particular ship or a blinding devotion to another...

i didn't really mean to imply that one should vote based on a shipper preference...quite the opposite actually...i only used those epis as examples because they point out two great episodes... when as you said, you don't care which ship is in the forefront, then how can you approach it from a shipper perspective?

i'll use another example..."Bulletproof"...IMO the most under rated episode so far this season...why? Clana hate...Note my avi...THAT is why i watch Smallville...i don't watch to find out who Clark has the hots for this week...the episode would have been equaly as good to me with Clois at the forefront...i suppose in a way you are right...i approach the show with a certain amount of emotional separation from all the ships on the show...i really DON'T care about one ship more or less than another...

as far as Clark being wishy washy, well, i've been there....it really isn't all that outrageous when one thinks about point a to point b...having the sort of relationship trouble he has had, i would expect anyone to be that way...

when it is all said and done, i expect season 8 to be one of my favorites of the series...and yes, i take it as a whole...not an individual episode at the time...the series, and each season...don't get me wrong though....i have yelled at the screen more than once "Didn't you (random regular character, usually Chloe or Clark) just last week say the exact opposite of the statement you just made?" but that happens on ANY show...

[amberdawn]

What gets me, what gets me more than anything, was how PS3 handled Clark. Yes, I'm mythos Clois shipper, but first and foremost I am a Superman fan, and I can't forgive them for what they've done to his character on this show.

[Hopefulsuicide]

ITA

i personally don't care about a ship... i have enjoyed Clois more than Lana, simply because i prefer her personality, but i have never particularly cared about 'shipping'. it's characterization i care about. and they aren't doing even half a good job.

problem is, it's 'shipping' that's RUINED the show. PS3 have realised that if they make major moves within certain ships, they get amazing ratings. so that is all they are doing. we get near kisses, episodes ending on a kiss, episodes entirely centered around Clark and Lan's relationship... and nothing on Clark becoming more mature or more of a hero... just that he is sad because he's lost Lana... and 'it's not fair'

[Timester]

okay, i know i'm not the only person here on K-site that doesn't get caught up in the polarizing effects of shipper drama...there are tons of threads on the boards asking whether or not we have all lost faith in PS3... i thought it was about time that someone started a thread, for those of us who don't find ourselves at the far ends of the shipper spectrum...for those of us who don't watch this show with shipper blinders on...

for me, the simple fact that Clois supporters were so happy during the first ten episodes just shows us that PS3 can and WILL write Clois as well as anyone ever has...the fact that so many have such a passionate hatred for the current Clana situation (and that Clana fans seem to be quite happy) is proof that they can and HAVE written Clana extremely well...i just watched the best all around performance, from the whole cast, in years...


season 8 has had good episodes and better episodes, but either way, PS3 has me as hooked on Smallville as i have ever been...if they (Tom, Erica, and PS3) can return in one month with the acting and passion i saw in both "Requiem" (Clana) and "Commited" (Clois) then i will be one happy Smallville fan...

I never lost faith in PS3! ;)

what do you think?

Pointless Clana arc apart (even on the Lana episodes, there were good thing), PS3 have done a great job this year. For me is not about faith, it's about good stories and bad stories, I praise what is worth to praise and I rant about what is needed to be ranted.

That's all.

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


problem is, it's 'shipping' that's RUINED the show. PS3 have realised that if they make major moves within certain ships, they get amazing ratings. so that is all they are doing. we get near kisses, episodes ending on a kiss, episodes entirely centered around Clark and Lan's relationship... and nothing on Clark becoming more mature or more of a hero... just that he is sad because he's lost Lana... and 'it's not fair'

Exactly. They need to move back away from the shipping. That's why the show was good on the first half.

[luthorian]

You know funny you should mention, they do write amazing storylines when some relationships are involved. Really I mean great examples are Clois, Chlavis and Clana. I can't complain about how powerful those ships have been this season. So in that regard this has been the best season ever.

But the problem is how the individuals get overshadowed by the ships. Clark is the worst example of this simply because he is the one who should be growing most as an individual.

So I don't really know how to feel about PS3. I think they do write relationship focused storylines better than anyone and then it's like they don't pay any attention to the other things.

[Timester]

You know funny you should mention, they do write amazing storylines when some relationships are involved. Really I mean great examples are Clois, Chlavis and Clana. I can't complain about how powerful those ships have been this season. So in that regard this has been the best season ever.

When you say "amazing", you mean "awful" right?

Because Clois was Lois-sided, Clark became a bafoon because of Clana and I don't even want to enter to how WRONG Chlavis is, especially for Chloe.

[e-µ-i]

I have extremely little faith left, and I think that if the writers would just look at this forum once in a month they would find smarter stuff and comments on their pathetic work that could actually help them building a storyline.
At the moment, Clark is a gigolo. Literally. There is no sign of Kal-el/Superman. None.

[quietone]

Looking at individuals, Smallville may be great for ships. Looking at the season as a whole, it's terrible for characterization, IMO. And, at the end of the day, characterization is more important to me from a storytelling perspective than shipping. YMMV on all of this, of course.

There isn't enough word for this statement. I'm a non-shipper so I care more about the storylines and the characters more than I care about who is with whom. When ships take over a show or start to negatively affect a character that's when I have problems.

[Hopefulsuicide]

When you say "amazing", you mean "awful" right?

Because Clois was Lois-sided, Clark became a bafoon because of Clana and I don't even want to enter to how WRONG Chlavis is, especially for Chloe.

agreed... they have basically taken characters i loved and through relationships, have destroyed them...

I have really been enjoying Lois. But watching her fall for Clark and him too wrapped up in Lana to notice just destroyed it for me.

I used to love Clark Kent. But through 8 years of Clana, ended by the worst arc in television history, his character has been ruined.

I'm not even going into Chlavis, other than to say 'Doomdsay loves Chloe'... :lol:

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

in order to have a Clana kiss, or three or four, the 8th season has sacrificed all the characterization it had done, not only in the first half, but i believe in the 7th season, in showing us why Clana doesn't work and why she needed to move on

and it was all for ratings

[MetropolisGirl4SV]

I have very little faith in PS3 at this point. Why? Because they have made the main character of this show look helpless and pathetic. This is about Clark Kent and his journey. It's not about Clois,Clana, Chlark etc...In the end this show is supposed to me about how Clark Kent grows to become a man a Super man. I am bitterly disappointed about the wishy washy writing that has taken place. I am a Lois fan I will admit, but I won't put her above the future Man of Steel to make her look like a saint. I care more about Supes in the end then any relationship, but the show has proved that this is just another Dawsons Creek. :\

----- Added 43 Seconds later -----


There isn't enough word for this statement. I'm a non-shipper so I care more about the storylines and the characters more than I care about who is with whom. When ships take over a show or start to negatively affect a character that's when I have problems.

ITA

[luthorian]

When you say "amazing", you mean "awful" right?

Because Clois was Lois-sided, Clark became a bafoon because of Clana and I don't even want to enter to how WRONG Chlavis is, especially for Chloe.

It's not that black and white. If you read my entire post you probably noticed what I said about the individuals. I think the ships are powerfully written but in the end don't make any sense if the people in the relationship are like loose cannons.

[Timester]

It's not that black and white. If you read my entire post you probably noticed what I said about the individuals. I think the ships are powerfully written but in the end don't make any sense if the people in the relationship are like loose cannons.

But it is black and white. When a ship destroys a character, it's a bad ship.

The only good ship on the show was Lollie. Both were mature from the beginning to the ending.

[Var-Zol]

Sink the ships!!! No more crap romance on the show!!! Lets see some superpowered action for once!!!!!

[dotsie23]

So much for this being from a "non shipper" POV thread:lol:
Anyway I'm looking forward to the writers, hopefully, setting the show back on course and seeing Clark become the MOS.

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


Sink the ships!!! No more crap romance on the show!!! Lets see some superpowered action for once!!!!!

I agree with you 100% Var-Zol:)

[Timester]

So much for this being from a "non shipper" POV thread:lol:
Anyway I'm looking forward to the writers, hopefully, setting the show back on course and seeing Clark become the MOS.

It is non-shipper, we are showing our non-shipping membership. :p

[Hopefulsuicide]

But it is black and white. When a ship destroys a character, it's a bad ship.

The only good ship on the show was Lollie. Both were mature from the beginning to the ending.

again completely agreed. nothing about their relationship was dysfunctional even though they were both characterised as a little dysfunctional in themselves :lol:

the Lollie break up in Justice was the only time i really cared... Oliver's words where perfect and some of my favourite lines on Smallville EVER.

no other relationship has been given that much dignity

[luthorian]

Well then you just end up with having bad characters :lol:

[Hopefulsuicide]

It is non-shipper, we are showing our non-shipping membership. :p

:lol: yeah it needs to be explained why we are non shippers in the first place, and why we feel that without them episode would be better

[dotsie23]

Well then you just end up with having bad characters :lol:


So true!:lol:

[Demien]

I have very little faith left. They better be careful!

[moviefan2k4]

The only big mistake that the show has made over the years is ramping up the sexual content. Quite frankly, I hated it when it was decided that Clark should "shack up" with Lana, because like similar moments before in the series, it went completely against Clark's moral character. Donner did the same thing in "Superman II", and to this day I believe it was a foolish choice. It's bad enough that almost all of the female leads (except for Martha) have been shown as sex-crazed objects at least once in the last 8 years...but for Clark to "join the party" in this regard just made me mad as hell. I'm thankful that it hasn't been as bad as "90210" or "Gossip Girl", but all the same those "shack-up" scenes still make me cringe (I usually wind up skipping past them on the DVDs).

[Hobbes829]

what's wrong with characters having a sexual relationship? 2 people who love eachother are innevitably going to sleep together. Lois may have dated aquaman for a few days, and was in a relationship with ollie, but that hardly makes her a slut. Lana has only slept with 2 people, and chloe has only slept with Jimmy. This is PG material.

[moviefan2k4]

what's wrong with characters having a sexual relationship?Absolutely nothing, so long as its a man and woman who are married.


2 people who love eachother are inevitably going to sleep together.That's not true. Just because the media constantly says "everyone is doing it", that doesn't mean its a fact. It is possible to honestly love someone in the romantic sense and still remain virgins until marriage. That doesn't mean its easy, but it still happens.


Lois may have dated Aquaman for a few days...In my opinion, anyone - man or woman - who sleeps with someone after only a few days is acting like a slut. Attraction can happen in an instant, but a lasting commitment and true love can't. Both take time to develop.


Lana has only slept with 2 people, and chloe has only slept with Jimmy.The point I'm trying to make is that TV and film constantly dismiss the idea of sexual integrity as "old-fashioned", "impractical", or "unnecessary", when in truth it's imperative, and nowadays more than ever. Media influences people in so many ways, and the more they're told, "Sex is completely acceptable and normal, regardless of boundaries", they will believe it.


This is PG material.I'd hardly consider an unmarried couple breaking a bed or causing an earthquake with their sex life PG-rated (not to mention all the other "sexcapade" moments that have taken place throughout the show's run).

[Superman's_Wife]

When you say "amazing", you mean "awful" right?

Because Clois was Lois-sided, Clark became a bafoon because of Clana and I don't even want to enter to how WRONG Chlavis is, especially for Chloe.

Lol. You're always so funny! :)

PS3, you are walking on thin ice with me!!!

[ManOfSteel87]

So much for this being from a "non shipper" POV thread:lol:
Anyway I'm looking forward to the writers, hopefully, setting the show back on course and seeing Clark become the MOS.

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



I agree with you 100% Var-Zol:)

The problem with trying to take a non-shipper POV is that this season has become so focused on the ships that it is almost impossible to talk about it without getting into the ships.

People talk about the wishy-washy writing and having characters being inconsistent, etc. but in the end all that goes back to how the characters have been developed through each relationship this season IMO. I'm a Clois fan, but the ships have taken over the show right now and it hasn't been good for any character really.

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


Absolutely nothing, so long as its a man and woman who are married.

That's not true. Just because the media constantly says "everyone is doing it", that doesn't mean its a fact. It is possible to honestly love someone in the romantic sense and still remain virgins until marriage. That doesn't mean its easy, but it still happens.

In my opinion, anyone - man or woman - who sleeps with someone after only a few days is acting like a slut. Attraction can happen in an instant, but a lasting commitment and true love can't. Both take time to develop.

The point I'm trying to make is that TV and film constantly dismiss the idea of sexual integrity as "old-fashioned", "impractical", or "unnecessary", when in truth it's imperative, and nowadays more than ever. Media influences people in so many ways, and the more they're told, "Sex is completely acceptable and normal, regardless of boundaries", they will believe it.

I'd hardly consider an unmarried couple breaking a bed or causing an earthquake with their sex life PG-rated (not to mention all the other "sexcapade" moments that have taken place throughout the show's run).

ITA

----- Added 3 Minutes later -----


When you say "amazing", you mean "awful" right?

Because Clois was Lois-sided, Clark became a bafoon because of Clana and I don't even want to enter to how WRONG Chlavis is, especially for Chloe.


But it is black and white. When a ship destroys a character, it's a bad ship.

The only good ship on the show was Lollie. Both were mature from the beginning to the ending.

I also have to agree with you Timester

[alma]

Before I go on, let me just say that I am a Clois fan. That being said, what I don't like is how PS3 have moved away from the original Superman!!!. I hate that the most. Lana never had any superpowers in the comics (correct me if I'm wrong)she was his friend in high school, that was it... I could be wrong, but I don't recall her ever being on Lois and Clark:The New Adventures of Superman. If she was such a hugh influence on Clark's life how come she was never on, or if she was on, I must have blinked because I never saw her on that show. I wish they would stop making her seem more important then Clark. Because to me Smallville is Clark Kent and his beginnings, not Lana Lang and all her drama.:(:confused:

[Hobbes829]

i never got the idea that lois slept with aquaman. She may have with ollie. I do believe that marriage is an important institution, but marriage after sex is okay. So long as it's not impulsive and those involved are doing so because of deep values for the other person it's more than okay.

I'd say how smallville treats sex is very PG. There are a lot more graphic depictions of sex on tv, such as when buffy sleeps with spike.

In any case, the current writers did a great job with cleaning up the mess that was season 7. Season 8 was exciting and fun with the exception of the last few episodes. Hopefully they'll do better now that Lana's finally out of the way.

[Hopefulsuicide]

Before I go on, let me just say that I am a Clois fan. That being said, what I don't like is how PS3 have moved away from the original Superman!!!. I hate that the most. Lana never had any superpowers in the comics (correct me if I'm wrong)she was his friend in high school, that was it... I could be wrong, but I don't recall her ever being on Lois and Clark:The New Adventures of Superman. If she was such a hugh influence on Clark's life how come she was never on, or if she was on, I must have blinked because I never saw her on that show. I wish they would stop making her seem more important then Clark. Because to me Smallville is Clark Kent and his beginnings, not Lana Lang and all her drama.:(:confused:

she was there... it's quite funny really

Clark tells Lois that he ran into Lana and ended up inviting her to the wedding, because she is 'Lana' and Lois laughs that the Man of Steel is scared to say no to a girl from Smallville

Then Lois is sent to an alternate universe, in which she had died before Clark ever met her. In this universe, he was engaged to Lana and she was this hideous blonde bossy ***** who always told him not to use his powers because they would take him away from her if they knew the truth about him. His parents died when he was younger in this incarnation and he had raised himself.

Lois teaches him who he was meant to be, even making him a suit and taking him flying around town to save people. With this encouragement and the strange feeling that he gets around Lois (because she is the love he was supposed to have, but who died in this world) he becomes Superman. At which point Lana declares that it's either Superman or her!

At the end of the episode, Lois, back in her own world, tells Clark that he should go ahead and tell Lana she is invited to the wedding, because she thinks she understands why it will never work with her, and why it would always work for them, no matter how crazy the world gets.

*sighs*

I feel better just explaining that! :)

[kaam]

Absolutely nothing, so long as its a man and woman who are married.

That's not true. Just because the media constantly says "everyone is doing it", that doesn't mean its a fact. It is possible to honestly love someone in the romantic sense and still remain virgins until marriage. That doesn't mean its easy, but it still happens.

In my opinion, anyone - man or woman - who sleeps with someone after only a few days is acting like a slut. Attraction can happen in an instant, but a lasting commitment and true love can't. Both take time to develop.

The point I'm trying to make is that TV and film constantly dismiss the idea of sexual integrity as "old-fashioned", "impractical", or "unnecessary", when in truth it's imperative, and nowadays more than ever. Media influences people in so many ways, and the more they're told, "Sex is completely acceptable and normal, regardless of boundaries", they will believe it.

I'd hardly consider an unmarried couple breaking a bed or causing an earthquake with their sex life PG-rated (not to mention all the other "sexcapade" moments that have taken place throughout the show's run).
Great post. I wholeheartedly agree.

[9-SOSIHTWB]

Don't want to apear thick but, what or who is PS3!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kaam]

Don't want to apear thick but, what or who is PS3!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS3 is an acronym based on the show-runners' last names: PS3 = Brian Peterson, Kelly Souders, Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer. For more Acronyms & Abbreviations, visit the following thread: http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61706 (Acronyms & Abbreviations)

[ZODisGOD]

7 words
Less Soap Opera And More Superpower Action.
and PS3, if you're not down with that, we got two more words for ya......

[alma]

she was there... it's quite funny really

Clark tells Lois that he ran into Lana and ended up inviting her to the wedding, because she is 'Lana' and Lois laughs that the Man of Steel is scared to say no to a girl from Smallville

Then Lois is sent to an alternate universe, in which she had died before Clark ever met her. In this universe, he was engaged to Lana and she was this hideous blonde bossy ***** who always told him not to use his powers because they would take him away from her if they knew the truth about him. His parents died when he was younger in this incarnation and he had raised himself.

Lois teaches him who he was meant to be, even making him a suit and taking him flying around town to save people. With this encouragement and the strange feeling that he gets around Lois (because she is the love he was supposed to have, but who died in this world) he becomes Superman. At which point Lana declares that it's either Superman or her!

At the end of the episode, Lois, back in her own world, tells Clark that he should go ahead and tell Lana she is invited to the wedding, because she thinks she understands why it will never work with her, and why it would always work for them, no matter how crazy the world gets.

*sighs*

I feel better just explaining that! :)
Thanks for letting me know. I had no idea she was on. Looks like it was not a big deal anyway.:rotfl:

[skully]

I think they've done a great job. The opening 11 episodes of S8 have been great, and while the Superwoman Lana arc was a little disappointing, that's now done with and we can get on with destiny + Lois.

Bring on S9. :)

[alejandrita439]

i have faith inthem :D

[BadToad]

I wanted to choose the "sucks" option, because I think they do. Greatly! But since I will be sticking with the show until its over out of loyalty to Mr Welling, and a my completist nature, it would be inaccurate to say I was done with the show. So, I choose "very little faith" instead. But I still think thats giving them too much credit. IMO

[SnowBird]

I must be pretty easy to please because I just don't see many of the complaints. Whoever Clark is with at the time is okay with me, and the same with the other characters. I guess that's the beauty of being a non shipper. There really isn't that much physical contact between couples over the years. Last year, people were complaining that Clark and Lana weren't kissing and now some are complaining they are. Everyone just can't be pleased. Seems to me that Superman has always wanted to be with Lois so his story is more than action and bad guys. If the only thing Clark did was fight the bad guys, Smallville would have ended years ago. I like S8 and so did many of the posters as they were praising the producers before Lana came back and now all of a sudden, the season is going down the toilet over a couple of episodes. People can turn so easily. I say bring on season 9 with love interests, bad guys, action and Clark becoming Superman.

[vyperman7]

This season it is pretty difficult to discuss S8 without involving ships in the discussion. Especially when you consider the fact that Clark's regression is solely based on his relationship with Lana. When a ship is the cause of a character's downfall, how can you not discuss it? I was quite happy with Clark's development in the first half. However, the current Lana arc destroyed his character beyond repair. This is the guy that is supposed to become Superman, and he was willing to abandon his principles and kill himself leaving the world without a hero for selfish reasons. How can a guy that does something like that ever be worthy of being called Superman? People also can't use the "he still needs time to grow up" argument anymore either as far as I am concerned. He is a man now and is going to be 24 years old. His teenage years are long gone. After eight years, Clark should realize what his destiny is, and be able to realize what his priorities are.

So PS3 did a very good job in the first half, but managed to completely undo it all with only a handful of episodes. Personally, it felt like AlMiles wrote the script and just handed it off to them. I find it hard to believe that these recent episodes came from them because the first half if so completely different. You also can't leave Clois out of it either because of the fact that the rest of the season is Clois heavy, which completely conflicts with the Lana arc. I am pissed that the writers expect us to just accept Clark having feelings for Lois like the Lana arc never happened. He won't have anytime to move on, and once again this does damage to his character because it makes him indecisive.

[SnowBird]

I just don't see what happens to Clark at 21 is going to stop him from becoming Superman 10 years later. He is allowed to make mistakes and grow as a person. Ten years makes a world of difference in a person's way of thinking and the choices they make. If Clark becomes Superman on Smallville there is going to have to be a major time jump which would include some training of some kind even if it is off-screenville.

[vyperman7]

I just don't see what happens to Clark at 21 is going to stop him from becoming Superman 10 years later. He is allowed to make mistakes and grow as a person. Ten years makes a world of difference in a person's way of thinking and the choices they make. If Clark becomes Superman on Smallville there is going to have to be a major time jump which would include some training of some kind even if it is off-screenville.

Here's the thing though. Clark isn't a normal person. He is held to a higher standard because of who he becomes. The point is that even though he won't become Superman for at least another 8-10 years, his personality and beliefs should already resemble Superman. The cape and the tights don't make the hero. The man inside of the outfit does.

The first half of the season was about Clark finally realizing his destiny and caring about the world and not just the people in his life. When the writers have him willing to abandon his ideals and risk his own life in the process they are doing major damage to his character and the progress he made. I agree that it is all about learning from your mistakes. With Clark though, he has made enough mistakes to last him a lifetime. He should have learned his lessons by now. Wasn't that the point of the last eight years? He is a man now, and the time for growing up is over. The fans only know what they can see, and the writers are supposed to leave us with the confidence and belief that he will become Superman one day. Unfortunately the writers always seem to have the attitude of "Well he doesn't become Superman on the show, so we don't have to worry about it." At the comic-con, they were asked a question dealing with the glasses and how Clark will be able to pull it off when so many people have seen his face. Their response was to laugh and say "Luckily we don't have to deal with that on the show."

In regards to Clark's age - He was 15 in S1 and we are in S8 now. So if I am not mistaken he will be turning 23 near the end of this season, and end the show being 24 next season assuming we get a S9.

[SnowBird]

I understand what you are saying vyperman7 that Clark should be more Supermanly but just because you turn 21 doesn't automatically allow him to not make a mistake. He was raised by humans with human feelings. Jor-El has warned him about this but Clark's humaness still takes over his good sense sometimes. I'm glad for this because I think if the Kents hadn't instilled this in him, he wouldn't be the Superman we know. Love has a way of making a person do things they wouldn't ordinarily do. Besides, the reason we do have the stalling is because they want Smallville to keep going. When they know it is Smallville's last year, Clark will be making progress leaps and bounds in his development and I think you will see this in S9...On Clark's age. He was 14 as a freshman in highschool. Jonathan mentioned to Clark early in his senior year that he was 17 so he was 18 when he graduated. So that makes him 21 now and 22 at his next birthday around April.

[Jedimaster_TTBaby]

I have some faith left. I'll see what happens next. - That about sums up my feelings.

[vyperman7]

He was 14 as a freshman in highschool. Jonathan mentioned to Clark early in his senior year that he was 17 so he was 18 when he graduated. So that makes him 21 now and 22 at his next birthday around April.

My bad, I guess you are right about the age. I just quickly added 8 to 15. However, going back and doing it a bit more slowly it does come out to him being 22 at the end of this season. Still though regardless of whether he is 22 or 23, I still feel that we have had 8 seasons for Clark to learn from his mistakes and develop. When they have him making references to being 14, and acting like he did when the show started, it doesn't leave a lot of hope for him being ready. Especially when there is only one season left if we even manage to get a ninth season.

Would you still be feeling as confident if the show ended after this season?

[Lexsghost]

Didnt 2 of this 3 leave the show now? That speaks volumes in terms of faith in smallville as a critics point of view.

[SnowBird]

My bad, I guess you are right about the age. I just quickly added 8 to 15. However, going back and doing it a bit more slowly it does come out to him being 22 at the end of this season. Still though regardless of whether he is 22 or 23, I still feel that we have had 8 seasons for Clark to learn from his mistakes and develop. When they have him making references to being 14, and acting like he did when the show started, it doesn't leave a lot of hope for him being ready. Especially when there is only one season left if we even manage to get a ninth season.

Would you still be feeling as confident if the show ended after this season?

I don't worry about what I can't change and just enjoy Smallville. I'm wierd that way...LOL

[Var-Zol]

Can we please stop people from making these stupid pet names that are two names combined?

[Fridaythe13Jason]

Can we please stop people from making these stupid pet names that are two names combined?

AMEN brother! I couldn't agree more!

[Odysseus]

I think they've done a great job. The opening 11 episodes of S8 have been great, and while the Superwoman Lana arc was a little disappointing, that's now done with and we can get on with destiny + Lois.

Bring on S9. :)

I agree with this completely.

Honestly, even though I myself dislike Lana, I feel like most ppl on the boards have been hating the past few episodes merely because of Lana's big role and for no other reason. Yes, the idea of Super-Lana running around annoys me, but at least it's not totally unprecedented (in Pre-Crisis continuity, Lana became Insect Queen for a while).

Well Lana's out of the picture now (although KK has stated in an interview that, like Michael Rosenbaum, she is open to returning for the series finale, and if that does happen I assume TPTB will have her lose her superpowers and krypto-radiation). So the season can continue with Lois triumphantly returning. :)

[ox007]

I think it's not always that people hate Lana just because they do. I think if she was written better, especially now, people would look at her differently. They should have handled her character better imo, Triplet's review sums it up quite nicely. The only question remains, did they handle her character, for us to discuss it forever and ever and to create so much emotions around her and CK as we see in some threads? :)

[Hopefulsuicide]

ITA

they almost had it... after Bride i was posting that i actually didn't find Lana annoying, i found her mature, intelligent and classy

but the bad writing of legion, power and requiem not only undid that, but made my dislike of her character stronger than it has ever been in 8 seasons of the show

[alejandrita439]

im still have faith in them...
:D

[A Dawg]

I prefer the xbox 360 and the wii over the PS3. That's just how I feel.

[Your Hero]

I would agree with you that if you look at these two episodes independently, you can say to yourself that PS3 can write ships well. The problem is, IMO, that when you look at them TOGETHER, they don't work well as a show. The characters are inconsistent. If you look at Clark in "Committed" and Clark in "Requiem," you'd probably be thrown as to how he could get from point A to point B.

The problem with this analysis is that it still asks for us to look at the show from a shippers' perspective; it's just asking us not to care what ship is in the forefront at that moment. My problem is, however, that while I confess to having BEEN an SVshipper, when I look at the show now, the storytelling itself is problematic in its overall arc. Individually taken, every one of the episodes may be fine, great, or fantastic. But when you place them all in a line and watch them one after another, the characterization lacks cohesion. And as I understand it...that's not a problem that's going away soon, if spoilers are any indication.

Looking at individuals, Smallville may be great for ships. Looking at the season as a whole, it's terrible for characterization, IMO. And, at the end of the day, characterization is more important to me from a storytelling perspective than shipping. YMMV on all of this, of course.


1st----Clark has not yet actually taken on Lois as his love to be.....in fact he's confronted with it several times and each time he has hesitated and questioned. Where as with Lana he has always cared for her deeply. (No shipper here) He might have considered it sooner but Lana comes back for an important arc to close up some loose ends and to add possible stories for the future.

2nd---Now he has confronted what he should have confronted at the end of season 7. now that he HAS to come to terms with what has happened with Lana leaving. Face to face this time :) It will not be oh I love Lois tomorrow, but will progress there over time.

Point being is that the whole story will have a point.....It will just take time to get there. It's like being at a movie.....Don't ask questions until its over......cuz 99% of the time the questions will be answered before the movie's over. :):)

----- Added 12 Minutes later -----


I agree with this completely.

Honestly, even though I myself dislike Lana, I feel like most ppl on the boards have been hating the past few episodes merely because of Lana's big role and for no other reason. Yes, the idea of Super-Lana running around annoys me, but at least it's not totally unprecedented (in Pre-Crisis continuity, Lana became Insect Queen for a while).

Well Lana's out of the picture now (although KK has stated in an interview that, like Michael Rosenbaum, she is open to returning for the series finale, and if that does happen I assume TPTB will have her lose her superpowers and krypto-radiation). So the season can continue with Lois triumphantly returning. :)

I agree that the super powered Lana isn't unprecedented. I'd like to add a theory that Geoff John's 'New Krypton' does have a new character that has yet to be identified, however It is a Super Powered Woman. I found this coincidentally on Wiki and under Superwoman....Could this be a tie in? I like Rumors :) lol

[xrayvision]

I'm not a shipper, but I haven't been happy with the following:

1. The Lana garbage seen in Power & Requiem. It was digusting and the failure to show Clark not being able to leave her behind and that entire SuperLana thing was some of the worst writing I have ever seen.

2. The definition of Davis/Doomsday through Chloe. I expected to see more Clark-Davis interaction, but with the exception of 1-2 minutes of interaction in Toxic, a decent amount of interaction in Prey, and hardly any interaction in Eternal, they failed to establish any Clark-Davis interaction & define Davis as Clark's enemy. Instead they turned him into some messed up love interest for Chloe. That scene in Bride made me cringe with disgust at the thought of turning Doomsday into a Dawson's Creek type character.

3. The return to the failure that was the Veritas storyline. These guys just couldn't write an origin of Doomsday without creating further plotholes and bringing up that contradiction-ridden Veritas plot. They didn't need to tie him to Clark's arrival. Yet they did & screwed things up. I wanted season 8 to move forward without looking back to the garbage writing that was season 7. Eternal was an epic failure of this.

4. Lack of Jimmy Olsen. This guy has really shined in his few appearances this season. He was great in Prey & Identity. I especially loved his interaction with Clark & John Jones in Prey. I was hoping to see him tag along with Jones as a photographer on some of his police missions. He stole the show in Turbulence and was great in Bride as well. He needs much more airtime. He was also cool in Instinct & Committed.

I do like that much of the focus Clark had in the first 3 seasons has been returned to him (not all, but a lot of it). I like how the Justice League hasn't had a big impact this season. I'm afraid this won't be the case next season, but hopefully I'm wrong. Given consistent disappointments in the last 3 seasons, I don't have faith in them in keeping JLA's influence next season at the same level or less than seen in season 8.

[Lazy Boy]

Well Lana's out of the picture now (although KK has stated in an interview that, like Michael Rosenbaum, she is open to returning for the series finale, and if that does happen I assume TPTB will have her lose her superpowers and krypto-radiation).

I thought MR has ruled himself out of returning for the finale?? Do you have a link to this article?