Was the Lana arc pandering?

[MrZeppo]

I really don't want this to erupt into a war, but I wanted to address something I've been feeling since I watched the last two episode. This isn't about Clois or Clana. Please don't bring that into this.

When I first heard KK was coming back I had hoped the Lana arc would essentially show both Clark and Lana as adults. I was really okay with Lana returning because I didn't really mind her in Legion or Bulletproof. She seemed to have grown up so much, as I had hoped for a long time. And I thought it was only fair for Lana fans to try and get closure on their favorite character. But her arc really wasn't what I expected or hoped for. I have NOT been a fan of AlMiles original arc for Lana because here was a character that started well enough and then became this twisted character that annoyed me more often than not.

I've never been a fan of the saying "Lanaville" here on the K-site forums. But after the last two weeks I have to admit my disgust with the way this whole Lana arc went down. I feel this arc was pandering to Lana's character WAY too much. And it did it at the sacrifice of other characters.

Last year Lana tried to murder Lex out of revenge in "Wrath", looking down on Clark for hiding on a farm when he should have "taken care of Lex". Then in "Legion" she has the gall to tell Imra that she's never ask Clark to kill. That irked me, but I let it slide.

Then they had that scene where Lana lectured Clark because he was contemplating killing Chloe. This made me furious. Especially after how he lectured Rokk later in "Legion" about never killing. Clark would never, ever kill. He couldn't even kill Lionel when he thought he murdered Jonathan. But here were have Clark act completely out of character so we could have an inspirational scene where Lana lectured Clark.

Then last night again, we have Clark act completely out of character again because he wants to kill Lex, and again they insert Lana as this inspirational person who convinces them not to.

I just feel they made Clark look bad to make Lana look heroic and inspirational. It came off as so forced because they had Clark act so out of character just to make Lana look good. I understand this is KK and Lana's swan song and they want to make the character look good. But not like this. I feel they could have done it so much better and made both of them look good.

This is one instance where I feel we have entered "Lanaville".

[Superman's_Wife]

How is this even a question? Of course it was pandering! Top-notch, filthy disgusting pandering. And the results were brilliant: fan hysteria, character assassination, and a plummet in the ratings!

Nice, PS3, nice!

[krpto]

I think the arc was made to make lana look good at the expense of others but it made her and everyone else look inconsistant.

[Mrs. Superman]

EXCELLENT post! I agree with everything you said. This is one of the top reasons I disliked this arc. It wasn't just Clark who looked bad. It seemed that anyone around her (Tess, Chloe, Imra) couldn't help but praise her every time they saw her. Well I rationalized that Chloe was her friend and her praise wasn't the worst and Imra was a fan of Superman so I could overlook that as well, but Tess? Why would Tess praise her every time she saw her (and that was before Lana revealed the chip in her brain)?

[thehenry89]

This arc deified Lana Lang and vilified everyone else at her expense.

[Kevin24]

It isn't the first time he has wanted to kill someone out of anger so it wasn't out of character for him. He has done it a few times before and Lois stopped him and so did the Angel of Vengeance (but because he didn't want to be consumed by hate and what she was saying snapped him out of it.)

Clark has doubted himself before and had his parents or someone reassure him. Lana learned from what Clark believed and just reassured him.

[REebee52]

I really don't want this to erupt into a war, but I wanted to address something I've been feeling since I watched the last two episode. This isn't about Clois or Clana. Please don't bring that into this.

When I first heard KK was coming back I had hoped the Lana arc would essentially show both Clark and Lana as adults. I was really okay with Lana returning because I didn't really mind her in Legion or Bulletproof. She seemed to have grown up so much, as I had hoped for a long time. And I thought it was only fair for Lana fans to try and get closure on their favorite character. But her arc really wasn't what I expected or hoped for. I have NOT been a fan of AlMiles original arc for Lana because here was a character that started well enough and then became this twisted character that annoyed me more often than not.

I've never been a fan of the saying "Lanaville" here on the K-site forums. But after the last two weeks I have to admit my disgust with the way this whole Lana arc went down. I feel this arc was pandering to Lana's character WAY too much. And it did it at the sacrifice of other characters.

Last year Lana tried to murder Lex out of revenge in "Wrath", looking down on Clark for hiding on a farm when he should have "taken care of Lex". Then in "Legion" she has the gall to tell Imra that she's never ask Clark to kill. That irked me, but I let it slide.

Then they had that scene where Lana lectured Clark because he was contemplating killing Chloe. This made me furious. Especially after how he lectured Rokk later in "Legion" about never killing. Clark would never, ever kill. He couldn't even kill Lionel when he thought he murdered Jonathan. But here were have Clark act completely out of character so we could have an inspirational scene where Lana lectured Clark.

Then last night again, we have Clark act completely out of character again because he wants to kill Lex, and again they insert Lana as this inspirational person who convinces them not to.

I just feel they made Clark look bad to make Lana look heroic and inspirational. It came off as so forced because they had Clark act so out of character just to make Lana look good. I understand this is KK and Lana's swan song and they want to make the character look good. But not like this. I feel they could have done it so much better and made both of them look good.

This is one instance where I feel we have entered "Lanaville".

Wrath was her infected with power. And she never DID ask Clark to kill, she just told him he should. There is a difference. Also that'd be the writers fault for not remembering, not Lana the character.
As for Legion: This killing would not be the same as a vengeance kill for Lionel, who, to be fair, never 'murdered' Jonathan. This was a murder that would prevent the deaths of Billions. And Clark wavered from his general stance on killing. Lana, who had been inspired by that stance of no killing in the pasts, reminds Clark of who he is. I'm fine with that.

Last night he was blinded by rage. That's something I actually like seeing in Superman, moments where he is on the brink of losing control because he, of all people, doesn't have that luxury. Both his sheer strength, as well as his strength as a symbol, force him to always be on guard. Moments like this show his humanity, because as in Kingdom Come, bad things happen when he puts the "Super" ahead of the "man." He's human (in spirit) and was enraged with fury. The "Big Blue Boy Scout" image is what makes the character unrelatable, but if people just watched or understood Superman they'd see he has flaws like everyone else. This was a moment of weakness. Lana reminded him who he is, and in a moment of weakness of his own, Oliver Queen did it for Clark (nevermind that Clark should have been able to hear the bomb...... Whatever). The point is, Clark isn't Superman, and he's only 'human.' It's okay to have someone who was INSPIRED by Clark to remind him of why he inspired them as such, as Lana did.

[Superman of Krypton]

It was definitely pandering.

Such a question doesn't even need to be asked; it's plainly obvious.

[Deana]

The answer is yes. It was a beautiful dream for Lana but a nightmare on elm street for Clark and the others who have to stay around for the fallout of such pandering.

[zHeN_zHeN]

Oh, please. She was a GOD compared to Clark who was on his hands and knees practically begging for mercy.

[Super Maverick]

neither

[Mickey_Bickey]

Bottom line, every character and storyline suffered to place Lana Lang's character on an undeserving pedestal. Lana's arc, Lana's story, Lana's everything sabotaged everything good on this show during these episodes. Clark Kent/Superman looked like a bafoon. I'm a fan of Clark Kent's, and I was disgusted with what they did to his character.

They even show Chloe showing no concern whatsoever about her husband.

I was embarrassed and humiliated for Tom Welling. It was pathetic to see him in that last scene last night. I can only imagine what he was thinking while filming that. You could tell his heart wasn't in it. I cringed. I felt so bad for him. I just hope these episodes don't affect his future work in any way.

As far as I'm concerned Power and Requiem are right down there with Thirst and Spell. I'll never watch them again.

The writers need to do some serious damage control and get this show back on track. They need to pick up where they left off in Bride for the sake of the characters and storylines.

[Superman's_Wife]

Bottom line, every character and storyline suffered to place Lana Lang's character on an undeserving pedestal. Lana's arc, Lana's story, Lana's everything sabotaged everything good on this show during these episodes. Clark Kent/Superman looked like a bafoon. I'm a fan of Clark Kent's, and I was disgusted with what they did to his character.

They even show Chloe showing no concern whatsoever about her husband.

I was embarrassed and humiliated for Tom Welling. It was pathetic to see him in that last scene last night. I can only imagine what he was thinking while filming that. You could tell his heart wasn't in it. I cringed. I felt so bad for him. I just hope these episodes don't affect his future work in any way.

As far as I'm concerned Power and Requiem are right down there with Thirst and Spell. I'll never watch them again.

The writers need to do some serious damage control and get this show back on track. They need to pick up where they left off in Bride for the sake of the characters and storylines.

Best post in this thread! :)

[MrZeppo]

Yeah my issue with that is they were basically forcing it down our throats that "Lana is so wonderful". And I've never been one to post here and complain about this.

Please don't misunderstand me, I am not a Lana fan but I've always tried to be fair and I've defended Lana's choices many times on these forums. And I'm not even blaming KK or the character. My problem is with the writing here. I just feel this arc was being force-fed to us to redeem Lana in many fans' eyes.

Do I think her sacrificing a future with Clark to save millions in Metropolis is noble? Yes! Actually it's the only saving grace from this arc that I mildly enjoyed, but then again it was predictable for me after seeing last week's episode. I called what would happen last week and I was right.

Let's all be honest though, Lana hasn't been portrayed in the best way in the past. And having a short arc to not only make her a hero, but to lecture everyone else at one point or another on what it means to be a hero, well it feels like they were overdoing it. They practically elevated her to be like a saint or something. I'm not going to go as far as others and said her arc made everyone else look evil.

But her arc seemed like it was designed to redeem Lana and make her likable, which is fine, but I think they seriously overdid it. They could have made her likable and a hero without forcefeeding it to us with every lecture she gave people.

In "Wrath", it wasn't just being infected with "Power" that caused her to want to kill Lex. It was her, her desire for vengence, she even admitted it by the end of that episode. So that just doesn't jive with me.

And yes, Clark has wanted to kill people in the past. Alicia's murderer. Lionel. Even Lex. I'll give you that. But let's be real here. Clark has always been able to do the right thing and walk away. Clark didn't just lose Lana last night, she lost him, because of Lex. But she went to defend him for Clark's sake, which is cool, but I think I'd be more inclined to believe the scene if she had at least admitted she wanted to hurt Lex too. It's a human reaction right? Because again, this is Lana we are talking about here, but instead she came off like a saint without any flaws.

That is my problem with this. She was SO flawed before, so human, now she's portrayed without any flaws. They made Lana look perfect, that is my issue.

[lifelovedestiny]

Yes!!!!! The arc made Clark look like a little puppy of a teenager drooling over Lana!!

[REebee52]

Yeah my issue with that is they were basically forcing it down our throats that "Lana is so wonderful". And I've never been one to post here and complain about this.

Please don't misunderstand me, I am not a Lana fan but I've always tried to be fair and I've defended Lana's choices many times on these forums. And I'm not even blaming KK or the character. My problem is with the writing here. I just feel this arc was being force-fed to us to redeem Lana in many fans' eyes.

Do I think her sacrificing a future with Clark to save millions in Metropolis is noble? Yes! Actually it's the only saving grace from this arc that I mildly enjoyed, but then again it was predictable for me after seeing last week's episode. I called what would happen last week and I was right.

Let's all be honest though, Lana hasn't been portrayed in the best way in the past. And having a short arc to not only make her a hero, but to lecture everyone else at one point or another on what it means to be a hero, well it feels like they were overdoing it. They practically elevated her to be like a saint or something. I'm not going to go as far as others and said her arc made everyone else look evil.

But her arc seemed like it was designed to redeem Lana and make her likable, which is fine, but I think they seriously overdid it. They could have made her likable and a hero without forcefeeding it to us with every lecture she gave people.

In "Wrath", it wasn't just being infected with "Power" that caused her to want to kill Lex. It was her, her desire for vengence, she even admitted it by the end of that episode. So that just doesn't jive with me.

And yes, Clark has wanted to kill people in the past. Alicia's murderer. Lionel. Even Lex. I'll give you that. But let's be real here. Clark has always been able to do the right thing and walk away. Clark didn't just lose Lana last night, she lost him, because of Lex. But she went to defend him for Clark's sake, which is cool, but I think I'd be more inclined to believe the scene if she had at least admitted she wanted to hurt Lex too. It's a human reaction right? Because again, this is Lana we are talking about here, but instead she came off like a saint without any flaws.

That is my problem with this. She was SO flawed before, so human, now she's portrayed without any flaws. They made Lana look perfect, that is my issue.


The point of Superman is that he inspires the best in others, sometimes a best those people can never achieve.
Isn't it reasonable to believe that her time with Clark taught her so much and inspired he so much that she changed?
Why can't characters change in a TV show? I don't understand how saying two years ago she wanted to kill Lex but now doesn't is a bad thing. She's changed, for the better, because of Clark.

Clark went into a fit of rage and Lana reminded him of how much he inspired her, and what he stood for. Clark is only 'human,' he needs others sometimes. It's one of Superman's flaws, typically, that he thinks he doesn't need help. This is not a negative, IMO.

[luthorian]

Yes. I don't understand why they had to write other characters SO badly during her stay.

[MrZeppo]

The point of Superman is that he inspires the best in others, sometimes a best those people can never achieve.
Isn't it reasonable to believe that her time with Clark taught her so much and inspired he so much that she changed?
Why can't characters change in a TV show? I don't understand how saying two years ago she wanted to kill Lex but now doesn't is a bad thing. She's changed, for the better, because of Clark.

Clark went into a fit of rage and Lana reminded him of how much he inspired her, and what he stood for. Clark is only 'human,' he needs others sometimes. It's one of Superman's flaws, typically, that he thinks he doesn't need help. This is not a negative, IMO.

Characters can grow, but they made her out to be practically perfect at the expense of all the other characters.

It was just written poorly, that's my issue.

[REebee52]

Characters can grow, but they made her out to be practically perfect at the expense of all the other characters.

It was just written poorly, that's my issue.

At the expense of ALL other characters? Clark had a momentary lapse, and she helped him. It took him eight years to inspire such an act. If Clark weren't who he is, Lana wouldn't be who she is. Now that she is a good person, it's fine that they showed it.

[nic25]

Characters can grow, but they made her out to be practically perfect at the expense of all the other characters.

It was just written poorly, that's my issue.

I agree and im not liking what they did with Chole as well.Im really worried about where shes gonna be by the seasons/series end.

[MrZeppo]

At the expense of ALL other characters? Clark had a momentary lapse, and she helped him. It took him eight years to inspire such an act. If Clark weren't who he is, Lana wouldn't be who she is. Now that she is a good person, it's fine that they showed it.

Well not all, sorry, I'm busy here at work and I'm sneaking in posting while I can so I am writing these posts quickly and not as thoughtfully as I normally attempt to.

BTW, it seems Clark has a lot of momentary lapses around her since she came back. Very convienent wouldn't you say? Contemplating killing Chloe? Wanting to kill Lex? That is my point. He was fine before, even when he thought Lex killed Lana back in Season 6 he was able to let Lex walk away, and now when she is back he is thinking about things we've normally seen him able to handle.

That is what I've been trying to express. In my point of view, it is to make Lana's character look good. They made Clark consider options he wouldn't normally consider so Lana can give an inspirational speech about the greater good.

That to me is sloppy writing.

[Mickey_Bickey]

Best post in this thread! :)

Why thank you!;) I liked yours too!:lol:

[REebee52]

Well not all, sorry, I'm busy here at work and I'm sneaking in posting while I can so I am writing these posts quickly and not as thoughtfully as I normally attempt to.

BTW, it seems Clark has a lot of momentary lapses around her since she came back. Very convienent wouldn't you say? Contemplating killing Chloe? Wanting to kill Lex? That is my point. He was fine before, even when he thought Lex killed Lana back in Season 6 he was able to let Lex walk away, and now when she is back he is thinking about things we've normally seen him able to handle.

That is what I've been trying to express. In my point of view, it is sloppy writing to make Lana's character look good. They made Clark consider options he wouldn't normally consider so Lana can give an inspirational speech about the greater good.

That to me is sloppy writing.

As for the first: Lex denied it, Clark's basically a lie detector, and twenty seconds later a superpowered clone of Clark was running around. As for Chloe: a situation such as that had never really come around before, and he had legionaries telling him he should do it, and let's face it, the stakes were high. And as for the last: Clark went into a fit of fury. Sometimes people lose control, and Clark doesn't have that luxury, but it still happens. If Chloe had stopped him would it have been a problem? If Lois had?

[Timester]

Clark's basically a lie detector

Clark a lie detector? :confused:

Which show are you watching?

[kal-el_Girl]

I was embarrassed and humiliated for Tom Welling. It was pathetic to see him in that last scene last night. I can only imagine what he was thinking while filming that. You could tell his heart wasn't in it. I cringed. I felt so bad for him. I just hope these episodes don't affect his future work in any way.

As far as I'm concerned Power and Requiem are right down there with Thirst and Spell. I'll never watch them again.

The writers need to do some serious damage control and get this show back on track. They need to pick up where they left off in Bride for the sake of the characters and storylines.

exactly! I feel so bad for tom and I really want to know what he thinks of power and requiem, I'm sure he was like "what the heck am I doing here?"
no wonder MR jumped ship

[MrZeppo]

Clark a lie detector? :confused:

Which show are you watching?

Agreed Timester, Clark is not a lie detector. He's been lied to over and over again and never been the wiser. ReeBee, I think you're ignoring Clark was able to look past his rage when he thought Lana was murdered by Lex.

I also think you forget that this situation has come up before. Lex was possessed by Zod, much like Chloe was possed by Brainiac, and the potential harm from both would be the same. Millions could die. With Lex, he was told to kill Zod's vessel and couldn't.

The stakes were high here and still Clark made the right choice.

Here are instances where Clark is faced with similar situations and did the right thing. But because KK and Lana were coming back the writers chose to write a weaker willed Clark so Lana could be the strong one that gives him inspirational speeches to inspire him to do the right thing.

Sorry, your argument actually proves Clark has a precidence of doing the right thing in similar situations without having to be inspired by Lana. That is pandering to one character at the expense of another in my honest opinion.

[Kevin24]

As for the first: Lex denied it, Clark's basically a lie detector, and twenty seconds later a superpowered clone of Clark was running around. As for Chloe: a situation such as that had never really come around before, and he had legionaries telling him he should do it, and let's face it, the stakes were high. And as for the last: Clark went into a fit of fury. Sometimes people lose control, and Clark doesn't have that luxury, but it still happens. If Chloe had stopped him would it have been a problem? If Lois had?

I agree with everything you have posted so far in this thread. I agree if it was someone else in place of Lana these episodes would have been well received.

Minus the human lie detector, this isnt lie to me!

[REebee52]

Agreed Timester, Clark is not a lie detector. He's been lied to over and over again and never been the wiser. ReeBee, I think you're ignoring Clark was able to look past his rage when he thought Lana was murdered by Lex.

I also think you forget that this situation has come up before. Lex was possessed by Zod, much like Chloe was possed by Brainiac, and the potential harm from both would be the same. Millions could die. With Lex, he was told to kill Zod's vessel and couldn't.

The stakes were high here and still Clark made the right choice.

Here are instances where Clark is faced with similar situations and did the right thing. But because KK and Lana were coming back the writers chose to write a weaker willed Clark so Lana could be the strong one that gives him inspirational speeches to inspire him to do the right thing.

Sorry, your argument actually proves Clark has a precidence of doing the right thing in similar situations without having to be inspired by Lana. That is pandering to one character at the expense of another in my honest opinion.

As for the lie detector, perhaps that's right. In other media, Clark picks up on increased heart rate, etc., when a person lies, and therefore knows it. Perhaps it's a trick Smallville's Clark hasn't learned yet.
But: The fact remains that when he attacked Lex, the phantom appeared, thus diverting his attention. Who knows what would have happened then? Who knows what would have happened had Lana not appeared Las night?
After the Brainiac fight was over, he very well wasn't going to EXECUTE Lex while he sat in prison. It's only in the moments of rage that he loses control. And we've seen him on the brink before.
Would Clark have fought Lex/Zod to the death? It's unclear, he didn't have to, because he had the crystal.
We know Clark couldn't just execute Lex before he had been possessed, this much is clear. But in averting that, you'll recall, he "opened the portal for Zod" by throwing the knife into Brainiac (aside: I never really liked this contrivance. Why would Brainiac wait for a Kryptonian Blade to stab him to release Zod? Deus Ex Machina, I suppose).
Clark in the comics has killed before: He killed Doomsday. It's hinted that he would kill Darkseid in a fight to the death. What he won't do, ever, is execute or kill needlessly.
If Clark hadn't had the crystal against Zod, how far would it have gone?
This is beside the point. The point is, he had legitimate heroes telling him to do it. It's not unreasonable for him to falter.

[MrZeppo]

I agree with everything you have posted so far in this thread. I agree if it was someone else in place of Lana these episodes would have been well received.

Minus the human lie detector, this isnt lie to me!

Actually, truth be told, if they portrayed Lois or Chloe like this I would be upset too. I have issues when characters become "too perfect to be true". I like my characters flawed because they are easier to relate to.

I was irked when Chloe was the super-hacker who was able to hack into any system with ease, it made her the perfect sidekick and so convenient. It was only later that they sort of reconned this and had Chloe admit it was difficult to hack into computer systems.

It is probably why I like Lois because she is flawed, she constantly has her guard on around her. She can be abrasive, but there is an underlying sweetness to her she hides from the world. But they didn't go to an extreme and make her exceptionally flawed.

The problem with how Lana was written before was that they gave her so many flaws, admittedly because of Clark and Lex's influence. The writers went too far and made her unlike for me. The writers practically abused a character that started out well until she irritated a lot of people.

But what this arc did for me was the complete opposite to that. They made her too perfect for me to feel it was true. I'm not saying my opinion is the end all or statements of fact, they are after all just my opinions.

In that end scene when she was trying to convince Clark not to kill Lex, it came off as forced to me because if she at least said, "Clark I understand, a part of me wants to hurt Lex like he hurt us, but if you do this it will destroy who you are." then I could at least relate to her more. But instead they made her into the perfect martyr.

They went to one extreme (flawed) to another (perfection) that it came off as contrived and forced, rather than natural and real.

[marcella]

They ruined many caracthers because of Lana during this arc.

[Scribe]

Never once was it mentioned that Lana stole Lex's only means of survival to make herself a superhero. Whether or not Lex deserves to die, she stole that from him. In the end, he knew her better than she knew herself. He knew that when she took it, it would be the perfect means to destroy her and Clark's relationship for good.

Who was responsible for their breakup? It wasn't Lex. It was Lana Lang in her thirst for power.

I say this incidentally with no malice to KK who did a good job with the material but this storyline was appaling from start to finish.

[newfamfan]

As for the first: Lex denied it, Clark's basically a lie detector, and twenty seconds later a superpowered clone of Clark was running around. As for Chloe: a situation such as that had never really come around before, and he had legionaries telling him he should do it, and let's face it, the stakes were high. And as for the last: Clark went into a fit of fury. Sometimes people lose control, and Clark doesn't have that luxury, but it still happens. If Chloe had stopped him would it have been a problem? If Lois had?


This is true! Besides, Lois did stop Clark before from killing Alicia's murderer. He snapped. Lois talked him back to reality.

This was the same thing. Lana had said to Oliver in Bride that every one could use a peice of Clark Kent referring to his ways of not killing. She became who she was because of Clark not vice versa. She had been on the brink of hate as she told Tess. She almost let herself be consumed by it. Therefore, Clark is all that brought her back from that darkness. That was reiterated throughout this arc. It was showing Clark's influence on her making him the hero that he is.

[vikingjedi]

Im a huge Lana fan and KK is awesome but the writers really screwed up bringing her back the way they did.

All they had to do is have some closure with Clark saying something like "I understand why you left, I won't lie it hurt, but I know my destiny is to help save the world and I'm finally embracing it. What we had together was special and you'll always be a part of me."

[Sunny8]

I voted yes. That is why you can tell that her character is not well developed. If she had been written more consistently then the writer's would not have to change the other characters (usually in a negative way) around her to make her look so good all the time.

----- Added 13 Minutes later -----


Actually, truth be told, if they portrayed Lois or Chloe like this I would be upset too. I have issues when characters become "too perfect to be true". I like my characters flawed because they are easier to relate to.

This another reason why I don't like the Lana character. She has flaws that we, the audience see, but the character's never call her on them.

[Dominicus]

I voted yes. That is why you can tell that her character is not well developed. If she had been written more consistently then the writer's would not have to change the other characters (usually in a negative way) around her to make her look so good all the time.

----- Added 13 Minutes later -----



This another reason why I don't like the Lana character. She has flaws that we, the audience see, but the character's never call her on them.exactly. they are so fogiven. The only one that thought Lana was out of line was Lois in Wrath. Lex, Lara Lionel also saw her imperfections. but it seems to me that the Clark character suffers the most in this light, he is always seen as the bad guy.

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


Im a huge Lana fan and KK is awesome but the writers really screwed up bringing her back the way they did.

All they had to do is have some closure with Clark saying something like "I understand why you left, I won't lie it hurt, but I know my destiny is to help save the world and I'm finally embracing it. What we had together was special and you'll always be a part of me."You should be a writer for the show, because that's exactly how it should've been,

[davidbrenton]

Never once was it mentioned that Lana stole Lex's only means of survival to make herself a superhero. Whether or not Lex deserves to die, she stole that from him. In the end, he knew her better than she knew herself. He knew that when she took it, it would be the perfect means to destroy her and Clark's relationship for good.

Who was responsible for their breakup? It wasn't Lex. It was Lana Lang in her thirst for power.

I say this incidentally with no malice to KK who did a good job with the material but this storyline was appaling from start to finish.

Agreed. I just wish this would be brought up or at least mentioned. It really irks me that they painted Lana in the OPPOSITE light of reality.

[melissan02]

And it looks like the 'yes's' have it by a mile in this post!!! :lol:

Way to go PS3!!:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Minela]

Not only was she made more morally superior to Clark, but she was also given his biggest powers without any of his weaknesses. Add to that, she can easily defeat the future Man Of Steel by just being in his presence. What a joke. Who's to say that this Lana Lang won't turn against Clark in the future? If she has a change of heart he is toast. And it's not even that far fetched, Lana changes personalities as often as most people change socks.

All hail the All Mighty Lana Lang. :rolleyes:

[martha56]

yes, they did hurt other characters in order to make Lana look better

though I would not have minded them making Lana into SuperLana it they had not made her look so bad in S6 and part of S7 and if it didn't make Clark look so lame compared to her.

It's like LaDonna said in the rating thread: Lana wants to be a Superhero and Clark just wants to be with Lana. She is willing to sacrifice and can live with the consequences whereas Clark is just devastated. (Most posters somehow felt that Clark was hurt more by how they were seperated than Lana)
Even that wouldn't be so bad, if this series was about Lana, and Clark left the show (but with TW leaving I wouldn't go on watching SV I guess) - But she is leaving the series and we are left with watching pathetic Clark once again trying to get over losing Lana and figuring out what he should do with his life (yaawwwn)

The incosistency of how Lana's character is written makes me wonder whether TPTB do not agree on how she should progress either. In S6 she became really flawed and stupid (deciding to marry Lex because she was pregnant like some 19th century character out of George Eliot or Thomas Hardy, in spite of Chloe practically telling her that Lex was involved with some really dubious business was really too much for me) - and many in the audience lost their respect for the character (even though I'm glad it did not hurt the love of the audience for KK!) Reversing all this now and making her a saint is just like many others said - too much

The writers of this show like reversals of this kind, they did it with Lionel and I didn't buy that either, but with Lana they somehow needed to make others look worse as well, which is not good.

When SV began they arranged all characters in triangles and I gathered form some audio comments that they considered this very clever - and, to be honest, in the beginning it was. But that all characters in this series all perpetually indecisive over who they are in love with is no longer clever. Clark with Lana and Chloe (later Lana and Lois) Chloe with Clark and Jimmy, Jimmy with Chloe and Kara, Martha Kent with Jonathan and Lionel, Lana with Whitney and Clark (later with Jason and Clark, again later with Lex and Clark) It has become simply repetitive and pointless.
And it is not romantic :\
I can understand those poster that do not want Clark to get together with Lois because after all the Clana-drama it would always appear second-best and like a paltry anticlimax

sorry this got so long

one more thing: one reason I always enjoyed this series so much was because of all the passionate fans on this site:)

[llk6165]

My opinion:

I feel the development of Clark's character was compromised for the sake of Lana's character. It is one thing to have Clark love her, it is a whole other thing to have him become obsessive and stalk her. By the stalking, I am talking about how he spied on her with the telescope. I always complain about that, but that just creeps me out. Also, it seems to me like Lana is more mature at making the tough decisions than Clark. She seems to be the one who knows that they can't be together and has the guts to deal with. Clark on the other hand comes across as completely spineless on this point.. I did not see the point of giving her a stronger backbone than Clark. The idea of a strong Lana is fine, but there was no reason to portray Clark as a sap to do so. A classic example is in Bulletproof where he makes the comment about them being 14 again. Lana, the mature one, makes the comment, "You act like that's a good thing" To me this shows Lana being the adult and Clark acting like he is just going through puberty.

I also feel like SV missed the boat with Chloe. What a great character and a great actress in AM. I did not care for portraying her as a "side kick" particularly where in the end Lana becomes the superhero. I thought and still believe Chloe's character has great potential. Not in terms of ships, because frankly the whole Clark ship thing gets tiring, especially at the stage of life he is supposed to be in.

I also felt Lana's relationship with Lex and Lionel was unrealistic, and the strength of these characters where sacrificed to portray Lana as a savior.

As for Lois, I have my criticism of how SV is developing her, but Lana does not impact Lois's character for me.

[Mickey_Bickey]

exactly! I feel so bad for tom and I really want to know what he thinks of power and requiem, I'm sure he was like "what the heck am I doing here?"
no wonder MR jumped ship


Michael Rosenbaum has to be laughing his head off no doubt! He's probably so happy that he got out when he did! I'm a huge fan of Tom Welling's, and I can honestly say without a doubt that his acting was off in Power and Requiem. I too would like to hear what he has to say about these episodes.

We know that he said in S6 that Clana should end, and we know he wasn't happy after that. He said he liked his character this season in Smallville magazine and really liked the Committed script. So, add those things together, and you can pretty much come to the conclusion that he wasn't happy acting out this script.

I'll be curious to see the changes in his acting come March. I think we'll see that passion he was lacking in these episodes surface again.

[Alicia Chipy]

Extreme pandering.They would have hurt the other characters less,if they had just called it the SUPER LANA-FU Show,and showcased her many wondrous talents.That way I would have been spared the sight of Clark on his knees trying to kiss the divine Ms. L at any cost.

[skugers]

I don't have any doubt that Tom is going to be completely different in march. He's glowing with Erica and it shows. Lana is so yesterday

[Tompouce]

Michael Rosenbaum has to be laughing his head off no doubt! He's probably so happy that he got out when he did! I'm a huge fan of Tom Welling's, and I can honestly say without a doubt that his acting was off in Power and Requiem. I too would like to hear what he has to say about these episodes.

We know that he said in S6 that Clana should end, and we know he wasn't happy after that. He said he liked his character this season in Smallville magazine and really liked the Committed script. So, add those things together, and you can pretty much come to the conclusion that he wasn't happy acting out this script.

I'll be curious to see the changes in his acting come March. I think we'll see that passion he was lacking in these episodes surface again.
ITA. Tom was so awesome in "Legion" and there was a light in "Bulletproof" too and then nothing more. He was like a broken man. I haven't found an adjective for him since bulletproof (except for the last scen in requiem but he was alone, maybe it is the reason, he feels free again:D)Go Tom, I am waiting for you and CLLLLLLLLLLLARKKKKKKKKKK, COOOOOOOOOOOOMEEEEEEEE BACKKKKKKKKK:D

[wolverine316]

Definitely. I can't remember Clark and Chloe looking pathetic at the same time while Lana was built up. But then again they have the rest of the season to fix this.

[bigblueplanet]

Definitely pandering. Crystal clear.


Extreme pandering.They would have hurt the other characters less,if they had just called it the SUPER LANA-FU Show,and showcased her many wondrous talents.That way I would have been spared the sight of Clark on his knees trying to kiss the divine Ms. L at any cost.

IA. I have no words for that last scene. We’re supposed to be moved by that, right?
If all what I care is Lana, then yes. I could. But I watch this show for Clark Kent journey and there’s just no way I could remotely enjoy that scene, or whole Lana-arc for that matter.

How can I? I don’t even recognize this guy anymore and I wish his name was not Clark Kent. Because only thing which holding me to watch this show is my *blind love* for Superman. But it was the worst minutes of television I have ever witnessed, and I felt so sorry for Tom. It was the first time I ever felt this way for any actors on TV shows/Movies. They have to do some extreme things and I know it’s a part of their job but this? After 7 and half years acting as Clark Kent?? Oh well......I thought it’s really time to let him go. :(

[All about Clark]

It was disgusting, plain and simple. Shame on you PS3.

[escout]

Are you people serious. Since the beginning, one character has always taken it on the chin. She has been verbally and physically abused so much, that I didn't feel she would make it to the end of her contract time. I believe the retroconning done was justified and is what has been occuring in the mythos since the Byrne re-writes of the late nintys.

When you think about it...The whole series has been an example of Retroconning (Expanding of the Mythos). Where were you people when Chloe was introduced at the beginning. She never existed in Superman/Superboy. D/C comics may include her now, but she was not a part of The Mythos at all. Pete Ross had red brown hair and was caucasian, not Black. Lois didn't meet Clark until he was a reporter in the daily Planet. Lana was aCaucasian and was red headed. Doomsday didn't appear until Clark was way past his training and was a middle aged man. I could go on and on. I have followed Superman/Boy for over 40 years. Retroconning is here to stay. The mythos, which had become old, stale, uninteresting needs contant change as reconized by D/C. Don't forget they allowed what we have been seeing on this show.

Now you folks come out of the woodwork...after seeing something you don't agree with. Where were you at the beginning. Realize it whether we like it or not retroconning is here to stay. D/C started it and allowed smallville to continue it.

Do you need a Wambulance?:):)

P.S. I won't be back to argue with your comeback. I am a little to mature and secure in myself to do that.

[REebee52]

I don't exactly know what to say to this ^.

But I again defend the arc that is presented, and find little evidence that it actually did any harm to any characters involved. It's not the best way to handle Lana's comeback, I will agree, but it was a sufficient send off of Clark's first love.
The reason people think Clark regressed is because he kissed Lana. That's not a regression! We are once more forgetting that we know Clark's destiny, but HE doesn't. Just because we know that he dons tights and an S doesn't mean we can judge him NOW for not doing so. This is about his journey to that point. Just because he's in a relationship with someone else NOW doesn't mean it will cheapen his love for Lois LATER.
He developed feelings for Lois early this season, this is true. But Lana was only gone seven months, that's not enough time to pretend like he doesn't care for her when she shows up again. Now that she's out he can continue the explored relationship with Lois, but there can be no 'light switch' that turns feelings on and off. When Lana came back, they overshadowed his feelings for Lois, but didn't destroy them. Now that Lana's gone, the feelings for Lois are still there, but Clark is a little hurt and it might take time for them to grow into something substantial.
These episodes were far from perfect, but they weren't nearly as bad as people have presented them to be.
If anything, people should note that on the roof of the DP Clark told Lana she had to diffuse the bomb at the risk of their relationship being forever terminated. Nobody is hardly mentioning this little event.

[MrZeppo]

Are you people serious. Since the beginning, one character has always taken it on the chin. She has been verbally and physically abused so much, that I didn't feel she would make it to the end of her contract time. I believe the retroconning done was justified and is what has been occuring in the mythos since the Byrne re-writes of the late nintys.

When you think about it...The whole series has been an example of Retroconning (Expanding of the Mythos). Where were you people when Chloe was introduced at the beginning. She never existed in Superman/Superboy. D/C comics may include her now, but she was not a part of The Mythos at all. Pete Ross had red brown hair and was caucasian, not Black. Lois didn't meet Clark until he was a reporter in the daily Planet. Lana was aCaucasian and was red headed. Doomsday didn't appear until Clark was way past his training and was a middle aged man. I could go on and on. I have followed Superman/Boy for over 40 years. Retroconning is here to stay. The mythos, which had become old, stale, uninteresting needs contant change as reconized by D/C. Don't forget they allowed what we have been seeing on this show.

Now you folks come out of the woodwork...after seeing something you don't agree with. Where were you at the beginning. Realize it whether we like it or not retroconning is here to stay. D/C started it and allowed smallville to continue it.

Do you need a Wambulance?:):)

P.S. I won't be back to argue with your comeback. I am a little to mature and secure in myself to do that.

I know you don't plan on responding to this, but I wanted to reply to these remarks.

I believe you've misunderstood what this thread is about. My intention on creating this thread wasn't to compare her to the mythos or canon. Screw that all. I'm talking about Lana in the context of Smallville Universe and that's it. Most people who responded to my original post recognized that. Sadly I don't think you did.

Reconning a character in context to the canon material isn't what bothers me and most people here. What bothered us was the writing of this arc. Specifically what bothered me was the writing in the last two episodes. Give Lana super-powers, make her a hero, have her sacrifice herself for Clark, I don't care. But why I found distain with the arc over the last two episodes was because to show Lana in a good light they had to knock down Clark's character down a peg.

In the beginning of this season Clark showed growth and independence. It was something the character desperately needed. Clark has faced challenges much like the challenges he faced in the past two episodes and was always able to find another way.

The way the last two episodes were written, they made Lana the strong one in their relationship. With the ability to chose to move on. They portrayed Clark almost like a love sick puppy. It was disconcerting for fans who wished for the two of them to part ways as equals. Also they had Clark contemplate choices he would normally make without hestiation, just so Lana could deliver a heavyhanded inspirational and uplifting speech to him. These choices were designed to redeem Lana and make her look good, which they do, but at the expense of the character I've come to know on Smallville as Clark Kent.

I don't have an issue with Lana looking good. But they made her look too good. Way too good to be true. I think her arc could have been written better so she looked good but not at the expense of any other character.

[REebee52]

I know you don't plan on responding to this, but I wanted to reply to these remarks.

I believe you've misunderstood what this thread is about. My intention on creating this thread wasn't to compare her to the mythos or canon. Screw that all. I'm talking about Lana in the context of Smallville Universe and that's it. Most people who responded to my original post recognized that. Sadly I don't think you did.

Reconning a character in context to the canon material isn't what bothers me and most people here. What bothered us was the writing of this arc. Specifically what bothered me was the writing in the last two episodes. Give Lana super-powers, make her a hero, have her sacrifice herself for Clark, I don't care. But why I found distain with the arc over the last two episodes was because to show Lana in a good light they had to knock down Clark's character down a peg.

In the beginning of this season Clark showed growth and independence. It was something the character desperately needed. Clark has faced challenges much like the challenges he faced in the past two episodes and was always able to find another way.

The way the last two episodes were written, they made Lana the strong one in their relationship. With the ability to chose to move on. They portrayed Clark almost like a love sick puppy. It was disconcerting for fans who wished for the two of them to part ways as equals. Also they had Clark contemplate choices he would normally make without hestiation, just so Lana could deliver a heavyhanded inspirational and uplifting speech to him. These choices were designed to redeem Lana and make her look good, which they do, but at the expense of the character I've come to know on Smallville as Clark Kent.

I don't have an issue with Lana looking good. But they made her look too good. Way too good to be true. I think her arc could have been written better so she looked good but not at the expense of any other character.

You will never hear me say that this was an ideal storyline. I find the 'Kryptonite suit' horribly contrived, and the thing that makes me most mad about the story is that Lana left still with superpowers.
But I do not think it made Clark look bad. He was still patrolling the city, he was still saving people, he still told Lana to diffuse the bomb even though he knew the consequence. Just because he loved her doesn't mean she held him back. Now as to the talks about killing, as I've said before, and as Lana said: "Maybe we should all be more like Clark." Clark was blinded with rage when he went to Lex, Lana took the inspiration he had given her and reminded him of it. That's it, end of story. His goodness inspired her goodness. I actually like that about the story. Clark has been given advice since season 1! Sometimes from his dad, sometimes from Jor El, but often from his friends. It's okay to have a person who's destined to be one of Clark's closest confidants to help him in a time of trouble.

I guess that's another reason why I'm lax on the episode: in my mind I know what happens to Lana. She doesn't stay in Krypto-suit, with Krypto-poison seeping from her. She and Clark meet and are close, but they recognize they're not meant for each other. We might not ever see it on screen, but we know it happens anyway.

We could ask how a being with super hearing didn't hear a bomb, but whatever.

The only character who looked bad in this arc is Chloe. Why isn't she with Jimmy? I know, it shows her packing, and she's always in route to go back to see him, yada yada yada, but she should be with her husband at all times! If she needs something have Clark run it to her! It only takes three seconds.

[skugers]

We could ask how a being with super hearing didn't hear a bomb, but whatever.

The only character who looked bad in this arc is Chloe. Why isn't she with Jimmy? I know, it shows her packing, and she's always in route to go back to see him, yada yada yada, but she should be with her husband at all times! If she needs something have Clark run it to her! It only takes three seconds.
Maybe SuperLana doesn't have the superhearing ability :)
As for Chloe, it's all about AM's contract :D. She had to be in these Lana Lang arc episodes so PS3 had to shove her in by any means. They failed terribily, as always....

[REebee52]

Maybe SuperLana doesn't have the superhearing ability :)
As for Chloe, it's all about AM's contract :D. She had to be in these Lana Lang arc episodes so PS3 had to shove her in by any means. They failed terribily, as always....

But Clark does! There was a solid delay between Lana calming him down and the truck blowing up...

Haha, I know it's in AM's contract. They had to do it to get her back, I suppose, but surely there's SOME better way! Move Jimmy back to Smallville or something, he never has to be SHOWN!

But I like the PS3! They don't ALWAYS fail. This has been a great season so far, though I'll admit the Lana arc wasn't as great as the beginning, there has yet to be an episode that REALLY left me disappointed.

[skugers]

But Clark does! There was a solid delay between Lana calming him down and the truck blowing up...

Haha, I know it's in AM's contract. They had to do it to get her back, I suppose, but surely there's SOME better way! Move Jimmy back to Smallville or something, he never has to be SHOWN!

But I like the PS3! They don't ALWAYS fail. This has been a great season so far, though I'll admit the Lana arc wasn't as great as the beginning, there has yet to be an episode that REALLY left me disappointed.
maybe they dont' alwasy fail, my bad, but I had the impression the lately average of failures from their part went through the top :D
But I'll stil enjoy the show, especially with Lois returning 05.03.2009 :D

[MrZeppo]

But I do not think it made Clark look bad. He was still patrolling the city, he was still saving people, he still told Lana to diffuse the bomb even though he knew the consequence. Just because he loved her doesn't mean she held him back. Now as to the talks about killing, as I've said before, and as Lana said: "Maybe we should all be more like Clark." Clark was blinded with rage when he went to Lex, Lana took the inspiration he had given her and reminded him of it. That's it, end of story. His goodness inspired her goodness. I actually like that about the story. Clark has been given advice since season 1! Sometimes from his dad, sometimes from Jor El, but often from his friends. It's okay to have a person who's destined to be one of Clark's closest confidants to help him in a time of trouble.

I guess that's another reason why I'm lax on the episode: in my mind I know what happens to Lana. She doesn't stay in Krypto-suit, with Krypto-poison seeping from her. She and Clark meet and are close, but they recognize they're not meant for each other. We might not ever see it on screen, but we know it happens anyway.

Actually ReeBee that's why I didn't like this arc at all. Because in our minds we may know what happens to Lana and how this ends. But we didn't get that, they left us hanging. I didn't get my closure. I've watched this Clark and Lana debacle for years and they ended it without giving the characters any real closure. It ended on a very anti-climactic note.

Beyond that, the arc was very inconsistent.

When Lana came back she wasn't dependent on Clark. She talked to him in "Bride" and from everything she said, she sounded like she had moved on with her life. She sounded like a strong and independent woman. I really loved that. My biggest issue with Lana for the last few years was she was always defining who she was with the guy she was with. Whitney, Clark, Jason, Lex, etc. It may be my own personal issue with needy people, but I hated how she was written for years. She seemed more like a girl, not a woman.

"Bride", "Legion", and "Bulletproof" turned that all around for me. This was the Lana Lang I had hoped to see for years. She had grown, she was a woman, and that was wonderful.

But "Power" & "Requiem" ruined that all for me. For 3 episodes we saw Lana hold Clark at arm's length, pushing him away because she had moved on. But by the end of "Power" & beginning of "Requiem" she was telling him how she wanted to be with him and help him on his patrols. It was a complete 180 from what she said earlier and all that growth I had seen was gone.

From everything I could tell it was inconsistant writing. If at the end of "Power" she had said to Clark, "I held you at arm's length since I came back because I didn't know if I would survive the procedure." or something like that, then this would be more excusable in my eyes. But instead it made Lana look like she had some sort of inferiority complex. Like she didn't see herself as worthy or incapable of being with Clark unless she was super-powered. I just don't like the message that sends, especially to younger people. It makes it seem like completely changing yourself to be with someone is right. And as much as Lana said she did this for herself and to help people, I can't believe that this decision didn't have anything to do with Clark, especially after she tries to get back together at the end of "Power".

Also I will admit, I hated the idea of Lana seeking power. I'm one of those people who feel that those who seek power are the least deserving of it and those that have power thrust upon them tend to be more responsible with it because they never really wanted it. I also really disliked how easily Clark let go of his objections with Lana's choices in "Power". He was so pissed off about her doing this and all she had to do was talk to him for 2 minutes and he was convinced? Blah. If Lois or Chloe had done what Lana did Clark would be lecturing them silly, but with Lana he just put his blinders on and ignored it. I mean, really, if Chloe had done this I think we all know Clark would be absolutely furious with her. I also think it was stupid to have Lana blindly believe this project would work and not have consequences. Most of Lex's projects have failed miserabley, this is really bad writing if Lana really believes everything will magically work out because Lex usually comes through with his little experiments.

I don't mind Lana being inspired by Clark and helping him find his way. That's what friends are for. But the way this arc was written, she was propped up to remind him of the right thing to do way too often. In the last 5 episodes Clark doubted himself more than he normally does. It just seemed way out of character for him to be doubting himself this much. And every time he did doubt himself, it was with Lana. It wasn't like he doubted himself with Lana in one episode and Chloe in another. It was always with Lana. And all that tells me was that these scenes were designed to make Lana look good.

Since this season premiered Clark gained a confidence he hadn't had before, but that confidenced seemed to disappear and wane the longer Lana was around. Personally I think it was written this way so Lana could give these speeches, and it's okay for her to inspire him, but it does make Clark look bad because this confidence I really admired since the premiere disappeared.

Please don't misunderstand me, I don't want Lana to be unlikable anymore, for 7 years I have been irritated and annoyed with the character. Make her a super-hero. Have her save Metropolis and Clark. I'm okay with these things. If KK and the writers want to redeem Lana and make her look good, then I'm okay with it.

But what I desired more than anything was to see her and Clark as equals. This arc didn't do that for me.

[bigblueplanet]

Are you people serious. Since the beginning, one character has always taken it on the chin. She has been verbally and physically abused so much, that I didn't feel she would make it to the end of her contract time. I believe the retroconning done was justified and is what has been occuring in the mythos since the Byrne re-writes of the late nintys.

When you think about it...The whole series has been an example of Retroconning (Expanding of the Mythos). Where were you people when Chloe was introduced at the beginning. She never existed in Superman/Superboy. D/C comics may include her now, but she was not a part of The Mythos at all. Pete Ross had red brown hair and was caucasian, not Black. Lois didn't meet Clark until he was a reporter in the daily Planet. Lana was aCaucasian and was red headed. Doomsday didn't appear until Clark was way past his training and was a middle aged man. I could go on and on. I have followed Superman/Boy for over 40 years. Retroconning is here to stay. The mythos, which had become old, stale, uninteresting needs contant change as reconized by D/C. Don't forget they allowed what we have been seeing on this show.

Now you folks come out of the woodwork...after seeing something you don't agree with. Where were you at the beginning. Realize it whether we like it or not retroconning is here to stay. D/C started it and allowed smallville to continue it.

Do you need a Wambulance?:):)

P.S. I won't be back to argue with your comeback. I am a little to mature and secure in myself to do that.

If ‘Retroconning’ you talk about means Retroactive continuity (retcon), I don’t think it apply to what you’re saying. IMO I think introducing new characters (Chloe, Lionel etc) or the difference of physical appearance is a *new interpretation* in this case. (Unless ‘Retroconning’ means something entirely different.)

When we said ‘This is retconned’ ,‘That was a retcon.’, we normaly talking about the show canon (=SV Universe), aren’t we? For an example, in SV, Clark is the one who is pining over Lana, but it’s vice versa in the comics but I think you know that, too. Thus, in this case SV canon is a *new interpretation*, NOT retcon. But one day if MR Lex comes back and said “Remember when I had a ponytail when I first met you Clark? I miss that hairstyle.”, THIS is retcon. So retcon is when they change some facts which previously established in the show.

I know there’s many retcons in the comic, but that is within the continuity of the comic. So I get very confused about your post because you use word ‘Retroconning’, but you’re comparing comic canon and SV canon. :confused:

It’s pity you won’t come back to explain what your point was, because maybe I’m mistaken what you said here. Why you’re “mature and secure to not argue” BTW?? Isn’t it beauty of the forum where we talk about our points of view, and perhaps look at things a little differently than we might otherwise, and maybe learn a thing or two? At least this is why I’m here for. (That and to push PS3 to make a better show. lol ) YMMV.

And as Jai responded you already, *new interpretation* is NOT the problem here at all. We all love the show one way or another, if we don't care, no one would be here. JMO

[REebee52]

Actually ReeBee that's why I didn't like this arc at all. Because in our minds we may know what happens to Lana and how this ends. But we didn't get that, they left us hanging. I didn't get my closure. I've watched this Clark and Lana debacle for years and they ended it without giving the characters any real closure. It ended on a very anti-climactic note.

Beyond that, the arc was very inconsistent.

When Lana came back she wasn't dependent on Clark. She talked to him in "Bride" and from everything she said, she sounded like she had moved on with her life. She sounded like a strong and independent woman. I really loved that. My biggest issue with Lana for the last few years was she was always defining who she was with the guy she was with. Whitney, Clark, Jason, Lex, etc. It may be my own personal issue with needy people, but I hated how she was written for years. She seemed more like a girl, not a woman.

"Bride", "Legion", and "Bulletproof" turned that all around for me. This was the Lana Lang I had hoped to see for years. She had grown, she was a woman, and that was wonderful.

But "Power" & "Requiem" ruined that all for me. For 3 episodes we saw Lana hold Clark at arm's length, pushing him away because she had moved on. But by the end of "Power" & beginning of "Requiem" she was telling him how she wanted to be with him and help him on his patrols. It was a complete 180 from what she said earlier and all that growth I had seen was gone.

From everything I could tell it was inconsistant writing. If at the end of "Power" she had said to Clark, "I held you at arm's length since I came back because I didn't know if I would survive the procedure." or something like that, then this would be more excusable in my eyes. But instead it made Lana look like she had some sort of inferiority complex. Like she didn't see herself as worthy or incapable of being with Clark unless she was super-powered. I just don't like the message that sends, especially to younger people. It makes it seem like completely changing yourself to be with someone is right. And as much as Lana said she did this for herself and to help people, I can't believe that this decision didn't have anything to do with Clark, especially after she tries to get back together at the end of "Power".

Also I will admit, I hated the idea of Lana seeking power. I'm one of those people who feel that those who seek power are the least deserving of it and those that have power thrust upon them tend to be more responsible with it because they never really wanted it. I also really disliked how easily Clark let go of his objections with Lana's choices in "Power". He was so pissed off about her doing this and all she had to do was talk to him for 2 minutes and he was convinced? Blah. If Lois or Chloe had done what Lana did Clark would be lecturing them silly, but with Lana he just put his blinders on and ignored it. I mean, really, if Chloe had done this I think we all know Clark would be absolutely furious with her. I also think it was stupid to have Lana blindly believe this project would work and not have consequences. Most of Lex's projects have failed miserabley, this is really bad writing if Lana really believes everything will magically work out because Lex usually comes through with his little experiments.

I don't mind Lana being inspired by Clark and helping him find his way. That's what friends are for. But the way this arc was written, she was propped up to remind him of the right thing to do way too often. In the last 5 episodes Clark doubted himself more than he normally does. It just seemed way out of character for him to be doubting himself this much. And every time he did doubt himself, it was with Lana. It wasn't like he doubted himself with Lana in one episode and Chloe in another. It was always with Lana. And all that tells me was that these scenes were designed to make Lana look good.

Since this season premiered Clark gained a confidence he hadn't had before, but that confidenced seemed to disappear and wane the longer Lana was around. Personally I think it was written this way so Lana could give these speeches, and it's okay for her to inspire him, but it does make Clark look bad because this confidence I really admired since the premiere disappeared.

Please don't misunderstand me, I don't want Lana to be unlikable anymore, for 7 years I have been irritated and annoyed with the character. Make her a super-hero. Have her save Metropolis and Clark. I'm okay with these things. If KK and the writers want to redeem Lana and make her look good, then I'm okay with it.

But what I desired more than anything was to see her and Clark as equals. This arc didn't do that for me.

I would first like to say that this is the most coherent argument I've read yet. It's calm and rational, and for that I thank you.
I suppose what all this comes down to are differences in opinion of various kinds. For one, I allow myself to believe that the 'Lana' story isn't really over, because she's always a part of Superman's life, so even if it isn't on Smallville it will work itself out. I agree, I would have loved to have seen it. Maybe we'll still get to in a season 9 finale, who knows. But since we haven't, I can permit my imagination to take hold of future events.
I also think the reason held Clark and arm's length is exactly as you've stated. She didn't know it would work, though I think it's also true that he would never allow it to happen. I suppose it took two minutes to change Clark's mind because a). There was nothing he could do about it, and b). They were literally running out of tim in the episode:lol:.

I also believe that she didn't do this to be with Clark. This is a point neither of us can prove, I just have faith that that wasn't her purpose. As for her seeking power, I can kind of see your point, but in the hands of a capable person, I don't mind it. Bruce Wayne seeks power as well, and I love Batman only slightly less than I love Superman. Lana used to be incapable, but trained herself to that level, so I can accept it. Also, if she didn't use it Lex was going to. I suppose she decided to put it to good rather than destroy it.

I also don't think Clark necessarily lost confidence. And from what I saw there were only 2 times when Lana gave him substantial advice: Not to kill Chloe, not to kill Lex. The rest was trivial matters and wouldn't have been a problem if Chloe or Lois had said it, so I can accept Lana saying it just as much. I don't think it took anything away from Clark. He's been getting help from these people for years now, so I don't mind it continuing (but seriously, Clark, learn to use a computer. You're from one of the most advanced races in the universe. You're father found another dimension, for crying out loud, you should be able to find a way around a firewall).

Anyway, you're points are better thought out than most, we just have to agree to disagree I suppose.

[Quartz]

Not only was she made more morally superior to Clark, but she was also given his biggest powers without any of his weaknesses. Add to that, she can easily defeat the future Man Of Steel by just being in his presence. What a joke. Who's to say that this Lana Lang won't turn against Clark in the future? If she has a change of heart he is toast. And it's not even that far fetched, Lana changes personalities as often as most people change socks.

All hail the All Mighty Lana Lang. :rolleyes:
Out of everything that has happened, this is what ticks me off the most! Lana has Clark's strength and speed and none of his weaknesses. Clark becomes weak around her, therefore she could literally kill Superman easily if she wanted to. That is just RIDICULOUS; a complete and utter joke!

[alienkinfolk]

Out of everything that has happened, this is what ticks me off the most! Lana has Clark's strength and speed and none of his weaknesses. Clark becomes weak around her, therefore she could literally kill Superman easily if she wanted to. That is just RIDICULOUS; a complete and utter joke!

yes, ridiculous. All these years, come down to Lana having powers. And Clark who has pined soooo long was okay with it. The Lana arc has damaged the very essence of the show for good.

[SupermanRox]

Bottom line, every character and storyline suffered to place Lana Lang's character on an undeserving pedestal. Lana's arc, Lana's story, Lana's everything sabotaged everything good on this show during these episodes. Clark Kent/Superman looked like a bafoon. I'm a fan of Clark Kent's, and I was disgusted with what they did to his character.

They even show Chloe showing no concern whatsoever about her husband.

I was embarrassed and humiliated for Tom Welling. It was pathetic to see him in that last scene last night. I can only imagine what he was thinking while filming that. You could tell his heart wasn't in it. I cringed. I felt so bad for him. I just hope these episodes don't affect his future work in any way.

As far as I'm concerned Power and Requiem are right down there with Thirst and Spell. I'll never watch them again.

The writers need to do some serious damage control and get this show back on track. They need to pick up where they left off in Bride for the sake of the characters and storylines.
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I totally agree! Well said!


We know that he said in S6 that Clana should end, and we know he wasn't happy after that. He said he liked his character this season in Smallville magazine and really liked the Committed script. So, add those things together, and you can pretty much come to the conclusion that he wasn't happy acting out this script.

I'll be curious to see the changes in his acting come March. I think we'll see that passion he was lacking in these episodes surface again. <!-- / message --><!-- edit note -->

I've also heard that he thought Clana should end. I would think that he will be very excited to get things back on track in March. I can't wait to see how the show progresses.

[supercatmom]

Pandering - BIG TIME
I understand that KK had some imput with the writers on the Lana arc. And I could see how she would want to correct ever flaw she was ever given in the past 7 seasons. She has said that she was not happy with the way her character was portrayed in past seasons.
But really, did TPTB have to go this overbroad and pander to the character like this.

We have Lana the All-Good, she right up were with Sister Teresa.

She is now Lex's equal. Of course, she would want this because Lana was manipulate by Lex in previous seasons.

She is now Clark's equal. With the help of the suit, she is now as powerful and fast as Clark, the man she loves. But I find it was very interesting that when Clark asked her if she would like more sex, She said "What I would really love would be to go on patrol of metropolis with you".

And now she has been shown once and for all as the love of Clark Kent's life.
The only reason they are not together is because she herioically absorbed the kryptonite.

[tj_powers]

I dont think she is equal to anyone because she ended up paying alot more than Lex or Clark could have in their own ways. She did end up saving Clark and Metropolis but Lex would have never blown up Metropolis. No matter how much he wanted to destroy Clark and Lana, Lex was always more about mental strategies, games and personal grudges... not destruction.

[Snowfire]

After seeing what hell they put Lana through every season, how could any Smallville fan not be content about them finally paying her iconic character the overdue respect and reverence she deserves. Clark has had every season to come off looking like the knight in shining armor, saving the day more times then one can count. But give Lana a couple of episodes where she's being heroic and she's suddenly "outshining" Clark and making everyone look bad. Why can't Lana end up a heroine? Why wouldn't the one person who is worthy of Clark's love also shine next to him? Why does she have to be villified even when she does good? Lana can't win around here. If people were more empathetic towards Lana I think there wouldn't be so many haters complaining that she is making Clark look bad. She has given Clark a heart and made him more human than anyone else.

All these outcries of pandering just appear to be whines of discontent because Lana is no longer the persistant victim, ineffectual bystander or fleeting love in Clark's life they thought her character was only capable of being. She is now the biggest influence in his life and isn't leaving easily. She has developed so much as a character and sacrificed so much to be with the man she loves. And now she is even more connected and intertwined with Clark, since her parents were killed by Clark's meteor show. She is the one person he loves most in the world but can not be with her because of the added effects his planet's destruction. A poetic end, fitting of how they started in the Pilot, where it was set up that Lana would always be his weakness. That legacy is even more true now and how people continue to not acknowledge that and accept it as Clark's character trait then I really feel sad for you. He's not Superman he's Clark Kent. Learn him and love him.

So many people expect him to be this ideal hero and ignore the facts that he needs people in his life who will guide him and help him along the way. If TPTB were pandering to Lana here than you have to also insist that Jonathan was being pandered to when he constantly gave Clark moral direction/advice or when he empowered himself (with the help of Jor-El) to stop Kal-El in Metroplis. Then we have Chloe who has supercede her original character status to the point where she basically the brain to Clark's brawn. Clark always has to turn to for intelligence, advice and assistence despite him being quite capable and maybe even more proficent. Chloe has saved Clark's butt more times than he saved hers.

In closing, Smallville made Lana who she was so stop hating the player and start hating the game. (I love that line.)

[LuthorKent90]

No I didn't.

Clark's OWN idiocy made him look like a failure next to her.

As for being Lex's equal.. um how can she be Lex's equal AND save the world. :confused:
Unless of course you're saying Lex is a hero. Which judging from the season 7 finale he did come out looking the hero.(but a bad friend)

[suzieQ]

After seeing what hell they put Lana through every season, how could any Smallville fan not be content about them finally paying her iconic character the overdue respect and reverence she deserves. Clark has had every season to come off looking like the knight in shining armor, saving the day more times then one can count. But give Lana a couple of episodes where she's being heroic and she's suddenly "outshining" Clark and making everyone look bad. Why can't Lana end up a heroine? Why wouldn't the one person who is worthy of Clark's love also shine next to him? Why does she have to be villified even when she does good? Lana can't win around here. If people were more empathetic towards Lana I think there wouldn't be so many haters complaining that she is making Clark look bad. She has given Clark a heart and made him more human than anyone else.

All these outcries of pandering just appear to be whines of discontent because Lana is no longer the persistant victim, ineffectual bystander or fleeting love in Clark's life they thought her character was only capable of being. She is now the biggest influence in his life and isn't leaving easily. She has developed so much as a character and sacrificed so much to be with the man she loves. And now she is even more connected and intertwined with Clark, since her parents were killed by Clark's meteor show. She is the one person he loves most in the world but can not be with her because of the added effects his planet's destruction. A poetic end, fitting of how they started in the Pilot, where it was set up that Lana would always be his weakness. That legacy is even more true now and how people continue to not acknowledge that and accept it as Clark's character trait then I really feel sad for you. He's not Superman he's Clark Kent. Learn him and love him.



Wonderful post, I agree!

No, there was no pandering.......the storyarc gave Lana back her good nature, her desire to help others and her moral compass........the plus is the Superpowers!

[tj_powers]

this is just another version of so many threads weve seen so far. all the characters have traits that are particular to them. Lana's character has always been somewhat conniving. She always had to find out everyone's secrets and kept giving grief and guilt to those who had those secrets. Lana was hellbent on finding out Clark's secrets or knowing everything Lex was doing. In season 5, she kept insisting that it didnt matter if Clark had a secret but the more it went on, the more shed ***** about it to Lex... in season 6... she kept snooping on Clark and Lex... and resented Chloe for knowing Clark's secret... then in season 7, she kidnapped Lionel, tried to kill Lex.. and left Clark without fair warning... whether or not it was a setup shown on season 8... she still did it for her own reasons! It was always about her but thats how she needed to be portrayed because she is the entity of what Clark should not be with!

[actaeon]

Clark doesn't need Lana to look bad. He's perfectly capable of looking bad on his own.

I am though getting sick and tired of characters on this show lecturing one another about "it's wrong to kill". Clark has killed people-- and other sentient beings-- and has almost-killed more. Ditto Lana. Even Chloe. They've all got more in common with Lex and Lionel than they care to admit. At least Lionel was honest about being an SOB.

[Sunny8]

A poetic end, fitting of how they started in the Pilot, where it was set up that Lana would always be his weakness.

No, kryptonite is his weakness. Lana was just toxic to him.

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


In closing, Smallville made Lana who she was so stop hating the player and start hating the game. (I love that line.)

What does that mean?

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


Clark doesn't need Lana to look bad. He's perfectly capable of looking bad on his own.

I am though getting sick and tired of characters on this show lecturing one another about "it's wrong to kill". Clark has killed people-- and other sentient beings-- and has almost-killed more. Ditto Lana. Even Chloe. They've all got more in common with Lex and Lionel than they care to admit. At least Lionel was honest about being an SOB.

This Clark Kent can't tell anyone what to do because he was made so common by TPTB. Who would listen to such a hypocrite?

[abrazz1e]

Anybody else?

[BigT]

Pandering @ it's worse.

Of course the Clana fans won't see it that way. Thank goodness there are actually some of them that are sane and hated how this arc ended. I applaud them for it.