Clark: More nuanced, strong, with better emotional range

[davidbrenton]

I enjoyed Clark in this episode. TW is really coming a long way as an actor.

I thought his performance was a huge improvement. he is embracing Superman qualities, and showing a greater emotional nuances in his performance. With ED, he was surprisingly emitting of subtle emotions which is terrific.

Any thoughts?

[oldblackmagick]

The only two things i would have changed about this whole episode are

1. Clark slips the ring on his finger while lois's back is turned and BEFORE she says "hey clark that was chloe. she says you have to stay away fro..." The same thing happens...we hear that davis is doomsday thru the phone but when she turns around to tell clark he is gone. same thing but makes him look like less of an idiot.

2. Clark sits next to Lois and they start talking about writing/work. No relationship talk...just them having coffee talking about work.

but even when TW was playing an a$$....he did it well:)

[ClarksGal]

The only two things i would have changed about this whole episode are

1. Clark slips the ring on his finger while lois's back is turned and BEFORE she says "hey clark that was chloe. she says you have to stay away fro..." The same thing happens...we hear that davis is doomsday thru the phone but when she turns around to tell clark he is gone. same thing but makes him look like less of an idiot.

2. Clark sits next to Lois and they start talking about writing/work. No relationship talk...just them having coffee talking about work.

but even when TW was playing an a$$....he did it well:)

I agree with both of the things you said here. Very subtle differences, but ones that put Clark in a much better light. I also agree with the OP that TW is a great actor.

[e-µ-i]

One of the most mature, realistic and 'Superman' like presentations so far. You can see the benefit of Lana leaving right away.
Keep it up, TW !

[antx]

Tom was just amazing in this episode.I loved how he played Clark so in control handling the situation of all those people screaming for him.My only problem with him was the scene in the rain with Linda Lake.Clark was a bit flat when it came to seeing Linda again.But it did pick up towards the end of the scene,I loved his epressions there.

[skugers]

he was good. i liked him. and he definitely was not insecure. scared, but not insecure of his actions.

[Iluvgreen]

TW did a great job in this episode!

[TOMophilus]

I enjoyed Clark in this episode. TW is really coming a long way as an actor.

I thought his performance was a huge improvement. he is embracing Superman qualities, and showing a greater emotional nuances in his performance. With ED, he was surprisingly emitting of subtle emotions which is terrific.

Any thoughts?
I can´t see that he was ever seriously lacking. Yes, he got more experienced over the years. But he has always been a natural, IMO.

If I ever did not enjoy Clark, it was never because of Tom´s acting but because of the bad writing. But Tom can turn even b******t into gold. :D

[LoveHurts38]

I agree. TW is excelling nicely.

[davidbrenton]

My only problem with him was the scene in the rain with Linda Lake.Clark was a bit flat when it came to seeing Linda again.But it did pick up towards the end of the scene,I loved his epressions there.

Excellent catch. I agree with that criticism. He was not in "the zone" of his character not expecting her to be there.

[Jaderoyale]

Tom is just fabulous.

[TOMophilus]

Excellent catch. I agree with that criticism. He was not in "the zone" of his character not expecting her to be there.
Don´t forget that there is also a director: He can ask an actor to do a scene again. So I think it is wrong to blame the actor alone for such details.

[SnowBird]

I have always thought Tom was a very good actor. His facial expressions has always shown the emotion of the scene. He was very good playing a 14 year old when he was 24. Not an easy thing to do when an actor is ten years older than the character. It was even stated in a commentary by others that playing Clark was hard to do and Tom makes it appear easy. Now that Clark is older, Tom makes Clark more mature and hero Clark a stronger personality. Tom does an awesome job portraying Clark and no one has done it better.

[marcella]

He was great in most scenes. I just didn't like his acting in the first scene with Linda

[borednow]

Amazing how far a little Lois will go!

[MrZeppo]

Tom has been simply amazing this season.

I also feel the writing has been much better too (except for Power and Requiem... JMHO), so I imagine he's much happier. Any real actor wants to test themselves and I'm sure the progression in the storyline has really made him happier.

[LovelyLoisLane]

Tom Welling kicked butt and took names with his acting in this episode. He freakin' rocked and he totally sold that last scene. He was just great!

I'm sure he just had a hard time finding inspiration for Power and Requiem and really can you blame him? :p

This was much better material.

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


Tom has been simply amazing this season.

I also feel the writing has been much better too (except for Power and Requiem... JMHO), so I imagine he's much happier. Any real actor wants to test themselves and I'm sure the progression in the storyline has really made him happier.

I thought I heard about an interview somewhere with him where he said that this season he felt like they were making the story they were suppose to be making? Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? Maybe I was hallucinating.

[stenochick]

I thought TW acted as campy as Tori in the opening scene, but then in the dramatic tearful scene with Lois, he was more on his game. Perhaps that was the director's choice of how he should act. I don't know. I just know that I noticed a difference. I think his best work was with Allison in the Chlark scenes. Those were pure gold.

[petitemimi]

I thought I heard about an interview somewhere with him where he said that this season he felt like they were making the story they were suppose to be making? Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? Maybe I was hallucinating.

Yes, you were. :lol: He didn't do an interview for more than 2 years now.

I always think that Tom does an excellent job no matter if the episode is good or not. And he's even more deserving in badly written episodes.

[Hopefulsuicide]

I'm one of few who think his acting has declined this season. He's become a bit robotic and stoic in an attempt to be more like Superman... i just wish he'd lighten up a bit. All his lines come out either rigid or paired with a concern face and it's beginning to bug me.

I loved Tom's acting in early seasons, but i think he's gotten into a rhythm of an 'easy way' of playing Clark.

[LovelyLoisLane]

Yes, you were. :lol: He didn't do an interview for more than 2 years now.

I always think that Tom does an excellent job no matter if the episode is good or not. And he's even more deserving in badly written episodes.


LOL that is very possible, but I know there have been a few reviewers that quoted him as to his opinion on some episodes 'this' season. Those reviewers could have been full of crap though. :p But I know there haven't been any out and out interviews with Tom Welling in awhile. He doesn't really do them does he? Either that or no one offers . . . but why the heck would you not want to interview Tom Welling? That is almost unthinkable to me. While my girl, Erica, gave so many before season eight started that I actually got burned out on interviews.

Anyway, I heard that rumor on this board at some point so it definitely could've been . . . shall we say . . . not true. :p Not that anyone purposely lies here, but more someone starts it on another site and the rumor mill makes its way to K-site. It happens.

I don't think he always has done a great job but I've loved him 'this' season, and in the really awful episode(s) where he wasn't as on par as with other stuff, I can definitely forgive him. The material for those episodes wasn't exactly . . .inspiring.

But 'Infamous' was some really good stuff. Of course that is just my opinion. I really want to know what Bad Toad thinks *hint hint* since she's like THEE number one Clark fan on this board without a doubt. I've read some comments from others with a different opinion, namely some that thought the acting and the episode was terrible and even *gasp* filler! Say it ain't so! :\


Tom really won me over Thursday night though. I loved him just as much as Erica, in fact I even voted for Clark as my favorite character for the episode, and I'm a HUGE Lois fan. Well, physically I'm not huge, but you get what I'm saying. :p Lois did come in at a very close second however. Welling's performance not only made Clark my favorite character of the episode, but it also made me really warm to romantic Clois more than I ever have before. So that is certainly saying something coming from someone like me, and you can take that to the bank.

He portrayed all that Clark was feeling without saying a single word and it affected me in such a way that I felt like I knew exactly what emotions were going on in his head. The nuance of the expressions on his face was wonderful. Being able to convey a character well without any actual dialogue? That takes some talent.

----- Added 5 Minutes later -----


he was good. i liked him. and he definitely was not insecure. scared, but not insecure of his actions.

I think when people talk about insecurity, they mean in regard to Clark's feelings towards Lois, especially in that last scene. Not with him being insecure as a whole.

Or were you just saying that in general?

[petitemimi]

LOL that is very possible, but I know there have been a few reviewers that quoted him as to his opinion on some episodes 'this' season.

Glen Winter said in the Smallville magazine that Tom really liked the Committed script. As far as I know, that's it; and I have no reason to believe he's lying.
I noticed that some people say that Tom is good or not depending on if they liked the episode or not. They're basically projecting.
I'm not saying that's what you're doing of course, I'm happy that you liked his acting in this episode.

[LovelyLoisLane]

Glen Winter said in the Smallville magazine that Tom really liked the Committed script. As far as I know, that's it; and I have no reason to believe he's lying.
I noticed that some people say that Tom is good or not depending on if they liked the episode or not. They're basically projecting.
I'm not saying that's what you're doing of course, I'm happy that you liked his acting in this episode.

That was one of the comments I read in a review, but I read another comment that said something about how TW felt about the direction this season. Obviously that wasn't true though. :\

Some people do that yes. But I've liked every episode this season (hitting on different points on a scale of course but likeable overall) with the exception of two episodes. Can you guess what those two are? ;) Even with liking this whole season a lot I have not once liked Tom Welling's acting more than Erica Durance's acting when they were both in episodes together. Until 'Infamous' that is. So it definitely isn't just because I liked the episode, scout's honor. :D And I was a girl scout in my younger days that and I’ve never been that easily swayed.

I know, I know, that's not what you were saying. :p


The only note that TW didn't hit so perfectly in this episode was when Linda Lake first showed up, his face was kinda blank for a minute there, but then her appearance did seem sort of random, with the way it happened. The rest of the episode he did great, but that last scene especially, was extremely wonderful.

Wasn't that Glen Winter mention of Tom Welling saying how he really liked how the dialogue wasn't wasted, how it all meant something? I think it was something like that, and if that is true, than that is how I felt about the ending of "Infamous" with the expressions on Clark's face. None of them were wasted, they all meant something. At least I thought so.

[superjude]

Of course, TW is excelling nicely. But I love him as an actor, so I am biased.

[petitemimi]

Wasn't that Glen Winter mention of Tom Welling saying how he really liked how the dialogue wasn't wasted, how it all meant something?

Yes, it was part of that quote from Glen Winter. He said that he was happy to have such a sign off from the star of the show.
Now that you're mentionning it, I remember that in the beginning of the season, a showrunner said that Tom and Erica were having fun doing their scenes and that they felt their characters were doing what they should be doing. A second-hand comment, but still, I have no reason to believe that Tom is unhappy with the direction of the show.

I confess I'm totally incapable of criticizing Tom's acting. Well, I could sometimes, but I wouldn't write it. :p I think his acting is being bashed unfairly sometimes so no one needs me to criticize him; they do a good job by themselves. :\

[lifelovedestiny]

I really enjoyed his acting in this episode, but TW always knocks it out of the park!!

[bigblueplanet]

I usually have no problem with his acting and think he is great portraying Clark Kent in general but to me he was really off in this episode. He looks even sick especially in the DP secret-revealing scene. I don’t have to be a chinese facial diagnosis master to see he wasn’t in a good condition right there. Also in the scene where Lois asks him out for a coffee, he looks so pale (!). If I remember correctly, he got sick around the time he was supposedly doing prep for the episode 17, didn’t he? So I thought “Oh, okay, this is it. He was already getting sick when they were shooting this episode." But looking at what fellow fans had to say in this thread, apparently I was the only one who thought so. lol

ETA: Also his lines are *off* in this episode, IMO. Just look at how Erica has really brought the character into that barn scene and how Tom looks clueless & numb next to her. These writers can’t write good dialogue for Clark Kent nowadays, it seems. :(

[stenochick]

I usually have no problem with his acting and think he is great portraying Clark Kent in general but to me he was really off in this episode. He looks even sick especially in the DP secret-revealing scene. I don’t have to be a chinese facial diagnosis master to see he wasn’t in a good condition right there. Also in the scene where Lois asks him out for a coffee, he looks so pale (!). If I remember correctly, he got sick around the time he was supposedly doing prep for the episode 17, didn’t he? So I thought “Oh, okay, this is it. He was already getting sick when they were shooting this episode." But looking at what fellow fans had to say in this thread, apparently I was the only one who thought so. lol

ETA: Also his lines are *off* in this episode, IMO. Just look at how Erica has really brought the character into that barn scene and how Tom looks clueless & numb next to her. These writers can’t write good dialogue for Clark Kent nowadays, it seems. :(

I have to agree with this. Erica really brought it in the barn scene and Tom was just kind of numb. Plus, Caroline Dries tends to have some confusing dialogue come out of the character's mouths, IMO.

I think Tom was battling a bug or something like others have posted. Imagine being under the weather and having to act while being drenched with fake rain.

Also, he seems to be acting more "Supermanly" lately than "teenager." That can come off as more detached and stilted. I picture Superman being a man of few words. Although, I yearn to hear Clark express what he is feeling and what is going on inside his head.

In the early seasons, he really pulled off being a teenager despite being 6'3" and built like a man. If anyone doubts Tom's acting ability, just compare Clark in season 1 to Clark in season 8. We have gone from watching a boy to watching a man.

[kg1507]

He's been getting steadily better, plus the writing for Infamous was outstanding.

[Crouching Lurker]

I enjoyed Clark in this episode. TW is really coming a long way as an actor.

I thought his performance was a huge improvement. he is embracing Superman qualities, and showing a greater emotional nuances in his performance. With ED, he was surprisingly emitting of subtle emotions which is terrific.

Any thoughts?

I thought the writing was a bit off more than anything; as far as the fast pacing of the episode and the weird dialog/quips some of the characters had to say. But as far as TW's acting, I thought he did a very good job with the material he was given.

[workshyslacker]

Hmmm.

I thought TW's acting was a little patchy. In the barn scene, ED's eyes were shining, her voice was trembling, and valiantly trying to smile through her tears. And TW.. he looked a little outclassed. His rendition of "You are special" seemed a little flat compared with her emoting.:\

Although in the last scene, I think he nailed the inner conflict, surprise (and perhaps a little angry at himself) when Lois texted him. He knew she was lying, and the opportunity of reaching out to her ended with that lie. I especially liked the jaw clench. ;)

Perhaps he was just feeling sick during filming, as others have alluded. :\

[Lilah]

The first scene with Linda was poorly written and it did not go with continuity of the show. Clark didn't have a story with Linda in Hydro, it was Chloe. So even if Chloe told him every single detail, why did he say "we've gone through this before, I'll stop you..." In my mind I just kept thinking, this is the first time Clark's even meeting this psycho.... There are so many other ways to word that. I think the writers over looked that detail.

----- Added 5 Minutes later -----


Yes, it was part of that quote from Glen Winter. He said that he was happy to have such a sign off from the star of the show.
Now that you're mentionning it, I remember that in the beginning of the season, a showrunner said that Tom and Erica were having fun doing their scenes and that they felt their characters were doing what they should be doing. A second-hand comment, but still, I have no reason to believe that Tom is unhappy with the direction of the show.

I confess I'm totally incapable of criticizing Tom's acting. Well, I could sometimes, but I wouldn't write it. :p I think his acting is being bashed unfairly sometimes so no one needs me to criticize him; they do a good job by themselves. :\

"Committed" was an amazing script. And "Infamous" was good too. I don't have reason to believe he's unhappy with the direction of the show either. Because if he was, why would he sign on for another season.... As for his acting, he may not be a veteran actor, but he definitely is Superman. It's an iconic character, and he had big shoes to fill that belonged to Christopher Reeve. So over all in the last 8 years I think Tom has done a tremendous job.:)

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


He's been getting steadily better, plus the writing for Infamous was outstanding.

I adore your icon by the way!:rotfl:

[AgentChaos]

I think Tom is as good an actor as the actors around him are. If he's in scenes with really talented actors, he tends to step up his game and deliver some great performances. However, if the actors in the scene are not quite so talented, his acting tends to suffer a bit.

[Kalista]

I think Tom is as good an actor as the actors around him are. If he's in scenes with really talented actors, he tends to step up his game and deliver some great performances. However, if the actors in the scene are not quite so talented, his acting tends to suffer a bit.

I would have to agree with this because I did not enjoy the scenes with Tom and Tori. Much of that can be attributed to Tori's campy performance. They just didn't play off one another well and I notice the same problem in his scenes other actors at times.

[Candice]

Tom Welling was amazing in this episode!

The barn scene and the office reveal scene blew me away! I loved that we got to see Tom smile and the way he makes his face light up is so endearing! The lines that stood out where "Lois will you do me the honor of writing my story" and "you are special" --in these two scenes, and when saying these two lines Tom just did this charming thing where he smiled and managed to look so sincere, and happy and proud and excited all in one! It was incredible.

TW tends to have to constantly be act all broody and depressed. Seeing him here in this episode showed me more of his range for the lighter stuff. But the best episode was Committed, there he made me laugh so much! But, of course, Erica is the comedic genius of the two! She's hilarious!

Anyway, TW did really good in this episode! TW and ED have so much chemistry! I love it!!

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


I thought TW's acting was a little patchy. In the barn scene, ED's eyes were shining, her voice was trembling, and valiantly trying to smile through her tears. And TW.. he looked a little outclassed. His rendition of "You are special" seemed a little flat compared with her emoting.:\:\
Erica is just so amazing that sometimes those around her pale in comparison, quite frankly. Ever since Siren I was hooked on her as a dramatic actress, before I couldn't get enough of her comedy, but now, I keep on wanting more drama. And then the Commited episode? Gah, I cried, I laughed, I fell in love with Erica all over again. :o

But I still loved Tom in this episode...he's always great. However, Erica is just....Erica. Sigh. Can't even find the word sometimes. Lol. But yeah, PS3, you all hit the lottery on her! :cool::p

[hero`s passion]

Hmmm.

I thought TW's acting was a little patchy. In the barn scene, ED's eyes were shining, her voice was trembling, and valiantly trying to smile through her tears. And TW.. he looked a little outclassed. His rendition of "You are special" seemed a little flat compared with her emoting.:\

Although in the last scene, I think he nailed the inner conflict, surprise (and perhaps a little angry at himself) when Lois texted him. He knew she was lying, and the opportunity of reaching out to her ended with that lie. I especially liked the jaw clench. ;)

Perhaps he was just feeling sick during filming, as others have alluded. :\

I agree with you, the barn scene was played very poor by him, it should be the one of the most touching scenes, but that "you are special" was a little strange, I don`t get it, was it suppose to be like that or Tom just couldn`t show us his feelings, but I don`t get his feelings in that scene, Erica was SO amazing, I still think that she is the best actor/actress of the show...I like Tom as an actor very much, sometimes his acting skills amazed me very much, but I have to say that he spoiled the barn scene with this lack of emotions:(((

BUT in the last scene he was on the contrary perfect, I liked him even more than Erica.....I don`t know maybe it was the director`s guilt of not very good barn scene...scenes with Linda was ok I think, not bad, but not perfect, just ok:)))))))))))

[TOMophilus]

I agree with you, the barn scene was played very poor by him, it should be the one of the most touching scenes, but that "you are special" was a little strange, I don`t get it, was it suppose to be like that or Tom just couldn`t show us his feelings, ...
Why do you blame Tom for that? There is a director and he can tell the actors how to play a scene. So Winter either failed to do so (because he was happy with it), or he wanted it that way.

[hero`s passion]

Why do you blame Tom for that? There is a director and he can tell the actors how to play a scene. So Winter either failed to do so (because he was happy with it), or he wanted it that way.

I don`t blame Tom (have you read my post to the end?), I said that maybe it was director`s mistake, and it certainly was, because even if Tom acted badly, then the director should make him to play it better...I just write how I see it...and I don`t think this scene was played good by him...

[Sunny8]

I think he did a really good job in this episode. He is getting better and better.