Re-watching Smallville Season 1 on DVD. The small things I've noticed, etc [Archive]

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urrutiap

03-20-2009, 10:40 PM

SGuthrie27

03-20-2009, 10:56 PM

Yeah, it is really cool to go back and rewatch Season 1 and other early season episodes now, with so much story built up on them. It's so different, more innocent, and definitely simpler, but still has the same undertones that would eventually lead to the show we have today. It's fun to see Clark and Lex as friends, Clark and Lana before they began the relationship roller coaster, Pete and Chloe as Clark's buddies before the burden of knowing his secret, the Kent parents always around to provide advice, and Lionel, ever the consummate villain back then. So many things have changed, with practically all the original principal cast gone, and only Clark and Chloe left to carry the torch (pun somewhat intended). I, too, have liked, and still like, a lot of the ballad songs they play at the ends of episodes. They really helped hit home whatever tone the episode had, like in "Ryan," in the balloon/hospital montage scene, or in "Fever" as Clark talks to both Chloe and then Lana about his illness, and Chloe gives Clark this long, sad look from across the room as, once again, his attention is diverted to Lana... Smallville is definitely good at created effective episode-ending montages.

--SGuthrie ><>' :)--

--SGuthrie ><>' :)--

redkryptoniteisthebest

03-20-2009, 10:57 PM

Yeah, I noticed Lex was hitting on Lana a lot in the earlier seasons. Its really fun to watch the earlier SV seasons, because it makes you think of the more innocent days of Smallville.

urrutiap

03-20-2009, 11:20 PM

I dunno why but I just creeped by some of the foreshadowing stuff that goes in Seasons 1, 2 and 3 such as Lex trying to get friendly with Lana. Just creeps me out. Period LOL.

Thanks alot to UPN and WB I missed out on Seasons 2 and 3 but now since there's the DVD season sets I get to go buy them and watch them and notice some of the stuff such as the small things that you never pick up at once the first time around but some of the things that are harmless in Seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4 they come back in a dark way later on in Seasons 6, 7 and 8.

xrayvision

03-20-2009, 11:28 PM

Back then, the stories were not only simpler, but better written and more interesting. I loved the Kents' role in Clark's life and how he had actual friendships with people like Pete & Chloe rather than being dictated to about what needs to be done. Clark was the lead character in those seasons, and by this I mean he did what he knew had to be done without being upstaged. I loved how there were no cheap gimmicks like introducing other DC heroes on this show, stupid witch plots, and many other things in the golden days---the first 3 seasons---that we had later on. Shattered & Asylum were perfect examples how Clark was the man back then. He was far more confident back then than he ever was since. The additions to the Smallville mythos in seasons 2 & 3 (the cave, the legend of Naman, Virgil Swann, etc) were amazing. I had great hopes for the friendship between Clark & Lex and how it would end up. Too bad it became all about Lana.

I also started going back to watching season 1 a few weeks ago. I think I'm on Shimmer right now.

urrutiap

03-20-2009, 11:37 PM

yeah same here with me about going back to checking stuff out on my Smallville Season 1 DVD. Whenever I get off the computer tonight I'll pop in the DVDs for Season 1 and skip to the end of the episodes to listen to the dramatic sad song ballads or whatever they are.

----- Added 42 Minutes later -----

Ok I just skimmed through all of the episodes from Season 1 for DVD and there are 5 good episodes that have some good songs playing at the end of each episode

Pilot
Metamorphosis
Shimmer- I still like the part where the camera goes back to Clark with his head being lowered like in defeat or something. This is one of those moments where Clark has a habit of spying on Lana with his telescope
Nicodemus
Stray
Crush- Time after Time plays during Whitney's dad's funeral

xrayvision

03-21-2009, 12:51 AM

The best was in Covenant. What happened that you weren't able to see the 2nd & 3rd seasons? The WB should always showed the series for me. Unless your area lost the WB affiliate.

urrutiap

03-21-2009, 10:23 AM

2shae

03-21-2009, 12:36 PM

I actually re-watch the earlier seasons at least once a year, but never past Season 5 because it just gets so crappy after that.

Season 1,2 and 3 really were the best, with better stories, characters, settings, special effects, MUSIC, acting, enthusiasm, humor.
The right music was always the thing Smallville was good at, but they just stopped doing that for some reason...and that is also when the show started to die.

All of that is missing now. Smallville just isn't Smallville anymore.

Nowadays I only watch the show hoping it will go back to the old days.

On the other hand, the show 'Supernatural' has been getting better and better and is in my eyes at least 4 times better then Smallville :P
Even Heroes is more interesting now, even though I hated that show before.

Bre723

03-21-2009, 12:39 PM

Yeah, I too have been watching season one recently.
Sometimes if i don't watch an entire episode(because I might have seen it too may times) I'll at least skip to the last scene. It sounds dumb maybe but my favorite part of season 1 episodes, is when they end,haha.
Not because it's over, but because of the dynamic last scenes.
I'm parshall to a good song at the end.
And yeah, shimmer was a good ending.
Oh that telescope, good memories it's brought us,lol.

I think season 8 might be trying to bring some of the music back, for the past few episodes the music has been tons better than earlier in the season.
Like with Turbulence or Bride, both great ending scenes w/ the music selection.

ClarkyBoy14

03-21-2009, 07:02 PM

more innocent, and definitely simpler,

I think that's the best way to describe seasons one and two. :)

xrayvision

03-21-2009, 09:43 PM

What happened as to why I missed out on seasons 2 and 3 is that I had to go to college at the time from fall 2002 to spring 2003. I didnt have cable. I only had the local channels such as CBS, Fox, ABC, NBC, and PBS but in a way I was kind of glad since I didnt need cable tv to be distracting me while I was trying to concentrate with school at the time

Yeah, I know. I didn't even have a TV in college until my final semester.

That's weird that you didn't have the WB network though. It wasn't a cable channel, unless in various areas it was. In my areas, one of the local channels became the WB channel. Otherwise I would have never seen a single episode of Smallville.

urrutiap

03-21-2009, 11:16 PM

yeah what Bre723 said about the "sad dramatic ballad songs that have returned to play at the end of some episodes for this Season 8. Brings back memories from Season 1 that's for sure LOL. I hate repeating myself but I think Seasons 1 had the best "sad dramatic" ballad songs playing at the end of some episodes. Dunno about for Seasons 2 and 3 but I seriously need to go get Seasons 2 and 3 for DVD pretty soon since there are alot of episodes that I did miss out on

Yeah I liked the song that was playing at the end of Turbulence. I'm not a fan of Three Days Grace or anything but that song was pretty good.

xrayvision

03-21-2009, 11:20 PM

I think the best song from season 8 was the one at the end of Bride.

REebee52

03-22-2009, 12:39 AM

Not just the small things I notice which are foreshadowings that occur such as Lex trying to hit on Lana in Season 1 and even in Season 2 where he even tries to get involved with her.

I still love the songs at the end at each episode of Smallville even the sad ballad songs with the lyrics. the Whitney's funeral scene still gets to me and I'm a freakin guy LOL. I still think the song that plays is pretty damn cool.

I have noticed that Season 8 is going back to playing those kinds of songs at the end of the episodes

Indeed, the Lex Lana thing was always hinted at. This is why I was never so upset that the Lexana arc happened in season 6, I had always waited for it. I didn't LIKE it, it was gross, but I thought it was interesting, and fitting considering how Lex had always acted. Even when he seemed to be trying to help Clark, he'd always been fascinated with Lana. It only made sense for him to swoop in when she was at her most vulnerable. I thought it made for some decent story lines, and Promise was a very strong episode.

And yes, that funeral scene is, hands down, the best scene Smallville has ever put out. It is nothing short of incredible. The music is perfect, the cinematography great (Clark at the angel=awesome), but the acting is so phenomenal. They obviously can't say anything, it's all facial expression and mood, but it's done so well.

Clark was the lead character in those seasons, and by this I mean he did what he knew had to be done without being upstaged. I loved how there were no cheap gimmicks like introducing other DC heroes on this show, stupid witch plots, and many other things in the golden days---the first 3 seasons---that we had later on. Shattered & Asylum were perfect examples how Clark was the man back then. He was far more confident back then than he ever was since. The additions to the Smallville mythos in seasons 2 & 3 (the cave, the legend of Naman, Virgil Swann, etc) were amazing. I had great hopes for the friendship between Clark & Lex and how it would end up. Too bad it became all about Lana.
While I will agree that early seasons were great, there are some things I do not agree with:
1. There were no cheap gimmicks: I feel like we've had this debate before, but I think a lot of the stories were gimmicky, with the overuse of the omnipotent Kryptonite doing whatever they wanted with it. It was pretty lazy writing at times, and some of the powers were just dumb. And I don't think the introduction of other DC characters is a cheap gimmick at all. These are all people that are part of Clark Kent's life, it's neat to see how they meet in SV's universe. Though I loathed the witch storyline as much as anybody.
2. Clark isn't confident now: A lot of people make this claim, I've never seen it, at all. Clark has gone from saving his friends from mutants to literally saving the world. The stakes are higher, he's grown, and is much more like Superman with each passing season.
3. It became all about Lana: Lana was ALWAYS a major part of the show. To say it became all about Lana is ridiculous. The early seasons were as much about Clana as the later ones. From the first episode we see the romantic tension. Then there are mock drive-in movies, episodes where she seems different and skinny dips in the pool, her relationship with Whitney that stood in Clark's way, her finding her real father, her not being able to learn Clark's secret because Clark thought it put her in danger... I don't understand how people can say it wasn't about Lana, or that Clark didn't pine for her; his telescope was pointed out her house, for god's sake! It never suddenly seemed like Lana was in the spot light and Clark was getting shafted. They were always both major characters, weaving in and out of a complicated romance that was always doomed to fail.

I actually re-watch the earlier seasons at least once a year, but never past Season 5 because it just gets so crappy after that...Even Heroes is more interesting now, even though I hated that show before

Hm. While Season 6 wasn't my favorite, I certainly liked it a lot. Season 7 was pretty terrible, but I liked season 6. And I now really don't heroes, it was great season 1, had an okay season 2, but season 3 has been absolutely terrible. Evidently our TV tastes differ.

Bre723

03-22-2009, 01:08 AM

And yes, that funeral scene is, hands down, the best scene Smallville has ever put out. It is nothing short of incredible. The music is perfect, the cinematography great (Clark at the angel=awesome), but the acting is so phenomenal. They obviously can't say anything, it's all facial expression and mood, but it's done so well.

I agree, one of my all time favorite scenes.
The way Lana and Clark looked at each other, beautiful.

3. It became all about Lana: Lana was ALWAYS a major part of the show. To say it became all about Lana is ridiculous. The early seasons were as much about Clana as the later ones. From the first episode we see the romantic tension. Then there are mock drive-in movies, episodes where she seems different and skinny dips in the pool, her relationship with Whitney that stood in Clark's way, her finding her real father, her not being able to learn Clark's secret because Clark thought it put her in danger... I don't understand how people can say it wasn't about Lana, or that Clark didn't pine for her; his telescope was pointed out her house, for god's sake! It never suddenly seemed like Lana was in the spot light and Clark was getting shafted. They were always both major characters, weaving in and out of a complicated romance that was always doomed to fail.

I agree, she was always a HUGE part of the show, I think that people just started to get sick or Clana, but in season 1, it was so sweet.
Lana had the boyfriend and Clark pined over her, it was the original Clana that made some of the best moments in the show. And yes, the show has always had major Clana. It's just now that Lana has changed Clana has changed.

Hm. While Season 6 wasn't my favorite, I certainly liked it a lot. Season 7 was pretty terrible, but I liked season 6.

Season 6 is probley my second favorite, season 3 is my favorite.

xrayvision

03-22-2009, 04:47 AM

While I will agree that early seasons were great, there are some things I do not agree with:
1. There were no cheap gimmicks: I feel like we've had this debate before, but I think a lot of the stories were gimmicky, with the overuse of the omnipotent Kryptonite doing whatever they wanted with it. It was pretty lazy writing at times, and some of the powers were just dumb. And I don't think the introduction of other DC characters is a cheap gimmick at all. These are all people that are part of Clark Kent's life, it's neat to see how they meet in SV's universe. Though I loathed the witch storyline as much as anybody.

My point was that TPTB didn't play these games to satisfy shippers. That satisfaction of shippers has tremendously hurt the show. I could care less about 'ships. I don't mind them as long as they don't take over the show. This is a show about Clark Kent becoming Superman. This is not Dawson's Creek. I understand that some of the kryptonite stuff was a bit lame. But the good thing I always had to fall back on was a Clark Kent that I was able to respect. One who knew what was the right thing to do & did it. He could have done things better at times, but he always did what was right & tried his best to help people. He was very unselfish and put his dates with Lana 2nd to stop dangerous people. This was no longer the case later on, when we saw what he did in Arrival and again in Reckoning & Blue & so many times after.

The other heroes were a gimmick because they stole Clark's spotlight. Not so much Bart in Run, but definitely the Green Arrow. I don't like his attitude & how he got in Clark's face when this is Clark's show, not his. Same with AC in Aqua. I did like Victor Stone in Cyborg though. The Angel of Vengeance (Acrata in the comics) was OK. But the bottom line is, this is Clark's show. The show back in the 1st three seasons (especially seasons 2 & 3) was good enough that they didn't need such gimmicks like other heroes. These other heroes just waltz their way in and everybody "ooh's" and "ahh's" but they are mainly a distraction & end up in filler episodes. I don't mind them if they are not seen lecturing Clark, because trust me, I've seen fillers without other DC heroes in them that are much worse (Ageless anyone?), but relying on them to make the show look good is not a good idea. This is Clark's show, and his screentime drastically diminished in season 6. If you watch the first three seasons, it's all about Clark. And that's the way it should have always been. Those seasons had the most viewers & I don't think it's a mystery why. Also, there were no over the top sexual scenes like there were starting with Bound, where there was definitely complete nudity. I know there was a little in Slumber, but almost nothing happened in that episode except for a kiss. Even in Obsession, both Clark & Alicia were fully clothed, and didn't get far before Jonathan interrupted. The same can't be said for Unsafe, Wither, or Fracture.

2. Clark isn't confident now: A lot of people make this claim, I've never seen it, at all. Clark has gone from saving his friends from mutants to literally saving the world. The stakes are higher, he's grown, and is much more like Superman with each passing season.

I totally disagree. This season he had shown shades of increasing confidence, but even now, his facial expression still looks like he's about to break down & cry. I never saw this expression on him in the first 3 seasons, EXCEPT if there was a scene where he was trying to console someone. But now it's all the time. He is no longer the happy guy he once was. And I very much disagree that he's become more like Superman with each passing season. In the early episodes, he set his priorities right. He did not let his desires for Lana corrupt his judgement. In seasons 5-7, it was Lana who was telling him that she was holding him back and his life revolved around Lana. In the comics, Clark was not told by others to go and become the hero he was meant to be. He left the farm, travelled the world and through his experiences & morals learned what it took to help people all over the place. And as a result, when he came back, he became Superman. There was no guilt involved. It was 100% something he wanted for himself. The Smallville Clark has blamed himself for everything to a ridiculous degree. Superman would not have needed what it took Clark in Apocalypse to finally act and do what was needed. Superman would never be such a hypocrite like Clark was and lecture to Oliver that killing Lex is bad, meanwhile proceed to do the very thing he preached against after Lex contaminated Lana with kryptonite. These 2 examples happened in the last 2 seasons, when he should be just about ready to become Superman. The biggest mistake he made in the early seasons was something that wasn't even his fault---destroying his ship and running away from Jor-El. At the time, he did not have experience by his side, and Jor-El's first impression was that of a madman/lunatic/domineering entity who wanted nothing else but complete control of his son. Clark had no idea how his real father was like and if in fact he was good or evil. So I don't blame him with this. The main thing I didn't like that he did in the first 3 seasons happened in Memoria, when it seemed like his secret was more important than Lex's well being. But then again, we saw him nearly kill Linda Lake last week for the same thing & uttered a line that made him sound like a villian ("No one can ever know my name").

Two of my favorite heroics of Clark's happened in season 3. One was when he dove into Saunders Gorge after Perry without his powers, just to save him. This was probably the bravest save he had, because he knew his powers were gone & had no idea if they would come back. Then were his heroics in Shattered & Asylum. These 2 episodes had a tremendous focus on "morals vs. law" theme. Clark had to choose between what was morally right or what was legal. In Shattered, his parents were against him helping Lex & going after Lionel. He decided to help his friend, and got involved in a very dangerous situation. He was the man. He planned out everything, protected Chloe, tried to protect Lana (though it backfired) and did his best to protect Lex while deal with Morgan Edge. Clark has yet to go up against a single man with the power Lionel had back then, let alone so many powerful men in one episode (Lionel & Edge). Asylum was Clark deciding that he had to help Lex, even though it was illegal to break him out. Again, he did his thing and was attacked for it. Even without his powers temporarily, he was very brave and had resolve and confidence that we just haven't seen since. We did not see that dumb facial expression on his face throughout the execution of his plans in Shattered & Asylum, even though the pressure was on him like never before.

3. It became all about Lana: Lana was ALWAYS a major part of the show. To say it became all about Lana is ridiculous. The early seasons were as much about Clana as the later ones. From the first episode we see the romantic tension. Then there are mock drive-in movies, episodes where she seems different and skinny dips in the pool, her relationship with Whitney that stood in Clark's way, her finding her real father, her not being able to learn Clark's secret because Clark thought it put her in danger... I don't understand how people can say it wasn't about Lana, or that Clark didn't pine for her; his telescope was pointed out her house, for god's sake! It never suddenly seemed like Lana was in the spot light and Clark was getting shafted. They were always both major characters, weaving in and out of a complicated romance that was always doomed to fail.

I don't think the early seasons were as much about Lana as the later ones. The early seasons did not have plots centered around relationships, like Lexana---where it was a seasonlong initiative in season 6 to use Lexana just so Lana could figure out Lex's true nature. This very plot ruined so many episodes, like Static. In the early seasons, Lana was many times relegated to just a few scenes. This was the case in Insurgence, Jitters, Rogue, Talisman, Skinwalker, Memoria, Exile, and many other episodes. Her role with Clark was in just a few scenes so that Clark would be allowed to do his job---be a hero. And that's why so many people (me included) can tolerate Clana of seasons 1-3 more than they could from season 4 & beyond. Lana wasn't written into a witch plot back then. She wasn't written into an all-knowing Isis lady (ridiculous) who all of a sudden could hack and knew every one of Lex's moves (a nice attempt to make Lex seem pathetic). She didn't steal suits made of alien DNA and become a superhero. She didn't turn into a vampire. She was just a girl next door who eventually started working in a coffee shop. Even in Accelerate, one of the few episodes when the plot did revolve around her, it was actually interesting and her involvement in the storyline wasn't over the top ridiculous. I actually like the scenes where she & Clark looked into Emily's house & found the lab. I thought Forsaken was also cool.

I also very much enjoyed Chloe's character because she was shown to be a good friend with very believable flaws. Plus she still was living with her father, which someone at that age (and even the age she's at now) would need. I don't think a 20-21 year old like Chloe or Clark would be entirely self sufficient yet, as they would still need some advice. Clark probably would be OK if he traveled the world like his comics counterpart, but that didn't happen.

Hm. While Season 6 wasn't my favorite, I certainly liked it a lot. Season 7 was pretty terrible, but I liked season 6. And I now really don't heroes, it was great season 1, had an okay season 2, but season 3 has been absolutely terrible. Evidently our TV tastes differ.

I don't watch Heroes. Never did. I started liking season 6 a lot more with Hydro, though I hated Justice because the episode made Clark look pathetic & like the weak link of the JLA rather than the leader, which is what Superman is (of the JLA). I also didn't like Promise for the same reason. Crimson, Freak, Trespass (though it was too much about Lana), Combat, Nemesis, Prototype, and Phantom were all decent to excellent. But I still take my seasons 1-3, especially 2 & 3, which were chock full of mythos (the cave, Naman, Sageeth).

Clark/Lois-fan

03-22-2009, 07:06 AM

I'm currently re-watching the whole serie again. Not just some seasons, but the whole. It's great for nostalgia, seeing new things, hearing the amazing songs in the episodes and just watch ones favorite tv show again from the beginning.

I finished with S1 a few days ago, and now I'm about to start with S2 :)

simplemath

03-22-2009, 07:25 AM

Funny thing about rewatching the first season is that the actors look so different back then. And the truth is that the stories was better then. For me the better seasons were seasons 2 and 5 (but i did not like the last part of this season).
its funny when you notice something that you did not notice the first time you watch it and you only notice it now because you already know what happened.
I mean, I kinda saw that Lex was always there for Lana and Clark but back then I had no idea that they were going to do this triangle and then when i go look at it from youtube there it is the whole Lex hitting on a teenager.. hahaha

I think I would have to agree to most of you when you say that the final scene from each episode was the best. Its the way they end it, they tie up all the plot in the episode and does it with songs that is fit for the scene. Also they give us an open-ended scene most of the time leaving us hanging for more...

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

Sorry about double posting but... I forgot to add
In the earlier season you notice that the show was tied up into a setting where it was more realistic. I mean the daily planet from season 3 looked like a normal office instead of the old fashion looking of this seasons daily planet(not that i dont like it). Also I find it really weird that every furniture from the kent farm looks like it was from the 40's.
And that Clark actually wore something other than the blue shirt and the red jacket or the blue jacket and the red shirt.

REebee52

03-22-2009, 01:27 PM

REebee52

03-22-2009, 02:31 PM

My point was that TPTB didn't play these games to satisfy shippers. That satisfaction of shippers has tremendously hurt the show. I could care less about 'ships. I don't mind them as long as they don't take over the show. This is a show about Clark Kent becoming Superman. This is not Dawson's Creek. I understand that some of the kryptonite stuff was a bit lame. But the good thing I always had to fall back on was a Clark Kent that I was able to respect. One who knew what was the right thing to do & did it. He could have done things better at times, but he always did what was right & tried his best to help people. He was very unselfish and put his dates with Lana 2nd to stop dangerous people. This was no longer the case later on, when we saw what he did in Arrival and again in Reckoning & Blue & so many times after.

Once more, I'm going to disagree, on some things. I agree the show is about Clark Kent becoming Superman, NOT the relations he or other characters may have. But those relationships still help show who Clark is. Again, I maintain the Clark and Lana relationship was always a major part of the show. Just watching it is clear that it is a huge part of what weighs on Clark's mind. He's always saving Lana, always warning her about the guy she's dating (then she'll call him jealous, then he'll save her life from the psychopath, then they'll have a moment at the end of the episode). The older episodes had just as much (if not MORE) 'Dawson's Creek' as the new. There was SO much high school angst and 'shipping' it was crazy. Chloe was angsty for Clark, Clark was angsty for Lana and sometimes Chloe, Lana was angsty for Clark but wouldn't admit it. And he never put Lana above stopping dangerous people. Even in the most hated episode this season (Requiem), he told her she had to diffuse the bomb, knowing what it's consequence was. And in Reckoning, why is this so awful? The woman he loved was dead. How could he NOT do anything to save her? As Martha Kent said, "Would you really be able to choose between them?" And I like to think Jonathan Kent would have gladly died to save Lana's life, because he was no incredibly noble (God I miss him).
But again, with Shippers: They have hardly appeased shippers in recent years. Most of the fans hated Clana, nobody wanted Lexana, they've never done anything really substantial for Chlark... I have seen very few gimmicks pandering to shippers, just human relationships that help Clark and other characters develop, for better or worse. If anything, most shipping pandering has been season 8 with the sudden Clois burst (not that I don't like it). But Clana was not suddenly the a total distraction in the show. It might have been more focused at points, but it happened throughout the entire show not just the newer seasons.
Clark learned Heat vision by thinking about Lana, for crying out loud, she's always been on his mind.

The other heroes were a gimmick because they stole Clark's spotlight. Not so much Bart in Run, but definitely the Green Arrow. I don't like his attitude & how he got in Clark's face when this is Clark's show, not his. Same with AC in Aqua. I did like Victor Stone in Cyborg though. The Angel of Vengeance (Acrata in the comics) was OK. But the bottom line is, this is Clark's show. The show back in the 1st three seasons (especially seasons 2 & 3) was good enough that they didn't need such gimmicks like other heroes. These other heroes just waltz their way in and everybody "ooh's" and "ahh's" but they are mainly a distraction & end up in filler episodes. I don't mind them if they are not seen lecturing Clark, because trust me, I've seen fillers without other DC heroes in them that are much worse (Ageless anyone?), but relying on them to make the show look good is not a good idea. This is Clark's show, and his screentime drastically diminished in season 6. If you watch the first three seasons, it's all about Clark. And that's the way it should have always been. Those seasons had the most viewers & I don't think it's a mystery why. Also, there were no over the top sexual scenes like there were starting with Bound, where there was definitely complete nudity. I know there was a little in Slumber, but almost nothing happened in that episode except for a kiss. Even in Obsession, both Clark & Alicia were fully clothed, and didn't get far before Jonathan interrupted. The same can't be said for Unsafe, Wither, or Fracture.

Haha, our hatred for Ageless is mutual. Also, the sexuality really shot up in season 4, to the show's detriment. We are in agreement there.
Season 1-3 had the most viewers because Season 4 turned so many people away with witches and other nonsense. I don't know about AC, I liked Aqua quite a bit, I don't think he was really 'lecturing' Clark. His methods were certainly questionable at first. Green Arrow, I can kind of see you're argument. But even though he lectured Clark, it was clear he is and was flawed as well (see Rage). My feelings on him are mixed. I think he's a great character, and it's nice for Clark to have a male friend, but I will agree there are times he gets a little too high and mighty with a guy who could punch him through a wall. I really enjoy seeing other heroes, however, just like I enjoyed seeing Perry in Season 3. Because they're part of Superman and the DCU, it's nice to see them portrayed by live action for the first time and see how they interact with Clark.

I totally disagree. This season he had shown shades of increasing confidence, but even now, his facial expression still looks like he's about to break down & cry. I never saw this expression on him in the first 3 seasons, EXCEPT if there was a scene where he was trying to console someone. But now it's all the time. He is no longer the happy guy he once was. And I very much disagree that he's become more like Superman with each passing season. In the early episodes, he set his priorities right. He did not let his desires for Lana corrupt his judgement. In seasons 5-7, it was Lana who was telling him that she was holding him back and his life revolved around Lana. In the comics, Clark was not told by others to go and become the hero he was meant to be. He left the farm, travelled the world and through his experiences & morals learned what it took to help people all over the place. And as a result, when he came back, he became Superman. There was no guilt involved. It was 100% something he wanted for himself. The Smallville Clark has blamed himself for everything to a ridiculous degree. Superman would not have needed what it took Clark in Apocalypse to finally act and do what was needed. Superman would never be such a hypocrite like Clark was and lecture to Oliver that killing Lex is bad, meanwhile proceed to do the very thing he preached against after Lex contaminated Lana with kryptonite. These 2 examples happened in the last 2 seasons, when he should be just about ready to become Superman. The biggest mistake he made in the early seasons was something that wasn't even his fault---destroying his ship and running away from Jor-El. At the time, he did not have experience by his side, and Jor-El's first impression was that of a madman/lunatic/domineering entity who wanted nothing else but complete control of his son. Clark had no idea how his real father was like and if in fact he was good or evil. So I don't blame him with this. The main thing I didn't like that he did in the first 3 seasons happened in Memoria, when it seemed like his secret was more important than Lex's well being. But then again, we saw him nearly kill Linda Lake last week for the same thing & uttered a line that made him sound like a villian ("No one can ever know my name")

That last line was a little creepy. Though, on Clark's facial expression, Clark has never exactly been cheerful (or more cheerful than he is). He's always been burdened and outcast. And to be honest, Superman isn't always cheerful. And if he is less cheerful, he's seen a lot. He's lost some innocence, but that's not a problem. Superman doesn't have to be bubbly. He shouldn't be Batman, but he typically has a strong, stoic look. I still say it is blown out of proportion that Clark 'sacrificed his morals' for Lana. It happened very few times, most recently because he was blinded by rage (he has human emotions, it happens). And Clark sacrificed morals a few times earlier: He stole a car for Pete, he offered to steal money to save the farm. And as you said, he ran away from everything: from all his family and his responsibilities.
I will say Clark blames himself way too much, and puts his secret above others well being more than he should. But Clark is still growing. You say he should almost be Superman, but by most standards he's still pretty young to don the S.
And this gets into a debate on the character of Superman himself: does he do it because he wants to? I say no: he does it out of a sense of responsibility. He would love to retire and be a farmer, it's his sense of selflessness and duty that makes him wear the cape. Clark is not guilted into helping people; he does it because he feels his ability to help people comes with a requirement to help people.

Two of my favorite heroics of Clark's happened in season 3. One was when he dove into Saunders Gorge after Perry without his powers, just to save him. This was probably the bravest save he had, because he knew his powers were gone & had no idea if they would come back. Then were his heroics in Shattered & Asylum. These 2 episodes had a tremendous focus on "morals vs. law" theme. Clark had to choose between what was morally right or what was legal. In Shattered, his parents were against him helping Lex & going after Lionel. He decided to help his friend, and got involved in a very dangerous situation. He was the man. He planned out everything, protected Chloe, tried to protect Lana (though it backfired) and did his best to protect Lex while deal with Morgan Edge. Clark has yet to go up against a single man with the power Lionel had back then, let alone so many powerful men in one episode (Lionel & Edge). Asylum was Clark deciding that he had to help Lex, even though it was illegal to break him out. Again, he did his thing and was attacked for it. Even without his powers temporarily, he was very brave and had resolve and confidence that we just haven't seen since. We did not see that dumb facial expression on his face throughout the execution of his plans in Shattered & Asylum, even though the pressure was on him like never before.

I don't know exactly when you think the show 'fell.' You've said you disliked season 6, but most people with your opinions tend to see the fall at season 5. I consider season 5 the start of the 'new Smallville.' Season 1-3 are the old SV, season 4 was a (poor) transition, season 5 began New SV. But the things I see in new SV aren't what you see in new SV. I see it as different, but not worse, and it still has many similarities. For instance, Mortal: One of my favorite saves, and he had no powers. Talk about being the man, he goes in against two Super-dudes and uses his brain to defeat them. He's very smart, and very confident. Oh, and he's dating Lana. No 'dumb face' there, and I don't see the 'dumb face' you mention. I see a more mature face, rather than that of the teenager of older seasons.

I don't think the early seasons were as much about Lana as the later ones. The early seasons did not have plots centered around relationships, like Lexana---where it was a seasonlong initiative in season 6 to use Lexana just so Lana could figure out Lex's true nature. This very plot ruined so many episodes, like Static. In the early seasons, Lana was many times relegated to just a few scenes. This was the case in Insurgence, Jitters, Rogue, Talisman, Skinwalker, Memoria, Exile, and many other episodes. Her role with Clark was in just a few scenes so that Clark would be allowed to do his job---be a hero. And that's why so many people (me included) can tolerate Clana of seasons 1-3 more than they could from season 4 & beyond. Lana wasn't written into a witch plot back then. She wasn't written into an all-knowing Isis lady (ridiculous) who all of a sudden could hack and knew every one of Lex's moves (a nice attempt to make Lex seem pathetic). She didn't steal suits made of alien DNA and become a superhero. She didn't turn into a vampire. She was just a girl next door who eventually started working in a coffee shop. Even in Accelerate, one of the few episodes when the plot did revolve around her, it was actually interesting and her involvement in the storyline wasn't over the top ridiculous. I actually like the scenes where she & Clark looked into Emily's house & found the lab. I thought Forsaken was also cool.

Ah, here's the meet. Though again, Lana's relationships were the key point in many episodes (Adam in season 3, Jason in season 4, Clark... all the time). The thing with Lexana was that it focused on two main characters. I won't say I liked it, I won't say it didn't damage Lana's character. I won't say I liked her stealing the suit, or her being a vampire (talk about gimmicks...). But I don't think her relationship with Lex damaged the show as a whole. Very few episodes were really about that only, just like very few old episodes were about Clana only. Static was Lexana, and it wasn't TERRIBLE i thought. Crimson was a lot of Lexana, but I thought it was a very good episode. Promise was, but I thought it was very well done. But really, go look at a list of episodes. There are plenty of instances where Clark is doing heroic things despite being upset at Lexana.

I don't watch Heroes. Never did. I started liking season 6 a lot more with Hydro, though I hated Justice because the episode made Clark look pathetic & like the weak link of the JLA rather than the leader, which is what Superman is (of the JLA). I also didn't like Promise for the same reason. Crimson, Freak, Trespass (though it was too much about Lana), Combat, Nemesis, Prototype, and Phantom were all decent to excellent. But I still take my seasons 1-3, especially 2 & 3, which were chock full of mythos (the cave, Naman, Sageeth).

I never saw Clark as a weak link in Justice. He got hit by Kryptonite, which was unfortunate. I might agree with you in saying he wasn't the leader, but to be fair this isn't the Justice League. It's more the Justice Society. But since Oliver rounded up the crew, I can see you're complaint. I don't think it made Clark look pathetic, in any way, and again don't see why you make it such an extreme. Just because he's not the ideal hero yet doesn't mean he's a slobbering, useless, Lana-pining idiot. He can pine for Lana and still do great things, and has done so since the beginning. You're line "though it was too much about Lana" indicates to me that you just hate the character. You say it was a good episode, but the mere fact that Lana was a focus in it made it less so. In my opinion, Trespass was a very old fashioned episode. Lana was a problem, she turns to Clark, Clark saves her life. How many times did we see this in season 1-3?
I won't say that SV is the same show. It's drastically different. But I like the old and the new alike. My favorite season is season 2. But the old seasons often had smaller problems, where Clark only saved those close to him. That's one reason why I don't mind Oliver that much, because he was somewhat right. Now Clark is fighting bigger foes, saving the world when the stakes are skyrocketed. Superman does both, so it's nice to see. And the mythos has been expanded since season 2. The introduction of Superman's enemies, the darkening of Lex Luthor, the formation of this dual identity, the introduction of other heroes, have all expanded the mythology. We agree on some things and disagree on others, I suppose, but I think the basic claims you are making aren't as extreme as you claim.

Man, that took a long time...

urrutiap

03-22-2009, 02:47 PM

davidbrenton

03-22-2009, 02:56 PM

I tried to go back and watch season 1 but my dvd skips. I'll try with season 3 now. I hate the stand alone story stuff. In my eyes, Smallville has gotten better with each passing season (Save horrible arc in season 4). The stories get more complex, and that's what I'm a fan of most.

simplemath

03-22-2009, 03:39 PM

I agree on the wardrobe, but can't remember when we saw the Daily Planet?

I believe that it was in the episode delete. We saw as chloe was fired from the daily planet and she is packing up her things

davidbrenton

03-22-2009, 03:59 PM

Okay, I started watching with S02E01. So far, the effects were great, the story is climactic (But it generally is in a season premiere). There are a ton more outside scenes...

If anyone wants to join me, I'm going to the Season 2 episode discussion rooms to see what people had to say about the premiere, and then moving onto following episodes.

REebee52

03-22-2009, 04:34 PM

speaking of some of the original Smallville actors looking younger and different back then and today I have noticed this about Tom Welling from Season 1 to today.

Season 1 he was skinnier and his neck was thinner while today he's a bit bulkier I guess. Either he bulked up or that when he wears the jackets he looks bulky

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also I should have mentioned this before but I hate the seasons of Smallville that have stupid storyline plots such as the vampire episode and the three witches episode of Lana, Chloe and Lois. What the hell were the producers thinking of to make up stupid crap like that?

If I wanted to watch a show about three witches or something I'll go watch Charmed or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

creatures of the night monters shouldnt be mixed in Smallville in the first place.

The only time I would accept magic involved in Smallville is if they had included Billy Batson or Dr Fate in somehow in Smallville.

Don't need stinking witches or even vampires polluting up a season of Smallville

Hopefully you'll be okay with Zatanna. But no I agree, those episodes really don't work. Though, you said "seasons." Unfortunately, EVERY season of SV has at least one of those episodes, methinks. Season 2 had a 'werewolf,' season 4 had... a ghost. And witches. Man that season was bad. Season 5 had vampires. Sometimes the Krypto-freaks worked, sometimes the bombed (fat-sucker, bee-lady).

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

I tried to go back and watch season 1 but my dvd skips. I'll try with season 3 now. I hate the stand alone story stuff. In my eyes, Smallville has gotten better with each passing season (Save horrible arc in season 4). The stories get more complex, and that's what I'm a fan of most.

This is another reason why I like some of the newer seasons, are the season long arcs. The standalone episodes fell by the wayside. They had some multi-episode arcs in season 3 (Adam). Then they tried to do it in season four, but it involved witches, FTL. However the Brainiac/Zod arc was great, the Phantom arc was passable (it ended very well), Lexana was hated by most, but obviously I didn't loathe it. I don't know, I'm glad the old seasons were like they were, because I loved them, but I also embraced the change. The only problem with SV is even with the arcs they always had 'fillers' that ruined episode runs. I don't see why they couldn't find anything else to do, but they couldn't apparently...

LBDII

08-08-2009, 06:15 PM

I loved the older seasons minus 4. Love the new ones though - second half of 8.

DJ Doena

12-20-2009, 04:18 AM

Because I was in the mood I just watched the first season over the last week. Ignoring the obvious Dawson Casting (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DawsonCasting), I never really noticed (until now) how many age problems especially the first season has.

These are the years established in the show: Clark's arrival: 1989. Lex's age then: 9. Beginning of show: fall 2001. Birthyear of Chloe: 1987. School year depicted in first season: Freshman.

Given the school year and Chloe's confirmed BY, everyone was about 14-15 at the beginning of the first season.

Yet everyone is already driving cars on a very regular basis.
Lana becomes assistant manager in a café.
Lex seems to have never gone to college (he's 21 at the most).
Whitney joins the USMC yet it has never been established that he's at least a Junior (but since they are talking about Graduation, I assume he's already a Senior and thus 3 years older than Lana).
Chloe and Clark have known each other for years, but it's also established that she moved to Smallville in 8th grade (one year before the show starts).
Whitney and Lana have been together for years (likeliness for a 14year-old who just joined the same High School as her boyfriend?).

Still enjoying it, though. ;)

Supsfan

12-20-2009, 04:31 PM

Yet everyone is already driving cars on a very regular basis

I pointed out this issue before but some point out Kansas has laws that 14 year olds can drive for farming reason(although I think they have to drive with an adult and that doesn't explain Chloe).

Lana becomes assistant manager in a café

Or Chloe the editor of the Torch, both very unbelievable but it's just one of those things of High School dramas, is the students they introduce us to in their first year seem to be involved in everything.

Lex seems to have never gone to college (he's 21 at the most)

You add to the fact later seasons he admits to getting booted out of Met U, it's hard to see how he could have finished College. That being said, he could have been just 4 years removed from College when we first met him

Whitney joins the USMC yet it has never been established that he's at least a Junior (but since they are talking about Graduation, I assume he's already a Senior and thus 3 years older than Lana)

Whitney and Lana have been together for years (likeliness for a 14year-old who just joined the same High School as her boyfriend?).

Yes a 14 year old dating an 18 year old when we are to believe it's close to the beginning of school does have it's issues. I personally wish the show started in Clark's 3rd year of High School(ie when he was 16), that way they could have graduated at the end of S2 and maybe did like 4 years of College.

I always find the first 4 years in general easier to believe it's 4 years of Clark's last year of High School(I use that rule for any High School Drama or Saved By the Bell).

The additions to the Smallville mythos in seasons 2 & 3 (the cave, the legend of Naman, Virgil Swann, etc) were amazing

While I agree with a good amount of stuff you have to say about the first 3 seasons, I think the Smallville addition to the mythos at times is questionable. My main issue is Jor-El was constantly used as a excuse for very bad drama and was tied to many of those stories. Part of the reason I liked S1 alot was the lack of bad drama, which started to creep in slightly around S2.

I would argue S4 had it's charms if you ignore the Stones storyline in terms of Clark's character. There was no season we seen Clark come off happier and well adjusted then S4(although if you view it in the sense that Clark spent the entire season ignoring the stones then it comes accross somewhat bad). As bad as witch Lana was, it saved us alot of the Clana drama of S2+3.

I personally am not as high on S3 as some. I am guessing if people are Lex or Chloe fans they might enjoy S3 alot because there stories took more focus, but I personally hated Exile and found the Clark focus in the episodes ok but nothing great(and much better done the first couple seasons and S4). Way I look at it is if you ignore the b-plotlines(Lex's amnesia or stones) in S3+4, the Clark focus was much better in S4

Supermania

01-01-2010, 01:48 PM

It's really heart-warming watching the Clark/Lana relationship develop in Season One because you can really feel for Clark when he can't get the girl. My favourite and one of my most memorable endings to a Smallville episode ever is on the Pilot when Clark is dreaming of dancing with Lana to one of my favourite songs Everything by Lifehouse and then, when he realises he's daydreaming, watchs her from afar from his barn as she enters her house.

I found him more relatable in these early seasons than the later ones because here he's a teenager and acts very human...in later seasons, he's an established hero who I admire more than I can relate to.

I do feel however the structure should have been similar to One Tree Hill where it starts at Clark's Junior Year and two seasons represent one year whilst Senior Year would be seasons 3 & 4. A 14/15 year old seems a little young to be involved in all those relationships and hardships. When I was 14, i wasn't half as mature as the characters dpicted on screen but maybe that was due to my upbringing.

Stebob1984

01-02-2010, 08:41 AM

Its just so amazing looking back at ho this show has developed season one seems a lifetime ago. Infact looking back you can see how well Tom Welling has developed as an actor.

Supsfan

01-02-2010, 10:52 AM

I do feel however the structure should have been similar to One Tree Hill where it starts at Clark's Junior Year and two seasons represent one year whilst Senior Year would be seasons 3 & 4. A 14/15 year old seems a little young to be involved in all those relationships and hardships. When I was 14, i wasn't half as mature as the characters dpicted on screen but maybe that was due to my upbringing.

That actually would have been a great idea having 2 seasons = 1 year. It would have made many of the age issue problems much more believable. Option 2 would have been start the show off when Clark is 16 and has 2 years of school left(1 season = 1 year) and make College part of the show. I can only imagine if they went the later route, we would have Lexana by the end of S3...lol.

ShiningPath

01-08-2010, 05:53 PM

I just started watching Season 1 for the first time from the beginning, I have watched through "Shimmer" as of last night. So far, I love it, it's quite a bit different than the show is now but that's great to me. It seems like the earlier seasons, or Season 1 at least, had more humor than now and of course having all of the original characters including Clark's parents and Lex gave the show a completely dynamic. There have been a couple of episodes that I didn't care for so much as a whole but every episode has had something about it I like. I will probably finish Season 1 this weekend and move on to Season 2 the first of next week.