Shelby is a female? Plot hole??

[galatians221]

Lois referenced Shelby as a female. It seems to me that Clark calls him "boy" as in "atta boy Shelby". Could Shelby be a cross dresser?

[Aries83]

Major plot hole. I don't care if some people think it's funny, but it's not. They can't even remember that Shelby's male? I can't overlook this one...

[susangail]

Sloppy, maybe, but a major plot hole?

[Aries83]

Major in the fact that it's so simple is what I meant by that. It just irritates me when they can't remember the small stuff.

[Kschreck]

Plot holes are normal for Smallville.

[smallvillerocks45]

I think it's just a Lois thing... She was trying to take a jab at Clark, and since she is not Shelby's biggest fan to begin with, I wouldn't be surprised that she just assumed it was a female.

---
If I'm way off base, and this really had nothing to do with Lois being forgetful (which may very well be the case), then no, I wouldn't call this a plot hole, but more a continuity error. Considering the whole Krypto episode and the genuine fact that the dog is supposed to be male, it is a pretty glaring mistake, but IMO, I really think Lois was just trying to highlight Clark's inability to show up when invited and conversely his knack for showing up when he isn't.

[devilicus rebel]

When I first saw that in the preview clip I thought Clark was going to take the time to remind Lois that Shelby is a guy but it never happened. I guess it really shouldn't bother me this much, but part of me thinks it shows a lack of care on their part.

[AndiGirl]

yea...I had a "WHAT" moment too.
I think they just did it for the sake of the joke...even though most of us just noticed that fact that Lois and Clark couldnt seem to remember Shelby was a boy. :lol:

[xrayvision]

When I first saw that in the preview clip I thought Clark was going to take the time to remind Lois that Shelby is a guy but it never happened. I guess it really shouldn't bother me this much, but part of me thinks it shows a lack of care on their part.

I expected him to remind Tess that Lex touched the Starblade in Eternal but that never happened either. It bothers me that no corrections are made when characters get things wrong.

Then again, it's possible that Shelby is no longer a he after Lana's return. Or maybe the original Shelby died & was replaced by a female dog of the same name. Though I'm not sure Clark would replace him if that happened.

[Dyanara]

This is not a plothole!!!!!!!!!
Its just clear that Shelby had a sex change :rotfl:

[galatians221]

I expected him to remind Tess that Lex touched the Starblade in Eternal but that never happened either. It bothers me that no corrections are made when characters get things wrong.

Then again, it's possible that Shelby is no longer a he after Lana's return. Or maybe the original Shelby died & was replaced by a female dog of the same name. Though I'm not sure Clark would replace him if that happened.

If they got a female her name would be Shelbina or something like that.

[SGuthrie27]

Oh my... LOL, this thread is crazy-weird, but funny, too. I noticed that goof as well, and yeah, it is a pretty massive plot CRATER of a hole. I mean, come ON -- Lois was the first member of the main Smallville cast to MEET Shelby! You'd think for sure she knew he was a boy! Boo, writers!

--SGuthrie ><>' :)--

[superspider02]

well i dont think it was really a plothole. Like another it is a jab at clark for standing her up for coffee awhile ago.

[ginnyfan]

This is not a plothole!!!!!!!!!
Its just clear that Shelby had a sex change :rotfl:

It's that new Shelby. First it was faux Lex and now it's faux female Shelby. :(

[aceofclubs]

Poor Shelby, since he got neutered not even Lois will refer to him as a boy. Even he must think he is a female by now! Save Shelby!

[WickedJenn]

It's that new Shelby. First it was faux Lex and now it's faux female Shelby. :(

:lol:

[amberdawn]

:lol:

[SpiritedDiva]

Funny, I thought I was just mistaken that Shelby was a male.
I should have known better with the continuity on this show.:lol:

[Kevin24]

Isn't Shelby a girl's name? I always thought Shelby was female...

[galatians221]

Poor Shelby, since he got neutered not even Lois will refer to him as a boy. Even he must think he is a female by now! Save Shelby!

Next time we see Shelby he/she will have earrings on. That might not mean anything though.

[Dyanara]

Poor Shelby, since he got neutered not even Lois will refer to him as a boy. Even he must think he is a female by now! Save Shelby!

Save Shelby! Give him his kibbles and bits back

[galatians221]

Isn't Shelby a girl's name? I always thought Shelby was female...

I've known guys named Shelby but no girls. I suppose anything goes. There's a golfer named Jose Maria Olafabul. I meanthe guy's middle name is Maria. That's a far cry from the West Side Story. "I've just met a guy named Maria"

[HotStudsSuccess]

yea...I had a "WHAT" moment too.
I think they just did it for the sake of the joke...even though most of us just noticed that fact that Lois and Clark couldnt seem to remember Shelby was a boy. :lol:

It wasn't Clark that didn't remember Shelby is a boy, it was just Lois taken a jab at Clark. Re-watch Instinct again where Clark feeds Shelby before he super speeds off to the Daily Planet.

[galatians221]

It wasn't Clark that didn't remember Shelby is a boy, it was just Lois taken a jab at Clark. Re-watch Instinct again where Clark feeds Shelby before he super speeds off to the Daily Planet.

So, we're left with Clark calling him a boy and Lois calling him a girl. Perhaps they just see things differently. I called my little brother a girl every time I pushed him and he started crying. It's all in your perspective I suppose.

[costas22]

I don't know if this has been discussed or not here, but why didn't Clark correct her on that? Is there something we don't know about that dog?

[Wicked Lois]

No, Shelby is a HE.

[Night_Hawk90]

maybe shelby is a hermaphrodite, you never know on this show

[galatians221]

Sloppy, maybe, but a major plot hole?

You don't think Shelby is a major character??????

[Billy Jor-El]

Maybe when Lois heard Clark say "You b!t(h" she thought he was talking to the dog :lol:

[Timester]

Plot hole would assume that Shelby made a sex change operation. This was a pure retcon.

First the "filler", and now "plot hole". People, start using the names correctly.

[Ella]

Plot hole would assume that Shelby made a sex change operation. This was a pure retcon.

I disagree. A retcon implies a deliberate change in facts. We don't know that is the case. In my opinion, I find it most plausible that Caroline Dries simply forgot that Shelby was a male dog due to the name lending itself more to a female than a male.

[Timester]

I disagree. A retcon implies a deliberate change in facts. We don't know that is the case. In my opinion, I find it most plausible that Caroline Dries simply forgot that Shelby was a male dog due to the name lending itself more to a female than a male.

It's still a retcon, because it went on the show.

Yes, many of retcons are actually mistakes.

[wafflles87]

I barely heard Lois' line about Shelby from the bottom of the plot hole I had fallen in.

[kari916]

Even if Shelby was a female on the show Bud the dog that plays Shelby would be a boy because male dogs tend to shed less than the females. Look at Lassie she was a girl on the show but in reality the dog was a male.

[Ella]

Major plot hole. I don't care if some people think it's funny, but it's not. They can't even remember that Shelby's male? I can't overlook this one...
For the life of me I cannot understand why this is so important for people. It was a mistake. The dog, and I'm sorry to offend, isn't that big of a deal in the series. He's a pet. And yes, the script supervisors and the producers especially should keep an eye on details like this but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people involved in that scene didn't notice the error: the writer, the producer, the director, the script supervisor/editor, the actors (Tom and Erica), etc. Does that make it okay? No, it was a mistake, but this is work for them and what they all do becomes so repetitive that sometimes little details get muddled. I don't see it as a big deal, especially not in the perspective of the big picture. I remember in an episode of Angel both Spike and Angel conversed about Buffy being a blonde with blue eyes when Sarah Michelle Gellar *clearly* has green eyes. That to me made less sense since they can obviously SEE her every single day they work with her and the story itself never had the character with blue eyes. But alas, these mistakes happen, whether they make sense or not. But I wont' dwell on a tiny blunder and make it into something bigger than it is.

[wafflles87]

Not that it's a big deal or that it affects the story in any way but.. meh... I mean... it's their stuff... they should know it well enough NOT to make mistakes like this.

When I started writing a fan fic, I look back almost obsessively, making sure everything fits, and I am by no means a pro writer.

[Ella]

It's still a retcon, because it went on the show.

Yes, many of retcons are actually mistakes.

"Retroactive continuity is similar to, but not the same as, plot inconsistencies introduced accidentally or through lack of concern for continuity; retconning is done deliberately."

We don't know if it was done deliberately or not. My guess is that it was not done deliberately.

[BadToad]

I think the reason it bugs is because its lazy. There's really no excuse to make dumb mistakes like this, and its easily correctable. It gives off the impression that no one cared, they just wanted to give Lois a zinger to sling at Clark. And thats not good writing. It takes me out of the show, even if its a very small thing.

[Timester]

"Retroactive continuity is similar to, but not the same as, plot inconsistencies introduced accidentally or through lack of concern for continuity; retconning is done deliberately."

Which always end up being what it stays.

[Cellist]

She could have been taking a jab at Clark, but it's also not entirely out of the ordinary to forget a dog's sex, especially when his name is female. My grandma ALWAYS refers to her own dog as "he", even though the dog is in fact female.

[galatians221]

For the life of me I cannot understand why this is so important for people. It was a mistake. The dog, and I'm sorry to offend, isn't that big of a deal in the series. He's a pet. And yes, the script supervisors and the producers especially should keep an eye on details like this but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people involved in that scene didn't notice the error: the writer, the producer, the director, the script supervisor/editor, the actors (Tom and Erica), etc. Does that make it okay? No, it was a mistake, but this is work for them and what they all do becomes so repetitive that sometimes little details get muddled. I don't see it as a big deal, especially not in the perspective of the big picture. I remember in an episode of Angel both Spike and Angel conversed about Buffy being a blonde with blue eyes when Sarah Michelle Gellar *clearly* has green eyes. That to me made less sense since they can obviously SEE her every single day they work with her and the story itself never had the character with blue eyes. But alas, these mistakes happen, whether they make sense or not. But I wont' dwell on a tiny blunder and make it into something bigger than it is.

Are you saying that Shelby is not an important character? He's treated Clark better than Lana or Chloe ever have.

[supercatmom]

POOR shelby He so neglected that they can't even remember whether he's male or female.

[SupermanRox]

I've always thought Shelby is a girl. Shelby deserves to be treated better. I love that dog.

[rajman]

shelby had a sex change

[Alexander III]

Lois referenced Shelby as a female. It seems to me that Clark calls him "boy" as in "atta boy Shelby". Could Shelby be a cross dresser?

Shelby is a crossdresser??? O M G!!
And eh, did he-she get fed at the end tho? Im curious!

[galatians221]

Shelby is a crossdresser??? O M G!!
And eh, did he-she get fed at the end tho? Im curious!

Worse than that........she gets slandered and got no air time to boot. Where was Shelby/Shelbareena?

[last man of krypton]

shelby had a sex change

Which Clark was very, very sorry about. He thought Shelby had a bit of excess fur and pulled...

[galatians221]

Which Clark was very, very sorry about. He thought Shelby had a bit of excess fur and pulled...

Resulting in the Man of Steel with a dog that barks as a tenor. Not good.

[Jaderoyale]

Gotta love Caroline Dires for that.

[costas22]

Gotta love Caroline Dires for that.

I bet that it was Dawn O. who made the call! She want a female demographic after all! Maybe TW, JH, SW and AA should start worrying if she chops them down too :D

[Kevin24]

Well, Honestly I still always thought shelby was a female despite that one guy saying he has met some male shelby's in his life.

[smallvilleusedtobegood]

Shelby is totally a boy. Do the writers even read what they've written?! Apparently not.

[Dyanara]

This is a huge deal to me because I cant believe the news hasnt reported that the first sex change on a dog has occurred.

[yomama]

You sometimes gotta wonder if the writers are sitting at their computers, and cackling, "Let's make an obvious mistake, like Shelby's sex. THAT'LL yank the fans' chains! MWAHAHAHA!" *rub hands together, twirl invisible mustaches*

Seriously, as minor a plot hole as it is, I agree that it's bloody annoying--and so unnecessary! Had Lois said, "Seriously, is there ANYONE you haven't stood up?" she still could have had her potshot, the writers still could have had their funny moment, and we all wouldn't be mutter under our breathe about writers with short attention spans.

[galatians221]

You sometimes gotta wonder if the writers are sitting at their computers, and cackling, "Let's make an obvious mistake, like Shelby's sex. THAT'LL yank the fans' chains! MWAHAHAHA!" *rub hands together, twirl invisible mustaches*

Seriously, as minor a plot hole as it is, I agree that it's bloody annoying--and so unnecessary! Had Lois said, "Seriously, is there ANYONE you haven't stood up?" she still could have had her potshot, the writers still could have had their funny moment, and we all wouldn't be mutter under our breathe about writers with short attention spans.

It almost seems that the writers think that the fans are stupid or perhaps they just don't care. I would think that a series like this would have someone in charge of things like this to make sure there are no blunders. Maybe Dawn cut them out of the budget.

[techanaut]

I was confused by the line at first. Then I realized that Lois was referring to Shelby as a girl.

[galatians221]

I was confused by the line at first. Then I realized that Lois was referring to Shelby as a girl.

At least they didn't use the common name for a female dog. Thank you very much.

[justme_007]

For the life of me I cannot understand why this is so important for people. It was a mistake. The dog, and I'm sorry to offend, isn't that big of a deal in the series. He's a pet. And yes, the script supervisors and the producers especially should keep an eye on details like this but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people involved in that scene didn't notice the error: the writer, the producer, the director, the script supervisor/editor, the actors (Tom and Erica), etc. Does that make it okay? No, it was a mistake, but this is work for them and what they all do becomes so repetitive that sometimes little details get muddled. I don't see it as a big deal, especially not in the perspective of the big picture. I remember in an episode of Angel both Spike and Angel conversed about Buffy being a blonde with blue eyes when Sarah Michelle Gellar *clearly* has green eyes. That to me made less sense since they can obviously SEE her every single day they work with her and the story itself never had the character with blue eyes. But alas, these mistakes happen, whether they make sense or not. But I wont' dwell on a tiny blunder and make it into something bigger than it is.

oH PLease shelby is shelby ..save shelby!!!!!! we can disagree about like/dislike any of the characters but the majority of smallville fans love shelby!!!

Writers are lazy and so are the producers!

It´s a big deal for me :D

[galatians221]

oH PLease shelby is shelby ..save shelby!!!!!! we can disagree about like/dislike any of the characters but the majority of smallville fans love shelby!!!

Writers are lazy and so are the producers!

It´s a big deal for me :D

Count me in as a Shelbyite as well.

[daxam77]

I probably missed the next two lines because the line about Shelby was jarring. That's the trouble with mistakes of even this magnitude. Yes, it doesn't really matter. But if anything jars the audience to the point of removing them from the story, it should be considered a problem.

Sometimes, they do it on purpose. Think the playing of the Dukes of Hazzard theme in Jonathan's truck. But those tend to be fun and you have a moment to digest it and get back to the story.

But again, these writers are being paid, and paid well. They need to know the characters and even their dogs inside and out, and the scripts need to be checked before something like this makes it to the screen. The line should have been changed to "anyone" and it would have been no issue. Poor Shelby...

[hero`s passion]

It was a crap, IMO... How could they say that Shelby is a woman after "Krypto", where HIS real name was Einstein???? Ok, How could Tom and Erica forget that Shelby supposed to be a male after Krypto when it was a Clois centric episode..one word- strange!

[galatians221]

I probably missed the next two lines because the line about Shelby was jarring. That's the trouble with mistakes of even this magnitude. Yes, it doesn't really matter. But if anything jars the audience to the point of removing them from the story, it should be considered a problem.

Sometimes, they do it on purpose. Think the playing of the Dukes of Hazzard theme in Jonathan's truck. But those tend to be fun and you have a moment to digest it and get back to the story.

But again, these writers are being paid, and paid well. They need to know the characters and even their dogs inside and out, and the scripts need to be checked before something like this makes it to the screen. The line should have been changed to "anyone" and it would have been no issue. Poor Shelby...

Agreed. Writers should know their dogs inside and out.

[rebecavaldez]

Haha, I think it was a simple mistake. And a way to show that Lois still hasn't forgotten about what happen.

[alienkinfolk]

I probably missed the next two lines because the line about Shelby was jarring...
But again, these writers are being paid, and paid well. They need to know the characters and even their dogs inside and out, and the scripts need to be checked before something like this makes it to the screen. The line should have been changed to "anyone" and it would have been no issue. Poor Shelby...

i agree. paid well indeed with assistants that can do the research for them. A small mistake but an inconsiderate one. But it just further my notions that the new writers are writing a new show.So be prepared for more mistakes and stuff...

[superjude]

oops! Big mistake! Did they just retcon Krypto?

[zHeN_zHeN]

Shelby hasn't been around hardly at all this season so they forgot that SHE is actually really a HE! :p

[kal-el_Girl]

anyone can mistake a dog for male or female right? LOL
it's just like a cat YOU just can't tell ....LOL

[galatians221]

anyone can mistake a dog for male or female right? LOL
it's just like a cat YOU just can't tell ....LOL

Something tells me that I shouldn't give a detailed answer right here and now.

[LoveHurts38]

. My grandma ALWAYS refers to her own dog as "he", even though the dog is in fact female.

Really:lol:

[galatians221]

Shelby hasn't been around hardly at all this season so they forgot that SHE is actually really a HE! :p

Yeah, he/she didn't even get a cameo in Stiletto, although his/her name was mentioned twice. Raw deal if you ask me.

[Hopefulsuicide]

If they aren't going to get the sex of Shelby right they shouldn't mention him at all. I mean if it were any other character at all, we'd all be fuming. Imagine this 'Clark: What's Impulse's status?' 'Watchtower: She's out of the woods'

What would you do then?

And I don't see why it should be any different for Shelby.

[PJBoy]

I don't really remember about this line, but considering the coments here, I highly doubt it was a plot hole.

[galatians221]

I don't really remember about this line, but considering the coments here, I highly doubt it was a plot hole.

Perhaps a plot bump?

[Welling_is_pretty]

I have to admit that I didn't even hear that--but then I wasn't paying too close of attention since I was busy squeeing over Clark remembering Shelby at all and that he had to feed him!

But yeah if they referred to Shelby as a girl, that is wrong.

[devilneedsaride]

If they aren't going to get the sex of Shelby right they shouldn't mention him at all. I mean if it were any other character at all, we'd all be fuming. Imagine this 'Clark: What's Impulse's status?' 'Watchtower: She's out of the woods'

What would you do then?

And I don't see why it should be any different for Shelby.

You know, at this point, I wouldn't even put that past them.

A mistake like this is ridiculously sloppy, it's bad writing, and it yanks you out of the story for a "What the huh?" moment. Most of all, it's really disheartening to know that the people who make the show care so much less about it than we do :(

[Tompouce]

You don't think Shelby is a major character??????
Of course, HE is:DI try to imagine the writers, cast, crew reading this thread and I am completely:rotfl:
I was sure when I heard that, everybody would be upset, I was too:\:D
Ginnyfan, thanks, I add to my special "everybody can speak French here" list the "faux Lex and faux Shelby":D;)

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


Haha, I think it was a simple mistake. And a way to show that Lois still hasn't forgotten about what happen.
That is the main thing. I was really surprised as she said it was okay at the end of Hex. I expected Clark would answer something to this AND correct Shelby's sex:D

[galatians221]

Of course, HE is:DI try to imagine the writers, cast, crew reading this thread and I am completely:rotfl:
I was sure when I heard that, everybody would be upset, I was too:\:D
Ginnyfan, thanks, I add to my special "everybody can speak French here" list the "faux Lex and faux Shelby":D;)

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


That is the main thing. I was really surprised as she said it was okay at the end of Hex. I expected Clark would answer something to this AND correct Shelby's sex:D

The great Shelby deserves better than this kind of treatment.

[llk6165]

Maybe it's not really a plot whole. Shelby hasn't been on in awhile, maybe he had an operation.

[cloisthelegendbegins]

Will go down as a plothole. In actuality? STUPIDITY.

[Diego*Chloe]

Are you saying that Shelby is not an important character? He's treated Clark better than Lana or Chloe ever have.


OR Lois ;)

[galatians221]

OR Lois ;)

You're right..........try to get Lois to fetch a ball. You have no chance.

[rconner]

pleaseeeeee add it to the million of other plot holes out there

[jpfort1957]

Shelby may have been in contact with a new type of Kryptonite that causes flip flop gender chages.

[galatians221]

Shelby may have been in contact with a new type of Kryptonite that causes flip flop gender chages.

Why do I have images in my mind of Clark desperately throwing Kryptonite as far as he can away from him and Shelby retrieving it and giving it back to Clark? Clark might call him worse than a female dog if that happened.

[galatians221]

You know, at this point, I wouldn't even put that past them.

A mistake like this is ridiculously sloppy, it's bad writing, and it yanks you out of the story for a "What the huh?" moment. Most of all, it's really disheartening to know that the people who make the show care so much less about it than we do :(

Maybe that's why two of the writers have moved on. Let's hope it gets better.

[Welling_is_pretty]

Why do I have images in my mind of Clark desperately throwing Kryptonite as far as he can away from him and Shelby retrieving it and giving it back to Clark? Clark might call him worse than a female dog if that happened.
oh Shelby would be too smart to do that. Clark would throw it and he'd just sit there and think "about time, BDA! Who keeps Kryptonite around when they don't have to?!"
:D

[Tompouce]

Shelby may have been in contact with a new type of Kryptonite that causes flip flop gender chages.
I like the "flip flop" thing:DPoor Shelby, I am sure regarding our reactions, they will correct it in another episode;)

[galatians221]

oh Shelby would be too smart to do that. Clark would throw it and he'd just sit there and think "about time, BDA! Who keeps Kryptonite around when they don't have to?!"
:D

Agreed. I know we had two meteor showers but there can't be that much of the stuff around.

[Exedore]

Maybe it's all part of Brainiac's diabolical plan. He changed history and sent DD to Earth. Now he changed history again and made Shelby a girl. Perhaps Shelby will be the main villain in S9. ;)

[galatians221]

Maybe it's all part of Brainiac's diabolical plan. He changed history and sent DD to Earth. Now he changed history again and made Shelby a girl. Perhaps Shelby will be the main villain in S9. ;)

That would be either "villainess" or "Villainette".

[Drakaun]

If Clark was suddenly a female kryptonian that would be a plot hole. When a pet dog that has barely been in any episodes since his/her debut, enough so to start the where the hell is Shelby thread, is then recast by a different dog several episodes later it is possible because the dog was recast, the new dog actor is indeed female and thus the writer's wrote that line. For all we know the writer responsible actually owns the dog or is personal friends with the owner and that is why he/she refered to shelby as a her instead of he. Also if they didn't change the dog to a she what would Lois have said in that instant. I think the line is funny, it is a throwback to Clark standing her up, and standing Chloe up, and probably at some point standing Lana up. It also is a classic Lois line, Lois has said things that were wrong before so it could be a mistake on her part, or it is just a very minor detail that got changed for one reason or another. The sex of Shelby the dog has no relevance to the overarching plotline and that is what a plot hole is by definition, something that effects the outcome of the main plot, hence plot hole. When we are shown a scene where Clark or some other character is near death dangling on to dear life, but the only way they can be saved is if Shelby is a male and someone says the line, "if only Shelby were a male" as they drop to their death into a pit of spikes made of kryptonite then I could care less whether the dog is male, female, or a hermaphridite!

That isn't a plot hole so much as nitpicking on behalf of some people who care about irrelevant details too much.

[galatians221]

If Clark was suddenly a female kryptonian that would be a plot hole. When a pet dog that has barely been in any episodes since his/her debut, enough so to start the where the hell is Shelby thread, is then recast by a different dog several episodes later it is possible because the dog was recast, the new dog actor is indeed female and thus the writer's wrote that line. For all we know the writer responsible actually owns the dog or is personal friends with the owner and that is why he/she refered to shelby as a her instead of he. Also if they didn't change the dog to a she what would Lois have said in that instant. I think the line is funny, it is a throwback to Clark standing her up, and standing Chloe up, and probably at some point standing Lana up. It also is a classic Lois line, Lois has said things that were wrong before so it could be a mistake on her part, or it is just a very minor detail that got changed for one reason or another. The sex of Shelby the dog has no relevance to the overarching plotline and that is what a plot hole is by definition, something that effects the outcome of the main plot, hence plot hole. When we are shown a scene where Clark or some other character is near death dangling on to dear life, but the only way they can be saved is if Shelby is a male and someone says the line, "if only Shelby were a male" as they drop to their death into a pit of spikes made of kryptonite then I could care less whether the dog is male, female, or a hermaphridite!

That isn't a plot hole so much as nitpicking on behalf of some people who care about irrelevant details too much.

And your post is an arrogant attack on people who haven't attacked anyone on this board.