Apparently Being Mortal Trumps Saving Kansas

[Arista 07]

I'm finding it very difficult to understand the reason behind Clark's jubiliation toward losing his abilities in Arrival, after saving Earth, and his sulleness with regaining them in Hidden, after saving Kansas. Is Clark really that selfish and self-serving? He just stopped a missle from obliterating "everyone he loves," along with possibly millions. With the exception of the sacrifice that will result do to him defying Jor-El, why isn't he happy that he can, once again, do such amazing feats. Why is he still running from his destiny? (He specifically mentions not being able to escape it, during the last scene with Chloe.) Superman actively assumed such a role; he wasn't forced or guilted into it. IMO, it seems we're getting the exact opposite of the aforementioned in Clark's current characterization. I don't want a reluctant Superman.

[dizzy]

Yeah I was a litte upset with that too

Whine... I can be with Lana!!

But Clark you saved Kansas!!!

But I want to be with Lana !!

"Somebody save me!!"

[kryptonite-proof]

I know what you mean. When he was talking to his parents, he said something like, "not coming back would have been a real sacrifice." Not coming back might have saved one person from an impending death, but it would have also meant that the missile would have hit Smallville, killing everyone there and in the surrounding areas within the blast/radiation fallout radius.

Not to mention that the person who will supposedly die later very likely would have been killed by the missile anyway. I'm not seeing how he thinks not being resurrected was the answer.

[warriorrenegade]

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here, We all know hes Superman but Clark doesn't. Of course hes going to be selfish .. all the poor kid wants is to be normal and actually have a life besides saving everyone when theres trouble. You got to expect this is a heavy burden to bear. You try saving the world. I know I wouldn't want that cross to bear thats for sure.

[kryptonite-proof]

I agree, and I don't sit in front of the tv everytime he complains about the burden of his powers telling him to shut up and step up to the plate. I'm just saying that he must see that in this case, the greater good was done by him returning to life and saving the town.

[Danelle]

He should've just listened to Jor-El in the first place! He should've let Lana get to the hospital by herself (we all know she can do it, thanks to her LegDrag display) so he could've made it back "before the yellow (?) sun sets..." Oh well, what's done is done!

[jarethmc]

Clark is not being sullen. He has been dealt a horrible emotional blow, he knows some one he loves dearly will die. It does not matter, that he saved the world or Smallville or the many by sacrificing the one or the few. How is it selffish to feel pain and loss on a level that is too heartbreaking to endure. This makes him more human that anything. He is suffering, he is not sullen,
I respectfully disagree with the mood described.

[Ultron]

I don't think he's running away from his destiny. At the same time though, he's not eager to embrace the consequences of his destiny.

You see shades of this in the comic and cartoon. The weight of the world is on his shoulders, and it's a terrible burden.

[smallvillerox05]

You see shades of this in the comic and cartoon. The weight of the world is on his shoulders, and it's a terrible burden.
Yeah, YOU try carrying the whole world. :p

[Ultron]

Originally posted by smallvillerox05
Yeah, YOU try carrying the whole world. :p

I've tried. But in the end it just looks like I am doing a handstand.... :\

[Kryptomaniac]

Even Christ asked the Father to change plans ("take this cup"). But, He went on to save the world.

[chaszer]

Its a perverse choice. A criminal has your parent prisoner in one room and 100 children prisoner in a second room, both sitting on bombs. You have the choice which one he detonates. Intellectually, you may think the right thing to do is to save the 100 children, you might even be able to make that decision, but you would certainly be haunted by that decision. Jor-El did that to Clark, just in slow motion. It would have been strange if Clark had not been sullen later.

[LoisNClark]

i agree^^^Clark was told that someone he loves is going to die because of his bad decision...he's not going to be happy about that

[Steelegrave]

Originally posted by Arista 07
I'm finding it very difficult to understand the reason behind Clark's jubiliation toward losing his abilities in Arrival, after saving Earth, and his sulleness with regaining them in Hidden, after saving Kansas. Is Clark really that selfish and self-serving? He just stopped a missle from obliterating "everyone he loves," along with possibly millions. With the exception of the sacrifice that will result do to him defying Jor-El, why isn't he happy that he can, once again, do such amazing feats. Why is he still running from his destiny? (He specifically mentions not being able to escape it, during the last scene with Chloe.) Superman actively assumed such a role; he wasn't forced or guilted into it. IMO, it seems we're getting the exact opposite of the aforementioned in Clark's current characterization. I don't want a reluctant Superman.

That is a heck of a good point. However, he is a teenager and don't all teenagers just want to be "normal". Then again he is going into to college and that usually is when we want to stand out and be special. Good point nonetheless.:cool:

[slave2moonlight]

Originally posted by warriorrenegade
I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here, We all know hes Superman but Clark doesn't. Of course hes going to be selfish .. all the poor kid wants is to be normal and actually have a life besides saving everyone when theres trouble. You got to expect this is a heavy burden to bear. You try saving the world. I know I wouldn't want that cross to bear thats for sure.

While I wasn't at all happy about Clark giving in to lust, I'm on his side on this topic. I could understand choosing a life with Lana over a life as a public servant that (believes he) can't even have someone to go home to.

Still, I did think it was ridiculous that he didn't realize that not saving Smallville would probably mean that one special person would die anyway, along with everyone else.

[margroks]

Well, I'm totally not. Superman may have had doubts but he was never this whiny and selfish. It's just more evidence that the producers want us to see Lana as the reason for everything. SHe's so wonderful he'll give up his powers and thereby his abilities to save people just so he can screw this horrible girl. SHe's been shown as whiny and selfish all along and now we see Clark has become just like her. He could have returned to the North Pole before sundown even after taking her to the hospital but no.

We are now handed a Clark who is so selfish he can't even be happy he saved millions of lives and Lana's pathetic little butt. Oh no. If he can't be with Lana nothing matters at all not his family or his parents or the people his destiny calls him to save.

ANd apparently, later in the year we'll still have to hear him whining about not being with Lana, the girl he now acknowledges would hate him if she knew who he was.

God, Clark. You're an idiot not to take CHloe in your arms and sweep her off her feet. Now there's a woman worth your attention not this pitiful excuse for a girlfriend named Lana.

[cmgames]

Did ya see his face when he went to the Kent house, like thunder. Ya'd think he'd be a tad relieved that he saved the whole entire town. But this is Clark, he obviously got more important things on his mind, like no more sex.

[slave2moonlight]

Oops, didn't realize this was a Chloe vs. Lana thread. :rolleyes:

[smoky]

Originally posted by cmgames
Did ya see his face when he went to the Kent house, like thunder. Ya'd think he'd be a tad relieved that he saved the whole entire town. But this is Clark, he obviously got more important things on his mind, like no more sex. I think he's upset because Jor-El told him Someone close to you will die because you disobeyed me & became mortal.