Funeral Scene

[KEakaCK]

Is it just me or did anyone else find Lionel being at the funeral in poor taste? I mean, he did have apart in JK's death, along with JK's poor heart condition. Guess the old Lionel Luther is 100% back and in full swing. Just a thought.

[metal gear kal-el]

yeah, especially during his ultra slow motion walk past martha.

[puddinpiester]

Lionel certainly will not want Martha to know of his last encounter with JK. He is such a dirtbag.

[ctjj.stevenson]

Agreed

[smallville_fetish]

Lional should'nt have been there AT ALL; I was like WTF when I saw him walk slowly behind Martha, good thing she didn't acknowledge it but I guess he was in there perhaps for foreshadowing? Like the Lana being by Clark's side but slowly letting go of his hand, slipping away, Martha staring at Clark shaking as she was staring at her son near the angel statue... it was overal a beautiful and tasteful funeral scene, in this episode, this season, and all of seasons, IMO, a perfect execution.

[gloria]

maybe it was jor-el...

[lexluthor408]

why was lana looking at clark in the funeral so much? Why did everyone leave him?

[cakreel]

Lionel, the predator, circling his prey. Was he trying not to smirk, or am I just imagining things? Anyone with a conscience in the same circumstances would not be at the funeral.

[bkzcici]

Lana wanted to support him and I think it's normal to look at Clark so much.. naturally I'd look at Clark too.. and feeling heartbroken because he just lost a fiancee then a gf then a father. I think the funeral scene was ending, and people leave at the end of a funeral ceremony. The kents can use some peace with the jonathon.

[joeybw]

Well, I thought she just felt horrible for him but she kept making the same look as if she knew somethings up..

[MBCorp]

It's typical of Lana to want every person's attention to be only on herself. And I'm not saying this to bash her, it's true. She's a very self centered individual and I thought it was pretty irritating how she kept trying to get Clark's attention at the funeral instead of letting him grieve in peace.

[KEakaCK]

Lionel did look like he was smirking alittle...I really didn't like seeing Lex at the funeral either. It was almost like he was purposely trying to be around Lana as much as possible since he found out her and Clark were broken up. I also didn't like the vibe I got from Lana at the funeral either. It just felt like she was just going through the motion as far as trying to console Clark. I've been watching the funeral seen several times over and over :D.

[CristinaSupes79]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think that anyone knew that Jonathan and Lionel had an altercation right before he died.

If he hadn't shown up, it might appear wierd or impolite if he didn't show up. Maybe even suspicious.

But I do agree that Lionel should not have shown up...but he is an ass, so the action goes hand in hand with his character.

[Fernandaflima]

I agreed Lionel is really very much bad After All the secret of Lex's dark future is in his blood

[Billy Jor-El]

I just re-watched the ep and noticed this time around that Clark did not look at Lana at the funeral. She put her hand in his, which he took, but never took his gaze off of the coffin. He knew it was her but could not bare to see her, perhaps? Yes, he looked in her direction, but only after she walked away (she pulls her hand out and leaves perhaps because she notices she's being ignored for the most part). Was Clark thinking when he looked in her direction, "....if it wasn't for you....."? Perhaps this is what Chloe and Lois both noticed, too. While Chloe does understand the dual timeline, both ladies may have seen Clark's colder than usual nature towards Lana's sympathetic stance....and realized the Clana is over for good this time...?

[gloria]

Originally posted by Billy Jor-El
Was Clark thinking when he looked in her direction, "....if it wasn't for you....."? Perhaps this is what Chloe and Lois both noticed, too. While Chloe does understand the dual timeline, both ladies may have seen Clark's colder than usual nature towards Lana's sympathetic stance....and realized the Clana is over for good this time...?

OMG!

what are you saying?


can you say it again please? :o

[KEakaCK]

Originally posted by Billy Jor-El
I just re-watched the ep and noticed this time around that Clark did not look at Lana at the funeral. She put her hand in his, which he took, but never took his gaze off of the coffin. He knew it was her but could not bare to see her, perhaps? Yes, he looked in her direction, but only after she walked away (she pulls her hand out and leaves perhaps because she notices she's being ignored for the most part). Was Clark thinking when he looked in her direction, "....if it wasn't for you....."? Perhaps this is what Chloe and Lois both noticed, too. While Chloe does understand the dual timeline, both ladies may have seen Clark's colder than usual nature towards Lana's sympathetic stance....and realized the Clana is over for good this time...?


That could be it...After all, Clark did say to Martha that it's because he saved Lana is the reason why JK died. But, Lana did tell Clark in the loft during the 2nd timeline that she needed a break from their relationship. Then, Clark did see Lana with Lex right after Clark stopped the bus from hitting Lana and then hid in the bushes. So, he also could very well come to terms with the fact that their relationship as it was is over. Next weeks episode could provide the answer, judging from the trailer where Lana was trying to talk with Clark and him pushing her away. Tune in next week, same Smallville time, same Smallville channel :D.

[jmf1]

Lana reaches for Clark's hand and she stares at him wanting to get his attention. Clark knows she's by his side (camera angle there's a lot of space between them for holding hands almost a big "V" shape of space.) Clark doesn't even look at her. Lana let's go of her hand and walks away. All I was thinking was on some level she knows things have changed and he won't be close to her again - even though it was Lana that said she wanted to take a break. I think she wanted to try and comfort him but it will be Clark that stays away from her even if Lana changes her mind and wants to go back.

[Slickz0r]

Originally posted by jmf1
Lana reaches for Clark's hand and she stares at him wanting to get his attention. Clark knows she's by his side (camera angle there's a lot of space between them for holding hands almost a big "V" shape of space.) Clark doesn't even look at her. Lana let's go of her hand and walks away. All I was thinking was on some level she knows things have changed and he won't be close to her again - even though it was Lana that said she wanted to take a break. I think she wanted to try and comfort him but it will be Clark that stays away from her even if Lana changes her mind and wants to go back.

yea i agree with ya, clark will most likely isolate and distance himself from lana and their relationship. this will probably be the beginning of the end for clana, and that scene confirmed it imo.

[LovelyLoisLane]

I think the scene was meant to be symbolic of Clark moving on. Lana looking to Clark for reassurance as she often does, while trying to be supportive and when she realised he barely even registered her presence she let go of his hand and he let her go, not even seeming to notice. His focus has changed from Lana to himself and the man his father wanted him to be.

[smallville_fetish]

Lana wasn't trying to get his attention.. with that look in his eyes like she feels horrible for what happened and sorry she broke up with him at such bad timing (trailer for Vengence, clip of Lana saying 'I know you and your dad were close' I'm guessing she's pulling another Whitney, where she will be there for Clark if he needs her) and she was looking at Jonathan's grave, then to Clark, and then letting him be alone; note, she did it pretty discreetly too, it's not like she was pulling him away, and getting up all in front of him or anything, Clark did tilt his head a little to acknowledge her presence as kind of a thank you, but he didn't look at her at all and she was fine with it and left quietly. That scene was not only just a funeral scene but portrayed all the characters having deeper meaning and a vague connection with one another Clark and Lana, Clark and Martha, Martha and Lional, Lex and Jonathan, etc., which was well done, IMO.

[voytek]

Originally posted by smallville_fetish
Lana wasn't trying to get his attention.. with that look in his eyes like she feels horrible for what happened and sorry she broke up with him at such bad timing (trailer for Vengence, clip of Lana saying 'I know you and your dad were close' I'm guessing she's pulling another Whitney, where she will be there for Clark if he needs her) and she was looking at Jonathan's grave, then to Clark, and then letting him be alone; note, she did it pretty discreetly too, it's not like she was pulling him away, and getting up all in front of him or anything, Clark did tilt his head a little to acknowledge her presence as kind of a thank you, but he didn't look at her at all and she was fine with it and left quietly. That scene was not only just a funeral scene but portrayed all the characters having deeper meaning and a vague connection with one another Clark and Lana, Clark and Martha, Martha and Lional, Lex and Jonathan, etc., which was well done, IMO.

Some people will always see what Lana does as bad. To think she was seeking attention at his father's funeral boggles my mind. Wow. But of course no one mentions the fact that she iniated taking his hand. She was reaching out plain and simple! It was an act of comfort and wanting him to know that she was there in that moment. She then excused herself like eveyrone else did, including Lois and Chloe. Where is the uproar over that? That's right. It wouldn't be a Lana bash.:rotfl:

[Lionelismy idol]

Clana is over. There is no way that Clark can ever look at Lana the same way again. Even though she doesn't know it, everytime Clark sees Lana, he will know that her being alive is the reason why Johnathon is dead.
Bring on Lois!!!!

[vikingjedi]

Originally posted by LovelyLoisLane
I think the scene was meant to be symbolic of Clark moving on. Lana looking to Clark for reassurance as she often does, while trying to be supportive and when she realised he barely even registered her presence she let go of his hand and he let her go, not even seeming to notice. His focus has changed from Lana to himself and the man his father wanted him to be.

Nice observation.

[voytek]

Originally posted by Lionelismy idol
Clana is over. There is no way that Clark can ever look at Lana the same way again. Even though she doesn't know it, everytime Clark sees Lana, he will know that her being alive is the reason why Johnathon is dead.
Bring on Lois!!!!

And if he blames her then he never truly loved her. If he needs to know who to blame, he needs to start in the mirror. Plus, JK died of a weak heart, that which he got from allow Jor-El to give him powers to fight Clark in Metropolis. Also Clark's fault because he put on that damn ring because he was running away. Clark made a decision and now he has to live with it. No one twisted his arm. Jor-El told him the universe would find a balance. You reap what you sow. If he feels animosity or pain when he sees Lana now, he should feel daggers when he catches a glimpse in the mirror.

[shinedown]

lana was being kind and supportive by holding his hand. everyone else left the scene including lana to leave clark and martha alone to have private time to grieve. this was a moment of sorrow and seriousness none of the trivialilty of clark and lanas relationship was meant to be broadcasted in this scene. it was all about the Kent family.

[Ares]

woot clana is finally over

[clois1938]

yes grrr, seeing Lionel floating around Martha when Jonathon was six-feet under because of him made me mad!

[OutlawAngel]

Lionel being there did make me mad but I am glad he was there. It shows exactly how much he really is the MB

[kostaki00]

Originally posted by puddinpiester
Lionel certainly will not want Martha to know of his last encounter with JK. He is such a dirtbag.

Lionel RULES!
I LOVE BAD GUYS!

[Ky2ndCav]

Lana was simply being a friend. Friends support each other at times like that. Had Clark looked at her he would have seen that, but his anger, grief etc caused him to introvert and use his silent stare as a punishment pointed at her.

As for people leaving the funeral. Almost every funeral I have been to the "guests" leave and the family has a final moment. You pay your final respect and then leave the family to their final goodbyes.

[271ingy]

Originally posted by MBCorp
It's typical of Lana to want every person's attention to be only on herself. And I'm not saying this to bash her, it's true. She's a very self centered individual and I thought it was pretty irritating how she kept trying to get Clark's attention at the funeral instead of letting him grieve in peace.


If she stood over with Chloe and Lois at funeral we would have had posters saying how cold hearted she was for not standing next to Clark. The Lana character is either damned if she does or damned if she doesn't.

[smoky]

Originally posted by voytek
And if he blames her then he never truly loved her. If he needs to know who to blame, he needs to start in the mirror. Plus, JK died of a weak heart, that which he got from allow Jor-El to give him powers to fight Clark in Metropolis. Also Clark's fault because he put on that damn ring because he was running away. Clark made a decision and now he has to live with it. No one twisted his arm. Jor-El told him the universe would find a balance. You reap what you sow. If he feels animosity or pain when he sees Lana now, he should feel daggers when he catches a glimpse in the mirror. Thats a good question, has Clark ever really loved Lana? His behavior, & I'm not just talking about this episode, tells me NO.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by 271ingy
If she stood over with Chloe and Lois at funeral we would have had posters saying how cold hearted she was for not standing next to Clark. The Lana character is either damned if she does or damned if she doesn't.

Yes, true... but she BROKE UP w/ him for heaven's sake! There is just no character consistency here... Sure, I'd like to find a silver lining to all this, too... there just ISN'T one. She SHOULD have stood BEHIND him, if anything...

[saveme]

like
HELLO!! People.
This is the event that is suppose to lead Clark in the direction to becoming Superman. As long as Lana remained in the forefront
then Clark could not have seeked his true calling.
Yes they will remain friends. However from a distance.
Infact, in one unviverse of Superman. Lana actually works for Lex Luther. I believe this is the direction the writters of Smallville are heading.

[voytek]

Originally posted by smoky
Thats a good question, has Clark ever really loved Lana? His behavior, & I'm not just talking about this episode, tells me NO.

Oh there is no doubt that he is madly in love with her. There are far too many examples to even list here. The whole school as well as the whole damn town knows that Clark Kent is in love with Lana Lang and always has been. And I have thought about my initial comment and it is erroneous. My parents were high school sweethearts and were married for six years. My little brother died of S.I.D.S. when he was two months and the grief overwhelmed them. They just dealt with it in different ways and after a few short months, separated. As you can see from the previews, his grief is bottled up and he is gonna be cold, short and crule Clark for a bit. How could he possibly blame Lana when she hasn't a clue what's going on. I really don't see why can't shouldn't blame and hate himself. Clark has caused all of this. I like the guy, but for a superior being, he is slow!

[voytek]

Originally posted by saveme
like
HELLO!! People.
This is the event that is suppose to lead Clark in the direction to becoming Superman. As long as Lana remained in the forefront
then Clark could not have seeked his true calling.
Yes they will remain friends. However from a distance.
Infact, in one unviverse of Superman. Lana actually works for Lex Luther. I believe this is the direction the writters of Smallville are heading.

I am totally fine with that. The just could have flushed out her knowing the secret for longer than 15 minutes :mad: Seriously, Clark has been struggling with this since season one. One of the top three things on this show has been: When will he tell Lana. The writers failed in my opinion. All it would have taken was an episode of two and Clark watching her cope and then they could have had the accident complete with memory loss. It could have been left hanging exactly how much she remembered. Maybe it came back to her in cloudy images, thus fueling Lex/Lana's suspicions. No matter how you flip it, the writers dropped the ball. Calling it anticlimatic is an understatement!

[jwoodie]

Originally posted by KRAM-el
Yes, true... but she BROKE UP w/ him for heaven's sake! There is just no character consistency here... Sure, I'd like to find a silver lining to all this, too... there just ISN'T one. She SHOULD have stood BEHIND him, if anything...

How is this NOT consistent with her character. You can't have it both ways. People here knock Lana for always wanting to know the truth, for making truth matter in her relationship with Clark, and when she's finally had enough of the lying, she leaves him. All consistent with her characterization from day one. So now you're going to fault her for being the person she's always been?

From the funeral, we see her standing by him, trying to be there for him but not pushing herself into his grief - just a squeeze of his hand. Next week, we'll see her trying again, not push herself into his grief, just trying to be supportive. So, even though she did say she needed a break, when he needs her, she's there. They have a lot of history, so all of this is exactly what you would expect. To say that any of her actions post-time warp are inconsistent just doesn't hold up.

[myownwoman]

This episode is a turning point for most everybody, a way for them to move on, let go of past attachments and start to have some peace in their lives. Especially Clana, I am thinking it's finally time for their relationship to end, and for Clark to do some thinking, realize his priorities and what is really important. I feel for Martha, even though she was being 'strong' to Clark, you can easily tell she was hurting and crying inside. I really feel bad for her. I hope the look that Lionel gave her at the funeral is not any foreshadowing of their future 'relationship.' He might see her as easy prey now that she is a single mom, he might be thinking this is his chance to pounce. No offense, but I really dislike Lionel and I still do not trust him at all. This is going to be one interesting season after The Reckoning. I think all the characters have been shaken to their very core, it's like an earthquake has just ripped through them. Even though I was disappointed at the episode, it does have its strong points. For instance, the funeral scene was one of the most emotional and well written ones ever. No words were spoken, so you really have to pay attention to their body language, and what strong language that was. I will never forget Chloe's look back at Clark. That look speaks hundreds of words that can be left open for vast interpretation.

[SmallvilleMan]

Thats a good question, has Clark ever really loved Lana? His behavior, & I'm not just talking about this episode, tells me NO.

Honestly, what does Clark need to do to prove his love for her? I don't get this at all. What does he need to do? I mean damn, the guy sacrifices his happiness to protect her and that isn't love. The only person he's ever wanted to share his secret with, was her. He has said it to her, said it to everyone. Secondly, everyone on the show knows they love each other, but some pople don't. Frankly, I don't think there is anything Clark or Lana could do to prove their love to some people.

[jwoodie]

Originally posted by SmallvilleMan
Frankly, I don't think there is anything Clark or Lana could do to prove their love to some people.

Amen. I can understand the argument that his love for her is immature, that he is immature at this point in his life. Go ahead, fault him for not being more mature for an 18-year old, fine. I don't, because he has always been running at a disadvantage versus everyone around him - he's not human, after all, and all of his human emotions have developed through the experiences he has with everyone around him. For that reason, you can make the case that he's a little slow on the uptake emotionally. I'll buy that argument.

But to say that he doesn't truly love her is just foolish. What show have you been watching all this time? To say this is to say that it is IMPOSSIBLE to find love as a teenager. Maybe its not as strong as what he will find later with Lois, but they will both be more mature at that point, and more prepared emotional to forge those emotional bonds. Fine, I get that. But does that completely discount the possibility of finding love during your formative years? C'mon, that doesn't give these characters enough credit. Of course he loves her, and as much as I disliked the fact that he didn't tell her the second time around, it was entirely consistent with his previous characterization. He has come to the point of telling her numerous times, but always been pulled back by his fear that her knowing would be dangerous to her. When he decides to plunge ahead, come what may, his greatest fear is realized within hours. So, as much as he loves her, he can't put her life in danger that way. He spells this out almost word-for-word in his conversation with Chloe, so what more does he have to say or do?

And as foolish as it was to embrace losing his powers just to be with her, have we ever seen him happier or more content? Of course he loves her, but the sacrifices that this relationship demands at this point in his life, and at this point in his emotional development, make the relationship doomed to fail.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by jwoodie
How is this NOT consistent with her character. You can't have it both ways. People here knock Lana for always wanting to know the truth, for making truth matter in her relationship with Clark, and when she's finally had enough of the lying, she leaves him. All consistent with her characterization from day one. So now you're going to fault her for being the person she's always been?

From the funeral, we see her standing by him, trying to be there for him but not pushing herself into his grief - just a squeeze of his hand. Next week, we'll see her trying again, not push herself into his grief, just trying to be supportive. So, even though she did say she needed a break, when he needs her, she's there. They have a lot of history, so all of this is exactly what you would expect. To say that any of her actions post-time warp are inconsistent just doesn't hold up.

I can see your point, but apparently you can't see mine (& that's OK ;) )... We all handle equal situations differently. IMHO, if I were in Lana's shoes, I'd have stood BEHIND him as a show of not only support, but to not "try and share equally" w/ his grief. The close proximity would have still been there, and yet would show that she has now let go of trying to 'keep up' w/ him (I know this is going to get misconstrued). She could have still reached forward to clasp his hand, & then step away. The way it played out looked to me (& maybe ONLY to me) as if she was selfishly trying to keep in the 'spotlight' (no pun intended), & put herself before even Clark's mother (& JK's widow). I've been to many funeral's & burials before (I'm Catholic, so we don't believe in cremation) and it just looked like poor etiquette to me. I'm open to other viewpoints... sorry if my earlier post sounded gruff or harsh. :(

[jwoodie]

Originally posted by KRAM-el
She could have still reached forward to clasp his hand, & then step away. The way it played out looked to me (& maybe ONLY to me) as if she was selfishly trying to keep in the 'spotlight' ...

I re-read your last couple of posts and maybe I did misunderstand, but this seems like a minor point. The way I read the scene, she did almost exactly what you describe above. It is simply the Smallville way to frame those looks and draw them out inexorably. But to say that she was trying to insert herself into the scene in some selfish way seems to betray a bias against her from the start. Since you've made your feelings on her character clear as day, I was just giving the counter-point to that.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by jwoodie
I re-read your last couple of posts and maybe I did misunderstand, but this seems like a minor point. The way I read the scene, she did almost exactly what you describe above. It is simply the Smallville way to frame those looks and draw them out inexorably. But to say that she was trying to insert herself into the scene in some selfish way seems to betray a bias against her from the start. Since you've made your feelings on her character clear as day, I was just giving the counter-point to that.

I won't concede my point, but I'll consider it an amicable disagreement. :) ;)

[jwoodie]

Originally posted by KRAM-el
I won't concede my point, but I'll consider it an amicable disagreement. :) ;)

Fair enough. I've read a lot of your posts lately, and clearly, we're on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to Lana. But if you're interested in another perspective, check this out:

The Case for Lana
http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50210

It was at least partially in response to you and the flood of other Lana-bashers that I've read lately (as you can see, I haven't been around very long - which is probably why I haven't gotten cynical about the show or the characters come to think of it) that I wrote this up in the first place. It's no thesis, but at least its a pretty well fleshed out argument on behalf of her character and her relative importance to the show. Probably wont' change anyone'd mind, but it's another perspective.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by jwoodie
Fair enough. I've read a lot of your posts lately, and clearly, we're on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to Lana. But if you're interested in another perspective, check this out:

The Case for Lana
http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50210

It was at least partially in response to you and the flood of other Lana-bashers that I've read lately (as you can see, I haven't been around very long - which is probably why I haven't gotten cynical about the show or the characters come to think of it) that I wrote this up in the first place. It's no thesis, but at least its a pretty well fleshed out argument on behalf of her character and her relative importance to the show. Probably wont' change anyone'd mind, but it's another perspective.

J, I have sent you a very positive PM on the subject... I hope you read it. :)

[jaime,oburg]

Originally posted by MBCorp
It's typical of Lana to want every person's attention to be only on herself. And I'm not saying this to bash her, it's true. She's a very self centered individual and I thought it was pretty irritating how she kept trying to get Clark's attention at the funeral instead of letting him grieve in peace.

It didn't seem to phase Clark one bit. He hardly noticed she was there. Other mourners left Clark to himself, which is what most people at that moment need and friends and family respect. Lana didn't do that and Clark seemed to care less she was even at his side. He was too grief stricken to even noticeLana for once!

[KEakaCK]

Aside from Lionel being at the funeral, I thought the writers did a perfect job putting this whole sequence together. I especially liked how Chloe turned to look at Clark in slow motion. Since she was the only other person, besides Martha, that knows about the two different time line. I took it as the pain that Chloe felt for Clark, knowing that he had gone back to save Lana but ended up losing his father.

[SmallvilleMan]

It's typical of Lana to want every person's attention to be only on herself. And I'm not saying this to bash her, it's true. She's a very self centered individual and I thought it was pretty irritating how she kept trying to get Clark's attention at the funeral instead of letting him grieve in peace.

Oh, so she held his hand to get his attention? Really? Because I'm pretty sure she grabbed his hand to show him that she was here for him. That just because they were taking a break, didn't mean that she wouldn't be there for him. Chloe, Martha or Lois weren't having the same problems with clark, which would lead him to believe that they wouldn't be there for him. She didn't say anything to him, she wasn't trying to get his attention, she was just trying to tell him that she was there.

[jwoodie]

Originally posted by KRAM-el
J, I have sent you a very positive PM on the subject... I hope you read it. :)

I did, and thank you.

I have been very surprised since I started coming here by the strong negative focus on Lana, that much is true. Different forums, different threads, all with a very strong contingent of readers with a strong dislike of Lana. So, I've found myself carrying the torch for her a lot lately. But that's only because that is something I strongly disagree with. I mean, people love Chloe and what can you say badly about her character? That she once pined for Clark and that shows up in traces in her character to this day? I love Chloe too, so I don't have to argue her case for anyone. Clark as a BDA? I'm not going to argue that either, although I did give some rationalizations for that brand of characterizations somewhere on one of these threads, but basically I agree with that point of view as well. That's kind of the point of the show - showing how tough it is on him and giving this younger incarnation of that character the freedom to make a bunch of mistakes, and see how that plays out.

My point is that I see Lana in the same way that I see Chloe - she is both vital to the show and vital to Clark and his development. But I think I know what the difference is in my perspective from those on the other side of the fence. You see, I haven't always watched Smallville. In fact, I am very new to Smallville by most everyone else's standards. But I am VERY familiar with the stories (probably seen every episode at least 6 times and most of them quite a few more than that - like Reckoning about dozen times since it aired - and usually in order so I can usually keep all of the story arcs straight in my head) and I have developed strong opinions on the matter (obviously, duh). But the difference, I think, is that I didn't have to suffer through the Isobel story line as it played out on the show week-by-week. I wasn't watching then, much less reading the screaming howls of pain that this must have elicited from the faithful. I watched them the first time, one right after the other, and didn't slow down to let them bother me, I guess. That whole story line had its problems, but it was a calculated decision to bring Lana into the mythology fold. Successful? Probably not overall. But how many other story arcs have fallen flat? Lex crashing landing on an island and inventing an evil playmate for himself, all at the hands of his new wife who develops a knack for murder and mayhem out of nowhere? Successful. Not so much. Every character has had their silly episodes (Chloe in Devoted, even Martha in Spirit, which was hysterical, Jonathan and Lana in Nicodemus) but that doesn't make me like their characters any less.

But I wonder if I had to go back and go through the Isobel ordeal again, in real time, if I would feel the same? Maybe not. Maybe I would end up with the same cynical view of her character, but I doubt it. I love Smallville because it has a tremendous ensemble cast, with strong contributions from every character. I mean, I can't stand Lionel - but that's exactly what a snake like him should elicit. Lex is tragic when looked at through the lens of Lexmas, but can also be insufferable (Zero) and masterfully evil (Onyx). The point is, each character stands on their own in the show, even Lana.

I won't argue that the writing on Smallville is perfect - they make missteps all the time. The deal with Isobel was just on a grander scale than most. But even given that, did that story line fundamentally change Lana's character? No. Her relationship with Jason during that time was entirely consistent with her characterizations to that point. When it was light and fun, she was happy and when he started lying to her, she started to turn away from him. Shadows of Clark, you might say. People point to Spell as this abomination in terms of her character, but I just don't see it. It's not a favorite of mine, but I don't hate that episode, mostly because its good fun, much like Devoted or Spirit which I mention above. And did it change her character? Not any more than Nicodemus did.

Anyway, I'll concede that her character has been unevenly written, but the core of who Lana is remains very strong and consistent. Maybe that consistency is lovingly applied with the subtlety of a huge anvil, but she's consistent nonetheless. Sorry to make this discussion all about Lana, but I just couldn't let stand all of the ill-will attached to her in the funeral scene without some kind of rebuttal.


Originally posted by SmallvilleMan
Oh, so she held his hand to get his attention? Really? Because I'm pretty sure she grabbed his hand to show him that she was here for him. That just because they were taking a break, didn't mean that she wouldn't be there for him. Chloe, Martha or Lois weren't having the same problems with clark, which would lead him to believe that they wouldn't be there for him. She didn't say anything to him, she wasn't trying to get his attention, she was just trying to tell him that she was there.

Ding, ding ding! Exactly. Quotes like the one you cited betray more about the writer's personal bias they do to enlighten the discussion, no offense to the original poster.

[UpandAtom]

I've read this entire thread and I've got to say that I disagree with the majority of the posters. I don't believe that Lionel has evil intentions when showing up there. Lionel wasn't responsible for Jonathan's death. He just happened to be at the wrong place at the right time. He just went to the funeral to show that he going to be there for Martha.
The same goes for Lana. Her holding his hand was probably her way of telling him that she doesn't want their relationship to be over yet and that she'll will always be ther for him no matter what.

[StealthyMakoto]

Another random thing I just noticed about the funeral scene while re-watching this episode... In the very first shot of the cemetary, while the camera is panning down, look at the tombstone in the lower right corner of the screen. It's actually pretty much the only tombstone with a legible name on it. The name? "Olson"

[Watching Smallville]

Originally posted by UpandAtom
I've read this entire thread and I've got to say that I disagree with the majority of the posters. I don't believe that Lionel has evil intentions when showing up there. Lionel wasn't responsible for Jonathan's death. He just happened to be at the wrong place at the right time. He just went to the funeral to show that he going to be there for Martha.

The same goes for Lana. Her holding his hand was probably her way of telling him that she doesn't want their relationship to be over yet and that she'll will always be ther for him no matter what.
I agree with both these points. I think the main focus of the funeral was Clark's shock. The way he showed no emotion at all was very telling. Even Martha threw him a worried look that was a little more than grief.

I see everyone in the scene as swirling around Clark's depth of sadness, guilt, and regret. It's hard for me to attribute any selfish motives to anyone in this scene because I think the scene is all about Clark.

[tomwellingisgorgeous]

I think Lionel should be punished he killed papa Kent and I know when Martha finds out he had something to do with Jonathan's death she's going to be upset. The funeral really got to me especially when they show Clark picking up dirt and placing it on Jonathan's coffin that was the saddest thing I saw in a long time, Lana should have known that Clark was going to shut her out of his life, he's grieving over his father's death.

[UpandAtom]

I just noticed an interesting parallel between Clark and Lana. Clark was semi-responsible for Lana's dad's death and Lana was semi-responsible for Clark's dad's death.

[RedQ]

I ABSOLUTLY LOVED THE EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL AND POIGNANT FUNERAL SCENE!

The Falling Snow Perfect!
http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50695
I don't think anyone is waiting, so "I GRIEVE" IS PERFECT!
Monty Python's "Always look at the Bright side of life." might be questionable.

The way Lana Looked like a Ghost.
Clark being solemn, distant with a slight anger.
Martha's Kind sadness.
The double take of the Cousins Chloe and Lois, where Chloe looks up being concerned (but I expected MUCH more from AM)
http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1831160#post1831160
http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1820537#post1820537
And Lex from a distance, which I can't tell IF he was Angry because of CLana or unable to prove himself to JK.

Is it me or am I just being paranoid? Foreshadowing?
http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49797
I liked the way the white indentation of Lana's hand on clark's red hand as she let go (showing that she was holding on to his hand very hard - very poignant) And as Lionel come in for a "kill" behind Martha then Lana and Lionel Left the Kent's at the same time (WHICH WAS A BEAUTIFUL SHOT!)
Does this mean Lana is leaving Clark and Marionel being born?
http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=1835893#post1835893
I tought of marionel before cause it sounded good, now i know why. Also when it goes 3-ways it will be Marion-EL.

http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49911
I liked the Angel statue behind clark like the one where clark vists Lana in the Grave site at the 1st season. (does this mean everything coming to a full circle?)
http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/images/avatars/ks-clark03.jpg

http://www.kryptonsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49929
Would be nice to see Pete again and he escorts Martha when she looks back.
Too bad he's regreting it here.http://esnips.com/nsdoc/7a84492d-03cb-44f3-8506-702d73b785a7

Martha's face was happy when she saw Clark paying his last respects to his Pa by spreading the dirt but suddenly her face changed to sadness.
My guess is she was happy about clark's act then got sad when she saw her son hurting, which was the last shot.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7513/deadpete6ep.jpg

[Sider]

Did anyone else notice how fake the snow looked? I'd have rather Lana died than Jonathan :(