Only one crystal, but...

[Red Larson]

Just to add to the list of enormous gaping plot holes...

There is only one crystal, but any time it's used, it takes you back in time to before it was used. Thus it's still sitting there in the FOS, waiting for the next time the writers need to pull a Deus ex machina out of their backsides.

In fact, logically, this episode could have turned into a total Groundhog's Day ripoff, where CK gets to do it over and over again until he gets it "right" and nature/the universe/whatever kills off somebody he didn't care about quite so much.

[Lana_Lang #1]

If you really think about it they could have had it repeat over and over until someone different was killed off each time.

[Eh,Man?You-El?]

Considering how very, very much ground was covered in the Movie "Groundhog Day" (even introducing all the characters) in 101 minutes time. Don't you think TPTB could have covered a bit more ground in 45 minutes of "Reckoning"? (I mean, they have been planning this episode for almost five years!)

[All about Clark]

I think that Jor-el's program included the crystal for Clark's training and was not meant to alter a grand event. But was included as a teaching device to teach Clark the weight of his choices.

[SOnMyChest]

Originally posted by All about Clark
I think that Jor-el's program included the crystal for Clark's training and was not meant to alter a grand event. But was included as a teaching device to teach Clark the weight of his choices.

I agree with all about clark. These are learning crystal! This isnt the game of Monopoly. spin the dice. roll a 3 and pick up a get out of jail card. These are his learning trial. Oh....

Clark: " There must be something i can do."

Jor-El: "Well take this learning crystal, but do not pass go and do not collect 200 dollars.!"

LOL

[Red Larson]

Yes, but whatever Jor-El intended the thing for, training or whatever, it can and does permit CK to time travel.

You could argue, I suppose, that the FOS' "Jor-El program" doesn't think it's a good idea, and will never give him the crystal again. Then you'd have to assume the crystal preserved the FOS' memory along with CK's. And I guess that part's not too big a stretch...

...but still, the crystal did allow CK to change history, and surely that's a tool that ought to be in Superman's arsenal, if it exists. It's dumb to say that this incredibly useful thing can only happen once.

[tejdog1]

I suppose if the FOS retained the memory of CK's time travel, this would be rendered moot. However, the sheer physics of time travel don't work this way. If Timeline 1 Clark went back in time - he would meet himself - he wouldn't replace the him standing in the barn when Timeline 2 began. That makes no sense. But there is a great deal about time travel that is paradoxical, which is why it's frowned upon - not many people can wrap their heads completely around it. But, if the ENTIRE WORLD sans Clark was taken back to the beginning, the FOS should've been, as well, UNLESS it exists outside of time as we know it - which for Krypton might well be the truth - except it's on Earth. So who knows? This entire plot was contrived and horrible.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by tejdog1
This entire plot was contrived and horrible.

My only response to that is... AMEN. :cool:

[Brown-eyes]

Well, I know this is Smallville but in the larger scope of things, Superman uses his powers to turn back time and save Lois from that earthquake in one of the movies. Chloe mentioned something of the sort in one of the episodes---if Clark thought he could spin the world on it's axis backwards and thus turn back time. That's exactly how he did it in the movie. So, maybe this huge lesson about the consequences of his choices and upsetting the balance of the universe taught him that this isn't a power he should use whenever he thinks it's convenient.

[snafu2dj]

I wonder if SV is hiring for writers. Where do I apply? How much does it pay? Any benefits? Probably pays more than most people on this site make.

I wonder if the SV people even read this site or the forums. I wonder if those writers from this episode will still have a job?LOL

I wonder what does TPTB mean? Seriously. I haven't figured that one out yet.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by snafu2dj
I wonder if SV is hiring for writers. Where do I apply? How much does it pay? Any benefits? Probably pays more than most people on this site make.

I wonder if the SV people even read this site or the forums. I wonder if those writers from this episode will still have a job?LOL

I wonder what does TPTB mean? Seriously. I haven't figured that one out yet.

If you get an interview, I want to tag along. :D TPTB is "The Powers That Be" or Al Gough/Miles Millar. Shhhhh... they're listening...
* frantically searches room for listening devices *

[abster25]

he could do it over and over again but he would never get it right because jor-el said somebody close to you will die in exchange for yours and if it is somebody close to him of coarse he is going to care for who ever it may be that would die

[snafu2dj]

Originally posted by KRAM-el
If you get an interview, I want to tag along. :D TPTB is "The Powers That Be" or Al Gough/Miles Millar. Shhhhh... they're listening...
* frantically searches room for listening devices *


Thank you very much.

I sincerely hope they are listening. Maybe they'll take a hint. I could do a better job writing. Anyone could. Just read these forums and listen to the masses for ideas.


Originally posted by abster25
he could do it over and over again but he would never get it right because jor-el said somebody close to you will die in exchange for yours and if it is somebody close to him of coarse he is going to care for who ever it may be that would die

If he did do it over and over again, he'd just be forced to choose, that's all. Then it would end once his choice was final.

[clois1938]

Originally posted by snafu2dj
If he did do it over and over again, he'd just be forced to choose, that's all. Then it would end once his choice was final.
I don't think he would do it one more time. If the BDA didn't learn after one time reversal not to tamper with time, then there would be no hope for him becoming Supes. Thank goodness they ended it at the one crystal.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by Eh,Man?You-El?
Considering how very, very much ground was covered in the Movie "Groundhog Day" (even introducing all the characters) in 101 minutes time. Don't you think TPTB could have covered a bit more ground in 45 minutes of "Reckoning"? (I mean, they have been planning this episode for almost five years!)

Well, Groundhog Day was an extremely well-crafted movie (in all aspects). can't say the same for ep. 100. i loved the actors but that's about it.

[Elite]

Never thought of that. I'm sure the answer to this is something like "everything else reverts back to what it was but the crystal remains used"

[flcn6]

I have a certain way of seeing this. I think of the FOS as the 'time machine'. Everyone/thing in the time machine would remain unaffected by the time reversal. Thus, the crystal would disappear after the one use, and Clark would retain his memory.

The only problem Im having is that after the time reversal scene, he was in his barn right? Does that mean that time was only returned that far, or that the WHOLE day was reversed, and Clark just ran to the barn to wait for Lana? ideas?

[Elite]

it only reversed back up to the barn scene, cos Clark had still arranged to meet Lana, and told her to dress warm.
Also, if the whole day had been reversed, he wouldve met her ASAP to make sure she was OK (cos the last time he saw her, she was all bloody and dead).