Vote: Did You Like Vessel Or Not?

[sup3rp3t3]

vote! post your thoughts here about the episode!

[mbf]

it was great but there was some parts i didnt like about it but the setup was great but i cant believe clark is traped!!

[sup3rp3t3]

I VOTED YES BUT IN THE TRAILER THERE WERE PARTS THAT DIDNT HAPPEN. THAT IS WHAT I WAS UPSET ABOUT. oops i put capitalized letters on accindent.

[kcox6751]

It was a little dissapointing... not as much action as last year's "Commencement."

I loved the performance by Michael Rosenbaum. The Clark and Lex/Zod scenes were awesome - the look on Lex's face in the barn when Clark got sucked into the PZ was unforgettable.

Also... Metropolis in this eppy reminded me of Gotham City.. but the scene at the end with Lex on the rooftop of LuthorCorp, Metropolis looked awesome. Great visual effects.

But still, to me, not as much action.

[Alpha Coyote]

So Clark gets trapped in the phantom zone. That is cool.

[Manvir-El]

that truly was a ending i did not suspect

[Shadow116]

It was not as action packed as the season finales before it but I liked it. And darkness will rule for 3 months until Clark gets out of the Phantom Zone :lol:.

[wildcat]

It wasn't as action packed, but I think it was definately more emotional. I was completely glued to the tube.

[EricN68]

The best episode of the season, for sure. A very good season finale.

[bothra]

It definitely lacked any sort of season wrap-up. They didn't tie up ANY loose ends, and it was a very depressing ending.

[bunkmania]

Zod's physical body was destroyed on krypton...???????????.........after in solitude they showed the zod from the movies.......and the whole lex=zod? LOL horrible

[Batman_Beyonder]

Originally posted by bunkmania
Zod's physical body was destroyed on krypton...???????????.........after in solitude they showed the zod from the movies.......and the whole lex=zod? LOL horrible
Yup, as well as too many lose ends... I'd say I wasn't too fond to this finale... It was too predictable to a point.

[Trunkz]

sorry dude, this WAS the WORSE season finale to date...another hyped trailer that let me down. the only part i actually enjoyed in this episode was chloe finally locking lips with clark..TAKE THAT LANA! HA!

[voytek]

I liked it. I agree they didn't tie up all the loose ends but this is how the season began minus the stupid stand alone episodes. 1.Fine arrived via the ship 2. Lex started his descent into darkness 3. Lana/Clark did a 180 I Loved the special fx. It had a nice balance. I still say nothing beats Clark riding off on the bike. That was a crappy finale.

[Lt. Madmax]

Keep in mind that Smallville is a Clark Kent coming of age story with some ties to comics/superman movie, BUT THAT's SOME TIE's.

Al & Miles have always made it clear that Smallville was using the Base Mythology to create IT's OWN STORY. Smallville does not have to adhere to any rules or guidelines.

Now, I myself wasn't dissappointed with the episode at all. (Except whenever they panned over Metropolis -power outage/after Zodana kiss - they could have done such a better job of the animation it almost looked rushed or too basic, there didn't seem to be any depth to it)

I was worried that the possession of Lex's body would be, I don't know, would be done without explanation. Everyone kept saying Lex can't be Zod (I wasn't one of them) cause Zod is in the PZ, and alive etc.
Well let's just say the show could have made a huge wrong turn by letting it just happen, BUT THEY EXPLAINED IT TO US, Chlark both were curious about that same question of HOW? and Jor-El answered it. The actual transition of Zod to Lex was well done cause it showed two things at the same time the moment he threw the knife at Brainiac:

1- Clark's strength
2- Clark's weakness

And by the way CHAOS means you don't have to tie up loose ends. But hey Lex and Lana finally tied up loose ends even if she doesn't know that he's Zod she still chose him. As did Lana and Clark " Clark I don't know how I could have ever Loved you" then she walks out ---- LOOSE END TIED and thrown out.

The show was aimed at CHAOS and it accomplished it. I mean you couldn't have come up with a greater way to come at Clark - "You can't save them all", " Then it begins" - Brainiac --

I mean however this resolves in Season 6, as long as the characters don't have your typical Smallville'esqu memory wipe, then the show will continue to be successful in my eyes.

And the only way I see that happening is if Time gets turned back, cause it's pretty hard to forget when the world has so much destruction in the aftermath of the battles and riots to come.


Al & Miles said this would be the season where the rift between Clark and Lex would become clear, where we would see Clark's character mature into the hero he will become.
I think this has been a very successful season, and set up Season 6 to be a great one too.

I also agree with the opinion that this episode was made much more emotional, cause there is definitely more on the line compared to last season finale.

Finally, the only other thing that dissappointed was the missing scene of Lex in the ship or whatever that white room was. They should have extended the episode to include his transfomation before reappearing on the field.

Anyways this post is long enough,

Later

Your Friendly Canuck

Go Sens Go!!!!

[Timester]

Originally posted by Lt. Madmax
Keep in mind that Smallville is a Clark Kent coming of age story with some ties to comics/superman movie, BUT THAT's SOME TIE's.

Al & Miles have always made it clear that Smallville was using the Base Mythology to create IT's OWN STORY. Smallville does not have to adhere to any rules or guidelines.

Now, I myself wasn't dissappointed with the episode at all. (Except whenever they panned over Metropolis -power outage/after Zodana kiss - they could have done such a better job of the animation it almost looked rushed or too basic, there didn't seem to be any depth to it)

I was worried that the possession of Lex's body would be, I don't know, would be done without explanation. Everyone kept saying Lex can't be Zod (I wasn't one of them) cause Zod is in the PZ, and alive etc.
Well let's just say the show could have made a huge wrong turn by letting it just happen, BUT THEY EXPLAINED IT TO US, Chlark both were curious about that same question of HOW? and Jor-El answered it. The actual transition of Zod to Lex was well done cause it showed two things at the same time the moment he threw the knife at Brainiac:

1- Clark's strength
2- Clark's weakness

And by the way CHAOS means you don't have to tie up loose ends. But hey Lex and Lana finally tied up loose ends even if she doesn't know that he's Zod she still chose him. As did Lana and Clark " Clark I don't know how I could have ever Loved you" then she walks out ---- LOOSE END TIED and thrown out.

The show was aimed at CHAOS and it accomplished it. I mean you couldn't have come up with a greater way to come at Clark - "You can't save them all", " Then it begins" - Brainiac --

I mean however this resolves in Season 6, as long as the characters don't have your typical Smallville'esqu memory wipe, then the show will continue to be successful in my eyes.

And the only way I see that happening is if Time gets turned back, cause it's pretty hard to forget when the world has so much destruction in the aftermath of the battles and riots to come.


Al & Miles said this would be the season where the rift between Clark and Lex would become clear, where we would see Clark's character mature into the hero he will become.
I think this has been a very successful season, and set up Season 6 to be a great one too.

I also agree with the opinion that this episode was made much more emotional, cause there is definitely more on the line compared to last season finale.

Finally, the only other thing that dissappointed was the missing scene of Lex in the ship or whatever that white room was. They should have extended the episode to include his transfomation before reappearing on the field.

Anyways this post is long enough,

Later

Your Friendly Canuck

Go Sens Go!!!!

Retconning. Yes, retconning even their own story.

[Lt. Madmax]

Originally posted by Timester
Retconning. Yes, retconning even their own story.

Yes but remember Brainiac said that Kal-El was originally supposed to be the vessel, maybe Brainiac was bringing Zod to take over Clark. Showing a blurry outline of Zod's face may have been a minor mistake, but to trash Vessel because of it is not right.

[GothamCrusader]

I throughly enjoyed the season finale, but I absolutely hate cliffhangers. I dealt with this all those years of watching Star Trek. They would have a great episode and at the end those horrible dreaded words would come across the screen, '' To Be Continued." I hate those words.

[Lt. Madmax]

I hear ya, the Suspense can be Murderous. I guess we all just have to enjoy the Hot summer:cool: and then the season premiere will be here in no time.

To Season 6:rotfl:

Oh but wait, there's always Superman Returns in the meantime.

[MamaK]

Loved it and can't wait for Season 6!:D:D:D

LOVED IT!!!:D:D:D:D

[jimmyolsenblues]

zod is free on earth.
clark is trapped in the phantom zone.
chloe and clark kissed.
lana is on top of high buidling with a murderer of billions. ( one more wouldn't hurt overall average.)

This was a great episode. This was great writing.

[vyperman7]

Originally posted by jimmyolsenblues
lana is on top of high buidling with a murderer of billions. ( one more wouldn't hurt overall average.)

This was a great episode. This was great writing.

To me it would mean something about Lana being with a murderer voluntarily, if she knew it wasn't Lex. But since she still thinks it is Lex, that didn't really blow me away.

In my opinion, Vessel showcased how lazy writers can be. Making Zod Lex was a copout, because they know that once Lod is defeated they can make Lex forget once again about what he learned, and hide it under memory loss.

[superpal1]

Great Episode. In the trailer, they showed a scene with some human/gelatinous mass on the floor. That wasnt in the episode. I wonder if that scene is going to be used in the second part and is maybe Clark escaping the Zone.

[margroks]

I loved it but yes there's no excuse for it not being a lot longer. There was plenty of action and I we were left with lots of food for thought.

Let's not forget here that Lana herself is a a murderer, having killed Jason's mother and allowed Lionale and Lex both to cover it up for her. That she would first show her true revulsion over Lex becoming one of them then justify it by thinking either it's okay and he's not really one of them and/or thinking, because he talked to her that he revealed the full truth (he didn't, not by a long shot) that she could be in control of the relationship. She really twisted the knife with those words to Clark, too but this was all typically Lana, right down to not caring what happened to Chloe or Clark and running to Lex while Metropolis burns around her, wanting a man at her side, selfish to the last.

[superhippie2000]

i think this was a great episode and it could have been longer. have some bigger fights and have lionel do a bit more with jor el. i think it will lead into a great season 6. hopefully they dont just get rid of zod or brainiac in the first episode. the graphics were pretty good. liked the whole lex abduction thing and the phantom zone was cool but the vortex should have been in the episode. the red glowing zod tranfernce was awsome. i was hoping when the people attacked lionel and chloe lionel would have jor el'd out and kicked some butt and saved chloe.

[jaime,oburg]

Originally posted by bunkmania
Zod's physical body was destroyed on krypton...???????????.........after in solitude they showed the zod from the movies.......and the whole lex=zod? LOL horrible
I understand where you are coming from bunkmania, I was thinking the same thing. But the writers are going to have to take some creative liberites like thay have in the past if they're going to be doing a show like SV and make it work. I'm forgiving. Even with diverting from Superman the Movie version of events, I still enjoyed Vessel better then Reckoning.

[superhippie2000]

Originally posted by superpal1
Great Episode. In the trailer, they showed a scene with some human/gelatinous mass on the floor. That wasnt in the episode. I wonder if that scene is going to be used in the second part and is maybe Clark escaping the Zone.



that was lex in the ship.

[Krpyto]

I agree that the whole Lex/Zod thing is retarded.

The other Kryptonians were actual characters released from Phantom Zone why did Zod have to embody someone else? NO continuity.

It would have been much better to have another actor play Zod and have a 3 way battle for power between Clark/Zod/Lex etc.

I dont mind the series taking a few liberties but they should stay as close to the accepted mythos as possible.

I liked Season 5 overall, but the first 2 seasons were the best and I am a latecomer to Smallville, I own them all on DVD.

I am a Superman fan first and smallville second. I like the series. I think they should have done more with Clark and Lana earlier on, but its definately a done deal now. Clark should move on and if Season 7 is the last I would like to see Tom in the Superman suit in the season finale.

-K

[Bri-el]

I liked the finale, and s far as marketing, I think it left a lot more questions than other finale's and that may do good for Superman Returns (even though it isn't the same) it will give some Smallville fans a "fix" until september.

Plus all of the things from the trailers that were not in the episode become additions for the Season 5 DVD set.

[God-Man]

the episode was really good, except for Lana and the Martha/Lois predicament. Everything else (especially the Chlark kiss!) was kickass.


Originally posted by superhippie2000
i think this was a great episode and it could have been longer. have some bigger fights and have lionel do a bit more with jor el. i think it will lead into a great season 6. hopefully they dont just get rid of zod or brainiac in the first episode. the graphics were pretty good. liked the whole lex abduction thing and the phantom zone was cool but the vortex should have been in the episode. the red glowing zod tranfernce was awsome. i was hoping when the people attacked lionel and chloe lionel would have jor el'd out and kicked some butt and saved chloe.

Yeah, this episode should have been at least 90 minutes. That way the episode could have had to longer fight scenes.

[seraphim]

I loved this finale, but as others have said there were some disappointments. Also loved the Chlark scene...all right Chloe, you go girl! I hate it when they say a full night of SV because I always get fooled into thinking...Oh yes, a 2 hr finale!!! Overall, though I did enjoy it!!:)

[manofsteele05]

Yeah this CLIFFHANGER by far is the WORST ever from all the Seasons...BUT I LOVED the KISS.. TW is a lucky dog

[dontkillchloe]

there as way toooo much talking in this episode..this would have been a good lead up into a much better finale..of course without the ending that we had.but having epi 21 with lex becoming Zod would have given the finale to set up some nice Clark vs. Zod scenes as opposed to a non-existent fight..now we have to wait 4 months to see something even remotely interesting..Commencement was definitely a much better finale...definitely action packed..this episode i was just waiting for them to stop talking and actually do something..and argh..CLARK! BDA! perfect opportunity to open up to Lana! he KNOWS she accepts Lex...blah.
i really hope they don't resolve EVERYTHING in 1 episode next season..i hope Zod is the main plot of S6..and not just have him be a teeny tiny arc..cuz i mean cmon.its ZOD

[margroks]

Lana thinks she's in control of the relationship and is under the delusion she knows everything about Lex. Remember her initial revulsion? Clark's smart not to trust her. He knows how petty and vindictive she and Lex can be.

[Liriel]

I didn't care for it. Too much of it didn't make sense. I hope that when the premiere comes it will be explained, but unfortunately, SV has let me down in that regard before.

[voytek]

Originally posted by margroks
Lana thinks she's in control of the relationship and is under the delusion she knows everything about Lex. Remember her initial revulsion? Clark's smart not to trust her. He knows how petty and vindictive she and Lex can be.

Clark's distrust of Lana is not about her being vindictive. Let's face it, the girl has a bad poker face. He is afraid to tell her because he thinks the secret got her killed. But now he is even more worried because she is dating Lex. He only has himself to blame because she wanted to be with him. Lana turning against Clark makes total since. But I don't believe for a second she would ever harm or allow him to be harmed.

[TomWellingLover122]

I was like glued to the T.V. when I saw the episode! I LOVED Clark and Chloe's kiss! But I dont like how Clark is stuck in the PZ.... And i think that Lana was being such a DRAMA QUEEN when Clark and her were talking at the mansion...

[tribob]

i liked it from clark and chloes kiss, coz it was actually good from that, before i was like hurry up something happen!

[Alexus Luthor]

I really liked the episode. Not as much as last season, but really what could stack up to the whole 2 meteor shower and Clark finding the FOS. I do agree that it was really short. Everything seemed kinda rushed. I loved the Chlark in the episode. I loved Lex as Zod. I was missing the coccoon thing though. The scene with Brainiac, Zod, and Clark seemed kinda rushed though. I was confused about how stabbing Brainiac unleashed Zod and how Zod got him in the PZ. I loved the last Zod scene on the roof with Lana. It looked awesome and I actually am one of the few people that love Lexana so I was happy. I was dissapointed with the Lois/Martha. I wish they could have done something a little better. I was actually looking forward to seeing some more Jor-el using Lionel as a oracle and was kinda let down when they didn't do much with it after last week. I can't wait to see what they come up with to bring Lex back and get Clark out of the PZ. Overall a good episode, but was lacking in a couple arcs.

[hnkmcoy]

the chl;ark kiss sealed the deal for me

[Spoon AZ]

Probably not the strongest finale, but taken as a two part episode, it setup a hellova premiere.

The stakes have never been higher on this show. An entire global emergency.

[Spirit5]

best ep ever imo

[Kara15]

It wasn't my favorite episode and it definetely wasn't the best season finale, but I still thought it was good.

[Raul Rigel]

The episode was decent, nothing crazy and nothing horrible either, just decent and entertaining. I have a feeling things might pick up next season, at least I hope so.

[otter]

Originally posted by voytek
Clark's distrust of Lana is not about her being vindictive. Let's face it, the girl has a bad poker face. He is afraid to tell her because he thinks the secret got her killed. But now he is even more worried because she is dating Lex. He only has himself to blame because she wanted to be with him. Lana turning against Clark makes total since. But I don't believe for a second she would ever harm or allow him to be harmed.

This chick is driving me crazy. TPTB really must want us to hate her cause every time she opens her mouth about- or to Clark, nothing but venom comes out. That should be a CLana episode and call it VENOM. I'm really tired of her mouth. "If you really ever cared for me... blah, blah blah" Shut up already, Clark's over you, doll! Stop trying to manipulate the man of steel!

Other than that, I loved the episode. I'm still not sure if Clark ran toward the phantom zone or was pulled. I found it confusing. Time will tell, too much time! This cliffy is gonna kill me!

[batmanbeyond13]

WOW!!! Amazing! My mouth wide open! Is Clark headed to becoming Superman already? And how are they getting out of this one? Great Cliffhanger! One more D C Comics finale: J L U Series Finale! Darkseid!!! AAAAhhhhh!!!!!

[voytek]

Originally posted by otter
This chick is driving me crazy. TPTB really must want us to hate her cause every time she opens her mouth about- or to Clark, nothing but venom comes out. That should be a CLana episode and call it VENOM. I'm really tired of her mouth. "If you really ever cared for me... blah, blah blah" Shut up already, Clark's over you, doll! Stop trying to manipulate the man of steel!

Other than that, I loved the episode. I'm still not sure if Clark ran toward the phantom zone or was pulled. I found it confusing. Time will tell, too much time! This cliffy is gonna kill me!

More Lana bashing. What a surprise. Clark clearly isn't over Lana. Each time there is distance between them, he seeks her out and stirs it all up again. You notice she went to Chloe last night and not to Clark. He forced her hand and she made her choice and he can't live with it. And it wasn't a manipulation. It was an attempt to see if he really cared in her opinion. He does. But he lied again. All that did was add to her anger, which is totally justified. Are you saying she has no right to be pissed at him?

And to answer your question, he was pulled into the phantom zone. Zod threw the ring out the window and it yanked Clark out the barn door. But I think it was Lana's fault. I know she wasn't even there, but I'm just saving some of you the trouble and blaming her now.:lol:

[aqua]

Originally posted by voytek
More Lana bashing. What a surprise. Clark clearly isn't over Lana. Each time there is distance between them, he seeks her out and stirs it all up again. You notice she went to Chloe last night and not to Clark. He forced her hand and she made her choice and he can't live with it. And it wasn't a manipulation. It was an attempt to see if he really cared in her opinion. He does. But he lied again. All that did was add to her anger, which is totally justified. Are you saying she has no right to be pissed at him?


Lana bashing seems to be called for. Ignoring everything she's down throughout the series, this has been an all-time low. She confesses her love and devotion to a guy who this time last year kept her hostage in the mansion and rifled through her stuff, while kidnapping her best friend to a meteor shower.. compared to Clark, who saved her life on a daily basis makes her look like a moron. Which she is. Lana thinks "Me, me, me." Whenever Clark doesn't make a move that doesn't suit her, she complains. Instead of whining about him lying to her, believe that he is trying to help her. Instead, she just wants it all to be about her.

In the middle of a crisis, she goes to have a romantic meeting. I was so disgusted. People are dying and you are more concerned about meeting Daddy Warbucks? Ugh, it was so gross and made her look so morbid and nasty.

She jumps to conclusions. Instead of asking Clark and Chloe, she runs to Lex. How about not running around stupidly and just ask them.

Plus, KK's acting made me laugh.

[sup3rp3t3]

so far more people voted yes!

[voytek]

Originally posted by aqua
Lana bashing seems to be called for. Ignoring everything she's down throughout the series, this has been an all-time low. She confesses her love and devotion to a guy who this time last year kept her hostage in the mansion and rifled through her stuff, while kidnapping her best friend to a meteor shower.. compared to Clark, who saved her life on a daily basis makes her look like a moron. Which she is. Lana thinks "Me, me, me." Whenever Clark doesn't make a move that doesn't suit her, she complains. Instead of whining about him lying to her, believe that he is trying to help her. Instead, she just wants it all to be about her.

In the middle of a crisis, she goes to have a romantic meeting. I was so disgusted. People are dying and you are more concerned about meeting Daddy Warbucks? Ugh, it was so gross and made her look so morbid and nasty.

She jumps to conclusions. Instead of asking Clark and Chloe, she runs to Lex. How about not running around stupidly and just ask them.

Plus, KK's acting made me laugh.

But didn't she ask him in the scene at the mansion? She said Clark, tell me what's going on. He lied. I am not saying she isn't selfish because she is but then so is Clark. And people keep saying she should be grateful or more understanding because he has saved her countless times, but one thing has nothing to do with the other. He saved Chloe numerous times but did that stop her from teaming up with Lionel in a move she did to hurt Clark for being with Lana? No. Chloe was angry and hurt and um....let's see--vindictive. Lana hasn't done anything like that. Lex asked her to meet him before things started going to hell. If she was still with Clark guess where she would be running? It makes sense for her to go to the one person she feels she can count on right now. Most criticism aimed at Lana can be applied to other characters. People say Lana was selfish because she wasn't concerned about Chloe. I didn't see Chloe picking up the phone to reach Lana either. But no one wants to talk about that because it's let's bash Lana 24/7. Hearing Clark say he needed to kill Lex didn't require her to jump to any conclusion and for the 100th time she gave him a chance to explain but he would not do it. But he wanted her to spill what she knew. Communication and trust goes both ways, but Clark and most of you think otherwise. I would have walked away and left his dopey a$$ standing there too.

[clark25]

Hey guys I loved this season's finale
and it was the best one I have seen in
five years.Anywho I think all the cast&
crew on the show really out done thereselfs.And to this epy made me think
lot of the Superman II storyline with the
whole Zod saga anywho what more can
I say about another great season of
Smallville see ya on CW in the fall
and hopefully at a earler time since
SV comes on late were I live

[Backward Galaxy]

Absolutely awful on every level. Some of the most laughably bad television I've ever seen... and I say that because normally when something's that bad, I turn it off... but this was like a train wreck... you can't help yourself, you just have to watch.

[aqua]

Originally posted by voytek
But didn't she ask him in the scene at the mansion? She said Clark, tell me what's going on. He lied. I am not saying she isn't selfish because she is but then so is Clark. And people keep saying she should be grateful or more understanding because he has saved her countless times, but one thing has nothing to do with the other. He saved Chloe numerous times but did that stop her from teaming up with Lionel in a move she did to hurt Clark for being with Lana? No. Chloe was angry and hurt and um....let's see--vindictive. Lana hasn't done anything like that. Lex asked her to meet him before things started going to hell. If she was still with Clark guess where she would be running? It makes sense for her to go to the one person she feels she can count on right now. Most criticism aimed at Lana can be applied to other characters. People say Lana was selfish because she wasn't concerned about Chloe. I didn't see Chloe picking up the phone to reach Lana either. But no one wants to talk about that because it's let's bash Lana 24/7. Hearing Clark say he needed to kill Lex didn't require her to jump to any conclusion and for the 100th time she gave him a chance to explain but he would not do it. But he wanted her to spill what she knew. Communication and trust goes both ways, but Clark and most of you think otherwise. I would have walked away and left his dopey a$$ standing there too.

My problem isn't that she went to meet him. Maybe it see if he was okay or something. But while a city is burning and people are dying, she wants to talk about her feelings? She knows his power, why not tell him to use it? That was so pathetic and selfish, I cannot see any defense for it. Sure, she might have needed comforting, but the dying people needed it much more then her.

[Pal-El]

Originally posted by aqua
My problem isn't that she went to meet him. Maybe it see if he was okay or something. But while a city is burning and people are dying, she wants to talk about her feelings? She knows his power, why not tell him to use it? That was so pathetic and selfish, I cannot see any defense for it. Sure, she might have needed comforting, but the dying people needed it much more then her.

Exactly. If it had been Clark, he would have done something to help instead of standing there like a lemon:\

[Liriel]

I mean, even if her mindset hasn't adjusted enough to think of Lex helping and heroing, she should at least have been really struck by what was happening in the city and the deaths and attacks and such instead of thinking about her relationship.

[voytek]

Originally posted by aqua
My problem isn't that she went to meet him. Maybe it see if he was okay or something. But while a city is burning and people are dying, she wants to talk about her feelings? She knows his power, why not tell him to use it? That was so pathetic and selfish, I cannot see any defense for it. Sure, she might have needed comforting, but the dying people needed it much more then her.

But you said she should have asked Clark/Chloe. I pointed out she did and you ignored it. She has no idea the extent of his powers yet. All she knows is he can stop bullets with his hand. There is no reason for her to think he stop the chaos. Plus Lana is not privy to what is happening the way Clark and Chloe are. She probably thinks it's a Y2K situation like everyone else in the world.

[myankskent]

Originally posted by Liriel
I mean, even if her mindset hasn't adjusted enough to think of Lex helping and heroing, she should at least have been really struck by what was happening in the city and the deaths and attacks and such instead of thinking about her relationship.

This remains to be seen. When she was talking to Lexod, she said in spite of everything going on out there, she was there for him. We need to see how she reacts in the premier because the premier should pickup right from where the finale ends.

[mttmtlnd]

Originally posted by Backward Galaxy
Absolutely awful on every level. Some of the most laughably bad television I've ever seen... and I say that because normally when something's that bad, I turn it off... but this was like a train wreck... you can't help yourself, you just have to watch.

ditto...

time to write a formal post after watching this episode twice...

This episode sucked...coming from someone who loves the show...coming from someone who is not scared to admit he's a smallville fanboy...coming from someone who last week was so pumped up about "vessel," he'd nearly forgotten about his tickets to the superman returns premiere.

I could list all the things found wrong with this episode, but it's been a day and I'm sure all of my complaints have been posted. So here's what I liked about the show.

1 - Lionel - Great!...Can't help but thinking he's STILL up to something...Rushing to Lex's aid, Martha & Lois/Brainiac...

2 - Chlana - That kiss was long deserved...

3 - Should be number uno...Jor-el "convenient" destruction of Zod's body...we saw Zod the first time Brainiac tried to release him...where is he now?

4 - Need I go on? Oh wait that was negative...how 'bout the phantom "bracelet?"....nope...negative...the missing scene...negative...Lex's phone call...? Oh Yes, The final scene...done rather well, 'cept for the fact that nothing before it made sense.

/me is hoping a kal-el/superman to return in season 6 and fix this mess...if not.../me expects a lex/clark escape from PZ ep...

[watcher4]

For me, the first words that come to mind when I think about Vessel is 'strange' and 'weird'. Maybe after reading more positive posts about it, the episode will start to make more sense to me. Last season, after the finale I thought,"WOW!". Last night I was thinkning,"Huh?". The flow-the pacing-just seemed off to me. There was some really good acting. Yet, I found myself forcing myself to continue watching the episode to the end. I wanted to like the episode more, I just didn't.:(

[CSBen]

-City/Planet Earth in chaos...
-Chloe looks like she's about to get raped...
-Zod released and ready to take revenge on conquer earth?...
-Martha and Lois unconscious on a plane heading?..somewhere...
-and the only man who can save the day is trapped for eternity in the phantom zone.

A great action packed episode I'm looking forward to see how they wrap this up!

[Spindrift]

It had its moments, but was ultimately a disappointment.

[DECKASTYLE]

I thought that the season finale last night was, without a doubt the best season finale of all time (smallville history)...the only downside was that there were too many cliffhangers.

How could anyone think that the season finale was a disappointment???? It was GREAT probably one of the best episodes (top 5) of all-time. And, the premier of next season will be history in the making.

[Kryptomaniac]

I couldn't tell what was going on last week, and it was they same this week. It was like a rush to tie up loose ends but the writers failed. So, I found it rather confusing.

KK delivered her BEST performance ever in this eppy. TW and the rest were sleepwalking????

BEST part? All the special effects. WOW. The FX were out of this world! Jaw-dropping. Really enjoyed this action.

WORST part? Lex being possessed by Zod. Gee, NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE ON SMALLVILLE....just every episode almost (somebody being possessed)...or "behavior change" as Craig calls it. I wanted to see the real Zod and I wanted him to be really scary.

All in all, very good season. I will truly miss JS as Jonathan next year. There is a void in the show which just bothers me terribly since JS left.

Rate this eppy 5 out of 5 but only for the great FX and an appearance by Shelby!:lol:

[otter]

Originally posted by voytek
More Lana bashing. What a surprise. Clark clearly isn't over Lana. Each time there is distance between them, he seeks her out and stirs it all up again. You notice she went to Chloe last night and not to Clark. He forced her hand and she made her choice and he can't live with it. And it wasn't a manipulation. It was an attempt to see if he really cared in her opinion. He does. But he lied again. All that did was add to her anger, which is totally justified. Are you saying she has no right to be pissed at him?

And to answer your question, he was pulled into the phantom zone. Zod threw the ring out the window and it yanked Clark out the barn door. But I think it was Lana's fault. I know she wasn't even there, but I'm just saving some of you the trouble and blaming her now.:lol:

My gosh, what a can of worms I opened to you, Voytek. I'm not trying to bash Lana, if it were anybody else speaking so cruelly and pushy to Clark I would hate them too. I'm all for Lana if she makes Clark happy. Clearly, she's not going to be the one to make him happy. And I'll admit it, he's not completely over her, I was just hoping he'd hear me. The writers have clearly written a no-return to CLana.

Clark did not seek her out in this epi at all. He dug through her stuff because she had info to help him stop the coming evil. Yeah, she had a right to be ticked then, but later when he told her he just wanted to help Lex (AND he was at the mansion looking for Lex, not Lana), she dug into him once again. And it IS manipulation. Would you ever say to someone, "If you ever truly cared for me, you'd tell me... " That is playing on his love for her, causing him guilt so he'll spill his guts. Just because she wants to know doesn't give her the right to know.

I don't know, hopefully, I didn't just tie myself into knots. I don't blame anything on Lana, I'm just tired of her mouth.

[Slytherin Princess]

Minus the Chlark Kiss, i liked Vessel very much. :)

[voytek]

Originally posted by otter
My gosh, what a can of worms I opened to you, Voytek. I'm not trying to bash Lana, if it were anybody else speaking so cruelly and pushy to Clark I would hate them too. I'm all for Lana if she makes Clark happy. Clearly, she's not going to be the one to make him happy. And I'll admit it, he's not completely over her, I was just hoping he'd hear me. The writers have clearly written a no-return to CLana.

Clark did not seek her out in this epi at all. He dug through her stuff because she had info to help him stop the coming evil. Yeah, she had a right to be ticked then, but later when he told her he just wanted to help Lex (AND he was at the mansion looking for Lex, not Lana), she dug into him once again. And it IS manipulation. Would you ever say to someone, "If you ever truly cared for me, you'd tell me... " That is playing on his love for her, causing him guilt so he'll spill his guts. Just because she wants to know doesn't give her the right to know.

I don't know, hopefully, I didn't just tie myself into knots. I don't blame anything on Lana, I'm just tired of her mouth.

She dug into him because she is fed up. Each time he opens his mouth, out comes a bunch of pitiful lies. And I know he went there looking for Lex but he needed info from Lana and thus asked her questions. Why would she tell him where to find Lex when she just heard him say he had to kill him? She even asked him to explain what happened to Lex--more dodging. He expects her to confide in him but then dodges her questions. It's a wonder she has not gone for his family jewels. He has treated her like a yo-yo and hell has no fury like a woman scorned. I'm tired of this. There is no point. We have to agree to disagree. But thank you for responding.

[smallvillecrazygurl04]

I loved this episode, It was great how they left you guessing at the end of the episode

[Miss L]

I loved this episode. I am so glad I wasn't spoiled beyond the episode description, because I think that made it a more enjoyable episode. I yelled and gasped and squeeled so much that my usually brave cat went and hid under the bed and my skittish cat tried to calm me down.

This is a kind of complicated storyline--Brainiac manipulating Lex into making a super!vaccine only to need the one dose to start Lex's change into a vessel--then unleashing a super-cyber-virus to throw the world into confusion. Then, knowing Clark can't kill, he manipulates him into throwing the knife at him instead. Lex had three stages to complete his transformation into Zod, and then his first act was to mind bump Clark into the Phantom Zone! Yikes! (Must admit, I wish the mind bump had been a little more overt--if only so I wouldn't have to get so irritated at viewers who actually believe that Clark would throw himself into the PZ--as if!).

And Lana does play a big part in this. She has been a big part of Clark's story since the beginning. Yes, she's flawed. Yes, she can get irritating. But remember--she doesn't really have a clue what's really going on. She doesn't know the extent of Lex's transformation. She thinks this is something terrible that is happening to Lex and she thinks she's being supportive in professing her loyalty. And even though I waver on Clark telling her/not telling her, at this point...it's moot.

I thought Clark was very mature in this episode. I thought he was really thinking things through. I liked it. I think he is making progress. I can't wait to see how he gets out of the PZ and fixes everything.

I'm not a Chlarker, but that was a good kiss.

Lionel hitting the windshield was amazingly shocking and I truly thought he was dead. Then when he rolled over, it kind of made me recognize/remember very clearly the show's comic strip roots. It was very cool and comic-y. So were the riots. It gave it a very comic-strip feel to me. I liked it. (And I refuse to believe Chloe would be violated. Not on Smallville.)

I liked this finale. I'm already dying for the DVDs and the premiere.

Sorry for rambling.:p

[myankskent]

Originally posted by voytek
She dug into him because she is fed up. Each time he opens his mouth, out comes a bunch of pitiful lies. And I know he went there looking for Lex but he needed info from Lana and thus asked her questions. Why would she tell him where to find Lex when she just heard him say he had to kill him? She even asked him to explain what happened to Lex--more dodging. He expects her to confide in him but then dodges her questions. It's a wonder she has not gone for his family jewels. He has treated her like a yo-yo and hell has no fury like a woman scorned. I'm tired of this. There is no point. We have to agree to disagree. But thank you for responding.

Outstanding....just outstanding. It's nice to see someone who actually analyzes the entire scene rather than just the end of it.

[voytek]

Originally posted by myankskent
Outstanding....just outstanding. It's nice to see someone who actually analyzes the entire scene rather than just the end of it.

Thank you. At times it's tough coming here because Lana can't do anything right. I get that many don't like her and that is perfectly fine but they constantly rake the character over the coals and excuse each and everything that Clark says or does. He ruined their relationship--not Lana.

[myankskent]

Originally posted by voytek
Thank you. At times it's tough coming here because Lana can't do anything right. I get that many don't like her and that is perfectly fine but they constantly rake the character over the coals and excuse each and everything that Clark says or does. He ruined their relationship--not Lana.

You're right, Lana has become an annoying character but how she has become annoying all goes back to Clark's actions. That scene in the mansion certainly proved that.

[Deana]

Originally posted by Spindrift
It had its moments, but was ultimately a disappointment.

I agree. I was yelling at my tv at Clark when Lex became Zod. "Run you big dumb idiot! Run!" But where was my brain, Chloe wasn't there to tell him to run so he just stood there.

[Daddylion]

I was laughing nearly all the way through the episode and for the life of me I couldn't really figure out why.

Anyway other than the laughter i didn't like it that much.

[Lt. Madmax]

The fight between Lex & Clark, I mean Lex laid it all out there and Clark came sooo close at making the first blow, but held back with all his strength stating "Lex you're not yourself right now" Lex-"Or maybe I am".

Emotion not only for that scene but for the episode as a whole was what made it great.

All these people who found the reason for disliking and judging this episode so harshly due to it's lack of Action. Well you shouldn't have expected it to be action-packed, to assume just cause Commencement what, had a count down to a Meteor Shower, of course it's going to have an underlying tension and the MS caused explosions. I mean don't get me wrong I enjoyed it right up to the FOS.
If Smallville only relied on action to support it's season Finale then I really don't think they could have developed the story to take it's next leap : "superhero". Which as we all see is exactly where they're taking us next season.

Having a Season Finale that was more emotional and character drivin is exactly what was needed and it was exactly what was accomplished. Have you thought that maybe Clark won the fight so soon cause Lex had only had his powers for an afternoon, Clark had the edge plus why throw more punches when he had the dagger on him. I have a feeling that if they decided to extend that fight scene your opinions would probably end up being " god that fight with Lex could've been shorter, I mean why didn't he use the knife earlier cause he had it on him the whole time".

His final decision to throw the knife at Brainiac was done cause he thought in killing him he would essentially save Lex, then what Brainiac stated earlier "that humanity is Kal-El's weakness" turned out to be exactly right. So Clark instead of coming out on top from his decisions like always, his decision not only ends up dooming him but dooms Earth as well, that isn't something he can attribute to fates doing It's clearly his fault. I mean you can't say that wasn't done well, and the impact significant.


And well as much as the possession of Lex by Zod was a little cliche, but hey I don't think we ever expected Lionel would be possessed by Jor-El bringing Clark back to life in the FOS.
But getting back to the point, a lot of people in the forum have stated that Zod being a powerful dictator, would make Clark kneel before him. Notice that before he even speaks to Clark, Zex waits until he's standing/looking down on Clark. Zex asks once for Clark to join him, when Clark refuses he doesn't even hesitate at getting rid of him. I know we all wanted a seperate person to play Zod(and there was the minor mistake of showing his blurry outline in "Solitude", but a minor mistake all the same), but is it really that bad cause he's played Zod well so far.

Anyways, I enjoyed the episode and am looking forward to Season 6. The suspense is a killer though.

Your Friendly Canuck,

oh and on a side note, it might be hard this time to have Lex forget everything once they find a way to rid Zod, as he found out about Clark BEFORE Zod inhabited him. Later then.

[Avoca Smallville buddy]

I thought it was great. I was also shocked by Lionel not getting killed by Lex. the Chlark kiss and finally Clark trapped in the phantom zone.

[All about Clark]

Originally posted by Manvir-El
that truly was a ending i did not suspect

I'm right there with you on that one.

I liked Vessel very much, but liked Commencement better. Commencement was more epic. Vessel was more dark. Both good but completely different. For me, some of the dark episodes are just a little too dark.

[myankskent]

Vessel didn't even come close to Commencement. Vessel failed to hit the emotional levels that Commencement hit. It was a finale that was just meant to be dark and contrived, IMO.

[sup3rp3t3]

i expected more action in VESSEL. some parts were useless. ORACLE probalby has more better parts then VESSEL. i really expected more. i dont really like those writers, at all. anybody else agree?

[luthorcorp]

its tough saying just yes or no should of included a middle of the road vote selection..... part of me likes it but on the other i was expecting a hell of alot more
on strength commencement rules the waves and this finale needed to measure up alongside the epic that is s4 finale either that or maybe even beat it! which in my opinion... didnt... it lacked somthing!!!

[Hydra]

No. I think the action is going to be in part two... in fact I didn't expect there to be too much physical action in this ep. Part ones are always filled with the expository stuff. It's neccesary.

[myankskent]

Originally posted by sup3rp3t3
i expected more action in VESSEL. some parts were useless. ORACLE probalby has more better parts then VESSEL. i really expected more. i dont really like those writers, at all. anybody else agree?

I agree. There wasn't nearly enough action. Clark and Lex throwing each other around was pretty bad. Plus, I thought the effects were pretty fake looking as well, it was like they spent all of the money on creating the fortress in the first episode and ran out of money to make some really cool effects for the finale. Even that red beam that was used to make Lex Zod looked pretty bad. But most importantly, I can live without the action if the episode gives me realistic characters and emotional scenes. But I didn't get nearly enough of those two elements.

Plus, here's another big problem that I have had with this season. It seems like the world that the writers have created don't need Clark Kent as Superman, they need JorEl or Lionel channeling JorEl. I mean, Clark dies in Hidden, JorEl saves him. Clark releases Zod in Vessel, and yet again, the real savior is going to end up being JorEl or a combination of him and Lionel. That really bothers me. It's like, Superman always messes up and there is always someone that can save him, in this case, it's always JorEl. Why can't Clark make some good decisions and save people without help from others for a change? Does that make any sense to anyone?

[All about Clark]

I do agree with you to a point. They have made Jor-el too important and too powerful. But these are Clark's forming years, and youths make alot of mistakes.

TPTB seem to want to hit home that Clark needs this FOS training in order to become Superman. But I do understand that Clark needs the technology side of what the FOS has to offer, since Braniac and Zod have that. It does make sense that a super man would need superior technology. So being that it makes sense I don't know why I'm bothered by him needing that training in order to become Superman. As for the trials and tribulations, I like that part of this story. I would want my Superman to be prepared for anything, because his experience is vast. What I don't like that TPTB have done, is to make his experience so tragic and it's a wonder he'll be sane at the end. I guess that's my beef too.

[myankskent]

Yeah, I know that Clark has to mess up a lot because he is not superman yet, but I guess I would rather see Clark get out of these situations on his own, rather than relying on help from others before he can take appropriate action himself. And the thing that really bothers me is that he gets help from JorEl, for example, and then he never goes to him unless he is in a time of crisis, and when he does go to him, he doesn't even listen to him. I want to see him spend some time at the fortress next season. It's clear that Clark will get out of the phantom zone because of JorEl, so there is no excuse for the training to not start in season 6.

[vyperman7]

The growing trend with Smallville since the first season has always been that the writers tend to pull out all the stops for the season premieres and the season finales. Due to the fact that the subject of this year's finale was going to be the arrival of Zod, I was extremely excited and I was expecting to be blown away. Unfortunately I was anything but.

Vessel was without a doubt the weakest and most dissapointing finale they have done. While the finale did have elements to it that I enjoyed, overall it was extremely dissapointing.John Glover (Lionel Luthor) recently went on record saying that the script for Vessel was thrown out at the last minute, and they they had to do a re-write right before the show aired. One has to wonder how bad the original version was if they felt this version was an improvement.

I love Smallville. But I have always felt that it was one of the worst written shows on television. There is no continuity, no solid story arcs, no major villains, and no character development. Vessel was another prime example of how bad Smallville's writing staff is.

The first and most blatent example of Smallville's bad writing is the fact that they reused the exact same lines from last season's finale Commencement. If you watch the scene with Clark and Lana before the meteor shower hits, and then watch the scene in Vessel where Clark and Chloe eventually kiss, they used almost exactly the same lines. The only difference was that it was Chloe instead of Lana. How lazy does the writing staff have to be, to re-use the exact same scene from last season's finale?

The second example of terrible writing is the lack of continuity this episode showed. Earlier in the season for the episode "Solitude" Zod himself was going to be released. That was the point of the episode. So why is it that he now needs a "vessel"? It is like they are writing two different shows. In the original story, Zod is simply trapped and he is released, body and all. Just like in the second Superman film. I wanted to see Zod himself. Would it have been too much trouble to hire an actor to play him? It is different with Jor-El and Lionel. Jor-El is dead. But how can someone who is supposed to be alive take over someone else's body?

Then to make matters worse, they have Zod take over Lex!!?? That was perhaps the worst move they have ever pulled. It is an easy way out on making Lex more evil. What is even more frustrating is that after Lex returns to normal in next season's premiere, his memory will be erased like it always is, and he won't remember a thing. This bugs me the most, because the one scene I really enjoyed was the Clark and Lex confrontation before the posession. But like always it will be for nothing. As fans of the show know by now, anytime anyone learns the secret for the most part, they are either killed off, or they end up having no memory of it.

The last reason why I was so dissapointed was because of all the focus on Lana and her most recent relationship with Lex. In an episode that was supposed to focus on Zod coming, almost the first 40 minutes is spent on Lex's change and Lana's feelings. Watch the S4 DVD featurette on the writing room. The writers that are interviewed are asked who their favorite character is to write. They all say Lana. If there was any doubt about Lana being the favorite, there is none after Vessel.

There are only two things worth mentioning from Vessel.

- The Clark and Lex confrontation before the posession was extremely well done. That is the scene I have been waiting for since I tuned in for the Pilot. Speaking of the Pilot, I have to admit that I was suprised to hear the bridge accident get a mention, considering the continuity is usually bad in this show. The fight could have been longer, but overall the scene was fantastic. "If you thought this friendship was doomed to fail, why did you fight to keep it for so long?" "I wanted everything you had!" That scene summed up the Clark and Lex relationship so well.

- Clark in the Phantom Zone was actually a great cliffhanger.

But unfortunately, Smallville has become a predictable show. Each finale ends with someone's life in danger, and Clark involved with the mythology. Then after the premiere, everything always goes back to normal. Zod will be taken care of by the end of the episode, and Lex will remember nothing, Chloe and Clark will still be friends, Clark and Lana will still be playing the angst card, and Lois and Martha's life will somehow be saved.

Overall I enjoyed season five. It was much better than season four. But I have to say that this finale did not leave me with a lot of hope for season six.

5/10

[Vulgan]

I thought that this was the best season finale of smallville yet. I mean the fight between Lex and Clark was good, the idiot throwing the moltov at the cop car and setting himself on fire was great, and the kiss between clark and chloe...that was good. Also at the end with Zod standing there kissing Lana with the chao below

[Sweetie]

I didn't like it...The only good thing in this ep is Michael's performance that's all.Another cliffhanger to make Clark looked stupid...How many times are they going to do that?Now,we have to beleive that this guy is going to be superman:rolleyes:

[jimmyolsenblues]

I am sticking to my guns, I loved the last 10 minutes of this episode.
Clark trapped, Zod free, great pic Sweetie.

This was good writing.

[myankskent]

Originally posted by vyperman7
The growing trend with Smallville since the first season has always been that the writers tend to pull out all the stops for the season premieres and the season finales. Due to the fact that the subject of this year's finale was going to be the arrival of Zod, I was extremely excited and I was expecting to be blown away. Unfortunately I was anything but.

Vessel was without a doubt the weakest and most dissapointing finale they have done. While the finale did have elements to it that I enjoyed, overall it was extremely dissapointing.John Glover (Lionel Luthor) recently went on record saying that the script for Vessel was thrown out at the last minute, and they they had to do a re-write right before the show aired. One has to wonder how bad the original version was if they felt this version was an improvement.

I love Smallville. But I have always felt that it was one of the worst written shows on television. There is no continuity, no solid story arcs, no major villains, and no character development. Vessel was another prime example of how bad Smallville's writing staff is.

The first and most blatent example of Smallville's bad writing is the fact that they reused the exact same lines from last season's finale Commencement. If you watch the scene with Clark and Lana before the meteor shower hits, and then watch the scene in Vessel where Clark and Chloe eventually kiss, they used almost exactly the same lines. The only difference was that it was Chloe instead of Lana. How lazy does the writing staff have to be, to re-use the exact same scene from last season's finale?

The second example of terrible writing is the lack of continuity this episode showed. Earlier in the season for the episode "Solitude" Zod himself was going to be released. That was the point of the episode. So why is it that he now needs a "vessel"? It is like they are writing two different shows. In the original story, Zod is simply trapped and he is released, body and all. Just like in the second Superman film. I wanted to see Zod himself. Would it have been too much trouble to hire an actor to play him? It is different with Jor-El and Lionel. Jor-El is dead. But how can someone who is supposed to be alive take over someone else's body?

Then to make matters worse, they have Zod take over Lex!!?? That was perhaps the worst move they have ever pulled. It is an easy way out on making Lex more evil. What is even more frustrating is that after Lex returns to normal in next season's premiere, his memory will be erased like it always is, and he won't remember a thing. This bugs me the most, because the one scene I really enjoyed was the Clark and Lex confrontation before the posession. But like always it will be for nothing. As fans of the show know by now, anytime anyone learns the secret for the most part, they are either killed off, or they end up having no memory of it.

The last reason why I was so dissapointed was because of all the focus on Lana and her most recent relationship with Lex. In an episode that was supposed to focus on Zod coming, almost the first 40 minutes is spent on Lex's change and Lana's feelings. Watch the S4 DVD featurette on the writing room. The writers that are interviewed are asked who their favorite character is to write. They all say Lana. If there was any doubt about Lana being the favorite, there is none after Vessel.

There are only two things worth mentioning from Vessel.

- The Clark and Lex confrontation before the posession was extremely well done. That is the scene I have been waiting for since I tuned in for the Pilot. Speaking of the Pilot, I have to admit that I was suprised to hear the bridge accident get a mention, considering the continuity is usually bad in this show. The fight could have been longer, but overall the scene was fantastic. "If you thought this friendship was doomed to fail, why did you fight to keep it for so long?" "I wanted everything you had!" That scene summed up the Clark and Lex relationship so well.

- Clark in the Phantom Zone was actually a great cliffhanger.

But unfortunately, Smallville has become a predictable show. Each finale ends with someone's life in danger, and Clark involved with the mythology. Then after the premiere, everything always goes back to normal. Zod will be taken care of by the end of the episode, and Lex will remember nothing, Chloe and Clark will still be friends, Clark and Lana will still be playing the angst card, and Lois and Martha's life will somehow be saved.

Overall I enjoyed season five. It was much better than season four. But I have to say that this finale did not leave me with a lot of hope for season six.

5/10

I agree strongly with this post, and I have a few things to add. The real problem with these finales is that they set up storylines that could be fleshed out the following season, but it never happens. Just go back to commencement. You had Lana killing Genevieve with the stone while possessed and instead of making the focus this year on Lex covering up the murder for Lana and then threatening her with it, they make a romance instead. Now the whole stone murder is completely gone. Another thing, the Lex/Chloe confrontation at the end of Commencement in the caves. Why not flesh that out during season 5. We got a small scene with them in Mortal and that was it. How about Lex trying to push Chloe into telling him about what happened? Also, Lana giving Clark the stone was ridiculous given the fact that it was never mentioned in season 5. How about Lana asks Clark what he did with the stone and how about we get some clarification why exactly Lana gave Clark the stone in the first place? These are all small storylines that were started in Commencement but were never explored in season 5 and now it's too late. Once again, I fear that there will be things in season 5 that will never be mentioned again in season 6, things that can provide some good story arcs.

And as for Vessel, it just seemed like a FOTW episode with Lex being the freak. The riots were very unrealistic and judging by what is going on, it would take months to repair the damage caused by the riots, but in the second episode of season 6, the riots will be over and all of the buildings will be repaired. If you want to show chaos, show it realistically. Don't show huge chaotic scenes in short periods of time and then with the flick of a switch, everything goes back to normal. Every computer technician in the world now knows what kryptonian symbols look like because they appeared on everyone's computer screen. Are people going to perform investigations on what the cause of the computer shutdown was or is this going to become a distant memory to everyone as well. Once again, if you make these storylines effect the world, you need to show how the rest of the world interprets this event, rather than just concentrating on Clark and Smallville. I fear that they won't do this though, it will all be over by the 2nd episode of season 6 and no one will question this event.

[mfarhaniqbal33]

i loved but the part where they didnt end have a 2 hours show which i was waiting for

[Fly by guy]

I've been ranting about continuity and stories lines that are never flesh out until my finger ache. I was reminded not to bash and try to say something good.
This season started out great and turned to crap. Vessel's biggest accomplishment is that it ended the season. That is GOOD.

[luthorcorp]

vyperman i totally agree that we should of seen the real zod i was very much looking forward to seeing him no matter who played him
don't know about anyone else but it took me out the moment to think they would use lexes body as a vessel!! its wayyyyy tooooo unbelievable
and cheap plus how many times now have they used this same old tripe about body-swaps... once or twice is fine but smallville has tipped the scales I'm afraid

[CK&CK]

Originally posted by myankskent
Vessel didn't even come close to Commencement. Vessel failed to hit the emotional levels that Commencement hit. It was a finale that was just meant to be dark and contrived, IMO.

Obviously, we don't agree, because I thought the episode was AWESOME! (except for Zod's body having been destroyed.....maybe if it had been a result of his first attempt at escape in "Solitude" then it might have been acceptable....but hey, I can live with that).

Of course I loved the Chlark Kiss, but a couple of other moments also blew me away.....and they were:

Fine Talking to Clark, and then ending it with his ominious "Enjoy the Show".......Wow!.......Brianic gave me the chills with that line!


Lex talking to Clark just before he becomes ZOD....."Well, at least I walked away with the part you love most"

The way Lex walks over to Clark and talks "down" to him as ZOD.....Lex as ZOD?....Oh yeah!....I BELIEVE!.....I BELIEVE! That was awesome!

huh......what's that ZOD?.......Oh yeah........my bad......I'm kneeling....I'm Kneeling.

[JorEl23]

Originally posted by myankskent
I agree strongly with this post, and I have a few things to add. The real problem with these finales is that they set up storylines that could be fleshed out the following season, but it never happens. Just go back to commencement. You had Lana killing Genevieve with the stone while possessed and instead of making the focus this year on Lex covering up the murder for Lana and then threatening her with it, they make a romance instead. Now the whole stone murder is completely gone. Another thing, the Lex/Chloe confrontation at the end of Commencement in the caves. Why not flesh that out during season 5. We got a small scene with them in Mortal and that was it. How about Lex trying to push Chloe into telling him about what happened? Also, Lana giving Clark the stone was ridiculous given the fact that it was never mentioned in season 5. How about Lana asks Clark what he did with the stone and how about we get some clarification why exactly Lana gave Clark the stone in the first place? These are all small storylines that were started in Commencement but were never explored in season 5 and now it's too late. Once again, I fear that there will be things in season 5 that will never be mentioned again in season 6, things that can provide some good story arcs.

And as for Vessel, it just seemed like a FOTW episode with Lex being the freak. The riots were very unrealistic and judging by what is going on, it would take months to repair the damage caused by the riots, but in the second episode of season 6, the riots will be over and all of the buildings will be repaired. If you want to show chaos, show it realistically. Don't show huge chaotic scenes in short periods of time and then with the flick of a switch, everything goes back to normal. Every computer technician in the world now knows what kryptonian symbols look like because they appeared on everyone's computer screen. Are people going to perform investigations on what the cause of the computer shutdown was or is this going to become a distant memory to everyone as well. Once again, if you make these storylines effect the world, you need to show how the rest of the world interprets this event, rather than just concentrating on Clark and Smallville. I fear that they won't do this though, it will all be over by the 2nd episode of season 6 and no one will question this event.

I have to agree for the most part with these posters. Vessel was GARBAGE, easily the WORST finale of any season. Sure it had alot of cool moments and FX stuff, but take away all the fluff and its a crap story. I am SO annoyed with the way the season culminated. If I didn't love everything this show used to be, I wouldn't even watch season 6.

No matter how you slice it, the "possession" still makes no sense regardless of JorEl's explanation.

The whole evolution of Lana into a nasty ho with no recollection of her past with Clark or Lex is almost as hard to watch as Vito and Jim on the Sopranos...

The Chloe kiss was unnecessary and uncalled for...

How Lois went from ZERO exposure to a MAJOR player overnight is also ridiculously unseemless.

Nothing could possibly surprise me anymore as unrealistic/contrived plotlines go so just how Clark gets out of the PZ should make for a good laugh at the very least....

I've got it....Lion El goes around the globe and collects sugar, spice, and everthing nice turns it into a serum, injects it into Chloe and she becomes the "vessel " for Kal El who in turn saves Lois/Martha and then sends Zod back to the PZ......

The theme of Season 5: STUPIDITY

[savingpeoplething]

I really loved Vessel :)

Things I liked:

- Opening sequence in the field with Lex being taken into the spaceship...one of the best of the show, in my opinion.
- Lana finding out about Lex's new-found powers
- Lex/Clark scene in the barn, with Lex becoming the vessel for Zod.
- The Color Schemes of Good Vs. Evil (Ex. Chloe, wearing white, Lana in black at the DP)...that might just be me, but I enjoyed it :)
- Brainiac's line "and so it begins" or whatever he said...chilling moment!
- The Chlark Kiss (the DP Logo behind them, the Superman theme horns, the Phone Booth ringing...beautiful)
- Lana kicking the stranger in the streets. It made me feel like she is gone...no comin' back to the good side for her :)
- I REALLY loved Lex/Zod at the end, standing on top of Luthorcorp because he's loving the destruction. All in black, on top of the world, feeling superior to everyone...nice...
- Clark in the Phantom Zone has me asking lots of questions, so needless to say, I'm in suspense until the premiere next Fall.

Overall, I really really liked the episode! Had it all for me and made me want to keep watching, so I have nothing but good things to say :)

[Eckyboy]

Agree with myankskent and JorEl23. Vessel was totally shocking and gets worse every time I watch it. go back and watch Season 1 of Smallville and then watch Seasons 4 and 5 and it is like watching a different show. The writing is atrocious and Lex as Zod is the most cheap lame trick the writers have pulled yet. The whole point of killing off Johnathan Kent was so that Clark could step up to the plate and become a man instead we have Jor-El, Lionel and Chloe all guiding him and helping him out of every situation. Vyperman7 is bang on when he says Season1 Clark was more like Superman than the current Clark. I am dreading what will happen to Season 6 and this great icon.

[azi]

Originally posted by Eckyboy
Agree with myankskent and JorEl23. Vessel was totally shocking and gets worse every time I watch it. go back and watch Season 1 of Smallville and then watch Seasons 4 and 5 and it is like watching a different show. The writing is atrocious and Lex as Zod is the most cheap lame trick the writers have pulled yet. The whole point of killing off Johnathan Kent was so that Clark could step up to the plate and become a man instead we have Jor-El, Lionel and Chloe all guiding him and helping him out of every situation. Vyperman7 is bang on when he says Season1 Clark was more like Superman than the current Clark. I am dreading what will happen to Season 6 and this great icon.

Unfortunatly I have to agree with you.

[RPMSDB]

Keep in mind that Smallville is a Clark Kent coming of age story with some ties to comics/superman movie, BUT THAT's SOME TIE's.

Al & Miles have always made it clear that Smallville was using the Base Mythology to create IT's OWN STORY. Smallville does not have to adhere to any rules or guidelines.

I know this is a quote from Lt. Madmax. Sorry, I haven't figured out how to reply with a quote.

Anyway, if you check out http://www.wikipedia.org/ you can get a general back story for Superman, as well Smallvile. If you take the time to read the different versions of Superman throughout the years, you'll see that each 'generation' has its own view of how it should be portrayed.

That is exactly what we have seen with Smallville. I know we have seen many things that aren't tied in with the original Superman. That is called creative license.

However, permission does have to be given by DC because they own the rights. They will allow some things to happen, but not others. Examples: the timing of Jonathan's death; Lois being in Smallville.

Basically, it's all up to the people at DC. They get the final say so. Maybe that was one reason for them buying the rights to Chloe.

On the most part I did enjoy Vessel. It wasn't perfect. What is?

The car crash was one of my favorite scenes. The way it was done had a very Superman vibe to it.

My least favorite was the PZ. I'm sorry, but it just made me laugh.

[christian_kryptonian]

It was a good episode overall. But there were too many times I was left saying, "WHAT???" and that bothers me. They didn't explain much of anything so I hope they decide to do some explaining in Season 6. I'm just greatful there is gonna be a season 6 to explain things in or would be "super" pissed.

[kkjdt]

I found myself doing the same thing I read that the reason they had to do a rewrite was because of budget and some of the scenes that explained what was going on was cut... maybe they will be on the DVD...

[LivingInSmallville]

I have to agree with christian_kryptonian....i said to myself 'WHAT' a few too many times. And the ending scene where Clark is shown in the PZ looks so strange, its beyond words....it keeps us guessing for next season thats for sure, but i'm fearful that Lex will have no memory of whats happened once Zod leaves his body (that happens far too often in SV)

[Joelito]

I liked it, but I could be better