PLEASE, no more FOTW's

[galatians221]

The Linda Lake thing was so stupid and just contributed nothing to a really fine episode. I"ve always maintained that this obsession with FOTW's detracts from the uniqueness of Clark or Superman. He becomes just another freak and I hope that the writers can figure out something else to do. I"m OK with the Zoners that escaped and the whole Zod thing but these inane freaks that chatter their teeth or turn into water just take away tremendously from the uniqueness of Superman.

[SuperFan85]

Supermans not really unique in a sense. What about all the other superheroes, who possess powers of super strength or flight or anything like that? I didnt really care for Tori Spelling in the episode and i feel her role wasnt that important, but her "ability" was, which caused various conflicts in the storyline and furthered the emotional development of the characters

[galatians221]

Originally posted by SuperFan85
Supermans not really unique in a sense. What about all the other superheroes, who possess powers of super strength or flight or anything like that? I didnt really care for Tori Spelling in the episode and i feel her role wasnt that important, but her "ability" was, which caused various conflicts in the storyline and furthered the emotional development of the characters

It's a question of whether Smallville is to be a drama or a comic book series. This is why I liked Superman Returns and why I like Smallville over the Chris Reeve movies; they are dramas. The Adventures of Superman with George Reeves was a straight drama and they fought serious crimes. I don't like the Justice League and all of this other superhero stuff. Batman is in huge trouble if there's a traffic jam. There's only one superhero for me and if some want the others, let them have their own show. The Martian whatever means nothing to me. Do we want a fantasy show or a drama based on a very unique individual? I don't want fantasy beyond the amazement of a super human man of steel who can fly and who is dedicated to saving the human race. That's enough for me, the other stuff detracts from Superman imho.

[xrayvision]

Well, with Superman being a comic book character, you have to acknowledge episodes with comic stuff also. I have no doubt that the mythos related episodes that have a good balance of stuff derived from comics with drama are the best and had the highest ratings. Just take a look at season 2's ratings. They were the highest the show ever had. I remember there was a slight drop during season 3. And from then on it dropped steadily.

If by comic book series you mean having other characters from other comics, I would agree with you that overdoing it is bad. I like the occasional intro of other superheroes like Bart, AC, and Victor. Smallville was the first Superman show ever to acknowledge other heroes, and I loved that they did this. I just don't like the overuse of the GA this season, even though I think they did a very good job with him. I think that takes away time to develop Clark and have him to bigger & better things (like training).

But if they made a Justice League show with the same actors & characters that play Aquaman, Flash/Impulse, Cyborg, and Green Arrow, I would definitely watch it.

And I do like the FOTW's when done properly. I think with 33.1 coming up (finally) it's a must that they bring some in. Not doing 33.1 sooner was a mistake, though I could understand them wanting to wait until Lex was portrayed more evil. 33.1 is a very interesting arc and will show what Lex is truly about. I am looking forward to Clark's discovery of it, as it will generate classic Superman-Lex Luthor battles, though they will be covert.

[freefall]

FOTWs are fine, when they help to move the story along and contribute to characters' developments. Two examples I can think off my head right now are Recruit (Geoff in a way gave Clark an insight of what could happen to himself if he didn't drop his football career) and also Blank (one of the best portrayals of Chloe's and Clark's strong friendship).

Even back in S1, I believe the purpose of having FOTW is to kick off the ground gradually, in terms of showing how Clark's getting a handle on his powers and how to use it in certain situations/dangers involving the FOTWs.

Personally, I don't mind FOTW so much as long as it's properly done and doesn't overshadow the more important aspects of Smallville.

[jimmyolsenblues]

the sad fact is the limitation of the writer's and plot without the fotw.
i would love to see the show evolve where Clark is fighting actual criminials who did not develop their "super" powers with out kryptonite.
There are plenty of stories of mythology, dc comics, marvel sci, shakespear, and whatever else, where the bad guy did not pass through smallville during a meteor storm.

[chlarkfan333]

I have no problem with FOTWs or Zoners. Regular humans wouldn't be much of a challenge to Clark and the only two who are (the Luthors) are almost always playing villain to his hero. Now, if you say no more soap-operaish drama, I'm with you all the way!:)

[MarkAllan22]

I have no problem with FotWs, when they help move the storyline forward, like Linda Lake did. Most of the time, we have a FotW that is just there because TPTB need a filler episode to make 22 for a season because they're brain dead.

If the FotW serves a purpose beyond 'I LOVE LANA!' or some other stupid crap, I have no problem with them.

[j-kent]

Why does it feel like Linda Lake's power and stuff has already been used?

[InLove_with_Chloe]

I happen to like the FOTWs, actually...

[Mysticlies]

actually this FOTW, was probably one of the best in a long long time. She actually added to the plot of the show, unlike the FOTWs before her.

[InLove_with_Chloe]

Originally posted by Mysticlies
actually this FOTW, was probably one of the best in a long long time. She actually added to the plot of the show, unlike the FOTWs before her.
Exactly. Actually the phantoms were more of a disappointment this season, no?

[xrayvision]

Originally posted by seacrystal
FOTWs are fine, when they help to move the story along and contribute to characters' developments. Two examples I can think off my head right now are Recruit (Geoff in a way gave Clark an insight of what could happen to himself if he didn't drop his football career) and also Blank (one of the best portrayals of Chloe's and Clark's strong friendship).

Even back in S1, I believe the purpose of having FOTW is to kick off the ground gradually, in terms of showing how Clark's getting a handle on his powers and how to use it in certain situations/dangers involving the FOTWs.

Personally, I don't mind FOTW so much as long as it's properly done and doesn't overshadow the more important aspects of Smallville.

Very good points. As much as I hated Recruit and the whole football arc of S4, I think Geoff Johns served his purpose. I also think he would make a good addition in 33.1 with his power.

There are several FOTW's that had cool powers and definitely have a score to settle with Clark who I would like to see return:

-Derek Fox & Scott Bowman (the surviving tattoo freaks from Kinetic)

-Lee & the Twins (from Mortal; were super-pissed at Clark)

-Tyler McKnight (hated Fragile, but Clark stopping him from being with his daughter along with his glass powers would be a cool addition for 33.1)

-Eric Marsh & his buddies (not freaks in Witness, but after years of roid therapy from Lex could become freaks)

-Eric Summers (don't know if you can consider him a freak since his leeching abilities were totally dependent on external factors like lightning & kryptonite; since Shawn Ashmore's twin brother is Jimmy Olsen, I doubt they would bring him back; but it would be cool seeing him leech another one of the JLA's powers)

-Yang from the Vengeance Chronicles (that guy was cool with his abilities to control & manipulate all forms of energy, though he was presented as a hero)

-Jed McNally (the mole of 33.1, hehe)

-Byron Moore (from Nocturne; who knows how badly Lex messed him up all those years Luthorcorp decided to take "care" of him)

[Krypton935]

I like the FOTWs and Zoners. Hydro was a great way to get alot of secrets out in the open like the proposal and baby. It was a great way to have it come out rather then have lana tell everyone or something.

[Mysticlies]

Originally posted by InLove_with_Chloe
Exactly. Actually the phantoms were more of a disappointment this season, no?

I agree... the phantoms weren't written as good as they could have been.