One of the better filler episodes

[sprmansmyhero]

Although it was obvious that this was a filler episode, I thought it was a pretty inventive, interesting episode. I still enjoyed watching it. It had a hard act to follow with Justice, but I think it was better than Thirst or Lucy. And Tom lookes especially beautiful!!! And really, thats all a Smallville needs. Agree?

[darkraya]

i dont care if it was a filler episode. it was awsome!

[MidgardDragon]

It wasn't even really filler. Check out the other topic on this to see why it wasn't filler.

[Sydafex7]

Ummm definitely filler. Sorry.

First off, they needed to rap of the dream a lot earlier and let us spend more time with Martian Manhunter and the Phantom. I mean come on. Okay so the Phantom's power is mind games. I get that. But what a cheap way to get rid of one! We didnt get that much more time with Manhunter than we did in "Static"! We got to see his face and actually get to see him and hear him talk. but other than that I didnt LEARN ANYTHING about him except for the fact that he can enter people's minds. And actually I already knew that before. This was DEFNINITELY a filler ep. I dont care what anyone says. The writing was good the direction was good yes, but that doesnt mean it wasnt a filler. Was the season story line furthered along any, besides getting rid of one more phantom? Nope.


I wouldnt have had a problem with it if they would spend 45 minutes on the dream and then given us 15 minutes of learning about John Jones (not spelling it the weird way sorry) and the phantom and how he knows about the phantoms and Clark. Shoot I wouldnt even get rid of the ending. I liked the run in with Lana and Lex and the look she gave him.

We all know there is another episode coming with John Jones. Yes I know they will explain a lot in that episode. But WHY drag this character out like they have? They teased us with him in "Static" okay fine. Then they tease us some more with this episode.

with Aqua man, Impulse, Cyborg sometimes I feel they rushed them by cramming them all into one episode. I'm not saying to do that with John Jones. Im just saying balance it out a little. Teaser is fine. But this episode shouldve had an actual conversation with Clark, a little about himself and he phantom. Then give us another one with him and completely unveil him to us.

Did you guys notice that the screenshots T.V. guide had of this episode (with him and John talking, John with an Oreo, etc) werent even in the episode? It felt like a lot of the John Jones stuff was either cut out or those screen shots are from a future episode with him in it.

I dunno, as a whole, It felt like nothing really happened that interested me. The mind thing wouldve interested me if I found out more about it. But all in all. This was a Filler disguised as an important episode.

[xrayvision]

Not a filler. It set up what I'm thinking is the storyline behind the season finale after reading another post (the Argentina phantom, which I think is the one who attacked him, is trying to get him to free all the zoners in the PZ). It also introduced the MM and showed a lot of stuff that was in Clark's mind about his past with several characters and portrayed his fears.

[Laguine]

IMO it was definitely a filler episode. And I use to hate filler episode but this one was great. They made a good job.

[BadToad]

This episode had Martian Manhunter, and a 'zoner attack Clark. Definitely NOT a filler.

[Sydafex7]

Originally posted by BadToad
This episode had Martian Manhunter, and a 'zoner attack Clark. Definitely NOT a filler.

It doesnt matter. How many new things did you learn that you didnt know before?


Originally posted by Laguine
IMO it was definitely a filler episode. And I use to hate filler episode but this one was great. They made a good job.

Agreed. It was a good filler episode.

[MidgardDragon]

Originally posted by Sydafex7
It doesnt matter. How many new things did you learn that you didnt know before?



Agreed. It was a good filler episode.

For those that haven't read the spoilers, they learned:

Martian Manhunter is afraid of fire.

Martian Manhunter is from Mars (a given if you know his name, but they've not actually given his name on the show.)

A Zoner wants to unite the Zoners to take over Earth. A likely scenario not only for the Zoner that was captured, but for the others that are left, too.

Clark definitely still loves Lana. Almost a given, but I think this is where it was announced officially.

The better question is what did Clark learn? A big one, that Lana is an obstacle for him and that she is not The Most Important Thing (TM). He could have lived in his mind with her forever, but he chose to save the real world instead. Also, what did Chloe learn? That Clark still loves Lana but also definitely thinks even higher of her than she realized. Lana and Lex learned that Clark can actually be civil, and as for what changed, relationship-wise, the Clexana triangle has shifted to a different perspective.

It's not all about huge reveals, filler episodes just don't have this much storyline advancement.

[Sydafex7]

You learned all of that? well. To be fair. Let me go watch it again. I didnt see a lot of what you said you learned.

We already knew Clark still loved Lana. Hes said several times in several episodes that he will always love her, no matter what. The fact that Chloe means a lot to him is pretty known. Even if it hasnt been said by Clark exactuly its been implied. He trusts her with his secret and theyve had several deep conversations. Kinda already knew that too.

MM afraid of fire. wow. To be fair, Krypto was a filler right? But we learned a lot about Luthorcorp and also that Clark may have a furture dog named Krypto. Thats new info. Was that a filler? There have been TONS of fillers that have revealed new info about things but people still consider them fillers.. Why is this one different?

Storyline advancement? How can you say this when they spent 9I know I looked at the timer) 55 minutes on ONE BIG DREAM and 5 MINUTES rapping everything up??

[PKII]

Finally a good filler episode. Way better than any dealing with vampires. :lol:

[MidgardDragon]

MM afraid of fire. wow.

Considering his character is supposed to play a larger role later this season, yes, that is important information. As for your final questions, you asked what we learned, as if learning things is a reason for it to not be filler, and then you take it back and say because we've learned things in other fillers this one still is one. A bit wishy-washy if you asked me.

As I said, the main reason it isn't filler is because it advanced season-long arcs such as Clexana, Clark and MM, the Zoners (the Zoners FFS, are the main season-long villain). It also advanced series long arcs such as Clark's obsession with Lana and it getting in the way of what's truly important, and Clark's feeling about those around him (notice his reaction to Martha being married to Lionel). Perhaps the subtleties of plot-advancement that takes place mainly in a characters mind are lost on some, but they are still there wether you'd like to admit it or not.

ETA - And for the record this is the last I have to say about this.

[xrayvision]

It's not a filler since the main storyline dealt with the state of mind Clark was in due to one of the characters that is a part of the major season arc---a zoner (more specifically a phantom, who is still on the loose and is likely to be the big baddie of the season).

[Sydafex7]

I dont think you understand what Im saying. I didnt go back on anything at all. All Im saying is people say this ISNT a filler because we learn a few things. Based on that there are TONS of episodes that we all consider fillers that shouldnt be considered fillers at all because we "learned a few things"

I never said we didnt learn anything in this episode. I thought I had made it clear that I believe we did learn things, but nothing big enough to take it out of the filler category.

I'm mearly saying that ya'lls reasons for saying this isnt a filler are Wishy washy.

And please dont think I didnt enjoy it. I did. It was a well done episode. But I left feeling that nothing really happened that's all that important to the grand scheme of things.


Perhaps the subtleties of plot-advancement that takes place mainly in a characters mind are lost on some, but they are still there wether you'd like to admit it or not.

Well damn. based on that there are many many many mopre episodes that shouldnt be classified as filler but are.



Originally posted by xrayvision
It's not a filler since the main storyline dealt with the state of mind Clark was in due to one of the characters that is a part of the major season arc---a zoner (more specifically a phantom, who is still on the loose and is likely to be the big baddie of the season).

so he escaped? How. I thought I saw MM capture him....

[xrayvision]

I don't consider it a non-filler because we learned new stuff, but instead because the dream that was imposed on Clark is part of the main arc of the season (the zoners and their plans for Clark). That to me means it's not a filler.


Originally posted by Sydafex7
so he escaped? How. I thought I saw MM capture him....

I could have sworn I saw him leave the barn away from the crystal & out the window. I don't think MM's crystal could trap a phantom like Jor-El's could.

[Sydafex7]

Originally posted by xrayvision
I don't consider it a non-filler because we learned new stuff, but instead because the dream that was imposed on Clark is part of the main arc of the season (the zoners and their plans for Clark). That to me means it's not a filler.



I could have sworn I saw him leave the barn away from the crystal & out the window. I don't think MM's crystal could trap a phantom like Jor-El's could.


The dream isnt part of the main story arch at all... And what do you mean their "Plans for Clark" I didnt hear anything about that. I heard their plan to take over thw world. not their plan for Clark though.

I just watched it. He didnt leave the barn, MM sucked him out of clark into the cyrstal.

Sorry but Clarks fears arent new to me. I mean I can tell that hed get upset if his motehr married Lionel. Is that not known to some people? Did people see that and think "What? Well know we know clark wouldnt like his mother being involved with Lionel" Come on. There are things people are saying they learned from this episode that have been implied in other episodes.

[xrayvision]

But for them to take over the world, they must either neutralize Clark by making him a zombie (which they tried to do here) or kill him. So since they tried to have him join them and there was a zoner involved (and caused the entire dream/nightmare), I would say it's not a filler since at the main story of the season progresses, we will find out that it is related to it and is one of the building blocks of that story. It may be best to wait before judgement.

[Sydafex7]

Well Upon a second viewing I saw and heard a lot that I missed. Shelby constantly barking throughout was a nice touch. First view it just seemed like a creepy noise was playing to further the dream effect. I get it now. The fact that SHelby is what finally made Clark realize he was dreaming added a nice touch. I will say this: THis episode had awesome detail and didnt leave anything out. I thad good connections with other things in Smallville history and it was very well written, acted and shot. I still say however that they didnt spend enough time with MM and the phantom. I wouldve loved to have seen more Phil Morris and less dream. The pics that were released with MM and Clark in the loft werent even in the Epi. That annoys me. The ending seemed rushed. They went through a lot at the end and it seemed crammed in. Whatever. To me, its the BEST filler episode of the series. Thats a huge compliment.

[scttlbgh]

Originally posted by xrayvision
I could have sworn I saw him leave the barn away from the crystal & out the window. I don't think MM's crystal could trap a phantom like Jor-El's could.

I saw the phantom captured by the crystal. Maybe they will explain MM's crystal later.

[cazman_uk]

A cracking filler episode some have pointed out that its similar to other shows that have been done but since I haven't seen them this was a beauty of a filler. It kept me entertained saved them a couple of thousand bucks that'll probably go toward the budget of the next big bang story. Enjoyed all round though

[Peat Moss]

this far into this type of series, you can't really do fillers. This is more of a filler than others, I would say. But like I said, no complete fillers. What I would consider wholy a non-filler is one like Zod, Oracle, etc. They don't only have to advance the plot, they have to drastically change it. But if a filler is one you can miss and still completely know what's going on, it's not filler. If a filler is one you can miss and guess mostly what happened without too much confusion, then this was a filler. Character development does not really make something a non-filler, since a good show will have such development in every episode.
Slightly off-topic, I though MM used Clark's pentagon crystal. Could someone post a screenshot to disprove this?

[Sydafex7]

well, Lets just say, My friend missed this episode and still new exactly what was going on next week. To me, that makes it a filler. It was still a bad ass episode though.