Smallville

[Gaddabout]

I've caught this from time to time and thought it was OK, just never really got into it for reasons I'm not sure. I get the gist of the show, the meteor crashing being the fulcrum point for all the mysterious stuff, Clark Kent's struggle to keep his secret and maintain a low profile as a teenager etc.

Should I still start with Season 1 if I wanted to start watching this, or is there a better season where I could start and get caught up at a faster pace?

 

[Louis]

I agree that bringing the towers down was a major turning point in his character development. Though the next episode (or 2 episodes later) Zod gets powers anyway which should continue to work the story of these 2 being on different sides.

I wonder if Zod is going to let the others know he got his powers? Or how he did? Will he try to capture Clark to get his people the powers or will he not share his powers and hide them from the Candorians?

 

[Louis]

Gadd,

I think that you could essentially watch the show without having to go back to season 1. Though I do think you would need to go back a few seasons because a lot of the storyline and subplots are continuances of the last couple of seasons.

Basically post-high school or Lex's last season.

 

[Chaplin]

Gadd,

I think that you could essentially watch the show without having to go back to season 1. Though I do think you would need to go back a few seasons because a lot of the storyline and subplots are continuances of the last couple of seasons.

Basically post-high school or Lex's last season.

You could probably get away with watching from senior year on, maybe even from when the show switched to Metropolis and on (with the introduction of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow).

But for the full effect you'd have to start from the beginning. Because you wouldn't want to miss the awesomeness that is PETE!

And it's still cool to see Clark discovering his powers.

 

[Pariah]

I didn't care for season 1 as much as subsequent seasons. I forget when it morphed from the "freak of the week" angle to more of a serial series. Once it did that they really embraced the interesting perspective of the show, that is, everyone knows how it ends, but the twists, turns and mysteries involved in getting Clark to become Superman.

 

[Pariah]

As for Clark taking out the towers, I think you have to assume he checked the area for anyone that might get hurt in advance of the act. That's a pretty simple thing for him to do--I don't think he did it recklessly.

JMHO

 

[Mike Olbinski]

You could probably get away with watching from senior year on, maybe even from when the show switched to Metropolis and on (with the introduction of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow).

But for the full effect you'd have to start from the beginning. Because you wouldn't want to miss the awesomeness that is PETE!

And it's still cool to see Clark discovering his powers.

Or the hatefulness that is Lana

 

[Mike Olbinski]

As for Clark taking out the towers, I think you have to assume he checked the area for anyone that might get hurt in advance of the act. That's a pretty simple thing for him to do--I don't think he did it recklessly.

JMHO

I guess so, but I just didn't see it that way. I realize he made it look like an accident, so he couldn't just pick up the building and dump it into the ocean, but maybe you are right.

It just didn't seem obvious to me that he checked...I mean, anyone could have walked by while he was standing up there pondering if he should blow it away or not.

It felt reckless for him, but maybe it was more the idea that he finally DID something.

 

[Chaplin]

I guess so, but I just didn't see it that way. I realize he made it look like an accident, so he couldn't just pick up the building and dump it into the ocean, but maybe you are right.

It just didn't seem obvious to me that he checked...I mean, anyone could have walked by while he was standing up there pondering if he should blow it away or not.

It felt reckless for him, but maybe it was more the idea that he finally DID something.

Maybe it was a bad part of town and really late at night, so he didn't care.

 

[Covert Rain]

I could careless if Chloe goes on the show. I was hoping several times that her character would go. She just doesn't "fit" IMO. Clark has outgrown her. I also don't like that they took the "Watch Tower" concept from the comics and gave it to her character just so she has something to do. I would like to see them move on from her character. Plus if they can get you know who to come back.........that would be awesome.

 

[Louis]

So great season finale IMO.

Lois/Clark storyline is excellent.

Hopefully, Zod story is over. Hopefully Tess is dead, though doubtful.

Obviously, Lex's return is on the horizon.

 

[Chaplin]

Just a spectacular finale. One of the best in it's 9 year run. They seem to finally be putting the pieces together.

 

[Covert Rain]

Good finale. For me the show started to get stale but with Clark taking steps towards accepting his destiny and trying to fulfill it....it saved the show for me. The costume his mom made (seeing the reflection in Clark's eyes) was freaking AWESOME. Having said that, I like the black "prototype" he has been wearing.

Some things I would like to see next season are...Clark finally learning to fly. Enough is enough. With Clark's age being what it is....it is just not believable any longer that Clark can't fly. It just doesn't work anymore. I know they are trying to strike a delicate balance but lets face it....Smallville has been on for 9 seasons now. It's time.

Also, it's time to retire this "blur" business. I know what they are trying to do but the problem is the longer the use of the "blur" goes on, the more it seems like the "blur" is an actual super hero of it's own. The show is not about the "blur" but it seems that way as of late. The show has deviated from cannon a bit but the core of it is intact. The longer the blur stuff goes on the more damaging it is to the show IMO.

Also, I am very interested to see how they will explain how Clark can hide his identity. Smallville has taken more of a grounded approach to the character. So, will Clark develop an ability to mask his identity to those that see him as either Clark or Superman? They have always danced around this issue. In fact, Smallville has defined that it's impossible to hide his identity. However, we all know that in cannon he did it.

I love this show but for me there is a few things that need to change by next season or that will be it for me. At least moving in the right direction would keep me on board. My wife already jumped off that bandwagon with many fans because stretching things out is simply not believable any longer. That....and she hated the addition of the Tess character. I have been to some of the other forums on the show and much of what I stated before is why I think some fans of the show are tuning out.

Maybe this is all for not because we don't know what will happen beyond Season 10. Maybe this show only has another season or so. Having said that, things to need to progress at a more rapid pace IMO. I have watched this show from Episode 1. If I am saying I am on the verge of jumping ship....that says something.....at least to me.

P.S. I really like the usage of the slow mo during fight sequences that has been employed this season. It gives the show a more comic look. The cinematography in those scenes is brilliant. Just wanted to give kudos.

 

[Chaplin]

Some things I would like to see next season are...Clark finally learning to fly. Enough is enough. With Clark's age being what it is....it is just not believable any longer that Clark can't fly. It just doesn't work anymore. I know they are trying to strike a delicate balance but lets face it....Smallville has been on for 9 seasons now. It's time.

I think there's no question he'll be flying at some point next season. My hope is that when he's falling from the top of the building, he pulls the blue kryptonite dagger out and flies to prevent hitting the pavement. (Remember the "flash-forward" at the beginning of the episode--he was definitely flying and there is a quick frame or two of Superman in the traditional costume carrying that plane away before it hits the Daily Planet building)

Also, it's time to retire this "blur" business. I know what they are trying to do but the problem is the longer the use of the "blur" goes on, the more it seems like the "blur" is an actual super hero of it's own. The show is not about the "blur" but it seems that way as of late. The show has deviated from cannon a bit but the core of it is intact. The longer the blur stuff goes on the more damaging it is to the show IMO.

Now that Lois suspects Clark, I think the "Blur" might go away. Or at least, since Zod impersonated him, maybe just the term "Blur" might disappear.

Also, I am very interested to see how they will explain how Clark can hide his identity. Smallville has taken more of a grounded approach to the character. So, will Clark develop an ability to mask his identity to those that see him as either Clark or Superman? They have always danced around this issue. In fact, Smallville has defined that it's impossible to hide his identity. However, we all know that in cannon he did it.

This is the biggest issue for me. You saw it a couple seasons ago when he started wearing glasses to the Daily Planet, but they've obviously abandoned that. I think you've got to prepare yourself for some things to not be according to canon. (If you haven't already, then you probably aren't as invested as you think you are)

I love this show but for me there is a few things that need to change by next season or that will be it for me. At least moving in the right direction would keep me on board. My wife already jumped off that bandwagon with many fans because stretching things out is simply not believable any longer. That....and she hated the addition of the Tess character. I have been to some of the other forums on the show and much of what I stated before is why I think some fans of the show are tuning out.

I think you're too hard on Tess. I didn't like her much in the beginning, but she began to grow on me because she is so complex. You never know just where her loyalties lie. In fact, she's the only character on the entire show that has that kind of personality. Ollie, Lois, Clark and Chloe are all "greater good" characters. Tess has that "first-couple-seasons-Lex" feel to her.

Maybe this is all for not because we don't know what will happen beyond Season 10. Maybe this show only has another season or so. Having said that, things to need to progress at a more rapid pace IMO. I have watched this show from Episode 1. If I am saying I am on the verge of jumping ship....that says something.....at least to me.

I'm really glad they are coming back for a 10th season, especially since season 9 has been so much better than the previous few season. This is Tom Welling's only possibility for work--as long as he wants to do it, the CW will seriously consider it. The finale's ratings weren't great, but for a Friday Night CW show, they were pretty solid (I believe just a couple hundred thousand viewers less than Supernatural, which was only a couple hundred thousand less than Vampire Diaries--which is by far the highest rated show on the CW).

 

[Covert Rain]

I think there's no question he'll be flying at some point next season. My hope is that when he's falling from the top of the building, he pulls the blue kryptonite dagger out and flies to prevent hitting the pavement. (Remember the "flash-forward" at the beginning of the episode--he was definitely flying and there is a quick frame or two of Superman in the traditional costume carrying that plane away before it hits the Daily Planet building)

Yep, there is a couple of things that were a nod to the future. However, they need to be careful not to assume the show will be around for 3 seasons or so and spin there wheels like they did for a couple seasons. I think that has eroded some of the die hard fans. I really think they need to step it up a tad.

This is the biggest issue for me. You saw it a couple seasons ago when he started wearing glasses to the Daily Planet, but they've obviously abandoned that. I think you've got to prepare yourself for some things to not be according to canon. (If you haven't already, then you probably aren't as invested as you think you are)

Hence my comments about it deviating from cannon but remaining true to the core. Most of the deviations I have not minded. In fact, the way they have deviated has helped create some unique story lines over the course of the show. The writers though simply can't ignore that subject that is one of the biggest issues with even die hard Superman (non Smallville) fans. It would be a big elephant in the room that would be a black eye if never addressed on the show.

That's why I am thinking the best away around it would be to give him a new power that is different from the comic books. Maybe a way for him to impact how people see him? After all, if the Superman movies can give Superman the ability to erase memories (which was total crap by the way) they could do something similar but better. Maybe you do something better like have the Fortress emit a signal that alters perception or something. That way it's more along the Smallville line of using alien technology to explain the fantastic. This would be my #1 choice.

I think you're too hard on Tess. I didn't like her much in the beginning, but she began to grow on me because she is so complex. You never know just where her loyalties lie. In fact, she's the only character on the entire show that has that kind of personality. Ollie, Lois, Clark and Chloe are all "greater good" characters. Tess has that "first-couple-seasons-Lex" feel to her.

I have been on a roller coaster with her character. First off...Lex is a hard act to follow period. Having said that, I really didn't like her character much and as you stated as they started to dive into what made her who she is, I began to like her character. However, they have made her character as of late so schizo (vs. complex IMO) that she goes back and forth between whiny/pathetic then back too the "Lex like" characteristics to much. What made Lex such a great character was the character arc they wrote for him. You saw a transformation. With Tess it's just been schizo. I just find myself getting irritated by her character more and more. They have been very uneven in the writing of her character IMO. If she had been killed in the finale I wouldn't have missed her much next season.

I'm really glad they are coming back for a 10th season, especially since season 9 has been so much better than the previous few season. This is Tom Welling's only possibility for work--as long as he wants to do it, the CW will seriously consider it. The finale's ratings weren't great, but for a Friday Night CW show, they were pretty solid (I believe just a couple hundred thousand viewers less than Supernatural, which was only a couple hundred thousand less than Vampire Diaries--which is by far the highest rated show on the CW).

Though I don't agree this is Tom Welling's only possibility for work (not that I am saying he is a leading man star in waiting or anything), I am glad this is the 10th season as well. It just needs to move a tad quicker toward him becoming Superman because I am on the edge even as good as this season was compared to last. I think many fans of the show are feeling that way.

 

[Covert Rain]

The other thread prompted me. I really hope they can figure out a way to bring back Michael Rosenbaum. I can't emphasize this enough. If they can't or he doesn't come back it will be a MAJOR blow to the final season. I don't care if it's only for a couple episodes for the series finale.

They have already announced Allison Mack will not be a regular next season, John Schneider will be making appearance, Annette O'Toole will be back and Laura Vandervoort as Supergirl.

Michael is an absolute must IMO. Maybe the silence is a sign of a surprise headed the fans way. Usually when things are quite that is a good sign. If there was zero chance of him coming back then I would expect to hear an announcement of such.

I am crossing my fingers.

 

[Chaplin]

They are definitely trying. It's basically up to MR to say yes or no.

 

[Covert Rain]

Another good piece of news James Marsters has signed on to return as Brainiac.

 

[Gaddabout]

So I decided to pick up this show at Season 8 rather than starting from the beginning. I watched some of the early shows when they were new so I was vaguely familiar with the story lines. Other than the absence of Lana and his parents, I haven't really struggled following along.

I really like a lot of it. The really went Greek with the id/ego/super-ego story lines. I enjoyed the early contrast between Clark and Ollie, but Ollie's porpoising started to chafe my interest. Even with Tom Welling's mediocre acting, I thought they did a great job making him believable and carrying the storyline. I must confess a bias. The actor playing Ollie to me looks like a blonde Ben Affleck, and I think Ben Affleck is the worst A-list actor in the history of motion pictures. This guy's quite a bit better, but I have hard time not throwing something at the screen when he's on.

I'm starting Season 9 and I think Chloe is the only character I think I'm tired of right now. The actress is decent, but the writers fail to explain her constant shifts into darkness. Maybe I missed something from the first seven seasons, but it's always jarring when she shows she's less than a good person. However, her bitterness towards Clark feels like a sharper character arc and I like that.

I love -- LOVE -- the Lois Lane character. Very enjoyable. I was trying to figure out how they write for her. I think what they do is they think of Lois as the guy and Clark as the girl, because they really captured the essence of the Lois from the comics, IMO. She's more modern, obviously, and much less of a damsel in distress, but that unique spirit of Lois is there. The actress who plays her is exceptional, IMO, and is probably destined for bigger things.

 

[Louis]

By any chance is this the season when they have the great slow mo of Lois getting out of the lake?

 

[Gaddabout]

By any chance is this the season when they have the great slow mo of Lois getting out of the lake?

That must've come from Season 7 but I never saw it. Every time I see it in the opening credits I imagine the editor hearing from the marketing department, "Please make sure we always use that over-the-top boob scene where Lois rises out of the lake in the opening credits."

It screams 1978/Charlie's Angels ... ish. Was that Kate Jackson?

 

[smallville]

I love smallville show very much but criminal minds tv is also very good. I watch both regularly

 

[Town Drunk]

Anyone watching this season? I've enjoyed it so far, as all the loose ends are starting to come together as he starts to transform into the "man of steel."

 

[Louis]

Anyone watching this season? I've enjoyed it so far, as all the loose ends are starting to come together as he starts to transform into the "man of steel."

Agreed, this is one of the better seasons for me. I was very iffy on the high school reuinion episode but it turned out great.

 

[Chaplin]

I didn't know anybody here was actually watching it. With the exception of the poor representation of Darkseid, so far this season is one of the best of the series.