Fans of Smallville have long been frustrated by the “no flights” portion of producers Al Gough and Miles Millar “no flights, no tights” policy established 7 years ago at the start of the first season. As a matter of fact, as the series has evolved, the fact that Clark (Tom Welling) still does not fly on the show has become pretty ridiculous.
Many other characters on the show have had the ability to fly, including Clark’s cousin Kara (Laura Vandervoort) and other Kryptonians. On toleapsp of that, portraying Clark, who is virtually indestructible as having a fear of heights is at this point ridiculous - especially as we enter Smallville’s 8th (and supposedly final) season.
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Sure, they’ve thrown us a bone here and there with him making giant “leaps” and actually showing him flying when he was possessed by other characters, but the producers have stubbornly clung to their original premise. As long as they were in charge we weren’t going to see Clark fly.
But they aren’t in charge any more.
Now we have Kelly Souders, Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer, and Brian Peterson running the show. Between them they’ve written 100 episodes over the course of seven years. That’s the equivalent of four full years of Smallville.
Comic Book Resources interviewed them recently and they had some interesting things to say about this upcoming season. While season 7 started to pull away from the arc of the previous six years and finally showed Lex go over completely to the dark side, it’s looking like season 8 will be a big leap forward in the evolution of the characters and the series.
Here are the highlights:
- They will not attempt to bring in a character to replace Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) as the prime antagonist.
- All of the characters will be moving on to the next phase of their lives.
- The show will be moving on to the next phase in the Superman mythology.
- They want to bring Clark closer to the traditional Superman character that we all know.
- There will be an episode that explores the relationship between Clark and Chloe (Allison Mack), and the underlying sexual tension that’s been brewing there for so long.
- On the other hand the season will move Clark and Lois (Erica Durance) towards the relationship that is well established in the comics and films.
- They will highlight the need for Clark to maintain a dual identity and move heavily in that direction.
Ah… but what about Clark flying?!
They dropped a couple of hints that leave me no doubt that he will indeed be finally taking to the skies this year:
“We have a lot of conversations [about flying and the costume], the only thing that we are saying is that we can absolutely confirm that there is no tights, so that’s pretty much all we can say on that.”
And:
“Saving people in Smallville was one thing — when he had to run to the factory to save Chloe the roads weren’t very crowded, the streets weren’t very crowded. Being alive in Metropolis as Superman is a very different experience and you will find very quickly in this season he discovers it’s not so easy when you’re running through crowded streets or your having to run into a crowded crisis situation.”
Take those two comments, along with their plan on moving the story towards the traditional Superman mythos and I’d say we’ll finally get our wish in the flight department.
Here’s what I’m hoping: This team of writers wants to really put their mark on the show as producers and will really hit it out of the park this year. It would be fantastic if this turned out to be the equivalent of Manny Coto coming on board Star Trek: Enterprise in its final season. That show had been ruined by the direction its producers had chosen, but Coto came in fresh in the final season and turned the show around big time.
And of course they’ve finally decided to get rid of Lana (Kristin Kreuk), thank goodness. That can’t do anything but help make the show better. And that’s NOT a slam on Kristin - they just ran the whole Clark/Lana thing so far into the ground that it became nauseating. Also gone is Kara, who never really worked for me as a character on the show.
Here’s hoping that season 8 of Smallville brings us better things than last season did.
Source: Comic Book Resources
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85 Comments
So ummmm, will this guy play the new Superman?
Vic
What a mess.
With the WB concentrating on solo superhero films, it looks the show will be only place to show a live-action Justice League and that’s good for the show.
Last season saw five characters flew and Clark isn’t one of them. That’s what made the last season so frustrating to watch.
I’ve been bothered by the whole ” no tights/no flights ” thing since day one.
Its a show about Superman for crying out loud !!!!!! I know , I know …it chronicles his development yada yada yada.
You try to feed me superheroes? I want action/adventure/costumes/displays of power
Primarily though ( for me ) the show has always been overloaded with too much relationship baggage and too many painful/longing gazing into eyes.
The guest heroes have been ( for me ) watered down and consistantly lame ( horrible costumes-Victor Stone ??? don’t get me started !!! )
This show has been on for 8 seasons for a reason ; because A LOT of people have really really liked it. Mine is but one opinion and they’ve done just fine without my support
This is such awsome news!!
I love Smallville and this season sounds like it’s gonna be awsome, way better then the last!
There’s been a lot of really good things about Smallvile and some not so good especially last year when it felt like the show creatively had run its course.They so badly exausted the LEX Luthor character that it hurt so much of what they developed before it.
I hope the show delivers on what you have written as theres no reason why WB dosen’t let clark become Superman. If they did that, the program could re-energize itself and go on for a few more years as a quality show, something the CW network badly needs!
Smallville is one of my favorite shows and I have enjoyed it immensely over the past 7 seasons. I am glad that Lana is finally gone as that storyline was beaten to death. I am really looking forward to the new season and hopefully we have a great season of Smallville. Clarks NEEDS to fly, absolutely HAS to. He’s used every other power so far and they just didn’t want him to fly! WHY?!?! I mean he HAS to learn it eventually, right???
I’m hoping that the new producers can really provide a spark for the new season. Who knows, maybe it’ll be so good we’ll get a Season 9…and WANT it!!
I hope they’re up to the task.
Vic
Actually, I do hope that the show gets a 9th season. Fear of heights can’t be the reason why Clark hasn’t fly yet. It’s really something else.
Van,its not fear of heights.
its been explained that he hasent fully embraced his krytonian half yet.
In fact the only time he has flown was when his kryptonian half was in control
in the 4th season premiere,
He was Kal-El not Clark and he flew.
i think the writer of this biased article needs to get his/her facts straight. Kristin Kreuk decided not to renew her contract for season 8, not because they got rid of her. Same thing with Michael Rosenbaum, he left the show and decided not to come back because this show has been written so badly, ever since the 4th season. Very smart move Kristin and Michael. I wouldn’t want to be tied down on this career ruining show either. Kristin and Michael, well at least Kristin has moved on to bigger and better things. It’s gonna be so awesome to see Kristin’s celebrity status sky-rocket as she leaves Smallville behind, the show destined to be left at the dusty clearance shelf at the electronics’ section at Wal-mart.
Finally something that the fans of smallville can look forward to, this news is just amazing. I’m shocked because i thought that flying thing would never happen, now i’ve read this fantastic news i’m really really looking forward to season 8 of smallville.
to me, this show isn’t the same. two main characters are gone and they are trying to replace them please.
Clark had a chance to embrace his Kryptonian heritage back in the last season.
I found out that according to the new showrunners, there was a scene that was cut out from Veritas why Clark hasn’t fly yet. Kara explained that it’s a mental block.
Maybe I’m getting Smallville mixed up with some other show or movie but I thought Clark did fly (as Clark) when he saved Lana from the tornado? Sure, he didn’t think he was flying, he thought the wind from the tornado helped him get to lana, but if you control your position while going through the air, guess what that’s called? Flying. Also, I remember an episode where he was levitating after waking up. Am I crazy or have I mixed this up with some other show?
Also, Lex knows Clark’s secret; how will he be able to have a dual identity when his greatest enemy knows his secret?
Those are some of the “bones” they’ve thrown us. And the levitation seen was in the very first episode in season 1.
Vic
Well, Vic, I’m tired of “bones”, I want some MEAT! One of the appeals of Supes is his flying, as has been said here. And now it looks like they are going to substitute the love interest Lana with Chloe. FORGET THE BLASTED LOVE INTEREST GARBAGE AND GIVE ME SOME BUTT-KICKING, LASER BLASTIN’, SUPER BREATHE BREATHING, FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET SUPES!!!
Thus ends the caniption.
Is this a show I should watch on DVD? I have never watched a full episode of it but alot of my friends really enjoy it.
So, do you guys think I should start playing catch up?
No Rob, ~~~~~these arnt the shows your looking for~~~~
~~~~You want to see LEXX and Red Dwarf~~~~~
I have never seen Smallville…From what I have read I am not missing much…
eureka…Vic will get that one!!
Well, I loved the concept originally and it had its share of decent episodes. If there’s anything you can say with certainty about Smallville it’s that it is very uneven when it comes to the quality of the episodes.
Vic
Rob, I’ll read the Watchmen, if you check out the LEXX series.
That’s the deal,,,,
Smallville is crap,,,,,,, don’t tell anyone I told you. I think Vic’s a fan,,, Sshhhh
John, I’ve mentioned the levitation scenes (there were two or three) a few times on this board. No one ever mentions an explanation. He didn’t levitate upon waking up, he levitated until something woke him up–like his creepy mother entering her teenage son’s bedroom.
The 8th season will make me forget about the last two seasons.
Creatively, they still have plenty of room to go with all of the major characters “moving on to the next phase” of their lives. Change the title in Season 9 from “Smallville” to “Metropolis”, keep the actor playing Clark, and off we go.
I’m sorry 790, I remember seeing commercials of that on Space when I was a youngling, and I just IMDBed it right now to make sure it was the same thing…I can’t handle even looking at those characters, let alone watching them act out 4 seasons, hahah.
I think I’ll just have to suffer you not reading watchmen
As for Smallville, I don’t really understand what the series is about. I hear about all these other super powered people and heroes being in it, like the green arrow and even the Justice League…i don’t understand how that all fits in before this dude becomes Superman. I guess like the X-men films and tv shows, its not comic continuity, its rather a new take on his character developing right?
No prob Rob, enjoy Smallville.
Rob,
You should definitely check out the first season of Smallville. Either rent it or buy it (I think you can find it for less than $20 now). If you don’t like the pilot and first season, you won’t like the rest of the show.
Smallville is definitely NOT in continuity with the comic (which I am not a big stickler about) or even the movies. It’s more like an alternate-universe type of Superman, but not Bizarro Supes…LOL…
I think you will enjoy it. I love the show, it’s one of my favorites and I have all the seasons on DVD so far (except for #7). True, it can get a little “90210″ at times, but for the most part we get to see Superman becoming Superman.
ya, if I can just accept that its not in continuity (which like you, is hard for me) I’m sure it’ll be enjoyable. My buddy has the first 4-5 seasons on DVD, I actually bought him 2 of them so I’ll borrow it off him when im finished school in a few weeks.
thanks 790, and enjoy the graphic novel
I am a long time fan of Smallville and I have to say if Lana had not left I was going to stop watching the show.
this season I know that they are going to do an episode with the Legion of Superheroes and Green Arrow is going to be a permanent character but I hope the do an episode or two with Bruce Wayne/Batman and/or Diana Lance/Wonder Woman.
If they do bring in Wonder Woman it would be cool if they made her a temporary love interest.
Can Clark & Lois please have some SEX ! Then let him fly. Then Tom Welling should sign up for the new superman movie. Put Lana on Supernatural she’s pretty hot and deserves to stay on CW shows.
Vic ,
If i recall correctly during one episode
in season 1
He woke up one morning FLOATING in mid air!
Yeah, I mentioned the specific episode in a comment above.
Vic
I am so glad that Lana isn’t there anymore. For years I’ve been waiting for her to get killed off and (I don’t know which season) they supposedly killed her off at the end of one season, which I was thrilled about, but then the next season, it was all a fake death, I was pissed. I don’t care if she left voluntarily, Lana was way passed tired and am so happy to know she’s gone. And I’m all for lovey-dovey scenes in other shows, but this is Smallville, they need to cut that junk out, youknowhati’msayin???
YEA i read that directors really want Tom to play superman on the big screen, I hope so even through i really thought that Brandon routh did a really good job as clark kent/superman. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens next but really looking forward to season 8 smallville.
I love the direction that the show is taking in the new season. Maybe they will get a 9th or 10th season out of it.
Well guys. I went throuth the seven seasons in just one week and I really enjoyed myself. I quite agree that it’s about time Clark starts flying.
I did sooo look fwd to this series and I’ve been soooo disappointed that there is NO SUPERman flying yet. Seems like they’ve got all the props they need, now they’ve got to get on the bandwagon before Clark goes grey or bald.
what a joke..
“They want to bring Clark closer to the traditional Superman character that we all know.”
“And of course they’ve finally decided to get rid of Lana (Kristin Kreuk),”
Those are two disappointing news. What made smallville so special was the originality of the previous producers. They did not make smallville another similar superhero story. It kind of sucks that this change is coming. As for Kristin Kreuk, she is fantastic, and personally, i do not know how many times I sat there in many episodes just hoping that Clark and Lana could finally be together. I do NOT want Clark to date Chloe because she already has Jimmy, and Lois is into Oliver Queen. She cannot be with him because she thinks sh would hold him back, and why should it be okay with Clark, who has an even greater calling. I think Kristin is the only one who would suit Clark, and besides they have been in love with each other for a long time, way back when they were kids, and still are. Anyway that is my opinion and it’s disappointing to see many fans happy to get rid of Lana.
Sure, making things different WAS interesting, but at some point the two worlds (CW’s Smallville and DC’s Superman) have to merge somehow.
And as far as the Lana/Clark thing, what people got sick of was the never ending “will they/won’t they” get together thing, with all the false starts and teases.
Just gets old after a while.
Vic
okay, enuff of the Lana/Clark Saga. Yes, it was annoying at times, but hey, we all know where his destiny lies….and as for flying, this series, maybe I am crazy, but wasn’t this supposed to be about the boy becoming the man? I mean, go back and watch The Sneeze or any other episode where he discovers a new ability. Can’t all happen in one night. And Clark’s fear of heights….I like that one, it just highlights more of his ‘upbringing’ by humans. Just a thought.
you know what producers didn’t get rid of kristin kreuk she left. I don’t blame her. Every one hated her character, but you know what people still came back all these years to watch the show and it isn’t her fault that producers couldn’t write some of the stories better. But for all those people who didn’t like the lana character, they sure came back and continued watching more. Hope kristin kreuk success
ok looks like i am not alone. Non flying thing, crap. He is what 21-22 now. he is an adult, any powers he is going to get he should have by now.
Clark/Lana thing, just tired and old. Should have ended with her fake death. Kristen a hot and good actor but the character needed to go regardless. Clark/Chloe thing, please writers/producers don’t do it. It is as old and tired as Clark/Lana thing. Chloe has had the hots for him since season 1 and that storyline is old as well.
Rosebaum not coming back. Although the whole Lex storyline had gotten old as well, simply becuase Clark would not come to terms with him being a bad person, I like the character and anyone but Rosebaum would be bad.
Just let him be Superman for once and for all, he is no longer a boy learning his powers. He needs to man up, i thought the last 2 seasons just were overall and moved his character no where.
They also kept biulding towards this justice league thing but it just faded. Sounds like that is coming back.
Side note; how have they kept Tom Welling looking exactly the same age for 7 seasons, he has got some good genes or good makeup people.
I won’t belabor the issue, but everyone is so correct about getting Lana off the show. She has stunted the growth of “superman.” I agree flying would definitely bring the show to a new level, mainly because it’s what separates superman from all the meteor characters. However, removing Kara is a mistake. The show can use her as a gateway, besides the fortress of solitude, to bring the history of Krypton into the show. This is essential this early on in the mythology of Superman, because little of the Kryptonian race is still understood.
Please lana was a high school thing , clark moved on glad the show is to. As far as the justice leauge hes not even superman yet many things have to happen befor that, and if i remember right clarks dad died after high school he left for the fortress left the fortress able to fly , this show has gone a major screw- ball direction
That is right, he did fly in season 4…but he was not Clark, he was Kal-el.
http://screenrant.com/review-smallville-season-8-premiere-vic-3735/
Vic
the whole show is screwed. lex was a big part of superman. through the superman mythology and now no lex. As for lois smallville made lois seem more like his cousin or sister then his future wife. She never came into his life until he began working at the daily planet
I am a big fan of Smallville and am excited about season 8. I think it is starting to move into a more “superman” type direction. I think this will be a great season for Smallville.
I have been rooting for a Clark/Chloe relationship since the day Smallville premiered. From the sounds of it, my hoping will for the most part have been in vain
Now, do we know if Chloe actually lost her healing power/gained a computer brain or if it just wouldn’t work on Clark?
I am glad Lana’s finally gone. Nothing against Kristin as an actress, it’s just that her charactor has gone progressively down-hill since like season 4. Actually, the 4th season was when the show lost a lot of its flair in general. I have remained faithful to it, of course, but it has not been the same since season 3. Hey, if they go more tha way of the comics, they could always have an episode where they bring Lana and Pete back married to eachother, lol.
Here’s hoping to Season 8 bringing back some, if not all, of what made people fall in love w/ the show in the first place!
Oh yeah, previous comments mentioned the flying/levitating from season one. To clarify, the bed levitation was from episode 2 (Metamorphisis) and the tornado scene was from the finale.
In my opinion the entire Smallville saga has been a great journey. People seem to not like the drama/love stories but drama and romance is what helps build the biggest theme of being a superhero… To truly be a hero one needs to sacrafice his own personal desires. All the heros face this; Batman, Spiderman, and deffintely Superman. It adds to their character. As far as some episode being weaker than others, you need to understand they weren’t all written or directed by the same people. Superman to me has always been a story to help encourage humanity to care for eachother and fight for true justice. I know it will never happen but it would be nice if Smallville never ended.
Well said, Nate. Sounds corny, but I used to be a big TV buff…been going thru some tuff times lately…Smallville caught me eye last season. I purchased the DVD’s to catch up, and I’m hooked. The themes of the show, while rooted in sci-fi, can be reflective of those we face in real life.
I have watched the series from the pilot and I am not watching without Lana and Lex. I am not a comic reader, didn’t watch the show so it would turn into Lois and Clark. The actress playing Lois is just awful, she can’t act. and how could a feminist character be represented with such stupidity. She looks so phoney, those silicone boob implants do not make her look sexy , just dated
Lex will be missed, but I hated Lana from Day 1. And from an actress’ point of view, she’s attractive, but she’s more of a “girl” than a “woman”. Time for the cast to grow into adults, and Lana isn’t it. Time to leave all of the silly high-school romance stuff behind, and step into the grown up world of Metropolis.
Can’t wait to see how this season unfolds.
So far, if you look closely at all the seasons, clark “fly’s” at least once every season, whether it be floating, flying, or being under the influence of red kryptonite.
I know all too well that Lex is a criminal mastermind and not a rich spoiled bad dude. now that Lex owns the Daily planet, how is clark gonna ever get a job there when Lex hates him now…hmm
Lex Luther always escape from jail but this lex Luther is so well connected that he can’t even be arrested. i think he should be made to look more like himself “lex luther, the small time big genius crook”. and one thing, why is this lex luther always pays scientist to do his experiments and not by himself as in the movies and comics. i think in smallville, he is too rich to be bad and a genius
to whoever is charge, I think Clark must finally fly, he is probably tired of the low time romantic action hero stuff as i am here
i love smallville and every fan of the show, I think i’ll call myself a smallviller
People need to understand, Smallville IS NOT an exact re-imaging of the comics. It’s the same basic premise, but told in a different, fresh way. There’s no point in doing things exactly the way it was done in the comics, plus, let’s face it, comics take even more goofy twists and turns than soap operas, and are silly to everyone except the young kids that read them. I see the same damn complaints every time a Spider-Man or X-Men movie comes out. Studios that want people to watch a TV show or a movie have to change things to make them appeal to a wider audience of “regular” people, not just hard-core comics fans. That’s just the way it is.
If you want comics, stick to comics. But despite what some of you think, the stories in comics aren’t perfect.
If you want to experience a new telling of an existing story, then watching Smallville, and the new superhero movies that have been coming out since Michael Keaton played Batman are for you.
@Enough Whinging,,,
“If you want comics, stick to comics. But despite what some of you think, the stories in comics aren’t perfect”
Lol,,,,
I could say the same thing about Smallville…
(If you want teen angst and teen superhero stories check Smallville…)
Its funny I’ve read comics that deal with adult situations, why would you say comics are for kids when Smallville is directed at Teenagers ???
Makes no sense.
Hello 790. I just want to know that if you think Smallville is so stupid why don’t you stop watching? You think it is so dumb but you keep watching. Something must be keeping your attention.
When did I say I watch the show ???
I’ve watched 25 min of the pilot epsiode, and bits and pieces of episodes…
(Its not for me),,,
The show is written for teenagers, its the same formula that Buffy used.
I’m not saying that adults can’t enjoy the show, I’m simply saying that the show is written for teenagers…
I’ve allready moved on from high school, therefore this show only insults me, and distorts my view of Superman…
Its not a big deal I’m just saying,,,
Adult-themed comics and stories are a fairly recent trend (maybe the last 10-15 yrs or so). But for most of their history comics and their storylines have been aimed at kids, so following those old stories and plotlines exactly wouldn’t be smart.
Smallville is, or at least was initially, marketed toward teens (as was their network), so that’s already one step up from comics. But as the characters grew up, much of the viewing audience also grew up as well…those teens are now young adults (or older). So it’s time for the storylines to change as well…more intensity, more grit, less romance, and when there are relationships, make them more complex.
Nowhere did I say Smallville was perfect. Just that there are good reasons why the storylines on the show are different from those told classically in comics, so comics fanboys should not expect an exact re-telling.
Good about dam time but it still pisses me off that they are only doing this for the last episodes which I knew they would do lex should of never been made the main protagonist for so long and I am sick of Lana and all her bull. Kara never worked for me either I really hope they come with their a game this last season and make it a good send off I love the show alot and hopefully they will start an all new show with him in the big city.
Smallville is what first introduced me to Superman. Since then, I have become a Superman fanatic. Having looked into greater depth at the Superman mythology, I have come to realise, like so many others, Smallville is indeed, quite different in many respects. And thank goodness for it.
I have loved and thouroughly enjoyed much of the Superman mythos I’ve read and watched, especially the original storylines. But, who wants to see the same story old again and again, just with progressivly better graphics and new acotros? That would be silly. Smallville has been a fresh and inventive take on the Superman mythos for the past 7 years (with its highs and lows) and I for one and looking forward to year 8.
I’m glad Lana is gone as I agree with others here that she hasn’t been the same since season 3 and was too repetitive a character. (Nothing against Kristin who played the role very well and I’m sure will have a great career. More power to her for walking and realising her character wasn’t adding much) Now Lois and Clark can finally start some serious interaction. As far as Lex, I think he’ll be back at some point. Despite his leaving and contract having ended, I think actors with such a history with a show are very willing to come back for stand alone, tieing loose ends episodes. (Like John Schnider -Johnathan- after his death) Also, while I feel Kara is important, she was never quite a good fit.
My predictions? (And hope!) Lana won’t make a reapearance, Lex will come back for an episode or two at some point to finish off loose ends, the Fortress of Solitude will be re-born, and season 8 will be amazing and leave off on an awe-inspiring cliff-hanger where Clark goes off to realise his destiny, embrace his Kryptonian heritage, and maybe never to return… dun dun dun Then, hopefully, there will be a season 9 after a supposed time leap forward, because come on, Clark can’t actually become Superman on Smallville unless they pull a One Tree Hill and speed forward in time (after having left for a good few years in that gap) because he hasn’t been wearing glasses. Despite the beloved ignoring the obvious that comic characters are capable of concerning secret identities, even that wouldn’t be enough for Clark to suddenly put on a pair of glasses, become Superman, and Lois to forget what Clark looked like without glasses in a day.
Yay Smallville!
Ashley
So how about the best of both worlds. Have the flying Superman we all know and love from movies, and then have him backflash or something, back to Smallville and filling us in on his past ?? sadayathink? Mar.
well, i definitely think its about time
i really love smallville/superman and i think its really unfair making clark look like a dumb fool all the time with lana lang
i think its about time he gets together with erica durance{loiuse lane}, i’m really looking forward to that
I wish they would’ve kept Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum. From the very beginning the producers said that this wasn’t goin to be the typical superman story and I think that Smallville was incredibly refreshing. I am as big a comic book buff as anyone but why would you want to hear the same story told over and over again. I like the fact that Lana Lang was his love interest instead of Lois Lang. I also like the fact that Kryptonite finally affects humans because IT IS A RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL!! The only two beefs I have with the show is after seven years, he still can’t fly. I think that is ridiculous at best. I think he shouldve been flying by at least his senior year in high school. I can understand no tights but no flights for seven years was absurd. I also think he should’ve told Lana his secret way before the last episode of season six. Other than that, I really like the show and would love for it to go past season 8. Tom Welling made a great superman
Smallville is off to GREAT start!! It can only get better as the year progresses. Smallville and Tom Welling have a HUGE fan base and CW needs to realize this and keep Smallville on for seasons 9 & 10 and give Tom Welling a great incentive to sign on. More money and more directing. NOTEto Tom - do some more movies - you’re a great actor!!.
I love smallville. I do agree that it got alittle off track over the last 2-3 seasons, but this year has been great. The reason this year has been so great is because it has addressed issues relevant to him becoming superman. If anyone remembers the X-Files…..they used to have episodes that addressed the main theme and then freak of the week episodes that had nothing to do with the shows main purpose. I feel Smallville was having to many meteor/freak of the week episodes and now they are having more about superman mythology. I think if this season continues as it has, they should start Season 9 with a name change to “Metropolis” in which Clark fully becomes Superman and get rid any characters that are not in the typical superman stories. I just hope that if the series ends in season 8 that the ending does justice to the show (ie havin clark fly and possibly becoming superman)….just my two cents.
I personally am against a romance between Clark and Chloe, and here’s why: Call me a purist, but traditionally all Clark’s (Superman’s) women - and even some of his enemies - have had the traditional LL in their names. This has been a tradition throughout Superman history. Lana Lang. Lois Lane. Lex Luthor. And many others. Chloe is a great character, but she just doesn’t fit that mold. Sorry. Can’t happen if we are to have continuity…
I personally am hoping and pulling for further seasons - or a spinoff maybe called something like “Metropolis”. That is why I went to this website - because I was hoping to find something out to that effect….!
Superman has always been my favorite superhero of all time. Watching and following the Smallville story has been very interesting and controversal. It has been hard at times (for me) to agree with all that is written in this new saga, but yet I have attached my self to this show loyally every year. However, I will agree with a lot of previous people that the last two years focused on too much little and mello drama crap. In my opinion, Lana should have been written off a long time ago…. like after high school. I don’t really like the fact that Lex is gone. I thought that his character was great and even getting better. I found myself getting to the point where I was hating him, and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. Chloe… on the other hand. Who is Chloe?? I like her character, but I think that she is too involved in the Superman / Clark Kent relationship. The writers of Smallville created her and I’m not sure if I like her romantic interest in the show with our hero. One thing I really don’t like is how many people through the last 8 seasons have had superpowers… It’s crazy! Superman should really be the only one with powers. That is what makes Superman so unique and what makes him… well… SUPER. So many times has someone else taken Clarks powers… Annoying! The developement into the “Metropolis Clark Kent” has taken so long and maybe a little too late. Let’s see…. Clark has been out of high school for what 2 or 3 years now. That puts the character around 20 to 22 years old. Hmmm. He has sooo many friends and aquaintences that know him for NOT wearing glasses. Not to mention… he started working at the Daily Planet WITHOUT glasses. How is he supposed to have a disguise??? Not only that… but most of all…. FLIGHT. This Superman is less than 10 years from hitting his 30’s and he afraid of heights and doesn’t fly. WHAT A MESS! There is alot of work to get done to get this storyline on the right track. I’m hoping to see many many improvements this season to put Superman back in the path where he needs to be. Thanks for reading!
Margaret, thats the whole point of smallville. The directors said they were goin to take superman in a completely different direction than the comic books and that is refreshing. Aren’t you tired of the same old story. I like the fact that they make chloe and lana big deals. The only beefs I have is that superman doesn’t fly and people can take his powers. I have a couple more but they aren’t that big. Superman-Kal El’s powers come from his physiology. The radiation from the sun is the source of his powers. How can you take that from him?! That was crazy but everything else I have to say that I find enjoyable and refreshing
I do agree that this story has taken a different turn. But as any good writer of a series knows, having characters that can move the story line along, like Chloe is helpful. Think of all the story lines that would had to have been different had Chloe not known Clark’s secret. It would have been a story full of ‘excuses’ and really really dumb people. I do like the way this season is shaping up, but it almost appears as though the writers are winding the show down. I would be disappointed as I am a new fan of the show.
This is all good input, but I’m no stranger to the Superman saga. I’ve been following Superman since around 1962, followed the Superboy comics, Action comics (where they brought in Supergirl) and the Legion of Superheros. Numerous characters with super powers has been a continuous part of the Superman saga for many years - that is part of the legend that the DC writers configured around Clark and we were delighted to see Smallville bring them into the picture. I, too, am curious over how they will bring in the Clark/Superman/secret identity thing considering that Clark is working at The Planet without his glasses. The memory stealer would have been a great segway to that and I think the writers missed an opportunity there…
My only point is that classically, part of the Superman saga is that all his love interests have always been identified by the “LL” in their names. Unless Chloe eventually identifies herself as a superhero (not a stretch considering her “super” mind, thanks to Brainiac) with LL in her name, she doesn’t qualify! I suspect they will have to kill her off.
By the way, classically, Lana Lang continued to pop in and out of Clark/Superman’s life for many years out of high school. According to the comics, she became a Television commentator in another city and was Lois’ biggest rival for his affections, if my memory serves me correctly.
I’m also delighted to see Kara back. The acting of the young man playing Green Arrow (senior moment! His name just slipped my mind. OOPS!) I thought was a little lame this last episode, but overall this has been the best season yet.
I feel, to solve the whole glasses thing, they should ‘end’ Smallville on season 8, very dramatically with Clark joining Kara to look for their home world remenents. Done. Finito. No more Smallville. …
But…
Then, start a new show called ‘insert’ whatever -Metropolis seems to be populare - with all of the same cast. There can be a time gap of like, 5 years, where Clark has been gone. (very Superman Returns in essence) People will have ‘forgotten’ in that comic book way what Clark looked like without glasses.
The character of Superman can be created and boom, new show with the same cast for all of us to watch and the story can continue on =D
Did anyone catch the preview for when the show returns in January? It looked like there was a quick flash of a red blue flying and I didn’t catch if it was Clark….but on the CW website they also have a preview of what appears to be a compelation of future shows and there is one part where he is holding Lois and defenitely flying….but it could be a flash forward type episode or something like that…….Let me know if anyone else caught that part of the preview for when Smallville returns in January ‘09…
If they were smart they could when they decide to end the series, go right into the movies, with Welling playing Superman, and it would work. 9 or so years of fan base would love it, and Tom could finally don the tights here.
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