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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154 Comments
Please don’t destroy Chloe’s and Clark’s wonderful friendship by letting them have a sexual relationship. Please preserve Superman’s image so that he will continue to be a good role model. Please don’t go weird like what others have done to wholesome shows.
What a f*** is this (episode 15)? This is THE END for me of Smallville. Where are now the “true fans of Superman story”,why are they so quiet now???
I keep hearing everyone criticize the writers of Smallville because it doesn’t follow the superman story arc. However, correct me if I’m wrong, but in every Superman story we are familiar with they always seem to skip from the point when Clark is in High School directly to when he is training in the fortress. I feel the writers of Smallville are attemtping to fill in that gap. I agree, at times it has been difficult to watch, but I feel they have created an intertesting and intriguing story line. I feel they have all intentions of still ending up at the same point of every other Superman story we have read or watched….with Clark being superman and nobody suspecting he is Superman. How they arrive there I am not so sure, but I feel they will. This season has brought them back in that direction with the dual-identity and I have a feeling he will be flying shortyly. They are taking all the liberties in the world to write a story that will keep the viewers attentions….and they have done this….even if for some it is to watch and then just criticize, but you are WATHCHING, aren’t you? I hope he flies soon, so that season 9 can be an entire season of Clark “nearly” being superman…possibly without the tights, but as close as possible. Let me know you thoughts, everyone…..
well scot your pretty much right about that, i like the fact where seeing his life before superman kidna like the start of superman one i think where he is on the football field and lois lane is on a train as a kid and see’s him running past lol, weird age cap moment but great look into his past no matter how short
only thing is the original writers said that they wernt following the story we know they had no intention of following the comics or original stories, his whole tights thing will never happen same reason theyve tried to keep all heroes in it out of actually tights and keep it more modern, i dont think they want clark to fly because itll change alot of the dynamics that already work like the way he uses super speed is amazing the effects are great, if he flies they have to try and reel people in with a new one and theyre probably afraid itll backfire, although they HAVE tested it out before the whole people flying in smallville and i think itll work fine if they can push themselves to do it, only time we will see an actual costume would probably be last episode though because then it wouldnt be superman THE EARLY YEARS anymore it would just be superman
I agree that the last episode of the series should have him flying out of the fortress as superman……I do, however, hope they allow him to fly before that because it will really please alot of fans to see him flying……thanks for you input and response.
I don’t care about tights and flying, that story we all have seen and know. I was talking about how much is Smallville empty without Lana (although I liked their relationship I didn’t like this few episodes with them in season 8)and also without both of Luthors-Lex and Lionel. It’s not just empty because they’re all gone it also took from Clark’s character so much. For me Smallville was relationship between those four characters and everything else was just a surplus.
And everyone said last season was terrible, I don’t understand why there was Brainiac, Lex, Lionel, Veritas, we found out some things from Luthor’s past, then The Travaler, Justice League, Jor-El, also about Krypton, Zod, etc. Compering to 7th season this 8th season was the worst for my opinion even if it isn’t over yet.
They are going to season 9 now so why they don’t take the liberty to finally go somewhere with this season?
tzhr, Well…there are several episodes remaining and hopefully they will be big ones and please all types of Smallville fans…..I am looking forward to these last episodes and how they set the stage for Season 9….
Smallville has really been interesting,However the removal of Lana I think was a bad idea.Lana was one of the pillars making Smallville interesting and the movie looks empty without her.I know that in the DC compics,Lana wasn’t a really big part of Clarks life but Smallville is another version of superman, therefore it doesn’t mean that Lana has to be exclusively evicted from the movie.So it will be good if you could find a way toput her back in the show and get her involve in some action. I also don’t like the idea of Lex being removed from the movie and it would be nice if he could some how be put back in the show,because with the Absence of these two characters, the movie has a dry taste
whats the use of watching when they’re not going to bring the real image of superman – flying, cape, etc.
So, I’ve stopped watching after season 7. Just had enough of this craziness. He’s superman for god sake. Jeesh.
Here are some of the answers to some of questions, suggestions, wishes and etc. First is, why they won’t bring Batman (Bruce Wayne) in Smallville? It isn’t because producers or writers don’t want him in the show, it’s because DC comics (owners of all characters) didn’t let them to bring him in the show because of the movie franchise which is just filming over past few years. Secondly about everyone wishes of Clark working in Daily Planet, wearing glasses, flying in tights and getting closer with Lois. It is an all seen story which producers badly wanted to escape from it. And I mostly liked the show because of that it’s all new concept of ¨Superman¨. But now when they removed the ‘old producers’ at the beginning of this season those yours wishes probably will come to life expecially when they managed to get new contract for ninth season. I personally don’t care for nothing of that and it really means nothing to me to see him flying. For me the greatest thing in Smallville was relationships with characters primary relationship between Clark,Lana,Lex and Lionel Luthor. With them all gone Clark also lost a lot of his personality. Considering Clark and Lana definitely they had chemistry between them on the screen but producers at the end destroy it and now they can’t easily repeat that with Lois although I don’t see chemistry with them neither I don’t want to see another Clark and Lois love story. And finally this isn’t the story of Superman, it is a story of him becoming Superman so enjoy while you can.
STOP WITH THE CRITIQUES . I eat every minute of this show, and so do you. so hush. Ofcourse hes gonna fly. This show is too popular for him not too. I wanna see him fly trough a brick WALL, and just smash people. lol. I want him to knockup Lois too. lol. And they better find a way to squeeze him in some tights for like a season. and he will. they hint it all the time. Anyone remember the episode where Clark saves the actress played by Cristina Millian? At the end she gives him a red cape. Put the pieces together.
Superman is a flying hero. He wears tights. The modern authors had already done so many changes – bringing in new characters, and that’s fine. But please don’t change who he is or was. Let him fly! And when he is in disguise, please preserve his good character. Continue to portray him as a good role model. And please don’t destroy Lois’ image too much. You already had her sleep almost every man she has a relationship with. There are still many of us who don’t sleep around. There are still many of us who believe in no sex before marriage. And there are still many of us who believe that a person can change after making a mistake.
Superman needs to fly, Superman needs to wear tights… I’m sick of reading that over and over. The show isn’t called Superman! It’s called Smallville! I really don’t know what have you being watching for almost 8 years! I mean really, maybe you should stick to cartoons!
Okay….now take a deep breath and relax. You are entitled to your own opinion, but most fans would like to see him fly soon, me included…..i agree with you with regards to the tights….don’t think he needs them yet, but some sort of suit.
I posted that comment in the hope that the right people could do something about it as there are many of us who are wishing that Clark would be the Superman that he originally was. Those who don’t like what we want are free to say so, without having to insult those who do. I got interested in Smallville because it was about Superman. Please, let us not turn this site into a battlefield where we hurl insults against one another. Let us stay civil please.
I agree with you….I wasn’t pointing any fingers….I agree with many of the comments here. I feel Clark needs to make the next step to becoming superman and I would love to see him fly and donn the suite…….My comments were towards tzhr…
Same here.
Well, in my previous comment I didn’t insult anyone or try to do so. I really don’t understand why everyone felt insulted but in good spirit i apologize to you all. Through hole 8 years watching Smallville I never even thought for a second about wanting to see him flying, or him in tights, etc. I enjoyed fully in this story that has never been showed and I expecially liked the moments when Clark needed to save the day but without having all of his abilities. And let’s face it the day we see him flying in suit and tights it will probably be the end of Smallville.
And I forgot to say that comment about ‘cartoons’ was primary toward Diplomat2k9!
To tzhr: apology accepted. Each of us has his or her own preferences. While I really don’t enjoy cartoon that much (my husband does!), the child in me still likes to see things that are possible only in the make-believe world. I did enjoy Clark’s slow metamorphosis, but since he is endowed anyway with supernatural abilities, and he was introduced with the ability to fly, I’d like to see him in his original persona. But I also respect other people’s preferences. Let’s see who the producers listen to. As long as they maintain his good character and have good triumph over evil, I’ll keep on watching whether he flies or not. Blessings to all of you out there!
I don’t need to see him wearing tights, but at this point considering how he’s matured in both personality and super-powers it’s ridiculous that he doesn’t fly. EVERY other Kryptonian that’s been on the show has flown – except for Clark.
Vic
FYI: I posted at another screen rant thread that writers have said they will follow the superman mythology with regards to the Clark-Doomsday battle….I wonder if that means Clark may die…..and then of course come back….but I guess we’ll see….
I have been watching smallville religiously for the past 5 or 6 seasons or so. I would like to see Clark fly also. About the tights though it really doesn’t matter. He is already wearing his superman costume. if you notice supermans costume is blue with a red cape, in all the episodes so far clark is wearing a blue t-shirt and a red jacket which to me represents that costume, or tights, so many people think he should be in. And I agree, the minute he actually puts on those tights and flies that will be the end of smallville as we know it. As for Lana Lang, I think she was an integral part of the story as was Lex Luthor, but in a recent episode he was blown up by Oliver Queen and killed, If he is actually dead, I don’t know, because Lex Luthor is Supermans biggest adversary, he needs to come back into the picture somewhere along the way. As for Clark and Chloe having a relationship, that will never happen. Another Character that I think Is a little too dark is the Jimmy Olson Character. One more thing I do think they should bring in Perry White Sometime
I am sure he was the boss at the daily planet before clark started working there, and as far as I remember they only had one episode with Perry white Playing a drunken journalist who worked for some podunk hole in the wall paper. I do believe they are thinking about bringing smallville to an end. I got the feeling of this when they introduced Doomsday. My first thought was that they were going to have doomsday kill clark and that would be it. But that couldnn’t be it because Superman is invincible.
Is that Bizzaro on the last scene on Jimmy¨s funeral??? If it is we probably will find out at the last episode of Smallville or the last episode of 9 season.
@ tzhr
no i doubt it very much, they said they didnt really want to bring bizzaro back into it, although i personally like it alot apparently didnt making the show. besides chloe is gona for good now her contracts up, thats why clark is deciding to cut people out of his life so they dont get hurt and with Zod coming into it next season (probably played by the guy who played davis bloom/doomsday because they said he looks just like his father zod) and well zod is gona cause ALL kinds of crazy, if he is in it from the first episode then man the next season is gona be a crazy one.
I would love to see clark fly but the tights would DEFINETLY ruin everything…if anyone is wondering how ridiculous it wud look go on youtube and look up superboy season 1. Oh and anyone else feel smallville isnt the same without Lex??
I hope clark flys on season 9 that would be nice it sux lex is gone but I’m sure the show will be fine when they end the show they should make a movie with tom welling as superman that would be koo but proly won’t happen
I hope this isn’t the last season. No tights for Clark but flying is a must, Lex has to come back in a wheelchair of sorts like the comic book line and then he will make himself a meteor freak and fight Clark until the end! The story should end soon because the characters are moving into other genres like Buffy did. I look forward to watching what happens to the cast members, anyone notice how many former “Buffy” cast members are on the tube now a days?
he flew or hovered in season 1 episode 2!
he can so fly, come on season 9 sort it out!
i hope clark will fly in season 8 this film is so intresting
that i dont want to miss any part i will like to join the fans.
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