Smallville "X-Ray" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Jimmy Kustes]

I didn't see a thread for this ep, so lets rock!:p

Tonight's episode was juuuuicy with Lex trying to find out if what he was and all. The X-ray vision of Superman played a little too well into the villian of this week. Cameleon is one of my favorite Spider-Man villians, but they tried to rip off him too much.

The side story of Lex and the tabloid reporter was much better than that plot filler about Lana and her mom.

[Calhoun07]

This episode was perhaps my most favorite since the premier. Sure, there were elements of the formula present here, which kinda get old, but there were elements in this episode that I enjoyed quite a bit. The Lex and tabloid reporter thread obviously sets things up for future episodes, and it will be rather interesting to see where they go with that. Lex must be having some doubts about Clark's rescuing of him, and while he may not realize Clark has all these powers, he knows something is up and it will be interesting to see his reaction once it's revealed.

Another thing that I found interesting is that Clark seem to be trying to share the truth about his powers with his friends. Sure, they didn't believe him in this episode, but I doubt he will stop trying to tell somebody else. And it's a natural reaction, I think, to discovering developing powers. He wants to share it with others but is not exactly sure how.

Now, I don't exactly see where the "villian" at the end was neutralized. She hit a tree, got knocked out, but her memory will likely be intact, and her powers will continue to develop. They may bring that character back, but it also makes me wonder how it would threaten Clark's secret?

[Shriek]

I found the episode enjoyable. I really think it is cool how Lex kept the Porsche for that reporter to look at.

Someone said they didn't want to see a car door hinge ripped off again.... Well the cemetery door was ripped off.. ;)

How many times does Clark have to save Lana for her to like him.

I didn't like seeing the villian kill her parent again. Even if it was an accident.

There's more, but I'll post later once everyone puts up some feedback.

[Shriek]

I also forgot to add. Anyone think it is cool to see Lex's evil side. I have to admit I didn't think he was going to get evil. But after tonight...... Oh man this will be cool.

And did anyone notice how many times they mentioned Metropolis. And especially.. Lex mentioned The Daily Planet.

[Failure]

Seeing Lex's evil side was the coolest part. Threatening the reporter (it was the German guy in Saving Private Ryan!) figuring something was up when he was saved by Clark. I think things are going to get interesting.

I was also wondering about the villain. Unless she broke her back or something, I dont see why she couldn't be back. Sooner or later though, Clark's gonna get to a point where he might have some explaining to do.

[DisneyBoy]

Last night's episode was a mix a mix of "OOOH!" and "ho hum..." for me, personaly. The villain of the week thing is really starting to get on me nerves, especially when the writers have already shown that they can keep our interest without having to show Clark beating somebody up. About the level of violence, I am starting to become concerned. It seems that every "villain" must face his wrath by the end of each episode, and no matter how much Tom Welling smiles, it can't change the fact that he is seeming less and less of a good guy to me. That kid in the pilot, the coach, the bug-boy, Tina will all be spending the rest of their lives healing, and next week some Lochness Monster/person/thing is going to become the next punching bag. I don't think this is what Superman or Clark Kent should be about. I would like the writers to address this issue in a future episode.

I agree that Clark isn't really trying to keep his abilities a secret, and hopefully Lex will teach him that he should! I am really looking forward to seeing what that reporter ends up coming up with as an explaination for Clark's strange rescue. When I first read that Lex would be Clark's pal, I thought we'd be in for at least a year or two of buddy-buddy interaction, but I'm glad that the writers opted instead to show that Lex isn't such a great guy from day one. I knew that he could sense something was up with Clark. Kudos to M.R. for his great facial expresions!

I liked the development of Lana and her mother last night, mainly because Lana hasn't had much else to work with besides being the "damsel in distress". I really can't see her and Nelle arguing because she never looks really mad. I hope the writers expand her character more before it becomes cliched.

A few nice touches too: Clark's expression when he saw into the girl's lockeroom (:), Clark and "Lana" 's first kiss, Lex turning the tables on the reporter (who acted a little to scared of Lex in my opinion-after all, he's what...thirty five? Lex way have creepy but not eye-brow-scruntching scary!) and Lana having to go to the car to listen to the cassette-what...no cape-deck in the house? Ahh, maybe she was trying to get away from Nelle. I hear ya!

[Karkull]

I caught part of this episode and I wasn't impressed--I don't like their version of Superman. Lex Luthor, however, impressed me. That scene where he blackmailed the reporter was perfect--reminding us that you don't have to kill a man to ruin his life.

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Failure
I was also wondering about the villain. Unless she broke her back or something, I dont see why she couldn't be back. Sooner or later though, Clark's gonna get to a point where he might have some explaining to do.

But did she break her back? She has soft bone disease, remember?

So soft bone disease enabled her to be a cotortonist. Cool. I can buy that. But I wasn't aware a bone disease would enable a person to change their genetic make up and gender. Wow. Isn't that something?

[MatchesMalone]

I really enjoyed this episode also...I do, however, agree that the "villain of the week" theme that the show has going will get a little tedious if it continues. I've also found it kind of interesting how often Clark's clothing is red, blue, or both...cool.

Other things also seem to be getting repetitive already...How many times will Clark get thrown through a wall or survive an explosion before the naive townfolk of Smallville start to catch on?

Overall, though, I LOVE THIS SHOW!!

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by MatchesMalone
I really enjoyed this episode also...I do, however, agree that the "villain of the week" theme that the show has going will get a little tedious if it continues. I've also found it kind of interesting how often Clark's clothing is red, blue, or both...cool.

Other things also seem to be getting repetitive already...How many times will Clark get thrown through a wall or survive an explosion before the naive townfolk of Smallville start to catch on?

Overall, though, I LOVE THIS SHOW!!

You know, you raise an excellent point. Police often insepect crime scenes. Surely the police would notice the holes in walls and the broken tombstones (how hard is it to miss that!) and start putting two and two together. Either they have Police Chief Wiggum on the job or the writers aren't thinking about it. I'd opt for the latter.

I get the feeling we will be seeing the villian of the week formula for quite some time.

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

On the scene where Clark was walking on the sidewalk near the antique store, he was wearing a shirt that looked a lot like Billy Batson's (Captain Marvel's) shirt, anybody notice that?

[Kal-el]

I enjoyed this episode. Yes, the villian of the week formula is getting old, but in this episode it was interesting. It brought more characters into the mix than the previous eps. I'm waiting for a villian that will stick around more than one episode. This one could return, as we're not really sure what happened to her. I recall yelling at the tv as Clark was carrying Lana out..."have her be gone, have her be gone..." I thought that would have been a very interesting way to have the show end, with her mysteriously gone. At least she's still alive, so it is a possibility she can come back.
I'm not sure why Clark is telling friends of his that he can see through things. What is he trying to do? I'm waiting for him to break down to Lana and show her all the cool stuff he can do. Why not? He's not bashful about using his powers.
Lex was awesome in this ep. They really showed his evil, no nonsense side. It is going to be interesting watching his development and skepticism regarding Clark.

[Calhoun07]

Doesn't Lana know Clark's secret in the animated series? I think him confiding in her about his powers is a good idea. He needs somebody his age he can talk to.

[Stupendous Man]

Lana knows Clarks secret in the
"real" superman universe.

In the comics,
It was Lana who was hopelessly in
love with Clark and Clark was oblivious.

Clarks last night in Smallville , he
told Lana all about his powers and his
plans . Flew her around Smallville in
his arms - then left her on her front door
and left Smallville for good.

Leaving behind a manic depressive Lana ,
who finds out the boy she was idolizing as
a god, actually was one.

* * *

There is no way in the WB series Clark will reveal
to Lana that he is a 'superman'.

Atleast not for the first 3 seasons at any rate.

The whole allure of Superman is that Clark lusts after
women who dont think much of him, and Clark always
'if they only knew the real me ..' .

Its supposed to be a adolescent male fantasy that
drive almost every single comic superheroe from
Spiderman on.

* * *

My prediction is that Clark will tell Chloe ..the blonde..
who is really adopting the Lana comic book role in the series ,
and she will lusts for clark and keep his secret while
Clark longs for Lana (whose really lois) from afar.


* * *

[Kal-el]

Lana does know about Clark in the animated series. If I remember correctly, the episode when he saved her (when she was going out with Lex), she said something like "...primary colors, I guess it works in a superhero kind of way. Let me guess, Martha sewed it for you..." Clark was surprised at this comment so apparently he didn't know that she knew. I'd like it if Lana knew. It would make for a good bond between the two of them. I just hope she doesn't end up being the damsel in distress replacement for Lois Lane. The show doesn't need that, IMO.

[Calhoun07]

We know we don't need a weekly formula, we know we don't want the villian of the week, we know we don't want Lana to be the damsel in distress all the time, we know we don't want plot tension to always fall upon kryptonite, we know all these things, but TV execs think we are too yokel minded to stick with a TV show if they change certain elements every week. And maybe they are right? The most daring TV shows tend to be only cult favorites, and not cash cows. I think WB wants this one to be a cash cow, not a cult favorite on the same level as, say, Twin Peaks.

[Kal-el]

Originally posted by The Spirit

* * *

My prediction is that Clark will tell Chloe ..the blonde..
who is really adopting the Lana comic book role in the series ,
and she will lusts for clark and keep his secret while
Clark longs for Lana (whose really lois) from afar.


* * * [/B]

You make a good point Spirit. Chloe is adopting the Lana persona in this incarnation, while Lana is closer to a Lois Lane figure. I wouldn't be surprised if Clark told Chloe. It would make sense, but I also think telling Lana makes some sense as well. Either way, it will probably put whomever knows in danger almost every episode becasue, as in all superhero stories, anyone who knows the secret is immediately made a target.

[Stupendous Man]

This show wont work if Lana knows.

The end of this series is Clark telling Lana hes a kryptonian.

Were only four episodes in and you guys want them to end
the show?


See theres a difference between wanting Clark to tell ...
(If the shows good you should want Clark to tell her every
episode ) and actually getting what u want.

Case in point - Cheers.
everybody wanted Sam to hook up w diane ..once he did
though the show lost steam.

Or - Closer to home : Lois & Clark .
everybody wanted to see Clark confess to Lois .. once he
did though the show got worse, then eventually cancelled.

Or the comics themselves ...once Clark told Lois in the
comics the writers were so lost it took them years to
find a new direction.

So - In a show like Smallville the tension is the show .
Once Lana knows - whats left ? Bug Boy and Shape Shift
girl. UGGH.

Lets hope Lana never catches on !!

[DR. BELCH]

I wasn't quite sure if that smack against the tree broke her neck and killed her or not. Very up in the air.
In another post I go into a whole scientific lecture on strontium-90 and bone, so that part of the script is not far from the truth.
Now as I saw it the lass could alter her facial bones and length of her legs to look different/taller...but how did she do vocal mimicry so well? And wouldn't her breasts still be present even in altered form? Surely--unless she wasn't too busty or wore loose clothing--somebody had to be looking at Lex and thinking, "Guess ol' Baldy's gotten a little out-of-shape--look at those big ol' man-mammaries." ;)

[Calhoun07]

Cheers had great success after Diane left, I don't think that show lost steam. Perhaps another good example would be Moonlighting. After David hooked up with Maddy, the show tanked.

If Lana is going to be in the know, it has to be early in the series, but if they establish this as a point of tension, conflict, and a point from which to build the plots, then, no, she shouldn't find out. If they did it early in the show, it wouldn't be as difficult for them to go with it as a new direction the show was taking, but if they allow her ignorance to go on, the longer they let it go, the harder it will be on the series once its revealed to her.

[optimal321]

Well, it seems i'm a little late, but i'll post my brief reaction to this ep:

I liked it, probably better than last week's. The Lex sub-plot was so perfect. And the line "I'm not a criminal mastermind" (or something like that) was more fantastic foreshadowing.

The formula was a little bad, but it was still a good ep. I am very anxious to see what happens in later episodes.

Oh, and i think Clark should find out he's a Kryptonian before he tells Lana, personally.

[Kal-el]

Who knows, at this early point Lana knowing could freak her out in some way and Clark would have to prove to her that he isn't weird or dangerous, especially if she finds out because of observing him using his powers. With Clark having to prove something to Lana, there could be plots focusing on how his powers can be dangerous and that he has a great responsibility because of them (that or he could get all depressed because Lana is scared of him). It could eventually strengthen the bond that he has or will have with Lana. Seeing him throw someone across the gym, slamming violently into a wall could be difficult for her to get over. With the liberties the show has taken so far and will take eventually, why not go that route? Either something like that or keep her unaware of his abilities. With the established continuity of Clark and Lana in the Clark Kent/ Superman mythos, it would probably be easier to have Chloe find out, at least early on. Maybe she can fall into a kryptonite pit and somehow turn into a super girl. They could be Smallville's dynamic duo.

Woohoo! Post #100!

[Stupendous Man]

I really think this show will only succeed if this show
becomes a show about the relationships of a young man
with powers.

Not about the powers themselves.

If you wanna see a show about powers ...watch the
new Justice League show , or pick up some of the
comics all this good stuffs based off.

But a live action show, with a limited budget - you
dont want it to be about the stuff which will be hardest
to pull off ..interesting villans and convincing special effects.


And while all these Lana knows stories people are coming up
are good for an episode ... these storylines have to last
seasons.

Lana can never know for the show to last.

* * *
This is the formula I predict for the show :

1st Season : Clark longs for Lana - Lanas clueless.

2cnd Season : Lana begins to suspect , Clark tries to
hide his abilities from her. Clark tells Chloe.

3rd Season: Clark dates a new girl , giving up on Lana .
Lana realizes she loves Clark but now its too
late .

4th Season: Clark leaves girlfriend for Lana after Lana tells
him how much she loves him . Now Clark must
deal with dating Lana without giving away his
secret.

5th Season: Clark tells Lana about his gifts. Shes so upset hes
been keeping secrets from her, she breaks up
with Clark. Whole fifth season is Clark and Lana
trying to be friends after break up. Lana joins
the scooby club.

Show ends with Clark proclaiming his Love for Lana as he leaves
Smallville for Metropolis.

[Calhoun07]

As much as I like the show right now, I think it will ultimately get stuck in the rut of its own formula and kill itself. I don't see it lasting 5 seasons.

[Stupendous Man]

unfortunately Cal, I agree with you.

the only way theyd last five seasons would be to rely
less on villans and more on the teen angst.

[Kal-el]

Originally posted by calhoun07
As much as I like the show right now, I think it will ultimately get stuck in the rut of its own formula and kill itself. I don't see it lasting 5 seasons.

It might not even last 2 or 3 seasons if the current formula remains. As much as we all might like the show, we're not enough to keep it going if the general viewership falls. Look at Lois and Clark. There are fans of that show that tried their best to keep it going, even on another network (ie petitions, letter writing campaigns and the like), but we all know what happened to that show.
It's kind of wierd if you think about it. We all see aspects of the show that can be improved upon and provide a number of strong ways in which this could happen. Why does it seem like the producers and writers don't or can't see the same things?

[Jimmy Kustes]

Congrats Kal-el! :)

I had my 100th post recently as well! Does anyone know if there anything special for post 100?

Also when does the Tick premire on FOX?

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

Originally posted by The Spirit
unfortunately Cal, I agree with you.

the only way theyd last five seasons would be to rely
less on villans and more on the teen angst.

I agree with you Spirit, I'm more interested in the interactions of the characters than the villain sub-plots. Just like yesterday's Enterprise episode "Breaking The Ice", I was more interested in the characters interacting with each other than the whole sub-plot about the giant comet.

[Stupendous Man]

Dont even get me started on Enterprise.

I have high hopes for that show too ,
but captain archer's a loser .

So far only luck and timely assistance has kept his
ship and crew alive.

I want a captain like Kirk who'll lie cheat and steal
to win .

They need to make Archer more of a tactician, '
the kind of captain who wins despite overwhelming
odds.

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by duncanzits
Congrats Kal-el! :)

I had my 100th post recently as well! Does anyone know if there anything special for post 100?

Also when does the Tick premire on FOX?

You can have some cookies.

Tick premiered last night on FOX. I missed it myself, unfortunately.

[Kal-el]

Originally posted by duncanzits
Congrats Kal-el! :)

I had my 100th post recently as well! Does anyone know if there anything special for post 100?



Thanks duncanzits! I worked hard to get there, or here, or, I don't know.

Cal says we get cookies. I like chocolate chip or peanut butter. Fresh out of the oven if possible.

[JusticeLeagueLegion]

Originally posted by The Spirit
Dont even get me started on Enterprise.

I have high hopes for that show too ,
but captain archer's a loser .

So far only luck and timely assistance has kept his
ship and crew alive.

I want a captain like Kirk who'll lie cheat and steal
to win .

They need to make Archer more of a tactician, '
the kind of captain who wins despite overwhelming
odds.

I think the show is too young to make a judgement on Captain Archer all ready. His character hasn't quite developed yet. So I'm not to picky about that. So far I can't say that I dislike Archer.