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Entry tags:
Smallville, "Committed"
As usual, I was writing this while simultaneously watching Grey's Anatomy, and while I'll never be writing reviews of Grey's (reviewing SV and SPN is plenty for one night), the two conversations between Callie and Bailey were pretty much the most hilarious scenes I've ever seen on tv. And also reconfirmed for me that Bailey is the single best reason to keep watching Grey's.
Anyway, on to Smallville, which I loved.
Obligatory shallow comments on the sexual attractiveness of SV characters
Yeah, yeah, Clark was looking hot as usual (especially while in bondage), but he was seriously outshone by the ladies in this episode, in my humble opinion. Lois, in particular, was completely and totally smoking. I really can't decide when she looked best--with her hair up in formalwear making drunken toasts, wearing the red shirt of much cleavage in the Daily Planet, or hungover wearing Clark's shirt. Okay, hungover wearing Clark's clothes with her hair in cute disarray definitely wins, but the other two scenes come in at a close second.
And Tess was also looking ravishing tonight, especially in every scene with Oliver. *Fans self* And yet I have to give Tess props: even when she's sexing up Oliver she's still rocking the femslash vibe, because you just know she got into stick fighting watching Xena: Warrior Princess.
Things I loved
Chloe/Jimmy
Okay, maybe this should really be classified as "things I was surprised to find I did not hate." I may be drifting back over to the Chloe/Jimmy side of the force. At the beginning of the episode, I was completely with Lois and her hilarious drunken analysis of their relationship: who the heck marries the first guy who ever shows interest in her? But I thought, for the first time in a long time, there was actually some chemistry tonight, especially when they were being tortured and again at the end. Sure, Jimmy's "secret" was pretty damn anticlimactic, but that conversation was actually a believable relationship conversation, and while I've always bought that Jimmy loves Chloe, AM is finally starting to convince me that Chloe loves Jimmy.
I think the scene I actually loved most, though, was Jimmy confessing that the fuzzy handcuffs were his idea, and a lot less creepy yesterday. Hee! I actually think that secret was harder for him to tell and more revelatory than either confessing his infidelity or that his dad was a mechanic alcoholic.
Chloe-Lois
Best cousins EVER. I thought Lois' drunken speech was so in character for her--completely truthful yet somewhat poorly timed and lacking in tact. So to have Chloe have a conversation with her that actually said those things? And Lois' genuine contrition at having spoiled Chloe's special night? And Chloe's comeback about how the night was really spoiled by the crazy guy, but perhaps Lois should consider not going to engagement parties, considering Lex & Lana's? Hee hee hee. They are just awesome together.
Oliver/Tess
I loved getting the backstory; I loved the fact that they are, in fact, giving Ollie some of the DC canonical jerkiness toward women; I completely loved their chemistry together (and it was made more palatable to me since Ollie is now under the mistaken impression that Lois is with Clark, so I'm sure he was feeling a little vulnerable and needy); and I completely loved how Tess brushed him off in the morning. DAMN. Scratching an itch? Cold, and completely in character, and kind of awesome, considering their history. My only complaint is why did we not get to see Lex in scenes like that just about every week?
My mind just went to a very very happy place where Lex and Ollie had the occasional angry-sex-fest and then Lex completely blew him off in the morning, and we actually got to see that onscreen. Sigh.
Drunk Lois
Drunk Lois is my very very favorite Lois. Well, or at least completely tied with hungover-and-wearing-Clark's-clothes Lois. Especially when there is Clois banter involved. Oh yes.
Things I had mixed feelings about
Lois/Clark
I felt like I was on a roller coaster on this episode, going "love love love HATE HATE HATE love love." Loved the banter, especially while Lois was drunk and hungover. Loved them investigating together (especially in the Talon apartment--that scene cracked me up) and pretending to be dating.
But I absolutely 100% hated Lois being forced to admit her feelings for Clark to save his life (or so she thought). I mean, ED acted the hell out of that, and I can see the value for the overall story in doing that, but I felt it was such a huge violation, especially when Clark didn't end up having to say anything about his feelings (or lack thereof) for her. Despite all the romantic storytelling conventions blah blah blah, I was really mad at the writers for making her vulnerable in that way. Maybe this isn't an entirely rational reaction; I just feel like you shouldn't do that to Lois Lane, dammit.
But then that final Clois scene repaired it, most of the way anyway. I did love Clark trying to give her an out, praising her ability to lie, and I loved her genius reply about pulling the electrode off her finger. Because *that* is my Lois Lane. She's the one who should be knocking Clark off-balance, not the other way around. I mean, I realize eventually it is mutual and all that. I just don't want her PINING. Or even inadvertantly leading Clark to think that she is pining for him.
What salvaged it for me was the complicated expression on Clark's face at the end of that elevator scene, which seemed to convey: I was feeling uncomfortable with your revelation since I don't feel that way about you, but now that I think you were lying I'm kind of hurt, and maybe I do actually feel something for you. MUTUAL pining, covered with fierce denials and lots of banter, that's an ok place for this relationship to be right now. So I guess I will forgive this storyline. I just still kind of wish Clark had fallen first.
Anyway, on to Smallville, which I loved.
Obligatory shallow comments on the sexual attractiveness of SV characters
Yeah, yeah, Clark was looking hot as usual (especially while in bondage), but he was seriously outshone by the ladies in this episode, in my humble opinion. Lois, in particular, was completely and totally smoking. I really can't decide when she looked best--with her hair up in formalwear making drunken toasts, wearing the red shirt of much cleavage in the Daily Planet, or hungover wearing Clark's shirt. Okay, hungover wearing Clark's clothes with her hair in cute disarray definitely wins, but the other two scenes come in at a close second.
And Tess was also looking ravishing tonight, especially in every scene with Oliver. *Fans self* And yet I have to give Tess props: even when she's sexing up Oliver she's still rocking the femslash vibe, because you just know she got into stick fighting watching Xena: Warrior Princess.
Things I loved
Chloe/Jimmy
Okay, maybe this should really be classified as "things I was surprised to find I did not hate." I may be drifting back over to the Chloe/Jimmy side of the force. At the beginning of the episode, I was completely with Lois and her hilarious drunken analysis of their relationship: who the heck marries the first guy who ever shows interest in her? But I thought, for the first time in a long time, there was actually some chemistry tonight, especially when they were being tortured and again at the end. Sure, Jimmy's "secret" was pretty damn anticlimactic, but that conversation was actually a believable relationship conversation, and while I've always bought that Jimmy loves Chloe, AM is finally starting to convince me that Chloe loves Jimmy.
I think the scene I actually loved most, though, was Jimmy confessing that the fuzzy handcuffs were his idea, and a lot less creepy yesterday. Hee! I actually think that secret was harder for him to tell and more revelatory than either confessing his infidelity or that his dad was a mechanic alcoholic.
Chloe-Lois
Best cousins EVER. I thought Lois' drunken speech was so in character for her--completely truthful yet somewhat poorly timed and lacking in tact. So to have Chloe have a conversation with her that actually said those things? And Lois' genuine contrition at having spoiled Chloe's special night? And Chloe's comeback about how the night was really spoiled by the crazy guy, but perhaps Lois should consider not going to engagement parties, considering Lex & Lana's? Hee hee hee. They are just awesome together.
Oliver/Tess
I loved getting the backstory; I loved the fact that they are, in fact, giving Ollie some of the DC canonical jerkiness toward women; I completely loved their chemistry together (and it was made more palatable to me since Ollie is now under the mistaken impression that Lois is with Clark, so I'm sure he was feeling a little vulnerable and needy); and I completely loved how Tess brushed him off in the morning. DAMN. Scratching an itch? Cold, and completely in character, and kind of awesome, considering their history. My only complaint is why did we not get to see Lex in scenes like that just about every week?
My mind just went to a very very happy place where Lex and Ollie had the occasional angry-sex-fest and then Lex completely blew him off in the morning, and we actually got to see that onscreen. Sigh.
Drunk Lois
Drunk Lois is my very very favorite Lois. Well, or at least completely tied with hungover-and-wearing-Clark's-clothes Lois. Especially when there is Clois banter involved. Oh yes.
Things I had mixed feelings about
Lois/Clark
I felt like I was on a roller coaster on this episode, going "love love love HATE HATE HATE love love." Loved the banter, especially while Lois was drunk and hungover. Loved them investigating together (especially in the Talon apartment--that scene cracked me up) and pretending to be dating.
But I absolutely 100% hated Lois being forced to admit her feelings for Clark to save his life (or so she thought). I mean, ED acted the hell out of that, and I can see the value for the overall story in doing that, but I felt it was such a huge violation, especially when Clark didn't end up having to say anything about his feelings (or lack thereof) for her. Despite all the romantic storytelling conventions blah blah blah, I was really mad at the writers for making her vulnerable in that way. Maybe this isn't an entirely rational reaction; I just feel like you shouldn't do that to Lois Lane, dammit.
But then that final Clois scene repaired it, most of the way anyway. I did love Clark trying to give her an out, praising her ability to lie, and I loved her genius reply about pulling the electrode off her finger. Because *that* is my Lois Lane. She's the one who should be knocking Clark off-balance, not the other way around. I mean, I realize eventually it is mutual and all that. I just don't want her PINING. Or even inadvertantly leading Clark to think that she is pining for him.
What salvaged it for me was the complicated expression on Clark's face at the end of that elevator scene, which seemed to convey: I was feeling uncomfortable with your revelation since I don't feel that way about you, but now that I think you were lying I'm kind of hurt, and maybe I do actually feel something for you. MUTUAL pining, covered with fierce denials and lots of banter, that's an ok place for this relationship to be right now. So I guess I will forgive this storyline. I just still kind of wish Clark had fallen first.
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I very much agree with you thoughts on Lois and Clark and the confession. I had read about it in spoilers and had major trepidation about the direction they were heading. I don't like Lois falling first and Clark still debating his own feelings. But, I think in the end it played out well, albeit not how I personally would prefer. The elevator scene helped Lois gain back her control and personality, and I liked that. And YES! Clark's expression was pitch perfect and priceless. (But YES! ED did act the hell out of the confession scene. She really can do those tough scenes well.)
I am enjoying the Clois a lot this season. Their banter and chemistry is great and I hope they keep on with this type of flow without it becoming pining and Lana complications. I won't be able to deal with that I don't think. But, most of the time the things I worry about end up not being as bad when they really play out, so we'll see. I think Clark believed her that she pulled the sensor off.
YAY for a Chloe/Lois scene. They are so few and far between that when we get one it's quite special. It's crazy but it feels to me that a lot of the stuff that goes on in fandom makes me feel like those two characters despise eachother, and so it's nice to see them really show love for eachother. I thought the scene tonight was very needed and very nicely played.
Hehehe on drunk Lois. :) I love her. She really lets her snark show like that and Clark's reaction is priceless. Hungover Lois seems to be even better. I love those bits!! :)
I have been pretty much on the fence with Tess since her arrival, but tonight she moved up a rung in my eyes. Her "scratch an itch" comment was awesome (poor gorgeous Ollie) but YES! I totally was like "why couldn't we have seen Lex using that bedroom and people like that?" GUH!!! Offscreenville is a VERY hot and slashy show! ;)
And to stop taking over your journal with my rambling thoughts, I will just add YES on the Chlimmy. While I have personally been a bit happy to see Chloe moving away from her attachment to Clark, I wasn't sure I could buy into Jimmy being the end all be all for her. Tonight's interaction between them played nicely and helped me see that there could be something there that is endearing.
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Given how often he's been shirtless this season, apparently someone on the show agrees with you!
I had read about it in spoilers and had major trepidation about the direction they were heading. I don't like Lois falling first and Clark still debating his own feelings. But, I think in the end it played out well, albeit not how I personally would prefer.
Oh, I'm very glad I was unspoiled, because I think anticipating that would have been much worse, even though in the end I agree that they mostly fixed it.
It's crazy but it feels to me that a lot of the stuff that goes on in fandom makes me feel like those two characters despise eachother, and so it's nice to see them really show love for eachother
I mostly try to avoid the partisan character fights, since I love both characters, but yeah--it's great to see their bond.
I have been pretty much on the fence with Tess since her arrival, but tonight she moved up a rung in my eyes. Her "scratch an itch" comment was awesome (poor gorgeous Ollie) but YES! I totally was like "why couldn't we have seen Lex using that bedroom and people like that?" GUH!!! Offscreenville is a VERY hot and slashy show! ;)
I want offscreenville a lot! But even given that, I am really loving Tess, and I would not have expected that, honestly.
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That is exactly where my mind went. I mean, they were in the mansion, and Tess said that Oliver "knew the way out"! OBVIOUSLY he has practice in leaving bedrooms :P
I loved the little non-verbal non-conversation when Lois was hungover worried about how she got undressed. I've always been a Clark/Lois shipper, but this was seriously fun!
I love having so many articulate people on my flist, because the sum total of my reaction last night was "Awwwwwwwwwwww".
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Then Callie repeating everything that Bailey said on her date it was so cute especially with her babbling!
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God, they were all so beautiful last night. I couldn't believe the screen could contain them.
I really can't decide when she looked best--with her hair up in formalwear making drunken toasts, wearing the red shirt of much cleavage in the Daily Planet, or hungover wearing Clark's shirt. Okay, hungover wearing Clark's clothes with her hair in cute disarray definitely wins, but the other two scenes come in at a close second.
I loved the formalwear... I need an icon of Clark lifting her down off that stool. There was just something about how beautiful she was, and how he held her so effortlessly... damn.
At the beginning of the episode, I was completely with Lois and her hilarious drunken analysis of their relationship: who the heck marries the first guy who ever shows interest in her?
You and me both. I was really surprised that the show was going there — "Chloe's barely legal..." I'm still firmly of the opinion that they're rushing into the marriage, but I do agree that they sold it.
Sure, Jimmy's "secret" was pretty damn anticlimactic, but that conversation was actually a believable relationship conversation, and while I've always bought that Jimmy loves Chloe, AM is finally starting to convince me that Chloe loves Jimmy.
The secret was anticlimactic, but I think it was an intriguing reflection of how Jimmy sees Chloe. She's not some big city glamour girl — she's the daughter of the (last we heard!) unemployed manager of a crap factory and a mother who left when she was a child. But he sees her as something different — which is either sweet or ::danger flashing:: pedestalization, depending on where you're standing. :-)
And Chloe's comeback about how the night was really spoiled by the crazy guy, but perhaps Lois should consider not going to engagement parties, considering Lex & Lana's? Hee hee hee. They are just awesome together.
I completely agree. I loved the Chloe-Lois scene at the end, and can so see Lois firmly turning down any invitations to engagement parties from now on!
I loved the fact that they are, in fact, giving Ollie some of the DC canonical jerkiness toward women
I love that they're giving him the tomcattery, but that Justin Hartley is playing Ollie with enough charm that I can understand how Ollie gets away with being such a jerk at times.
Drunk Lois is my very very favorite Lois. Well, or at least completely tied with hungover-and-wearing-Clark's-clothes Lois. Especially when there is Clois banter involved. Oh yes.
Oh, man, I loved the back and forth between Clark and Lois. Especially in the morning-after scene. Tom was so gentle in his teasing, yet so merciless. And she was just so humiliated. Yet he wasn't being mean, so there was nothing for her to really hit back at him for. And how much did I love that phone call to Chloe!?!?!?
Despite all the romantic storytelling conventions blah blah blah, I was really mad at the writers for making her vulnerable in that way. Maybe this isn't an entirely rational reaction; I just feel like you shouldn't do that to Lois Lane, dammit.
Oh, man, that moment when Clark is kneeling in front of her, untying her, just broke my heart. She didn't want to even look at him, and the look on his face was just so... sympathetic. Damn. She was so exposed, and it wasn't fair.
But then that final Clois scene repaired it, most of the way anyway. I did love Clark trying to give her an out, praising her ability to lie, and I loved her genius reply about pulling the electrode off her finger. Because *that* is my Lois Lane.
YES. I love that he took the opening he gave her and ran with it, to the point that he was convinced she had told him the truth, and left him so out of whack... when the elevator doors closed, he was the one who was all confident; by the time they opened, she'd regained the upper hand, and confused him so completely he didn't even get off the elevator. Love it.
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And this lie detection thing would've worked much better with, say, Lex and Lionel. Having to tell the truth to your parents? AWKWARD!
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That is a brilliant observation, and clearly shows that the Oliver/Lex hatesex was canon. *Nods*
Yeah, that hangover scene may be my favorite Lois scene ever. Especially Clark telling her she put the shirt on herself. For an hour. In the kitchen. Hee!!!
*Needs another Clois icon*
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Welcome! I have to warn you, though, I don't actually talk about GA very much here, if that's what you friended me for.
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Guh. YES. The only reason I haven't rewatched that scene (all the Clois scenes, really) a million times already is because I watch too much TV on Thursday. And then there are these inconveniences called "sleep" and "work" interfering with my Smallville rewatching. I've been liking the Clois all season, but I haven't *loved* a Clois ep this much since "Crimson."
The secret was anticlimactic, but I think it was an intriguing reflection of how Jimmy sees Chloe. She's not some big city glamour girl — she's the daughter of the (last we heard!) unemployed manager of a crap factory and a mother who left when she was a child. But he sees her as something different — which is either sweet or ::danger flashing:: pedestalization, depending on where you're standing. :-)
Right! I can't honestly believe they're giving Chimmy a happy ending--no relationship has ever gone well on this show, and Chimmy doesn't have DC canon to back it--so it's an interesting danger sign.
Your comment also reminded me how DEEPLY weird it was that Chloe didn't mention her own dad in either conversation with Jimmy about the parents, which didn't make sense to me, especially because as you say it's not like her dad was the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or something.
Tom was so gentle in his teasing, yet so merciless. And she was just so humiliated. Yet he wasn't being mean, so there was nothing for her to really hit back at him for. And how much did I love that phone call to Chloe!?!?!?
Yeah--I really did love Clark in that scene. And I also just adore the continuity, going back to season 4, of what a cute drunk Lois is. (It reminds me of her beating up that frat guy while she was in her bunny slippers).
She didn't want to even look at him, and the look on his face was just so... sympathetic. Damn. She was so exposed, and it wasn't fair.
YES! That's what I was trying to articulate. She was exposed, like the jeweler had made her strip naked or something. And you're right, Clark was awesome in that scene--really they both were, it was just very hard to watch.
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The lie detector thing wouldn't have worked well with Lionel and Lex, though, because they both would have wanted to electroshock the other!
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...yeah. But honestly, even 45 minutes of them shocking each other would have been great television.
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Re: Lois' soul-baring confession: It made me squirm (it certainly made Lois squirm! *hearts ED's acting*), but damn did it ever take 'this' Clark and 'this' Lois places I've never seen the two characters taken in other mediums or shows. Without the 4 years of teasing and sparring, there's no way that final scene would have worked. I loved that they destabilised each other so thoroughly.
Re: Lois 'falling first': Because Lois has been compartmentalising Clark into the 'drinks Shirley Temples/rookie' category for so long, I think it makes sense for her to have her big revelation first. Let's face it. She's really had the upper hand in their friendship up until now. Now that Clark has come into his own, she can't obfuscate any longer. As for how far Clark is behind her in terms of epiphanies - and setting the whole Lana issue aside - true to his personality, he's been slowly building up to it for a long time. He's never let his conscious mind 'go there' because he's never imagined that Lois might think of him in romantic terms. After Instinct and Committed, you can totally see the wheels turning in his head.
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Hmmm....That's an interesting point. I actually hadn't thought about it that way before.