norwich36 | SV: Hypnotic

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SV: Hypnotic

I wanted to write down my responses to the episode before reading other people's, but I don't really have any deep thoughts at the moment, other than I'd really like to be Simone (and I would have done a few things differently when we got to the Luthor manor. Ok, maybe not, if Lex were blackmailing me, but that fic premise pretty much writes itself, doesn't it?)

It did strike me as interesting, though, how despite the overwhelming SV preference for brunette babes, in the past couple seasons whenever Clark has "strayed" from Lana it has been with a blonde with short hair. (Just not the one I want it to be....sigh.)

Other than that: I liked Lex getting his Indiana Jones on again. He's being played by Fine, yes, but I don't believe he trusts Fine, so I'm willing to wait and see how that storyline plays out. I also liked that they're continuing to show his descent into iconic villainy, with the Simone subplot. And at least he's starting to show signs of the vaunted Lexian ability to manipulate people (i.e. only communicating with Simone remotely), but if Lex was smart enough to figure out Simone killed her dad, he must have figured out about the medallion, so why didn't he drug her in her sleep and steal it for himself? Besides the fact that we needed a storyline, I mean.

I will believe Lana and Clark are broken up if they get through the next five episodes and are still broken up. Maybe. But still, assuming we take them at their word, I do like the plot dynamic it sets up. I really, really loved that last scene with Lana and Lex, and her anger at Clark. I like the way they are positioning her alliance with Lex, too, and that they're taking some time to set that up first before moving directly to the Lexana. And I also love that Lex is playing her, being apparently aboveboard but manipulating her behind the scenes. That's the kind of Lexana I want to see.

Metatextually, I think, actually, making Lana furious with Clark is a plausible way to move the Lexana along faster, so if they are actually done with the Clana, I actually forgive the writers for all the dithering about the breakup, because they did need to set up a scenario in which she would be more angry than heartbroken.

What else? Chloe continues to kick butt this season. Her scene pulling the wool over Simone's eyes was awesome; I loved her faith in Clark and her defense of him to Lois; and I really loved the fact that she got to pull a Clark-like vanishing act on Lois. That really cracked me up. And she completely rocked in that scene at the Luthor mansion--Clark could stand to learn some smooth moves from her!

Overall I thought this was a solid episode setting in motion a few of the plotlines that are going to finish up the season--nothing spectacular but pretty fun to watch.

Ok, that is all for now. Off to see what everyone else thinks.

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Clark does seem to like blondes. There was Alicia, and then, when Abigail Fine showed up without her acne, he seemed to think she was pretty cute, too.

I thought the same thing: will Clark and Lana really STAY broken up? The relationship is like crack for AlMiles, so time will tell.

I didn't really like the way the breakup played out, but if it lasts, so be it. I always need to watch an ep at least twice before my opinion solidifies, though.

Well, I thought Clark picked an especially dumb way to break up, but it could have been worse--for a while I thought they were just going to let Lana keep on believing Clark cheated on her, which would have made me gnash my teeth in fury. Actually, the fact that she *knows* Clark was hypnotized makes the scenario work a little better for me, because it helps explain her extreme anger. It's not just that Clark says he doesn't love her anymore, when she's been patiently waiting (from her perspective, anyway); even though she probably was willing to forgive Clark for what he did under hypnosis, I'm sure seeing him with Simone is still fueling a lot of her anger.

Will they stay broken up? Well, I've been proven wrong before, but I think they might, at least until the Lexana is played out.

I saw that you didn't like the episode, but honestly I thought it was the slashiest (or at least most slashable) in a long time. I mean, Lex paying someone to break Clark and Lana up doesn't have to be about Lana, does it? And in that scene in the mansion, Lex looked like he was almost able to break through Clark's hypnosis (just by the sheer power of LOVE. Oh, was that only in my head?)

Lex looked like he was almost able to break through Clark's hypnosis (just by the sheer power of LOVE. Oh, was that only in my head?)

No, it wasn't. Lex was the only person who got Clark to even waver or hesitate. He was calm and polite with his mom, Chloe and Lana, but he didn't waver from what Simone had told him to do with any of them. With Lex, he hesitated, he started to waver. Simone basically had to remind him what he was supposed to be doing.

I almost want to say that it's indicative of how Clark has always responded to Lex being upfront with him, which is to say that he tends to ~~melt entirely~~ soften, become warmer. And that's consistent with the way he was still fairly honest/in-character in his dealings with everyone else -- respectful and warm with his mom, open and straightforward with Chloe, annoyed with Lois -- despite being hypnotized.

I liked Lex getting his Indiana Jones on again. He's being played by Fine, yes, but I don't believe he trusts Fine, so I'm willing to wait and see how that storyline plays out.

Right. For right now, I'm telling myself that Lex doesn't trust Fine as far as he could throw him, but he *is* intrigued, so he's going to play along and see what he can learn. Frankly, I think it would be a mistake, storytelling-wise, for them to portray Lex as capable of being easily snowed by Fine as Clark was, *especially* given that Lex's initial introduction to Fine was less than friendly anyway. Also, Fine is a worthy opponent, so this shouldn't be some slam-dunk situation where he's always got the upper-hand. If Lex is really supposed to be growing into the Big Bad, then he should be able to at least hold his own with someone like Fine instead of getting completely steam-rollered.

I also liked that they're continuing to show his descent into iconic villainy, with the Simone subplot.

Agreed. I just got done saying elsewhere that this is why it was stupid to then have Simone double-cross him. If she'd stayed loyal or at least just done her freakin' job, then it really would have been a nice feather in Lex's villainy cap. But the PTB are terrified of letting Lex know the truth about Clark, so of course Simone had to be *yet another* backstabbing minion. I do love that Lex basically got away with it despite that, though, with none of the other characters apparently even considering the possibility that he was working *with* Simone.

And at least he's starting to show signs of the vaunted Lexian ability to manipulate people (i.e. only communicating with Simone remotely), but if Lex was smart enough to figure out Simone killed her dad, he must have figured out about the medallion, so why didn't he drug her in her sleep and steal it for himself?

Also, why was it so easy for Chloe to piece together Simone's backstory? I mean, if the idea was supposed to be that Lex was holding something over Simone's head that she was terrified of anyone finding out, then it shouldn't have taken two mouse clicks for Chloe to surmise the situation.

Stuff like this is what makes me want to send the whole creative team to Screenwriting 101 camp.

I just got done saying elsewhere that this is why it was stupid to then have Simone double-cross him. If she'd stayed loyal or at least just done her freakin' job, then it really would have been a nice feather in Lex's villainy cap. In general, I agree with you that Lex needs to get competent help, or at least some minions who are loyal, but I was less bothered by Simone's betrayal because it was clearly shown that Lex was overreaching himself. I think if he had stuck to blackmailing Simone to get at Clark, she would have remained loyal; it was his indication that he was going to keep blackmailing her forever that triggered the betrayal. Lex just has to learn that the best minions can't be bought or blackmailed; they have to be motivated by personal loyalty!

Metatextually, my guess is that as much as the writers have given thought to this, they're thinking that making Lex an *incompetent* villain makes him somewhat less evil than Lionel, and it's only after he actually kills Lionel, which I assume is coming soon, that he'll start having the brains and manipulative powers of the iconic Lex Luthor.

But I do think you're right about the failure of writing imagination, with regards to many, many WTF moments in this plot/this season altogether (like the fact that Metropolis is now apparently ten minutes away from Smallville).

In general, I agree with you that Lex needs to get competent help, or at least some minions who are loyal, but I was less bothered by Simone's betrayal because it was clearly shown that Lex was overreaching himself. I think if he had stuck to blackmailing Simone to get at Clark, she would have remained loyal

Nah, I think she'd already planned to cut out on him because she didn't tell him any of the things she'd learned about Clark; she flat-out lied about that. His ordering her to Honduras is what tipped her over into deciding to *kill* him, but she'd already decided to co-opt Clark to her own ends and not do what Lex asked of her by the time she walked into the mansion. But you're right that Lex also reneged on the deal when he asked her to come to Honduras since it sounds like he initially told her there were only two things he needed from her -- Clark's secret and the end of the Clana. So, I guess they're both snakes, but Lex is the one I care about, and I'd ... really just like them to either introduce Hope and Mercy and be done with it or give him a better class of general minions.

Metatextually, my guess is that as much as the writers have given thought to this, they're thinking that making Lex an *incompetent* villain makes him somewhat less evil than Lionel, and it's only after he actually kills Lionel, which I assume is coming soon, that he'll start having the brains and manipulative powers of the iconic Lex Luthor.

It's either this and/or not having enough imagination to write Lex intelligently and as though his capable while still managing to keep him from running circles around everyone else.

Nah, I think she'd already planned to cut out on him because she didn't tell him any of the things she'd learned about Clark; she flat-out lied about that. His ordering her to Honduras is what tipped her over into deciding to *kill* him, but she'd already decided to co-opt Clark to her own ends and not do what Lex asked of her by the time she walked into the mansion.

Well, to be honest, I can't blame her for switching alliances. I mean, I'm pretty much a Lex minion myself, but if I had the choice between handing over a hot superpowered guy or keeping him totally under my control....well, that's not a tough choice. And Lex *was* blackmailing her; it's not like she chose to ally herself with him.

But of course, all of that simply reinforces your point that they need to show that Lex has the ability to get minions who *are* loyal. I agree: bring on Hope or Mercy.

It's either this and/or not having enough imagination to write Lex intelligently and as though his capable while still managing to keep him from running circles around everyone else.

Your explanation, alas, is probably the correct one, but I keep *hoping* that the writers actually have a plan.

I like the way they are positioning her alliance with Lex, too, and that they're taking some time to set that up first before moving directly to the Lexana. And I also love that Lex is playing her, being apparently aboveboard but manipulating her behind the scenes. That's the kind of Lexana I want to see.

Viewed in this light, I find it more interesting to contemplate the Lexana. I like it better if Lex is manipulating her because he likes the idea of her as his trophy wife or whatever rather than because he's really in love with her. Because it can't help but feel one-sided if he's really in love with her but the only way he stood a chance was via prying her out of Clark's hands, you know?

Metatextually, I think, actually, making Lana furious with Clark is a plausible way to move the Lexana along faster, so if they are actually done with the Clana, I actually forgive the writers for all the dithering about the breakup, because they did need to set up a scenario in which she would be more angry than heartbroken.

I agree but there's still something about the set-up that bugs me, and it's that Lana has absolutely no agency within it. I don't like it that they're essentially setting it up where Clark was the 'bad guy' and if Lana responds by doing something stupid or ill-advised, then Clark and everyone else is going to more or less view that as Clark's fault. There's been absolutely no acknowledgment, beyond Lockdown, for the idea that Lana hasn't been all that honest within the relationship either. The Reckoning breakup felt more like a natural, organic end to the relationship, where they both realized it wasn't working, they weren't getting what they needed from each other/give the other what they needed, etc. The way they've set things up with Hypnotic, Lana once again escapes responsibility for anyting (like, say, going back into a relationship with a guy she *already knew* wasn't being truthful with her) *and*, if she runs to Lex and ultimately gets hurt, then that might not be her fault either, because oh, noes, she might not have turned to the Dark Prince if Clark hadn't been so awful to her when he broke up with her.

I'm willing to wait and see, but they don't have a great track record with ever really letting Lana *own* anything she does, especially when what she does is ill-advised, but who knows. They might surprise me next week by making it really clear that whatever stupid thing Lana's done is on *Lana* alone.

I like it better if Lex is manipulating her because he likes the idea of her as his trophy wife or whatever rather than because he's really in love with her. Because it can't help but feel one-sided if he's really in love with her but the only way he stood a chance was via prying her out of Clark's hands, you know?

Yes, I definitely don't want a Lex who is hopelessly in love with Lana when she doesn't return his feelings. But I think it's beyond a desire for a trophy wife. I think Lex wants Lana because she's Clark's, and he wants to take something away from Clark. I also think he does have authentic feelings for her, as one person who has been (mostly) honest with him and represents the acceptance he was always wanting out of Clark, but never got. And I think he wants an ally who he can trust because he controls them. So Lana is all these things to him. Really, as long as he's not hopelessly in love with an oblivious Lana, I'm going to be all right with whatever they do, Lexana-wise.

I don't like it that they're essentially setting it up where Clark was the 'bad guy' and if Lana responds by doing something stupid or ill-advised, then Clark and everyone else is going to more or less view that as Clark's fault.

Yeah, I definitely see your point here. My hope is that they're actually going to go to a somewhat dark place with the Lexana, and involve Lana in some seriously shady stuff, and they're setting up the plot this way so she doesn't completely become a villain to the audience, because they can understand her motives and see it as partly Clark's fault. I'm sure that by the end of the series they're going to reposition Lana as being on Clark's side, once again, and they feel they need to do the Lexana arc in a way that, from the writer's perspective, allows Lana to remain a partly sympathetic character.

It's cheating to do it this way, but it's a pretty common strategy to protect popular characters, even in well-written show--like letting Willow be the big bad in season 6 Buffy, but her behavior is excused by her grief for Tara. (And yes, I know Lana isn't popular on lj or TWOP, but she is popular among many fans of the show, and we all know Almiles worship her). And while I would rather they not take such an easy way out with the character, I so much prefer Lexana to Clana that I'm willing to put up with this to see where they go with the Lexana.

Yes, I definitely don't want a Lex who is hopelessly in love with Lana when she doesn't return his feelings. But I think it's beyond a desire for a trophy wife.

I would actually love to see Lex and Lana as a dark Nick and Nora Charles, plotting mayhem and devastation for those who don't do their bidding, to be honest. I think that would be a lot of fun. Just *anything* other than him being in love with her and her being with him because he's convenient but not in any way returning feelings of genuine affection.

I'm sure that by the end of the series they're going to reposition Lana as being on Clark's side, once again, and they feel they need to do the Lexana arc in a way that, from the writer's perspective, allows Lana to remain a partly sympathetic character.

You know what's funny, though? I'll actually find it less sympathetic if Lana engages in shady stuff and then blames her decision to do so on Clark. Just like my sympathy kind of dipped for her when she didn't even wait *until the next day* to go running over to the mansion to tell the guy she *knows* has romantic feelings for her that she just broke up with her boyfriend. That smacked more of Lana wanting to make sure the backup boyfriend was ready to step up to the plate and less of her wanting to comisserate with someone over her broken heart. Yeah, she's devastated, but apparently not so devastated she can't take a few minutes to ensure she won't be alone when she decides she's 'over' Clark. Like, seriously, did she just go straight from the farm to the mansion without even stopping to have a good cry on the way?

I'm being flippant, and actually, I like it that Lana's angry rather than overly weepy, but still. Like you said, it's cheating to have her do a bunch of sketchy, sketchy things but expect us to let it slide in the end because Clark was harsh when he broke up with her. It's Lexmas all over again: Plenty of people lose their loved ones, but they don't then decide to become a Supervillain!

I would actually love to see Lex and Lana as a dark Nick and Nora Charles, plotting mayhem and devastation for those who don't do their bidding, to be honest

I would love that *so* much. And the producers might find, if they tried it, that the audience loved it too. Especially the comic fanboys, who seem to be the audience they're trying to attract this season, with all the comics characters that keep popping up.

And I agree with you that they're taking stupid shortcuts with both Lana and Lex's characterization, and I think that *is* a writing problem. I think it part it's connected to the WB's desire to keep the episodes largely self-contained instead of true arcs, because that's easier for syndication: I think that makes showing really character growth more difficult. And also the writing staff on this show seems to do a better job with big symbolic gestures rather than slow character growth.

why didn't he drug her in her sleep and steal it for himself?
Ah! A 'why?' I didn't think of. Dude, there are so many... so many things are done purely for plot reasons. *sigh* I didn't buy that Lex was foiled by Simone's double-crossing. He really needs a back-up plan for when that happens! Grr.

I will believe Lana and Clark are broken up if they get through the next five episodes and are still broken up. Maybe.
Haha! Yes. See my reaction in my ep review = IDENTICAL.

That's the kind of Lexana I want to see.
Yes, it has the potential to be complex and interesting--I remain hopeful!

they did need to set up a scenario in which she would be more angry than heartbroken
Indeed! And wasn't it great that Clark realised that? *pats Clark*

Indeed! And wasn't it great that Clark realised that? *pats Clark*

Hee hee hee!

I'm just ready for the Lexana, baby! (Points to icon)

Mmm... sexy Lexana! ;)

Giggling. Are you saying my icon is sexy, or yours is? Because I think yours is a little scary.

Yours! (this was just the only Lexana icon I have left...)

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SV: Hypnotic

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