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Zod
Major spoilers for the season premiere of Smallville behind the cut:
I actually kept a running commentary while I was watching, but I don't think that it's interesting enough to post. Overall, I really enjoyed the episode, especially the way it's positioning the characters for season 6.
There was nothing I really disliked in this episode, but let me start with the part that engaged me least before I move on to the really squeeful parts of this review. Although I thought they did a great job with the special effects for the Phantom Zone, and it was nice to hear a little bit of positive information on Jor-El, otherwise Clark's little trip there was really the least engaging part of the episode, I thought. As soon as he found the woman who worked with his dad, the conclusion of that whole segment seemed pretty foregone, to me. It was kind of fun to watch, but that's all, which is too bad, because it felt like every other character arc underwent more significant development in this episode.
I was very happy with the way they dealt with the Zodana, on pretty much every level. It was wonderful that he was not under her spell; it made sense to me that she would keep trying to save Lex, but I also really liked seeing Lana's attempts to step up and save the world; yet on another level I was kind of glad she wasn't able to fool him, because Lana just isn't on the same level as a man who has already destroyed a whole planet. But I really *loved* Lana's characterization through this whole episode: her first impulse to use Lex's powers to help people (take THAT, TWOP!!), her attempts to figure out if Lex was still in there; and her decision twice to step up and kill him if she had to. It's interesting, because I think that statement she made to Zod when she was trying to seduce him--"Sometimes to survive you have to give up the things you care about and just give into your fate"--may actually describe Lana's philosophy of life, at least on some level--but she was also the character most actively resisting. And Damn, when she pulled that bar out of her hand, I had to give her credit. She *is* a survivor, and she's going to hang on however she can.
We didn't get a lot of actual Lex characterization in this episode, but MR certainly was bringing his A game, because not for one minute while he was being Zod did I even have the thought "that's Lex." And it was so fabulous to see the fight between him and Clark, especially when they were flying. I kind of wish Lex and Clark got to have those kinds of epic battles.
The final Lexana scene was also a nuanced one--I like the fact that they acknowledged that things that people do when they're not themselves DO affect relationships (a fact SV often ignores), as well as pointing out that the fact Lana had to decide to kill Lex was also going to impact their future relationship.
Ok, moving on to other character developments in the episode: LIONEL! Lionel, Lionel, Lionel. I am ALL asquee. First of all, I can see the Chlionel this episode might produce, and I heartily embrace it. Yay for action Lionel, trying to save Chloe! I'm sure it's not altruism--it's Chloe's connection to Clark, and Chloe as a knowledge base, that Lionel was protecting, but that's fine with me. It was still fun to watch. I wondered, for a little bit, if we were going to get to see a scene where Lionel attempts to save the world by (almost) killing Lex, and how they were going to play it if it happened. I think having Lana do it works better for where they are this season with the characters, but for the overall mytharc it still might have been interesting if it were Lionel.
And though I still want MORE explanation of the damn Jor-El/Lionel/possession thing, we got more clarity about that in this episode than we have before. Lionel mentions that he had been able to feel a link to Jor-El and couldn't any more; Clark speculates that it was in fact Jor-El moderating Lionel's behavior; and that fantastic final scene where Lionel is trying to remember Kryptonian and deciphers the symbol for power. Excellent: the bastard is back! But not before some set-up that makes Mionel a little more plausible; from her perspective, Lionel was trying to save the world by killing his own son, and he also protected Martha during the earthquake thing. Combining that with the fact that Martha is not particularly pleased with Jor-El, and I can see why even knowing that Lionel is freed of Jor-El's influence isn't going to stop her from thinking there might be some good in Lionel.
And speaking of Martha--did she kick butt in this episode, or what? I COMPLETELY love action!Martha, and her travois and her Lois-saving and her confrontation with Jor-El. You tell him, Martha! What was that great line? "I've lost my husband and now my son because of your games"? DAMN. And then he tells her "you must find a way or all is lost," which struck me as very Lord of the Rings, for some reason. On a completely shallow note, Martha looked fabulous in that whole scene--something about the reddish light of the fortress, maybe? I really liked that Jor-El acknowledged her parenting before he sent her off to die.
Lois didn't get much time in the episode, but I loved that the Fortress is her image of heaven (hee!), and that little hand-holding with Clark was cute. I would be onboard for Clois, if they started moving that direction.
And finally, my girl Chloe. I have to start out by saying that if she thought she could figure things out at the Daily Planet, why leave in the first place? That bit made no sense whatsoever. However, I really loved her meet cute with Jimmy. Well, I guess it's not technically a "meet cute" since they've canonically met before, but you know what I mean. And I thought they played the reunion with Clark very, very well--she was acknowledging a moment of craziness, and Clark clearly actually did feel something, but too late, because Jimmy's back in town. And I like that little bit of vindication--I don't want Clark pining after her or anything, but I do like the fact that he might be realizing what he's lost when it's too late. And here's a meta reason why I like the Chloe/Jimmy romance I'm assuming is going to happen: because it will further isolate Clark. Last year he had Lana for love, at least most of the time, and Chloe to confide in. I'm sure he'll still be working with Chloe on various cases, but if she's not there to be his emotional support because she's involved in her own relationship, it will push him to be more independent. Or isolated. Or both, really. At any rate, his relationships with all the major characters have now been changed, and so even though Clark himself didn't undergo a lot of development in this episode, he's poised too because of the changes in everybody else.
OK, I think that's long-winded enough. Now I get to read everybody else's reviews, and go to bed!
I actually kept a running commentary while I was watching, but I don't think that it's interesting enough to post. Overall, I really enjoyed the episode, especially the way it's positioning the characters for season 6.
There was nothing I really disliked in this episode, but let me start with the part that engaged me least before I move on to the really squeeful parts of this review. Although I thought they did a great job with the special effects for the Phantom Zone, and it was nice to hear a little bit of positive information on Jor-El, otherwise Clark's little trip there was really the least engaging part of the episode, I thought. As soon as he found the woman who worked with his dad, the conclusion of that whole segment seemed pretty foregone, to me. It was kind of fun to watch, but that's all, which is too bad, because it felt like every other character arc underwent more significant development in this episode.
I was very happy with the way they dealt with the Zodana, on pretty much every level. It was wonderful that he was not under her spell; it made sense to me that she would keep trying to save Lex, but I also really liked seeing Lana's attempts to step up and save the world; yet on another level I was kind of glad she wasn't able to fool him, because Lana just isn't on the same level as a man who has already destroyed a whole planet. But I really *loved* Lana's characterization through this whole episode: her first impulse to use Lex's powers to help people (take THAT, TWOP!!), her attempts to figure out if Lex was still in there; and her decision twice to step up and kill him if she had to. It's interesting, because I think that statement she made to Zod when she was trying to seduce him--"Sometimes to survive you have to give up the things you care about and just give into your fate"--may actually describe Lana's philosophy of life, at least on some level--but she was also the character most actively resisting. And Damn, when she pulled that bar out of her hand, I had to give her credit. She *is* a survivor, and she's going to hang on however she can.
We didn't get a lot of actual Lex characterization in this episode, but MR certainly was bringing his A game, because not for one minute while he was being Zod did I even have the thought "that's Lex." And it was so fabulous to see the fight between him and Clark, especially when they were flying. I kind of wish Lex and Clark got to have those kinds of epic battles.
The final Lexana scene was also a nuanced one--I like the fact that they acknowledged that things that people do when they're not themselves DO affect relationships (a fact SV often ignores), as well as pointing out that the fact Lana had to decide to kill Lex was also going to impact their future relationship.
Ok, moving on to other character developments in the episode: LIONEL! Lionel, Lionel, Lionel. I am ALL asquee. First of all, I can see the Chlionel this episode might produce, and I heartily embrace it. Yay for action Lionel, trying to save Chloe! I'm sure it's not altruism--it's Chloe's connection to Clark, and Chloe as a knowledge base, that Lionel was protecting, but that's fine with me. It was still fun to watch. I wondered, for a little bit, if we were going to get to see a scene where Lionel attempts to save the world by (almost) killing Lex, and how they were going to play it if it happened. I think having Lana do it works better for where they are this season with the characters, but for the overall mytharc it still might have been interesting if it were Lionel.
And though I still want MORE explanation of the damn Jor-El/Lionel/possession thing, we got more clarity about that in this episode than we have before. Lionel mentions that he had been able to feel a link to Jor-El and couldn't any more; Clark speculates that it was in fact Jor-El moderating Lionel's behavior; and that fantastic final scene where Lionel is trying to remember Kryptonian and deciphers the symbol for power. Excellent: the bastard is back! But not before some set-up that makes Mionel a little more plausible; from her perspective, Lionel was trying to save the world by killing his own son, and he also protected Martha during the earthquake thing. Combining that with the fact that Martha is not particularly pleased with Jor-El, and I can see why even knowing that Lionel is freed of Jor-El's influence isn't going to stop her from thinking there might be some good in Lionel.
And speaking of Martha--did she kick butt in this episode, or what? I COMPLETELY love action!Martha, and her travois and her Lois-saving and her confrontation with Jor-El. You tell him, Martha! What was that great line? "I've lost my husband and now my son because of your games"? DAMN. And then he tells her "you must find a way or all is lost," which struck me as very Lord of the Rings, for some reason. On a completely shallow note, Martha looked fabulous in that whole scene--something about the reddish light of the fortress, maybe? I really liked that Jor-El acknowledged her parenting before he sent her off to die.
Lois didn't get much time in the episode, but I loved that the Fortress is her image of heaven (hee!), and that little hand-holding with Clark was cute. I would be onboard for Clois, if they started moving that direction.
And finally, my girl Chloe. I have to start out by saying that if she thought she could figure things out at the Daily Planet, why leave in the first place? That bit made no sense whatsoever. However, I really loved her meet cute with Jimmy. Well, I guess it's not technically a "meet cute" since they've canonically met before, but you know what I mean. And I thought they played the reunion with Clark very, very well--she was acknowledging a moment of craziness, and Clark clearly actually did feel something, but too late, because Jimmy's back in town. And I like that little bit of vindication--I don't want Clark pining after her or anything, but I do like the fact that he might be realizing what he's lost when it's too late. And here's a meta reason why I like the Chloe/Jimmy romance I'm assuming is going to happen: because it will further isolate Clark. Last year he had Lana for love, at least most of the time, and Chloe to confide in. I'm sure he'll still be working with Chloe on various cases, but if she's not there to be his emotional support because she's involved in her own relationship, it will push him to be more independent. Or isolated. Or both, really. At any rate, his relationships with all the major characters have now been changed, and so even though Clark himself didn't undergo a lot of development in this episode, he's poised too because of the changes in everybody else.
OK, I think that's long-winded enough. Now I get to read everybody else's reviews, and go to bed!
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AMEN!!!
I've been trying to say that for a long, long time now. I really absolutely fell more in love with Lana's characterization this episode, than I have any other, which is a lot coming from a diehard Lana fangirl such as myself. I really seriously hope that they keep portraying her in this type of way throughout the rest of the season, because if they do...more great things are bound to happen.
However, I really loved her meet cute with Jimmy. Well, I guess it's not technically a "meet cute" since they've canonically met before, but you know what I mean.
I am so completey on board with Chloe/Jimmy, I can't believe it. I said it in my review of the season premier, that this could definitely be the season that Chloe really rises in my standards and that I am actually able to really begin liking her in a way that I haven't really cared much for her - if that makes any sense. I'm starting to see her in a new light and with the possible budding romance between her and Jimmy, and her finally having a personal life and her own issues to deal with instead of Clark's all of the time...that's really going to make me enjoy her a lot more this season.
I mean not that I didn't enjoy the Chlark friendship before, but what I'm saying is she's really going to get more of her own storyline now and I really hope that they tend to do her justice with it. *g* Plus, I'm excited with the prospect of seeing Clark becoming a little more isolate and or indenpendent in his own ways. That's going to be interesting as well.
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You did see
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Yeah, I saw her review. I just haven't had a chance to properly respond it quite yet. *g* I guess I'm just a little upset at the prospect of not having too many people in the SV fandom responding to my thoughts, since I'm working hard to respond to theirs. :)
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And really, if we weren't so passionately committed to this show we wouldn't love and hate things so intensely, so really I should be happy that people love the show enough to passionately criticize the characters.
I can see this will be a good weekend to start working on my "why I love ALL the characters in SV" essays.
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As far as Lois goes in the episode - for the first since she's been on the show, I really didn't mind her and Clark's scene. It was that sort of nice thing in a very odd sort of way...if that makes any sense. But I will never be an SV!Lois fangirl by no means...it just means, I didn't hate her all that much this time around. lol.
I wouldn't mind hearing what you actually thought about my review of the episode and discussing the many different things with you. And I actually think I was really nice about Chloe and I actually am really liking the idea of her being paired up with Jimmy. Not only that, but I'm quite pleased with the Zodana, the Clex, the Lexana and some other things in general.
But I can understand what you're saying as well. There are so many things that I've been hearing about Lana in different comms around lj centered around SV and they're not so good...and then I'm hearing other things praised up to high heaven and I'm just thinking...geesh, can't we all just kinda try and get along, because really - in this season premier there was a little bit of something for "everyone" in fandom and given this fandom and the state of the show sometimes, that's not always an easy thing to say or a right accurate thing to say either. But this time, it was nice.
So I understand what you're saying, just don't be a stranger around that review that I made...because I actually would like to know what you honestly think. :)
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But although I would be willing to talk about issues with Mionel, as it relates for example to Martha's characterization (and I have had that conversation with people before), the way you phrased your opposition didn't seem like something I wanted to get into. I mean, how would you respond if you read this:
Oh squick! Another Lexana scene. I seriously hope that they're not going to start stuffing the two of them down our throats this season, because I just don't think that I can deal with that crap...scene with Lex and Lana hug (still squicking over that one and trying to burn the image from my head - I hate how they're mocking what Clark and Lana shared with this stupid ass contrived Lexana crapfest their trying to stuff down our throats)
And that's exactly how I felt when I got to the Mionel part of your review, because that is the Mionel part of your review, with the pairing names switched out. Which is not to say that you don't have the right to complain about things that squick you in your own reviews! Of course you do! But I'm pretty conflict avoidant, so when I see things that make me see red, I count to ten and hit the back button, usually.
At some point when I'm not operating on three hours of sleep (and therefore less likely to easily take offense), I will go reread the other parts of your review and try to comment on it.
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Okay, you do realize that when I phrased my comment on Mionel in my review, it was partially running commentary as I was watching the episode with the first thought coming to mine and then part snark regarding the two of them. It wasn't supposed to be taken so seriously and I really wasn't honestly trying to put anyone's ship down or offend anyone with what I said. It's just me being honest, I don't like Mionel and they sorta do squick me to some extent.
But I understand what you're saying and I understand the reason as to why you wouldn't want to discuss it and would just avoid it. I've done the same thing with various others comments on Lana, Lexana, Lex and well Martha&Jonathan. But as far as that goes...there were other things that I talked about in my review that you could have very well responded to.
I mean there were parts of your review that I didn't necessarily agree with, but I picked the points that I thought you made that I could agree with and commented to those instead. But it's completely cool. I didn't mean to make you see red with what I wrote. Honestly.
And just as easily as my comment about Mionel had you seeing red, this icon that you replied back to my comment with sorta has me seeing red a little bit in the fact that it kinda offends me, because I feel like it mocks a ship I actually liked. But it's cool, it's your right and your choice to use and it doesn't make me like you any less and I don't hold anything against you. I'm just counterpointing...ya know.
That would be nice if you could do that, I'd like to hear your thoughts and views on it and discuss other elements of the episode with you. I mean - I actually like you and I don't have a problem in the world with you and I just want you to know I wasn't trying to offend anyone when I made that comment.
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I actually wouldn't have minded if you came in and disagreed with parts of my review. Often I like when people disagree with me on issues of interpretation (as long as they're not just attacking characters or pairings). I have long discussions with people about my reviews in which I often change my mind about things. Heck, the transformation of my opinions about Lana and Lois over the past couple years is largely due to conversations with
I just don't like going and picking fights in other people's ljs, especially when I don't know them well and don't know how they respond to challenges to their interpretation of things. But clearly you're interested in conversation, so I'll keep that in mind in the future when I'm reading your reviews and I see something I disagree with!
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Oh, well I just want you to know that I honestly wasn't attacking Mionel in my original review of the premier. It was just mostly snark and me just blustering about a ship that I really don't get, ya know. So try to pay no mind to it - lol. I'm not being deliberately mean or cruel when I say something like that. Now, it would be different if I said something like, "I hate Lionel Luthor. He's a mother fucking bastard that deserves to eat shit and diiiiiiiiiiie!!!" But I didn't and you will never hear me say anything like that about him. rotfl.
Though I am well aware of my recent Peyton-hate on OTH, but seriously. That one is very well deserved. hahaha. But most of it is still snark and just me blustering about in fandom, because I like to bitch. lol. And I get what you're saying about not liking to pick fights in someone's journal with me, though I wouldn't have minded if you would have disagreed with me about Mionel and I probably would have just told you my reasoning and told you that it wasn't said to be hateful. *g* So it's all good.
I really enjoy discussing the differing opinions with people about characters or ships that I may not get, that others do...and it's only because it gives me a chance to look at the character/ship from another angle than I normally would and it also gives me a chance to get to know the person and figure out how they think sort of, as well. It's nice sometimes, most of the times when it's civil, that is. Of course, don't be afraid to disagree with me, lol. Just don't like shoot me down or anything and I won't hunt you either, deal?!? :)
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Oh, I know Lionel is a sociopathic bastard. He's just a charismatic sociopathic bastard, and I like that type in fiction (Lucien LaCroix, Arvin Sloane, probably some others I am forgetting). And my love for John Glover far predates this role. If I knew Lionel in real life, I'd definitely want to kill him. And when I rewatch certain episodes like "Shattered," I want him to be tortured to death slowly. But as a character, he's damn interesting.
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lol. He really is a brilliant magnificient bastard, but John Glover plays him oh so very well. I think Lionel (just on his own), will be a character I will always "love to hate", because he makes it that much more fun and what John Glover brings to the table with him is goodgodamn amazing. So, I hold a few of the same feelings about him that you do as well. :)
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i'd have been interested in your running comments! you always have interesting thoughts.
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And I agree: his isolation (he doesn't even have Jor-El anymore!) will push him into adulthood this season. And I think we're supposed to read that tag scene as you said as foreshadowing the seasonal theme: figuring out what it means to be a hero.
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Everything you said I agree with. Can't add another thing.
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I'm glad you singled out the line: "Sometimes to survive you have to give up the things you care about and just give into your fate."
Right when she said it, I was like, oooohhh... deep. LOL.. Actually, it made me think of Lex more than anyone.
Martha in the FOS TOTALLY rocked, I couldn't agree more.
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That episode just totally rocked!!!!
I do feel bad for Clark ... I loved Clark's mention of Lex at the end ("I can't talk to Lex")!!!!!!!
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Yes, it's nice that they're acknowledging that Clark misses Lex.
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Clark misses Lex!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, just had to say that!
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I also liked the Martha/Lois mother/daughter vibes. It's not to see Lois be able to confide in someone and look up to a mother figure. I think I made a mistake upon initial watch...not paying attention to Martha's scenes and instead doing something else on my computer, but upon rewatch her scenes are what made the episode.
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That was so clearly a direct response to the TWOP crowd it made me laugh.
I agree with you about the Martha & Lois stuff. Martha was wonderful in those scenes. And yes, Lana has actually grown a great deal from season one, though I think she's always been a survivor, she just used different strategies to do that through the seasons.
BTW, I loved that little piece on Clark and Lex and heroism you posted in response to
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I was thinking of you while watching the ep what with all the great Lionel and Martha action--Martha totally totally kicked ass! And if bastard Lionel is back, that's cool. I was pleased we got SOME clarification on the whole possession thing, though the final Lionel scene muddied the waters some more.
if she thought she could figure things out at the Daily Planet, why leave in the first place?
Ha! I hadn't thought of that. Though you know what weirded ME out? 'I can't make it back to Smallville with my leg'. Why? Because Lionel was going to walk there?!
here's a meta reason why I like the Chloe/Jimmy romance I'm assuming is going to happen: because it will further isolate Clark.
*nods* Absolutely! I'm all for that.
Clark himself didn't undergo a lot of development in this episode
Well I'd argue that he underwent a fundamental shift about his father this episode and that that's what the Phantom Zone journey was about, contrived or not. I guess it's something I'm emotionally invested in, so I enjoyed it regardless. Of course, TPTB may press the reboot button on all of that next ep... but somehow I think not. I got a 'Jor-El DOES have something to do with shaping Clark's destiny role, albeit belatedly' feeling.