norwich36 | Smallville 6.9 Subterranean

Smallville 6.9 Subterranean

Well, I had a feeling when I read the TV Guide description of this episode I wouldn't like it, and that proved to be mainly correct, but there actually were a number of individual moments in the episode I did like.

Things I liked:

Clark is getting slightly better at investigating on his own. I liked the fact that he managed to find a reasonable pretext to be on his neighbor's farm without immediately leaping to the accusations. (If only he could do that with Lex. Sigh. If Lex really *had* been behind it, by confronting him that way he wasn't solving anything, he was just giving Lex the advance warning he would need to cover everything else. Still, it was nice that we actually got a Clark-Lex scene).

I also love when Clark is being all protective and compassionate and stuff--when we get to see him bond with one of the people he's protecting--and it sorta kinda made sense that he would identify with illegal immigrants. And I really did like his conversation with Chloe at the end, realizing that no matter how many people he saves, he can't solve all the world's problems. A sense of perspective is good for a hero. (Plus, shades of the future JUSTICE LEAGUE, yay).

Chloe's hair continues to be extremely cute. And she and Jimmy continue to be cute, too, though I was trying to figure out what precisely she meant by saying "define boyfriend." Are they really going in the Chlark direction? Jimmy seems to think so, and I loved his attempt to confront the problem with Clark via basketball.

The Lexana was SO fabulous because Lex is both blatantly and subtly manipulating Lana, and it's a joy to watch, both when he's being deliberately obvious (sending her to Amsterdam since it's a romantic city so she'll miss him) and subtly (encouraging her to get involved in charity that's going to make Luthorcorp look good). That Clana scene, where Lana (in that HIDEOUS red blouse, and I barely ever notice what people are wearing, so it must have been really fugly for me to note it) said "I resent the fact that you think I'm some puppet [Lex] can manipulate" made me laugh and laugh and laugh. Though I do like that she is complicit in her own manipulation--that little speech about finally appreciating how money is power was lovely. Sure, Lana, you start out with good intentions, and then the power starts corrupting. I can't wait to see that.

Lex walking down that corridor of the new 33.1, with all the hands reaching out to him, was BADASS.

Things I didn't like.

The whole illegal immigrant plot. Ok, first of all, SV, way to compund the error you made in Fallout: open the teaser with two minority characters, and have one of them be dead by the end of the scene. Very nice. Way to reinforce Hollywood stereotypes. SV just doesn't *do* real political issues very well; it should stick to doing them metaphorically through FOTW plots. I mean, I get that they are trying to move Clark to being someone who addresses real world problems, but parts of this were just painful to watch (especially Jimmy and Clark's stereotypical assumption that Mexican laborers don't speak English).

I'm not sure I completely bought Martha, oathbound to uphold the law. It didn't really ring true to me. It didn't ring completely false, it just seemed like a dumb dilemma, manufactured to create a conflict between her and Clark.

Lex's magically appearing ability to play the piano, just so he can be more Lionel-esque, is an annoying breach of continuity. I know it's a breach of continuity that goes back a couple seasons now, but it still annoys me.

The incompetence of Lex's minions is really tedious at this point. Dammit, he needs to get some competent minions NOW.

Hmm. Based just on the quantity of "things I liked" and "things I didn't like," you would think I liked the episode overall, but really the A plot drove me pretty insane, so despite all the great little moments overall I didn't like it.

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Clark realizing that he can’t solve all humanity’s problems with superpowers? Is why he’ll go into journalism. And squee! Clark used his powers in front of a conscious, sentient human! That’s another step for Clark becoming Superman. I dunno about the justice league in the post-hiatus teaser. In the short-term, Clark’s dilemma is a good organic catalyst for the birth of the JL but, I can’t help but thing Clark’s dilemma will have personal solutions.

I liked Chloe, except for the “define boyfriend” moment. To me, that’s just her not owning up to her relationship with Jimmy. And it leaves a bad taste because she’d never do that regarding clark.

Show’s racial insensitivity, ditto. Martha, ditto. Lex’s minions, ditto. At this point, I so can’t wait for Hope and Mercy to show up on the scene.

But squee, Clark and Lexana! Totally blew me away even if I wanted to bonk Lana one on the head for her last convo with Clark.

While I do love that Lex is manipulating Lana (and Lana is starting to become a power player, too), I also love that they're happy with each other right now, and that Lana wanted Lex to be late for work so she could jump his bones. (Because wouldn't you, if you were in her shoes? That man would NEVER get to work if he were dating me, I'll tell you.)

Sooo, should I watch it, I've skipped several now and this one doesn't even seem to bring the comedy.

Hmmm. The only redeeming feature is lots of Clark being sympathetic to a cute Mexican teenager. Sort of like that episode with the girl who made glass shatter with her mind, only much much dumber. If you like that kind of thing, yes. Otherwise I would skip it. (I'm sure someone will upload Lex's pimp walk, which was the best thing about the episode). The preview for the next episode, however, was very kickass: JUSTICE LEAGUE WOOHOO!!!

As I guessed, someone has already posted Lex's pimp watch, which is the best scene in the episode, here: http://kyanoswolf.livejournal.com/512960.html

Pimp WALK. Pimp WALK. Ugh. Did I mention I only got 3 hours of sleep last night?

>Lex walking down that corridor of the new 33.1, with all the hands reaching out to him, was BADASS.

wasn't it, though. i loved the look on his face. maybe i'm beginning to like evil lex, after a rough start this year. (i need an evil lex icon.)

Oh, good, because it looks like evil Lex is all we're going to get from here on in.

About the only things I liked were: Clark being set up to be Superman/a journalist in the future; Chloe and Jimmy were cute as a button, although I agree she's not being entirely fair to him; Lex doing his Man in Black music video at the end; and the promo including the Justice League thing. The end.

Can I have Oliver and Lois back, please?

Well, I'm definitely looking forward to their return. Except I think Oliver's next episode is his last (or second-to-last) unless they've extended his contract.

I can't WAIT for the Justice League, though. I want a spinoff!!

I like that Lex has finally stopped being bitter and angsty. He was evil in this ep and smiled and manipulated left and right. That's how you do it!

Now I know what bothered me about the piano scene - it was that season 2 Lionel moment which was just so damn charming back then. Compared to that, Lex+piano didn't really work.

Yeah. It was definitely the piano playing of pseudo-depth and pseudo-emoness, just like Lionel did in s2.

Yay for unabashedly evil Lex!!!

1. Clark goes barrelling over to Lex's immediately when he gets the faintest hint of dastardly deeds.

2. Lex's security/house staff admits him for no apparent reason, plot requirements aside.

3. Lex apparently is still willing to allow him in, despite his opening comment.

4. Clark starts hurling accusations.

I'd like to think that:

a. They're still so crazy in love with/addicted to each other, that they grab any excuse to interact.

b. They're also addicted to the game they're playing, which is something that should continue into their iconic relationship.

Even though I don't like the way they got to this place in their relationship, and I hate it that they're hostile to each other, it sort of works for me at this point, and considering Supes lore.

I know it's iconic, and it's the only way they interact, but it really doesn't make SENSE that Lex's security people let Clark in when he's told Clark he isn't welcome.

Lex's security just never gets any better. No matter what.

If they can bring in the Justice League, they may as well break down and bring in Mercy and Hope too!

Love, love, love your interpretation! And it must be that Lex's security/house staff all know Lex is still crazy for Clark, and therefore don't dare to actually refuse Clark admittance, whatever their official orders might be. (Or maybe they just get off on eavesdropping on all that angry CLex!)

I had the slowest of torrents this week, hon. Only just got my essay up and a million things to race off and do, but first had to rush over here...

I'm glad you liked the Lexana! I thought I was going to be alone on that. I adored it.

ure, Lana, you start out with good intentions, and then the power starts corrupting. I can't wait to see that.
I know! That speech made me laugh too--I liked both the Clana scene and the Lexana moments because of the direction they're taking it all in. Lex is so OBVIOUS. He TOLD her it was a manipulation. And it STILL WORKED. *dies*

The stereotyping was hideous this ep. Let's say no more.

I'm not sure I completely bought Martha, oathbound to uphold the law. It didn't really ring true to me. It didn't ring completely false, it just seemed like a dumb dilemma, manufactured to create a conflict between her and Clark.
You know, I liked that. I kind of think it was false, in the sense that Martha can make her own decisions--she's just using the 'oathbound' thing to justify them. But I liked the way this brought out Martha's conservatism. It's not really been made an issue of before because Clark's never confronted an issue on which compassion wars with legality. And I really got the sense that this ep showed that it's the Kents that have instilled the law-abiding instinct in Clark... on his own, he's far more about individual compassion. That confirms something I've personally believed to be true about them for some time, so it pleased me.

Heee. I like how much you struggle to find good in this ep. Let's face it, it was pretty below par. But Chloe's hair WAS cute--though I totally accepted the textual reading of the Chlark scenario (that it was never gonna happen).

Lex walking down that corridor of the new 33.1, with all the hands reaching out to him, was BADASS.
Total highlight of the ep! It almost made the whole ep worth it!

But honestly, for all my bitching, I'm very zen about this ep. I didn't expect to be given the heights of television greatness that I've just come down off (in BSG and Heroes)... but I guess I'm back to not expecting much from SV. But I DO hope they break the trend of having weaker second halves of seasons and kick some ass in the second half of S6 because they need to lift their game--they're slumping a bit.

I liked both aspects of the Lexana: the fact that Lex was playing her, a little (and acknowledging it!!!), AND the cuteness factor. As I said to Clari above, I really do love the fact that she wanted to jump his bones, and the cuteness of playing with his tie.

I can see your point about Martha, and in a way it's good she's drawing some boundaries with Clark; that used to be Jonathan's job, but now it has to be hers (to the extent that it is necessary, which should be less now that Clark is growing up).

I really do love the fact that she wanted to jump his bones, and the cuteness of playing with his tie.
Yes, that was great! I like it when they're cute and sexy! They could be the best evil couple ever--they just need to get their Macbeth-ness on a bit more.

that used to be Jonathan's job, but now it has to be hers (to the extent that it is necessary, which should be less now that Clark is growing up).
*nods* And I actually think that was one of the better, less clunky scenes in the ep--Clark argued as an adult with an equal rather than being told what to do by his parent. Their relationship has evolved and I like that. He still respects Martha a great deal and appeals to her compassion, but he can and will make his own decisions. And yes, Martha's shouldering some of Jonathan's role, but doing so in her own way.

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Smallville 6.9 Subterranean

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