Why I Still Watch Smallville
Over the past couple of weeks there has been a “cold war” of sorts that has started between myself, Steve Glosson host of Starkville’s House of El, and some of the masses that post on other sites and forums concerning the venom that has been spewed on our beloved Smallville, based on the attacks of others.
The war has broken down into anger-filled rants against these people given by Derek and myself, and quite frankly, they’ve had some words about us too. I stand by my complaints against those who would tear down the honest work by the producers, directors, writers, actors, and crew of a television show that has made just about every night of the week something to look forward to at some point in history. (Remember Smallville started on Tuesdays, moved to Wednesdays, then Thursdays, and now Fridays…I think if the show does go to a tenth season it should be aired on Mondays to round out the weekday hat trick.)
However, there have been some good points made, though one has to sift through mounds of vulgarity and unfounded criticisms of an actor’s performance here or a story choice there to actually see the points.
Ultimately, as a fan of this show, if you don’t like the direction the show has taken or the direction taken with a certain character or relationship, that’s fine. Part of episodic television is that everyone can’t be pleased every week. There are going to be people who like a certain aspect of the show that may eventually go away, and this may cause the viewer to no longer enjoy the show. In this case, opinions are valid and, honestly, should be aired, albeit in a well thought out polite manner. Instead, what a rather vocal portion of fandom has chosen to do is to attack the show runners, writers, and actors who put in a lot of hard work just to entertain their viewers on a weekly basis. (I use the term “vocal” because I’m not sure how “large” this particular part of fandom is.)
As I stated, I stand by my rant on episode 128 of the show against the idiocy of some who have chosen to be rude and downright mean in their comments concerning those involved with the production of Smallville. However, I felt compelled to bring to you a response to those criticisms which I feel like have some sort of validity to them from a Smallville fan’s standpoint. Issues with the direction of the show in season nine, issues with direction of certain characters, primarily Chloe, and problems with the CHARACTER of Lois are all things that can be discussed calmly and politely, if not a little heatedly. That is what I am seeking to do here. What follows is my response to the critics.
This is why I still watch Smallville…
The direction of Smallville has changed decidedly in recent years. This season, the show has become, as Derek stated in his review of “Savior”, a decidedly more Superman show. I honestly can’t speak to whether or not this was the original intent of Al Gough and Miles Millar, though I feel pretty confident that they had a more short term vision in mind when they came to the Smallville table. However, as fate and ratings would have it, Smallville has lived beyond the teen angst of Clark and the gang’s high school years. It has remained one of the CW’s flagship shows. Indeed, it has grown into something that hasn’t been nearly this successful since George Reeves brought the Man of Steel to the masses over half a century ago. It’s true that no Superman related show has ever enjoyed the longevity of Smallville. To that end, there is destined to be a section of Smallville fans that are alienated by the turn to more comic bookish/sci-fi television.
However, the catch is this. Had Smallville remained the teen angsty show that it was in it’s first few years, it most likely would have ended somewhere around season 6. Why? Because most television fans won’t accept a television show where the characters in which they have invested hours of time don’t change. Most television fans won’t accept a television show that tries so hard to remain what it’s always been because it would get boring. If Clark were still running the farm pining after, hooking up with, and breaking up with Lana, even the most die hard fans would grow cold to the show. Even if Clark jumped from Chloe to Lana and back, fans would get bored with the same old same old. It stands to reason that Clark had to begin to get out of Smallville and find himself as a hero in Metropolis. The gang had to grow up.
If the problem is that this show is now more of a Superman show than it’s ever been, then I submit that it’s nowhere near enough of a Superman show to be considered a Superman show. The truth is that Clark, in the show, is at a point where we’ve never really seen the character before. He’s in his early twenties trying to get his life figured out. Comparably, the only time we’ve seen Clark at this age in other incarnations is the Superboy television series and a few pages of Superman: Birthright, a limited series written by Mark Waid about 7 years ago that gave us a new origin for the Man of Steel. In the silver age, there was a story where Superman recounted deciding that he was no longer a boy and was now SuperMAN. It was hokey and fun, but the transition from Boy of Steel to Man of Steel seemed a bit too easy. While on the subject, let’s face it, as great as Superman: The Movie is, Clark did spend TWELVE YEARS with Jor-El in the fortress and suddenly have the big blue suit at the end of things. So…no angst…no struggle…just…twelve years and here he is. Which worked in the movie, but no so much in episodic television.
What we have now is a young man struggling with the destiny he must accept. He still has a desire to cling to the values given to him by Jonathan and Martha, but also desires to be able to distance himself from those he loves to better be able to serve humanity as a whole. This isn’t the Superman we read about in comics. Why? Because Clark in Smallville isn’t there yet. He’s headed there though. That’s what makes this season of Smallville so compelling to me as a Superman fan…Clark is soooo close, I can see it, you can see it, but none of the people around Clark have any idea just how great he is going to be.
I have a Star Wars analogy to make, but I will refrain.
I’m now 32 years old. When I look back on my life, I realize that when I was 23 I wasn’t sure what I was gonna do with my life, much less what my destiny was. Honestly, I’m still not sure what I’m gonna do with my life. I have a career that I enjoy, I have the whole podcasting thing that is fun, and there are few signs pointing to the fact that there will be any drastic changes in my life anytime soon. However, I still don’t know if where I am now is my destiny or not. I still don’t know what I’m gonna do with my life. When I look back to almost ten years ago though, I was then only a shadow of who I am now. That’s where Clark and the gang are. Lois may be a reporter for the Daily Planet, but she’s not the STAR reporter. Clark may be wearing the \S/ – but he’s not Superman. Chloe may be Watchtower, but she’s not…well, Chloe is the X factor isn’t she? My point is things change. It’s part of the reality that the creators have striven to have at the center of a world where the fantastic is possible. I accept it, I enjoy it, and I move on. Do I have a few problems with the way things have progressed? I think I do. I think it makes me uncomfortable that Clark can’t snap his fingers and just be Superman. I think it makes me uncomfortable that I have loved Chloe so much for so long that she got married, became a widow, and now seems to be at odds with her lifelong best friend. Then I think back to my life. I think about how much has changed since I was a Freshman in high school. I think of the falling outs I’ve had, the fences I’ve mended, the mistakes I’ve made, and how those moments shaped my life today, and I start to buy into the direction Smallville has taken.
Then there’s Chloe. As I wrote earlier, Chloe is the X factor on this show. She is the one character for whom we have no precedent. We don’t know her ultimate fate, and no matter how much we like her, we can’t look at the creators and say, “THIS NEVER HAPPENED IN THE COMICS.” Some have said that Chloe turning away from journalism is a light switch. In other words, with no rhyme or reason Chloe left journalism. The truth is, that most of our life changing choices are light switch moments. We may have thought about things. We may have struggled with things, but the choices we make happen in a moment. Sometimes even those closest to us have no idea we were considering the change. I can only speak definitively for myself, but for years I was on course to do something fairly different with my life than what I am currently doing. The moment I decided to shift courses came in a light switch moment.
Chloe went from reporting on the amazing to being a part of it. Chloe could have said, “I love journalism, so I’m gonna stay at the Planet rather than become a part of a group of the most powerful people on Earth.” But she said, “I love journalism, but I found something I love more.” There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s a very real turn of events in a person’s life.
Let’s not forget that the turn from journalism as Chloe knew it started the moment she found out about Clark’s abilities. In her desire to protect her friend, she started to pull back on the things she reported. Then, she found out she had meteor powers, and that sealed the deal on stepping back from “her style” of reporting.
Most people peg Chloe as an intelligent, passionate reporter. All of that is based on what the girl did in high school. This is a young lady that pushed for stories of meteor freaks and was on her own personal campaign to prove that kryptonite gave normal people incredible abilities. The very story that got her a job at The Daily Planet was a story on krypto-vampires. I’m not saying that Chloe was a one trick pony, but the closer things hit to home, the more she pulled away from those stories, and the more she pulled away from those stories and found out about this other side of life – the super hero side of life – she discovered she was more passionate about being a PART of the amazing rather than just reporting on it. I like that. It’s true growth. It makes sense to me. It should make sense to anyone who had one idea of themselves as a teenager and has since learned who they really are.
I submit that Chloe’s character has not been destroyed in the eight plus seasons of Smallville. Rather, Chloe’s character has taken a journey. Like most television shows, some of the changes may have seemed to come out of the blue, but I don’t feel like any of them have been unbelievable.
Of course, there’s the question of Chloe and Clark’s relationship. They had their two seconds way back at the end of season one. Frankly, for three years, I wanted more. I wanted Chloe and Clark to have their time in the sun. However, as happens all too often in life, it wasn’t meant to be. What an adult thing of Clark and Chloe to accept that and choose to keep their friendship in tact. Chloe has been Clark’s most loyal supporter and his biggest fan. Chloe has believed completely in Clark. Chloe has been there for Clark again and again and he has been there for her. Now, in the wake of personal tragedy, a wedge has been driven between them. This doesn’t make Chloe or Clark a villain. It makes them more realistic.
Honestly, we’ve seen Clark and Chloe at odds before. Think back to season two and three when a love-spurned Chloe agreed to investigate Clark for Lionel Luthor. Did this “destroy” Chloe’s character? It’s the closest to being a villain that she’s ever been on the show, outside of the Brainiac stuff, and it didn’t “destroy” her character. Ultimately, because she was trying to help Clark…at the expense of everyone else around her. How has that changed? it hasn’t. Clark is still the one person for whom she’d sacrifice everything. She still believes in Clark that much. The problem is the grief she is experiencing over the loss of Jimmy, coupled with a sense of confusion and (a little bit of) jealousy that Clark won’t break ties with Lois as seemingly easy as he did with her are causing the two to be at odds.
But why was it so easy for Clark to leave Chloe behind? Because Chloe knows Clark completely. To Lois, the Red Blue Blur was just a faceless hero. When he talks to Chloe, she knows all of the hurt, all of the failures, all of the weaknesses, that Clark has. To Lois, he’s perfect, impeccable, and can do no wrong. That’s hard to give up. It’s hard to leave the accolades and be left with reality sometimes. So, yeah, Clark said goodbye to Chloe pretty easily. He didn’t let go of Lois. I can buy it. I can also buy the ultimate repairs that will be made to Clark and Chloe’s friendship.
Oliver has been a sticking point for many as well. Here’s a guy who was seemingly altruistic with very few vices who woke Clark up to the need to be a hero for everyone, not just the people around him. Now he’s on a path of self destruction. Why? Guilt. If one follows the path of Oliver Queen from the time we were first introduced to him in season six to the point we now see him, we will see a man who was obsessed with a mission to take down Lex Luthor’s schemes, to a man who has some questions about his place among those with extraordinary powers, to a man who questions the loyalties of those he’s put his trust in when he found out the truth that Clark already knew about Ma and Pa Queen, to a man who was out for vengeance and didn’t care what that looked like – until he got some form of vengeance – to a man who was dealing with his actions, to feeling like a good, innocent person was put in harm’s way and killed because he failed to do what was needed. So, yeah, now he’s on a spiral of self destruction that will have to be resolved. It’s the nature of storytelling to introduce conflicts to a character whether they be external or internal, and Ollie’s conflicts have always been primarily internal. Season nine is no different for him.
Finally, there’s Lois. Lois Lane is a name that is as embedded in pop culture as Clark Kent and Superman. Lois and Clark go together like peanut butter and jelly. There are a few things that cannot be forgotten when discussing the character of Lois though.
First, there is the argument that Lois is more intelligent than she has been portrayed on the show. Really? Are we talking about a character that for over fifty years worked with Superman…right across the desk from him nonetheless and never knew it? Are we talking about a character that constantly put herself in danger only to have Superman bail her out? Yes.
Don’t get me wrong. Lois is intelligent. However, the defining characteristic of Lois in her 70 year history has never been the intelligence. Her defining characteristic (outside of her feelings toward Superman) has been her tenacity. Smallville’s Lois is nothing if not tenacious. Partier? Sure. Sleep around with various and sundry men? Ok. Ultimately, though, this is a more tenacious, yet compassionate Lois than we’ve been given in any incarnation of the character outside of the comic book panels.
In all of my years as a Superman fan, I never thought Lois received any of her accolades by being more intelligent than the next reporter. Rather, she gets to where she is by being strong, willful, courageous, and unstoppable when she is turned on to a story. Her instincts are unparalleled, and her drive is unstoppable.
In the past, when we’ve been introduced to Lois, she is Perry White’s top reporter, she’s an established journalistic force to be reckoned with, and in some instances, she’s a Pulitzer Prize winning writer. Smallville has given us a Lois that has yet to accomplish any of these things, but it’ll come one day. The things we see on Smallville are her learning to be what she will one day become. Lois has gone from no interest in journalism to a desire to seek out the truth at any cost. Is it completely altruistic? I don’t think so, but I honestly don’t know that Lois has ever been completely altruistic in her actions in any format we’ve seen her. Her motives have always been to prove herself, draw out Superman, or win that aforementioned Pulitzer. Will she go after her goals by any means possible? Any legal means, and some means that are a bit shadier than legal. That’s the Lois we all know from 70 years of comics, cartoons, movies, and other television shows. This Lois is the Lois that is becoming that Lois, and knowing where she ends up, I completely buy in to where she is now.
In the end, that’s the thing we can’t forget as viewers. We are in an untapped time in the lives of Clark, Lois, and of course Chloe. If a person is unhappy with the show, I have to believe it’s one of two reasons. Either the person doesn’t like where the characters are in relation to where they will one day be, or the person doesn’t like where the characters are based on where they began in the show. You know what? That’s ok. We can talk all day long about those things. However, when one trashes the cast and crew of the show, he or she negates any intelligent argument that he or she may have as it pertains to criticism of the show.
Fan fiction, speculation, and what if conversations all have their place in fandom. However, attacks on the people who have only sought to entertain us for an hour a week over the past eight years have no place in any discussion.
My conclusion is that if you don’t like Smallville, let’s talk about it. Let’s geek out about what we wish could be. Let’s talk about the possibilities of what could have been. Let’s celebrate the moments that made us cheer. Let’s discuss what is and why it may not be so bad. Let’s be entertained. Then, if you’re still not convinced, maybe it’s time to let it go. It’s what I would do…but that’s just me. For now though, I’m honestly hooked. I still watch Smallville because it still entertains me. It’s still a show about the rise of the greatest super hero of all time, and my favorite super hero of all time. It’s still a fun show, a surprising show, and I’m still invested in these characters after all these years. That’s why I still watch Smallville.
Finally, to quote so many of our great listeners in their e-mails, “sorry I went on so long.”
This is a great read, thanks for posting! I don’t agree with ALL your points, but I do agree with you that people need to stop bashing others involved with the show. If you don’t care for a storyline and can’t seem to get past it and it ruins your enjoyment of the show – that’s perfectly fine. But the right thing to do is let it be and stop watching if you can’t get behind it. At the end of the day, it’s still entertainment. If you’re not entertained, noone’s forcing you to watch. Neither cast nor producers are out to ‘get you’, so stop bashing them just because they’re excited and passionate about the work they do.
Great article. Very valid point about Chloe. She took a journey and found something she loves. Why begrudge her that?
I for one am enjoying the season and can’t wait for Metallo.
*slow 80’s clap*
Your optimism is inspiring, Steve. Your passion for the show isn’t any less so. If the one thing to come out of this ordeal is an open dialogue between fans, then I say it was well worth it. A show about Superman should have a certain kind of fan, and I think a lot of us haven’t been striving to be that kind of person lately. Let’s all just hope to change that.
You bring up some excellent points, and while I may not agree with everything, the most important ones I do. I don’t understand the purpose of people insulting actors or actresses because they don’t like their characters, nor do I understand the need to make sure a show dies because you no longer like its direction. Things are said too easily on the internet because it is ‘faceless’. If you can’t say something to a person’s face, then it probably shouldn’t be said online. Thank you for the well thought out article.
Wow! Sir, I give you a standing ovation! I wholeheartedly support the points you made. I especially agree with you about those who disagree with the show, showrunners, etc. and are incredibly rude about it. It is perfectly ok for us to disagree, I think that is what makes the show…or any show fun. However, well, I think that we are smart enough to be tactful and not so vulgar.
Once again, I give you a standing O!
Smallville Rules!
I’ve struggled to continue watching this show since season 4 and I’ve been curious why other people still love it. You have done a very good job in answering this query.
Really good read.
Well done
Bravo.. I couldn’t agree more.
That was an amazing take on season 9 of the show. I had no idea people were so against season 9, when me and a friend of mine saw the season 9 premiere we loved it so much and discussed all the reasons it was amazing in our minds. We were focused on just the one episode though in our discussion, and your take on all the characters in general and where they are at now and where they are going to end up/where they started and why it all makes sense was basically perfect in my opinion. I personally loved every point you made in this “review” and agree with all of it. :D
Fantastic write-up. My favorite points though were:
–How characters change and become different people than they used to be, because that’s a fact of life.
–Clark and how he really is finally on his way to Superman, since hey, that’s what this show is really all about.
–Notating on how hard the cast and crew work to make the show good.
And might I add…as my own addendum, separating CHARACTERS from the ACTORS who play them.
Kudos SHoE!
I think that the main point of this article is one that rings very true and I’m glad it was said. I agree with some character points in this article and disagree with others, but the main message is the important thing. And that is that regardless of our show favorites and our show thoughts, we should all give the hardworking people who make this show (actors, writers, directors, producers, showrunners, crew, etc.) the appreciation and the respect that they deserve.
Whether we liked it better in Season 1, Season 9 or somewhere in between? At some point we all liked it. We should not root for it’s failure, we should root for it’s success.
GREAT post! I disagree with a few of the finer points you made, but on the overall message, I heartily agree. I know some people are dissatisfied with the show now because they say “it’s not supposed to be about Superman; it’s about the journey!” Well, I think your post perfectly laid out that it’s STILL not a show about Superman. It’s STILL a story about the journey. The journey’s just a few steps closer than it used to be.
I also couldn’t agree more that people HAVE to change in a show in order to keep the audience engaged. I can’t imagine wanting to watch Clark – or any character – in the same place in Season 9 as they were in Season 1.
Thanks for the great post. It helped me appreciate a few things somewhat more than I had. I may politely debate a finer point or two with you at some point, but that’s part of what makes fandom discussion so interesting!
I know how you feel, I love others characters of the series but lately I had been constantly attacked by certain group of fans. To the point if I mention another couple or another character or something that I love from the pasts seasons, they even call me “dreamer” “crazy” “anti-smallville” and a lot more because they think I’m not supporting the series, the attacks are so constantly, I don’t even want to visit any forums or sites because I feel uncomfortable if I mention something of Lana, Lex, Chloe, etc….they are going to attack me… I love Smallville but I had never seen something like this ever… is really annoying and I want to enjoy the series not being in a place with fights about couples, characters and actors. The fans are not what they used too… they just want to atrtacks other and hurts their feeling if they don’t like or do what they want.
By the way I still watching the series …
Thank you Steve for this wondeful piece on the show, and to Derek for posting this for everyone.
As a fan of the series and one who has came to know many of the fans you speak of, these things needed to be addressed. Any issue one has with the show should not be taken out on the people who bust their butts to entertain us on a weekly basis, nor to the media inviduals who are gracious enough to give us articles and scoops about our favorite show to get us ready for the upcoming episodes.
We all have our reasons to watch the show, and while they may vary, it should never cross the line of attacking these people personally. Characters grow and plots change, and shows mature -as they always do. To expect things to always be the same is unrealistic, and to take them out on other people only minimizes whatever concerns there are.
I speak for myself but I know I am not alone when I say: Steve, Derek, and media alike.. keep doing the great work you guys are doing and know that the vocal bunch who want to tear down your work do not speak for the masses. We have your back.
And to the people at SV who grace us with this great series – there are legions of us who support and love the fantastic work and changes that has taken place this season. This Superman fan is one happy person and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Grateful and forever a Smallville and SHOE fan.
Wow, I hung on every word, and I agree with all that you said.
Smallville is my passion now, and has been for a long time and it saddens me when I read how other people are not seeing it the way I see it, and then when they feel the need to be offensive in their criticisms of the show’s production, writers and actors.
It so refreshing to listen to your podcasts and read your reviews as they are just filled with enthusiasm, optimism and passion for a show that I love dearly.
Thank you so much!
Fantastic article and all I can say is, brilliantly said.
That was a great post Steve. Season 9 is the Smallville I have been waiting for, so I am pumped and really looking forward to a season 10.
I know there are fans that have a problem with the “mythos”, but Smallville is not The Simpsons and the longer the show went on meant that there had to be a progression of things. Everyone knows where the story is headed, this can’t be a surprise to anyone (see the last 70 years).
So, I will tune in each Friday to watch the best season yet. Thank you Smallville for moving forward in this incredible journey, the one that Clark Kent was born to make.
Thank you everyone for your kind words so far, and as has been stated in these comments, and in the article, let’s have some good fun discussions about these finer points about which we disagree. Either here or on the forums, as long as it stays civil, those types of discussions are really fun to me, and I welcome them. Again, thanks for the kind words. They mean a lot.
I love it! This is a great poster, thanks for do it ! I totally agree with you, with almost the 100% of it… Again Thanks
Bravo guys, what an amazing article! I can’t say I agree with all points.. (Lois hasn’t slept around with various men, there’s only been 3 in show canon thus far and the last guy is the one she ultimately ends up with in the end)…. but other than that, I thought it was very good. You are so right about the characters being on a journey, and not being where they were back the “Torch” days in high school. It wouldn’t be a good show if they were still teenagers in season 9, when we know where the story goes.
If there is one thing I hate it’s the constant “lightswitch” noises. Chloe leaving the DP was a lightswitch (not really since she had only written a few articles and it was after Clark did the footwork. She was more his sidekick than she was a reporter and I could count probably on one hand the number of times she used the DP as a reporter and not as Clark’s go to gal). Lois becoming a journalist was a lightswitch (not really since we’ve seen her investigate with Clark or Chloe or by herself, or even all three of them together, since she came to the show (which was actually investigating Chloe’s death LOL). Clark and Lois falling for each other is a lightswitch (really… so they fell in love at first sight when they met at Chloe’s grave site in the episode Crusade? I don’t think so). No, we had to wait 4 seasons for even ONE of them to fall for the other. Hell we had to wait 2 and a half seasons before they could even kiss, and even then it wasn’t “real”. But now it’s been 5 years, and that doesn’t scream rushed or “lightswitch” to me.
This show probably has maybe 1 more season left after season 9 (providing they actually get a season 10), and I would really like to enjoy it. Despite my dislike for Chloe now, providing she doesn’t die by the end of the shows run, she will be Clark’s and Lois’ family member. I’d like that to happen without her being unhappy and sourfaced all season when it comes to them. I actually would like her to find her guy (I’m still saying bring her Apocalypse fiance to the Real World and let them meet, she was so happy during that little scene), and for her to be happy in her career whether it be Watchtower or something else. Hell I’d even wish her to go back to the DP with Clark AND Lois, if it didn’t mean that online fandom would blow up as a result. We know that Clark and Lois get the happy ending and the successful careers and the Superhero persona, but I hope we don’t have to have too many unhappy moments along the way of that journey as well.
And wow, so this turned out long, I guess that is all!
“We know that Clark and Lois get the happy ending and the successful careers and the Superhero persona, but I hope we don’t have to have too many unhappy moments along the way of that journey as well.”
That’s my hope too :) Great post Trisha
Forgot to say that this:
“I still watch Smallville because it still entertains me. It’s still a show about the rise of the greatest super hero of all time, and my favorite super hero of all time. It’s still a fun show, a surprising show, and I’m still invested in these characters after all these years. That’s why I still watch Smallville.”
Has to be the best part.
Let me echo the sentiment on this being a fantastic article!
I started watching Smallville because I am a life long Superman who was intruiged with the notion of young Clark Kent living his life and doing heroic things, while not being Superboy. I was there in my dorm room with my popcorn on the night it premiered and have not stopped watching since.
Why I have stayed watching, even through all the well, crap I guess you could say; is a combination of I want to know how it is going to end, my love of Tom Welling and Erica Durances portrayals of their charecters, and the fact that I enjoy the show. I really do.
There may be plot elements that I did not like, or charecters that I would rather see exit stage left, but my overall enjoyment of the show has never changed.
- standing ovation -
What a wonderful reflective piece on the series! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us because they are just beautiful and very insightful.
Hope
Wow, I truly enjoyed reading this, so many good points, and an exceptional perspective.
I think the only thing I didn’t agree with was this quote about Lois:
“Sleep around with various and sundry men? Ok. ”
To be fair to the character of Lois, there’s only the proof of the one man that she slept with; Oliver.
On show cannon, she was shown to have lost her Virginity at some past point before the episode “Spell”, but other than that, there is no long list of men to constitute the assumption she ’sleeps around with various and sundry men’.
I don’t believe that Lois slept with Grant, but while I can’t argue that there’s any valid proof to support either the belief that she did or did not, it shouldn’t matter all that much, in my opinion.
All I can say is that even if she did, it doesn’t make her a whore, like some people like to portray her as, and that is the main reason I do not agree with the wording in that statement you made about the Character of Lois Lane on the show.
Now, besides my one opposing view on your character analysis, I really did enjoy all of your personal views on each of these characters.
Their evolutionary progress from who they were in season 1 as opposed to where they are at the start of Season 9 is quite an astounding angle.
There are many an aspect of your post that I never foresaw as applicable, and yet its compatibility to each mention makes complete sense to me.
It is wholly appreciated that you bring this example to us of why you believe certain characters are on their current paths, especially for those who didn’t believe or understand why beforehand.
The fact is, I have watched this show from its very beginning. Heck, I was super excited to see it before the first episode aired, and I am thoroughly overjoyed that its finally transitioning and bringing in aspects of Superman’s inception.
It was the whole reason I started watching in the first place. To see those missing years before he became Superman.
Truth be told, if the cast of Smallville re-used the exact same scenes from the old show “Lois and Clark, the New Adventures of Superman”, I wouldn’t mind, because they have a whole fresh new ambiance that is all their own. They would make it their own. I love this new version, and am peaked with anticipation to see what they have in store for us next.
All in all, I have rambled incessantly, and apologize because I can’t properly narrow down my babbling to an acceptable limit.
I just wanted to close out my novel-sized mini-thesis by saying that my favorite part of your entry/review, was your final quote. (Ironic, I know):
**Finally, to quote so many of our great listeners in their e-mails, “sorry I went on so long.**
Great article guys. I will repeat what some have said and state that although I do not agree with everything (Lois Lane is definitely shown as intelligent on this show :p), I do agree with the main points.
I love Superman and I will watch/purchase anything that has to do with the him.lol. On Smallville I love Clark and Lois’ character the most..surprise, surprise=)
I welcome criticisms of these characters but have no time for people that can’t seem to differentiate between actors and characters. I get so angry when I read people bashing Tom and Erica for doing their jobs or the people promoting the show.
I understand everyone has their opinions and expectations of what the show should be but what really annoys me is people constantly telling us they are not going to watch (and its the same people saying it over and over). If you are not watching anymore, great for you but please don’t use it to ruin others enjoyment of the show.
I remember these same people saying the same thing last season and yet the ratings went up in the first half (so they were less vocal). But because the season premiere’s ratings wasn’t so high, they feel they can now become more vocal about not watching (as if they are the only people that account for any loss in viewership).
I enjoy Smallville for what it is and I really appreciate the hard work people put into giving us a great show =)
You’ve made some great points.
I still enjoy the show, and I’m glad to see the characters grow and change, and keep getting closer to what we know they’ll end up being one day. I always enjoyed the journey way more than the destination itself.
Clark especially this year is making me extremely happy. I love how heroic he is and that he’s THIS close to figuring it all out and becoming Superman – you can almost feel it.
I do have a problem with one thing you said, though. I’m sorry, but how exactly did Lois “sleep around with various and sundry men”?
In the past 5 years we’ve seen her in two relationships. She had sex with two people, both her boyfriends. 2 people, 5 years.
Wonderful article Steve – articulate, in-depth, rational and true. Once again you guys have made great points and made me stop and think. While I might differ in opinion with some of the finer points (but hey if everyone agreed on everything, it would be a boring world), the main message of this article, I am in utter and total agreement.
I have watched this show for many years and will watch it till that final scene where hopefully it will be Clark ripping off his civvies, taking flight and fading out on the red and yellow House of El shield. I like any fan of a TV show have had complaints about the direction of the show, story arcs, what a character did or said but in the end I have continued to watch because Smallville is entertaining and fun but also it is about the journey of Clark Kent to Superman.
The show has to progress, the characters have to change and evolve because we are watching the greatest superhero’s hero’s journey unfold. There will be bumps and failures along the way that will make this fan grumble and grouse at the screen but there will also be successes and ‘hell yeah’ moments. All of it, the good, the bad and the ugly, is bringing us to that ultimate end – Superman.
Kudos to you, Derek and everyone at SHoE for doing such a great job and being true fanboys (and fangirls – sorry Edna don’t want to leave you out ;)).
Awesome post – I absolutely agree with pretty much all of it!
I really love the sense I got that this is a show that you, and I, love and care about but IT’S JUST A SHOW! And that means that it doesn’t need to cause World War Three on the internet or appallingly vulgar criticisms of those who work on it… but rather calm, rational and most of all FUN discussion should be how it all works :).
The main thing is enjoyment, and if you’re not getting that then why are you watching? That’s my question. Because putting negative stuff out there about a show for no constructive reason other than to turn others against the show or just spew hate (because to be honest that’s what it can sound like – especially towards poor Erica Durance, and you guys even)… I’m all for hashing out the not-so-great parts of Smallville but in a nice SHoE podcastey way lol.
And just people really shouldn’t take it so seriously. I will happily admit to my friends that Smallville isn’t exactly the Wire, has numerous plot holes, occasional bad dialogue, stupid situations e.t.c. but then I’ll turn around and say “But you know what? I love it! I’m totally gripped no matter how ridiculous or over dramatic things get because it’s just plain awesome!”. I looove watching Thirst and laughing hysterically at Vampire!Lana. In fact I would say the Spell commentary with Erica, Kristin and Allison is pretty much how I watch Smallville, at least when I’m with my friends – I completely take the piss out of everything but that’s okay. And when a great episode comes along (most recently Savior! :)) I’m sitting there barely breathing with excitement cos it’s just so great.
So all in all thanks! Keep up the awesomeness!!!
Love, Olivia xxxx
I enjoyed your article and agree with most of your points except for the Lois Lane sleeping around part. (Grant and Oliver = 2). You also forgot to mention that she wouldn’t win a spelling bee contest hence her not been the most intelligent ie from the comics and movie. I started watching the show because i’m a superman fan and smallville was a means of me getting my superman “fix”. I like all the characters on smallville and although i never did any smallville forum or blog searches on the net until season 8; i was extremely surprised by the amount of hatred i found towards characters and mainly the actors/actress and crew. I don’t think (feel free to correct me) this happens on any other TV show that i’m aware of. At the end of the day it’s only TV and entertainment and i’m still enjoying the show today like i did in season 1. I like all the major characters on the show and i’m very protective of the superman “mythology” if you like. I believe smallville are doing and should do whatever it can to preserve this story. Every generation has had a superman story told to them and a new generation is coming up and the only thing they will remember is smallville’s take on the superman story. Fanfics on relationtionships and (yes i will go there) body/name swaps are what they are…. just fanfiction. We all use fanfiction to come up with stories we would like to see if/when we are not happy with the original script.
So far, the show runners are doing a good job of it. I might not like some aspects of the story line but all in all it’s still staying to the core of the story line. I just wish all the fans of the show can enjoy the show and stop bashing each other and the characters/actors/crew. Thanks for putting things in perspective.
With Steve til the END! Don’t worry Steve – as many dumb goobers are out there fighting against the show – there are people like the ones on this site who love the show – watch the episodes multiple times during homework or free time or on an iPod – this show is more than a show and we all know it so kudos to us and ::sticks tongue out:: to everyone else. Crazy awesome rant – the longer the better man!
Fantastic article. I have to say, you’ve put Chloe in a new light for me. I have a tendency to be annoyed by Chloe, but what you’ve said makes sense.
I agree with you that “SV” has lasted a lot longer than anyone expected and – as such – the characters had to evolve. We could not Clark Kent in S9 behaving the same way as he did in S3. That just wouldn’t work.
Excellent, excellent, article.
Great article! I think everyone has said all that needs to be said as far as the articulate way this article was written, and the insight into Season 9.
What I’d like to add is more of a request.
Can we have more articles like this, on various topics. This sparked some great conversation, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now that Smallville magazine has gone by the wayside I miss reading “articles” about my favorite show. I don’t have a lot of time to sift through fan sites – so SHoE is it for me. I’d love to see more of this from Derek and Steve!
A wonderful read Steve. You had many great points and I agree with you one hundred percent.
I have been watching since day one and I am still loving every minuet of it. I think your character analysis were on point. No one is the same person they were when they were in high school. Everyone is on a journey, and that journey can be altered by events (such as Chloe quitting journalism), but those events help shape us to who we will eventually become. Who wants to watch a show with no character growth?
The show runners/actors/actresses/crew/etc are doing a wonderful job. They are keeping true to the Superman mythos, but are also taking creative freedom, which is fine. Just because a plot line doesn’t go the way someone would want, that’s not enough reason to stop the show. I’m sticking with this show until the end!
I look forward to the next SHoE, keep up the good work!
I believe Steve has some how looked inside my brain and stole my thoughts. This is a great article. I love your positive point of view and it just makes me want to watch Smallville even more.
That was a great and insightful read.
One thing about Lois, we’re made to believe that she has slept with Ollie and Grant. Both of the times she was in a serious relationship. She was invested in it and wanted the relationship to work. She didn’t just sleep around with anyone.
Now coming to Chloe supporters. Your post is full of sincerity towards them but you’re being too nice to them. Their problem is not that Chloe isn’t a journalist anymore. Their problem is that Lois is a journalist and Chloe isn’t. Their problem is that Lois is in the place that they dreamt Chloe would be in.
Intelligence? Well Chloe’s super gadgets weren’t able to track down Ollie in 3 weeks. Lois did it in 5 minutes. Need I say more?
Lois was never supposed to be, never is and never will be a ’super nerd’. The people who ‘think’ she is, don’t know a thing about Lois Lane. Or perhaps, all they know is that Lois Lane works as a journalist in Daily Planet and she ends up with Clark Kent one day.
THAT FACT, is the only reason for Lois hatred and the only reason why Chlarkers/Chloe supporters give a damn about Chloe’s journalism career. It’s a “Lois Lane thing” hence it brings Chloe, a character that has no identity in the comic books, closer to the heroine of the story. It’s all about who “wins” the “trophy” called Clark Kent in the end.
Have you seen the things they say about Clark Kent? I can never believe that a fan who loves Superman would label him insensitive and a jerk just because he doesn’t think Chloe is the most awesome person in the world. Somewhere down the line for them, it has become Chloeville, not Smallville.
Lois off course is the #1 threat, the reason why Chloe couldn’t have the “guy she deserved” hence Lois Lane must be bashed. It becomes from insane to tragic when the don’t even draw the line between the character and actor. Since Erica Durance plays Lois Lane, hence she should be bashed to. An actress who has been nothing but awesome to the fans and always promotes the show, plays her part with utmost dedication and loyalty, is to be bashed for her acting and appearance and everything else because, uh, she’s playing the ‘role of the woman who ends up with Clark Kent’.
So while your points are extremely valid and make perfect sense for someone who is a real fan of Chloe, you should know that you’re dealing with a fandom who believes that it would have been an awesome twist if the 70 year old legendary character of Lois Lane would have been killed off in this series and Chloe would take up her “name” and “end up” with Clark Kent.
Chloe’s story is not pre-written so no one can say that she ends up being a journalist. It’s the only character whose fans can enjoy the new twists and turns in her character without worrying whether she’s true to her comic counterpart or not, because there is no Chloe in the comics. But it isn’t about journalism, it’s about who works side by side with Clark, who’s the “leading lady” and who ends up with Clark. If Lois Lane wasn’t a journalist, I doubt any Chlarker would give a damn about Chloe leaving the profession.
It’s all about a ship and winning this war that they have in their head between Chloe and Lois and worst, Mack and Durance.
Thanks for the essay again.
Hi Steve,
Thank you so much for this great article. Most of all, thank you for having the guts to address the discord in the fanom in a mature, honest and thoughtful way. As a fan of this show from Day#1, I appreciate it.
I have to say that I also disagree with some of the finer points of your analysis. I have to second what a few people said above: Lois Lane is not a whore and I don’t think it’s far to even suggest that she “sleeps around.” Show canon has told us that she slept with Oliver–a man who was her boyfriend and who she loved. We have no idea if she slept with Grant, but again, they were in a relationship. Was it an inappropriate relationship? Sure. Was she trying to get over Oliver? Yes. But it’s clear that she cared about him and he about her. So again, I’m not seeing how that makes her some kind of whore. Lana slept with both Clark and Lex, not to mention Bizarro. Chloe slept with Jimmy when she was only 15 years old during a summer fling at the Planet. Yet, no one ever calls either of those girls whores. Lastly, so now Lois has slept with Clark. Her future husband. He’ll probably be the only person she sleeps with for the rest of her life and vice versa. Not really seeing a problem with that. :) I totally understand where you were coming from and I know that you were actually trying to defend Lois Lane with your comments. But I just think you need to be careful to not suggest things that aren’t actually true in show canon. The people that you are writing this article to have spent a lot of time painting Lois as a whore and saying that she sleeps around when in reality that is just not true based on show canon. And I have no issue whatsoever with her choosing to sleep with Clark because I think it was pretty clear last season that she was madly in love with him.
Second, I don’t necessarily agree that the only reason that Clark can’t give Lois up is because she thinks he’s perfect and doesn’t know his failures and weaknesses. I think that’s a small part of it. I do think that there is special allure for Clark when he is able to see “The Blur” through the eyes of Lois. To see himself through her eyes. And I would argue that that fits well with established Superman canon. Superman has always been inspired by the way that Lois sees him and Lois Lane’s unconditional faith in Superman is iconic. She always believes in him and she never gives up hope. And I agree that being able to let go and see himself through Lois’ eyes is appealing to Clark, particularly when he is in such a dark place. But I think another part of it lies in the fact that through “The Blur” Clark is able to see a different side of Lois. She shows him a side of her that is more vulnerable and more in need of love. It’s a side that she rarely shows him when he is Clark. And he is drawn to that side of her. It taps into the connection that they share and it is part of the reason why ultimately Lois winds up being the right woman for him: because she is in love with both sides of him unconditionally and in a way that no one else ever has. She remains in awe of his alien heritage and believes in him as a hero but she loves the goofy, normal, farmboy side to him as well. Clark loves to be “the hero” for Lois as Superman and he loves being able to bring out her more vulnerable side but he also loves the more tenacious side of her that she only shows to Clark. That’s the weird contrast to their relationship, they really BOTH are two people with each other and it’s the combination of those different identities that makes their relationship so interesting for the past 70 years. Smallville has done a great job continuing this tradition.
Lastly, I really love what you said about Chloe. I’ll be honest that it’s been hard for me to like Chloe lately. But I WANT to like her again. I’ve watched Smallville since it premiered back in 2001. And I’ve always loved Chloe. To me, her journey from the Torch to becoming the Watchtower is not only not a lightswitch…but completely realistic and in fitting with who she is as a person. Yes, I think the rift between her and Clark is sad….but like you…I remember all the friendships in my life that have had bumps along the way only to emerge stronger on the other side. My closest friend from high school and I had a pretty major falling out a few years ago….and I’m the maid of honor in her wedding in a few months. Friendships change over time but that doesn’t mean that they need to end.
Sorry for being so long. Thank you for everything that you said and thank you for being such a positive voice in the SMallville fan community! I appreciate it!
It was a great read and I can attest that what you want in high school is different than what you want in the later years. Because all through high school I wanted to be doctor. But one day after a zoology lab I (light)switched my career choice to becoming an engineer that I didn’t take any zoology class in the Higher Secondary years. So yes I can understand the transformation Chloe went through.
As for Smallville if the show did not have the characters grow up I wouldn’t be tuning in. This season if Lois and Clark was going to have the same story as last season I wouldn’t be enthusiastic about the show this season especially after its move to Friday. But this year there is going to be change in their dynamic which has me very much interested in the show. Also I am very eager to see how Clark is going to handle his relationship with the rest of the JL members after the events from Doomsday.
I don’t care about the haters who constantly bash the actual actress,PTB and the fans of the show and I don’t have any sympathy for them.
Awesome article steve, i never got why people would hate on the actors when they don’t agree with the story direction.
one more thing, how can you have a girlfriend, a job, several podcasts and still manage to write awesome articles like this. you must have a time turner or a blue police box.
Steve, as always you’ve managed to put my own thoughts into words in a way that I never could have done. Bravo, sir. Bravo.
STEVE THIS REVIEW AGIAN SHOWS YOUR LOVE AND PASSION FOR SMALLVILLE AND SUPERMAN AND ALL THINGS YOU DO.THE REVIEW WAS GREAT AND IM SO PUMPED FOR THIS SEASON
I feel like I need to make a point about something above…the “sleep around” comment was made to be a bit tongue-in-cheek and to be somewhat conciliatory to the Lois naysayers.
What’s Smallville?
Very good points. I cannot say I am gung-ho for every single one; nevertheless a solid argument.
I, for one, feel outraged that some fans would insult/belittle/berate the actors. Those fans need to realize that there is a fine difference between passion and harassment. I commend the actors for always going above and beyond.
“RESPECTING ONE’S OPINION IS THE PINNACLE OF MATURITY”
Great writing Steve. Knocked it out of the park. I loved how you brought it all back to getting us all back together and geekin’ out over our beloved show. Well played sir.
Thanks for clarifying, Steve. I thought that you were saying that you agreed wdith them that she “slept around” which kind of shocked me because you are usually #1 very aware of show canon and #2 not petty like that. So thanks for the clarification. I get that you are trying to make peace with a lot of these people and I respect that. But I don’t think you need to try and be conciliatory or win these people over. Alot of the, have done nothing for years now but call Lois (and worst of all Erica Durance) vulgar names. Names that I would never repeat on this board. By you even suggesting in your article that you might agree with them about Lois sleeping around just adds fuel to the fire to something that isn’t true even if it was meant to be tongue in cheek. (And ultimately, the person they take it out on is Erica…which I know you are very against.) I understand where you are coming from but I thought that trying to win those people over with that particular point was un-necessary and sent the wrong message.
Other than that though, I think you did a great show and I do really respect that you took the time to try and make peace.
My concerns as a Chloe fan are the following:
While I don’t have a problem with her as Watchtower (I really liked the ending of Hex) I don’t want to see her stuck behind a computer 24/7. I’d like to know that she’ll be out in the field investigating events versus staring at a computer spouting exposition. I don’t want her only role to be the “exposition girl.” It’ll be very boring (very fast) if every episode she’s telling Oliver/ whoever to take a left at Main Street and the bad guys are in the building next to the Grocery store. I hope she’s more involved than that.
I would like to see that she’s happy doing what she is doing. The happiest I’ve ever seen her is when she was a reporter for the Torch and the DP. I’ve yet to see her that happy. I’d also like to see that she’s good at her job. At Isis she was terrible, and so far Lois was able to track Oliver via paparazzi. If she was looking for Oliver on the computer, why didn’t she see that the paparazzi was following Oliver? There must be the equivalent of TMZ on Smallville. This is the same girl who was able to link kryptonite with all the craziness happening in Smallville via her Wall of Weird, yet couldn’t search for Oliver Queen? Okay then.
Why can’t she have a side job? Everyone else does. Maybe she should start her own underground blog, or something. How does she pay her bills? Her electrical bill alone will be very high.
I really enjoy Chloe and Clark’s friendship, and think it’s great to have such a strong friendship on the show. It makes me nervous what the producers will do to that friendship. I think that both have their reasons for the tension (and I hope the Jimmy issue is a “cover” for that) so I hope that we are able to hear both sides of the issue. I also hope that neither will be made to look bad in the process.
I don’t want Chloe to be jealous of Lois because TPTB have a habit of making Chloe look like a shrew (seasons 2 and 3). The only reason it didn’t bother me in seasons 2 and 3 was due to the knowledge that Allison was coming back so the character could be (and was) redeemed; however, Allison has given two interviews where she has stated that this season is it. If TPTB screw up Chloe’s character there won’t be any chance at a redemption.
The fact that there are no Chloe spoilers hasn’t given many Chloe fans reason to be hopeful/ excited for this season. What is Chloe’s storyline? What will she be doing? Is the friendship going to be repaired? Will she be happy? There are more questions than answers. When the CW released the writ up for the season and used the words, “manipulate,” “spinning her web” to describe Chloe many became concerned that they were/are going to turn her into a villain. Those are words that’re usually used to describe the Luthors and, in the same write up, used to describe Tess. Nobody is talking about Chloe so I’m left with coming to my own conclusions. There aren’t any spoilers to paint any picture of what Chloe will be up to. If they muck things up with Chloe this year there won’t be a next year to try and make things right.
It’s been said that there’s going to be “cool twist” for Chloe within the first ten episodes, where are the hints/spoilers for that? The only thing being told to Chloe fans is to “keep watching” and after last season many don’t believe what is told to them by TPTB. Last season Brain Peterson gave an interview and said that “Chloe fans will be happy and to enjoy the ride” and I haven’t seen any Chloe fan who was happy or enjoyed the ride in season 8. Now when a producer, or someone associated with the show, says something about Chloe it’s taken with a grain of salt. There aren’t any spoilers to back up the claim being said.
I hope Chloe doesn’t die because that’ll be too predictable. This is Allison’s last year, let Chloe go out with her dignity intact. If Chloe happens to get a love interest that’ll be okay too. As long as it’s not Dr. Hamilton, the guy becomes a villain and the characters don’t have any chemistry, then I’ll be fine.
Thanks for reading.
A VERY FINE review indeed.
To me, Smallville has taken the story of Superman to the next level to a point where one cannot help but hope for dreams that may or may not take effect (such dreams could be Chlois or Chlark).
From the start, my favorite characters have been Clark and Chloe. However, that does not mean the remaining ones are subject to ridicule and harassment. And I am quite certain I am not the only Chlarker, Clois, etc. who feels this way. What is saddening is the mere fact that there are some rather immature individuals who seem to take pleasure in bashing the character they feel is standing in the way of their favorite’s progress, and I have been in enough forums to firmly declare that the immaturity lies with some Pro-Lois as well as Pro-Chloe fans; NO EXCEPTION for one has to be fair.
It is high time we, the fans, embrace the previous poster’s signature, and respect one’s opinion (not insult, but opinion) for it is indeed a strong indicator of maturity.
Clark2009,
I couldn’t agree more. The bashing of characters AND actors happens on BOTH sides of the fandom. Neither Chloe NOR Lois fans are innocent. To make it seem like it’s only Chloe fans, is ignoring the fact that it happens on BOTH sides. I’ve seen some Lois fans call Allison a “wh***” when she was negotiating for her contract renewal, I’ve seen it implied that the only reason Ausiello gives Chloe spoilers is due to Allison performing certain acts on Ausiello, just as I’ve seen some Chloe fans call Erica nasty names.
If people truly want there to be a “peace” between the fans then BOTH sides need to acknowledge that they are BOTH in the wrong, and take the high road when the few from BOTH sides try to create drama. Saying it’s only Chloe fans , and calling Chloe fans vulgar names, isn’t going to put out any flames, it’ll only add to it. Because it’s NOT just some Chloe fans who engage in hurtful remarks about an actor or a character.
I understand the comment “sleeping around” was meant tongue in cheek, but it’s not true or fair to the character. And, imho, feeds in to the negativity. Lois hasn’t been shown to sleep around at all. She’s been linked to two men in the 5 years she’s been on the show. One was Oliver who she was in a committed relationship with and the other was Grant who she was dating. I don’t think she’s been shown to be a party animal either, she got in trouble that one time a years ago, then there was the opening of Committed where she drank too much at Chloe’s engagement party and made a fool out of herself. She’s never been shown to be out all night drinking and picking up guys.
Other than that, great article!
A wonderful article that makes may very valid and logical points. I wish I could say that I thought it would make a difference, but since virtually all of these issues have already been discussed, in a manner of speaking, and dismissed by those who are vocally disdainful of the show, I don’t think it will. But perhaps having it all in one go like this will help.