SHoE AAC: Episode 134 – “Crossfire”
They’re calling this one legendary, and who are we to disagree? Steve and co-host Logan from the Bones podcast, Squint Squad take on ‘Crossfire’, the sixth episode of the season – featuring some heroics, a sidekick and a kiss. We’ve gathered up all the latest news and interviews for you inside, detailing some things you’ll need to know for 2010’s two-parter “Society” and “Legends” plus spoilers for “Kandor” and more inside!
Hey Steve. Great recap as always. You guys crack me up. I was laughing so hard when you were talking about “Friends” and Joey and his dessert.
I liked this episode a lot because it was such a mixed bag. I felt like it had a little bit of everything. I enjoyed the interaction between Ollie and Mia and I agree with you that Ollie’s intention with her are genunie. When he says he wants to help, he truly wants to help her. I also agreed with you that the scene with Lois and Ollie was so mature and so real. No more of that teen agnst. I loved the Tess/Zod stuff. I’m really interested in what is going on with that solar tower and what that means for Clark for the future. Is he going to lose his powers? Is Zod going to gain them? There are so many possibilities. I can’t help but think that Tess is in over her head. At the end of the day, I still think Zod is more ruthless and she might wind up in a bad place because of her relationship with him.
I was glad to see Chloe reach out to Stuart and I agree with you that I HOPE that she tries to help him. She knows that being involved with LuthorCorp is dangerous. I hope she tries to be ally for him and tries to help him get out. Maybe he can be their voice on the inside. I was also happy to see her encourage Clark like she would in the old days. I like Chloe a lot but I have to be honest that I’ve been struggling with her for the last season or so. I got tired of hearing her lecture Clark or act like his mother and I really didn’t like her negativity regarding Clark’s happiness with Lois. She did the right thing in this episode. She told Clark to ask himself what HE wanted for a change. She gave him the kick in the ass that he needed. Clark is such a selfless person and he was ready to be the bigger man and step back if he thought that Oliver and Lois would be happy together. It was very noble on his part but Chloe was right to remind him that he deserves happiness too and that sometimes you have to fight for what you want.
As a result, we got to see Clark stand up and act like a man and go after what he wants. I think it’s the first time EVER on this show that we’ve seen Clark be the aggressor with a woman when he wasn’t under the influence of Red K.
So here’s where I start to disagree with you: I don’t think Clark and Lois are too fast bc of the comics. Steve, I know you said that obviously it isn’t rushed for the show but you wonder where it will go because of the comics etc. Here’s my thing….this show has already taken so many liberities with the comics. They made the choice to bring Lois on the show back in Season 4. That was 5 years ago. There was chemistry between Clark and Lois right away and there was always that hint that there was “something” between them. Something undefined. After the events last season and this season….something had to give. Now, do I think it’s going to be smooth sailing from here on out? No, I don’t. But I am interested in seeing Clark handle relationship conflicts as a MAN and not as a boy. Tom and Erica are so good together as Clark and Lois and to me, it would be a waste to not explore that in the context of a real relationship on the show. It doesn’t really bother me that it’s a different timeline from the comics. I LOVE the comics and I love the LnC relationship in the comics. But to me, Smallville is NEVER going to 100% line up with the comics. They sort of have their own version of the myth now and I enjoy it. It made sense for THIS Clark and THIS Lois to kiss. Something had to give between them. After 5 years of fighting and bantering and flirting and tension I think Clark just snapped. I thought the kiss was done beautifully and I was really excited about it. I’m not going to get bent out of shape that it’s a different timeline from the comics. Clark was never “The Blur” in the comics either. Chloe wouldn’t exist. etc etc. In a sense, what we are getting now with Clark and Lois is the beginning of their relationship with the “Blur” as the stand in for Superman. In the comics, they date and get engaged BEFORE she knows the secret. I’m sure it will all work out. Thanks again for the great recap!
It was okay episode, the parts I really like where Chloe, and Tess stuff.
Loved the chloe scene and Bullet scene oh clois KIISS
Just finishing listening to the episode on my desktop computer. Must say Logan you did a great job and I just had a thought since you have stated that you are “Steve” and Crystal is “Derek” on your podcast maybe Crystal should be the next guest host of Monday Night RAW err SHoE. Steve BTW thank you for clearing up what RAO was, I knew I had it heard about it before in the comics and maybe The Superman Animated Series but I couldn’t remember what it was. I guess this is my gimmick now, but for you “Bones” fans that own an Apple iPod or a Microsoft Zune that enjoyed Logan on this episode the podcast “Squint Squad” is available for download on Apple iTunes and Zune Marketplace. CanaryCall is available for download on Apple iTunes. CanaryCall isn’t on Zune Marketplace but I submitted the feed to Zune Marketplace so hopefully it will be in the Marketplace soon.
Great job once again!! I really enjoyed having a girl podcaster! And one that loves female superheroes too! Beautiful job you guys.
Steve mentions at one point what I’ve been noticing a lot by surfing some forums… Smallville fans seem to be very character oriented (that’s not a bad thing!), as in, they adopt one favorite character and stick to them. But is it possible to be a poly-character type of person? haha. I love each and every Smallville character! I don’t “ship” because I love to watch the interaction and the tension between all characters. I’m worried about Chloe’s fate but I love that tptb are giving Lois more screentime. I know the show is about Clark and I love watching every second of him becoming who I know he’s bound to be, but I also love that Oliver’s in the show as often as he is. I always feel like I’m not a hardcore Smallville fan because I’m not a fan of a particular person or “ship”. And again, I’m not criticizing people that do adopt this fan method, just stating that I don’t. Anyway, just some thoughts that popped up while listening to the podcast :)
Also, I’m in total agreement with MK on the subject of the Clark&Lois kiss. I think it’s been a long time coming (Lois has indeed been around for 4-5 years and she’s never been seriously considered as a girlfriend for Clark until last year around Bride) and I’m not worried about the comics: in fact, I’m looking forward to seeing where this is going to lead in our Smallville continuity.
Again, great episode Steve and Logan! I’m looking forward to Kandor and the return of Derek! :)
Hey Gabby! Just wanted to comment on your statement above regarding having favorite characters…
You are not alone. I feel the same way. Honestly, Clark Kent is my favorite person on the show. To me, he is the star and everything should come back to him. But I also love all the characters on the show. It’s kind of funny because I love them all in different ways. I am a huge fan of Lois and of Clark and Lois as a couple. But part of the reason I like them together is because I really enjoy the unique sides of their personalities that they only seem to bring out in each other. I’ve always felt that Lois helps Clark to stand up and act like a man and he helps her let down her guard and become more vulnerable. For me, it’s less about shipping and more about what it brings to the characters. But I also really like Chloe and Oliver and Tess etc. I like them all I want to see more of Chloe and yet at the same time I remember back in Season 7 where poor Erica Durance was completely sidelined or last year where she had only 12 episodes and Chloe had so much screentime and I think, “Hmm, I’m happy to see Lois get a chance to shine finally.” And it’s not for lack of love for Chloe. Because I love her too. I also love that Oliver is on the show. That guy cracks me up. He plays off of Clark so well.
So please don’t feel like you are alone. There are a lot of us out there that really enjoy the show as a whole. I love the Clark and Lois relationship but I love that it’s not the ONLY part of the story. I love that Smallville has action and storylines that are not about the romance. Just like I love Chloe but I do not think Chloe is the star of this show nor do I think she is or ever was the most important person on the show. For me, it’s all about balance. Sometimes it’s hard to know where you fit in fandom. :) But rest assured that there are plenty of us out here that love every character on Smallville
Thank you for your reply MK! :) Very tasteful and now I don’t feel so alone.
Bring on the rest of season 9 accompanied by awesome SHoE episodes! :)
Hi Steve,
Listened to the Crossfire podcast.
I wrote this in the forums, but re: Souders talk about the new power — she used the word magnificant. Maybe it’s as in magnify — meaning microvision or macrovision. Those would be visually interesting to convey.
It’s my impression that you think of Clark and Lois as a ship and you don’t want to be accused of being a shipper. I can totally understand that — I hate the ’ship’ concept. BUT Clark and Lois were a couple before the whole ’ship’ thing was invented. The two characters are so intricately designed — yes they have their separate roles, but they also are complete when together. Jerry Siegel married Joe Shuster’s model for Lois Lane. So Lois is NOT one of the girls. She is as much a part of Clark and Superman as the cape and the glasses.
Clark and Lois’ relationship is not just about romance. It’s about how they grow individually and influence one another. Maybe if more of us talk about Clark and Lois as individuals and also as a couple — then the stigma of a ship would be less or null.
I feel you missed some important points in regards to Clark’s character growth in this episode and simply sloughed it off as being Clois drivel. Not as important as the Cat Grant poster, Mia’s introduction or Ms. Sullivan’s hacker off with Stuart.
The kiss was important — as a milestone in each of the characters’ development. Clark is now a mature, passionate man who is learning he has to go after what he wants. Desire is a great motivator whether it be for a destiny or a woman. Clark is always described as a man with a huge heart and a keen mind. Clark is starting to think with his heart first — which is always good for his character. Lois is a woman with intelligence, chutzpah, and a knockout body. She defends her heart like Fort Knox, but Clark in his quiet way has chipped away that wall.
(BTW first Superman & Lois kiss was in Superman #3 in 1940. Clark Kent asked Lois Lane out on a date in the first panel they were in together in Action #1 in 1938.)
So this isn’t high school any more. This is the big leagues. We have moved from teen angst soap opera to action adventure drama science fiction sexy mature romance.
So please try not to treat the Clark and Lois interaction as just fluff, because it’s not. We have not seen their iconic interaction on this show before — but we are definitely getting it this season. So some chronicling of it’s growth is needed. It is one of the reasons fans are coming back. Clark is CLARK KENT and nearly Superman and one of those reasons is — he has his Lois Lane.
I do agree that the Zod/Tess storyline is quite good. Their push and pull was a counterpoint to the Clark and Lois push/pull. Mistrust vs. Trust
Thanks for all your hard work on the podcasts.
Hey Steve,
Just wanted to throw my two cents in. I really enjoyed the podcast. You continue to crack me up and I appreciate that you are such a down to earth guy with such a positive love for the show.
That being said, I have to agree with BaudyHallee’s post above. I’ve noticed a few times this season that you seem to skip over the nuances/subtle moments and emotional development between Clark and Lois in your reviews. The first time I noticed it was actually in the “Metallo” review. I was expecting you to comment on the beautiful reunion between Clark and Lois at the Daily Planet and you barely gave it a mention. I remember feeling really dissapointed as a fan that you didn’t seem to think it was important. That being said, I didn’t want to say anything about it because I do enjoy your podcasts and I didn’t want it to look like I was complaining. I understand that your first priority when you watch the show is the action. I also understand that you don’t want to be considered a shipper. Frankly, I hate the term, “shipper” and I hate the whole idea of shipping as well. So I don’t blame you there.
The problem is that not everyone who is interested in Clark and Lois IS a shipper. I’m interested in every aspect of this show because I’m a huge Superman fan. I appreciate it that Smallville gives us a little bit of everything: action, humor, drama AND love. All of these things are equally important to me.
I know that I would appreciate it as a faithful listener if you would take a little more time to really talk about the emotional impact of Clark’s relationship with Lois. To me, Clark’s emotional development this year and his growing maturity with Lois has been intensely interesting. To compare how he behaves now compared to how he behaved with Lana a few years ago: it’s like night and day. It’s such an important character development for Clark. The bottom line is that this relationship is not just another “ship.” Smallville has burned us in the past when it comes to relationships but Clark and Lois are different. This love story is essential to the Superman mythos. As a fan of the show and as a huge Superman fan, I would really love to see the relationship get a little more attention when you review the episodes. If you don’t want to talk about the emotional development, then maybe you could ask someone to co-host with you for a week that has a real interest in talking about it for a few minutes. You mentioned in your last podcast that you had a few friends that were “really excited” about the Crossfire kiss. Maybe you could ask them for their perspectives.
Thank you again for all of your hard work. I truly enjoy the podcasts.
IJWTS wow! Why can’t I think of thigns like that?