SHoE AAC: Episode 135 – “Kandor”
Gather around class, it’s time for Kryptonian History 101! Steve, Derek, and TV Guide Senior Writer Damian Holbrook delve into the seventh episode of the season, one the three of them agree is now a fan favorite. There is a lot of news to uncover in addition to a look at the character of Chloe Sullivan, the extreme discussion of Jor-El, Zod, Krypton, and the space-time continuum. Not to mention all new SHoE terms to add to your Glossonary, a lot of laughs, and spoilers for Idol! Join us, won’t you?
Oh, can’t wait to find out what you guys think of Kandor! I LOVED IT! it’s my favorite of season 9 so far! Welcome back Derek! Missed ya!
Listening right now, and I have to comment on being a Johnny come lately in Smallville fandom. Caught up on 7.5 seasons in a week and a half. Gotta love college, especially when you don’t go to class. Sorry, just had to reminisce from my cubicle
Thanks! I had a great time listening to it, you guys crack me up! Plus, we got some great new spoilers from Damian!
I liked Kandor but honestly I could sort of do without anymore in depth discussion about the character of Chloe Sullivan. I understand that you guys are huge fans of her. I like her too. I am a fan of Allison. But I’d rather here in depth analysis on the character of Clark Kent. I get a little tired of the Chloe worship. Just an opinion.
Sorry for the typo. It’s been a long day. :)
Great episode guys, and this was an awesome episode of Smallville. I really started geeking out when Jor-El did the Vulcan neck-pinch to Chloe and knocked her out cold – my head almost spun around and exploded.
I would’ve loved to here you guys talk just a little bit more about the Clark and Tess scene though – but there was an unbelievable amount of stuff to cover on account of it being such an epic episode. I wonder though, how it will change the situation now that Clark has acknowledged his powers to Tess. Fodder for future discussion I suppose.
This season is amazing, I can’t wait to see what happens next. Keep up the great work!
Steve and Derek,
Great episode. Oh man, you guys crack me up. It sounds like you had an amazing time. It was great to hear Derek back again and Damien made a nice little addition to your chat!
So much happened in this episode! I was cracking up when you guys were talking about “geekwood.” I gotta be honest…I shed a little tear when Clark was holding Jor-El while he bled to death. Poor Clark. I also have to comment on something that Damien said that really jumped out at me because it’s also something I picked up on. Damien was talking about Oliver’s changing friendship with Clark and how it’s clear now that Oliver seems to recognize that Clark has the moral center and it the leader. He also mentioned that he sort of stood behind him in that last scene of Roulette vs. 3 years ago when he was sort of pushy with Clark. Yes! I loved hearing you guys talk about that. I have really picked up on over the last few episodes. It’s like Oliver realizes that Clark is going to be the one that they depend on to lead. Ironically, this sort of tied in for me to that “look” that Clark gave Oliver when he saved him in Crossfire. For me, Oliver’s reaction to the save sort showed that Oliver knew deep down that Clark was the better man. The more powerful hero…and the better man for Lois. It was like a double realization that try as Oliver may…he will never be Clark. So kudos to Damien for bringing that shift up!
I thought Julian Sands was fantastic. You know, I just had to let go of my thoughts that he looked nothing like Tom Welling. (BTW I cracked up at your: Whose kid is this? comments haha.) Julian Sands was so fantastic that I don’t even care. He had the wisdom and nobleness that I would expect from Jor-El and in that way he reminded me of Clark enough to believe that they would be father and son. The scene where Zod asks Jor-El to bring his little boy back also broke my heart. It’s almost alarming to see such a human and sad side to a man that we know becomes such a villian.
Just wanted to send you guys a quick shout out regarding your other comments about the show and fandom….
I do think it’s possible to be super interested in a relationship and yet still support the show as a whole. I myself am a huge supporter of the Clark/Lois relationship. I have posted at DI in the past. And yes, the Crossfire kiss was really exciting for me. I’ve been rooting for clark and Lois since Season 4. But honestly, I’m just a huge Superman. And because I’m a huge Superman fan I root for Clark and Lois because that iconic love story is more than just a “ship” to me. It’s a central part of the story. That being said, I loved Kandor BECAUSE it was a great episode. I would NEVER not watch an episode just because Erica wasn’t in it. Honestly, I think you’d be surprised how many Clark/Lois fans feel the same way. The majority of Clois fans that I’ve seen over at DI or Superverses LOVED Kandor because it was just an awesome Superman mythos episode. I enjoy great episodes of this show. I don’t base my enjoyment of the show on one actress. I watch for all the relationships and all the characters. So just please know that there are plenty of us out here that might be huge supporters of the love story but also just love the show as a whole and LOVE the mythos episodes like Kandor for the sheer reason that they are AWESOME. I think a negative stigma has become attached with “shipping” with Smallville. But I don’t really consider those of us that love Clark and Lois but also just really really love the show “shippers.” We just love Superman and everything that comes along with it whether it be episodes like Kandor or episodes with more romance. I hope you keep that in mind as you continue to review episodes!
Thank you again for all of your hard work and for the entertaining podcast.
Love your podcast. Can’t believe I only just found your site. I’m hooked now. Kandor was an awesome episode and the best episode of season 9 so far.
Mary I completely echo your sentiments. The only reason I watch smallville and did from the start is because I’m a superman fan and for me part of loving superman was the relationship he had with Lois Lane. I enjoy Smallville’s take on it but I don’t base my love for the show on a “ship”. To be honest I would still watch the show if Clark ended up with nobody.
Everything Mary said, both her review and the “shipper” clarification. I came into this show because it’s about Superman (hence the name), or the boy/man that will become Superman. I personally love the “Clois-centric” episodes just as much as the “mythos” episodes. Kandor is no exception as I have watched it about 4 times so far (twice back-to-back because I forced my mom to watch it when I’d already completed a viewing). Anyway, you guys had me cracking up and the best line has to be about the “chaps”.
Apple iPod and Microsoft Zune SHoEligans rejoice another great episode of Starkville’s House of El. I just listening to the episode on my White Apple iPhone 3G. First of all, Damian Holbrook you are a very humorous man sir with your comments on Chloe being Kal-El’s “Grace Adler.” I never thought of that, until you brought it up. Secondly your comment about Chloe and Oliver. LOL. “Get up, on that Girl!” “That man is a fine piece.” Now, just to give my fellow SHoEligans some back story I have cerebral palsy (a mild form) and I use an electric wheelchair and when Damian said that on the podcast I almost lost control of my wheelchair. LOL. I literally said to myself “Oh, my god” when I heard that comment. Derek’s thinking about the wreck-con of how Davis’ got to Earth… about how that was Brainaic plan in Season Seven and that is why he needed Kara to go back in time with him, so Brainaic could put the genetic material of Doomsday on Kal-El’s ship on Faora and Zod’s orders so Doomsday could make it to Earth and kill every human making it simpler for Zod take over. I’m glad, I’m not the only one who thought that. Great podcast guys. Mole.
Thanks for the support! I guess it’s just upsetting sometimes that people seem to assume that all people who support the Clark/Lois relationship are just “shippers” and not just huge Superman fans who love every aspect of the myth including the love story. Honestly, I think it’s an insult to the Superman mythos to even refer to their relationship as a “ship” on this show. Their relationship is an important part of the story and I support it because I love Superman and part of loving Superman means loving his relationship with Lois Lane. Sometimes, I wish that Steve would spend a little more time talking about the subtle moments between Clark and Lois in his reviews. I noticed people talking about this in the Crossfire thread and I sort of agreed that those moments tend to get skipped over and it’s a bummer. I wait to hear Steve give them the in-depth analysis and attention that he gives other things on the show and I feel cheated when he doesn’t. They’ll usually just quickly sum up what happened without any real analysis to the character growth. (They even skipped Clark’s confession to Chloe in Kandor that he kissed her and his line that “he just went to talk to her and couldn’t stop himself.” IMO, that was a pretty honest confession from Clark. I know that Kandor was a huge episode with TONS of stuff to talk about but that moment again got skipped over.) I understand that the podcasts don’t want to come off as shippers but Clark and Lois aren’t a ship and their relationship is important to the story.
But as I said above, I’m in this because I’m a fan of Superman. Any episode that’s a good episode is fine by me! I thought “Prey” was one of the best episodes of Season 8 and obviously Lois was not in that one etc. I’m always interested in Clark’s development and journey first and foremost. And I would never skip an episode just because Lois wasn’t in it. Clark Kent is the star of this show and it’s his journey. Frankly, I love the entire ensemble of this show. I think they are all fantastic. I just wanted to make my feelings known and I appreciate it seeing that some people agree. I really enjoy Steve and Derek’s podcasts. I think they are fantastic. I hope that Steve understands where I’m coming from and understands that in no way am I trying to complain. I just wanted to clarify my feelings on this as a faithful listener and a huge Superman and Smallville fan. :)
Thanks again!
Woo,
I hope it’s ok that I laughed really hard at the image of you losing control of your chair. Was it an “almost ran into traffic” lose control, “almost fell down stairs” lose control or “almost put a hole in the wall” lose control?
No, Steve don’t worry about it. No none of those that you mentioned I was on the sidewalk but here is the thing the sidewalks where I live on are kinda cracked and while I was laughing I kind of had of hard time paying attention to the sidewalk and I went over a crack and I seriously thought that I was going to tip over, but I didn’t… Don’t worry about man, I know from the “Metallo” podcast that is one of your favorite gags in pop culture. Do me a favor, mentioned on one of the podcasts maybe the one for “Idol” under “Smallville News” that CW TV series’ specifically “Smallville” and “Supernatural” are available for sale/download on Zune Marketplace. I think this an important news item and they have some DC Comics TV Series like The Adventures of Superman Season Three with George Reeves is on there as well as other things from DC Comics property such as “Batman Beyond” and “Gotham Nights” aka the Fourth Season of “Batman The Animated Series” so as a favor to me could you please mentioned this on the podcast? I have a special place in my heart for The Microsoft Zune it was my first MP3 Player and the first podcast I ever listen to on it was SHoE and I began listening shortly after the birth of “Chocolate Pie”. And I know Joe H. has a Microsoft Zune so please mentioned this news on the podcast and to him. BTW, Steve it was an honor to make Big Honkin” laugh… highlight of my week. Mole.
Oh, another thing Steve I submitted “Big Honkin’ Show” on Microsoft Zune Marketplace. I hope you don’t mind. I don’t know if you “Geek Out Loud” is already on the Zune Marketplace.
Oh, another thing Steve I submitted “Big Honkin’ Show” on Microsoft Zune Marketplace. I hope you don’t mind. I don’t know if you know “Geek Out Loud” is already on the Zune Marketplace.
geoff johns! get him! i’ll pay for that podcast!
Yess! I agree GET GEOFF JOHNS!
Wait, a few questions:
1. How did a scientist just walk onto a battlefield to stop the blood being taken? It’s a war. I would think that maybe the scientist would just not perform the procedure once the blood was back at the lab.
2. Why did Clark and Oliver take the jet? Whey didn’t Clark just run to the desert? (aside from the convenience of not having cell signal) AND He has super hearing, just yell his name if you need him Chloe.
3. How did Tess know what the Blur’s costume looked like? I mean EXACTLY LOOKED LIKE. I guess it could have been implied by his calling card but it was kind of a stretch. I think that would’ve been a great time for Tess to have given Jor El a professional costume using LuthorCorp tailors. Clark could have assumed it was Jor El’s, or just used it as inspiration, and then use it as his own, then we would have a new, real looking costume on par with Green Arrow’s.
These aren’t deal breakers for me and I know some things need to happen for the story, I just wanted to see if anyone could add/answer/disagree with some things I noticed.
Can Clark run across water? I thought that Bart had said he couldn’t do this in past episodes.
It’s TV as well and I can’t answer your 3rd question. Anyone else? :)
Rocco, keep in mind that Tess DOES know that Clark is the Blur. She confirmed it in Turbulence. It is pretty safe to say that she could have seen/heard of The Blur’s costume off screen.
But it is really just to help Zod connect Jor-El to the S symbols being left around.
ZOD: “Who’s leaving all these darn House of El symbols all over Metropolis? We should find out if it’s Jor-El. Oh wait, he’s wearing the SAME symbol on his shirt. Yeah it’s Jor-El.”