“Conspiracy” Airs Tonight!
ZOD IS SHOT — Bernard Chisholm (guest star J.R. Bourne), a doctor who died and was brought back to life by the Kandorians so they can experiment on him, escapes and kidnaps some Kandorians in order to prove aliens have invaded Earth. Bernard tries to get Lois to write a story validating his claim, but when Lois refuses, he kidnaps her too. In an effort to save his people, Zod poses as a reporter from the Daily Planet and uncovers Bernard’s secret lab. Clark arrives at the lab just in time to see Zod get shot.
It’s the last episode of Smallville for five weeks!
Check back later for episode 144 of SHoE with your host Steve Glosson!
In the meantime, when the episode is over come back here and let us know what you thought, or email us so we can read your thoughts on the air!
Bring it! I love being excited for a new episode every week.
Wow this seems more like a mini review of the episode instead of a teaser!
Full on nudity?! thats a first. (green plastic bag isnt very covering in HD)
Tom’s hair in that pic, looks (almost) exactly as Superman’s! it looks amazing, hoping for a big cliffhanger, maybe the kandorians getting they powers?…
clark gave zod powers!!!!??? in the immortal words of han solo “i have a bad feeling about this”
I loved this Episode however cant be good for Zod to have powers at this point. I thought for a little while there this was going to be the zod that we see in superman new krypton. I dont have a good feeling about what comes next with the Zod Clark relationship hmmm thoughts????
Conspiracy was Amazing. That Last scene was Awesome!!!!!!!! Can not wait until April 2nd and Escape. BRING ON SEASON 10!!!!!!!!!!
Thought this was an excellent episode, all the characters got some good development.
Clark – Thought it was great to see the Kandorians warming up to him. Him saving Zod was completely in character and very Superman-like.
Lois – Like the slow development of the Checkmate arc, Lois obviously has no clue what she’s getting into. Very Lois of her to save that blood. Clark and Lois keeping secrets isn’t good, but understandable given how new the relationship is. At least it’s not angsty.
Zod – Liked how they explained how devoted he is to the Kryptonian people and why they follow him. I’m glad he got his powers, thought that flight scene was cool
Chloe & Oliver – I get why they’d stockpile. Keeping it from Clark? Not too bright
Tess – Like what she’s doing, wonder if she’ll find out Ollie’s Green Arrow
The Kandorians did their part in the episode and weren’t too prevalent, but they did a nice job accenting the Clark/Zod stuff
Also loved the Corben reference, gettin me pumped for Metall part deux
Hope we do not have to wait a whole week for the podcast. That last scene was amazing.
Vala was hot hope we see more of her. i liked it Zod has powers Clark should be worried big time.
I knew when Clark did the blood thing to save Zod he would get the powers. When he met him on the roof top I knew for sure , good episode plus Zods can fly one up on Clark. Cant wait for the next one ! but gotta and its alongggg waitt.
With new episodes taking a brief hiatus, how “Conspiracy” was done made fans want to know what’s to come.
Glad to see Clark interact with other Kandorians besides Zod. Showed that he’s really trying to help them and it helps to back up the fact that there are some Kandorians are coming to trust Clark and what’s he’s trying to do.
We get more stuff involving Oliver and Chloe. While I’m still not sure about their possible relationship, I still liked that they’re concerned about the Zod/Kandorians situation and willing to do what they feel is right without telling Clark.
The way Zod got his powers wasn’t something that I was surprised about. Honestly, I thought that this would’ve been done to explain how future Alia still had her powers even though the red sun was removed. However, I have no problem using it with Zod.
I’m kind of hoping that this isn’t revleaed to the other characters for a few episodes. Also another thing I’m curious is when it is revealed, what will the other Kandorians react to it? Will they continue to support Zod or will they side with Clark? That’s also referring to whether they’ll get their powers as well.
One more thing I liked were the little things that Zod did that somewhat reflected Clark. Him acting as a reporter, the glasses and after getting shot caused me to recall a similar incident that Clark had in n season 5’s episode “Hidden”. I was somewhat hoping to see them coming back from commercials by saying “If you’re just joining us, Zod has been shot.”
As for the rating of the episode, I’ll give it a 4.5 or even a perfect 5 out of 5. Only a few episodes remain of this season and I feel that what remaining ones won’t be disappointing and worth missing.
Overall, this episode in general I was kind “Meh” but again the Zod Kal-El scenes made up for the episode. Callum Blue once again did an amazing job first being weak in the book cafe with Kal-El when he thought he was losing control as leader of his people. And again when he was shot his small scene with Lois was good, I loved the Zod Kal-El scene when Zod was passing on, and then the reveal at the end of the episode…
Much like Lionel at the end of “Cyborg” when he said “your secret safe with me Kal-El…” The score Louis Febre used when Zod slowly was walking across the roof of The Daily Planet and when he took that deep breath and he opened his eyes, smiled and jumped off The Daily Planet. During that sequence I had a huge smile on my face and I was like “Yeah, you fly you bad ass, you fly.” No I don’t know how soon Kal-El will know Zod has his abilities we all know from the trailer that he does discover he has his abilities but I don’t know the first episode we come back from the Spring Break he’ll find out but I can’t wait when Kal-El does discover it. Knowing Zod he’ll just tell him.
Nice to see that Checkmate was referenced and A. Waller still communicating with Lois in some way. Question: Was that Vala’s blood sample Lois took or Zod’s? It’s safe to assume that Jackie Brown… I mean Amanda Waller knows about Zod and the Kandorians if Tess hasn’t informed Waller what has gone on for the last few months.
Great to see John Corben referenced well for those SHoEligans who haven’t heard on their Apple iPhone/Apple iPod and or Microsoft Zune/Microsoft Zune HD. The Notorious B.A.G. will return this season and I think how they acknowledge he still has the potential to be a danger.
Chloe & Ollie. I can understand why Chloe and Ollie would want to keep the meteor rock weapons and the fact that they have these weapons one can understand why they would want to keep this information away from Kal-El for now. They have learned their lesson from Davis and Doomsday. They know Kal-El’s always trying to spare lives can cause more problems than it can solve. Especially if Zod and Kal-El somewhat trust each other. I’m not saying they are BFF’s but I think Zod trusts Kal-El a little, there is a respect there now that wasn’t there before this episode. Ironically Chloe and Ollie keeping this secret about the meteor rock weapons has brought them closer together.
I can’t believe we have to wait almost two months to see the next episode. Good thing about this is when we return in April I doubt we will have another long hiatus until 9-22. At least that’s what I would think.
Episode Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (The Zod and Kal-El moments were great and so was The Ollie and Chloe stuff but I didn’t like the cutting up Kandorians and I thought the Doctor was kind of lame and reminded me of “Mercy” the lame parts of that episode.
@Natasha can’t wait to hear what you think.
We will not have to wait almost two months, just 5 weeks, or a month and a week, and yeap, they will be the complete run of episodes until the finale.
Anyways, for me a perfect 5 out of 5, excellent script and directing, ‘guessing it’s Turi Meyer’s directiorial debut, HATS OFF!
@Absos yeah I think it was Turi Meyer’s debut as a director. I think this is one of the episodes like Honkin’ says “I’m going to have to watch again to appreciate.” You have to understand I’m recovering from Bronchitis I have been to the hospital two days a row, I’m still a little pardon the term “woozy” that was for you Steve.
@Woo, I actually f***ing loved it. Everyone was on tonight and all the plots tied in together, plus Clark was so freaking Superman that my heart exploded. Will his decision to save Zod backfire? Hell yes, but he wouldn’t have been Superman if he didn’t at least make the attempt. It was no different than using Clark’s blood in Rabid to save the citizens of Metropolis from becoming/remaining Zombies. It was actually no different than giving Lex CPR in the Pilot. (If I seem defensive, it’s because I just left a forum where I wanted to rip someone’s head off for daring to say that Clark shouldn’t have saved Zod, and I just had to respond that this person obviously had no idea about who Superman really is.)
Also, how iconic was Lois? Very, that’s how.
Chloe is crazy. Sorry, but she is STILL not learning the lesson. I really hope that the stockpile of kryptonite she was collecting gets used by Checkmate against Clark, no because I would dare want harm to come to my boy, but because I think that’s the only way Chloe will see how f***ing crazy and WRONG she’s been. I swear if they make her out to be the hero in her decisions, I’ll choke a b***h.
Now onto the completely shallow: That Clark/Lois scene at the beginning made me uncomfortable because of how FREAKING HOT it was. I almost wanted to say “Get a room!” it was so hot. But also, I love the twist on the “secrets and lies” trope because these two are actually RESPECTING the other’s privacy and not harping on “trust” or any other BS we had to deal with in previous seasons. Plus, it was a great step forward from Persuasion last week and I was glad that the whole intimacy thing wasn’t and issue anymore and rather the hold up is that they are both working a lot.
I can’t wait till my download is finished! This season kicks EVERY OTHER SEASON’S A$$!
Anyway, I’m actually looking forward to another awesome discussion with everyone again (Woo, MJ, kimmie, I’m looking at you)
@Woo re Turi Meyer’s directing debut – on SV yes but not in general, no. Meyers directed some Buffy/Angel episodes.
I thought this was a really tight episode. It flowed so well and juggled a lot of story lines but I loved that it once again focused on Clark and how those in Clark’s circle whether friend or foe view him. I really enjoyed the dynamic of a Lois/Zod team and the Clark/Faora team, future spouse working together so to speak but all of their scenes were great and Erica and Callum, just loved their scenes.
You know I liked the Vala crush on Kal-El because we’re seeing that there are Kandorians that are embracing Clark’s vision for them, that they don’t need powers to exist on Earth, that Clark is not only being a symbol of hope for the humans but also for the Kandorians. Plus I think they’re showing and not just telling us that some Kandorians are “turning” against Zod so if that is the storyline that TPTB are going with, we have Vala as a visual reference as to why some Kandorians would not side with Zod.
The Lois and Clark opening scene, wow. I’m surprised the Planet didn’t just melt from all that hotness. Yikes! It’s almost voyeuristic, even more so than watching the love scenes from Idol and Pandora. However I did like there ending scene as well, the competitiveness of Lane & Kent – a little mystery doesn’t hurt.
@Natasha – I hear you about certain people being angry at Clark for saving Clark’s life. Hello?!?!?! He’s Superman. He’s the ultimate first responder – save first ask questions later. Plus, despite who Clark will become, just look at the history of this version of Clark – he has saved Lex how many times? I am shaking my head because last week people were ripping Clark a new one because of destroying the towers and supposedly not concerned about people’s lives and now this week he’s being ripped a new one for saving Zod. The can’t freaking win. With this whole discussion about Clark not saving Zod, I am recalling the JL episode, Hereafter, where Wonder Woman was about to take out Toyman and Flash stops her and basically says we don’t kill because that’s would Superman would do.
Ugh the whole Chloe thing, just . . . Ugh, can’t even verbalize that right now. When she said I don’t want another Doomsday scenario – I screamed “are you freaking kidding me? You did not just say that!” I really hope Oliver is playing Chloe and that we are actually seeing the future change, that Oliver is watching Clark’s back like he vowed in Kandor and not turning against him, again.
That ending – Game changer!! I can’t wait to see what the back half of this season will bring.
Yes, most definitely looking forward to future discussions and this season so kicks every other season into the Phantom Zone.
Natasha and Kimmie—I’m with both of you. Ah, so much to say about this one. Here we go….
First off, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. There was real suspense in this episode. I love Smallville to death but I don’t always find that I’m on the edge of my seat. I was last night. That’s reflective of a tight script and good directing. Well done on that front!
Clark’s decision to save Zod was absolutely the right one. It blows my mind that some people don’t understand this and again it makes me wonder if they just don’t understand Superman. Clark values life. All life. Even the life of a potential villian. I like the description of Clark as the ultimate first responder. That’s such a great way to describe it. He’s the person that shows up like a 911 paradmedic and will do whatever it takes to save a life. VILLIANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHOICES THAT THEY MAKE. We had all those years of Lex blaming Clark for everything that was wrong in his life. And at the beginning of this season we even had Chloe blaming Clark for her mistakes. There is such a thing called PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. These people all have free will. If they make poor choices they have no one to blame but THEMSELVES. If Zod becomes a villian the only one responsible for that error in judgment is Zod. Clark did the right thing by saving his life. He is not responsible for Zod’s choices. I have no doubt that if Zod tries to hurt anyone that Clark will be there to fight him with every last breath in his body if necessary. But when a man is dying in front of you….you save him. This is why Clark is the moral center of this damn show. He does what’s right. He can’t control the actions of other people. All he can do is control himself and consistently choose to make the choice that is moral and pure. I LOVE CLARK KENT. He is such a damn hero. And the only one on this show who is even CLOSE to his level of morality at this point is ….yes….Lois Lane.
Yes, the scene between Clark and Lois was painfully intense at the beginning of the episode. It was a nice setup for “Escape.” The show has done a good job since “Disciple” of moving their relationship at a slow pace. It builds the tension to a snapping point. They’re going to fool around in the next episode. There’s no doubt in my mind that that was part of the point of keeping things slow between them for the last few weeks. The point was to drive the audience insane and it worked.
Chloe blaming Clark for the Doomsday mess last year made me want to spit nails at my TV. So I’m glad I Wasn’t the only one upset by that. Is this show ever going to acknowledge her part in that whole mess? Will they ever freaking acknowledge that it was HER poor decision to stop Clark from sending Davis to the Phantom Zone and HER choice keeping Davis hidden from Clark for so long that led to that horrible ordeal? What about Oliver shooting Clark in the back? Just….it makes it me so angry that I could throw something.
There were some very interesting parallels being drawn between Clark and Lois and Chloe and Oliver last night. And it reinforces my prediction that Chloe and Ollie’s “relationship” is not necessarily being set up to be healthy. I’m not saying this as a bash on Chollie. I think it’s interesting. But the parallels seems pretty well drawn.
Clark and Lois were in each other’s personal space in the beginning of the episode. There was heat between them but there was also clear affection and even love. Ollie and Chloe were in a similar position a few scenes later but there was no affection. Ollie specifically said that he wasn’t there for a “booty call” which seems to indicate that that’s what they’re doing at this point.
Clark and Lois are keeping secrets from each other. But it doesn’t seem to be about a lack of trust and that’s HUGE. It appears to be more about protecting the other person from something potentially dangerous. Clark reaffirmed last week that he trusts Lois. Keeping Lois away from the Kandorians has nothing to do with trust—it has to do with her protection. Lois keeping Clark out of Checkmate is I imagine for the same reason. She doesn’t know what she’s gotten herself into and she doesn’t want him in harm’s way if it goes south. I have no reason to think that these two would EVER double cross the other. No way. They do trust each other.
Chloe and Ollie may be having sex but they don’t trust each other. Oliver does not trust Chloe with those weapons. I think it was very wise of him to keep them from her. He may agree with her on some level about having the weapons but he doesn’t want her to be in control. Chloe was basically stealing money from him and doing this behind his back. Do I think these two would double cross each other? Honestly….yeah. They care about each other as friends and I do think they are probably enjoying the sex. But trust? Nope.
And there was another pretty blatent comparison between Lois and Chloe last night. Those that think the writers are speaking for the fans…well….you might be right. Chloe basically told Oliver point blank that she doesn’t trust Clark’s “moral code.” Chloe doesn’t trust Clark to do the right thing. Period. Lois told Zod that she was staying to save him even though it risked her own life because “It’s what Clark would do.” Lois trusts Clark’s moral code. Chloe does not. That was blatent last night in the script.
And people wonder why Lois is the one that Clark loves….
I liked the interaction between Zod and Lois last night. Very very interesting. Zod has a strange respect for Lois. It might be because Lois herself behaves like a “good solider” and Zod responds to that. Lois is brave and she didn’t abandon an injured man. That’s what a loyal solider would do which makes sense since Lois was raised by a General. Faora told Clark that Zod went behind enemy lines to safe her life risking his own. Lois did the same thing last night for Zod. I can understand why Zod might have a strange respect for Lois Lane. I still don’t think he’d hesitate to use her against Clark if he had to. (And I suspect he still will.) But I think he likes her in an odd way.
Great episode. Great ending. I can’t wait to see where this all goes.
Forgot to add that I also loved the Lane & Kent competitive nature with their careers. That’s canon. I’m glad the show is finally working that in. Thesse two people are able to balance competing with each other at work but never losing sight of the fact that they love each other. It’s a tough balance to strike…but they do it. I liked Lois telling him to go win his pulitzer. She wants him to succeed just as he wants her to succeed. A little bit of competition is good for their relationship as is a little bit of mystery. All will be revealed in time. I have no doubt that they will be completely honest with each other in the future so I don’t have any issue with the mystery now.
Oh yes, I totally loved all the parallels that were being drawn in this episode between Clark and Faora working together to Lois and Zod being “in the trenches” to Chloe and Ollie and their…thing and then Clark and Lois with their mutual affection and friendly competition. Damn, I need to go a watch this episode again.
And that Clark/Superman is the First Response is exactly how DC portrays him. Superman is the Fireman, Batman is the Policeman.
Also @ MJ, I liked how you broke down Zod’s sort of respect for Lois as being one of a “good soldier”, because that’s perfect for Lois. And I absolutely believe Zod will use her against Clark, and doing so will bring back the Clark we saw at the end of Disciple (as well as other times, but that was so awesomesauce).
I need to make a correction, I meant Clark saving Zod’s life – ugh, this is what I get for thinking and typing on only 4 hours of sleep.
Your post MJ, Word!!! I agree with everything you said. Responsibility, responsibility, responsibility. I don’t think (and I hope) that the writers this aren’t going to sweep this under the rug, especially with the issue of Chloe. From the way things are looking, from the way actions are being highlighted, from the way things are written – I don’t think this will be the case. There is way too much set up for them to brush it off. Clark has learned his lesson about responsibility and now it’s up to those around him, to learn from him, to see him as an example, as that symbol but again, it’s up to them individually to make the right choices, to go down the right path. Clark can only be the light that will show the way, not live their life for them.
The only one who is set apart from this group is Lois in that she already owns up to her mistakes. She takes responsibility for her actions and that has been shown from the very beginning of her run on SV. However I’m not saying that Lois can’t or doesn’t see Clark’s moral code as example. In fact the opposite is true as evidenced by her line to Zod, “It’s what Clark would do.” Actually, Clark’s moral compass and moral steadfastness is back-up to her own moral code. She’s got support in her views from her best friend and lover. You know as I type this, this particular imagery of Lois and Clark parallel codes sort of reminds me of the Lois/Zod face-off in Pandora where she says that if Clark were there, he would back her up in kicking both Zod and Tess’ butts.
I do agree that Zod has gained a certain respect for Lois and what’s funny about your analysis of Lois being the good soldier and leaving no man behind is that the jacket Lois is wearing when Dr. Chisholm abducts her, is a “bedazzled” U.S. army uniform. It even has the sergeant stripes on one sleeve. However yes, I have no doubt in my mind that Zod would use Lois in the future but she has earned a grudging respect from our Major Bad-A**.
Kimmie, I totally agree. Zod respects Lois. He’ll use her if he has to but he likes her. I could see him taking her in the future and holding her life ransom as a way to get to Clark and saying, “I’m honestly sorry Lois” and meaning it. It’s a more interesting situation in this case than it was in Superman II. In Superman II, Zod was ready to kill Lois and he used her life as a way to get Superman to cooperate. But Zod could have cared less about Lois in Superman II. He had no regard for human life whatsoever. This is a more interesting conflict.
I thought it was completely fascinating that Faora told Clark that Zod went behind enemy lines and risked his life to save her juxtaposed with Lois staying behing enemy lines to save Zod. It was a classic “never leave a man behind” war time mentality. I thought that was totally brilliant writing. I love that Lois’ military background shows through in her actions.
The moral rock star of this episode was Clark. Plain and simple. He is a freaking hero. He takes responsibility for his own actions. He destroyed those towers and you could tell at the beginning of the episode that he was prepared to deal with the fallout with Zod. He never blames other people for his shortcoming. He takes responsibility for his choices. And Lois was also a standout in this episode and proved that when the chips are down she’s selfless and brave. Just like Clark. The lines have been drawn when it comes to moral code. Clark and Lois are on one side. Chloe and Oliver are on the other.
Honestly, I almost feel like I need to step away from some of the Smallville fansites for a while because they are pissing me off so much right now. Any fan who is seriously angry that Clark saved Zod doesn’t deserve to call themselves a Superman fan. It makes me seriously fired up! And if I see one more fan blame Clark for all of Chloe’s problems I’m going to scream. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Yes, Chloe has had some tough things happen to her in her life. But you know what? Life’s hard. Shit happens. The mature thing to do is stand up, take ownership of your mistakes and stop blaming the rest of the world for your own shortcomings. Those fans make me angry. Can you tell? hahaha.
I really enjoyed the episode. I loved Zod so much during this episode. I think Callum is doing an incredible job.
I totally see why Clark saved Zod’s life. It is part of who he is. And I absolutely see where you guys are coming from and I agree there are some issues regarding personal responsibility. Do I think Chloe blames Clark for everything that has happened to her, no. Do I think she is angry that he wasn’t there following Jimmys death, yes. That’s an entirely different thing. She was in a place when she needed Clark especially as Lois had disappeared as well.
Still one of the great things about this show is how we can all love different characters and see different things in them. But I do agree rabid fandom is just nasty. Some people take these things way to seriously and can be horrible in ways that don’t just reflect on characters who are only acting as they are written but also on the actors which isn’t fair.
But anyway the episode was great and geek Zod should be around more.
@MJ //I thought it was completely fascinating that Faora told Clark that Zod went behind enemy lines and risked his life to save her juxtaposed with Lois staying behing enemy lines to save Zod. It was a classic “never leave a man behind” war time mentality. I thought that was totally brilliant writing. I love that Lois’ military background shows through in her actions. //
I think the writers have been doing that visual storytelling thing VERY well this season (small things like the pairs of spouses working together, Lois’ army jacket, and my all time favorite of Clark catching Lois’ arm punch in Rabid, to name a few). I love the symbolism that we’ve gotten in each episode and how some of it is blatant, but a lot of it is subtle and didn’t have to be explained to us, we were given the chance to figure it out on our own without having it bashed over our heads. The writers haven’t always been great with the subtlety, but this season they are OWNING it.
@Kimmie I didn’t know he directed Angel and Buffy episodes. I’m a big fan of both of those series and they were the reason I want to create my own TV Series. It’s funny, I didn’t notice Turi’s name.
@Natasha I think I have to re-watch this episode to enjoy it as much as the rest of you have. I’m still under medication for bronchitis that’s why I’m still “whoozy.”
I agree with what people are saying about Zod having respect for Lois. Well, Lois is a military brat and Zod no matter how evil he is will always be a military man so of course they’re is going to be respect there.
@Natasha I don’t get why people were upset by Kal-El saving Zod, of course he would do that. He is The Man of Steel, I’d been more stunned if he didn’t try to save him.
@MJ Like I said I understand why Chloe’s doing what she is doing, but you brought up a great point. Chloe unless you count one of the last scenes of “Savior” when she asks Kal-El to save Jimmy has never really acknowledge her part in the whole Davis thing. Remember she was the one in “Beast” that saved him from going to The Phantom Zone. She was the one that ran away with Davis the last few episodes of the eighth season. This is just my opinion and it’s harsh but Chloe has as much to do with Jimmy’s death as does Davis in my opinion. I understand why Chloe is keeping this from Kal-El and I agree Ollie’s loyalty does not really lay completely with Chloe, I don’t think. Remember “Roulette” Ollie knows how desperate Chloe is to get her point across.
Lastly, everyone who has an Apple iPod/iPhone or Microsoft Zune/Zune HD who hasn’t listened to the podcast for “Persuasion” please do Derek is in rare form. Maybe the funniest episode of SHoE ever.
^^Also the fact that Lois was wearing white at the beginning of the episode and then black at the end: Checkmate, anyone?
@Natasha do you have a Twitter?
@ Woo, Yes I have one that I never use, lol (I am since1938, if I ever get on there. I only got it strictly to help Smallville trend). I have a hard enough time keeping up with LJ, DI, Starkville, Facebook…
Back to Smallville though. Best Season Ever, Y/Y?
@Woo – Turi Meyer directed Smashed of Buffy and Forgiving, Offspring and Belonging of Angel.
@Natasha – you know what I also love is that really every episode this season is all tied together with overall story arc of the Season 9. There really is not one throwaway episode – even Warrior. As much as that could be a standalone per se, it still developed the Lois and Clark relationship. My only thing with that episode is that it seemed out of place, that it actually should’ve come earlier in the season than where it appeared.
Oh and I forgot in my original post to say WooHoo at the mention of John Corben (and seeing him in the trailer). See, they are weaving the stories together, dropping hints throughout the season, leaving a trail of breadcrumbs so when a character such as Metallo returns it won’t be random. We’ve seen the progression of his storyline right from the beginning without BAG actually being in the episode. Same thing with Zod and the Kandorians in the early half of the season.
@MJ and Sara – I hear you about some fansites right now – ever since the return of SV from the December hiatus it seems if it’s not one thing it’s another to find fault. It seems there’s always focus on the negative than the positive. While I have issues within certain episodes as we all do, I have never enjoyed a season of SV as much as this season and that’s because everything is working on all cylinders – writing, directing, production, acting to make my SV viewing experience truly enjoyable and fun which is what watching TV should be. Will there be some bumps and fumbles of course, even with the best of shows there are some missteps but SV has put out such a quality product this year, I sometimes have to pinch myself and ask is this same show and the answer is Heck yeah and I love it!!!
@Natasha I don’t know if I would call this season the best season of the series. I really thought Season Eight was the best season. But it’s a tie so far as Season Eight and Season Nine as far as best season.
@Kimmie as far as the material goes for the episodes, I concur with you Brian and Kelly have done a really good job setting up a season long arc with Zod, the Kandorians, Chloe, Oliver, Lois, Tess, and Kal-El from the beginning of “Savior” we Smallville fans have been on a journey that I don’t want to see end at the end of this ninth season. It just wouldn’t feel right, if the series ended at the end of Season Nine.
Although we should feel lucky. The last season was supposed to be the seventh season and then the writer’s strike happened. I wonder what would’ve happen if there was no writer’s strike? I know for sure I would have never listen to SHoE on my old Black 80GB Microsoft Zune because the whole reason I even was interested to listening to SHoE was because Smallville was off and I watched the now famous “Smallville fans” feaurette on the Season Six Home Video set and one night while I was finishing up homework on my old HP Windows Laptop I found SHoE on the Zune Marketplace and I’ve been listening ever since.
My point, Smallville could have ended two years ago, and we would have gotten such great episodes as we’ve had this last two seasons. With that being said I don’t want it to end with Season Nine. Please CW bring on Season Ten.
Kimmie, I honestly can’t even visit some of the fansites (and yes that includes Ksite) right now because the stupidity going on is driving me crazy and I don’t want to snap at people.
People are trying to argue that Clark helping Zod is like Chloe helping Davis? WRONG.
Yes, I believe Chloe had good intentions when she helped Davis. I believe that she felt she was doing what was right. But there is a HUGE difference here compared to Clark helping Zod. It’s not about what Chloe did it’s the METHODS that she used to achieve her goal. She deceived Clark. She kept Davis a secret from everyone, endangering everyone’s lives and keeping Clark in the dark. Shes’ doing it again right now with the weapons. Is it possible that they might need those weapons in the future? Maybe. But again, she’s using deception. That is the difference. Chloe’s intentions were good with Davis—but the deception that she used in her quest to help him was WRONG. On top of it, Davis was a serial killer who was knowingly and willingly killing people in order to control his transformations. This situation was completely out of Chloe’s control and despite her good intentions she had no business trying to control it herself.
Clark has been upfront with Chloe and Oliver from the beginning about his plans to help the Kandorians. He’s been honest and forthcoming with this plans. I have no reason to think that he would ever deceive them or keep them in the dark about his plans. That is a major major difference.
It blows my mind that some fans can’t seem to grasp this. I’m not bashing Chloe with this statement. I find her character arc very interesting this year. But I’m tired of the Clark bashing and I’m tired of some of these fans not being able to see this show objectively and really see what’s going on.
The sitaitions with Davis and Zod are night and day.
@MJ Well spoken, well spoken. I just think people don’t like the idea of Kal-El helping Zod. But I put up the argument of “Pandora” Kal-El went after Zod full force and looked what happened. Red Sun, No Blur, Zod has totally control. At least this way Kal-El still has his abilities too. I’m still wondering what part Checkmate will play in all of this?
I find it kind of ironic that the reason Tess has been somewhat backing The Kandorians and Zod somewhat is to save Earth. If she just let Kal-El do his own thing, she’d having less to worry about. I’m still thinking she has her own agenda (much like Lionel in Seasons 2 and 3) separate from Checkmate. I’m much like Derek, I doubt we will see Tess make it out of the ninth season alive. Mole.
I think another major difference is that as far as Clark knows, Zod hasn’t killed anyone yet. Alia’s death was because of an ancient Kryptonian code of ethics that Clark will never understand, but it wasn’t a malicious killing as the ones with Davis were.
Add to the fact that Clark’s plan for Davis wasn’t to kill him at all, but to send him to the Phantom Zone, which is pretty damn humane. Sending as-far-as-we-know innocent Kandorians there is not. It’s the same as putting an innocent man on death row. Now, the moment CHLOE figures that out, all the other haters can STFU.
Zod has to die. There is no way about it. If he stays on earth he can give blood to other kandorians, and since the blood of the house of el is in his veins, he could escape the phantom zone and let the actual zod and his cronies free. Clark made a BIG mistake.
Tim, he didn’t make a big mistake. He did what a hero would do. He saved a life. Clark is like a Doctor or a paramedic. A paramedic doesn’t ask questions when they come across someone in peril—they save the life no questions asked. A Doctor doesn’t say, “Oh….I’m not giving this guy CPR or giving him life saving treatment.” It’s first do no harm. Yes, Zod is a threat now with powers and I have no doubt that if he becomes dangerous or tries to hurt anyone that Clark will take care of it. But a mistake saving his life? Ummm…no. Superman saves people no matter what. I question your knowledge or your understanding about Superman for you to even make such a statement.
By the way, I’d like to add again….villians are responsible for the choices that they make. If Zod becomes a villian that will be a decison that he makes of his own free will. Clark did the morally right thing in saving his life. If Zod blows it by becoming a villian that is entirely his fault and he and only he is responsible for the outcomes of his poor choices. Clark did what a hero would do—he saved a life.
I didn’t mean that he should just stand there and watch Zod die, I mean that yeah it was the right thing to do in the moment, but it will cup back to bite him
Your quote was “Clark made a BIG mistake.” if that’s not what you meant then that’s cool. But that is what you said. ;)
sorry, but I meant a big mistake by trusting zod, he should know by now his blood has special properties on earth, it can resurrect the dead and cure zombies, so he should know better than believe nothing would happen to Zod.
The only thing I’m dreading about the whole Clark saving Zod is that I’m afraid the writers are setting Clark up for failure or to make Chloe be “right all along”…which pisses me off the more I think about it because Chloe hasn’t been “right” since she first asked Clark to kill Lex in S7. She wasn’t right to let the Brainiac infection go as long as she did, she wasn’t right to stop Clark from sending Davis to the Phantom Zone, and I’ll bite someone if they do this to Clark AGAIN by trying to make everything his fault. Clark (and his superior morals) is the hero of the story and I wish they would remember that.
Well, as far as I tell the writers are going kind of hinting that Chloe may not make it, whether be by Tess, Zod, or by other means. Chloe has been trendin thin ice ever since last season with Davis. I can remember and maybe some of my fellow Microsoft Zune/Zune HD and Apple iPod/iPhone SHoEligans remember the podcast for “Toxic” Derek and Steve were even hypothesizing that in “Doomsday” Chloe was going to die. I mean, it doesn’t help that as far as we know Allison hasn’t signed on for the tenth season (as far as we in the SHoE community know) so this doesn’t help Chloe’s future as a character standpoint. I doubt that this going to be a Lana type thing where she leaves and she’ll return for a small arc in Season Ten.
Ack!!!! *shudders* Sorry Woo but you just gave me the heebie-jeebies because I got this image of Girl Power Redux 2.0. Chloe returns and gets superpowered as well.
@Natasha – I so hope this is not the case because I will be punching something and it won’t be my pillow. I’m not of the camp who wants to see Chloe die nor see her locked away in an insane asylum and I don’t want to see Clark and Chloe’s friendship become so irreparable that they won’t ever speak to each other again because that would be the real tragedy in this.
I want to see her take responsibility for her mistakes and not put all the onus on Clark. He may be the most powerful being on Earth. He may be the most gracious, giving, humble man. He may be her best and oldest friend but that does not mean he has to bear all the responsibility for what went wrong. Everyone was culpable in the Doomsday fiasco (well outside of Jimmy and Lois oh and the newspaper vendor down the block). Once each of them realizes their role and their mistakes then they will be able to find redemption and become a true team. Clark has already taken those steps. He’s apologized for abandoning Chloe when she needed. He’s told Oliver that his belief in Davis was wrong. Oliver and Chloe have not and that’s what needs to be seen.
For my for fellow PlayStation 3 users, the PlayStation Network has “Conspiracy” in both SD for 1.99 and HD for 2.99 I think this is the same price for iTunes users as well. (Don’t quote me on that.)
@Kimmie I’m sorry… yeah I was never with the idea of Lana’s skin power suit. I would despise it if they did that with Chloe. Also, I hate to say this, but ever since “Legion” when Rok put it out there that Chloe’s may have something to do with Kal-El flying in the first place. This idea that Chloe’s passing may be what finally let’s Kal-El fully embrace becoming The Man of Steel. Now, if Chloe were to die I’d want it to be something heroic and for my fellow Angel fans I’d want something like Doyle’s death in the episode “Hero.” Just to be clear I DON’T want Chloe to die any more than you guys do, but if she were to die. I’d want to be just as good as send off as Jonathan, Lionel, and Jimmy.
@Kimmie You bring up a good point. Ollie, Kal-El, and Chloe haven’t really discussed Jimmy’s murder that much this Season I’d love for some way to bring Davis back (I don’t how how they could) or you don’t even have to have Davis back in the picture to discuss what happened to Jimmy. You know other than the events of “Savior” and “Rabid” no one really talks about happened or they part they played. I comprehend that you really don’t need too necessarily but maybe it could be an angle explored in 9×20, 9×21, or 9×22
@Woo One thing about Chloe dying is that it would be one more person of Clark’s inner circle who knew Clark’s secret and died – Lionel, Jimmy, Lex (even though we all know he’s alive but Clark doesn’t), Alicia and Jonathan. I swear the guy will get a complex and think he’s cursed, He’ll lock himself away at the Fortress of Solitude never to be seen again (only half joking).
Davis doesn’t need to be brought back to discuss the aftermath of Davis/Doomsday. They just need to discuss it period and hopefully it will eventually happen.
Side bar – that was great way for Doyle to go out and I even liked the way Spike went out in the series finale of Buffy despite him being brought back in Angel.
@Kimmie If Chloe does pass away at this season’s ender it would be similar to “Doomsday” in the sense that Kal-El may shut himself off to fully embrace becoming The Man of Steel. Well, Kal-El said in “Abyss” that pretty much everyone that you mentioned did died one way or another because of just knowing Kal-El’s secret. I mean, it could be an interesting story-line if Chloe goes the same way.
I don’t want Chloe to die at the end of the season. At this stage in the game, it’s simply too late to kill her off because it means one more person that Clark will no doubt feel guilty and pain over for the rest of his life. If they were going to kill Chloe off, it was something that should have been done years ago. I just don’t think it’s the right way for her to exit the show at this point. After 9 seasons if seeing Clark shoulder blame for one plot after another, I’m tired of watching him suffer. I know he’s going to face challenges in the future but in my opinion, one more dead loved one taken out by his secret is just over the top. Clark deserves to be the hero in his own story. I’ve had enough of him feeling guilty for the mistakes of others. Not to mention, after all of Chloe’s mistakes this season, I don’t think she deserves to go out a hero like that in death. What I’d like to see for Chloe is for her to openly acknowledge all of her sins this year, apologize to Clark for her betrayl and perhaps just leave town on her own accord with their friendship CHANGED but intact. I know that people like Chloe but Kelly and Brian need to remember that this is Clark’s show. He deserves to end this season a SUCCESS and a HERO. Chloe’s death protecting his secret accomplishes neither of those things. But that’s just my humble opinion.
Woo, I don’t think we’ll ever see Clark repeat his actions in Doomsday again. That would sort of negate the point of that entire arc. The entire point of his return from humanity was that he realized in “Metallo” that he needed to be connected to life in order to truly be able to protect it. He was miserable being cut off from humanity, hence his phone calls to Lois that he simply couldn’t stop. And speaking of Lois…at this point, as long as she’s in his life…I don’t see him cutting himself off from humanity again. He clearly loves her and he wouldn’t abandon her like that. Even in the most recent New Krypton storyline in the comics when he had to pretend to cut off his connections with Earth he still told Lois privately that he still considers her his wife. It’s a facade.
Either way, Clark turning his back on humanity on Smallville has already been done. It was a problem he confronted and he rose above to return to his life. It would make no sense to repeat it again this season.
@MJ I see your point, but if Chloe dies, I think it’s going to be a different disconnect, maybe not the same reaction to Jimmy’s death, but maybe he gets so disenchanted with life and so he obsess with saving people a little too much.
Again, I would argue that we’ve already seen Clark go over the top with his need to save people. That was the entire point of the beginning of the current season. If Chloe died at the point, I would expect Clark to grieve her and miss her but ultimately to carry on showing us just how far he’s come and how much he’s matured as a hero. He values life too much to become disenchanted with it and he loves Lois too much to ever take his love away from her to focus solely on being a hero. That’s growth and would make sense. A repeat of last year where Clark once again becomes disenchanted with his human side and as a result loses the balance of man vs. Hero is not growth. Therefore, I doubt that is what will happen and I would consider it a complete failure if it did. But I appreciate your idea Woo. Just because I don’t agree doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the debate! :)
I agree with MJ on this one. They went down that road already, last season and I don’t see them doing that again so soon. However, what I might see is that Clark will have to ‘leave’ Lois and humanity against his will in that a Kryptonite bomb will be set off or a green Kryptonite shield using LuthorCorp/Queen Industries/government satellites will be activated to to deal with the ‘alien invasion’ and this will make Earth or Metropolis somewhat inhabitable so that Clark will be forced into seclusion at the Fortress or something. And in the season premiere or two episodes into Season 10, when he is able to return to Metropolis, humanity and Lois, he’ll be in full dual identity mode – i.e. sporting the glasses, coming out of the shadows and have the Blur be more public. Plus, maybe they’ll use the humans long term exposure to the green kryptonite to affect everyone’s brains and that’s why everyone and their grandmother won’t recognize Superman as their co-worker who sits besides them at the staff meetings or the guy who buys the two cups of coffee and bear claws at the local coffee shop.
Maybe you guys can help me in the comic aspect but isn’t there a story where Lana, heading up LuthorCorp or LexCorp, sets off a Kryptonite bomb and Clark/Superman for a time has to stay at the Wayne Enterprises Watchtower in space because Earth was inhabitable and basically poison to him. And when Clark confronts Lana, he basically tells her that Lois would not have pressed the button.
Could it be that is the story that the writers are heading towards for the season finale? I mean in a way Chloe is more like the comics Lana Lang – high school friend who always had a crush on Clark but was not reciprocated by him, knew of his secret before he left to become Superman. And with what seems to be the sharp distinct lines that writers are drawing between the two main women Clark’s life, it just seems like a very good possibility. What’s your thoughts on this?