There are three things we’ve come to trust from the Gough-Miller Smallville.
One: Clark will never dress up in tights.
Two: Clark won’t fly.
Three: This won’t be a teenage relationship drama with powers - what Gough called “Krypton Creek.”
The so-called “no flights, no tights” rule coupled with non-campy stories implied one thing: Smallville would not be another Superman story. It would be about “the trials of Clark Kent” - Superman-to-be.
Alas, between seasons 7 and 8, we’ve come to know different. Sure, throughout the years we’ve tempted the boundaries of Gough-Miller rules. Clark has flown as red-kryptonite toting Kal-El, and there has been a more than average infusion of love triangles involving Clark.
Those things aside, Smallville has never fallen into the unthinkable abyss of being deemed a campy 60s Adam West Batman-like tale.
Until now.
Enter the world of season 8, the final season of Smallville. We’ll call it Season “Almost Superman.” And Season “Almost Superman” is one thing - campy.
Episode 7, “Identity,” was a non-stop barrage of Superman references that could make the strongest of stomachs throw-up instantly. From red-and-blue blurs to capes to the awkward budding romance between Clark and Lois, we’ve been knocked over the head with a run-of-the-mill Superman story.
It was bound to happen. I just thought the transition would be much cleaner. Without the added Luthor dimension to raise the stakes on Smallville plots, we’re left with a story that is simply not worth following. Top it off with a Metropolis set that looks like a blown-up Lego miniature and you’ve got yourself one heck of a cheesy production.
The sad part is the last 5 minutes of this episode wasn’t that bad. Chloe shows off her Brainiac ability and kills off a Clark secret-identity witness.
At least having Brainiac as a looming villain is rewarding to loyal followers. Too bad most followers have already opted to tune-out.
I have been a Superman fan since the 50’s (I was 6 when I used to watch the old black and white show on TV) and as a teenager in the 60′ while my dad was stationed in Germany in the Army,I read Superman and Superboy comics which inspired me to be a better person, I think it would be a real success if when Smallville ends they take up the story in Metropolis when Ckark finally accepts his destiny as Superman. The World is looking for a hero to look up to in this day and time of accelerated crime with advanced technology and threats of Nuclear Destruction. I believe some of the talented writers and producers could come up with some fresh and inspiring ideas and stories that would provide hope and inspiration for a messed up world even if it is fantasy. Who know, it might inspire someone to come up with a brilliant solution to our troubled world or at least inspire them to start thinking about where we’re all headed if we don.t change our self centered ways. I think the two young men who came up with the story of Superman during a time when the world was headeing down a very dangerous and destrucive path were inspired by a Higher Power and it could again become the catalyst to spark some changes for the better in our troubled world. This may seem ridiculous to a lot of people but during WW II these comic book stories inspired a lot of hpe and courage.
LOVE THIS SHOW-NOT ENOUGH OF IT, NO REPLAYS AND ONLY ON ONCE A WEEK AT THURS. NOW. WOULD IKE TO SEE MORE-RERUNS OKAY- ALSO TO BE A PART OF THIS. CHARACTERS ARE AMAZING- AS ARE, OF COURSE, THE REAL LIFE ACTORS WHO PORTRAY THM. THANKX FOR A GREAT ‘WATCH’. KATHRYN