6.17 Combat - Discussion Thread (spoilers)

[Cmill216]

I could have done without the lesbian-esque exchange between those two or the voyeuristic scene at the beginning. Sitting there with her legs spread open. Good Grief. My kids watch this show.

Both were completely unnecessary, even by WB/UPN standards.

 

[04nbod]

so I reconciled myself to the fact this episode was never going to be a classic before i pressed play. The lesbian angle and dressing scene made me very uncomfortable but what made me more uncomfortable was the amount of lipstick on lana's top lip- someone should really show her where that finishes on her face. I thought the fight was the highlight of the episode, its nice to see clark get bloodied up once in a while. I could have dug the 'man of steel' introduction more if the announcer wasn't so much of an idiot. Its nice to see clark beat one of these phantoms without MM or an orb or a quick 2 minute solution. I found i really sympathised with the phantom because he was only doing what he knew. I thought ashley did really well and wouldn't mind seeing her back next season and i think kane played the beefcake like he was one himself...wait The best part was when clark was talking about being proactive and not sitting in his barn, i hope this isn't all talk like fallout proved to be. I liked him looking through the photos investigating that wasn't just superman that was clark kent the top journalist. I also found the double identity of the announcer intruiging, glasses slightly uncomfortable and twictchy -ring a bell?

oh and lastly the green arrow shot- too cool, I don't know if that scene was shot before hartley left or more probably a stand in but its nice to know he is still there and unfortunately i wish justin could come back to wrap the arc up.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

^ well then you should be hoping that his Pilot doesnt pan out

 

[Zorex]

There was some good Clark stuff in this ep, but overall it felt like a mess. Even the score was bad, excessive, overdone, and sometimes just tonally...inappropriate for some of the scenes. The homoerotic exchange between Lois and Athena was just unnecessary. Some good action in here, such as the moment in Hulk's avvy, but even that couldn't save this ep. Oh, and what the hell kind of turn or resolution in the baby story was THAT? Ugh. Waste.

 

[AgentPat]

On the issue of who asked who, and who was to benefit from casting Kane and Ashley, I think the credits are rather revealing: Glenn Jacobs and Ashley Massaro are credited as "Kane" and "Ashley." I wouldn't have known what their real names were if it wasn't for a wrestling site that mentioned it. So if they were cast like any other "actor," why not list them like any other "actor?" Answer: stunt casting on the part of SV's producers in order to attract more viewers, in this case, wrestling fans.

On the issue of casting actual wrestlers over standard Vancouver day labor, think about it gang? Ashley was cast just for the name recognition (among WWE fans), but where else would you look for a hulking 7ft guy who knows how to make a fight look "real" without it actually being real, and can act reasonably well, even over-the-top, if necessary? C'mon folks. Professional wrestlers are the way to go - and I don't watch wrestling. It just makes sense no matter how you look at it.

well then you should be hoping that his Pilot doesn't pan out

LOL!

There was some good Clark stuff in this ep, but overall it felt like a mess. Even the score was bad, excessive, overdone, and sometimes just tonally...inappropriate for some of the scenes. The homoerotic exchange between Lois and Athena was just unnecessary. Some good action in here, such as the moment in Hulk's avvy, but even that couldn't save this ep. Oh, and what the hell kind of turn or resolution in the baby story was THAT? Ugh. Waste.

I actually liked the music. It was different and fit the ostentatiousness and glitter of professional wrestling and a "thunderdome" like theme.

The homoerotic exchange gave me a chuckle, but I agree it was completely unnecessary. That said, it seemed to, um... get a rise out of a few gents here, so maybe the writers were on to something, I dunno. I can tell you I wouldn't mind seeing more shirtless Clark scenes, so if they want to throw a few bones out for the boyz, who am I to argue? LOL

As far as the resolution to the baby thing, Pfft! You kidding? The whole damn story arc was a waste, IMHO. It became a joke in my house that "baby-related" scenes were only good for bathroom breaks. I kid you not. And unfortunately, it's not over yet. *sigh*

Back when the concept was first teased, I made no bones about it; I had ZERO interest in a baby arc on SV. I hated it back then (when I knew nothing about it), and I hate it even more now. That, combined with Lex marrying Lana, drags the episodes to a screeching halt - worse than any other story "advancing" idea they ever had, IMHO.

Don't get me wrong; I'm hanging in there with the show. I just haven't been interested in discussing that side of the story because I hate it so much. I'd rather see Clark and Lana ride off into the sunset - and if you know me, that's pretty radical LOL.

So Combat came as a very welcome and pleasant surprise. I was a little worried considering how bad Static was and how much I was psyched to see that ep. Was Combat cheesy? Yeah, quite. LOL But it was a very fun, enjoyable episode for me. In fact, I think there was more character development in Combat than there was in Promise, but I'm biased to Clark, and I'd rather see him move forward than dwell in the past. It's bad enough he's got his own human vs. alien issues to address, not to mention all of the meteor freaks, 33.1 and PZ'er threats to take care of. Lana made her own bed and now she's sleeping in it - with Lex. It'd be nice to see her "save" herself from her mistake this time. Other than having a room with her name on it at SMC, she gets off too easy most of the time.

[ducks and runs]

Thank goodness Serene is on vacation.

 

[Zorex]

To be honest, I think you're seeing a lot more dramatic value in this episode than exists. BUT. That's just my opinion. I said and do agree that the Clark stuff was good in Combat, but beyond that there wasn't much. Some nice, somewhat different interaction between he and Chloe and Martha.

But there's something about the way that they handled aspects of this episode...the intro of that...other...doctor...guy?...Lana's pain and the losing of the baby...and, again, the music, that are jarring in their level of quality after having had such a great episode as Promise. It reminds me of last year when we had the (at the very least) good 100th episode...and then what do we get after it? Vengeance? Blah. And now we wait AGAIN for four more weeks until the next new episode. Greeeeeaaat.

 

[AgentPat]

To be honest, I think you're seeing a lot more dramatic value in this episode than exists.

Oh, I wasn't talking about drama. I'm talking about entertainment. There's a difference LOL

On the issue of character development, I think Clark said a lot of things fans have been BEGGING to hear for quite a long time. Last week, the big secret was revealed, and what happened? Nothing. 'Cause if Lana didn't find out, she STILL would have married Lex. Worse still, Clark didn't even get to tell her. In retrospect, that was WICKED disappointing for me, because after the Wreck-a-thing reset, I was hoping... nay, PRAYING, the big reveal would be something akin to Byrne's version, where Clark takes Lana out into a field and shows her.

But no. G&M seem hell-bent on making Lana the linchpin of enmity between Clark and Lex. *sigh*

But there's something about the way that they handled aspects of this episode...the intro of that...other...doctor...guy?

Which one? (Show's ya how much I've been paying attention to that side of the story. Hint: I really haven't LOL.) The only doctor I remember is the woman doctor they brought back from early fifth season - the one who was treating Lionel.

...Lana's pain and the losing of the baby

I think that was clearly Lex's doing. He put something in her cider which caused her to have abdominal pain and pass out. It was the perfect cover to make her believe she aborted the fetus.

...and, again, the music,

Maybe it's because you noticed it? Err... what I mean is, if it was obvious to you, verses being the typical SV background soundtrack - it stood out as being out of place? The last time I took notice of the soundtrack (non pop tunes), was during Justice. And prior to that.... mmm... I'd have to say Hidden. And interestingly enough, all three eps had an increased level of excitement to them vs. the "typical" ep.

that are jarring in their level of quality after having had such a great episode as Promise.

I though Promise was very low-key. But the one thrilling scene - Lex murdering Lana's doctor in the crypt - was backed by Bach's Toccata and Fugue!!! LMAO!!! I don't think Snow could have made that scene any more "jarring." In fact, it was a veritable cliché to use that music during such a scene - in a church's crypt no less. Cheese? Yup.

It reminds me of last year when we had the (at the very least) good 100th episode...and then what do we get after it? Vengeance? Blah.

I liked Vengeance. A lot! I looked past the cheese and saw some excellent writing and downright amazing direction in that ep. Reckoning had great writing and direction, but it undid everything it set up in the first half hour, and then had Jonathan die anyway - which we knew was gonna happen sooner or later. But how they chose to do it sent more ripples through the fandom than Jor-El's time reversal crystal did through space. LOL

And now we wait AGAIN for four more weeks until the next new episode. Greeeeeaaat.

Oh, that doesn't phase me. They produce 22 episodes a year. That means there are almost seven MONTHS of repeats vs. five months of fresh episodes. If this is how they break it up, so be it. [shrugs]

Anyhoo... Wow. Just wow!! I can't stop starring...

 

[Whiteflag]

As far as the resolution to the baby thing, Pfft! You kidding? The whole damn story arc was a waste, IMHO. It became a joke in my house that "baby-related" scenes were only good for bathroom breaks. I kid you not. And unfortunately, it's not over yet. *sigh*

Back when the concept was first teased, I made no bones about it; I had ZERO interest in a baby arc on SV. I hated it back then (when I knew nothing about it), and I hate it even more now. That, combined with Lex marrying Lana, drags the episodes to a screeching halt - worse than any other story "advancing" idea they ever had, IMHO.

Don't get me wrong; I'm hanging in there with the show. I just haven't been interested in discussing that side of the story because I hate it so much. I'd rather see Clark and Lana ride off into the sunset - and if you know me, that's pretty radical LOL.

So Combat came as a very welcome and pleasant surprise. I was a little worried considering how bad Static was and how much I was psyched to see that ep. Was Combat cheesy? Yeah, quite. LOL But it was a very fun, enjoyable episode for me. In fact, I think there was more character development in Combat than there was in Promise, but I'm biased to Clark, and I'd rather see him move forward than dwell in the past. It's bad enough he's got his own human vs. alien issues to address, not to mention all of the meteor freaks, 33.1 and PZ'er threats to take care of. Lana made her own bed and now she's sleeping in it - with Lex. It'd be nice to see her "save" herself from her mistake this time. Other than having a room with her name on it at SMC, she gets off too easy most of the time.

[ducks and runs]

Thank goodness Serene is on vacation.

I agree with you, Pat! (Sorry, Serene)

It reminds me of last year when we had the (at the very least) good 100th episode...and then what do we get after it? Vengeance? Blah.

I particularly disliked "Reckoning" and loved "Vengeance". I liked "Combat" much more than "Promise".

 

[04nbod]

^ well then you should be hoping that his Pilot doesnt pan out

any word on what kind of show it is. I really hope its not some sitcom

 

[zanos]

Does Lois normally dress up in a silly superhero outfit to investigate a story? lol.

 

[Kaboom]

Does Lois normally dress up in a silly superhero outfit to investigate a story? lol.

dont complain, just enjoy.

 

[AgentPat]

Does Lois normally dress up in a silly superhero outfit to investigate a story? lol.

Lois will do just about anything to land a good story.

As to those who dress up in silly superhero outfits, you mean like with a cape and boots and stuff?

 

[04nbod]

leather is never silly- spandex now that is silly

 

[triplet]

any word on what kind of show it is. I really hope its not some sitcom

It's a one hour drama...

Sounds pretty awful if you ask me. He plays the boyfriemd of a "lifecoach" in New York City who has to deal with her own personal problems in addition to her own.

Blech.

 

[Kaboom]

It's a one hour drama...

Sounds pretty awful if you ask me. He plays the boyfriemd of a "lifecoach" in New York City who has to deal with her own personal problems in addition to her own.

Blech.

is it cw....and why are you not on aim?!?!?!

 

[avidreader]

Lana made her own bed and now she's sleeping in it - with Lex. It'd be nice to see her "save" herself from her mistake this time. Other than having a room with her name on it at SMC, she gets off too easy most of the time.

I agree with that to a certain extent. Chloe and Clark both warned her that she'd end up in trouble if she stayed with Lex, and she chose to ignore them and believe in Lex as the honest, truthful, misunderstood lovable guy. Blah!!

However, I am willing to cut her a little bit of slack for the end result she found herself in, because she is protecting Clark. How can I not sympathise with her if she's looking out for MY GUY?

And I'm also pretty sure that she's going to go after the Luthors with all the woman scorned fury that she possesses. But a Smalltown girl is not going to be much of a match for the Luthors, and Clark will have to step in and save the day, further cementing her new found hero belief in him. Clark is the HERO of this story, and I want him to be the one to save her.

Lana will learn much from this experience, I'm sure.

 

[Eros]

I agree with that to a certain extent. Chloe and Clark both warned her that she'd end up in trouble if she stayed with Lex, and she chose to ignore them and believe in Lex as the honest, truthful, misunderstood lovable guy. Blah!!

However, I am willing to cut her a little bit of slack for the end result she found herself in, because she is protecting Clark. How can I not sympathise with her if she's looking out for MY GUY?

And I'm also pretty sure that she's going to go after the Luthors with all the woman scorned fury that she possesses. But a Smalltown girl is not going to be much of a match for the Luthors, and Clark will have to step in and save the day, further cementing her new found hero belief in him. Clark is the HERO of this story, and I want him to be the one to save her.

Lana will learn much from this experience, I'm sure.

I prefer Lana save herself, women can save themselves. If Lana were smart, she would tell clark about what Lional said, and they can work it out from their. Clark will have a chance to deal with Lional on his own, and also tell his ignorant mother about Lionals threat. I think chloe would of done exactly that, if she were in Lana situation.

 

[avidreader]

I prefer Lana save herself, women can save themselves. If Lana were smart, she would tell clark about what Lional said, and they can work it out from their. Clark will have a chance to deal with Lional on his own, and also tell his ignorant mother about Lionals threat. I think chloe would of done exactly that, if she were in Lana situation.

I dont believe she'll sit back idly by and permit others to step in and get her out of the predicament that she's in. Lana will start the ball rolling on her revenge, but she's most likely going to come to a point where she's either going to have to make some unethical choices or allow herself to be put in a situation where she needs to be saved.

I hope that's when Clark steps in to save her and that its his strength of character that saves her rather that his physical abilities.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

My Combat review is up:

http://www.dc-kingdom.com/index.php?categoryid=42&p408_articleid=80

 

[Zorex]

Oh, I wasn't talking about drama. I'm talking about entertainment. There's a difference LOL

Aaaah, gotcha
I guess I just...wasn't really entertained. More confused. Like, is all of this really helping further the stories of this season? In some ways, yeah. Oh look, Lois investigating! Clark taking charge! Lana and the effing baby! I guess I didn't appreciate the way the went about furthering these storylines.

On the issue of character development, I think Clark said a lot of things fans have been BEGGING to hear for quite a long time.

Oh, that was certainly the best part of the episode. It was nice to see Clark 1) dealing with his negative feelings by being productive, and 2) seeing him pretty angry and NOT on Red K.

That first scene with Martha is one of the scenes with that music I keep talking about. At moments it felt alright, reflecting Clark's turmoil, but at other moments I felt like it was a bit too high in the volume. Should have been more to the background.

Last week, the big secret was revealed, and what happened? Nothing. 'Cause if Lana didn't find out, she STILL would have married Lex. Worse still, Clark didn't even get to tell her. In retrospect, that was WICKED disappointing for me, because after the Wreck-a-thing reset, I was hoping... nay, PRAYING, the big reveal would be something akin to Byrne's version, where Clark takes Lana out into a field and shows her.

See, I don't see last week as THE Big Reveal. She saw him use some of his powers, admit that he still loves her, but, yet again, no mention of how or why he has powers. Even Lionel said nothing specific, assuming Lana had found out the whole shebang, when she didn't. There's still a good chance for a Big Reveal scene, probably not this season, where she gets the whole story. I loved how close we got to seeing some sort of reconciliation between the two last week, closer than EVER, but, in a great, tragic twist, were denied it again.

 

[Eddie Brock]

When I watch this fight, I think, "How did Clark get off so easy with Zod?"

 

[Eros]

When I watch this fight, I think, "How did Clark get off so easy with Zod?"

well zod has never had superpowers before, until he came into Lex's supercharged body. Titan on the other hand, was not kryptonian, and is a powerful warrior, no matter what color sun he resides under.

 

[Cmill216]

And Zod's an arrogant bastard who wanted Kal-El to join him rather than kill him. I mean, the son of Jor-El kneeling before him probably meant more than just brutalizing the guy.

 

[04nbod]

well zod has never had superpowers before, until he came into Lex's supercharged body. Titan on the other hand, was not kryptonian, and is a powerful warrior, no matter what color sun he resides under.

yes i felt sorry for titan he was only doing what he knew. He was a like a spartan t:

 

[Eros]

yes i felt sorry for titan he was only doing what he knew. He was a like a spartan t:

LOL very true, Titan came off as a being who just wanted a good fight. Even when he was beaten by Clark, he told the bloody young kryptonian that it was a "Good fight" before he died. I wonder what Lex will do with Titans dead body, now that he has it?