6.21 Prototype (spoilers)

[The Caped Knight]

Well when Lionel says if you dont marry Lex, I'll use Clark's weakness to kill him. What's she gonna do? She's gonna marry Lex to protect Clark.

That's how she can protect Clark.

LAME. We've seen that Clark can go the extra distance (so to speak) with Kryptonite now (As he grows older, his powers become stronger as well as his resistance to kryptonite ) We saw in "Nemesis" even with all that large amount of Kryptonite laying around, he still managed to survive .

Also I think Lionel must off been bluffing(I think he just used Clark's name to scare Lana) But really wasn't going to do anything to hurt him . If anything he's been using lana as another way to spy on Lex .

 

[Serene]

Also I think Lionel must off been bluffing(I think he just used Clark's name to scare Lana) But really wasn't going to do anything to hurt him . If anything he's been using lana as another way to spy on Lex .

And you think Lana should have just taken the chance that Lionel was bluffing when it could have meant Clark's life??? (glad I'm not your girlfriend)

Remember, Lana doesn't know quite everything yet, she knows Clark has abilities, she knows he has a weakness that can KILL him (verified by Chloe - and Lana knows that Chloe knows everything about Clark's secret), and she knows that Lionel knows the weakness and Lionel isn't exactly a man to take lightly in matters of murder (he was on trial for killing his parents as well as various other shady dealings).

Whether you want to admit it or not, Lana had to try and protect Clark given those circumstances. I realize she's not omg!Lois, but give credit where credit is due at least.

 

[Whiteflag]

As always, I only disagree with you in the most respectful of ways, Wf.

I know! And same here.

 

[Eros]

And you think Lana should have just taken the chance that Lionel was bluffing when it could have meant Clark's life??? (glad I'm not your girlfriend)

Remember, Lana doesn't know quite everything yet, she knows Clark has abilities, she knows he has a weakness that can KILL him (verified by Chloe - and Lana knows that Chloe knows everything about Clark's secret), and she knows that Lionel knows the weakness and Lionel isn't exactly a man to take lightly in matters of murder (he was on trial for killing his parents as well as various other shady dealings).

Whether you want to admit it or not, Lana had to try and protect Clark given those circumstances. I realize she's not omg!Lois, but give credit where credit is due at least.

I dunno, Lana has seen a glimpse of what clark can do, and she has been saved by him so many times. Maybe shes trying to return the favors, but still, a middle-age man[regardless of his capabilites] Versus a super powered dude with sub light speed, it seems rather laughable. You have to trust people, if Lana had told clark Immdietly about Lionals threat, clark would of settled with Lional right away. While i like whats shes doing, it once again only proves she lacks foresight. Hell the previews for "phantom" pretty much shows you what clark would of done to Lional, if Lana had told him the truth from the get go.

 

[Serene]

You have to trust people,

And Lana is trusting Chloe when she told her that Clark could be killed by something. Lionel claims to know what that something is, why wouldn't you err to the side of caution in that situation? I don't get it.

Protect Clark first, ask questions later.

 

[COMPO]

To be honest at the time she didn't havet hat much tiem to think of teh future all she had to think was: oh my god he could kill clark.

 

[avidreader]

And Lana is trusting Chloe when she told her that Clark could be killed by something. Lionel claims to know what that something is, why wouldn't you err to the side of caution in that situation? I don't get it.

Protect Clark first, ask questions later.

I also believe that its gone beyond Lionel's initial threat of killing Clark now. The conversation between Lana and Lionel in Nemesis, is a BIG missing link and it's possible that she didnt even fill Chloe in on whatever happened there.

 

[AgentPat]

Well that's my point. I'm not looking so much at the overall story arcs, I'm more likely to remember the character progressions. And yes, I do think they've progressed.

I see character progression in every season. I enjoy scrutinizing it and discussing it, and I'll pick apart each episode with the best of 'em LOL.

But for the purposes of "qualifying" S6 in this discussion, I wasn't looking at the minutia. I took a step back and snapped a single picture. What's in the photo? IE, what stood out to me this season? Answer: Lex and Lana. What *should* have stood out? Clark.

I also think that aside from the Lex/Lana storyline - which for some inexplicable reason just isn't a huge thorn in my side as it is for most people - there was a lot of other stuff in this season. I think that some people just hated that so much that it's magnified in significance.

I don't think it's overly magnified. Some people loathed the forth season because they saw witches in their "snapshot" of the season, which is a VERY myopic view. By contrast however, the Lex/Lana love affair started before this season even began, continued through till the finale, and the baby plot involved about 2/3's of the season as well. The fact that there was character progression in a Lex/Lana/non-baby arc is besides the point; I was just bored by it.

Looking back at all the season 6 titles, the only ones that stand out to me as not having enough Clark scenes, or at least some great quality Clark scenes are Progeny and Static.

Static is the biggest offender IMHO, followed by Trespass and Wither.

I'd have to rewatch all the eps to be sure, but pretty much all the other titles are ones that I liked. Even Noir, which didn't have enough Clark, the Clark it did have was classic and OTT.

I loved Noir and didn't have a problem with lack of Clark scenes, quality or otherwise. I didn't mind Progeny either.

But again, this is looking at individual episodes, and that's not what I was talking about originally. Lemme drag somebody else into this discussion, just for contrast.

Oh Triplet? You out there babe? LOL What's your "snapshot" of the third season look like? Blood arc, right? That only lasted six episodes (Adam Knight), but it must have made one hell of an impression.

LAME. We've seen that Clark can go the extra distance (so to speak) with Kryptonite now (As he grows older, his powers become stronger as well as his resistance to kryptonite ) We saw in "Nemesis" even with all that large amount of Kryptonite laying around, he still managed to survive.

Putting aside the fact that Nemesis occurred *after* Promise where Lana said "I do," Lana still doesn't know exactly what Clark's weakness is other than him having one. Lionel could have had a "Kaboom!" button in his pocket for all she knew. Clark's speed and strength are irrelevant if Lionel's threat was convincing enough, which apparently it was.

Also I think Lionel must off been bluffing (I think he just used Clark's name to scare Lana) But really wasn't going to do anything to hurt him. If anything he's been using lana as another way to spy on Lex.

The spoilers all point to this being true; Lionel had no intention of killing Clark. He only used him as leverage. But Lana didn't know that until Nemesis.

Whether you want to admit it or not, Lana had to try and protect Clark given those circumstances. I realize she's not omg!Lois, but give credit where credit is due at least.

LMFAO@"omg!Lois."

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

 

[Serene]

But for the purposes of "qualifying" S6 in this discussion, I wasn't looking at the minutia. I took a step back and snapped a single picture. What's in the photo? IE, what stood out to me this season? Answer: Lex and Lana. What *should* have stood out? Clark.

Fair enough. Clark overshadows all for me. I'm just lucky that way.

I don't think it's overly magnified.

Like I said, I think that some people just hated that so much that it's magnified in significance. Obviously it was a huge overriding factor in the season for some people, to the point of ruining the entire viewing season for them. For me, because I *didn't* hate it, it wasn't that big a deal.

 

[triplet]

Oh Triplet? You out there babe? LOL What's your "snapshot" of the third season look like? Blood arc, right? That only lasted six episodes (Adam Knight), but it must have made one hell of an impression.

Yeah, I absolutely loathed the blood platelet cocktail plotline except for "Pheonix," that episode was excellent, but most of the rest revolving around that particular storyline stunk IMO.

 

[AgentPat]

Like I said, I think that some people just hated that so much that it's magnified in significance. Obviously it was a huge overriding factor in the season for some people, to the point of ruining the entire viewing season for them. For me, because I *didn't* hate it, it wasn't that big a deal.

What I meant was, I don't think people are overly magnifying its significance, which is why I used examples like the "witch" arc in S4, and the "blood" arc in S3 (sorry Triplet.) In the latter examples, those arc's actual significance in terms of the overall season was small, but it did color people's opinions of the season as a whole because they stood out.

Lex and Lana stood out in S6 because it lasted the whole season, not just six or eight episodes. It was a season-long arc and a highly significant hub driving various plots. I think Lana spent more time with Lex this season than she had with Clark in all seasons combined. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating now, but doesn't that sound odd?

Also, just to be clear, I didn't hate it. I just didn't find it all that exciting. I do know however there are other people in the fandom that loathed it, but many of those might be shipper-based.

There's also the matter of that damn yo yo. Would it have been so hard to have a WHOLE season (or two?) with Clark and Lana together in a snappy, fun relationship, and then show how the two slowly came to realize their life paths conflicted with each other's? I mean, there's plenty of mature ways to break them up w/o it having to be over secrets and lies, or dragging in Lex. After all, Lex doesn't need to be shown slapping Lana for the audience to already know he had one foot firmly placed on the evil side of the fence years ago. But I digress.

Anyhoo, I hope you don't see this as an argument? I think this is an interesting discussion, but I know I can be a little... um... animated. It's a personality flaw, which I haven't learned how to tone down yet. My bad.

 

[Serene]

There's also the matter of that damn yo yo. Would it have been so hard to have a WHOLE season (or two?) with Clark and Lana together in a snappy, fun relationship, and then show how the two slowly came to realize their life paths conflicted with each other's?

I stopped hoping for that a long time ago.

Anyhoo, I hope you don't see this as an argument? I think this is an interesting discussion, but I know I can be a little... um... animated. It's a personality flaw, which I haven't learned how to tone down yet. My bad.

Not at all! It's all good. I think we're used to each other's banter at this point.

 

[AgentPat]

I stopped hoping for that a long time ago.

Would it surprise you to know that this is one of the topic discussions I've been saving for the summer break, but kind of jumped the gun - and did it in an off topic thread no less? LOL

Avid was trying to squeak the list out of me last week. Well there ya have it; this is one of 'em.

(The other major one I can't start until after Phantom airs.)

Not at all! It's all good. I think we're used to each other's banter at this point.

Ah, cool! Good to hear.

 

[pyromaniac]

That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard . How can she protect Clark ? (The Man's almost nearly Invisible, He only got two weakness for now (1.) Kryptonite (2.) Magic .

Then When he's SUPERMAN (3.) Lois Lane {his greatest weakness / but also one of his greatest Strength}

WTF can lana do to protect Clark ? answer Not A Damn thing .

Emotional...? Psychological...?

Lionel is good at that, particularly at the latter.

Clark's made of hard stuff, but he's an easy one to break inside if you get in enough.

 

[avidreader]

I was just over at DeKnight's Blog, and there were several posters questioning why Clark didnt use his hearing to try and locate Wes at the Warehouse.

DeKnight said that he had actually written it into the script that Clark did use his superhearing just before he used his heat vision, but for reasons that he doesnt know they didnt film it that way.

At first I thought why would they cut something like that out, but then I realised that he was only using his hearing to locate Wes and still would have blasted him with the heat vision, so I guess ultimately it wouldnt have made any difference to the end result.

 

[SamuraiSon6]

hey everybody, finally adjusted from the move, cant say too much right now, but i'll be back on later to discuss, overall, very good episode with some amazing scenes

 

[M.O.Steel]

ben hubbard...hahaha...i love it.

 

[M.O.Steel]

LAME. We've seen that Clark can go the extra distance (so to speak) with Kryptonite now (As he grows older, his powers become stronger as well as his resistance to kryptonite ) We saw in "Nemesis" even with all that large amount of Kryptonite laying around, he still managed to survive ..

While you're right, lana doesn't know what the weakness is, or how bad it really is. So it is easy to manipulate since she doesn't really know the extent of it.

Also I think Lionel must off been bluffing(I think he just used Clark's name to scare Lana) But really wasn't going to do anything to hurt him . If anything he's been using lana as another way to spy on Lex .

I agree with this part. That seems to be exactly what he's doing.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Emotional...? Psychological...?

Both (At least that's how it's been portrayed in both the comics, Movies, L & C tv & STAS) Both Lex Luthor & The Rest of Superman's Rogues' Gallery. They all know the best way to get to SUPERMAN is throught Lois Lane .

It's the same thing with Mary Jane & SPIDER-MAN & his own Rogues' Gallery .

 

[triplet]

This took longer than I had planned but I had a very busy weekend with soccer and mother's day and all, but my review's finally up:

http://www.kryptonsite.com/prototypereview.htm

ETA: Aw... just noticed a couple of pretty serious typos.

Oh, well... I'm home sick and I guess in my delerium I forgot how to write a complete sentence...

*writes note to self*

"Never edit your review when you're home sick."

*sigh*

 

[Serene]

This took longer than I had planned but I had a very busy weekend with soccer and mother's day and all, but my review's finally up:

http://www.kryptonsite.com/prototypereview.htm

Awesome review. You hit all important stuff.
I haven't even started mine. The last one hasn't even been posted yet anyway.

*writes note to self*

"Never edit your review when you're home sick."

*sigh*

Aww.. hope you feel better. I can't seem to shake this latest bug either.

 

[Riva]

Oh, well... I'm home sick and I guess in my delerium I forgot how to write a complete sentence...

I can't seem to shake this latest bug either.

You guys too, eh? I've been down with a flu...second one in these past few months actually. Hopefully it'll clear up in a couple of days otherwise it's another unproductive week ahead. Hope you two feel better as well!

Really enjoyed the review, Trip.

Anyway, the story moved well and Steven wrote a villain that was really villainous yet still sympathetic,

That's so true, and this occured to me too, on my second viewing. That Wes really was a tragic figure, and what Lex did to him. He was a soldier, his intent and passion and goal to serve his country and to have him turn into a mindless, killing machine at the end of the day, completely against his will, unable to stop...goes to show just how nefarious Lex's plot really was.

I hope we get some answers in the next episode.

I am so hoping for some Lionel answers next week too! So far Lionel's journey this season has seemed a little convulted.

The actors all did splendidly. Tom was especially in top form. His best scene was when Clark was threatening Lionel. Tom can play angry so well.

And he said it an almost matter-of-fact way, didn't he? I loved it!

I loved that scene because of how strong Clark was in it, despite his heartbreak, and Tom played his dilemma perfectly. Yes, Clark is hurting and distraught over Lana marrying another, but more so because of the fact that she has put herself into such extreme danger. He still cares a great deal about Lana, even if he recognizes now that maybe it was never meant to be. He is so worried for her safety above his own, like Wes cared for Lois more than he did for himself, that he tells her that she made the wrong choice in marrying Lex. That line would be a pretty tough one to convincingly sell, but Tom delivered the whole speech perfectly. He didn't play it as too overwrought and emotional. Tom played it like that was a statement of fact, not an opinion. Marrying Lex was simply the wrong choice and Lana's life is in danger because of it and Tom played that moment earnestly and with a resolved, and concerned, conviction.

Kristin Kreuk seems to have recovered from whatever funk she was suffering from in "Noir" and was able to deliver another excellent episode. Lana was put into a difficult position with Clark showing up in her bedroom like that, but Kristin played it well. Lana wanted to help him save Lois and also wanted to give into the need to let the situation get more intimate yet she was also very aware Lex was just outside. Kristin played the dilemma well, and I could see how torn Lana was.

Both these para's perfectly described the Clana scene. I was trying to find some words to describe it myself when I was typing out my views on the episode the other day, but I couldn't, except that it was heartbreaking. But it really was a beautiful moment that reflected both of their burdens, and the weight they're carrying around, more than anything else.

Michael was totally in his element as Lex. He was playful at times, laughing at what a good test run Wes had right before Lex coldly ordered more men to die at Wes's hands to do another test run, even while he was downright scary in others. In the scene with Lana, he basically told her that she was as good as dead if she ever left him but Michael played it so smooth and matter of fact. It could have been played so much more over the top... The callous and cold-blooded way Lex so casually displayed toward the "love of his life" was disturbing and Michael played the scene with the perfect mixture of menace and affection.

Erica Durance produced some of her best work for this episode. Her best stuff was probably Lois' series of scenes with Wes in the warehouse. She went from resolved to help Wes to frightened for her life to grief stricken at his death. Lois' reaction after Wes died was touching. Lois took his death, not as an invitation to wallow in her grief, but as a call to arms. Erica played it so well that her resolute performance completely sold me on Lois as a crusading reporter. Lois has come a long way this season and I'm enjoying Erica's performances more and more each episode.

It was such a good episode for Lex and Lois. And both actors did a great job. And I just love Lois more and more this season, but this epi was her finest, also because she displayed so many different emotions at different times. And the range went from upbeat to grieved to ''I'm going to take me down a Luthor.'' Good stuff!

 

[avidreader]

I just read your review Triplet. I could tell in your writing that you had a lot more enthusiasm for this review than you did for Noir. Good job!

I'm glad someone else mentioned the Green Christmas Shirt that Chloe was sporting, I was beginning to think that I was the only onethat noticed how bad it was. t: Speaking of Chloe, considering Ksite is such a "Wow! Chloe's the Best Site" do you ever receive much feedback when she doesnt get much of a mention in your reviews. Just curious??

Enjoyable read, as usual.

 

[dimeo782006]

Hello everyone im new !
Anyway , i liked prototype it was good . I don't think it was the best but it was good ! I keep rewinding my video tape and watch Lex threaten Lana ! Because even though he is evil i did not expect him to threaten her so directly and it was so cold but yet loving and that is scary ! It was like you could see the love in his eyes but yet there was that expression of it's understood that if you ever betray me i'll kill you and i think it was excellent acting on michaels part ! Lana calmly disregaurded his threat yet she understood ! it was just a cold scene but in a good way i liked the acting in that scene !

Tom is brilliant and can always deliver a belivable compassionate feeling when he acts and also when he is angry it's awsome ! I actually feel his wraith ! Some of my favorites were when Alicia died and he had the guy by the throat and in crimson when he yelled im not finished yet ! i jerked right up on the couch and gave him my full attention !

In prototype hios facial expression to lionel that the gloves will come off was very nice and in noir when Clark confronts Chloe about Lana's shooter he tips his head sideways and his face contorts anger and he looks at Chloe and says i can't belive your lying to me ! Great acting !

Tom grows every year with his acting !
Over all prototype was good but something just hinders me ! I feel like the episodes just go too fast !

I think it's cause i watched all the others on dvd
but for whatever reason i feel like the episodes fly by and i feel like it goes to fast !

I also liked Lois in this episode , i always l;ike to hear Lois and Clark bicker it's entertaining !:heart:

 

[triplet]

Awesome review. You hit all important stuff.
I haven't even started mine. The last one hasn't even been posted yet anyway.

Thanks, I forgot to talk about the humor in the episode but other than that I think I got to everything. The shower and "do you ever get used to that?" lines were awesome...

Aww.. hope you feel better. I can't seem to shake this latest bug either.

Yeah, it's been sorta hanging around for a week or so but it's moved into sinus infection land so I had to go see a doc and, regretably, had to stay home from work but my *****y supervisor wanted a doctor's note.

Jeez... Make me feel like an adult, why dontcha?



Then the doctor forgets to give me one and I forget to remember I needed one so no note...

*sigh*

I hope she isn't like going to count that against me or something. I just wish I feel better tomorrow if only because calling out sick is that big of a hassle.

You guys too, eh? I've been down with a flu...second one in these past few months actually. Hopefully it'll clear up in a couple of days otherwise it's another unproductive week ahead. Hope you two feel better as well!

I hope you both feel better too!

Really enjoyed the review, Trip.

Thanks.. I hope the typos weren't too dstracting.

*sigh*

I hate it when I find them after the fact, but I feel too tired right now to really worry about it.

Oh, well...

That's so true, and this occured to me too, on my second viewing. That Wes really was a tragic figure, and what Lex did to him. He was a soldier, his intent and passion and goal to serve his country and to have him turn into a mindless, killing machine at the end of the day, completely against his will, unable to stop...goes to show just how nefarious Lex's plot really was.

Lex has really gone over the edge when it comes to evil-doing. There's no gray area here. These aren't krypto freaks he's experiementing on, which might be in some way justified if you try really hard.

These are brave, patriotic men who have comitted themselves to offering up their lives to protect the country and he's twisting that loyalty to their country to his own darker purposes without telling them what they're really signing on for....

Yeah, I agree with what Serene said earlier somewhere else, Lex is bad not because of his friendship with Clark going sour, but because he always was. Reunion showed us that.

Maybe being friends with Clark let Lex fool himself into believing that he could be saved, but someone who would do this to other people (and manipulate Lana - the "love of his life" - so callously) probably could never be saved. Wes could be saved by Lois because he was, fundementally, a decent and honorable person and she just reminded him of who he'd been...

I don't think Lex ever had an honorable or decent bone in his body. If he had, then loving Lana should have made him want to be the man worthy of her love and he's doing just the opposite. It's ironic and tragic and it'll end up being too bad for Lana.

*sniff*

I am so hoping for some Lionel answers next week too! So far Lionel's journey this season has seemed a little convulted.

I think they painted themselves into a corner and I'm not quite buying what they're saying his motivations were...

Hopefully it'll make more sense when we find out more.

And he said it an almost matter-of-fact way, didn't he? I loved it!

Yep.

:heart: :heart: :heart:

Both these para's perfectly described the Clana scene. I was trying to find some words to describe it myself when I was typing out my views on the episode the other day, but I couldn't, except that it was heartbreaking. But it really was a beautiful moment that reflected both of their burdens, and the weight they're carrying around, more than anything else.

They've both got so much emotional baggage to carry around, poor dears, and both Kristin and Tom are giving those scenes the needed weight without making it too saccharine at the same time.



As much as my romantic heart loved the Clana in the earlier seasons, it at times could get too much... Now these people are adults and the love is still there but there's pain too. It makes it seem more real and less like a wish-fulfillment fanfic.

It was such a good episode for Lex and Lois. And both actors did a great job. And I just love Lois more and more this season, but this epi was her finest, also because she displayed so many different emotions at different times. And the range went from upbeat to grieved to ''I'm going to take me down a Luthor.'' Good stuff!

Yep... I am liking Lois more and more and Erica is slowly becoming better. I've never seen her in anything else, but she's got Lois down pat and I think she's the best live-action Lois ever, especially now her inner investigative reporter is starting to really show.

I just read your review Triplet. I could tell in your writing that you had a lot more enthusiasm for this review than you did for Noir. Good job!

Thanks.

Yeah, it was easier to write for some reason, I just didn't have much time to do it this weekend....

I'm glad someone else mentioned the Green Christmas Shirt that Chloe was sporting, I was beginning to think that I was the only onethat noticed how bad it was.

Oh, I hated that thing. I hope she never wears it again.

The color doesn't suit her and the cap sleeves were too short and girlish... The fabric made it look exactly like the blouse was made from a green satin Christmas tree skirt, good catch, but the shirt was designed for the tastes of an 8 year-old school girl.

*shudders*

Awful.

Speaking of Chloe, considering Ksite is such a "Wow! Chloe's the Best Site" do you ever receive much feedback when she doesnt get much of a mention in your reviews. Just curious??

Oh, I haven't heard anything yet but I betcha I will. Some people will PM me saying how much they loved AM and asking why I didn't mention her... Well, I didn't hate her performance but I didn't think it was spectacular either...

I woulda said something about her if I'd remembered to mention the humor in the episode, which I didn't. That scene with Martha was funny after Clark sped off.

Oh, well....

Enjoyable read, as usual.

Thanks.