8.12 - Bulletproof - Discussion Thread (Spoilers)

[Webhead2006]

umm he is in the show now lol.

 

[heliorei]

Just saw it.

To be honest, I thought this episode was incredibly well written. It was refreshing to see a side of Metropolis that we've never laid eyes on before. I thought Clark's interaction with Turpin, and his determination to prove the good in him was incredibly Supes-like. And Turpin's feelings on GA and "capes" in general was a great foreshadowing to the conflict that will develop once Superman arrives. Amazing stuff.

.....But that last scene.....ugh.......really?

There was nothing fillery about it. Clark's interaction with the Metropolis Police Department is vital to the Superman story; the relationship between heroes like Superman and the regular joes who go out and protect the city through the bounds of the law. And I thought the way they handled it was stellar. This episode was so very different from usual SV stories, to me. They really made Metropolis, the city, come alive in a whole new way.

Not to mention, the whole thing with Clark, Oliver, and John realizing how they all need to lean on one another as heroes? I thought that was a really powerful moment. Nothing corny about it.

Seeing Clark in such a different setting, facing an issue like this? It was very poignant. And nearly everything was executed to the tee. Heck, even the Tess/Lana stuff came to a great conclusion with Tess severing herself from Lex.

Of course, that final scene still annoys me to no end. I really wanted to see how Clark and Lana could pursue a true friendship, and push forward into a new aspect of their relationship. But this is like pressing rewind on the tape for the 1,000th time.

I couldn't agree more. The episode was well done, it actually gave us a diferent Metropolis and what brought down the episode was actually the final scene.

 

[Webhead2006]

yea that is one thing many of us fans can agree on great episode, good superman development for clark, but the final scene kills it with the clana drama. Though since she is gone in two episodes we dont have to worry about to much more clana drama.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

finally got around to watching the episode and I liked it. Not up there with the best of the season but still enjoyable. The whole point of the stuff with Danny Turpin and the last scene with Lana is basically that Clark can have some sort of family life or relationship with his heroism. While most of the irrational fanboys here tend to see red any time Lana Lang is on screen, there was a point to that scene, and no, it wasnt Clark reverting to his Lana angst. It's basically part of the lesson that is going to make him and Lois a reality later on down the line.

BTW was it just me or did a lot of the cinematography in this episode remind you of an episode Supernatural? The palette of most of the ep outside of the Smallville scenes was very drab and washed out looking, even the stuff in Metropolis, which tends to be lit a lot brighter.

 

[Serene]

The whole point of the stuff with Danny Turpin and the last scene with Lana is basically that Clark can have some sort of family life or relationship with his heroism. While most of the irrational fanboys here tend to see red any time Lana Lang is on screen, there was a point to that scene, and no, it wasnt Clark reverting to his Lana angst. It's basically part of the lesson that is going to make him and Lois a reality later on down the line.

Exactly the point that has been made by a few people here, but it's hard for that to sink into the brains of the "omg, not teh Clana!" crowd.

BTW was it just me or did a lot of the cinematography in this episode remind you of an episode Supernatural? The palette of most of the ep outside of the Smallville scenes was very drab and washed out looking, even the stuff in Metropolis, which tends to be lit a lot brighter.

A friend made the (very good) observation about the dull palette and token hooker D) being intentional. This was a street-level look at a pre-Superman Metropolis. I liked how the contrast with the usual Smallville colors and lighting really emphasized the different world this was for Clark Kent.

 

[RagingTempest]

finally got around to watching the episode and I liked it. Not up there with the best of the season but still enjoyable. The whole point of the stuff with Danny Turpin and the last scene with Lana is basically that Clark can have some sort of family life or relationship with his heroism. While most of the irrational fanboys here tend to see red any time Lana Lang is on screen, there was a point to that scene, and no, it wasnt Clark reverting to his Lana angst. It's basically part of the lesson that is going to make him and Lois a reality later on down the line.

BTW was it just me or did a lot of the cinematography in this episode remind you of an episode Supernatural? The palette of most of the ep outside of the Smallville scenes was very drab and washed out looking, even the stuff in Metropolis, which tends to be lit a lot brighter.

That makes a lot of sense. We all know that Clark won't end up with Lana...don't get why so many are saying Clana is coming back! It makes sense that Clark is now opening up to the idea of saving the world and having a personal life at the same time. It's apart of his development since in the past he would sacrifice one or the other. But I think why so many people are pissed off is because it wasn't Lois, because if it was then the point would have made sense and Clark would be progressing, but since it's Lana, than that means Clark is regressing and would rather be with her than be a hero. I'm still going by my theory that Clark and Lana realized after they kissed that there's nothing between them and that the writers were simply setting up the final end of their relationship. I just wish more people would see it that way.

 

[Cmill216]

But he's not saving the world yet. He hasn't even made the decision to incorporate a dual identity into his life. So where does the whole "having a relationship too" aspect even impede?

I don't understand why this is even worth going through. He can be with Lana right now, because he hasn't actually made the ultimate commitment to be a hero like Turpin has. That's the thing that I feel is being missed in all of this. By becoming a cop, Turpin has officially dedicated his life to helping others. Clark is still not at that point right now, and no amount of police scanners at the Planet is going to make that a reality.

Until he becomes Superman, he doesn't have diddly poo to sacrifice that would get in the way of him being with Lana right now.

 

[SouLeSS]

I still don't see how having a relationship with Lana would change just about anything with him being a hero.

I mean, Superman is married to Lois in the comics, so it's not like he's not capable of balancing two things.

 

[MJZ]

What's there not to like about Lana? KK's beautiful and some of the best moments on the show have been between Clark and Lana, something they've been working off of since the pilot. Now she's only got two episodes left and has been nudging Clark towards Supermanhood more than any other character, that's for sure.

But I guess I'm in the minority on that one.

 

[Superfreak]

I mean, Superman is married to Lois in the comics, so it's not like he's not capable of balancing two things.

This Clark doesn't know this, nor is he very good at it.

 

[Captivated]

What's there not to like about Lana? KK's beautiful and some of the best moments on the show have been between Clark and Lana, something they've been working off of since the pilot. Now she's only got two episodes left and has been nudging Clark towards Supermanhood more than any other character, that's for sure.

But I guess I'm in the minority on that one.

No, you are not alone. I think most fairly normal people think this way...

It's the fanboys - who basically can't wrap their brains around anything that they haven't seen in a comic book, and who want Clark to be Superman ALREADY - they don't like Smallville's version of Lana.

These are the same zealots who want the show to END, just so they can SEE the final scene... Clark with an "S" on his chest, flying off into the sunset.



BTW - I don't get that either.

 

[SV Fan]

No, you are not alone. I think most fairly normal people think this way...

It's the fanboys - who basically can't wrap their brains around anything that they haven't seen in a comic book, and who want Clark to be Superman ALREADY - they don't like Smallville's version of Lana.

These are the same zealots who want the show to END, just so they can SEE the final scene... Clark with an "S" on his chest, flying off into the sunset.

Lana was ok till about Season 5(save Lana being a witch). After that Clana stories became redundant and it seems like a very unhealthy relationship for both parties. Having Clark sit in a barn and mope and whine about Lana was not entertaining TV(season 6), having Lana move in to his place and Clark hide away from the world wasn't much better(season 7). Alot of viewers see anytime Clark runs back to Lana as him regressing because the relationship should have been over like 3 seasons ago and anytime we see Clark involved with Lana he all of a sudden becomes an idiot(for a lack of a better word) which is something "fanboys" don't particularly care for as well.

Beyond that with Lana coming back I wish the producers would have written a nice storyarc of them breaking up mutually and moving on with there life(without putting either in a negative light), instead we get every character tell us how wonderful Lana is, Clark running to Lana like a 14 year old boy, Lana being a hero(Power) and hints that Lana will "sacrifice" her life with Clark for the betterment of the world(showing us Clark hasn't learned anything from the relationship that seemed very unhealthy for the past few years). But hey Lana fans will be happy to see there favorite character put in a positive light as they never watch the show again

I am honestly suprised Clana still has fans after the past few seasons to be honest(although I guess the large drop off in audience the past few years might be more attributed to ex-Clana fans who just got sick with the constant angst in the relationship that never would have a proper resolution and gave up)

 

[Captivated]

I still don't see how having a relationship with Lana would change just about anything with him being a hero.

I mean, Superman is married to Lois in the comics, so it's not like he's not capable of balancing two things.

Exactly.

They kinda painted themselves into a corner with Lana's story. If you JUST look at Smallville's spin on things, there really isn't a good reason for them NOT to be together. I know they've been back-peddling and TRYING to change directions, but that effort has been contrived and at times out-of-character.

Last season made me sick. This one has been better. My best case senerio NOW would be a satisfying pause in Lana's story... One that didn't kill, torture or make her act TOO ridiculously OOC.

And since I'm a sucker for a good love story, it'd be nice to feel a little more "something" between Lois and Clark (I mean, we are stuck with THAT pairing, obviously.) There have been moments... but, it's still flat in comparison. I do hope it gets better.

 

[Captivated]

Without searching through pages of posts, what did people think about Chloe's comments to Clark about Lois?

Was Chloe saying that she could tell that Lois had feelings for Clark? I guess she was because she said she didn't want him to hurt her cousin. But, I couldn't get a read on Clark's reaction to that. He (TW) played it so flat. I didn't get that he felt anything... "Lois is so Lois..." What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Confusing scene.

 

[SV Fan]

Without searching through pages of posts, what did people think about Chloe's comments to Clark about Lois?

Was Chloe saying that she could tell that Lois had feelings for Clark? I guess she was because she said she didn't want him to hurt her cousin. But, I couldn't get a read on Clark's reaction to that. He (TW) played it so flat. I didn't get that he felt anything... "Lois is so Lois..." What the hell was that supposed to mean?

It felt the the producers threw that in to try please Lois fans, big problem with that is considering the last scene of the show, I think it did more damage then good for Clois. Now if Clark actually reflected on it and decided hey Lana maybe isn't the one for me by the end of the episode, then it would have been a good scene(considering Clois looks like the direction they are going once Lana gone) in terms of developing a story beyond the next 2 episodes.

Beyond that, not to piss of Chlarkers they kept it way to vague. Chloe wasn't pushing Clois, just making a mention which reflected back to her issues with Clark in earlier seasons. Depending on your point of view you could say she was either upset for how Clark was treating her cousin or her relationship with Clark(which I assume was intentional).

This is a huge problem with the show when you are trying to please 3 different groups of shippers, in the end it comes accross as bad story telling. You can make a solid arguement for all 3 girls why Clark should end up with them, and you can make a solid arguement why he shouldn't. Therefore each fan group at this point will look at all the positive things about there ship(ignoring negative stuff) and say that's how it should end and point to all the negative stuff about the other 2 females.

 

[blksuperman2]

No, you are not alone. I think most fairly normal people think this way...

It's the fanboys - who basically can't wrap their brains around anything that they haven't seen in a comic book, and who want Clark to be Superman ALREADY - they don't like Smallville's version of Lana.

These are the same zealots who want the show to END, just so they can SEE the final scene... Clark with an "S" on his chest, flying off into the sunset.



BTW - I don't get that either.

LOL. I can kinda understand this weird fanboy logic. There's a need to see this guy start flying and such by now. It was a natural progression season 1-4 where he kept gaining new abilities. Now it's just ******ed for him not to be flying now. THe basically went into space when he jumped after the missle in Season 5.

Producers old & new have stated that he won't where the suit on the show so everyone's assuming they'll at least give us a nod at the conclusion of the series. I for one don't want to see the show end, especially right now because it's just that good. The best on TV right now IMO.

As for the Clana stuff. I've never had a problem w/ Lana and rather enjoyed their relationship. The problem is that her character seemed to be a forced into Clark's life since season 4. When you have a character that's just there for the sake of being there you tend to not want them there anymore. Why hasn't Lana left yet? I don't care. Where has Lana been since season 7? I don't care. My fanboy brain says

Lana = Smallville = Past = Who cares
Lois = Metropolis = Future = I'll stay tuned


My 2 cents

 

[SV Fan]

The problem is that her character seemed to be a forced into Clark's life since season 4. When you have a character that's just there for the sake of being there you tend to not want them there anymore.

I have to agree with this. I find as well that it seems like Lana for the past few years has been forced into storylines just because well she is Lana and is one of the stars of the show and needs something to do. It doesn't help that those storylines she is put in are filled with tons of melodrama and angst that just make me want to rip my hair out. I guess that's what happens when you have a show on a network targetted at teenage females.

 

[greenlantern248]

Sorry I meant to say I rewatched the scene and I did see Emil and hear Ollie talk about Emil. I wrote didn't and I mean did.

 

[Captivated]

Clark in uniform. Yes, please.

Clark layering with tight gray T. Mmmm.....

Clark realizing that he wants and can have love in his life and still work to save the world. *draws hearts*

Clark and Lana kissing, again. I won't even pretend, of course I loved it. But it's a different feeling watching it knowing what we know. And then there's the echo of Clark's earlier conversation with Chloe when he said something to the effect of - "You can't just stop loving someone..." It's easy to forget that Clark and Lana hadn't broken up when she departed. There were no teary, heartbroken fights, there was just him kneeling by her and crying for her to recover. And then she was gone. He may be the man of steel, but his heart is anything but.

I give Clark as much leeway as he needs for his heart to find its way to Lois because I believe in him and I see that his destiny doesn't allow him a usual pattern in life. His capacity and desire for love as a person in his unique situation were the real point that was presented. His epiphany about having love in his life brought him straight back to what has always been his touchstone for those kinds of feelings - Lana.

It won't work out, with her, of course. But that doesn't mean there isn't love there, it's just not the eventual love that he's destined for in his life as Superman. In a way, I found the kiss bittersweet knowing that it's only setting them up to pull the rug out, hard, and for the last time. But I'm shallow enough to have still loved it. That's the chemistry that burns up the screen for me, so I'll take it, despite anything and everything else that is really coloring it.

As far as the rest of the episode - I was a bit disappointed with the little we saw of J'onn J'onz. But with Ollie, Lana and Tess, there realy wasn't a lot of time to give to another secondary character, I guess.

I enjoy Ollie. Even when he's busting Clark's balls about something, I love that Clark has a hot male friend, especially one who knows his secret. The Afterschool Special message of "Buddies are Good" was delivered with a anvil that was clunky even for SV standards, but silly me, I still liked seeing the boyz bond.

LOL. I went looking for your post, knowing that you'd have a take on this I could relate to!

Clark's saying "Lois is.... Lois", cracked me up. This is why he loves her - she's Lois, and not like anyone else he's ever encountered. And didn't Tom deliver that beautifully?

In the context of that scene... not knowing how he WILL love her in the future... I didn't get it. His reaction was flat. I was frustrated. All of a sudden Chloe is telling Clark that her cousin is into him, don't hurt her, and Clark just basically shrugs?! I thought (we were supposed to be thinking at least) that he was attracted to Lois. But, honestly, I have YET to see him look at Lois with the love or longing I KNOW he is capable of... I saw MAY-BE a little speculation after the whole lie-detector thing (which I loved BTW), but even that seemed a little forced.

I also dug the Chun-Li Lana - Tess fight. But I was especially impressed that the writers actually established early in the episode that both women were well-versed in that type of hand-to-hand fighting. Also, Cassidy Freeman - kudos on a job well done in the shot of Tess realizing the enormity of what Lex had been doing to her. I was impressed.

I usually find girl fights ridiculous and annoying. (I'm a girl, I can say that! LOL) But this fight WAS great.

The good cop, Danny Turpin, was wearing Clark colors, but in muted tones in his early scene at his home. And Lana donned her Luthorian purple for her initial visit with Tess. Loved that. Now, why was Chloe also all purpled out?

Can I get a WOOT!! for the token fishnet-stockinged and tall-booted sole Metropolis hooker? You work that corner, girlfriend!

Off to watch Supernatural now...

Love Supernatural...

 

[Captivated]

It felt the the producers threw that in to try please Lois fans, big problem with that is considering the last scene of the show, I think it did more damage then good for Clois. Now if Clark actually reflected on it and decided hey Lana maybe isn't the one for me by the end of the episode, then it would have been a good scene (considering Clois looks like the direction they are going once Lana gone) in terms of developing a story beyond the next 2 episodes.

Beyond that, not to piss of Chlarkers they kept it way to vague. Chloe wasn't pushing Clois, just making a mention which reflected back to her issues with Clark in earlier seasons. Depending on your point of view you could say she was either upset for how Clark was treating her cousin or her relationship with Clark (which I assume was intentional).

This is a huge problem with the show when you are trying to please 3 different groups of shippers, in the end it comes accross as bad story telling.

Yeah... forced and contrived too.

But may-be from here on out they can make it more focused on Clark and Lois. Just please don't have them suddenly feeling the love with no build up or explanation.

Like Lois... suddenly she isn't dismissing Clark, she has a crush on him? When and why? They did a lousy job of building that up or clueing us in IMO. I know the Clois fans saw "love" in every shrill, annoying exchange the two have had since season 4, but you HAD to want it bad to see it, cause it WASN'T there.

I'd like to know what Clark feels about Lois. Half the time he seems indifferent. Surely that is not what they intend...

 

[SV Fan]

Like Lois... suddenly she isn't dismissing Clark, she has a crush on him? When and why? They did a lousy job of building that up or clueing us in IMO. I know the Clois fans saw "love" in every shrill, annoying exchange the two have had since season 4, but you HAD to want it bad to see it, cause it WASN'T there.

If you watch all the L&C scenes from Season 7(there wasn't many of them), It does make sense from her perspective of her gaining feeling for him

I'd like to know what Clark feels about Lois. Half the time he seems indifferent. Surely that is not what they intend...

I think the worst thing is the one time Clark shows initative, Lana shows up and Lois is gone for 4 episodes. Like I said story telling 101 says since Lois will continue to be on the show, this Lana arc should be about Clark moving forward, not rehashing the same stuff they have been for the past few years only to have Lana come out looking like she sacrificed the relationship.

The producers (both past and present) fascination with Lana(Kristen) at times is hard to understand. As greenlatern pointed out it seems at times she is just put into storylines for no other purposes then she is Lana. It also seems the producers love of Lana and wanting to do this "great finishing" arc for her made them hold back on Clark's intentions towards Lois because heaven forbid it ruins there finishing arc for Lana. In all reality the producers would have been better off doing the Lana arc at the start(like episode 3 or 4) of the season then have Clark moving forward with his life then splitting it up like they did. The writing came off very uneven

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

honestly, I've grown tired of the sects in the Smallville fanbase who base an episodes worth on if such and such character was in it, wasn't it, wasn't in it enough, or was in it too much. It reminds of a few years ago that chick who was a huge Jon Schneider fan that went postal when he was killed off the show. Although at least she was true to her word and never came back.

Although there are certain characters I like more than others, I prefer to judge each individual episode on it's merits and not have some inherent bias towards it going in because I saw character X appear in the 30 second trailer. Listening to the incessant whining that takes place here and on other boards based on the previous week's trailer has grown stale and tiresome.

For the record, I liked Lana in the 3 episodes so far. I questioned the kiss at the end of Bulletproof, but I'm assuming (hoping) that's justy one of those TV stunts to keep people talking (complaining, whining) until next week's episode.

 

[SV Fan]

For the record, I liked Lana in the 3 episodes so far. I questioned the kiss at the end of Bulletproof, but I'm assuming (hoping) that's justy one of those TV stunts to keep people talking (complaining, whining) until next week's episode.

In terms of lana

Bride and Bulletproof(save last scene) were good. Legion was sort of pointless(unless you consider Irma telling Lana twice how wonderful she was entertaining) with the exception of the Last scene(which i though was good). Now if you put the bulletproof lana plot with legion ending scene, that to me would be a good episode involving Lana.

As for the 3 episodes, I enjoyed all 3 and actually though Bulletproof(save the last scene which made me want to pull my hair out) was one of the better episodes of the season. Clark being proactive and a hero = great. Clark regressing to a relationship like a 14 year = terrible

 

[Sam Fisher]

For some weird reason Itune's not getting this episode.

 

[Serene]

LOL. I went looking for your post, knowing that you'd have a take on this I could relate to!

We are few and far between, esp. these days.

In the context of that scene... not knowing how he WILL love her in the future... I didn't get it. His reaction was flat. I was frustrated. All of a sudden Chloe is telling Clark that her cousin is into him, don't hurt her, and Clark just basically shrugs?! I thought (we were supposed to be thinking at least) that he was attracted to Lois. But, honestly, I have YET to see him look at Lois with the love or longing I KNOW he is capable of... I saw MAY-BE a little speculation after the whole lie-detector thing (which I loved BTW), but even that seemed a little forced.

See, I thought Clark's, "Lois is ... Lois" was reminiscent (and maybe intentionally so) of that S4 scene with Lana where he also described Lois, but in more negative and shallow terms - "Lois is rude, she's bossy.. " etc. That was then, but at this point, he doesn't have the words to describe Lois because he's gone past all that and seen that there's a lot more to Ms. Lane that he'd previously thought. He doesn't have words to describe her because she's indescribable to him and not like anyone he's ever known before. Therein lies the seed of true attraction. At least that's my fanwanking of the scene.

I think they have done a fine job of showing Clark's intrigue and attraction to Lois. No, it's not anywhere near where he will eventually be with her, but at this point, that's okay considering the context of where he still is with Lana. Once Lana is out of the picture and Lois is back, I'm sure they will be continuing to progress his growing attraction to her, and perhaps it will feel more organic (I HATE that term, but it fits) for people like you and me when it's done in that time sequence.

Love Supernatural...

Me too! Tonight's episode was fabulous. That guy playing Dean was omg!amazing. He even had the voice and speech pattern down perfectly.