9.06 - Crossfire - Discussion Thread (Spoilers)

[Webhead2006]

she had his criminal record, though we dont know for sure if she used that totally to get him to join their side or if if it was just a show of power saying ha i out smarted you and you better look out.

 

[RagingTempest]

I was thinking about the Chloe and Stuart techno battle and I was just wondering, what exactly did Chloe have that was incriminating enough on Stuart to get him on her side? I don't think he did anything wrong. She was the one hacking into Tess' computer system...

She probably gathered his history of illegal hacking before he could do it to her.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Before I can address the episode I'll share with you some parts of the formula for the Ideal Smallville Season (in my opinion) and then work off of that as it is how I approach every episode. I'll bold what I felt was done in this episode.

It must contain:

• At least one new character should be introduced and they should develop throughout the whole season like Davis, Witney and Oliver (unlike Jason who went completely out of character in the last three episodes of Season Four)
• One main story arc spanning across the entire season and that is not static
• Love Arcs can be included but should not necessarily be used as main points.
• No stupid filler episodes! By this I mean no episodes that have no effect on the rest of the season. This was done most recently in Stilleto. The only useful part of that episode to the rest of the season was the ending.
• If a filler episode IS required, this is a time to either work on the love arcs WITH the main story-arc of the season involved to some degree or introduce a smaller sub-plot exclusive to the season
• A good season will make references to earlier points in the series and characters that have left the show.
• In regards to mini-plots DO NOT bring in a sub-plot that will have zero relevance on the main story arc (like the Lana-Supersuit arc Vs Doomsday/RBB arc in Season 8)
• Heroic easter eggs like this are key

Ok, so in terms of this formula I'd say this episode was a required filler that was done well. Yes the Lois and Clark morning show thing was lame and will have no effect on the rest of the season but it also took the time here to develop a few things.

Episode Analysis

Plot Interactions:
This episode's main development centered around the love plot. This episode pretty much starts Lois and Clark's relationship indirectly or directly because of the filler plot. Also in regards to the plot, the main plot (with the Kandorians, Zod and the Blur) was developed in an effective way without becoming too much at once but also not too little to have no effect.

Character Development:
I would really say that Clark, Lois and Ollie all develop to an obvious degree in this episode.

Character Introduction Development:
In this Season we were introduced to two characters. First we get the hacker who isn't really too big of a deal but it is still something to keep Chloe's character busy. In this episode we see how smart and powerful he is and we see him become a "good guy". Now in regards to Zod, his character just becomes more and more badass, and his relationship with Tess is really developing. This is how you effectively bring in a new character and make him work properly.

Small Subplots:
Ok so here the subplot of recruiting to the team is continued as Ollie and Chloe each recruit new people.

Easter Egg:
Aw man, the Blur walking into the bullets while heat visioning mirrors Brandon Routh walking into the chain gun and then him turning around to catch the bullet reflects Clark catching the bullet in Superman the Movie when he first saves Lois, but the part that made this a Smallville version was the part that made it even more awesome, how he catches the bullet infront of Ollie's face and allows Ollie to see what he did giving him a look like "damn straight"


Technical Analysis

Acting:
I thought the acting was pretty good mostly but Lois and Clark's interaction in from the begining until Clark's date feels very forced.

Directing:
I think this directing really doesn't know the difference between light hearted and campy. Someone he does do rather successfully though is serious showdowns (the fight at the end and Clark showing up). I think that some fancy cinematography should have been used for Lois and Clark's first kiss. (It should have been like the scene where Clark and Lois hug in "Rabid" only the camera should be circulating during the cuts and zooms in and out)

Music:
The music in the lighthearted scenes was crap and sounded like something from the 80's or a really bad Super Nintendo Game. The music during the love-plot scenes and the Kandor scenes as well as during the fight and kiss at the end was great though.


In short, I'd say that this episode was necessary and it was done effectively. My only real complaint would be to avoid campiness and for the producers to establish what lightheartedness should look like on Smallville (refer to Season One - lighthearted AND effective, not campy. Remember the producers from seasons 1-7 were different than the producers in 8 and 9).

So my rating would be 4/5

Honourable Mention for Best Scene: The Blur facing the bullets and catching the last one. AWESOME.


P.S. In regards to whether or not Lois will end up knowing Clark's, secret it could work or not work either way. For me it depends on how it is done.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691632

 

[Webhead2006]

nice review, and actually souders/peterson/salkvin and the 4th guy all came onto the show during the second season of the show. Worked with millar/gough to they left at end of season 7. Then there has been other producers like marshall and a few others who were around from the start to present.

 

[Prison Mike]

she had his criminal record, though we dont know for sure if she used that totally to get him to join their side or if if it was just a show of power saying ha i out smarted you and you better look out.

She probably gathered his history of illegal hacking before he could do it to her.

was it established that he illegally hacked into places (much like Chloe does every episode)? I must have missed that part...

 

[Webhead2006]

yea i guess you missed that little detail.

 

[KBX]

is Stewart Campbell a DC character or one made for this show?

 

[Webhead2006]

made up character.

 

[Mike22]

This was probably THE most Superman-like scene in the entire 8 plus seasons Smallville has been on. Fan-Frikkin'-tastic. Just goes to show everyone, that even with a limited budged on their hands, a small time tv-show once again outdoes a 200+ million dollar movie by showing what is no doubt a more fantastic, far more visually appealing, and in general more spectacular than the scene in SR. Then again, the Smallville folks have a major advantage in having a leading man that can actually act and sell the scene. That last scene of Welling holding the bullet in front of Olivers face, was pure awesomeness.I've said it before, I'll say it now and I will always say that if the smallville people had that 200+ million dollars, we would have had a superman movie that would've blown everything else out of the water.

Moving on to something that really bugs the hell out of me when ever I read the reactions here after an episode airs.
WHAT???... is it with some of you guys and this unbelievable joy you all seem to find in the Lois and Clark romance??? Don't take this as attack in any way, it's just something that I often wonder about when I read the endless posts about how good the people here found the episode to be because Lois and Clark exchanged a few romantic words and their usual banter or what ever.
I personally, don't give two *****s about the romance between L&C. And I mean, in any frikkin' way. To me, it's every bit as boring as it was with Lana. I don't watch the show for the romance, I watch it to see a live version of my favorite superhero.
I would really appreciate it if someone here actually gave me a good reason to just why the hell the romance between the two is so important at this point in the story? It's not even interesting because we all know that they will eventually end up together or whatever. I would so much rather see entire episodes focused on Clark and his internal and external journey to becoming superman. More focus on the last days of Krypton, what his parents went through when they put him in the ship, more Kryptonian history so Clark can know more about his home, about where he came from. There is so much they can do, yet they choose to focus on this meaningless, boring ass L&C romance that really serves no purpose. Last I checked it was clearly stated that by the shows end, it was gonna line up with the Reeve movies, in other words, a total retcon of pretty much everything, and Jimmy was the first to go in that regard. Lois and who ever else is in danger of recognizing Clark as superman will probably get mindwiped and everything they've done so far would have been for nothing. They should do know, what they should have always done and focus on CLARKS journey to becoming superman. Lois has nothing to do with how superman came to be, she came in the story much later.
This season has been fantastic so far, and had it not been for the romance crap, it would have been far better IMO.

 

[Mikelus]

I would really appreciate it if someone here actually gave me a good reason to just why the hell the romance between the two is so important at this point in the story? It's not even interesting because we all know that they will eventually end up together or whatever. I would so much rather see entire episodes focused on Clark and his internal and external journey to becoming superman. More focus on the last days of Krypton, what his parents went through when they put him in the ship, more Kryptonian history so Clark can know more about his home, about where he came from. There is so much they can do, yet they choose to focus on this meaningless, boring ass L&C romance that really serves no purpose. Last I checked it was clearly stated that by the shows end, it was gonna line up with the Reeve movies, in other words, a total retcon of pretty much everything, and Jimmy was the first to go in that regard. Lois and who ever else is in danger of recognizing Clark as superman will probably get mindwiped and everything they've done so far would have been for nothing. They should do know, what they should have always done and focus on CLARKS journey to becoming superman. Lois has nothing to do with how superman came to be, she came in the story much later.
This season has been fantastic so far, and had it not been for the romance crap, it would have been far better IMO.

If you don't like romance, then Clark and Lois relationship is not for you, but is part of the package, difference being it started earlier on this version.

On the getting "mindwiped" issue, we don't know obviously, they could have Lois know the secret once Clark is Superman in the series finale. We still have the DP and Smallville people that know Clark without the glasses, they could use Zatanna's magic or glasses made with some kryptonian technology to make people think Clark is really different from Superman, I know is kind of far-fetched, but so is a man that flies and shoots fire from his eyes.

 

[Superfreak]

Easter Egg:
Aw man, the Blur walking into the bullets while heat visioning mirrors Brandon Routh walking into the chain gun and then him turning around to catch the bullet reflects Clark catching the bullet in Superman the Movie when he first saves Lois, but the part that made this a Smallville version was the part that made it even more awesome, how he catches the bullet infront of Ollie's face and allows Ollie to see what he did giving him a look like "damn straight"

Meh, the scene in STM was still more awesome to me... because he was Clark at the time, and the fact that he was pulling a fast one on Lois made it awesome

 

[The Caped Knight]

Moving on to something that really bugs the hell out of me when ever I read the reactions here after an episode airs.
WHAT???... is it with some of you guys and this unbelievable joy you all seem to find in the Lois and Clark romance??? Don't take this as attack in any way, it's just something that I often wonder about when I read the endless posts about how good the people here found the episode to be because Lois and Clark exchanged a few romantic words and their usual banter or what ever.
I personally, don't give two *****s about the romance between L&C. And I mean, in any frikkin' way. To me, it's every bit as boring as it was with Lana. I don't watch the show for the romance, I watch it to see a live version of my favorite superhero.
I would really appreciate it if someone here actually gave me a good reason to just why the hell the romance between the two is so important at this point in the story? It's not even interesting because we all know that they will eventually end up together or whatever. I would so much rather see entire episodes focused on Clark and his internal and external journey to becoming superman. More focus on the last days of Krypton, what his parents went through when they put him in the ship, more Kryptonian history so Clark can know more about his home, about where he came from. There is so much they can do, yet they choose to focus on this meaningless, boring ass L&C romance that really serves no purpose. Last I checked it was clearly stated that by the shows end, it was gonna line up with the Reeve movies, in other words, a total retcon of pretty much everything, and Jimmy was the first to go in that regard. Lois and who ever else is in danger of recognizing Clark as superman will probably get mindwiped and everything they've done so far would have been for nothing. They should do know, what they should have always done and focus on CLARKS journey to becoming superman. Lois has nothing to do with how superman came to be, she came in the story much later.
This season has been fantastic so far, and had it not been for the romance crap, it would have been far better IMO.

The relationship & romance between Lois & Clark is integral part of the overall story (It's been that way from since the debut of Superman in Action Comics #1 [1938]) .

Their's 70 years worth of history in the comics and a clear reason why Lois represents the inner strength of Superman according to Clark .

In smallville tptb are going even deeper to show why this Lois is destined to be with Clark . Like the journey to becoming Superman is greatly important so too is his relationship with Lois, she is the key to fullfilling his destined .

 

[Mike22]

If you don't like romance, then Clark and Lois relationship is not for you, but is part of the package, difference being it started earlier on this version.

On the getting "mindwiped" issue, we don't know obviously, they could have Lois know the secret once Clark is Superman in the series finale. We still have the DP and Smallville people that know Clark without the glasses, they could use Zatanna's magic or glasses made with some kryptonian technology to make people think Clark is really different from Superman, I know is kind of far-fetched, but so is a man that flies and shoots fire from his eyes.

I agree with you, It isn't for me, at all.
However All previous statements regarding the shows end lean towards one direction: Lined up with the Reeve movies/Mythos.
Meaning:
Lois doesn't know.
Lex doesn't know.
Perry doesn't know.
And that goes for everyone that stands a chance at recognizing him once he's officially Superman.
I haven't made my mind up how I'd feel about Lois and Lex being in on the secret, but then again I've never been given that option on smallville. The Producers have always said that the ending will line up with the mythos, and I've always run with it. I know that there are plenty of ways they could go about it, and the glasses have never really been much of a disguise anyway, but that's not my issue at the moment.
The Lois and Clark stuff on Smallville feels so damned forced. Erica Durance ( while a very capable actress) overplays the sarcasm and throws me off a lot of the time, and the whole thing seems to be generated on reliance that the audience "knows" that they're supposed to end up together. When did they ever ( or did I somehow manage to miss it?) give Clark a reason to fall for Lois or the other way around?
It sort of "just happened" then and there, accept it or don't, we're running with it, and it just never felt right. Smallville is not like Lois & Clark, where romance is the key ingredient for the show.

And it's not like I'm condemning it or those who seem to get this incredibly weird adrenaline rush whenever the two share a scene. All I'm saying is I don't get all this amazing enthusiasm over two characters hooking up.
Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather they just focus on the journey to him becoming superman, and not him trying to get that "second" date.

 

[The Caped Knight]

However All previous statements regarding the shows end lean towards one direction: Lined up with the Reeve movies/Mythos.

Not true, While the Donner version is a source for smallville, TPTB have made it clear that Lois and Clark will end up together like in the mythology which is the comics.

Smallville has used not just material from Donner, But also practically ever incarnation of Superman in history (comics, movies, tv series & animation)

 

[Superfreak]

Not true, While the Donner version is a source for smallville, TPTB have made it clear that Lois and Clark will end up together like in the mythology which is the comics.

Smallville has used not just material from Donner, But also practically ever incarnation of Superman in history (comics, movies, tv series & animation)

true, however, there has been a theme of no 2 live action superman franchises stepping on each others toes... atleast until season 8. Up until season 8, SV was able to fit into the donner and SR franchises, as a more detailed look at Supes growing up. With no real conflicts within the narrative. The source material from which the stories are generated is irrelevant, rather it's how it all fits together.

only in the most recent two seasons, has SV broken the mould, and started to try and create it's own story, with it's own future. This was an unavoidable eventuallity. Up to the point before Clark started working at the DP, all the live action properties could be viewed as one big story. It wasn't til season 8 that Clark's interactions with his human counterparts started to become problematic to the concept above.

 

[Mike22]

Not true, While the Donner version is a source for smallville, TPTB have made it clear that Lois and Clark will end up together like in the mythology which is the comics.

Smallville has used not just material from Donner, But also practically ever incarnation of Superman in history (comics, movies, tv series & animation)

You misunderstand. I wasn't saying that they wont end up together, I think we all know they will, but I was merely commenting on the fact that since it has been made clear for us that it will indeed line up with the mythology as we all know it( or at least the beginning of the mythology/Reeve movies), then it means that at the time superman shows up, Lois, Lex etc, will not recognize him. In other words, the romance crap that people love so much is all for nothing, because at the end of where ever the hell they're going with this, some event will take place that will nullify everything in order to line up to where Superman the movie begins, which includes Lois not knowing the truth. Even if they don't stick to it and let Lois in on the secret, it still annoys me as I don't feel it's done properly and feels rushed and forced.

And while I don't like what they're currently doing with Lois and Clark on smallville, it's really no biggie for me as I usually tend to ignore the romance crap anyway. I was initially wondering why so many were getting so ecstatic over these two hooking up. It's not remotely a big a deal as some her make it seem. It would make me far more happy to see Clark have a dream in which he's standing in front of a huge S Shield and just starring at it for a while than any of this stupid Lois & Clark stuff that people are so in love with.

 

[LastSon Kal-El]

Forgot to set my DVR Friday and after reading some of the comments, sounds like a can't miss. Can someone please direct me to a site where I can watch this episode.

 

[Mr. Majestic]

thecw.com has the smallville episode's up there so you can watch it

 

[Mikelus]

You misunderstand. I wasn't saying that they wont end up together, I think we all know they will, but I was merely commenting on the fact that since it has been made clear for us that it will indeed line up with the mythology as we all know it( or at least the beginning of the mythology/Reeve movies), then it means that at the time superman shows up, Lois, Lex etc, will not recognize him. In other words, the romance crap that people love so much is all for nothing, because at the end of where ever the hell they're going with this, some event will take place that will nullify everything in order to line up to where Superman the movie begins, which includes Lois not knowing the truth. Even if they don't stick to it and let Lois in on the secret, it still annoys me as I don't feel it's done properly and feels rushed and forced.

The producers said they want to line up, but it doesn't mean they will 100%, they've changed too many things and it would be a creative suicide for them to "erased" what happened before, most fans would be very angry, I don't think they want that. DC allowed those changes as another version of the mythology, what matters is that the essence of it is still there.

Gregory Noveck, senior vice-president -- creative affairs at DC Comics:

"As the show evolved, though, they really developed their own style -- and their own mythology. It is its own continuity, so at this point, for me to say, 'Well, you can't use Doomsday that way because he's really this mindless beast from space and he must look like this on screen the first time we see him,' I don't think that's fair to the continuity that they're establishing.

"So, in its own way, its no different than New Frontier or from anything else we do in the comics that's almost an Elseworlds title. Fans at the end of the day know what the Superman continuity is from the comic books. This is another version of that continuity, re-told in a different way, moving the chess pieces around the table a little bit.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0903/05/index.htm

 

[Webhead2006]

yea for smallville like others have said they like to take aspects, homages, and looks from various versions of the superman mythos comics/tv/movie/animated. Then the show is its on spin. Has been since day 1.

 

[AgentPat]

...I would really appreciate it if someone here actually gave me a good reason to just why the hell the romance between the two is so important at this point in the story?

Not sure what to tell you.

It just is...

 

[Prison Mike]

I'm the King of the World!!!!

 

[Mike22]

The producers said they want to line up, but it doesn't mean they will 100%, they've changed too many things and it would be a creative suicide for them to "erased" what happened before, most fans would be very angry, I don't think they want that. DC allowed those changes as another version of the mythology, what matters is that the essence of it is still there.

Obviously it wont be 100%, because that would effectively make everything they've done so far meaningless. My point was about Lois and just how far she will be in the know in terms of a certain secret.
And again, really, if they feel such a desperate need to make them a couple before he's even superman, then by all means, It's not like I pay all that much attention to that stuff anyway when it's not done right. My main point which I guess most here missed out on, was that I didn't get why the L&C romance got the members here so exited. All I'm saying is that from my point of view, all that stuff is boring as hell. It's way to early in the story, and frankly Lois should never have been in the show to begin with. I'm sure they could have found someone else to play the part of Clarks love interest. Don't get me wrong now, I like Erica Durance she's a very competent actress, but I'm just not feeling these two like I did with Dean and Teri. Now that was well done romance, at least in the first two seasons. I mean, in Smallville, they have yet to explain WHY they feel this attraction to each other to begin with. They were around each other for years, went to the same school, and only NOW do they suddenly figure out that maybe they should hook up??
Not once have I ever seen ( may have missed it though) or heard Clark in any way explain why he was so infatuated with lois, or why Lois all of the sudden after years of banter suddenly feels this way for Clark.
I mean, when you like someone, it's usually an instant feeling, and with someone as attractive as ED, that's exactly what would have happened if this was to be done a bit more realistically.

Look, I know I'm nitpicking but I guess I'm just more a bigger follower of the original tale of Lois and Clark and the story as it has always been, rather then watching Smallvilles version of it all, but that's just me.

 

[avidreader]

Obviously it wont be 100%, because that would effectively make everything they've done so far meaningless. My point was about Lois and just how far she will be in the know in terms of a certain secret.
And again, really, if they feel such a desperate need to make them a couple before he's even superman, then by all means, It's not like I pay all that much attention to that stuff anyway when it's not done right.

Well that's probably why you dont get it, because you dont pay enough attention to it.

No disrespect here, but I honestly think its pretty short sighted for you to think that they would create a show that only interests a small section of the TV audience out there. The Lois and Clark romance is a big part of the Superman mythology and something that ALOT of people are really in to and want to see. As Pat said, its not really something you can explain, it just is.

For me Superman has always held an interest because of the way he interacts on a human level, not because of all of the Super Saves and action that he can entertain me with. I know there are fans on these Boards and elsewhere who really appreciate an awesome fight sequence. Personally, I dont care for them at all but it doesnt mean I dont appreciate the fact that it entertains others out there.

Its always been about My main point which I guess most here missed out on, was that I didn't get why the L&C romance got the members here so exited.

It gets people excited because its been building up over 4 years, you anticipate it and now its happening. People are going to get excited when Clark eventually flies too, its been building up over the years, you antiicpate it and its finally going to happen.

All I'm saying is that from my point of view, all that stuff is boring as hell.

And I think the majority of Oliver Queen's story is boring as hell too, but you gotta take the good with the bad when you're watching TV.

Not once have I ever seen ( may have missed it though) or heard Clark in any way explain why he was so infatuated with lois, or why Lois all of the sudden after years of banter suddenly feels this way for Clark.
I mean, when you like someone, it's usually an instant feeling, and with someone as attractive as ED, that's exactly what would have happened if this was to be done a bit more realistically.

All I can say to that is, rewatch Seasons 4 to 8 and you'll see plenty of build up.

Look, I know I'm nitpicking but I guess I'm just more a bigger follower of the original tale of Lois and Clark and the story as it has always been, rather then watching Smallvilles version of it all, but that's just me.

And that really is what it boils down to for you, its just not your cup of tea.

 

[COMPO]

its was more when Lana dumped him that I think his feelings came out cos Lois had been there when he needed her, she always had but that was the biggin lol I think the feelings were kind of lingering in the back of his mind.