How would you improve Smallville??

[AFan 2]

Hello,I remember back in 2000 when i heard that the WB were doing a series based on Superman before the suit, i remember beining excited and really looking forward to the series.Now here we are 2006 and Season 6 has just started. However when i look back at the past 5 years Smallville has had more downs than ups. Seasons 1 and 2 were good, season 1 had too many Freak of the weaks but it ultimatly ended on a high where as season 2 really progressed the story and Superman Mythos. However Season 3-5 only have 5 episodes a season that are any good.Now I am a fan of programmes like 24, Battlestar Galatica(new), Deadzone, Lost and Babylon 5(A classic) and can see how some creators can weave some complex stories with great continuity, yet Smallville can not do this in fact contiunity often is way out of the window.Anyway the point of the thread smallville is an ok series but i think it could be better. How and What would you guys have done differently???For Starters i would have made smallville a bit like the Wonder Years, i.e. set in the 70's, 80's. That way we don't have Superman being a kid today.Secondly he would have only started the Series with Speed and Strength and they would have been low powered too, i.e. he struggled to pick up a car or he could run about as fast as a train. This way he can develop more.I would also have set a 5 series limit, no more no less. Smallville does have a rather streched feel to it, its almost as if they got to season 3 and were like lets strecth this out for 4 more years.I would have done more with him developing his powers and changing.Season 1 He would start of slightly fast and strong by the end he would have found he got even stronger faster and found out he could not be hurt as much.Season 2, he would have got Xray vision, Heat Vision and Telescopic vision, he would have gotten even faster and stronger and even more invulnerable.Season 3 He would have gotten Super Hearing and Superbreath and all of his other powers would have increasedSeason 4 he would fly and have flight for the whole season, his other powers would peak.Season 5 he really gets a grasp on all his powers and in the end decides to become superman.I would have had the series really explore Clark wanting to do sports but switching to journalism( they have touched upon this in the Smallville as we know it but it is really watered down) I would have Clarkd start the process of activily hiding his powers. For example in Smallville as we know it he was blinded and had to wear glasses for the episode. In my Smallville he would have carried on wearing the glasses in season 3 to make him appear to have weaknesses.The Lana Relationship would have happened in season 3 and ended there, he would have told her the secret and she freaked, she would have come around eventually but by then Clark would have moved on because he saw a differnet side to Lana.The episodes would have more of a roswell feel to them, not as many freaks of the weeks. Also because in My smallville Clark is weaker to start with they really would not have needed as much Kryptonite.Anyway my list would go on and on but i would really like to read how everyone else would have done, or would would you like to see done to the existing show??

 

[AFan 2]

Pretty much brought on the Superman mythology elements earlier on. Perhaps started the series around when Clark was in grade 11, as opposed to 9.

Smallville would be the greatest series ever produced if we got episodes as intense as the season 6 premiere every week.

I would have also had recurring villians from the Superman mythology as opposed to teenage freaks of the week.

Probably recasted Lana Lang to be more likeable, funny, snarky and Lois Lane-like, so that there wouldnt have been a need to bring the real Lois Lane on the show.

I would have actually cast Allison Mack as Lana but made her dye her hair red, the chemistry she has with Tom is better, also the character Chole is more like i imagine Lana is supposed to be.

 

[November Rain]

stop bloody emphasising about having a bloody secret every ten seconds

have stop acting like a little boy all the time, the movie version pretty much called the majority of his shots, in smallville he's a puppet either being guided by jor-el, jonathan, lionel, lana, lex and the biggest culprit, CHLOE Sullivan.

have him stop obsessing with lana, it's verging on being quite creepy. His reasoning for not being with her is fairly flawed and makes it hard to watch.

At the moment, lana doesnt seem to have any attractive qualities except for her looks. The majority of ladies that come onto smallville if even for a short time seem to have much better things going for them than she does, I'd Give her a brain or something. She has just become the naiived character that swallows every lie she hears from all parties, i couldn't imagine ever wanting to be with her. meh...

I'd also have a much stronger clark and lex relationship and have the fallout be very sudden as apposed to this very gradual fallout they seem to be having.

also no vessels or channelling kryptonians through humans, leaven lionel and lex alone, if you want a jor-el and a zod, bring them in, dont make amalgam characters...meh...

less kryptonite, just have a weaker clark that can get hurt by bullets accidents etc...let kryptonite come into play when he truelly believes he has become invulnerable. (around 5th season or so probably after an inccidental meteor shower from left over krypton)

 

[The Kid]

WOW that's one nice big block of text up there.

I guess i'd just change the name to Metropolis and have it be about superman's adventures already, and stop all the teasing.

 

[AFan 2]

WOW that's one nice big block of text up there.

I guess i'd just change the name to Metropolis and have it be about superman's adventures already, and stop all the teasing.

Yeah i know:-( i wrote it out in paragraphs but whenever i submited it as a new thread it just clumped together into one big mess, however if i do quick reply it does it how i had it.

 

[AFan 2]

Hello,

I remember back in 2000 when i heard that the WB were doing a series based on Superman before the suit, i remember beining excited and really looking forward to the series.

Now here we are 2006 and Season 6 has just started. However when i look back at the past 5 years Smallville has had more downs than ups. Seasons 1 and 2 were good, season 1 had too many Freak of the weaks but it ultimatly ended on a high where as season 2 really progressed the story and Superman Mythos. However Season 3-5 only have 5 episodes a season that are any good.

Now I am a fan of programmes like 24, Battlestar Galatica(new), Deadzone, Lost and Babylon 5(A classic) and can see how some creators can weave some complex stories with great continuity, yet Smallville can not do this in fact contiunity often is way out of the window.

Anyway the point of the thread smallville is an ok series but i think it could be better. How and What would you guys have done differently???

For Starters i would have made smallville a bit like the Wonder Years, i.e. set in the 70's, 80's. That way we don't have Superman being a kid today.

Secondly he would have only started the Series with Speed and Strength and they would have been low powered too, i.e. he struggled to pick up a car or he could run about as fast as a train. This way he can develop more.

I would also have set a 5 series limit, no more no less. Smallville does have a rather streched feel to it, its almost as if they got to season 3 and were like lets strecth this out for 4 more years.

I would have done more with him developing his powers and changing.
Season 1 He would start of slightly fast and strong by the end he would have found he got even stronger faster and found out he could not be hurt as much.
Season 2, he would have got Xray vision, Heat Vision and Telescopic vision, he would have gotten even faster and stronger and even more invulnerable.
Season 3 He would have gotten Super Hearing and Superbreath and all of his other powers would have increased
Season 4 he would fly and have flight for the whole season, his other powers would peak.
Season 5 he really gets a grasp on all his powers and in the end decides to become superman.

I would have had the series really explore Clark wanting to do sports but switching to journalism( they have touched upon this in the Smallville as we know it but it is really watered down) I would have Clarkd start the process of activily hiding his powers. For example in Smallville as we know it he was blinded and had to wear glasses for the episode. In my Smallville he would have carried on wearing the glasses in season 3 to make him appear to have weaknesses.

The Lana Relationship would have happened in season 3 and ended there, he would have told her the secret and she freaked, she would have come around eventually but by then Clark would have moved on because he saw a differnet side to Lana.

The episodes would have more of a roswell feel to them, not as many freaks of the weeks. Also because in My smallville Clark is weaker to start with they really would not have needed as much Kryptonite.

Anyway my list would go on and on but i would really like to read how everyone else would have done, or would would you like to see done to the existing show??

 

[AFan 2]

WOW that's one nice big block of text up there.

I guess i'd just change the name to Metropolis and have it be about superman's adventures already, and stop all the teasing.

See this is how i intended it to look.

 

[Kaboom]

i would improve smallville by keeping fanboys away from the writers so that DeKnight and Co. can do their job, which they do well.

 

[phil]

Just a note for those who want more flying to make the show better: Sure it would be better no doubt and anyone with a pulse knows that. But these guys have to write their show around the budget. Flying cost way too much, An xray vision scene that last only a few seconds with no movement cost 6,000.00. Green screen takes so much to set up with camera crew etc. and then ad the computer work on top of that and it takes up most of the epsides budget. They are very restricted, they only get extra budget money for the finally and season premier.

 

[AFan 2]

Just a note for those who want more flying to make the show better: Sure it would be better no doubt and anyone with a pulse knows that. But these guys have to write their show around the budget. Flying cost way too much, An xray vision scene that last only a few seconds with no movement cost 6,000.00. Green screen takes so much to set up with camera crew etc. and then ad the computer work on top of that and it takes up most of the epsides budget. They are very restricted, they only get extra budget money for the finally and season premier.

Hello Phil,I know we have had this discussion before but come on budget is not an issue. They have now done zod flying and landing, and they have teased us with it before. They could do it if they wanted to. For most of the flying effects they could even just do a blur in the sky. They could do it but they are just dragging it out.

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

SV is fine what it is doing. I do agree they do have more downs then ups but what we got to remember SV is not trying to base their show off of the comics nor the movies and so we just have to learn and accept the changes. I just think the shows downs are when they try and add other people from the DCU on to the show because they just don't do so in such a great way but then again this is where you got to remember they are their own world and things will be different by far.

 

[AFan 2]

i would improve smallville by keeping fanboys away from the writers so that DeKnight and Co. can do their job, which they do well.

Yeah thirst was a great episode.

 

[phil]

Hello Phil,I know we have had this discussion before but come on budget is not an issue. They have now done zod flying and landing, and they have teased us with it before. They could do it if they wanted to. For most of the flying effects they could even just do a blur in the sky. They could do it but they are just dragging it out.

And for how long did you see him fly? like I said they only get a bigger budget for last and first episodes. If they allow Clark to fly more they would have to do it all the time, the budget would be eaten up on that, it just can't be done.
But believe me I would even like to see him dress in all black and go out and practice at night, or even just go out for some joy rides. I would have also like to see Clark explain how awesome and exciting it was to Pa Kent instead of how he explained it to him in the season 4 opener.

 

[AFan 2]

You don't need to see him flying for long at all. There have also been episodes where they have teased us with flight.

I.e. the bridge jump in season 4, where he jumped on the truck
The Rocket fly/jump in season 5, the Jump with Lana in the Fortress.

They were all in mid season. They could just show a blur for the rest and only show a quick glance of Clark flying if they wanted.

For landing and Taking off they could just use a rig, they did that for Rosemburg and Dean Cain Used Rigs for Lois and Clark fortunatly they have improved the green screen stuff and rigs used.

Even Heros has flying in it, smallville is going to miss the WOW factor if they drag it out longer.

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

I think people expect SV to be like S:TAS and B:TAS and got their hopes up for something like that. Meaning it was faithful to what the source as well as did things on their own that is some what I think people were expecting but SV is doing it a different way and I like I just hate the writing.

 

[AFan 2]

They should film several general random flight shots and use them over and over during the season.

Yep like they have done with some of the running. They used the running from th Ryan episode later in season 3.Clark always wears the red and blue combo every week so doing a whole load of flying shots at different angles and re using them would be easy.

 

[Kaboom]

Yeah thirst was a great episode.

Oh Goodness, where to begin theres just so much to say!

1) Lets start with thirst. What is the premise of the the episode? Oh yes i almost forgot, Clark is vulnerable to vampires. now lets see, if i were a fanboy i would recognize that vampires are one of the types of entities that Superman has a well-established vulnerability to.
So go ahead complain all you want about how the epsidoe might have been stupid, but dont acknowledge the fact that they were teaching clark he has weakness other than kryptonite but then complain theyre not progressing him to Superman. Makes sense right?

2) you complain about flight, and the fact that they did it once they can do it again. Flight is expensive. And depending on how you define flight its only been done in the premieres where they have extra budget to work with. Moreover, all the flights have occurred when the characters havent been in their usual wardrobe, so those shots can't be reused. Not to mention its been established that until Clark embraces his kryptonian heritage he will not be able fly. So if he did, he would be breaking one of the laws that the show has laid down for itself.

3) if the show is awful, why are you watching?

 

[NotFadeAway]

Hmmm, this is a question I have long asked myself, and without much time to spend here today, I will scribble down my thoughts, which are in no particular order....

1) There would have been more over arching, season long villians. We have had Lionel and thats it. If I was writing, ever season would have had to oppose Clark that would be present for 3/4 of the season in some capacity.

2) The destiny that Jor-El speaks of would have NOTHING to do with Clark becoming Superman, so that when the series ends Clark would have his destiny fulfilled and the ability to do whatever he wishes, the ability to happily live a normal life. Clark would, of course, choose to become Superman on his own accord.

3) Both Kents would be alive at the end.

4) Clarks dynamics with his friends would have been different from the first season on. Lana, Chloe, and Pete would have all discovered Clark's secret during the first season, and after accepting him for who he really is, help him during his weekly adventures and such. I mean, would Buffy The Vampire Slayer have been so good is Buffy had to hide who she was from her friends. For F#CK sakes, Clark has to learn to trust others at some point in his life, and it creates the oppurtunity to actually sit down and create real storylines for a f#cking change.

5) Lana would be a better person, the sweet girl, the girl that uplifts Clark's spirits, not destroys them. I would probably do a recast, Im nor sure though. I would have featured Clark and Lana in a full on relationship for atleast a whole season, the guy has to learn to be himself in a relationship. My Lana wouldn't be such a complainer, but an inspiration for facing tragedy and moving on. Also, I would have left her one parent.

6) Episodes that didn't deal with powers, villians, special effects, any of that ****. Just good old personal, character building episodes. Not every episode has to have some wacky plot.

7) I would have dug deeper into Lex Luthor's psyche, and spent more time on Lex in general.

8) As much forcus on Lara as Jor-El.

With all this being said, I really enjoy the show.

 

[Batgort]

And for how long did you see him fly? like I said they only get a bigger budget for last and first episodes. If they allow Clark to fly more they would have to do it all the time, the budget would be eaten up on that, it just can't be done.
But believe me I would even like to see him dress in all black and go out and practice at night, or even just go out for some joy rides. I would have also like to see Clark explain how awesome and exciting it was to Pa Kent instead of how he explained it to him in the season 4 opener.

Do you have any sources to back this up? How do you know what the per show budget is and the cost of making him fly is? If they have everything they need to make him fly, all of the physical wiring and camera setup, all of the graphics done and modeled in the computers --- they are not biting the setup bullet each time they make him fly. Ever hear of economies of scale? Maybe making him fly more often would be cost effective.

 

[Gmanofsteel]

1) kill Chloe
2) Bring back Pete

 

[Gmanofsteel]

Yeah thirst was a great episode.

Tomb was worse

 

[avidreader]

Do you have any sources to back this up? How do you know what the per show budget is and the cost of making him fly is? If they have everything they need to make him fly, all of the physical wiring and camera setup, all of the graphics done and modeled in the computers --- they are not biting the setup bullet each time they make him fly. Ever hear of economies of scale? Maybe making him fly more often would be cost effective.

Because DeKnight said so and since he's an Executive Producer for the show he probably knows what he's talking about.

But I also think its probably a big problem with time. I could imagine that it takes an awful lot of time to set up those flying scenes and since TW is in 90% of the episodes anyway, he's really going to be pushing it to do effects like that every week or so.

 

[Catman]

I would improve Smallville by removing all the WB-Teen nonsense. And, the flying FX thing is bull. If they could make Dean Cain fly in every episode of Lois & Clark back in the `90s then they could make Tom Welling fly in 2006.

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

SV is fine for what it is a teen story. Now if they were going to make this show into a Superman story then they have a problem but this show is about a boy with powers marketed towards teens so it is fine for what it is but if they think these stories would fly if they turned it into a Superman story then they are wrong.

 

[AFan 2]

Oh Goodness, where to begin theres just so much to say!

1) Lets start with thirst. What is the premise of the the episode? Oh yes i almost forgot, Clark is vulnerable to vampires. now lets see, if i were a fanboy i would recognize that vampires are one of the types of entities that Superman has a well-established vulnerability to.
So go ahead complain all you want about how the epsidoe might have been stupid, but dont acknowledge the fact that they were teaching clark he has weakness other than kryptonite but then complain theyre not progressing him to Superman. Makes sense right?

2) you complain about flight, and the fact that they did it once they can do it again. Flight is expensive. And depending on how you define flight its only been done in the premieres where they have extra budget to work with. Moreover, all the flights have occurred when the characters havent been in their usual wardrobe, so those shots can't be reused. Not to mention its been established that until Clark embraces his kryptonian heritage he will not be able fly. So if he did, he would be breaking one of the laws that the show has laid down for itself.

3) if the show is awful, why are you watching?

1) Since when does Superman have a vulnerablity to Vampires or are you being funny?? Supermans Vulnerabilities are, Kryptonite, Magic and Running out of solar stores.

2) If they wanted to do flight they could, as people have said here they did it in every episode of Lois and Clark in the 90's so they could find a way to do it in this show. Especialy when shows like Heros has a hero who can fly in it. The whole Clark embracing his Kryptonian heritage is bull. And the Rule "no tights no flight" was a selling gimmik, in early interview with the creators of the show they were in agreement that clark would fly but it would take a while. They know that people want to see it so tease us once in a while to keep us interested. They think that once we see him flying regulary that we will stop watching.

3) I watch the show because although it has many lows when it has highs it is good. I also want to see how it ends. I wanna also see clark in the suit.