Is Clark Kent / Superman on SMALLVILLE, not as powerful/smart as you would think?

[user123456789]

Clark Kent aka Kal-El aka Superman has been on earth and exposed to a yellow sun for at least 10+ years now.

Most of the time, when I watch the show, I feel like he can and should do so much more, whether its physically or mentally.

Frequently I see Clark's expression show that of someone struggling, when I would think 99% of the stuff he's done on SMALLVILLE should be a piece of cake for the comic book or movie Superman.

Also, isn't he supposed to be super intelligent? (among his dozen other qualities)..... Why is he such a dumbass all the time?

Do TPTB downgrade Clarks abilities, on purpose? If so, why?

Anyone agree? Disagree?

Discuss..

 

[04nbod]

they have to downgrade him to create drama- we can't all think he will come in and flick the enemy into submission

 

[user123456789]

they have to downgrade him to create drama- we can't all think he will come in and flick the enemy into submission

LOL that reminds me of the JLU or Superman cartoon (can't remember which) where he literally flicked a giant talking gorilla across a football field with his finger, while being strangled!!

That's how strong Superman should be!

 

[Kaboom]

his poers ar still developing

 

[triplet]

If it were too easy for Clark to beat his foes, wouldn't that make his fights boring?

Why would anyone want that?

 

[AgentPat]

If it were too easy for Clark to beat his foes, wouldn't that make his fights boring?

Why would anyone want that?

I don't think fanboys know what they want.

One group argues the fights are too short - "that was too easy," yada yada.
Another group argues Clark should be stronger, faster, smarter....

Just sit back and watch the blinkin' lights I say. Enjoy the show.

 

[jr24tw]

I think Clark has become 'dumber' over the Seasons. I liked him way more back in S1/2 where his decisions were a lot smarter than now. He also was a lot mature in how he handled things.

But it's been getting worse over the last 2 Seasons especially. This Season though is the worst. Everyone has to tell him what to do and how to do it. I'm really waiting for the episode where Chloe takes him by the hand, stands him on front of a door and goes: 'Look Clark...this is what you will do.' Of course everyone's opinion is different but sometimes I feel like Chloe is Clark's brain. And I dunno why it has to be that way.

But hey it works for Chloe/Chlark fans. I just don't get why Clark fans sometimes accept things the way they are.

 

[Eros]

If it were too easy for Clark to beat his foes, wouldn't that make his fights boring?

Why would anyone want that?

Very true, one should note in the silver age comics when clark was 20 years old, he was strong enough to move earth size planets easily, and travel to other galaxies unaided in a few mins .

 

[user123456789]

I think Clark has become 'dumber' over the Seasons. I liked him way more back in S1/2 where his decisions were a lot smarter than now. He also was a lot mature in how he handled things.

But it's been getting worse over the last 2 Seasons especially. This Season though is the worst. Everyone has to tell him what to do and how to do it. I'm really waiting for the episode where Chloe takes him by the hand, stands him on front of a door and goes: 'Look Clark...this is what you will do.' Of course everyone's opinion is different but sometimes I feel like Chloe is Clark's brain. And I dunno why it has to be that way.

But hey it works for Chloe/Chlark fans. I just don't get why Clark fans sometimes accept things the way they are.

He really started going downhill after his dad died.

 

[Eros]

LOL that reminds me of the JLU or Superman cartoon (can't remember which) where he literally flicked a giant talking gorilla across a football field with his finger, while being strangled!!

That's how strong Superman should be!

JLU animated superman got his ass kicked by a guy with wind powers. Did you miss the first season of the Justice League series, when superman got is ass handed to him by everyone?

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

I think people often confuse Clark being bullheaded and head strong with him being "dumb." In the comics, Superman has always been bullheaded and head strong. Batman calls him on it all the time. He's intelligent in an academic sense but he's not some calculating master planner like the Bat, and sometimes that gets Superman into trouble, like we saw the other night when Clark bowled his way into a room full of Kryptonite.

As for his powers, he hasnt fully embraced them yet so who knows what level they'll eventually get to, but I would guess he'll wind up more like the depowered Post-crisis version as opposed to a guy who can play volleyball with the moon....

That's also one of the reasons for the proliferation of Kryptonite on the show too, as it gives him a worthy adversary from week to week since they cant go the Super villain, or army of robots route quite yet, and creates some kind of drama.

 

[Brainiac 2009]

The only incarnation where Superman has had incredible intelligence (booksmarts) was the Donner/Singer films. Jor-El thought him practically everything about the universe and science but he sucks as basic stuff like love.

In Smallville, he seems to rely on Chloe heavily for the intelligence aspect but he hasnt been trained by Jor-El yet, so who knows.

 

[Eros]

The only incarnation where Superman has had incredible intelligence (booksmarts) was the Donner/Singer films. Jor-El thought him practically everything about the universe and science but he sucks as basic stuff like love.

In Smallville, he seems to rely on Chloe heavily for the intelligence aspect but he hasnt been trained by Jor-El yet, so who knows.

The silver-age of comics you fool, superman was a super-genuis, and had a lab in the fotress. Also in recent superman comics, superman has some of those genuis smarts back as well.

 

[Brainiac 2009]

I was refering to TV/movie media incarnations (not the comics). Yes I have plenty of silver age comics where Superman is a genius and it was obviously the inspiration for Donner.

Supermans been everything in the comics.

 

[Eros]

I was refering to TV/movie media incarnations (not the comics). Yes I have plenty of silver age comics where Superman is a genius and it was obviously the inspiration for Donner.

Supermans been everything in the comics.

In Lois and Clark superman was super-smart and had a computer like mind as well. He also had a computer like mind in Superman the animated series. Not to mention in those verisions he traveled the world after highschool, and you got yourself a really smart man.

 

[Brainiac 2009]

Disagree, in both those versions he wasnt trained by Jor-El and was more driven by raw emotion, worldly experience and instinct over the level of all-knowing intelligence from those silver age comics;

Eg; "The Clash" featuring Captain Marvel and how Superman was driven into Lex's setup because of his overwhelming hatred for Lex.

 

[bad3appels]

we don`t call him BDA for nothing..
he is not only dumb but he is also a ******...he has a 12 year old intelligence quotient,everybody have to tell him what to do ..he doesn`t know what he wants,he is confused about everything, he sucks
i can`t believe i just said that about my favor character.

 

[Maxum]

I think Clark has become 'dumber' over the Seasons. I liked him way more back in S1/2 where his decisions were a lot smarter than now. He also was a lot mature in how he handled things.

But it's been getting worse over the last 2 Seasons especially. This Season though is the worst. Everyone has to tell him what to do and how to do it. I'm really waiting for the episode where Chloe takes him by the hand, stands him on front of a door and goes: 'Look Clark...this is what you will do.' Of course everyone's opinion is different but sometimes I feel like Chloe is Clark's brain. And I dunno why it has to be that way.

But hey it works for Chloe/Chlark fans. I just don't get why Clark fans sometimes accept things the way they are.

I couldn't disagree with you more. I think the last two seasons have really showed a shift in Clark. In season one, Clark Kent was far more naive and unsure of himself and his burgeoning abilities. He needed his parents constant guidance and assurance, and he was always leery of Lionel Luthor - all of which makes sense, since he was only a 15 year old teenager.

In season 5 and now in season 6, Clark has emerged far more confident - in both his confrontations with his adversaries and his handle on his powers and abilities. I don't recall Clark going toe-to-toe with Lionel Luthor the way he did when Lionel first found out about his abilities. Clark momentarily stepped out of his "good-guy" role, and was down right menacing to Lionel. Also, I don't recall anybody being able to "snow" Clark as of late. He's nobody's fool. Since he's father's death (and even before), Clark has had to make his own decisions. He works with Chloe to gather information. Clark's brain? Um, no. Clark's friend and confidant? Absolutely.

Eh. There are those who want to see Superman now, and there are those who are content to wait patiently until the series winds down. Once he becomes Superman, the show is over. I have a feeling next year will be the Superman year. Until then, I'm enjoying the transformation and growth of this character.

 

[triplet]

I couldn't disagree with you more. I think the last two seasons have really showed a shift in Clark. In season one, Clark Kent was far more naive and unsure of himself and his burgeoning abilities. He needed his parents constant guidance and assurance, and he was always leery of Lionel Luthor - all of which makes sense, since he was only a 15 year old teenager.

In season 5 and now in season 6, Clark has emerged far more confident - in both his confrontations with his adversaries and his handle on his powers and abilities. I don't recall Clark going toe-to-toe with Lionel Luthor the way he did when Lionel first found out about his abilities. Clark momentarily stepped out of his "good-guy" role, and was down right menacing to Lionel. Also, I don't recall anybody being able to "snow" Clark as of late. He's nobody's fool. Since he's father's death (and even before), Clark has had to make his own decisions. He works with Chloe to gather information. Clark's brain? Um, no. Clark's friend and confidant? Absolutely.

Eh. There are those who want to see Superman now, and there are those who are content to wait patiently until the series winds down. Once he becomes Superman, the show is over. I have a feeling next year will be the Superman year. Until then, I'm enjoying the transformation and growth of this character.

I agree with you, Maxum... Clark isn't dumb. You've made some good points.

Welcome to the hype!

 

[avidreader]

Great post Maxum and welcome to the Boards.

I roll my eyes every time I see this question asked, because people just seem to refuse to listen to the actual dialogue that takes place in the show and just want to jump to conclusions, but I've grown tired of the spiel, so its great to see someone new on Board who still has the patience to do it.



For those who havent realised it, Chloe has alove for research. She works at the Daily Planet where with a simple click she's able to bring up anything she wants. Clark's the one that feeds her the questions, the ideas and the strategies and takes the action. If you take notice you'll see it all there in the dialogue.

Okay, so I had one more spiel. I couldnt help myself.

 

[thebigtree95]

He's not powerful enough, He's too powerful, why's he always so quick to make a decision and then it gets him in trouble, why's he so slow to react, just do it, you can't get hurt...

Just some of the angles that people see and a neverending arguement for Superman's character.

Who's to say he's always at a peak level of performance 24/7, maybe he's like us when he gets out of bed, or he is just sitting around relaxing, hills and valleys of stamina. I've long been of the belief that yeah he could be more powerful than everything combined on Earth, but he'd have to have absorbed so much solar energy that the sun would have long burned out.

Wouldn't it be boring if he was the same all the time, calculated every fight and Fool's Mate, it's over.

I like a little variety in my life.

 

[user123456789]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

 

[\S/JcDc\S/]

I think Clark has become 'dumber' over the Seasons. I liked him way more back in S1/2 where his decisions were a lot smarter than now. He also was a lot mature in how he handled things.

But it's been getting worse over the last 2 Seasons especially. This Season though is the worst. Everyone has to tell him what to do and how to do it. I'm really waiting for the episode where Chloe takes him by the hand, stands him on front of a door and goes: 'Look Clark...this is what you will do.' Of course everyone's opinion is different but sometimes I feel like Chloe is Clark's brain. And I dunno why it has to be that way.

But hey it works for Chloe/Chlark fans. I just don't get why Clark fans sometimes accept things the way they are.

I think Welling just has a bit of a surfer look ala Keanu Reeves where even though he might not be dumb, he certainly can have that blank stare suggesting it is so.

 

[AgentPat]

I should know better by now not to peek. I feel like I just stepped into three years ago. *sigh*

I think Welling just has a bit of a surfer look ala Keanu Reeves where even though he might not be dumb, he certainly can have that blank stare suggesting it is so.

Welling? Or Clark? There's a huge difference.

Decisions involving wardrobe, make-up and hair style are determined by the requirements for the character. Appropriate facial expressions - even "blank stares" - are determined by the script and the director. As an actor, Welling's developed a pretty good handle on expressing just the right amount of emotion for Clark, a character that even John Glover said was difficult to play...


(1024x768)

 

[M.E.H.Z.E.B]

Whoa! I finally got my time machine working!!!

JcDc and AgentPat dueling it out over Tom "Smallville's Clark" Welling... (again!)

I must warn you guys though - anybody starts something, and I'll be the one who finishes it.

Oh, btw... here's my 2 cents on the topic:

I think the whole point of Smallville is to show how Clark Kent actually develops into the man we all know and love. It's his journey from a teenager to the Man of Steel. Drawing arguments from Lois & Clark, and S:TAS, are quite pointless in my view, because those shows focused on a mature, already established Clark Kent. In Smallville, CK still hasnt figured out his destiny, and without his training with Jor-El, or his eventual voyage across the world, we should not expect him to be anything other than someone who is not entirely sure about what to do with his gifts. As the season wears on, his maturity should/will eventually show, as we move closer and closer to his eventual emergence as Superman.