Of Angels and Devils: Symbolic imagery in SMALLVILLE

Hey trip - I'm on my way out.. but wasn't there a scene we talked about way back when that was very Pieta'-like? I remember because it's one of my favorite art pieces and we posted a picture of it in comparison.. I think. :confused:
 
Serene said:
Hey trip - I'm on my way out.. but wasn't there a scene we talked about way back when that was very Pieta'-like? I remember because it's one of my favorite art pieces and we posted a picture of it in comparison.. I think. :confused:
This one?

slumber3.jpg


:D

There's also the scene in Crusade, right after the Clark and Kal-El struggle. Martha comforts an exhausted but reposed Clark on the cave floor. She holds his head and brushes his hair off his face as the camera dollies back and the scene fades out. I don't have that cap handy, but it's quite nice. :)
 
Here's a few from "Crisis", the first one leads into the second. Sort of appropraite for Good Friday no?

normal_crisis_0491.jpg


normal_crisis_0517.jpg


crisis_0528.jpg
 
This thread is one of the best threads Ive seen in a long time. Good work people.
 
AgentPat said:
This one?

slumber3.jpg


:D

That's the one. :up:

AgentPat said:
There's also the scene in Crusade, right after the Clark and Kal-El struggle. Martha comforts an exhausted but reposed Clark on the cave floor. She holds his head and brushes his hair off his face as the camera dollies back and the scene fades out. I don't have that cap handy, but it's quite nice. :)

You mean this one?

crusade5004sc.jpg
 
darkzombiemutt said:
This thread is one of the best threads Ive seen in a long time. Good work people.
DITTO!! I'm really enjoying the photos in this thread.

triplet said:
You mean this one?

crusade5004sc.jpg
Yup, that's it. It's not as "Pieta'-ish" as the other one, but it still has that deep, emotional feel. I dunno. Yeah, I'm reaching, but I do love that scene. :)
 
AgentPat said:
DITTO!! I'm really enjoying the photos in this thread.

Yup, that's it. It's not as "Pieta'-ish" as the other one, but it still has that deep, emotional feel. I dunno. Yeah, I'm reaching, but I do love that scene. :)

Yeah, me too..

:sigh:
 
"Resurrection" - Martha and/or Clark are always shown near this window in the hospital. Lex and Lionel are usually never seen near it unless its with Clark.

normal_resurrection_0431.jpg


"Truth"
normal_truth_0383.jpg
 
now compare this to a typical Luthor scene backdrop:

"Skinwalker" - the "demonic" face

normal_Skinwalker_200.jpg


"Precipice"

Precipice_712.jpg


nothing good ever happens by the fireplace.... The only time Clark was scene near it is when he was on Red K
 
Dear God I love this show. It's just so smart!

Great thread...don't know why I haven't checked it out until this morning.
 
The Incredible Hulk said:
"Resurrection" - Martha and/or Clark are always shown near this window in the hospital. Lex and Lionel are usually never seen near it unless its with Clark.

normal_resurrection_0431.jpg


"Truth"
normal_truth_0383.jpg

Well, as long as we're going all "X-Files"-ish here looking for symbolic imagery and hidden meanings...:D

I've always thought TPTB/SV delighted in the little "inside jokes" and meanings through out the series.

For example (and as pointed out by many others in this thread), there's the whole "messiah" connection thing going on. In the pictures above I think an obvious one pops out. In both pictures the cherub (little angel) is in the presence of those who know "the secret" (Ma, Pete, and of course Clark), and is clearly (to me anyway) acknowledging that fact ("Shhhhh, its a secret").

However, note in the first picture, the camera angle is such that the little angel appears to actually be facing directly at Ma and Pete. He (the angel) is addressing them directly ("Shhhhh").

In the second picture (and in the presence of the "messiah") the camera angle is such that the angel appears to be averting his gaze downward as though he is unworthy to look at Clark directly. But his message is still the same ("Shhhh, its still a secret").

OK there boyz and girlz, if you think that's a stretch, wait until my next post. (See below)

Disclaimer: All discussions of this show comparing Clark to a messiah, Jesus, Christ, etc are just that...discussions; and as such, are not intended to profane, libel, or otherwise denigrate any actual messiahs (living, dead or otherwise), or other religious icons, or likewise any other supernatural beings, in any form or manner, either printed or spoken, and such comments are to be taken as scholarly discussion only. Further, any reproduction or rebroadcast of this telecast, except with the express written permission of Smallville Minor League Baseball is strictly prohibited.

(had to get that out there...after the elections and this weeks events its not easy being a Agnostic of Branch Vader anymore. Might need to get back in the old "broom closet" again! :D)
 
Squatlow said:
Well, as long as we're going all "X-Files"-ish here looking for symbolic imagery and hidden meanings...:D

I've always thought TPTB/SV delighted in the little "inside jokes" and meanings through out the series.

For example (and as pointed out by many others in this thread), there's the whole "messiah" connection thing going on. In the pictures above I think an obvious one pops out. In both pictures the cherub (little angel) is in the presence of those who know "the secret" (Ma, Pete, and of course Clark), and is clearly (to me anyway) acknowledging that fact ("Shhhhh, its a secret").

However, note in the first picture, the camera angle is such that the little angel appears to actually be facing directly at Ma and Pete. He (the angel) is addressing them directly ("Shhhhh").

In the second picture (and in the presence of the "messiah") the camera angle is such that the angel appears to be averting his gaze downward as though he is unworthy to look at Clark directly. But his message is still the same ("Shhhh, its still a secret").

OK there boyz and girlz, if you think that's a stretch, wait until my next post. (See below)

Interesting... Never noticed any of this stuff.

Squatlow said:
Disclaimer: All discussions of this show comparing Clark to a messiah, Jesus, Christ, etc are just that...discussions; and as such, are not intended to profane, libel, or otherwise denigrate any actual messiahs (living, dead or otherwise), or other religious icons, or likewise any other supernatural beings, in any form or manner, either printed or spoken, and such comments are to be taken as scholarly discussion only. Further, any reproduction or rebroadcast of this telecast, except with the express written permission of Smallville Minor League Baseball is strictly prohibited.

(had to get that out there...after the elections and this weeks events its not easy being a Agnostic of Branch Vader anymore. Might need to get back in the old "broom closet" again! :D)

That disclaimer is frickin' hilarious! :D

You always crack me up....
 
The Incredible Hulk said:
"Precipice"
Precipice_712.jpg

Now for some real fun...

Please note the painting on the wall through the doorway in the upper right quadrant (good scifi word; quadrant!) of the picture.

Someone with the right software, please zoom in, repixillate, enhance, clarify, etc..etc the picture and tell me thats not good ole' Supes from the waist up, facing right with his cape kinda blowing around him. I've seen several examples of that kind of inside "wink" that I think they (TPTB/SV) stick in the background as "easter eggs" for the fans. Hey, how appropriate is that as today is Easter! (Old Pagan holiday for the record...hey no flames, just fact).

To the one with the right software; we await your brilliant discovery with shock and awe.
 
Squatlow said:
Disclaimer: All discussions of this show comparing Clark to a messiah, Jesus, Christ, etc are just that...discussions; and as such, are not intended to profane, libel, or otherwise denigrate any actual messiahs (living, dead or otherwise), or other religious icons, or likewise any other supernatural beings, in any form or manner, either printed or spoken, and such comments are to be taken as scholarly discussion only. Further, any reproduction or rebroadcast of this telecast, except with the express written permission of Smallville Minor League Baseball is strictly prohibited.
HAHAHAHAH!!! :up: :up: :up:

Squatlow said:
...To the one with the right software; we await your brilliant discovery with shock and awe.
Well, I'm trying to see it, but it's like looking at one of those ink blot psych tests and only seeing butterflies. LOL Here's the enlarged version...

memoria-a.jpg


They're always throwing some nondescript paintings in the background, especially in Lex's mansion. Here's a nice one from Memoria...

memoria-b.jpg


Also from Memoria, this one kinda looks like they were trying to convey the dragon and St. George story...

memoria-c.jpg


I tend to notice the statues more. Last one, from Memoria as well...

memoria-d.jpg


Interesting composition. I'd say they were definitely making a statement with this one. *giggle*
 
Serene said:
Yeah.. thanks. And just for comparison, here's the "original." ;)

Pieta.JPG

:sigh:

That's one of my favorites ever. I love that sculpture.
 
nice catches :up: I was away most of the weekend, but I'll see what else I can dig up if I get the chance today..
 
The Incredible Hulk said:
nice catches :up: I was away most of the weekend, but I'll see what else I can dig up if I get the chance today..
One came to mind this morning, but I don't have the cap handy. I can make it later if nobody else does before me. It's quick, so you have to be ready for it...

In the teaser to Exodus (before the opening credits), Clark goes to the storm cellar when he hears Jor-El's voice. The ship changes shape, rotates, and does some pretty neat things before becoming a globe. Well, right after it stands on edge, it very clearly becomes the shape of a cross. It's pretty unmistakable, but it quickly changes so as not to make it too overt.
 
The Incredible Hulk said:
this one?

normal_Exodus_013.jpg
Yeah, that's the scene. That's pretty good, but there's an even *better* one as the camera pulls around behind the ship and you see Clark in the background. That's the one I was thinking about. I'll cap it tonight. :D

Either way though, see what I mean about it being rather obvious? LOL ;)
 
Another angle on an all-too familiar scene...

pilot4.jpg


Behind the scenes...

pilot5.jpg


pilot7.jpg
pilot6.jpg


Looks pretty freakin' cold! ;)
 

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