Season 7 Premiere - Bizarro (Spoilers)

[LoisL]

Very nice post. A thoughtful and thought-provoking read. Welcome to the HYPE!

Aww, thanks, TWistim. :heart: It's a breath of fresh air reading posts from this site!

I also think the verdict is still out on Supergirl. At this point it could still go either way. There's so much potential if she is written organically and not shoved down our throats. She is a flesh and blood link to Clark's family of origin and I'm really looking forward to having his Kryptonian heritage explored.

The one thing I have to disagree with you on is Bizarro. I loved Sv's take and Tom's portrayal so I'm excited about where they might further go with him. (I've never liked the comic Bizarro so I bring my own bias here.) What I find particularly intriguing in Bizarro as a foe is that he not only has super powers equal to Clark's, he also has the advantage of knowing Clark's inner thoughts and feelings. Could be really interesting!

I'm looking forward to that, too! I've also been waiting for a Lara episode since season 2 so I'm very excited now that we'll be getting so much Kryptonian backstory.t:

As for Bizarro, lol, I know a lot of fans happily differed in my opinion regarding him and that's a very good thing. I like that you've assessed what he brings to the storyline as a villain with Clark's memories etc.; I think his later appearances --which presumably will develop his plot somewhat more-- may do much to convert me.

Lex as a character in Smallville is so full and complex. He had a chance for real goodness but, with so much working against him, finally succombed to his own selfish desire and ambition, redefining in his own mind "the greater good." Yet in that moment when he faces death he acknowledges his choice and responsibility for the path he has taken. A confession worthy of redemption? Not quite, at least not a lasting one. He chooses, yet again, what's in his best interest when confronted by Bizarro, without hesitation or remorse that his decision will cost another's life.

I couldn't agree more! While there were many little things which felt lacking in SR to me, the loss of Lex Luthor's complexity was one of the worst. Kevin Spacey is a talented actor who recreated Gene Hackman's Lex very effectively but a Lex without entwined layers of goodness, ruthless ambition, tragedy and brilliant genius is a very dismissable archvillain for the world's greatest superhero.

I asked my fellow superhero lovin' cousin why she didn't respect Superman and she was like, his villains suck: why's he always fighting Lex Luthor?? I tried to explain to her that there was a poetic parallelism between Lex and Supes which makes their enmity so compelling; a super-powered alien vs. the world's greatest genius (lol, not counting Batman or other DC characters outside Superman's domestic world) - the alien choosing to be human's great friend and protector, the human genius choosing to make himself ruler of the people. And of course, the long-ranging effects they have made on each other's lives through their legendary history.

IMO Smallville is clearly the best live-action media to ever depict this....possibly, the best non-comicbook to depict the Superman-Luthor relationship. And the fact that AlMiles decided to unearth the Silver Age disastrous friendship between Superboy & Lex -and to make their journeys parallel- is something I give them unending credit for. Of course, it's hard to argue all this when facing someone who's exposure to Supes is pretty much limited to the movie series where Lex is a con artist/loud-mouthed criminal who really should by rights just be another nameless face in the bad guys crowd.

Anyway, I've gotten soooo off-topic, so I apologize. Lemme just say that Rosenbaum's Lex is reason enough to rejoice in being a Smallville fan; his story arc in Bizarro included.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Very nice post. A thoughtful and thought-provoking read. Welcome to the HYPE!

Loved your thoughts on Lana's disguise and I agree that in Sn 6 KK really delivered. I also appreciated your openness to her potential storyline in Sn 7. People, in general, seem to have especially strong feelings about Lana, either negative or positive and it is nice to hear a more unbiased and objective opinion given in regards to her.

I also think the verdict is still out on Supergirl. At this point it could still go either way but I think its shaping up nicely from the little we've seen. There is so much potential if she is written organically and not shoved down our throats. She is a flesh and blood link to Clark's family of origin and I'm really looking forward to having his Kryptonian heritage explored.

The one thing I have to disagree with you on is Bizarro. I loved Sv's take and Tom's portrayal so I'm excited about where they might further go with him. (I've never liked the comic Bizarro so I bring my own bias here.) What I find particularly intriguing in Bizarro as a foe is that he not only has super powers equal to Clark's, he also has the advantage of knowing Clark's inner thoughts and feelings. Could be really interesting!

Phil Morris is casting genius! Here's hoping they will continue to give his character more screen time this season.

Lex as a character in Smallville is so full and complex. He had a chance for real goodness but, with so much working against him, finally succombed to his own selfish desire and ambition, redefining in his own mind "the greater good." Yet in that moment when he faces death he acknowledges his choice and responsibility for the path he has taken. A confession worthy of redemption? Not quite, at least not a lasting one. He chooses, yet again, what's in his best interest when confronted by Bizarro, without hesitation or remorse that his decision will cost another's life.

So much to look forward to this season. It's gonna be a fun ride!!! t:

Same here .

 

[LoisL]

It is exciting, isn't it.
I'm glad to see you back and posting your thoughts. I really enjoy reading them.

Thank you, Serene.

I have my own Chloe issues, but I agree that her amount of helping Clark in this episode was really good. And as much as I was more rolling my eyes about ResurrectionChloe than I was over Supergirl this season, I find that I'm looking forward to seeing how they play this. I think I like Chloe more with a storyline beyond her supergoogling abilities.

I know it's sad but hearing those words brings such a contented smile to my face. I know I will like Chloe more when given the chance to converse freely on her weak points; but it's terribly stifling when all you hear is worship of Chloe, which seemed to me to be the common case online.

I agree with you re: Chloe being a bit rude in the end scene. She's very often insistently certain that she knows what's best for Clark that it's a bit confusing; I say confusing because while I have no problem with the attitude itself (Lois has it in spades) it just doesn't make that much sense IMO coming from a girl who adores him so and is as dependant on him as she is.

I've never been a Chlarker because while their friendship has been the most fruitful she just doesn't seem to match him well. Lana is very similar to Clark; especially in the early seasons where they were both gravely innocent, self-questing and altruistic beings. Their maturity level matches almost exactly and they both seem to have the same tendencies toward quiet and warmth. Lois is radically different to Clark; while their basic values of justice and family etc are shared, their personalities are at humorous odds; she's loud where he's quiet; she's rude where he's polite; she's aggressive where he's hesitant, etc etc. This dichotomy is acknowledged and celebrated for comedic value; they match as opposites. But Chloe is somewhere in-between and I think that the occasional friction/static caused by their dissimilar personalities feels strange within their closely blanketed friendship. Oh dear, I could go on about this forever and still not know what I'm trying to say...!

Oh, I thought that scene was wonderful. Lois busted in with genuine concern for Clark (having heard about Lana) and even though she threw in a classic Lois snark to him about grabbing her ass, I thought there was a much more sincere connection in that scene between them (mutually) than we've seen before. Maybe I was seeing things with biased eyes, but I really loved that exchange they had.

LOL, I'm glad you liked. I enjoyed their end scene very well but I'm accustomed to rabid fanhood over this couple, so, that's a tiny dip in appreciation. Seriously, I think it's really more a matter of pacing or placement which I have issue with. I enjoyed most of Lois scenes in S5 but I just hated how her scenes were placed within the greater story; it made her role seem meaningless except for a little laugh here and there.

Lois was amazing. Every scene she had all these emotions bubbling but she was still trying to be as strong as possible. I really liked her scenes with Clark, especially their hug. It was so heartfelt and seemed so real. Her concern over Chloe was great too.

I love Clois hugs; they're not romantic but they're good honest feeling and always so unexpected. I also always like when Lois is protective over Chloe; I think it's one of her great redeeming traits, especially perhaps in Clark's eyes. It manifests how unselfish she is; under the brashness there's a very very generous heart. :heart:

I'm glad you loved Erica in this ep, Riva. Now I'm looking forward to rewatching it more closely. Sometimes I need some encouragement after all the K-site bashing of her character gets me gloomy.

Haha! I thought the same thing!

"Somewhere Out There":

LOL, perfect quote, imdaly! I was racking my brains when that scene aired trying to figure out where I'd heard that idea before of lovers looking at the same moon or stars from different lands. Meh, maybe they should've just given in and played the cheesy old song. t:

 

[triplet]

My review's up.

http://www.kryptonsite.com/bizarroreview.htm

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

nice job trip I miss doing mine for the now defunct Kingdom

 

[triplet]

nice job trip I miss doing mine for the now defunct Kingdom

Thanks, Hulk.

I will miss reading yours...

 

[Serene]

nice job trip I miss doing mine for the now defunct Kingdom

I wish you'd still write them, and maybe just post them here and on the Planet.
I'd like to read them too.

 

[PJBoy]

My review's up.

http://www.kryptonsite.com/bizarroreview.htm

Loved this one!

 

[SamuraiSon6]

4.5 shiny silver bracelets out of 5....haha...good review triplet

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

 

[Brainiac 8]

Good job Trip,

I agree with your take on the Lex situation and also that Allison Mack just seemed a little off her game throughout the episode.

Hulk, sorry man...but yea, you should just write them up and post them here anyway.

 

[TWistim]

Great discussion going on here. So many things to comment on but everyone else has said it so well already . . . anyway, I just finished watching Bizarro again (found it on www.smallvilleepisodes.tk if anyone's interested) and I was suddenly struck by something. In the "Previously on Smallville" scenes the one which highlighted the blond "soldier" in Lex's super army was shown. This would not have been a random choice IMO. Then there's the scene where Lex is in his office, and he says, presumably about Lana whom he thinks is dead, "her half-awake smile when she saw me come in like she didn't know if she was still in a dream." Next there's his inquiry in jail when he asks about the staus of Model 503. I have been hoping that the clone story is only a rumor but I'm now beginning to wonder. Anybody else think there's something to it?

On another note I really loved this episode's musical score and, cheesy or not, I thought Kelly Clarkson's song at the end was perfectly matched to the emotional states of each character depicted in those closing scenes. Chloe, Lana, Clark and Kara are all survivors, each in their own way, forging ahead on a new and uncertain journey as they leave their past behind. It gave me chills.

 

[RakuMon]

On another note I really loved this episode's musical score and, cheesy or not, I thought Kelly Clarkson's song at the end was perfectly matched to the emotional states of each character depicted in those closing scenes. Chloe, Lana, Clark and Kara are all survivors, each in their own way, forging ahead on a new and uncertain journey as they leave their past behind. It gave me chills.

I was just about to post something about Mark Snow's music in Bizarro. GMTA, huh?

It seems over the last few seasons, the amount of pop music has reduced while Snow's scores have gained more prominence. And when a pop song is used, it's more subtle or played over a montage (which works loads better than having it play underneath actual dialogue.)

Anyway, the music that played throughout, but especially during Clark's more Supermanly moments were quite fantastic!

 

[Brainiac 8]

Great discussion going on here. So many things to comment on but everyone else has said it so well already . . . anyway, I just finished watching Bizarro again (found it on www.smallvilleepisodes.tk if anyone's interested) and I was suddenly struck by something. In the "Previously on Smallville" scenes the one which highlighted the blond "soldier" in Lex's super army was shown. This would not have been a random choice IMO. Then there's the scene where Lex is in his office, and he says, presumably about Lana whom he thinks is dead, "her half-awake smile when she saw me come in like she didn't know if she was still in a dream." Next there's his inquiry in jail when he asks about the staus of Model 503. I have been hoping that the clone story is only a rumor but I'm now beginning to wonder. Anybody else think there's something to it?

On another note I really loved this episode's musical score and, cheesy or not, I thought Kelly Clarkson's song at the end was perfectly matched to the emotional states of each character depicted in those closing scenes. Chloe, Lana, Clark and Kara are all survivors, each in their own way, forging ahead on a new and uncertain journey as they leave their past behind. It gave me chills.

Personally I wish the blonde soldier they showed was Smallville's version of Mercy...but alas, I'm thinking it is probably Clone Lana.

 

[TWistim]

My review's up.

http://www.kryptonsite.com/bizarroreview.htm

Just read your review and thought it was great, especially loved what you had to say about Clark's performance as Bizarro. :heart:

 

[ariellem]

Personally I wish the blonde soldier they showed was Smallville's version of Mercy...but alas, I'm thinking it is probably Clone Lana.

Then we'll get Clana after all: CLone LANA! ;->

 

[TWistim]

I was just about to post something about Mark Snow's music in Bizarro. GMTA, huh?

It seems over the last few seasons, the amount of pop music has reduced while Snow's scores have gained more prominence. And when a pop song is used, it's more subtle or played over a montage (which works loads better than having it play underneath actual dialogue.)

ITA

Anyway, the music that played throughout, but especially during Clark's more Supermanly moments were quite fantastic!

Yes!!! And another scene that really stood out to me was the hospital scene when they were trying to save Chloe. It was an excellent blend of camera work in the round and music to heighten the frantic nature of the moment.

 

[COMPO]

yeah, good review trip and i'm not liking the Lex redemption thing, i just don't see much point in it. Although, it did help with his grief for Lana.

 

[mellyM]

yeah, good review trip and i'm not liking the Lex redemption thing, i just don't see much point in it. Although, it did help with his grief for Lana.

I don't know, its just like Lex to think after all he's done, he's still deserving of redemption, and I always thought deep down he wished he could live a simplier life, but its just not in him, too much Luthor. I think finding out he was set up by Lana after thinking he was given another chance will push him over the evil edge for good.

 

[LadyVader]

He's likely to believe that Lana died because of him, and that may also serve as a catalyst for his change. When he finds out that it was her orchestrating the whole thing than yes, he might once and for all settle to his fate.

 

[Superfreak]

I have a feeling Lionel is in Ka-Hoots with Lana. Remember that Lex 'blew up' Chloe and her father which sent Lionel to jail. Now, Lex is being sent to jail perhaps because Lionel 'blew up' Lana. I hope it's that. Because something was bothering me about this whole Lana blowing up thing... then I realized I had already seen this cliffhanger before, like 3 or 4 years ago.

anyhow, if it turns out as I have predicted... that'd make me happy. So devilishly fiendish... that's really something that I missed last season. Lionel and Lex going to civilized war with each other. It's cool that Lionel is the emissary of Jor'el... but it takes away from the Luthor family melodrama

 

[triplet]

Loved this one!

Thanks....

4.5 shiny silver bracelets out of 5....haha...good review triplet

I hope we figure out what's so important about that bracelet. It's funny, one of my son's friends thought she was Diana because of that.

He asked, is that true?

I said, No... They've been told Wonder Woman will never be allowed in Smallville. That was Supergirl. Besides, WW has black hair anyway, not blonde. How could anyone think that's wonder woman?

Then Mr. Triplet junior watched the episode and actually liked it and he wasn't sure he was going to watch this year...

Good job Trip,

I agree with your take on the Lex situation and also that Allison Mack just seemed a little off her game throughout the episode.

She was off her game in a big way, don't know why... I think usually she woulda nailed that scene.

*shrug*

Oh, well.

Just read your review and thought it was great, especially loved what you had to say about Clark's performance as Bizarro. :heart:

:heart:

He was awesome as Bizarro!

yeah, good review trip and i'm not liking the Lex redemption thing, i just don't see much point in it. Although, it did help with his grief for Lana.

I don't know... maybe Mel has made a good point. ---- V

I don't know, its just like Lex to think after all he's done, he's still deserving of redemption, and I always thought deep down he wished he could live a simplier life, but its just not in him, too much Luthor. I think finding out he was set up by Lana after thinking he was given another chance will push him over the evil edge for good.

Oooh... Good point. Maybe that's what they're up to.

I hope so, otherwise it's just lame.

 

[DvilDog]

My review's up.

http://www.kryptonsite.com/bizarroreview.htm

excellent review trip as usual. While I dont always agree with you..... wait thats wrong. Since i always agree with everything you say, reading your reviews are always a fun thing to do. Not sure why we view everything pretty much the same, but hey I just go with it. Great review.

 

[avidreader]

I hope we figure out what's so important about that bracelet. It's funny, one of my son's friends thought she was Diana because of that.

I wondered if the bracelet protects her from kryptonite poisoning. Isnt Zor-el a Geologist or something? Anyway, they seem to have some significance.

 

[Kaboom]

nice review trip.