Smallville 8.09 Abyss
Nov. 15th, 2008 10:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bop_radarThis episode did not have a promising title but it delivered way more than I expected, but was not without its (very) controversial aspects.
Chloe
I knew this episode had no Lois so I expected to be bored. I was not bored! The teaser established the premise of the episode and I was impressed by the effects used to reflect Chloe's memory loss but I wasn't thrilled about the premise itself. I didn't honestly expect to be in a different place at the end of the episode than at the start. Perhaps I am too used to the Smallville of old! I also didn't expect to be moved by Chloe's story because I long ago stopped caring, I thought. But I was! This episode actually managed to evoke the Chloe I remember loving. *jawdrop*
The parts I was startlingly moved by were her losing her memory of learning about Clark's powers and then losing the first kiss (which was adorably reenacted!). This journey back through Chloe's past really made me think about her development over the seasons and the point where it lost me. And it was her knowledge of Clark's powers that were the biggest problem. Not at first, because at the time Clark so desperately needed someone to know that I was happy about it. I remember being moved that Alicia gave him that as her final gift. However, the effect on Chloe's character, the weight and burden of that knowledge, proved problematic. To me, she became increasingly unlikeable: possessive, controlling, demanding, self-righteous. She idolised Clark to an unhealthy degree.
One of the things I loved about this episode was that it put all that in context. Clark was already very important to Chloe--she'd crushed on him at a young, impressionable age and they were best friends with romantic subtext. But when she found out about his powers that solidified his position as the central figure in her subconscious, a position not even her (loved) fiance could shake. I found that so true to what I've seen on the show. I believe Chloe loves Jimmy but that does not make her a good girlfriend automatically, and it also does not mean she doesn't still prioritise Clark over him.
From an internal character perspective, Chloe's knowledge of Clark's powers has cost her a LOT. I stopped caring, but if I did care, I would say that it has isolated her from others, cost her her career and reshaped her ambitions around someone else rather than living her own life. It has endangered her life continually, and combined with her meteor power brought her close to death. It nearly cost her her soon-to-be marriage.
I completely understand and admire why Clark chose to erase Chloe's knowledge of his powers. I *know* there will be outcry from fandom, but I love it. I see it as a mature decision on his part. Yes, it's deciding something for another person and it's probably not what Chloe would herself choose. But Clark's looking at the bigger picture here. And his act is selfless: he will miss her. But he's also learned to function without her now. Gone are the days when he ran to her for advice on every small crisis. He's an independent thinker and one who utilises fully his ability to reflect deeply on things. YAY YAY YAY! \o/
I'm loving Davis still. I was fascinated to see a shift in confidence in this episode. I do not know yet what decisions he has made regarding his powers--perhaps no deliberate ones yet--but this played to me as if the mere fact of having an invincibility had made him more assertive and then, towards the end of the episode, pushier. That was really well acted by Witner who is managing to tread a great line between being likeable and creepy now. The final scene really made it seem like a new identity was growing in Davis. He says he tries to be the good guy and return Chloe to Jimmy: that is definitely the Davis we first met. Feora's attack seems to have kickstarted a new, more conscious, demanding persona, that won't take no for an answer. That's sort of what I thought might happen and I'm finding it interesting to watch.
And yay PURPOSE for the whole Davis/Chloe plot! Though it did amuse me that Brainiac really wanted to make out with Doom. :D (I still really wish someone would write fic that explored Brainiac's strange voyeuristic sexuality. I swear he has one!)
You've made great progress, my son
Now let's talk about the REALLY COOL part of the episode. :D The Fortress! AI!Jor-El! \o/ LOVE! I have waited YEARS for this scene and omg, the payoff was brilliant. We got no less than THREE Fortress scenes.
Overlooking Clark's first pissy and completely inaccurate claim that he had wanted to learn about his destiny and Jor-El had 'torn it away', his behaviour in the Fortress was EXEMPLORY. Clark honey, I buy that *now* you've plausibly reached a place where you do want to know about your powers and maybe even (SHOCK!) actually do your training (though I doubt we'll get that far...) but last season you were still showing no interest. Ah well, it gave Jor-El a chance to explain clearly the Fortress's self-destruct mechanism, one which seems entirely sensible.
I love, love, love that Clark was able to articulate exactly what Jor-El had done. OMG, he really thought about it! Yes, Jor-El was willing to sacrifice his only son if he became a danger to the world. For Clark, of course that knowledge hurts at some level. But here he handles it with such dignity. He understands personal sacrifice so well and when he says that he understands now 'what it truly means to protect people' I completely believe him because we've seen it, and the follow up clause 'not just my friends and family' made me even happier.
I must say I was VERY amused at the 'you treat me like an enemy'/'your trials have matured you' exchange. And I know how happy it will make some fans (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
latxcvi?!) that Clark asserts that Jor-El punishes him and treats him like an enemy. I disagree that AI!Jor-El ever saw Clark as an enemy and his 'punishing' has often been misconstrued--he frequently tried to warn Clark of the consequences of his actions, consequences Jor-El was powerless to control, but Clark ignored him. If Clark constructs that as punishment it's not strictly accurate. Some things were more direct (icicle!) so I give Clark a pass on the 'punish' part of that statement. I also am completely onboard with him telling AI!Jor-El to trust him now. Atta boy! And I love that AI!Jor-El didn't bother arguing about the past--he immediately recognises the shift in Clark and validates it. This completely confirms my long-held view that if Clark would stop screaming around like a rebellious teenager in the Fortress, he'd see that the AI was not his enemy.
So. With the slate clean, adult Clark and the AI discuss the situation. Clark wants help with Chloe/Briainac. As usual, the AI lays out what he can do but also the fact that there may be unforeseen risks involved. Usually Clark rashly ignores these, but in this case I feel he really thought about it, and accepted that. Of course, the consequence in this case turns out to be the Fortress being infected by Brainiac. So Clark loses his father just as he finally accepted him.
The AI accepts Clark's decision and also acknowledges what a big step it was for Clark to suggest that Chloe not remember his identity. This is the type of intereaction I've always wanted them to have--instead of AI trying to advise and being accused of being cruel and unfeeling, Clark acting selflessly and maturely and the AI demonstrated the closest thing to programmed 'sympathy'.
I was already thrilled by the progress made in this episode but the final scene completely blew me away. Clark did not begin by YELLING! He said 'Jor-El' really calmly! And then the words I thought I would NEVER hear--a thank you--a sincere thank you!--came out of his mouth. OMG Clark! Usually when the Fortress does something you want you ignore it until the unforeseen consequences bite and then you return only to scream in rage at how annoyed you are that it did what you asked.
More than that, Clark comes to the Fortress to commune emotionally with the AI! He admits his feelings maturely--he has lost a lot. And the AI IMMEDIATELY recognises that AND goes further and asks him what is on his mind. OMG I LOVE THE AI SO MUCH! When Clark interacts with it like an adult, it is completely awesome. This is the potential it always had but which we never saw because Clark and the Kents were too busy being fearful of it--the Fortress can be a place where Clark goes to think about the problems he faces. \o/ He also gets useful information.
Now let us pause for a tear of happiness at these lines:
'I am here for you as well, my son.'
'Thank you... Father.'
WOW.
Let us not speak of the subsequent Brianiac infection. It sucks, but let's face it, we've been there done that. It will all come good again, I'm sure.
Chloe
I knew this episode had no Lois so I expected to be bored. I was not bored! The teaser established the premise of the episode and I was impressed by the effects used to reflect Chloe's memory loss but I wasn't thrilled about the premise itself. I didn't honestly expect to be in a different place at the end of the episode than at the start. Perhaps I am too used to the Smallville of old! I also didn't expect to be moved by Chloe's story because I long ago stopped caring, I thought. But I was! This episode actually managed to evoke the Chloe I remember loving. *jawdrop*
The parts I was startlingly moved by were her losing her memory of learning about Clark's powers and then losing the first kiss (which was adorably reenacted!). This journey back through Chloe's past really made me think about her development over the seasons and the point where it lost me. And it was her knowledge of Clark's powers that were the biggest problem. Not at first, because at the time Clark so desperately needed someone to know that I was happy about it. I remember being moved that Alicia gave him that as her final gift. However, the effect on Chloe's character, the weight and burden of that knowledge, proved problematic. To me, she became increasingly unlikeable: possessive, controlling, demanding, self-righteous. She idolised Clark to an unhealthy degree.
One of the things I loved about this episode was that it put all that in context. Clark was already very important to Chloe--she'd crushed on him at a young, impressionable age and they were best friends with romantic subtext. But when she found out about his powers that solidified his position as the central figure in her subconscious, a position not even her (loved) fiance could shake. I found that so true to what I've seen on the show. I believe Chloe loves Jimmy but that does not make her a good girlfriend automatically, and it also does not mean she doesn't still prioritise Clark over him.
From an internal character perspective, Chloe's knowledge of Clark's powers has cost her a LOT. I stopped caring, but if I did care, I would say that it has isolated her from others, cost her her career and reshaped her ambitions around someone else rather than living her own life. It has endangered her life continually, and combined with her meteor power brought her close to death. It nearly cost her her soon-to-be marriage.
I completely understand and admire why Clark chose to erase Chloe's knowledge of his powers. I *know* there will be outcry from fandom, but I love it. I see it as a mature decision on his part. Yes, it's deciding something for another person and it's probably not what Chloe would herself choose. But Clark's looking at the bigger picture here. And his act is selfless: he will miss her. But he's also learned to function without her now. Gone are the days when he ran to her for advice on every small crisis. He's an independent thinker and one who utilises fully his ability to reflect deeply on things. YAY YAY YAY! \o/
I'm loving Davis still. I was fascinated to see a shift in confidence in this episode. I do not know yet what decisions he has made regarding his powers--perhaps no deliberate ones yet--but this played to me as if the mere fact of having an invincibility had made him more assertive and then, towards the end of the episode, pushier. That was really well acted by Witner who is managing to tread a great line between being likeable and creepy now. The final scene really made it seem like a new identity was growing in Davis. He says he tries to be the good guy and return Chloe to Jimmy: that is definitely the Davis we first met. Feora's attack seems to have kickstarted a new, more conscious, demanding persona, that won't take no for an answer. That's sort of what I thought might happen and I'm finding it interesting to watch.
And yay PURPOSE for the whole Davis/Chloe plot! Though it did amuse me that Brainiac really wanted to make out with Doom. :D (I still really wish someone would write fic that explored Brainiac's strange voyeuristic sexuality. I swear he has one!)
You've made great progress, my son
Now let's talk about the REALLY COOL part of the episode. :D The Fortress! AI!Jor-El! \o/ LOVE! I have waited YEARS for this scene and omg, the payoff was brilliant. We got no less than THREE Fortress scenes.
Overlooking Clark's first pissy and completely inaccurate claim that he had wanted to learn about his destiny and Jor-El had 'torn it away', his behaviour in the Fortress was EXEMPLORY. Clark honey, I buy that *now* you've plausibly reached a place where you do want to know about your powers and maybe even (SHOCK!) actually do your training (though I doubt we'll get that far...) but last season you were still showing no interest. Ah well, it gave Jor-El a chance to explain clearly the Fortress's self-destruct mechanism, one which seems entirely sensible.
I love, love, love that Clark was able to articulate exactly what Jor-El had done. OMG, he really thought about it! Yes, Jor-El was willing to sacrifice his only son if he became a danger to the world. For Clark, of course that knowledge hurts at some level. But here he handles it with such dignity. He understands personal sacrifice so well and when he says that he understands now 'what it truly means to protect people' I completely believe him because we've seen it, and the follow up clause 'not just my friends and family' made me even happier.
I must say I was VERY amused at the 'you treat me like an enemy'/'your trials have matured you' exchange. And I know how happy it will make some fans (
latxcvi?!) that Clark asserts that Jor-El punishes him and treats him like an enemy. I disagree that AI!Jor-El ever saw Clark as an enemy and his 'punishing' has often been misconstrued--he frequently tried to warn Clark of the consequences of his actions, consequences Jor-El was powerless to control, but Clark ignored him. If Clark constructs that as punishment it's not strictly accurate. Some things were more direct (icicle!) so I give Clark a pass on the 'punish' part of that statement. I also am completely onboard with him telling AI!Jor-El to trust him now. Atta boy! And I love that AI!Jor-El didn't bother arguing about the past--he immediately recognises the shift in Clark and validates it. This completely confirms my long-held view that if Clark would stop screaming around like a rebellious teenager in the Fortress, he'd see that the AI was not his enemy.So. With the slate clean, adult Clark and the AI discuss the situation. Clark wants help with Chloe/Briainac. As usual, the AI lays out what he can do but also the fact that there may be unforeseen risks involved. Usually Clark rashly ignores these, but in this case I feel he really thought about it, and accepted that. Of course, the consequence in this case turns out to be the Fortress being infected by Brainiac. So Clark loses his father just as he finally accepted him.
The AI accepts Clark's decision and also acknowledges what a big step it was for Clark to suggest that Chloe not remember his identity. This is the type of intereaction I've always wanted them to have--instead of AI trying to advise and being accused of being cruel and unfeeling, Clark acting selflessly and maturely and the AI demonstrated the closest thing to programmed 'sympathy'.
I was already thrilled by the progress made in this episode but the final scene completely blew me away. Clark did not begin by YELLING! He said 'Jor-El' really calmly! And then the words I thought I would NEVER hear--a thank you--a sincere thank you!--came out of his mouth. OMG Clark! Usually when the Fortress does something you want you ignore it until the unforeseen consequences bite and then you return only to scream in rage at how annoyed you are that it did what you asked.
More than that, Clark comes to the Fortress to commune emotionally with the AI! He admits his feelings maturely--he has lost a lot. And the AI IMMEDIATELY recognises that AND goes further and asks him what is on his mind. OMG I LOVE THE AI SO MUCH! When Clark interacts with it like an adult, it is completely awesome. This is the potential it always had but which we never saw because Clark and the Kents were too busy being fearful of it--the Fortress can be a place where Clark goes to think about the problems he faces. \o/ He also gets useful information.
Now let us pause for a tear of happiness at these lines:
'I am here for you as well, my son.'
'Thank you... Father.'
WOW.
Let us not speak of the subsequent Brianiac infection. It sucks, but let's face it, we've been there done that. It will all come good again, I'm sure.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-11-15 12:53 am (UTC)when she found out about his powers that solidified his position as the central figure in her subconscious.
Wow, this is really powerful. But yes. Funny to me, since I started the show with him already solidified there for her, and since he is the central person on the show for me, now anyway, I accepted his role in her life. I think what won me over with Chloe last year, after Bizarro broke my shipper heart so thoroughly, was her devotion to Clark. That she knew him better than anyone. It killed me in this episode to see her memories of him taken away and then for Davis--Davis!--to have that role as central in her subconcious. And nothing against Davis, either, he is really, really growing on me.
He's an independent thinker and one who utilises fully his ability to reflect deeply on things.
Yes, Bop but he's soooooo lonely! No one knows him know. I guess that's right for Superman, but now I'm just feeling for Clark. He reminds me so of Lee Adama. Everyone walking away from him, leaving just like he said. Clark has no . . . home now. That scene when he just blinks and Chloe says, "Wait, were you in a car accident?" Played perfectly by Allison, concerned and completely oblivious. But the loss of his best friend, awww! I'm not overly, overly invested in them, but I like Clark very much and I am sad for anyone so alone.
You were really loving AI this ep! I haven't know AI well, and really get my fortress knowledge from Superman II, I think. I know that place can be torn down and rebuilt over and over so I'm not worried about it.
Only one slight nitpick, didn't they see the black Brainiac oil slipping out of Chloe's ear? SV kills me with stuff like that. Where did they think Brainiac went, they knew he was inside the girl! And they are always leaving the fortress. People get trapped there, it gets destroyed. Why can't someone (Clark, I guess) stay in the fortress for once and make sure it's okay? On that score, where the heck is Lex? Did I miss that, where Lex might be? I know I last saw him was . . . at the fortress.
See, poor Clark. He might have found a home in his father, but he leaves it and it falls apart. :-( Gosh, he really is Lee like when you think about it that way.
And I guess, I do like Chloe. Your points about the secret's effects on her are good ones. Maybe now she can genuinely and freely love Jimmy. Though every time one of them says the word "love" or "marriage", I expect immediate news of Jimmy's death. I need to be more optimistic!
no subject
Date: 2008-11-15 01:08 am (UTC)It killed me in this episode to see her memories of him taken away and then for Davis--Davis!--to have that role as central in her subconcious.
I knooooow! That sucked me in too because it's so creepy and dark and wrong. Even if we didn't know about his darker self it's a horrible idea that she can only remember someone who's come into her life so recently and in the scheme of things figures in such a small way. With the added knowledge that that was Brainiac trying to head towards him, it was chilling.
No one knows him now.
Nonsense! Oliver knows him. The rest of the J League know him. J'onn knows him. Kara knows him. The Fortress knows him. He has HEAPS more support than he's ever had previously. I'm not saying he won't feel lonely but he's in a much better position now in terms of people to turn to than he was when Chloe first became secret-keeper.
He reminds me so of Lee Adama. Everyone walking away from him, leaving just like he said.
Oh, honey, it's so much worse than that! They will all DIE. Clark's destiny is to outlive them all and be left truly alone. *tear*
You were really loving AI this ep!
I love the AI. I have been an AI-sympathiser for a long long time because he is completely demonised in fandom. The AI has been an ambiguous 'figure' for a long time and the show deliberately set up it's motives as opaque but I always felt they did so in order to reveal in the end that its role is one of support for Clark. So this episode was massive payoff for me!
SV kills me with stuff like that. Where did they think Brainiac went, they knew he was inside the girl!
HAHAHA, I KNOW!!! So dumb.
The SV moment that killed me was when Davis, the Metropolis paramedic takes Chloe home in order to jumpstart her memory and when that doesn't work... abandons her. And then Jimmy says they have to take her to Smallville hospital. Hopeless!
Did I miss that, where Lex might be? I know I last saw him was . . . at the fortress.
Yeah but the Fortress was completely destroyed. I don't think he could have survived that, and even if he did he would have then frozen to death. I think he's in another dimension somewhere.
He might have found a home in his father, but he leaves it and it falls apart. :-( Gosh, he really is Lee like when you think about it that way.
Hahaha, you are amusing me with the Lee parallels! Yes, they are there. And yes, he never gets cut a break. ;) Except that Clark gets the girl of his dreams so in that way he has it better than Lee. :p
Maybe now she can genuinely and freely love Jimmy.
I think she can! Wasn't the final scene of them cute? I think there is every reason to hope that they can have their happy ending now though I never saw a way for it before. There is also every chance that I will like Chloe now because she won't be a crap girlfriend to Jimmy any more. \o/
no subject
Date: 2008-11-15 01:36 am (UTC)Yeah, I get that, but he doesn't seem close to these people. Do they love him? I think Clark likes having these close intense relationships. I know he's probably destined to be alone, but not yet and maybe not on this show. I have tunnel vision when it comes to Smallville. I try to ignore the comics and movies and Superman lore (I know, blasphemy, eep!) and just focus on what SV canon I know and Tom's blue eyes. And I honestly hate when Clark is sad or hurting. Are these people willing to die for him? Can he come to them to solve crimes or when he's sad? Who does he eat dinner with? I don't know. It felt like he had family before. Martha, his father, Pete, Lana, Chloe. I feel he's lost the people who knew him when he was little.
think he's in another dimension somewhere.
Smallville's loose ends worry me. Because these things come back! Not Lex, maybe, but other villains are rather stubborn and recurring. You'd think the Scoobies would figure that out too and finish investigating but no.
Except that Clark gets the girl of his dreams so in that way he has it better than Lee.
You mean Lois, somewhere off of the canon of this show? Or do you mean Lois sometime during this show? Funny, I don't think the show will end with Clark with her. Or Clark with anyone. Theirs is a future far, far away. When he's man enough to deal. He's getting there. He is getting there. But not yet, so I have to pet him. :-)
There is also every chance that I will like Chloe now because she won't be a crap girlfriend to Jimmy any more.
I realize something. I have fallen into a bit of blind love about Clark. Clark! Who was so slow and annoying to me at times last year! Gosh, this show! Maybe it's because he's waking/growing up. But mostly because of his pain. I don't care about Jimmy Olsen one iota or what kind of girlfriend he has. It's Clark, Clark, Clark for me now. I want him to have a good girlfriend!
Bring back Maxima! :-)
no subject
Date: 2008-11-15 02:39 am (UTC)Ah, yes, I see. But he still has Chloe in those terms! I think we will see that he totally still has her. In fact in some ways I think their friendship is now free to be a genuine friendship again and not have to focus on Clark's powers/destiny/angst all the time. He needs downtime from that as badly as he needs support in it. For me, the loneliness at the farm stems from Martha's absence. I miss her SO much and I am sure Clark does too. I think him asking Lois to move in with him showed that he would like that companionship. But for me all that means is they have to hurry up and get together. :D
You mean Lois, somewhere off of the canon of this show?
Yeah, I mean big picture, not necessarily on the show. Unlike you I do think about that a lot--Smallville is so heavily informed by What Is To Come I find it unavoidable.
I have fallen into a bit of blind love about Clark. Clark! Who was so slow and annoying to me at times last year! Gosh, this show!
Hee hee hee! Smallville has this slow creep thing. You watch it at first thinking it is SO BAD and then you end up really caring about the characters. It's sneaky!
My secret hope is that Maxima will come back to help fight Davis's character when he goes truly bad. I believe I have good reason to think that will happen... *crosses fingers*