Smallville 8.10 Bride
Nov. 21st, 2008 05:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bop_radarSo given the hype on my f'list about this episode (unmissable, even if I stayed steadfastly unspoiled for it) I worked from home today in order to get the episode early so I could see it before I went out to a friend's party. And so I've seen it. Unusually, without ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
supacat who isn't around right now and without whom I am feeling very scattered and confused. That was an emotional rollercoaster of an episode for me and I honestly can't tell if I liked it or not. There were things I hated and things I loved. Help?
Thing I hate most of all: apparently that was the last episode until January! *weeps*
Thing I hate almost as much: when it does come back, I am not happy about who will or won't be in the next few eps.
This was... kind of a weird episode. Framing a lot of it through handheld camera was an odd choice, I thought, at least until the final reveal when it served some purpose. And I'm not a fan of the '8 hours earlier' style of episode. Also, I kind of didn't feel there was enough suspense to pull it off--Jimmy is not going to die, he's in comic canon. Though I admit I did think they'd get Chloe back. The things there was suspense about for me still had suspense at the end of the episode: namely, what the hell is Lana doing and what's the deal with Lex? (LEX! I can barely process that yet!) So maybe that's why I feel so frustrated?
Also, I kind of had a lot to 'get over' in terms of Chloe's wedding. I still find Clark giving her away DEEPLY WEIRD. And that was not made any better by holding the wedding in the barn. OMG, why not the Talon at least? Holding it on Clark's land, in Clark's private space was SO WEIRD. And when they came down from upstairs I kind of thought everyone would be wondering what they'd been doing up there. I mean... they have pashed up there! THAT IS WEIRD. It was not made better at all by him giving her that flower from homecoming dance. I liked them back then, I even shipped them! Don't evoke that ON HER WEDDING DAY! The inappropriateness was rampantly out of control, and Lois let me down massively--at first I thought she too was icked out, but then no, she was moved by it. Puh-lease. I blame the writers: they need to let the Chlark go. Jimmy is an absolute SAINT to get married under these circumstances.
And it's really hard for me to believe that Lois is Chloe's only living relative. Could she at least have mentioned her father? Urgh.
Anyway, I tried not to let that spoil the episode too much, because I did find Chloe very genuine in her wedding-day joy and that delighted me! I loved that they textualised the fact that, for her, it is a weight lifted to be free of Clark's secret. I am glad she got her perfect day. Well... almost. It's rather like the end of last episode when the Fortress got corrupted just after Clark reconciled with it; here, Chloe is kidnapped (and turns evil? I wasn't sure what the scary eyes and smile were meant to mean) right after things finally come together in her relationship with Jimmy.
Lois looked gorgeous in that dress. (I can't comment on Chloe's outfit only because I find all wedding dresses distasteful, but if other people say she looked good i'll believe them!) I would have found her reaction to Clark in his suit a bit more believable had she not been seeing him a suit every day all season, but hey, he looked good too and the cufflinks line was kinda funny.
Apart from that, honestly, the Clois stuff was a big let-down for me. I don't enjoy seeing Lois mope around after Clark and I was kind of angry with Jimmy for making her think that it would be a good idea to put the moves on him. I love Lois and I feel so sorry for her in this mess. Clark is clearly not ready for anything to happen between them and I spent most of the episode hoping they wouldn't have a huge fight! Erica's acting was wonderful and she really made me feel Lois's wistfulness, loneliness and confusion. And when Jimmy said that guys flirt by teasing, I winced because I knew Lois would believe that. She'd believe it because it's what SHE does. What she doesn't factor in is the fact that she's the guy in their dynamic. Oh, Lois! I knew it would go hideously, terribly wrong--so much so that I was begging her in my head not to kiss him. There'd been no real sign from Clark that he was interested, and I could see disaster on the horizon. Sure, part of me wanted a real non-red-K kiss from them, but not like this... I was almost grateful Lana interrupted.
Almost but not quite. I didn't expect the creative team to go there as I never thought they wanted to play the two relationships in opposition to each other, and that kind of nearly crossed the line. Also, because Clark and Lana really do have so much unresolved emotions between them, I found that the Clana completely dominated the rest of the episode--another reason I'm glad the kiss did not happen.
Strangely, I almost found there was more real chemistry between the two sets of exes--Lana and Clark, and Lois and Oliver--than between Lois and Clark. They built the Clois moments on misunderstanding--Lois's misunderstanding about Clark's feelings, compounded by that painful scene where she thought he was speaking for himself when he read Jimmy's vows. Whereas, the scene between Oliver and Lois was wonderfully open and real.
That scene was hands down my favourite scene of the episode. I adored it. It was bittersweet and beautiful and drew on the depth in the Oliver/Lois relationship perfectly. Firstly, I love it that Lois bailed with a bottle of champagne for the porch (I'd do that!) and I love that Oliver snarked about it being no fun to listen to her whine, but then sat down anyway. That's the lovely thing about Oliver--he jokes, but underneath he's a really good friend, and he showed himself a good friend of both Lois and Clark in this scene. It was beautifully played by both Erica and Justin because I could see the characters' feelings for each other still there, but in that 'we're exes' way. Oliver's voice was just that little hint vulnerable when he asked 'who's the lucky guy?'
Of course he knew it was Clark. And I love that he admitted that so gracefully--and showed Lois how accepting he is of that. He's known for a long time, arguably longer than Lois, that those two had chemistry, and I have always thought he knew he'd see them together one day. I loved that he told Lois Clark needs her. She needs to know that! And I thought the added pathos in that line was that Oliver knows because he kind of needed her too... or at least he knows what it feels like to come close to doing so. And I think he sees that the ways that make him different from Clark are also ways that mean Clark has more need of a Lois.
Or maybe it's like he says elsewhere in the episode... everyone needs to be more like Clark. :) Once upon a time I would have hated that line, but I loved it here, because Clark has truly become someone to look up to, and I loved it between Oliver and Lana, two characters who struggle with an inner darkness and inability to live up to Clark's standards. But they also aspire to, and I like that about both of them.
I wasn't so keen on Oliver's pushiness regarding the need to track Lex down. I do think Clark was right to say that they should wait til after Chloe's wedding, and I'm glad that Clark sussed on that Oliver was partly after vengeance for his parents. Yay Clark for being a good friend and not letting Oliver's demons have free reign! I would have been really annoyed at that lackey for spoiling things, had it not been for his fangirl-pleasing line about the Clark/Oliver 'lovers' spat'. Yay! It's not just me that sees them like that! ;)
But ok, what the hell, Lana? I like the new sophisticated look and the martial arts awesome, but what is your game? I would never have guessed that when she came back she'd be embroiled in a Luthor plot again. Huh. I need some time to process that. I loved the idea of her as a rogue agent protecting Clark, but the text messaging was worrying. Is she working with Mercy maybe? I think the fact that Lex found out Clark's secret came as news to her--will that change her motives? I hope so. I really wasn't expecting a fully 'dark' Lana and am hoping she's not working for Lex. But damn, Smallville makes anything possible!
As far as the Clana went though, it was all terrific. So grown up and sad but dignified! Lana was really firm with her boundaries, and I loved Clark for the dignity with which he handled her return. 'I could have used a bit of warning' was a great line, and absolutely fair enough. I was so sad for him in their loft scene, but I found his silent swallowed tears beautiful. I do see a different Clark here than I have seen in other Clana-broken-up scenes, and I think seeing Lana again will actually help him deal with his grief in some ways. It was a hurdle he had to get over at some stage and while it choked him up, he handled it--and handled it well. No, it's not easy for either of them, but they're both very much their 'own' people now, and I'm proud of them. (Well, apart from the murky Lana plot!)
Oddly, I don't have much to say about Davis. Or maybe not oddly: apart from the one scene in the alley, we weren't really shown his journey in this episode. The monster inside him has evolved, it would seem, to the point where he can no longer control it at all. Yet, the monster can't be separated from the man because both selves are obsessed with Chloe, though one claims to want her 'help' and the other one her love. Will we see Davis's humanity again? I don't know.
The Clois scene that I found most affecting and effective was the final hospital one, though it broke my heart. It worked best for me because it was the one in which Clark showed the most emotion for Lois. He seemed genuinely concerned about how she was and he looked a little sad at Lois saying she was going with Jimmy, though of course he could see that someone should. The hug was wonderful too--poor Clark, knowing that the things that happen all around them, that Lois finds so confusing, are to do with him. My heart broke for both of them.
Don't get me wrong--I don't blame Clark for not being as into Lois as Lois is into him right now. (I blame the writers! :p) Nah... I think it makes organic sense because Clark has a lot of other weighty burdens in his world, and we saw in this episode how he still needs to move forward from Lana before he gets involved with anyone else. Lois and Oliver are further down that path and we saw here the start of a friendship free of romance. I think it will be a while before we see that from Clark and Lana, if we ever do, and honestly her being back, and complicated worries me. So, this wasn't the Clois episode I wanted, but it was... something.
I could have done with a little more before a hiatus. SV are MEAN with their emotional cliffhangers!
ETA: Have identified one of my emotions! I am sad for Lois. I want to give her hugs and cookies and let her cry on my sofa for a while. And selfishly, I'm sad that my pov characters always wind up being the ones in unrequited love with someone whose attention is elsewhere (even if it's for very good reason). *sniffles* I guess now's a good time to go to a cocktail bar. That's what Lois would do, right?
supacat who isn't around right now and without whom I am feeling very scattered and confused. That was an emotional rollercoaster of an episode for me and I honestly can't tell if I liked it or not. There were things I hated and things I loved. Help?Thing I hate most of all: apparently that was the last episode until January! *weeps*
Thing I hate almost as much: when it does come back, I am not happy about who will or won't be in the next few eps.
This was... kind of a weird episode. Framing a lot of it through handheld camera was an odd choice, I thought, at least until the final reveal when it served some purpose. And I'm not a fan of the '8 hours earlier' style of episode. Also, I kind of didn't feel there was enough suspense to pull it off--Jimmy is not going to die, he's in comic canon. Though I admit I did think they'd get Chloe back. The things there was suspense about for me still had suspense at the end of the episode: namely, what the hell is Lana doing and what's the deal with Lex? (LEX! I can barely process that yet!) So maybe that's why I feel so frustrated?
Also, I kind of had a lot to 'get over' in terms of Chloe's wedding. I still find Clark giving her away DEEPLY WEIRD. And that was not made any better by holding the wedding in the barn. OMG, why not the Talon at least? Holding it on Clark's land, in Clark's private space was SO WEIRD. And when they came down from upstairs I kind of thought everyone would be wondering what they'd been doing up there. I mean... they have pashed up there! THAT IS WEIRD. It was not made better at all by him giving her that flower from homecoming dance. I liked them back then, I even shipped them! Don't evoke that ON HER WEDDING DAY! The inappropriateness was rampantly out of control, and Lois let me down massively--at first I thought she too was icked out, but then no, she was moved by it. Puh-lease. I blame the writers: they need to let the Chlark go. Jimmy is an absolute SAINT to get married under these circumstances.
And it's really hard for me to believe that Lois is Chloe's only living relative. Could she at least have mentioned her father? Urgh.
Anyway, I tried not to let that spoil the episode too much, because I did find Chloe very genuine in her wedding-day joy and that delighted me! I loved that they textualised the fact that, for her, it is a weight lifted to be free of Clark's secret. I am glad she got her perfect day. Well... almost. It's rather like the end of last episode when the Fortress got corrupted just after Clark reconciled with it; here, Chloe is kidnapped (and turns evil? I wasn't sure what the scary eyes and smile were meant to mean) right after things finally come together in her relationship with Jimmy.
Lois looked gorgeous in that dress. (I can't comment on Chloe's outfit only because I find all wedding dresses distasteful, but if other people say she looked good i'll believe them!) I would have found her reaction to Clark in his suit a bit more believable had she not been seeing him a suit every day all season, but hey, he looked good too and the cufflinks line was kinda funny.
Apart from that, honestly, the Clois stuff was a big let-down for me. I don't enjoy seeing Lois mope around after Clark and I was kind of angry with Jimmy for making her think that it would be a good idea to put the moves on him. I love Lois and I feel so sorry for her in this mess. Clark is clearly not ready for anything to happen between them and I spent most of the episode hoping they wouldn't have a huge fight! Erica's acting was wonderful and she really made me feel Lois's wistfulness, loneliness and confusion. And when Jimmy said that guys flirt by teasing, I winced because I knew Lois would believe that. She'd believe it because it's what SHE does. What she doesn't factor in is the fact that she's the guy in their dynamic. Oh, Lois! I knew it would go hideously, terribly wrong--so much so that I was begging her in my head not to kiss him. There'd been no real sign from Clark that he was interested, and I could see disaster on the horizon. Sure, part of me wanted a real non-red-K kiss from them, but not like this... I was almost grateful Lana interrupted.
Almost but not quite. I didn't expect the creative team to go there as I never thought they wanted to play the two relationships in opposition to each other, and that kind of nearly crossed the line. Also, because Clark and Lana really do have so much unresolved emotions between them, I found that the Clana completely dominated the rest of the episode--another reason I'm glad the kiss did not happen.
Strangely, I almost found there was more real chemistry between the two sets of exes--Lana and Clark, and Lois and Oliver--than between Lois and Clark. They built the Clois moments on misunderstanding--Lois's misunderstanding about Clark's feelings, compounded by that painful scene where she thought he was speaking for himself when he read Jimmy's vows. Whereas, the scene between Oliver and Lois was wonderfully open and real.
That scene was hands down my favourite scene of the episode. I adored it. It was bittersweet and beautiful and drew on the depth in the Oliver/Lois relationship perfectly. Firstly, I love it that Lois bailed with a bottle of champagne for the porch (I'd do that!) and I love that Oliver snarked about it being no fun to listen to her whine, but then sat down anyway. That's the lovely thing about Oliver--he jokes, but underneath he's a really good friend, and he showed himself a good friend of both Lois and Clark in this scene. It was beautifully played by both Erica and Justin because I could see the characters' feelings for each other still there, but in that 'we're exes' way. Oliver's voice was just that little hint vulnerable when he asked 'who's the lucky guy?'
Of course he knew it was Clark. And I love that he admitted that so gracefully--and showed Lois how accepting he is of that. He's known for a long time, arguably longer than Lois, that those two had chemistry, and I have always thought he knew he'd see them together one day. I loved that he told Lois Clark needs her. She needs to know that! And I thought the added pathos in that line was that Oliver knows because he kind of needed her too... or at least he knows what it feels like to come close to doing so. And I think he sees that the ways that make him different from Clark are also ways that mean Clark has more need of a Lois.
Or maybe it's like he says elsewhere in the episode... everyone needs to be more like Clark. :) Once upon a time I would have hated that line, but I loved it here, because Clark has truly become someone to look up to, and I loved it between Oliver and Lana, two characters who struggle with an inner darkness and inability to live up to Clark's standards. But they also aspire to, and I like that about both of them.
I wasn't so keen on Oliver's pushiness regarding the need to track Lex down. I do think Clark was right to say that they should wait til after Chloe's wedding, and I'm glad that Clark sussed on that Oliver was partly after vengeance for his parents. Yay Clark for being a good friend and not letting Oliver's demons have free reign! I would have been really annoyed at that lackey for spoiling things, had it not been for his fangirl-pleasing line about the Clark/Oliver 'lovers' spat'. Yay! It's not just me that sees them like that! ;)
But ok, what the hell, Lana? I like the new sophisticated look and the martial arts awesome, but what is your game? I would never have guessed that when she came back she'd be embroiled in a Luthor plot again. Huh. I need some time to process that. I loved the idea of her as a rogue agent protecting Clark, but the text messaging was worrying. Is she working with Mercy maybe? I think the fact that Lex found out Clark's secret came as news to her--will that change her motives? I hope so. I really wasn't expecting a fully 'dark' Lana and am hoping she's not working for Lex. But damn, Smallville makes anything possible!
As far as the Clana went though, it was all terrific. So grown up and sad but dignified! Lana was really firm with her boundaries, and I loved Clark for the dignity with which he handled her return. 'I could have used a bit of warning' was a great line, and absolutely fair enough. I was so sad for him in their loft scene, but I found his silent swallowed tears beautiful. I do see a different Clark here than I have seen in other Clana-broken-up scenes, and I think seeing Lana again will actually help him deal with his grief in some ways. It was a hurdle he had to get over at some stage and while it choked him up, he handled it--and handled it well. No, it's not easy for either of them, but they're both very much their 'own' people now, and I'm proud of them. (Well, apart from the murky Lana plot!)
Oddly, I don't have much to say about Davis. Or maybe not oddly: apart from the one scene in the alley, we weren't really shown his journey in this episode. The monster inside him has evolved, it would seem, to the point where he can no longer control it at all. Yet, the monster can't be separated from the man because both selves are obsessed with Chloe, though one claims to want her 'help' and the other one her love. Will we see Davis's humanity again? I don't know.
The Clois scene that I found most affecting and effective was the final hospital one, though it broke my heart. It worked best for me because it was the one in which Clark showed the most emotion for Lois. He seemed genuinely concerned about how she was and he looked a little sad at Lois saying she was going with Jimmy, though of course he could see that someone should. The hug was wonderful too--poor Clark, knowing that the things that happen all around them, that Lois finds so confusing, are to do with him. My heart broke for both of them.
Don't get me wrong--I don't blame Clark for not being as into Lois as Lois is into him right now. (I blame the writers! :p) Nah... I think it makes organic sense because Clark has a lot of other weighty burdens in his world, and we saw in this episode how he still needs to move forward from Lana before he gets involved with anyone else. Lois and Oliver are further down that path and we saw here the start of a friendship free of romance. I think it will be a while before we see that from Clark and Lana, if we ever do, and honestly her being back, and complicated worries me. So, this wasn't the Clois episode I wanted, but it was... something.
I could have done with a little more before a hiatus. SV are MEAN with their emotional cliffhangers!
ETA: Have identified one of my emotions! I am sad for Lois. I want to give her hugs and cookies and let her cry on my sofa for a while. And selfishly, I'm sad that my pov characters always wind up being the ones in unrequited love with someone whose attention is elsewhere (even if it's for very good reason). *sniffles* I guess now's a good time to go to a cocktail bar. That's what Lois would do, right?
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no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 08:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 08:46 am (UTC)stash of sex toysKryptonian gadgets? Oh, Smallville.no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 09:23 am (UTC)I have always thought the wedding in the barn was dumb. It just seems weird. And dude, where's Gabe? I mean, they haven't said he died or anything so he should be there!
At least there was a Chlo-Lo scene. *shrugs* I take what I can get. ;D
Lois looked gorgeous in that dress.
SHE DID! Lois just worked that color. :D
I loved the Lollie scene. Those two have always felt so natural to me and they still carry that. &hearts
I thought Clark pulling Lois to dance was really great but the hospital scene killed me. SO sad.
Clark did well in the Clana scenes ... he was quite mature and I was proud of him. As for Clois, I think he needs to be solidly over Lana and then he can venture into Clois territory. The man Lois gets will be 100% into her cuz that's what she deserves. But I do believe there are some feelings. He just doesn't know what they are. :D
I am sad for Lois. I want to give her hugs and cookies and let her cry on my sofa for a while.
ME TOO! Erica always knows how to break my heart.
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Date: 2008-11-21 10:15 am (UTC)I think I liked the Clois bits more than you did, though, because I think Jimmy actually was right and Clark *is* feeling more than he would admit to himself. I thought the chemistry in that dance scene was palpable, and he's the one who initiated the dance. And they were both leaning in for that kiss, not just Lois. (I guess I'm just more sanguine about this romance than you because I know it is going to eventually end happily.)
I agree with you about the mysteriousness of the Lana plot--what on earth is she up to?--but I'm just planning to enjoy her for three more episodes, because I didn't realize exactly how much I was missing her until I saw her again.
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Date: 2008-11-21 12:26 pm (UTC)Oh, I really really wish I could but I've thought about it every which way and can only conclude it's because they can rebuild the barn easily. ;)
plus his rather paternalistic decision last week to take away her memories of his secret, that maybe symbolic this is a shift from being her friend to being her parent?
I agree with you that that decision was paternalistic, as was the way he looked so proud to have her on his arm, but I can't really see a reason for it. And then there was the weird thing with the flower--the associations of which are distinctly NOT paternal. I can't understand what purpose that shift would serve so... no... sorry, no theory!
I think Jimmy actually was right and Clark *is* feeling more than he would admit to himself
Hmm... see, I think when Clark teases, he just teases. I don't think it's necessarily flirtation. He's teased Lois for years. And while we've seen Lois's feelings behind the teasing, we haven't seen the Clark equivalent. I *did* like when he grabbed her arm though--that made my heart skip a beat! But the dance was so odd and silent and poor Lois was trying desperately to work out if she should do something and I didn't really think Clark was thinking about anything at all! I wish I could have seen a bit more interest from Clark.
I love having Lana back too! I knew I missed her heaps because I've been vidding and it's so great to see her.
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Date: 2008-11-21 12:39 pm (UTC)ITA. Just one line, SV, please!
The Chlo-Lo scene was very sweet indeed.
Those two have always felt so natural to me and they still carry that. ♥
I agree. I felt guilty but I nearly shipped them more than Clois just because they feel so real...
I think he needs to be solidly over Lana and then he can venture into Clois territory. The man Lois gets will be 100% into her cuz that's what she deserves. But I do believe there are some feelings. He just doesn't know what they are. :D
Well... I agree very much that he needs to be fully over Lana before moving to Lois. *nods* I don't know what he feels for Lois, I really don't, but I do know his heart is still tangled with Lana, and fair enough given the length of their history. So I hope that we will see him move on at some stage.
Erica always knows how to break my heart.
Oh gawd, I know, I'm all torn up. :((
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Date: 2008-11-21 01:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 01:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 01:23 pm (UTC)(I am fascinated that you think you saw desire on Clark's face--I wish I could have seen it too.)
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Date: 2008-11-21 01:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 01:27 pm (UTC)I really want to see it the way you and some other people do!
Maybe I was just so trapped in Lois' pov? But Lois thought she was getting signals from Clark and I felt she wasn't... *confused*
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Date: 2008-11-21 01:32 pm (UTC)Oh WOW! See that, you telling me that, gives me goosebumps! But all I had during the episode was fear. So yes, maybe it's to do with the fact that I feel bad for Lois? I have only known that level of feeling end in tragedy so it's hard for me to see it as a gift. I guess when I feel stronger again I'll try looking again to find these expressions you see in Clark.
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Date: 2008-11-21 01:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 01:57 pm (UTC)Erica's acting was wonderful and she really made me feel Lois's wistfulness, loneliness and confusion.
Erica is so wonderful in this role. She's been making me feel Lois' pain for several episodes lately. It is so uncomfortable. She is so tough and self-sufficient, but here she is falling in love with Clark. Wait, you are right! She was the guy! That's it right there on the head! And now she is being most unguylike in her emotions and it's so very sad. I liked her teasing him and punching him on the arm. I am glad she can feel, though. But I am sorry she hurts.
And I thought the added pathos in that line was that Oliver knows because he kind of needed her too...
Aww, no wonder this ep made you sad. Lois had friends but loses potential/former boyfriends all around.
No, it's not easy for either of them, but they're both very much their 'own' people now, and I'm proud of them.
Well said. It all seems very resolved, even in my mind. I was so glad to see Lana. I wanted to hug her. The old gang is briefly back together.
The hiatus will be long because I'm so curious about Chloe and Davis. Has she turned evil? Will they rule the fortress together? What about Jor-El?
I have really liked this show this season. Better than last. It's fun and schmoop sometimes, but I really like the characters. I will miss it the next few months.
Hugs to you, Boppy dear. It is hard when a show lays a ship low. And if you get that cocktail, go easy. ;-)
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Date: 2008-11-21 03:06 pm (UTC)honestly, the Clois stuff was a big let-down for me. I don't enjoy seeing Lois mope around after Clark
My sentiments exactly. It wasn't enough to have Lana and Chloe mope over Clark for 5-plus seasons? One of the things I like most about Lois is that she never did that over a guy. I understand their wanting to show her vulnerable/emotional side as she accepts love for the first time, but a little less would have went a long way. They were knocking me out with anvils, she got all misty-eyed petting his suit! (that as you so rightfully pointed out was not much different from what he wears on a daily basis.) Lois clearly came down with wedding fever in this episode and aside from the scene with Ollie, which I too really enjoyed, I didn't like this Lois much.
Overall, it seemed to me TPTB were really definitively closing a lot of doors here on Clark's past relationships (though I too thought Chloe carrying the flower from the dance was really rather odd and inappropriate) and setting it up for him to maybe reciprocate Lois's feelings in the future. Chlark seems done and Clana seems pretty much over to me too, though I know she's sticking around for a few eps.
Lana was more likable as a grown-up (though with awful hair) but I kept wondering what she was up to as well. She kept telling Clark that she was in a better place now and I kept thinking--but what place? What do you do Lana? Just travel the world looking for Lex and practicing Lana-Fu? She must have gotten quite the divorce settlement from the Luthors.
I'm still very confused about how Lex/Brainiac/Doomsday/
Chloe are all interconnected at this point. But I worry for my Davis. I want someone to take the bad monster parts away from him, so he can be all wubbly cute paramedic boy mooning after Chloe (I have no problem with the men moping I guess). Seriously, I wonder now that they've revealed Dooms, how (often) they're going to switch back to the human to give Sam Witwer enough screen time. I imagine quite a bit because FX is exspensive and Witwer is doing such a great job. It'll be interesting to see how that works out.
Jimmy should probably be dead, that was a massive slash. And I didn't like them having Chloe basically absolve Clark for taking away her "burden." I don't know how much of Chloe has been Brainiac this season, but I wish they would fix her. She's not my favorite character but everything with her has been so off in S8.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 04:37 pm (UTC)Hee! How come? You're the first person I ever saw say that.
But Clark does flirt with Lois in that way. He enjoys driving her insane. :)
I don't think Clark isn't interested. I just think he's a lot more guarded this year.
It's almost impossible to read his emotions. In his scenes with Lois. Even in his scene with Lana. He also showed no reaction to Chloe being kidnapped and Jimmy being seriously hurt.
Tom is just playing him more closed off this year.
And when it comes to romance, I get why. He finally let someone see him for what he truly is last year, and it ended badly with Lana packing and leaving without telling him way (and all he got was a DVD message ;) ). So I think there's a reason why Clark is keeping whatever he feels for himself. Lois is usually the one so guarded, but this season Clark is the same, if not "worse" than her.
And I do think he cares for her and was interested. We saw him checking her out when she was helping him with cufflinks, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. And then he was the one to initiate the dance. And he knew how she feels, he saw her reaction when he was reading Jimmy's vows. I honestly can't believe that Clark, knowing that Lois has feelings for him, would ask her to dance and then lean in for the kiss if he himself doesn't feel something for her. It would just be cruel to play with her that way, and that's not something I can imagine Clark doing.
For me,
1) I don't think anyone has to protect Clark. Especially Lana. Whenever they try, be it Lana, Ollie, Chloe, whoever - they always make the situation even worse. They should just let him protect himself, he's more than capable of.
2) I'm not sure what that text message was about, but I doubt she's evil or working for someone evil, or whatever the show is trying to imply at the moment. She seemed really happy and proud of red-blue blur. :) It could be that she's a double agent, and playing for the other side to get some info?
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Date: 2008-11-21 08:29 pm (UTC)And Clark leaned in for that kiss at the same time she did - she was not leading the initiating of it, it was totally mutual. Lois, in fact, was looking a little confused and apprehensive and even wondering, while Clark was calm, steady and intense in his looks at her during that dance. To the point where I though he had the upper hand with her during most of that scene.
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Date: 2008-11-21 11:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 11:22 pm (UTC)Yes, it felt un-Smallvillean!
Wait, you are right! She was the guy! That's it right there on the head! And now she is being most unguylike in her emotions and it's so very sad.
Yes, honestly, their usual dynamic is Lois being all brash and oblivious and Clark being the sensitive, intuitive one. That's what I fell for but it's not really been in evidence this season.
Aww, no wonder this ep made you sad. Lois had friends but loses potential/former boyfriends all around.
True, and the Lollie relationship always mirrored the Clois one so wonderfully so it did feel like a bit of a double whammy, a list of 'things Lois has lost'.
I have really liked this show this season. Better than last. It's fun and schmoop sometimes, but I really like the characters. I will miss it the next few months.
Aww, that's good to hear! I do love the show and think this season is much stronger than last. I'm glad you've got to see some of its joy.
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Date: 2008-11-21 11:30 pm (UTC)Hee! Yes, it was like she was ILL or something! *giggles* That actually makes me feel better about it. I totally agree that a little less would have been perfect. I also think Clark should have been given at least some lines in reciprocity--even if just a 'you look lovely'.
setting it up for him to maybe reciprocate Lois's feelings in the future
The 'maybe' is the operative word there! ;) I agree. Though it's very much a 'maybe' and that irks me because I feel like Lois once again has her heart on her sleeve in a relationship and is getting torn apart before it's even started.
She kept telling Clark that she was in a better place now and I kept thinking--but what place? What do you do Lana? Just travel the world looking for Lex and practicing Lana-Fu?
Hahaha, me too! *lol* I mean... that's awesome, but it is also kind of random and weird. How great can that be? *thinks* OK, pretty great. But it's still a weird 'place' from which to make an 'I'm in such a great place' speech. I do think she's well off though.
I want someone to take the bad monster parts away from him, so he can be all wubbly cute paramedic boy mooning after Chloe (I have no problem with the men moping I guess).
Men moping is GREAT! Bring it back! And yeah, I was kind of sad that Davis got consumed by Dooms so fast... I wanted to see more of that struggle. They'll have to switch back, as you say, and I look forward to that because Witner is rocking this role.
I am in the 5% of people that were thrilled that Chloe 'absolved' Clark because I do think it would feel like a weight lifted for her. But I am just sad we didn't get to see happy Chloe for longer.
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Date: 2008-11-21 11:38 pm (UTC)Oh, I'm weird but I just really hate white/cream--hardly anyone looks good in it and then I hate the styling of 95% of wedding dresses as well. All that froth and lace! It just doesn't relate to anything for me. I like rich colours and would far prefer a colourful Indian wedding tradition (for instance): Western dresses are so bland and death-like. I always think of Ophelia floating in a stream, colourless and clutching flowers...
Clark does flirt with Lois in that way. He enjoys driving her insane. :)
Do you think it's flirting? I am not really sure... I always saw it as mainly sibling-like teasing, with his attraction to her secretly informing it a bit but Clark oblivious to that. I don't think he's consciously flirting at all.
when it comes to romance, I get why. He finally let someone see him for what he truly is last year, and it ended badly with Lana packing and leaving without telling him way
You're right--absolutely! That does make sense and I agree that Tom is playing him that way. I enjoy it in terms of seeing Clark's growing maturity though it made me sad in the Clana scenes in this episode just because it so obviously came from a place of pain. But it does make organic sense for him to be like this.
he knew how she feels, he saw her reaction when he was reading Jimmy's vows
Oh, I was SO hoping he didn't 'get' that moment because I found it so deeply embarrassing for Lois. I think I went into denial from then on and hoped that Clark didn't know. But yeah, if he does know, EEP, then inviting Lois to dance with him is significant. Still, what worries me is he was doing it more out of compassion than interest. Clark is not cruel, no, but he does tend to let women have feelings for him and not give them a clear 'no' even when he's not totally into them. *worries*
She seemed really happy and proud of red-blue blur. :) It could be that she's a double agent, and playing for the other side to get some info?
Hee! Yes, that would be awesome. I do hope so. And I agree that noone needs to protect Clark. I like the intention on Lana's part but I don't think it's needed and wouldn't want to see it continue. I just liked that her offscreen time has been spent on something SV-related. ;)
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Date: 2008-11-21 11:49 pm (UTC)Seriously. As hot as Welling is, I still think he's a poor actor (sorry, I know you feel differently) and the show relies way too much on him giving the puppy dog eyes to convey emotion, but I think he tends to look a little blank/confused a lot of the time instead. Give the boy some dialogue.
The 'maybe' is the operative word there!
My own theory is that if this season is the last, they will not have much consummation of the Clois relationship. Definitely a kiss for Feb sweeps but probably no official "in a relationship" ending. I think they will try to leave the show with the key elements of the mythology where the movies begin in place: Lois in love with Clark/Superman (not sure how they'll fix this part--maybe it'll be a love triangle?!) and Clark being somewhat oblivious because he needs to be saving the world.
I am in the 5% of people that were thrilled that Chloe 'absolved' Clark because I do think it would feel like a weight lifted for her. But I am just sad we didn't get to see happy Chloe for longer.
I'm sure it's true and she does feel unburdened, but from a meta standpoint it made me a little angry because I think if Chloe had full knowledge of what happened she wouldn't be thanking him. She would welcome the burden, she as much as said so last week. (Of course, that's a really weird Catch-22 if you parse it, "if she knew what she didn't know and why she didn't know it, she'd be pissed!" Eh).
I too would have liked one more scene of happy bridal Chloe, perhaps in exchange for Lois petting the suit.
Seriously.
Either way, I kind of can't wait for January. Never thought I'd be saying that about Smallville!
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Date: 2008-11-21 11:57 pm (UTC)I agree with
I think they will try to leave the show with the key elements of the mythology where the movies begin in place
Oh, yeah, I always thought they'd do that. For me, Lois's unrequited love has just come so early, and I would like it balanced by something from Clark even if there's a constructed reason why they can't be together yet (and in my personal view it would still have been better to play Lois as the unattainable one).
I think if Chloe had full knowledge of what happened she wouldn't be thanking him
I agree, but I still take Clark's side in this because I believe he was looking at the bigger picture. But this is on of those great divides in fandom (last week was TOUGH!).
Hee! Despite all that I'm glad Smallville has captured you and
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Date: 2008-11-22 01:52 am (UTC)Don't be too sad for Lois. Her feelings are totally requited. Clark basically dragged her into a dance and eye-contacted her into an almost-kiss. Lois didn't kiss him. They kissed each other. IMO, Clark was sending out major vibes, they just weren't the typical type of vibes he usually feels or sends out.
I agree that the Clana was strong in the episode. Wonderfully so. To my mind, Clark seemed a bit angry to be jerked back from the brink of something new with Lois. Almost like Chloe's feeling of a weight lifted. Clark was in uncharted territory with Lois and I loved seeing how it played out for them.
I wasn't icked out by the rose because I feel S8, AM and TW have made it clear that they aren't romantically interested in one another. It also is consistent with how Clark treats the memory of Lana is canon. Clark is probably the only man around who can stay friends with his exes;)
If it can make you feel better, my sense is that Lois didn't misinterpret anything. Clark was febrile and 'needing' her. Plus, major UST. Oliver even says to Lois that if she thought Clark was sending out that vibe he probably was.
Isn't it amazing how little of Season 8 is actually from Clark's POV? Especially compared to previous seasons. There are moments where we get huge reveals, but no long, heart-on-the sleeve scenes like Lois had with Jimmy and Oliver. It makes sense to play him as less emotionally unsure. It is more heroic, more contained. Superman cannot mope, cannot waffle.
Also, it would be slightly obscene for Clark to fall for Lois in the same matter he fell for Lana. None of us want Clana x 2. *god!*
BTW, have you seen the TV Guide online interview with Erica Durance? It might go a long way to making you feel less... how you feel;)
*hugs* elle
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Date: 2008-11-22 01:54 am (UTC)