Smallville 6.02 Sneeze
Oct. 7th, 2006 05:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bop_radarGuilt
Following on from the Martha/Clark scene in Zod, at the start of Sneeze Clark articulates his realisation of responsibility and guilt to Martha. 'If only I'd done what Jor-El said...' Martha tries to comfort him by telling him, as the Kents always have, that it is not his fault, but Clark shakes her off in a more adult way than ever before. Notably, for the first time his guilt doesn't manifest as internalised brooding/angst, but is transformed into action in rebuilding Metropolis. It's a far more active and productive way of facing his responsibility for what happened.
Boundaries
I thought the scene between Clark and Lana was amazing. Lana shows little or no surprise at Clark bursting in; instead she greets him frostily and then shows him the door. Clark, on the other hand, is startled by her presence, not fully realising the degree to which she has penetrated Lex's intimate circle. Unconsciously he's still behaving as if he's got more right to invade Lex's space than her. Lana also cuts through the pretense of Clark claiming to be genuinely interested in helping Lex. I'm really enjoying her self-possession this season.
To complete the shift, it is Lana, not Clark, who reaches Lex's side first, albeit by being kidnapped. She plays a partially heroic role in helping him escape and I loved seeing Lex and Lana work together to get themselves out of danger. Clark saves the day, but can't reveal himself. Lex and Lana have been paralleled in relation to Clark for so long--but they are finally literally in the same place regarding him, occupying the same physical space.
It was therefore important to have a scene showing the distance between them within the mansion. Lana uncovers a camera in her bedroom--Lex has penetrated her space, broken her privacy, and she draws a line. Lex also draws a line, telling Lana that the camera in her bedroom will go but no others--this is how he lives. This type of line-drawing indicates that there is still distance between them, whether or not they've had sex (do we know yet?). Did anyone else wonder if Lex had a camera in the bathroom as well? Coz if I were Lana, I'd be asking!
Sniffles
I found Clark with the sniffles terribly cute. Though if I were Chloe, I'd be pretty sick of him coming to my workplace to sneeze! And he has breath now. Cool! ;-)
I personally loved all the Clois scenes and the fact that the flying barn door was Lois's first foray into investigative journalism (so hopeless! so cute!) but I was also thinking 'oh gawd, the Lois-haters will have a fieldday with this', for indeed she is not yet very talented. Personally I loved the scene between her and Chloe. Chloe was terribly tactful, and I loved Lois's cheery self-confidence despite the brush-off from her cousin. I laughed with Chloe at the clueless execution, but I cheered on Lois in her commitment to finding a market for herself, no matter what. Coming late to journalism as she has, I found it lovely to see how unproblematic it was for her, in comparison to Chloe. And she takes a joy in the process of writing itself that Chloe has never articulated. What I really like about the message this gives is that you don't have to be perfect from the beginning--but you do need determination and self-belief. Lois has a LOT of learning to do, but I for one was really excited to see her start on her path.
It was also interesting to compare her and Chloe--Chloe's first article was a small affair but in the more respectable paper. Lois's hit the front page, but in the 'lesser' paper. However, both stories resulted from investigations of something bizarre that occurred to the writer: they share a curiosity about the world they encounter, and perhaps both lack a more objective/less personal approach to journalism (for now at least).
Slashorama
Some things change, others stay the same. Lex is still hiring incompetents it seems. But perhaps this is a more universal problem than we realised, since we learn that Oliver Queen also lacks control over his minions. Oliver is a dream come true for slash fans! Stunningly attractive and suave and INSTANT BACKSTORY between him and Lex in Excelsior. I had to pause and flail. Plus, you've got to love a boy with a bow-and-arrow! The final 'Borneo' sequence was awesome--classic comicbook joy, and beautifully constructed.
Also, I loooove his apartment! What a great set. And the Lionel-Oliver scene was delightful. That actor is a joy (I need to start remembering his name) and I confess I *lol*ed at the cut away to Chloe saying 'I never thought I'd say this but you don't look so hot...' because Tommy fan though I am, he was looking a little scruffy this ep in comparison to the blonde newcomer! Although that needs to be tested--they clearly need to be in a scene together. Oh! Guess what?! That' going to happen!!! *flails with joy*
It was very interesting to see Lex as lab rat, though I confess I was disappointed not to really see his recuperative powers tested to their limit, which is what I expected when he was first kidnapped. So is he just back to the level of resilience that he had pre-Zod? I'm a little confused. Despite that, it was interesting to have someone play Lex at his own game. Though of course Lex had tricks of his own.
If the show continues like this this season, I'll be very happy. It seems like they've got lots of fun possibilities to work with! What did others think?
Following on from the Martha/Clark scene in Zod, at the start of Sneeze Clark articulates his realisation of responsibility and guilt to Martha. 'If only I'd done what Jor-El said...' Martha tries to comfort him by telling him, as the Kents always have, that it is not his fault, but Clark shakes her off in a more adult way than ever before. Notably, for the first time his guilt doesn't manifest as internalised brooding/angst, but is transformed into action in rebuilding Metropolis. It's a far more active and productive way of facing his responsibility for what happened.
Boundaries
I thought the scene between Clark and Lana was amazing. Lana shows little or no surprise at Clark bursting in; instead she greets him frostily and then shows him the door. Clark, on the other hand, is startled by her presence, not fully realising the degree to which she has penetrated Lex's intimate circle. Unconsciously he's still behaving as if he's got more right to invade Lex's space than her. Lana also cuts through the pretense of Clark claiming to be genuinely interested in helping Lex. I'm really enjoying her self-possession this season.
To complete the shift, it is Lana, not Clark, who reaches Lex's side first, albeit by being kidnapped. She plays a partially heroic role in helping him escape and I loved seeing Lex and Lana work together to get themselves out of danger. Clark saves the day, but can't reveal himself. Lex and Lana have been paralleled in relation to Clark for so long--but they are finally literally in the same place regarding him, occupying the same physical space.
It was therefore important to have a scene showing the distance between them within the mansion. Lana uncovers a camera in her bedroom--Lex has penetrated her space, broken her privacy, and she draws a line. Lex also draws a line, telling Lana that the camera in her bedroom will go but no others--this is how he lives. This type of line-drawing indicates that there is still distance between them, whether or not they've had sex (do we know yet?). Did anyone else wonder if Lex had a camera in the bathroom as well? Coz if I were Lana, I'd be asking!
Sniffles
I found Clark with the sniffles terribly cute. Though if I were Chloe, I'd be pretty sick of him coming to my workplace to sneeze! And he has breath now. Cool! ;-)
I personally loved all the Clois scenes and the fact that the flying barn door was Lois's first foray into investigative journalism (so hopeless! so cute!) but I was also thinking 'oh gawd, the Lois-haters will have a fieldday with this', for indeed she is not yet very talented. Personally I loved the scene between her and Chloe. Chloe was terribly tactful, and I loved Lois's cheery self-confidence despite the brush-off from her cousin. I laughed with Chloe at the clueless execution, but I cheered on Lois in her commitment to finding a market for herself, no matter what. Coming late to journalism as she has, I found it lovely to see how unproblematic it was for her, in comparison to Chloe. And she takes a joy in the process of writing itself that Chloe has never articulated. What I really like about the message this gives is that you don't have to be perfect from the beginning--but you do need determination and self-belief. Lois has a LOT of learning to do, but I for one was really excited to see her start on her path.
It was also interesting to compare her and Chloe--Chloe's first article was a small affair but in the more respectable paper. Lois's hit the front page, but in the 'lesser' paper. However, both stories resulted from investigations of something bizarre that occurred to the writer: they share a curiosity about the world they encounter, and perhaps both lack a more objective/less personal approach to journalism (for now at least).
Slashorama
Some things change, others stay the same. Lex is still hiring incompetents it seems. But perhaps this is a more universal problem than we realised, since we learn that Oliver Queen also lacks control over his minions. Oliver is a dream come true for slash fans! Stunningly attractive and suave and INSTANT BACKSTORY between him and Lex in Excelsior. I had to pause and flail. Plus, you've got to love a boy with a bow-and-arrow! The final 'Borneo' sequence was awesome--classic comicbook joy, and beautifully constructed.
Also, I loooove his apartment! What a great set. And the Lionel-Oliver scene was delightful. That actor is a joy (I need to start remembering his name) and I confess I *lol*ed at the cut away to Chloe saying 'I never thought I'd say this but you don't look so hot...' because Tommy fan though I am, he was looking a little scruffy this ep in comparison to the blonde newcomer! Although that needs to be tested--they clearly need to be in a scene together. Oh! Guess what?! That' going to happen!!! *flails with joy*
It was very interesting to see Lex as lab rat, though I confess I was disappointed not to really see his recuperative powers tested to their limit, which is what I expected when he was first kidnapped. So is he just back to the level of resilience that he had pre-Zod? I'm a little confused. Despite that, it was interesting to have someone play Lex at his own game. Though of course Lex had tricks of his own.
If the show continues like this this season, I'll be very happy. It seems like they've got lots of fun possibilities to work with! What did others think?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 08:24 am (UTC)Adored Oliver. He looks like he'll be a lot of fun.
Adored Lois, with her enthusism and knowledge that she's not great at this yet but loves it anyway and her determination not to let anyone rain on her parade.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 08:34 am (UTC)Yes, they really do.
Adored Lois, with her enthusism and knowledge that she's not great at this yet but loves it anyway and her determination not to let anyone rain on her parade.
Oh, I'm so very glad someone else felt like this. I think that that aspect of Lois's character is really admirable and wonderful, but I know it will irk a lot of fans.
I've been meaning to check out your journal... I should totally go do that!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 01:22 am (UTC)Women who refuse to stay where society wants them to be are often hated, I'm finding.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 02:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 09:58 pm (UTC)That is good. Lois should be the kind of gutsy women who inspires young girls.
Though it also baffles me that many older female fans hate her. I'm always curious about such trends.
It is kinda odd. I've tried to make sense of the complaints about Lois but... they're all surface complaints (Clark hates her! Except... not.) or things that have been disproven (That she has no interest in the truth or journalism, which has been shown to be untrue in several episodes, such as Facade, Exposed, most recently Sneeze) or other dealt with on the show (her being a 'slacker' is clearly only the case when she doesn't have a goal to strive for).
They don't hold water. Now, if someone just doesn't like abrasive, tough women, then they don't like that type of women. But that means that they don't like Lois. They can't just change her personality to suit themselves and claim that they're defending the 'real' her. Well, they certainly can. But they're wrong.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-13 01:45 am (UTC)*snigger* Yes. I couldn't agree more!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 09:21 am (UTC)Am I off mark?
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 07:48 pm (UTC)I get confused when success is treated as a zero-sum game (in some ways, romance can be, but not job-related success -- both Lois and Chloe can be good at reporting without it diminishing either). Why can't Chloe support Lois' try at journalism? The only way Lois succeeding at journalism hurts Chloe is if Chloe sets them up as rivals (since Lois has made it clear that she has no plans on that front).
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 08:54 pm (UTC)What I, however, meant here by Chloe being punished was that I sort of find it peculiar that Chloe works hard at journalism and Lois just sort of stubles upon it, and they end up at the same place. All the while Chloe has been a work horse, and Lois just waltzes in. (Don't get me wrong I sort if dig SV Lois, and I cerainly dig post SV Lois, but I just find SV Chloe/ Lois stuff a bit weird.)
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 11:38 pm (UTC)Yes, I can see what you're saying. But I come at it a little differently. To me, Chloe's very much the viewer's avatar--she's an ordinary, hard-working, good-hearted person who we can easily relate to. She struggles with love affairs, she works hard and is rewarded--a job at the Planet straight out of high school seems pretty damn good to me! But Lois is the one with real flair and destiny. In SV you can never ignore destiny--it's not always fair, but in Lois's case I think they've done a lot to show the nascent qualities that will make her 'deserve' her destiny. Lois does, in some ways, 'just waltz in', but the writers really showed in this episode that she was still a long way from her future canon writer self. Many aspiring journalists would view her article as 'embarrassing', and Chloe definitely comes out of this ep looking like the more professional of the two. So I didn't read it as Chloe being 'punished' at all. However, having said all that, I do understand why many people feel bad for Chloe--she tugs at our heartstrings because it is so easy to relate to her and see ourselves in her. I'll be interested to see what you think once you've seen the ep.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 07:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 07:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 08:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 12:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 02:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 11:00 am (UTC)Kind of like, 'well what do you think of that'
no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 01:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 06:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 11:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 11:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 01:40 pm (UTC)I loved the episode. It was funny, there were many new storylines (Lois gets into journalism, Ollie arrived), and some serious stuff (Lex kidnapped, Lexana moving in together and setting boundaries), *and* Clark got a new power. All that in 45 minutes. Well done Smallville, well done.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 11:42 pm (UTC)I know! I don't get it. *clings*
Yup, I thought this was a very successfull episode. Sure, it was a return to 'formula' after the season premiere, but that's how SV works. And as you point out, this wasn't just a FOTW ep--we had new storylines, character and relationship development, AND a new power!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 04:15 pm (UTC)I wanna say that the guy who plays Oliver is Justin Hartley ... and wow, love a man with instant backstory and bow-and-arrows!
The whole episode was fantastic!!!!!!!!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 11:43 pm (UTC)*lol* Exactly!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it too--it was wonderful comic book joy to me. I can't wait for more Ollie! (and I need icons!)
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 06:30 pm (UTC)Per usual I agree with many things you said and although I thought this episode was a Zzzzzz fest, you always spin things around and make it look 10 times more enjoyable. =D
no subject
Date: 2006-10-07 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 11:10 am (UTC)But I also enjoyed the Lois/Chloe scene and was happy to see that Lois was determined to not let others influence her regarding her story and that she displayed confidence in herself despite having her abilities doubted.
I've found that where Lois is concerned I like her in some episodes and find her annoying on others but I definitely liked her in this one and on the whole I think I've enjoyed more of her scenes than disliked so I'm looking forward to seeing her character evolve :)
Loved the Lana/Clark scene they definitely have more chemistry together when playing against each other and YES I would have definitely wondered if there were cameras in the bathroom :/
And Oliver, *sigh* definitely a welcome arrival.
I'm really looking forward to this season.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-08 09:57 pm (UTC)Oliver wheeeeeee!!! \o/