Smallville Season #9: So Sups is acting like Batman now? [Archive]

batGRRRl4ever

09-25-2009, 08:11 PM

SuperTommyMan

09-25-2009, 09:10 PM

Yeah I just saw the season premiere as well. Once again, extremely disappointed but seems like this season won't suck as much as the last one. I almost decided to stop watching but then I realized I spent the last 8 years watching it so I might as well finish it lol.

Yes, I hate how Superman is "batman-like" with a costume that resembles Neo from the Matrix. Thats just straight cheesy. What's more, I'm guessing that he's all mysterious wearing black because he has to detach himself from everyone he knows and lose his human side to learn how to FLY.

Probably towards the end of the season, we'll see him wear the same blue n red jacket t-shirt combo or some fruity costume when he has an epiphany and realizes there's no point going on saving everyone without any friends and love in his life.

I hope they end up using the idea from Superman:Birthright where Lex says Superman is smart for wearing such bright colors and no mask so people can trust him and see him coming from miles away. Clark needs to be someone who people trust, not like some mysterious blur.

I'm gonna guess this is the last season and let's all pray it can end decently.

lariatofhestia

09-26-2009, 11:50 AM

Ratings are out and it is the lowest ever. Even with the hype and the so called steamy sex and Zod and Metallo and the Neo trenchcoat.

2.5 million.

The only time I think ratings will go up is if a Justice League episode is on or when the JSA appear. I am not surprised .Last season was mediocre to the point it turned many people off.

Smalliville isn't about Clark becoming Superman anymore. It's a train wreck trying to cram elements in without thought and trying to keep the smaller but loud Clois shippers happy with out any real thought to whether timing and that dynamic is working.

Grievous

09-26-2009, 11:52 AM

When he was talking to Chloie in his barn and he had his jacket off I noticed how much he looks like Conner in the black t-shirt. I bet that was the inspiration.

And I'm sure the low ratings are almost entirely due to the suicidal move to Fridays.

batGRRRl4ever

09-26-2009, 12:08 PM

I'm gonna guess this is the last season and let's all pray it can end decently.

Yeah, it's time, and I think that the low number of 2.5 million who watched will let the suits in charge know that THIS is the LAST season for the show. So things for me to wrap up the series are as follows for a final episode:

1.) Finally deal with the paradox that Chloe (more or less Smallville's version of Oracle) is NOT in any other Superman universe or the comics, so is she to be killed off as the impetus for Clark to don his Superman uniform at long last?

2.) Bring back Lex!! I mean c'mon, Mercy as the main villian?!?

3.) In terms of Smallville and IT'S universe I'd like to see Ma Kent at least one more time also.

4.) And of course for Clark to actually BE Superman!!! That means both flying as well as finally donning his red & blue uniform.

I really hope the creators in charge of this show see the writing on the wall and decide to wrap up storylines, as it would be far preferable over a cancellation with nothing but dangling cliffhanger plot threads that will never have any real endings.

Mat001

09-26-2009, 01:43 PM

Yeah, it's time, and I think that the low number of 2.5 million who watched will let the suits in charge know that THIS is the LAST season for the show. So things for me to wrap up the series are as follows for a final episode:

1.) Finally deal with the paradox that Chloe (more or less Smallville's version of Oracle) is NOT in any other Superman universe or the comics, so is she to be killed off as the impetus for Clark to don his Superman uniform at long last?

Chloe made a cameo in the 2004 Secret Files & Origins and her name was seen in "Secret Origin" #1.

2.) Bring back Lex!! I mean c'mon, Mercy as the main villian?!?

Rosenbaum wanted off and they didn't want to do what was done on Superboy.

3.) In terms of Smallville and IT'S universe I'd like to see Ma Kent at least one more time also.

4.) And of course for Clark to actually BE Superman!!! That means both flying as well as finally donning his red & blue uniform.

I really hope the creators in charge of this show see the writing on the wall and decide to wrap up storylines, as it would be far preferable over a cancellation with nothing but dangling cliffhanger plot threads that will never have any real endings.

Clark isn't wearing his costume because of Welling's desire to not wear tights and the fact that this season, Clark has to reconcile his two heritages. He's cut off his human part, which is why he's dressed like this instead of the red and blue clothing. When he accepts both parts, that's when he'll put on the suit and will finally fly.

SuperTommyMan

09-26-2009, 09:57 PM

Yeah, it's time, and I think that the low number of 2.5 million who watched will let the suits in charge know that THIS is the LAST season for the show. So things for me to wrap up the series are as follows for a final episode:

its sad really how a good show gets ruined by the upper suits who make all the decisions. Smallville started off good, much like heroes, that 70's show n prison break, but execs wont let it end as long as it has the potential to make money.

Actually on a second thought, although smallville only has 2.5 million viewers, its also extremely low budget so who knows. we might see more and more seasons as long as Tom Welling is still willing to stick with them. I really hope not tho lol.

Jeff O.

09-26-2009, 10:16 PM

Since he's Batman-like and wearing black (and burning his "S" as a calling card like the Mark of Zorro), I figure Clark might as well start using the Kandorian code name of Nightwing on the show.

(I guess the burnt "S" graffiti is only part Mark of Zorro -- the other part being Superboy-Prime in LEGION OF THREE WORLDS.)

__________________

Infinity Man

09-26-2009, 10:57 PM

Rosenbaum wanted off

Really? The show really suffers without Lex and Lionel. I didn't watch the premier, and don't honestly care to. I quit halfway through season 8.

NeoStar9X

09-27-2009, 12:34 AM

I think also for the low rating is that a number of channels that aired the show had problems in the first 15 minutes. No sound, lack of picture, etc

superchick

09-27-2009, 12:15 PM

2.5 mill on Friday. Smallville was the 4th highest show of the week on the CW in the dead zone! Dawn Ostroff said as long as it gets above 2 million then season 10 will see air.

batGRRRl4ever

09-27-2009, 12:34 PM

2.5 mill on Friday. Smallville was the 4th highest show of the week on the CW in the dead zone! Dawn Ostroff said as long as it gets above 2 million then season 10 will see air.

Wow the CW has lower standards then as that would be completely unacceptable numbers for ABC, NBC & CBS for a sci-fi/fantasy show.

lariatofhestia

09-27-2009, 08:26 PM

Oh and don't let's forget the real kick in the teeth ...they are inferring if Lois dies in the future Clark will go all evil. WTF?

What and insult to the Kents who raised him, to the man Clark is supposed to be...to be useless if Lois should die and turn to the dark side.

The Superman I know is not a quitter. Nor did he become Superman cause of Lois.

If that is the bs Smallville is gonna perpetuate I cannot wait for this thing to end.:mad:

Sean Whitmore

09-27-2009, 09:34 PM

See, this just shows how little I was paying attention...wasn't it the woman who was burning Clark's symbol all over town?

Oh and don't let's forget the real kick in the teeth ...they are inferring if Lois dies in the future Clark will go all evil. WTF?

What and insult to the Kents who raised him, to the man Clark is supposed to be...to be useless if Lois should die and turn to the dark side.

Not a fan of the "Brave New Metropolis" episode of the cartoon? :wink:

SEAN

IvCNuB4

09-28-2009, 09:27 AM

2.5 mill on Friday. Smallville was the 4th highest show of the week on the CW in the dead zone! Dawn Ostroff said as long as it gets above 2 million then season 10 will see air.

Yes. Props to the CW's PR team for that creative spin :biggrin:

Aint It Cool News reports that the ratings for the Season 9 premiere of "Smallville" was down 45% on previous Season premieres, taking last place amongst its competitors for the night.

The premiere of SMALLVILLE scored our best performance in the Friday 8pm hour among adults 18-34 (1.0/4), adults 18-49 (1.0/4) and total viewers (2.5mil) in a year (Sept. 26 2008 - Smackdown).
Versus premiere night last year, Smallville outperformed our comedies by +25% in adults 18-49 and +25% in total viewers

Sean Walsh

09-28-2009, 09:49 AM

I'm really surprised the John Corben thing is being dealt with so quickly. With the character's introduction, I figured they were going to do a slow reveal over a few weeks until the inevitable Clark vs. Metallo fight. But instead....it's next week.

And that preview of next week's ep pretty much spoiled everything about the character on its own - they didn't really do much in the premiere to establish the Metallo angle (I think his foot crunched when Lois stomped on it, but that was it).

Aint It Cool News reports that the ratings for the Season 9 premiere of "Smallville" was down 45% on previous Season premieres, taking last place amongst its competitors for the night.

The premiere of SMALLVILLE scored our best performance in the Friday 8pm hour among adults 18-34 (1.0/4), adults 18-49 (1.0/4) and total viewers (2.5mil) in a year (Sept. 26 2008 - Smackdown).
Versus premiere night last year, Smallville outperformed our comedies by +25% in adults 18-49 and +25% in total viewers

Wow. I can understand them wanting to spin it as a good thing, but when the general public knows (a) your network & its ratings is crap, and (b) your comedies are absolutely dreadful, it hurts everything involved - the comedies, SMALLVILLE and the CW.

At least on Thursdays SMALLVILLE actually did well because of the overall size of the network audiences - Thursdays still have that "must see TV" reputation, so the competition of all the networks results in everything having a pretty sizeable audience. So moving it off that night was a guaranteed drop - still, 45% seems pretty steep.

Bored at 3:00AM

09-28-2009, 10:13 AM

The Clark as Neo was done with enough tongue and cheek that it works for me.

I don't mind Superman in black & white if it makes for an interesting story.

I just wish for they'd stop calling him the Goddamn Red Blue Burr.

Please. That name is dreadful.

I've really warmed up to Erica Durance as Lois. I was skeptical at first, but she's sold me.

I adore the idea of MAJOR Zod. Nice bit of slight of hand there. Showing Zod's journey into what he's destined to be could potentially be as interesting as seeing Luthor or Clark's rise to greatness.

KNEEL BEFORE BORED!

protonik

09-28-2009, 11:01 AM

it's been five years and you are just now sold on Durance? :P

Joey

09-28-2009, 11:19 AM

It took me until last season to really care about Erica as Lois... she isn't a great actress but they are finally writing the character to be more like Lois than just a funny take on Lois

vitruvian

09-28-2009, 11:35 AM

3.) In terms of Smallville and IT'S universe I'd like to see Ma Kent at least one more time also.

Well, yeah, he's on a program of denying his humanity, and he didn't discuss it with his Mom first? Not like it would take him any time to run down to Washington, DC. Maybe he could scare some lobbyists and defense contractors straight while he was there, and really hearken back to the character's origins.

Of course, it probably makes it easier to follow Jor-el's direction if he doesn't let Martha have a chance to talk him out of it first, but we all know that's not the reasoning at work here; rather, it's just that O'Toole isn't signed for any more appearances.

Monari

09-28-2009, 11:36 AM

For all those complaining about the black super suit, you guys should rewatch your copy of Donner's Superman movie.

Marlon Brando wears pretty much the exact same outfit when he sentences Zod and the others to the Phantom Zone. The outfit isn't just something the producers pulled out of their butts, there's precedent for it.

I'm glad they at least addressed the flying issue. I hope by season's end he actually does fly.

Bored at 3:00AM

09-28-2009, 12:03 PM

it's been five years and you are just now sold on Durance? :P

To be fair, I kinda tuned out of Smallville about 5 years ago. The writing had just become abysmal and the never-ending battle to find some way, any way to make Lana an interesting character just drove me away.

I came back last season and got hooked again.

David Walton

09-28-2009, 12:24 PM

I missed the first half. Is this Zod before he was sentenced to the Phantom Zone, escaped, and possessed Lex?

Mat001

09-28-2009, 01:31 PM

Really? The show really suffers without Lex and Lionel. I didn't watch the premier, and don't honestly care to. I quit halfway through season 8.

Yes. Rosenbaum agreed to do seven seasons and while the producers wanted to go for eight, he didn't. So that's why he left and Glover had to leave in order to resolve the Lex/Lionel dynamic. The plan initially was to end Lex's journey with killing his father and we got that, only the show continues without him. Rosenbaum could come back, but he doesn't want to shave his head for one or two episodes.

I'm really surprised the John Corben thing is being dealt with so quickly. With the character's introduction, I figured they were going to do a slow reveal over a few weeks until the inevitable Clark vs. Metallo fight. But instead....it's next week.

He's only planned for two episodes, with an option of more.

Of course, it probably makes it easier to follow Jor-el's direction if he doesn't let Martha have a chance to talk him out of it first, but we all know that's not the reasoning at work here; rather, it's just that O'Toole isn't signed for any more appearances.

It's both, one is real world and one is in-universe.

Marlon Brando wears pretty much the exact same outfit when he sentences Zod and the others to the Phantom Zone. The outfit isn't just something the producers pulled out of their butts, there's precedent for it.

Actually, it's their way of getting Welling in costume and because at one point Jon Peters wanted Superman to look like Neo. Hence the look.

Mr. Kent

09-28-2009, 03:04 PM

Oh God, Smallville. Clark's going to fight every single Superman villain before he ever dons the costume. Contrived and boring.

I'm convinced that the show is like an Elseworld, in which Clark joined the JLA and fought villains but never used the name Superman. Everything else is mostly the same. Which is pretty damn lame for an alternate version.

Bored at 3:00AM

09-29-2009, 12:43 AM

Actually, it's their way of getting Welling in costume and because at one point Jon Peters wanted Superman to look like Neo. Hence the look.

I dunno. The Neo Clark costume actually is a dead-ringer for Brando's costume at the beginning of Superman: The Movie. Even the S-Shield is the same.

Bored at 3:00AM

09-29-2009, 12:46 AM

I missed the first half. Is this Zod before he was sentenced to the Phantom Zone, escaped, and possessed Lex?

I didn't watch any of the seasons when Zod appeared previously, but I got the impression that this Zod is from an earlier time period than the one that popped up earlier.

Plex

09-29-2009, 07:05 AM

I don't know, I like the never ending villain of the week. It sure is a lot better than the Clark/Lana love/hate/whatever you want to call it that went on FOREVER and got really lame after a while but just kept going on and on and on and on and on and on... Then they finally moved on but then brought it back....

I liked it more when they started introducing more super heroes and villains though I thought the Doomsday storyline could have been a lot better if they really thought they had to do it, which I guess they did. I liked the LSH appearance and wish they would show up again. Maybe they'll end the show with Clark going to the future. I also think it would be cool if they did a Supes/Batman meet but that won't happen. I also agree that it is not quite as good without Lex there. Though they really should have had him flying by now after 9 seasons.

I like the fact that it isn't in the DCU, I thought the black costume was supposed to be a tribute to the Donner movie. I would say that I was more of a casual watcher of the show until they started introducing the superheroes and villains, then I took a more active interest in the show. I'll probably rent the earlier years through Netflix eventually.

I'm looking forward to the appearance of the JSA!!!!

Jorriss

09-29-2009, 08:09 AM

I just wish for they'd stop calling him the Goddamn Red Blue Burr.

I thought it was kind of absurd when they were like 'The red blue blur isnt so red and blue now,' or some variant of that. Come on, ffs, you've never even seen him.

Darthhobbit

09-29-2009, 01:06 PM

When IGN met up with the shows writers and creators they asked the same with regarding the costume and everything, I liked the writers responce, can't quote it but it revolved around this:
We know he isntr wearing his blue and red spandex, but it would be weird if jsut one day he woke up with the costume we all know and love, he has to experiment find his style, what works best for him, he isn't gonig to right away be the Superman we know and love, let him work at it, perfect it.

I agree, it would be weird if he just woke up as the Superman we know and love, not like we all one day wake up and are suddenly doing our dream job or in our career of choice, I think it makes him seem more realistic.

But I also stopped watching the show during season 3, but still keep up to date with it lol.

David Walton

09-29-2009, 01:08 PM

but it would be weird if jsut one day he woke up with the costume we all know and love

It wouldn't be too weird, really, considering he's had eight seasons to get to this point.

But I also stopped watching the show during season 3, but still keep up to date with it lol.

Clearly you're waiting for him to wake up with the costume we all know and love!

Mat001

09-29-2009, 01:19 PM

I dunno. The Neo Clark costume actually is a dead-ringer for Brando's costume at the beginning of Superman: The Movie. Even the S-Shield is the same.

Because a black S-Shield wouldn't stand out. And the idea is for it to be all dark, so no red and yellow or red and black.

It wouldn't be too weird, really, considering he's had eight seasons to get to this point.

Except the idea is to have Clark unify both aspects of his heritage and combine it with Battle Angel and the mascot. Hence the experimentation.

Bored at 3:00AM

09-29-2009, 10:44 PM

Because a black S-Shield wouldn't stand out. And the idea is for it to be all dark, so no red and yellow or red and black.

So you think it's just a coincidence that the outfit looks like Brando's from the beginning of the Donner movie?

Given that they introduced a Miss Tess Mercer into the show, I think the similarities are definitely a deliberate choice on their part.

Monari

09-30-2009, 08:48 AM

Not to mention the whole "identical Fortress of Solitude" thing. Smallville basically changed over to the Donner movie universe when Superman Returns came out.

Mat001

09-30-2009, 02:13 PM

NeoStar9X

09-30-2009, 03:08 PM

Tess Mercer is an amaglam of Eve Tessmacher and Mercy Graves. Clark's outfit is a coincidence. It's meant to evoke that Clark is breaking ties with his past and is a nod towards Neo, as well as the costume design the JLA members have employed.

Millar and Gough planned to use the film Fortress long before "Superman Returns" came about. Back when it was "Superman: Flyby" written by JJ Abrams, which was not connected to the first four films. They've said that they're using different elements from the lore, not favoring one over the other.

They've been pulling elements from all sources from the very beginning. It's still strange that some people haven't realize this yet or simply won't accept it. I still come across people online that get angry that the show isn't simply adapting the comics or older stories. They seem actually upset that it is trying to be it's own show/universe and refuse to accept what the show is. The show was to do something new yet familiar at the same time. It's done that very well. Some of it's been good and some of it's been bad but it is staying true to it's goal and isn't simply a repeat of old material.

blackphoenix

09-30-2009, 04:57 PM

So what I got from the season premiere of Smallville (other than that this show has been on the air waaaaay to long and they've run out of ideas) is that Clark is now dressing like the Punisher and acting sorta like Batman in the shadows. I thought Superman was supposed to be a beacon of hope, but in Smallville going into season #9 he is still skulking in alleyways.

I'm sorry, but this show has run out of excuses to 1.) STILL not have him flying after NINE years and 2.) He acts more like Batman lurking in shadows to fight crime instead of donning his red & blue's and and giving people someone to both have hope in and to look up to. It's simply ridiculous at this point in the series.

What are others opinions?

I didn't watch the season premiere. I gave up on this series around the time Lana started wearing a kryptonite powered battlesuit(um...since I only saw her in street clothes, I guess the suit looked like a bra and panties). This show just needs to die already. Warner should've put this series down a long time ago.

Bored at 3:00AM

09-30-2009, 10:50 PM

Tess Mercer is an amaglam of Eve Tessmacher and Mercy Graves. Clark's outfit is a coincidence. It's meant to evoke that Clark is breaking ties with his past and is a nod towards Neo, as well as the costume design the JLA members have employed.

Exactly, Tess Mercer is quite obviously a mix of Miss Tessmacher & Mercy.

Yet it's out of the question that the black costume isn't a mix of Brando & Neo?

Huh?

Clark is undergoing training from Jor-El and his Kryptonian side. He's sporting the same look Jor-El had on Krypton the first time we see him in Superman: The Movie.

Why on Earth would you think that's just a coinidence?

But, if you don't see it, cool. It shouldn't really effect your opinion of the show one way or another.

Mat001

10-01-2009, 02:16 PM

The Jor-El in "Smallville" dressed more like the "Birthright" version than the film version, as seen in "Memoria".

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/smallville/images/0/02/Sv319Baby_Kal_El.JPG

I didn't watch the season premiere. I gave up on this series around the time Lana started wearing a kryptonite powered battlesuit(um...since I only saw her in street clothes, I guess the suit looked like a bra and panties). This show just needs to die already. Warner should've put this series down a long time ago.

Lana was wearing a dress, which was Lex's armor adapted to something less bulking and more form fitting. They haven't cancelled this series because it still gets good ratings for them, despite what the comic fans think of it.

blackphoenix

10-01-2009, 04:03 PM

The Jor-El in "Smallville" dressed more like the "Birthright" version than the film version, as seen in "Memoria".

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/smallville/images/0/02/Sv319Baby_Kal_El.JPG

Lana was wearing a dress, which was Lex's armor adapted to something less bulking and more form fitting. They haven't cancelled this series because it still gets good ratings for them, despite what the comic fans think of it.

Scroll back and you will see that the season premiere got really low ratings.

Mat001

10-01-2009, 08:02 PM

Save for that, it has had good ratings and the move to Friday from Thursday is the reason for the ratings drop. If it was on Thursday, it'd have the same numbers, give or take as last year.

Grievous

10-02-2009, 04:11 PM

Save for that, it has had good ratings and the move to Friday from Thursday is the reason for the ratings drop. If it was on Thursday, it'd have the same numbers, give or take as last year.

I agree, the move was foolish for a station with as bad ratings as the CW.

It looks like in the NY area Smallville is delayed until Saturday night due to a baseball game. That's not going to help the national average ratings this week either, and its missing week in this area isn't going to help get more people following this season on a weekly basis either.

Sean Whitmore

10-03-2009, 05:41 AM

Jorriss

10-03-2009, 09:42 AM

Damn, that was a good episode. One of those ones that reminds me why I put up with the other 85% of the show.

Only thing that could've made me happier is if Metallo had been secretly created by a crazy hobo Lex on a whim.

SEAN
Yeah, this episode was pretty slick. Brian Austin Green was really good as Metallo, and I actually did like the look of the smallville version quite a bit. Overall, I am quite pleased.

Sean Whitmore

10-10-2009, 11:24 PM

STC

10-12-2009, 11:06 AM

Wow, two good ones in a row.

Well, the zombie stuff wasn't "good", but it was inoffensive. But a lot of the character interaction was very good. I LOVED the opening with Clark and Lois, Hamilton is growing on me, and the Zod stuff was intriguing.

SEAN

I thought this season has been pretty good. I liked Metallo, I hope next time we see him, he'll be upgraded w/ Luthorcorp tech.