Smallville S07E20

Warning: Spoiler Alert… better watch S07E20 before reading this =)

What a really lousy way to end the seventh season. And I was expecting around five more episodes before the season finale, but surprise surprise, S07E20 is the last episode for the season.

I guess I hate season enders in general cause they only serve as cliff hangers leaving you wanting more. Sure, my idea of a Clark versus Kara match to end the season was in a way fulfilled, but then, it was really Braniac, who shape shifted as Kara that went back with Clark from the Krypton of the past. (Some discontinuity in the writing though since there was a scene where Kara was going to drink a glass of milk, then Braniac seems to take over – if so, then Braniac did not shape shift in Krypton and did not trap Kara in the Phantom Zone in Krypton – He actually should have done that while on Earth. Another proof of this discontinuity would be the scene where the Phantom Zone trapping glass shard hurtling from the point in space where past Krypton was located).

I actually thought that Braniac would end up resurrecting Zod to end the season. Isn’t the audience tired of Braniac as the villain? Surely Kal El had other formidable opponents than Lex and the Brain Interactive Construct. Season 8 might showcase a change of enemies, with Tess serving as Lex’s replacement and a mysterious bar tender taking up space in the Talon.

Finally, how does the destruction of the Crystal Fortress allow Lex to control Clark? I hope the new writers don’t over simplify the explanation with a one liner like they did the defeat of Bizarro in the opening episode of season 7. (Clark punches him and exposes him to the sun and he wins). I guess my complaint is that the writing is sometimes brilliant, like episode 18, and sometimes not (seems like they were in a hurry to end this season, and I guess I can’t blame them since they are leaving for good). There’s no consistency. And with lack of decent actors in season 8, then it doesn’t seem like we’ll have a fitting ending to one of the best super hero shoes of all time.

Has Superman’s history been exhausted and explored completely? Then it might be time to explore other heroes instead. How about an exploration of the Flash, Wonder Woman, or Green Lantern’s pre-hero years? Reviving the Flash TV series of the 90’s would be cool, (this time exploring Wally West’s formative years as Kid Flash perhaps). Same goes for Wonder Woman, or should we say Wonder Girl, although this might be more of a Xena: Warrior Princess type series. It’s also about time we had a Green Lantern TV series, and with the aid of computers, pulling this off is easier than before.

Also, instead of exploring the past, why not explore the future. We’ve seen this in Batman Beyond, so why not have a series when all the earth’s greatest superheroes are in a foster home =D, where they share stories about their old battles. Just something to tickle one’s fancy.

Ikariam Highscore

Hypothesis: By imitating the current top player’s strategy, one can find oneself in the top 100 range eventually.

Discussion: Looking at the data below, I came up with the MS / TPS ratio (My Score to Top Player’s Score ratio) which will more or less serve as one’s strategy guide if one is aiming for the top spot. If everyone were to imitate this strategy though, then getting there might take longer. Whoever has the will to continue expanding while being able to resource manage efficiently will last out other players in the game whose interest eventually wanes =D. (Can’t have an angry population now, can we).

Also of interest are the areas in Ikariam which seem to contribute to the top player’s ranking. She (assuming the player is female) ranked 1st in Master Builders, Research Levels, and Scientists. But in the area of Build Levels, she ranked 9th, in Generals, she ranked 1909th (giving me more reason to suspect that the player is female since most males are war freaks =D ), and in Gold Stock, she ranked 1881th. So I am assuming that it is more important to have a lot of colonies, and to keep on researching rather than pillaging and blockading ports.

One way to prove this hypothesis is if I eventually become a top 100 player. But pillaging and going to war is so much more fun =) Anyway, for those chasing after a high ranking, try to make sure that your MS / TPS values are near 100% in the areas that the Top Player in your world is excelling in. And if you beat her in the other areas as well, then you might end up being the Top Player instead. Now, I gotta get back to gaming. Have fun!!!

Server 1 Data:

Comparison	My Score	Top Player’s Score	MS / TPS
Total Score	9,033	49,285	18.33%
Master Builders	267,380	2,852,305	9.37%
Build Levels	256	431	59.40%
Scientists	73,666	307,786	23.93%
Levels of Research	124	156	79.49%
Generals	97,132	22,660	428.65%
Gold Stock	117,243	240,385	48.77%

Smallville S07E18

Warning: Spoiler Alert… better watch S07E18 before reading this =)

For a moment there, I thought that the writers would treat the seven seasons of Smallville as one bad dream from which Clark Kent would awake from. Fans of the comic series would recognize this episode’s alternate setting as the real Superman comic universe… where Lois Lane is the ace reporter of the Daily Planet, Clark and Lois are the real item, Jimmy Olsen is some pansy sidekick photographer, Clark Kent wears glasses as a geeky news reporter, Supergirl is Lex Luthor’s minion, and Lex is the President of the United States. Oh, and BRANIAC is manipulating Lex into starting a nuclear war with other countries so that humanity can start afresh. But the real plan is to have Lex serve as Zod’s host so that Zod and Kara can turn Earth into the Second Krypton.

By the middle of the show, I was thinking that this might end up being the real Superman universe, becoming parallel with the comic universe, with Clark Kent being the only person in this universe having any memory of his Smallville. It could have worked, except Michael Rosenbaum won’t be coming back for the 8th season. Who’s gonna play Lex then? And if BRANIAC’s original purpose was to start a Krypton with Zod as Ruler, why did he have to destroy Krypton in the first place? Why not just kill off all Kryptonians with the exception of Zod and some mistress, and then start re-populating that planet… some discontinuity there…

But I really enjoyed this episode and can’t wait to see how they wrap up the 7th season. I’d actually rather see the new creative team start a new series, perhaps call it  Metropolis,  or  something, than continue with the Smallville title. I think 7 is a nice number to end seasons with. Most of the Star Trek Series  ended in their  7th season (TNG, DS9, Voyager).  And with most of the cast not present in the next season, it really won’t feel Smallvi-ish.

Still, whatever the decisions, I will always remain a Superman fan and will watch anything related to him. Fans still haven’t seen a Wonder Woman, Batman, and Green Lantern team up. Something to look forward to in the 8th season? … maybe … so fans, keep on watching. =)

Favoritism

Saw this post by Janetdba and I was blessed. Read on…

Does God play favorites with people?

Many beautiful metaphors are used in the Bible to describe us and our relationship with God. There are two that I think help us tremendously to understand the answer to this question. The first is the use of the term “Father” in reference to God. It portrays, as well as words can, the relationship God wants to have with us and what we are in relation to him. We are children. But most important to remember here is that He is a perfect parent. His love for us is perfect.

It is certainly easy to look around and see, or more accurately, think we see, what looks like favoritism on God’s part. I am just as guilty of this as anyone else. But if we are privileged to learn the realities of the life of those who seem to be so much luckier or more blessed than we are, it becomes evident that the rosy picture we see is not the real one.

As any loving parent knows, each child has completely individual needs and abilities to grow and learn. Those needs and abilities are all taken into consideration when guidance, discipline, gifts and responsibilities are given. Those who know children have heard the complaint, “That’s not fair!” more than once. But what is not seen by the child is that the parent in charge has carefully tried to choose the best course that will ultimately bring the most happiness to each child.

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him” (Mat. 7:11).

Another metaphor refers to God as the potter and people as the clay. At first, this might sound demeaning, but if you have ever watched a potter or seriously worked with clay, you know what great care and attention goes into each piece. Many pots may look the same, but the potter can affectionately show you each and every variation. Many pots may look similar in form, but the potter can tell you how each is made for a different, specific purpose. God is our perfect potter and is deeply attached to each individual creation and its purpose.

“But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;” (Romans 2:10-12)

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of theinheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” (Colossians 3:23-25)

So finally, the answer to the question, “Does God play favorites with people?” is no. As our perfectly wise parent and perfectly loving Creator, He sees in each of us the truly individual beauty and distinctive purpose for which we were made.

“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isa. 64:8).