Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t seen the episode, read at your own risk.
Whenever Star Trek TNG ended a season with a cliff hanger, I would eagerly anticipate the first episode of the next season knowing that they would do justice to all the suspense build up during the season ender. And they never failed to disappoint since the season opener would tie lose ends left by the ender nicely.
But I really don’t appreciate Smallville season openers since they always have a way of rushing things instead of utilizing what they have built up in the final episodes of the previous season. Take this new season where they show Clark without his powers. Apparently, the destruction of the Fortress of Solitude stripped the Last Son of Krypton of his amazing abilities and has rendered him human. Then why don’t the writers build stories around that handicap? Let him be human for a few episodes, show that the big blue boyscout can survive on his smarts and even humanly brawn, (in the same way a famous detective from Gotham can). Show Clark trying to beat article deadlines without his super speed for typewriting or getting to the news scene. How would he deal with traffic, get a scoop or without his super hearing for eves dropping? And the school paper was the last time Clark wrote articles so how will he develop his journalistic skills for the big league? Who teaches Clark how to be a real reporter? Who influences him in this profession?
Being human would also have helped in creating stories revolving around his relationship with Lois – perhaps make her doubt that Clark could never be the future Superman because she sees that he is only human. Sure, Lois saved Clark’s behind in this episode, why not have more of that where not only Lois, but all the other super powered characters save Clark for a change. Instead, they give Clark his powers back immediately, and get this, make it appear as a trade off for the Martian Manhunter’s super powers. First of all, if the Martian Manhunter was even near fire, he would freak out and weaken. If the human Clark and the Martian Manhunter were both in a weak state, how would the Manhunter be able to fly back to Earth. (Ok ok, it’s the writer’s excuse to say that we won’t be seeing much of the Manhunter this season, but cmon, don’t just destroy DC lore, have some sense of continuity).
I remember Smallville’s opener for the Phantom Zone season. That is what an opener should be like. It helps tell the viewers what the coming season will be about. Instead, we as an audience are still being given hints about Veritas – which is so last season and so about Lionel Luthor and pals. There have also been reports about having dual identities as the theme of this season, but then the members of this show’s Justice League agree to lie low so I don’t think the episodes will be about exploring their double lives. Quite frankly, I’m not sure I know what to expect this season.
If I were a writer for Smallville, I’d really be worried, especially with that other super hero show. Comic fans will probably support both shows, but that other show really has people hooked, not just because the effects are great, or the variety of super powered heroes to explore, but because the stories are brand new and have never been told – tough for Smallville since we know most of Superman’s stories. This is the challenge for a Smallville writer, how to get viewers interested.
For me, Smallville was always about retelling Sup’s tales in a way that these would fit with modern times. And if Season 8 is the final season and the beginning of the red and blue legend, why not show Sups rescuing people, not merely from super powered villains, but from ordinary accidents, bank robbers, terrorists attacks like the 911, or natural disasters like hurricane Katrina? Why not be the reporter who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, but saves the day and gets the scoop too? Why not be the reporter who does not remain neutral and simply states the news, but have compassion on the victims of the event that he has to rescue the victims. Show the transformation where Clark not only cares for his friends or loved ones, but begins to care for people in general, and values the lives of others. This season could be Clark’s coming of age in fulfilling his destiny as the greatest hero the DC universe has ever known. Telling how he becomes that should be the main theme for this series’ final season.
Nathan's Soliloquy 