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Smallville

Quasi

Critical Thinker
Q
Joined
Oct 7, 2002
Messages
424
Hello,

Recently, I borrowed season 1 of the WB show called "Smallville." The show actually had a good concept. I was really disapointed to see many new age themes sewn into the show. For example, the Kents (heroes) are organic farmers, who live on an ideal, well maintained farm. The Luthors (bad guys) are evil corporate (gasp) chemical fertilizer manufacturers. The geeky science students are portrayed as evil, as in the episode "Metamorphosis" (number 2,) and the dialogue is horrendously simple and cliche. I know this show is supposed to be for teens, but give me a break. I also was disappointed at "Six Feet Under" for its positive portrayal of new agers (shiatsu masseurs, organic foods.)
In the second episode, the father slanders big agriculture and believes that the plant is causing a large amount of pollution. Well, he could read the SARA submission or the EIS, but no. No mention of this at all. In the metamorphosis episode, they also mention "toxins" building up in the body. Although I did not see it, there is also an episode where a psychic is wrongfully persecuted and exploted and superman has to protect her. What a joke. Any thoughts?
 
The Luthors (bad guys) are evil corporate (gasp) chemical fertilizer manufacturers.
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To be fair, they are pretty evil. Their pet stores are probably evil too, but there isn't one in Smallville.

Although I did not see it, there is also an episode where a psychic is wrongfully persecuted and exploted and superman has to protect her. What a joke. Any thoughts?
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Yeah, "Clark Kent: Hoaxbuster" wouldn't be that entertaining...

David
 
I am more concerned about the show portraying aliens as humanoids identical to humans in every visible way. At least in star trek they have bumpy heads. ;)
 
My biggest problem with the show is that nobody in Smallville can drive. You don't quite notice it when watching it weekly, but see all the shows in a row and you realize they crash or wreck an auto almost every episode.
 
Yep, in the pilot, the Kents total their pickup. In the second, Lex wrecks his porche. Consequently, Mr. Kent wisely forbids Clark from accepting the pickup guft because he knows it will just get wrecked in the next episode. Probably trapping Lana, then Clark will escape from some cryptonite trap and save her at the last moment. Sorry, I just wrecked the plot of every episode.
 
I just wish he'd fly already. We already have a superhero who can run really fast...he's called the Flash.
 
And how did Kryptonite become the incredible do-all material? Besides giving everyone who spends more that 10 seconds with it super powers it sends telephone messages through times? Can be used to supercharge cars, used as an explosive, what the hey? You would think someone would have noticed these things are radioactive by now, but no. Instead they are making class rings and other jewelry out of them. Of course they use them for that because it is so easily available. It apparently is underneath every single bit of dirt out there. It is a wonder the whole town doesn't glow green at night.
 
Quasi said:
I was really disapointed to see many new age themes sewn into the show.
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Okay, I'm a comic fan, so I'm probably biased.

However, this is no different than anything you'd see in Buffy except that Buffy was much better written. And acted. And directed. And etc....

The thing with any science-fiction/fantasy show like this is that you go in with a certain level of suspension of disbelief. It's been a while since I've been able to watch the show, but they seem to be going for a very simplified view of "good" and "evil", which in part, has pretty much always been apart of the Superman mythos. If you want complexity, you go to Batman (post mid-1980's). If you want strong character development, you go to Spiderman.

Anyway, that this version of Superman is kind of new age-y and over-simple isn't really contrary to what "Superman" is. Just be thankful you never read (I'm assuming) Superman in the 1960-1970's. You wanna talk junk science! Smallville is a science text book in comparison.
 
HarryKeogh said:
I just wish he'd fly already. We already have a superhero who can run really fast...he's called the Flash.
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Why do heroes who run super-fast always look like they take normal-length runing strides? Wouldn't they really put a foot down every 400 feet or so instead? They should be taking one stride to my 200!

"Must...save...Lana...from...maniac...Oops! Missed my turn..."
 
I don't think that the problem is so much a lack of reality as it is the combination of reality and fantasy. In Buffy, for example, it's all made up...they lump witches and psychics in with vampires and werewolves, so in turn, every aspect of that show is seen as fantasy. In Smallville, it seems too much like some sort of commentary (ie. organic food vs. chemical fertilizers, individual vs. corporation), where they tell you what's good and evil. As a result, it makes the junk 'science' seem plausible to the uneducated.

I realize the above is rather poorly explained, but hopefully, I (sort of) got my point across.

On a side-note....are there any good science shows on TV? I( can't think of any offhand...even shows that supposedly have fact checkers(ie. CSI) manage to get it all wrong.

It's a sad day when Saturday morning programming (such as Bill Nye: The Science Guy), is more accurate and informative than adult programming.
 
Quasi said:
Hello,

Recently, I borrowed season 1 of the WB show called "Smallville." - snipped -Any thoughts?
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oh, you have many, many objections huh.


What are your objections to "X"-men? the Hulk? Spider-man? Spawn?

You are commenting on paranormal/extraordinary/unlikely powers in shows based on comic books, a genre that is well known for including paranormal powers in someway or another in superheros, villians, mutants, or irradiated persons. Do you expect comic books or shows based on comic books not to use paranormal events or powers in their story lines?

I have been reading comics for almost 3 decades. I have noticed plot devices and character traits include many elements; its entertainment. There is sometimes philosophy, allegory in the stories, for e.g. anything that will develop story, bring in a twist. If you are seeking credulity in the plots of comic books or shows related to comic books, you are going to be hard-put to find it.
 
I have to go with PPG here, folks. It's fantasy.

The people we should worry about are the ones who think they can fly in REAL LIFE.

And how did Kryptonite become the incredible do-all material? Besides giving everyone who spends more that 10 seconds with it super powers it sends telephone messages through times? Can be used to supercharge cars, used as an explosive, what the hey? You would think someone would have noticed these things are radioactive by now, but no. Instead they are making class rings and other jewelry out of them. Of course they use them for that because it is so easily available. It apparently is underneath every single bit of dirt out there. It is a wonder the whole town doesn't glow green at night.
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It's even funnier when you consider that, in the comics, Lex Luthor nearly died from rampant radiation-induced cancer by wearing a Kryptonite ring. He had to have a whole new body cloned and his brain put into it to survive.

And then he masqueraded as a 'nephew' for a time, with lots and lots of hair, before going back to being Lex Luthor again.

--Toasty
 
It's even funnier when you consider that, in the comics, Lex Luthor nearly died from rampant radiation-induced cancer by wearing a Kryptonite ring.
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Look carefully in the "old lady who sees the future" episode, and you'll see that in her vision of Lex's future, he's wearing a black glove on one hand.

David
 
davidhorman said:


Look carefully in the "old lady who sees the future" episode, and you'll see that in her vision of Lex's future, he's wearing a black glove on one hand.

David
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I wonder if Clark's super-hearing can pick up the sobbing sounds of all those nerds-without-girlfriends out there.
 
Jas said:
I don't think that the problem is so much a lack of reality as it is the combination of reality and fantasy. In Buffy, for example, it's all made up...they lump witches and psychics in with vampires and werewolves, so in turn, every aspect of that show is seen as fantasy. In Smallville, it seems too much like some sort of commentary (ie. organic food vs. chemical fertilizers, individual vs. corporation), where they tell you what's good and evil. As a result, it makes the junk 'science' seem plausible to the uneducated.

I realize the above is rather poorly explained, but hopefully, I (sort of) got my point across.

On a side-note....are there any good science shows on TV? I( can't think of any offhand...even shows that supposedly have fact checkers(ie. CSI) manage to get it all wrong.

It's a sad day when Saturday morning programming (such as Bill Nye: The Science Guy), is more accurate and informative than adult programming.
Click to expand...

Thanks, you just wrote what I was thinking. Yes, I agree that the show is fantasy, however Superman was supposed to be about the truth, justice, and the american way (his motto.) In Buffy, Willow was a smart, well made character, and the paranormal stuff was not made to blend with reality, for examlple, demons, eye of newt, ancient books and weapons etc, not to mention vampires. Smallville, like Six Feet Under is merely a marketing vehicle for new age religious beliefs such as anthroposophism. At least SFU has better writing. I find Smallville insulting to my intelligence.
 
Re: Re: Smallville

PygmyPlaidGiraffe said:


oh, you have many, many objections huh.


What are your objections to "X"-men? the Hulk? Spider-man? Spawn?

You are commenting on paranormal/extraordinary/unlikely powers in shows based on comic books, a genre that is well known for including paranormal powers in someway or another in superheros, villians, mutants, or irradiated persons. Do you expect comic books or shows based on comic books not to use paranormal events or powers in their story lines?

I have been reading comics for almost 3 decades. I have noticed plot devices and character traits include many elements; its entertainment. There is sometimes philosophy, allegory in the stories, for e.g. anything that will develop story, bring in a twist. If you are seeking credulity in the plots of comic books or shows related to comic books, you are going to be hard-put to find it.
Click to expand...

There is a tremendous difference between Smallville and the other comics listed. Yes, we are talking about fantasy. However, in all cases, certain aspects of our reality remain, otherwise everyone would have paranormal powers and it would be boring. The base reality of Smallville is a lie because organic foods are not healthier, nor are they more environmentally friendly etc. Further, fertilizer companies allow for more crops to be grown, cheaper, so that lots of folks can afford to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, which actually does prevent many cancer deaths per year. However, the deliberate reality of Smallville makes the organic industry out to be wholesome, and that of agribusiness, and corporations out to be evil, which does not match at all my experiences dealing with both industries, directly with those parties involved. In my experence, the organic crowd blames virtually all human health ills, expecially cancer, on non-organic farming, the pharmaceutical industry etc. Their proof? None, except that extortion pays off big time. Psychics, organic proponents, and CAM practitioners have caused an enormous amount of suffering, and even death of the mentally ill and children as well as adults. I consider it reprehensible to represent them in a show for young adults in any way other than they actually are, to be fair. Instead, the delusional writer sets up false conflicts and creates propaganda against very helpful and important parts of our society. I find this more offensive than a million Janet Jackson nipple shots. I am waiting for the show with the evil MD hurting infants with antibiotics and, ghasp, immunizations. Would you be offended if instead they adapted it so Clark was the reborn christ like figure? Then they depicted xtian prayer to heal the sick, and all the evil characters were atheists, muslims, etc. They could have the episode where the evil Jew was scamming the organic farmers out of their land, or the islamic kid trying to blow up the church. This propaganda would be no less offensive to me than the current nonsense. To be fair, I do not believe all organic farmers or those related to the industry are crooks, but they are deluded, misinformed people who help to perpetuate fear. As for the rest, I think you can guess my response.
 
Re: Re: Re: Smallville

I like Smallville. It's fiction, and I recognize that. If you got an audience of 50 experts in their fields and picked out all the mistakes, you'd have nothing left to show except possibly the beginning and end credits.

I don't mind new agey concepts in my fiction, even near fiction, as long as the story is good.
 
I love Sci-Fi and I am all for suspension of disbelief. but not for suspension of intelligence. A good Sci-Fi or Fantasy movie should not require you to also dumb down. Case in point, "SIGNS" by far the worst Sci-Fi movie I have ever seen. At least "Planet 9 from Out Of Space" was campy and funny if unintentionaly so. But "SIGNS" has soooooooo many things wrong with the plot it would take hundreds of posting in a separate thread to cover a portion of them. Shheeeesh!
 
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