"There is something that strikes me to my core with rage at seeing Superman garbed entirely in black destroying twin towers in what is essentially New York," writes Bailey. "Flaming towers at Superman's hands. There is something terrifically abominable in that. I am utterly, totally aghast. Rocked to my core. I don't think I can watch this show any more. I could spit tacks right now. Does he check for people inside the building? Does he not destroy the mechanisms before the building for a reason? I'm asking what we see, not what we as fans can interpolate. What do we see? What is SHOWN?
"We see an act of terrorism. He doesn't demolish the building. The scene is set so that, just as nine years ago, the mid to upper floors are left in flames. Not an unfamiliar image. I refuse to believe they were not cognizant of what this entails and is loaded with. At the same time my gut tells me that any show that would have SUPERMAN blow up TWIN TOWERS in a city that is the COMIC ANALOGUE OF NEW YORK and then watch as they BURN and FALL without any effort toward saving innocents, and present it as HEROIC? That's not something I want to waste my time on any more. At that point all considerations of character and story go right the hell out the window, don't they? I can't see any turning back from that."
Later he adds, "They have taken our icon, run him raw, and now, they have destroyed him. They put Superman in black and had him blow up buildings, sending news reporters screaming for their lives. What broader social point is served here?"
Creatively, this season Smallville has had a nice bit of reinvigoration, but Bailey has written an excellent, powerful analysis of the episode, and it should be read in its entirety. Just follow the link.
And please share your thoughts on Bailey's point of view below.