Smallville: Forgetting 9/11?

dude... its not real life. there are many more offensive tv programs around

I thought the same thing when I saw this episode. The writers should have at least showed Clark using his X-Ray vision to ensure that there were no people in those buildings.

I'm a fan of Smallville and missed this episode as well. Consider that the producers of this show were at odds about releasing it in 2001 because it was so close after 9-11 and they weren't sure if people wanted the escapism. Well, they released it anyway and it became a huge hit because people were actually ready to see a reimagining of the Superman mythos. Because he's Superman. This just seems in really poor taste.

Interesting and an excellent find Ed! This'll definitely cause some ruckus in the community.

I saw the newest episode, the one to which Mr. Bailey refers, and at the time only made the vaguest of connections to 9/11. However, after reading this article and the main link, it seems fairly obvious that he's right. It's true. Superman committed an act of terrorism. And I do actually recall thinking to myself as I watched, that it was surprising to see Superman blow up a building. That did seem very out of character for him.

However, I shall now try to mount a defense FOR Smallville. So. Here goes:

It goes without saying that there have been many changes made to Superman's origins when it comes to 'Smallville'. Smallville has always, *always*, been considered a re-imagining of the character of Superman/Clark Kent and the events surrounding his early years before becomin the Big Blue Boy Scout.

Now does that mean that the creators of Smallville feel that they have free reign with the character and can do with him as they please? Certainly not. The characterisitcs that make Superman are there, in full, and have been for the last 8 seasons. He's still Kryptonian. Still grew up with the Kents. Lex Luthor is STILL, (even after leaving the show), shown to be Clark's main rival. Still had Pete Ross for a best friend, fell in love with Lana Lang, and is deathly weakened when exposed to Kryptonite. And he still stands for Truth, Justice, and the American way. And over the last 8 seasons we've seen Clark do just about everything in his power to keep the peace.

This latest act, the destruction of a twin-tower structure, taken out of context, certainly evokes images of pain and anger that, still, have not fully healed since 9/11/01. Even in-context, (*SPOILER* Clark destroying the towers so as to stop Zod and the Kandorians gaining Clark's powers while leaving Clark himself powerless *SPOILER*), is a bit weak when it's SUPERMAN, (the Big Blue Boy Scout fer chrissake!) doing the destruction. It doesn't feel like something Superman would do. I admit it. Hell, I agree full-heartedly.

But does one image ruin a show? Can one misdeed condemn the life of a man who, otherwise, is considered good and just? Actually, yes, it can. But only if you let it. Let's be honest people. This rant that Mr. Bailey is going on and on about is just one of many we've all heard before; someone hating on 'Smallville' for not following continuity.

Superman would never destroy a building in a blaze of flames like that. I don't deny it. But like I said, since when has 'Smallville' ever even really *tried* to keep continuity when it could simply re-create it itself? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that's exactly what I'm getting at. The creators of Smallvile knew exactly what they were doing when they had Clark destroy the towers. They knew full well Clark would look like a terrorist. They knew full well that it was a very Un-Supermanly thing to do. But what if that was the point?

What if, and perhaps this *is* a big 'if' to swallow, but what if that's exactly the kind of reaction the creators were looking for? Outrage. Anger. Revulsion. How could Superman blindly destroy a building like that? Such a wonton act of destruction, even with a noble purprose, simply is NOT Supes' style. But we also don't know the ramifications of Clark's actions. The scene its self, when the towers come down, is the LAST scene of the episode. The last image we see is Clark atop an adjacent building to the towers watching its destruction. We don't know WHAT,(granted--if any), ramifications Clark will face in his decision of destroying the towers.

If there is ANY redeeming characteristic of both Superman and 'Smallville' it is the fact that, while Kryptonian, Superman/Clark, at his core, is human. He makes mistakes. He makes misjudgements. And then he deals with the consequences accordingly. If Superman didn't make the occasional misstep, my God, what a boring character he would be! So. I'm going to take this on faith that the creators of 'Smallville' understand that Clark's decision to destroy those towers was not an easy one, was out of character for him, (because it was), and that there will be consequences to his actions.

Like I said. Mr. Bailey isn't *REALLY* arguing anything new here. He's just found a new reason to point out 'Smallville's flaws. And that's fine. Good for him. But it seems to me, and as Ed pointed out, that Mr. Bailey has NEVER been a very large supporter of 'Smallville'. Which then begs the question: why in the f*ck would he watch it if all he's going to do is be upset at what he sees? Is he a masochist? I dunno. Can't say as I've never personally met the guy, but, why anyone would submit themself to, (apparently), such a constant discomfort, as to see their Hero displayed in a way they dislike, is beyond me.

I did not feel any rage when I saw Superman/Clark blow up those towers. I didn't even really see the image of Clark as a terrorist. And perhaps that's because I knew his intentions were good; that, in the end, it was a necessary action for the greater good. But also. I think it just has to do with the fact that *Superman* AND *Terrorist*....just doesn't compute with me. Superman is not, and never has been, in any incarnation (alternate realities/clones/bizzaro/etc. excluded) been a terrorist. Ever. And he never will be in my book.

So, Mr. Bailey, in closing, let me just say that if you let 'Smallville' ruin the image of Superman for you, then that is your prerogative. I, on the otherhand, will not allow an image that lasted all of 5 seconds in a T.V. show that has almost no effect on the actual continuity of the character, be ruined for me. Thank you.

The only offensive thing on SMALLVILLE is =

[frick]ing CHLOE!!!!



: P


Still with all the DC cameos, this show is fantastic again and beats SUPERNATURAL which is becoming a bore, still both main cast members need acting lessons lol!


CHLOE NEEDS TO BITE THE BIG ONE..... Like now! : D

@ Lee: You don't like Chloe? Ha ha, that's funny. I love her! But maybe that's just because I find Allison Mack incredibly cute. That girl is the hottest nerd I've ever seen! =P

So does this mean that no one can ever show a building being blown up on a T.V. show with out being chastised? I realize that 9/11 was a horrible act of terrorism and changed not only America, but its people too, it affected many other countries (mine included, Canada). I know the devestation i watched the news reports, saw the bare skys as planes were grounded(which was odd being so close to a major airport),I even had a sobering moment when my friend told us that his trip that got canced was to NYC and he was supposed to be in the WTC at the time of the attack, we all know the after math. However, does this mean that we can never show an buildings ever being blown up again, we show images, jokes in some cases, relating to Concentration Camps, Teniman Square and other horrific events and people don't bat an eye. and need i remind you that ITS SMALLVILLE, they most likely didnt even put 2 and 2 together. Plus lets assume the FAKE TV SHOW is real, I am sure that the building would have been empty due to the fact it was night, also clark could have done any number of thing, run through and not been detected, Chloe could have dont a thormal sweep, or checked security cams. In the plot he had to destroy the tower , and for how long have we been hearing on the show "By any means nessesary". i think people, Mr. Bailey and every other person that gets their panties in a knot over every little thing to do with this show need to realise ITS JUST SMALLVILLE, A FAKE T.V. SHOW, IF YOU DONT LIKE IT AND HAVE NOT LIKED IT FOR YEARS THAN STOP WHINING AND STOP WATCHING!!!

i thought it was a bit much clarke doing a ....9..11

TEA @ Heh heh ; D

Hey man, i would be up for CW replacing WELLING!!! ; p

Hey, they did it on the SUPERBOY show! : P


IRVINEGRAY @ I feel for you buddy, i truly do!! : D

DEATH TO [frick]ing CHLOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have defended smallville all along, and will continue to do so. maybe that wasn't the best image to show and i must admit that i cheared when he finally took them out. i am slightly ashamed to say that the twin towers never crossed my mind while i watched. i agree that it may have been the wrong way to go with that particular plot however it has not swayed my faith in smallville. i have always enjoyed the show and will continue to do so in the future. and yes, chloe sucks! i wanted her die a few seasons ago. i thought it was coming after the legion told clark that they had never heard of chloe sullivan before.

chasingtheflash @ I thought that too, pity she didn't lol!

Sigmax @ SUPER MAX all the way!!! ; D

Yeah, your right, shes a poor Oracle, and i wish she'd [frick] off to GILMORE GIRLS where her annoying ass belongs! : P

We don't need her as WATCHTOWER, never did, GREEN ARROW should've been all that!

Neal Bailey is reading way too into it and doing nothing more then creating a big stink about nothing. I think he just wants something to complain about so he can get some attention all riding on the 9/11 coat tails. It's a t.v. show and quite enjoyable to many people. I think he just wants it canceled so he can look like some 9/11 hero or some crap. He may be a good writer to some but this in my opinion is just plain rediculus. Lets leave some of our realities out of these ficticious worlds. Thats why we watch these shows! To escape the horrors of are real world for an hour. So we can find hope in watching a hero save the day. Not to relive these horrible things over and over again. That episode had nothing to do with 9/11 and I'm appauled that he would even make such a reference. Save it for the anti-war rallies, Oh yeah, we're still in a fraked up war that should have never started. Oops, now I and everyone else have to be reminded of all that carnage everytime we watch this episode. Thanks a lot D-BAG, I hope your happy with your shotty journalism. Just my opinion. Sorry if I affended anyone, but maybe you needed to be affended. And one more thing Neal(FRAK YOU)!!!!!

A really PISSED OFF, R.R.

P.S. It's a T.V. Show, GET OVER IT!!!!!!

@ LEEE777, Dewd I met this chick in prague! She's hot!

@ SpockAli- Thrusters on full.

Can't believe it took him this long. I started hating the show when Lana became a reincarnated witch-type person and fought Clark in "China". Then they introduce Ollie Queen, one of the most carismatic and rebellious heroes in the comics, in the form of an inexpressive model-turned-actor and pair him up with Lois, who will, somehow, after having spent so much time with Clark and memorized his face, not recognize him as Superman when he eventually dons the costume. SUCKS!

I happen to like Chloe, no offense to anyone else!
I think she's a real hot cutie nerd-girl! I say
keep her until the show ends at the end of next year!
Killing her off before the complete end of the show
would serve no purpose!

She's been in there forever and has always been
Clark's sidekick! So what? If they were going to get
rid of her it should've been at the beginning!

@LEEE777: I agree, by the way Dr. Fate said in the Smallville movie that Chloe "Had the same 'Fate' as him." Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I just want to say I agree 100% with Toxin. I can't stand people who complain about this being the worst thing on tv. Like he said it if you don't like it stop watching it. No one cares to hear all the bad about it if you could care less. I love the show they could do things differently but all in all it has been doing something right to last this long. Thank you.

i hate smallville 90210, all the differences with the show to the comics,does really piss me off don't get me wrong lois lane & all the other great females this show delivers is cool,but i want to see superman in full costume kicking ass not this bullshit.