Season 4 Finale

From the preview, it appears Clark is going to be out in the arctic at some point. I have a feeling the hunch I've had since the season premiere is going to pan out, that these artifacts everyone's been chasing after all year will end up constructing the Fortress of Solitude. Guess I'll have to wait and see if that's the case, but I hope so.

Was I the only one who saw the scene in which Clark approaches the front door of his house, with the interior bathed in light, as reminiscent of when the little kid, Barry, was abducted in Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

Do radio telescopes detect asteroids? I was only aware that optical ones did. But the array we see in the establishing shot of the observatory, when the scientists discover the asteroids, is of radio telescopes.

Also, the asteroids are already touching down on the Moon when they finally detect the meteors coming. Wouldn't they have detected them sooner? I know that comets are hard to detect far ahead of time, but wouldn't asteroids have been detected sooner than when they hit the Moon?

Why is Lois in the audience at commencement? Didn't she attend the school as a student?

When the army shows up at the commencement, the guy on the loudspeakers says that the meteors will hit Smallville. Well, I think it's more sensible to say that they will hit "this area," or even "Kansas." They'll hit all over the Earth, as one shot of the Earth shows.

After saving little Eric and giving him back to his Dad, Clark tells him, "Go! Go!" Go where? They're meteors! They could land right where you running to, for all he knows! It makes no sense for people to run, when for all they know, standing still could save their lives, but for Clark to actually advise this is even dumber.

Really nice blue light effect that envelopes Clark when he speaks to Jor-El.

Why is Clark so casual in the way he strolls back to the cave in the opening shot of Act 6 to put the final element there? Isn't he trying to stop the meteor shower?

Just how did Lana survive that helicopter crash? Are such survivals common?

WONDERFUL Batman Begins clips!!!!!!!!!!!

Luigi, Lois only attened Smallville High for the first few episodes of this season. Clark had Lex pull some strings so that she would have enought credits to go back to college, which didn't last long. However, she never again went to Smallville High after that, although you could see her roaming the halls many times after that.

The ticking clock was reminisent of both Armageddon and 24.

Before being stopped by Jason, Martha and Jonathan were driving off in the truck. Superpooch was not in the truck though. Were they gonna leave him?

I thought they could have hired a lot more extras for the graduation scene.

Anyone have any clue as to who or what is in that ship at the end of the episode?
my money is on Brainiac.
I know I know it might not be him/it, but hey I was always under the impression that Clark wouldn't have met Lex, Lois, or Perry White until MUCH later but yet he did. I'm beginning to understand this isn't Smallville as the comics would protray this is Smallville the way WB wants it to be. So who knows whats going to happen.

Anyone have any clue as to who or what is in that ship at the end of the episode?

No, and I have a bad feeling that neither do the show's writers...

If they meant to imply it was Kryptonian, and I think they did, than that rules out Braniac.

I dunno, the real Kara, the real Krypto, Zod, hell, the way this show does things it could be friggin Jor-El himself, in the flesh.

Wasn't someone supposed to die in the finale? Other than random nobodies, like the helicopter pilot, no one was conclusively dead by the end, though of course everybody had to be in a situation where they might be dead... *roll eyes*

I think my stupid local WB station cut part of the episode to run an extra commercial because I didn't see this part Luigi mentions...

Why is Clark so casual in the way he strolls back to the cave in the opening shot of Act 6 to put the final element there? Isn't he trying to stop the meteor shower?

Here it just picked up with the elements all in place and glowing. It seemed pretty abrupt, so I figured something was up.

"If they meant to imply it was Kryptonian, and I think they did, than that rules out Braniac." -- anon

In The Animated Series, Brainiac was the global computer system of Krypton. In that series, Brainiac deliberatly kept the Kryptonians from finding out about the planet's imminent destruction so that he could secretly plan his own escape. Brainiac later constructed a robotic body for himself and battled Superman a number of times.

>> So what was the purpose of the witch taking over Lana's body? Was it all just to kill Genevieve Teague?

>> Why are so many people left in Smallville when the asteroids hit? They had a number of hours to get away. I understand that some people would be slow to move, but I could get halfway across the state (maybe even into the next one) in the time given. I see no reason why anyone should be anywhere near Smallville.

>> So did Lana killing Genevieve cause the asteroid to break up and head for Earth? I'm a little unclear about that.

Overall Opinion:
This was a really great season finale. Say what you will about the Smallville creators, but they sure know how to create good season finales. I was riveted from beginning to end. I was very surprised to see Smallville in ruins at the end.

It seems to be the case every year, but this time I can't imagine that next year will at all resemble next year. Too many things seem to suggest some major changes for next year. Well see, though.

Until then...

TUE

"I'm having what you might call a rough day."

In The Animated Series, Brainiac was the global computer system of Krypton.

Well, then the animated series f'd up. They probably were thinking of the Eradicator, but maybe that name was too naughty for little kids to hear (much like I hear they have to call Deathstroke something else on that horrid Teen Titans toon).

Other than mixed up cartoons, Brainiac is from Colu, not Krypton.

This was a really great season finale. Say what you will about the Smallville creators, but they sure know how to create good season finales.

I disagree. This one was barely different from last season's finale, everyone's in danger and maybe dead but probably not, Clark's been messing with artifacts and something big's happened, blah blah blah.

Oh well, at least you liked it.

What do they call Deathstroke on the cartoon? Hes also been called The Terminator in the comics (and I believe that predated the Schwarzenegger film). Is that what they call him?

On Teen Titans, Deathstroke is referred to as "Slade."

Anon:
If you are concerned with faithfulness to the comics, you shouldn't be watching Smallville.

Comic book canon is not like Star Trek canon. They can create different continuities all they want. What matters is whether Smallville can keep its own internal continuity.

Don't knock the STAS version until you watch the show. I highly recommend Justice League Unlimited on Cartoon Network.

For more information on the animated version of Brainiac, check this link:
http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/superman/bios/villains/brainiac/

For info on Slade/Deathstroke, check this link:
http://teentitans.toonzone.net/index.php?content=bios/slade/index

TUE

TUE: On Teen Titans, Deathstroke is referred to as "Slade."
Luigi Novi: So he doesn't even have a villain nickname? They just use his real name? Well, that blows. They could've at least used "Terminator."

Oh, I almost forgot this: When the Batman Begins clips begin, we see a logo of DC Comics, but oddly, it's not the usual DC bullet that we see on the books. Why is this? Are they planning on changing the logo, which has been around for decades? I hope not. If they are, perhaps the books will only reflect the change in June, when the movie comes out?

Don't knock the STAS version until you watch the show.

I did watch several episodes. I found it highly disposible. Let me explain.

The only DC cartoon I found to be of much quality is the original format of Batman The Animated Series. Once they dumbed down the animation (and stories as well) late in its run it was not worth making time to watch. Sure, if nothing else was on, it was okay for just something to kill time, but the old format was probably the best version of Batman ever, comics included.

Sadly, when they started the Superman cartoon, they took after the simplified Batman style, and I found it to be equally unworthy of making an effort to watch.

I did catch an episode or two of the JLA series when it started, and it didn't seem any better, and I never bothered to see more.

Just the pics for the Teen Titans series made me stay far away from it, talk about kiddified. I did later catch an episode or two, and they were beyond wretched.

If you are concerned with faithfulness to the comics, you shouldn't be watching Smallville.

If they don't want people concerned with at least a semblance of faithfulness to complain, then they shouldn't make the show so cr@ppy. If it was a better show, I'd probably be better able to get past the differences, but the last two years have absolutely stunk like a skunk in a sewer.

I mean, if they'd thought of something decent for Mxy that didn't involve him being from the 5th dimension, so be it, but to make him some foreign exchange student who can do the jedi mind trick was just utterly stupid. There was nothing to differentiate this guy from any other random Krypto-freak of the week beyond his name being that of a classic villain.

I mean, it's not from the comics to have Lois meet Clark in highschool, no, they aren't "supposed" to meet until Clark is hired at the Daily Planet, and it does beg the question of how she won't recognize him as Superman, but I don't care. Why? Because they've done a fairly decent job with the character. If not for her, I think I might have stopped watching altogether this year.

If it is Brainiac, and it is revealed he's from Krypton, I'll deal with it, and barely complain, so long as he's presented in a manner more or less consistant with what I expect from Brainiac, and not some lame random schmuck named Brainiac just because they wanted to use the name cuz it wuz kewl.

That doesn't change my basic nit, though, that Brainiac doesn't come from Krypton in the original source, which is all I was saying.

When the Batman Begins clips begin, we see a logo of DC Comics, but oddly, it's not the usual DC bullet that we see on the books. Why is this? Are they planning on changing the logo, which has been around for decades? I hope not. If they are, perhaps the books will only reflect the change in June, when the movie comes out?

I was wondering the same thing. And I also hope they aren't changing it, at least on the comics themselves. If they just use it at the opening of licenced properties (kinda like how all the Marvel movies have that one animated sorta title thing at the start) then I don't mind.

Then again, I have to wonder what fans of National thought when the DC name was adopted. How did people complain before the internet, anyway?

Actually, the way the word "Marvel" appears before the films based on its character looks exactly like the way it appears on the book covers.

I know that, I just meant they would use it for a similar purpose, not that the logo was different on the Marvels. Sorry for being unclear.

I know, kinda OT, but Luigi, today I picked up my weekly comics supply, and while most of the DC's had the traditional logo, one of them, The Return of Donna Troy #1, had the logo seen in the Batman Begins preview as mentioned above. In the back of the book there's a text piece, and it says as of June that's the new DC logo.

D@mn.

Last hijack, I swear!

Upon closer inspection, the comic I mention above is actually titled DC Special : The Return of Donna Troy.

That came out already? Geez, I didn't even know that. And that's the new logo? Arrgh. I may be old fogey who hates change, but.....well, I don't like it!

Luigi, thank you so much for that tape. I appreciate it, again.

Anyway, wow. Where have eps like this been all season? I really liked it and I can't wait until the fall.

I wonder if that crystal is going to lead Clark to the Fortress.

And what's up with that ship that Lana found? Is she finally going to learn Clark's secret? She knew it in the comics, right?

I wonder if they're really going to kill Lionel off. Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I guess it had to happen sometime.

Nice to see Lex reaching his destiny. The villain of the story indeed. I wonder if he'll do anything to Chloe next season.

Nice to see I wasn't the only one who got some 24 vibes from this episode.

I thought that it was mighty convenient that Chloe Sullivan and Clark Kent were able to walk right next to each other so they could talk about Lana before splitting up into their separate lines.

What happened to those fighting moves Lex taught Lana back when she was assaulted at the Talon a couple of years back?

And Batman Begins? Yeah, can't wait for that one. I wish it were here.

Uno-man: I'm beginning to understand this isn't Smallville as the comics would protray this is Smallville the way WB wants it to be.
Or as Miles Millar and Al Gough want it to be.

anon: Wasn't someone supposed to die in the finale?
Genevieve did, Lionel might have. I thought that a regular was supposed to bite it. My guess is it's either Lionel or Jason.

TUE: >> So did Lana killing Genevieve cause the asteroid to break up and head for Earth? I'm a little unclear about that.
I think that Jor-El mentioned something about the stone being stained by human blood and that caused the meteoroid to come toward Earth.

Luigi Novi: Luigi Novi: So he doesn't even have a villain nickname? They just use his real name? Well, that blows. They could've at least used "Terminator."
I think that the cartoon considers Slade to be his nickname. They haven't once called him Slade Wilson. Just Slade.

Any time, Josh.

Uno-man: I'm beginning to understand this isn't Smallville as the comics would protray this is Smallville the way WB wants it to be.

JoshM: Or as Miles Millar and Al Gough want it to be.
Luigi Novi: Actually one of the writer/producers on the show is Jeph Loeb, who does a lot of Superman and Batman work, so obviously there are comic book people who would do it differently (unless Millar and Gough forced him to write things differently). You should read the Loeb's first six issues of the series Superman/Batman, where they finally go up against President Luthor once and for all. It was an awesome story.

I've never read a comic book in my life. I grew up watching the TV shows of the comic books: Spiderman, X-Men, Batman, Superman, Justice League, and the brief Fantastic Four and Iron Man series. If they never made cartoons out of them, I don't know about them.

From what I understand, though, Brainiac aside, Justice League does about the same thing that Smallville does in terms of the following the comics. They keep the general idea of things, but alter some parts. I can't say I blame them.

I recently heard a rumor that Justice League might be doing several episodes devoted to a group of comics known as the "Crisis on Infinite Earths". Several people seemed agitated that it would not be the same as the comics. The forboding name intrigued me so I looked it up on the internet.

It sounds to me like the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" was one of the most convoluted, bizarre, twisted, and complicated stories ever constructed. Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Stone Age, New Age, Whatever Age heroes all converge or separate into different universes. I don't know how anyone figured it out.

Smallville and Justice League cannot possibly follow comic continuity and still keep 90% of the viewers from losing their minds.

Unlike Star Trek, I think the DC universe just has several continuities that are seperate and cannot and should not be reconciled.

TUE

"I once thought I could protect the world by myself, but I was wrong. Working together, we saved the planet and I believe that is we stayed together as a team, we could be a force that could truly work for the ideals of peace and justice."
"So you want us to be some kind of ... super friends?"
"More like a Justice League." -- Superman and The Flash ("Secret Origins")

TUE: I've never read a comic book in my life.
Luigi Novi: Nobody's perfect.

It sounds to me like the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" was one of the most convoluted, bizarre, twisted, and complicated stories ever constructed. Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Stone Age, New Age, Whatever Age heroes all converge or separate into different universes. I don't know how anyone figured it out.

Actually, it was done to simplify the DC universe which had been a little complicated until that point. Up until then there had been all sorts of alternate Earths. Earth-1 was the mainstream DC earth where all the silver age characters and later lived, Earth-2 was where the golden age characters live, Earth-3 was where everyone's evil twin lived (or good twin if you were already evil I suppose), Earth-S was where all the Captain Marvel/Shazam characters lived, and so on. As a result of the miniseries, all the realities merged into one, and there were no others (for a while anyway). Hence the terms pre-Crisis and post-Crisis that often come up in discussions of DC characters.

Smallville seems to borrow equally from both pre- and post- BTW, at least when they aren't just making cr@p up.

Here are some examples of the differences, with the version the show uses in bold.

Pre-Crisis, Pete Ross finds out Clark's secret
Post-Crisis, Clark tells Lana his secret

Pre-Crisis, Lex Luthor is a criminal mastermind, evil scientist type
Post-Crisis, Lex Luthor is a millionaire and corporate type villain

Pre-Crisis, Lex was friends with Superboy when they were young
Post-Crisis, they didn't meet until adults and Lex is like 20 years older than Superman

Pre-Crisis, Lex loses his hair thanks to an accident
Post-Crisis, Lex loses his hair via male pattern baldness

Pre-Crisis, Clark was Superbaby, then Superboy while living in Smallville
Post-Crisis, Clark didn't take another identity until after leaving Smallville

Pre-Crisis, there was Kryptonite all over the place
Post-Crisis, only one piece made it to earth

Pre-Crisis, Clark always had all his powers, including flight
Post-Crisis, Clark's powers developed over time, flight being one of the last

Actually, anon, I don't think that list is accurate. Regarding item 2, Lex Luthor is a billionaire/corporate type villain, but he's also an evil scientist, and now he's a criminal mastermind, because Superman and Batman exposed him by the end of Superman/Batman #6.

Regarding item 2, it's been made clear that they knew each other when they were young. I don't know if Byrne established what you said when he rebooted the character, but it's since been established that they were high school friends in the Superman: Birthright miniseries from last year. (Also a great tale, btw.)

Item 3: Same as item 2. Issue #8 of Birthright depicted the experiment Lex conducted as a youth to try and contact Krypton that ended up burning his hair off.

Item 6: Again, it's since happened that loads of pieces fell to Earth since the destruction of that huge kryptonite asteroid in the opening story arc of Superman/Batman.

Luigi, that's because they've done another retcon.

We're no longer in the post-Crisis Superman era, which was defined by the Man of Steel miniseries, but now in some post-Birthright era. Sounds like Birthright, which I've not read, outright contradicts Man of Steel in many ways, so clearly we're not in Kansas anymore.

Since Smallville started before Birthright was published, I doubt it had anything to do with the series. If anything, trying to make the comics match the series more might have influenced Birthright, Superman/Batman, etc.

Of course, with Infinite Crisis looming, who knows what retcons lie in wait?