Super-blah...

Man, I heard this nasty rumor that due to the writers' strike Smallville may actually get another season rather than wrap it up this year as had originally been announced. Damn.

Seriously--is anyone still watching this show not ready for it to wrap itself up? I can honestly say that the only reason I am still watching is because I want to see the conclusion. It started out as such as good show but it just keeps dragging on, and the stories just don't seem to be giving us anything that is actually driving Clark towards the destiny we all already know is in store for him.

Case in point is this week's episode.

Oh, and yes, *ahem* spoiler alert for Smallville's seventh season episode "Siren."

So, I got home last night with a couple of hours to kill before Monk (which I forgot wasn't actually airing last night) and checked the contents of my DVR. I had an episode of Eli Stone (which I am really digging by the way) and an episode of Smallville. I decided I would make myself watch Smallville first to get it out of the way before settling in to enjoy the light-hearted fun of Eli Stone. It's really sad when you view watching the new episode of a show a chore, and perhaps also a big fat sign that the show just needs to end. I know, I know. I could just not watch. But darn it I am committed to finding out what happens. Sigh.

Anyhoo, as the episode kicked off, I was moderately pleased to realize that it was an episode featuring the Green Arrow. You know what's another bad sign for a series? When you're more excited about the episodes that focus on the side characters than the main guy. I digress. I really enjoy the character of the Green Arrow as they've introduced him on this series, as well as how they've laid the brickwork for the Justice League by bringing in some of the other, non-meteor freak, heroes from the DC universe over the last few seasons. This week's episode didn't disappoint, as it brought in the Black Canary.

Honestly I think the only thing I didn't enjoy about this episode were the bits about Clark and Lana. It is just so frustrating because the show runners keep trying to force these two to "try to make it work" when:
a) these characters/actors clearly no longer have any chemistry together at all
b) the things these people have done to each other on the show over the last few seasons really make it completely impossible to believe they wouldn't just have walked away from each other by now
c) everyone watching already knows that they are not going to last--Clark Kent is meant for Lois Lane, period, end of story, I don't care how alternate this universe actually is

What I really did enjoy was the fact that Chloe is still doing her side gig for Oliver and the JLA. As much as she loves and supports Clark, she clearly has realized that there's a bigger world out there than what he's focused on and also, it's nice to see her branching out to help people who are less likely to take her for granted. It's not like Clark does it on purpose, but all of the good intentions in the world can't cover up the fact that they guy doesn't fully appreciate all she does for him. If it weren't for the aforementioned fact that he and Lois are fated to be, I would still be pulling for Clark to wake up and realize that Chloe's the girl for him. Heck, I'm still pulling for it, I just know it won't happen.

I also really dug that Lois finally found out that her dear sweet Ollie and the Green Arrow were one and the same. Her reaction was wonderful, and a good reminder of why, even though Lois Lane really honestly doesn't truly fit in the story at the current time, I am glad they brought this character in. Although sometimes I wonder if they could have accomplished the same level of story telling by just making her Chloe's cousin and not having her actually be Lois Lane. Early on in her addition to the cast, the show runners seemed to be doing a decent job of laying the groundwork for a future relationship between her and Clark, but over the last two seasons they seem to have been ignoring that future altogether. For example, while the scene where Lois finally calls it quits with Oliver was very well done and believable, it also means that character is going to have to do a complete 180 if she is ever to end up being Superman's girl. Though at least the end of the episode once more acknowledged that Lois and Clark are quasi-friends. You wouldn't believe it from their limited on-screen interaction, but "Siren" actually set the stage for them to have the potential to become good friends down the line. I still think the possibility of their relationship is in serious question, but what do I know? I've only been a fan of the Superman universe since I was a toddler and all...whatever.

But overall, I thought this was a really good episode. We got a new hero, we got to see an only friend pop back in, we got some closure on Oliver and Lois. The story was pretty decent, and believable within the universe. I can totally see some of the super heroes going the vigilante route as Black Canary did, and not realizing that they are on the wrong side until someone else super comes along and helps them see the light.

Of course, next episode's preview looks like total crap. Ooh, Clark is trapped in Lex's mind. WTF? Also, it apparently is a Supergirl-heavy episode, and the writers just haven't been doing well with that story line. Sigh. At least there's only two or three produced episodes left. I won't have to torture myself for much longer.

Speaking of episodes running out--I am kind of sad to realize that Monk and Psych both have their season finales next week. But at least they got their full seasons produced and aired, so props to them. Also, I know that Stargate Atlantis only has, like, four episodes left. But while I am sad about that, I also know that they're already starting back up on producing season five (huzzah for a completely Canadian show that is not affected by the strike) soon, and I also know that SGA is going to be replaced on the schedule with new Battlestar...so that should help soothe the loss. Now all I need is for them to announce the release of SGA season four on DVD in July sometime and I'll be golden.

Well, that's all I've got. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

TTFN,
C