Wednesday 1 October 2008

TV Changes

Well, Smallville's seventh season ended last night, just as the eighth season is kicking off in the US. Somewhat of a muted ending but I liked Lana's Dear John video to Clark...not becuae of her, but Clark actually gets to show some emotion (other than his annoyance with Lois, which I find funny) and Lois is there for him. I like the way these two are growing together, which will carry over into the net season. As I like Erica Durance, I'm looking forward to increased screentime next season.

I knew Lex would disappear but I never really thought about him having a final showdown with Clark and that scene was electric. Without any histrionics or action sequences (as Lex could never match Clark), this was the scene that everybody was waiting for, the final showdown between Clark and Lex, who finally confirms his suspicions about Clark. Rosenbaum proves himself the best Luthor yet in this scene, which mirrors any number of face to face confrontations from the comics. All the resentment comes out as Lex explains his POV to Clark. It's a shame that he's gone now as this could have led to some great future confrontations.

Whether the eighth season is the final one or not (ratings will decide), the CW have ordered a pilot for Smallville's replacement (which could run as companion show if Smallville goes to a tenth season). This series? The Graysons--Dick Grayson in the circus before he becomes Robin. I like Dick (called DJ--Dick John Grayson--in the show to avoid inevitable sniggers like that one!) but I'm a bit underwhelmed by this. They're going for an older (late teens) Dick Grayson and I suppose the mobile nature of a circus could open up alot of story possibilities but I can't see much scope here. They should have done the Starman show they were developing years back, if they didn't get cold feet after the bombing of Birds of Prey.

Tonight--new Heroes, yay! Paul Ross, what a twat---he was plugging Heroes the other day, saying it was his favourite superhero show. Apart from the fact that there aren't many other, he introduced a clip by saying "Let's look at my favourite character--Hyro--in action". Has he ever actually SEEN the show?

2 comments:

Rol said...

I've quite enjoyed this season though not as much as last. I thought the Lex showdown was something of an anti-climax, though it was good to see him finally learn Clark's secret. I'm guessing Lex's departure leads to not death (obviously) but some kind of cliched amnesiac thing - so that when he eventually returns to Metropolis, he would have forgotten his history with Clark entirely, and hence treat the newly arrived Superman as a complete stranger (though subconscious resentment would remain). That's about the only way they can transition from Smallville to Superman.

At least Green Arrow as back for a regular supporting character next series - I'd rather see him spin off into his own show than The Graysons, which seems far too limited a concept... surely Bruce doesn't meet Dick until the night his parents are killed, and you can realistically bring in the Joker or many of the other Bat-foes without making them Robin foes too... unless Batman as a character exists offscreen, already established as a crimefighter in Gotham.

Nige Lowrey said...

That makes sense regarding memory loss/subconsciousresentment fof Clark. I loved the whole scene at the fortress apart from when it collapsed and it just ended, bo big sendoff for Lex, who they're still hoping to get for a return (although Rosenbaum has a comedy pilot in development, he can be quite funny--not that you'd know from his previous sitcom)...

I also agree Green Arrow would make a far more interesting show than The Graysons (what a bloody dull name!). I rewatched the Aquaman pilot the other day and still wish they had gone to series with that...