Smallville review: Shield

Smallville review: Shield - tasabian

tasabian

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[Oct. 1st, 2010|09:20 pm]

tasabian

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Tags

mr, sv, tw

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I've been sick the last few days but the SV boys came through for me: Michael's been very chatty on twitter and Tom gave another Michael-courting interview.

Rosenbaum....Always

And there was new Smallville! Mixed review this time - but I did enjoy some bits I didn't expect to. *spoilers within*

- Almost all of Tess's dialogue sounded exactly like Chloe-dialogue so I guess the exposition question is settled. I'm happy to see Cassidy get more screen time with Tom, but her character seemed somehow missing in action tonight.
- I disliked virtually all the Lois/Carter interaction. Firstly, without knowing who this guy is, she lays all her cards on the table, exposing Clark's secret to a stranger? I hated last season's scene with her therapist where she connected Clark with the Blur. Where does the notion come from that Lois can't keep a secret? She's known about Oliver for years and never let a single hint drop, even when he started dating Chloe.
- How I wanted that scene to go: Lois subtly interrogates Carter until HE gives up his real reason for being there.
- I did like Erica's delivery of "that's story's terrible!" And I have to agree, having never found the Hawkman/Hawkgirl love story all that compelling, though they kick ass individually.

- Chloe's letter made me laugh. "Knight in shining leather." Oh, dear. See, the old Tess would have been cracking up about that! And a bit rough on poor Jimmy/Henry. Glad that the guys know she faked her death so we can avoid another round of mourning & funerals.

- The guy playing Deadshot did very well, though I still prefer the slinky, Spaceyesque version voiced by Michael on Justice League.

The part I really enjoyed, which surprised me? Clark and Cat. It's fun to see Clark be a little snarky, fun to see yet another woman fall head over ears for him. His heroics were fantastic. I loved both the rescues and there were some gorgeous shots of Tom. That Cat is fairly obnoxious only made Clark's tenderness and patience with her all the sweeter. And Tom is always so good at physical comedy moments, like trying to shoehorn himself into Cat's tiny, silly car.

Liked that Cat has her own self-defense arsenal. Laughed out loud at her Oliver headline.

The language of the anti-vigilante group that Cat was spouting was very interesting - railing against the "Masked Hero Agenda" evokes how right wing groups rail against other "agendas." Nice to see SV dip a toe into that sort of allegory (while placing Clark squarely in front of the flag.)

Am intrigued by Suicide Squad plot.

And here's fanboy and his latest conquest, Tommy Chong.

link

Comments:

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From:

tasabian
2010-10-02 02:19 am (UTC)

What did you think of the jacket?
Clark looked ready to cruise for ass - Lex & I approve!

I can't remember - did Lois meet Hawkman?
I don't think so - maybe a glimpse at most?

What happens to Adam?

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From:

tasabian
2010-10-02 02:28 am (UTC)

Wow, wonder if that will happen on the show? A bit grim.

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From:

jeannev
2010-10-02 03:30 am (UTC)

I liked this one better then Lazarus, and I think the biggest reason was that the Clark/Cat stuff really, really worked. I didn't expect it to work so well, but it was compelling, and a fresh dynamic. And Tom got to be funny in a very subtle way.

Tess may be doing Chloe stuff, but I liked it a lot. I find Tom and Cassidy very watchable together. And at least with Tess in that position, there is always a question of where it could go. It might be familiar, but it is still new.

The Lois/Carter stuff I feel conflicted over.

Oliver's whiney ass can go away anytime.

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From:

tasabian
2010-10-02 03:50 am (UTC)

I think the biggest reason was that the Clark/Cat stuff really, really worked. I didn't expect it to work so well, but it was compelling, and a fresh dynamic. And Tom got to be funny in a very subtle way.
Yes, exactly. Watching Clark cope with this annoying yet vulnerable person was very sweet.

Tess may be doing Chloe stuff, but I liked it a lot. I find Tom and Cassidy very watchable together.
Me too, and I still want a Cless kiss to be contrived somehow! But Tess seemed to have lost her edge tonight and I hope she gets it back.

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From:

rosy5000
2010-10-02 04:18 am (UTC)

Tom's pleas for Michael keep amusing me. :)

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From:

tasabian
2010-10-02 04:23 am (UTC)

It's so touching, his yearning for Michael!

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From:

tasabian
2010-10-02 06:35 pm (UTC)

It was quite slow-paced, except for Clark's rescues. I found Hawkman rather boring this time, he's better at insulting Oliver than offering relationship advice!

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From:

jakrar
2010-10-02 08:27 am (UTC)

I can't help loving the fact that Tom wants Michael back, but I honestly hope Michael stays far, far away from what this show has become. His Lex left on the perfect high note, and I don't want anything unworthy of him to tarnish that memory.

On the lighter side, I love the Michael photo above. He's so cute, and he seems to charm everyone he crosses paths with.

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From:

tasabian
2010-10-02 06:34 pm (UTC)

I love the Michael photo above. He's so cute, and he seems to charm everyone he crosses paths with.
He really does!

I can't decide about Michael on SV - it makes me sad that some fans may turn against him if he doesn't come back. I want everyone to love him.

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From:

dramaa_princess
2010-10-02 02:46 pm (UTC)

so, should i start watching now? ^___~

awww Michael! <333

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From:

tasabian
2010-10-02 06:32 pm (UTC)

Do you like James Marsters? He's back in episode 4...

Michael's such a cutie!

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From:

dramaa_princess
2010-10-03 06:10 am (UTC)

I have seen him in some promo pics and was 'he's back?' o.O
Everyone is coming back this year, i guess. Can't wait for Lionel. ^__^

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From:

goodvibe
2010-10-03 01:05 pm (UTC)

//Chloe's letter made me laugh. "Knight in shining leather." Oh, dear. See, the old Tess would have been cracking up about that! And a bit rough on poor Jimmy/Henry.//

Oh Tess, how you let us down. Tsk. I too, was expecting bucketloads of snark for ::that:: letter. And shit, I didn't even think of how disaparaging to not!Jimmy that letter was until you brought it up. Poor guy - getting the short end of the stick, even in death.

I'm very interested in the Suicide Squad storyline too - its been a nice build up, so far.

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From:

tasabian
2010-10-03 05:36 pm (UTC)

I do think it's a mistake to "soften" Tess too much - she also didn't snark about Lois at all in this ep, which seemed like a missed opportunity. We like her snark!

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From:

jwm_rocks
2010-10-04 11:55 am (UTC)

"Knight in shining leather." Oh, dear.
Doesn't exactly live up to the Fever letter does it?

The part I really enjoyed, which surprised me? Clark and Cat.
I didn't know what to expect with Cat but I thought it was great too. Every once in a while Clark really gets to connect with a guest star and this was one of those happy times.

The language of the anti-vigilante group that Cat was spouting was very interesting
I found the language interesting too. I often feel like TPTB studiously avoid taking a stand on any sort of political issue.

The Lois/Carter stuff didn't bother me. I'm not sure if I can really verbalize why. Probably because the situation just didn't seem perilous. Obviously isn't an excuse for potentially revealing Clark's secret. Lois seemed to be following her gut feeling about Carter which tends to be her mode of operation for better or worse.

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