ukgirl71

I just keep coming back to the quality of the writing for all the relationships in this wonderful show - that’s what keeps me tuned into all the shows I enjoy, regardless of theme. Natalie in particular is becoming an unexpected treat, as are the “bro seshs” between the boys. I still wonder if Aubrey’s gonna come back into Sarah’s life, or if she was just a catalyst for Sarah’s changing feelings - storylines like that aren’t usually dropped so quickly. I’m still a bit meh about Lana’s mayoral run and the Lucy storyline, but I trust the writers - don’t let me down!

Can I be on Team Kyle to be the first one outside the Kent Farm to learn Clark’s secret? I like the signs of their growing friendship, and I think the “discovery” could really work in the context of him being ‘on scene’ as the fire chief, when perhaps Clark’s psychic connection to Doomsday grounds him at a crucial moment.

According to IMDb, Catherine Lough Haggquist is playing Dr Faulkner.

Where the heck were they keeping Tal - the Rockies? And why did his cell remind me of Michael Sheen’s in Prodigal Son? Sarah seemed to light up more at the sight of Aubrey’s messages than she ever did round Jordan. I too hope we’re not going trope-y and that Natalie becomes friend rather than lover to her. Their brief scenes together were the first to make me like Nat. I also wonder how they’re going to keep Sarah prominent in the story if there isn’t a romantic link to Jordan. I’m thoroughly intrigued by Dr Faulkner, who sent her to Smallville and how they (or if they knew beforehand) that Doomsday was down there. Child that I am, I still get a laugh with how Clark’s departures floof up Lois’ hair 🤪 Blimey, Clark was getting battered around like Loki vs Hulk! I’m glad Tag was able to return the favour in looking out for him. Nice to see Clark’s subtle glance of pride at Jordan’s back-chat to Uncle Morgan. Protective Jordan made me go all marshmallow. Adam Rayner does a beautiful line in wounded animal. But, I gotta say, protective dad Clark is sexy🥰 Not looking forward to what they appear to have turned Lucy into - I think I wanted strong, sassy, cool aunt Lucy, but we’ll see.

Random thoughts: Trouble in Sarah/Jordan land already?! We seem to be getting hints she found a new romance from her first counsellor summer camp. Why all the investment in Tegan Wickham (and the potential Central City backstory) to apparently sideline her so quickly? The effects when Superman was above the sub were suitably jarring - are they suggesting a psychic link with Doomsday? Apologies if that is obvious, I don’t know that character’s comic-book story. Nice nod to the pilot with “wet Superman” echoing the iceberg scene. i LOVE Ian Bohen and his ability to play double-edged characters. Lois summoning Clark for the “sex alert” and Clark’s delicious naivety🥰. Clark’s talk with the boys was pure comedy gold. Jordan lasering the candles ❤️❤️❤️ Kyle’s wide-eyed reaction to politico-Lana 🤪. And I’m loving his new, dare I call it more chilled, attitude. One of this show’s main strengths has been its rounded portrayal of family relationships and I’m glad this seems to be continuing - the tension with Lois was shown, but resolved quickly. I look forward to seeing what I’m sure will be Natalie’s growing friendships with Lois and the boys.

Intriguing idea, just would prefer they don’t call the Rawlins character Hoyt. Don’t ask me why, just feels a little unoriginal/a bit of a hostage to fortune.

I still enjoy the show, but I’m hoping it finds more of a balance between family and upholding the law once Micki leaves. Whilst I enjoy the family dynamic, the “crime” side has, IMHO, lost focus. The whole Del Rio/Serrano angle is, quite frankly, meandering. The spy camera pull-back at the end of the first season had such potential, only for it to apparently morph into some weird vehicle for Dave Annable’s character. I agree Walker needs to be given some more inner “steel”, as more of Jared is peeking through with the goofiness and acting tics. I’d love them to move away from the crime syndicate theme to something more defined and dynamic, minimise the brattiness from the kids and stop all the miscommunication between Cordell and Geri.

Looks like the UK is finally getting the show, in a “teatime” slot, 5.40 pm on Saturday 4 December on the BBC. I had thought one of our cable or satellite providers would have bought it, but…

Ian Bohen’s casting just makes me even more excited for Season 2 😍

I am incredibly impressed that they put such fabulous CGI into this episode, when filming only finished on 1 July. The budget put into this show is stunningly good, and well used. The action was tightly written and beautifully played. All the main players had their moment to shine. The “extraordinary humans” were my MVPs again in this episode. Never underestimate Mama Lois, and what she risked to save Jordan. And Jon, sweet, sweet Jon, fighting for his brother in the middle of a choke-hold. By the way, how did the boys stay upright even when Jordan had expelled Zeta-Rho? Does that suggest Jordan’s (or even Jon’s) powers of flight are beginning to manifest themselves? I loved the mirroring of the “Jorrrrr-dannnnnn” from both parents, not to mention the shot of Clark flying over Rome, Paris, London etc. Unpopular opinion it may be, but I didn’t really like the last 10 minutes - the town re-building scene, the barbecue, was just a little schmaltzy for my taste. I am curious though, what they’re going to do with Sam now, and how often he’ll appear. I would have liked John Henry to have made a move to helping the DOD - with Sam gone, there’ll be no one there who knows who Superman really is. I’m not wild about Natalie’s appearance and all the angst that might trigger - I don’t like attention being taken away from the core Kents. I could do with a strong, long-running storyline for the Cushings next season, minimal Smallville-ness, and no more Leslie or Edge (and definitely no redemption arc please). And apologies for the negativity, but I don’t like Chrissy.

I’d love a flashback episode that is on a par with this season’s “A Brief Reminiscence...”. Can one of the Cushings please find out the Kent family secret (that is, if they don’t in the finale)? Just for me, can we have a nod to the Superman and Lois flight in the original movie - I don’t think we’ve seen Lois fly, other than the kiss flashback scene? Oh, and get Jon up there too with his Dad, separately? Call me twisted, but I’d like to see Lois in real, life-threatening danger, and the angst that comes from it for the Kent men.

I really enjoyed that - threads were (apparently?) tied up and we were given tantalising hints of what’s planned for Season 2. I can’t help but think Stan was warning Cordell about Captain James - it seemed like Walker was looking in his direction, and he seemed a little strained with him at times in his office. Given the Del Rio gang’s ex-military make up, was the sniper acting for a vengeful person from Cordell’s Marine past, and will that frame the main story of Season 2? It was nice to see Emily watching over her family, but it made the pull back to the camera-loving stalker all the more creepy.

It says a lot about the quality of the writing and acting in this show that I now care so much about what happens to characters I either disliked or was bored with by in the early episodes, namely Kyle, John Henry and General Lane. I was glad there wasn’t even one little hint of romantic feelings between Clark and Lana - their relationship has mellowed into caring friends, and it’s refreshing. I was a little bored with the town hall scene and the newspaper being in trouble - I don’t honestly care yet, perhaps because it’s been essentially a small side story this season. Yeah Lois, the “bigger picture” you weren’t seeing was your son getting Zeta-Rho’d. It was poetic that John Henry got to save our Lois, and all without leaving the ground 😄 That car crash was eye-popping! Just how are they gonna explain everything to Sarah - get out of that one Super-family! I was strangely reminded of The Empire Strikes Back carbon-freezing scene when Jordan declared his love for Sarah - I really need to get out more 😂 I must admit I thought both twins were gonna be taken and turned into Kryptonian hosts - I think I wanted something for wonderful Jon other than the supportive brother/child who makes “too much sense” role. Who knows, we may well get that next week 🤞

While I love how tight the writing is on this show, I have to admit I’m a little disappointed Superman wasn’t bad for just a bit longer. And the Diggle cameo was kinda over-hyped for what it actually delivered, despite the much called-for references to the Arrowverse. I know some people maybe think Zod has been done to death in the Superman stories we’ve seen so far, but I’m quietly hoping that really isn’t the last we see of him. BTW, was anyone else a little creeped out by Tyler’s Zod voice 😅? it’s hard to say who my favourite was in this episode - the ever-wonderful Jon and his motivational skills (can I hire him for pep talks?) or the achingly vulnerable, yet somehow strong as ever, Lois. That speech she gave John Henry about Clark was just 🥰 😢 🥰 The strength of the Kent family dynamics is what really makes this show for me - bravo to whoever cast our little Gang of Four. Their reunion at the end will have me smiling all day. I must give special mention to Erik Valdez for actually making me a fan of Kyle now - he doesn’t deserve the hate he’s getting now, but that’s human nature I suppose, to find someone to blame. What exactly was Edge doing with the Eradicator at the end? I’d love to hear theories!

This episode reminded me why I enjoy Walker - it’s not typical of the standard fare you see on TV these days, in that its focus is on the dynamics of a family, with each member getting their chance to shine. I felt for poor Auggie with his flashback in the AV room, and I’m glad Stella seems to be realising she’s been a brat (now all we need is for her to tell her dad the truth...). I still love Walker and Micki’s friendship, and I’m glad she’s willing to give Mercedes a chance 🥰. It’s good to see Bonham and Abilene back on track too.

I loved the way teen Clark morphed into the Tyler we know in the show- it reminded me of River Phoenix “becoming” Harrison Ford in The Last Crusade. And Jor-El’s pride in Clark when he first met him 🥰 - I actually like the old grump, just as we lose him (for now?). One of the key differences between Edge and Clark seems to be just how much freedom the latter had to choose his path, with his parents, human and Kryptonian, allowing him to find his own path, his own motivation. I agree about Tyler’s beautiful smile - 😍. And isn’t it impressive just how much a shave (and a little CGI??) can make someone look younger? That, and early Metropolis Clark’s sweet geekiness helps a lot. I didn’t realise just how much I would adore seeing Lois and Clark, not Superman’s, relationship evolve through teamwork and genuine care for the forgotten and beaten-down people, a nice contrast to the other reporters fan-boying over Superman, We even got some early demonstrations of Lois snark (“who’s the hero now?”) and her ability to take care of herself, with her tazer. The fritzing in of that shadowy figure was our first hint that the show wasn’t “just” a straightforward flash-back - nicely done! My inner dork utterly loved how Superman found out Lois was in love with Clark and had to act casual about it. I felt Clark’s disorientation when the memories started diverging from his reality - with Lois apparently ignoring him, it was very unsettling. Sarah and Jordan becoming “official” was sweet, but felt a little anti-climatic given everything else that was going on. By the way, is Jordan actually the older twin - did I pick up the birth scene right? It makes Jon all the more remarkable now if so. I wasn’t expecting Jordan to step up, and out to protect his family, and use his heat vision. Between that and Kyle’s apology, those few minutes felt full of some serious foreshadowing. And are we taking it that Superman has gone bad because his body is now inhabited by Zeta-Rho’s consciousness? Roll on 13 July!

I suppose that couldn’t have been anything other than anti-climatic - even Micki’s fight felt rushed and anti-climatic. At least Bonham and Abilene are pulling closer, and it’s the first time I actually liked Geri, so there’s positives in that, I suppose. I enjoyed the matter of fact way Bonham and Micki (and Geri, given what Bonham said?) recognised the alpaca for what it really was. I agree that the family were over-sentimental/indulgent about Hoyt. Has anyone found a point in Stan yet? And, lastly, cos I’m shallow, Jared looked much better with a budding beard than with the perma-stubble!

I don’t know why, but I’m kinda gutted that Edge is actually Superman’s (half)brother. I suppose, not being familiar with any comic book lore, it’s a bit out of left-field for me. My admiration for Lana has grown - she really stepped up to the plate, and I’m glad she was (mostly) brought up to speed with the Smallville craziness. I want her to find out about Clark before the end of the season - if not her, then Sarah. I had a huge grin on my face when Jon told her what was going on, and when Jon called Sam out again. I was puzzled why they didn’t voice-modulate Lana a bit more obviously though when she was housing Lara. And now I’m curious to see if Lara gets a “physical” consciousness in the Fortress, and who plays her. The AV Kryptonian parents have all been known (for me, at least) actors. What interests me even more is who was inhabiting Kyle - please make it Zod, or a worthy villain at least, given the threat to Jon, and the fact that Krypton-Kyle is completely bat-crazy. I could see that playing out in the finale in some way. It wasn’t just a throwaway threat. Tyler did a beautiful job in his conversation with Lara - tender and gentle. Though I’d love to know why she doesn’t seem to give a monkey’s about her elder son. Overall, not one of my favourite episodes, but still a good study in nature versus nurture, and the dynamics of families.

I would have loved to have seen a flashback episode about how Hoyt saved (presumably) Cordell when they were younger. A good opportunity lost, unfortunately.

Bye bye my eye candy - saw that one coming! Shame they killed off one of their best players, but Matt Barr’s probably committed to Season 2 of Blood and Treasure, whenever that happens. I shall definitely miss Team SassyBoots. I am now transferring my MVP allegiances to the newly branded and blooded Liam. Hats off to whoever did Keegan’s make-up in this ep, cos I felt green every time I looked at him, and I don’t do squeamish easily. I actually liked Stella this ep - who’d a thunk? She stepped up when she had to. Poor little Auggie’s face, and Abeline’s cry when she realised Hoyt was hurt 😪 The angst was turned up to 11 this week. I’m glad they brought out fighting Jared again though - more please! All in all, this would have been an excellent season finale, as it was originally intended to be.

First of all, I’ll get the shallow out of the way. I hope the make-up artist who applied the bruises to Tyler realised just how many people they were doing that for, taking one for a very large team 😂 Before his lungs started packing up, I got WAY too much of a laugh with Jordan’s super-snot!! I actually get where General Lane is coming from - he’s a practical military man of long-standing - he prepares for every possible worst-case scenario. I’m glad he and Lois reached an understanding, cos I think they’re gonna need him. Hats off for the staging of the Mexican bank robbery, showing the elegant effortlessness of Superman in action, even when ham-strung by the effects of pseudo-Kryptonite. And I loved the way the Lois//Edge confrontation in the boardroom was placed as well - she looked so small in her surroundings, but remained magnificently, defiantly “make a scene” Lois. Lana needs to become a little more subtle if she doesn’t want to end up in the CAT scan machine. I eeked the moment at the school when she was talking to Emily and I thought she’d already been “got.” Sweet Jon, reminding Lois her lesson about them being “extraordinary humans” from last week. And taking the murder van guns - smart boy! I want him to see the Fortress - soon! I LOVE shows that throw me twists I don’t see coming, and the Kyle one was one of the biggest yet. Yes to the double-bluff with Emily/Kyle. We did get a hint when Sarah snarked that he’d had a “personality crisis”, but I genuinely did not predict that moment in the barn. It says a lot about Clark that he didn’t floor him, but just left him in a field outside of town. I wonder does the fact that Kyle is now “infected” mean there’s a chance for the human hosts at the end of the season? It seemed to me that Kyle’s “switch-flick” wasn’t as pronounced as with the other subjekts. I'm glad we actually got an acknowledgement of Clark’s reporter skills - more please! I’m not familiar with the mythology around Superman, but I’m fascinated with who Edge actually is? I’m assuming not a literal brother, but could he be someone who also took over John Henry Irons’ DarkSupe, to undermine the good work of the House of El on that other world, and then hitched a ride to Earth Prime?

A few random thoughts on another brilliant episode: No football for a while then? Thank goodness! While it was fun to see geeky dad Kyle, and Inde has a sweet singing voice, the whole “theatre try-out” storyline kinda bored me. It would have been nice to use that time to see Jordan actually supporting his brother for a change. Why was Lesley Larr stirring the proverbial - is she motivated purely by suspicions of Lana, or something else entirely? I thought it was actually a bit strange to see Jordan so obviously (largely) sidelined in this episode, after the weight of focus there’s been on him til now. But, it was great to see “the humans” team up, and Jordan Elsass did a superb job with his storyline - wishing he’d met altNatalie shows his big heart, and his little face when Lois was chewing him out broke my heart. I’m so glad they had their heart to heart at the end. I wonder did evil Supes make it to this Earth, or was he Crisis-ed out of existence? And what was Rosetti’s mission in the DoD? So many questions, so little time! I loved the lethal RV scene, and Clark making it just in time (9 seconds by my reckoning): and how they melded Lois’s “are you Ok” into “are you out of your mind.” Just like Lois and Clark are very “real” (acknowledging pain, but knowing when to back off), Lois’s anger/fear at Jon felt incredibly authentic, and made me catch my breath. Bitsie acted her socks off in that scene, and with her therapist about the miscarriage. Major kudos to the writer(s) of her dialogue there too. Lois’s outpouring of emotion was all the more remarkable when you saw how controlled she was witnessing her husband at the wrong end of a Kryptonite spear, only breaking when she had to.

This show hasn’t produced a bad episode so far - please dear writers, keep it up, cos we’ve already seen that these cracking actors will bring the good stuff no matter what. I love, love, love the Kent family dynamic, which feels so real, from the boys squabbling, but ultimately having each other’s back, to Lois and Clark loving each other enough to not stifle each other’s unique skills, while still worrying for their spouse. This show ultimately has heart, which is why I’m hooked. I’m not a great comic book person, so I’m still lost on the significance of John Henry Irons, but I’m happily prepared for the ride. If Jon’s powers aren’t slowly kicking in from what we saw in this episode, I’ll eat notMjolnir. I was so glad they gave Jon the “active” role in saving their dad - he deserved a moment to shine. Alex did a really good job showing Jordan’s extreme frustration and discomfort with his new super hearing. I’m not sure who brought it up, but I agree that emotions, particularly in relation to family do seem to be the trigger for the powers. I must admit I’m slightly creeped out by any version of Lois being with anyone other than Clark - I am THAT invested in them as a couple. I’m already anticipating Lois and Clark’s reaction to that revelation, particularly if Natalie somehow makes it to Earth Prime. And now I’m also waiting for creepy Lesley to eavesdrop on Lois and Clark, or even the boys, at the wrong moment. It’s also good to see that Sarah doesn’t seem entirely convinced that Jordan isn’t wrapped up in Smallville’s new (for her) weirdness. Oh, and a final bonus, welcome back Snarky Gideon - I’ve missed you!

I was surprised too, but I imagine COVID might still be having an impact in even a small way on production, and, if it doesn’t start til Jan/Feb, there mightn’t be as big gaps in between each episode? Just a guess.

The one thing that’s puzzling me about the hitching post incident, unless I missed something, is that Walker stumbled out of the back seat? Surely he wasn’t that far gone that he didn’t recall that? The whole incident just made me even more fed up with Stella as a character - she’s got to be the one character I’d like to see the back of (not that that will happen). Liam is such a good brother and uncle - he’s definitely cut from the Bonham cloth. There were a few too many of Jared’s acting tics for me in this episode, but I can overlook that, cos it’s Jared (sue me, I’m shallow 😆). Speaking of shallow, if anyone has to meet their Maker in the next episode, with all those unfriendly guns around, I suspect it’ll be my favourite eye candy - boo! Shame we have to wait 3 weeks to find out (boy am I glad British TV doesn’t do hiatuses the way your networks do!)