# So am I the ONLY Doper who watches Smallville? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 29, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589 "2004-01-29T15:04:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/1 "2004-01-29T15:04:16Z")
Every Thursday morning, I sit down at my desk and eagerly read this week’s _Angel_ thread, but I’ve noticed that it seems _nobody_ else around here watches _Smallville_. And what’s up with that? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TommyTutone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@TommyTutone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TommyTutone)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/2 "2004-01-29T16:13:20Z")
I’ve seen a few episodes now and then, and while the show is somewhat enjoyable for the villain of the week flavor, the overall story line is a painful drag. This most recent episode with the hacker girl does not change my opinion. I’ll probably catch an episode next month to see if they’ve made Lex more evil or what. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/3 "2004-01-29T16:52:40Z")
Not the only one, but pehaps one of the few. I started watching _Smallville_ as soon as it started, and quickly lost interest. At first it seemed like WB was just riding the wave of “teenager with cool powers” shows that were doing well. But I started watching it again this season, and I’m really quite enjoying it. They’re taking time to explain how he develops his powers, like the episode a few weeks ago where he was temporarily blinded and his hearing developed in its place. The show is unique because we already know how it’s going to end, we’re just waiting to see how it gets there. ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/4 "2004-01-29T17:03:30Z")
I, like others, am interested in seeing their take on Supes’ development, especially Lex’s descent into evil. However, last night’s ep “Delete” was a “meh” at best. Maybe the whole subliminal bit through email is just utterly dumb. However, the hacker gal was easy on the eyes and it was great that Adam was pointing out all the silly faults Lana and others of her ilk have in regard to not saying what they feel. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/5 "2004-01-29T17:22:05Z")
I agree that last night’s episode was certainly lackluster, and about all it really did for me was prove that I hate Lana with just about every fiber of my being. But it’s good to know that at least _some_ other people watch it! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/6 "2004-01-29T17:49:18Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > I agree that last night’s episode was certainly lackluster, and about all it really did for me was prove that I hate Lana with just about every fiber of my being. Of course you hate Lana; it’s _soooooo_ obvious that Lex and Clark are destined to be together 🙂 I only watch it for the Hoyay. And, of course, the pretty bald guy… ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/7 "2004-01-29T20:55:18Z")
I watched it a couple times. It was o.k., but didn’t really float my boat. Does it bother anyone else that shows these days, especially WB shows, seem to be more about a “look” than anything else? Ever since _Baywatch_, T&A seems more important than content. It’s like the guys’ biceps and the girls’ tits have to be just the right size, the hair has to be just so, and everyone looks like they have a fashion consultant in their room every morning when they get dressed. I just find it distracting to the point where I don’t even care to watch the shows. Or maybe I’m just getting old.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/8 "2004-01-29T21:00:06Z")
I like the long-term plot, but teh freak of the week and the character interaction could still use some work. I’m also enjoying the new guy, Bruce…I mean Adam, more than I thought I would. ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/9 "2004-01-29T21:11:37Z")
I’ve watched it from the beginning and while I love it, it doesn’t have the depth that Angel tends to. It has some great moments and Lex and Lionel are the show (really). Apart from some interesting twists, it is just a good fun show – I tape it, I watch it, it is on my list of “Must See” but it isn’t BTVS or Angel in terms of quality and depth. BTW: I would be watching Birds of Prey if it were still on – though it had problems, it really did have GREAT potential and was just begining to be realized when it was cancelled. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/10 "2004-01-29T21:21:49Z")
Started watching this year and found the show to have alot of promise, often reminding me of the first two seasons of BtVs. It’s not Angel, but what is? Certainly better then **Star Trek: Enterprise** ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/11 "2004-01-29T21:25:00Z")
> [@Menocchio](#): > > I’m also enjoying the new guy, Bruce…I mean Adam, more than I thought I would. So my Wednesday night crew aren’t the only ones who think Adam might be a big ol’ Bruce Wayne setup? It seems more than a bit contrived, and I think the age is way off … but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who sees batmen in the shadows … ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/12 "2004-01-29T22:44:46Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > So my Wednesday night crew aren’t the only ones who think Adam might be a big ol’ Bruce Wayne setup? It seems more than a bit contrived, and I think the age is way off … but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who sees batmen in the shadows … Do you think the producers are trying to set up a side-story as to a reason why Batman and Superman eventually fight in the future? ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/13 "2004-01-29T23:26:49Z")
**Draelin** , there’s some nice discussion about the show on [this](http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showforum=609) site. I go there for all my _Smallville_ needs. Lex and his evil daddy are the best characters, IMO, and the only ones who don’t make me routinely yell “WTF???” at the TV. The writing can be painfully bad (ex: “your silence is deafening” from last week ago), and the characters usually don’t behave in a remotely believable way, but moments like Lionel growling, “Are you threatening me?” to Chloe make it all worth while. That gave me shivers, I tell ya. So, is Chloe going to become Lois Lane? That was confusing to me. Isn’t Lois supposed to be older than Clark? ---
**Author:** ![writ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/47e85d/32.png) [@writ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/writ)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/14 "2004-01-29T23:43:42Z")
There’s a bizarre, scholarly essay re: smallville in the latest issue of believer – something about smallville = good, metropolis = evil, corrupting force vis a vis midwest politics/ideology. The article is better than how that sounds. Were there any episodes with Krypto the wonder dog, or where Jimmy Olsen gets strange powers? One thing I’ve noticed about this show is that it touches on various bits of Superman arcana, then drops them super-swiftly – like what happened to his glasses from last week? ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/15 "2004-01-29T23:59:19Z")
I’ve watched Smallville since the end of season 1. Mostly, I watch it to make fun of it. Pretty much the only thing I genuinely like about the show is Lex. He’s got the most depth and the best lines, and despite who he is and who he’ll become, you like him anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Delly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Delly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/16 "2004-01-30T00:31:29Z")
Im another one who watches Smallville each week, its one of my favourite programs although sometimes the writing and ‘freak of the week’ ideas seem a little old. The show is still a lot better then some of the other garbage we get on our TV screens. I think I actually prefer Smallville over Angel this season, although to be fair, Angel did only start back about 2 weeks ago. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/17 "2004-01-30T00:52:13Z")
I like Smallville a lot and think that it has a lot of potential. Most of the “freak-of-the-week” episodes were crappy, but many shows have growing pains. My feelings for the cast break down like this: Tom He’s good, and I’ll buy him as Superman. He pulls off the heroic farmboy perfectly. Michael: Easily one of the high points of the show. You like him and fear him and feel sorry for the bad guy that he’s going to be, because he really doen’t have a choice. Kristen: I have a friend who worships her. I’m pretty eh about her. Allison: Mmmm, tasty. I like her a lot and think she’s doing a very good job. John: A great villian. He was good with Rutger, and he’s a villian and a genuinlly compassionate father (or really good at faking it.) The Kents: Both good and solid. I can see them raising a hero. Pete: Who? Pointless and annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/18 "2004-01-30T00:54:45Z")
And my spelling is, how you say, not so good? I meant to add that I also think that there’s a Bat in Lana’s belfrey. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/19 "2004-01-30T01:32:06Z")
I enjoy the show, even with problems. I like the characters even if their actions don’t make sense and they those weird Smallville-esq conversations. Clark’s confrontation with the evil scientist was a particularly bad example but at least there was some in-story excuse that he wanted him to make the phone call. This was a strong episode for Chloe. Her fear, guilt and friendship all seemed real with no overly Smallvilly dialog. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589/20 "2004-01-30T01:55:57Z")
> [@gallows fodder](#): > > So, is Chloe going to become Lois Lane? That was confusing to me. Isn’t Lois supposed to be older than Clark? According to the show yesterday Chloe is Lois’s cousin. Chloe-Lana cat fight. Yum. Er, Adam=Bruce Wayne. Hmm. He is the right age. What did Bats do between his parents’ death and becoming Batman? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-the-only-doper-who-watches-smallville/226589.md?page=2)