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Smallville 2x17 "Rosetta" (Spoilers)

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Posted by: TiVoLance

Best night on TV in a long time. I loved the original music coming into play. Get to see Christopher Reeve again too. Did yall love the episode like I did? Chloe was touching yet again. I got chills when Christopher read the message from Krypton. When do you think Clark will form the Fortress of Solitude? Was the holographic computer database thing from the orginal movies in the comics? Lastly, I really liked the way Mr. Kent handled Clark's emotional crisis at the end. Kudos WB now don't shut this show down for a new series!

EDIT: Here's a link about the Rosetta Stone. I didn't know that much before this episode and thought I would share:

http://www.ba.dlr.de/ne/pe/virtis/stone1.htm

Determined to find out where he came from, Clark travels to New York to meet Dr. Swann, a brilliant scientist who holds a message for Clark from his home planet. Meanwhile Lana decides to move out of Chloe's house after the two girls get into another argument about Clark.


Posted by: David Platt

Best. Episode. Ever.

The use of the 'Superman: the Movie' music in this episode was classic. From the echoes of the 'Krypton theme' when the message from Clark's parents first comes up onscreen to the full-blown Superman theme when Clark begins to truly learn about his past, it was a true masterstroke by the writers.


Posted by: bobcarn

I echo those sentiments. Gripping episode! As soon as the traces of "Krypton" started playing in Swan's office, I started getting chills. Several questions came to mind during that episode....

The message Swan gave him, "deliver him from evil"... I wonder what Jor-el meant by that? That phrase has definite religious overtures. Was Krypton going through something other than the geological stresses that they've used before to explain why it blew up?

Clarks deciphering of the message in the ship telling him to "rule them". Think it was like he said, that he was reading it wrong?

And once again... where did those cave drawings come from?

Clark and Lex's drifting apart is becoming more evident now. I'm beginning to think that both of them are just kidding themselves when they view the other person as a friend. Kind of like they're doing it out of habit, or because they believe themselves to be friends, but they definitely don't feel it as deeply as before. Lex's friendship of Clark is definitely taking a major backseat to his interest in Clark as a resource. And Clark is treating Lex more and more as someone he just has to deal with on a daily basis.

When's the next new episode?


Posted by: TiVoLance

Bob I thought the "Deliver him from evil" was mostly a blanket statement hopings some earthlings would protect their toddler child (in a weird translation way). I'd say that too if I was a advanced alien viewing Earth's history from the other end of a telescope (esp if I was sending my child there). One more question- do you think the weird statement about "We will always be with you" and Christopher Reeve saying have patience was referring to the holographic parent memory crystal thing (that I referenced above)? Wonder who will play Mom and Pop?

:D


Posted by: Graymalkin

quote:
Originally posted by TiVoLance
Wonder who will play Mom and Pop? :D


Why, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, of course! What, you were expecting Marlon Brando and Susannah York? :D


Posted by: Jeff Edsell

Wow. And I thought the Krypton stuff would come in dribs and drabs, maybe with one bombshell at the end of the season. So much for that idea.

I think perhaps the message from Jor-El (Clark's biological father, for those unfamiliar) was tampered with.

The dissolution of Lex and Clark's friendship is being handled very nicely. Clark isn't stupid (despite his ineptness with the women in his life), but he's got too much on his mind to be appropriately suspicious of Lex. Lex flips between using Clark and friendship so easily I almost laugh each time he does it.

To the Smallville team: Keep it coming, folks. This is great stuff!


Posted by: bobcarn

TivoLance, I think the "we will always be with you" did indeed refer to some future holographic projection. With the advanced technology evident in the ship, it'd be hard to believe that they didn't send something like that back with him. Basically, Clark only knows his name and the name of the planet. There simply must be some kind of Kryptonian library or encyclopedia there he just hasn't activated yet. An interactive hologram would make sense (along the lines of what he had in the movie).

I never liked the idea of the crystal in the original movie creating the entire Fortress of Solitude. I know that the technology is advanced and all, but still..... I much prefer the idea of Clark making his own Fortress. Most likely, I see that happening because he needs a place to store his ship away from prying eyes.

It's still too early to have a season finale, right? They'll give us another couple shows, right?


Posted by: whitson77

I really liked it too. The ending had me scratching my head a little bit. I would like to hear what Bryan thought about it.


Posted by: Bryanmc

Here's the pitch......

They got a piece of it!

It's a long one!! It's going.....it's going.....it's GONE! Knocked out of the freakin' park!!!

Let me say that this may be the best television show I have ever seen. I recognize that there have been more dramatic stories and more gripping drama, but for a tried and true die hard Superman fan, I don't think this one could be topped even with a shirt tearing moment.

Amazing.

The message could very well be accurate and I actually hope it is. This is a bit of a change from what the writers have told us so far. They've said that they've based their Smallville world loosely on the movie. There are many variables and different story lines in the Superman universe and so far they've chosen many of the same themes that the movie did.

Jor-El and Lara seem to be different, however. Kal-El's parents have been depicted a number of ways over the years. Currently in the comics, Krypton was a very cold place (emotionally) where physical touch is not accepted. Children are genetically created in test tube like things. They have genetic parents, but are not "born" through conventional means. Kryptonians are devoted to science above all. It is their religion. Jor-El did send his son to Earth to be the superior being.

This is very different that the Marlon Brando Jor-El we saw in the movie. That was much more the God-Jesus comparison it was written to be. A loving father is sending his only son to care for Earth.

This message from the Smallville Jor-El to rule fits with one kind of Krptonian comic history. Of course, it could go either way but I did want to point out that it could be exactly as Clark has read it.

In the comics, Kal-El chooses to be the Superman we know instead of emulating his Kryptonian ancestors.

What a fantastic moment with Jonathan and Clark at the end. "I am your father. And I know you better than anyone else."

Fantastic.

This show was amazing. The music was great, Reeve was great. The colors coming from the cave wall were great.

I'm sure I will discuss more, but wanted to get some of my thoughts down as I just finished watching it.

Man this was fantastic. This baby's going to DVD. Too bad its got school closings across the bottom. :(


Posted by: whitson77

Good. With the comic strip insight I come away less confused. The superman theme music was pretty cool. As well as seeing Lex's developing dark side. It won't be too horrible long before he crosses over. Clark may not see it, but I would think we will pretty soon.


Posted by: JYoung

Oh my!

I like Smallville but Buffy usually beats it hands tonight. Not tonight. Tonight, Smallville drop kicked Buffy (and that's not a diss of Buffy).

I loved the music (shouldn't they have credited John Williams?) and loved the scenes with Christopher Reeve. Kudos to John Schneider too. His last scene with Clark was fantastic (who'd have thought that Bo Duke had depth :D )

Now did Clark mistranslate that line? Could rule=guide?

Grade A+

(edit: was Dr. Swan named after longtime Superman artist Curt Swan?)


Posted by: BrettStah

To repeat...

Best. Episode. Ever.

I loved it. Unbelievably cool.


Posted by: David Platt

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

Man this was fantastic. This baby's going to DVD. Too bad its got school closings across the bottom. :(


You could always wait until Sunday to re-record it, then dump that copy to DVD.


Posted by: brahamt

quote:
Originally posted by BrettStah
To repeat...

Best. Episode. Ever.

I loved it. Unbelievably cool.


I mentioned this in another thread, but the show is on a definite upswing.

Let's just pray it was not a sweeps inspired stunt.


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by brahamt
Let's just pray it was not a sweeps inspired stunt.

Well, of course it was a sweeps inspired stunt. This episode didn't just happen to fall in the rotation during sweeps week.

However, that's okay as long as it's done well. And this one was.

I've said before that I've come to trust the Smallville writers. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. There have been some episodes that have caused me to really put my faith in them as I was unsure as to what the heck they were doing. This last one pushes them back to the top.

They clearly respect the Superman mythos and are having fun within its boundaries. They're pushing some things to the limits and trying out some new storylines, but they haven't broken any major rules and I love that. They're doing a great job.

I wonder how long it will be until they start calling it "kryptonite"? :D

As a side, I'm soooo glad they didn't "explain" Swan's handicap in the show. That would have been stupid. They did great by not saying anything at all. I must admit I was also a bit concerned that there'd be a line in the show relating to the need for research on Reeve's disease. The clip at then end was nice, I'm glad they kept the fiction in tact and didn't mix messages.


Posted by: pyrite504

I thought the clip at the end was excellent. It got to the point, and then didn't keep pouring the guilt on, just went light. It was very classy.

This is probably one of the best episodes of any TV show I have ever seen.

I find it interesting that no one mentioned the "You'll get to share your secrets with me yet, Dr." from Lex. They're hadnling the turning of Lex very, very well. Makes me wonder what they are going to do for a season finale.


Posted by: bakerx3

I too loved the show. I made a choice last year to watch Smallville over "24" because I have long been a fan of Superman. Although I've enjoyed Smallville, I have questioned my decision based on the stellar reviews of "24". After last night, I no longer have those questions! Thank heaven for Tivo so I didn't have to sit through the commercials. I loved the use of the Superman theme as well.

Thanks to TivoLance for explaining the Rosetta title.


Posted by: gchance

quote:
Originally posted by bakerx3
I too loved the show. I made a choice last year to watch Smallville over "24" because I have long been a fan of Superman. Although I've enjoyed Smallville, I have questioned my decision based on the stellar reviews of "24". After last night, I no longer have those questions! Thank heaven for Tivo so I didn't have to sit through the commercials. I loved the use of the Superman theme as well.

Thanks to TivoLance for explaining the Rosetta title.


GEEZ, why are you putting yourself into a position to have to make these choices?

Here's what you could do:

1. Use two tivos and too cable boxes.
2. Do what I do and have Dish Network with the Superstation Package, so you have two timezones to choose your programs with. Tuesday nights are now packed full:

6pm - Smallville
7pm - The Shield
8pm - 8 Simple Rules For Dating My Daughter
8:30 - According to Jim
9pm - 24


Posted by: BrettStah

Smallville is re-aired on Sundays, isn't it? And 24 is (or at least it was last year) also re-aired, isn't it?


Posted by: shaunrose

I agree -- what a great episode of television. This definitely knocks Smallville up to one of my favorite shows. They've successfully taken that Superman franchise and done what the Star Trek people haven't been able to do with Enterprise -- write an interesting and gripping prestory to what we know is coming later.

One thing I like is that they are not necessarily locking themsleves in to any of the other Superman story lines we've seen so far. You feel like Lex still has hope to not become evil and there are so many possibilities with what Clark can become.

With the message from Jor-El, it could be that Clark misunderstood the message and that he was trying to make the point that he has powers that are beyond the people of earth and therefore has a responsibility to guide/lead/help. Or, they could have decided to make Clark's people have morals that conflict with those that he has been taught. Conflict drives drama and it could be more interesting to see how Clark deals with the conflict within himself. But the thing that bugs me with that is that explanation would seem to conflict with Jor-El's message to "deliver him from evil." I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

It will also be interesting to learn about the origins of the cave and how that fits in to the puzzle.

I hope this show has a long life. I'm enthralled by the story that the writers are laying out for us.


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by shaunrose
One thing I like is that they are not necessarily locking themsleves in to any of the other Superman story lines we've seen so far. You feel like Lex still has hope to not become evil and there are so many possibilities with what Clark can become.

Not true.

The creators have said since the beginning that this is the tale of how they become the people we know they will become. How Lex becomes evil and how Clark becomes the Superman we know. They are giving us their version of the journey, but the destination will be the same.

There are many variables to "play with" in the Superman universe. Do Clark and Lana ever get together, do Ma and Pa Kent die, do Lana and Pete get married, etc. You can change those up all you want and not really change the Superman mythos. You're staying true to the spirit of the story.

Things you can't mess with: Superman's powers and Lex being the bad guy.

Don't fool with major characters. This has been one of my most glowing praises of the Smallville writers is that they are offering all kinds of character development and dynamics while not screwing with the Superman story. They're doing a fantastic job at that.

One of the great things about watching this show is that we *know* Lex will turn bad and we *know* Clark will become the benevolent Superman. The exciting part is seeing how it happens and they've been doing a great job at it.


Posted by: bakerx3

gchance,

I knew I'd catch "flak" for not having two tivos or a DTivo, etc. :) I didn't know about 24 until late into the season last year. This year, I just went with Smallville. I wish 24 replayed each episode other than the "marathon" that they did last year. What else is FX for?

Bryanmc,

If I recall a previous discussion, wasn't their talk of a new Superman movie where Superman goes back to Krypton to "fight evil." If so, any chance last nights episode, and the vague message sent by Clark's real dad, is setting us up for this movie. Just wanted to see if you've given this any thought and if you think there may be a connection.


Posted by: johnmoorejohn

With the whole, "was I sent here to conquer?" question that clark has, is there any chance clark will become more evil before becoming good? Just like how the writers are playing with lex's good side knowing he'll be bad.


Posted by: edc

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
Things you can't mess with: Superman's powers and Lex being the bad guy.


I would add "Clark/Superman ends up with Lois Lane" to that list.


Posted by: Jeff Edsell

quote:
Originally posted by bakerx3
I wish 24 replayed each episode other than the "marathon" that they did last year. What else is FX for?

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you, but FX does repeat each episode of "24". Twice, in fact.

(Of course, now that I'm looking for the schedule info, I can't find it. But we've seen each episode, and never recorded it from FOX.)


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by bakerx3
Bryanmc,

If I recall a previous discussion, wasn't their talk of a new Superman movie where Superman goes back to Krypton to "fight evil." If so, any chance last nights episode, and the vague message sent by Clark's real dad, is setting us up for this movie. Just wanted to see if you've given this any thought and if you think there may be a connection.

Yeah, anything that has to do with that current script is NOT part of the Superman universe that I know and love.

Whereas the Smallville producers have taken great steps to remain true to the established Superman stories, this new script is crap and doesn't show respect to anything relating to Superman.

I'd be surprised if a connection was trying to be established, especially since that new movie is still in flux.
quote:
Originally posted by edc
I would add "Clark/Superman ends up with Lois Lane" to that list.

I agree, to a point. "Ends up with" as in married might be pushing it too far. Ends up falling for Lois would be a little better as you can have a Superman world where they are friends only, even if Clark has feelings for her. The recent animated series and Reeve movies, for example.


Posted by: bakerx3

Jeff,

I'll go home and check my TIvo for reruns of 24. For some reason I thought they didn't replay each episode (I thought I already checked my Tivo for this) . Is it too late to start watching the season now?


Posted by: kyote

Having never read the comic books but have watched the movie I have a question. In the movie Clark's dad dies. Did he die in the comic books around the same time?

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
Not true.

The creators have said since the beginning that this is the tale of how they become the people we know they will become. How Lex becomes evil and how Clark becomes the Superman we know. They are giving us their version of the journey, but the destination will be the same.

There are many variables to "play with" in the Superman universe. Do Clark and Lana ever get together, do Ma and Pa Kent die, do Lana and Pete get married, etc. You can change those up all you want and not really change the Superman mythos. You're staying true to the spirit of the story.

Things you can't mess with: Superman's powers and Lex being the bad guy.

Don't fool with major characters. This has been one of my most glowing praises of the Smallville writers is that they are offering all kinds of character development and dynamics while not screwing with the Superman story. They're doing a fantastic job at that.

One of the great things about watching this show is that we *know* Lex will turn bad and we *know* Clark will become the benevolent Superman. The exciting part is seeing how it happens and they've been doing a great job at it.



Posted by: kyote

How would Superman go to Krypton to fight evil since the planet is blown up? Or is that something that only happened in the movie, too.

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
Yeah, anything that has to do with that current script is NOT part of the Superman universe that I know and love.

Whereas the Smallville producers have taken great steps to remain true to the established Superman stories, this new script is crap and doesn't show respect to anything relating to Superman.

I'd be surprised if a connection was trying to be established, especially since that new movie is still in flux.

I agree, to a point. "Ends up with" as in married might be pushing it too far. Ends up falling for Lois would be a little better as you can have a Superman world where they are friends only, even if Clark has feelings for her. The recent animated series and Reeve movies, for example.



Posted by: Graymalkin

quote:
Originally posted by kyote
How would Superman go to Krypton to fight evil since the planet is blown up? Or is that something that only happened in the movie, too.


No, Krypton has always exploded, in the comics and the movies. Just another reason why this new script is so reviled.

Imagine if Batman's origin was changed so that he was a high school teenager bitten by a radioactive vampire bat. That kind of boneheaded revisionism.


Posted by: Justin526

quote:
Originally posted by BrettStah
Smallville is re-aired on Sundays, isn't it? And 24 is (or at least it was last year) also re-aired, isn't it?


Yeah, if it weren't for all these re-airings I'd never see a lot of shows. I couldn'd ditch 24 in favor of Smallville so the Sunday night repeats work out just great for me. I am glad that nothing conflicts with Buffy (not that I have much longer to worry about that anyways :( )


Posted by: lachacg

My favorite line tonite, spoken by Christoper Reeves:

One thing I've learned about science is the value of patience.

Was it the actor or the character who said that line?


Posted by: Bardman

I can't believe that no one has yet mentioned this little detail of the "Rosetta" episode:

Did you see the shape that appeared in the ocagonal "key" when it was inserted into the wall?? it was the 5-sided "S" shield!!!

I also loved the use of the Movie music in this episode... I got chills watching it.


Posted by: Bryanmc

I just watched it again and forgot to mention another great moment from the show.

Have I mentioned how much better I like Jonathan Kent now as opposed to the sulking, pissed off guy? :D

When Clark, Martha, and Jonathan are in the house talking about Clark wanting to visit Swann, we get these lines (or something similar):

Clark: You can't protect me forever!

Jonathan: I'm not willing to give that up yet!

Great stuff. I love Johnathan Schneider sooo much in this role.


Posted by: biker

It was an all around great episode. :cool: :up:


Posted by: gchance

quote:
Originally posted by bakerx3
gchance,

I knew I'd catch "flak" for not having two tivos or a DTivo, etc. :) I didn't know about 24 until late into the season last year. This year, I just went with Smallville. I wish 24 replayed each episode other than the "marathon" that they did last year. What else is FX for?


What else is FX for?!?!?! :mad:

THE SHIELD!!!! :up:


Posted by: bobcarn

quote:
Originally posted by kyote
Having never read the comic books but have watched the movie I have a question. In the movie Clark's dad dies. Did he die in the comic books around the same time?


In the original comic series, Superman's parents had died when he was an adult. I believe it was implied that they were getting up there in age by the time they found him. In the movie, only his dad died, and his mother was still alive. Not all that long ago (relative to the age of the character itself), DC reinvented the series. In it, they toned down his powers considerably and both his parents are alive.

The new script/movie that keeps getting mentioned is so bizarre, that it must either be a hoax put on by the studio to gain publicity, a bad joke, or a horrible mistake made by DC and the script writers. In this script, Krypton doesn't blow up. Supes is sent here to escape a horrible civil war going on. Other people from Krypton show up to battle him or take him back. Lex Luthor is a government agent and turns out being Kryptonian himself. It's so far removed from the lore of Superman that the only thing that stays the same are the names used.


Posted by: bobcarn

quote:
Originally posted by gchance
What else is FX for?!?!?! :mad:

THE SHIELD!!!! :up:


:up: :up: :up: :up: :up:

One of the best shows on television!!!!


Posted by: Jorgasnarova

A classic episode. No doubt about it.

The scenes with Clark and Dr. Swann, and Clark and Pa Kent with the spaceship were all so moving I actually wept, something I'd never done with this show before, except perhaps in their overuse of kryptonite monster of the week stories.

Some speculations:

Jor-El's message: one thing about the biological father of Superman remains constant throughout every version of the comic--Jor-El is a deeply noble character. If he anticipated his son would dominate Earth, then it would have been as an enlightened, compassionate leader.

In the recent Superman cartoons, and possibly in some of the comics as well, Brainiac is an evil computer intelligence from Krypton who survives the destruction of his homeworld to become a Borg-like character obsessed with assimilating technology, especially remaining Kryptonian technology, and to destroy Superman, whom he regards as an unacceptable risk to his safety.

Will we learn that Brainiac has assimilated superbaby's spaceship? Could some of the recorded messages be deliberate disinformation?

The catatonic linguist, his brain supposedly pumped full of Kryptonian trivia--will he return as a new Brainiac character? This is inevitable, I think.


Posted by: CraigEagle

quote:
Originally posted by bakerx3
Jeff,

I'll go home and check my TIvo for reruns of 24. For some reason I thought they didn't replay each episode (I thought I already checked my Tivo for this) . Is it too late to start watching the season now?


Read this and you will be up to date. WARNING: This site gives away EVERYTHING that has happened up until now. I am only posting it b/c bakerx3 is looking for a way to catch up on 24, if you are waiting to see and episode that has aired do not go to this site. Other than that, enjoy.
- Craig


Posted by: CraigEagle

quote:
Originally posted by JYoung
Oh my!
Now did Clark mistranslate that line? Could rule=guide?


It seems unlikely, the next line was "They are a flawed people". I suppose he could have misread that too but I doubt it.
- Craig


Posted by: vertigo235

Well it is true, we are somewhat flawed... But at least we havn't managed to blow up our own planet yet!!


Posted by: kyote

Is this the same John Schneider who played Bo Duke on Dukes of Hazard? It's been many years so he could have aged well, I don't know.

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
I just watched it again and forgot to mention another great moment from the show.

Have I mentioned how much better I like Jonathan Kent now as opposed to the sulking, pissed off guy? :D

When Clark, Martha, and Jonathan are in the house talking about Clark wanting to visit Swann, we get these lines (or something similar):

Clark: You can't protect me forever!

Jonathan: I'm not willing to give that up yet!

Great stuff. I love Johnathan Schneider sooo much in this role.



Posted by: BrettStah

Yep... same actor. No flaming arrows yet on this show.


Posted by: ClutchBrake

quote:
Originally posted by kyote
Is this the same John Schneider who played Bo Duke on Dukes of Hazard? It's been many years so he could have aged well, I don't know.


He was only 18 when The Dukes of Hazzard began.


Posted by: TonyD79

quote:
Originally posted by shaunrose
They've successfully taken that Superman franchise and done what the Star Trek people haven't been able to do with Enterprise -- write an interesting and gripping prestory to what we know is coming later.


I agree but not sure the assessment is fair. In the Superman land, the legend has been tinkered with enough that various interpretations are accepted (are Jonathon and Martha alive when Clark becomes Superman; who is Superboy (there is one in the comics today but he is a clone of Supes. In Star Trek land, if you contradict even a single line of dialog from a TOS script, you are blaspheming. Try to write around that kind of stuff.


Posted by: JYoung

quote:
Originally posted by CraigEagle
It seems unlikely, the next line was "They are a flawed people". I suppose he could have misread that too but I doubt it.

You don't think that flawed people could be guided with strength?


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by TonyD79
Superboy (there is one in the comics today but he is a clone of Supes.

He's actually a clone of Cadmus Project director Paul Westfield.


Posted by: Ereth

As for Ma and Pa Kent, it depends on which version of Supermans mythos you mean.

In one version they contracted the Black Plague after Superboy took them on a vacation back in time, so he was directly responsible for their death.

In another, they were being filmed from another star and the aliens thought it was fiction and wanted a younger Ma and Pa Kent so aliens came and tampered with the Kent well so that the Kents actually became younger. Take that, Mojo! I think those Kents eventually died of Old Age but my memory isn't what it once was.

Byrnes re-start of Superman had them both alive. Reeves movie had Jonathan die, but Martha live, and "Lois and Clark" had the Byrne version, both alive, and spry enough to be meddlesome.


Posted by: Philosofy

Well, I think Clark will eventually have to come to terms with his Kryptonian heritage. Right now, he thinks he was sent to conquor, but we know he takes the Kryptonian symbol, merges it with his Smallville "S", and gets his famous yellow and red logo. If he was that put off by the idea he was sent to conquor, I doubt he would use the Kryptonian symbol.


Posted by: Rob Helmerichs

Unless, of course, he decides he and he alone knows what's best for the Earth, conquers it, and runs it his way! :D

(Not an entirely unpopular attitude these days...)


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
Unless, of course, he decides he and he alone knows what's best for the Earth, conquers it, and runs it his way! :D

(Not an entirely unpopular attitude these days...)

YOU'RE RIGHT, I GUESS WE CAN ONLY BE THANKFUL THAT SADDAM DOESN'T HAVE KRYPTONIAN STRENGTH.


Posted by: Philosofy

Well, we know from "Dark Knight" that Supes is a Republican. :)


Posted by: Fleegle

One thing I just rmemebred in the discussion about the Superman logo: Didn't the Smallville High mascot have a version of that logo on it's red chest last season? I noticed that bird several times in this episode with just a plain red chest. I could have SWORN that he used to have the Diamond-S.


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by fleegle
I could have SWORN that he used to have the Diamond-S.

This is what you remember:

http://www.smallvillehighschoolstore.com/images/corner.gifhttp://www.smallvillehighschoolstore.com/images/bird.gif


Posted by: ClutchBrake

Remember his "sculpture" from shop class?


Posted by: bmackiew

Is it just me, or isn't the Metropolis police shield on all of their uniforms a pentagon too, just like Superman's S shield? I thought I noticed that whenever Clark showed up in Metropolis - usually there are police on the scene.

Bill


Posted by: kyote

Only 18? I thought he was older. But then I was maybe 12 when the show was out. If that old. Hmmm, I'm 28 now, so who knows?

quote:
Originally posted by ClutchBrake
He was only 18 when The Dukes of Hazzard began.



Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by bmackiew
Is it just me, or isn't the Metropolis police shield on all of their uniforms a pentagon too, just like Superman's S shield? I thought I noticed that whenever Clark showed up in Metropolis - usually there are police on the scene.

Bill

YES, THEY ARE IN THE SUPERMAN SHIELD SHAPE.

SO WERE THE NFL LOGOS ON THE UNIFORMS DURING THE "DIAMOND" ANNIVERSARY. :D


Posted by: ClutchBrake

quote:
Originally posted by kyote
Only 18? I thought he was older.


Nope. You can check it out at imdb. He was just shy of his 19th birthday.
I was 1 when the show began. :)


Posted by: Fleegle

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
This is what you remember:

http://www.smallvillehighschoolstore.com/images/corner.gifhttp://www.smallvillehighschoolstore.com/images/bird.gif


Yep. That's it. They took that diamond-S off of the bird, at least in the latest episode.


Posted by: Philosofy

OK, I watched the episode again last night. Did anybody else notice the different pattern on the key when it opened the second time to zap the linguist? I'm thinking there will be a different message each time its used, and our linguist friend now has some very important information Clark needs locked in his catatonic brain.


Posted by: lynda

quote:
Originally posted by Bardman
I can't believe that no one has yet mentioned this little detail of the "Rosetta" episode:

Did you see the shape that appeared in the ocagonal "key" when it was inserted into the wall?? it was the 5-sided "S" shield!!!


My husband and I noticed that too. I also saw it in the two messages (one in Reeve's office, one in the ship) that Clark saw.

Is it possible that the symbol is the symbol for Kal-El ?

I do not know anything about the movies or comics, so I don't know if the symbol has been fully explained before.


Posted by: David Platt

quote:
Originally posted by lynda

I do not know anything about the movies or comics, so I don't know if the symbol has been fully explained before.


In the movies, the S-symbol was Jor-El's (Superman's father's) family crest.


Posted by: Fleegle

quote:
Originally posted by lynda
My husband and I noticed that too. I also saw it in the two messages (one in Reeve's office, one in the ship) that Clark saw.

Is it possible that the symbol is the symbol for Kal-El ?

I do not know anything about the movies or comics, so I don't know if the symbol has been fully explained before.



For a second, I thought that Kryponian symble was the Superman logo, but when i got a good look at it, I saw the symbol inside the diamond was a figure-8, not an S. Still, it's great use of the theme.


Posted by: connery

Man I loved that episode. One question, they mention that Clark went to New York to see Dr. Swan but I thought that Metropolis was New York in the comics.

Favorite hour of Tv thats ever touched my Tivo. Maybe ever :eek: .


Posted by: WinBear

Metropolis, Gotham City, and New York City are all different cities in the DC Universe. There are also various other "City" places like Star City, Central City, Coast City and so on.


Posted by: jlb

I just loved this episode. So many good things about it.

My two favorites moments, or thoughts, that haven't been mentioned directly already:

1) When Reeve was doing his lines he had this look of contentment, happiness, or general pleasure....almost like he was handing the baton to TW. I thought it was quite powerful.

2) The PSA for the Reeve foundation at the end.....not that they kept it simple but more so the humurous banter at the end of it, with the crew laughing it up. What a hoot!

What a great episode!

http://www2.warnerbros.com/smallville/torch/img/vol52/issue16/Tor_52_16_1A.jpg


Posted by: okleydokley

Maybe I missed something earlier in the season, but where did the "ship's heart" come from?:confused:
Clark says, "I think I know what this is now". He is holding some type of clear circuit board...
My wife and I both said what the heck is that, and where did he get it???


Posted by: Graymalkin

quote:
Originally posted by jlb
http://www2.warnerbros.com/smallville/torch/img/vol52/issue16/Tor_52_16_1A.jpg


A big central dish, two nacelles... I'm hearing the Star Trek theme in my head, boys! Make it stop! :eek:


Posted by: CraigEagle

quote:
Originally posted by okleydokley
Maybe I missed something earlier in the season, but where did the "ship's heart" come from?:confused:
Clark says, "I think I know what this is now". He is holding some type of clear circuit board...
My wife and I both said what the heck is that, and where did he get it???


Clark's dad gave it to him, I believe in the first episode. He said that they found it in the ship.
- Craig


Posted by: Crrink

quote:
Originally posted by CraigEagle
Clark's dad gave it to him, I believe in the first episode. He said that they found it in the ship.
- Craig


Yeah, I've been wondering where that thing is since the first episode. My memory might be faulty, but I thought it looked more like a Kryptonian Palm Pilot than it did....anybody with a better memory care to set me straight?


Posted by: Ereth

quote:
Originally posted by Graymalkin
A big central dish, two nacelles... I'm hearing the Star Trek theme in my head, boys! Make it stop! :eek:


Well, it IS the symbol for "Hope", and it's never been there before, so it is, really, "A New Hope".

I wonder if George Lucas knows about this?


Posted by: Bryanmc

Here are a couple of things I found in my Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel.

On the subject of the "rule them with strength" line from the show, here's a bit of comic background.

This is from the introduction titled "Birth of a Superman":

Rocketed to Earth from the doomed planet Krypton, the infant Kal-El was a once great culture's visitor to a world that appeared savage and untamed compared to Kryptonian civilization.

Yet his father, Jor-El, was confident that Kal-El would thrive. He surmised that, under the rays of Earth's yellow sun, his child would acquire miraculous powers. In time, Kal-El would defy gravity and move mountains with his Herculean strength. On this third planet from the star Sol, the Last Son of Krypton would rule, and the Kryptonian civilization would be reborn.

That was Jor-El's dream. But that isn't what happened. Raised by a kindly couple in Kansas, Kal-El of Krypton became Clark Kent of Earth. And when maturity revealed powers far beyond those of mortal men, Krypton's sole survivor knew that his gifts were meant to help the world. The world needed a hero. The orphan of Krypton eventually became Superman, a Man of Tomorrow fighting a never-ending battle to bring peace and prosperity to the planet that had afforded him refuge and his own chance at life!

On the issue of where his shield came from, in the current comic story Clark designed it himself based on:

http://www.bryanmc.com/images/shield_history.jpg


Posted by: vertigo235

I think it's great that smallvile does their homework... unlike some "other" sci-fi shows.


Posted by: connery

quote:
Originally posted by Crrink
Yeah, I've been wondering where that thing is since the first episode. My memory might be faulty, but I thought it looked more like a Kryptonian Palm Pilot than it did....anybody with a better memory care to set me straight?


I was a bit confused as to where that came from myself. Your definately remembering correctly as it looked much different in the pilot. It was metallic like the octagonal disc, not clear. Also changed was the spaceship which looked a lot like a pinecone in the pilot :) .

Oh yeah and Martha Kent seemed to get hotter after the pilot too ;)

Interesting info Bryanmc. I like what the writers have done with some of the finer points, such as where the shield design came from. Also I think it would be an interesting twist if Jor-El had sent Clark to rule over the planet. IIRC, Superman was very early on a villian and was changed. Can you confirm this Bryan?

Overall the writers burned through a lot of material in this episode but they definately made it count. I doubt it could have been done much better, A+.

Edit: GASP, I just checked epguides and it appears that we have to wait until April 15th for a new episode.


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by connery
IIRC, Superman was very early on a villain and was changed. Can you confirm this Bryan?

Whoa. Good knowledge of your Supes history there connery.

What's important to remember is when Siegel and Shuster were creating Superman, he went through many incarnations. They started with the simple idea of a superpowered man.

From Superman: The Golden Age: (by the way, it feels great going through my Superman library, keep the specific questions coming! :D)

Jerry Siegel's first Superman story features an ugly, evil Superman who seems completely different from the later incarnation that is so well known today. Yet there are interesting points of comparison between the two versions.

The first Superman was an Earthling, but his powers came from exposure to an element found in a meteor from outer space. So the extraterrestrial concept was already in place, as was the notion of an alien rock with great powers (later to be introduced as a menace to Superman called krypotnite). And years before the creation of Clark Kent, Siegel paired his wicked but seemingly omnipotent Superman with a reporter who was not quite as helpless as he seemed. The fact that the two of them were meant to be part of a matched set was emphasized by Joe Shuster's bold drawings showing the duo confronting each other on facing pages of the magazine.

So, while you are correct that an early version of Superman was a villain, this was still very much in the creation phase that lasted years. It's not really part of "our" Superman's past and I'm doubtful the Smallville creators would take us down a path that really isn't part of the "actual" Superman story.

Though it is a great catch and an interesting point to ponder.


Posted by: whitson77

Nerds, I tell ye. :D :D


Posted by: MeanGreen09

quote:
Originally posted by connery
Edit: GASP, I just checked epguides and it appears that we have to wait until April 15th for a new episode.


Oh no! You're kidding, right?

With BTVS leaving after this season, Smallville moves into my top 2 favorite shows list. I'm not gonna be able to handle waiting until the middle of April.


Posted by: TonyD79

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
He's actually a clone of Cadmus Project director Paul Westfield.


Thanks for the clarification. Kind of lost track of the comics (been reading some graphic novels recently) but things have been "adjusted" so many times in the DC Universe, I no longer know what is current mythos (is Wonder Woman still Diana AND her mother?).


Posted by: connery

Wow, tons of great info Bryanmc. I never knew that Superman was originally human, that would have taken most the fun out of Smallville if they left it that way.

quote:
Originally posted by MeanGreen09
Oh no! You're kidding, right?


Sadly no, hopefully that means a shorter off season.

Reading through these threads always seems to add to my enjoyment of the show.


Posted by: IndyJones1023

So, could the Indian backstory have been Kryptonian explorers who investigate planets for potential future colonization? They left behind a "time capsule" so to speak for future Kryptonian visitors? Now, years later, Krypton has exploded and as fate would have it, Kal-El winds up on one of the very planets seeded by the previous Kryptonian explorers? And, since Earth had alreadys been catalogued, Jor-El knew of it's existence and the beneficial side-effects Kal-El would find there. Perfect target for his son!

Also, I'm assuming that the Kryptonite meteor fragments must have somehow been caught in the ship's warp bubble. I don't think an exploding planet could project debris as fast as a speeding ship would have to travel to get an infant to a new planet in enough time to still be a toddler to his destination.


Posted by: BrettStah

So how far away is/was Krypton, anyway? Wouldn't it still be visible from Earth long after blowing up (due to the speed of light)? Obviously Clark was sent in a faster-than-light ship, right?


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by BrettStah
So how far away is/was Krypton, anyway? Wouldn't it still be visible from Earth long after blowing up (due to the speed of light)? Obviously Clark was sent in a faster-than-light ship, right?

Here's where things can differ a bit.

The current continuity has Kryptonians born in a birthing matrix, like a big test tube. They're genetic parents donate their genetic material and the baby is created in this birth matrix.

In the comics, Jor-El takes this matrix with Clark still developing and sends it to Earth. So the trip does take years, and Clark grows within it as it flies to Earth.

The movies have a similar thing growing on. Clark (Kal-El) is already a baby and they put him in this Christmas ornament ship. This ship obviously has the same abilities as the birthing matrix because we see Clark grow older as the ship teaches him about Earth. This trip also takes years.

When Clark meets with Jor-El in the Fortress of Solitude, Jor-El mentions that many thousands of years have passes since the destruction of Krypton. I guess you can attribute that to some speed of light/time issue.

So, the point is that maybe you should still be able to see Krypton but I don't think it's a huge issue to just accept that you can't.

Indy- I like that idea about the caves. That would make some sense about Kryptonians "scouting" other planets. The only question I have though, is weren't there some pretty specific "prophecies" about Superman and Lex in there? That'd be hard to attribute to just explorers.


Posted by: BrettStah

Interesting... so if thousands of years have passed, the only humans in North America were the Indians, so it definitely makes sense to have this Native American stuff happening. For all Clark's parents may have known, they were sending Clark to live with Indians who might have been still quite primitive and barbaric from their point of view, and they would quite possibly have seen Clark as a god.


Posted by: TonyD79

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

Indy- I like that idea about the caves. That would make some sense about Kryptonians "scouting" other planets. The only question I have though, is weren't there some pretty specific "prophecies" about Superman and Lex in there? That'd be hard to attribute to just explorers.


Oh, know. Sounds like the time war going on on Enterprise.


Posted by: IndyJones1023

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
The only question I have though, is weren't there some pretty specific "prophecies" about Superman and Lex in there? That'd be hard to attribute to just explorers.


Please refresh my memory on the prophecies. I don't seem to recall them.


Posted by: Graymalkin

Let's see now. We've had aliens colonizing the Earth during the Ice Age (X-Files) and while man was still swinging from vines and rooting out berries (Earth: Final Conflict), and when Egyptian civilization began (Stargate: SG1). So why not have Krypton scouting out Earth thousands of years ago?

Of course, that makes Earth a pretty damn busy waystation for space travelers -- kind of like the Molly Pitcher Rest Area on the New Jersey Turnpike. :D

Seriously, I really like Bryan's post. The spaceship only needs close-to-light-speed travel, since baby Kal would age very slowly under those conditions. The only flaw in "Rosetta" is that we still can't see planets much smaller than Jupiter, so a more scientific explanation for what Prof. Swan saw might be Krypton's sun going nova unexpectedly and engulfing the planet. Swan definitely could have found records from 20 years ago of a supernova in that sector of the sky (only a few years before Kal's arrival).


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by BrettStah
Interesting... so if thousands of years have passed, the only humans in North America were the Indians, so it definitely makes sense to have this Native American stuff happening. For all Clark's parents may have known, they were sending Clark to live with Indians who might have been still quite primitive and barbaric from their point of view, and they would quite possibly have seen Clark as a god.

Well, again, remember that these are comic stories and don't always make sense "scientifically" speaking. I wouldn't try to justify not being able to see Krypton in the sky by adding in all these weird things like Jor-El thought he was sending Clark to live with cavemen.

In one story, Jor-El actually sends a little box like scout to find suitable parents for Clark on Earth. It discovers the Kents and Jor-El decides to send Clark to them. So he knew where he was sending him.

This is not rocket science (ha!) it's a story that has been rewritten time and time again. As long as we stick to the main points: Jor-El sends Clark to Earth, Krypton explodes, the Kents get Clark, then we're okay.


Posted by: Romalin

LOL, Bryanmc said "donate"...

Couldnt pass that up. Besides, with the way this conversation has gone dead serious, I figured alittle Beavus and Butthead reference to "donating" was in order. :)

Lighten up folks. Its fiction, so Lord knows it won't be scientifically accurate. While this show rocks to no end, all of us are getting so involved in this story we are starting to sound like a bunch of pocket protector wearing nerds.

I personally think that this episode just launched Smallville into a whole other stratosphere (pun intended). With the class act the writers did with this one, and the breakthroughs they provided us with, this series just hit the nitrous button on the engine. Strap yourselves in folks...Smallville is flying (pun intended).

PS - Im still laughing over that "donate" comment. You rock Bryanmc.


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Romalin
You rock Bryanmc.

You are correct sir.

Perhaps I can now join the narcissistic clan of people who put quotes about themselves in their signature.

This one seems to be appropriate. :D


Posted by: Romalin

Wow...the picnic looked like a blast. Gotta get my butt to one of those.

Is there any more TiVo Picnics forming?

I know this has nothing to do woth Smallville :p

Rommy


Posted by: Jeff Edsell

quote:
Originally posted by Romalin
Lighten up folks. Its fiction, so Lord knows it won't be scientifically accurate. While this show rocks to no end, all of us are getting so involved in this story we are starting to sound like a bunch of pocket protector wearing nerds.

Hey, I think we're all pretty aware that it's fiction and not science. It's just fun to pick this apart, because the Superman mythos itself has such a rich and varied history.

I like to think we're having some of the same conversations the "Smallville" writers have, as they plot the course of their version of Clark -- debates over what "needs" to stay accurate to the established history, and what scientific theory might have a bearing on the development of the story.


Posted by: hanumang

quote:
Originally posted by IndyJones1023
Please refresh my memory on the prophecies. I don't seem to recall them.


Well, the one that springs to mind is the prophecy that Numan & his best friend would one day become mortal enemies.

As told to Clark by the 'werewolf' girl.


Posted by: Romalin

quote:
I like to think we're having some of the same conversations the "Smallville" writers have, as they plot the course of their version of Clark -- debates over what "needs" to stay accurate to the established history, and what scientific theory might have a bearing on the development of the story.


Ok, I'll play along then :)

Maybe I missed something (dont think I did) but this cave that has been in today's discussions on this board...wasn't this the same cave they just plucked that nasty creature (I do believe they even stated there was more in there) that was making people do nutty stuff and possibly kill themselves? Lex told Clark to be careful, and that he could continue to study the caves, yet there wasn't another mention of these critters after that episode (I think it was 3 or 4 episodes back. Nothing on what this other inteligent alien lifeform was doing in "Clark's Cave", nor what relevence they have with Kryptonians.

Your thoughts....


Rommy


Posted by: JYoung

hmmmm, I wonder if the Smallville writers are going to include the twist that the Kryptonians weren't able to leave their planet due to a genetic flaw (I think Roger Stern introduced that in the first Mongul/Warworld story).
Jor-El corrected that flaw in Kal-El's DNA, thus making him the only Kryptonian who could leave the planet.
Perhaps the cave drawing represent Superman himself coming from the past and setting up the cave in a "predestination paradox"? :D


Posted by: njchris65

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

This is not rocket science (ha!) it's a story that has been rewritten time and time again.


It is commonplace in comics to re-write a characters history. As long as the basics are still there, like you said, then it's ok with me.

Didn't the comics change Supergirl from being from Krypton to being a Robot? oh.. I digress...


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by njchris65
Didn't the comics change Supergirl from being from Krypton to being a Robot? oh.. I digress...

Actually, a shape-shifter.

Though there may have been a robot in there somewhere. :D


Posted by: smak

Finally saw this episode tonight.

Wow, best Smallville ep by far, and maybe top 2-3 of any show this year.

At first in Swan's office, with the Superman music playing, i thought nice touch, and then later with the full blown music playing, I thought it was so cool.

Such great music. I also was surprised, but i don't think I saw a John Williams credit in the 1/4 screen credit roll I saw.

Every time I think the series is about to start to get a little slow, they throw in a great episode like this one to spice things up.

Kudos to Gough and Millar

-smak-


Posted by: scooterboy

Finally watched this last night. Superb. Everything everyone has already said in this thread.

Still don't know how they're going to fully explain the cave, though. When it first appeared in the Wolfgirl episode, it seemed of Native American origin (prophecies and all). But there's obviously some advanced technology happening there when the key is inserted into the hole. So if an advanced race created it, why all the primitive drawings? Why aren't the designs neatly etched in the stone like the keyhole is?

I also wonder how they're going to avoid the "recognizability" factor at the end of the series when Clark becomes Supes. It was silly enough in the comics when a mere pair of glasses fooled everyone. In Smallville, Clark doesn't even wear glasses. Will no one he grew up with recognize him later in life as Superman?

Aside: I watched an old "Lois and Clark" episode the other day in which Clark told Lois that his Supersuits are only indestructible when he wears them and that anything within a few millimeters of his skin is protected by an aura. Funny how his fluttering cape wouldn't burn up as he speeds through the atmosphere though. Unless there's an interesting reason to change the mythos (e.g. supersuit made from Kryptonian baby blankets), why mess with it?


Posted by: jlb

Now all we need is for Gene Hackman to make a guest appearance as some Luthor relative.........


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by jlb
Now all we need is for Gene Hackman to make a guest appearance as some Luthor relative.........

Personally, I'd rather see Ned Beatty lumbering in the background. Maybe knocking over a lamp. ;)


Posted by: Graymalkin

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc
Personally, I'd rather see Ned Beatty lumbering in the background. Maybe knocking over a lamp. ;)


Personally I'd rather see Miss Tessmacher. :D

Valerine Perrine might be a bit too old to play her now. Perhaps Nikki Fox as Miss Tessmacher's daughter. :)

Edited to show: D'oh! That's Nikki Cox, not Fox! My bad.


Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by Graymalkin
Perhaps Nikki Fox as Miss Tessmacher's daughter. :)

Ok, now you're killing me. :D

miss tessMACHERRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What does chewing gum have to do with the secrets of the universe?

edit - I read Nikki Cox. Who is Nikki Fox?


Posted by: mchasal

quote:
Originally posted by scooterboy

Still don't know how they're going to fully explain the cave, though. When it first appeared in the Wolfgirl episode, it seemed of Native American origin (prophecies and all). But there's obviously some advanced technology happening there when the key is inserted into the hole. So if an advanced race created it, why all the primitive drawings? Why aren't the designs neatly etched in the stone like the keyhole is?


Perhaps the device was installed by the Kryptonians or such, and the native people provided the cave paintings as a kind of shrine, telling the story of how the device got there.

Mike


Posted by: Ereth

quote:
Originally posted by scooterboy
Aside: I watched an old "Lois and Clark" episode the other day in which Clark told Lois that his Supersuits are only indestructible when he wears them and that anything within a few millimeters of his skin is protected by an aura. Funny how his fluttering cape wouldn't burn up as he speeds through the atmosphere though. Unless there's an interesting reason to change the mythos (e.g. supersuit made from Kryptonian baby blankets), why mess with it?


That's straight from the comics. John Byrne made that change in the Superman reboot, to avoid having to have the suit made out of Kryptonian Blankets. It also meant that the costume would never tear, but he got to draw the cape torn in very dramatic fashion many times.

And, it led to an absolutely wonderful Python reference when Superman went to Apokolips and the filth that was on everything wouldn't stick to him because of that same aura. :D


Posted by: scooterboy

quote:
Originally posted by Ereth
That's straight from the comics. John Byrne made that change in the Superman reboot, to avoid having to have the suit made out of Kryptonian Blankets. It also meant that the costume would never tear, but he got to draw the cape torn in very dramatic fashion many times.
I sit corrected, but I still don't understand the reason for the change. Why did he want to avoid having the suit made from Kryptonian blankets? Just so he could draw ripped capes?


Posted by: Graymalkin

Mmm... Kryptonian blankets... Too bad Supergirl wasn't sent to Earth in crotcheted cotton blankies! :D


Posted by: JYoung

quote:
Originally posted by scooterboy
I sit corrected, but I still don't understand the reason for the change. Why did he want to avoid having the suit made from Kryptonian blankets? Just so he could draw ripped capes?


Since Byrne had Kal-El arrive in Earth in his birthing matrix in which he gestated in while on the way to Earth, you couldn't have Kryptonian blankets in there. Kal-El was actually born on Earth after the matrix landed.
In fact, Kal-El arrived with nothing but the ship and a chunk of Kryptonite that got stuck on the hull when Krypton exploded.

And yes, Byrne loved drawing the shredded capes. It was part of his philosophy about the depowering of Superman from a titan that could juggle planets to what he is now. Since the new Superman was far less powerful, it wouldn't take a Galactus type (yes I know he's on the other side) villian to give Supes a good workout. The shredded capes was one of Byrne's ways of showing that Superman could be hurt.
Of course, Clark went through so many capes that there was a running joke in the letter column that in order to find Superman, all Luthor would have to do is find out who's buying up all the red cloth. Ma Kent must have been very busy making all the replacement capes. Supes even had a couple of spare capes stashed at Professor Hamilton's lab.

Although after Byrne left the books, Superman did have an indestrucible suit and cape for a while. After picking up the Eradicator (A sentient Kryptonian supercomputer that was shaped as a miniture version of his birthing matrix/spaceship) while in space battling Mongul, it created a costume for him (he'd lost his while fighting in Mongul's gladitorial games) that was indestructible including the cape. In fact, when he first arrived back on Earth (in a issue written and wonderfully drawn by George Perez), he used the cape to contain an explosion.
However, he later pitched the costume (and the Eradicator) into the Sun after the events of the Krypton Man saga.


Posted by: scooterboy

Thanks JYoung, I wasn't familiar with the birthing matrix. Haven't really followed the comics since I was a kid, other than the "Death of Superman" series. Of course, everyone and his brother bought those.


Posted by: Mike20878

quote:
Originally posted by Graymalkin
Let's see now. We've had aliens colonizing the Earth during the Ice Age (X-Files) and while man was still swinging from vines and rooting out berries (Earth: Final Conflict), and when Egyptian civilization began (Stargate: SG1). So why not have Krypton scouting out Earth thousands of years ago?

Of course, that makes Earth a pretty damn busy waystation for space travelers -- kind of like the Molly Pitcher Rest Area on the New Jersey Turnpike. :D


Don't forget Battlestar Galactica. :)




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