Smallville 9x11: Absolute Justice...

[fajrdrako]

In early years of Smallville, I was crazy over the show. I read a lot of Clark/Lex fic, I wrote a lot of Clark/Lex fic, and I was a happy fan. I was mad over sexy Lex Luthor and his scary father Lionel. I loved Chloe.

But the show changed, and I couldn't bear the changes in Lex, and hated some of the new characters so much I couldn't bear to see them, so I slipped away into Doctor Who and Torchwood fandom, scared to watch Smallville as it had become.

But maaseru really likes Michael Shanks, so we sat down tonight with explodedteabag to watch the Smallville episode in which he appears as Carter Hall, Hawkman.

Now, I'm not nearly as much a fan of DC comics, and my knowledge of DC comics is spotty. I know some of the Justice Society characters - certainly the original Sand Man, Doctor Fate, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and Martian Manhunter, though I don't recall ever coming across Stargirl before. I know enough to barely recognize (with glee) Amanda Waller, and mutter comments about Jay Garrick.

What fun to see them. And Green Arrow! I'd only seen clips of this Oliver Queen before. He doesn't have much charm, but he's quite gorgeous.

1. Clark Kent didn't seem to have a lot of character. Chloe was the viewpoint character when he wasn't, and she seemed to have more oomph, more life. When Clark was playing against Lex, it didn't matter. Now it matters more to me.
   
   
2. Still, Clark Kent is very attractive now that he looks and acts more mature. I'll never be a big Superman fan¹, but this Clark Kent has potential.
   
   
3. Loved the moment when Doctor Fate saw the Superman cape.
   
   
4. I liked the first half of the story a lot more than the second half. The first half set up the very interesting characters; the last part seemed mostly fight scenes and speechifying.
   
   
5. I had reservations about this Carter Hall, who nicely echoed the alien warrior Hawkman, but seemed a little too rough around the edges. Still, I came to love his banter with Oliver Queen, especially after Queen had been flying with him.
   
   
6. I like Lois Lane better - a lot better - than when I last saw her, and she was a blonde with attitude. This isn't to say I like her much: I never liked Lois in the comic book, either.
   
   
7. Loved the moment when Courtney asked Clark what his team was called and he said, "A work in progress." I wanted to shout at him, "Call it the Justice League, Clark! The Justice League of America!"
   
   
8. Hearing the warrior Hawkman talk about mankind's capacity for violence seemed rather ironic. He really isn't Mr. Zen, least of all here.
   
   
9. There were some nice special effects, especially with Doctor Fate's Helmet of Nabu. I think Hawkman's flying could use a little work. Stiffest wings I ever saw.
   
   
10. I liked the use of the picture of the Justice Society around the round table. Is that from the comics?
    
    
11. I think I love Chloe as much as I ever did.

¹ I know, I know, never say never.