Smallville: Exodus redux

[fajrdrako]

Couldn't help musing on the episode as I walked to work today. There's a story idea at the back of my head, something sparked by a mood or idea in a story by spyhop, but I can't pin it down yet.... The subconscious will disgorge it when it's good and ready.

Anyway, I was thinking about the tripartate parallelism in the episode. We have three characters who so far have been characterized by their innocence: Clark, Chloe and Helen. Each is shown to change to the dark side, or to be revealed as suddenly less innocent than they previously appeared.

Look how their hair changes as the transformation is revealed. Clothing, too, and colour choices: Helen in white, Clark in first white (that T-shirt is to die for) and then black (when he puts on his leather jacket); Chloe in brown. With spiky hair. I love her hair. Yeah, yeah, I love everything about Chloe.

Giving things a CLex spin, as I always like to do, it seems to me that many of Clark's reactions might well be triggered by Lex's marriage. He was acting cool about it, but didn't go to the ceremony; couldn't face it. Gives into despair and self-blame over the death of the baby and wears the kryptonite ring, which at least makes him feel powerful in a way he doesn't allow himself to feel powerful normally.

Comments

[marcasita.livejournal.com]

I like your parallels and the CLexian spin! I really don't think Clark has known how to handle losing his true love except by finally and figuratively throwing up his hands and taking Lana as a compensation prize! *eg*

The end of innocence. Hurts. *sniff*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes - and proves to himself that consolation prizes don't work.

The end of innocence, yes - for several people.