Why I Watch
I know lots of folks are dreading "Promise" today and I needed a little pick-me-up for it. pepsinger asked the question, "Why do you watch?" and I figured it was a pretty good question, worthy of its own post. Plus, it seemed like a good way to psych myself up - focus on the Smallville positives. So here goes:
Why I Watch
I watch for the pretty. The pretty, pretty people. The pretty places. The pretty sets, clothes, and props. The pretty songs. The pretty, pretty cinematography. The pretty.
I watch for the tragedy. If only Clark would accept his destiny and tell those closest to him his secret, so much pain could be averted. If only the Kents hadn't been so bent on 'protecting' him, he'd be able to do that. If only Lex could take personal responsibility for his own behavior without believing himself destined to moral failure, he wouldn't keep doing reprehensible things for the sake of mankind. If only Lana would realize that she's not a victim, that she is capable of self-actualization, she wouldn't be stuck in her own little hell. If only, if only ...
I watch for the themes: Destiny, Friendship, Trust, Lies, Saving the World, Power, Alienation - all wrapped up in a coming-of-age package.
I watch for the subversiveness, and symbolism. I love how each characters motivations and actions can be viewed legitimately in multiple ways. I love the color coding, the sometimes hilarious props, the obvious anvils.
I watch for the 'ships. Pretty much all of them: Clex, Chlark, Clois, Clana, Lexana, Chlex, Chlana, Mionel, Jartha, Jois, Jana, Clete, Chlete, etc., etc. I think they're fun and I don't engage in shipping wars.
I watch for the cheese. To borrow theclexfactor's icon, "Comics are just soap operas with more ass-kicking and explosions and aliens..."
I watch for the parallels. They highlight the subversiveness and moral ambiguity of the show. I think the parallels prove the writers might actually do this on purpose. I loved "Trespass" for this reason, as well it's unexpected continuity.
I watch for the continuity, believe it or not. At the end of each season, there is a clear beginning, middle, and end arc for each character and plot. And a theme. I like that.
I watch for the iconic nature of the characters. It's interesting to see how this Lex, this Clark, this Lana, this Lois (and Chloe, too) get to where they're going. I've enjoyed watching their characters develop into their iconic selves. Whether subtle, or anvil-ridden, I love watching it happen.
I watch because its fun. Its interesting. Its exciting. Its sad.
I watch because sometimes it engages my heart and sometimes my head.
I watch because even when its really bad, it still entertains.
So, why do you watch?
Why I Watch
I watch for the pretty. The pretty, pretty people. The pretty places. The pretty sets, clothes, and props. The pretty songs. The pretty, pretty cinematography. The pretty.
I watch for the tragedy. If only Clark would accept his destiny and tell those closest to him his secret, so much pain could be averted. If only the Kents hadn't been so bent on 'protecting' him, he'd be able to do that. If only Lex could take personal responsibility for his own behavior without believing himself destined to moral failure, he wouldn't keep doing reprehensible things for the sake of mankind. If only Lana would realize that she's not a victim, that she is capable of self-actualization, she wouldn't be stuck in her own little hell. If only, if only ...
I watch for the themes: Destiny, Friendship, Trust, Lies, Saving the World, Power, Alienation - all wrapped up in a coming-of-age package.
I watch for the subversiveness, and symbolism. I love how each characters motivations and actions can be viewed legitimately in multiple ways. I love the color coding, the sometimes hilarious props, the obvious anvils.
I watch for the 'ships. Pretty much all of them: Clex, Chlark, Clois, Clana, Lexana, Chlex, Chlana, Mionel, Jartha, Jois, Jana, Clete, Chlete, etc., etc. I think they're fun and I don't engage in shipping wars.
I watch for the cheese. To borrow theclexfactor's icon, "Comics are just soap operas with more ass-kicking and explosions and aliens..."
I watch for the parallels. They highlight the subversiveness and moral ambiguity of the show. I think the parallels prove the writers might actually do this on purpose. I loved "Trespass" for this reason, as well it's unexpected continuity.
I watch for the continuity, believe it or not. At the end of each season, there is a clear beginning, middle, and end arc for each character and plot. And a theme. I like that.
I watch for the iconic nature of the characters. It's interesting to see how this Lex, this Clark, this Lana, this Lois (and Chloe, too) get to where they're going. I've enjoyed watching their characters develop into their iconic selves. Whether subtle, or anvil-ridden, I love watching it happen.
I watch because its fun. Its interesting. Its exciting. Its sad.
I watch because sometimes it engages my heart and sometimes my head.
I watch because even when its really bad, it still entertains.
So, why do you watch?