Scary Revelation...

[penemuel]

...about Smallville's Clark Kent as he's being raised on the show...

Okay -- I've had serious issues with Jonathan Kent for a while now. Okay, since the first episode...

I have problems with his transferrence of anger from the targets who truly deserve it (Lionel and himself) onto Lex. I have SERIOUS problems with his hypocrisy and situational ethics (Lying is bad, Son -- unless it's to protect your secret. Stealing is bad -- but break into that facility and steal your DNA sample back. And while you're at it, bring your best friend to make him an accomplice). And I'm furious at him over his callous indifference to the horrors Lex suffered in Shattered/Asylum (well, at least he doesn't remember your secret).

Many, many SV viewers have been wondering how on earth the Clark Kent of this show can grow up to become the Superman we all know, with this man as his father-figure.

leviathanmuse and I were discussing this last night, and we've realized that unless Jonathan gains some abrupt enlightenment, this Clark can't. What we're witnessing could very well be the adolescence of the man who's going to grow up to be the Superman of the Justice Lords, from the 'A Better World' episode of Justice League...

Comments

[penemuel.livejournal.com]

Clark is obviously coming to the conclusion that Dad's not always right, and that sometimes, he has to do what HE thinks is right.

But that's exactly what's scaring me -- have you seen 'A Better World'? That Superman is doing what HE thinks is right...

With Jonathan's upbringing, whether Clark's starting to rebel against what he actually tells him to do or not, the foundation is there. The whole 'this is bad, except when you do it' guideline is what makes it so easy for that Superman to topple over the edge from hero to really scary super-overlord. It's all for our own good, so he'll just take care of everything for us... Eeep!

[kelex.livejournal.com]

No, I haven't seen it, but I understand the concept (what I'm thinking of is Jenn's Handful of Dust fic, and basing on what you described, the're about the same) and I'd agree with you if Clark showed any indication of actually having fun with what he was doing. But he doesn't.

He keeps hating his gifts, he keeps feeling helpless cause there's nothing he can do, he keeps feeling *guilty* because he can't save everyone and has to pick and choose what he does and hurt people in the process.

If Clark *didn't* have that reaction, then yes, I'd agree with you that he is far more of a danger than I think he is, at this point. But as it is, (to me, anyway) Clark reads as a very reluctant hero, being pushed into his destiny by his guilt over the meteor rocks that came with him to Smallville. And I don't think a very reluctant anything can later, in turn, become a deadly anything, because he doesn't have the drive or the desire for it.

[penemuel.livejournal.com]

No, I haven't seen it, but I understand the concept (what I'm thinking of is Jenn's Handful of Dust fic, and basing on what you described, the're about the same) and I'd agree with you if Clark showed any indication of actually having fun with what he was doing. But he doesn't.

Ah. I actually haven't read 'Handful of Dust' yet (it's on my storage card, waiting to be read...), but the Superman of the Justice Lords isn't really 'having fun' doing it. He got fed up one day with the bad guys always getting back out, beating the system, paying people off, whatever (okay, one specific bad guy was the last straw, and I'm sure you know who I'm referring to ;) ), and he finally decided that instead of just capturing bad guys, they were going to stop them with finality. And until the world is nice and orderly, the Justice Lords run things with an iron hand. Of course, humans being humans, things will never be 'nice and orderly'. The creepiest part is when we find out that after the somewhat messy way he stopped Lex, he's honed his technique and lobotomizes enemies with his heat vision. Neat, quick, probably not overly painful -- but creepy!

[They also get nice, sexy costume changes (except for the bell thing Hawkgirl uses as a helmet...), and Diana has a nice, practical, short hairstyle that looks DAMNED good on her.]

He keeps hating his gifts, he keeps feeling helpless cause there's nothing he can do, he keeps feeling *guilty* because he can't save everyone and has to pick and choose what he does and hurt people in the process.

If Clark *didn't* have that reaction, then yes, I'd agree with you that he is far more of a danger than I think he is, at this point. But as it is, (to me, anyway) Clark reads as a very reluctant hero, being pushed into his destiny by his guilt over the meteor rocks that came with him to Smallville. And I don't think a very reluctant anything can later, in turn, become a deadly anything, because he doesn't have the drive or the desire for it.

I don't think he's a danger at this point, but I can definitely see him growing up to be the Superman who gets fed up and takes that final step over the line. I don't see how his reluctance and guilt now will keep him from becoming disillusioned, weary, and finally just plain fed up with people 'using' the justice system to get away with crimes or just going out and committing them again once they serve their time. The Superman in 'A Better World' doesn't intentionally set out to be a world dictator, he just knows what's best for people, and has the power to enforce it...