Smallville continues to get better and better and with the events of the next two episodes, the series is set to become more Superman than ever before.
Ausiello has posted an exclusive preview that will be shown at the end of March 19th’s episode, ‘Turbulence’. If you click on the image below, it will take you to watch the clip which features some very cool looking scenes from the next three episodes:
Issue 31 of Smallville Magazine is on the stands as we speak and contains an interview with Erica Durance, aka Smallville’s Lois Lane.
Here is an excerpt:
Those shiny green rocks from his home planet may be Clark Kent’s weakness, yet for the feisty Lois Lane, men seem to be her own personal kryptonite. Ever since she relocated to Smallville, the former army brat has been a magnet for psychopaths, meteor freaks, and bad seeds. The only bright spot on her dating track record was the dashing billionaire Oliver Queen, and even he eventually broke it off with her in season six’s ‘Justice’. Although those sparks reignited when Oliver returned in season seven’s ‘Siren’, they were quickly extinguished when Lois couldn’t handle the fact that he was actually Green Arrow too.
“Lois was very honest about where she was,” offers Erica Durance about the break-up. “She wasn’t ready for that kind of relationship. It scared her a little bit, that this was somebody who would be off doing something dangerous and she wasn’t a part of the adventure. It didn’t really surprise me in that sense, because Lois certainly likes to know what’s going on. Of course, she ends up having that relationship with SUPERMAN later, but she has a different connection with Clark in that regard. Oliver was almost a prep for the real deal. When Lois was faced with Oliver being a super hero, perhaps she realized she didn’t love him deeply enough to be able to deal with his dual identity.”
On the rebound, Lois appeared to find a kindred spirit in charming Daily Planet editor Grant Gabriel, but that particular Mr. Right unfortunately turned out to be Mr. Clone.
“There’s a way an actor looks at the part and a way you have to allow the character to live and breathe,” says Durance about the failed romance. “Lois is human, and just like anybody else, she came across somebody who interested her and ended up having a non-intense relationship with him. As an actress, I looked at it right away and was like, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know.’ You’re always trying to protect the character and make them perfect. That’s the thing about Lois; she’ll stumble and fall, but she’ll always learn more about herself from it. At the time, maybe Lois probably didn’t realize she fell into that relationship to get over Oliver.”
On the surface, what Lois isn’t so fond of is her new Daily Planet co-worker. With Chloe fired by Lex, that vacancy was filled by budding newshound Clark Kent.
“There’s a give and take between them, but I don’t think Lois sees him as a rival,” reports Durance. “Lois believes she can mentor Clark and show him the ropes. That creates some funny circumstances when she goes off to follow a story. She’s like ‘You have to stay with me to learn how to properly investigate a story.’ Clark then has to find a clever way to sneak away and save the day. That’s part of the joy of playing a relationship like that. It’s unpredictable and day-to-day; her views of Clark are constantly getting [turned on their head] and put her in a very uncomfortable position. She’s starting to realize just how much Clark means to her. That’s part of the discovery this season, which is interesting.”
Indeed, the two may get on each other’s nerves, but all that close proximity has only further complicated their growing affections.
“It’s one of those things that has bubbled up over time and they’re forced to deal with something that they’ve been able to ignore previously,” says Durance. “However, when they’re in your face all the time, it’s like ‘Whoa!’ It’s that struggle about whether they’re going to face it head on or totally avoid it.”
Lois’ Prince Charming may have been right before her eyes all along, yet Durance is glad it’s been a slow build to couplehood.
“I’ve always been a big fan of making sure it’s done in a very gentle way and is realistic to these characters,” she explains. “It’s an iconic relationship, and a little pay-off is good for those who are waiting for that. It takes some time and finesse. That’s my big thing, to make sure it’s not done in a clumsy manner, but in a way that’s fitting for the relationship.”
Cupid keeps giving them small nudges and shots to the heart, however. When Lois finds Clark and Maxima in a heavy make-out session in ‘Instinct’, she goes ballistic – enough that even the Queen of Almerac can’t ignore their heat.
“How Lois would view that is she had such an emotional reaction to Clark and Maxima kissing, where she was forced to deal with those feelings,” says Durance. “I don’t think she likes that very much. It also shows how human Lois is; the best side of her. Lois has found somebody she cares about. For Lois, she wasn’t [really] comfortable facing that.”
Then, under dire circumstances in ‘Committed’, Lois uttered those three magic words to Clark – “I love you” – before finding a way to retract them.
“Committed had a little bit of everything; all the underlying potential feelings, the comedy, the angst,” explains Durance. “Then, at the end, surprise, surprise, Lois admits how she feels, and in the last scene, she’s like, ‘Did I slip the lie detector off?’ I love all the twists and turns the episode had.”
To read the full interview head on over to Titan Magazines to snare issue #31 of Smallville Magazine.
Tom Welling and Tori Spelling face off in Smallville: Infamous
Smallvilles 168th episode, titled ‘Infamous’, was a pretty monumental one as it depicted Clarke’s admission to the world that he is the red/blue blur (I still can’t say that without laughing). Anyway, my pick for the best review of the episode this week goes to Alan Stanley Blair over at Airlock Alpha.
From Airlock Alpha:
The series has come so far, casting aside meteor freaks and other mediocre plotting to make way for more pressing tales. Heavily intertwined character arcs, grand-spanning arcs over multiple comics of the DC universe and versatile new villains have kept “Smallville’s” momentum going this year and it looks set to continue for a ninth season.
and:
Despite the structural problems and pacing issues the episode was faced with, “Infamous” very nicely mirrored Clark’s psychological reveal with that of Davis Bloom (Sam Witwer) — A.K.A. Doomsday — as he struggles to fight the beast he is destined to become. Following what he knows and using anti-psychotic medication gives the character far more depth than Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) ever achieved as a villain for the series and makes him seem that little bit more of a victim on the show.
and:
“Infamous” was also sporting a very brilliant character moments, like Lois’ (Erican Durance) response to Clark revelation that he is the Red-Blue Blur. Durance and Welling are great together on-screen, and offer so much to the series. In addition to their renewal of friendship after the truth is out, Lois’ goodbye to Super-Clark after he reveals his plan to her was very moving. His “you’re special” spiel couldn’t have been less convincing though and did detract somewhat from an otherwise brilliant “breakup.”
Blair’s review isn’t all rosey though like the above excerpts might indicate. Rather, his review is very nicely balanced. To read the full review, visit Airlock Alpha here.
Also, check out the promo for the next episode of Smallville, which promises to take another huge leap forward (or is that downward) in Clarke’s super character development:
Promo to Smallville ‘Turbulence’
The next episode of Smallville airs on Thursday 12th March, and for fans of the series its a biggy when Clark decides to come out of the super closet. Here’s a couple of snippets:
Trailer to Smallville Season 8, Episode 15: Infamous
Sneak Peek at Infamous, Clark shows his true identity to Louis:
Directors cut scene from the episode:
If all that’s not enough to satisfy your Smallville appetite, you might want to head on over to the Ausiello Files where you’ll find two exclusive clips not available anywhere else. Click the image below:
Erica Durance and Tom Welling in 'Smallville'
It looks like Smallville fans are going to have to brace themselves for a shock – apparently two key characters are going to bite the dust in this season’s finale.
From The Ausiello Files:
Multiple sources confirm to me exclusively that two pivotal characters will bite the dust in this May’s season finale. And in a bit of a departure for Smallville, both deaths will stick. “These characters will die and they will stay dead,” maintains my insider. “This is the real deal.”
According to unconfirmed reports, the deaths will come with a twist, but the characters they apply to will not be returning.
Tom Welling and Erica Durance in Smallville
Smallville fans can rejoice – the series has been officially renewed for a ninth season.
Many people thought the eighth season would be the last but the series has enjoyed good ratings. As a result producer Warner Bros. Television have been negotiating hard to ensure Tom Welling (aka Superman) would return, without which there would have been no ninth season. He has reportedly renewed his contract so the new season is now full steam ahead.
Matt Morgan in talks for Smallville and Iron Man 2?
According to Wrestlezone, TNA and American Gladiators star Matt Morgan may be in talks to star as a villain in Iron Man 2. They don’t say much, but according to the report “he can’t talk about it” and “he attributes the interest in him by casting directors to the work he’s done on American Gladiators. He talks about all the great things that have happened since appearing on the show.” For some reason the word ‘Rhyno’ came to mind when I read that.
Iron Man 2 isn’t the only super-hero rumor related to Morgan. According to the same Wrestlezone article he’s also in talks to play Doomsday in Smallville. The story goes Morgan was trying out for another part that he was too large for, but after trying out they [whoever they are] thought he would make a good Doomsday. Problem was Dario Delacio was already cast in the part for Season 8. The work around was to write him in as Doomsday in Season 9. Or so the rumor goes.
All rumors, nothing official. I only have one question about this: do people really care about rumors?
Yes, the title of this article is cryptic because I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Watch the trailer below if you don’t mind knowing a little about what’s going to happen in an upcoming episode of Smallville (due to screen March 12).
