For the Legion

This was certainly an eventful week in the comicdom, but while I could talk about the Obama/Spidey crossover (which to be honest I could care less) or how FC #6 finally hit the stands and raised so much anger for what I think was a nicely done issue, despite some awful vignettes, but full of awesome penmanship and imagination (by the way, Batman is dead, long life the Batman), or even how GA/BC is starting to pick up again (despite Dinah still being not a full speed in her book), I prefer to talk about something closer to my heart and yes, that is Smallville.

This Thursday was the airing fo the newest SV episode and this one was a particular milestone for the show for two reasons: the introduction of the Legion of Superheroes in the SV continuity and the fact that Geoff Johns, current writer of Action Comics, GL and JSA; and former protegee of Richard Donner (from Superman: The Movie fame) penned the episode. And truthfully, what an wonderful product was delivered.

In previous post I mentioned how excited I was about the topic. And I was wrong... my excitement felt short compared to the actual joy I felt when watching the show. While Istill regard 'Justice' as the best SV episode, 'Legion' is a really close second. One of my personal believes is that a great episode/issue should have a couple of 'Hell yeah!!!' or Crowning moments of awesome (to use some TvTropes lingo) to make viewers/readers jumpt from their seats, coupled with character progression and a bit of drama. This episode, like 'Justice', delivered all in spades, despite the noticeable lackluster FX due budget constraints. But honestly, who cares about that when the story and the acting are above the par of the show.

For me the killer moments were right at the intro, with Cosmic Boy using his powers to save Clark and Clark's strong declaration that he never will take the easy path, that he will never kill and will do the impossible to save everybody. In general the episode was full of hints, nods and mentions to the comics, jokes and even the meta from fans wondering about the 'no tights no flight' rule of the show. From 'where is your cape dude' to 'Thanks to you Kal-El Earth will embrace the alien lifeforms' and constants mentions to the 'Man of Steel'. Heck even Brainiac mentioned his plan to absorbe all the knowledge of Earth before destroying it and his weird symbol was displayed on the screens.




Now I have to confess that I've never been particularly a fan of the LOSH. While I find them a vital part of the DCU, they were never of my interest. However this episode made me care about at least the three founders of the Legion (despite the Harry Potter vibe I got from them). Particularly of Rokk, who I reckon could become a favorite of mine, due basically being, a cool headed leader with balls. From the three legionnaires, he was by far the most interesting, though in general the portrayal of the three was both endearing and accurate: Imra being collected and sexy (Alexz Johnson is always sexy), Garth being fun loving and a bit fanboyish.

Special mention has to go to Allison Mack (a favorite of the Quiver). While there were the odd bits here and there, she was still the best. Her 'evil/possesed Chloeniac was scary and yet with a sexy quality. Sooner or later she will end having her own show. Now I will repeat what I've said before: make Clark Superman already. Tom Welling is acting more and more like Superman than Smallville, just get over with that. In the humble opinion of this blogger, he is a great succesor for Christopher Reeves. I could talk about Lana, but no really. She has become a stale character since season 5 so nothing has really changed there.

However the episode was full of hints towars the fact that either Lana or Chloe will die, prompting Clark to fully embrace his powers (specially flight) and that in my very personal theory, one of them will end taking the ID of the other, as there are no registers of Chloe ullivan in the future. While it might very well be a red herring or a mistake by the legionnaires (who seem to have been reading more the Superman Comic than the SV history), something tells me that is no coincidence that they keep mentioning something that Lana is hidding about her health and that Doomsday is attracted to Chloe. But as usual with tv (and life) time will tell.

Bottomline, if I had to summarize this episode in one word would be: geekgasm. Lets hope the show continues in such high notes and CW/DC/WB finally decides that while Marvel can make as many movies as they want, DC can have decent live action tv shows about its propeties and give us the GA, Supergirl, JL and LOSH spin-offs we have been expecting.

P.S: I want one of those rings, they look cooler than the crap they gave us when I graduated from my degree. Well even crap looks better than my graduation ring but I disgress. Make mine a Legion ring.