accidents don’t just happen accidentally
Some first thoughts about the two episodes together:
I thought the two episodes complemented each other quite nicely. Issues of fate vs destiny. The two words are near-synonyms, almost meaning the same thing but not quite. To me, “fate” has always implied multiple ends for TPTB to choose from. Whereas destiny has always implied the one true way, regardless of whether that choice is made by the person or another power.
So, I like how these two episodes complement each other - not only by promoting destiny over fate but also, they have this view that destiny is what the person makes of it.
Smallville: “Kent”
I’ve complained before about the episode, “Luthor” wherein Clark Luthor’s irredeemability bothered me. But this episode made up for it an infinity over. First, I love that Clark Kent’s belief in the goodness of others is the one to redeem Clark Luthor. That right there is the heart of this show: The effect and influence Clark Kent has is transformative.
I don’t know what Clark Luthor will go on to do. But for that alternate world of greys (more on that later), it can only get better with its most powerful man reformed. There’s a look there that Welling had CL gave when he realizes Lois Lane adores him - a look that he just might want that. Of course he is just playing Lois to get to Tess. But I think that what CK and Lois have, he wants to have with Tess. And that wouldn’t have been possible without the example CK and Lois. And I think it’s why he doesn’t drop her, even after he feels that she has chosen their father and mutual enemy over him. I don’t think he’ll go to Lois - I think he’ll go back to Tess. But as CK has already sparked Lois’ hope over there, I think it’ll be good for some of that to light a spark in Tess too even if it is oh so very hot incestuous.
As for the grey world, if this world is sunny and bright with greys under the surface, the other world is just grey. The Oliver here who saves people yet has killed Lex is the Oliver over there has exploitatively bought and mined the farms until the lands were unsustainable. And the Jonathan here who would do anything for his family yet also had a temper and held grudges and lashed out at people to the point where it gave him a heart attack is the same Jonathan there who spits on coffins.
And Jonathan. I love love love that CK goes to the farm there. I love the contrast between Jonathan and Lionel in that Jonathan and Martha’s finding Clark turned a tragedy into a miracle whereas Lionel’s finding Clark turned a tragedy into a larger tragedy. And I love that CK gets to tell Jonathan that. Yes, Jonathan has his flaws, but he also had his strengths. And if anyone could relight that spark in him, it would be the son he is proud of. Did anyone get verklempt when Jonathan said, “Son.” I know I did.
And Martha kept the Kent name! Yes, if there was anyone in the world who would remember Jonathan’s strengths, it would be her. And she’d stay loyal to him until he found that side of him again.
And the farm! I squeed when Lois and Clark got the deed from Martha. And I think I reacted the same way when Lois did when the real estate agent came over. And yes, the show makes the point that home isn’t a physical building, it’s an abstract made of the people. But gosh, for the first half of this show’s run, if Clark was the heart and soul of the show, then the farm was the body. And in later years, it’s served well as a retreat and sanctuary from Metropolis. But Lois and Clark are going to make their futures in Metropolis, not Smallville. But I like the nod that Clark is Smallville and that’s all the Smallville they will need. But I’m still verklempt, yo.
Supernatural: “My Heart Will Go On”
Atropos, aka Fate, worked for God until she was laid off? O.o And did anyone catch the irony of not giving Fate a choice? Especially when she has a few more cards to play?
During the summer, I heard that Ellen and Jo were coming back to life, and I thought, “No, just no.” Because when that happens, it just cheapens death. But why did I doubt Supernatural? If anything, this is the show that shows how bringing characters back from the dead should be done if only to show how much worse it is when it happens. But Ellen and Jo, their never having died hurts because aw, Bobby could have been happy. Is it better for Bobby to have never known that happiness or to have known but to have lost love yet again? And Ellen, just love when she finds what the alternatives where. Just love her determination to go with dignity no matter what happened.
Which brings us to, is it better to have lived and died horribly than to have never been born at all? The show presents the idea a few times so it must be important. I think, in my worldview, the answer to that should be neither situation is better nor worse so long as people can make informed choices regarding their self-determination.
And that’s something that Castiel will have to deal with. On the one hand, creating 50,000 souls. On the other, realizing that liberty and self-determination are worth fighting for. And the two things are mutually exclusive of the creation of those souls is for one’s own purposes instead of, you know, giving them their freedom to self-determinism. I don’t know if the writers share my vision or not, but I wonder if Dean and Sam will be the ones teaching Castiel a few more.
Lastly, this show has a wicked sense of humor. “The other angel. The one in the dirty trench coat who's in love with you.” O.o “The Titanic, ever heard of it?” O.O Celine Dion is a destitute lounge singer in Québec? Hee. And also, “Accidents don’t just happen accidentally!” Lolz.
