Fever and Cordura

I originally lost interest in 'Smallville' during it's second season, when it became the teen soap I feared it would be, before I started watching S1. I eventually stopped watching after the first couple of S3 episodes, but on re-viewing the second, knowing it wasn't cosy S1, I've enjoyed it a lot!


DVD, Smallville S2 (Fever)

Will Doc Helen Bryce (one of my least favourite characters) tell Lex the Kent secret; will Martha really have a baby; will Lana and Clark get together or will we have to wait till Chloe dies of old age? That last part is a real drag - we know from the comics that Lana is Clark's girlfriend at some point, and this trio of testy teens is hard work. I miss the chirpy, cheerful Chloe and the lovely, oblivious Lana, and Clark bumbling along.

It seemed a much more solid episode, and reminded me of my favourite British TV series 'BUGS' in three key scenes: when the virus squad take over the farm with vehicles and people in suits striding around; when Jonathan breaks into the militaristic grounds of the virus control facility, and the subsequent chase; and when Lex gives Helen a box and she opens it to find a key inside (Channing gives Ros the same in S3 - in both cases you're meant to think it's a proposal) I mention this because I think of 'Smallville' as something of a successor, with it's all-out explosive action, likeable characters and penchant for bright colours. And for the fact that Al Gough and Miles Millar were writers on 'BUGS'!

Chloe's scene with Clark is very affecting, as she completely opens up, and is rewarded with a kick in the teeth when he mumbles the name Lana in his sleep! All the characters (except Lionel who doesn't appear) get used well, particularly Pete, in the scene when he surprises everyone by being the driver of the truck all those military types are chasing. I remembered it was him just before they forced the truck to stop. And the story sets up the trust thing with Dr. Bryce, and whether she will betray them or not, not to mention Lex' method of getting Martha's medical records. But though you know he'll have an ulterior motive, you still get the impression that he has the Kent's best interests at heart in many ways. At the same time he has curiosity about the cure... The episode even has a great teaser with a stunning shot of the jug o' juice falling towards camera and smashing in slow-mo.

It's flagged up that Clark's abilities aren't everything early on, in a light scene where Jonathan says they're no match for a simple washer to stop a tap leaking, which is a hint that Clark isn't invincible, and Martha's illness is beyond his power, much like the experience with Ryan earlier in the season. The way Martha's death is shot is effectively shocking, beyond the mere fact. When you know she's pregnant it makes the season even more fascinating, and again it was in 'Ryan' that this is hinted at, but only for those in the know, when Ryan guesses her 'secret'. It was also nice to dispense with a niggly bit of plot about Martha hiding the key from Clark so he can't find out about his origins and leave her.

Was that Steadman band famous? I don't know much about music but I've certainly never heard of them.

***


TV, They Came To Cordura (1959) film

This sounded fairly interesting, and as I like old as well as new films, I gave it a go. Apart from the impressive battle sequence, the first hour was quite tedious, but it was in the second hour that it came alive as the small group breaks down and human nature is revealed in it's ugliness and nobility. It's a study of cowardice and bravery, showing that we all have the capabilities for both, and the way the disgraced leader keeps the group together, depite the danger they could kill him at any moment, redeems him and the film.

*** (In case you're wondering why I keep putting three stars after my thoughts, it's actually my rating system: 1* is poor, 2** denotes the average, 3*** is enjoyable and solid, 4**** is very good indeed, and 5***** is excellence!)