In retrospect, it was a huge mistake to kill Lionel off when they did. It wasn't even a satisfying death--and even though it was sort of hinted at, the freaking moment was spoiled in the episode trailer! What a waste. What they should've done was reveal that Lionel'd been evil all along before having him disappear somewhere with the possibility of a return, which could've happened when Lex went missing. JG was already signed for S8 anyway. The whole Tess thing had potential, but for me, the minute they wrote her as being Ollie's ex, she was ruined. And she's utterly ineffective at The Planet, but then again, so are the reporters and anyone else they've put at the helm to create conflict that never came.

I guess if there's ANY silver lining for a S9, as a Chlark fan it gives me a smidge of hope that they'll at least tease the ship for an ep or two should Chlois be off the table. If S8 is the end, there's no chance now. If there's another season, I guess it'd be possible. I sort of felt that Chloe'd be killed in a Dooms/Clark face-off, but if it goes into S9 without SW, what then? Watchtower? Dinah gets offed and she takes her place to become the BC? Will she get her powers back and go off to heal people for a living? At this point, I have little interest in Clark's endpoint and really just want to see Chloe get a decent send off.

Hee. An alternative would be for the PTB to stop Davis' arc now - have him disappear - until next season. They could split SW's episodes over 2 years (they'd have to renegotiate, I guess).

ETA: I would happily watch a s9 without ED. Nois is completely irrelevant to the plot even with her increased screen time. She's still on the periphery of every major storyline. ED and Nois could easily be replaced with a cheaper actress that would play iconic!Cat Grant.

They mentioned Dooms looks like Zod. They could always bring him back for flashbacks to Krypton. But, how do they top Doomsday? To me the only thing that tops Clark dying is Superman emerges. But once that happens, it's not really SV anymore.

I wish they could get MR back. The idea of going a whole other season without him is lousy.



I have champagne in my refrigerator for when they write her out. Nois is nothing more than a cheap writing crutch prompting them to bring out tiresome anvils. I liked how Angel Cohn urged the SV writers to write out Nois in 2009 as a New Year's resolution. Isn't that what New Year's resolutions are about? Trying to be better? Giving up bad habits? Well, Nois is a bad habit for the SV writers. They've kept her around as she drags down the tone of the show. Her comedy is generally not clever, but cheap gags based upon her stupidity. The writers can do better.

Excellent and apt description of Nois. I suggest that they lose Nois (and ED) and add Cat Grant -- still iconic and the character is supposed to be t&a, comic relief, dumb, and peripheral to the story.

I don't know if I can see them doing it; what I'm saying is there is actually an opening for them to cut ED and regain the most money because she's not contracted after this season - because AM is locked in; and given the media reaction to ED this year, I would cut for as much budget where I could which could be ED and possibly JH. That's all.



As I was telling some people last night, they should go on and let SW do Doomsday this year and bring him back as Zod if need be next year; and make Tess and her LuthorCorp Legion a threat, a real scary working on people, manipulating the economy, you-can't-catch-me-nyah-nyah-nyah threat. The villains in s8 right now are having a hard time because Lex and Lionel and LuthorCorp were always an established background threat even in episodes with FotWs and stuff, they were ALWAYS super dangerous - I actually think attempting to switch out for another villain if that other villain isn't Lex is a mistake. Better to continue with Tess and let her kill and experiment on some people, because otherwise we're establishing yet another loyal Lex person come to take over the family biz and that gets old hat.



Except I actually bet JH doesn't cost them as much as ED as JH is the one continually getting pilots by the CW - so I'm sure they probably chip in for him because they have him under contract. Granted I do wish he had more to actually do. But if they had to cut him for money, I wouldn't loose any sleep or be shocked.



Thank you for saying what I've been trying to say; if they break AM's contract they still have to pay her. From a pure numbers game it's easier to dump the broad who isn't resigned. Not to mention AM's gotten a lot of recognition from TVGuide, Zap2It, and E! just this half season alone as (along with several outside reviews being very complimentary towards reporter!Chloe).



It really is shocking; though I think the whole cast looked beautiful that season. Though hopefully once the super villain is out of her brain, it can be cued for getting-back-to-basics style wise.



I can't, so there is one for you. It's just not the same show without Lex. I think KK's return might get evil!Lana somewhat of a send off, but I really want a final Clark/Lex show down. I want good send offs for TW, MR, and AM, and yeah I want them fulfilling who they were in earlier seasons. S8 so far has been a let down with no Lex, random Chloe changing, and no real reason why Clark is doing what he's doing. I wanted the second half to salvage that and go out better. S9 is beginning to feel like a cash cow rather than an enjoyable Superman reimaging which is what I came on for.



I love Dinah; I think it would be fun to see Dinah playing Black Canary - and I liked how we saw her as Watchtower in Odyssey and she's got the technical skills to bring a lot to that team which goes a long way in moving the plot forward. And it would give Ollie something to do - but if they bring her on they have to keep on Ollie and I think we'd have to see them running the League together (with Clark coming in and out of course).



If I were writing it, I'd start working on building the Planet conflict now. Get Chloe out of Isis after Lana leaves and trying to figure out how to at least take down LuthorCorp or do her series long goal of spreading the truth. See Clark and Jimmy working at the Planet from the inside. If S9 is going to happen, it's going to need an arc, and reclaiming the Planet should be a major part of the end of s8 and s9. I would love to see an older mentor figure come in to run it (even if it's not initally Prey; Ron Troupe would fit in their typical age-up fashion of the story). Use LuthorCorp's Legion of Doom/33.1 to terrorize the city. Heck, use INTERGANG so there is a journalistic issue to take down. Get Chloe back in the Planet, and have journalism be heroic, be about truth and justice, and the DP mean something.

Cause I totally agree - right now the DP is merely a few little logos with no meaning. All the absolute horror ad Lex owning the DP seems forgotten. And that is stuff that needs dealt with. And if Tess needs to kill or fire some people to make her scary again, then I'm down with that.



True, and she's tied to several Superman rogues in the comics which could mean them actually lifting some descent comic storylines then.

But what exactly have they done to convince everyone of the Twuest Twue Wuv? They've had random villains (Faora, Maxima, psycho jeweler) say there's a bond after meeting them separately for a few seconds. They've had Jimmy try to hook them up to clear his path to Chloe. They've had Nois' sudden Pining Eyes of Pining, her pencil licking, and her pawing suits. They've had an almost kiss to elevator music that was quickly forgotten by Clark. They're just idiotic, ham-fisted, unimaginative situations that do nothing to convince me that it's the Twuest Twue Wuv. If Nois was called "Cat", I wouldn't think "Ooh, it's twue wuv!".

That's it in a nutshell though. Because she's called Lois Lane, whatever lame attempt they've given as evidence that Clois is Men2B is supposed to be enough. Forget that they spent years showing why Chlark are better suited, IMO, because it doesn't matter. Her name is Chloe, so she doesn't count. So yeah, while I agree that there's been NO decent Clois development, I believe the shit we're being handed is supposed to pass. The whole "Lois is Lois because she's Lois" bit. And that means cutting her out now would probably seem like a big no-no for PS3.

I still don't want to speculate on a season nine until the CW issues a statement saying it's renewed and Welling is onboard. Ausiello was so off with Mack last year that I just have to go "riiight. I'll believe it when I see it."

However, that said, I would say that as wonderful as writing out Nois would be for a mythical season nine, I doubt it would happen. Even though she serves no purpose besides comedy sex kitten and drags everything down and even though ED is an actress half a step above softcore, I just don't see it. I'm not that lucky, as season eight has taught me. But, also, they've pimped Clois at the DP since last April. Somehow, I just can't see them giving up this half-assed LnC wannabe now. I mean, all they had to do to get it was debase the Planet under Lex's control, turn Lois into season two!Chloe in heat, make Oliver a murderer, and force Chimmy down our throats. They rewrote the whole show to make it ICONIC! So I think they're pretty in love with ED now.

Of course, that said, I kind of hope if season nine is a go that ED makes all these ridiculous "I'm the romantic lead!" demands and the network balks at the cost, causing her to walk.

Lucas? Lex had him stashed somewhere, as I recall. And he was pretty badass. I was surprised TPTB didn't bring him bak to run Luthorcorp for Season 8.

That's the thing. I think there could be a year or two of engaging plot POST Chlois, but the stall and the tease has become tedious and detrimental to Chloe's character. It's impossible to buy Lois, and it becomes increasingly difficult to stay interested in Clark's idiocy and Chloe's passivity.

I love proactive Clark, Season 5 scoobies were exciting. If we could more the story back on track we could move into new territory. There are tons of loose ends to tie up if we dump the ship wars, and prove to the audience that anything could happen. Then we could be engaged in new arcs if we believed in the writing and the pay off.

And for that, I love him.



I agree. It's startling how poorly they are handling their ICONIC pairing.


True, but I can't help but wonder why they haven't quite delivered. Clark's not done any real reporting (If "scoobying" isn't reporting) other than one obituary. Their "partnership" definitely leaves much to be desired if he says out loud he'd rather work alone and she goes on dates with serial killers but doesn't tell him. It seems to me that they are catering to Lois and Clois, like they have a checklist of "promises" they are fulfilling, but in the worst way possible. Gave her an-onscreen byline (after she taped Clark and didn't even show it), moved Clois out of sibling territory (on her side only, to the point where she looks unstable), gave her darker hair. But at the same time, she's shockingly not involved in the main plot. It seems to me like when the checklist is complete, it's the end of the road for Lois/ED on this show. Media outlets relentlessly give her bad press, she does herself no favors with her constant interviews, and they are continuing to marginalize her character. I just don't see them spending the money to give her a raise (she's due after five years, no?) and keep her for another year when they are counting pennies as it is and scrapping for things for Lois to do.


That would rock my socks. Lucas was off-the-chain! Unhinged, Super-Rich Psycho would be a nice new flavor of Luthor, and I'm sure that actor would be glad for a steady paycheck.

Since season eight is basically one long trailer for 'Why Chloe Sucks And Her Relationship With Clark Means Nothing Because LOIS + CLARK 4EVA = ICONIC BONDED ICONS!' I doubt they'd get rid of Lois now.

The ICONIC! train has left the station. It's not going to be derailed now.

I think they'd be crazy to get rid of Cassidy Freeman. The girl can act. Tess and Davis are a huge part of why I'm enjoying this season.

But having said that, I will absolutely not accept them not paying off the Doomsday arc this season. They need to have the climatic battle before the end of season 8. Then, if they want to bring Sam back next season they'll have to come up with a damn good reason.

Otherwise, as much as it pains me to say it (because he's so pretty, and so nice, and he NEEDS TO CALL ME!), they shouldn't bring him back.

I don't see s8 as "Why Chloe Sucks And Her Relationship With Clark Means Nothing Because LOIS + CLARK 4EVA = ICONIC BONDED ICONS!". Chloe's been infected by Brainiac since "Arctic" but she still looks out for Clark; feels that knowing Clark has made her a better person; and still cherishes her memories of Clark.

Meanwhile, Nois has done nothing except be Clark's antagonist and, of course, her Pining Eyes of Pining.

As long as Davis isn't outed as Doomsday he could still be back next year even if there is some kind of battle. I'm sure that this season will end with Clark going off to training whether it is a summer hiatus or the finale.

In some ways the Dooms fight in the finale with his broken body taken to the fortress in the hopes Jorel can heal him would work. But on the other hand if Clark and Dooms only had a slightly more intense scuffle and he has to get trained so that he can have a chance at winning, that could be a great plot for season 9. (Not that I want one)

They could cliffhang over the winter break with him "dead" and then the next episodes could deal with his absence (how much Metropolis needs him) then another round of no powers, followed by full on Superman. The end.

Oh can I make a new Nois acronym or adverb PEP!Nois
Pining Eyes of Pining ..Eyes or funnier Pepe!Nois

Also I see them trying to make Doomsday like Etrigan/Demon or scarier Hulk/Banner, ie Dexter by
allowing him to be like Clark, identity secret never exposed, but unlike Clark (*not in some people's view tho) doing 'good' by fighting evil thru evil type things behind scenes and yet again Chloe is holding someone's secret she cares about or suspects.

*Some have reasons to see the good guys not much clearer in black/white good/evil but ICONICLY deemed justified in questionable means to fight evil.

How would you design a S9? (Within the realistic parameters of budget and cast restrictions. AM is signed for S9 and I'd be very surprised if ED and AA weren't renewed as well.)

I would divide S9 into a series four-episode arcs. Tom appears in every ep and rotates through several story lines.

Ep 1 - 4:
focus is on Clark at the DP
supporting cast: Lois & Jimmy
villain: The Edge crime syndicate or Intergang

Ep 5 - 9
Clark and the Justice League
supporting cast: Chloe (in the Oracle role), Oliver, Kara, whatever JL boys & girls are affordable on a decreased budget.
villain: Vandal Savage (they wouldn't be able to afford Dean Cain again...but it was never specified that DC was playing VS.)

Ep 10 - 13
Clark at the DP
supporting cast: Lois & Jimmy
villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (Played by a new actor)

Ep 14 - 17
Clark and the Justice League
supporting cast: Chloe + Justice League.
villain: Zor-El + Zod.

Ep 18 - 21
Clark in an alternate reality
supporting cast: AU!Lex, aka Alexander Luthor (I think MR would totally come back to play a good AU!Lex with hair.)
villain: Assisted by AU!Lex, Clark takes on a tyrannical version of himself, making up for the Lana-whipped Bizarro we got in S7.

Final scene: Clark says an emotional goodbye....to Martha, and flies away to commence his training.

Both AM and AA are signed on through next year if the show does in fact get a ninth season. ED as of right now is not contracted beyond season eight. I would venture money that JH, CF, and SW are all only contracted for season eight as well.



Just get rid of Lois and I could get behind this breakdown.

I really think that break down is impossible; these writers need a KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) philosophy - (1) saving the DP and (2) taking down LuthorCorp should be the major themes of the end of s8 and if there is an s9. Doomsday should wrap up in s8; and if they really want him in s9, find some way to bring back/clone/flashback to Zod.

In no way do I want to see Chloe in the Justice League - I hated it in Justice, she was totally inept in Siren, and it's a major spat in the face of when she was exposing the truth to the public and did heroic things via the truth like taking down the guys in Exposed and Fade with only the written word, and then everyone even knew it was her doing these things. If we are already redeeming the Daily Planet then there is no reason why Chloe can't go back to whom the character has been for seven years. Reporter!Chloe is who the character is - the show has stated that multiple times through the series, so I wouldn't ever watch another season of Personality!Replaced Chloe with ED's character badly trying to claim Chloe's original character traits.

Additionally, watching her sit at the computer bank at Isis (because you know if they stick her in the JLA, that's just where they'll sit her) is boring enough to watch now; I can't imagine it getting any better as J&D and Siren showed that's all the Watchtower roll really is. Plus, what the hell is the point of making Dinah a hacker in the JLA if one is going to shove Chloe into playing secretary for the boys club?

I think we'd need a mentor figure be it J'Onn or a Perry; though frankly I think a Perry type would work better. I honestly think the sow could be better too if they dropped all the DCU shove ins and even the League and focused on Clark The Hero; if he's working to save the DP, go against the Legion of Doom, and not get caught by the city pretty much by himself (with Chloe to help him, and I wouldn't mind seeing Jimmy helping either). By making him struggle on his own, I always think the character comes out looking better. Plus I think there is something to be said for Clark adopting Metropolis as his home, his town, his problems, and seeing him being the one to take care of her I think can really evoke some epicness into the story line in a natural way.

Also, I have no desire to see AU!"Good" Lex at the end - I want to see my Lex that I've followed for seven years, being a complete and total badass. And frankly if they have to drop everyone but TW and AM to bring back villainly Lex, I really wouldn't miss them.

I definitely think Doomsday's storyline should be done. As much as I like SW (Go Dooms!) his arc is basic and simple and if they keep trying the secret identity thing, it'll just drag on and on and on.

Maybe they should really keep it simple and just have one-off FOTW villains every episode with a really loose overarching plot like Tess releasing them to wreak havoc. We still need Tess for some connection to LuthorCorp. And I'd like to imagine that they'd be able to do more something greater and more epic than this but I don't trust them to.

I think the DP should be the home base. While they do spend time at the DP, I never got the sense that it's home to either Clark or Lois like it should be. It should be where most of the action starts and where it ends almost like the original Adventures of Superman series.

You have Lois, Clark and Jimmy all working at the DP. Why not have them work together. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can't remember any instance of ICONIC trio working together. Lois has worked with Clark and Jimmy; Jimmy has worked with Clark and Lois and Clark has worked with Jimmy and Lois. I can't recall a single time when all three of them investigated together. (I understand it might partially have to do with the show's problem of being unable to write conversations between more than two characters but come on.)

Bring Chloe back to the DP as a reporter or editor or something. It'll be beneficial to have the four main good characters (five including Oliver, who maybe they should eliminate) working together to stop bad things from happening.

I agree that the characters need a mentor. I would have loved them to include an older person to teach them the ropes at the DP and I love the potential that John Jones has. I just don't trust them to utilize it.

BabyDee - It's a shame Lucas didn't even rate a mention after Lionel's death. ITA, he was pretty badass.

CTUN - I agree with several of your points.



Chloe belongs at the Daily Planet. Other people in the media have mentioned this new "direction" they're doing with the meteor freak stuff with her doesn't fit well the way Reporter!Chloe does who works with Clark and keeps him on his toes did. That worked.



As great as SW is, they should let Doomsday have his big showdown with Clark this season, otherwise, it will be a HUGE letdown. If they want SW back, they'll have to *shock* come up with a new idea for him.



I don't think they can top Doomsday as a villain so maybe they shouldn't try and instead go in another direction where they focus on FOTW stories again with Luthorcorp in the background or maybe an ordinary crime group or mob boss type person. Basically, they'd go back to the beginning and the roots of the series.



I have a different explanation for it. CTUN, I wish you wouldn't give up. Who knows, maybe SV writers will take the New Year's Resolution that Angel Cohn's suggested and we'll be shocked - in a good way for once. I know hoping for better hasn't turned out well this whole season, but maybe something will eventually go our way. What? It could happen.



chiri - Jeez. What a depressing picture you paint for what they could do to Chloe in a *shudder* S9. Enough already. Stop the madness. St. Chloe at ISIS is total garbage. She needs to be back at the DP. It's been too long. It's pathetic. I am so glad that people in the media are calling the show out on how they illogically tried to force Chloe into a role that doesn't fit her. The idea of Chloe being the freaking support staff to the *real* heroes and working at ISIS for *another* season? I think I threw up in my mouth. What a total downgrade from Reporter!Chloe the woman who used journalism to go after injustice on her own. Her calling is journalism and that's why it called her at such a young age. That's WHO she is. She just needs to go back to it already. This has been depressing enough to see her lose sight of who she is this season. I'd like to excuse it all with the Chloiac plot, but the hope was pinned on this being the last season and the writers feeling some need to fix their big mistakes, but if they get another season to stall then who knows what other bad ideas they might come up with to stall, stall, stall.



Jasper - I agree about how hard it is to stay interested in heroes who are floundering and turning their backs on their gifts instead of honing them. You painted a decent picture for what a S9 could be so I hope if S9 happens, it goes more the way you suggested.

Much as I hate it, I'll be beyond shocked if Chloe is ever brought back to the DP. The reason she was ousted in the first place was to make room for Nois. With competent writing, Chloe, Nois, AND Clark could've stayed at the Planet, and with Jimmy there, it would've rendered the Isis set unnecessary and maybe Oliver wouldn't have to have a fuselage as his homebase. Tess could've made the choice to hire Chloe back and bring Clark in when he showed interest as a way to keep Lex's biggest foes under her watchful eye. Davis should've been that bartender and Nois should've been involved in that story rather than Chloe. With Chimmy, the Brainiac infection, and dealing with Clark's secret, Chloe would've had enough on her plate. Instead, they dumped too much on Chloe and she became the damsel, which didn't allow any time for her to remember who the hell she was. Basically, they kept her busy with second-billing stories in order to keep her away from Clark and the DP--and of course, Clois. So yeah, I mean at this point for them to bring Chloe back would really not work out judging by the big push to sideline her in the first place. Let's remember--this is a new show. The Chloe/DP "Thirst" moment and all of the amazing S5 scoobying that Chlark did with Chloe home at her beloved DP do not exist for this series anymore.

S9--I agree, SW has to go unless he's separated from his evil side somehow (which makes no sense but you never know in SV). If they stall the Clark/Dooms showdown, then the freakin entire season will have been one big waste of time. Not that it amounts to much more regardless, but at least finishing the season with a resolution to the main story and it's subplots will be something of a success. I also agree that a S9 MUST FOCUS ON THE DISMANTLING OF THE LUTHOR EMPIRE. If it's done properly, it will almost make it a worthwhile undertaking because S8 really suffered without Lex and Lionel and Tess was not utilized at all. If S9 is mapped out well and there is a difinitive end in sight with zero chance of S10, it can work. Do I have faith that it will? Oh, hell no. Because, to go back to my previous point, it would involve restoring the old guard at the DP, and that'd necessitate bringing Chloe to the Planet. And that could throw a wrentch in PS3's Clois 4EVA plan. I simply don't think they want a non-iconic character thriving at the DP, simple as that. Not one who knows Clark's secret. It'd render his going to Nois for anything at all totally nonsensical. If done right, a S9 could save the series. But I have less than zero faith in that happening. For sure we'll get more Pod!Chloe, more ICONIC Clois shit, fuel for the shipper wars without the intention of following through on anything but Clois, and, unfortunately, lots of Chimmy I think.

And that's what PS3 want. Because the further they get from the early seasons, when the ICONIC shit didn't drive the plots and we weren't constantly forcefed crappy shippy stuff that drags the show down, the more they can create their own backstory while erasing the history of Smallville and focus on their L&C 2.0 agenda. Which sucks, and sucks hard.

What has Nois done at the DP besides get everything handed to her?



Not quite. They were ready and willing to do Nois and Doomtender without AM, yet when they got her back, they switched things and Doom became and EMT. The show knows ED can't act, otherwise they would have left her character with Davis, but they didn't. They took what would have been storylines for two female characters and gave them all to Chloe and AM. They left Nois and ED with nothing of consequence, including keeping her from the Lana storylines. They had a choice, they chose AM over ED. Only problem is, their execution as always SUCKS. They have 10 episodes of AM and Chloe doing nothing. They stuck her with a womanizing shithead like Jimmy Olsen and have basically done nothing with him either. Other than ripping Chloe's spine out, that is.

They have a season of characters being stuck in the mud, most especially their two leads, Chloe and Clark and I for one, won't be tuning in to see more of basically their leads doing nothing.

It's amazing how much of a waste of time the first half of the season was, moreso than anything I've seen on Heroes for instance and their back and forth on the Petrellis and Sylar. I can't imagine why Tom would sign back on for this. I really thought he's been better than this show for a long time now.

Well, if they play it right they have Brainiac subverting Chlark, but they have to give us active fighting Chloe and Clark catching some clues in the back half to pay that story off, other wise I agree it was a waste of time. I can't stay engaged in the stall much longer unless they give me some reason to respect the characters and the story.

The official description for "Power" is up at Kryptonsite

In case you don't feel like clicking, I'll summarize:

Laaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Were we really expecting anything else? Power and Requiem are her final two episodes. Of course they're going to revolve around her, especially since she took a backseat in Bride and will probably not have much to do in Legion either.

Oh, crap.



So, we get Lana-Lex's-victim (again), still-obsessed-with-Lana-in-absentia-Lex and Tess likely turning against Lex because of what she finds at Luthorcorp and because of what LANA says. If that's all it takes...

Thanks a lot, PS3. One of the best things about S7 was Lex apparently moving on from Lana. One of the best things about S8 was Tess's loyalty to Lex--what little we got of it.

I dislike Lex being vilified in his absence almost as much as I did when he was around, except at least then we got to enjoy him. I sure don't feel like hearing Lana diss him again when she got away scot-free on all the crap she pulled. ( And why the heck couldn't they have LANA discover the experiments before the "Promise" wedding--then at least we'd have had a reason for her falling out of love with him.) Lana's weepy goodbye vid was enough of a pain without finding out now that Mean Old Lex forced her into leaving.

Even I am starting to hate this season, now. The only reason I'm not madder is because I keep reminding myself that we're almost about to see the back of Lana for good. You better not fail me on THAT one, show!

I guess the good news is that Lex is "alive," but if we don't get to see him and just have him used as a scapegoat for everyone to sling mud at, where's the good in that? SV, you never fail to choose the worst possible option and give me what I least want to see.

I think this picture accurately depicts the reaction that many have had towards the info that we've been given for this season.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/Mic...12996218813.gif

Disagree, that animal appears both sober and alert. I submit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6awXw_baxY

Power sounds more like a Tess episode than a Lana episode. Sure, it's all about Lana, but it sounds like she's missing from the get go.

K-site confirmed that Infamous not Airing until March



I can hear the screams now going "I want my LOIS"....I actually don't mind it. I wasn't planning on watching "Infamous" anyway.

Well it's tough shit for those who want Lois. They'll have to wait until March.

I guess this is why it's being repeated from the start of season 8 in the UK?

I figured something like that was going to happen if the season was going to stretch out to May. By the time Infamous airs we should know all about all the episodes. I wonder if they will even be done filming by then since they were filming Infamous as of last week. (Tori Spelling reported to be in Vancouver filming for Smallville per TV Guide)

The repeats chosen are interesting. "Prey" Doomsday is a coming and Chloe sucks as a counselor. "Identity" the Red Blue Blur is a coming and Chloe's still putting Clark before Jimmy, Lois really likes getting zipped up.
"Bloodline" Lois freaks out in the PZ, gets an undeserved raise, Chloe risks all (again) for Clark, so long Kara, and Doomsday is a coming!

Makes me hope that we will still get a Dooms/Supes smackdown this season.

Cassidy Freeman and Sam Witwer would both have contracts for season 9. Whether the show picked them up or not is a different story.

I'd find it interested that Erica Durance doesn't have if, if I thought for a second she might jump ship. But she won't. She's loving the increased Lois focus.

If anything I dread a season 9 that has Erica Durance around for all 22 episodes.

It doesn't bother me. I will be glad for the break from Chloiac, Chimmy, and Clois anvils. It also makes me happy as a shipper cos surely after four months of real time, the Epic Almost Kiss will be forgotten by us and Clark. I mean, the Vessel actual-kiss was a done deal in Zod, when Clark was trapped in the Phantom Zone. IMO, if he had the hots for Lois, he'd just go see her in Star City, after all. The momentum is gone.



It seems like they're having trouble using her very well for the 13-ish she has this year, IMO.

Well that would be a season I'd skip. The only eps worth watching this season were Prey and Abyss because Nois was nowhere near them.

It really doesn't matter whether or not ED would jump ship. The fact is that ED getting resigned for a theoretical ninth season is going to depend largely on the budget that the show has and just how much of that is going to have to be used to get TW back. He's the priority because you really can't have this show without him.

I agree. If there is any dead weight to get rid of, it's ED. Nois' only contribution to the story is her Pining Eyes of Pining. Doesn't make for compelling TV, imo.

IA. Cut the dead weight in ED is the best thing for the show. Go into a 9th season with Chlois and shock the hell out of an audience who all assume they know the ending.

I think this is a sign of everything. ED has to be shoehorned and I think it feels worse than when they did it with Lana. Okay, so they needed to connect Lana for some inane reason to the GSoK in season four so now she's a reincarnated witch (boy does that plot sound awesome now after seasons 6-8). Okay, fine, but at least Lana had plots. Even in season six's "As the Clexana Turns" season, Lana was made a double agent by Lionel and spied on Lex. She did SOMETHING, anything.

Nois is really just reduced to bitchy comments and Pining Eyes of Pining. I would love for the writers to clear up what exactly she is doing, what her plot is. I mean, even Jimmy Olsen had "uncover the Good Samaritan" and, shudders, "get married." I can't think of anything outside of panting for Clark's hot bod that Nois has done. Did I need to see 13 episodes of Nois Lane in heat? And how does that forward any story.

So, if TPTB have to shoehorn her so badly into plots where she doesn't belong (see her being possessed in bloodline where it could have been Kara or her in the middle of the chlark rose exchange in Bride), why would they keep her around for next season? For more ICONIC Pinging Eyes of Pining? Mythos-inspired panting? Perhaps 70 Years of cufflink innuendo? The fact that she's even more pathetically and ham fistedly worked into the periphery of plots than Lana (think her Oracle stint at ISIS or Mulana) says a lot. I know they never got rid of Lana, but I wished they'd stop and think about if they want to finish the story started in 2001 or continue ripping off comics with a fifth rate porn caliber actress.

If they're worried about not having someone in the cast who'd wear tight shirts and shorts mini-dresses. Well, cut ED loose and with the saved cash hire a recurring character (a la PM's position) and just call her Cat Grant. I don't think Nois will be missed and someone in a tight shirt, panting after Clark will fill that slut void Nois would leave.

If you take out Nois' scenes, you could maybe add Identity and Odyssey to that list.

Does anyone know if AM is locked into a (potential) ninth season? My understanding is that when actor renews/reups a contract, there is a standard clause that s/he is in it for a certain amount of time, usually for a few years. For example, back in the day, when X-Files was in it's sixth or seventh season, Gillian Anderson, unhappy over the pay disparity between her and Duchovny, demanded a pay raise. She got the raise, but the contract she signed stipulated she was locked in for a potential ninth season. At that time, the show was already in it's decline, and some speculated that she signed/reuped thinking that the show would soon end. Unfortunately for her, Fox, the network that owned the X-Files, didn't have many new hit shows, and they forced the X-Files to continue on, even after Duchovny had left, and many fans and critics felt the show should have been brought to a close.

If there is another season, and the TPTB are bound and determined to stick CLois down our throats, the smart thing to do - from a monetary perspective - may be to not renew AM's contract (presuming that she's not already locked in for a season nine), and up ED's instead.

Yeah, I know, many of you are shuddering in horror at that thought, no doubt. Personally, if there is a season nine, and no AM, and ED there instead, I won't be watching. I don't want to tune in for that dog and pony show. :(

I can't remember which one, but I recall one of PS3 saying that they signed her for both S8 and a theoretical S9.

What PolarB said. AM is locked into a ninth season if Smallville gets it. As for the TPTB releasing her I wouldn't worry about that. They'll keep her around because if they don't they still have to pay her for it and in the process they potentially lose all her fans. This would be a lose-lose situation for them so AM is safe.

Welcome to the Boards, Chick Little!

Hee! Thankfully, it looks like you won't have to. It looks like the Network isn't ready to spring for a Season 9, and even if they do, AM is already a lock. From a financial standpoint, it's ED that's expendable. She's due for a raise in salary, and may likely express a desire to be in all 22 eps. The CW is already struggling, and if they can't afford to pay her, they'll cut her loose. Bear in mind this is all subject to TW re-signing, and the truckload of cash they have to find to pay him.

There's a new interview with KK up on Sci Fi Wire (posted to KSite by hyped4lnc). KK mentions that she's open to coming back for the season ender (ETA: I meant "series ender." Wishful thinking!).



Also, an interview with SW here, in which he implies Chloe's "progression as a character" will continue to be tied into her "alter ego," and that he expects Chlavis to continue:

Great, so we can look forward to more conversations to the tune of: "I can't believe I trusted Lex!" "I always knew he was no good," etc. Anything to find something for Ollie to do on a program on which he's already outstayed any purpose he had.

Tess was only interesting as a Lex cohort--if that goes away, so does my investment in her.



I would dearly like to think that the show has the season ender planned already. The last thing we need is more scrambling around to accomodate unexpected developments.

Particularly this one, dammit. I'm counting down desperately to Lana's LAST EPISODE EVER!!!

I don't know; I'm torn. I hate Lana, and wish to never see her again after these few episodes. However, it does seem like the core four characters ought to be there in the final episode (and I should have said "series ender," not "season ender"). So in a way, I'd like to see her return, even if only briefly (no Clana angst, please). However, like you, I wouldn't want to see a lot of frantic rewrites to work her into the story. Those rarely work out well.

ETA: Also, there's an interview with CF here (nothing really spoilery that I can see). She does say that "the relationship and connection with Oliver is growing," and that she is signed for season 9, if one happens.

I actually agree, believe it or not, as long as they give us something organic that fits with what we saw in the series. Clark bidding farewell to the dream of a normal life that Lana represented during his formative years. Or Lana off to a great career as a tv newscaster, or as the Insect Queen, or as Mrs. Pete Ross. Or Clark and Lana genuinely discussing why and how it never worked and never WOULD work between them. Just one scene, that's all I ask!! even though SV generally cheats us of characterization-based conversations.

The one incarnation I truly loathe is a Lana who's never been held accountable for anything sending Clark selflessly (as if Lana could ever do anything selflessly!) off to his destiny "for the good of humanity." And since SV rarely fails to choose the worst possible option for every scenario, I'm almost sure that's what we'll get. I figured we'd get it once, at the end of her four-ep arc--I don't want a repeat!!