The Art of Writing for Smallville (Part 1)

Al Gough, Miles Millar and the Smallville writers have an amazing writing talent. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen this writing ability so well refined on any other show. I guess it’s no surprise as they are constantly practicing and honing this ability - after all, “practice makes perfect”.

What is this amazing writing knack? They are the ultimate masters (Obi Wan would be proud) at writing themselves in a corner. This is the uncanny ability to write character situations and/or character behavior that shock the audience – typically around season finales. The viewer is left wondering how the situation will be resolved and/or how the character can be redeemed.

But no need to fret because the SV writing team has also honed the ability to resolve the most defamatory character behaviors and unbelievable plot points. Again, they’ve practiced this over and over – usually around season premiers. They're typically resolved in one of two ways:

1) They’re never mentioned again
2) They’re retconned outright

The Jor-El Corner

At the end of s2, Jor-El (in the guise of the spaceship) randomly decides that it’s time for Clark to fulfill his destiny. Clark objects. To punish him, Jor-El brands him with the El family crest (see image (*) I’m sure the PTB were going for the two for one special – amp up the drama and throw in an anvil for good measure). Clark runs off to Metropolis, hopped up on Red K. Jonathan is left with a heart condition when he asks for Jor-El’s help to bring Clark back. That Jor-El, what a guy.


In s3, Jor-El once again randomly decides it’s time for Clark’s training. This time he tries to trick Clark by sending a human girl, pretending to be Kryptonian, to lure Clark away. When she is found out Jor-El quickly disposes of her (read: kills); then tortures Jonathan until Clark agrees to his (Jor-El’s) terms. Clark is ultimately brainwashed and Jonathan is in a coma for months.

In s5, once again Jor-El decides that the death of some Smallvillians in the second meteor shower (and at the hands of Zod’s disciples!) is a small price to pay for Clark’s training. Aren’t Zod's disciples the common enemy? Clark begs for a chance to save the town. Jor-El gives Clark a vague ultimatum which eventually results in Jonathan’s death. That Jor-El, what a sweetie.

These increasingly evil acts prompted speculation of who is Jor-El. Is it Zod pretending to be Jor-El to manipulate Clark? Is it the Eradicator? Is the A.I. corrupted? Let’s face it, there is no way Jor-El would torture, blackmail, and brainwash his son, torture Jonathan, kill (pseudo-Kara and those she killed), allow the death of innocent people and still be considered a good guy (er… a good A.I., whatever). Moreover, why would Clark even entertain the thought of doing his training with this sociopath?

Speculation continued through to S6 (4 years!) until it was announced that Clark would meet Raya, a woman who knew Jor-El on Krypton. When Clark brought up Jor-El to Raya, Raya told him to suck it up; pain is a part of life, tough love and all that – Clark nods and accepts that he’s not a good son. Just like that Jor-El’s actions are swept under the rug.

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(*) Screencap by SVFan.com