"Hold the elevator!"

I finally got back into watching L&C. In the last few days, I finished The Phoenix and also watched Top Copy and Return of the Prankster.

Phoenix -- I hate to say it, since this episode is this pivotal, WAFFY, romantic fest o' fun, but I am not particularly fond of it as a whole. And every time I watch it, I still remember what I was thinking when it first aired -- L&C want to go to a Pearl Jam concert? They're too old to go to Pearl Jam concerts! At least that's what I thought when I was 14 and they were 28. Now I'm 26 and they're 28 and it still feels weird to me. Not that they're too old. Just that neither of them seem the type to go to a rock concert. A string quartet concert, sure. Maybe part of the joke is that they had no idea what they were getting into, and it was probably good Jimmy went instead. The thought of L&C going through the mosh pit is a BIT scary.

One of those things you sort of look back on after watching the whole series (and thus having a new perspective) is the "almost first date" scene. It's great because you see they're both attracted to each other. It's funny because Lois gets food poisoning. Just the first of a million crazy/bad things that will happen to them in the course of their relationship.

Top Copy -- I like the episode a lot, except for one thing that almost ruins it for me -- Rolfe. What the f is his deal? If I had a list of the 10 most annoying characters on L&C, he'd definitely be on it. Constance from IOG would be too. I'll have to get back to you on the other eight.

I like the plot, I like L&C's chemistry, Lois's continued jealousy over Mayson, Clark in black. Mmmmhmmm.

Return of the Prankster -- Although the "freezing device" concept doesn't really work for me (there are a few continuity/believeability problems) I love, love, love how Lois babbles in this episode. She goes off on major tangents twice, once in front of Clark and once in front of Superman, and both times he's got this omg I love you little smile on his face and you just want him to start making out with her right there. Come on, you guys. Stop with this "almost-dating" nonsense and start pouncing.

I also love Bronson Pinchot and think this is some of his best work.

And I know I've seen it 2582958 times, but this last time watching it, I FINALLY got that Griffin's father is emotionally abusive to Kyle, and that's why Kyle is that way to Victor. In the scene where the keys fall in the paint, I always thought both Kyle and Mr. Griffin were saying "You idiot!" to Victor, but no... Mr. Griffin's saying it to Kyle, while Kyle says it to Victor. Interesting dynamic there. It won't be the last time we see a screwed-up child with bad parental relations becoming a villain on this show.

Next up -- Lucky Leon. KISSING YAY.

Who do you love?

It's been a week since I posted, and I've watched half a dozen episodes since then, so I'll try to get caught up with my thoughts.

That Old Gang of Mine--

Man, Clark does a lot of eyerolling!

Just thought I'd mention that. ;)

SO... naturally this is an essential episode because Lois actually admits that she feels something "more" for Clark. First she mumbles something about this to Perry... then she tries to express how she's feeling to Clark, who falls asleep. Doy.

I don't know which is more heart-wrenching... Lois's sadness over Clark's "death" or Clark's sadness at his inability to be there for her, as Clark, this time. She takes it very hard, which she would probably do even if she didn't love him, because heck they'd been partners for over a year. Still. Sometimes I wonder if that's why she didn't even call for help when she and the professor were being buried in the cement. Was she thinking Well, Clark's dead, life sucks now, screw this? Maybe, maybe not. There are other episodes where she's in life-or-death situations and doesn't call for help, so it could just be another one of those moments.

Hug, big hug. Lots of touching. I love how she changes into his jacket before they go to the DP at the end. Makes me giggle.


A Bolt From The Blue--

So Lois is mad because she learns Superman has lied to her (well, he basically omits the truth, but it pisses her off anyway) and she tells him off for it. It's one of the first times she's ever been angry with him (hurt, yes... disappointed, yes... but not actually angry) and it mirrors Lois's anger toward Clark in the season 1 episode The Foundling... basically the same issue... he lies to her, and she knows it, and she's hurt because she wouldn't expect that of him, him being a Kansas farmboy and all. Now she's shocked that Superman has lied. Oh no!

Even though she still doesn't know CK=S this episode reminds me of some fourth season episodes where the two of them experience relationship/personal tension (think: Stop The Presses), only by then their relationship is so much *more* than it is now... but it's basically the same issue. Gasp, she's actually angry at Superman, here! Wow, turning point -- she no longer thinks he's perfect! And believe it or not, that's a good thing!

At the beginning of season 2, Clark came to Lois's apartment several times -- as Superman -- I guess in an attempt to spend some more time with her. By this season she was fully willing to spend time with Clark, but it was like he couldn't get enough and had to visit as Superman as well (see: the end of Wall of Sound or Church of Metropolis, or him giving her advice in the Source -- the same advice he'd basically already given as Clark). But perhaps this only further encouraged Lois's infatuation with Superman. In BATP Superman said he couldn't be with Lois, and now he's totally sending her a different message. Perhaps she was beginning to think he'd change his mind. She did sort of carry the torch for Superman until the end of season 2, even though you could see it lessening as she grew closer to Clark.

Anyway, I think the events in A Bolt From The Blue were essential because they showed Lois that Superman wasn't perfect. I think she needed that. I mean, if you look back to season one, where Superman was on this high pedestal and she didn't even want to work with Clark, there was a huge difference in the way she felt about the two different sides of him. Now, with each episode, that gap is getting smaller. Clark is becoming better and better in her eyes... Superman is becoming -- well, not WORSE by any means, but she's not falling all over him necessarily. By the time that gap gets to its smallest -- that's just about when she realizes they're the same person. Pretty cool the way they did that.


Season's Greedings--

First off, if you haven't watched this episode with the commentary, you need to. It's hilarious.

I guess all I can say about this one is THE FINAL SCENE. I love how Clark visits her. You know she's sort of hoping Superman will drop by, but when Clark does instead and she's so happy you KNOW things really have started to change in her heart. Say it with me now.... awww. And handholding, how can you not love that?


Metallo--

Noteworthy for the final scene, when Superman makes a pitch for Clark, and actually discourages Lois from being all cozy with him. He tells her she and Clark are lucky to have each other. After he leaves, Lois decided to call Clark... who ISN'T HOME. Mr. Lunkhead didn't coordinate that one as well as he should have. Oh well, we know she cares, that's what's important.

Also, Lucy gets angry and remarks that Lois doesn't have a guy who cares about her. Yes she does, Lucy, yes she does! She may not know how much, yet... but yes, someone definitely cares. Well, all in due time.


Chi of Steel--
I just love watching this one for their chemistry. The little looks here and there. Clark's total amusement with Lois's tenacity. More eyerolls.


The Eyes Have It--

Lois is jealous because of Mayson. Again. Clark would rather be with Lois but is too nice to tell Mayson to get lost... and it won't be the last time this happens. Awkwardness ensues.

REALLY sweet/semi-sad scene between Clark and his mom.

I'm getting to that point where I want Lois to know Clark's secret. He NEEDS somebody besides his parents.


The Phoenix--

Clark asks Lois out. You have to sort of wonder if maybe Lois was hoping for this, deep down, because it's not like she goes "CLARK, I told you I don't have feelings for you, remember? OMG, I'm filing a sexual harrassment suit against you RIGHT THIS SECOND!" No, she actually gets all babbly and adorable. Of course, Lois's ex WOULD pick now to come back from the dead and start stalking her. Nice timing, Lex.

I've never been sure if Lex knows, in this episode, that something is going on between Lois and Clark -- he does watch them in the DP lobby, but L&C just talk and laugh, they don't make out or anything. In the season 1 episode Pheromone, My Lovely, when Lois told Lex that there was only one man for her -- Clark -- Lex gave her this look like "And what drugs are WE on today?" By season 3, obviously, Lex knew about their relationship. But I wonder if he had any clue in The Phoenix, or if he still considered Superman his biggest threat/competition for Lois's affections. If he had known that Lois had an interest in Clark, maybe he would have tried to kill Clark or something. Who knows. There's a fanfic for ya. "Dammit, I've shot you 20 times, why won't you die?"

I LOVE that Nigel doublecrosses Lex, mainly because if you pay attention in season 1, there are several instances when Nigel says things or gives Lex these *looks* that totally suggest Nigel thinks Lex is crazy. Which he was. Is. Well, whatever.

Hey, wait a second...!

So I was watching Operation: Blackout last night and I think Lois might just have some short-term memory issues.

She says to Molly Flynn, and I quote: "I am not the one who dated a psycho!"

Hey, Lois?

Remember this guy?

I know it was like six months ago, but seriously!

Heh. Meanwhile I love the look on Lois's face when Molly says she wonders what it would be like to date Superman. I'm sure Lois has spent many a night wondering that very same thing! Haha... love that.

Way more than partners...

Ever notice how different Jimmy was in season 2 than in season 1? I don't mean the way he looked. I mean duh, different actor. But it's like when Justin Whalin came on board as Jimmy in season 2, the writers decided to change him up a bit. He was still a photographer and copy boy, but he now was a grunge kid and rode a motorcycle. Oh yeah, and he was kind of a moron. Lois and Clark understood complex things, but Jimmy had to have everything spelled out like a little kid. This point was really driven home in The Prankster, until the end when he deduced that Mr. Griffin was in on Kyle's plan, at which point he was all "me so smart" and it was kind of adorable, but at the same time you're like "didn't he used to be smarter? Like, last year?" Sure, he also had black hair and wore vests last year, what are you gonna do?

For the record, The Prankster is easily one of my favorite episodes. Top 20 at least. LOVE Clark's eyerolls and discomfort when Lois is getting the "secret admirer" attention (before they realize it's sort of sinister) because for all Clark knows, maybe this is a legitimate admirer who's going to end up sweeping Lois off her feet. The boy does not want competition. At the same time, he's really got nothing to worry about because she's beginning to like him as more than a friend, even if she doesn't realize it herself quite yet (just give her a couple of episodes!) And his teasing with the Randall Loomis thing is so funny.

That's actually something I love... the evolution of her feelings for Clark in season 2. In episode 4, it's HIS place she goes to when she's feeling threatened (even though Perry and Alice have offered her a place to stay). In episode 5, she's raging jealous over Mayson's attention toward Clark. In episode 7, she actually admits to him that she's wondering if there's possibly "more" to their relationship, and by 9 they're holding hands. Awwwww. I love it. Love season 2 with a passion. It's just too friggin adorable.

Teri!

 Last night Teri was on the Tonight Show, so I got a tape in there for that and made sure the antenna wasn't making the channels look too horrible. Just now I told my mom that I'd adjusted the antenna, so I took her into the family room to see. "See, here's NBC, here's CBS... doesn't it look bet-- TERI!" Teri was on Entertainment Tonight. Since there was already a good tape in there I just hit record. How perfect. Not sure when I'll ever go back and watch it but still. Love me my L&C people.

The first time Lois & Clark aired, on September 12, 1993, I did not want to watch it. By the time the snake showed up to face off with Lex, I'd had enough. But something kept bringing me back, and by the end of the first season, I was completely hooked.

One week ago, L&C turned 13 years old. As I just turned 26, this means the show has now been a part of my life for exactly 50% of it. Half a lifetime, in fact. I've never grown weary of it. It's hard to believe that something I enjoyed when I was 13 still fascinates me today.

This will be my journal for posting L&C-related thoughts when I have them. I may choose to explicate an episode, to post my favorite quotes or screencaps, to promote awesome L&C artwork/music videos/fanfic, or to just babble. I may go more in-depth than the average fan would like, so only follow me if you think you'll want to read deep thoughts about a TV show that ended nine years ago. If you think this is for you, then welcome!:)