TV Series Analysis: Smallville

Smallville is a intelligent family drama that articulates the classic conflict between good and evil and the becoming of a hero. Its dramatic qualities can be characterized by the conflict and contrast that are laced through the primary storyline as well as each secondary storyline. It's dark lighting, use of low and high camera angles and its whips and pans in terms of camera movements also emphasis its emotional content. The images that play across the screen in each episode are vivid. Each object and character is defined and their importance or personality is articulated through the coarse camera lighting as well as layering and focus. The main characters are in constant conflict, either with themselves, each other, or with forces of nature. Clark Kent, Smallville's main character for example, is at a constant crossroads in terms of himself. He is also faced with figuring out what powers he has and how he can control them. Each episode he finds himself struggling with the conflict of showing who he really is versus hiding it away to protect himself. Clark must also face some sort of external problem in each episode. Often times this is a conflict with other individuals such as his friends, who are at times, desperately trying to uncover what he's hiding and why.
Dramas also often times depict the best and worst of the protagonist. Season two is a prime example of this device because the viewers get to know Clark Kent as "the boy next door." He is someone who everyone likes and who everyone can count on. The story premise builds this up through his interaction with his family and his friends. He's both a loyal son and a devoted friend. However, in a single episode, Clark is shown in a much darker light. Due to the effects of red Kryptonite, Clark Kent is transformed into a "bad boy" who is seen getting into fights and arguments, shrugging his household responsibilities and disappointing his friends. His actions and behaviors signify the worst in his self.

The series itself is based of a character by Jerry Siegel. The show follows the story of Clark Kent, who eventually becomes Superman. It depicts his struggle, strife's and adventures through his teenage years. The show aims to show the development of each character and how events unfold to create the relationships and conflicts that are present later on. Smallville specifically follows the development of Clark Kent himself and how he discovers, and ultimately learns to control his powers. The story begins when the quaint town of Smallville experiences a meteor shower. Along with meteor rocks, craters and devastation came a mystery that would change the Kent family, and the town of Smallville forever. A baby was discovered and taken in as an adoptive son by Mr. and Mrs. Kent who had no children of their own. They decided to raise him as any normal loving parents would bring up their own son, but they realized there was nothing about their child at all. There was something vitally unusual. Young Clark had abilities beyond anything humanly possible. As a baby he exhibited signs of superhuman strength and as he got older he discovered more and more of what he was capable of. In season two of Smallville, Clark struggles to comes to terms with who he is and what he is truly able to do.

The structure of a typical episode itself is basic although the story itself is lined with twists. Overall, Clark is faced with an external conflict, someone or something that is trying to defeat him or uncover his secret. This in turn leads him to react to this force and then assess himself. The show then leads the viewer to asses the antagonist of the story in terms of morality. The question between right and wrong comes in the balance as each episode eventually ends with a distinct reference to Clark's emotional state. This emotion helps the audience to relate to Clark and depicts him his humanity. This structure fits the formula of most hero stories. It shows the conflict, the strength and then the eventual humanity of the hero. This helps the viewer to feel sympathy, pride and then eventually relate to the character.

Smallville requires the audience to know some elements of the background story in order to understand the relevance of the events taking place. In order for the viewer to truly understand the events unfolding and the relationship of the characters, it is important that each episode be viewed. However, a viewer would not be completely lost if he or she were to watch a few scattered episodes and not a complete season. He or she would just lose some of the deeper meanings and relationships that were distinguished in the more detailed storyline. Thus, the series takes on its role as a serial television show.

The main protagonist of the show is Clark Kent, the main character. However, because the show is based of an ensemble of characters, some episodes have more than one protagonist. The main antagonist is Lex Luthor, who grows to be Clark Kent's arch enemy. He is in constant conflict with Clark despite the fact that they begin as friends. In season two, the audience sees how Lex's actions come in direct interference with keeping Clark's secret. He begins doing experiments and investigating incidents that lead him closer and closer to Clark's unusually exceptions.

In order for the audience to enjoy the show to its fullest, it is vital that the audience be aware of the past, present and future relationships that all the characters have. This makes for much more effective foreshadowing and it allows the viewer to truly understand the symbolism of each action. It is not necessary to know the details of each character because the relationships are well emphasized in each episode, however, it does allow the viewer to better connect with the storyline and truly understand the interactions and reactions of the characters in every situation. This makes for the storyline to be much more layered, detailed and ultimately more interesting to the viewer.

Smallville is both a character-driven show and a plot-driven show. Clark Kent, being the main character, has a major impact on the development of the story. His character and the movements of his character in the story are essential to its overall development. The show is based on his growth as a character and eventually how he becomes Superman. Even so, the show's plots are always rich and heavy. The events of the show are almost in an equal balance with the development of the character because each show has such a profound effect on not only Clark, but the rest of the ensemble cast. Each plot is also an indication of how relationships are broken, mended or made. These relationships ultimately set up the larger story.

In general, Smallville has a basic formula for its show patterns. The protagonists in the stories are depicted in very casual clothes and in light colors while the antagonists are generally dressed in darker colors. Lighting is much the same. Those who are depicted as good in the episodes are seen in brighter lights whereas those who are seen as bad are portrayed through darker, denser lighting and generally covered with shadows. Medium shots are used the most in this series, allowing the viewer to get to know the character but still have a bit of mystery over them. Close up shots are used mostly on Clark Kent himself and his future enemy Lex Luthor. This is done because the emotions of these two characters are vitally important. By showing close up shots of their faces, the audience is able to see clearly the element of good versus bad. Another motif can be found on Clark Kent. The choice of color of his clothing is consistent with his future Superman attire. The choice of red and blue is foreshadowing for those who are familiar. Special effects are used often in the series as Clark Kent exhibits his superhuman powers. These effects are however necessary to the storyline. They are used in other aspects and with other characters but only used to depict the unnatural, not to manipulate or dramatize the natural.

Though each episode within the series holds fast to similar motifs and patterns, there is no shortage of twists and turns and the occasional completely unexpected story lines. Season two is a prime example of this. Episode four entitled 'Red' has a plot that challenges the fundamentals of the Smallville storyline. Normally Clark Kent wouldn't do anything to disrespect anyone, let alone hurt them. He wouldn't dream of using his powers for bad or consider sharing his true identity with complete strangers. Normally, Clark wouldn't be under the influence of a dangerous personality altering mineral. After purchasing a class ring his father advised him not to buy, Clark began acting surprisingly different. He's normally shy and reserved persona gave way to a bold, daring and very defiant character. His modesty and satisfaction in what he had turned to arrogance and greed. Disobeying is father and mother as well as two-timing the girl he loved, Clark embarked on a road or irresponsibility and destruction. He used his powers to fight anyone in his way, including his own father. Angered by his actions at first, Clark's friends and family soon began to realize that something is disturbingly wrong. Chloe, Clark's good friend inadvertently and unknowingly discovers the potential cause. The ring that Clark admiringly adorned his finger with is home to red Kryptonite, a type of meteor rock that few new existed. The normal color meteor rock is green and is the only thing that can defeat Clark by debilitating his strength. The effects of the red Kryptonite were unknown. That is, until Pete, another of Clark's friends and the only one who knows Clark's secret, makes a startling connection. Clark began to take on this leather-jacket wearing, motorcycle riding persona directly after slipping on the class ring. Knowing how the green Kryptonite affects his friend, Pete quickly informs Clark's parents of the situation. The three of them embark on a mission to find Clark and destroy the ring before Clark hurts anyone. After hurting those closest to him and nearly killing few others, Pete and Mr. Kent finally intervene. They surround him and Pete pulls out a green meteor rock, causing Clark to lose his powers and strength and fall to the ground in pain. He is no longer in control. Mr. Kent quickly destroys the ring, and Clark Kent wakes up from what remembers as little more than a vivid dream. He spends much of the rest of the episode apologizing for his actions with as little explanation as he can.
Each act within the episode is broken down to show the major turning points and ends with a climactic event. The exposition is explained at the beginning of the episode when Clark purchases the ring and the viewers see immediately that it has a strange effect. Then, each act itself depicts decisions that Clark makes to move the plot along. In the first act, the turning point is when Clark sees a girl he finds attractive and openly flirts with her while talking back to school principle disrespectfully in her defense. This is a decision that catches the attention of all of his friends as being very unusual behavior. This reaction and oftentimes short discussion between his friends or family serves as the midpoint of the act. Clark then exhibits another shocking trait in the second turning point. Each act ends with a climactic event, generally with Clark hurting someone he's close to. This leaves the viewer in a state of shock and suspense till the show continues in the next act. Essentially, it keeps the audience guessing as to how far this new persona will go. Because it's good-boy Clark Kent, the viewer is shocked by his over the top bad-boy behavior. The denouement occurs when Clark is informed of his behavior and what caused it. The resolution comes soon after as he makes his way around town apologizing to those he hurt, who happen to be those he loves the most.

The episode itself is straight-forward. It does not use any elements, such as flashbacks, that would alter the basic progression of the story. Its plot is basic only to those who have followed at least a few episodes of the show. It is necessary for the viewer to understand and be familiar with the true character of Clark Kent, otherwise, the new persona would not have such a drastic effect on the storyline and the reactions of the characters would not make complete sense.
"Red" shows the protagonist in a very new light. Though Clark Kent is acting inappropriately and dangerously for the majority of the episode, he remains the protagonist in the story. The antagonist in this episode is not a human. It's the mineral placed inside his class ring. This rock is making Clark behave in a manner that he never would otherwise and is compromising his ability to keep his secret. In this episode the viewer sees a side of Clark that was never shown before but sometimes hinted at. It is important to note that prior to slipping the ring on his finger, Clark purchased the ring against his father's advice, thus showing an act of rebellion even prior to being affected by the ring. This is an important insight into the growing personality of Clark himself and almost leads the viewer to wonder if the ring completely changes his personality, or just makes him who he wishes he could be, instead of his shy reserved self.
It is also important to take note of Clark's relationship with others following the ring. He is open about his desire to be with Lana, a good friend and his long-time crush. He also talks to Lex about how he admires his wealth and how he desired the same. He yells at his parents for not giving him what they should have in material terms. Each character then reacts to Clark, distinguishing a little more about themselves as they do. Lana shows that she does indeed have feelings for Clark but in the end shows that she does not trust him because of his secrets. Lex distinguishes himself as a man who wants more than extensive wealth. He actually shows his envy for the family and friends that Clark has. Mr. and Mrs. Kent show grave concern for their adoptive son but even more importantly, they re-emphasize their love for him as their own son. Prior to this episode in season two this topic was not touched upon despite the fact that Clark being adopted is a crucial element of the storyline. In seeing how sorry Clark is for his actions in the resolution, the viewer is able to witness his true character. The same can be said for how the other characters react to him afterwards.

Because this episode was unlike others in the sense that Clark played a character completely unlike his normal character, there were very few motifs or patterns that remained the same. However, the editing techniques were largely the same. The format of the show remained the same as well. A major difference that could be found was stylistic. The way Clark dressed was completely different and a major component of the story. Clark changed from his traditional and symbolic blue and red clothes to darker colors much like that which the antagonists wear in previous and future episodes. He trades in his modest accessories for Ferrari's and motorcycles, further emphasizing his arrogance and greed. The way he dresses is the external manifestation of the emotional and psychological changes that are affecting him internally and as such, plays a major role in symbolizing his new self.

A scene that truly represents Clark's new personality and how it effects others is a scene in which Clark is at a club with Lana. The club is loud and dark and Clark seems to fit in even though it's an environment where his normal self would never even enter. He treats Lana as though she's replaceable and even leaves her to dance with another girl he has been flirting with. When he is approached during an argument with Lana, he starts a fight. You see him throw two security guards across the room with a single movement. As they crash down another man tries to approach Clark but to no avail. Clark shows a distinct contempt for authority and wants everyone to know that he is stronger and could take on anyone.

The effects used in this scene are largely lighting effects. The dark lighting and the shadows help to distinguish this new Clark as someone undesirable and dangerous but at the same time the close ups of his face distinguish his emotions as vitally important to the story line. The sound is largely ambient noise from the bar but the type of music is angry and rebellious such as Clark is at that point. Again, his costume consisting of dark colors and stiff lines emphasize his desire for the appearance of affluence and authority. The special effects are used when Clark is fighting with those trying to stop him and are used to exhibit his strength and power over others who are, in this case, doing nothing wrong. For the first time the viewer is placed at a crossroads and has to determine for themselves whether Clark's powers are truly good, or simply dangerous.

Because Clark was in a role that was completely different from his normal self, this episode was not representative of the entire series in terms of the roles of the characters. However, it was representative in the sense that the formula of the show remained the same. Clark still faced the same dangers of uncovering his secret and still fought an antagonist that had taken control of him. What made this show stand out was the emphasis on the dependency that Clark had on his family and friends. Despite his super human abilities, the audience quickly learns that Clark is not invincible and in some ways, he's more and more human with each passing episode. It is likely that the producers and writers placed this episode at this point in the series to uncover another weakness of Clark and to add to his humanity so that the viewers are able to relate to and show sympathy for the character. It was also a way to show how each individual character cared for Clark.

Smallville is a unique show in that each episode holds some amount of moral value and insight into the emotional state of the characters. Though it has its dramatic qualities, it also has a largely mysterious quality that hooks the viewer in. With deep characters and layered story lines, Smallville is one of my favorite shows. It is intelligently crafted and its use of symbolism and subtle foreshadowing keep the viewer truly engaged in the story and not merely hypnotized by it. It is a true story with all the elements of a lasting legend.