hackthis_archive (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hackthis_archive) wrote2002-07-11 10:53 am
hackthis_archive) wrote2002-07-11 10:53 am
A Case for the Defense
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pearl_o and I were talking about a ficlet that she wrote (which FYI is fucking fab) and I complemented her Clark and she remarked how happy that made her because I’ve given the impression that I really don’t like Clark. So I had to stop and think for a moment, because that’s not the first time I’ve heard that. Don’t get me wrong, as a physical specimen, um I’m not blind, but as a character for me to explore and write in depth, I have Clark issues. So I thought about it some more, and realized that it’s not that I don’t *like* Clark as much as I just can’t relate to him. My *schtick* when I write is an ability to see something from the POV that I’m using. I need to empathize, or sympathize or SOMETHING, but Clark. Man, Clark I have issues with and I have to sit down and figure out why because I really do want to write something for him. I feel like I’ve given him short shrift.
(borrowed from something I sent to someone else)
No, I don't think that Clark is a monster, but I don't think he's all shininess and light either. I think he needs a goddamn shrink. I think he's more confused than anything else. When he's younger he's got this holier than thou thing being tossed at him by his father, society is screaming that he be normal, he's got a bloody spaceship in the cellar, and who knows what's happening with his sexuality. At the same time when he gets older he winds up being fucking *SUPERMAN.* That is not normal, that is not ease. That's got to be a goddamn nightmare.
I realize here that one of my many issues is that I just *cannot* relate to Clark as someone who’s going to grow up to be Superman. Not because I have comic book issues but because I have issues with the idea of anybody being a *Super*man in any way shape or form. Not only that but the Clark that *I* see in SV land, man I would never want him to be responsible for *my* well being. This is not a dig at Tom Welling in any way shape or form, this is my way of complementing him. It's my way of saying fucking kudos for making Clark Kent into someone/thing that has emotions, and issues and anger. TW makes Clark a fucking human. But, I dunno if y'all have noticed this or not, apparently Superman isn't supposed to have issues. Does this smack of hypocrisy, or is Supes really faulty. I think Supes is faulty, and I think that Clark needs to be in therapy for the next twenty years.
Have y’all thought about what that big ass Messiah Complex is doing to his head? What about all that lying? And all that trying to be normal? Clark has multiple-personality disorder happening for real.
I'd like blame Nietzsche because he is so responsible for this shit. I mean SUPERman? Man is by definition *not* super. ‘Man’ is completely fucked up. Take look outside in any major city, ‘man’ has got it all wrong. And to have somebody come along and say I am the one who’s going to fix it all? Hmmm. No. Not buying it, call me a cynic and let me sit in the corner with my Ice Blended Mocha.
But that’s not really Clark’s vault that’s the first person who labeled him that. And yes, you can say that he’s not human, he’s not a man, he’s a Kryptonian, well yeah, duh. But hello, SuperKryptonian doesn't have that same ring and besides he’s been raised on EARTH, and you know what? he’s being told to act like a man every goddamn day. That is not good for one’s mental health, to be told what he/she is supposed to be. To be something other than what they might become naturally. I’m not going to sit here and list example after example of what happens when people try to be who they aren’t, I think y’all are smart enough to find your own examples and drawn your own conclusions.
Clark, however, (as it seems to me) is not getting a chance to live for himself, he’s living for Bo Duke and his sack-o-platitudes and that gigantic Messiah Complex. Clark’s biggest worry apart from, you know, shagging Lex and that thingy in the storm cellar, is making his parents proud, doing what *they* want. *That* right there makes him human – wanting to please someone else. Human, a man, who by creation is fallible.
However, while we’re on the idea of the whole Superman thing, I will also touch on something someone once said about Superman being ‘perfect.’ See I come from the old school, I come from the philosophical line that says that things like that don’t exist. I don’t believe in ‘perfection,’ to me it doesn’t exist. No such thing, it’s just another impossible standard for man to try and attain something that will never be. Nothing is perfect. Everything is flawed, just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Superman has a temper, he has a job, he tells fucking *lies*. Clark has a temper, he goes to high school. he fucking lies.
Do perfect people lie?
Now I can see everyone saying hey man, you’re talking about Supes, that’s cheating. To which I will say I’m just trying to work through some Clark issues and Clark is going to become Supes so you know, fuck off. Hey, my trial I can run it however I want... And if I want to suddenly decide that maybe it's not Clark that's the problem as much as what he's supposed to represent that has me all vexed, then that's my perogative.
Which is exactly what I'm starting to think.
I mean when I look back on it, I *can* find some damn empathy for the kid. He's got a billion and one things he's supposed to be, he's not getting a chance to be whomever he might want to be. That's something I can relate to, that's something Lex can relate to. And then you know, he's got a temper, I have a temper. Violence can abound, we can do that. And confusion, lord maybe I should send him to Lex's shrink or something.
This subject is not closed.
*Lex's* shrink??
What I find interesting is that, between Lex and Clark, * Lex* is the character people are easily able to identify with. Almost everyone I've seen comment on this subject has expressed confusion and/or annoyance with Clark, while maintaining that Lex is easier to read with regards to motivations, character progression, etc. I'm not saying that anybody's right or wrong to take that position or anything--in fact, I'm really enjoying reading everybody's reasoning on this stuff, because I agree with a lot of it--but it is interesting to note how widespread that persepctive is.
I think you hit on a really good point by mentioning the Superman thing--it's *not* easy to take SV's Clark and imagine him donning the tights and cape and *personality* that goes along with that guy. But as far as Lex is concerned...personally, *I* have to flex my imagination somewhat to make it imagine the event (or sequence of events) that will turn him into EvilVillainLex. Yes, the show is doing a good job of laying the groundwork for Lex's future villainy, but...I dunno. It's almost like we're confused by Clark because, despite being given just as many adverse situations to overcome as Lex, he turns out Good.
Again, I don't know. I like eavesdropping on this stuff, though. And you made some really good points
dude, you're making me an icon
What I find interesting is that, between Lex and Clark, * Lex* is the character people are easily able to identify with.
I think that people prefer Lex because he is human, not in that alien v. human way, but in that everyman way. Lex makes mistakes and he lies and he cheats and he's human. Clark, though, Clark's got that fucking Messiah Complex and he's a bit blind and he's going to be bloody Superman. It's kinda hard to relate to someone like that, most people don't grow up thinking they're supposed to save the world. Most just want to own it, like Lex.
It's almost like we're confused by Clark because, despite being given just as many adverse situations to overcome as Lex, he turns out Good.
Ha! You just hit on another one of my philosophical thingys, that whole idea of good and evil. I'm one of *those* people, you know, the ones who don't see good and evil as much as just different behaviours on the same spectrum. In the end, I don't see there being much different between Lex and Clark, yes by societal standards one does good *deeds* and the other is out for self, but I think Clark is just as messed up as Lex. Clark runs around in a uniform massaging his ego by playing God. At least Lex admits he wants to *be* God. Clark just *acts* like it.
Re: dude, you're making me an icon
Oh, yeah. 'Cause Lex isn't just who people *want* to be, he's who a lot of people *are*--good intentioned, somewhat troubled (hah! That was such a huge understatement, it maketh me merry), fighting for something, fighting against something else...with Clark, there seems to be less of a *battle* going on. He sulks about Doing the Right Thing, but always *after* having done it, usually having done it cheerfully. I'd add a Martyr Complex onto his Messiah Complex, 'cause he's just so...fatalist. Lex, though, he's always looking for the Other Way--which I think resonates with a lot of people.
You just hit on another one of my philosophical thingys, that whole idea of good and evil. I'm one of *those* people, you know, the ones who don't see good and evil as much as just different behaviours on the same spectrum.
Heh. I get that, too. It's not so much that one turns out Good and one turns out Bad, it's that traditional human morality says one turned out Good and one turned out Bad. Which brings subjectivity into play, and...wow, if I knew we'd hit on Deep Philosophical Issues here, I might not've said anything. ;)
But, basically, I think it comes down to TPTB at SV really needing to explore Clark's motives for becoming Supes. It looks like we're getting the guided tour of Lex's motives, which makes sense because his character has to go somewhere to get from where he is now to where he'll be in the future, but we also really need to see Clark's journey. Which might be tough, seeing as it's harder to illustrate a character's progression from Good to Super, but anyway
i had to leave this and come back to it...
so. clark. he's got angst. he's got issues and he's trying to be all things to all people. i was talking with
with Clark, there seems to be less of a *battle* going on.
You know, I thought this too for a while, he just seems so goddamn happy sometimes. At the same time I just can't see him becomes Supes because he's still not *that* fucking happy. Maybe Supes is on Prozac. I'd love to see *that* prescription. On and I did a shout-out to you in 'Just Looking' and your Martyr Complex line.
traditional human morality says one turned out Good and one turned out Bad. Which brings subjectivity into play
ooooh. yes! yes! yes! you know you went and got me all excited now, right? it's so true, i mean that whole good and bad thing come back to the original issue. just because lex doesn't follow the rules, he's bad and because clark is the golden son he's given all the party favors. man, fuck that. they're way too alike for me to ever classify one as being better than the other. lex may have more moral dilemmas, he may work harder to do the 'right' thing, but that doesn't make him evil. shit, for all we know clark is really a meglomaniac who does all that stuff just for the press. egotism man. it's dicey stuff *g*
But, basically, I think it comes down to TPTB at SV really needing to explore Clark's motives for becoming Supes.
Maybe that's what's drawing so many people in fandom, it's easier to *see* Lex trying than it is to see anything with Clark. Like we can take a lot on faith, but this is just too much of a stretch perhaps.
Jayne, have I told you how much you rock for talking this out with me? Cos, you know, you do.