A Case for the Defense

[hackthis_archive]

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.

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Comments

*Lex's* shrink??

[serrico.livejournal.com]

Dear lord. With the way Lex is set to turn out, do you really think sending Clark to his shrink will *help*? ;)

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