Rate the writing: legion vs other s8 eps

[davidbrenton]

I'm curious to see how fans respond to the comic writer actually writing a live comic show. Was the writing better then the standard season 8 smallville episode. If so, how?

----- Added 9 Minutes later -----

Moderators, can you close this poll until the episode airs?

[Super Maverick]

It's not like he's never written or produced tv shows before.

[davidbrenton]

It's not like he's never written or produced tv shows before.

I know. I'm just curious to see what the general perception is on his performance relative to S8 as a whole.

[Estro-gen X]

He wrote the Hawkman episode of Justice League Unlimited which I found to be really boring but I've never really cared for Hawkman.

[BIGBLUE1]

well personally i like geoff...he creative ideas in his comics and stories... i think the legion was a great story arc for him and for him to get to write a whole episode of smallville there actually might be a noticeable change but come there is the director and the editor that also have a lot of influence on how screen shots look and how much of the original story will actually come out in the episode

[6-Super-Man -5]

He'll probably do good.
Hoping he returns for Season Nine.

[thehenry89]

It was good, not as good as some of the other episodes this year, but still good.

[davidbrenton]

I have to say, I enjoyed it, but I've enjoyed s8 prior to this episode much more. It was a nice climax to the first half arc, however, the addition of Lana really brought us backwards. I hate Lana and she ruined the episode for me.

[rysamad]

the best episode that beats all the S8!

[stenochick]

I liked it a lot but it definitely felt like a live-action comic book more than a normal Smallville episode. It was subtle though. It fit right into season 8.

[Kid Collins]

Geoff Johns can write for SV anyday.

The fact that he didn't include ONE SINGLE Clois Anvil makes him a hero in my book. :lol:

[Loisdragon]

I thought it as good

[AgentChaos]

Option #1.

[BadToad]

I'm taking S8. The Legion itself was enjoyable, and the episode was alright, but sorry Geoff, I'm not seeing stellar writing here. I actually think Clark has done just as well in much of S8. Many even better. And the St Lana stuff was completely off the hook.

[Iluvgreen]

It seems the same to me...

[myankskent]

I think that "Legion" fits right in with all of the other episodes. I loved the mythology in this episode and I didn't see any major plot holes.

[ForzaItalia]

The writing on this episode was by far better than anything Smallville's had in years. This was possibly the best writing Smallville has ever had.

[ywm]

1

[Super Maverick]

I think he did great

[Mickey_Bickey]

The writing for the Legion, Chloe/Chloiac and Doomsday was good. The writing for Clark's character and Lana's character were IMO terrible.

The regression we saw in Clark's character dragged this episode down for me much like the character Lana Lang does unfortunately.

[FlashInSV]

I think it was done with great care for the Legion characters. Johns really knows the LSH and he proved it.

Chloiac was written wonderfully as well, although he seemed not to know how to deal with Chloe's character as soon as she was Brainiac-free. Or maybe it was just me.

Also, he seemed to need to redeem Lana's character by having several people mention her importance to CK's future. Okay, people, she's obviously important, but come on, let's not overdo it! What's next? You'll tell us she stiched his suit for him and not Martha Kent?

[Tompouce]

Sorry but I don't feel anything about the Legion...but I think Clark was absolutely magic in this epi (though I understand what Mickey Bickey is saying but I am just happy now lol). MAGIC (maybe I miss too much SV, I am lenient...)MAGIC, you understand ? lol

[LuckyLois]

I preferred other episodes from this season.

[Tompouce]

I would add to be fair that I didn't know at all the Legion. I don't read comics...But definitively I don't find them interesting...Sorry, really for the fans. To be honest, maybe I am too focused on Clark and Chloe plots. To me they were just here to help and I didn't find them very efficient, maybe the way it was done. Otherwise, I find this epi amazing...

----- Added 4 Minutes later -----

I know how I feel about the Legion : I find them boring...

[pizzahead2490]

season8 is great but legion was the best of the season... cant put my finger on why tho.

[biggkoz]

The writing might have been better but Im not sure about the acting.

[davidbrenton]

It was the climax to Chloe's arc and really kicked Doomsday into high gear.

[melissan02]

Geoff Johns can write for SV anyday.

The fact that he didn't include ONE SINGLE Clois Anvil makes him a hero in my book. :lol:

The episode was very, very good.:) And, we're WAY past anvils, ...'cause Clois is happening!;)
Her name was mentioned by the Legion, first-I might add;), and then Clark and Chloe mentioned Lois in the apartment, with Clark commenting how nice it was for Lois to go take care of Jimmy.

I'll agree...Geoff Johns should do some more eps.!

[newbaggy]

The writing on this episode was by far better than anything Smallville's had in years. This was possibly the best writing Smallville has ever had.

ForzaItalia, I don't think you realise what a damning statement that is. Fortunately, it isn't true.

If by best writing, you mean most comic book references and shoutouts to the continuity-obsessed fans, then I can see your point. But by the standards of good fictional writing - plotting, characterisation, dialogue - Geoff Johns' script was mediocre at best. Indeed, in terms of writing quality, it was no better than a typical episode of a second or third-rate 1970s cop show - the sort of series that relied on fight scenes and car chases to disguise the poor plots and cardboard characters. It certainly was no better than many a Smallville "filler" episode.

[tonnmiister]

this ep was awesome, but not the best of the season

but we did get to see a bit of chloe's clevage! sorry i just had to say that

[davidbrenton]

ForzaItalia, I don't think you realise what a damning statement that is. Fortunately, it isn't true.

If by best writing, you mean most comic book references and shoutouts to the continuity-obsessed fans, then I can see your point. But by the standards of good fictional writing - plotting, characterisation, dialogue - Geoff Johns' script was mediocre at best. Indeed, in terms of writing quality, it was no better than a typical episode of a second or third-rate 1970s cop show - the sort of series that relied on fight scenes and car chases to disguise the poor plots and cardboard characters. It certainly was no better than many a Smallville "filler" episode.

Nice reply.

To that I'd like to focus attention on "Prey", a filler episode whose story was more intelligent at it's core. The characters tracked down the "filler FoW" and succeeded only for the audience to realize that in chasing the "shadow killer" they were LITERALLY chasing a shadow, and the real threat was revealed to be Doomsday, who actually caused the murders. In doing so, the episode also had better characterization with it's focus on Doomsday and the moral struggle he was enduring.

Comparitively, we didn't really get a sense of who the Legion were except for a VERY basic OUTLINE that resembles a Caricature more than a character.

I.e.,
Emra = Sensitive telepath
Rokk = Serious person
Lightning Lad = Immature/fun loving hot-head

The characterization on "Legion" simply relied upon BASIC BASIC reasoning of right and wrong and bet everything on Clark's ultimate commitment to that to illustrate character growth. In this manner, I can completely agree why some people see the episode as "cartoony". It wasn't as intelligent as other S8 episodes, but rather more elementary.

However, because it was such a "climactic" episode, the basic components of the plot were heightened enough to be entertaining and satisfying on a strictly plot level. Standard filler episodes don't have that luxury. Therefore, I give more credit to the standard S8 episode then this one.

Furthermore, the episode is also satisfying because it echoes much of fan sentiment via the newly introduced characters. This is a direct and easy manipulative device the writers can do at any time, and have in the past, to garner emotional connection to the show. This was over-played here, and therefore deserves less respect than the standard s8 ep.

This episode does have a Lana factor, and for that, I must give credit to "Legion" for an intrinsic liability.

In conclusion, I view this episode as an entertaining episode but not one which surpassed the general quality of season 8. Given it's liability of Lana, that's saying a great deal.

Just an opinion, but at least I supported it.

[Alania]

Nice reply.

To that I'd like to focus attention on "Prey", a filler episode whose story was more intelligent at it's core. The characters tracked down the "filler FoW" and succeeded only for the audience to realize that in chasing the "shadow killer" they were LITERALLY chasing a shadow, and the real threat was revealed to be Doomsday, who actually caused the murders. In doing so, the episode also had better characterization with it's focus on Doomsday and the moral struggle he was enduring.

We didn't really get a sense of who the Legion were except for a VERY basic OUTLINE that resembles a Caricature more than a character.

I.e.,
Emra = Sensitive telepath
Rokk = Serious person
Lightning Lad = Immature/fun loving hot-head

You might add "big mouth" to Lightening Lad and Lana pimp to Saturn Girl. I think the writer did its best, given the fact that he had only an hour to present the Legion and share that time with another Clana roller coaster ride. IMO, the Legion was there more to give hints to Clark concerning his greater and future role on Earth, which Clark chose to not mind at all, than to introduce their individual characters with more consistency. Maybe, if the Legion ever comes back, they might show us more, i would really like that. I know he's still evolving and he can't be yet what he's going to be in centuries from now and what the Legion expects, but he could have shown a little bit more concern about what had just happened. I still think season 8 beats Legion, cause they're finally developing the whole mythos. Despite that, as long as no one messes with Lois and Clark, bring any writer on! :D

[davidbrenton]

as long as no one messes with Lois and Clark, bring any writer on! :D

Agreed.

[Superman&Clana]

I just hate the word "regression" in every thread bc i know they blame everytime lana for it. But clark in this episode did NOT regress. He has been regressiing in season 6 , but not in season 7 and 8.

[ColdPlay3r]

as long as no one messes with Lois and Clark, bring any writer on! :D
amen:):D;)

[Juliet]

This episode was a lot of hype and very little pay off. Lana "the world hates you" Lang aside, it was all pretty boring.

LOSH were okay, but Chloiac served as the only highlight.

----- Added 1 Minutes later -----

I just hate the word "regression" in every thread bc i know they blame everytime lana for it. But clark in this episode did NOT regress. He has been regressiing in season 6 , but not in season 7 and 8.
You see this word a lot because it fits.

----- Added 4 Minutes later -----

ForzaItalia, I don't think you realise what a damning statement that is. Fortunately, it isn't true.

If by best writing, you mean most comic book references and shoutouts to the continuity-obsessed fans, then I can see your point. But by the standards of good fictional writing - plotting, characterisation, dialogue - Geoff Johns' script was mediocre at best. Indeed, in terms of writing quality, it was no better than a typical episode of a second or third-rate 1970s cop show - the sort of series that relied on fight scenes and car chases to disguise the poor plots and cardboard characters. It certainly was no better than many a Smallville "filler" episode.

Ouch! That bit of reality newsflash stung a little! :rotfl:

Finally someone verbalizes the truth. This episode was not 'spectaular' or 'the best ever' -- not by a long shot!

[tonnmiister]

i think this ep was fantastic, even lana's scenes, special effects were great, the dark fortress especially, and it was just well paced and probably the best episode of the season, save for abyss