Clark did not knowlingly give up his powers, why does this keep coming up like this?

[unPTC]

More sloppy writing...both Clark and Jor-El have made reference to Clark having a choice in giving up his powers...his only choice was to not keep his word to Jor-El and accept UNKNOWN consequences...this keeps bugging me because there are ample examples of bad choices Clark is making this season, but this is not one of them...he may have been reckless in not returning to the FOS in Arrival, but he did not know what would happen...

[Nerial]

I agree. The only reason Clark didn't go back to the FOS before sunset was because he was trying to save his family and friends from two crazy Kryptonians.

The boy can't win.

[jag5311]

well...he could have made it back before sunset...remember he looks at the sun in Lex's mansion.

[k18]

and from Jor-el's POV, Clark chose to give up his powers because he didn't obey his orders when Clark promised him he would return. Jor-el knows Clark has super speed so he could have easily made it in time. Plus the scene when Clark looked at the sunset and then looked at Lana, it was pretty clear that he made a choice and had to live with the consequences. I agree with Jor-el.

[margroks]

Exactly. Clark made a promise to return and he could have easily. Plus, Clark knew he could have gone to the cave and tried to go back to the FOS that way or attempted to bargain with Jor-El but he made no move to do so. Clark also knew, deep down that Jor-El was not really done with him. It was all part of the lies he told not only to Lana but to himself so he could jump into Lana's bed. Not only did he reneg on his word to Jor-El but he made no attempt to get back his powers which could do so much for the world because of his selfishness. Clark never looked so bad before and this is entirely his fault. And he knows it now.

[creolemommie]

Clark is still a "child" so to speak. He knew he broke his promise (maybe he knew even with his abilities he wouldn't make it in time) or he thought that the consequences wouldn't be that severe. I think if he knew that he'd lose his powers and could die and then that the life force of someone he was close to would be taken in exchange for him he would have made more of an effort. The consequences weren't spelled out so he didn't make the conscience choice I think he was trying to protect his loved ones... we never really know the consequences of our actions until it's too late, so I see Jor-El's point, but I also see the original poster's point that Clark didn't CHOOSE to give up his powers and he certainly didn't choose to die and have his life be restored at the cost of a loved one.

[RedPhoenix23]

I don't that sunset came pretty quick, I don't think The Flash-who they should was faster than Clark at least for now, could have made it back in time. I think Clark had a worried look on his face because he knew it was too late to get back on time.

[BrokenHero]

Well technically, the sun sets at different times around the world, and since this took place in summer, the sun might not even set at all at the fortress of Solitude. I don't think it has anything to do with the actual setting of the sun, it has to do with Clark making a good faith effort. Jor-El knew what was in Clark's heart. Clark wanted to stay with Lana when she was hurt, he wanted to do what he wanted to do, and that is what pissed Jor-El off.

[luuke]

it was his choice, in fact he was even happy about it and didn´t try to do something about it.. he just enjoyed these weeks.. hence Jor El is completely right about this one..

[wallyK]

I'm not sure what is going on here. Given that Jor-El is a domineering and harsh father, I can see how he might characterize the situation the way he does. What I don't get is why Clark does not dispute the characterization. He told Chloe that he made a deal with Jor-El. Does he really see it that way, or is he being really reall passive?

The only explanation I have come up with is that Jor-El is still treating Clark like a child. He tells him to do things, but not the reason for doing them, and certainly not the consequences for doing them. But of course this is all necessary for Clark to find himself in this situation. No way could Clark know that not returning to the FOS by sunset would result in somebody close to him having to die.

Actions have consequences, sure, but in this show it seem that actions have completely unpredicatable consequences, so what sort of lesson are we supposed to be learning?

[luuke]

sorry, but jor el said that the consequences would be "grave"... i think he has done a pretty good job giving Clark an idea about the kind the consequences will be of...

[Liriel]

Originally posted by luuke
it was his choice, in fact he was even happy about it and didn´t try to do something about it.. he just enjoyed these weeks.. hence Jor El is completely right about this one..

I still say Clark was being heroic by not leaving and injured person there. Also Clark said that he didn't want it when Jor-El brought him back and said the cost would be another's life.

[HalJordan4184]

The point is not whether Clqrk wanted the consequences, he chose to make a decision without knowing the consequences int he first place, something he's known for TWO seasons now, is a bad idea when dealing with Jor-El, but it's something he continues to do on the hope it will all be okay. This was Clark's fault. He knows the types of consequences that have come from disobeying Jor-El, and yet he continues to do it, and then seems surprised at what results.

And the dying was an indirect part of this. Clark got his powers taken away. Then he does something stupid, like confronting an armed psycho, and is surprised he gets shot. The lesson here is, he has the powers for a reason, a reason he refuses againa nd again to acknowledge. When CLark gets killed, because of the life HE chose, because HE didn't take the time to comprehend the siuation, Jor-El had to take drastic measures. He can't let the last Kryptonian die, but to maintain balance someone had to, so he has to kill someone else. And with the logical value Kryptonians place on life, ie, one means nothing compared to the many, combined iwth Clark's human upbringing, where one means the world if it's soeone close to you, Jor-El made it a two-fold lesson. Because of Clark's stupidity, and renegging on the deal HE made, not only does someone have to die to spare his life, but it's someone he loves now, because that's who he spurned Jor-El for.

[Brainiac_13]

Clark deliberately broke a promise. It was a willful decision. That he didn't know the consequences doesn't change the fact that he chose to accept them, whatever they might have been.

EDIT: Also: What HalJordan said.

[margroks]

Again, let's remember Clark had plenty of time to return but he had to moon over Lana. Frankly, justice would be served if Lana paid for it with her life. And remember, too, that Lana began all this by hoarding that stome then having it on hand to murder Jason's mother with it.

[All about Clark]

It's a strange situation, Jor-el demands to be obeyed, making each consequence more harmful than the last. Clark wants to have free will, maybe a human trait. What will it take for Clark to give that will to Jor-el? Almost happened in Solitude.

[unPTC]

The point is that Clark did not know the consequence would be giving up his powers, yet he's talking like he did...there's a difference between taking the opportunity to enjoy life as a normal human after it was imposed on him and having to choose...

[margroks]

But he did. He was warned. He was told it would be severe. And he's fast enough he could have gone back even as the sun was setting. He let his Lana lust control him and gave up everything because he didn't keep his promise. He was a jerk for that alone then he lied so he could screw the Pink Princess. Lana ought to have to die as pennance.