Clark selfish?

[kal-el03]

He chose for someone else to die, in the fos, Jor-El tells him that the universe will find a balance which means that someone else will die instead of Lana.And even after saving Lois , he knew that it was going to be someone else. So is Clark really selfsih, or just a misguided superBOY?

[Kal-El1138]

Clark was blinded by a high-school crush. Plain and simple. He was so fixated on saving her, that he, as Jor-El would say, never thought about the consequences. Jor-El makes it pretty clear that if he goes back and saves her, nature will find a balance. It tried with Lois, it tried again with Lana, and ultimately found it's way to Johnathan. Clark was so blinded by his love for Lana, that he neglected to realize that someone else would be sacrificed in her place. Clark still has a LOT of growing up to do.

[DWBSR620]

Clark was blinded by his love for Lana I agree, and that as well as a lot of the decisions we've disagreed with Clark on can be chalked up to youth. Jonathan dying and the reason his death came about was frustrating knowing that Clark's quick decision to save Lana came at the expense of everyone else he loved, and that was ashame. He gave no regard whatsoever to the words of Jor-El, and the warning his gave him. I blame that on his blind love for Lana, but also in part to his lack of respect for Jor-El over all. Since the beginning Jor-El's relationship with Clark has been as we all know it to have been, and as of yet has Clark turned to Jor-El from a respectful level that places his trust in Jor-El, and this has to happen. What if Clark would've taken sometime to weigh this action and its consequences before taking it on, and maybe sought counsel with Jonathan, or Chloe? Clark may've come to understand that his actions would've caused the same end to someone else he loves, though not necessarily in the same manner. Would Clark thinking clearer been able to reconcile the thought of Martha, or Jonathan being a better candidate if left solely to his choice, and then gone back and made that decision. I mean Lana was dead and wasn't getting any deader so what would it have hurt to take time to heed the warning and weigh his decision, but he didn't. The clear thing that we take from the episode is that it's time to grow up as well as realize that his decisions have consequences which are greater then those of normal people. So, as unwise as his decision was, it may have been a very necessary mistake for him to experience to cements this point in Clark, and from this point on we should see a very different Clark, or the death and mistake was in vain. Clark is quickly going to become a man, and this thought process for Clark in his decision making and actions as a result should be different. His decisions should go from reaction to action thought out, and consequences understood. Clark needs this hard learned lesson to take him from youthful reactionary way of dealing with situations, and I think that's what they set out to change in Clark. We all know that Lana & Clark's relationship is destined to fail, and I think that we're seeing the beginning of the end. I hope that we see a Clark whose life is less centered on his relationship with Lana, and more centered on who he is and how he will use that which he has to offer. I think we should see a different Clark, at least I hope so. And yes I to was disappointed over the time reversal, and wish very much that they would've handled the episode better without the time reversal debacle that was a very bad choice. Yet in retrospect if we're to take anything from the episode and apply it to Clark's development then the opinion above gives my best take on it. Well, this of course is all IMHO, take care.

Peace To All.

[watcher4]

I agree that Clark was blinded by his love for Lana. He has been in love with Lana for a REALLY LONG TIME! I am sure that TPTB played on the emotionality involved in seeing his fiance in a bloody heap under her demolished SUV. Also, IMHO, TPTB also played on their own ovsession with Lana. However, this also showed that Clark did not think through the decision. I do think in a way Clark did act selfishly. He wanted his beloved Lana back regardless of the possibility of consequences to someone else. Yet, I agree that this decision also came as a result of his youth and-IMHO-immaturity. I agree that he should have sought out counsel with Jonathan or Martha or Chloe.

[puddinpiester]

No. I think Clark was not selfish. Rash maybe, but not selfish. He saved Lana because he thought he caused her death. He would have done that for anyone whose death he believed he caused. He saved Lana knowing full well that his relationship with her would be over because he knew he would not tell her his secret again for fear of the same outcome. He saved her knowing that he would most likely lose her and would end up alone. He saved her and he knew she would not be in his life the way he wanted her there. How is this selfish? Probably would have been a good thing to consider the POSSIBLE consequences. But think about it. He, at that moment, was an emotional wreck and was devastated by what he'd just seen--a dead bloody Lana. People in this state of mind often do not mentate impeccably. I grieve for Clark. He's lost his dad. He's lost his Rock of Gibraltar. His family is forever changed. His mother is a widow (and Lionel is moving in). He's lost the girl he loves because he knows he won't tell her his secret again and risk the same outcome. And he will end up alone (something he has admitted is his greatest fear). And he feels responsible for all of this. I blame Lex for calling Lana (knowing full well that she is Clark's girlfriend and will be at the victory party) and Lana (for running to Lex at his first whimpr). Yet, Lana and Lex will go on. Clark's life is forever changed. At this point, Clark doesn't know it's changed for the better. He doesn't have the luxuary of knowing his future like we at the forum do. No, I believe Clark did not act out of pure selfishness. He was just a guy in a hard situation where he could not win no matter what he did.

[Superboy2]

I don't think he is selfish, just not thinking clearly. He thought since he stopped Lana and Lois dying, that it was all fixed. By the way, did Jonathan die of a heart attack, or an injury by Lionel? Or was it Jor-El just taking the lifeforce? I'm confused.

[Clarkified]

This is not the future Superman, just a superboyish version of Peter Parker. :mad: And I do not intend to offend Marvel/Spiderman fans :mad:

[jmf1]

I don't know anyone who thinks clearly when they just lost someone they loved or held a dead girlfriend and found their hands covered in blood. You'd have to be really amazing to be able to think clearly. Add teenage inexperience and Clark just trying to right a wrong, he just didn't think everything through. Hopefully, he'll learn from this and learn to listen carefully to Jor-el's answers and maybe ask more questions before acting. He's also learning his own Kryptonian limitations - he can't save everyone he loves. Clark is the most selfless person. He puts Lana's life ahead of his own. He would have done that for anyone Jor-el or nature would have picked. Afterall, the exchange was going to be with someone close to him that he loved. It was going to hurt no matter who it was. And, Martha was right, given a choice how could you choose. Reminds me of Meryl Streep in Sophie's Choice. How do you choose between two you love.

[PETER WEST]

Originally posted by Kal-El1138
Clark was blinded by a high-school crush. Plain and simple. He was so fixated on saving her, that he, as Jor-El would say, never thought about the consequences. Jor-El makes it pretty clear that if he goes back and saves her, nature will find a balance. It tried with Lois, it tried again with Lana, and ultimately found it's way to Johnathan. Clark was so blinded by his love for Lana, that he neglected to realize that someone else would be sacrificed in her place. Clark still has a LOT of growing up to do.

We'll said Kal-EL .

[babyface14]

He must me so guilty for letting his dad croak instead of lana

[cakreel]

Selfish: Concerned chiefly or only with yourself

Clark acted thinking of Lana over everything else. This is not selfish. He was well-meaning, but caught in a lose-lose situation. Jor-el would make certain his son would not die, but suffer unbearably.

[jarethmc]

I too grieve for Clark.

[Coyote]

He isn't selfish, but he is self-absorbed. He doesn't seek gain for himself, (except that time when he decided to be a football hero) But he is so wrapped up in himself and his own problems that he doesn't pay attention to what else is going on, or the consequences of his actions.

[Nerial]

Not selfish.

Clark is being put into these "no-win" situations almost every week now (it feels) where no matter what choice he makes, he gets screwed.

If he didn't go back, Lana dies--if he does, someone else dies.

I hate that he was ever put in that position. Damn time warp crap!

[RedDwarfette]

Posted by jmf1:Clark is the most selfless person. He puts Lana's life ahead of his own. He would have done that for anyone Jor-el or nature would have picked. After all, the exchange was going to be with someone close to him that he loved. If Clark is so selfless, why didn't he forfeit his own life? He definitely put Lana's life ahead of someone else's but it wasn't him. He made a choice, regardless of the consequences and his father died instead. Now because Jor-El or the bony finger of Fate picked who snuffed it, Clark can distance himself from the action. Bravo.

I'll go against the grain and say that yes, I think he was selfish. He chose to redo the day and save Lana primarily for himself. Lana was already dead and beyond caring. He couldn't deal with her death and decided to change it. He blindly agreed to Jor-El's solution without considering or caring whom could die in her place and let's not forget that Jor-El solutions almost always end up having devastating consequences for Clark and the Kents. Ultimately, he didn't think through the consequences of his choice. It reflects badly on the character that he would sacrifice anyone to restore the life of his girlfriend/fiancee, though clearly her time was up.

I actually enjoy the fact that he constantly faces no-win situations, which is more true to real life than most of the stuff he deals with ;)

[Kal-El1138]

Exactly. Clark chose to save Lana, never even thinking about what consequence it could have. If Lana died in the car crash, regardless of what Clark said, that was her destiny. Clark chose to cheat that destiny, and got some severe consequences. He played god and payed for it big time.

[watcher4]

Originally posted by Kal-El1138
Exactly. Clark chose to save Lana, never even thinking about what consequence it could have. If Lana died in the car crash, regardless of what Clark said, that was her destiny. Clark chose to cheat that destiny, and got some severe consequences. He played god and payed for it big time.

Perfect sumation! I can only hope that for the sake of those who continue to watch Smallville that TPTB will allow Clark to learn that his choices have consequences.

(Personally, I think that TPTB have already forgotten the name Jonathan Kent or John Schneider)

[babyface14]

I grieve for him too I just think he needs to think before he acts

[No-El]

Originally posted by kal-el03
He chose for someone else to die, in the fos, Jor-El tells him that the universe will find a balance which means that someone else will die instead of Lana.And even after saving Lois , he knew that it was going to be someone else. So is Clark really selfsih, or just a misguided superBOY?



A misguided superBOY, by blind Lana Lust!!

[SmallvilleMan]

How is Clark selfish? JK was going to die anyways, because that meeting with Lionel was going to happen no matter what. Secondly, by going back in time he saved two lives. So, anyone who says he was selfish doing that, should look more carefully at what happened.

[Jack's_Son]

Originally posted by watcher4
I agree that Clark was blinded by his love for Lana. He has been in love with Lana for a REALLY LONG TIME! I am sure that TPTB played on the emotionality involved in seeing his fiance in a bloody heap under her demolished SUV. Also, IMHO, TPTB also played on their own ovsession with Lana. However, this also showed that Clark did not think through the decision. I do think in a way Clark did act selfishly. He wanted his beloved Lana back regardless of the possibility of consequences to someone else. Yet, I agree that this decision also came as a result of his youth and-IMHO-immaturity. I agree that he should have sought out counsel with Jonathan or Martha or Chloe.


I agree with this mostly. I believe TPTB place TOO much emphasis on Lana whether through obsession or they just think it's what most viewers want. I guess they see Lana as the beauty who drives ratings. Whether you agree with that or not (I happen to think both Lois and Chloe are just as glamorous AND a great deal more complex!) TPTB have chosen to put all their money on Lana. Unfortunately, it's to the detriment of the show. JK's death should NOT have been about Lana. It should have been about JK and Clark. The subject of whether Clark made the right choice or ANY choice is ridiculous. It shouldn't have come to this. In my opinion, this is the fault of the writers and their decision to make this an All-Lana, All The Time Show. Now viewers will have to wonder what's Lana going to do, who is Lana going to be with, how will Clark react, will Clark and Lex hate each other over Lana? Frankly, Lana should have been punted after the third year. She could have been kept on the show, but for the life of me, I don't know why TPTB have made her the focus. If they want the show to be about her, give her a spin-off and let us get back to the main story which is how Clark and Lex became enemies. If they want me to believe that the greatest rivalry of all time is about some dim-witted girl, I'm gonna hurl.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by Jack's_Son
If they want me to believe that the greatest rivalry of all time is about some dim-witted girl, I'm gonna hurl.
Well don't get any on me! :lol: I'm all for the "Lanaville" spin-off. I even have a potential career angle: She can run a school for future Pom-Pom girls by day -- and host a radio 'relationship advice' nagfest in the evenings... ;) :p

[kal3l]

Lex v Clark maybe about a girl.

But Lex v Superman is about Lex's fear that he could one day turn and rule the world, if he his unchallenged.

[SmallvilleMan]

Lex v Clark maybe about a girl.

It's not about Lana, it's about who Lex is and is going to become. Like for example, Lex's actions toward Lana, what he'll probably do as senator.

[thedarknight]

The main reason he wanted to save Lana was not for himself, it's because he thought he caused her death. He even said to Jor-el, that if he didn't tell her his secret, she would be alive. He could NOT stop Jonathan's death, he had a bad heart so he would have gone anyway.

[angelfire east]

Originally posted by RedDwarfette
If Clark is so selfless, why didn't he forfeit his own life? He definitely put Lana's life ahead of someone else's but it wasn't him. He made a choice, regardless of the consequences and his father died instead. Now because Jor-El or the bony finger of Fate picked who snuffed it, Clark can distance himself from the action. Bravo.

I'll go against the grain and say that yes, I think he was selfish. He chose to redo the day and save Lana primarily for himself. Lana was already dead and beyond caring. He couldn't deal with her death and decided to change it. He blindly agreed to Jor-El's solution without considering or caring whom could die in her place and let's not forget that Jor-El solutions almost always end up having devastating consequences for Clark and the Kents. Ultimately, he didn't think through the consequences of his choice. It reflects badly on the character that he would sacrifice anyone to restore the life of his girlfriend/fiancee, though clearly her time was up.

I couldn't agree more. Why not forfeit his own life, restore the blance that way. It was him being alive that was causing all the problems.

Clark doesn't heed Jor-El's words, not with the stones, not with comeing back by sun set in arrival, not that someone else will die in Lana's place.

[KRAM-el]

Originally posted by angelfire east
I couldn't agree more.

And Clark being immortal (or so we're led to believe) makes him blind to the fact that "mortal" Lana might be going to a better place (afterlife)? This makes his choice look even MORE selfish, IMHO. But I guess I'm jaded... I don't like this CK very much. Lex & Lionel are Much more interesting... :D

[angelfire east]

Originally posted by KRAM-el
And Clark being immortal (or so we're led to believe) makes him blind to the fact that "mortal" Lana might be going to a better place (afterlife)? This makes his choice look even MORE selfish, IMHO. But I guess I'm jaded... I don't like this CK very much. Lex & Lionel are Much more interesting... :D

Well I'm not sure about that, becuase that's gets into "do you believe there's something there another you die ie a better place or reincarnate. etc" and whether or not Clark believes in that. Which gets into how can you prove that either way.

I think he's selfish, inmature and I can't see this verison of Clark Kent ever becoming Superman unless JK death really makes him change and he owns up to his mistakes and he trys to fix them. But still that Peter Parker not Clark Kent, Clark doesn't need someone to die in order for him to grow up and become a hero. He does it because he wants to, not because of guilt.

[BoSoxJim]

Originally posted by angelfire east
I think he's selfish, inmature and I can't see this verison of Clark Kent ever becoming Superman unless JK death really makes hmi cahnge and he owns up to his mistakes and trys to fix them. But still that Peter Parker not Clark Kent, Clark doesn't need someone to die in order for him to grow up and become a hero. He does it because he wants to, not because of guilt.

looks like another vote for crappy writing. good, it saves wear and tear on my keyboard. :)

actually he saves people because it's his destiny.

as pa kent told him, he was put on this earth for a greater purpose than throwing touchdowns (or something like that).

oh yeah, and superman is supposed to be virtuous. with emphasis on "SUPPOSED TO BE".

[Jack's_Son]

Originally posted by BoSoxJim
looks like another vote for crappy writing. good, it saves wear and tear on my keyboard. :)

actually he saves people because it's his destiny.

as pa kent told him, he was put on this earth for a greater purpose than throwing touchdowns (or something like that).

oh yeah, and superman is supposed to be virtuous. with emphasis on "SUPPOSED TO BE".

I don't believe he saves people because it his destiny. I think he does it because that's him. He has a tremendous drive to do good and since "with great powers comes great responsibility", I think he has taken it upon himself to use what he can do for the greater good. Jor-El actually told him his destiny is to rule the world. Yes, Superman is supposed to represent virtue and integrity, but it's something to live by. I think he always tries to do the right thing. Those of you who are hating on Clark right now, should realize that Clark's actions are part of the script. He's just doing what they want. If it doesn't seem well thought out, it's the writers' fault.

[Jaygog 2]

Originally posted by Jack's_Son
[B] "with great powers comes great responsibility"

Wrong movie. Wrong character.

Clark shouldnt feel responsible for his father's death. I don't think Clark should become Superman because he feels he has to or because he let his father down. He does it because he was raised to just do the right thing. As simple as it is, it's the way the Superman character is.

But in the Smallville mythos he is responsible and was the direct catalyst of it. I'm a little eager to see how they play this out. The next episode he appears to be going the angry/vigilante/vengeance route - which will disappoint me a bit if true, but we'll see how it goes.

[UpandAtom]

I don't think Clark is selfish. I think the reason he went back in time was because he believes he could save everyone. That as long as he was around no one needed to die. But the lesson that he needed to learn was that he couldn't save everyone. He could same someone from being electrocuted. He could save someone from being hit by a car. He can't save someone from having a heart attack.

[demongene]

Look at all the times he "saved the day" and took no credit,how can he be selfish.