Lois's influence in Clark's journey

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by BadToad

And I think Lois Lane is a PART of it. A big part of it.

I just don't understand the need to exclude everything else in Clark's life, including what lies within his own character, to make it all about Lois.

I think everyone has played important roles, and Lois will go on to the most important person in Clark's life and heart. But who Clark is, and who Clark will become, is due to a lot of influences and experiances and inspirations, and in the end, its about who Clark truly is. A hero.

And I don't think she is the ONLY part either. Definitely a BIG part, how can she not be? Everyone we come in contact with in our lives influences us, that's a given. What I meant, was that is what I feel Lois' part is in that influence on him. Clark is certainly the biggest reason for what he does in his life, I don't think I was saying any different. But the fact that he is in love with Lois, again, imo, only sharpens that desire in him to be that hero.

Lois certainly isn't the end all savior, reason and instigator to why Clark makes his life decisions. But as she will eventually be his wife, she certainly has a larger part in his motivations than any other to date. That's not to diminish other's effects on him, it's just how it is. And since this thread is talking specifically about Lois' effect on him, that's why I pointed her out.

[Dustmite]

Originally Posted by mr lane

ages and goes through life but like i stated before the people around you effect how you decide to go through your life

I honestly don't get this and we're going around it circles now so this will be last word. When people say "he's a man now", they're forgetting that he began the show as a boy. Of course he was not going to act like a man at the age of 14. He was a kid. A child. And children are less confidant, they are less sure especially when they discover a secret like the fact that they're an alien.

That is the point I'm trying to make.

[kris10]

sorry but thanks chloe s for telling clark to not second guess himself and ask himself what he wanted and then clark and went and laid it on lois.
Wasnt he whining in the watchtower? did i watch the same episode?

[Lilah]

MOD EDIT I totally understood what you were saying Nora... Lois brings out a side of Clark Kent that no other woman/love interest on the show could. She makes him want to be a hero. That's what I'M seeing in the series and that's what I'VE seen the last 20 odd years I've been following Superman... from the films to the comics to the that L&C television series of the 90's and even the animated series. Lois Lane makes Clark Kent want to BE Superman. That's undeniable. We've seen it in the comics with all those extremely romantic quotes. One of which was said here. We saw it in the Christopher Reeve films, the way he prides himself on being that Man of Steel around her, we saw it in the animated series in that episode of Brave New Metropolis, we saw it a million times in Lois and Clark. Honestly, that incarnation took it to the max with how much Lois Lane brings out Superman of Clark Kent. And now on Smallville, we're seeing it.

Everyone he has ever come in contact with has pushed him on his path toward his destiny. From Oliver Queen pushing him going out there and saving people rather than waiting for those people to come to him. To the Kent's with their values and upbringing. Even Lex Luthor deserves some credit. His betrayal pushes Clark towards his destiny too. As does Lana, Chloe and Lois.

But what Nora, was trying to say, I think, is that despite all that, its Lois Lane that brings out the super man in Superman. She's been doing this as far back since she first showed up in Kansas, but the most pivotal motivation was giving him the application to the Daily Planet. When that happened, we knew things would never be the same. And they weren't.

I don't think its fair to say that Lois is the sole reason, he's a hero. I think humanity plays a big part of that. That's why we see Clark listening in on people's private moments. He reminds himself just what he's fighting for. But even after that, it goes back to Lois. He does want to be a hero for her. He doesn't want to disappoint her.

My opinion on Clark and Lois, or the way I see it.... as individual characters, I think we have to give credit to Tom and Erica for bringing out the best from what they're given. Tom's new direction on Clark as well as Erica's new direction on Lois is what is driving this series right now. Who would have thought a new hair cut and new title could make all the difference. But as a team, a pair, BOTH of them bring out the best in each other. That could be attributed to great writing and great chemistry. Two things the Clois relationship undoubtedly has right now.

[SVrockschar89]

Hey this thread was a great idea and thanks for posting Nora .

Ok I've been reading through the posts and ITA agree with all of the posts regarding how Lois's influence on CLark is so positive and that these two simply bounce off each other and bring out the best in each other. I also agree, that CLark manning up, being assertive, acting sooo mature and confident has to do with CLark himself and his decision to be like this and to make HIS OWN decisions. This is what I LOVE about this season's CLark, while yes he did man up a bit last season, this season CLark is in a league of his own and his actions and assertiveness of his feelings and his ADMISSION of those feelings is just SIMPLY BRILLIANT -claps madly-. Anyway Clark is showing us finally who he truly is and that he is ABLE to balance both his Alien/Superhero side and his CLark Kent side as someone else pointed out. Clark is very confident and bold with his feelings and actions towards Lois. Its bloody brilliant to see and I LOVES it. Lois in my opinion helps bring out these attributes. Our Clark had them all along, but sometimes you just need some help and someone who challenges you daily and truly keeps you on your toes to bring out these qualties. Lois is this person. She brings out these qualities in CLark and its just so positive IMO for CLark because he's a better person because of it .

As someone else mentioned, TW and ED MUST be having a blast on set cos they get to have fun and it really shows IMHO. CLark just smiles more and TW seems to enjoy portraying this Clark who is SUPER confident, bold, assertive, and mature in everthing he says or does. Also this Clark so just super HOT, more sexy and yummy too . Anyway this Clark can make his own decisions and IMO its great and its not like the unassertive, whiny, non-manly CLark during the CLana days.

[wingster55]

MOD EDIT
As for the OP... I still don't see how Lois is any different...he's been proactive with Chloe, funny with her and Lana etc.
Why Lois is the girl is something I'm still wondering.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by Lilah

I don't think its fair to say that Lois is the sole reason, he's a hero. I think humanity plays a big part of that. That's why we see Clark listening in on people's private moments. He reminds himself just what he's fighting for. But even after that, it goes back to Lois. He does want to be a hero for her. He doesn't want to disappoint her.

My opinion on Clark and Lois, or the way I see it.... as individual characters, I think we have to give credit to Tom and Erica for bringing out the best from what they're given. Tom's new direction on Clark as well as Erica's new direction on Lois is what is driving this series right now. Who would have thought a new hair cut and new title could make all the difference. But as a team, a pair, BOTH of them bring out the best in each other. That could be attributed to great writing and great chemistry. Two things the Clois relationship undoubtedly has right now.

Exactly, Lily. The bolded, that's what I see every time they are together.

[asha14]

Originally Posted by kris10

sorry but thanks chloe s for telling clark to not second guess himself and ask himself what he wanted and then clark and went and laid it on lois.
Wasnt he whining in the watchtower? did i watch the same episode?

Yes, you are quite right but here's the thing Chloe can suggest all she wants but it has to be Clark that takes the personal responsibility to go and do it. Clark was open to that suggestion if he was not he would have let it lie

[BadToad]

MOD EDIT

He does want to be a hero for her. He doesn't want to disappoint her.

I can only say that the Clark Kent I've been watching on SV for 9 years and counting hates to disappoint ANYONE he cares about. And he's wanted to help people and do good for quite a long time.

[-Nora-]

Originally Posted by wingster55

MOD EDIT
As for the OP... I still don't see how Lois is any different...he's been proactive with Chloe, funny with her and Lana etc.
Why Lois is the girl is something I'm still wondering.

Of course he's been loose and funny with other people, just not nearly to the extent he is with Lois.

[Selina]

*Sigh*

Well I'm certainly not disregarding other people’s influences in Clark's life and I don't think the majority in the thread are, at least that's the impression I'm getting. I'll reiterate what I and many others have said in this thread regarding Lois Lane. She is a great influence on Clark because of the side she manages to bring out of him. Tom said as much in an interview, not that, his opinion holds more weight but I do agree.

All the people come and gone in Clarks life have influenced Clark in some shape or form, whether that be his Lana, Lex, Chloe, Lionel, Pete, Kara etc (of course his parents being at the core of it all). No arguments from me there. However for me, I'm not singling Lois out as the “biggest” influence on Clark but IMO the best influence (besides from his parents, that goes without saying). That is my opinion and it's subjective of course but I do understand the point Nora made in this thread and I don’t think the intention was to paint Clark as a nobody without Lois.It's a real shame that this thread may have given of that impression, rightly or wrongly so, as I don't believe that was the intent of this thread at all.

<O</O
It would be erroneous for me to say Lois is the driving force behind <ST1Clark's behaviour because that I'll never agree with. However it is my opinion that Lois, as it currently stands, is the best influence on <ST1Clark Kent, especially the last couple of years... and I have plenty to compare that to. I'm not going to go into other characters now because I don't want this thread to become a shipping war but I will say I've never seen Clark so happy, so funny, so content, so relaxed, so confident, so manly - all of those traits at once, other than Lois Lane on a consistent level. I am going by Clarks demeanour around Lois and it is exactly this that brings me to the conclusion that she is a great influence on Clark. <ST1I felt that way as early as season 4, where Clark<ST1 was still in teens trying to find his way and not to the 'superman' level that we're seeing now.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by SVrockschar89

Anyway Clark is showing us finally who he truly is and that he is ABLE to balance both his Alien/Superhero side and his CLark Kent side as someone else pointed out. Clark is very confident and bold with his feelings and actions towards Lois. Its bloody brilliant to see and I LOVES it. Lois in my opinion helps bring out these attributes. Our Clark had them all along, but sometimes you just need some help and someone who challenges you daily and truly keeps you on your toes to bring out these qualties. Lois is this person. She brings out these qualities in CLark and its just so positive IMO for CLark because he's a better person because of it .

Yep. That's not to say he didn't have it in him before, we are just SEEING it more now. Sure, it can be chalked up to the writing/showrunners/TW, and yes, those are all the reasons we are seeing it now on our screens, and I sincerely THANK them.

[wingster55]

I don't know...i really think Lois has been much of an influence on him. She really hasn't spent much time with before s8 and still doesn't know of his secret.

I really don't think he's been acting like Superman this year. Damaging public property, turning his back on his friends (particularly Chloe) in their time need? Supes he is not.

[hellokitty]

Originally Posted by Selina

I am going by Clarks demeanour around Lois and it is exactly this that brings me to the conclusion that she is a great influence on Clark. <ST1I felt that way as early as season 4, where Clark<ST1 was still in teens trying to find his way and not to the 'superman' level that we're seeing now.

ITA.

[Mickey_Bickey]

Originally Posted by Dustmite

I honestly don't get this and we're going around it circles now so this will be last word. When people say "he's a man now", they're forgetting that he began the show as a boy. Of course he was not going to act like a man at the age of 14. He was a kid. A child. And children are less confidant, they are less sure especially when they discover a secret like the fact that they're an alien.

That is the point I'm trying to make.

He's been a man now for a couple of seasons, but that didn't stop the character regression in the second half of last season did it? He is growing up, that's true! That definitely plays a part, but let's face it here, Clark is stronger than ever and more of a stand out Superman type because Tom Welling took the bull by the horns and said enough's enough!

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

Originally Posted by -Nora-

Of course he's been loose and funny with other people, just not nearly to the extent he is with Lois.

I completely agree, Nora! Even Tom Welling himself stated that he loved his character around Lois, because "he got to be funny and sarcastic around her for a change"!

They make a great team and are far better together than on their own bringing out the best in one another.

[wingster55]

He's been a man now for a couple of seasons, but that didn't stop the character regression in the second half of last season did it?

Did I miss that? Was he not proactive with Chloe and getting her back and taking it to Davis/Doomsday?

[BadToad]

Personally, I really don't feel comfortable speaking for Tom Welling, or deciding whats due to his influence, and what isn't. I just don't think we're in a position to really know YMMV

I really don't think he's been acting like Superman this year. Damaging public property, turning his back on his friends (particularly Chloe) in their time need? Supes he is not.

I just find it laughable that Clark leaving behind the \S/ symbol somehow negates the good he's been doing. Its just, really, a total head shaker for me. Honestly, *thats* whats important? Not saving lives, or stopping robberies, or rapes? I don't get it.

And IMO, I haven't seen Clark turn his back on anyone without some very important extenuating circumstances that seem to get left out of the conversation. In any case, what I also saw on screen was a Clark that apologized to people, ON SCREEN, that he felt he had let down in their moments of need (no apologies were forthcoming towards Clark for how they wronged him, but so what else is new?).

So, I think Clark is acting very much like Superman this year. And for that, I say Thank you Clark Kent. JMO, YMMV

And in his relationship with Lois, he seems to showing a more confident, flirty side of himself.

[Selina]

Originally Posted by Mickey_Bickey

He's been a man now for a couple of seasons, but that didn't stop the character regression in the second half of last season did it? He is growing up, that's true! That definitely plays a part, but let's face it here, Clark is stronger than ever and more of a stand out Superman type because Tom Welling took the bull by the horns and said enough's enough!

IMO after high school would have been the time to bring the realistic transition from boy to man. I wasn't expecting an overnight transformation but steps heading to the right direction. I understand he was still 18 but he wasn't 14 anymore either. He was an an adult and we should have seen that ongoing development, not regression. Apart from a few bright moments, seasons 5,6 and 7 were the worst in terms of Clark's developemtent imo. Nothing will change my mind on that. The first half of season 8 was great. The latter.... I leave it at there. Season 9 has got of to a great start in terms of Clarks maturity and stance on things but we're only up to episode 6. Let's see how the rest of the season pans out. I'm just very happy that TW has active say in things this year.

[wingster55]

And IMO, I haven't seen Clark turn his back on anyone without some very important extenuating circumstances that seem to get left out of the conversation. In any case, what I also saw on screen was a Clark that apologized to people, ON SCREEN, that he felt he had let down in their moments of need (no apologies were forthcoming towards Clark for how they wronged him, but so what else is new?).

Who wronged Clark? What did he suffer? Apologizing isn't enough from his part. He has to be there for his friends and give second chances...that's a huge part of being Supes.

Damaging public property isn't a huge deal but it sets him above the common vigilante.

[BadToad]

Who wronged Clark? What did he suffer? Apologizing isn't enough from his part. He has to be there for his friends and give second chances...that's a huge part of being Supes.

MOD EDIT Suffice it to say that, IMO, both Chloe and Oliver owed Clark some major apologies after last season, and neither could be bothered. While Clark stepped up with both of them, and apologized to them (in some cases, for things he didn't even need to). If Clark wasn't there for his friends, and didn't give 2nd chances, he wouldn't presently have anything to do with Chloe, or particularly, with Oliver.

In any case, this isn't a topic for this thread.