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Clark Kent: The Core of Smallville
After reading a lot of articles on livejournal and other places about Smallville, I decided to write some of my own about the characters. There would be no Smallville without Clark, so he's a good place to start.

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Clark Kent: The Core of Smallville

I'll be honest: I've never really been a big fan of Superman. Maybe the Man of Steel is appealing to most people, but I always found him a little dull. Don't get me wrong, I've been a viewer of the animated series and Lois and Clark, but I never watched for Superman. Not that I remember much from those days, but I'm pretty sure I watched for Lois. Smallville, however, is different. I am totally in love with this Clark Kent. Why? To tell you the truth, I'm not sure, but I do have a theory. I am drawn in by this Clark for the same reason I've always been draw to Batman: he has a dark side.

Searching for His Light

I've always viewed Clark as squeaky clean, unable to do wrong, save maybe a late library book. Perhaps he's different in the comics, but I'm not a comic girl. Clark's dark side is the beautiful part of Smallville, and it became especially visible after the death of Jonathan Kent. Though he came from a galaxy far, far away, he was raised among humans and is therefore very emotional. His negative emotions, coupled with his great power, should create a great temptation to steal, kill and destroy. The Superman many know and love may be in great control of his dark side, but this Clark is very young. Even now at the assumed age of twenty, he is still finding himself. Jor-El, I believe, is forcing him to acknowledge and face up to his dark side, because if he doesn't, he will never fulfill his destiny.

Clark and Lana

Ignoring his dark side isn't the only thing that's standing in the way of Clark's destiny. Even if you're a fan of the romance between them, you can't deny that Lana Lang is holding him back. Even Lana herself recognizes that. At the moment I write this, he is content to stay on the farm and spend his days with her. He says it's everything he's ever wanted, but we all know that's not true. His destiny is saving the world because that's what his heart is always telling him to do. Right now he's clinging to his dreams of conforming himself and Lana into the next Jonathan and Martha. Sooner or later, he's going to be forced to see that it isn't going to happen. Why he didn't see it in Wrath, I'll never know. Maybe he believes she can be redeemed, that maybe he can help fix her so he can still have his dream. More likely, it's bad writing, but I'm making an effort to find something in him that would be the cause. All I know is, once she's gone, he'll realize what he really wants: to save the world.

While I'm on the subject of Lana, I have to say I'm very disappointed the writers gave them a sexual relationship. Even in a modern telling, I'm hard-pressed to think of Clark having sex outside of marriage. From what I understand, the Kents are moral people, and probably conservatives, so I can't see them approving of it. Even though alcohol has zero affect on him, he doesn't drink because his parents don't approve. Why would sex be any different?

Journalism

Though I don't think there should be a big focus on Clark as a reporter, it's a shame he'll probably never become one during the series. There were a few little pieces here and there in early seasons, but not very much. Jimmy's Noir dream was beautiful. Maybe if I'd been a fan in the beginning, I would be more satisfied. I missed most of those journalistic moments. As for seeing Tom Welling play the Planet newbie: dream on, self, dream on.

Despite the fact that the writers obviously have a lot to learn, they've managed to make me obsessed with Clark Kent, something I never thought I'd be. Of course, Tom adds to my adoration. His expressions are priceless. Whoever is responsible for casting him deserves a gold metal.