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Here's a theory; The mysterious deal
Topic Started: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:11 pm (215 Views)
Renee
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Don't mess with JS
I don't know about you guys, but when I'm feeling worried about a cliffhanger and/or a character, I always feel better after I've concocted some sort of theory to explain things to myself. I know it's probably not the real explanation, but it helps tide me over until we get one. (Then when I see things aren't going in that direction, I just concoct a new theory!)

So here's a theory on Jonathan and Jor-El's deal. Suppose what Jor-El said was simply this: "You have to get out of the way between me and my son."

This would explain several things:

1) It's vague enough that Jonathan doesn't know what's coming to take him out of the way -- death? possession? Clark being snatched up and carried away by some mysterious force? -- which probably keeps him worried and guilty (e.g., "I don't know how to protect you anymore," because Jor-El will become Clark's main influence).

2) It's also vague enough that we can't be sure it was said with evil intent -- just like "rule them with strength," which some people argue was Jor-El's way of telling Clark to become a hero and protector. You could interpret it to mean something more benign than Jonathan thinks -- for instance, that he simply wants Jonathan not to interfere when he (Jor-El) communicates with Clark. Because after all, it's quite plausible that Jor-El will turn out to be good in the end -- he is in the comics and the movies, isn't he? (I really hope so, because that could only mean good news for Jonathan!)

3) Jonathan was telling Clark that Jor-El was his real father. This could be his way of trying to prepare Clark for the moment when Jor-El will become the authority figure.

4) It fits with "I am waiting." Jonathan knows there's something he has to do, but he's not doing it because he's not sure what or when. And also because he doesn't want to.

What do you guys think? Does this make any sense?
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Whitetiger4
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Smallville Tigress... On the Prowl! *GROWL*
hey yeah, that does make sense, and I like that! Let's hope you are rignt!
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Smallvillian
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Jonathan's Lady
Renee28
Apr 16 2004, 10:11 PM
I don't know about you guys, but when I'm feeling worried about a cliffhanger and/or a character, I always feel better after I've concocted some sort of theory to explain things to myself. I know it's probably not the real explanation, but it helps tide me over until we get one. (Then when I see things aren't going in that direction, I just concoct a new theory!)

So here's a theory on Jonathan and Jor-El's deal. Suppose what Jor-El said was simply this: "You have to get out of the way between me and my son."

This would explain several things:

1) It's vague enough that Jonathan doesn't know what's coming to take him out of the way -- death? possession? Clark being snatched up and carried away by some mysterious force? -- which probably keeps him worried and guilty (e.g., "I don't know how to protect you anymore," because Jor-El will become Clark's main influence).

2) It's also vague enough that we can't be sure it was said with evil intent -- just like "rule them with strength," which some people argue was Jor-El's way of telling Clark to become a hero and protector. You could interpret it to mean something more benign than Jonathan thinks -- for instance, that he simply wants Jonathan not to interfere when he (Jor-El) communicates with Clark. Because after all, it's quite plausible that Jor-El will turn out to be good in the end -- he is in the comics and the movies, isn't he? (I really hope so, because that could only mean good news for Jonathan!)

3) Jonathan was telling Clark that Jor-El was his real father. This could be his way of trying to prepare Clark for the moment when Jor-El will become the authority figure.

4) It fits with "I am waiting." Jonathan knows there's something he has to do, but he's not doing it because he's not sure what or when. And also because he doesn't want to.

What do you guys think? Does this make any sense?

Well...this is what bothers me that I can't reconcile...cuz I'm a stickler for detail--"You said there'd be more time." There was obviously something that was said that had to do with how long Jonathan had. Then you have Jonathan's "not yet" and teary "I love you, son" in another ep. Given what we saw in Legacy, I really think he was talking to Jor-el and thought his time was up, but did he think he was going to die? Or that Jor-el was taking over? Are they really the same thing anyway?

I don't think Jor-el would be waiting for him to kill himself. That would be way too morbid. So we're back the "being a host" for Jor-el" Which is wierd but I can't think of another explanation that makes the pieces fit :(
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Smallvillian
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Jonathan's Lady
He's a thought that just occured to me and is making me feel better--

Last season, Clark was a coward. He ran away from the things he had done and was basically a jerk. Very un-Superman. The anti-Superman. And he still hasn't really done anything to make amends there or show that he has matured all that much.

Consider this--the writers have to start moving Clark toward being the man we know he must become, right? Then you have the poeple who just can't let go of the "Jonathan's death makes Clark become Superman" nonsense. So what we have currently is a Jonathan who is in mortal danger from what I can see and a Clark who hasn't *quite* stepped up his game to the Superman league yet. NOW, instead of Jonathan's *death,* it is his *imenent* (sp?) possible death that causes Clark to take that next step, to no longer be the fearful child but the protector--of his father in this case. This would fit thematically with Jonathan saying "I don't know how to protect you anymore" and Clark saying "That's not your job. Your job is to teach me to protect myself." The roles become reversed.

So at the end of the season you have a Clark that is now a true hero, not an anti-hero as was the case last season and you have Jonathan as a motivating factor which would satisfy the "Jobathan's life/death causes causes Clark to be Superman" crowd.
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Renee
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Smallvillian
Apr 17 2004, 04:56 AM
Well...this is what bothers me that I can't reconcile...cuz I'm a stickler for detail--"You said there'd be more time." There was obviously something that was said that had to do with how long Jonathan had. Then you have Jonathan's "not yet" and teary "I love you, son" in another ep. Given what we saw in Legacy, I really think he was talking to Jor-el and thought his time was up, but did he think he was going to die? Or that Jor-el was taking over? Are they really the same thing anyway?

I don't think Jor-el would be waiting for him to kill himself. That would be way too morbid. So we're back the "being a host" for Jor-el" Which is wierd but I can't think of another explanation that makes the pieces fit :(

But that's just it -- if Jonathan doesn't know what's coming and isn't even sure of the timeframe, then all those things make sense, too. "Not now -- not yet" probably meant he thought he was going to die from the heart attack and that this (automatically caused by the physical strain on his body from the temporary superpowers) was the opportunity for Jor-El to get him out of the way. Then when the key started calling him and he fell off the roof, and then found himself speaking Kryptonian (!), he must have thought that this was REALLY it, and that he was either going to be killed, or taken over and caused to kill himself, or just plain taken over. Thus "you said there'd be more time" -- like he'd known something was coming, but just not when.

Speaking of the "Kal-El" reference, did anyone notice -- once they were over the shock, I mean -- that Jonathan pronounced the name differently from Clark and Dr. Swann? Kryptonian with a Kansas accent -- cute! :D

(Hey, we gotta find SOMETHING to laugh at here . . . )

Anyway, Smallvillian, I completely agree with your second post. I don't know exactly where they're taking this story line, but I'm certain that's the point of it. Especially since Millar talked about the finale bringing us "full circle," and the episode title -- sounds like there's another covenant/sacrifice to make and it's Clark's turn to make it, and grow up in the process. (I also agree that "Jonathan has to die or Clark can't become Superman" is utter nonsense.)

And I love how they foreshadowed this in "Legacy" (this show is very strong on the foreshadowing), with Clark trying to take Jonathan's promise on himself near the beginning, and then saying, "I can't let my father die for my mistakes." And all those "fatherly" things he was suddenly saying to Jonathan: "You're tired -- let's go inside." "You can't just take off like that." When does the son become the father? :)
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That whole Kal-el reference freaked me out. I never thought I'd hear Jonathan Kent use that name on his son. It doesn't sound like him talking at all. Also Jonathan has never yelled at his son either, unless he was getting on to him and thus making Clark mad. That episode was just the opposite of Jonathan's character.
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