Clark Kent Must Die (Smallville Season 8 Spoilers & Speculation)

[Servo]

The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that Clark Kent has to be killed whilst stopping Doomsday in the S8 finale. It's the only way they can be true to the point of the characters, and successfully close the arc with the right amount of drama.
I like what they've done with Doomsday on Smallville, and I think the changes made have been for the better, and have been mostly been handled quite well. But the character still needs to do what he did in the comics - kill Superman. Now, I know Clark is no Superman yet, but maybe his death (and thye obvious resurrection that would follow in S9) will be the catalyst that, combined with the build up to the dual identity and the talk of him becoming a hero in a larger capacity, finally pushes him to become Superman.

From the spoilers I've seen over at Kryptonsite, it seems that Clark is initially unwilling to kill Davis, leading to Oliver taking matters into his own hands - essentially the Smallville version of the Justice League facing up to Doomsday before Supes arrives.
Obviously, they will fail (and maybe even one of them will die), and Clark will have to step in. When this happens, they really need to make sure he dies fighting Davis/Doomsday.

Also, a quote from Kelly Sounders has me intrigued;

All of [what happens] is in order to line up with the DC mythology, we'll throw that out there too. Obviously we created our own version of Doomsday on the show, but ultimately, everything we do in the finale is in order to line up with the DC mythology

That kind of sounds like she's hinting that CK will die fighting Doomsday.

So, anyone agree? Thoughts?

 

[the Dagman]

Nope.

The mythology they are going to follow is the recent death of Bart Allen while the Legion was in the present to capture his essence before it is forever lost in the Speed Force. This is why we have Kyle Gallner back as Impulse and Ryan Kennedy back as Rokk Krinn/Cosmic Boy in the finale.

Gallner as Impulse is the person who qualifies as a show veteran, seeing as his character was initially introduced in season 4's episode "Run" and hasn't been in an episode since season 6's "Justice". He is a redundant speedster on the show, but he IS faster than Kryptonian speed. Likely he will use his speed advantage in a way that stops the threat of Doomsday, at least temporarily. And doing this will cost him his life in the vein of Barry Allen against the Anti-Monitor in Crisis on Infinite Earths.

The other death, a "metaphorical death", will be Davis Bloome. As Doomsday will no longer have a human side to return to after the finale. Doomsday is supposed to still be around in season 9.

ETA: In the comics, as I recall, the League did try to stop Doomsday when he was still in that green jumpsuit that covered most of his body. And during the fight, the rest of that suit was ripped away revealing the monster underneath. I suppose in Smallville they are using Davis Bloome as that metaphorical green jumpsuit that will be ripped away in the season finale.

 

[Servo]

Nope.

The mythology they are going to follow is the recent death of Bart Allen while the Legion was in the present to capture his essence before it is forever lost in the Speed Force. This is why we have Kyle Gallner back as Impulse and Ryan Kennedy back as Rokk Krinn/Cosmic Boy in the finale.

Do you have a source for that then?

It doesn't strike me as true, just because it seems like a pretty odd thing for Smallville to do. As you have already pointed out, Impulse has only made a handful of appearances in Smallville, but now you're saying their going to introduce a large piece of Flash mythology, and have Cosmic Boy return as a part of that, as well as deal with Clark/Doomsday in the space of a single finale?
I can buy that Gallner and Kennedy are back - just by virtue of Impulse being a member of the Junior Justice League, and maybe Cosmic Boy plays some part in Clark's resurrection, or at least the aftermath of the Doomsday fight - but it seems a bit sudden to just throw the Speed Force into the mix, and start talking about Allen's essence and all that.

Also, the quote from Sounders reads, to me at least, like she's talking about the mythology concerning Doomsday. As she said, Smallville have created their own version of Doomsday, but she then goes on to say that ultimately the finale is in line with the known mythology. If that's correct, then Clark has to lay down his life protecting the world from Doomsday - regardless of whether he's resurrected in the first minute of S9 or not. It's the only way to stay in line with the mythology

Personally, I'd like to see him die at the end of S8, and then not have him in S9 til around mid-season. Have the first half of the season deal with how his death has affected the people close to him, and how Oliver an the League are dealing with threats in Clark's absence. Hell, they could even up the ante and delve into how the world (or at least Metropolis) deals with the loss of a hero. They could do it so that no-one knows it was Clark that died. They could just say the Red-Blue Blur was killed whilst saving Metropolis from Doomsday. Then, when he's brought back, he can become Superman properly. Use Zatanna's wish granting to help him create and pull-off the dual identity thing, as some have already suggested in Smallville discussions, and have him fully take on the role of Superman.

That would never happen on Smallville, of course.

 

[LaxScrutiny]

Well, I have to agree with Servo. The mythology is, Doomsday kills Superman. There's no point in Doomsday if that doesn't happen, it could just be some random monster they made up.

It could be that Clark doesn't die in the finale, but that it happens next season, but that doesn't make any sense. The finale needs the usual dramatic cliffhanger, and the death of Clark would have to be it. The death of Bart doesn't do it.

Like Bizarro, Zod, etc, Doomsday would still be back for season 8 in this scenario. He could then be defeated in the first episode, or he could be around through the season. Davis would have been the main antagonist this season, Doomsday would openly be the antagonist next season.

Whether Davis will "die", this isn't a veteran death. I pulled out my 'Death of Superman' run out of the boxes in back and read them with my 12 year old earlier this season, because she was asking all about Doomsday, so I showed her first hand. So I've just reread the whole story, and sorry, the metaphor of Davis being the green suit just whooshed right over my head. It's not something that would mean Jack to me.

A couple of episodes ago, Clark was ready to play nice and not kill Davis. Doomsday killing him, and then going on a rampage, will be the final thing that makes a resurrected Clark realize that he has a responsibility, that his decisions are going to mean life or death for millions. The red/blue blur stopping a mugging isn't what he's all about. This is a story that has to happen in Smallville.

 

[the Dagman]

My prediction is solely my own from piecing together various clues that are mostly listed in Kryptonsite's spoilers page.

They aren't going to say anything about the Speed Force in the episode, but Bart's death will be why he is there which may or may not go unsaid. It will be a kind of wink and nod to readers of the current comics that Bart will be taken to the 31st century, revived, and live out the rest of his life there, which is his home time period in the comics actually. Remember that Ausiello stated that the death will stick, it will NOT be Clark, that it is a "long running character" and that character "technically" "qualifies as a show veteran". Veteran as opposed to rookie. Being that Bart was introduced in season 4, he's been around for five years although he has only been in two episodes previously. "Technically a veteran" and "long running character" if I ever heard one. Plus Ausiello said both deaths will stick, so it cannot be Clark in any way, shape or form.

I can see Impulse use his superior speed, run around the Earth a bunch of times and then colliding with Doomsday while he fights Clark as a distraction. The impact from that velocity will hit Doomsday like the cue ball hitting the number 9 ball and knock him off the planet with escape velocity, hopefully sending him into deep space. The impact, however, will kill Bart. Thus leaving a hole in the Justice League's roster for a speedster. Which will possibly prompt Clark to step up and take Bart's place on the team full time.

Again, this is all purely my own speculation. But it accounts for everything that has been hinted at or spoiled already. And it uses an adaptation of a storyline by Geoff Johns in the comics, the same guy who wrote the Legion episode earlier this season.

The other death, a "metaphorical death", will be the Davis Bloome persona.

ETA: Honestly, what else could they need Bart for in the finale? And what real use is the character in the future season(s) of Smallville? He is EXPENDABLE, from an author's stand point. His death could be used by Clark for inspiration, as well as prompting Oliver to make him a red and blue costume along the lines of the League's leather ones. Thus getting around Welling's dislike for tights. And Oliver doesn't know about the significance of the S-shield, so he wouldn't put it on the suit. Thus getting around Welling's reluctance to wear it based on the supposed "Superman Curse".

Also, Chloe has had much more interaction with the League members in her role as Watchtower. She likely considers them all close friends and "her" team. So for her to lose both Davis and Bart at the same time, on top of already losing Jimmy, will give her the advertised tragic ending of her story arc this season. As well as lots of drama for her to plumb next season.

 

[BenRoethig]

I think the veteran death has to be Chloe. With the story arc, and the not so subtle hint earlier she either has to die or disappear.

 

[Rowan Sjet]

Plus, she's the only non-mythos veteran left, right?

 

[FreezeC77]

I don't understand how Clark could even fight Doomsday with the changes made to him in Smallville. He now is full of Kryptonite isn't he? Clark comes within range of him and would go powerless.

 

[the Dagman]

But she is a total veteran of the show. If it were her, Ausiello would not have qualified his statement by saying the character in question technically qualifies as a veteran.

Someone that technically qualifies as a veteran is someone who has been on the show in a prior season who is not a show regular. Thus the "technically".

I don't understand how Clark could even fight Doomsday with the changes made to him in Smallville. He now is full of Kryptonite isn't he?

No, that was Lana. Davis was merely drenched in liquid Kryptonite. Meaning he is now immune to Kryptonite.

 

[Rowan Sjet]

But she is a total veteran of the show. If it were her, Ausiello would not have qualified his statement by saying the character in question technically qualifies as a veteran.

Yet you don't believe Ausiello when he says the Veteran is in the credits?

 

[FreezeC77]

But she is a total veteran of the show. If it were her, Ausiello would not have qualified his statement by saying the character in question technically qualifies as a veteran.

Someone that technically qualifies as a veteran is someone who has been on the show in a prior season who is not a show regular. Thus the "technically".

I don't understand how Clark could even fight Doomsday with the changes made to him in Smallville. He now is full of Kryptonite isn't he?

No, that was Lana. Davis was merely drenched in liquid Kryptonite. Meaning he is now immune to Kryptonite.

Ah I gotcha then. I had thought something similar to Lana was done to him, well then I guess I didn't understand what happened to him and looking at what the characters powers are in the comics I guess it makes some sense since he's kind of like a borg who just adapts to what is used against him when he rises again.

So he was doused in massive amounts of kryptonite in the show, which killed him, and he became immume to kryptonite because of it?

 

[Admiral_Young]

I've been thinking that the vetern death will be Chloe as well... I don't think that Allison Mack has renewed her contract for next season yet and was a late bloomer to this season as well, if memory serves she signed in August or something like that. I could see them playing out a Death of and Return of Clark Kent storyline since there is going to be a ninth season next year. Clark is killed and maybe returns as Superman next season or something.

I'm guessing that something will happen with the Kryptonite ring Ollie took from Lex after his "Death" earlier this season as well. If they're going by the comics, it could be interesting to see the Justice League confront Davis first, then Doomsdsay emerges and thrashes the League (just like in Superman#75) before a colossal battle between Clark and Davis. I'm intrigued to how Cosmic Boy (maybe something to do with them saying there are no records of Chloe Sullivan in the future from Legion) figures into this.

 

[the Dagman]

I've been thinking that the vetern death will be Chloe as well... I don't think that Allison Mack has renewed her contract for next season yet and was a late bloomer to this season as well, if memory serves she signed in August or something like that.

She signed a two year deal then.

But she is a total veteran of the show. If it were her, Ausiello would not have qualified his statement by saying the character in question technically qualifies as a veteran.

Yet you don't believe Ausiello when he says the Veteran is in the credits?

That is Davis Bloome, as Sam Witwer is in the credits.

 

[the Dagman]

So he was doused in massive amounts of kryptonite in the show, which killed him, and he became immune to kryptonite because of it?

Yes.

 

[Rowan Sjet]

That is Davis Bloome, as Sam Witwer is in the credits.

I think I know what I posted.

Question: You spoiled recently that there will be a permanent veteran death in the Smallville season finale. Is this character featured in the Season 8 opening credits? --Krissy
Ausiello: Yes.

 

[Servo]

That is Davis Bloome, as Sam Witwer is in the credits.

But Davis isn't a veteran. He's only been around for one season. And even if he was the veteran, that would mean you were wrong about Bart.

 

[the Dagman]

I suppose that given the recent episode that showed a young Davis coming to Earth with Clark, with new footage edited together with old footage of Jonathan and Martha, it is possible that he could consider Davis technically a veteran. Also, most of these interviews are done over the phone and it is possible that the "veteran" part of that posted question went by Ausiello without him "hearing" it.

I had not seen that quote about the veteran being in the show's credits. It isn't on the Kryptonsite spoilers page from what I have seen. Is there a link for the original story?

 

[Servo]

I suppose that given the recent episode that showed a young Davis coming to Earth with Clark, with new footage edited together with old footage of Jonathan and Martha, it is possible that he could consider Davis technically a veteran.

That's one hell of a stretch.

 

[the Dagman]

I suppose that given the recent episode that showed a young Davis coming to Earth with Clark, with new footage edited together with old footage of Jonathan and Martha, it is possible that he could consider Davis technically a veteran.

That's one hell of a stretch.

So is your theory that Clark will die when they have said that the deaths are the "real deal" and they won't be coming back. Your idea was shot dead before it left the gate.

I just went over to Kryptonsite again to review their collected spoilers. No where there is there a quote stating that the veteran is listed in the credits. So I will need to see a link to the source for me to believe that someone did not pull that out of their hat somewhere. Kryptonsite is the authority on this show, and they compile spoilers from every available source. So I am having a hard time believing they'd miss an important bit of info there. I'd post their list of spoilers here, but that is against their rules. So if someone wishes to see them, go to www.kryptonsite.com and click on "SPOILERS", then scroll down. But they have virtually confirmed that Clark, Lois AND Chloe are all set to survive. And they stated that it is possible that both deaths could be guest stars as recently as Tuesday. So I'm am not buying that quote.

ETA: I was just looking further down the spoiler's page and found this (I will go ahead and post the single entry, as I have posted K-site's url which is what their rules state to do)

UPDATED 4/2/09: Ausiello's report of "everyone returning but the guy playing Doomsday" may be incorrect: At least one other actor or actress seen in Smallville's opening credits will not be back next season. And note that he said "Doomsday," not Davis, so Sam Witwer (and by extension, Davis Bloome) may still have a future with the show...

Is this what was being referred to? If so, this may infer that Jimmy will be leaving the show since he was there only as Chloe's love interest and that story's been played out. And that Jimmy is having that drug problem and doesn't seem to be working at the Planet any longer. He may leave so his character can go through some rehab, leaving him open to return at a later date for Perry White to give him a new job.

 

[Servo]

I suppose that given the recent episode that showed a young Davis coming to Earth with Clark, with new footage edited together with old footage of Jonathan and Martha, it is possible that he could consider Davis technically a veteran.

That's one hell of a stretch.

So is your theory that Clark will die when they have said that the deaths are the "real deal" and they won't be coming back. Your idea was shot dead before it left the gate.

Except that I am only talking about what should happen. You came in here stating your opinion as fact...

Nope.
The mythology they are going to follow is the recent death of Bart Allen...

...and then went on to say that it was just something you'd pieced together. And now you're trying to strech reality to include Davis as a veteran just because, at the time, the quote didn't fit your idea of what will happen.

Sorry, but your theory makes even less sense than you claim mine does. If you turn out to be right, then fair play to you and well done for calling it, but I can't see it happening. The main arc here is Clark dealing with his role in the world, and even the Universe, and the how the choices he makes affect those around him, and even the planet itself. Shifting the heroic sacrifice over to Bart in the finale would not only be contradictory to the mythology, but would also undermine what this season has been working towards.