True to Life, or True to the Show?

[serafina20]

I was thinking about Smallville and fanfiction today. Specifically, I was thinking about Lana and how everyone reacts to her. The one consistent thing since the first episode is that everyone who meets Lana loves her. They all think she's preternatually pretty, all think she's perfect, and all want to be her friend. And that is, as we all know, pretty unrealistic. And before anyone tells me that Lana is a nice girl on the surface (because she is) and her popularity is because she's actively nice to everyone (supported in canon), let me get this out of the way:

I have know several genuinely nice people, like Lana, who think no ill about anyone and who strive to be kind and polite to everyone they meet. And I have actively disliked these people for one reason or another. And have know people who dislike them. So I stand by the belief that somewhere out there, someone should dislike Lana for some reason, real or stupid/petty.

Now, here's my question. My series has several OCs. I'm thinking of introducing one of them to Lana, and have him, not necessairly not like her, but not think she's all that beautiful. Because I think this is a fair reaction; after all, after three years, I *still* don't get the fuss over KK's looks. She's not an ugly girl, but I also don't think she's all that pretty. Maybe it's her clothes or her make-up. I don't know what it is, but I don't think she's preternatually pretty like TW or Ian or Nicole Kidman. She doesn't have that trancendental beauty in my eyes. Personal opinion, of course, but ...

No one on the show has ever shared that opinion. If I introduce a character who doesn't think she's all that, am I breaking with canon, disrupting the norm, forcing my own opinions into a story without any good reason behind them, or am I simply bringing "realism" (such as it is) into this world?

(I'm not talking about rabid hatred or "Oh my God, what a dog!" reactions from OCs or even canon characters. I'm talking about a character who looks at Lana and basically says, "Meh. Not so much." and moves on with life. Like a real person would do).

Also, I read the Dreamwatcher article with TW, where he said Lana was probably the only person who would accept Clark as he is on the show if he revealed his secret. I really think he's wrong. She might be able to accept him in time, but I really think Lex is the only one who ever had the ability to accept Clark unconditionally once he knew his secret, even if that time is gone.

Comments

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

If I introduce a character who doesn't think she's all that, am I breaking with canon, disrupting the norm, forcing my own opinions into a story without any good reason behind them, or am I simply bringing "realism" (such as it is) into this world?

The latter, of course.*g* I think most thinking viewers find everyone-loves-Lana to be a bit of a strain on their belief anyway, so having people react to her as though she's a *person* will be quite a relief.

the Dreamwatcher article with TW

I cling to the theory that TW was feeding the Dreamwatcher audience what they want to hear.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I cling to the theory that TW was feeding the Dreamwatcher audience what they want to hear.

Oh, totally. I just find it a weird argument, espcially considering that Clark now knows how she feels about anything that's weird or mutanty.

[garryowen.livejournal.com]

Word on the Lex comment. He's a freak. He'd totally understand. He'd want to study Clark, but that's a different matter...

I think all the writers (most of them are male) on the show must just be in love w/ KK or something. I don't get it either.

[pepperjackcandy.livejournal.com]

I think all the writers (most of them are male) on the show must just be in love w/ KK or something.

I don't think so. They may be in love with the fictional character of Lana, which smacks to me more of Narcissus falling in love with his own reflection -- Pygmalion and Galatea at the absolute outside.

I compiled a whole list of arguments against the "AlMiles are in love/lust with KK" thing. I'll see if I can find it.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I think all the writers (most of them are male) on the show must just be in love w/ KK or something.

Either KK or Lana. I tend to think it's more of the latter, falling in love with a character. Lord knows I've done it. :)

[pepperjackcandy.livejournal.com]

For me, you'd have to introduce a reason why he's immune to her particular mutation. Because I think that's what they're going for -- that she felt lonely, unloved, and depressed after her parents' deaths, so when Nell gave her the necklace she wished really hard for those feelings to go away.

Presto! A girl whom everyone loves unrealistically and who doesn't seem to really *feel* anything.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

For me, you'd have to introduce a reason why he's immune to her particular mutation.

I've never viewed it as a mutation, personally. I've viewed it as the writers trying to idealize a character as a way to sell her to the audience (up until about the middle of last season). And then, after, I found it inexplicable. Interesting theory, though.

Plus, I don't know how much of the wish-theory of mutations plays in COTW. I've never really paid attention to the theory, so I've never consiously applied it to the story-line. So I don't know if I'd feel compelled to give a reason to this characters non-love.

[pepperjackcandy.livejournal.com]

Well, you couched the question in terms of "canon," which is, of course, way, w-a-y open to interpretation, so that's how I answered. With my own interpretation of canon.

As for COTW, I don't think that everyone loves Lana or thinks she's perfect or anything like that (if it was that way, Chloe never would've been able to face Lana's flaws and break up with her, after all).

So, to sum up, in canon, you'd need a reason why X doesn't like her, because in my interpretation, everyone loving her is her mutation. In COTW, go right ahead and introduce a character who doesn't like her, though you may want to ask yourself if you're striving for realism or if you're just trying to comment on the show canon, since COTW!Lana is so much more dimensional then canon!Lana.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Well, you couched the question in terms of "canon," which is, of course, way, w-a-y open to interpretation, so that's how I answered. With my own interpretation of canon.

Right. But even in canon, I don't know if I consider the fact everyone likes Lana a mutation. I don't know how much I buy the "wish" theory of mutation. I tend to view it more of the writers using foreshadowing to show mutations in different ways, not that the characters wish and they become mutants. I udnerstand the theory, and I don't think it's wrong, per se, but when I think of character motivations, espeically in terms of Lana, I don't think of her likability as a mutation.

So, to sum up, in canon, you'd need a reason why X doesn't like her, because in my interpretation, everyone loving her is her mutation.

What if you're reading a fic where the author doesn't buy into this theory? Not an AU, necessarily, but a fic where Character A is brought in and he/she doesn't particuarly care for Lana. Can you then not buy the story because it doesn't fit in with the shows canon as you interpret it?

[pepperjackcandy.livejournal.com]

Well, first, I don't necessarily believe that everyone automatically loves Lana. Lex certainly doesn't seem to (or hasn't in any of the eps I've seen). However, in your own words, The one consistent thing since the first episode is that everyone who meets Lana loves her.

Second, I take a very tight definition of 'canon.' Very, very few fanfics fit my definition of 'canon.'

Basically, a 'canon' fic in my mind would be one where absolutely no wish fulfillment on the part of the writer takes place.

One example could be, from the Pilot, Clark and Lex introducing themselves to each other and the arrival of the police to the accident site, since the Pilot skips right from "if you had, I'd be dead" to "who's the maniac driving this car?"

Anything varying from those set strictures would not, in my interpretation, be 'canon.' It would be AU, or an alternative timeline, or something of that nature, and then all bets are off, so long as it's plausible in the universe in which it's set. COTW does this beautifully, which is why it's one of my favorite CLex fics.

And anyway, most 'canon' fics are probably CLana-centric, which makes me ill, and so I actively avoid them. 8-)

[soft-princess.livejournal.com]

I think it'd bring more realism actually. I don't like Lana much either, so I don't understand why everyone loves her so much. She actually annoys me a lot, so having a character thinking that she's not that perfect or that beautiful would just be realistic.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I don't like Lana much either, so I don't understand why everyone loves her so much.

I like her in COTW, and I like the idea of who/what Lana could be in the show. I just want a more balanced view (of all the characters, really) COTW, and got to thinking about how it would be even in non COTW fic.

[soft-princess.livejournal.com]

That's true, I do like her in COTW. Just not much in the show. She has her moments I guess and it's true that she could become someone great, but for the moment, she annoys me. :-)

*pets you* I understand your point...

[mlleelizabeth.livejournal.com]

I agree with pepperjackcandy regarding Lana's mutant likeability. However, I do know several heterosexual adult men who have seen her through the safety of a television screen and find her both unattractive and unpleasant. So maybe if this OC doesn't get too close to her ...

I don't understand Tw's comment, at all! I thought they'd made it perfectly clear on the show that Lana is the one person who would not be able to accept Clark unconditionally if he revealed his secret to her. I distinctly remember one time he tested the water and Lana was all, "Ewwww! Aliens! Gross! Kill them!" And I think there may have been more than one time she did that. Lex on the other hand, probably did once have that ability. I believe in the same ep Clark asked him, and he not only said he thought it would be cool, he made it clear that he meant it. And thtere's the irony, because a Lex told early is a trusted companion forever, but a Lex told too late because you fear telling him is a Lex who feels betrayed and used.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I agree with pepperjackcandy regarding Lana's mutant likeability.

But, see, I don't. So making a compelling reason he's immune to her mutation doesn't factor in because as far as I'm concerned, there is no mutation.

I thought they'd made it perfectly clear on the show that Lana is the one person who would not be able to accept Clark unconditionally if he revealed his secret to her.

I found that confusing, too. But, I guess he was toeing the company line or something. They did ask if they'd *ever* get together, makign it clear that their interest is in this "compelling" relationship.

[mlleelizabeth.livejournal.com]

But, see, I don't. So making a compelling reason he's immune to her mutation doesn't factor in because as far as I'm concerned, there is no mutation.

::nod:: I don't pick up a mutant-Lana vibe in COTW, so IMO you'd be consistent and within the boundaries of your universe. Your Lana is much more realistic, in general. But I would not be surprised if there were someday hints that the AlMiles Lana is somewhat mutant. One of the reasons I think that, though is that TPTB seem to look on Clark, Lex and Lana as parallels, and now that they've confirmed Lex's mutant sttus, they're going to need to elevate Lana back up to that "special" status. Either that or just let the boys run off together. *g*

I found that confusing, too. But, I guess he was toeing the company line or something. They did ask if they'd *ever* get together, makign it clear that their interest is in this "compelling" relationship.

Ah, so hopefully he was just telling them what they want to hear! Going by his performance this season it seems that he has a better understanding of the show than that quote would indicate.

[teaphile.livejournal.com]

I was under the impression that Pete isn't overly fond of Lana. He seems to react to her as more of a nuisance to distract Clark than as an attractive person. Personally, that's what makes the future-Plana appealing; Pete isn't blinded by her beauty/charm.

As for the Dreamwatcher article, is it new? I seem to recall TW saying that exact thing during season one, before the writers had Lana admit that she'd be weirded out by aliens. TW wasn't quite so slick with interviewers then, and tended to toe the party line. I do agree with you about Lex, though.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

I was under the impression that Pete isn't overly fond of Lana. He seems to react to her as more of a nuisance to distract Clark than as an attractive person. Personally, that's what makes the future-Plana appealing; Pete isn't blinded by her beauty/charm.

Well, I never got the impression Pete viewed her as a nuisance, but I agree he doesn't think Lana walks on air. So that's a good point.

As for the Dreamwatcher article, is it new?

Fairly new. I recall someone else talking about it a month or two ago, but it's not S1.

[sabershadowkat.livejournal.com]

It would be natural for someone not to like Lana in your fic, as you said, so go for it.

[serafina20.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think so. I was also wondering in other fics in general. Do we, as writers who want to remain "true" to the spirit of the show, have to have every character like her unconditionally, or can some find her not to their taste?

That probably would have been a better way to phrase it, huh?

[sabershadowkat.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Outside characters usually aren't mentioned in fics. I think the closest was someone having Justin Gaines not like Lana. There are plenty out there where the main characters don't like her, and she usually gets squashed like bug soon into the fic, but normally people either like her or are just polite to her.