Post by ChrisM on May 28, 2015 12:52:45 GMT -5
Contrivances that have always irked me and possible narrative devices to resolve them...
A) Supes losing his powers:
Instead of a "molecule chamber" (which btw should be filed next to "singularity") Lara or Jor-El suggest that before he commits himself to a relationship with a human that he should sample life as "one of them" to better appreciate the dichotomy and complications of such a commitment. After the trial period he would have the choice to continue the relationship if he so desires - with or without his powers. (this draws parallels with earth-based cultures (e.g. Amish) that encourage their coming-of-age youth to explore the "other world" before deciding what life is best for them)
The Fortress was engineered to be a synthetic replica of his homeland. As part of this replication, Lara insisted on providing a means to "escape" the burden of being different. This escape mechanism is a sealed chamber containing radioactive elements from Krypton that - in small doses - would temporarily suppress his superhuman capabilities. As such, this would provide Kal-El a means to explore human relationships at a deeper level by introducing a real sense of vulnerability.
As a final caveat, however, they warn that prolonged exposure to this radiation can be fatal. Jor-El/Lara struggled with the notion of including such an unrestricted device, but if earth should prove to be insufferable and alien without any recourse, they wanted their son to retain sovereign control of his future - even the right to end it as any other human can.
B) Lex knowing about kryptonite and "alpha waves":
This requires changing the narrative structure of Superman I and II such that Lex never confronts Superman initially. The missile scheme and chase is unchanged but the XK101 detonates the Phantom Zone as planned in the original script. The villains arrive and form a partnership with Lex when they learn of the Superman threat as a common enemy. Lex despising Superman is now plausiable only after he foils the missiles. Lex disovers that Lois is leverage bait and uses this knowledge to strengthen his bond with Zod. Before engaging Superman, Ursa and/or Non employ recon and trail Superman back to his Fortress hideaway. They wait until the Fortress is vacated before returning with Lex to dig up any intel that can help defeat him. As part of this "break-and-enter", Lex manages to privately discover the "Kryptonite solution". For the final Fortress battle, Zod feels they no longer have use of Lex since they have Lois and all the information they need. Lex is left behind in metropolis while the villains ultimately meet their demise.
So... this would in essence make the villains and Metropolis battle part I and Lex becomes the main villain in part II (with a worthy introduction in part I).
A) Supes losing his powers:
Instead of a "molecule chamber" (which btw should be filed next to "singularity") Lara or Jor-El suggest that before he commits himself to a relationship with a human that he should sample life as "one of them" to better appreciate the dichotomy and complications of such a commitment. After the trial period he would have the choice to continue the relationship if he so desires - with or without his powers. (this draws parallels with earth-based cultures (e.g. Amish) that encourage their coming-of-age youth to explore the "other world" before deciding what life is best for them)
The Fortress was engineered to be a synthetic replica of his homeland. As part of this replication, Lara insisted on providing a means to "escape" the burden of being different. This escape mechanism is a sealed chamber containing radioactive elements from Krypton that - in small doses - would temporarily suppress his superhuman capabilities. As such, this would provide Kal-El a means to explore human relationships at a deeper level by introducing a real sense of vulnerability.
As a final caveat, however, they warn that prolonged exposure to this radiation can be fatal. Jor-El/Lara struggled with the notion of including such an unrestricted device, but if earth should prove to be insufferable and alien without any recourse, they wanted their son to retain sovereign control of his future - even the right to end it as any other human can.
B) Lex knowing about kryptonite and "alpha waves":
This requires changing the narrative structure of Superman I and II such that Lex never confronts Superman initially. The missile scheme and chase is unchanged but the XK101 detonates the Phantom Zone as planned in the original script. The villains arrive and form a partnership with Lex when they learn of the Superman threat as a common enemy. Lex despising Superman is now plausiable only after he foils the missiles. Lex disovers that Lois is leverage bait and uses this knowledge to strengthen his bond with Zod. Before engaging Superman, Ursa and/or Non employ recon and trail Superman back to his Fortress hideaway. They wait until the Fortress is vacated before returning with Lex to dig up any intel that can help defeat him. As part of this "break-and-enter", Lex manages to privately discover the "Kryptonite solution". For the final Fortress battle, Zod feels they no longer have use of Lex since they have Lois and all the information they need. Lex is left behind in metropolis while the villains ultimately meet their demise.
So... this would in essence make the villains and Metropolis battle part I and Lex becomes the main villain in part II (with a worthy introduction in part I).