The fantasy changes....

So I have been watching Smallville from start to finish, but have also watched the original Superman movies. I am not so much into comic books, so I can't comment on them, but I find it fascinating the juxtaposition between the fantasy of Lois Lane and her role in Superman's life between the 70s and now.

In the 70s, the dream for women appears to be the busy, successful career woman. Sure, its nice to have a big tough guy sweep in and rescue you when in dire, life and death situations, but the rest of your life you support and get yourself into and out of scrapes. And the mystery of who Superman is keeps her hooked. The relationship between Superman and Lois is always unbalanced.

 Even though she has her own life and supports herself she can never be a full partner for Superman and help him out when necessary. There is the real comic book fantasy that Superman's only weakness is kryptonite. He knows who he is and is able to overcome everything and find out all the information he needs on his own. Clark Kent also is comfortable with who he is, and understands the need for the disguise, but no one questions where he disappears to and why.

Superman in the 70s is the real comic book Superman, which is fine because it is a movie and the ideals of what should be in the movie have changed. Heroes of the 90s and 2000s have faults and doubts, and are less of the comic book caricature. Compare something like X-men and Spiderman movies to Superman.

Smallville's version of Superman and Lois relationship is much more of the partnership. Yes, being a TV series there is more time to explore their faults and their history than in the movie, but that also means that there is more time for Lois and Clark to develop their relationship.

The big thing that stuck out to me though was in the 70s marriage would be nice, but it wasn't the fantasy for women, whereas now people want the big fantasy wedding and and equal partnership. It really interested me to see this change. I think the idea of a fantasy life is to settle down and get married but have that partnership and equal footing.

The admission that neither character is perfect and that a good partnership is made up of people that help balance out each others' faults is what makes the fantasy work.

Lois still gets into trouble, and Superman is still there to rescue her, but she helps him out when necessary by protecting his identity and doing research for him. She explains his disappearances and would do anything to keep him safe, as he would do anything for her.

I guess my theory is that being the independent career woman is fine, but the evolution of the relationship into a true partnership was nice to see.

The other thing I liked about Smallville was the relationship between John and Martha Kent.  They had a very balanced relationship even though she was a stay at home Mum initially. Even so, they both did equal work with raising Clark and around the farm.

There is something positive to see about how feminism has evolved into equality in tv shows at least. Unfortunately in real life, we still mostly haven't achieved that balance. I am hopeful though. If tv shows are getting it right, then real life will follow.