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Battlestar Alum Brings Doomsday to Smallville
Sam Witwer by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
If I've been reading (and re-reading, and re-re-reading...) my sons' D.C. Comics Encyclopedia correctly every night at bedtime, this should be one very neat trick. With Lex Luthor quietly exiting stage right, no less than Doomsday is coming to Smallville. Though the CW's official announcement dare not actually utter the big guy's alias, Sam Witwer — whom Battlestar Galactica fans may remember as Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo — will fill the role of Davis Bloome.
Doomsday, of course, is the baddie who according to canon one day will kill Superman. On Smallville, though, he'll start out as just a charismatic paramedic... though one with a deep-seeded dark side. (No, I didn't say Darkseid.)
In addition, lest Lex's affairs go untended in his absence, nubile newcomer Cassidy Freeman is also joining the 'Ville as Tess Mercer. Her name an obvious nod to "Miss Tessmacher!", this spunky gal is the acting CEO of Luthorcorp — and she boasts a cunning ruthlessness to match her mentor's. This casting was first reported by my WCPF, Mr. Ausiello.— Matt Mitovich
Related:
• Mega Buzz on Smallville and More!
• Smallville Exclusive: Kara's Future Is Up, Up in the Air
• Justin Hartley Eyes Smallville Comeback
• Smallville Execs Thank Star for Lex Appeal, Tease Doomsday's Arrival
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Jun 19, 2008 10:50 PM
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Hmm Ausiello didn't say the Doomstender part was changed to DoomsParaMedic
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Jun 20, 2008 4:44 AM
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Hmmm, wonder where I saw this earlier
Yes, news generally tends to be reported in more than one place.
Still don't know how I feel about Doomsday, but I'm sticking with Smallville until the end. At least if they're losing my beloved Lex, this guy seems like a worthy replacement as far as the Hot Guy factor goes.
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Jun 20, 2008 8:18 AM
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I remember this guy from a season 2 episode of dark angel. If I remember correctly, Jessica Alba killed him.
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Jun 20, 2008 9:14 AM
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Dianora: "Still don't know how I feel about Doomsday, but I'm sticking with Smallville until the end."
Hi Di! Long time no see/talk!
Ahem. I agree with Di about the sticking with Smallville until the end, because, well it was a very good show for a lot of years, except the past two seasons, and I'm a loyal fan. Plus there's Tom Welling (who/whom?) I NEVER tire of seeing. I will miss Lex.
As for Doomsday, gee, I think I'd be more...accepting of him appearing on this show had the character itself actually been...human. Which it isn't. The original Doomsday and its cartoon portrayal in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited--was a creature from outerspace that was butt-ugly, with shots of white hair coming out at odd angles, dinosaur looking teeth, not to mention those vicious claws.
But. I will do my best to pretend that Doomsday is a bloody, farthing, buggering human, just to save myself from yanking my hair out by its roots.
I just want Clark to man up in the upcoming season and leave the whininess of the past two seasons behind. VERY FAR behind.
~Sangeeta
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Jun 20, 2008 9:47 AM
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Hi, Sangeeta. 
was a creature from outerspace that was butt-ugly, with shots of white hair coming out at odd angles, dinosaur looking teeth, not to mention those vicious claws.
I know, when looking at him I always think, "Well, no WONDER he's able to kill Superman."
Since the showrunners have changed, and we don't really have any indication on which direction the new ones want to take the show in, I'm willing to suspend all judgment and believe that they'll make Doomsday being human plausible. Maybe it will be a prelude to the original Doomsday story.
My biggest fear is finding out that the new showrunners have really kickarse ideas and that if they'd had their way earlier, the Lex/Lana marriage storyline never would have occurred and therefore the series never would have stalled. Except for Green Arrow, the last two years REALLY have been a bunch of running-in-place, haven't they? I mean, GA hammered home for Clark the importance of taking on a more global approach, so what does the entire next season focus on? Clark still being in Smallville, dating Lana. It was a great transition that never resulted in anything.
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Jun 20, 2008 10:31 AM
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Hi Sangeeta!
I'm going to admit that I haven't read the comic books but have had a lengthy discussion with my mom who has told me everything there is to know. I also know she has been meaning to bring down the comic books from the attic when I think the show started but obviously has not!
Anyhow, maybe he's like portraying a human. That is dumb though of bringing in a character that doesn't even resemble what he does in the comics. Can you guys tell me how he killed Superman?
And was this Tess in the comics too? And does that mean that the plan of Michael showing back up as Lex for a few episodes is out the window?
I agree, aside from the JL episode and GA, these past few seasons haven't been that good. And I myself am so sick of Clark's whining self that I'm ready to jump in the TV and slap him across the face.
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Jun 20, 2008 10:51 AM
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To Dianora: The "new showrunners" have been writing for the show for the last 6 years and have been the exec producers on the show for the last 4 years. So nothing new here, except, they got 'promoted' to 'showrunners'. Al Gough and Miles Millar have not written an episode since the the first one of Season 4, 'Crusade'. Oddly enough, when they stopped writing and were 'hands off' pretty much, is when the ratings started to go down. Of course, there are many reasons for plummetting ratings, but I think this is one of them.
So, didn't want to burst your bubble, but all of this soapy drama, wild stories, major plot holes have been being written by the same people that will continue to write for the 8th season.
Also, DC Comics bears the brunt of responsiblity as each and every script has to be approved by DC before it airs. DC apparently is not very concerned with maintaining the integrity of the mythos.
I would have preferred Doomsday as a bartender. At least he could have thrown bottles around, 86 people out the door, scream and yell, etc. As a paramedic, he will be involved in saving lives, giving mouth to mouth resuscitation, and administering IV's. If this isn't the most convoluted take on Doomsday, I don't what it. Doommedic needs to throw a life line to the writers.
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Jun 20, 2008 11:08 AM
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dalin345, I know they've been with the show, but I know with Buffy, for instance, Joss Whedon decided which direction the show went in, and even when he wasn't writing, he was in charge. Didn't matter if Marti Noxon did or didn't like the idea of Willow being evil - she had to follow the arc that Joss set out.
I don't know what sort of hierarchy setup they had going on at SV, but I'm just hoping that now that the writers are out from under the showrunners' thumbs they'll be able to do things that perhaps they wanted to do but wouldn't be approved in Gough/Miller's vision.
It's wishing against the odds, maybe, but I'm really, really hoping that this writing team that took over wished all through season 7 that they could move Clark past the farm and send him out into the real world.
Like I said, I'm willing to wait until I see what they deliver us to decide anything. We'll see what happens this fall.
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Jun 20, 2008 11:49 AM
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Hey Di! I was going to respond to your post about the "new" showrunners, but dalin345 beat me to it, lol.
With Ollie on board FULL-TIME next season, I hope that means we'll see LESS, MUCH LESS of Jimmy. Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?
And to reiterate, I also hope with GA on board, that he'll force Clark to man up, so to speak and maybe we'll get to see Clark finally, FINALLY....FINALLY fly!!!!
ashley8383: "Anyhow, maybe he's like portraying a human. That is dumb though of bringing in a character that doesn't even resemble what he does in the comics. Can you guys tell me how he killed Superman?"
First, the original Doomsday was like over 10 feet tall. Well, he looked that way, anyway. As for how he killed Supes? He basically beat him to death. Literally. It wasn't pretty. The graphic novel, The Death of Superman (still available in stores and online), was one HUGE SLUGFEST. It was heartbreaking to see him die in Lois' arms.
But, like I said, I'm going to pretend that this person is pretending to be Doomsday, lol.
As for Tess? Please. How can anyone who's familiar with the mythos/cartoon/comics not able to make the connection that this is Smallville's idea of Lex's chauffer/bodyguard Mercy? She was NO femme Fatale by any means, but then again, this is the world of Smallville. 
~Sangeeta
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Jun 20, 2008 11:55 AM
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Sam Witwer is a worthy addition to the Smallville cast. Check out his list of credits at The Sam Witwer Fan Site He's done so much more than Battlestar Galactica and is in fact Darth Vadar's Secret Apprentice in the new Star Wars video game The Force Unleashed due out later this year. He's going to be fantastic in the role of Doomsday!
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Jun 20, 2008 11:57 AM
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Well I am for one happy that Is now DoomsParaMedic. Sorry but the last place I want to be Lois (and Clark's if he obviously has involvement with Davis) "territory" is a bar. Don't get me wrong I don't care about drinking and all the jazz but the bar is a one/two time thing, all season?? it gets annoying, they would be more in a bar than in the DP. Even if it is even 50/50,......I personally wouldn't want it
Besides I think DoomsParaMedic has more drama than Doomstender more ineer conflits IMO. I am really digging this version of Doomsday, I am not a Superman Comic expert but I think I am/would be more atracted to a Doomsday that actually had a building and not just was creted to kill Superman. Sorry without dissmissing any Superman Comic fan/expert of course. Is my understanding that Doomsday is a killing machine, so when Doomsday becomes DOOMSDAY there won't be any record of what happened before, he is just a beast. I never saw as something or someone (for obvious reason this being a new take) that actually had a career. I don't see Doomsday as "wait...I used to save lives"
We need more info but my speculation is that we won't see a proper DOOMSDAY until the end of the season, I think he would be "progressing", according to the casting sides, he has a dark side he does things he doesn't remember about, I am seeing it as an "inner battle" that the best will win and it will take over and ereasing what Davis Bloom was.
I think this season is going to rock!!!
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Jun 20, 2008 12:07 PM
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Smallville has been reinventing Superman characters since its early days. Seeing a human-esque Doomsday should not be a surprise to anyone at this point, unless they've completely blacked out memories of Mxyzptlk, Cyborg and countless others. Some could argue that Clark himself is a variation of the Superman character rather than a direct adaptation. (I know a lot of people are waiting for it, but if Clark puts on the tights, it will look lame. They need a Smallville-ized version of his costume and story)
So Doomsday in human form is nothing unusual for the series. No big deal. Possibly even cool. We'll see.
As for Tess, I like the casting choice. They've leaned toward casting more (how should I put this) enhanced looking females over the last few seasons. New girl looks pretty normal so far. Nice.
I will reserve judgment on the character herself and will try to remind myself that she is not the character from those horrible, horrible Superman movies.
Those movies suck. Someone really needs to make a good Superman movie someday. So far, the best are probably the old black and white serials. That's just sad.
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Jun 20, 2008 12:11 PM
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I want to add that in the comic books, there is a character that has taken over LexCorp after Lex was booted. I don't think many people who watch Smallville would like to see that character take over on the show though.
If you're wondering, the character in question is Lana Lang.
Actually, that might be interesting on Smallville. Reduce her role to recurring, but have her trying to do good with the LuthorCorp. Maybe when Lex comes back, he could create LexCorp to counter the Lana-run LuthorCorp.
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Jun 20, 2008 12:41 PM
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