February 13, 2006

Feature
PODCAST: Lust in Smallville
A commentary on Smallville's "Heat"
by D. Roberts Keenan

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Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Catholic theologian known for his writings on the Seven Deadly Sins, mentioned four subcategories of lust that were perversions of the "natural order." Paraphrasing, they were:

1. Masturbation
2. Bestiality
3. Homosexuality
4. Sodomy

Plus, there were three subcategories of lust that, while sinful, could sometimes be excused (at least, if you gave the Old Testament a good read-through):

1. Fornication
2. Adultery
3. Incest

Of course, the good saint's language was far more flowery. But Smallville ain't, as it pounds the viewer over the head with blatant metaphor and illustrates in graphic detail exactly what happens when the characters lose control over their gonads. For Clark, it's scary spontaneous emissions from his (eye)balls. For Lex, it's the horrors of getting married without a prenup. Gasp!

It's time to cue up Season 2, Episode 2 of your Smallville DVDs and follow along as we walk you through the hot, hot world of "Heat."

Next time: Sports Night and the sin of wrath. Stay tuned!

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