WARNING: Stop reading if you have not watched the season finale of Smallville. I mean it. Everyone else, onward and downward…
Talk about dodging a tall loophole with a single bound. In tonight’s season finale, Smallville managed to kill off an iconic Superman character without incurring the wrath of the evil mythos police. I’m referring, of course, to the death of Jimmy Olsen at the hands of a de-Doomsdayed Davis. The show later revealed (or strongly implied?) that the shutterbug’s younger brother is, in fact, the real Jimmy. Problem solved! Of course, that’s little consolation to Aaron Ashmore, whose three-year stint as faux Jimmy ended with a steel pipe through the chest. In this exclusive interview, Ashmore reveals why he was caught off guard by his dismissal, how he’d feel about a Chloe-Clark romance, and who he thinks really killed Jimmy Olsen.
When did you find out that Jimmy wasn’t long for this world?
AARON ASHMORE: About six months ago, right around the time we finished
shooting “Bride.” I knew that Jimmy was going to get hurt in that
episode and go on a little hiatus, so I talked to the producers and
asked, “Guys, where is this storyline going?” And they said, “Well, we
have an idea to send Jimmy on a bit of a downward spiral and, in the
end, sacrifice himself for Chloe.” That’s what I originally heard. I
didn’t know that that was necessarily going to happen this season. It
happened a little sooner than I had anticipated.
Were you disappointed?
ASHMORE: Of course. I really enjoyed working on the show; to be sent
off kind of sucks. But, at the same time, it works great for the story.
And all things run their course. I guess Jimmy on Smallville had run his course.
Any chance he’s not really dead?
ASHMORE: I don’t think so. Not that I’ve heard.
When word leaked that two major characters were dying, no one suspected
Jimmy because of the whole mythos thing. Did you think you were safe
because of that?
ASHMORE: Absolutely. That was my first reaction. That being said,
Smallville has taken some little turns here and there from the comic books.
So, Jimmy’s little brother is the real Jimmy, right?
ASHMORE: That’s how I read it. There’s always been a bit of a
discrepancy in how old Jimmy is compared to Clark and Lois, so this is
a way of clarifying things. Jimmy [is supposed to be] 10 years younger
than them, so Jimmy’s little brother showing up totally makes it stick
to the mythos.
What reason did producers give you for killing him off?
ASHMORE: I know when [the idea of] Jimmy coming to Smallville first
came up, DC Comics had a bit of a problem because of the age difference thing. But the producers really wanted to bring the
character in because they thought they could do some interesting stuff
with him. I believe [producers] had reassured DC that by the end of the
series — or at some point — they would rectify that [by making it clear
that he's] not the real Jimmy Olsen.
How do you think fans will react to Jimmy’s death?
ASHMORE: It’s a mixed bag. It depends if you like Jimmy or not. There
are a lot of people that probably think he’s a really annoying,
bumbling kind of guy, which, you know, there’s no doubt about that.
He’s not the hero; he’s the everyman. And I always questioned why
people got so annoyed by that. [On the other hand], I think people who are big Jimmy fans
are going to be bummed. But I think it’s a nice way for him to go. I think
he redeems himself and [emerges as] a bit of a hero after being so
self-conscious and jealous [this season]. He had a lot of good
qualities as well, but he took a dark turn at the end. I’ll be
interested to see how people take it.
Are you a “Chlark” fan?
ASHMORE: Abso… well…. romantically, I don’t know if it would
work. That’s yet to be seen. But there’s a very strong bond between
those two characters. And you can see it in the show. Their scenes
together are always really great, and they’re always played really well
by Allison [Mack] and Tom [Welling]. The connection is really, really nice.
What’s next for you?
ASHMORE: I’m headed to L.A. tomorrow to hit the job hunt. I ‘m in
Toronto right now, where I just shot an episode of The Bridge. It’s a
Canadian-produced television show that CBS picked up. It’s a procedural
cop drama and I get to play a beat cop, which was really sweet. It’s
tough after being out of the audition game for three years. I’m going
to try and see what the options are.
Thoughts about Jimmy’s exit? And tonight’s episode in general? Head to the comments!
Comments (1-30) of 325 Add your comment
I can’t believe they would do that to poor Aaron. He was always so excited to be playing a mythos character and I loved him as Jimmy. Fail Smallville, major fail. It’s so disrespectful to Aaron. I’m disgusted.
It didn’t make too much sense to me, but that’s why they want you to tune in next season. Well played, “Smallville”, well played.
Overall I think the episode was good; yet at the same time disappointing. I think if the fight between Clark and Doomsday lasted more than 25 seconds, you would hear a lot less complaints. I know they were pressed for time and had a lot to fit in, but the fight is what most people were looking forward to for this ‘epic’ episode. They could have easily cut the scene with Lois talking to Clark on the phone. It was not needed, especially since Clark was never going to meet up at the phone booth anyway #sure, Clark nor Lois knew that, but the writers of the show did#. I was ok with Jimmy dying and liked the twist, telling us that this was not the Jimmy that we all know from the mythology, but in fact was his older brother. I liked that part! There were a lot of questions raised, but I’m sure they will be answered in Season 9.
Shocked that he is dead, as much as it makes sense, there is so much that doesn’t… I’m sad:(
I was sad to see Jimmy go – I thought it was an interesting twist to make his little brother the real Jimmy, but it was kind of a cop out really. I liked Jimmy on the show and thought Chloe could have been happy with him, plus I liked his dynamic with Clark and Lois – it’s a shame they went this direction. But I still love the show anyway.
I was totally floored by jimmy dying, and always confused how Jimmy was the same age as Clark…then enter the bowtie wearing little brother. awesome solution that was totally unexpected.
Aaron shows way more class than TPTB deserve. Especially after the utter crap of an episode that just aired.
All the best to him in the future.
He was the *real* Jimmy Olsen to me.
This was the most anti climatic season finale for this show. Killing off Jimmy was cheap. They made some big leaps to move the story forward and it was very confusing at timesSo is Davis dead or is he becoming Zod? And how did Zod get from the Phantom Zone to the Orb? Is Clark going off to train? What was the metaphorical death? Clark shedding his humanity to embrace his Kryptonian side? Why are thy sending Lois to the future?
You didn’t deserve this Aaraon. I didn’t like your character at first but he really grown on me through the years. I’ll miss you!
F*CK SV! They killed Jimmy! So NOT cool!
Yes, I am very disappointed as a fan of the show. I liked Jimmy Olsen. To me, it is just a slap in the face. I think Smallville has pulled a very big fanslap. It will probably take most of the summer to recover from this, and I HOPE that season 9 will somehow rectify itself, because I’m very bummed right now.
It was right, everything Clark had become this season, was completely torn away. Lois come back! I know she will be back, but really… COME BACK!
Total lack of respect from PS part.-….I am beyond pissed right now the WORST TWIST EVER
That was such a HORRIBLE season finale. Yeah Jimmy died but I really didn’t care, it was sad but eh whatever. They should have killed Lois, she is annoying.
and how the hell is his little brother supposed to be “jimmy” olsen? so stupid.
also what the hell is up with bringing back zod? do they have no original stories left? goddd!
Thank Goodness, Aaron Ashmore is a good actor, and Jimmy was great up until The Bride. But after that they just decided to make him the whipping boy for everything. Put him out of his misery already.
Man, killing off Jimmy was just . . .dumb. I loved Aaron’s Jimmy. Had often said Jimmy was the man!!! He often was more heroic than Clark on the show. Aaron, we’re going to miss you terribly. And to sacrifice you for Chloe just adds insult to injury. Jimmy and Lois got kicked to the curb for Lana and now Clark and Lois get kicked to the curb for Chloe. Not Cool, Smallville.
They shod have kill Chloe and now she is probably pregnant? KILL THT WHORE already
haaaaaa I loved it!!
I actually wanted Lois to bite ht dust..but that will come next season..So that is great news!!
SUCKED. There was no set up for Jimmy not being “the real Jimmy” so there is no way to enjoy the “twist.” Horrible, horrible idea. I feel so sorry for Aaron. Did not deserve to go out that way and for them to claim it was always the ~plan~ is the LAMEST thing they’ve done to night. And it was REALLY LAME.
LAME. LAME. They should have killed Erica Durance’s character instead – apparently Jimmy has to be the right age, but no one cares if Lois is a drunken slut. I feel SO BAD for Aaron. He DESERVED BETTER and Jimmy could have actually had interesting story lines. Let’s kill off the kid with the good heart, smart head, and really good actor. Yeah. That’s fun. NOT.
Well Smallville if you do Chlois (Chloe=Lois) all will be forgiven but until then you are on probation. They should have really set up the Jimmy is not really Jimmy twist better. At least Chloe was always Lois Lane makes SENSE.
AWESOME TWIST!!! Totally cleared up the age issue. I knew when Jimmy found out Clark’s secret halfway thru the episode he was dead! Excellent way also to push Clark into the next stage of is hero development.
I wanted Chloe gone but Jimmy died in her place…. so I’m really upset….
I’m cool with it. And it makes sense since Jimmy is supposed to be significantly younger that Clark and Lois. I’m more anxiously about what is happening with Lois.
I’m totally thrilled that Jimmy’s gone. Not because of any animosity toward the character or the actor, but because I didn’t feel he belonged in the Superman universe quite yet. He did do some really boneheaded things like trying to blackmail Lex, but Lois Lane has been doing really stupid stuff from the comic beginnnings; much more dangerous stuff as well. She needed to have a superbeing to keep her dizzy butt alive!
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I am so excited that Sam Witwer is sticking around as Zod. Great actor and the man truly is sexy as hell. As long as he sticks around, I’ll be watching Smallville.
Why is everyone so upset? Sure, Ashmore is a great actor and it is disappointing to see him go, but this twist was clever and HUGE. No one saw this coming; it clears up the age issue, and his death forces Clark to see that there is a dark side of humanity.
Zod, on the other hand… well, we’ll just have to see where they take that one next season. I don’t have incredibly high expectations.
Poor Jimmy. Well, Lois pops into the future surrounded by the Justice League. What a scoop!! Unless the JL erases certain memories prior to sending her back. Anyway, I’m with Jimmy C. What’s with the metaphorical death of Clark’s human side? How does it move the story further? Or is Clark merely saying it is time to embrace his Kryptonian side? Is the summer haitus going represent a significant time lapse for a re-invented Smallville?
The Grey’s anatomy season finale was way better, it gave me chills, that’s when I know something’s good, George and Izzie die…..It’s just as good as the 2nd season finale, NiCE!
Back to Smallville
I didn’t like jimmy at first but he grew on me, The whole episode sucked!
You said a Smallville VET was dying. Jimmy was only on the show for three seasons out of SEVEN. That’s not a “vet”.