After binge-watching Tiger King, to beat the Covid lockdown blues, I ran out of interesting shows on Netflix. I signed up for the Disney-Hulu-ESPN plus bundle.
The Tiger King story is a train wreck. I was transfixed by the show. Everyone talked about it. Fascinating and freaky. There was a murder for hire plot, a husband disappeared and was never found, something about sardines on shoes (I’m looking at you, Carole Baskin) and people went to jail. I still feel bad for the tigers.
I thought I’d try something wholesome and fun from the DC/Marvel world of comic book heroes. Smallville chronicles the early years (and adventures) of Clark Kent’s life before he donned the blue suit and became the Man of Steel aka Superman.
After that, I needed something light and fun. Smallville binge-watching, here I come.
But, around the end of season 3, something made me look up the two main actresses on imdb.com to see whether they made it to season 4. And I found a big surprise.
NXIVM (confusing name, sinister sisterhood)
In real life, the two main female stars were embroiled in a self-help organization, NXIVM, accused of being a sex cult.
One left before she got in too deep. But the other, Allison Mack (blonde), who plays Chloe Sullivan on the show, gave into her deeply, disturbed dark side.
I’m still watching Smallville, but it’s hard for me to relate to Allison’s character, “Chloe”, being sweet and innocent, knowing that in real life, she did evil things to women, enslaving them and makng them call her “Master”.
I guess that’s called acting skill, having two different faces.
In one Smallville episode (S4 E10), Chloe said to Clark, “If you can’t tell your best friend, who can you tell?”
Keeping secrets.
FilmDaily (news blog): “Starring in Smallville, alongside stunning actress Kristen Kreuk and our mancrush, Tom Welling, Allison felt insecure about her looks. Fans of the hit show didn’t help her insecurities by constantly comparing the two actresses’ physical appearances.
This insecurity made it easy for NXIVM to sneak into Mack’s life, giving her the validation she craved. Young Allison Mack longed for enlightenment in Hollywood. Unfortunately, she was enthralled instead, by the guidance of a twisted man, Keith Raniere.”
- All the Vancouver Actresses Linked to an Alleged Sex Cult
- “Smallville‘s Allison Mack married Battlestar Galactica‘s Nicki Clyne, prosecutors reveal. People Magazine reports that the marriage last year was done at the behest of NXIVM founder, Keith Raniere. ALSO: Mack and Raniere to go on trial starting Oct. 1.
- NXIVM leader Raniere sentencing is re-set, firmly, for June 23
Photo Credit: U.S. Justice Department evidence
“Keith Raniere and the top members of a secret slave-master club that he created were a central part of the federal criminal case that led to his conviction last year.” TimesUnion
Notes to Self:
- Never join an organization whose name you can’t pronounce.
- Keep your secrets to yourself. Revealing personal information can be used against you.
- Being seduced or made to feel “special” is the hallmark of narcissistic behavior. Avoid it. Especially if the man is old enough to be your father or grand-father. People will say, “You have daddy issues.” Wake up! It could be true.
- Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you should. If it feels creepy or weird, trust your instincts. Behind closed doors, shiny people can turn dark. Don’t get stuck with them. Walk away.
- Don’t let people shame you into staying somewhere you don’t belong. Sometimes, winning looks like backing down or saying “no”.
- Don’t smoke. Wear a mask.
- If your Doomsday Clock starts ticking faster, run away.
Source:
Official Smallville cast photo. Photo effects from Loonapix and Photofunia.
The game I call Demon Spotting developed over time as I worked through emotional entanglements and confusing break-ups. My misery became code words. Code words became mat drills. Mat drills became winning combinations. And my confusion lifted. Consider this your invitation to play. Clarity is freedom.