Tonight’s episode of the CW’s Smallville brings Alan Ritchson back as Aquaman and features Battlestar Galactica alum Michael Hogan as Colonel Slade. This episode, entitled “Patriot” is also directed by Supes himself (aka Tom Welling). What was it like to work with Col. Saul Tigh and have Superman direct? Ritchson answered these questions in this excerpt of a Q&A and don’t miss the synopsis, promo, and sneak peek for “Patriot” below.
Q: What was it like working with Tom Welling as a director?
Ritchson: I loved it. I can only say good things about Tom. You can’t say a bad thing about the guy. He’s a very giving actor, so starting from day one… I remember sitting in a hot tub one day, after shooting a scene in this water where we were freezing to death and it was so cold. And he’s sitting there and he’s just continuing to give me this advice during this conversation, about all that he’s learned in his acting career. Just from day one, he was such a giving guy and that is a really great quality in a director. Someone who’s willing to take the time with somebody to teach them, to listen, to collaborate. He’s got all those qualities. He’s a fine director and it was fun to work with him in that capacity.
Q: Michael Hogan can be very intimidating on screen. Was that the case working with him as well?
Ritchson: [Laughs] You said it! It can be intimidating with him on set as well. Not on a personal level, but this guy is very dedicated to his craft. Everybody’s got a method that works for them, and watching him work and focus on set and become this Slade character… He’s got a fierce intensity about him that’s really fun to watch happen. And it keeps you on your toes as an actor. You can’t sit back and just enjoy the show. You’ve got to be a part of it. And with somebody like him, just by nature of how good he is, he’s going to demand more of you. So for me as an actor, it was pretty intense, but a lot of fun. He’s great.
Smallville: Episode Synopsis for “Patriot” (Season Ten, Episode Nine)
In an effort to protect the rest of the team, Oliver (Justin Hartley) decides to register for the Vigilante Registration Act to see what the government plans to do with the new law. As he suspected, it was a trap to lure superheroes to an undisclosed location where he is confined to a jail and subjected to a battery of brutal tests under the supervision of Col. Slade (guest star Michael Hogan, “Battlestar Galactica”). Aquaman (guest star Alan Ritchson) and his new wife Mera (guest star Elena Satine) team up with Clark (Tom Welling) to free Oliver. Lois (Erica Durance) is frustrated when Clark continues to push aside her offers to help the team and sets out to prove she can play with the big boys. Tom Welling directed the episode written by John Chisolm.
Smallville: Promo for “Patriot”
Smallville: Sneak Peek at “Patriot”
Watch Smallville on the CW, Fridays at 8/7C.
