Talk: Henry James Olsen

Relationships

Now that Jimmy is sorta seeing Kara, maybe we should genericize the "Relationship with Chloe Sullivan" section into "Relationships"... and cover Chloe and Kara separately as two diff sections.

I'd do it myself, but I'm actually not sure why some Relationships pages get their own pages (Clark and Chloe) and others don't (Chloe and Jimmy). Chloe and Jimmy are both main characters, so not sure what the rule is here... --Kanamekun 15:51, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

Well we already have a Jimmy, Chloe, and Kara page. I could make a Jimmy and Chloe page and also make a Jimmy and Kara page, although they'd both be rather short. I'd be up for it though. --TrumpetManLA 18:18, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

I am more wondering what we should make the standard for Relationships pages... I like the idea of not giving them their own page if both characters are not main characters (e.g. Lois Lane and Grant Gabriel). But with main characters, wondering why some relationships get their own pages and other do not. I'd be inclined to start off relationships inside of the appropriate pages (for example, a Jimmy and Chloe relationship description would start inside of their pages)... and then if it grows beyond a certain point, make it its own page.

The advantage of having a standalone relationship page is that u can link to it from both characters' pages (rather than duplicating a lot of the text on each page). --Kanamekun 18:28, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

I think the standard we've been going on is more the length of the relationship rather than the status of those involved. One-season relationships involving a main char. have been included in the minor character's page (Clark and Alicia, Lex and Helen, etc) cos they have eventually ended. If it's two major characters, it's assumed that their pages will already be pretty long, and the relationship is ongoing, so it gets a separate page. Jimmy is tricky though, cos he was a minor char, but is now a main character. I agree with Kanamekun, I think it's safe to leave the Chloe/Jimmy stuff on his page because the relationship is over so it is unlikely to need anymore space. However, the Jimmy/Kara stuff has the potential to be pretty extended, probably into an eighth season, so it's better if it has its own page. (I am going to move this to the relationships talk page, too.)Marikology 19:56, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

Marikology - thanks, that's an awesome guideline for where Relationship info should go! I'll take a stab at incorporating it into the List of Policies page later :-) --Kanamekun 20:23, 11 December 2007 (UTC)0

How could jimmy have a relationship with Chloe who is his age and Kara who is younger. Shouldnt he be in high school or something -User:NatDuv

Jimmy's Powers and Abilities

Jimmy seems to be progressing a lot as a reporter. Back when he took those pictures of Lex's Kryptonian schematics, he made up crazy conspiracy theories when he first saw them (haha, hieroglyphics hieroglyphics- Egyptians!) Then all of a sudden in season 7, he was cracking the mystery of the Kawatche cave paintings with just a little research (I think this was in Quest?). It was quite the progression.

He's gone on a number of journalistic missions with Lois, but he hasn't seemed that successful (remember those crappy photos he took of Green Arrow? And all those photos he took just of Lois at that desk?). But I don't want to give him short shrift. Anyone remember any successful journalistic adventures starring Jimmy Olsen? --Kanamekun 02:52, 4 September 2008 (UTC)

I don't have much to add to this discussion, but thanks for bringing my attention to the above discussion where I very very wrongly stated that Chloe/Jimmy was over. Show, why do you hate me? Marikology 02:35, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

Heh... that's when the fan fic comes in handy. :-) --Kanamekun 03:10, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

Clean-up

Could someone clean up this article, someone re-wrote the season 8 section in present tense and replaced the picture with one of Jimmy frowning. Elbutler 16:40, 27 October 2008 (UTC)

Death

To me, the Doomsday trailer suggests Jimmy is the one that dies, especially as he seems at a bit of a loose end at the mo. That coupled with ausiello's hint that someone is pregnant with the Dad that needs a psychiatrist, I think Jimmy will die and Chloe will give birth to their baby, who she will name after Jimmy. 195.93.21.66 12:25, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Hope

God, I hope not. Jimmy plays an essential part in Clark's life as Superman, even the series runs at a different course.

But what if it is revealed that the Jimmy we thought was THE Jimmy Olsen was in fact the father of the real one, who follows in his Dad's footsteps by becoming a photographer at the Daily Planet. In the comics Jimmy Olsen is younger than Lois and Clark whereas on Smallville he is around the same age. 195.93.21.66 14:29, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

That's a very funny theory.

And not entirely wrong. - 92.9.231.230 03:21, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

They said his name was Henry James Olsen, not James Bartholomew Olsen like it is in the comics. Hence, his little brother (who was wearing a bow tie) is actually the Jimmy Olsen from the comics! The age difference works too. What do yall think? SCsmallville 03:36, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

It's sad. I was watching the Jimmy on Jimmy features on S7 DVD, and Aaron said he was a huge fan, read comics and every thing, that's it's so disrespectful to him that his character wasn't Jimmy because of Fascist purists. (68.45.145.241 05:22, 15 May 2009 (UTC))

Well I was right, nearly. I am a bit disappointed that the real Jimmy is his brother rather than his son, which would have made more sense but I guess then he would be too young. It would have set up a nice story arc for Chloe though having a child, as she doesn't really have anything that leads into next year except for being Watchtower! I knew Jimmy would die though, I'm surprised so many people are sad by it as when he was alive there was a lot of hate for his relationship with Chloe and other than that he was a bore! 195.93.21.66 16:04, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

Okay, I really don't care if the little brother is the ral deal, I have always pictured him as the real deal! I am so pissed! What have they done!!!

Naming of the page

Since he isn't called Jimmy Olsen, i personally feel we should move the page back to Henry James Olsen as this is his true name. I can see why we should keep the page as Jimmy Olsen as it is unlikely the real James B Olsen will appear anytime soon as he looked like he was 10. But i still feel a change is needed as with the Davis Bloome page which should be changed to Doomsday as Doomsday is now the dominant personality and Davis is dead.CommanderConnor 18:20, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

He was called Jimmy Olsen for three seasons, and was referred to as Henry James Olsen once. If the real James B Olsen somehow appears on the show, we can consider a name change then to handle ambiguity? In the meantime, a redirect at "Henry James Olsen" (and the real name at the top of the Jimmy Olsen page) should handle this for now... --Kanamekun 18:31, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

I agree, since he was called Jimmy for three years, his page should reflect that. Marikology 23:54, 15 May 2009 (UTC)

In the meantime, it had been moved to Henry Olsen, which doesn't make things better. Since the name Jimmy Olsen is used for both the brothers, and the Jimmy known from the comics is the younger one, I moved the page to Henry James Olsen as the true name and made a disambiguation for Jimmy. --Kevingr (talk) 15:56, August 24, 2015 (UTC)

The real Jimmy

• Jimmy can't be the comic books Jimmy Olsen for many reasons 1. his full name, 2. his age and 3. his death. His name was Henry James instead of James Bartholemew. He is as old as Clark isntead of younger and he died at the end of doomsday. His little brother is most likely the real James Bartholemew Olsen and the future superman's pal.--NatDuv 23:11, 15 May 2009 (UTC)
• All this time we've believed that Jimmy Olsen of Smallville is the real Jimmy. That is what the writers wrote. Jimmy called himself James Bartholomew Olsen and all of a sudden he's Henry James Olsen at the end. Which would you rather believe - the Jimmy we've known for these past 2 years or a lightswitch at the end of season 8?

...When did Jimmy say his name was "James Bartholomew Olsen"? I do not recall him ever using his full name. He simply did not like being called "Henry" and went with his middle name, "James/Jimmy". Honestly, I don't see why people are so bothered by this. I actually think it's a GREAT origin for the "real" Jimmy Olsen--he wants to follow in his brother's footsteps and become a great photographer. I imagine his arrival at the Planet would cause a lot of angst for Clark and maybe even Lois, but hey. It would explain their sibling-like protectiveness of him, wouldn't it? 209.89.19.154 21:23, February 20, 2011 (UTC)

Superman's Pal Speculation

I wonder what will make the Red Blue Blur/Superman a mentior figure for possible Jimmy Olson of Mythology. My theory is that at some point Clark helps him deal with his brothers death, and possibly helps to motivate him to become a freelance photographer.

In The Comics

Should that section be there? It has been confirmed that he younger brother is the one of the comics and not him, so it is somewhat awkward.

-- LDrago 00:40, April 22, 2011 (UTC)

Early History

Regarding the last line in Early History: "However, a background check done by Oliver Queen indicates that these claims were also false, with Jimmy withholding the actual truth."

I'm not sure how Oliver's line about the background check indicates he was lying once again about what he told Chloe in 8x05. It doesn't really tell us anything. If anything, it sounds like Oliver is confirming that Jimmy does have that hidden history that he lied about to Metropolis society (re: cover letters for jobs). HotShot485 (talk) 06:38, 6 October 2023 (UTC)

Trying to make sense of all the retcons done to Jimmy's past can give a person a headache. "Cover letter" is probably not supposed to be literal (after all, who talks about their family history, while applying for a job?), just a figure of speech. When Oliver speaks to Jimmy about having checked his past, Jimmy insists that he is just a mediocre photographer-turned-bartender (as if he's trying to deny whatever Oliver's dug up, by framing himself as a nobody). More importantly, two episodes later, we get the introduction of Watchtower, which Jimmy (the son of a supposed part-time mechanic, with a severe alchohol problem) bought Chloe as a wedding present. Looking at that development, the Oliver-Jimmy scene in Beast looks like a possible attempt to retcon what Jimmy had said in Devoted (which was itself a retcon of stuff that had come before), to justify him being able to afford a sort of place like Watchtower. Also, what is more plausible? That the son of an alcoholic part-time mechanic could afford a loft apartment, in a building dwarfing LuthorCorp Plaza? Or that Jimmy's some kid from a wealthy family, who pretended to be from a poor family? Him having the means to buy Watchtower does point to the latter. Though, I'm hoping that we'll get this whole mess cleared up, if/when Talk Ville makes it to the end of Season Eight.KylieMfever (talk) 11:49, 6 October 2023 (UTC)

I also meant "cover letter" allegorically, as does Oliver in that scene. He means that the front that Jimmy puts up for society socially, professionally, and publicly (as he'd only revealed the truth to Chloe) seems cut and dry (like being a guy with affluent parents who went to Met High), but that there is more than what he tells people (like having a storied life with a lot of adversity). And Jimmy wasn't framing himself as a nobody as some kind of subterfuge. That's a very strange leap. He was a nobody, a mediocre photographer-turned-bartender with no self worth, despite the story about an affluent family. The stuff about Watchtower is a lot of supposition. The reality is that we're just expected to believe Jimmy bought a run-down room (not even studio apartment) with no private bathroom/shower that they could fix-up. What's more plausible is just what we're told pretty plainly. He was not a rich kid pretending to be a rich kid pretending to be a poor kid. I'll also point to the Smallville Roleplaying Core Book, which is an official product released at the end of Season 9 and is incredibly accurate to the most obscure details about canon/characters that most fans don't even know. The production of the book was overseen by Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson (they also wrote the foreword to the book).

"Jimmy Olsen took pains for many years to tell people he came from a family of investment bankers and attended Metropolis High, but the truth is that his father was an alcoholic mechanic and Jimmy’s earliest years were spent in Oklahoma City. Jimmy was confident that he could make a name for himself and advance his career by becoming a photographer and moving to Metropolis. He was an intern at the Daily Planet for one summer, where he met and had a steamy fling with Chloe Sullivan. Later, after the event known as Dark Thursday, Jimmy scored a full-time job as a news photographer at the Planet and joined Chloe’s circle of friends, including Clark and Lois." HotShot485 (talk) 12:48, 6 October 2023 (UTC)

Moreover, he's just shown to have money problems pretty consistently. If the implication was that family money easily paid for Watchtower, why was Jimmy begging for a few hundred dollars in this very episode ("Beast") and asking for an advance on his paycheck an episode prior ("Stiletto")? Would the affluent parents not have helped him after losing his job? The car he drives in "Turbulence" is very run down. He moved in with Chloe and Lois at the Talon in "Instinct" so he could "save wedding pennies." A season prior, he had had to (as a figure of speech) crack open many piggy banks in order to afford concert tickets for Chloe, which is pretty consistent with the idea that he saves up money to buy gifts for Chloe. And, in this case, enough for the down payment on a rusting dome.

You are making a good point. After all, it's not like Watchtower's a luxorious penthouse, when we first see it.KylieMfever (talk) 13:17, 6 October 2023 (UTC)

Also, if you're interested in having the Core Book (along with the Season 10 final update and the Smallville High update), I can send them to you somehow. They are an extremely cool resource that constantly impresses me with how much detail and accuracy is in them, and I believe they should also be referred to officially since the writers/producers were involved. It's three separate .pdf files. HotShot485 (talk) 13:39, 6 October 2023 (UTC)