Smallville Retrospective Season 3

Smallville

The Best Superhero TV Show Ever

Having a TV show explain a complicated origin story, especially in this case, is a better format than trying to describe all the little nuances that come with growing up into a 2-hour movie. Sure, Superman with Christopher Reeve is still probably the best interpretation, but it can’t compare to Smallville. We dove into all the details here that make Clark who he is. Not only that, we learn why the other characters are who they are. You can’t get that in a movie. I’m really not a fan of Zack Snyder’s interpretation of Superman. In fact, it might be the worst I have seen. In the movies we see Clark’s transformation briefly, but we do not see everyone else and their transformations. This development isn’t limited to their superpowers, or criminal activities. It is steeped with relationship issues, school, money, and time; things all of us can relate to. This places it above everything that has come before or after it to this day.

Season 3

Clark starts this season in Metropolis after Jor El’s warning. With the red Kryptonite he becomes involved in living the life through stealing to get what he needs. When Morgan Edge gives him an offer he can’t refuse – to steal from Lionel Luthor – he gets in a little too deep. This is brilliant in the way that Clark gets to see the other side of life, the darker side. Jonathan is able to free him with the help of Jor El, but at a cost. That cost, as we know won’t be realized until season 5.

When he returns from the big city, Clark is forever changed. Meanwhile Lex, having survived an assassination attempt by his wife, also returns to Smallville. In the coolest move he could ever do, he buys the Kent farm and puts it in Jonathan’s name. I liked that. While Clark Explores his dark side (no pun intended), Lex is embracing his light side. Will it be his last embrace?

Lana is now pining for Clark, but, of course, Clark thinks of her well being before his own happiness and shuts her down until she finally gives up, and although she is still interested, she begins seeing other people. Adam, played by 1^st runner up to play Clark on this series, Ian Somerhalder, doesn’t exactly sweep her off her feet, but manages to form a relationship with her. Little does she know about his backstory, or that he was assigned by Lionel Luthor to track Clark. I love this storyline and it’s continuity through the season.

Adam isn’t the only one Lionel coerces for information on the Kent boy, Chloe gets so wrapped in her jealousy of the Clana romance that she agrees to report back as well. When Chloe uses her only chip to break free of Lionel’s grip, she requires Lex’s protection. Lex has his own preoccupation is with Clark and his investigating goes too far by the end of the season, and Clark ends their friendship. This was kind of a heartbreaking moment. I always like it when people get along, and on this show to see their friendship deteriorate was sad. Thankfully, it takes a couple of seasons to completely wither.

Overall, Clark not being so squeaky clean anymore, Lex’s dive into his own psychosis, Lana growing up and leaving to find herself, Chloe struggling with being the 3^rd wheel, Jonathan sacrificing himself for his son, and Pete leaving town as well to protect Clark’s secret, this ranks as one of my favorite seasons. Oh, and I totally forgot to mention Lex begins to drive a wedge between Clark and Lana! It’s exciting watching it back to see the subtle beginnings of what is to come and just how subtle the beginnings were!

I'd love to hear any other Smallville lover's opinions, please comment below if you wish.

Smallville Season 2 Retrospective

Smallville

The Best Superhero TV Show Ever

One thing I constantly do when watching other shows and movies is notice when there was an actor who was on Smallville in what I’m watching. Those around me probably get annoyed, but I don’t care. I can usually list the episode in which they were in as well. Some of these actors acted in previous incarnations of the Superman story, some would be in the movies later, and some were just getting their careers started. A few of these people include: Cobie Smulders, Richard Moll, Teri Hatcher, Dave Bautista, Adrianne Palicki, Dean Cain, Carrie Fisher, Amy Adams, Lizzy Caplan, Margot Kidder, Rutger Hauer, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Christopher Reeve, Michael McKean, Michael Ironside, and Helen Slater. The list goes on, but you get the point. The casting on this show was amazing. The way they incorporated the former Superman stars into the show as new characters while paying homage…bravo.

Season 2

From the beginning of the season, we can see the solid friendship between Clark and Lex is slightly beginning to fray. They were able so slow play this dynamic over the course of 6 seasons, from best friends to enemies, which obviously could not be done in a movie. As their friendship slowly begins to unravel, I found myself hoping they could work things out although knowing they eventually they won’t.

In the first episode, “Vortex”, Lex helps Clark find his dad, but during this time Clark is able to see the lies Lex is telling him. By the end of the episode, however, not only has Clark forgiven Lex, but convinces Jonathan that he isn’t such a bad guy.

In this season Clark develops new abilities, learns to share his secret with more trustworthy people, finds that there is more than one kind of meteor rock, and discovers the kawatche cave. The cave was a huge part of the show for years to come, but they spent the most time on them in season 2. In this cave, on the cave walls, is the story of Naman. This story is a Native American interpretation of Clark’s place on this Earth. Whoever came up with this storyline is a genius. There are many different takes on the story from each character that explains their point of view to the story.

There still are a few Freak of the Week episodes, but every show has at least a background plot that fuels the overall plotline. I think the most interesting episode is #17 (Rosetta). Guest starring Christopher Reeve as Dr. Virgil Swann, Clark learns about his true origins from Krypton. A close second and third are the final two episodes of the season (Calling and Exodus). This is the first time we hear the voice of Jor-El, played brilliantly by Terrance Stamp (Zod, from the Superman movies).

Season 2 is definitely the season that switched gears for this show. You should really watch every episode to get the full character development and plot development. Lana evolves as a more independent woman, though she’s only 16, we get to see both sides of Lex and sympathize with him, the Kent’s ongoing support and guidance of Clark, and of course, Clark slowly becoming the person he is meant to be.

Smallville Season 1 Retrospective

Smallville:

The Best Superhero TV Show Ever

I have never denied my love for Smallville. Not only do I believe that it is the best superhero TV Show of all time, but I think it ranks among the best shows of any kind. This starts, obviously before Clark Kent becomes Superman and takes you on a journey through the early struggles of both developing his powers along with developing his character and relationships. In this multi-part series, I will address why I think the creators, Gough and Millar, did such a good job. Starting with:

Season 1

The pilot episode sets the stage for any series, and this one really nailed it. We see that a young Clark Kent, a freshman in high school, already has and uses some of his powers, such as super speed, but does not know exactly where they came from. In this episode we also see that Clark is already feeling the effects of Kryptonite, although he does not know why. Lana Lang wears a “meteor rock” necklace made from the meteorite that killed her parents, and Clark is weakened by it.

This season is the stage setter for the seasons that followed. It seems apparent that they were not sure if they would be renewed immediately, as season 1 earned the “Freak of the Week” reputation. This simply means that every week’s episode had another person infected by Kryptonite (they called it “meteor rock” until late season 2) and turns evil. Some temporarily and some not.

Clark develops and gets used to the news that he is from another planet and his developing powers as he grows older. For instance, in this season he is completely unaware that he can be shot and not die. However, he does bruise from the shots although they heal quickly. The main focus is on his relationships, both with his parents and with his friends. These are crucial in setting up what is to come. In this we see why he has the morals he does and why he always looks for the best solution with no loss of life. Culminating with a cliff hanger season finale.

The show is excellently cast. Every actor perfectly suited for their role. John Schneider, a favorite of mine from the Dukes of Hazzard, played Jonathan Kent so well, I wanted to be a better father. Michael Rosenbaum played the best Lex Luthor I have ever seen. He took the role and played the subtleties beautifully as a confident businessman, to a slightly insecure friend, and a best friend and older brother type to Clark. Lana Lang is adorably played by Kristin Kreuk, who moves through quite an arc on the first season, starting as the popular cheerleader to the girl next door looking for purpose. Chloe Sullivan, played by Allison Mack, is the Lois Lane type of friend for Clark’s high school years.

Of course, Tom Welling plays Clark Kent. He develops this character so perfectly through the entire run of the show, I don’t think calling him the best Clark Kent is saying too much. He may not be the best Superman, but that is only because he didn’t play Superman.

If you are planning to watch this show, you definitely need to start at the beginning, and this season sets the table for all that is to come. The series opening scene foreshadows events that don’t happen until season 6. It is just so well thought out, I recommend it to everyone.