Summary
Smallvillewas one of the most successful and long-running series in theDC Universe, producing many excellent, rewatchable episodes throughout its long run. Detailing the youth of Clark Ken, primarily focusing on the years between the start of high school up until he dons the Superman costume, the series was beloved and featured some of the most acclaimed iterations of many characters ever put on screen, leading toSmallvillesequel pitcheseven now. As a result, much of the series still holds up, and rewatching some of the best moments can be a rewarding experience.
With so many episodes, it can be hard to know exactly which stories involving the likes of Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor and Tom Welling’s Clark Kent are worth revisiting. SomeSmallvillestorylines have not aged particularly well - as evidenced bySmallville’s controversial “Cravings” episode- while others have added context through the years, making their revisiting much more enjoyable. As such, even over a decade later, there’s still a range of timeless and valuable points in thelive-action Superman serieswell-worth giving another viewing.
Smallville Lex Luthor Actor Reveals He Initially Had A Much Bigger Role In His MCU Debut
Smallville’s Lex Luthor, Michael Rosenbaum, has a cameo role in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, but he initially had a bigger part to play.
10Hydro
Season 6, Episode 10
The romance between Clark Kent and Lois Lane is inevitable and is one of the most celebrated relationships in comic books. That is why the show had such a difficult battle to fight in its earlier seasons, when the relationship between Clark and Lana was explored. While the two actors had excellent chemistry, their relationship was doomed from the start. When Erica Durance’s Lois Lane was introduced to the series,Smallvilletook its time effectively winding the two lovers together.
“Hydro” marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Clark and Lois, as it features their first kiss. This moment, a highlight in the series, is a nostalgic reminder of the start of their epic love story. The episode, set in an established universe, weaves the origins of Clark and Lois into a monster-of-the-week story, adding depth to their characters. The duo’s journey to face threats and uncover the identity of Green Arrow makes for an excellent, perennially rewatchable episode.
9Cure
Season 7, Episode 4
Exploring Kara’s history throughoutSmallvillewas an effective part of the series, crafting one of the best iterations of the girl who would be Supergirl yet seen. Still,it is the presence of formerLois and Clarkstar Dean Cain as the villain here that makes this episode worth revisiting.Smallvillehad an eye for Superman’s legacy and went out of its way to bring former franchise stars like Margot Kidder to the series. Featuring Cain as a villain was one of the most successful of these appearances.
Seeing Superman fight Superman after Cain’s Knox is revealed to be ages old creates a thrilling meta-narrative worth revisiting. When this jumps further andthe full legacy of Knox’s history as Jack the Ripper is revealed, the episode turns to some of the pulpy weirdness thatSmallvillerevels in. For its weaknesses and strengths, the episode remains infinitely rewatchable.
10 Best Quotes From Dean Cain’s Superman
Just as Christopher Reeve’s Superman ruled the big screen in the ’80s. Dean Cain’s Superman ruled the ’90s. But what were some of his best quotes?
8Aqua
Season 5, Episode 4
Several stars, including Lizzy Caplan and Amy Adams, appeared onSmallvillebefore rising to fame. However,Reacherstar Alan Ritchson’s short appearance as Aquaman seems the most notable and worth revisiting in 2024.The character elevates this episode and was intended to continue in his own series. However,Alan Ritchson was recast for theAquamanspinoff, and the series did not move past the pilot stage.
With a romance between Lois and Arthur - known here as A.C. - and threats toSmallvilleof the aquatic variety, the episode is a standout featurethat provides one of the first live-action appearances of the Aquaman character.This episode is worth revisiting for the deep-cut references to the Arthur Curry character and to reflect on what might have happened if Alan Ritchson had remained the star of his spinoff.
Alan Ritchson’s Smallville Aquaman Snub Looks So Much Worse In 2024
Alan Ritchson portrayed Aquaman in Smallville but was recast in its Aquaman spinoff pilot, a decision that, in hindsight, was perhaps a mistake.
7Fortune
Season 10, Episode 15
Hailed as the funniest episode ofSmallville, “Fortune” is filled with strange and humorous moments. After being given a bottle of champagne by Zatanna, the characters blackout and must retrace their steps from the night before. Lois has lost her engagement ring, and Clark worries about having potentially stolen an armored truck.
With its humor and gags, ‘Fortune’ is a delightful episode that resembles the filmThe Hangover.While it may be considered filler in the series, it’s filler that is sorely missed in modern television.The episode’s strength lies in its ability to create character moments and interactions that make it one of the most rewatchable episodes of the series, whether viewed in sequence or not. As such, it’s an episode worth revisiting time and time again.
10 Awkward Smallville Scenes Superman Fans Want To Forget
Smallville largely holds up well for its age, but it still has some awkward scenes that stand out when looking back on the CW’s Superman show.
6Rosetta
Season 2, Episode 17
Smallvilleis a series that contends with Superman’s legacy and origin, and it is well aware of the footsteps it follows.Christopher Reeve is featured in this iconic episode as Dr. Virgil Swann, who counsels Clark as he deals with the weight of his abilities. When Clark learns he is the last Kryptonian and that he is destined to conquer and rule Earth, Reeve tells him that he is responsible for his own destiny.
Having the former Superman actor advising the new Superman actor on what the role means and the character’s responsibility makes foran excellent meta-commentary within the series.The episode is one of the strongest even beyond this link to Superman’s past, with great themes of truth, discovery, and self exploration. It also ends iconically, with Clark joining the Daily Planet’s staff.
Christopher Reeve Faced Zack Snyder’s Biggest Superman Problem 30 Years Before Man Of Steel
Richard Donner’s former intern explains how Christopher Reeve faced the same problem as Zack Snyder’s Superman 30 years before Man of Steel.
5Spell
Season 4, Episode 8
One of the strangest episodes in all ofSmallville, “Spell” is also a fantastic yearly rewatch for the Halloween season. While many consider “Spell” to be one ofSmallville’s worst episodes,something special comes out of it when it is considered within its seasonal context.With a goofy exploration of witchcraft, the episode comes across uniquely in theSmallvilleseries.
DuringSmallvilleseason 4, Lana becomes possessed by her ancestor and becomes a destructive witch. Chloe and Lois are also possessed by other 17th-century witches, and the three form an unusual coven. With souls attached to them that were burned at the stake centuries ago, the three women go on a rampage of destruction.Divorced from the series, “Spell” is an unintentionally hilarious piece in the Superman mythos, telling an unusual story with unusual versions of beloved characters.
10 Best Episodes Of Smallville Every Superman Fan Must Watch
Smallville was a unique take on the Superman story and had a lot of great episodes that gave Superman fans a new appreciation for Clark Kent.
4Odyssey
Season 8, Episode 1
One of the best ensemble team-ups of the series, in this episode,Clark goes missing, and Green Arrow, Aquaman, and the Black Canary go out in search of him. This episode feels much like a harbinger of the Arrowverse that would eventually follow in its footsteps, with similar characters with similar designs. WatchingSmallvilleevolve to the point where a team-up like this is possible was exciting, and seeing a Justice League form and stand even without Clark is effective.
Smaller than the events that would follow it, the more intimate feel is retained here as the heroes make their way to the Arctic in search of Clark. Understanding the specter of Clark and how much the show has grown around himmakes this episode feel like a pilot for a Justice League series that never existed. Seeing how these characters interact with one another makes for special, rewatchable television.
3Lexmas
Season 9, Episode 5
Some may argue that “Lexmas” is not rewatchable due to the deep sadness it evokes. That said,this is an emotional and compelling episode of the series that informs much of Lex’s character.While much of the episode is spent in dream sequences while Lex is unconscious, these dreams significantly inform his outlook. He learns that goodness will only take him so far, and it will ultimately hurt the people he loves most.
Ending with the premise that all Lex needs to fulfill himself is money and power,the episode works as an inversion of the popular holiday featureIt’s a Wonderful Life.A less hopeful holiday feature, “Lexmas” is still an excellent piece of the series in illustrating the villain’s devolving into evil. As such, there is much to be gained from every terrific, although difficult, rewatch of this episode.
2Absolute Justice
Season 9, Episodes 11-12
With Absolute Justice,Smallvilletakes pieces it had been setting up and turns into an all-out superhero extravaganza.Featuring early live-action iterations of Doctor Fate and Hawkman long before they were featured inBlack Adam,the two-episode story creates a blueprint for superhero teamups thatThe AvengersandJustice Leaguewould follow. With a range of superheroes involved, these episodes make for a genuinely special event.
Featuring Waller and teases of the Suicide Squad, this iteration of the Justice Society of America inSmallvillehelps to ground the series in a larger DC universe. As the world grows with each successive episode,seeing Clark with friends old and new shows how far he has come from the start of the series.As a jumping-off point for Superman rather thanSmallvillestories, “Absolute Justice” remains something special.
1Pilot
Season 1, Episode 1
Superman’s origins have been shown in numerous iterations throughout the years. While some might suggest that 1978’sSupermandoes the best job of setting up the hero, it is, in fact, the pilot episode ofSmallvillethat does it best.The episode adeptly sets up the arrival of Kal-El on Earth and provides the first look at Annette O’Toole and John Schnieder as his parents, making it difficult to think this is only an introduction. With the mythology of the Superman legacy established, many characters feel fully formed from their inception.
From the beginning, everything in the world ofSmallvillefeels natural and complete. While there is a lot to tell of Superman’s story in the many episodes that follow, even ifSmallvillehad never gone to the series, there would be a reason to return to this episode and to see this Lex, this Lana, and especially this Clark. It is endlessly rewatchable, one of the best introductions in the DC Universe, and thankfully, not nearly the end of this Clark’s journey.
Smallville
Cast
Smallville chronicles the journey of Clark Kent, portraying his origins from Krypton to his teenage years on Earth. The series explores his challenges and development leading towards his destiny as the iconic hero, Superman, set against the backdrop of Smallville, Kansas.
