10 Embarrassing Smallville Moments That Are Actually Great

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The show, titled “Smallville”, paved the way for numerous successful superhero series we see today. It revolutionized the quality of television, offering a cinematic experience and delving deep into Superman’s backstory. The creators emphasized portraying Clark Kent rather than his alter ego, focusing on his personal growth into the iconic caped figure we recognize. Although it had many intense scenes, it occasionally embraced its teen drama genre elements.

Even though some parts of Smallville may seem outdated or awkward to today’s viewers, they offer a unique glimpse into the early 2000s when Smallville was extremely popular. From the perspective of a typical TV drama, these unusual moments were understandable. Consequently, while they might appear quirky, they also hold a certain charm.

Chloe, Lois, and Lana Got Witchy

Smallville Went Supernatural

In the eighth episode of Season 4 titled “Spell,” we encounter Margaret Isobel Thoreaux from the past. Alongside her coven of three witches, she was put to death by burning at the stake and swore they would return. When Lana touches Isobel’s magical book, Isobel’s spirit seizes control of Lana’s body and searches for new vessels for her deceased sisters in witchcraft. Chloe and Lois find themselves in a dangerous predicament and spend the majority of the episode engaging in scandalous activities throughout Smallville, even attempting to confront Clark at one point.

This episode, with its Smallville campiness, is incredibly enjoyable. The plot surrounding Margaret Isobel Thoreaux seems a bit far-fetched, even for a superhero series. Yet, it managed to bring in renowned actresses like Jane Seymour, who portrayed Isobel’s former adversary, Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg.

Amy Adams’ Eating Habits Were Unhinged

She Had an Insatiable Appetite

Michael Rosenbaum’s revisit podcast, , particularly appreciated for its “weekly oddity” structure during its initial phases. However, there was a reassuring sense of routine as the series was finding its footing. Every week, viewers could anticipate that a resident of Smallville might exhibit a new talent or affliction linked to meteor rocks (Kryptonite). Notably, an episode from Season 1, titled “Craving,” in Episode 7, showcased Jodi’s (Amy Adams) storyline. In this installment, she utilized meteor rock-laced smoothies for weight loss, but the results came with concerning side effects.

In a humorous contrast to today’s perspective, the part where Jodi’s jaw dislocates to drain fat from a deer seems rather amusing. However, the special effects in this scene, as well as the entire episode, have not aged particularly gracefully. Yet, it undeniably showcased that Smallville was not shy about taking risks and exploring darker narratives.

Clark Discovered the Meaning of Heat Vision

A Unique and Thematic Way of Explaining Clark’s Powers

In the second episode of Season 2, titled “Heat,” it is revealed that Clark possesses heat vision as one of his powers. During a class by an appealing instructor, Clark unintentionally triggers his heat vision, causing a burn on the projector screen. This happens when he gets emotionally or physically aroused. Later in the storyline, this aspect of his abilities will be explored further when Clark’s Kryptonian relative, Kara, makes her appearance.

The new approach to revealing one of Superman’s iconic abilities on the show felt genuinely novel. Connecting it to a universally relatable teenage experience, such as Clark’s life, enhanced its thematic relevance to both the series and viewers. Growing up isn’t always easy or comfortable, and not even Clark Kent managed to avoid those awkward episodes.

That Time Smallville Went Hollywood

An Episode Inspired by Film Noir

In the early 2000s, themed episodes became popular on TV shows. The 20th episode of Season 6, titled “Noir,” aired on May 3, 2007. This episode was set in Jimmy Olsen’s dream world and featured each main character playing a specific role in a film noir-style movie, a genre common in the 1940s. The episode received mixed reviews; some viewers found it cheesy while others considered it a classic.

Nonetheless, “Noir” followed a typical trend seen in many Superman interpretations by embracing the more cheesy aspects. By presenting Lois as a nightclub performer and Lex as a mob boss, the show creatively reimagined familiar figures, providing an entertaining twist as it reached its seventh year, much like a relationship experiencing the seven-year itch. I found this approach quite enjoyable.

Lois Went Undercover By Going Uncovered

Lois Lane: All-American Exotic Dancer

Later on Talk Ville, Erica Durance confided in Rosenbaum and Tom Welling that she felt anxious about performing her dance routine wearing just an outfit resembling an American flag bikini. Since Lois (Durance) had to go undercover, the writers devised a scenario where the only way for her to do so was by… assuming the role of a stripper. This led to an uncomfortable moment with Clark, who was pretending to be a customer at the nightclub. Smallville definitely enjoyed creating tension between these future spouses.

Even though the scene was heavily influenced by fan service, typical of The CW, it remained a notable moment in the series. And let’s face it, there’s something charming about the occasional awkwardness between Lois and Clark.

Martha Kent Got Flirty With Her Son

A Dead Prom Queen Steals the Scene

In Episode 18 of Season 4, titled “Spirit,” there were several moments that might make you blush. The plot centers around Dawn Stiles, who was aiming to be the prom queen but unfortunately crashed her car into a ravine filled with meteor stones. After the crash, Dawn falls into a coma, and while she’s unconscious, her spirit becomes uncontrollable. Throughout the episode, Dawn takes control of various individuals.

In a particularly awkward moment, Dawn, who has taken over Martha’s body, initiates a flirtation with Clark. This scene was undeniably designed to make viewers shift uneasily in their seats, and it certainly succeeded. Annette O’Toole delivered an exceptional performance, convincingly portraying the rebellious teen character of Dawn Stiles.

Jonathan and Martha Got Uncomfortably Handsy

A Flower Makes People Flirty

Starting from Season 1, Episode 15 named “Nicodemus”, the residents of Smallville, including Jonathan Kent (played by John Schneider), came across a peculiar flower called Nicodemus. This flower caused them to behave impulsively, with most people displaying unusually flirtatious behavior. In an awkward turn of events, Clark stumbled upon his parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent, kissing in their kitchen at home. As a teenager, such an incident is undeniably mortifying. Eventually, a Native American remedy was discovered to break the spell cast by the flower.

The interaction between Jonathan and Martha was particularly engaging for the show’s primary demographic, teenagers. Schneider and O’Toole delivered their roles with conviction once again. Moreover, the continued romantic chemistry between the Kents, even with an odd prop like a flower, is refreshing to see.

Oliver Queen Was All Dolled Up

All Bets Were off in Season 10

In the final season of Smallville, the original creators Al Gough and Miles Millar had moved on, leading to shifts in the show’s standards. Although their past seasons had some difficult-to-watch moments, the later episodes occasionally veered off course, or as some might say, “jumped the shark.” In Season 10, Episode 15, titled “Fortune,” Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) dressed up in flashy, cabaret attire for a secret mission. This humorous choice was not necessarily a misstep by the writing team.

It’s quite enjoyable when a series with a long history can take daring steps. At that stage, Smallville wasn’t shy about being funny, demonstrating Justin Hartley’s great sportsmanship in fully embracing these humorous situations.

Lana Slayed as a Sorority Sister Vampire

Smallville Jumped on the Undead Hype

Kristin Kreuk (character: Lana Lang) has openly stated that she didn’t relish the process of filming “Thirst,” episode 5 of Smallville’s fifth season. In this installment, Lana encounters a coven of vampire sisters at college. This episode seems somewhat out of sync with Smallville’s usual narrative flow, bordering on the absurd. However, it mirrored the entertainment trends during its production, and could be seen as a tribute to pop culture from the early 2000s.

In the heart of the vampire craze, with the Twilight series in full swing and True Blood captivating audiences, the film I’m about to review, titled “Thirst,” serves more as a snapshot of a fleeting trend rather than an embarrassment. It encapsulates a brief, yet intense period in pop culture history.

Clark Became a Jealous Prom Queen

The Future Superman Claims the Crown

Reflecting on Season 4, Episode 18, titled “Spirit,” I find myself drawn back to the unforgettable character of Dawn Stiles. Her very presence added a dash of fun and a sprinkle of awkwardness to the series, and surprisingly, it was each main cast member who got a taste of her unique charm. It served as a refreshing break from the usual drama, offering moments that were light-hearted, even bordering on the ridiculous. Despite being a show deeply invested in portraying Superman’s journey to greatness, it never shied away from embracing the occasional whimsical plot twists. In essence, Smallville was all about serious superhero development, but also knew when to lighten up and have some fun.

The episode reaches its climax when Dawn takes control of Clark and, in a rare instance of profanity on Smallville, asserts her power by pushing him in the chest and proclaiming: “The crown is mine.” Despite being uncommon, the use of such language made the statement more impactful. Admittedly, it may have been cliché or reminiscent of teenage drama, but that was likely the intention.

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2025-04-22 21:09