7 Smallville Episodes You Can Skip When Watching the Superman Series

by

Starting from its debut in 2001, “Smallville” has long been a cherished superhero origin series, following Clark Kent’s transformation from high school student to Superman and frequently cited as the inaugural CW show contributing to the Arrowverse’s creation. Despite encompassing over 200 episodes across 10 seasons, the series might appear overwhelming for new viewers. The positive aspect is that not every episode is essential viewing. Although the primary storylines and character development are strong and impactful, some episodes lack depth, provide minimal narrative significance, or simply seem like extra content. For those eager to explore the series but wish to avoid unnecessary details, here’s a list of “Smallville” episodes you can safely skip without compromising the main storyline.

“Drone” (Season 1, Episode 18)

In this particular episode, pupils from Smallville High School compete for class president, and a weekly villain manipulates the election using genetically modified bees. Although the storyline touches upon Clark’s hesitation towards leadership positions, the presentation could have been strengthened. The bee-focused adversary appears underdeveloped, lacking in both intensity and significance. Consequently, the plot is not significant to Clark’s character progression, and the episode is more frequently remembered for its outlandish concept rather than its impact on the ongoing storyline.

The show “Drone” offers some captivating scenes, particularly when Clark struggles with his duty to lead instead of hiding in the background. These themes are more fully developed later on, when he assumes command of the Justice League and guides Cyborg, Impulse, Green Arrow, and Aquaman to a triumph over Lex Luthor. If you’re primarily interested in Clark’s significant growth phases, missing this episode won’t pose any substantial problems for you.

“Ageless” (Season 4, Episode 20)

In ‘Agless’, Clark and Lana stumble upon an abandoned infant who miraculously grows into an adult at an alarming rate. Although the theme of Clark grappling with fatherhood is intriguing, the plotline is marred by excessive drama and dubious writing decisions. The episode attempts to evoke emotions but comes across as contrived and excessively sentimental. The rapidly maturing character is a well-worn science fiction motif, but ‘Smallville’s interpretation doesn’t offer anything new to the trope. Additionally, this storyline fails to contribute significantly to the Season 4 arc – the quest for Kryptonian stones – making it feel more like an unnecessary distraction rather than a crucial part of Clark’s journey.

“Thirst” (Season 5, Episode 5)

In “Thirst,” Chloe becomes a member of her college newspaper, and Lana encounters a coven of vampire sorority sisters. Ouch! Despite their efforts to create a campy horror experience, it feels more like silliness and clashes with the show’s primary mood. The episode’s endeavor to combine traditional vampire lore with the world of Smallville seems unnecessary and adds little value to the ongoing narrative. If you choose to skip this episode, it won’t affect your comprehension of the season’s major storyline – one that revolves around Lex Luthor’s transformation into a villain, which is crucial to the series as a whole.

“Subterranean” (Season 6, Episode 9)

In this particular episode, Clark aids an immigrant child whose family is mistreated by a harsh farm owner. Despite its aim to address weighty themes like racism and cultural differences, the outcome seems incongruous within the broader narrative of Smallville. The antagonist lacks impact, and although the social message is heartfelt, it appears oversimplified. Granted, not all heroes wear capes, but Clark’s heroic actions without superpowers do little to unveil new aspects about his character that fans weren’t already aware of. Given that Season 6 predominantly revolves around the struggle between Clark and Lex, this episode functions more as a diversion than a valuable contribution to the series.

“Hero” (Season 7, Episode 13)

As a die-hard Smallville fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting Pete Ross’s return to our beloved town after four long years. In this week’s episode, we find Pete with an unusual ability – the power of elasticity, much like our favorite DC character, Plastic Man. While it was great to see Pete again, reminiscent of earlier seasons, I found the execution to be a tad too cartoonish for my taste. The emotional depth that could have been woven into this storyline seemed lacking, especially considering Pete’s past involvement in the series.

Moreover, the superpower derived from chewing gum felt a bit out of sync with the rest of the show. The episode’s main conflict also fell flat for me, lacking the tension that I’ve come to expect from Smallville. If you’re tuning in for Season 7’s major arc revolving around Lex’s dramatic transformation, this particular episode might not be essential viewing.

“Power” (Season 8, Episode 13)

The main theme of this episode revolves around Lana Lang’s transition into a super-powered hero, but it turns out to be one of the less enjoyable episodes in the series. The narrative moves too quickly, and Lana’s character development takes an extremely disappointing direction. Instead of providing her with a fitting farewell, the episode is bogged down by excessive drama. Although there are some positive aspects, like her last encounter with Lex, overall, it feels more like a squandered chance to establish Lana as the next Supergirl, following Kara Danvers.

“Harvest” (Season 10, Episode 6)

In the last episode of the series titled “Harvest”, it seems more like an addition rather than a crucial part of the storyline in the show’s final season. The characters, Clark and Lois, encounter a secluded village where the inhabitants are deeply tied to an old tradition using Blue Kryptonite. By Season 10, viewers have grown attached to the series and are eager to witness Clark’s ultimate transition from Superboy to Superman. Regrettably, this episode seems more like a diversion than a significant piece adding to the series’ thrilling conclusion.

Read More

2025-01-07 19:10