Smallville
Series, 2001, Television, Set in Smallville
Smallville is #9 of 11 in release order and #10 of 11 in chronological order in the Superman.
The story
The origins of the world’s greatest hero–from Krypton refugee Kal-el’s arrival on Earth through his tumultuous teen years to Clark Kent’s final steps toward embracing his destiny as the Man of Steel.
Smallville recap
In season 1, teenage Clark Kent, whose ship arrived in a 1989 meteor shower that also killed Lana Lang's parents, hides his growing powers in Smallville with his best friends Chloe and Pete. He saves young billionaire Lex Luthor from a car crash, and they become friends, while the meteor rocks, kryptonite, give townspeople strange powers. Over seasons 2 and 3, Clark learns about Krypton from his ship and the voice of his father Jor-El, Lex fights his scheming father Lionel, and Chloe vanishes in the season 3 finale. In season 4, Lois Lane arrives looking for her cousin Chloe, who is alive, and Clark hunts three Kryptonian stones that create the Fortress of Solitude. In season 5, Clark's father Jonathan dies of a heart attack, and the alien Brainiac puts General Zod's spirit into Lex. In season 6, Clark hunts escaped Phantom Zone prisoners, meets Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow, and Lex marries Lana. In season 7, Clark's cousin Kara arrives, Lana leaves, and Lex kills Lionel and turns fully against Clark. In season 8, Clark works at the Daily Planet with Lois, Tess Mercer runs LuthorCorp in place of the missing Lex, and Clark faces Doomsday, who kills Jimmy Olsen. In season 9, Clark, working in secret as a hero called the Blur, fights Zod and Kryptonians brought back to life. In season 10, Lois knows his secret and they grow closer as Darkseid comes for Earth, and Lex returns.
Smallville ending explained
In the finale, Lex comes back and kills Tess, who erases his memories as she dies. Clark finally flies, and he pushes Darkseid's planet Apokolips away from Earth. Lois and Clark do not quite make it to their wedding. Seven years later, Clark is Superman, working at the Daily Planet with Lois, Lex is president, and the series ends with Clark pulling open his shirt to reveal the S.
Where to watch Smallville
Smallville is streaming on Hulu in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 78%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, before Superman Returns.
- Chronological order: after Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, before Superman & Lois.
What to watch before Smallville
Nothing. Smallville (2001) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own.
Cast
- Tom Welling as Clark Kent
- Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan
- Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang
- Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor
- John Glover as Lionel Luthor
- Erica Durance as Lois Lane
- Annette O'Toole as Martha Kent
- John Schneider as Jonathan Kent
- Justin Hartley as Oliver Queen
- Sam Jones as Pete Ross
- Cassidy Freeman as Tess Mercer
- Laura Vandervoort as Kara Kent
Created by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar.