At the last San Diego Comic Con, I passed up an opportunity for a front row seat at the “Supernatural” panel so I could be part of the final “Smallville” press room. I had never been in one before and I knew it was my last chance. After having a near fan girl meltdown over John Schneider, Justin Hartley, and Tom Welling, Cassidy Freeman (who is hilarious by the way) was the one who said something that sticks with me to this day.
“I was like getting really emotional at the panel. I was like “ten years,” I mean I’ve been here for two. Ten years! (fake wipes a tear from her eye). I can’t imagine how they feel. But I’m very thankful.”
Yeah, I know what you mean. I’ve got one extra year on Cassidy Freeman, but I only found “Smallville” in season seven. How? Easy, I found this other show that I absolutely, positively fell in love with after discovering it in season three. It was “Supernatural,” the companion show to “Smallville” ever since they joined forces in their respective seasons five/one on The WB. I heard so much about it, so I finally decided to check out an episode. My very first episode live was “Persona.” I didn’t get it. Nor did I get the next one either. Okay, season seven was pretty much a loss until I was able to go through the previous six seasons on DVD and catch up. And then watch season seven again.
Does that mean I instantly fell in love with this show and couldn’t stop watching? Not exactly. Don’t get me wrong, I like “Smallville” but it hasn’t captured me in a way that other shows have. What’s memorable for me is how it turned out that going through those six seasons became a true family event. My kids watched with me and the hubby, giving us many family movie nights. That’s something we couldn’t do with “Supernatural.” That show maybe my fav, but for the kids it’s too graphic. “Smallville” was perfect for all of us. Even if Lana Lang made me want to hurl.
The very first episode we watched that we had to watch again was “Rosetta.” Just, wow. Still one of my favorites to this day. It was the first tie-in to the old Superman mythos, and disabled or not Christopher Reeve reminded us why he was fit to wear the uniform all those years ago. After plugging on though, we wondered why it took this 25 year old man so long to leave high school. We absolutely died when Jonathan Kent did, especially since John Schneider is a childhood crush of mine (which is why I completely melted in that press room when meeting him unexpectedly).
Then The Green Arrow appeared. Wow. Me and and my daughter have caused a wee of embarrassment over our constant drooling over that man, especially all those shirtless scenes. The very first autograph picture on my daughter’s wall is a Justin Hartley signed photo in full Green Arrow costume. It’s one of her greatest treasures.
“Smallville” has indeed evolved, especially working itself more toward the DC mythos and away from the story of freakish misfits in Kansas. “Justice” in season six blew us all away. To this day it’s the family favorite, by far. We still talk about that scene of them walking away from the explosion. It’s iconic. It’s always remembered and will be for years to come. It makes us wonder why oh why The CW, DC Comics and Warner Brothers haven’t figured out a way to do a Justice League spinoff. It’s a freaking shame, but that’s the TV business for you. Possible film franchises trump all.
I’m not the only person that’s stunned that “Smallville” has survived this long. Heck, when I started watching I was stunned to find it was still on the air. However back in season five at my place of employment it was still water cooler talk. Sure, I’m in the IT field and just about everyone I worked with fell in a fan boy category, but Superman sells with these guys no matter what form. The fact they had ten years, CW series or not, it’s ended up making a difference in their lives. The Lois and Clark mushy behavior of late has been a bit of a turn off, but hey, at least they’re following the comics. Continuity freaks are happy.
Sure, The WB “Smallville” and The CW “Smallville” are not the same show. Tom Welling is the only constant. The original had a bigger budget and a better soundtrack. It also appealed to teens. As the show grew older, so did the audience. An enamored 18 year old is now a 28 year old. Even Tom Welling admitted he’s ten years older and thirty pounds heavier. But as life evolves, it’s natural a TV show should as well.
Just look at all the changes through the years. The Talon, Mom and Dad giving lessons at the Kent farm, the Wall of Weird, meteor freak of the week, Luthorcorp’s very bizarre Smallville branch, the caves, friends like Pete that just fell off the radar for no good reason, and the fact every time I saw Jensen Ackles on this show I started yelling “Just die and become Dean Winchester already!” BTW, one of my favorite behind the scenes stories came from Jensen Ackles, who once eluded to how much Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) didn’t care for Jane Seymour.
Now it’s all correct. The Daily Planet, Watchtower, the Justice League, and our beloved Chloe is Mrs. Green Arrow (and what a pretty couple they are!). The Luthor mansion is burned to the ground and Bizzaro World lives. I don’t need to see anymore, but I am pleased to see they’re trying to go out touching upon the Superman mythos many know. Even Clark Kent has gone from handsome to bumbling fool. It’s all in the details I guess.
Even after all this time though, the show has stuck with the same core theme that appeals to anyone today. Believing in heroes. We all need them. Many have gotten cynical about heroes, especially when those we’ve believed in have disappointed us. The show has even gone through the trouble of depicting that attitude this season. This is why “Smallville” is going out as one of the top rated CW shows. It’s going out because dammit, Superman needs to fly and wear the suit! Give us our hero! There can only be so much back story.
Even if the rally cry over the last several years has been “Tights and flights!” someone reminded me that Superman didn’t fly in the comics for the first five years. “Smallville” has been around for ten. It’s time. I’ll miss the show and the last three years we had together, but I accept that all things must come to an end. Even shows that knew the ending before the beginning.
Thank you cast and crew of “Smallville” for ten amazing years. May your flight off into the sunset be literal. We do believe.
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