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sanalaylaBy the time “Smallville” ends, they will have produced 218 episodes. Two hundred eighteen episodes. How crazy is that? All of them haven’t aired, yet, and chances are quite high that some of the best episodes are yet to come. But… if you were to sit down and list your Top Ten episodes, what would they be? Could you even just keep the list at 10? Or would it need to be 20?
Let’s say that a friend of yours came to visit you for the weekend and turned to you and said, “I’ve never watched an episode of “Smallville” my whole life. But you’re so obsessed with it, I’m willing to give it a whirl. But I have only 20 hours to devote to this, so give me the 20 to watch.”
What would you do? Other than looking at your friend like they’re insane that they think they can understand the depth of Tom Welling’s beauty and the awesome-ness that is Erica Durance in a mere 20 hours. Or that they can possibly grasp the epic nature of Clark’s first real kiss with Lois. Or that they’ll never get why a random meeting in a corn-field could quite possibly be the most epic “meet-cute” in the history of television.
Once you’ve stopped hyper-ventilating at the sheer pressure of it all, what would you choose as the twenty episodes that are a must-see before they watch the rest of S10? The episodes that make you proud to be a SV fan and make you turn to your friends and say, “It is NOT a sub-par show. It is NOT cheesy and campy. See, just look at this episode right here.” Or just the episodes you think were really important to the over-all plot of the series? Or… maybe… it’s just an episode that resonated with you for some reason.
So, here’s my list. In order of air date (as opposed to the order in which I think they are awesome).
Let’s say that a friend of yours came to visit you for the weekend and turned to you and said, “I’ve never watched an episode of “Smallville” my whole life. But you’re so obsessed with it, I’m willing to give it a whirl. But I have only 20 hours to devote to this, so give me the 20 to watch.”
What would you do? Other than looking at your friend like they’re insane that they think they can understand the depth of Tom Welling’s beauty and the awesome-ness that is Erica Durance in a mere 20 hours. Or that they can possibly grasp the epic nature of Clark’s first real kiss with Lois. Or that they’ll never get why a random meeting in a corn-field could quite possibly be the most epic “meet-cute” in the history of television.
Once you’ve stopped hyper-ventilating at the sheer pressure of it all, what would you choose as the twenty episodes that are a must-see before they watch the rest of S10? The episodes that make you proud to be a SV fan and make you turn to your friends and say, “It is NOT a sub-par show. It is NOT cheesy and campy. See, just look at this episode right here.” Or just the episodes you think were really important to the over-all plot of the series? Or… maybe… it’s just an episode that resonated with you for some reason.
So, here’s my list. In order of air date (as opposed to the order in which I think they are awesome).
1) “Pilot” (10/16/2001): Smallville debuted at a time when this country needed a real life Superman. I will never forget traveling down 405 in LA and seeing the bill board for this show. With Welling strung up on a cross and the “S” spray-painted on his chest. I had been a general fan of Superman over the years. I would read comics if they crossed my path. I had watched all the movies. I was fan of the show “LnC”. You could say that I was a Clois shipper before I even understood what the term “shipping” meant. So, needless to say, I immediately understood that this was going to be a show about Superman. I was very excited and was counting down the days. Then 9/11 happened. And a mere TV show should not have been that important in the great scheme of things, right? Well, I still remembered what day Smallville was going to debut and I made sure I was home to watch it. (This was before I owned a TiVo.) And I was riveted. It wasn’t “LnC”… it wasn’t the movies. It wasn’t even remotely similar to the comics I’d ever read. But that was OK. Because it was the story of a boy who would grow up to be Superman and that first episode made me care about how he would get there. And it reminded me that horrible people existed in the world, but fantasy was based on reality – there could be hope for us, as a nation, when we created heroes like Superman in our fiction.
2) Nicodemus (03/19/2002): I know. You’re probably going, WHAT? But I thought this was a very important episode in “SV”… it went beyond the typical “freak of the week” theme and started to lay down the ground-work that Lex Luthor was going to end up being… Lex Luthor. It was an important moment in Clark/Lex’s dynamic (Lex lies to Clark and keeps Hamilton to keep digging… an obsession that would end up taking over his life). It was also the first time I got the sense that there was any heat to the Clark/Lana dynamic. Before that, Lana was all sweetness and sunshine. I couldn’t imagine her and Clark ever getting it on. I would, of course, be well and sick of the Clana ship in later years, but I think this episode was important in establishing the course of their relationship. If someone were new to “SV” it would serve as a starting point to explaining why/how this ship lasted for so long. Also, I just like it when the show (or any show) lets the character act different and loopy for whatever reason.
3) Red (10/15/2002): As I said, I like it when characters to get act different. And this was the first time that we got to see Clark acting VERY different. (Well…hello, Welling. Didn’t know you could get any hotter.) This is probably the only time I saw KK/TW have chemistry with each other. The Clana kiss at the Talon is way up there in the heat factor. (The way he grabs that tray out of her hands and sets it down? Rowr.) The use of different forms of Kryptonite definitely gets old after awhile. But this was the first they used it and it worked VERY well. At least, for me.
4) Ryan (11/12/2002): This was one of those episodes where you saw the Superman in the young Clark Kent. Shades of Superman would be always be there in every single episode, but this was one of those episodes where I watched it going, “Yeah. That’s Superman.” The way Ryan and Clark talk to each other; open up to each other. It was fantastic. I loved the exchange where Clark remarks that he would love to have a fortress, but not a floating one, because he’s afraid of flying. (He’s referencing the WA comics.) Now, I know… those sorts of anvils could be very groan-worthy. But… sometimes… they just worked for me. This was one of those times, just because the convo is just so sweet and sad, since they talk about how Ryan is going to die. I think the writers were very brave to end the episode with Ryan’s death. Of course, I spent the whole time thinking that there would be a magic cure. (Isn’t there always?) But… no… like Clark, we needed to learn the lesson that Clark Kent may be a super-man, but there are things even he can’t fix. There are people even he can’t save. The final scene in that episode is probably one of the saddest things I’ve seen on Smallville ever.
5) Rosetta (02/25/2003): I’m going to be honest and say that this makes my list because Christopher Reeve is the one who plays Swann. But, also, I thought that this served to start expanding the mythology when it came to all things Kryptonian. It laid down the ground work for a ton of episodes that would explore Clark’s Kryptonian heritage. It was also the beginning of the whole confusion: “WTF? Is Jor-el evil or good? I do not understand this man.”
6) Exile (10/01/2003): A lot of people hate this episode. Because it’s really hard to see a Clark Kent who voluntarily puts on Red K and uses it to drug himself. And to see him break into ATMs, yell at his friends, and be a criminal. But… um… Red K Clark was HOT. (So sue me, this was before we got S8, 9, and 10 with all the DP suits and ties.) But, mostly, I thought this episode served as a good reminder of what Superman is capable of when he’s not… well… choosing to be Superman. Since Clark wasn’t even close to donning the cape and tights (as we know, that will happen in May 2011), I was OK with Clark having this horrible moment in this life where he saw what he could never let himself become. Add in the fact that this set the stage for Jonathan’s heart becoming weak – which plays such a huge part in the rest of the series – and I think this is a very important episode.
7) Crusade (9/22/2004): Of course, no one is going to be surprised to see this on the list. This episode contained one of the most important and memorable lines uttered on the show: “I’m Lois. Lois Lane.” The final scene at the graveyard? Where Lois is breaking down and saying she’s all alone and Clark says, “You’re not alone.”? Gotta love it. Not to mention… Clark flies! Looking all hot in all black, no less! The only thing he remembers? Flying and Lois Lane. Aw, Clark… meet your soul mate. It’s only going to take you five more years for you to realize that she’s The One, but – hey – at least we can be content in the knowledge that Lois would have probably decked Clark in this episode if he acted like he’d just met his soul mate. It’s not like it was love at first sight for Lois, either. Most versions of Superman actually do have Clark Kent falling in love with Lois at first sight. (Or, at least, a heavy form of attraction.) At the time, I was annoyed that “SV” didn’t go the classic, canon, route. But now? I’m glad that they handled Clois the way that they did. I’m glad that it took Clark several years to build up a relationship with Lois that went from begrudging tolerance to mutual respect to friendship to love.
8) Run (10/20/2004): I love the Flash. Every single version of the Flash. I love the JL animated series’ version of Flash (voiced by a perfect Rosenbaum). I love the old cheesy 90s show that was on the Flash. And I’m really enjoying the latest comic book (The Brightest Day; check it out if you haven’t… Iris West is an awesome character). Anyway, I got tingles when I watched this episode because it was the FIRST time that Clark met a person who was destined to be a future member of the Justice League. And not only that, this was another one of those episodes where you looked at Clark Kent and said, “Yup. That guy? He’s going to be Superman when he grows up.” I enjoyed watching how they inter-acted with each other. I liked Bart’s breezy humor. I wasn’t crazy about how they cast Bart. I would have preferred a taller guy – kind of lean and looking like he could actually beat someone up. (The Flash is not usually that much of a wimp. Sure, he isn’t Batman, but he’s not a gigantic dork either.) For some bizarre reason, the show seemed to have issues with casting good looking men unless they were dating Lana and Lois. (See who they cast for Pete. What were they thinking?) This was always odd to me, because Welling is rather hot and it’s not like we would think he’s NOT hot just because the Flash is a good looking guy. Anyway… I really loved this episode. It was nice to see Clark with a future hero that wasn’t lecturing Clark… it was, in fact, the other way around. The way it should be.
9) Transference (10/27/2004): Now, I have to admit it: I am not a Lionel Luthor fan. I am not one of those fans who used to go around calling him MB or anything like that. In fact, there were times where I thought he was major time suck. And, of course, it didn’t help that he (like Chloe) was just kind of written and re-written to end up being all over the place. But this episode? Was pretty damn awesome. Mainly because Tom Welling rocked as Lionel Luthor. (I felt John Glover didn’t do as good of a job as Clark Kent.)
10) Vengeance (2/2/2006): This episode is on the list of many people’s “worst episodes of SV ever” lists. However… I really liked this episode when it first aired. And, since then, it’s come to occupy a special place in my heart. First of all, I enjoyed the scene where Chloe and Clark are faking a mugging. I also liked that they flat out showed us what it means to be a vigilante who saves the world by night and is a reporter by day. It’s interesting to watch that now and realize that Clark was interacting with – essentially – his S9 self. But, more than anything, it was the final scene of that episode. Remember what I said about the last scene in “Ryan”? I was wrong. THIS scene is probably the saddest scene ever on SV. Jonathan Kent on the tape… waving good-bye. While Clark holds onto his mother and they both cry. When you consider the plot in S10, it’s interesting to see that this episode almost served as foreshadowing.
2) Nicodemus (03/19/2002): I know. You’re probably going, WHAT? But I thought this was a very important episode in “SV”… it went beyond the typical “freak of the week” theme and started to lay down the ground-work that Lex Luthor was going to end up being… Lex Luthor. It was an important moment in Clark/Lex’s dynamic (Lex lies to Clark and keeps Hamilton to keep digging… an obsession that would end up taking over his life). It was also the first time I got the sense that there was any heat to the Clark/Lana dynamic. Before that, Lana was all sweetness and sunshine. I couldn’t imagine her and Clark ever getting it on. I would, of course, be well and sick of the Clana ship in later years, but I think this episode was important in establishing the course of their relationship. If someone were new to “SV” it would serve as a starting point to explaining why/how this ship lasted for so long. Also, I just like it when the show (or any show) lets the character act different and loopy for whatever reason.
3) Red (10/15/2002): As I said, I like it when characters to get act different. And this was the first time that we got to see Clark acting VERY different. (Well…hello, Welling. Didn’t know you could get any hotter.) This is probably the only time I saw KK/TW have chemistry with each other. The Clana kiss at the Talon is way up there in the heat factor. (The way he grabs that tray out of her hands and sets it down? Rowr.) The use of different forms of Kryptonite definitely gets old after awhile. But this was the first they used it and it worked VERY well. At least, for me.
4) Ryan (11/12/2002): This was one of those episodes where you saw the Superman in the young Clark Kent. Shades of Superman would be always be there in every single episode, but this was one of those episodes where I watched it going, “Yeah. That’s Superman.” The way Ryan and Clark talk to each other; open up to each other. It was fantastic. I loved the exchange where Clark remarks that he would love to have a fortress, but not a floating one, because he’s afraid of flying. (He’s referencing the WA comics.) Now, I know… those sorts of anvils could be very groan-worthy. But… sometimes… they just worked for me. This was one of those times, just because the convo is just so sweet and sad, since they talk about how Ryan is going to die. I think the writers were very brave to end the episode with Ryan’s death. Of course, I spent the whole time thinking that there would be a magic cure. (Isn’t there always?) But… no… like Clark, we needed to learn the lesson that Clark Kent may be a super-man, but there are things even he can’t fix. There are people even he can’t save. The final scene in that episode is probably one of the saddest things I’ve seen on Smallville ever.
5) Rosetta (02/25/2003): I’m going to be honest and say that this makes my list because Christopher Reeve is the one who plays Swann. But, also, I thought that this served to start expanding the mythology when it came to all things Kryptonian. It laid down the ground work for a ton of episodes that would explore Clark’s Kryptonian heritage. It was also the beginning of the whole confusion: “WTF? Is Jor-el evil or good? I do not understand this man.”
6) Exile (10/01/2003): A lot of people hate this episode. Because it’s really hard to see a Clark Kent who voluntarily puts on Red K and uses it to drug himself. And to see him break into ATMs, yell at his friends, and be a criminal. But… um… Red K Clark was HOT. (So sue me, this was before we got S8, 9, and 10 with all the DP suits and ties.) But, mostly, I thought this episode served as a good reminder of what Superman is capable of when he’s not… well… choosing to be Superman. Since Clark wasn’t even close to donning the cape and tights (as we know, that will happen in May 2011), I was OK with Clark having this horrible moment in this life where he saw what he could never let himself become. Add in the fact that this set the stage for Jonathan’s heart becoming weak – which plays such a huge part in the rest of the series – and I think this is a very important episode.
7) Crusade (9/22/2004): Of course, no one is going to be surprised to see this on the list. This episode contained one of the most important and memorable lines uttered on the show: “I’m Lois. Lois Lane.” The final scene at the graveyard? Where Lois is breaking down and saying she’s all alone and Clark says, “You’re not alone.”? Gotta love it. Not to mention… Clark flies! Looking all hot in all black, no less! The only thing he remembers? Flying and Lois Lane. Aw, Clark… meet your soul mate. It’s only going to take you five more years for you to realize that she’s The One, but – hey – at least we can be content in the knowledge that Lois would have probably decked Clark in this episode if he acted like he’d just met his soul mate. It’s not like it was love at first sight for Lois, either. Most versions of Superman actually do have Clark Kent falling in love with Lois at first sight. (Or, at least, a heavy form of attraction.) At the time, I was annoyed that “SV” didn’t go the classic, canon, route. But now? I’m glad that they handled Clois the way that they did. I’m glad that it took Clark several years to build up a relationship with Lois that went from begrudging tolerance to mutual respect to friendship to love.
8) Run (10/20/2004): I love the Flash. Every single version of the Flash. I love the JL animated series’ version of Flash (voiced by a perfect Rosenbaum). I love the old cheesy 90s show that was on the Flash. And I’m really enjoying the latest comic book (The Brightest Day; check it out if you haven’t… Iris West is an awesome character). Anyway, I got tingles when I watched this episode because it was the FIRST time that Clark met a person who was destined to be a future member of the Justice League. And not only that, this was another one of those episodes where you looked at Clark Kent and said, “Yup. That guy? He’s going to be Superman when he grows up.” I enjoyed watching how they inter-acted with each other. I liked Bart’s breezy humor. I wasn’t crazy about how they cast Bart. I would have preferred a taller guy – kind of lean and looking like he could actually beat someone up. (The Flash is not usually that much of a wimp. Sure, he isn’t Batman, but he’s not a gigantic dork either.) For some bizarre reason, the show seemed to have issues with casting good looking men unless they were dating Lana and Lois. (See who they cast for Pete. What were they thinking?) This was always odd to me, because Welling is rather hot and it’s not like we would think he’s NOT hot just because the Flash is a good looking guy. Anyway… I really loved this episode. It was nice to see Clark with a future hero that wasn’t lecturing Clark… it was, in fact, the other way around. The way it should be.
9) Transference (10/27/2004): Now, I have to admit it: I am not a Lionel Luthor fan. I am not one of those fans who used to go around calling him MB or anything like that. In fact, there were times where I thought he was major time suck. And, of course, it didn’t help that he (like Chloe) was just kind of written and re-written to end up being all over the place. But this episode? Was pretty damn awesome. Mainly because Tom Welling rocked as Lionel Luthor. (I felt John Glover didn’t do as good of a job as Clark Kent.)
10) Vengeance (2/2/2006): This episode is on the list of many people’s “worst episodes of SV ever” lists. However… I really liked this episode when it first aired. And, since then, it’s come to occupy a special place in my heart. First of all, I enjoyed the scene where Chloe and Clark are faking a mugging. I also liked that they flat out showed us what it means to be a vigilante who saves the world by night and is a reporter by day. It’s interesting to watch that now and realize that Clark was interacting with – essentially – his S9 self. But, more than anything, it was the final scene of that episode. Remember what I said about the last scene in “Ryan”? I was wrong. THIS scene is probably the saddest scene ever on SV. Jonathan Kent on the tape… waving good-bye. While Clark holds onto his mother and they both cry. When you consider the plot in S10, it’s interesting to see that this episode almost served as foreshadowing.
I’ll post Episodes 11-20 soon. But… what about you guys? What would make your list?
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no subject
Date: 2010-11-03 08:46 pm (UTC)1. Pilot
2. Hourglass
3. Leech
4. Red
5. Lineage
6. Rosetta
7. Exile/Phoenix (I can't show one without the other, and I count them as 1 episode :P)
8. Covenant
9. Crusade
10. Transference
11. Hidden (I know it's Clana, but it's tragic Clana and I oddly liked it here)
12. Hydro (And this is where the Clana should've ended once and for all)
13. Apocalypse
14. Identity
15. Hex
16. Pandora
17. Charade
18. Salvation
19. Homecoming
20. Isis (The episode as a whole isn't my favorite, but the last 10 minuites are so vital to the series that I can't NOT include it)
I really would've put a WHOLE lot more of Season 9 (like, pretty much the whole thing) but I wanted to cover at least 1 ep from each season. The rest of this season is going to rearrange my list, I just know it. I may have to make it a top 30 list, lol.
20.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-03 08:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-03 09:58 pm (UTC)Hourglass was the first "mythology" episode, but it was also the first time, I believe, that Clark encountered a meteor infected person that helped him rather than tried to hurt him. Cassandra was delightful, Martha was a badass, Clark solved the case on his own, and Cassandra was the first person that showed Clark his "future" and I loved what she said about always seeing people in pain when she saw their futures, but then Clark was there and their pain went away. That's Superman for you.
And Leech because we got to see just why Clark was so lucky to have been found by the Kents. I thought it was a very important episode and managed to show us without having an AU episode what Clark could've been like if he'd been raised by other parents. Plus Clark being able to enjoy a power-free life was sweet to see because he was unabashedly happy, but when people's lives are at risk, he still had that heroic nature. So it showed us that it wasn't the powers that made Clark heroic, but himself and his upbringing. I thought that was VERY important. It's "easy" to save the day when you have powers, as Eric Summers proved, but it's not easy to suppress that urge to use those powers for one's own gain, and it's also not easy to be heroic when faced with someone more powerful than yourself. Clark truly showed why he is so special and it was truly the first real glimpse at why he will be Earth's Greatest Superhero. Damn, now I want to watch Leech right now.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-03 10:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-03 10:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-04 12:59 am (UTC)Oh you have so many of my favorites listed here! I love the way you talk about the show beginning in the context of 9/11. WOW.
I had no idea some people hated Vengeance. I guess it was a bit of a batman rip off but... I really liked that episode. What a tough assignment. 20 of more than 200? WHEW. I dunno. :D
Enjoyed your thoughts.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-04 01:50 am (UTC)Yeah... it was in order of air date. Actually, there are a lot of episodes listed here that I would definitely rate higher than the S8-S10 episodes. The Pilot for one. And "Crusade" for another.