TV: New Shows to Watch for Next Season (Commentary)

The last few weeks have been filled with network upfronts announcing the slate of shows scheduled for this fall, and GeekPlate decided to check out the previews of all of the new shows announced and showcase the ones that seemed most interesting.

Terra Nova. FOX. Mondays.

A group of settlers leave in an environmentally ravaged future and are sent into the past in an attempt to give humanity a second chance at surviving. The new settlement is based in prehistoric times when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Steven Spielberg is an executive producer and Stephen Lang ("Avatar") plays the commander of the settlement.

Hart of Dixie. CW. Mondays.

A young city doctor struggling to make her place in the world finds herself adjusting to the small town life after inheriting a local medical practice. Josh Schwartz ("Chuck") is executive producer and Rachel Bilson ("Jumper") stars.

The Playboy Club. NBC. Mondays.

Centered around the infamous Playboy Club in 1960's Chicago following the rise and fall of the first Playboy bunnies. Eddie Cibrian ("Third Watch") and Amber Heard ("Drive Angry") star.

New Girl. FOX. Tuesdays.

An unlucky-in-love school teacher moves away from her ex and in with three rowdy men. Zooey Deschanel ("500 Days of Summer") and Damon Wayans Jr. star in the sitcom.

MIDSEASON (Unfortunately some really stellar shows are being held off until midseason. Here are two of them.)

Alcatraz. FOX. Mondays.

An investigation is created when prisoners and guards who mysteriously disappeared from the island prison decades ago suddenly reappear in the present. JJ Abrams is executive producer with Jorge Garcia ("Lost") and Sam Neill ("Jurassic Park") stars.

Awake. NBC.

An injured detective wakes up from a car accident to find himself living in two different realities: one where his wife survived the crash and one where his son survived instead. Jason Isaacs ("Harry Potter") stars.

COMIC: Top of the Stack - Batman Incorporated #4 (Review)

Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Chris Burnam
Cover by JH Williams III

Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99

The fourth week of March brought a stack of comics bookended by Bat and X titles and it was hard for any other book to compete with those franchise because these titles brought it this month. In the end, it was the newest issue of Batman Incorporated that climbed its way to the top with a story looking back at one of the Bat characters of old, the original Batwoman.

One of the benefits of having Grant Morrison as the writer on this Bat book is his passion for the character and its history over the decades. Through the Batman title to the Batman and Robin launch to now Batman Incorporate, Morrison has made it his mission to tie back story elements both big and small to anything in the past Batlore, slowly bringing together all of the stories of Batman into one cohesive - albeit complicated- world over the last few years.

In this issue, Batman's journey around the world setting up Batman, Inc. brings the book around to welcome this generation's Batwoman, Kate Kane, to its pages and she finds herself in what used to be Kane's Kolossal Karnival - the circus that the original Batwoman once owned, while Batman tries to figure a way out of the trap he and Gaucho find themselves in. But what makes the story truly memorable is when the past is explored between Kathy Kane's origin to become Batwoman and then the relationship between her and Batman and why she broke it off.

While the last few years in the Bat Universe have been about Grant Morrison's expert stories, JH Williams has been just as amazing during this time with the fantastic art he has brought to the Bat books, first with Detective Comics and now here with this cover while he works on the Batwoman solo title expected to debut later this year. Interiors are drawn by fill-in artist Chris Burnam, who does a great job of keeping the active flow of the title going even while making distinctions between the present and past storylines.

If there has been one constant in the Bat Universe it is that a book written by Grant Morrison will be the must read title and that continues to be true with his run now on Batman Incorporated. With Morrison's steady hand guiding the direction of Batman and the flagship book there are no doubts in my mind that this title will continue to be a must read comic book when you want a peek into the world of Batman from the past and present.

FILM: First Look at Bane from The Dark Knight Rises (News)

Warner Bros. most anticipated future film - not named Harry Potter - would have to be the last installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. Speculation has run rampant about the story and casting since the film was first announced and one of the more eyebrow raising decisions was the casting of actor Tom Hardy in the role of Bane. Coincidentally, now that the viral advertisements begin to ramp up for the film, the first officially released image on The Dark Knight Rises is a hi-res image of Tom Hardy in his Bane persona.



Bane is a character that is probably best known by movie audiences from his much maligned appearance in Joel Schumacher's "Batman and Robin", where he was pretty much portrayed as a mindless beast loaded on venom that was more Poison Ivy's pet than a true villain in his own right. That is vastly different from his origins in the comic book universe where he has been a Latin crimelord, a mercenary, and is a world-class fighter and tactical genius all the while being the one that sidelined Batman for a significant time in the 90's when he broke his back and defeated the hero with relative ease after Batman had struggled through the ordeal of Arkham Asylum's prison break mess in "Knightfall".

Nolan's version from a first glance looks to harken back to the much fiercer and intimidating presence of the comic Bane and that is not a bad thing. Then again, very little Nolan does is not just plain fantastic in the end.

The Dark Knight Rises in theaters on July 20, 2012.

FILM: The Amazing Spider-Man's Gwen Stacy Looking Good (News)

One of the more interesting stories to have come out of Columbia Pictures' relaunch of the Spider-Man film franchise has been the casting of popular young actress Emma Stone in the role of Peter Parker's legendary love interest, Gwen Stacy. Mostly known as a redhead during her time in Hollywood, the casting as a blonde character was a surprise as was the news that eventually followed that she was actually a natural blonde.



And I have to say that while it was a different look for Emma at first, she is now definitely looking like she belongs as a blonde. Here, last week during filming in Brooklyn for "The Amazing Spider-Man", she was radiating the look and feel of a modern day Gwen Stacy and seems a proper match for Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker.

TV: Smallville Finale Weds Its Past and Future (Review)

SMALLVILLE
10.21 "FINALE"
Aired May 13, 2011 at 8PM on the CW Network

If there has been an underrated part of "Smallville" during its ten year run, for me it would have to be the actor voiceovers that lead into the previous episode recaps and into the actual episode. Hearing "Last time on Smallville" or "And now the season premiere of Smallville" has been taken for granted over the years.

And now with the final season it was only apropos for the season premiere recap - the first vo of the season - to be voiced by Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and for the last vo - the finale lead-in, "And now the series finale of Smallville" to be voiced by Clark Kent (Tom Welling) as they are the two longest starring characters of the show that have been the "Smallville" standbys since the pilot in 2001.

Through its lifespan on first the WB for its first five seasons and then the last five seasons on CW after the WB and UPN channels merged, the show has been plagued with having it's air day shifted every few seasons further down the week (Seasons 1&2 on Tuesdays, 3&4 on Wednesdays, 5-8 on Thursdays and 9&10 on Fridays) and less than satisfactory advertisement and promotions for the show from the network. And the ratings have declined over the years as a result, but in the midst of the mess stayed a loyal group of fans that soon grew to love the show, its characters and its actors to even a higher degree than the intellectual property it was adapted from and previous incarnations of the Superman legend that had come before.

And in a sign of respect to a show that has been the network's flagship show for the last half of the decade as the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 7th Heaven shows ended, CW decided to present the series finale of "Smallville" as an epic two-hour television event on May 13th with a rerun following next week on Thursday, May 19. A perfect way to close the doors on the "Smallville" universe and its unforgettable television run.

Returns have been a big theme for "Smallville" during this final season and the finale kept it going, even behind the camera. Director Greg Beeman, who had directed the show's first four season finales, episode 100 and had returned to direct Season 9's finale, was welcomed back to direct the last hour of the finale.

Also back for the two-hour finale were several cast fan favorites, including Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) who has been a shining part of the final season with multiple appearances playing both the spirit of Clark's fallen father as well as the alternate universe version of Jonathan Kent. His presence in the finale went hand in hand with viewers needing to suspend their disbelief but it was well worth the entertainment value of seeing the Kent family reunited and Martha Kent (Annette O'Toole) and Jonathan sharing the screen for the first time since Season 5.

There was also the presence of Lionel Luthor (John Glover) who made his return during the final season and like Jonathan, had multiple appearances that really magnified how much the show had missed the character. Of course because the Lionel of the main "Smallville" universe had been killed by Lex in Season 7, this Lionel was from an alternate universe and as a result was a much darker take on the character. He was only a small part of the finale's second hour and will probably be more remembered this season for his return episode - Luthor - and the climax episode dealing with Lex's clone - Scion.

Because Jonathan Kent had made his first return to "Smallville" back in the Season 10 premiere and Lionel Luthor followed a few episodes later, the more anticipated return for the finale was that of the elusive Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) who had not been truly seen since the Season 7 finale, because Lex's brief injured appearance during Season 8 was played by another actor. To have the original Lex back brought the show full circle in that the series at its core had always been the story of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor and their intertwined destinies. That scene between Lex and Clark in the shattered ruins of the Luthor Mansion was full of the onscreen chemistry they had always had and it was like it was still three years ago and they had not been apart for three years.

The show promised surprises and the epilogue of the finale did indeed bring that when Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore) popped up beside Lois Lane (Erica Durance) being played by the same actor that played his older brother, who was widely considered by fans of the show as the "true" Jimmy Olsen that was unduly robbed of that honor. It was indeed a wow moment that was a welcome nod to the fans appreciation of the actor and his time on "Smallville".

Quick Hits:

• Talking about the finale you can't leave out Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman) who has had some incredibly powerful scenes during this final season as viewers learned of her true heritage as a Luthor. She did not escape her long rumored demise but she did unleash one more action scene when she broke free from her restraints and killed the alternate universe Lionel Luthor. And the onscreen chemistry with Lex was amazing despite the fact that the scene was their first and only together, and it left viewers wanting more between the half-siblings that cared for each other despite the inevitable toll the curse of the Luthor name had on them.
  
• Despite the lack of her father and sister at the wedding, Lois Lane looked the part of blushing bride beautifully and stole the hearts of men everywhere during the first hour of the finale. And then true to her character, in the second half she found her way onto Air Force One and forced the government officials to listen to her pleas and still get her scoop with the president. A fitting end for this Lois Lane's story to end.
  
• The biggest anomaly of "Smallville" when it came to fitting into the bigger picture of the Superman mythos was the original character, Chloe Sullivan, who was such a central and integral character of the show that the fan upswell supporting her grew as rumors of her possible demise came to light during the last few seasons. In the end though, the show gave the fans of the character and actress what they wanted, a future. She did not die and was shown with her son in the finale's epilogue telling the adventure-craving young boy the story of Superman.
  
• The odd man out for this finale would have to be Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley), who honestly seemed to have been only as a supporting/fill-in role for the show in the last two seasons after flirting with the idea of him being a corporate mogul and interacting alongside Tess as the good side's instigator during Season 8. The final season teased the idea of doing something interesting and different with Oliver after he was marked by Darkseid, but that plot was wrapped up quickly during the first hour and then the problem of the Bow of Orion being destroyed was pretty much an afterthought as Oliver was able to dispose of Darkseid's three servants with ridiculous ease that did not make much sense outside of there not being anymore time left in the finale for a longer fight between the side characters.
  
• In the end this story has always been about the journey of Clark Kent (Tom Welling), from charming farm boy to inspiring hero and "Smallville" did a fantastic job in staying true to that path. There were ups and downs along the way but the final season was very much the show's way of crossing the t's and dotting the i's that would get Clark to the ultimate goal that was the finale. The battle with Darkseid was anticlimactic given the limitations of a CW television show budget, but they made the best of it with having Clark finally achieve the ability of conscious flight and while most of Superman's presence in the finale was through CG, the last shot of the finale being Clark's transformation on the Daily Planet roof revealing the shield underneath his dress shirt was definitely the right choice to finish the series with such an iconic shot.

It has been an amazing ten years with "Smallville" a consistent companion on television but like all good things the end is a welcome sight before the original spirit of the show begins to disappear, like had been feared over the last few seasons. There will be a noticeable void felt especially by the geek audience when September comes around and no new "Smallville" episodes appear. This show surpassed everyone's expectations and in the end established itself as this generation's Superman story and is entitled to claim its own piece of the Superman mythos forever.


Goodbye, Smallville. Thank you for the memories.

This brings the end to Smallville week here on GeekPlate. If you missed it, there were four Top 10 lists posted on GeekPlate during this last week featuring Smallville's best episodes, best superpower moments, best Clark saves and best kisses. Hope you have enjoyed looking back at some of the show's memorable moments over its ten year run and that the finale lived up to your expectations.

TV: Smallville Top 10 Kisses (Commentary)

Day four of Smallville week on GeekPlate brings the last Top 10 post of this celebration. Enjoy a more intimate look at the show's ten seasons of episodes with today's entry: 10 Memorable Smallville Kisses.



10) S06E10 "Hydro"

Lois shares her first kiss with Clark after she mistakenly believes it is her boyfriend Oliver Queen in the Green Arrow costume.

Lois: Your secret is safe with me, Oliver ... You're, uh-
Oliver: That's a hell of a thank you.

09) S03E07 "Magnetic"

Getting their sleuth on in the hospital file room, Chloe pushes Clark against the file cabinets and kisses him to keep up the illusion they were just looking for a make out spot.

Doctor: What's going on? What are you two doing in here?
Chloe: ... Nothing

08) S02E22 "Calling"

Clark and Lana share a birthday kiss in the loft.

Lana: Make a wish.
Clark: I've been wishing for the same thing ever since I was five.
Lana: And now?
Clark: And now I don't have to. She's standing right here in front of me.

Honorable Mention: S09E06 "Crossfire" - In season nine there was this kiss that just missed being in the Top 10. The kiss in question would be the first official kiss between Clark Kent and Lois Lane - in regards to the previous two before this one, in "Hydro" Lois thought he was Oliver and in "Crimson" they were both under the influence of red kryptonite. Here they were both aware and Clark finally decided to cross the bridge to coupledom with Lois. A magical moment.

07) S02E14 "Rush"

Under the influence of a parasitic worm and red kryptonite, Chloe and Clark take their make out spree to the Talon.

Clark: So what do you want to do next?
Chloe: How about we play a game of strip poker?

06) S06E13 "Crimson"

In an empty office at the Daily Planet, Clark and Lois share a red kryptonite-influenced kiss.

Lois: You don't have to be macho just for me ... I like the dorky farm boy thing.
Clark: Dorkier than a hood and a quiver? Just because I don't wear a costume and splash my face all over the papers-
Lois: Clark! So what if your signature move is driving a tractor? I think it's adorable.
Kal: You know Lois, I think that it's is time for you to meet the real Clark Kent.

05) S08E09 "Abyss"

Back in the eighth grade shortly after they met for the first time, Clark and Chloe share their first kiss in the loft.

Clark: What was that for?
Chloe: I know you've been thinking about it all day, so I figured we'd just get it out of the way and be friends.

Honorable Mention: S04E11 "Unsafe" - This character could not go unrepresented on this list because of what she meant to Clark. I would be talking about Alicia Baker, a one-time girlfriend of Clark during Season 4, who was a teleporter and knew Clark's secret. As a result, in this fourth season episode, Alicia takes advantage of Clark's weakness to red kryptonite and has him wear a necklace laced with it to make him more agreeable to her suggestions of running away. They end up having some red-k make out sessions worthy of being remembered.

04) S02E04 "Red"

Clark shares a red kryptonite kiss with Lana in the Talon.

Clark: I've had feelings for you for a long time. And I know that you've had feelings for me too. So I think we should stop pretending.
Lana: So, so what? Is this supposed to be some, um, all-new Clark Kent?
Clark: Well that depends ... Do you like him?

03) S05E22 "Vessel"

In the Daily Planet during Dark Thursday, Clark and Chloe share an end of the world kiss.

Clark: What if something goes wrong? I don't want to leave you here.
Chloe: You have to. Clark ... I don't know if I'm ever going to see you again.

02) S08E14 "Requiem"

Clark fights against his Kryptonite weakness to share one last kiss with Lana in the loft.

Lana: That night, at the cemetery when I introduced you to my mom and dad, you told me that I would never be alone, that my mom would always be watching over me. We're in each other's hearts, Clark. I will always be with you ... no matter what. I love you.
Clark: I love you.

01) S10E05 "Isis"

After Clark admits to the truth that he is the Blur, Lois celebrates by tackling into a pile of files and kissing him.

Clark: All my life I've been afraid, Lois. Afraid of people knowing the truth about me. Afraid of them rejecting me and even if they didn't, still losing them. I've been afraid of everything I can't control. But when I was faced with the idea of losing you forever, it made me realize there's something I would regret more than anything else and that's not telling you the truth about me. Cause that's the only way we could share a life together. I know the odds are stacked against us and we'd be risking everything but if you're ready to take that leap, there's no one else that I'd want to take that leap with ... Lois, you've had a lot of questions about the Blur, it's me ... I'm the Blur.

That was it for this Smallville Top 10 installment. If you missed it, there were three previous Top 10 lists on GeekPlate featuring Smallville's best episodes, best superpower moments and best Clark saves. Look for a review of Smallville's final episode, "Finale", sometime during the weekend to close out Smallville week. Hope you have been enjoying looking back at some of the show's memorable moments and enjoy the finale!

TV: Smallville Top 10 Clark Saves (Commentary)

Day three of Smallville week arrives on GeekPlate with yet another Top 10 post on the superhero show. Enjoy GeekPlate's attempt at celebrating the show's ten years of entertaining episodes. Today's entry: 10 Memorable Clark Saves.


10) S04E17 "Onyx"

Clark saves Chloe from falling debris as Alexander watches on.

09) S01E01 "Pilot"

Lex swerves into Clark and drives into the water. Clark pulls him out.

08) S02E09 "Dichotic"

Clark jumps after Chloe to save her after Ian Randall threw her over the dam guardrail.

Honorable Mention: S01E03 "Hothead" - Coach Walt Arnold sets on fire the Smallville Torch office while Chloe is inside. The fire engulfs the room but Clark shows up and the coach backs off. The reason it gets honorable mention? Is the hilarious story Allison Mack told in an interview of how the repeated takes of throwing herself into Tom Welling's arms was beginning to ring her head and she had to tell him to soften up.

07) S06E19 "Nemesis"

Trapped together in underground tunnels, Lex frees Clark from the fallen pieces of the Kryptonite-lined walls.

06) S05E11 "Lockdown"

Clark super speeds in to save Lana from an exploding bomb.

05) S03E03 "Extinction"

Clark super speeds into Metropolis to save Lex from Van McNulty's sniper bullet aimed for his head.

Honorable Mention: S03E08 "Shattered" - Is there a more bittersweet save than in this episode when Clark stops a speeding car from hitting Lex, revealing his powers to his friend who he then abandons and lets get taken to a mental hospital.

04) S07E05 "Action"

Clark saves a free falling Lana after a crazed Warrior Angel fan throws her off Queen Tower.

03) S10E06 "Harvest"

Clark rushes in and protects Lois from a falling blue Kryptonite fire.

02) S08E01 "Odyssey"

After Clark is hit in the chest and mortally injured by a mind-controlled Oliver's arrows, John Jones and flies Clark towards the sun.

Honorable Mention: S10E02 "Shield" - As has been clear in preparing all these top 10 lists is that the show has progressed special effects wise as it gets into later seasons and paved the way for more ambitious saves. The one in this final season episode fits that bill with Clark being in a car with Cat Grant that gets shot and blown up and he saves her from the blast. Incredible visuals.

01) S09E17 "Checkmate"

Clark super speeds into a room full of Checkmate agents, taking them out and stopping a speeding bullet from hitting the tied up Chloe.

That was it for this Smallville Top 10 installment. If you missed it, yesterday featured a Top 10 list on Smallville's Memorable Superpower Moments. Tomorrow's post will be a Top 10 covering the Clark Kisses on the show. Enjoy Smallville week!

TV: Smallville Top 10 Superpower Moments (Commentary)

Smallville week continues here on GeekPlate with another Top 10 post for one of the most geek-friendly television shows in history. Join GeekPlate in celebrating the ten years of entertaining, visually stunning episodes this once in a lifetime show gave viewers of a town called Smallville. Today's post: 10 Memorable Superpower Moments.



10) S01E04 "X-Ray"

Clark Kent discovers he has X-ray vision.

Clark: Mom, if you could see anything, what would you do?
Martha: Learn to close my eyes.

09) S08E22 "Doomsday"

Clark Kent battles Doomsday in the streets of Metropolis.

Red-Blue Blur: Sometimes we cannot outrun our destiny.
Lois: But I thought you were invincible.
Red-Blue Blur: So did I.

08) S03E10 "Whisper"

Clark Kent is temporarily blinded and develops super-hearing to compensate.

Martha: His life has changed. And so has yours, but neither one of you will admit it. You both think you're Supermen who can do everything alone, but you can't anymore! You need to start relying on people, and so does he!

07) S06E02 "Sneeze"

Clark Kent catches a cold new ability - super breath.

Lois: Where did your barn door go? It was here late last night when I came to drop off the documents, and now it's gone.
Clark: Look at that, it is gone.
Lois: And it's been ripped right off its hinges. Oh my god, that barn door. I knew it looked familiar! Now how in the world does that happen?

06) S09E18 "Upgrade"

Clark Kent and Zod use arctic super breath to freeze Metallo.

05) S02E02 "Heat"

Clark Kents hits puberty as his raging hormones develops his heat vision ability.

Clark: Dad, you were right. Once I understood what triggered the heat, I was able to control it without thinking about ... sex.

04) S10E21 "Finale"

Clark Kent soars through Darkseid.

03) S02E21 "Accelerate"

Clark Kent super speeds with little Emily.

02) S06E22 "Phantom"

Chloe Sullivan saves Lois Lane from her mortal injury.

01) S04E01 "Crusade"

Kal-El takes first flight to fulfill his destiny.

Jonathan: Clark, your mother tells me you ... can fly?
Clark: Kal-El can fly. Clark Kent is still Earthbound.

That was it for this Smallville Top 10 installment. If you missed it, yesterday featured a Top 10 list on Smallville's episodes. Tomorrow's post will be a Top 10 covering the Clark Saves on the show. Enjoy Smallville week!

TV: Smallville Top 10 Episodes (Commentary)

Ten years for a TV show is a memorable achievement. Ten years for an adaptation of a comic book character is unheard of. But for the WB (and eventually the CW), Smallville proved to be that once in a lifetime type of show with its story of a boy from another planet growing up and learning to become the hero he was destined to be. With a dedicated group creating a quality production week in and week out, it quickly became the flagship show for the fledgling network. To celebrate the series finale of Smallville, GeekPlate has decided to have a week of posts dedicated to Smallville. Today's post: 10 Favorite Smallville Episodes.


10) S06E12 "Labyrinth"

Coming in at 10th is the Season 6 episode, "Labyrinth". An episode cannot have a better premise. After being attacked Clark wakes up in a reality where he has been in a mental hospital for over five years, and is told his entire life has apparently been an elaborate fantasy he created in his delusions. Throw in a lovesick Lana, Martha Luthor, crazy Chloe and a wheelchair bound Lex and you have a wonderful break from the regular Smallville status quo.

Honorable Mention: S02E16 "Fever" - In the second season came this memorable episode that just missed being in the Top 10. Clark and Martha fall ill to a deadly kryptonite virus, Martha is found to be pregnant, Chloe reads her love letter to Clark and Dr. Helen Bryce gets her hands on a vial of Clark's blood.

09) S04E12 "Pariah"

For Season 4 Smallville saw the return of Alicia Baker to wrap up her storyline as Clark's love interest in "Pariah". Lana and Jason get attacked and all signs point to it being Alicia. Clark initially defended her but when his suspicion of her rose, a hurt Alicia decides it was time for Clark to stop lying to his best friend and she forces him to unknowingly reveal his abilities to Chloe. But before she can see the repercussions of her mischief, Alicia is attacked and killed by the true bad guy. This unleashes an emotional and rageful Clark who has to be talked down by Lois before he exacts fatal revenge.

08) S04E19 "Blank"

Shortly after "Pariah" came along this episode that showed how much the friendship between Chloe and Clark had grown since she learned of his secret abilities when he experienced total amnesia and she had to look after him and keep him from inadvertently revealing the truth to the curious duo of Lana and Lex. The episode even ends on a fantastically honest conversation between Clark and Chloe where she comments that the only different thing Clark did as an amnesiac was to trust her.

Honorable Mention: S03E06 "Relic" - Most of the early seasons of Smallville dealt with the idea of Jor-El being an evil, manipulating character but in this Season 3 episode Clark got to relive Jor-El's memories from the time he visited Smallville forty years before. The past of Smallville was full of Luthors, Kents and actors Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk playing their character's ancestors.

07) S10E04 "Homecoming"

The only episode from the final season to make it onto the list, "Homecoming" marks the 200th episode of the series and touches fondly on the series' past and its future thanks to a trip through time with Brainiac 5. There were flashbacks to "Pilot" and the 100th episode of the show, "Reckoning" and a cameo from Greg Arkin, the villain from the Season 1 episode "Metamorphosis". But the most memorable part is Clark's visit to the future where he meets his future self, and saves future Lois in a time when Superman exists.

06) S01E01 "Pilot"

A list of favorite Smallville episodes is not complete without the episode that started it all. "Pilot" introduced the town of Smallville and the characters surrounding the story's protagonist, Clark Kent. His adopted parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent; his best friends Pete Ross and Chloe Sullivan; his crush Lana Lang and her much older boyfriend Whitney Fordman; and Lex Luthor, the misunderstood son of the hated Lionel Luthor.

Honorable Mention: S04E01 "Crusade" - The start of Season 4 signaled the next chapter of the series as Pete Ross was gone, Chloe Sullivan was presumed dead and Lois Lane had arrived in Smallville to find out what happened to her cousin. And this was the first true glimpse of Kal-El, the Kryptonian side of Clark he had long rejected that now was running things thanks to Jor-El. And oh by the way, Margot Kidder makes a cameo as Bridgette Crosby, a colleague of Dr. Swann's.

05) S03E08 "Shattered"

This memorable Season 3 episode marks the point of no return for Clark's genuine friendship for Lex, when he sacrifices Lex's wellbeing by letting him get taken to a sanitarium in order to protect his secret. Lex had been seeking revenge against Morgan Edge and Lionel for his grandparents death and in return has a plot put against him to make him lose his mind. Lex's fragile psyche unravels under Clark's watch thanks being drugged and his paranoia causes Lana to get in a terrible accident with a frightened horse and forces Clark to save him from Edge's oncoming car. But it was Clark's decision to leave Lex behind that stuck the most from the episode.

04) S08E15 "Requiem"

After a writers strike and actress Kristin Kreuk's filming schedule cut down on Lana Lang's presence on Smallville during the latter half of Season 7, it was great to see the character get a second opportunity to say goodbye during Season 8. And what a final episode for Lana it was. There was an explosion at Luthorcorp during a board meeting where Oliver was announcing his takeover, Lex Luthor is blown up because of Oliver's doing and Lana Lang saves Clark and Metropolis by sacrificing any future she could have with Clark to absorb the entirety of a Kryptonite bomb that was on the rooftop of the Daily Planet. Their goodbye scene in the loft was powerful and sad, the love between them still strong but forever not meant to be.

Honorable Mention: S05E09 "Lexmas" - This Season 5 episode was perhaps the last chance Lex had to turn towards the side of good and become the better man he had the potential to be when he was shot and was shown by the ghost of his mother of a life he could live with Lana Lang and a strong group of friends and family if he got out from under the thumb of his father, Lionel Luthor.

03) S05E12 "Reckoning"

The 100th episode of Smallville came during the fifth season and was a life-altering episode for many of the characters of the show. It was practically a roller coaster episode with the ups of Clark finally revealing his secret to Lana and proposing to her to Jonathan winning the Senatorial election only to be followed by the down of Lex chasing Lana into a fatal accident. Stricken by grief Clark meddles with time and suffers the consequence as Lana's life is saved but their relationship is over, Lex is consoling her and his father, Jonathan, dies instead. A very emotional twist to emphasize the magnificence of the episode.

02) S07E16 "Descent"

Arguably the best episode of Season 7's latter half that was produced after the end of the writers strike, "Descent" deals with Lex's final steps into the dark side thanks to his quest to save the world from the Traveler. He kills Lionel, fires Chloe from the Daily Planet and destroys his conscience once and for all. And Clark is left a message from Lionel where he learns what the older man had been trying to tell him while he was still alive, that there is an object out there that can control the Traveler and he needs to find it before Lex does.

Honorable Mention: S06E11 "Justice" - The last Smallville episode on the honorable mention list is from Season 6, when the first inklings of the Justice League come to happen with the teamup in "Justice".

01) S02E17 "Rosetta"

The most memorable episode on this list happened during Season 2 and is at the top for several reasons. Firstly, Christopher Reeve guest-starred as Dr. Virgil Swann, a recluse physicist who has knowledge of Clark's Kryptonian heritage that he shares with Clark along with a few messages that came on the day of the meteor shower. Also, Clark learns to read the Kryptonian language thanks to the key and he finds another message left for him in his spaceship that leaves him disturbed, that he was sent to Earth to conquer it.

That was it for this Smallville Top 10 installment. Tomorrow's post will be a Top 10 covering the Superpower Moments of the show. Enjoy Smallville week!