Synopsis:

It's Superman!

Season 1:

And so it begins... We follow the early years of Clark Kent (Tom Welling) through the trials and tribulations of the WBs version of being an outsider: tall, dark and handsome. But, really, the first season is all about teen angst, and more metaphors and meteor rocks than you can shake a stick at. We're effectively introduced to the whole troop -- Ma and Pa Kent (Annette O’Toole and John Schneider), Lionel and Lex Luthor (John Glover and Michael Rosenbaum), Chloe (Allison Mack), Lana (Kristin Kreuk) and... ugh... Pete (Sam Jones III) -- as the series tackles a freak-of-the-week format, mostly involving Lana Lang finding herself in yet another perilous situation with an obsessed teen.

Season 2:

Smallville's sophomore year begins to delve into the mythology of Superman more effectively and Clark learns a new power: heat vision (in one of the more entertaining episodes of the show). We're also introduced to red kryptonite this season and a glimpse at a far more interesting, badass Clark as a result: ''Red'' is probably the best episode of the season, actually, and it's follow up episode, ''Rush'', is equally as fun, though not quite as impressive. This show may gravitate around Clark Kent's origins, but it's the complicated dynamic between Lex and Lionel, and the Luthors’ manipulative schemes that alter the relationships between the likes of Chloe and Clark, or even Lionel and Martha, that ultimately make the season. The show is still knee deep in angst, but it's still fun. By the season's end, Clark leaves town under the influence of red kryptonite, Lex is jet-setting on his honeymoon and Chloe is working for Lionel.

Season 3:

A year of many highlights, and probably the show during its prime, the season opens with one of the best premiers in the show’s long run (Clark kicking ass to the soundtrack of Metallica for starters; fast cars, hot women, telling off Chloe -- total baddass), and we're offered plenty of Superman treats along the way: the striking image of Clark's Kryptonian symbol etched into his flesh; Perry White (Michael McKean) enters the scene; Clark develops his super-hearing ability; and we catch a glimpse of Clark's future, along with probably one of the most visually memorable moments of the show's entire run (we get to see Superman's cape flourishing through an infinite vortex). The show has managed to find a perfect balance with the entire cast: Lex, Chloe, and even Pete (before he leaves the show – woohoo!), get some decent air-time. Lana and Clark take a break and the show immediately springs to life, as do the characters. There are still quite a few duds this year, as with every single season of Smallville, but the really good episodes more than make up for it.  

Season 4:

The year of the witch! Lois Lane (Erica Durance) joins the main cast, injecting some much needed energy into the show. Lana has a new arm piece in the form of Jason Teague (studly stud, Jenson Ackles). Miss Lang is also possessed by a witch (it divided fans, but until you’ve seen Crouching Lana, Hidden Dragon, don’t judge). Clark gets a new, really, really hot girlfriend, Alicia (Sarah Baker). But she dies. Aaaaand Clark finally discovers the Fortress of Solitude.

Season 5:

In terms of sheer spectacle, this is *Smallville at its most impressive, almost every week felt like a movie the FX were that good. The opening episode, ''Arrival'' is a full blown action-fest. From a writing stand-point though, it's all very hit-or-miss, not to mention extremely experimental and silly... Lana becomes a vampire early on in this season... yup. Still, this year does give us Brainiac (played by *Buffy's James Marsters – woohoo!); and the show's 100th episode is mighty impressive, yet equally as frustrating (bloody reset button!). By the season's end Lex is possessed by bad guy Zod (later played by Callum Blue) and Clark finds himself trapped inside the Phantom Zone. Jeepers.

Season 6:

Clark escapes from last season’s cliff-hanger, and in doing so inadvertently releases plenty of bad guys from the Phantom Zone. He also learns a new ability: super breath. But he still has no idea how to fly. There’s a new vigilante in town, Green Arrow (Justin Hartley). Lex and Lana end up tying the knot (it doesn’t last). Lana finds out about Clark’s secret and Clark finds out why Lana stayed with Lex (he manipulated a false pregnancy). Lana is believed to be dead after getting into her car right before it explodes. Chloe is presumed dead after healing Lois with her new-found ability. Clark dukes it out with Bizarro Clark and loses.

Season 7:

Clark defeats his alter ego, Bizarro Clark. Chloe isn’t really dead. Lana isn’t really dead. And Lex is rescued by newcomer Kara (Laura Vandervoort), Clark’s Kryptonian cousin. Throughout the season: Lana gains superpowers for a day, a movie is shot in Smallville, and Lex’s obsession with Kara sees him closer than ever to the truth about Clark. Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore) proposes to Chloe, and soon after she’s arrested by an unknown government group and taken away. Lana ups and leaves for good... ish. Lex discovers the Fortress of Solitude and Clark’s secret. He believes Clark is planning to destroy the Earth and that it’s his destiny to save it. Lex inserts an orb into the crystal console rendering Clark barely conscious and the fortress to collapse in on top of them both. This season was cut short by the writers’ strike, resulting in a very muddled arc, even for this show.

Season 8:

It’s Beauty & the Beast this year, as Chloe falls for Davis Bloom (Sam Witwer): paramedic by day, hulkish killer by night. We’re also introduced to Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman), a stand-in for the Luthors who knows Clark’s secret. Clark is captured super-speeding on camera by Jimmy Olsen and thus the Blur is born. Chloe is overrun by Brainiac and Lana pops by for a three episode visit, too. By the season’s end, Chloe has run away with Davis and breaks Jimmy’s heart. Clark finally defeats Doomsday. Jimmy impales Davis. Davis then impales Jimmy. Jimmy dies, Oliver cries. The end? Oh! Tess releases Zod from imprisonment. Lois then puts on a ring and disappears and Clark walks out on humankind. Selfish git…

Season 9 (Episodes 1 - 14):

Clark returns with new some spiffy new threads and has developed a slight Neo complex. Turns out Lois nipped off to the future, which is a decrepit version of her world, where seemingly Metropolis is the only place overrun by Kandorians. Clark’s father, Jor-El (Terrence Stamp), returns for a quick visit, only to die in his son’s arms. Clark and Lois grow closer as a couple, but Lois cannot keep her feelings for the Blur at bay....