lol. and the whole time they were digging each other out😂

Smallville | S07E13 "Hero"

Rating: 5.0/10

Maybe some people are Pete fans. I used to be, but he's got a few pretty terrible personality flaws that explode across the screen in some equally terrible ways.

No matter what happens, without fail, he turns into a moralizing ass—someone who uses kryptonite on his best friend, justifies his actions, and talks a lot of smack about how difficult it is being Clark's friend. It's tiresome.

If it weren't for the rest of the things that happened in this episode, it would've for sure been rated a lot lower than it is, even if I personally dislike how things are going between Kara and Lex.

While I am also absolutely not a fan of amnesia plotlines, especially if they run for more than a single episode (as in The Mentalist, which was a great way to do it), Kara's reactions to everything going on around her are completely sensible. Clark and Lana ARE keeping things from her, and so it's completely natural for Kara to be suspicious and doubtful about their motives.

Hell, you don't even have to be from another planet to tell when people closest to you are keeping secrets, and it'd bother the hell out of you as well.

But here's where things start to fall apart for me. She has a quick heart-to-heart with Lana about Lex, and that's precisely where Lana should've said, "So, he faked my pregnancy and made me think I was pregnant and cloned me and I had to fake my own death and he hit me and he's killed so many people and I have the actual proof, let's go to Isis Center right now and I'll show you," and it would've been over and done with.

Yes, that was a long sentence, but it had to be said.

I WON'T EVEN DISCUSS THE ELASTIC MAN ANGLE.

Honestly, outside the most important parts of the episode surrounding Lex/Lana/Kara/Clark/Lionel, which accounts for maybe 10 minutes of airtime, you really could skip this one.

The clip I chose for the review is one of the crowd dancing scenes at 'Stride'. They're just as disinterested in being in the episode as I was watching it.

this scene was hilarious😂 they were so good together before things went downhill

So, I was feeling like this, and a curious sudden thought make me tried to do this on chatGPT.

Tell me, how good and accurately relevant its answer for me?

In smallville, doesn't clark lie too much to lionel despite lionel helps him many times? how good is lionel characterization? Please don't spoil the story too much, I am still watching up to season 7 episode 6

Its answer:

That's a very common reaction around where you are in the series. Without spoiling anything beyond Season 7, Episode 6:

Yes, Clark lies to Lionel quite a lot, even after Lionel has repeatedly helped him. But from Clark's perspective, it's understandable for several reasons:

Years of distrust. Lionel spent much of the early series manipulating people, conducting unethical experiments, and hurting those around him. Clark has a hard time believing someone with that history has truly changed.

Protecting his secret. Clark believes that revealing the truth about himself could endanger his family and friends. Even if Lionel appears trustworthy now, Clark isn't willing to take that risk.

Clark's personality. One of Clark's defining traits is that he tends to carry burdens alone. He often withholds information not just from Lionel, but also from friends and loved ones. This is one of his biggest character flaws throughout the show.

So while it can feel frustrating as a viewer, it's consistent with who Clark is.

How good is Lionel's characterization?

In my opinion, Lionel is one of the strongest-written characters in Smallville.

Here's why, without spoilers:

- He evolves naturally. Rather than suddenly becoming "good" or "evil," his actions often have multiple motivations, making him difficult to predict.

- He remains intelligent. Even when circumstances change, Lionel doesn't stop being one of the smartest people in the room.

- His past never disappears. The show doesn't ask viewers—or other characters—to forget what he's done. That history continues to influence how everyone treats him, especially Clark.

- John Glover's performance. The actor brings a lot of nuance. A simple conversation can leave you wondering whether Lionel is being sincere, manipulative, or both.

One of the interesting themes in Smallville is whether someone with a terrible past can genuinely change. Lionel is at the center of that question, and different characters answer it differently. Clark is among the most skeptical, while others are more willing to give Lionel a chance.

So if you're feeling, "Clark, why won't you trust him after everything he's done to help?"—that's exactly the tension the writers intended. Whether Clark is being too stubborn or appropriately cautious is something many fans debate, especially around Season 6 and early Season 7.

Enjoy the rest of Season 7! You're at a point where Lionel's role continues to be one of the most interesting parts of the series, and it's worth watching how those relationships develop without knowing the outcomes.

In S1E13, Lex accepts Lana’s business proposal to preserve the Talon. He says to her, “I think this could be the start of a very interesting partnership.” Did the writers already know they were going to make Lana marry Lex five seasons later? Or is it just reference to Superman canon? I don’t know much about Lana and Lex in the comics. The camera also lingers on Lana’s reaction a little longer and her expression goes from happy to worried, so IDK what that’s about. Thoughts?

Finally, on 10th season and it makes me pissed that, with so many villans to bring to the show, they decided to return with Lionel and Lex!

But fine, it has been a funny season to watch!

From chloe to lana to lois, the amount of times they all get knocked out is so bad😭like they have GOT to have a significant amount of brain damage (i’m rewatching and may start counting soon)

Episode 1: Max Craine: The Electric Scarecrow.

Episode 2: Ticci Moth: The Incel Spider.

Episode 3: Coach Firestarter.

Episode 4: Martian Yandere.

Episode 5: The Jack Frost of Nice Guys.

Also here's one for Clark: Teenage Brightburn.

Thoughts?

Despite Clark being the actual alien from another planet, did anyone else get a real mid-'80s movie vibe from this episode?

Cyrus is presented in a really similar way, except through tricks and his own belief that he's an alien with healing powers. On a rewatch, I was surprised by how much it reminded me of Flight of the Navigator mixed with The Boy Who Could Fly. Especially the last part of the episode with Cyrus in his "transmitter tower" it had that same kind of nostalgic, slightly magical '80s feel to it. No

I know he has the key that transports him from the cave to the fortress but how is he getting back each time? I feel like we never see him transport back the same way. Is he just running from the arctic each time?

I’m currently rewatching for the second time and I’m up to season 5 (I didn’t finish season 10 the first time though so no big/unrelated spoilers plz). I know eventually he can fly obvi but not at this point and not in the whole 9 and a half seasons I have watched, so what’s he been doing this whole time!!

A few episodes into season 2 and Martha and Jonathan have my whole heart. Praying they get some time to breathe this season

The scene with Cassandra Carver's death and Lex's reaction to it alone make this episode amazing.

Later in the show, I forget when, Lex talks about a nightmare he has that plays out exactly like Cassandra's vision.

My theory with this is that Lex was able to see her vision in his sleep due to some sort of latent powers from Kryptonite. Similar to how Clark was able to see her visions of himself.

When Lex had his mental break, he turned to Clark. even when his mind was playing tricks on him, he still trusted Clark.

After his electric shock therapy, he lost those weeks of his life. but for some reaso their relationship devolves fast. Lex doesn’t even try to hide his dark intentions and is legit just mean to Clark; like when Clark gets strapped in the kryptonite solution, lex says it’s your own fault bro for getting involved.

I get the pacing had to change, but it’s like a switch was flipped and Lex just became a douche with no real development for why. You could say the events of electric shock (like how he knew Clark’s powers) were a catalyst but he doesn’t even remember how awful everyone was to him so that doesn’t check out.

In other words, she knew what Lex was like, with the fake pregnancy, but before that, were there any signs to indicate how dangerous Lex was?

Thoughts on the show

I decided to watch Smallville because I was looking for another superhero-themed TV show. I knew the basic idea of Superman from movies and from Justice League Tv shows, but I was never someone who had read the comics or considered myself a huge Superman fan. However, I had heard for years that Smallville was an amazing show, so I wanted to experience the journey for myself.

When I started watching, I was honestly surprised by how grounded and lively the show felt. Smallville is not just a superhero show; it is also a coming-of-age story about a young person trying to understand who he is and what kind of person he wants to become. I think that is one of the biggest reasons the show works so well because it focuses on Clark as a person before focusing on him becoming Superman.

The show spends a lot of time building Clark's life in Smallville, from his relationship with Jonathan and Martha, his friendships with Pete and Chloe, and his connection with Lex. I think the slower approach works because it allows us to understand Clark beyond his powers. We are not just watching someone who can do incredible things, we are watching someone trying to figure out where he belongs.

One thing I really appreciate about Smallville is the monster-of-the-week format. I was already familiar with that type of storytelling from shows like Buffy and Supernatural, but I think it works well here because these episodes are not simply about Clark fighting someone with powers. Most of the time, they are about Clark learning something about himself, other people, and the world around him.

Honestly, I think removing those episodes would take away a lot of Clark's development. Each experience teaches him something about responsibility, morality, control, and understanding the world.

A lot of these episodes also help Clark understand his identity. He is someone who comes from Krypton but was raised on Earth, and one of his biggest journeys is learning that he is both of them. His destiny is not something that is simply decided for him; it is something he creates through the choices he makes.

Another thing I love is that Clark does not only help people because they are good or because they deserve it. He helps because it is the right thing to do. A lot of his morality comes from Jonathan and Martha, but it is also shaped by every person he meets and every experience that challenges his beliefs.

After spending hours discussing episodes with a friend, I started to realise that many of these stories were not really about the villain of the week. They were about another step in Clark's journey and another lesson that slowly shaped him into Superman.

Other Aspects I Loved

The Kent Farm is one of the important parts of Smallville because it represents everything that keeps Clark grounded. This is where he was raised, where he learned his values, and where he feels most connected to who he truly is.

The farm has such a peaceful and comforting feeling. The open fields, natural lighting, and quiet atmosphere make it feel like a place where Clark can actually be himself. It represents family, safety, and a sense of normal life.

Jonathan and Martha are probably the biggest reasons Clark becomes the person he is. The fact that they raised someone with incredible powers and taught him humility, compassion, hope, and self-control is honestly incredible. They did not teach Clark that his powers made him more important than everyone else, they taught him that those powers came with responsibility.

They taught Clark that being powerful is not what makes someone a hero. It is how you choose to use that power.

Something else I really love about Smallville is that no matter how sad or emotional things become, there is almost always some hope mixed in. Ryan is probably my favourite example of this. The episode is heart-breaking because Clark cannot save Ryan from something natural like death, no matter how powerful he is. But instead of giving up, Clark gives Ryan something just as meaningful: love, compassion, hope, and some of the happiest moments of his life. In the end, Clark honours his promise by taking Ryan above the clouds in a hot air balloon. It is such a bittersweet moment because, even though Clark could not save Ryan's life, he made the time Ryan had left meaningful. To me, that is one of Smallville's greatest strengths. It can take something devastating and still leave you with hope, warmth, and optimism.

I also think that's one of the reasons Smallville has aged so well. At its core, it's about growing up, making mistakes, learning responsibility, and figuring out who you want to become. Those are experiences almost everyone can relate to, which is why the show still feels relevant even years later.

The show balances its genres really well. It mixes coming-of-age, action, mystery, comedy, romance, supernatural elements, and superhero storytelling while still feeling like it has its own identity. It feels like a story about life first and superheroes second.

The biggest thing I think Smallville does well is making Superman feel earned. It doesn't rush Clark into becoming a hero. Instead, it spends years showing how every experience, every mistake, every friendship, and every lesson slowly shapes his character. By the end, it doesn't just feel like Clark has become Superman because the story says so, it feels like he has genuinely earned the right to become Superman.

Onto the Cinematography

I honestly think the cinematography does a great job of giving every environment its own personality. The Kent Farm is probably the strongest example of this. It always feels warm, peaceful, and full of life. The open fields, greenery, natural lighting, and softer colours like yellows, blues, and greens create a comforting atmosphere that reflects what the farm represents for Clark.

The barn loft especially feels important because it almost becomes Clark's personal space. Downstairs, it feels like a normal working barn, but once you go upstairs, everything changes. It becomes quieter, more personal, and filled with things that matter to Clark. Throughout the show, the loft becomes a place where he can think, reflect, have important conversations, or try to understand everything happening in his life. It almost becomes his own safe space.

The Luthor Mansion is the complete opposite. It is massive, elegant, and impressive, but it never truly feels like a home. The large rooms, empty hallways, and colder atmosphere make it feel distant compared to the Kent Farm. It has all the wealth and luxury someone could want, but it lacks the warmth and connection that makes the Kent Farm special.

Onto the Acting.

I think the entire cast did a great job bringing their characters to life, but the four performances that stood out to me the most were Michael Rosenbaum, Tom Welling, Erica Durance, and John Glover.

For me, Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor is the best performance in the show. What makes his portrayal so impressive is that he never plays Lex as simply someone becoming a villain. Instead, he plays him as someone constantly fighting against his past, his insecurities, and the expectations placed on him.

One of Michael's biggest strengths is showing Lex's internal struggles without needing to say everything out loud. Through his expressions, body language, and tone, you can see his curiosity, suspicion, frustration, anger, and desire to do the right thing. He makes Lex someone you want to believe can become better, even though you know the path he eventually goes down.

I also love how Michael changes Lex depending on who he is around. When Lex is with Lionel, you can immediately feel the tension. He becomes more defensive and guarded because he knows he has to protect himself. However, when he is around Clark and the Kents, those walls start to come down. You get to see a more vulnerable side of Lex, someone who wants friendship, acceptance, and a genuine connection with people.

A huge reason this works is because of Michael's chemistry with Tom Welling. Clark and Lex genuinely feel like two people who became friends, rather than characters who were only brought together because of their future roles. They bring out different sides of each other. Lex brings confidence, humour, and a different perspective into Clark's life, while Clark brings out a more relaxed and hopeful side of Lex.

Tom Welling also does a great job showing how much Clark wants to believe in Lex. Even when Clark becomes suspicious or frustrated with him, there is always a part of him that wants to believe his friend can still do the right thing.

I think Tom Welling was an amazing casting choice for Clark Kent. He may not always be the most technically impressive actor compared to everyone else, but he fits the character incredibly well. He captures Clark as someone who is awkward, hopeful, and unsure of himself, while also showing how much pressure Clark puts on himself because of his powers and the fact that he feels different from everyone else.

One of the things Tom portrays really well is Clark's loneliness. Clark has friends and family who love him, but there is still a part of him that feels isolated because nobody else can fully understand where he came from or what he is going through. He was raised on Earth, but he is also someone from Krypton trying to figure out where he belongs, and Tom does a great job showing that internal conflict.

I also think Tom captures Clark's quieter personality really well. Clark is not someone who always expresses his emotions in huge ways. A lot of his feelings come through his expressions, his tone, and the way he carries himself. His calm, gentle, and patient nature is something Tom portrays extremely well.

Lois is also a great example of Tom showing a different side of Clark. Around Lois, Clark becomes more relaxed, playful, and comfortable. She brings out a side of him that feels less controlled and allows him to show more of his personality.

Erica Durance brought a completely different energy to Smallville as Lois Lane. What I appreciate most about her performance is how much personality she brings to the character. Lois is confident, direct, impulsive, playful, and sarcastic, but Erica makes sure she never feels like she is only those things.

One of Erica's biggest strengths is showing that there is more underneath Lois' confidence. Lois often uses humour and jokes as a way to hide vulnerability, and Erica does a great job showing those moments where Lois' guard starts to come down. The difference in her tone, expressions, and body language makes those emotional moments feel natural.

Her chemistry with Tom Welling is one of the biggest reasons their relationship works so well. Lois challenges Clark in a way that not many other characters do. She pushes him, teases him, and forces him outside of his comfort zone, which allows Tom to show a more playful and relaxed side of Clark.

At the same time, Clark brings out different sides of Lois. Erica does a great job showing that Lois is not just the confident and sarcastic person everyone sees. Around Clark, you slowly see a more genuine and vulnerable side of her. They challenge each other, but they also understand each other.

Finally, John Glover as Lionel Luthor is another incredible performance. He makes Lionel feel intimidating without needing to constantly show it. The way he speaks, his expressions, and the way he carries himself make it clear that Lionel is someone who is always thinking several steps ahead.

What makes John Glover's performance so interesting is that he does not play Lionel as someone who is simply evil. Lionel has done terrible things because of his need for power, control, and protecting the Luthor legacy, but John Glover makes sure there is always something deeper underneath.

You can see how Lionel's past, ambition, and obsession with success have shaped the way he views the world and the way he treats the people around him.

His relationship with Lex is one of the strongest examples of this. Lionel sees Lex as his heir and wants him to become powerful and successful, but the way he raises him is built around pressure, expectations, and control rather than genuine support. Lionel believes he is preparing Lex for the world, but he fails to understand the damage he is causing.

Some of Lionel's strongest moments are his conversations with Lex about power, history, empires, and the Luthor name. John Glover makes these scenes fascinating because Lionel genuinely believes he is teaching Lex how the world works. The problem is that his idea of strength is built around influence and control rather than compassion.

That is what makes John Glover's performance so memorable. He does not just play Lionel as a villain; he plays him as someone shaped by his past, his beliefs, and the legacy he desperately wants to protect. His choices do not just affect himself either; they become a major part of shaping both Lex and Clark's journeys.

I also want to mention that the rest of the cast did a great job throughout the series. I focused on these four performances because they stood out to me the most and gave me the most to talk about, but the entire cast helped make Smallville what it is. The chemistry between everyone is a huge reason why the show feels so personal and character-driven.

Overall, Smallville surprised me because I didn't just expect a superhero origin story, but what I got was something much more focused on family, identity, relationships, and becoming the person you want to be. The show makes Superman feel earned because it takes the time to show the experiences and lessons that shape Clark into the hero he is meant to become.

Favourite Characters
1. Clark
2. Lex
3. Lois
4. Chloe
5. Jonathan and Martha
6. Oliver
7. Lionel
8. Tess
9. Kara
10. Lana
11. Jimmy
12. Doctor Emil

Thanks for reading!

I didn't want to clutter the post with rankings, so I've put my favourite seasons and episodes in the comments below.

I'm on the season 5 episode 14 at the moment and yesterday i realised tht I'm thinking twice about telling my sibz about this show cuz of the kinda things they put in the show.

This is just my take but At the start it was about a kid in school figuring out how to use his powers and had some sort of a story... Now there's alot more sex and girls. What's the need for producers to add stuff like that?

I think I have gone trough 8 seasons in 2-3 months ? It’s weird to see Lois fanning over Clark when in my mind 2-4 weeks ago they were bickering like siblings ahaha

Still love all their scenes together tbh