So when it was announced over ten years ago that there was a TV series in the works depicting the early years of Clark Kent, I was very excited. So I tuned in...for ten seasons. TEN SEASONS! It's remarkable that a TV show can stay on the air for ten years, let alone a show about a comic book character. But it all came to an end on Friday night. So what follows next in this post are my thoughts. I may delve into spoiler territory here so if you haven't seen it and plan on watching it, stop reading now.
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GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST IT WAS AMAZING!!!!
::ahem::
Okay now that that's out, I'll be a little more specific. The finale delivered on everything I wanted it to. It was well written, beautifully acted, and just damn made me feel good.
During this final episode, Lois and Clark were due to be married, but both of them began having doubts...until they read each others' vows. The vows were beautiful and pretty much summed up why Lois and Clark belong together. Lana? Lana who?? And because Lois' father couldn't be at the wedding (I guess Michael Ironside was busy), Lois was going to walk herself down the aisle. But Clark wouldn't have that! No, he surprised her at the last second and walked her down the aisle himself. Very touching. Paul, stop calling me a girl.
Also, Clark was having trouble letting go of the past to become the hero he needs to be. But as his mother and the late Jonathan Kent helped him realize, it's the past and all he's learned from it that makes him who he is. If he gives up on it, he misses the point entirely. The scenes with Clark and his father were among the best in the episode. Pa Kent died a few seasons ago, and his presence as a ghost in this episode isn't really explained, but really, it doesn't need to be. He's there to help his son, it's as simple as that.
Oh, and Lex Luthor has returned. He's been dead for the past few years and he was sorely missed. Lex was one of the best parts of Smallville's early seasons and his scenes with Clark really stand out. So when he and Clark were reunited in this finale, it was awesome. It sets up Lex's role in the mythos quite nicely, with one of the best written scenes that's ever been in the show.
The season arc has been about this seemingly unstoppable bad guy (Darkseid for those who care) bringing Apokolips (uhh..Hell) to Earth, "tagging" people who succumb to their dark urges and doubts. Things come to a head, and it's up to Clark to stop it. Before he goes off to fight, the episode delivers one final wonderful scene with Clark and his parents in the barn that he grew up in. He then confronts the bad guy, and during the fight, his Kryptonian father, Jor-El, reminds Clark of all the good he's accomplished. This results in a little trip down memory lane, as they show quick snippets of the best scenes of the entire show. It reminded me of how awesome this show has been over the years. After the flashes to the past, Clark is back in the fight...and he's FLYING. I'd been waiting ten years for this to happen and it was finally happening right before my eyes. Nerdgasm!
This leads to what we've all been waiting for. Clark heads to the Fortress where Jor-El tells him he's proud of his son, and says it may be his Kryptonian heritage that gives him his powers, but it's his time in Smallville, and the upbringing of the Kents, that made him the hero he is. And with that, Jonathan Kent gives Clark the blue and red tights. "Remember Smallville," he says. And Clark takes off, changes into his new suit, to save the day.
He saves Lois (who is on board Air Force One), and has a small moment where they smile at each other through the plane window. Nice touch! Then it's off to stop the big planet that's about to crash into Earth! Oh did I mention? Apokolips is a planet. Anyway, he does, as the whole world watches, bringing hope to all those who have been "tagged" and officially "untagging" them.
We then flash to seven years later, in the Daily Planet. Lois! Jimmy Olsen! Perry White! Clark! GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST! What's that? A bomb in an elevator across town? Clark goes to the roof. Wait, what's that music? Is that...? YES! It's the John Williams theme!!! Nerdgasm again! I'm literally at the edge of my seat at this point. As that fantastic theme plays, as does the last scene in Smallville. And it's what I've always wanted the last scene in Smallville to be. Clark takes off his glasses, runs toward the camera, and rips open his shirt to reveal that all too familiar "S" on his chest.
And that was Smallville's series finale. I've watched it twice now, both times taking in every minute, getting goosebumps, becoming a bit teary-eyed (shut up Paul!), and loving every bit. My ten years of faithfully watching: rewarded.
The series as a whole was pretty good. It changed over the years, starting out as a story about a boy growing up in a small American town, falling for a girl, while coming to terms with the fact that he's not like anyone else. Then it became about a man trying to figure out his place in the world, and over the past few seasons it became a straight-up superhero show. It had its' ups (the Justice League!! YAY!) and downs (Lana posessed by the spirit of a 19th century French witch? What???), but it was satisfying overall. And I'll miss it.
So thank you, Smallville. Thank you for entertaining this comic book nerd for ten wonderful years.
