Smallville Was Surprisingly Deep 

I grew up on smallville, and it perfectly defined that era before social media when things felt bigger and more exciting. I go back and watch clips all the time. Great analysis!

That scene of young Lex alone in his birthday party, crying in the table full of snacks and sweets with no friends really haunted me for years as a teen. Made me not want to make any more parties (only attend them lol) and taught me a lot about appreciating what I had and to enjoy my birthday by doing something for me (like travelling) instead of a pointless party to waste money

The deep and manipulative philosophical perspectives of Lex and Lionel contrast against the wholesome values of the Kents was one of the best things about the show. I could watch a whole series on Lex and Lionel.

The storylines might have been really silly, but this series had some genuinely outstanding performances. Lex and Lois are great, but we must recognize the best Jonathan and Martha Kent, hands down.

The show is perfect in my eyes, not many 2000s shows can hold up today. There’s a nostalgia to Smallville that isn’t inherently bad rather it’s is greatest strength, thematically the values taught were relevant and still are. Moreover, Michael Rosenbaum’s performance is phenomenal.

I love the Lex in Smallville so much and Michael Rosenbaum kills it in this role and oof Jonathan's death still makes me cry. The way the show uses music is my favorite haha idc I forever love this show and now I want to rewatch it.

The idea that the actor for Lex in this isn't the permanent Lex Luthor boggles my mind. Much like Hugh Jackman will always be Wolverine. This Lex was likable and scary. You feel the heartbreak when they stop being friend. I was on Lex's side when he said, if you'd just trusted me I would have protected you!

Smallville is always a win. And, I’ve met John Schneider. He’s a legitimately decent human being.

Puts a big smile on my face that people are still giving my favorite show the love it deserves

The discourse at the end of season four is one of my favorite moments. You can say Jonathan is contradicting himself since he had just told Clark they should go to safety, but after Clark tells him that he have to stay and protect the people around Jonathan recognize that, as a man, what Clark needs from his parents is not protection but confidence, letting he know that they trust he's capable of the task.

Smallville (at least in the first couple seasons) is one of the biggest reason I dislike Zack Snyder's interpretation of Superman. I can't remember the exact wording he used, nor find the article now, but I remember reading Zack's pitch for man of steel where he described Superman as an alien who didn't really fit in on earth. IMO it's the opposite. His humanity is the driving force behind his character. His weaknesses are his human emotions. He IS a farm boy with a kind of optimism that just wasn't written into the DCEU's interpretation. Tom Welling nailed it for the most part though I do think the series as a whole gets kind of silly in the later seasons, especially when it came to hammering the point in that he has to lie to everyone around him.

11:02 SAME. Erica Durance KILLS it as Lois and she just gets better and better with every season, even when the quality of the show itself dips.

Anyone who grew up on Smallville knows how deep it was.

One thing I love about the show is how much you care about Clark and Lex's friendship and how at every turn you want them to be friends, despite knowing it will always lead to one horrible conclusion. A bitter rivalry between two giants with opposing morality.

one minute in and i'm pausing to come down here and holler HELL YEAH, Smallville's Lois, Erica Durance's Lois, is Best Lois, there is no room for discussion, it is absolutely true, no one else comes close, amen

They did Lex so well his origin story was truly great

Well fuck. As someone who grew up on Smallville, starting with the very first episode and watching every episode as they aired, you nailed it. To me these are the definitive versions of the chatacters and all the dumb bullshit in the show only adds to its charm. I can't wait for part 2!

Michael Rosenbaum will always be the definitive live action Lex Luthor. It blows my mind why they didn't cast him in the DCEU

Man I love Smallville. Despite its flaws I cant help but love it. I'm currently rewatching it and I'm in season 9. The show has so much great stuff, it also has some really goofy crap too but the show has so much heart. I think this show really nailed the human aspect of Clark. Like when he almost killed Alishas killer. Also when that cop threatened to expose his secret and he almost beat the crap out of him. I also think the show did a really great job of being relatable to trying to fit in as a teenager. Clark wanting to join the football team and just wanting to be like all the other kids but deep down knowing he'll never be like them because he's an alien.

All the Kryptonian stuff in Smallville felt so mysterious and epic.

Lex Luthor and Johnathan Kent have never been done better. I can't process how badly Zack Synder missed the point of Johnathans death. Not to get too personal but my father died when I was 8 and seeing another main character lose their father to natural causes felt very cathartic for me. Like a show got the grief and feelings of loss and lack of that figure in my life. Then we get man of steel with a bad philosophy Johnathan that dies for zero reason in a tornado? Superman can't save everyone and he has to learn people die of natural causes out of his control.

Smallville is such a great time capsule

Great review of the show (well, half of it). I feel like people overlook Annette O'Toole's performance as Martha but she's so grounded and warming, always there for Clark and keeps a level-head between him and Jonathan.

Definitely underrated, longest running superman show Ever! This was the inspiration for so many CW series , it always amazes me 10 seasons no costume for Clark the s the red/blue tights and it still felt like superman just amazing all the cameos and guest stars , even the late Christopher Reeves . I don’t think this could ever be done now they tried with Gotham close but no cigar.

Erica Durance's Lois has aged so good in my opinión. She's by far my favorite character from ancient tv

"You were right about me all allong Mr. Kent, *I am the Villain of the story* "

Lexmas has become a traditional Christmas episode for me. Watch it every year!

I was already an adult when _Smallville_ came out (in university) but have been a comic/ film geek forever. Honestly, this is one of *the best* interpretations of the Superman mythos, _bar none,_ even the Reeve films....especially considering it largely _merged_ aspects of those films into it. Rough as it may be, _this show_ proves even a decade later, that Superman, if written right, and focused on the _man_ more than the "Super" can be timeless, engaging and epic. Great job. When's the next vid?

I met Erica durance a year after the show ended, she’s legit my favorite Lois lane

To this day I genuinely believe that if Clark disregarded his father's extremely harsh and semi hypocritical Judgment; gave lex benefit of the doubt and told him his secret right then and there when he came to him about his suspicions I'm pretty sure that Lex would have went down an entirely different path where they both would have became greatest allies instead of mortal enemies, sure there would have been up and down moments between the two where Lex's curiosity and thirst for knowledge would test Clark's patients but in the end they would have been able to come to terms with each other and been on the same destiny of changing the world for the better rather than vying for control over the fate of the world, it would have been extremely nice if we had gotten a what if Episode to show that being the case plus rewriting the finale where the alternate version of Lex being the classic villain we all know coming to there Earth and this version facing off against his doppelganger and even though tragically taking his sister tess mercer's place in losing his life being the one to wipe his memory of everything he learned of Clark's identity as Superman symbolizing his ultimate Victory against his inner Darkness as well as a parting gift to team Superman; solidifying his loyalty to his best friend and brother!

The best Lex Luthor ever. We need a movie with such a complex and compelling character like Smallville’s Lex Luthor. Micheal was definitely the best actor in the show. It was a phenomenal role.

Erica Durance played Lois in Smallville the way Mary Jane is typically depicted in Spidey comics, personality-wise at least. I think that's why she's so fucking awesome, and why all live-action Lois Lanes (and even Mary Janes for that matter) can't compare.

*Smallville* was a massive part of my childhood and teenage years. I’ll always love it. 😄

How we miss Smallville... 😔😔

Bro justin Hartley is so good as green Arrow. His acting was great

I really hope the Smallville animated series isn't scrapped given how we haven't really heard anything since they officially announced that they were working on trying to get it made.

Great Video! Still my favorite TV show to this date! Thanks for helping me relive some good memories!

Smallville is my favourite superhero show & its in my top 5 shows of all time. It has the perfect cast and an awesome theme song imo

Jonathan and Martha Kent have made me cry multiple times. Their selfless love for Clark is so heartwarming to see. And the character of Ryan was so heartbreaking and even though he was only in two episodes, he is one of my favourite characters. Even Whitney, the "dumb jock" character broke my heart when he died because his love for his family and friends was amazing. I can't explain the love I have for this admittably cheesy show. For a "high school drama" show, it has such an emotional depth and charn to it. I constantly go back to Smallville and I love it even more than I did when I first watched it.

Smallville was a great experience to go through. Did I enjoy how every member of the cast story was handled..No. but I still enjoyed them nevertheless.. From the team up scenes to the Jonathan scenes and of course the Lois scenes this series aged well in my opinion..

Smallville is and always will be my favorite superhero show

Somebody saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave me!!!

I love Smallville, and it has my favorite versions of Clark, Lois, Lex, Jonathan, Martha and Zod in any media. Also loved Oliver and Chloe, even not-Jimmy was decent. There were some characters who I didn't like but the ones I liked or loved made up for it.

I have probably seen Smallville more than any other series. I never understood the hate for Lana. She was a very deep and complex character,

I love Erica Durance as Louis Lane, she's georgeous in that character.

Lois is definitely my favorite character. You earned a sub, loved this vid.

I didn''t really like or appreciate this show when I was a much younger guy, but nowadays, honestly, I can't get quite enough of this fantastic series!! Some of the episodes genuinely stirred and moved me down to my core, such as that episode with Ryan when he was dying. "I like to believe in people's best." Clark's quote to Ryan when he warned him about his best friend choosing the wrong path. That captured the spirit and atmosphere of the American people in the early 2000s, that last age of innocence when their people were still relatively friendly and happy. When they still listened to their heart of hearts. :)

Honestly after starting this I checked the time and hoped you'd do a part 2 also- I'm greedy for this content. I loved Smallville. Also my fav Lois, Jon and Lex. (Maybe even their not-jimmy olsen)

I always felt like smallville ended before the show did because by the end it was a superman show just not using the name.

Yayyy! Finally someone is talking about Smallville. I binged 7 seasons in 2021 and I've been trapped in Season 8 for 5 months. I'm trying to finish, I'm trying.

Smallville is Legendary for me, I wasn't even born when the pilot first aired. I was a young kid who was attracted to it for some reason that I forgot about it then when I had a dream about it for some odd reason after 10 years, I decided to watch it and watched it again. Loved every moment except Some parts which are a product of what it is, it's budget and certain repetitive tropes but all in all great.

I loved the show and watched it the day it aired until the day it ended. I watched not because of Clark’s powers or the wrongs he would right as an in-training Superman. It was how they made me feel that Lex could change. Michael Rosenbaum's portrayal made EVERY SINGLE ONE of US believe that things would be different and that he would escape his darkness. That is what hooked me, watching Lex struggle against his fate/nature. I wished Clark would have been more of a jerk. I wished that through doing dare I say more EVIL things, that he also would struggle against his nature/fate as much and it was Lex that saved him. That did not happen, but it was still a fun ride.

smallville will forever be my favorite series of all time :) a great childhood i had

Great video! I am re-watching Smallville for the first time with my wife (it’s her first time watching). The show feels different then when I was younger. For instance, I really didn’t connect with the Clark and Lana romance this time around. I think part of that is me being older, part of it is knowing Clark ends up with Lois and part seeing that Lois is better for Clark. But also, how we watch shows is different now. We are watching 1-2 episodes a night, rather than weekly, so this makes things feel like they are a bit rushed.

I literally came of age with this coming of age story. I was 8 when I started watching it and 18 when it ended. I honestly think it might the most important and influential tv show in my life. I absolutely love it. I’ve rewatched multiple times. I’m currently in middle of rewatching right now.

Smallville was the only DC series Me and my family enjoyed, My father on 60 loved it and it became a bonding family moments

I just started a rewatch of smallville perfect timing

Even to this day Smallville is one of those shows that has a special place in my memories. I've watched it dozens of times through and although it's lost its luster I think I like it so much because of everything you said about it. Very articulate perspective..

Smallville is rediclously deep. I have watched all 10 season 3 times. The story telling is amazing!

Holy shit man.. as a life long smallville fan since I was a kid (I’m 24 now), you nailed everything about this show. Wish people could come across this video about a show that has such deep meaning compared to the garbage shows now

I started watching Smallville recently. It’s already my favorite live action Dc show.

Loved the observations and eagerly awaiting part 2!

I never thought I would be more interested in the Luthors than the Kents but the contrast of how both families were complete polar opposites made this such an engrossing, rich and compelling show that told an honest story far beyond anything we could've imagined. It was the first show I ever watched and it changed my entire world and the first season I ever watched was Season 3 and that's why it hold a special place in my heart and why I still consider it the best season of the series and without a doubt the best finale. I was a sophomore at the time and I remember how dark things got for me and all I had was Season 3 of Smallville and I would watch it over and over because nothing else connected with me the same way that season did at that time and I will never forget it. It changed everything. I then went back and watched all the way from the beginning and it was during when free-form was still ABC family and they had bought the rights to play Smallville reruns. I remember during one New Years Eve they had a whole marathon of the first season and they even had the original cast there and they were interviewing them as they were watching episodes and it was an amazing time to be alive. Smallville was unlike anything I had ever watched before and it really changes the landscape of what a TV show could be and most importantly what a WB/CW show could be. It is up there with BTVS as far as impact and just what it created and how it was able to take a show that started out with freak of the week monsters and become so much more and make these Supernatural and Human characters so relatable and deal with real emotions, real problems and themes of life and without Smallville there is no Supernatural, there is no DC TV universe and it really was the biggest Superhero comic thing to be created at that time. Batman was pretty much in Flux after Joel Schumachers Batman and Robin, Marvel didn't have anything going yet except the start of X-Men and superheros were not being looked at as anything serious yet. It was a huge gamble and risk to make a pre Superman show about the upbringings of Clark Kent and it could've been disastrous because if it failed DC would've ruined their two most bankable characters and superheroes would've never been taken serious so Smallville had a lot riding on its success not to mention the WB network was desperate for a major hit with all their best and biggest shows ending. It's amazing that Smallville worked as well as it did.

my favorite show ever, thank you for making a video on the show

Thanks for making this man. I grew up on Smallville and I genuinely remember nothing from it, and yet all the emotions still bubble up when people talk about it.

John Schneider is such a wholesome dad in this series. Best character by far imo

Fantastic video. Loved this show as a kid and it's great to see it get a retrospective like this 😊

Love this show and love to see you talk about it!

This is so good. Thank you for taking me back to this show I liked so much back in the day.

I saw the show not so long ago. Watched the full series for 4 months and wanted to see the whole thing again because it was amazing but due to school I couldn't. The show was amazing and seeing this video made me remember the show was absolutely amazing. Every comment that everyone has posted are the same feeling that I have as well. Loved it

I loved this show! My son was born in 06 and I named him Alexander Joseph. We call him Lex.

Can’t wait for the animated series

I agree, I love Erica Durance as Lois Lane

Wish their were more series like this

Smallville is one of best Tv show

Till this day Smallville is one of my favorite shows of all time! Right now I'm writing my research paper about it, so I really appreciate your great analysis! Literally this show presents the best Lex, Lana, Lois, Jonathan and Martha ever shown on screen! Some episodes are genuine masterpieces, while the story itself is so perfectly written, in my opinion. Just compare it to the modern CW shows, like Flash, and you'll see the obvious difference. Smallville really had something to say, and I'll never stop rewatching it

I love Smallville

You did this beautifully! Thank you!!!

The episode where lex learns Clark's secret-i always wanted to see an alternate universe where clark kept trust in lex

Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor is easily the best villain in a comic book TV show ever.

Excellent video! Currently rewatching the whole series.

What a great video analysis and review. Thanks for this!

Man I get so happy when people talk about Smallville lol Pretty much everything that was said here is almost EXACTLY what I think and feel about this show. Is it cheesy? Absolutely. Is it cringe? Yes. BUT........... it has a lot of things right. The entire cast is portrayed perfectly that its basically lightning in a bottle. Major shout out to Michael and John for being the best Lex Luthor and Jonathan Kent! Man I had so many good memories watching this show. As clark grew up and matured, so did I and it's an experience that is irreplaceable Also had a major crush on allison Mack aka chloe. I thought she was a MUCH better love interest for Clark than Lana lol and yes I know what happened with the actress in real life. I hope she rots in prison for what she did. See that's called having a standard lol but I still love the character, and that's called disassociation

Thank you for making this video. It's important.

What a great conflicted relatable character. He felt so vulnerable with his secret, despite all his power! Best Lex Luther ever too! The personal relationship between them really seemed to drive his motives better then anything presented in the movies. Once movie makers can show the battle inside Clark between being human or giving in to his kyptonian roots, we will finally have the Superman movie we deserve! Smallville the movie!!!

This is goated Can’t wait for part 2

So good! Great analysis on the development of these characters.

Ironically as much as I loved Clark and Lex’s dynamic, Season 9 is my favorite Season and it’s the Season where Lex isn’t there.

I really loved this show for the reasons you state. I also love how it evolved. You saw the characters evolve. Sometimes I'll watch it from beginning to end because I love that arc of the series. And the dynamic between Clark and Lex is heartbreaking cause you know where it's going.

I just finished my binge of smallville and wow, this show is so cheesy but yet full of heart and hope, you gotta do a part 2 to this

I watched Smallville ever since it started. I was 5 when it did, so the end hit 15 year old me pretty hard. ....and now I'm here 25 looking back, and...dear god. This show is OLD NOW 🫢

I love how you did this.

Great show and great video. waiting on part 2.

The dialogues between Lex Luthor and his dad Lionel was one of the best if not the best thing about Smallville.

Love this vid, inspiring even at times

Looking forward to part 2! Just did a rewatch of the entire show as well.

This was excellently well done!

Wow I've seen Smallville multiple time and have never thought of the show in these terms, great analysis really opened my eyes at looking at the show in a new way.

Thanks for this. Really cool!

It's good to see this show get the love it deserves!