Smallville

On October 16, 2001 the WB network began airing Smallville. As its fans know it is still on today and will be part of the new CW network this fall. It takes a different look at the Superboy history. Yes Clark Kent, played by Tom Welling, still lives in Smallville and goes to school with Lana Lang and Pete Ross, played by Kristin Kreuk and Sam Jones III. He is raised by his foster parents Martha and Jonathan Kent, played by Annette O’Toole and John Schneider. A new character is introduced by the name of Chloe Sullivan, played by Allison Mack, who happens to be a cousin to Lois Lane, played later in the series by Erica Durance. Also, Lex Luthor, played by Michael Rosenbaum, is a friend of Clark’s in the early part of the series. They aren’t buddies from school. Lex is a little bit older then the others and is in Smallville running that branch of the family business. Unlike the other series or comic books we finally get to meet Lex’s Dad Lionel during the run of the series. This way we begin to understand why Luthor becomes the villain that he is in later years. He wants the love and support that Clark gets from his parents. However, Lionel wants to raise Lex to be a ruthless businessman. Many things about this series set it apart from the other Superman shows. First is that he is just discovering his powers. In the other shows he has already learned how to use his powers. Second he is not wearing glasses to disguise himself. It would be interesting to see what would happen when he does start to wear them. When he takes them off to become Superman won’t Lex recognize his old friend from his Smallville days? Also, Mr. Welling has not once put on the suit. He wears a blue T-shirt, blue jeans and a red windbreaker so you are reminded of the suit but the producers say that once the suit is on the series is over. I would imagine that would be one of the last scenes of the last episode when the series ends. I would say that you could have a new series called Metropolis but that would probably just turn out to be a remake of Lois and Clark. The first season was mostly how kryptonite would turn normal people in to supervillains. That was fun at first but got old. The second season started digging more into the characters and that has fueled the show since. It is also what has kept the comic book series going so long. Just as in the comic book Pete Ross knew Clark’s secret but he left the series saying the secret was too much for him to bear. Since then Chloe has found out and has stuck around. I guess she was a little bit stronger then Pete. This past season Clark’s Dad died of a heart attack. He had just one his first political office and since he died Mrs. Kent was asked to fill his place. Clark and Lana’s on again off again romance is off again as Lana is dating…LEX LUTHOR! Lois Lane is living with the Kents and is helping Mrs. Kent with her new career. To paraphrase the selling point from the producers of Lois and Clark, it’s Dawson’s Creek only Dawson has super powers. Along the way we have met other DC characters like Perry White, Bart Allen (Impulse but here he is called Flash), Cyborg, Aquaman who was to get a spin off series but that fell through and now TV Guide says the actor hired to play Aquaman is going to be Oliver Queen. Mr. Queen in the comic books is Green Arrow from the Justice League of America. Also, Jimmy Olsen is to start dating Chloe. That to me is a mistake. Jimmy is supposed to be at least 10 years younger then Clark and his friends. I guess you just have to let some things go for dramatic license. Even Christopher Reeve and Margo Kidder got occassional roles for a couple of years.
I have noticed that the less time the actor playing the lead in the Superman series spends in the red and blue tights the less chance he will get type cast. George Reeves was type cast the most but if he lived longer his fortunes may have changed. Chris Reeve from the movies did some good movies after his Superman run but even he had to do Superman 4 to jump start his career and pay the bills. Dean Cain seems the least type cast as Superman. He has done some TV movies and gotten the previously mentioned TV series Clubhouse. If this holds true Mr. Welling has no need to worry about his acting career. As I said before he hasn't put on the suit yet. He has already co-starred in the Cheaper By the Dozen remakes and the remake of The Fog.