It’s unbelievable that the last Smallville Review that I wrote was back in February. Seems like such a long time ago…
If I had to categorize Season 5, I would say that this was the “growing up” season of Smallville. One of the biggest complaints that I always hear about this show is that some of the show plots are high school-ish and juvenile. Well, I agree with that going back a few seasons – you can’t really deny it. However, Season 5 was really the season where the writers obviously had enough of being labeled a preteen show and wanted to prove that they could write stories at a more mature level.
So did they succeed?
Partly.
Sure the season was a lot more mature-minded, but I think that they forced themselves into growing up in areas where it wasn’t really necessary. The most obvious example was killing off Jonathon Kent. I don’t know if his contract was coming up and they needed him off the show or if something outside the “Smallville” world pulled him away, but his death was poorly written at best and leaves a gaping hole in the overall plot of the show.
Now, I’m not going to completely write off Daddy Kent’s death because the writers can prove that there is something bigger going on. They could continue to use him in the occasional episode and he can continue to be a positive influence in Clark’s life. However, if that doesn’t happen, then I see very little redeeming value in getting rid of Jonathon.
Almost as confusing was the beginning of the awkward relationship between Lana and Lex. And the way Season 5 ended left no clues about where any of that is going (which is a good thing). Actually, let me say that the final two episodes of Season 5 were fantastic. Oh, and good for the writers for not ending the season with a meteor shower or some other “bleh” scenario. The coming of Zod and the abolishment of Clark leave a nice opening for the first episode of Season 6…which started the other day and I missed!
As if you even were wondering…I highly suggest watching Smallville Season 5 and tuning in on Thursday nights to see Smallville on The CW.
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