The accused: Smallville, “Reckoning” (Season 5, Episode 12) The crime: Sending its lead character on an aimless, never-ending path of self-loathing How much impact, both positive and negative, can one bad episode have on an entire series? How do long-running series continue onward in the aftermath of an episodic failure? Is it possible that individual, … Continue reading #TVFail Entry 19: Smallville, “Reckoning”
Tag: Tom Welling
2010-2011 season wrap: Smallville
With the 2010-2011 television season officially over, I’ll be taking some time over the next week or so to look back on how some of television’s best and worst fared this season. General thoughts: Endings are, of course, difficult to manage. This has to be especially true for a series that has been on the … Continue reading 2010-2011 season wrap: Smallville
Series Finale — Smallville, “Finale”
Here we are at the end of a long, winding and oftentimes bumpy, 10-year road. Smallville is over. As someone who tries to review television objectively, I'll be the first to acknowledge this series' weaknesses, both those within its control and those not. I want to point out all of those things first as to say … Continue reading Series Finale — Smallville, “Finale”
Waiting for Superman: Week five part two: Ranking the episodes of Smallville (again)
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I’ll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. You can the first five pieces here, here, here, here and here if you missed them. And now we come … Continue reading Waiting for Superman: Week five part two: Ranking the episodes of Smallville (again)
Waiting for Superman, week five part one: Ranking the seasons of Smallville
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I’ll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. You can the first four pieces here, here, here and here if you missed them. This week, I decided … Continue reading Waiting for Superman, week five part one: Ranking the seasons of Smallville
Smallville, “Prophecy”
This review is going to be really short, as I am short on time, catching up AND have very little to say about this episode. I hate to say this, but it's pretty obvious that Smallville had no business coming back for a full 22-episode final season. I enjoy these characters and like spending time … Continue reading Smallville, “Prophecy”
Waiting for Superman, week four: How important is the ending?
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I’ll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. You can the first three pieces here, here and here if you missed them. You … Continue reading Waiting for Superman, week four: How important is the ending?
Smallville, “Dominion”
A few weeks ago, I expressed some concern that Smallville would be spending too much time bringing back familiar faces and that decision would ultimately impact Clark's last few steps of development. Thankfully though, every episode in this final run has included a major guest star -- Jonathan, Booster Gold and now Zod -- and … Continue reading Smallville, “Dominion”
Waiting for Superman, week three: What’s the legacy of Smallville?
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I’ll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. You can the first two pieces here and here if you missed them. As we get … Continue reading Waiting for Superman, week three: What’s the legacy of Smallville?
Waiting for Superman, week two: The best comic book character guest stars
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I’ll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. You can see last week's piece here if you missed it. Last week, I promised … Continue reading Waiting for Superman, week two: The best comic book character guest stars
Smallville, “Kent”
When I wrote this piece yesterday, I mentioned that the Smallville writers should do their best to focus on Clark and try not to detour into too many gimmicky episodes or characters not in the main cast. "Kent" is sort of a cheat, because it does both. Bring back Clark Luthor and shooting CK over … Continue reading Smallville, “Kent”
Waiting for Superman, week one: How Smallville can stick the landing
With only five more weeks of Smallville, there are mixed emotions in the TVS headquarters. To work out those conflicting feelings, I'll be writing a pre-episode piece every week from here on out until the final episode on May 13. This is the first one, obviously. Smallville's tenth and final season has been a bit … Continue reading Waiting for Superman, week one: How Smallville can stick the landing
Smallville, “Fortune”
UGH. Ever since I read a few spoilers about "Fortune," I prepared myself for a terrible episode. But I don't think anything could have prepared me for the giant suck-fest I watched unravel on my screen this evening. It's been well-established that the Smallville writers have no qualms about ripping entire plots from other texts … Continue reading Smallville, “Fortune”
Smallville, “Masquerade”
Up to this point, neither Chloe's return or the development of Darksied's crew have been handled quite well. The budget strongly impacts the latter while before this episode, I wasn't convinced the writers had any plan for the former. Allison Mack was willing to come back, and thus she did. Thankfully, "Masquerade" figures out a … Continue reading Smallville, “Masquerade”
Smallville, “Beacon”
Apologies yet again for the delay. Busy Valentine's Day weekend. Such is life. After last week's "Collateral," I was legitimately concerned about the final run of Smallville. That episode was so tepid, uninspired and generally stupid that it set a dangerous precedent for the rest of the season. I don't want to say I had … Continue reading Smallville, “Beacon”
