Smallville's Epic Fails: 10 Episodes We Regret Ever Watching
Unfortunate Missteps: Smallville's 10 Episodes That Left Us Cringing - These regrettable moments in the beloved series make us wish they could be erased from memory
Smallville had a plethora of captivating stories, but not all of Clark's adventures in the series contributed positively to the Superman mythology. Throughout its ten-season run, Smallville presented numerous memorable storylines for Clark and his companions, with its season finales being particularly cherished. However, there are a few episodes of Smallville that have gained infamy among fans.
Regrettably, almost every season of this Superman prequel series included one or two episodes that failed to meet the expected level of quality. Nevertheless, with over 200 episodes aired, most of which were well-received, these "bad" episodes are often seen as exceptions. Even the cast members and writers can now acknowledge the issues with them and perhaps even find humor in their shortcomings. Here are ten Smallville episodes that should have never been created.
10 Smallville Season 6 - “Noir”
Smallville ventured into unfamiliar comedic territory with its episode titled "Noir," focusing on Jimmy and transforming the show's characters into exaggerated film noir figures reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart and 1940s movie cliches. Although it was entertaining to witness Lana as a seductive nightclub singer and Clark as a detective, Jimmy's film noir-inspired fantasy unnecessarily elongated a relatively shallow mystery of Lana Lang's shooter, resulting in a convoluted episode filled with unnecessary plot twists and turns.
9 Smallville Season 6 - "Subterranean"
"Subterranean" proved to be a lackluster addition to the Smallville series. Serving as a mere filler episode in season 6, it delved into the realm of politics by involving Clark in a clash concerning undocumented immigrants. While this premise had the potential to deliver a poignant Superman narrative, it fell short due to the overused trope of Clark forming a bond with a endangered young boy. Furthermore, the episode lacked excitement and compelling characters, resulting in a dull and unremarkable storyline.
8 Smallville Season 4 - “Ageless”
“Ageless” depicted Clark Kent and Lana Lang embarking on a mysterious journey together, their motivations remaining undisclosed. During their travels, they unexpectedly stumble upon an infant who miraculously ages into an elderly man within a matter of hours. This self-contained episode presented a tragic tale that ultimately culminated in the untimely demise of the child, whose extraordinary ability to accelerate growth appeared to have no boundaries. The premise of the episode may have seemed dubious, as if it were solely devised to reunite Clark and Lana. Their relationship had been deteriorating throughout a significant portion of the season, and Smallville hastily rekindled their romance in the final episodes of the fourth season.
7 Smallville Season 3 - “Relic”
There are very few moments in the history of Smallville that demanded more suspension of disbelief than "Relic." This episode, which aired during season 3, revolved entirely around the concept that Jor-El arrived in Smallville in 1961 and fell in love with a woman who coincidentally turned out to be the great aunt of Clark's primary love interest. This allowed Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk to portray star-crossed lovers from a different era, but the foundation of the story was tenuous at best, exacerbated by the fact that both Jor-El and Louise bore an uncanny resemblance to Clark and Lana, respectively.
6 Smallville Season 5 - “Void”
The direction taken with Lana Lang in season 6's "Void" proves to be problematic. Following her breakup with Clark, Lana spirals into depression and unexpectedly develops an addiction to a Kryptonite drug. This sudden and uncharacteristic behavior becomes the focal point of the episode, ultimately hindering the effectiveness of "Void".
5 Smallville Season 4 - “Forever”
The plan concocted by the villain in season 4 of Smallville, titled "Forever," was undeniably one-of-a-kind but also one of the most ludicrous storylines ever devised in the series. Evidently, one of Clark, Lana, and Chloe's classmates became so distraught over the impending end of high school that he harnessed his Kryptonite abilities to ensnare their fellow seniors within a warehouse cleverly fashioned to resemble Smallville High. His twisted intention was to ensure that this phase of their lives would last for eternity. While Clark had encountered individuals with outlandish ambitions in the past, "Forever" propelled the absurdity of Smallville's villains to unprecedented levels.
4 Smallville Season 4 - “Spirit”
What went awry with "Forever" can also be applied to the critique directed at "Spirit," a story that aired just a few weeks earlier. Both narratives relied on excessively unrealistic antagonists fixated on their high school lives. "Spirit" centered around Dawn, a character embodying the stereotypical "mean girl," who transforms into a malevolent apparition determined not to let her demise hinder her prom night. Instances of the teenage ghost possessing Martha, Lana, and even Clark gave rise to some of the most cringe-inducing moments in the show, all condensed into a single episode.
3 Smallville Season 7 - “Hero”
Pete Ross's return to Smallville in season 7 was highly anticipated by fans ever since Sam Jones III left the show in season 3. However, the episode titled "Hero" disappointed viewers as it featured Pete acquiring stretching abilities from Kryptonite-laced chewing gum. This premise not only included excessive product placements for Stride Gum but also undermined the potential for a meaningful reunion of the beloved character.
2 Smallville Season 5 - “Thirst”
Lana's involvement in a vampire-filled sorority in season 5's "Thirst" surpassed the cringe-factor of the previous episode, "Spirit." The inclusion of supernatural elements in a show that typically didn't explore such concepts made it feel out of place. The combination of this aspect and the overall campiness of the episode made Lana and the other vampires difficult to watch.
1 Smallville Season 4 - "Spell"
Unlike most of the subpar episodes in Smallville, which were easily forgettable or skippable, "Spell" stands out as a crucial part of the fourth season's overarching storyline. Lana's discovery of her ancestor's journal, belonging to Isabelle Thoreaux, takes a dark turn when Isabelle takes control of Lana's body. This leads to a climactic showdown where Clark must confront Lana, Chloe, and Lois, all possessed by 17th-century witches. The introduction of witchcraft in this episode deviates from the show's grounded nature. Ironically, it is regrettable that one of Smallville's weakest episodes turned out to be such a significant narrative for season 4.
