There's a tidal wave of superhero television shows today that would've been inconceivable in the early '00s. At the turn of the century, there was only one show that brought superheroes to primetime; Smallville. A reboot of the '80s Superboy TV series, this updated version for contemporary audiences was based on Superman's teenage exploits.
The show was an instant hit that became several fans' first introduction to the Boy of Steel and the idea that superheroes didn't have to be silly children's material. Smallville was incredibly groundbreaking, but the years haven't been entirely too kind to Clark and his friends since its series finale.
10 Aged Well: Smallville Still Offers One Of The Strongest Versions Of Superman In The 21st Century
Superman will always be a symbol of the 20th century. The roots of the character, however timeless, are indelibly marked by the previous century. As Superman began to transition into the modern era, DC comics decided it was time for a fresh take. Smallville perfectly captured how Clark Kent could function in a contemporary American landscape. The juxtaposition of the Kent family remaining humble farm folk and the modern high school setting gave Superman a new lease on life. One that has barely diminished today.
9 Aged Poorly: The Lack Of Social Media Dates The High School Setting
Although Smallville's life cycle overlapped with the advent and proliferation of Myspace and Facebook, there was no way the show could've predicted how insanely massive social media would become. Today's teenagers have an entire world they occupy that exists entirely on social media.
Also, aside from the authenticity, specific stories wouldn't come to fruition if Smallville included any modern form of social media in the show. Ironically enough, the presence of cell phones initially meant to modernize Smallville only serves to accentuate the series' age.
8 Aged Well: Lex And Clark's Relationship Isn't As One Dimensional As Other Superman Stories
In the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths Superman comics, Lex Luthor was an occupant of Smallville like Clark. However, following John Byrne's reboot in the '80s, the plot-line got dropped. Making the brilliant decision to restore the classic dynamic with a fresh twist, Smallville added a unique wrinkle to Lex and Clark's rivalry: they were best friends. Watching Tom Welling (Clark) and Michael Rosenbaum (Luthor) play off each other is still one of the best elements of Smallville. Knowing how adversarial the two will eventually become give their scenes extra weight.
7 Aged Poorly: The Special Effects Are A Product Of Their Time
Another remarkably genius decision by the Smallville staff was to make Clark develop his more marquee powers over time. For several seasons, fans only saw the man of steel use his super-speed, not flight, as a means of transportation.
Although this ultimately kept the budget reasonable, the special effects in Smallville grow weaker and weaker every year. In the era of shows like Supergirl and The Flash, Smallville's speed effects are the primary visual offender compared to the modern feats of CGI in superhero television.
6 Aged Well: Smallville Lays The Ground Work For The Eventual Arrowverse
Smallville's popularity was immediate. The show's pilot was heavily advertised and opened to excellent ratings that only progressed as the show remained on the air. Hoping to keep the momentum going, DC batted around the concept of a spinoff early on. After a failed Aquaman attempt, Smallville brought in Oliver "the Emerald Archer" Queen as Green Arrow. The character proved popular enough to become a regular in the cast. Green Arrow's performance on Smallville gave DC the courage to pick Oliver Queen to be the next CW flagship.
5 Aged Poorly: Smallville's Version Of The Justice Leauge Is Laughable
With the success of Green Arrow on Smallville, the series decided to import other characters in hopes of building a Justice League. In a case of their reach exceeding their grasp, the episode is shoddy and laughable. From the silly costumes that looked bad for the era and the B-movie special effects, the Justice League episodes of Smallville are a massive misfire. The episodes look even more dated when compared with the shows under the Arrowverse umbrella and Crisis on Infinite Earths of modernity.
4 Aged Well: The Modern Take On Lois Lane And Lana Lang Have Yet To Be Topped
An enduring aspect of the classic Superman comics was the battle for the Man of Steel's affection engaged by Lois Lane and Lana Lang. While that particular plot thread wouldn't pass the Bechdel test, and by extension, seem regressive, omitting the love triangle would be foolish.
Smallville found the perfect middle ground by having Clark and Lana develop a playful bit of puppy love, only to have Lois arrive shortly afterward. Although their interactions weren't as combative as the comics, their dynamic still holds up.
3 Aged Poorly: The Later Seasons Of Smallville Lost The Show's Grounded Charm
The brilliance of Smallville was in its simplicity. Despite starring a younger version of the character, Smallville wasn't actually a Superman show. Early Smallville mixed superpowers and grounded drama to produce a cultural phenomenon. As the series crept along, they lost sight of that concept.
In the later seasons, Smallville transitioned into a full-fledged superhero show with every manner of monster and antagonist imaginable. Even human members of the supporting cast gained powers at one point, as Chloe became a vessel for the nefarious Brainiac.
2 Aged Well: Smallville Focused On Diversifying The Cast Before Modern Intersectionality
Like many heroes of his era, Superman didn't focus on inclusion in his early adventures. This racially monochromatic view wasn't down to malicious intent by the creators. In the '00s, the changing demographics in America demanded a more inclusive version of Smallville to connect with modern sensibilities. Making Clark's friend and rival Pete Ross African American and casting an Asian American as Lana Lang were massively progressive steps in representation. Through these casting choices, Smallville helped pave the way for better representation in superhero media.
1 Aged Poorly: The Actress That Played Chloe Became A Real-Life Villain
Not even Superman's super-vision could've seen Allison Mack coming. As one of the most pivotal figures in the series, Allison Mack's Chloe Sullivan acted as Clark's defacto sidekick throughout Smallville. Mack's easy charm and unassuming looks helped her blossom as an innocent character. In reality, Mack was a recruiter for a horrific cult leader. Evidence even points to Mack using her Smallville fame as a means to lure in new members. As a result, watching the series, despite its entertainment value, becomes incredibly hard in retrospect.