Smallville rewatch 2024

We're rewatching Smallville again, and not hating it quite as much this time. During our last rewatch (2021) we were actually a bit surprised at how much stuff we disliked. Maybe it's a bit more enjoyable to watch this time since we're prepared for all that. However! This post is still mostly going to be complaining! :D

Our main issues:

• The actors are waaay too old to play high school students. It's particularly insane how we're supposed to believe that Tom Welling, who was 25-ish at the time, is actually 15. And as the show progresses it seems like all age related logic goes out the window. How is 16 year old Lana managing to go to school AND run a café for example. 
• Clark's lame excuses for all his mysterious disappearances and saves. "Uuuh, tok a shortcut"
• How insanely poorly kept Clark's secret is. Basically everyone knows something is up with him! Which makes it even more insane how he constantly accuses people of being curious about him.
• Clark repeatedly gaslighting Lex and Lana (in particular) about their suspicions and accusations about stuff that's totally true! 
• The Clark/Lana relationship was always doomed to fail since he doesn't tell her the truth. Also, you know, we know it's not gonna last.
• How sad it is that Lex just wants to find a substitute familiy, and how that all goes down the drain, and a lot of it is Jonathan and Clark's fault. #justiceforlex
• Clark is a moron. Chloe gives him the most obvious hints about knowing his secret in season 4, and he's like, "Huuuuh, what do you mean, Chloe?" 
• Clark has no personality or obvious interests, and his motivations are poorly developed. He's just there reacting to things. Few interests beyond "Lanaaaa" and "muh secret". His one interest (football) he kinda gets bullied out of by his dad. I'd love to see him be more interested in journalism from the beginning for example. Or travel. Or something.
• Kryptonite everywhere, and Clark not learning anything after barging into it several times. And his inconsistent reactions to it. How much it disables him varies with the plot.
• The show is way too embarrassed by its own source material, and Clark spends most of the show making commentary about the lore being lame. "Can't see myself going into battle with that on my chest". When we see him again in "crisis on infinite earths" he's even given up his powers. On brand for this version of Clark, but it's kinda insane to spend 10 seasons on a Clark who doesn't want to be Superman.
• Lois and Clark starting to get together seemed so much like an afterthought. Season 8, really? "Oh yeah, guess we gotta do this bit now".

What holds up:

• Love this version of Lois Lane
• Lex is also great
• Lois and Clark were great together after season 8

Things that aren't necessarily positive, but fascinating:

• Jonathan Kent basically creates Lex Luthor the supervillain by being overprotective of his son. Makes complete sense from his perspective though. But gave his son some serious trust issues.

Other random things to note:

• Why is Martha constantly baking things in a household that supposedly struggles with money
• This show should have never had Doomsday in it