After a much improved second half of season two in which the 'enemy of the week' scenarios seemed to be easing off in favour of longer story arcs I was looking forward to watching the continued development of Clark Kent. Unfortunately, for me anyway, this third season is a step backward for the show.
The biggest problem is the return to an over reliance on one off episodes that seeAfter a much improved second half of season two in which the 'enemy of the week' scenarios seemed to be easing off in favour of longer story arcs I was looking forward to watching the continued development of Clark Kent. Unfortunately, for me anyway, this third season is a step backward for the show.
The biggest problem is the return to an over reliance on one off episodes that see Clark tasked with defeating yet enough Kyrponite enhanced bad guy. Despite the fact that the show passed fifty episodes part way through this season new characters, be they Smallville High pupils or just a residents of the town, are introduced for the sole purpose of just one episode. Invariably these see one of Clark's friends or family members end up in 'danger' before he predictable rescues them just in time. Other episodes see potential enemies, including Lex Luthor, learn of Clark's powers only for them to either die, lose their memory or be declared insane shortly after. With the show now well established surely this issue could easily have given rise to an interesting multi-episode arc?
For a show that constantly discusses the issue of how peoples decisions and actions can have serious consequences the residents of Smallville also seem to get of very lightly. Lana for example seems to end up in hospital pretty much every week only to be absolutely fine, aside from one two minute physiotherapy session, by the very next episode and lying to your friends seems to be forgivable as long as they constantly lie to you as well.
Apologies if it sounds like I am moaning for the sake of it but after a promising end to season two I was hoping to see a continual development for the characters and the show as a whole and on this occasion Smallville simply failed to deliver. It's not all bad of course but shows such as Buffy, Angel and Supernatural provide are far superior example of how to develop the supernatural/comic book genre on television.… Expand