History and Plot
Smallville is an American television series developed by writers/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. It is based on the DC Comics character Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The television series was initially broadcast by The WB Television Network (The WB), premiering on October 16, 2001. After Smallville's fifth season, The WB and UPN merged to form The CW Television Network, which became the broadcaster for the show in the United States. It ended its tenth and final season on May 13, 2011. The series follows the adventures of Clark Kent (Tom Welling), who resides in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, during the years before he becomes Superman. The first four seasons focus on Clark and his friends' high school years. After season five, the show ventured into more adult settings, eventually focusing on his career at the Daily Planet, as well as introducing other DC comic book superheroes and villains.
The concept for Smallville was created after a potential series chronicling a young Bruce Wayne's journey toward becoming Batman failed to generate interest. After meeting with the president of Warner Bros. Television, series developers Gough and Millar pitched their "no tights, no flights" rule, which would break Superman down to the bare essentials and look at the events leading up to Clark Kent becoming Superman. After seven seasons with the show, Gough and Millar departed without providing a specific reason. Smallville was predominantly filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, with some of the local businesses and buildings substituting for Smallville locations. The music for the first six seasons was primarily composed by Mark Snow, who incorporated elements of John Williams's musical score from the original Superman film series. In season seven, Louis Febre, who had worked with Snow from the beginning, took over as primary composer.
The series was generally positively received when it began broadcasting. Former Superman star Christopher Reeve voiced his approval of the series and even made two guest appearances. The pilot episode broke the record for highest-rated debut for The WB, with 8.4 million viewers. Over ten seasons, it averaged approximately 4.34 million viewers per episode, with season two averaging the highest ratings, at 6.3 million. By the end of its run, Smallville had surpassed Stargate SG-1 to become the longest-running North American science fiction series, as well as the longest running comic book-based series in television history. The series has earned distinctions ranging from Emmy Awards to Teen Choice Awards since its first season. The show has spawned a series of young-adult novels, a DC Comics bi-monthly comic book and soundtrack releases, as well as Smallville-related merchandise. All ten seasons of Smallville are available on DVD in regions 1, 2 and 4. In April 2012, the series was continued in comic book form, with the storyline picking up shortly after the end of the series finale.
The concept for Smallville was created after a potential series chronicling a young Bruce Wayne's journey toward becoming Batman failed to generate interest. After meeting with the president of Warner Bros. Television, series developers Gough and Millar pitched their "no tights, no flights" rule, which would break Superman down to the bare essentials and look at the events leading up to Clark Kent becoming Superman. After seven seasons with the show, Gough and Millar departed without providing a specific reason. Smallville was predominantly filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, with some of the local businesses and buildings substituting for Smallville locations. The music for the first six seasons was primarily composed by Mark Snow, who incorporated elements of John Williams's musical score from the original Superman film series. In season seven, Louis Febre, who had worked with Snow from the beginning, took over as primary composer.
The series was generally positively received when it began broadcasting. Former Superman star Christopher Reeve voiced his approval of the series and even made two guest appearances. The pilot episode broke the record for highest-rated debut for The WB, with 8.4 million viewers. Over ten seasons, it averaged approximately 4.34 million viewers per episode, with season two averaging the highest ratings, at 6.3 million. By the end of its run, Smallville had surpassed Stargate SG-1 to become the longest-running North American science fiction series, as well as the longest running comic book-based series in television history. The series has earned distinctions ranging from Emmy Awards to Teen Choice Awards since its first season. The show has spawned a series of young-adult novels, a DC Comics bi-monthly comic book and soundtrack releases, as well as Smallville-related merchandise. All ten seasons of Smallville are available on DVD in regions 1, 2 and 4. In April 2012, the series was continued in comic book form, with the storyline picking up shortly after the end of the series finale.
Cast
Clark Kent/Kal-El
First appearance: "Pilot"
Created by: Character: Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Developed for television: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Portrayed by: Tom Welling
Information
Aliases: Kal-El (birth name), "The Red-Blue Blur", "The Blur"
Species: Kryptonian
Affiliations: Justice League, Daily Planet
Abilities: Invulnerability, superhuman strength, speed, sight, and hearing, super breath, heat vision, X-ray vision, and flight
Role in Smallville
Clark Kent first appears in the pilot episode of Smallville, as a teen with superhuman abilities, which he uses to help others in danger. Clark is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent (John Schneider and Annette O'Toole) as an infant when he crash lands on Earth on the day of the Smallville meteor shower in 1989. Twelve years later, trying to find his place in life after being told he is an alien by his adoptive father, Clark saves the life of billionaire Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), and the pair become quick friends. During season one, Clark struggles with the burden of keeping his powers a secret from those close to him; he is afraid to open up to Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) for fear that she will not accept him if she were to learn the truth about him. In the season two episode "Rosetta", Clark learns of his Kryptonian heritage, including his native language, his birth name "Kal-El" and that his birth father Jor-El (Terence Stamp) intends for him to rule the world. The fear that he will not be able to control his own destiny forces Clark to run away to Metropolis in the season two finale, leaving Lana, whom he had just started to develop a romantic relationship with, alone. In the season three premiere, three months later, Clark is brought home by his father, who makes a deal to let Jor-El take Clark when the time arrives. That time arrives in the season three finale, when a girl, referring to herself as "Kara", arrives at the Kent farm and claims to be from Krypton. After Kara predicts that Clark's friends will all either leave or betray him, Clark decides that it will be best for everyone if he just left Smallville. When Jonathan attempts to intervene, Jor-El threatens to kill Jonathan if Clark does not leave; to save Jonathan's life Clark agrees.
Clark returns to Smallville, in the season four premiere, "reprogrammed" by Jor-El to seek out the three stones of knowledge so he may fulfill his destiny; in the process, the reprogrammed Clark meets Lois Lane (Erica Durance), who is investigating the supposed death of her cousin, and Clark's best friend, Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack). Clark, with Martha’s help, regains control over his body and refuses to look for the stones. In the season four finale, a "great evil" is awakened in space after Clark defies Jor-El’s instructions to obtain the three stones of knowledge. With a new meteor shower hitting Smallville, Clark finds the remaining stones and is transported to the Arctic, where the three stones create the Fortress of Solitude. In the season five premiere, Clark interrupts his training to return to Smallville, but when he fails to return to the Fortress before the Sun sets he is stripped of his powers. In season five's "Hidden", Clark begins an honest relationship with Lana, but is killed trying to save the town from a resident who hopes to kill all of the "meteor freaks". Jor-El resurrects his son, but warns him that someone he loves will eventually have to take his place. Clark worries about who will be sacrificed, and in the episode "Reckoning" Lana is killed, so Clark turns back time to save her. This results in Jonathan becoming the sacrifice, when he suffers a fatal heart attack.
In the season five finale, Clark battles Brainiac (James Marsters), a Kryptonian artificial intelligence in the form of a man, in his attempts to release the Kryptonian criminal Zod from the Phantom Zone. Clark fails, and Zod imprisons Clark in the Phantom Zone, while he sets out to conquer the Earth. In the season six premiere, Clark is able to escape the Phantom Zone—inadvertently releasing several of the prisoners in the process—and returns to Smallville to defeat Zod. The Phantom Zone escapees become Clark's primary focus in season six, as well as Lana's relationship with Lex, which eventually turns into marriage by the season six episode "Promise". The season six finale reveals that the last of the Phantom Zone criminals is really a genetic experiment created by Kryptonian scientists. The escapee attacks Clark, cloning his DNA, and becomes Clark's doppelgänger. Clark, with assistance from John Jones (Phil Morris), defeats his duplicate in the season seven premiere. In season seven, Clark discovers that a secret society known as Veritas was aware of his landing in Smallville during the first meteor shower and that they knew of a means to control him. In the season seven finale, Clark is confronted by Lex, who has the device and has discovered his secret, at the Fortress of Solitude. Lex uses the device, which brings the Fortress down around him and Clark.
In the season eight premiere, it is revealed that the orb does not allow anyone to control Clark, but merely strips Clark of his powers. Wandering the globe with Russian gangsters, Clark is eventually found and rescued by Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) and John Jones, the latter of who flies Clark to the yellow Sun and restores Clark's powers. At the end of the episode, Clark takes a job at the Daily Planet, sitting across from Lois. During season eight, Clark uses his new job at the Daily Planet to gain access to information and stop crime around the city. In "Identity", Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore) takes a photo of Clark in which he is moving so quickly one can only see a red and blue blur; Clark in later episodes adopts the name "Red-Blue Blur" as his own superhero moniker. In the later half of season eight, Clark wrestles with the idea of having to kill Davis Bloome (Sam Witwer), who is revealed to be Doomsday in the episode "Bloodline", a genetically engineered creature created by General Zod to kill Clark and destroy Earth. With Oliver Queen and the other Justice Leaguers pressuring him to kill Davis/Doomsday in the season eight finale, Clark ultimately decides to separate Davis's personality from the creature's, and bury Doomsday a mile underground. When Davis subsequently kills Jimmy, Clark tells Chloe that his human-learned emotions have caused him the most trouble—most recently resulting in Jimmy's death—and vows that "Clark Kent is dead".
At the start of season nine, it is revealed that Clark has begun his training with Jor-El, and while he rescues people around Metropolis he wears his family crest on his chest to remind him of what his true destiny is. After realizing there are other, powerless Kryptonians on Earth, who are being led by Zod (Callum Blue), Clark decides to try and help them adjust to living as humans. When Clark uses his own blood to bring Zod back to life, after being shot, Zod is renewed with his full Kryptonian powers. Zod then provides the other Kryptonians with their powers and sets them out to destroy the world so that they can turn it into a new Krypton. This season, Lois and Clark officially begin a romantic relationship, while Lois also begins assisting "The Blur" in his heroic endeavors. Lois's trust in Clark is shaken when she thinks Clark is jealous of her relationship with "The Blur", and that he does not understand her need to find value in her own life's work. Ultimately, Clark kiss Lois, while he is "the Blur", in the season nine finale and unknowingly reveals to her the truth. Afterward, he convinces the Kryptonians to leave Earth for a new, uninhabited planet. Clark then sacrifices his own life to send Zod through a portal and off of Earth.
Season ten begins with Clark stuck in the afterlife, where Jor-El informs him that a great darkness is coming to Earth. Clark is unknowingly resurrected by Lois, who is now aware that he is the Blur. Jor-El also informs Clark that he is not ready to be Earth's true savior, as there are inner demons that Clark must deal with first. In the episode "Homecoming", Clark is visited by Brainiac 5, who shows Clark how his past has shaped his present and will one day shape his future; this includes showing Clark his future self and what he will be capable of when he has fully embraced his destiny. Clark reveals his secret to Lois, who explains that she already knew, in the episode "Isis"; he later proposes marriage in "Icarus". In the episode "Masquerade", Clark realizes that in order to be the hero the world needs he will have to step out of the shadows and into the light. As a result, Clark makes the decision to turn "Clark Kent" into his real disguise—opting to wear eye glasses and alter his mannerisms to be more mild mannered—so that the Blur does not have to hide his face to the world. By the series finale, the darkness, which is revealed to be Darkseid, arrives to Earth to enslave all of humanity. After realizing that his entire life has been one big trial by Jor-El, Clark accepts his true destiny and gains the ability to fly. He then receives the costume Martha made for him and saves Earth from Darkseid's coming Apokolips. Moving into the future seven years, Clark and Lois are finally getting married and Clark has embraced his new identity as "Superman".
Created by: Character: Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Developed for television: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Portrayed by: Tom Welling
Information
Aliases: Kal-El (birth name), "The Red-Blue Blur", "The Blur"
Species: Kryptonian
Affiliations: Justice League, Daily Planet
Abilities: Invulnerability, superhuman strength, speed, sight, and hearing, super breath, heat vision, X-ray vision, and flight
Role in Smallville
Clark Kent first appears in the pilot episode of Smallville, as a teen with superhuman abilities, which he uses to help others in danger. Clark is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent (John Schneider and Annette O'Toole) as an infant when he crash lands on Earth on the day of the Smallville meteor shower in 1989. Twelve years later, trying to find his place in life after being told he is an alien by his adoptive father, Clark saves the life of billionaire Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), and the pair become quick friends. During season one, Clark struggles with the burden of keeping his powers a secret from those close to him; he is afraid to open up to Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) for fear that she will not accept him if she were to learn the truth about him. In the season two episode "Rosetta", Clark learns of his Kryptonian heritage, including his native language, his birth name "Kal-El" and that his birth father Jor-El (Terence Stamp) intends for him to rule the world. The fear that he will not be able to control his own destiny forces Clark to run away to Metropolis in the season two finale, leaving Lana, whom he had just started to develop a romantic relationship with, alone. In the season three premiere, three months later, Clark is brought home by his father, who makes a deal to let Jor-El take Clark when the time arrives. That time arrives in the season three finale, when a girl, referring to herself as "Kara", arrives at the Kent farm and claims to be from Krypton. After Kara predicts that Clark's friends will all either leave or betray him, Clark decides that it will be best for everyone if he just left Smallville. When Jonathan attempts to intervene, Jor-El threatens to kill Jonathan if Clark does not leave; to save Jonathan's life Clark agrees.
Clark returns to Smallville, in the season four premiere, "reprogrammed" by Jor-El to seek out the three stones of knowledge so he may fulfill his destiny; in the process, the reprogrammed Clark meets Lois Lane (Erica Durance), who is investigating the supposed death of her cousin, and Clark's best friend, Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack). Clark, with Martha’s help, regains control over his body and refuses to look for the stones. In the season four finale, a "great evil" is awakened in space after Clark defies Jor-El’s instructions to obtain the three stones of knowledge. With a new meteor shower hitting Smallville, Clark finds the remaining stones and is transported to the Arctic, where the three stones create the Fortress of Solitude. In the season five premiere, Clark interrupts his training to return to Smallville, but when he fails to return to the Fortress before the Sun sets he is stripped of his powers. In season five's "Hidden", Clark begins an honest relationship with Lana, but is killed trying to save the town from a resident who hopes to kill all of the "meteor freaks". Jor-El resurrects his son, but warns him that someone he loves will eventually have to take his place. Clark worries about who will be sacrificed, and in the episode "Reckoning" Lana is killed, so Clark turns back time to save her. This results in Jonathan becoming the sacrifice, when he suffers a fatal heart attack.
In the season five finale, Clark battles Brainiac (James Marsters), a Kryptonian artificial intelligence in the form of a man, in his attempts to release the Kryptonian criminal Zod from the Phantom Zone. Clark fails, and Zod imprisons Clark in the Phantom Zone, while he sets out to conquer the Earth. In the season six premiere, Clark is able to escape the Phantom Zone—inadvertently releasing several of the prisoners in the process—and returns to Smallville to defeat Zod. The Phantom Zone escapees become Clark's primary focus in season six, as well as Lana's relationship with Lex, which eventually turns into marriage by the season six episode "Promise". The season six finale reveals that the last of the Phantom Zone criminals is really a genetic experiment created by Kryptonian scientists. The escapee attacks Clark, cloning his DNA, and becomes Clark's doppelgänger. Clark, with assistance from John Jones (Phil Morris), defeats his duplicate in the season seven premiere. In season seven, Clark discovers that a secret society known as Veritas was aware of his landing in Smallville during the first meteor shower and that they knew of a means to control him. In the season seven finale, Clark is confronted by Lex, who has the device and has discovered his secret, at the Fortress of Solitude. Lex uses the device, which brings the Fortress down around him and Clark.
In the season eight premiere, it is revealed that the orb does not allow anyone to control Clark, but merely strips Clark of his powers. Wandering the globe with Russian gangsters, Clark is eventually found and rescued by Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) and John Jones, the latter of who flies Clark to the yellow Sun and restores Clark's powers. At the end of the episode, Clark takes a job at the Daily Planet, sitting across from Lois. During season eight, Clark uses his new job at the Daily Planet to gain access to information and stop crime around the city. In "Identity", Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore) takes a photo of Clark in which he is moving so quickly one can only see a red and blue blur; Clark in later episodes adopts the name "Red-Blue Blur" as his own superhero moniker. In the later half of season eight, Clark wrestles with the idea of having to kill Davis Bloome (Sam Witwer), who is revealed to be Doomsday in the episode "Bloodline", a genetically engineered creature created by General Zod to kill Clark and destroy Earth. With Oliver Queen and the other Justice Leaguers pressuring him to kill Davis/Doomsday in the season eight finale, Clark ultimately decides to separate Davis's personality from the creature's, and bury Doomsday a mile underground. When Davis subsequently kills Jimmy, Clark tells Chloe that his human-learned emotions have caused him the most trouble—most recently resulting in Jimmy's death—and vows that "Clark Kent is dead".
At the start of season nine, it is revealed that Clark has begun his training with Jor-El, and while he rescues people around Metropolis he wears his family crest on his chest to remind him of what his true destiny is. After realizing there are other, powerless Kryptonians on Earth, who are being led by Zod (Callum Blue), Clark decides to try and help them adjust to living as humans. When Clark uses his own blood to bring Zod back to life, after being shot, Zod is renewed with his full Kryptonian powers. Zod then provides the other Kryptonians with their powers and sets them out to destroy the world so that they can turn it into a new Krypton. This season, Lois and Clark officially begin a romantic relationship, while Lois also begins assisting "The Blur" in his heroic endeavors. Lois's trust in Clark is shaken when she thinks Clark is jealous of her relationship with "The Blur", and that he does not understand her need to find value in her own life's work. Ultimately, Clark kiss Lois, while he is "the Blur", in the season nine finale and unknowingly reveals to her the truth. Afterward, he convinces the Kryptonians to leave Earth for a new, uninhabited planet. Clark then sacrifices his own life to send Zod through a portal and off of Earth.
Season ten begins with Clark stuck in the afterlife, where Jor-El informs him that a great darkness is coming to Earth. Clark is unknowingly resurrected by Lois, who is now aware that he is the Blur. Jor-El also informs Clark that he is not ready to be Earth's true savior, as there are inner demons that Clark must deal with first. In the episode "Homecoming", Clark is visited by Brainiac 5, who shows Clark how his past has shaped his present and will one day shape his future; this includes showing Clark his future self and what he will be capable of when he has fully embraced his destiny. Clark reveals his secret to Lois, who explains that she already knew, in the episode "Isis"; he later proposes marriage in "Icarus". In the episode "Masquerade", Clark realizes that in order to be the hero the world needs he will have to step out of the shadows and into the light. As a result, Clark makes the decision to turn "Clark Kent" into his real disguise—opting to wear eye glasses and alter his mannerisms to be more mild mannered—so that the Blur does not have to hide his face to the world. By the series finale, the darkness, which is revealed to be Darkseid, arrives to Earth to enslave all of humanity. After realizing that his entire life has been one big trial by Jor-El, Clark accepts his true destiny and gains the ability to fly. He then receives the costume Martha made for him and saves Earth from Darkseid's coming Apokolips. Moving into the future seven years, Clark and Lois are finally getting married and Clark has embraced his new identity as "Superman".
Lex Luthor
First appearance: "Pilot"
Created by: Character: Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Developed for Television: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Portrayed by: Michael Rosenbaum
Information
Relatives: Lionel Luthor, Tess Mercer
Role in Smallville
Lex Luthor, introduced in the pilot as the son of billionaire Lionel Luthor (John Glover), is sent to Smallville by his father to run the local fertilizer plant. As a child, he is caught in the first meteor shower that renders him completely bald. After Clark Kent (Tom Welling) saves his life, the two quickly become friends. Lex tries to be a hero for much of the earlier seasons, but his motives are usually driven by curiosity for the unexplained, like the day Clark rescued him from drowning. As the series unfolds, Lex becomes involved with various women, with all of the relationships ending badly. In season one, he starts a relationship with Victoria Hardwick (Kelly Brook), who was attempting to use him so that she and her father could buy out LuthorCorp. Lex’s lifestyle of bedding women and then leaving them the next day would catch up to him in season four when one of the women he had previously slept with attempts to kill him.
Lex has been married three times in the show. First, in season two, he married Desiree Atkins (Krista Allen), who used her meteor-created powers to seduce Lex into marriage so that she could steal his money. Later that season, Lex met and courted Dr. Helen Bryce (Emmanuelle Vaugier) who would try to kill him on their honeymoon for reasons unknown. In season six, Lex married Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) after deceiving her into believing that she was pregnant with his child. Upon learning the truth, Lana faked her own death and attempted to pin the murder on Lex.
Over the course of seven seasons—beginning on the day Clark rescued him from drowning—Lex has been trying to uncover the secrets that Clark keeps. In season one, Lex hires Roger Nixon (Tom O’Brien), a reporter for the tabloid newspaper The Inquisitor, to discover how he survived the automobile accident where Clark saved him from drowning. All the evidence points to Clark having been hit by Lex’s car, but Lex refuses to believe that is what happened so Nixon attempts to expose Clark to everyone. At the beginning of season two, Lex kills Nixon before the reporter can kill Jonathan Kent (John Schneider), who was protecting his son from Nixon. Lex also enlists the help of Dr. Hamilton (Joe Morton) around the same time he hires Nixon in season one; Hamilton is commissioned to study the effects of the meteor rocks. Dr. Hamilton finds an octagonal disc, with unknown symbols imprinted on the disc’s surface that match those on Clark’s ship, while searching for traces of an alien ship that landed in Smallville in 1989. The disc is eventually stolen by Nixon, who learns that it will open Clark’s ship.
When Clark discovers the Kawatche Caves in season two, under a LuthorCorp construction site, Lex opts to become the curator of the caves to preserve them after he notices symbols on the cave walls that match the symbols on the disc, as well as an octagonal shape in the wall of the cave that would fit the disc perfectly. His interest grows more and more when he finds Clark constantly in the caves, and later with a piece of paper that appears to indicate that Clark has deciphered the language on the cave walls — although, Clark denies being able to read the language. Lex’s company, LexCorp, eventually loses the Kawatche caves to his father Lionel, who has also developed an interest in the caves and the octagonal disc. Lex’s curiosity into the symbols, and Clark, leads to a blowout between the two at the end of season three. When Lionel gives Clark a key to a room in the Luthor Mansion where Lex has been collecting information on Clark and his family, Clark informs Lex that their friendship "is over".
In season four, Lex’s attention turns toward finding three ancient stones, which contain the same symbols as those in the cave and on the disc. He fails to find all three stones, but suspects that Clark did, and used them to find the treasure of knowledge they were supposed to have led to. In season five, Lex becomes obsessed with uncovering Clark's secret; to this end, he breaks three metahuman criminals out of Belle Reve and sends them to the Kent Farm, where they hold Lana and Clark's parents hostage. The scheme amounts to nothing, however, and Clark cuts Lex out of his life completely when he finds out. His curiosity into the symbols, which he believes to be alien in nature, results in him being possessed by the spirit of the Kryptonian criminal Zod at the end of season five. It is not until season seven that Lex discovers that the symbols are connected to a secret organization, known as Veritas, which his father is a part of. The Veritas members learned that an alien visitor, "The Traveler", would arrive in Smallville during the meteor shower of 1989. He also discovers that the Veritas members knew of a means to control the Traveler, so Lex sets out to find the device. The device, an orb he finds in the mantle above a fireplace in the Luthor Mansion, leads Lex to the Fortress of Solitude, where he is confronted by Clark. At the end of the seventh season, Lex uses the orb to bring down the Fortress around Clark and himself. In season eight, Lex is missing and Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman) is put in charge of LuthorCorp and its subsidiaries. She wants Lex found, and believes that Clark is the key to finding him. In season eight's "Bulletproof", Lana informs Tess that she knows that Lex is alive—which Tess confirms—and that he has been keeping tabs on Tess via a nano-transmitter he surgically implanted in Tess's optic nerve against her will. In the episode "Requiem", Lex uses Winslow Schott to plant a kryptonite bomb on the roof of the Daily Planet as a means of keeping Lana and Clark apart forever. As Lana stole Lex's bio-enhanced suit that is designed to absorb and emit kryptonite radiation, Lex forces Lana to absorb the kryptonite to de-activate the bomb and subsequently never be able to go near Clark again without killing him. Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) discovers Lex's location and uses one of Schott's bombs to blow up the medical transport Lex was travelling in, killing him.
In the season ten premiere, it is revealed that prior to his death Lex had manufactured a number of clones in an attempt to use them to heal himself. However, the majority of these clones are flawed and age at an accelerated rate. One of the clones (Mackenzie Gray), aged approximately twenty years older than the real Lex, attempted to get revenge on Clark but died before he could finish. In the 2-hour series finale, it is revealed Lex had used the parts of other clones to create a perfected one; however, the clone lacked a heart. After a Lionel from an alternate reality sacrifices himself to Darkseid, his heart is placed inside the clone allowing him to live. The reborn Lex speaks with Clark, telling him he accepts they have a destiny as enemies, but for either of them to fulfill their roles Clark must defeat Darkseid by inspiring humanity. Lex later meets with Tess, and fatally stabs her; before she dies, Tess poisons him with a specialized neurotoxin that removes all of Lex's memories. The series ends by shifting seven years into the future, where Lex has now been elected President of the United States.
Created by: Character: Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Developed for Television: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Portrayed by: Michael Rosenbaum
Information
Relatives: Lionel Luthor, Tess Mercer
Role in Smallville
Lex Luthor, introduced in the pilot as the son of billionaire Lionel Luthor (John Glover), is sent to Smallville by his father to run the local fertilizer plant. As a child, he is caught in the first meteor shower that renders him completely bald. After Clark Kent (Tom Welling) saves his life, the two quickly become friends. Lex tries to be a hero for much of the earlier seasons, but his motives are usually driven by curiosity for the unexplained, like the day Clark rescued him from drowning. As the series unfolds, Lex becomes involved with various women, with all of the relationships ending badly. In season one, he starts a relationship with Victoria Hardwick (Kelly Brook), who was attempting to use him so that she and her father could buy out LuthorCorp. Lex’s lifestyle of bedding women and then leaving them the next day would catch up to him in season four when one of the women he had previously slept with attempts to kill him.
Lex has been married three times in the show. First, in season two, he married Desiree Atkins (Krista Allen), who used her meteor-created powers to seduce Lex into marriage so that she could steal his money. Later that season, Lex met and courted Dr. Helen Bryce (Emmanuelle Vaugier) who would try to kill him on their honeymoon for reasons unknown. In season six, Lex married Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) after deceiving her into believing that she was pregnant with his child. Upon learning the truth, Lana faked her own death and attempted to pin the murder on Lex.
Over the course of seven seasons—beginning on the day Clark rescued him from drowning—Lex has been trying to uncover the secrets that Clark keeps. In season one, Lex hires Roger Nixon (Tom O’Brien), a reporter for the tabloid newspaper The Inquisitor, to discover how he survived the automobile accident where Clark saved him from drowning. All the evidence points to Clark having been hit by Lex’s car, but Lex refuses to believe that is what happened so Nixon attempts to expose Clark to everyone. At the beginning of season two, Lex kills Nixon before the reporter can kill Jonathan Kent (John Schneider), who was protecting his son from Nixon. Lex also enlists the help of Dr. Hamilton (Joe Morton) around the same time he hires Nixon in season one; Hamilton is commissioned to study the effects of the meteor rocks. Dr. Hamilton finds an octagonal disc, with unknown symbols imprinted on the disc’s surface that match those on Clark’s ship, while searching for traces of an alien ship that landed in Smallville in 1989. The disc is eventually stolen by Nixon, who learns that it will open Clark’s ship.
When Clark discovers the Kawatche Caves in season two, under a LuthorCorp construction site, Lex opts to become the curator of the caves to preserve them after he notices symbols on the cave walls that match the symbols on the disc, as well as an octagonal shape in the wall of the cave that would fit the disc perfectly. His interest grows more and more when he finds Clark constantly in the caves, and later with a piece of paper that appears to indicate that Clark has deciphered the language on the cave walls — although, Clark denies being able to read the language. Lex’s company, LexCorp, eventually loses the Kawatche caves to his father Lionel, who has also developed an interest in the caves and the octagonal disc. Lex’s curiosity into the symbols, and Clark, leads to a blowout between the two at the end of season three. When Lionel gives Clark a key to a room in the Luthor Mansion where Lex has been collecting information on Clark and his family, Clark informs Lex that their friendship "is over".
In season four, Lex’s attention turns toward finding three ancient stones, which contain the same symbols as those in the cave and on the disc. He fails to find all three stones, but suspects that Clark did, and used them to find the treasure of knowledge they were supposed to have led to. In season five, Lex becomes obsessed with uncovering Clark's secret; to this end, he breaks three metahuman criminals out of Belle Reve and sends them to the Kent Farm, where they hold Lana and Clark's parents hostage. The scheme amounts to nothing, however, and Clark cuts Lex out of his life completely when he finds out. His curiosity into the symbols, which he believes to be alien in nature, results in him being possessed by the spirit of the Kryptonian criminal Zod at the end of season five. It is not until season seven that Lex discovers that the symbols are connected to a secret organization, known as Veritas, which his father is a part of. The Veritas members learned that an alien visitor, "The Traveler", would arrive in Smallville during the meteor shower of 1989. He also discovers that the Veritas members knew of a means to control the Traveler, so Lex sets out to find the device. The device, an orb he finds in the mantle above a fireplace in the Luthor Mansion, leads Lex to the Fortress of Solitude, where he is confronted by Clark. At the end of the seventh season, Lex uses the orb to bring down the Fortress around Clark and himself. In season eight, Lex is missing and Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman) is put in charge of LuthorCorp and its subsidiaries. She wants Lex found, and believes that Clark is the key to finding him. In season eight's "Bulletproof", Lana informs Tess that she knows that Lex is alive—which Tess confirms—and that he has been keeping tabs on Tess via a nano-transmitter he surgically implanted in Tess's optic nerve against her will. In the episode "Requiem", Lex uses Winslow Schott to plant a kryptonite bomb on the roof of the Daily Planet as a means of keeping Lana and Clark apart forever. As Lana stole Lex's bio-enhanced suit that is designed to absorb and emit kryptonite radiation, Lex forces Lana to absorb the kryptonite to de-activate the bomb and subsequently never be able to go near Clark again without killing him. Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) discovers Lex's location and uses one of Schott's bombs to blow up the medical transport Lex was travelling in, killing him.
In the season ten premiere, it is revealed that prior to his death Lex had manufactured a number of clones in an attempt to use them to heal himself. However, the majority of these clones are flawed and age at an accelerated rate. One of the clones (Mackenzie Gray), aged approximately twenty years older than the real Lex, attempted to get revenge on Clark but died before he could finish. In the 2-hour series finale, it is revealed Lex had used the parts of other clones to create a perfected one; however, the clone lacked a heart. After a Lionel from an alternate reality sacrifices himself to Darkseid, his heart is placed inside the clone allowing him to live. The reborn Lex speaks with Clark, telling him he accepts they have a destiny as enemies, but for either of them to fulfill their roles Clark must defeat Darkseid by inspiring humanity. Lex later meets with Tess, and fatally stabs her; before she dies, Tess poisons him with a specialized neurotoxin that removes all of Lex's memories. The series ends by shifting seven years into the future, where Lex has now been elected President of the United States.
Lana Lang
First appearance: "Pilot"
Created by: Character: Bill Finger & John Sikela
Developed for Television: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Portrayed by: Kristin Kreuk
Information
Aliases: "Angel of the Plateau"
Abilities: Invulnerability, superhuman strength, speed, kryptonite absorption/emission
Role in Smallville
In the first season, Lana and Clark Kent (Tom Welling) are just beginning their friendship, as she is a popular cheerleader dating star quarterback Whitney Fordman (Eric Johnson), and Clark cannot get near her without getting sick from the kryptonite necklace she wears. In the pilot episode, when her parents are killed in the first meteor shower, Lana is adopted by her aunt Nell (Sarah-Jane Redmond). As the first season progresses, Lana grows closer to Clark, while Whitney begins to distance himself because of his father’s medical ailments. In season two's episode "Heat" Lana sends Whitney, who left Smallville for the Marines in the season one finale, a video message breaking up with him. Lana’s aunt Nell moves to Metropolis with her fiancé in the season two episode "Ryan", but Lana opts to move in with her friend Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) so that she may finish high school in Smallville. By the end of season two, Lana and Clark slowly try and start a romantic relationship, but fear backlash from Chloe because of her personal feelings for Clark. Just as the two give into their feelings fully, Clark unexpectedly runs away from Smallville in the season two finale. At the start of season three, it is shown that Lana, alongside the Kents, has been spending her time searching for Clark; she ultimately finds him in Metropolis thanks to Chloe's help. Clark’s actions in Metropolis force the two to rethink their relationship in the season three episode "Phoenix", and Lana eventually begins a new relationship with Adam Knight (Ian Somerhalder), a guy she met while in physical therapy after being trampled by a horse in season three's "Asylum". By the season three episode "Crisis", it is discovered that the relationship Adam attempted to form with Lana was just a ploy so that Adam could investigate Clark.
Season three's "Forsaken" reveals that Lana, in order to move on with her life, applies and is admitted into a program to study in Paris, France. Season four shows that Lana, while in Paris, began a romantic relationship with Jason Teague (Jensen Ackles). At the beginning of season four, Lana returns to Smallville after receiving a mysterious tattoo on her lower back, which resembles a symbol on the local Kawatche cave walls, when she touched the tomb of Countess Margaret Isobel Theroux.[15] In season four's "Spell" and "Sacred", the tattoo acts as a doorway for the spirit of Isobel to inhabit Lana’s body; each time Isobel takes over Lana’s body she sets out to find the three stones of knowledge, which are also being searched for by Clark and Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum). In the season four finale "Commencement", Lana is confronted by Jason’s mother Genevieve (Jane Seymour), who is also after the three stones of knowledge, and during a struggle Isobel comes forward and kills Genevieve. The resulting death of Genevieve, who was revealed to have been the cause for Isobel’s death centuries prior in the episode "Bound", releases Isobel’s control over Lana. During the second meteor shower, Lana witnesses the landing of an alien spacecraft, and two alien beings emerging and killing everyone in sight in the season five premiere. The spaceship becomes Lana’s primary focus in season five, officially teaming up with Lex Luthor to discover the mystery behind the ship in the episode "Splinter". When her relationship with Clark hits a breaking point in season five's "Hypnotic", she begins to grow closer to Lex.
The relationship with Lex eventually leads to marriage in the season six episode "Promise", but not before Lana discovers Clark’s secret and realizes why he has been lying to her all these years. When she learns that Lex set up a fake pregnancy in order to get her to marry him in the season six finale "Phantom", Lana effectively ends the marriage and fakes her own death to escape Lex after he threatens her. She also frames Lex for her murder, to punish him for his betrayal. It is revealed at the start of season seven that her effort fails, but as part of the "settlement" of their divorce, Lex makes sure that Lana does not go to jail for her actions. With Clark’s secret no longer an issue, the two begin a real relationship in the season seven episode "Fierce". Lana becomes obsessed with making Lex pay for all his crimes against humanity, which causes her to develop the Isis Foundation, using $10 million she stole from Lex. The Isis Foundation is a counseling center for kryptonite-infected people, but it doubles as a front for Lana's surveillance on Lex. Her obsessions also begin to affect her relationship with Clark by the episode "Wrath". Eventually, Lana realizes that, even though she loves him, the only way for Clark to help the world to the best of his ability would be if she left Clark and Smallville for good, which she does in the season seven finale. In the season eight episode "Bride", Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley), believing he is tracking Lex Luthor who has been missing since the season seven finale, discovers Lana instead. Oliver convinces her to return to Smallville so that she can attend Chloe's wedding. In the season eight episode "Power", it is revealed that Lana really returned so that she could steal Lex's "Prometheus" technology, which harnesses alien DNA to give the wearer of a "super-suit" superhuman abilities, for herself. By the end of the episode, the procedure is complete, and Lana becomes just as strong and invulnerable as Clark. In the episode "Requiem", Lana discovers that her suit absorbs kryptonite, but also emits the radiation making her a potential danger to Clark. When Winslow Schott puts a kryptonite bomb on the roof of the Daily Planet, Lana is forced to absorb all of the kryptonite to deactivate the bomb. As a result, she leaves Smallville to go on her own quest as Clark can no longer get near her without the kryptonite radiation hurting him.
Created by: Character: Bill Finger & John Sikela
Developed for Television: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Portrayed by: Kristin Kreuk
Information
Aliases: "Angel of the Plateau"
Abilities: Invulnerability, superhuman strength, speed, kryptonite absorption/emission
Role in Smallville
In the first season, Lana and Clark Kent (Tom Welling) are just beginning their friendship, as she is a popular cheerleader dating star quarterback Whitney Fordman (Eric Johnson), and Clark cannot get near her without getting sick from the kryptonite necklace she wears. In the pilot episode, when her parents are killed in the first meteor shower, Lana is adopted by her aunt Nell (Sarah-Jane Redmond). As the first season progresses, Lana grows closer to Clark, while Whitney begins to distance himself because of his father’s medical ailments. In season two's episode "Heat" Lana sends Whitney, who left Smallville for the Marines in the season one finale, a video message breaking up with him. Lana’s aunt Nell moves to Metropolis with her fiancé in the season two episode "Ryan", but Lana opts to move in with her friend Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) so that she may finish high school in Smallville. By the end of season two, Lana and Clark slowly try and start a romantic relationship, but fear backlash from Chloe because of her personal feelings for Clark. Just as the two give into their feelings fully, Clark unexpectedly runs away from Smallville in the season two finale. At the start of season three, it is shown that Lana, alongside the Kents, has been spending her time searching for Clark; she ultimately finds him in Metropolis thanks to Chloe's help. Clark’s actions in Metropolis force the two to rethink their relationship in the season three episode "Phoenix", and Lana eventually begins a new relationship with Adam Knight (Ian Somerhalder), a guy she met while in physical therapy after being trampled by a horse in season three's "Asylum". By the season three episode "Crisis", it is discovered that the relationship Adam attempted to form with Lana was just a ploy so that Adam could investigate Clark.
Season three's "Forsaken" reveals that Lana, in order to move on with her life, applies and is admitted into a program to study in Paris, France. Season four shows that Lana, while in Paris, began a romantic relationship with Jason Teague (Jensen Ackles). At the beginning of season four, Lana returns to Smallville after receiving a mysterious tattoo on her lower back, which resembles a symbol on the local Kawatche cave walls, when she touched the tomb of Countess Margaret Isobel Theroux.[15] In season four's "Spell" and "Sacred", the tattoo acts as a doorway for the spirit of Isobel to inhabit Lana’s body; each time Isobel takes over Lana’s body she sets out to find the three stones of knowledge, which are also being searched for by Clark and Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum). In the season four finale "Commencement", Lana is confronted by Jason’s mother Genevieve (Jane Seymour), who is also after the three stones of knowledge, and during a struggle Isobel comes forward and kills Genevieve. The resulting death of Genevieve, who was revealed to have been the cause for Isobel’s death centuries prior in the episode "Bound", releases Isobel’s control over Lana. During the second meteor shower, Lana witnesses the landing of an alien spacecraft, and two alien beings emerging and killing everyone in sight in the season five premiere. The spaceship becomes Lana’s primary focus in season five, officially teaming up with Lex Luthor to discover the mystery behind the ship in the episode "Splinter". When her relationship with Clark hits a breaking point in season five's "Hypnotic", she begins to grow closer to Lex.
The relationship with Lex eventually leads to marriage in the season six episode "Promise", but not before Lana discovers Clark’s secret and realizes why he has been lying to her all these years. When she learns that Lex set up a fake pregnancy in order to get her to marry him in the season six finale "Phantom", Lana effectively ends the marriage and fakes her own death to escape Lex after he threatens her. She also frames Lex for her murder, to punish him for his betrayal. It is revealed at the start of season seven that her effort fails, but as part of the "settlement" of their divorce, Lex makes sure that Lana does not go to jail for her actions. With Clark’s secret no longer an issue, the two begin a real relationship in the season seven episode "Fierce". Lana becomes obsessed with making Lex pay for all his crimes against humanity, which causes her to develop the Isis Foundation, using $10 million she stole from Lex. The Isis Foundation is a counseling center for kryptonite-infected people, but it doubles as a front for Lana's surveillance on Lex. Her obsessions also begin to affect her relationship with Clark by the episode "Wrath". Eventually, Lana realizes that, even though she loves him, the only way for Clark to help the world to the best of his ability would be if she left Clark and Smallville for good, which she does in the season seven finale. In the season eight episode "Bride", Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley), believing he is tracking Lex Luthor who has been missing since the season seven finale, discovers Lana instead. Oliver convinces her to return to Smallville so that she can attend Chloe's wedding. In the season eight episode "Power", it is revealed that Lana really returned so that she could steal Lex's "Prometheus" technology, which harnesses alien DNA to give the wearer of a "super-suit" superhuman abilities, for herself. By the end of the episode, the procedure is complete, and Lana becomes just as strong and invulnerable as Clark. In the episode "Requiem", Lana discovers that her suit absorbs kryptonite, but also emits the radiation making her a potential danger to Clark. When Winslow Schott puts a kryptonite bomb on the roof of the Daily Planet, Lana is forced to absorb all of the kryptonite to deactivate the bomb. As a result, she leaves Smallville to go on her own quest as Clark can no longer get near her without the kryptonite radiation hurting him.
Chloe Sullivan
First appearance: "Pilot"
Created by: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Portrayed by: Allison Mack
First comic appearance (Tie-in comic): Smallville: The Comic (November 2002)
First comic appearance (DC Universe): Action Comics #893 (November 2010)
Information
Aliases: "Watchtower"
Relatives: Lois Lane
Affiliations: Smallville Torch, Daily Planet, Justice League, Isis Foundation
Role in Smallville
Introduced in the series pilot, Chloe spends much of season one helping her best friend Clark Kent (Tom Welling) stop the citizens of Smallville who have developed special abilities from genetic mutations, caused by the meteor rocks that fell to Smallville in 1989, from committing crimes. It is established that Chloe is the editor of the school newspaper the Torch at the start of the first season. Her journalistic curiosity—always wanting to "expose falsehoods" and "know the truth"—causes tension with her friends, especially when she is digging into Clark's past in the season two episode "Lineage". In the early seasons, Chloe hides the fact that she is in love with Clark, although the feeling is not reciprocated; she confesses her true feelings to Clark in season two's "Fever" while he is sick, but he calls out Lana Lang's name in his delirium. Her feelings for Clark get in the way of her better judgment as she betrays his trust in the season two finale, after witnessing him and Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) sharing a kiss in his barn, and agrees to uncover information on Clark for Lionel Luthor (John Glover) in exchange for a job at the Daily Planet.
Chloe and Clark patch their relationship in the season three episode "Whisper", after Clark discovers that she has been helping Lionel. When Chloe stops her investigation, Lionel has her fired from the Daily Planet, and also fires her father from his job at LuthorCorp. In season three's "Forsaken", Chloe decides to assist Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), Lionel's son, with getting Lionel arrested for the murder of Lex' grandparents; Chloe's hope is to get out from under Lionel’s control. In the season three finale, the F.B.I. place Chloe and her father in a safe-house until Lionel’s trial; unfortunately, the safe-house explodes once Chloe and her father enter and they are presumed dead. Chloe’s cousin, Lois Lane (Erica Durance), comes to Smallville to investigate Chloe’s death in the fourth season premiere. In season four's "Gone", Clark and Lois team-up and discover that Lex’s security team found the explosives in the safe-house, pulled Chloe and her father to safety before they detonated, and that he has been hiding her ever since. After Chloe’s testimony in the same episode, Lionel is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. In the season four episode "Pariah", Chloe discovers Clark’s secret when Alicia Baker (Sarah Carter), Clark's girlfriend, decides that it needs to be exposed to the world in order for him to feel more comfortable about who he really is. Alicia hopes that Chloe will write a story exposing Clark, but Chloe decides that Clark kept his secret for a reason and decides not to write the story.
Chloe finally reveals to Clark in the season five premiere that she has known his secret, but that she wanted him to be comfortable enough to tell her on his own. At the same time, Clark reveals that he was not infected by the meteor rocks in Smallville, as Chloe initially suspected, but that he is in fact an alien who was sent to Earth as a baby during the meteor shower of 1989. In season five's "Thirst", Chloe earns her dream job at the Daily Planet, starting in the basement. In the season six episode "Justice", Chloe begins assisting Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) and his team of superheroes under the codename "Watchtower". In "Freak", she discovers she herself is meteor-infected, with an unknown ability, and begins to worry that she is a "time bomb" heading towards insanity. She later discovers in "Progeny" that her institutionalized mother, Moira Sullivan (Lynda Carter), is meteor-infected as well. In the season finale, Chloe learns that her special power lets her heal any wound and even reverse death, when it activates to save Lois. In season seven's "Descent", when Chloe attempts to keep information regarding "The Traveler" a secret from Lex, who is unaware that "The Traveler" is really Clark, he fires her from her job at the Daily Planet. When in "Sleeper", Lana falls into a catatonic state having been attacked by the Kryptonian artificial intelligence known as Brainiac (James Marsters), Chloe takes over Lana’s Isis Foundation, a free clinic for individuals who have been infected by the meteor rocks. In the seventh season finale, Chloe is attacked by Brainiac, but her healing powers prevent him from harming her. When she returns home, Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore), her on-again-off-again boyfriend since season six, proposes marriage. Before Chloe can answer the Department of Domestic Security (DDS) appears and arrests her for hacking into the government database.
At the start of season eight, it is revealed that Chloe was not arrested by DDS, but Lex’s security personnel impersonating DDS agents. While subjected to their tests, Chloe discovers that her altercation with Brainiac has apparently caused to her to lose her meteor-related powers, but instilled two new abilities: vast super intelligence and technopathy. Returning to Smallville, Chloe reopens the Isis Foundation. Though she loves Jimmy, she finds herself attracted to paramedic Davis Bloome(Samuel Witwer). In the episode "Abyss", Brainiac's infestation causes Chloe to lose her memories. Clark takes Chloe to his biological father Jor-El, who restores her memories. After Chloe marries Jimmy in "Bride", she is kidnapped by Doomsday, a genetically engineered killing machine bent on destroying Earth and becomes Brainiac's vessel once again. Brainiac attempts to drain the world of all its human knowledge but is stopped and removed from Chloe's body by the Legion, superheroes from the future, in "Legion". In "Hex", Chloe assumes the codename Watchtower full time because she feels her life needs more meaning. Chloe discovers that Davis is Doomsday in "Eternal". She attempts to assist Davis' suicide using kryptonite; when this fails, she stays by his side in order to keep Doomsday under control. In the episode "Beast", she and Davis leave town together; Chloe reasons it will protect Clark. In the season eight finale, she uses black kryptonite to separate Davis from Doomsday; Clark buries Doomsday beneath Metropolis. However, when Davis discovers that Chloe is still in love with Jimmy, he stabs Jimmy and attempts to kill Chloe; Jimmy impales him on a metal rod, and they both die. Chloe vows to keep the Watchtower Jimmy gave her as a wedding gift open, in the hope that all lost heroes—namely Oliver and his team—will find their way home.
At the start of the ninth season, using Oliver's money, Chloe transforms the Watchtower into an information fortress and superhero headquarters. In this capacity, she acquires a rival in Tess's computer expert Stuart Campbell (Ryan McDonell); her status as superhero information broker also makes her a target for Checkmate bosses Amanda Waller (Pam Grier) and Maxwell Lord (Gil Bellows). Over the course of the season, she grows romantically close to Oliver. In the season ten première, when Oliver is kidnapped by Suicide Squad leader Rick Flag (Ted Whittall), Chloe risks her own sanity by putting on the helmet of Doctor Fate to learn his location. With the information acquired from Fate's helmet, she organizes a switch for Oliver; in Flag's captivity, Chloe fakes suicide and goes off-the-grid. Chloe returns in "Collateral", and reveals that she has been helping Clark, Oliver, and the rest of the heroes while in hiding, having blackmailed the Suicide Squad into helping her. Afterward, she resumes her relationships with the show's protagonists. In the episode "Fortune", Chloe decides to move to Star City to return to journalism following her marriage to Oliver Queen. In a flashforward in the series finale, Chloe is now the mother to a young boy, but remains in touch with Clark and Lois.
Created by: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Portrayed by: Allison Mack
First comic appearance (Tie-in comic): Smallville: The Comic (November 2002)
First comic appearance (DC Universe): Action Comics #893 (November 2010)
Information
Aliases: "Watchtower"
Relatives: Lois Lane
Affiliations: Smallville Torch, Daily Planet, Justice League, Isis Foundation
Role in Smallville
Introduced in the series pilot, Chloe spends much of season one helping her best friend Clark Kent (Tom Welling) stop the citizens of Smallville who have developed special abilities from genetic mutations, caused by the meteor rocks that fell to Smallville in 1989, from committing crimes. It is established that Chloe is the editor of the school newspaper the Torch at the start of the first season. Her journalistic curiosity—always wanting to "expose falsehoods" and "know the truth"—causes tension with her friends, especially when she is digging into Clark's past in the season two episode "Lineage". In the early seasons, Chloe hides the fact that she is in love with Clark, although the feeling is not reciprocated; she confesses her true feelings to Clark in season two's "Fever" while he is sick, but he calls out Lana Lang's name in his delirium. Her feelings for Clark get in the way of her better judgment as she betrays his trust in the season two finale, after witnessing him and Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) sharing a kiss in his barn, and agrees to uncover information on Clark for Lionel Luthor (John Glover) in exchange for a job at the Daily Planet.
Chloe and Clark patch their relationship in the season three episode "Whisper", after Clark discovers that she has been helping Lionel. When Chloe stops her investigation, Lionel has her fired from the Daily Planet, and also fires her father from his job at LuthorCorp. In season three's "Forsaken", Chloe decides to assist Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), Lionel's son, with getting Lionel arrested for the murder of Lex' grandparents; Chloe's hope is to get out from under Lionel’s control. In the season three finale, the F.B.I. place Chloe and her father in a safe-house until Lionel’s trial; unfortunately, the safe-house explodes once Chloe and her father enter and they are presumed dead. Chloe’s cousin, Lois Lane (Erica Durance), comes to Smallville to investigate Chloe’s death in the fourth season premiere. In season four's "Gone", Clark and Lois team-up and discover that Lex’s security team found the explosives in the safe-house, pulled Chloe and her father to safety before they detonated, and that he has been hiding her ever since. After Chloe’s testimony in the same episode, Lionel is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. In the season four episode "Pariah", Chloe discovers Clark’s secret when Alicia Baker (Sarah Carter), Clark's girlfriend, decides that it needs to be exposed to the world in order for him to feel more comfortable about who he really is. Alicia hopes that Chloe will write a story exposing Clark, but Chloe decides that Clark kept his secret for a reason and decides not to write the story.
Chloe finally reveals to Clark in the season five premiere that she has known his secret, but that she wanted him to be comfortable enough to tell her on his own. At the same time, Clark reveals that he was not infected by the meteor rocks in Smallville, as Chloe initially suspected, but that he is in fact an alien who was sent to Earth as a baby during the meteor shower of 1989. In season five's "Thirst", Chloe earns her dream job at the Daily Planet, starting in the basement. In the season six episode "Justice", Chloe begins assisting Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) and his team of superheroes under the codename "Watchtower". In "Freak", she discovers she herself is meteor-infected, with an unknown ability, and begins to worry that she is a "time bomb" heading towards insanity. She later discovers in "Progeny" that her institutionalized mother, Moira Sullivan (Lynda Carter), is meteor-infected as well. In the season finale, Chloe learns that her special power lets her heal any wound and even reverse death, when it activates to save Lois. In season seven's "Descent", when Chloe attempts to keep information regarding "The Traveler" a secret from Lex, who is unaware that "The Traveler" is really Clark, he fires her from her job at the Daily Planet. When in "Sleeper", Lana falls into a catatonic state having been attacked by the Kryptonian artificial intelligence known as Brainiac (James Marsters), Chloe takes over Lana’s Isis Foundation, a free clinic for individuals who have been infected by the meteor rocks. In the seventh season finale, Chloe is attacked by Brainiac, but her healing powers prevent him from harming her. When she returns home, Jimmy Olsen (Aaron Ashmore), her on-again-off-again boyfriend since season six, proposes marriage. Before Chloe can answer the Department of Domestic Security (DDS) appears and arrests her for hacking into the government database.
At the start of season eight, it is revealed that Chloe was not arrested by DDS, but Lex’s security personnel impersonating DDS agents. While subjected to their tests, Chloe discovers that her altercation with Brainiac has apparently caused to her to lose her meteor-related powers, but instilled two new abilities: vast super intelligence and technopathy. Returning to Smallville, Chloe reopens the Isis Foundation. Though she loves Jimmy, she finds herself attracted to paramedic Davis Bloome(Samuel Witwer). In the episode "Abyss", Brainiac's infestation causes Chloe to lose her memories. Clark takes Chloe to his biological father Jor-El, who restores her memories. After Chloe marries Jimmy in "Bride", she is kidnapped by Doomsday, a genetically engineered killing machine bent on destroying Earth and becomes Brainiac's vessel once again. Brainiac attempts to drain the world of all its human knowledge but is stopped and removed from Chloe's body by the Legion, superheroes from the future, in "Legion". In "Hex", Chloe assumes the codename Watchtower full time because she feels her life needs more meaning. Chloe discovers that Davis is Doomsday in "Eternal". She attempts to assist Davis' suicide using kryptonite; when this fails, she stays by his side in order to keep Doomsday under control. In the episode "Beast", she and Davis leave town together; Chloe reasons it will protect Clark. In the season eight finale, she uses black kryptonite to separate Davis from Doomsday; Clark buries Doomsday beneath Metropolis. However, when Davis discovers that Chloe is still in love with Jimmy, he stabs Jimmy and attempts to kill Chloe; Jimmy impales him on a metal rod, and they both die. Chloe vows to keep the Watchtower Jimmy gave her as a wedding gift open, in the hope that all lost heroes—namely Oliver and his team—will find their way home.
At the start of the ninth season, using Oliver's money, Chloe transforms the Watchtower into an information fortress and superhero headquarters. In this capacity, she acquires a rival in Tess's computer expert Stuart Campbell (Ryan McDonell); her status as superhero information broker also makes her a target for Checkmate bosses Amanda Waller (Pam Grier) and Maxwell Lord (Gil Bellows). Over the course of the season, she grows romantically close to Oliver. In the season ten première, when Oliver is kidnapped by Suicide Squad leader Rick Flag (Ted Whittall), Chloe risks her own sanity by putting on the helmet of Doctor Fate to learn his location. With the information acquired from Fate's helmet, she organizes a switch for Oliver; in Flag's captivity, Chloe fakes suicide and goes off-the-grid. Chloe returns in "Collateral", and reveals that she has been helping Clark, Oliver, and the rest of the heroes while in hiding, having blackmailed the Suicide Squad into helping her. Afterward, she resumes her relationships with the show's protagonists. In the episode "Fortune", Chloe decides to move to Star City to return to journalism following her marriage to Oliver Queen. In a flashforward in the series finale, Chloe is now the mother to a young boy, but remains in touch with Clark and Lois.
Pete Ross
Sam Jones III plays Pete Ross, another of Clark's best friends. He hates the Luthors for what he sees as their thievery of his family's creamed corn business, and is the first person Clark voluntarily informs of his secret. It is established in season three’s "Truth", that Pete is in love with Chloe. He kept this truth to himself because of the Clark–Lana–Chloe love triangle already taking place. In season three's "Velocity", Pete, feeling alienated by Clark, begins hanging around a group of street racers. When Pete refuses to throw a race, his life is put in jeopardy, and he forces Clark to abuse his powers in order to help Pete win a race. This leads to a falling out between the two friends. The character was written out of the series at the end of season three, citing the trouble keeping Clark's secret was causing him. Pete returns to Smallville in season seven’s "Hero", after gaining superhuman abilities from kryptonite-enhanced chewing gum, which allow him to stretch his body to extreme lengths. Lex learns the truth and blackmails Pete into abusing his powers for Lex's personal gain. Clark steps in and saves Pete, and the pair mend their relationship before Pete leaves Smallville again.
Sam Jones III was the last of the season one series regulars to be cast–being hired just four days before filming for the pilot episode began. Jones, who is African American, was also cast against the Superman mythology where Pete Ross is Caucasian. Jones has stated that he would have understood if the producers had simply created a black character for him to portray, but the fact that they chose to go with him, even though the character has always been white, gave him more honor to be a part of the show. During the first season, Jones felt like he should have more screen time, but later conceded that the show was about Clark’s journey and that the other characters are there to help his story move along.
Jones was not alone in his wish to get more screen time; the writers, who were reading Internet forums and receiving mail from the audience that requested the same thing, decided that Pete would learn Clark’s secret in season two. The creative team hoped that knowing Clark’s secret would allow the character to be written into more scenes, and become involved on a daily basis with the Kent family. Ultimately, Pete’s primary story arc in season three became the character’s inability to deal with knowing Clark’s secret, and his growing feeling of abandonment from Clark, who was spending more time with Chloe, Lana and Lex. Millar explains that they felt that the character was being wasted onSmallville, and that led to the decision of writing the character off the show with the hope that he could come back in future episodes. There was dissension between the cast and crew over Jones’s departure. According to Annette O’Toole (Martha Kent), Clark needs a guy friend in his life, and she feels that the Kents would have taken Pete in when his parents left Smallville. Though Gough does not disagree that writing out Pete Ross was the best thing, he does feel that his exit could have gone better. According to Gough, Pete’s departure felt rushed, and seemed to lack the importance that it should have had.
Sam Jones III was the last of the season one series regulars to be cast–being hired just four days before filming for the pilot episode began. Jones, who is African American, was also cast against the Superman mythology where Pete Ross is Caucasian. Jones has stated that he would have understood if the producers had simply created a black character for him to portray, but the fact that they chose to go with him, even though the character has always been white, gave him more honor to be a part of the show. During the first season, Jones felt like he should have more screen time, but later conceded that the show was about Clark’s journey and that the other characters are there to help his story move along.
Jones was not alone in his wish to get more screen time; the writers, who were reading Internet forums and receiving mail from the audience that requested the same thing, decided that Pete would learn Clark’s secret in season two. The creative team hoped that knowing Clark’s secret would allow the character to be written into more scenes, and become involved on a daily basis with the Kent family. Ultimately, Pete’s primary story arc in season three became the character’s inability to deal with knowing Clark’s secret, and his growing feeling of abandonment from Clark, who was spending more time with Chloe, Lana and Lex. Millar explains that they felt that the character was being wasted onSmallville, and that led to the decision of writing the character off the show with the hope that he could come back in future episodes. There was dissension between the cast and crew over Jones’s departure. According to Annette O’Toole (Martha Kent), Clark needs a guy friend in his life, and she feels that the Kents would have taken Pete in when his parents left Smallville. Though Gough does not disagree that writing out Pete Ross was the best thing, he does feel that his exit could have gone better. According to Gough, Pete’s departure felt rushed, and seemed to lack the importance that it should have had.
Jonathan Kent
John Schneider portrays Jonathan Kent, Martha’s husband and Clark's adopted father. He goes to great lengths to protect his son's secret, which includes: almost killing a reporter, in the season two premiere, who was going to expose Clark’s secret to the world, and making a deal to allow Clark’s biological father, Jor-El, to take Clark to fulfill his destiny if Jor-El gave Jonathan the power to bring Clark home—Clark had run away after believing his parents blamed him for Martha’s miscarriage. As a result, season three’s "Hereafter" explains that Jonathan’s heart was strained while he was imbued with all of Clark’s powers. In season five, Jonathan decides to run for a seat in the Kansas Senate against Lex Luthor. In the season five episode "Reckoning", Jonathan wins the senatorial seat, but after a physical altercation with Lionel Luthor, whom he believed was trying to exploit Clark’s abilities, Jonathan suffers a fatal heart attack.
Millar and Gough loved the idea of casting John Schneider as Jonathan Kent, as they felt he gave the show a recognizable face from his days as Bo Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard. Gough felt that Schneider’s experience portraying Bo Duke added belief that he could have grown up running a farm. Schneider was initially uninterested, but after reading the pilot script he saw the potential for bringing back "real parenting" to television. Schneider particularly saw his character as a means to replace the "goof" father-figures that had become prevalent on television. He also saw his character as a means to keep the show grounded in reality, specifically by making sure that Jonathan’s life is clearly displayed for the audience, by performing a daily routine on the farm.
According to Schneider, Jonathan is "perfectly willing to go to jail, or worse, to protect his son". The actor characterizes Jonathan as fast to lose his temper, which Schneider views as being a development of his protective nature over his family. Schneider believes that the season two episode "Suspect"—where Jonathan is arrested, but his sole concern is protecting Clark’s secret—summarizes the character well, and shows that the "least important person in Jonathan’s life is Jonathan". Schneider admits that occasionally he and Annette O’Toole have to "police" the creative team when it comes to the relationship between Martha, Jonathan, and Clark. According to Schneider, there are moments where they have to make sure that the characters are not taken to a place they would not normally go, specifically where the parents are useless without the "innate intelligence of [their] teenager".
Tom Welling feels that the deal Jonathan made with Jor-El at the beginning of season three made Jonathan realize that he will not always be around to protect Clark. Welling believes that it is the repercussions of that deal that allow Jonathan to give Clark more freedom in the choices that he makes during season three. Jonathan realizes that he must help Clark find the confidence in his ability to survive on his own, so that he can leave home one day. One scene that Schneider specifically remembers was at the end of season three's "Forsaken". Here, Jonathan admits to not trusting his own instincts anymore and allowing Clark to rely on his. This "admission of fallibility", but faith in his son’s ability to make the right choices, is what Schneider sees as the growing of the family dynamic.
For season three, Jonathan also has to deal with his emerging heart problems. For Schneider, the "treatments" and "cures" that his character underwent were all for nothing, as the actor believes that Jonathan’s heart attack at the end of "Hereafter" was less of a real heart attack and more of Jor-El trying to get Jonathan’s attention. A heart condition is not new to the character, as it has been used in previous incarnations, like Glenn Ford’s portrayal of Jonathan Kent in Richard Donner’s Superman, as well as the comic books. In contrast to those versions, it was Smallville that tied his heart condition to a deal that he makes with Jor-El. When the moment came for his character to die, Schneider considers the event an "empowering death", which he likens to John Wayne’s character death as Wil Andersen in The Cowboys.
Millar and Gough loved the idea of casting John Schneider as Jonathan Kent, as they felt he gave the show a recognizable face from his days as Bo Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard. Gough felt that Schneider’s experience portraying Bo Duke added belief that he could have grown up running a farm. Schneider was initially uninterested, but after reading the pilot script he saw the potential for bringing back "real parenting" to television. Schneider particularly saw his character as a means to replace the "goof" father-figures that had become prevalent on television. He also saw his character as a means to keep the show grounded in reality, specifically by making sure that Jonathan’s life is clearly displayed for the audience, by performing a daily routine on the farm.
According to Schneider, Jonathan is "perfectly willing to go to jail, or worse, to protect his son". The actor characterizes Jonathan as fast to lose his temper, which Schneider views as being a development of his protective nature over his family. Schneider believes that the season two episode "Suspect"—where Jonathan is arrested, but his sole concern is protecting Clark’s secret—summarizes the character well, and shows that the "least important person in Jonathan’s life is Jonathan". Schneider admits that occasionally he and Annette O’Toole have to "police" the creative team when it comes to the relationship between Martha, Jonathan, and Clark. According to Schneider, there are moments where they have to make sure that the characters are not taken to a place they would not normally go, specifically where the parents are useless without the "innate intelligence of [their] teenager".
Tom Welling feels that the deal Jonathan made with Jor-El at the beginning of season three made Jonathan realize that he will not always be around to protect Clark. Welling believes that it is the repercussions of that deal that allow Jonathan to give Clark more freedom in the choices that he makes during season three. Jonathan realizes that he must help Clark find the confidence in his ability to survive on his own, so that he can leave home one day. One scene that Schneider specifically remembers was at the end of season three's "Forsaken". Here, Jonathan admits to not trusting his own instincts anymore and allowing Clark to rely on his. This "admission of fallibility", but faith in his son’s ability to make the right choices, is what Schneider sees as the growing of the family dynamic.
For season three, Jonathan also has to deal with his emerging heart problems. For Schneider, the "treatments" and "cures" that his character underwent were all for nothing, as the actor believes that Jonathan’s heart attack at the end of "Hereafter" was less of a real heart attack and more of Jor-El trying to get Jonathan’s attention. A heart condition is not new to the character, as it has been used in previous incarnations, like Glenn Ford’s portrayal of Jonathan Kent in Richard Donner’s Superman, as well as the comic books. In contrast to those versions, it was Smallville that tied his heart condition to a deal that he makes with Jor-El. When the moment came for his character to die, Schneider considers the event an "empowering death", which he likens to John Wayne’s character death as Wil Andersen in The Cowboys.
Martha Kent
Martha Kent, Clark's adopted mother, is portrayed by Annette O'Toole. Martha, along with her husband Jonathan, gives Clark sage advice about how to cope with his growing abilities. In season two, Martha becomes pregnant with her first child—in the season two episode "Fever", Clark’s spaceship heals her body and allows her to have children, something she physically could not do when she adopted Clark—but in season two’s finale she suffers a miscarriage after an automobile accident. In order to help the family financially, Martha takes a job as Lionel Luthor’s assistant in season two, but quits her job the same season in the episode "Suspect" for undisclosed reasons. She eventually takes over management duties at the local coffee shop, the Talon, in season four. She continues to manage the Talon into season five until Jonathan dies from a heart attack, which ultimately leads to her taking his state senate seat at the request of the Kansas Governor in season five’s "Tomb". This eventually paves the way to a job in Washington, D.C. in season six's "Prototype", and the character's exit from the show. Martha would return in the season nine episode "Hostage", where it is revealed that she has been going under the code name "Red Queen" while she attempts to keep Clark off of the government agency Checkmate's radar. She ultimately leaves Clark with a means to send the season's threat, cloned Kryptonians, to another plane of existence. In the season nine finale, it is revealed that before Martha travelled back to Washington, D.C. that she left Clark a new costume to wear while he defends Earth.
The role of Martha Kent was originally given to Cynthia Ettinger, but during filming everyone, including Ettinger, realized that she was not right for the role. O'Toole was committed to the television series The Huntress when Ettinger was filming her scenes for the pilot. Around the time the creators were looking to recast the role of Martha Kent The Huntress was canceled, which allowed O'Toole the chance to join the cast of Smallville. Coincidentally, the actress had previously portrayed Lana Lang in Superman III. O’Toole thinks that the producers wanted someone older for the role of Martha, and when she came in to talk to the producers everyone appeared to be on the same page with what the character and the show should be about. O’Toole characterizes Martha as really intelligent, but believes the character has to hide her intelligence at times "to keep the peace".
Feeling like her character was wasting her college degree O’Toole suggested to the producers that Martha go to work for Lex during the second season. The producers agreed, but altered the concept so that Martha went to work for Lionel, and that she would use this new position to spy on Lionel and find out what he knows about Clark. Disappointed when the storyline ended quickly into the second season, O’Toole hoped that the secret her character was holding in "Ryan" was that Martha was going to run for Mayor. In O’Toole’s opinion, Martha needs some form of outlet for intelligence. To the chagrin of O’Toole, Martha’s next storyline—the expectation of a new child—tied the character to the farm in a way the actress did not agree with. O’Toole wanted to perform as if the pregnancy was fake—something mentally created by Clark’s ship—but the producers insisted that she wear the pregnancy pads to indicate that she was indeed pregnant. Ultimately, that storyline ended with Martha losing the baby to a miscarriage. Before season four began, O’Toole suggested again to the producers that Martha go to work for Lex. O’Toole had enjoyed the moments in the show when she was working for Lionel, because it gave her character something more to do, and she wanted to do that again for season four. The producers took her suggestion and had Martha take a job at the Talon, which was owned by Lex, and which O’Toole felt allowed Martha to interact more with the other characters in Clark’s life.
O’Toole relished the opportunity that came with Jonathan’s passing, even though she was saddened to see a friend leave the show. Martha taking the senate seat was a chance to explore more adult stories with her character beginning midway through season five, which was important for the actress since Clark was becoming an adult on the show. It also allowed for O’Toole the chance to depict "strong emotions" over Jonathan’s death. Al Gough feels that Jonathan’s passing allowed for them to explore more of Martha’s smart and strong side, as well as her relationship with Lionel. The idea was to show that there was some form of attraction between Martha and Lionel, but that Martha would never have any romantic relationship with the billionaire, especially after all that he had done to her family. O’Toole likens Martha’s interest in Lionel with that of watching a dangerous animal: "It’s that attraction you have for a very beautiful, dangerous animal. You know you can’t stop watching it, but at the same time you feel, 'Oh my God, he’s going to kill me.'" The actress believes that Martha’s ultimate motivation was to get close enough to Lionel to know what he is planning to do to Clark. When it came time for Martha to leave the show, writer Todd Slavkin contends that they wanted to give the character "more of a send-off" than they achieved on film. Slavkin explains that they could not do anything equivalent to what they gave John Schneider, as there were already so many storylines going on by the season six finale that they could not fit anything else in. The writers also realized that they could not kill off the character, and so chose to send her to the US Senate, creating a parallel to Clark where Martha fights injustice on the political stage.
The role of Martha Kent was originally given to Cynthia Ettinger, but during filming everyone, including Ettinger, realized that she was not right for the role. O'Toole was committed to the television series The Huntress when Ettinger was filming her scenes for the pilot. Around the time the creators were looking to recast the role of Martha Kent The Huntress was canceled, which allowed O'Toole the chance to join the cast of Smallville. Coincidentally, the actress had previously portrayed Lana Lang in Superman III. O’Toole thinks that the producers wanted someone older for the role of Martha, and when she came in to talk to the producers everyone appeared to be on the same page with what the character and the show should be about. O’Toole characterizes Martha as really intelligent, but believes the character has to hide her intelligence at times "to keep the peace".
Feeling like her character was wasting her college degree O’Toole suggested to the producers that Martha go to work for Lex during the second season. The producers agreed, but altered the concept so that Martha went to work for Lionel, and that she would use this new position to spy on Lionel and find out what he knows about Clark. Disappointed when the storyline ended quickly into the second season, O’Toole hoped that the secret her character was holding in "Ryan" was that Martha was going to run for Mayor. In O’Toole’s opinion, Martha needs some form of outlet for intelligence. To the chagrin of O’Toole, Martha’s next storyline—the expectation of a new child—tied the character to the farm in a way the actress did not agree with. O’Toole wanted to perform as if the pregnancy was fake—something mentally created by Clark’s ship—but the producers insisted that she wear the pregnancy pads to indicate that she was indeed pregnant. Ultimately, that storyline ended with Martha losing the baby to a miscarriage. Before season four began, O’Toole suggested again to the producers that Martha go to work for Lex. O’Toole had enjoyed the moments in the show when she was working for Lionel, because it gave her character something more to do, and she wanted to do that again for season four. The producers took her suggestion and had Martha take a job at the Talon, which was owned by Lex, and which O’Toole felt allowed Martha to interact more with the other characters in Clark’s life.
O’Toole relished the opportunity that came with Jonathan’s passing, even though she was saddened to see a friend leave the show. Martha taking the senate seat was a chance to explore more adult stories with her character beginning midway through season five, which was important for the actress since Clark was becoming an adult on the show. It also allowed for O’Toole the chance to depict "strong emotions" over Jonathan’s death. Al Gough feels that Jonathan’s passing allowed for them to explore more of Martha’s smart and strong side, as well as her relationship with Lionel. The idea was to show that there was some form of attraction between Martha and Lionel, but that Martha would never have any romantic relationship with the billionaire, especially after all that he had done to her family. O’Toole likens Martha’s interest in Lionel with that of watching a dangerous animal: "It’s that attraction you have for a very beautiful, dangerous animal. You know you can’t stop watching it, but at the same time you feel, 'Oh my God, he’s going to kill me.'" The actress believes that Martha’s ultimate motivation was to get close enough to Lionel to know what he is planning to do to Clark. When it came time for Martha to leave the show, writer Todd Slavkin contends that they wanted to give the character "more of a send-off" than they achieved on film. Slavkin explains that they could not do anything equivalent to what they gave John Schneider, as there were already so many storylines going on by the season six finale that they could not fit anything else in. The writers also realized that they could not kill off the character, and so chose to send her to the US Senate, creating a parallel to Clark where Martha fights injustice on the political stage.
Whitney Fordman
Eric Johnson appears as Whitney Fordman, Lana's boyfriend, in season one. While initially friendly to Clark, he soon becomes jealous of Clark and Lana's budding friendship, going so far as to haze Clark in the series pilot. Whitney is forced to run the family business when his father is stricken with a heart disease in the episode "Shimmer". He ultimately loses his football scholarship, and in the episode "Kinetic" he starts ignoring Lana, and begins hanging around with past high school football stars, who recruit him for their illegal endeavors. He eventually reconciles with Clark and Lana before joining the Marines in the season one finale and leaving the show. Whitney has made a guest appearance in the season two episode "Visage", where it is revealed he died in combat overseas, and the season four episode "Façade", during a flashback of Clark's freshman year.
Eric Johnson auditioned for the roles of Lex and Clark, before finally being cast as Whitney Fordman. When the producers called him in for a third audition, Johnson informed them that if they wanted him then they would bring him in for a screen-test. After the screen-test, Johnson was cast and spent only one day filming his scenes for the pilot. The producers, along with Johnson, wanted to portray Whitney as more than just the "stereotypical jock" that he could have easily become, in an effort to make sure Lana did not look stupid for going out with him. Whitney was given multiple storylines in season one in an effort to get audiences to view the character in a more pleasant light, but Kristin Kreuk feels that it was all for naught, as the audience only sees him through Clark's eyes.
Johnson realized after reading the script for the pilot episode that his character was not going to be around for the entirety of the series. This became even clearer when his character’s storylines began to develop quickly. While filming "Obscura", Johnson was informed that his character would not be returning as a series regular for season two. Initially fearing that he had made some mistake and that they were going to kill his character off, Johnson learned that Whitney would be enlisting into the Marines. The actor has expressed his pleasure in the way the writers handled Whitney's departure, by giving the character the exit of a hero.
Eric Johnson auditioned for the roles of Lex and Clark, before finally being cast as Whitney Fordman. When the producers called him in for a third audition, Johnson informed them that if they wanted him then they would bring him in for a screen-test. After the screen-test, Johnson was cast and spent only one day filming his scenes for the pilot. The producers, along with Johnson, wanted to portray Whitney as more than just the "stereotypical jock" that he could have easily become, in an effort to make sure Lana did not look stupid for going out with him. Whitney was given multiple storylines in season one in an effort to get audiences to view the character in a more pleasant light, but Kristin Kreuk feels that it was all for naught, as the audience only sees him through Clark's eyes.
Johnson realized after reading the script for the pilot episode that his character was not going to be around for the entirety of the series. This became even clearer when his character’s storylines began to develop quickly. While filming "Obscura", Johnson was informed that his character would not be returning as a series regular for season two. Initially fearing that he had made some mistake and that they were going to kill his character off, Johnson learned that Whitney would be enlisting into the Marines. The actor has expressed his pleasure in the way the writers handled Whitney's departure, by giving the character the exit of a hero.
Lionel Luthor
First appearance: "Pilot"
Created by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Portrayed by: John Glover
Information
Relatives: Lex Luthor, Tess Mercer/Lutessa Lena Luthor
Role in Smallville
In 1989, Lionel and his son Lex (Matthew Munn) come to visit Smallville, with Lionel intending to buy the Ross Creamed Corn company, when they are caught in a meteor shower that results in Lex losing all of his hair. Twelve years later, Lionel exiles his son back to Smallville to run the local LuthorCorp fertilizer plant, as a test. When Lex (Rosenbaum) succeeds in making a profit for the first time in years, Lionel closes the plant down and blames it on Lex's poor managerial skills. Lionel later confronts his son at the Luthor mansion, when Lex attempts to orchestrate an employee buyout to save the fertilizer plant. Strong winds from a storm force debris to smash through the mansion, and Lionel is pinned under a fallen support beam. Lionel is eventually saved by Lex, who hesitates to save his father, but Lex's judgment to rush Lionel into surgery results in Lionel losing his eyesight. For half of season two, it is believed that Lionel is blind. Lex and his half-brother Lucas (Paul Wasilewski) devise a plan that brings Lionel's deception out into the open; it is revealed that Lionel was blind, but that his eyes healed and he intentionally neglected to tell everyone so that he could watch how they acted around him. This same season, Lionel also becomes aware of the Kawatche caves, and takes over conservatorship from LexCorp in order to unlock the mysteries of the symbols on the cave walls, much to the dismay of Clark Kent (Welling).
In season three, it is revealed that Lionel conspired with Morgan Edge (Rutger Hauer) to murder Lionel's parents, and use their insurance money to fund the start of LuthorCorp. Lionel has Lex committed to a mental institution when his son discovers what Lionel did. Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) discovers the truth, and uses that evidence to assist Lex in having Lionel arrested for the murder of his parents. In the episode "Memoria", it is shown that much of Lionel's anger toward Lex is because he blames him for the death of Lionel's infant son Julian. It is revealed later that Lex took the blame to protect his mother, who was the true killer. It is also discovered in season three that Lionel has a terminal liver disease, which he divulges to Lex while awaiting his arraignment. After being sentenced to prison for the murder of his parents, Lionel attempts to switch bodies with Lex so that his son can spend the rest of his life in prison while Lionel walks free in Lex's body. Clark intervenes and Lionel switches bodies with him instead. When he and Clark switch back, Lionel discovers that his terminal liver disease is healed, and that he has a newfound guidance in life. Released from prison by Genevieve Teague (Jane Seymour), Lionel begins searching for the three stones of knowledge. This quest leads to Lionel falling into a catatonic state after being downloaded with Kryptonian knowledge. Lionel is brought out of his catatonic state by Jor-El, who uses him as a vessel through which Jor-El can speak with his son, Kal-El (Clark). With Jor-El guiding him, Lionel begins assisting Clark by helping to make excuses for his behavior and unexplained disappearances. Season seven reveals that Lionel, along with three other wealthy families, formed a secret society known as Veritas, in an effort to protect an alien visitor known as the Traveler – the alien visitor is Clark. The secret of Veritas and the Traveler subsequently cause Lionel's death at the hands of Lex, who realizes that his father has been covering up the truth about the Traveler.
In season ten's "Luthor", Clark unintentionally visits a parallel universe known as Earth-2, where Lionel found and adopted Clark. Lionel raised Clark Luthor to be a murderer, going by the alias Ultraman, who kills anyone in his way, including Lex (at the approval of Lionel). When the real Clark escapes back to his own reality, Lionel follows him. In "Beacon", the alternate-Lionel makes it appear that he is the Lionel Luthor of that reality, and assumes control over LuthorCorp from Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman). Feeling remorse for favoring his reality's Clark over Lex, in "Beacon" and "Scion" Lionel twice attempts to find and raise "Alexander Luthor"/Conner Kent (Lucas Grabeel), a hybrid clone of Clark and Lex who eventually develops Clark's powers. However, both attempts end in failure. Lionel eventually loses LuthorCorp when Tess proves he is an imposter. While visiting Lex's grave, Lionel laments that he would give anything to have him by his side and is approached by Darkseid. In the series finale it is revealed that Lionel discovered Lex had used parts of his various defective clones to create a perfected one to ensure his legacy in the event of his death, and attempts to give the clone Tess's heart, the only organ not duplicated successfully. Tess escapes, and Lionel offers his soul to Darkseid in exchange for Lex's life, giving Lionel's heart to Lex's clone. Afterward, Darkseid possess Lionel's body and attacks Clark, who is able to not only vanquish him, but destroy Lionel's body.
Created by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Portrayed by: John Glover
Information
Relatives: Lex Luthor, Tess Mercer/Lutessa Lena Luthor
Role in Smallville
In 1989, Lionel and his son Lex (Matthew Munn) come to visit Smallville, with Lionel intending to buy the Ross Creamed Corn company, when they are caught in a meteor shower that results in Lex losing all of his hair. Twelve years later, Lionel exiles his son back to Smallville to run the local LuthorCorp fertilizer plant, as a test. When Lex (Rosenbaum) succeeds in making a profit for the first time in years, Lionel closes the plant down and blames it on Lex's poor managerial skills. Lionel later confronts his son at the Luthor mansion, when Lex attempts to orchestrate an employee buyout to save the fertilizer plant. Strong winds from a storm force debris to smash through the mansion, and Lionel is pinned under a fallen support beam. Lionel is eventually saved by Lex, who hesitates to save his father, but Lex's judgment to rush Lionel into surgery results in Lionel losing his eyesight. For half of season two, it is believed that Lionel is blind. Lex and his half-brother Lucas (Paul Wasilewski) devise a plan that brings Lionel's deception out into the open; it is revealed that Lionel was blind, but that his eyes healed and he intentionally neglected to tell everyone so that he could watch how they acted around him. This same season, Lionel also becomes aware of the Kawatche caves, and takes over conservatorship from LexCorp in order to unlock the mysteries of the symbols on the cave walls, much to the dismay of Clark Kent (Welling).
In season three, it is revealed that Lionel conspired with Morgan Edge (Rutger Hauer) to murder Lionel's parents, and use their insurance money to fund the start of LuthorCorp. Lionel has Lex committed to a mental institution when his son discovers what Lionel did. Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) discovers the truth, and uses that evidence to assist Lex in having Lionel arrested for the murder of his parents. In the episode "Memoria", it is shown that much of Lionel's anger toward Lex is because he blames him for the death of Lionel's infant son Julian. It is revealed later that Lex took the blame to protect his mother, who was the true killer. It is also discovered in season three that Lionel has a terminal liver disease, which he divulges to Lex while awaiting his arraignment. After being sentenced to prison for the murder of his parents, Lionel attempts to switch bodies with Lex so that his son can spend the rest of his life in prison while Lionel walks free in Lex's body. Clark intervenes and Lionel switches bodies with him instead. When he and Clark switch back, Lionel discovers that his terminal liver disease is healed, and that he has a newfound guidance in life. Released from prison by Genevieve Teague (Jane Seymour), Lionel begins searching for the three stones of knowledge. This quest leads to Lionel falling into a catatonic state after being downloaded with Kryptonian knowledge. Lionel is brought out of his catatonic state by Jor-El, who uses him as a vessel through which Jor-El can speak with his son, Kal-El (Clark). With Jor-El guiding him, Lionel begins assisting Clark by helping to make excuses for his behavior and unexplained disappearances. Season seven reveals that Lionel, along with three other wealthy families, formed a secret society known as Veritas, in an effort to protect an alien visitor known as the Traveler – the alien visitor is Clark. The secret of Veritas and the Traveler subsequently cause Lionel's death at the hands of Lex, who realizes that his father has been covering up the truth about the Traveler.
In season ten's "Luthor", Clark unintentionally visits a parallel universe known as Earth-2, where Lionel found and adopted Clark. Lionel raised Clark Luthor to be a murderer, going by the alias Ultraman, who kills anyone in his way, including Lex (at the approval of Lionel). When the real Clark escapes back to his own reality, Lionel follows him. In "Beacon", the alternate-Lionel makes it appear that he is the Lionel Luthor of that reality, and assumes control over LuthorCorp from Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman). Feeling remorse for favoring his reality's Clark over Lex, in "Beacon" and "Scion" Lionel twice attempts to find and raise "Alexander Luthor"/Conner Kent (Lucas Grabeel), a hybrid clone of Clark and Lex who eventually develops Clark's powers. However, both attempts end in failure. Lionel eventually loses LuthorCorp when Tess proves he is an imposter. While visiting Lex's grave, Lionel laments that he would give anything to have him by his side and is approached by Darkseid. In the series finale it is revealed that Lionel discovered Lex had used parts of his various defective clones to create a perfected one to ensure his legacy in the event of his death, and attempts to give the clone Tess's heart, the only organ not duplicated successfully. Tess escapes, and Lionel offers his soul to Darkseid in exchange for Lex's life, giving Lionel's heart to Lex's clone. Afterward, Darkseid possess Lionel's body and attacks Clark, who is able to not only vanquish him, but destroy Lionel's body.
Jason Teague
Jensen Ackles appears in season four as Jason Teague, a love interest for Lana. The pair meet in Paris, while Lana is studying abroad. When she leaves unexpectedly in the season four episode "Gone", Jason follows Lana back to Smallville and takes a position as the school's assistant football coach. In season four’s "Transference", Jason is fired from the school when his relationship with Lana comes to light. By the end of the fourth season, it is revealed that he has been working with his mother Genevieve (Jane Seymour) to locate the three stones of knowledge — three Kryptonian stones that when united form a single crystal that creates Clark’s Fortress of Solitude. The Teagues kidnap Lex and Lionel in an effort to discover the location of one of the stones in the episode "Forever", with Lionel claiming that Lana has one of the stones. In the season four finale, Genevieve confronts Lana, and the two women get into a struggle with Genevieve dying by Lana’s hand. Jason, who believes that the secret of the stones lies with Clark, heads to the Kent farm where he holds Jonathan and Martha hostage. He is killed during the second meteor shower, when a meteor falls through the Kent home and lands on him.
The creation of Jason Teague was something handed down by the network, who wanted Lana to have a new boyfriend—one who was "different from Clark". Gough and Millar were apprehensive because they were already introducing Lois Lane into the series, and introducing two new characters would be difficult. The pair thought about where the relationship between Clark and Lana had left off at the end of season three, and they realized that Clark had turned his back on Lana. Gough and Millar began to like the idea of bringing in a new character, one that would create a new love triangle; eventually they tied him into the larger storyline involving the three Kryptonian stones of knowledge.
According to writer Brian Peterson, where Clark brings "angst" and "depth" to his relationship with Lana, Jason is designed to bring "joy", "levity", and "fun". On the topic of Jason’s relationship with Lana, Ackles believes the character did love Lana, because he saw an innocence in her that had not been able to experience growing up in the upper class society; Jason grew up having to question the actions of his mother, and with Lana he had the opportunity to experience an honest relationship. Ackles was Gough and Millar’s first choice to play Jason Teague, as the actor had been the runner up for the role of Clark Kent when they were casting for the pilot. Ackles was contracted to remain through season five, but was written out of the show in the season four finale, which, according to Ackles, was due to his commitments to the WB’s new series Supernatural. Gough contends that Supernatural did not alter any of their plans, and that Jason Teague was intended to be a single season character.
The creation of Jason Teague was something handed down by the network, who wanted Lana to have a new boyfriend—one who was "different from Clark". Gough and Millar were apprehensive because they were already introducing Lois Lane into the series, and introducing two new characters would be difficult. The pair thought about where the relationship between Clark and Lana had left off at the end of season three, and they realized that Clark had turned his back on Lana. Gough and Millar began to like the idea of bringing in a new character, one that would create a new love triangle; eventually they tied him into the larger storyline involving the three Kryptonian stones of knowledge.
According to writer Brian Peterson, where Clark brings "angst" and "depth" to his relationship with Lana, Jason is designed to bring "joy", "levity", and "fun". On the topic of Jason’s relationship with Lana, Ackles believes the character did love Lana, because he saw an innocence in her that had not been able to experience growing up in the upper class society; Jason grew up having to question the actions of his mother, and with Lana he had the opportunity to experience an honest relationship. Ackles was Gough and Millar’s first choice to play Jason Teague, as the actor had been the runner up for the role of Clark Kent when they were casting for the pilot. Ackles was contracted to remain through season five, but was written out of the show in the season four finale, which, according to Ackles, was due to his commitments to the WB’s new series Supernatural. Gough contends that Supernatural did not alter any of their plans, and that Jason Teague was intended to be a single season character.
Lois Lane
First appearance: "Crusade"
Created by: Developed for Television: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Character: Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Portrayed by: Erica Durance
Information
Relatives: Chloe Sullivan
Affiliations: Daily Planet
Role in Smallville
Lois Lane makes her first appearance in season four's "Crusade", when she comes to Smallville investigating the supposed death of her cousin Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack). While investigating Chloe’s death with Clark Kent (Tom Welling) in "Gone", the pair uncover the truth that Chloe is still alive, but in witness protection until Lionel Luthor’s trial, the man she is testifying against with evidence that he orchestrated the death of his own parents. Lionel (John Glover) discovers the truth and sends someone to kill her, but Lois and Clark stop the would-be killer, allowing Chloe to testify. Before Lois can leave Smallville, her father (Michael Ironside) informs her that she failed to achieve all of her high school credits, and that he has enrolled her in Smallville High so that she can complete her twelfth grade year. Staying with the Kents, Lois begins attending Smallville High. In "Faςade", Chloe convinces her to become a reporter for the Torch in an effort to help Lois earn some of her remaining credits. With Lex Luthor’s (Michael Rosenbaum) help in the episode "Devoted", Clark manages to get Lois her remaining credits ahead of schedule so that she can attend Metropolis University, and vacate his bedroom.
In season five's "Fanatic", Jonathan Kent (John Schneider), who is running for the state senate, asks Lois to be his Chief of Staff after witnessing her take charge against his former Chief of Staff when they publish stories that go against Jonathan’s values. In "Fragile", Lois continues her duties under Martha Kent (Annette O'Toole), who is requested by the Governor to take Jonathan’s place after he suffers a fatal heart attack. In season six's "Sneeze", Lois discovers an interest in journalism after she is almost struck by a barn door that falls out of the sky while she is jogging. Her story is bought by the Inquisitor, a tabloid newspaper that gives her a job as a reporter. In "Wither", she begins a romantic relationship with billionaire Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley), who, unbeknown to her, masquerades at night as the vigilante Green Arrow. Queen’s "job" as Green Arrow often gets in the way of their relationship. In "Hydro", Lois deduces that Oliver is Green Arrow, setting up an elaborate scheme to prove it. Clark and Oliver are wise to her plan, however, and Clark dresses up as Green Arrow to throw Lois off Oliver’s trail. When Oliver is forced to leave Metropolis to track down all of Lex’s experimental facilities, in the episode "Justice", his relationship with Lois comes to an end. In season six's "Prototype", Lois discovers that Lex has been doing experimental research on army soldiers, one of which was her best friend. As a result, Lois decides in "Phantom" to begin looking into Lex’s LuthorCorp projects.
In season seven's "Kara", while looking into Lex’s research projects, Lois discovers an alien spaceship. Her attempt to craft a news story out of the situation lands her a job at the Daily Planet—in the basement alongside her cousin Chloe. While at the Daily Planet, Lois begins a new relationship with her editor Grant Gabriel (Michael Cassidy) in the episode "Wrath". Their relationship comes under scrutiny from Chloe and Lex in "Blue", with Chloe seeing it as reason for co-workers to doubt Lois’s true ability as a journalist, and Lex believing it will jeopardize the secret of Grant’s true identity. In "Gemini", the two finally agree to part ways. In the season eight premiere, Lois believes that Lex is responsible for Chloe's arrest by the Department of Domestic Security, and goes to his mansion to search his files for her location. She eventually discovers Chloe's whereabouts and arrives, alongside Clark, to save her. In "Plastique", Lois takes Clark under her wing—teaching him how to be a reporter—after he accepts an internship at the Daily Planet, sitting at the desk directly across from Lois. Her feelings for Clark become stronger as the season progresses, admitting in the episode "Committed" that she is in love with Clark, and stating to Oliver in the episode "Bride" that she has never felt this way about someone before. In the same episode, she almost shares a kiss with Clark before being interrupted by the arrival of Clark's ex-girlfriend Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk). In the season eight finale, Lois and Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman), Lex Luthor’s handpicked successor to LuthorCorp, get into a physical fight at the Daily Planet. During the fight, Lois picks up a Legion ring that falls out of Clark’s desk and is instantly transported to another time and place.
In season nine, Lois returns from the future suffering from visions of Earth having been overrun by aliens, led by Zod (Callum Blue). This season, Lois and Clark officially begin a romantic relationship, while Lois also begins assisting "The Blur" in his heroic endeavors. Lois's trust in Clark is shaken when she thinks Clark is jealous of her relationship with "The Blur", and that he does not understand her need to find value in her own life's work. Ultimately, Lois deduces Clark's true identity as "The Blur" in the season nine finale. Lois and Clark’s relationship reaches its peak in the tenth and final season. Clark finally confesses his secret to her in "Isis" and they begin their relationship again free of secrets; he proposes marriage in "Icarus". In the episode "Beacon", with Chloe’s help, Lois rallies faithful fans of "The Blur" and repeals the Vigilante Registration Act (VRA), helping Clark and the Justice League preserve their secret identities. In "Masquerade" and "Booster", Lois convinces Clark to develop an alter-ego as a way of hiding his true identity as the heroic "Blur". In the episode "Prophecy", Lois is given Clark's powers for day, as a wedding gift by his biological father Jor-El, and realizes that the devotion they have for each other is Clark’s greatest weakness, and calls off the wedding. In the series finale, Clark convinces Lois that her being in his life makes him stronger, but the ceremony is interrupted by Darkseid’s sudden invasion of the Earth. Lois convinces the US military not to bomb Darkseid’s home world of Apokolips, allowing Clark to finally embrace his destiny and defeat Darkseid himself.
Created by: Developed for Television: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Character: Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Portrayed by: Erica Durance
Information
Relatives: Chloe Sullivan
Affiliations: Daily Planet
Role in Smallville
Lois Lane makes her first appearance in season four's "Crusade", when she comes to Smallville investigating the supposed death of her cousin Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack). While investigating Chloe’s death with Clark Kent (Tom Welling) in "Gone", the pair uncover the truth that Chloe is still alive, but in witness protection until Lionel Luthor’s trial, the man she is testifying against with evidence that he orchestrated the death of his own parents. Lionel (John Glover) discovers the truth and sends someone to kill her, but Lois and Clark stop the would-be killer, allowing Chloe to testify. Before Lois can leave Smallville, her father (Michael Ironside) informs her that she failed to achieve all of her high school credits, and that he has enrolled her in Smallville High so that she can complete her twelfth grade year. Staying with the Kents, Lois begins attending Smallville High. In "Faςade", Chloe convinces her to become a reporter for the Torch in an effort to help Lois earn some of her remaining credits. With Lex Luthor’s (Michael Rosenbaum) help in the episode "Devoted", Clark manages to get Lois her remaining credits ahead of schedule so that she can attend Metropolis University, and vacate his bedroom.
In season five's "Fanatic", Jonathan Kent (John Schneider), who is running for the state senate, asks Lois to be his Chief of Staff after witnessing her take charge against his former Chief of Staff when they publish stories that go against Jonathan’s values. In "Fragile", Lois continues her duties under Martha Kent (Annette O'Toole), who is requested by the Governor to take Jonathan’s place after he suffers a fatal heart attack. In season six's "Sneeze", Lois discovers an interest in journalism after she is almost struck by a barn door that falls out of the sky while she is jogging. Her story is bought by the Inquisitor, a tabloid newspaper that gives her a job as a reporter. In "Wither", she begins a romantic relationship with billionaire Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley), who, unbeknown to her, masquerades at night as the vigilante Green Arrow. Queen’s "job" as Green Arrow often gets in the way of their relationship. In "Hydro", Lois deduces that Oliver is Green Arrow, setting up an elaborate scheme to prove it. Clark and Oliver are wise to her plan, however, and Clark dresses up as Green Arrow to throw Lois off Oliver’s trail. When Oliver is forced to leave Metropolis to track down all of Lex’s experimental facilities, in the episode "Justice", his relationship with Lois comes to an end. In season six's "Prototype", Lois discovers that Lex has been doing experimental research on army soldiers, one of which was her best friend. As a result, Lois decides in "Phantom" to begin looking into Lex’s LuthorCorp projects.
In season seven's "Kara", while looking into Lex’s research projects, Lois discovers an alien spaceship. Her attempt to craft a news story out of the situation lands her a job at the Daily Planet—in the basement alongside her cousin Chloe. While at the Daily Planet, Lois begins a new relationship with her editor Grant Gabriel (Michael Cassidy) in the episode "Wrath". Their relationship comes under scrutiny from Chloe and Lex in "Blue", with Chloe seeing it as reason for co-workers to doubt Lois’s true ability as a journalist, and Lex believing it will jeopardize the secret of Grant’s true identity. In "Gemini", the two finally agree to part ways. In the season eight premiere, Lois believes that Lex is responsible for Chloe's arrest by the Department of Domestic Security, and goes to his mansion to search his files for her location. She eventually discovers Chloe's whereabouts and arrives, alongside Clark, to save her. In "Plastique", Lois takes Clark under her wing—teaching him how to be a reporter—after he accepts an internship at the Daily Planet, sitting at the desk directly across from Lois. Her feelings for Clark become stronger as the season progresses, admitting in the episode "Committed" that she is in love with Clark, and stating to Oliver in the episode "Bride" that she has never felt this way about someone before. In the same episode, she almost shares a kiss with Clark before being interrupted by the arrival of Clark's ex-girlfriend Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk). In the season eight finale, Lois and Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman), Lex Luthor’s handpicked successor to LuthorCorp, get into a physical fight at the Daily Planet. During the fight, Lois picks up a Legion ring that falls out of Clark’s desk and is instantly transported to another time and place.
In season nine, Lois returns from the future suffering from visions of Earth having been overrun by aliens, led by Zod (Callum Blue). This season, Lois and Clark officially begin a romantic relationship, while Lois also begins assisting "The Blur" in his heroic endeavors. Lois's trust in Clark is shaken when she thinks Clark is jealous of her relationship with "The Blur", and that he does not understand her need to find value in her own life's work. Ultimately, Lois deduces Clark's true identity as "The Blur" in the season nine finale. Lois and Clark’s relationship reaches its peak in the tenth and final season. Clark finally confesses his secret to her in "Isis" and they begin their relationship again free of secrets; he proposes marriage in "Icarus". In the episode "Beacon", with Chloe’s help, Lois rallies faithful fans of "The Blur" and repeals the Vigilante Registration Act (VRA), helping Clark and the Justice League preserve their secret identities. In "Masquerade" and "Booster", Lois convinces Clark to develop an alter-ego as a way of hiding his true identity as the heroic "Blur". In the episode "Prophecy", Lois is given Clark's powers for day, as a wedding gift by his biological father Jor-El, and realizes that the devotion they have for each other is Clark’s greatest weakness, and calls off the wedding. In the series finale, Clark convinces Lois that her being in his life makes him stronger, but the ceremony is interrupted by Darkseid’s sudden invasion of the Earth. Lois convinces the US military not to bomb Darkseid’s home world of Apokolips, allowing Clark to finally embrace his destiny and defeat Darkseid himself.
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is first mentioned in season four as the person Chloe lost her virginity to while interning at the Daily Planet. He makes his official appearance, portrayed by Aaron Ashmore, in the season six opener. Working as a photographer for the Daily Planet, Jimmy rekindles his relationship with Chloe in the season six episode "Wither". In the episode "Hydro", Jimmy works with Lois to uncover the true identity of Green Arrow, and in season seven, when Lois is hired by the Daily Planet, the pair work together on finding stories for the paper. In the season seven episode "Sleeper", Jimmy falls into Lex’s debt when Lex, at Jimmy’s request, keeps Chloe from being arrested by the Department of Domestic Security for hacking into their government files. In the season seven finale, Lex goes back on his word and has Chloe arrested, just as Jimmy proposes marriage.
After being saved by Oliver Queen and Clark in the season eight premiere, Chloe is reunited with Jimmy and accepts his marriage proposal. In "Committed", a deranged jeweler kidnaps Jimmy and Chloe after their engagement party and subjects them to a torturous test to see if they truly love each other—they both pass and are allowed to return to their normal lives. In the season eight episode "Identity", Jimmy begins to suspect that Clark is the "Good Samaritan", an individual who has been stopping crimes and saving people’s lives around Metropolis, until Oliver Queen dresses up as the "Good Samaritan" to help Clark trick Jimmy into believing he was mistaken. In the eighth season episode "Bride", Jimmy and Chloe are officially married, but Doomsday crashes their wedding and kidnaps Chloe, leaving Jimmy in the hospital because of injuries sustained from Doomsday. In "Turbulence", Jimmy witnesses Davis Bloome murdering someone, but when he tries to warn people Davis drugs him and makes it appear as though he is hallucinating. Eventually, Jimmy ends his marriage to Chloe after getting fed up with her always taking Davis's side. In the season eight finale, Davis murders Jimmy after learning that Chloe is still in love with her ex-husband, and was never in love with him.
Ashmore indicates that his casting was both a surprise and what he wanted. The actor states, "I auditioned for [the role] and I put myself on tape. I hadn't heard anything, and a couple of weeks later, all of the sudden, I got the call saying, 'You're going to Vancouver to start shooting Smallville.' It's a dream come true, really." Aaron Ashmore's twin, Shawn, who is better known as Bobby "Iceman" Drake in the X-Men film series, appeared in two episodes of Smallville as the power leeching Eric Summers. After three seasons with the show, two as a series regular, Ashmore was written out of the series. According to Ashmore, when the producers were first trying to get permission to use the character on Smallville, DC Comics had qualms over how close Jimmy was in age to Clark and Lois, as the character was supposed to be at least ten years younger. The producers guaranteed the department they would eventually reveal the Jimmy Olsen who appeared on the show was not the Jimmy Olsen who would one day work alongside Clark and Lois. At the character's funeral, his full name is shown to be "Henry James Olsen", and it is alluded that Jimmy's younger brother, who is given a brief appearance at the funeral, is the DC Comics version of Jimmy Olsen who will one day work at the Daily Planet with Clark and Lois. Although Ashmore was sad to leave the show, he feels that the redemptive story that was given to Jimmy in the finale, through the self-sacrifice he makes for Chloe, makes a good send off for his character.
After being saved by Oliver Queen and Clark in the season eight premiere, Chloe is reunited with Jimmy and accepts his marriage proposal. In "Committed", a deranged jeweler kidnaps Jimmy and Chloe after their engagement party and subjects them to a torturous test to see if they truly love each other—they both pass and are allowed to return to their normal lives. In the season eight episode "Identity", Jimmy begins to suspect that Clark is the "Good Samaritan", an individual who has been stopping crimes and saving people’s lives around Metropolis, until Oliver Queen dresses up as the "Good Samaritan" to help Clark trick Jimmy into believing he was mistaken. In the eighth season episode "Bride", Jimmy and Chloe are officially married, but Doomsday crashes their wedding and kidnaps Chloe, leaving Jimmy in the hospital because of injuries sustained from Doomsday. In "Turbulence", Jimmy witnesses Davis Bloome murdering someone, but when he tries to warn people Davis drugs him and makes it appear as though he is hallucinating. Eventually, Jimmy ends his marriage to Chloe after getting fed up with her always taking Davis's side. In the season eight finale, Davis murders Jimmy after learning that Chloe is still in love with her ex-husband, and was never in love with him.
Ashmore indicates that his casting was both a surprise and what he wanted. The actor states, "I auditioned for [the role] and I put myself on tape. I hadn't heard anything, and a couple of weeks later, all of the sudden, I got the call saying, 'You're going to Vancouver to start shooting Smallville.' It's a dream come true, really." Aaron Ashmore's twin, Shawn, who is better known as Bobby "Iceman" Drake in the X-Men film series, appeared in two episodes of Smallville as the power leeching Eric Summers. After three seasons with the show, two as a series regular, Ashmore was written out of the series. According to Ashmore, when the producers were first trying to get permission to use the character on Smallville, DC Comics had qualms over how close Jimmy was in age to Clark and Lois, as the character was supposed to be at least ten years younger. The producers guaranteed the department they would eventually reveal the Jimmy Olsen who appeared on the show was not the Jimmy Olsen who would one day work alongside Clark and Lois. At the character's funeral, his full name is shown to be "Henry James Olsen", and it is alluded that Jimmy's younger brother, who is given a brief appearance at the funeral, is the DC Comics version of Jimmy Olsen who will one day work at the Daily Planet with Clark and Lois. Although Ashmore was sad to leave the show, he feels that the redemptive story that was given to Jimmy in the finale, through the self-sacrifice he makes for Chloe, makes a good send off for his character.
Kara
Laura Vandervoort joined the cast in season seven as Kara, Clark's Kryptonian cousin. She arrived on Earth at the same time as Clark, with the mission to protect her cousin, but was stuck in suspended animation for eighteen years. In the season seven premiere, Kara is released from suspended animation and saves Lex from drowning. A brief glimpse of Kara flying into the sky results in Lex’s new obsession with finding the "angel" that saved his life. Kara eventually finds Clark, in the episode "Kara", who informs her that Krypton was destroyed when the two of them were sent to Earth, and everyone there is dead. Clark teaches Kara to control some of her abilities, and at the same time blend into society. In season seven’s "Lara", Kara is captured by the Department of Domestic Security and tortured, where she relives one of her early memories of visiting Earth with Clark’s mother, Lara. She realizes that her perceptions of her father were wrong and that he was as evil as Clark said. Kara and Clark work together to fight her father, Zor-El, who was unwittingly released when Clark attempted to create a clone of his biological mother in the episode "Blue". When Zor-El is destroyed at the end of the battle, Kara disappears from the Fortress of Solitude. She awakens in Detroit with amnesia and none of her abilities.
In the episode "Fracture", Kara is discovered and brought home by Lex, who wants to exploit her amnesia to his benefit, with the intent of discovering the truth about Clark. In season seven’s "Traveler", Chloe convinces Jor-El to return Kara’s memory and powers before Lex can learn her and Clark’s secret. When Lana is placed in a catatonic state by Brainiac in the episode "Veritas", Kara agrees to cooperate with him in the hope that he will not kill Lana. In "Apocalypse", Kara is taken through time to Krypton, just before it explodes, so that Brainiac can kill the infant Clark. With Jor-El's help, Clark manages to arrive on Krypton and stop Brainiac. Unknown to Clark, Brainiac is not killed in their fight on Krypton, and he manages to place Kara in the Phantom Zone, while he assumes her identity back on Earth. In the season eight episode "Bloodline", Clark is transported to the Phantom Zone, where he finds Kara. Working together they escape, and Kara leaves Earth to search for Kandor, a city rumored to hold surviving citizens of Krypton.
Vandervoort does not return as a series regular for the eighth season, but returns as a guest star in the season eight episode "Bloodline", and season ten episodes "Supergirl" and "Prophecy".
In the episode "Fracture", Kara is discovered and brought home by Lex, who wants to exploit her amnesia to his benefit, with the intent of discovering the truth about Clark. In season seven’s "Traveler", Chloe convinces Jor-El to return Kara’s memory and powers before Lex can learn her and Clark’s secret. When Lana is placed in a catatonic state by Brainiac in the episode "Veritas", Kara agrees to cooperate with him in the hope that he will not kill Lana. In "Apocalypse", Kara is taken through time to Krypton, just before it explodes, so that Brainiac can kill the infant Clark. With Jor-El's help, Clark manages to arrive on Krypton and stop Brainiac. Unknown to Clark, Brainiac is not killed in their fight on Krypton, and he manages to place Kara in the Phantom Zone, while he assumes her identity back on Earth. In the season eight episode "Bloodline", Clark is transported to the Phantom Zone, where he finds Kara. Working together they escape, and Kara leaves Earth to search for Kandor, a city rumored to hold surviving citizens of Krypton.
Vandervoort does not return as a series regular for the eighth season, but returns as a guest star in the season eight episode "Bloodline", and season ten episodes "Supergirl" and "Prophecy".
Oliver Queen/Green Arrow
Justin Hartley portrays Oliver Queen, a billionaire who left Star City to live in Metropolis. While in Metropolis, Oliver masquerades at night as a costumed vigilante, named "Green Arrow" by Lois. Oliver leaves Metropolis in season six, after destroying one of Lex’s secret 33.1 facilities, where Lex experiments on meteor-infected individuals against their will, but he returns in season eight to search for Clark, after the latter goes missing when his Fortress of Solitude is destroyed. Hartley was a recurring guest in the sixth and seventh seasons, but became a series regular in season eight.
Tess Mercer/Lena Luthor
Cassidy Freeman portrays Tess Mercer, the acting CEO of LuthorCorp, who was picked by Lex to run the company should something ever happen to him. Tess Mercer's primary goal in season eight is finding Lex, which draws her inquisitively to Clark, whom she believes will be able to help her find Lex. Tess’s first contact with Clark is when he pulls her from a wrecked city bus in the season eight episode "Plastique"; she immediately suspects that Clark is not telling her all that he knows about Lex’s disappearance. That same episode reveals that Tess is bringing together a group of meteor-infected individuals, and in "Plastique" she recruits Bette, a young girl with the power to create combustion on command. In the episode "Prey", Tess enlists a young man who can turn himself into a shadow. In "Toxic", it is revealed that Tess had a brief romantic relationship with Oliver Queen after she saved his life while he was stranded on an island.
In the season eight episodes "Instinct" and "Bloodline", Tess learns about Krypton and the name "Kal-El", though she does not attribute any of the information directly to Clark. In "Bulletproof", it is revealed that Tess knows where Lex is. Here, Lana informs Tess that Lex surgically implanted a nano-transmitter into Tess’s optic nerve so that he could keep an eye on everything she is doing. Visibly upset by this, Tess places a jamming device into her necklace to disrupt the signal, but not before telling Lex that she will cut him off from the outside world and sell off everything that he owns. In the episode "Requiem", it is revealed that Tess sold controlling interest in LuthorCorp to Queen Industries. In "Turbulence", Tess tries to get Clark to reveal his powers after she read one of Lionel Luthor's journals that identified Clark as "The Traveler", but her effort failed. In the episode "Eternal", it is shown that Tess has the Kryptonian orb that brought down the Fortress of Solitude, and in "Injustice" a disembodied voice emanates from the orb revealing that Tess's recent actions to get Clark to reveal his powers and kill Doomsday are because the voice was instructing her to do so. In the season eight finale, the orb activates itself and transports Zod to Smallville.
After having her face burned in the season nine finale, Tess wakes up in the season ten premiere, with her face healed, in a secret lab surrounded by clones of Lex. In the tenth season episode "Abandoned", it is revealed that Tess was born Lutessa Lena Luthor and is the illegitimate daughter of Lionel Luthor, conceived with Lex's nanny, Pamela Jenkins. She was brought, by Lionel, to an orphanage run by Granny Goodness when she was 5 years old. In the series finale, Tess is killed by one of Lex Luthor's clones after she administers a neurotoxin that removes all of the clone's memories in an effort to protect Clark's secret identity.
The name "Tess Mercer" is a homage to two characters from Superman lore, Eve Teschmacher and Mercy Graves. As Freeman describes her character, Tess Mercer is Lex's handpicked successor; she is "fierce", "fun" and "intelligent".
In the season eight episodes "Instinct" and "Bloodline", Tess learns about Krypton and the name "Kal-El", though she does not attribute any of the information directly to Clark. In "Bulletproof", it is revealed that Tess knows where Lex is. Here, Lana informs Tess that Lex surgically implanted a nano-transmitter into Tess’s optic nerve so that he could keep an eye on everything she is doing. Visibly upset by this, Tess places a jamming device into her necklace to disrupt the signal, but not before telling Lex that she will cut him off from the outside world and sell off everything that he owns. In the episode "Requiem", it is revealed that Tess sold controlling interest in LuthorCorp to Queen Industries. In "Turbulence", Tess tries to get Clark to reveal his powers after she read one of Lionel Luthor's journals that identified Clark as "The Traveler", but her effort failed. In the episode "Eternal", it is shown that Tess has the Kryptonian orb that brought down the Fortress of Solitude, and in "Injustice" a disembodied voice emanates from the orb revealing that Tess's recent actions to get Clark to reveal his powers and kill Doomsday are because the voice was instructing her to do so. In the season eight finale, the orb activates itself and transports Zod to Smallville.
After having her face burned in the season nine finale, Tess wakes up in the season ten premiere, with her face healed, in a secret lab surrounded by clones of Lex. In the tenth season episode "Abandoned", it is revealed that Tess was born Lutessa Lena Luthor and is the illegitimate daughter of Lionel Luthor, conceived with Lex's nanny, Pamela Jenkins. She was brought, by Lionel, to an orphanage run by Granny Goodness when she was 5 years old. In the series finale, Tess is killed by one of Lex Luthor's clones after she administers a neurotoxin that removes all of the clone's memories in an effort to protect Clark's secret identity.
The name "Tess Mercer" is a homage to two characters from Superman lore, Eve Teschmacher and Mercy Graves. As Freeman describes her character, Tess Mercer is Lex's handpicked successor; she is "fierce", "fun" and "intelligent".
Davis Bloome/Doomsday
Sam Witwer portrays Davis Bloome, a paramedic for Metropolis General Hospital. He first appears in the season eight episode "Plastique", assisting Chloe with helping an injured person after a bomb explosion. In the episode "Toxic", Chloe calls on his help when Oliver is poisoned and refuses to be taken to a hospital. In "Prey", Clark begins to suspect that Davis is a serial killer after he finds Davis unconscious at one of the murder scenes, and learns later that Davis is usually the first paramedic to arrive on similar scenes. Davis starts to suspect the same thing himself when he begins to lose track of large portions of time, and finds himself covered in blood, but with no wounds on his own body. Davis is informed by Faora, the wife of General Zod, that after the pair learned they could not have children that he was genetically created to adapt to any injury and to be Earth’s ultimate destroyer. In "Abyss", Davis confesses to Chloe that he is in love with her, and believes that she is marrying the wrong man; as a result she asks him to not see her again. On Chloe’s wedding day, in the episode "Bride", Davis transforms into the hulking monster called Doomsday, and travels to Smallville where he injures Jimmy and kidnaps Chloe. In the episode "Infamous", Davis discovers that he can keep Doomsday from emerging if he kills, and subsequently begins choosing criminals as his victims. He subsequently learns that Chloe's presence will also keep the monster at bay in the episode "Turbulence", and in "Beast" Davis and Chloe leave town together so that Davis can keep Doomsday from coming out. In the season eight finale, Chloe uses black kryptonite to separate Davis from Doomsday, leaving him human; when Davis discovers that Chloe does not love him he stabs Jimmy with a pipe. Before Davis can attack Chloe, Jimmy pushes him into a metal rod, which results in Davis's death before Jimmy himself dies.
Davis is actually Smallville's interpretation of the comic book character Doomsday, the only character to have succeeded at killing Superman. In Smallville, Doomsday is represented as a "nice guy" paramedic, who grew up moving from foster home to foster home. His storyline is considered "very dark" in that the character uncovers horrible truths about himself as season eight progresses. Brian Peterson explained that he, and the rest of the new executive producers, were looking for a villainous character that was "as great as Lex", with Michael Rosenbaum's departure at the end of the seventh season, and Doomsday fit what they were looking for. Although Witwer portrays Davis Bloome, who becomes the creature known as Doomsday, he does not actually wear the prosthetic body suit that was created for when Davis transforms into his monstrous counterpart. Instead Dario Delacio, a stunt double, who stands at 6-foot-8, performs the role of "Doomsday" when the creature appears throughout the season.
Davis is actually Smallville's interpretation of the comic book character Doomsday, the only character to have succeeded at killing Superman. In Smallville, Doomsday is represented as a "nice guy" paramedic, who grew up moving from foster home to foster home. His storyline is considered "very dark" in that the character uncovers horrible truths about himself as season eight progresses. Brian Peterson explained that he, and the rest of the new executive producers, were looking for a villainous character that was "as great as Lex", with Michael Rosenbaum's departure at the end of the seventh season, and Doomsday fit what they were looking for. Although Witwer portrays Davis Bloome, who becomes the creature known as Doomsday, he does not actually wear the prosthetic body suit that was created for when Davis transforms into his monstrous counterpart. Instead Dario Delacio, a stunt double, who stands at 6-foot-8, performs the role of "Doomsday" when the creature appears throughout the season.
Zod
Callum Blue portrays Zod in season nine. Zod is first mentioned in season five’s "Arrival", when two of his disciples arrive on Earth attempting to turn the planet into Kryptonian utopia. In the episode "Solitude", Brainiac attempts to release him from his Phantom Zone prison, where it is revealed that Clark’s biological father Jor-El placed Zod’s spirit after destroying his physical form. In the season five finale, Zod is successfully transferred into Lex Luthor’s body, after Clark unknowingly releases him from the Phantom Zone. Clark eventually pulls Zod’s spirit out of Lex’s body using a Kryptonian crystal of his father’s in the season six premiere. In the season eight finale, the Kryptonian purple orb, which was used in the season seven finale to destroy the Fortress of Solitude and remove Clark’s powers, appears at the Luthor Mansion and releases Zod in physical form. In the season nine premiere, it is revealed that when Zod was released from the orb, he was also accompanied by hundreds of other Kryptonians, many of which were scattered across the globe. In addition, none of them were given the powers that typically accompany Kryptonians under the yellow Sun. Season nine episode "Kandor" reveals that the Kandorians are in fact clones created by Jor-El—at the orders of the Kryptonian Council—who also corrupted their DNA to prevent them from having powers and subsequently enslaving Earth. Eventually, Zod acquires his abilities when Clark saves Zod's life by healing a gunshot wound with his own blood in the episode "Conspiracy". Zod subsequently gives the rest of the Kandorians powers, using his blood to renew their lifeforce, and then wages a war on Earth in the season nine finale. Reluctant at first, Clark uses the Book of Rao to send all Kryptonians on Earth to another plane of existence where they can live in peace.
In an interview, executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders explained that this version of Zod is different than the one who appeared in prior seasons. The executives classified this incarnation as "Major Zod", as opposed to his typical "General Zod" identifier, and explained that throughout season nine "the venomous side of Zod rises because he experiences a few key betrayals with our beloved characters".
In an interview, executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders explained that this version of Zod is different than the one who appeared in prior seasons. The executives classified this incarnation as "Major Zod", as opposed to his typical "General Zod" identifier, and explained that throughout season nine "the venomous side of Zod rises because he experiences a few key betrayals with our beloved characters".
Dr. Helen Bryce
Dr. Helen Bryce, portrayed by Emmanuelle Vaugier in nine episodes between seasons two and three, is a Smallville medical doctor who first appears in an anger management class Lex is sentenced to attend in the season two episode "Dichotic". She and Lex begin a romantic relationship which eventually turns into an engagement in season two’s "Precipice". Her relationship with Lex concerns Jonathan when Helen—after taking a sample of blood from Clark during a period when he was infected by kryptonite—discovers Clark is not human in the episode "Fever". Helen promises Jonathan she will keep Clark’s secret, but at the same time she does not destroy the vial of blood she took from Clark. As a result, the blood is stolen from her office in season two’s "Calling", though it did not have Clark’s name on it. Lex confesses he stole the vial of blood, which causes Helen to break up with him. Helen returns in the season two finale, where she forgives Lex and goes through with the marriage. Helen then drugs Lex on the way to their honeymoon, and leaves him to die in his LuthorCorp jet. When Lex returns in the season three episode "Phoenix", he orchestrates his own plan for revenge resulting in Helen’s own disappearance while the two go on their second honeymoon.
By the time of season two's nineteenth episode, the writers had decided Helen's fate. Originally, the character was going to die on her wedding night, but the creative team felt they could use her more in the mythology. Gough explains the idea Helen still had Clark's blood, she knew his secret, and her relationship with Lex was too good to write off. The creative team kept Helen's true motivations a secret to Vaugier, which the actress enjoyed because it allowed her to play the character as if there were no ulterior motives.
By the time of season two's nineteenth episode, the writers had decided Helen's fate. Originally, the character was going to die on her wedding night, but the creative team felt they could use her more in the mythology. Gough explains the idea Helen still had Clark's blood, she knew his secret, and her relationship with Lex was too good to write off. The creative team kept Helen's true motivations a secret to Vaugier, which the actress enjoyed because it allowed her to play the character as if there were no ulterior motives.
Dr. Virgil Swann
Christopher Reeve appears twice as Virgil Swann, a scientist who was able to translate the Kryptonian language. Swann first meets Clark in the season two episode "Rosetta", where he explains his team of scientists intercepted a message from space and were able to translate it based on a mathematical key which accompanied the transmission. Swann informs Clark his birth name is Kal-El, and that he comes from a planet called Krypton, destroyed just after he was sent to Earth. When Lionel begins piecing together the alien language on the Kawatche cave walls, and Clark's constant presence at the caves, he seeks out Swann for the answers in the season three episode "Legacy". Swann, though he denies knowing how to read the symbols in the caves, agrees to help Lionel when he correctly guesses Lionel is dying; how Swann helps Lionel is not made clear. In season four’s "Sacred", it is revealed Swann died, but not before sending Clark the octagonal disk from Clark’s ship, which had been missing since season three’s "Legacy".
Gough and Millar always had intentions of bringing Christopher Reeve onto the show. When the pair learned Reeve enjoyed watching Smallville Gough and Millar decided they were going to bring him on for season two. They had already crafted a character, Dr. Virgil Swann, they knew would reveal the truth about Krypton to Clark, and they decided Reeve would be perfect for the part. According to Gough and Millar, it was "natural" for Reeve to be the one to educate Clark about his past, and help him see his future. As Gough describes it, the scene between Clark and Dr. Swann is a "passing of the torch" moment for the series. Gough and Millar explain the importance of the character: "Dr. Swann provided the first tantalizing answers to the quest plaguing Clark for all of his young life. 'Where am I from?' 'What happened to my parents?' 'Am I truly alone?" The creative team flew to New York to film Reeve's scenes since he used a wheelchair and required additional assistance when traveling. Although James Marshall directed the episode, for Reeve's scenes in New York the Smallville crew sent Greg Beeman as a stand-in director. Gough, Welling and Mat Beck traveled alongside Beeman to New York, where John Wells, who had previously lent his White House office on The West Wing to the Smallville crew for season one's "Hourglass", allowed the team to use the production offices from the Third Watch for Reeve's scenes.
There was initial concern over Reeve's stamina for shooting the scenes, as his particular scene with Welling was six pages long, which translated to approximately twelve hours of work day. Beeman tried to design everything so it was as simple as possible, but Reeve quickly readjusted the scene. Beeman originally had Welling walk into frame and stand in front of Reeve, and then make a single move behind Reeve. Beeman was told, by Reeve, the scene needed more dynamic between the characters, and if Welling only made a single move, the dynamic would be lost. According to Reeve, "Tom moving around me will hide the fact that I'm unable to move." Beeman's fear of overstretching Reeve’s stamina, because of the added shots to the scene, were put to rest when Reeve himself stated it did not matter how long it took to finish the scene, as long as it turned out great. Reeve was directing Yankee Irving when Smallville was gearing up to film the fourth season opener. As a result, Reeve could not reprise his role as Dr. Swann, which was the intention.
Gough and Millar always had intentions of bringing Christopher Reeve onto the show. When the pair learned Reeve enjoyed watching Smallville Gough and Millar decided they were going to bring him on for season two. They had already crafted a character, Dr. Virgil Swann, they knew would reveal the truth about Krypton to Clark, and they decided Reeve would be perfect for the part. According to Gough and Millar, it was "natural" for Reeve to be the one to educate Clark about his past, and help him see his future. As Gough describes it, the scene between Clark and Dr. Swann is a "passing of the torch" moment for the series. Gough and Millar explain the importance of the character: "Dr. Swann provided the first tantalizing answers to the quest plaguing Clark for all of his young life. 'Where am I from?' 'What happened to my parents?' 'Am I truly alone?" The creative team flew to New York to film Reeve's scenes since he used a wheelchair and required additional assistance when traveling. Although James Marshall directed the episode, for Reeve's scenes in New York the Smallville crew sent Greg Beeman as a stand-in director. Gough, Welling and Mat Beck traveled alongside Beeman to New York, where John Wells, who had previously lent his White House office on The West Wing to the Smallville crew for season one's "Hourglass", allowed the team to use the production offices from the Third Watch for Reeve's scenes.
There was initial concern over Reeve's stamina for shooting the scenes, as his particular scene with Welling was six pages long, which translated to approximately twelve hours of work day. Beeman tried to design everything so it was as simple as possible, but Reeve quickly readjusted the scene. Beeman originally had Welling walk into frame and stand in front of Reeve, and then make a single move behind Reeve. Beeman was told, by Reeve, the scene needed more dynamic between the characters, and if Welling only made a single move, the dynamic would be lost. According to Reeve, "Tom moving around me will hide the fact that I'm unable to move." Beeman's fear of overstretching Reeve’s stamina, because of the added shots to the scene, were put to rest when Reeve himself stated it did not matter how long it took to finish the scene, as long as it turned out great. Reeve was directing Yankee Irving when Smallville was gearing up to film the fourth season opener. As a result, Reeve could not reprise his role as Dr. Swann, which was the intention.
Jor-El
Terence Stamp has voiced the disembodied spirit of Jor-El, Clark’s biological father, in nineteen episodes from season two through season nine. Jor-El first appears to Clark as a voice emanating from the spaceship that brought Clark to Earth, informing him it is time to leave Smallville and fulfill his destiny. In season three’s "Relic", it is revealed Jor-El came to Smallville as a "rite of passage" by his own father. It is deduced by Clark that Jor-El chose the Kent family to be Clark’s adoptive family after having a positive experience with Jonathan’s father. In the season three finale, Jor-El tricks Clark into leaving Smallville. Jor-El returns Clark three months later, reprogrammed as "Kal-El" to seek out the three stones of knowledge so he can fulfill his destiny, but Clark regains his memories and stops looking for the three stones.
Terence Stamp, who voices the disembodied spirit of Clark's biological father Jor-El, also appeared as the villain General Zod in Superman and Superman II. Eventually, Clark is forced to find all three stones, which results in the creation of the Fortress of Solitude in the season five premiere. There, Jor-El informs Clark he needs to begin his training in order to complete his destiny, but Clark interrupts the training to go back to Smallville, which forces Jor-El to strip Clark of his powers. When Clark is killed in his mortal body in season five's "Hidden", Jor-El resurrects Clark with his powers; as a result, Jonathan's life is traded for Clark's in the episode "Reckoning". Clark’s consistent disobedience forces Jor-El to imprison his son in a block of ice in the season seven episode "Blue", but after learning a clone of Clark has returned to Smallville in "Persona", Jor-El frees his son so he can take care of the creature. When Clark thinks a world without him would be better, Jor-El sends Clark to an alternate reality to show him the world would be worse if he did not exist in it. By the start of season nine, Jor-El begins fully training Clark for his ultimate destiny. As part of that training, Jor-El informs Clark he needs to tune his Kryptonian intuition. To do so, Jor-El gives Clark the ability to read people's thoughts, only to take it away at an important moment and force Clark to apply what he has learned about human behavior. A clone of Jor-El is released on Earth in the episode "Kandor", but he is murdered before he can fully reunite with Clark and is only able to share a single moment with his son before dying.
Terence Stamp's name was deliberately kept out of the opening credits in order to keep the secret he was voicing Jor-El. Stamp originally portrayed General Zod in the first two Superman films, starring Christopher Reeve. Gough and Millar wanted to provide answers for certain aspects of the Superman mythology, so at the start of season three they tied Jonathan's heart condition to Jor-El, where Jonathan makes a deal with Jor-El to be given the power to bring Clark back. This power ultimately puts a strain on Jonathan's heart. The refusal by the film department to allow Smallville to cast a body as a physical representation of Jor-El forced the special effects crew to come up with a creative way to display some sort of aid to help the audience visualize this disembodied voice which was supposed to be talking to Jonathan in season three's "Exile". They decided to create a force field around whoever was speaking to Jor-El, which acted as Jor-El’s voice, rippling as he spoke. To save money on this effect, the crew filmed John Schneider on a black backdrop, and Entity FX digitally added the force field around him. Wind machines and a spot light were added to help synthesize the atmosphere in the force field. At the time of season three's "Memoria", where a scene depicting Jor-El and Lara placing baby Kal-El into his ship before the destruction of Krypton was scripted, Warner Bros. was working on a new Superman film, and it was going to be an origin story, and as a result was still banning Smallville from showing Jor-El. Millar was forced to take inspiration from comic book scribe Jeph Loeb. In one of Loeb's book, Jor-El and Lara are depicted as just a pair of hands holding on to each other after they place Kal-El into his spaceship. In season nine, the producers were able to provide the character with a physical appearance, and Julian Sands was cast for the role.
Terence Stamp, who voices the disembodied spirit of Clark's biological father Jor-El, also appeared as the villain General Zod in Superman and Superman II. Eventually, Clark is forced to find all three stones, which results in the creation of the Fortress of Solitude in the season five premiere. There, Jor-El informs Clark he needs to begin his training in order to complete his destiny, but Clark interrupts the training to go back to Smallville, which forces Jor-El to strip Clark of his powers. When Clark is killed in his mortal body in season five's "Hidden", Jor-El resurrects Clark with his powers; as a result, Jonathan's life is traded for Clark's in the episode "Reckoning". Clark’s consistent disobedience forces Jor-El to imprison his son in a block of ice in the season seven episode "Blue", but after learning a clone of Clark has returned to Smallville in "Persona", Jor-El frees his son so he can take care of the creature. When Clark thinks a world without him would be better, Jor-El sends Clark to an alternate reality to show him the world would be worse if he did not exist in it. By the start of season nine, Jor-El begins fully training Clark for his ultimate destiny. As part of that training, Jor-El informs Clark he needs to tune his Kryptonian intuition. To do so, Jor-El gives Clark the ability to read people's thoughts, only to take it away at an important moment and force Clark to apply what he has learned about human behavior. A clone of Jor-El is released on Earth in the episode "Kandor", but he is murdered before he can fully reunite with Clark and is only able to share a single moment with his son before dying.
Terence Stamp's name was deliberately kept out of the opening credits in order to keep the secret he was voicing Jor-El. Stamp originally portrayed General Zod in the first two Superman films, starring Christopher Reeve. Gough and Millar wanted to provide answers for certain aspects of the Superman mythology, so at the start of season three they tied Jonathan's heart condition to Jor-El, where Jonathan makes a deal with Jor-El to be given the power to bring Clark back. This power ultimately puts a strain on Jonathan's heart. The refusal by the film department to allow Smallville to cast a body as a physical representation of Jor-El forced the special effects crew to come up with a creative way to display some sort of aid to help the audience visualize this disembodied voice which was supposed to be talking to Jonathan in season three's "Exile". They decided to create a force field around whoever was speaking to Jor-El, which acted as Jor-El’s voice, rippling as he spoke. To save money on this effect, the crew filmed John Schneider on a black backdrop, and Entity FX digitally added the force field around him. Wind machines and a spot light were added to help synthesize the atmosphere in the force field. At the time of season three's "Memoria", where a scene depicting Jor-El and Lara placing baby Kal-El into his ship before the destruction of Krypton was scripted, Warner Bros. was working on a new Superman film, and it was going to be an origin story, and as a result was still banning Smallville from showing Jor-El. Millar was forced to take inspiration from comic book scribe Jeph Loeb. In one of Loeb's book, Jor-El and Lara are depicted as just a pair of hands holding on to each other after they place Kal-El into his spaceship. In season nine, the producers were able to provide the character with a physical appearance, and Julian Sands was cast for the role.
Brainiac
James Marsters appears in eight episodes of season five, as well as four episodes of season seven, as the Kryptonian artificial intelligence known as Brainiac, referred to on the series as the "Brain InterActive Construct". Brainiac first appears in the season five episode "Arrival", and in the episode "Splinter" he assumes the identity of Central Kansas A&M professor Milton Fine, a fellow Kryptonian, in order to befriend Clark. His ultimate plan is revealed in the episode "Solitude" when he attempts to use Clark’s Fortress of Solitude to release General Zod from the Phantom Zone; Clark stops Zod from being released. In the season five finale, Brainiac unleashes a computer virus that cripples the world’s cyber infrastructure. He then transplants Zod’s spirit into Lex when he tricks Clark into stabbing him with a Kryptonian dagger, providing Brainiac with a link to the Fortress so he can release Zod.
Marsters was Gough and Millar's first and only choice to play Brainiac; had Marsters declined they would have replaced Brainiac with another character from the DC Comics universe. In season seven, Brainiac is revealed to be alive, and is slowly regaining strength by draining people of their natural metal content. Brainiac re-forms into Milton Fine in the season seven episode "Persona", and learns that his creator, Dax-Ur, is on Earth. Brainiac kills Dax-Ur, downloading the Kryptonian's knowledge so that he can completely repair himself. In season seven’s "Apocalypse", Brainiac attempts to go back to Krypton just before it is destroyed and kill the infant Kal-El—he ultimately fails. In the season seven finale, Chloe discovers Brainiac has been impersonating Kara since she and Clark returned from Krypton. Brainiac attacks Chloe and puts her in a coma, but Clark destroys Brainiac before he can locate a device hidden on Earth which would allow him to control Clark. In season eight, Chloe is infected by Brainiac, who attempts to use her as a vessel while trying to take over Earth. In "Legion", he is subsequently exorcised from Chloe's body by the Legion of Super-Heroes, and taken back to the 31st Century to be reprogrammed. The reprogrammed Brainiac returns in the season ten episode "Homecoming" to show Clark his past, present, and future and help him find confidence in becoming the hero the world needs.
Gough and Millar had always wanted Marsters for the role of Milton Fine/Brainiac. The pair wrote a draft for the major story arc of season five, knowing they wanted a new villain on the show to fight Clark. With the arrival of the black ship at the end of season four, Gough and Millar decided to introduce Brainiac. To them, Marsters was the only actor they could envision that could fit the "menace, intelligence, and sexiness" Brainiac was going to embody. Had Marsters declined the role, Gough and Millar would have rethought introducing Brainiac, as they could not think of any other actor who could fill those shoes. Marsters felt excited playing a character that was completely intentional; he likened the intention to that of a shark. As Marsters explains, "[Fine] was just composed of his intent. And that’s exciting—it’s like watching a shark. You don’t really ask how a shark is feeling—it’s pure."
Writer Steven DeKnight, who wrote for Marsters when he was portraying Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, used a different approach for Marsters when writing for him as Brainiac. Spike is more "snarky", and DeKnight felt Fine is more sincere, and a "straight-ahead classic villain". This different approach to villainy worked well for Marsters, who wanted to show people he could portray characters who were not just another "Spike". Marsters describes Brainiac as "a murderous robot" with no remorse over his actions. According to Marsters, the character is an "intellectual" who is focused on what he wants. The actor was drawn to the series because of the "refreshing" take the producers had, as well as an appreciation for the idea of a show about Clark's journey toward becoming Superman.
Though the actor enjoyed playing the part of Brainiac, Marsters did have an initial apprehension about taking the role. As he is familiar with Brainiac from the comics, Marsters did not wish to be turned green and wear the character's traditional pink outfit. The actor had to do little research on his character, as Brainiac's original back story only consisted of a few comic book panels. Marsters believes his character wants to get rid of the humans because they are doing nothing but destroying their own planet, and Brainiac sees it as his duty to perform "pest control" on the species. The actor was going to appear in season six, but because his scheduled filled, the producers wanted to "close the door" on this storyline, so they "killed" his character. Later, Marsters was approached by Gough and Millar about returning to the show for its seventh season; this time Marsters had free time in his schedule, and was able to return for four episodes.
Marsters was Gough and Millar's first and only choice to play Brainiac; had Marsters declined they would have replaced Brainiac with another character from the DC Comics universe. In season seven, Brainiac is revealed to be alive, and is slowly regaining strength by draining people of their natural metal content. Brainiac re-forms into Milton Fine in the season seven episode "Persona", and learns that his creator, Dax-Ur, is on Earth. Brainiac kills Dax-Ur, downloading the Kryptonian's knowledge so that he can completely repair himself. In season seven’s "Apocalypse", Brainiac attempts to go back to Krypton just before it is destroyed and kill the infant Kal-El—he ultimately fails. In the season seven finale, Chloe discovers Brainiac has been impersonating Kara since she and Clark returned from Krypton. Brainiac attacks Chloe and puts her in a coma, but Clark destroys Brainiac before he can locate a device hidden on Earth which would allow him to control Clark. In season eight, Chloe is infected by Brainiac, who attempts to use her as a vessel while trying to take over Earth. In "Legion", he is subsequently exorcised from Chloe's body by the Legion of Super-Heroes, and taken back to the 31st Century to be reprogrammed. The reprogrammed Brainiac returns in the season ten episode "Homecoming" to show Clark his past, present, and future and help him find confidence in becoming the hero the world needs.
Gough and Millar had always wanted Marsters for the role of Milton Fine/Brainiac. The pair wrote a draft for the major story arc of season five, knowing they wanted a new villain on the show to fight Clark. With the arrival of the black ship at the end of season four, Gough and Millar decided to introduce Brainiac. To them, Marsters was the only actor they could envision that could fit the "menace, intelligence, and sexiness" Brainiac was going to embody. Had Marsters declined the role, Gough and Millar would have rethought introducing Brainiac, as they could not think of any other actor who could fill those shoes. Marsters felt excited playing a character that was completely intentional; he likened the intention to that of a shark. As Marsters explains, "[Fine] was just composed of his intent. And that’s exciting—it’s like watching a shark. You don’t really ask how a shark is feeling—it’s pure."
Writer Steven DeKnight, who wrote for Marsters when he was portraying Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, used a different approach for Marsters when writing for him as Brainiac. Spike is more "snarky", and DeKnight felt Fine is more sincere, and a "straight-ahead classic villain". This different approach to villainy worked well for Marsters, who wanted to show people he could portray characters who were not just another "Spike". Marsters describes Brainiac as "a murderous robot" with no remorse over his actions. According to Marsters, the character is an "intellectual" who is focused on what he wants. The actor was drawn to the series because of the "refreshing" take the producers had, as well as an appreciation for the idea of a show about Clark's journey toward becoming Superman.
Though the actor enjoyed playing the part of Brainiac, Marsters did have an initial apprehension about taking the role. As he is familiar with Brainiac from the comics, Marsters did not wish to be turned green and wear the character's traditional pink outfit. The actor had to do little research on his character, as Brainiac's original back story only consisted of a few comic book panels. Marsters believes his character wants to get rid of the humans because they are doing nothing but destroying their own planet, and Brainiac sees it as his duty to perform "pest control" on the species. The actor was going to appear in season six, but because his scheduled filled, the producers wanted to "close the door" on this storyline, so they "killed" his character. Later, Marsters was approached by Gough and Millar about returning to the show for its seventh season; this time Marsters had free time in his schedule, and was able to return for four episodes.
Bart Allen/Impulse
An episode of Smallville entitled "Run" featured a speedster named Bart Allen (played by Kyle Gallner). Bart also carried around identification with the names "Jay Garrick", "Barry Allen", and "Wally West", the first three Flashes in the main DC Universe. He was portrayed as a self-centered teenager who used his powers as a thief for personal gain, although he showed signs of changing his ways by the end of the episode when he helped Clark save his father. As a sort of in-joke, he flirted with Chloe Sullivan and told her that he is from 100 years in the future (he jokingly claimed that they were still in love by that point). At the end of the episode, after Bart said that he will travel the world to find others like him and Clark, maybe starting "a club or a league or something", Clark and Bart had a race; just as Clark seemed to be catching up to him, Bart turned and gave him a slight wave and disappeared into the distance. Gallner reprised his role in the season six episode "Justice", using the codename Impulse and wearing a costume of sorts for the first time on air. He appeared as part of a team led by Green Arrow. According to Green Arrow, he found Bart one night in Star City during one of his patrols and saw that he was about to help himself to a "free meal", but, seeing goodness in Bart, he helped give him "direction". Along with Aquaman and Cyborg, they formed a team to stop Lex Luthor and his LuthorCorp 33.1 project, the group rescuing Bart from a lab after he was captured. During missions, he was called "Impulse," a name he did not choose himself, much like in the comics. He was composed as more of a fusion of various Flash traits and personalities. When Clark and Lex disappeared from the arctic in the Fortress of Solitude, Bart and Victor Stone searched the entire southern hemisphere for them and found nothing. Later, Oliver mentioned that Clark went on a JL mission with Bart in Keystone City and he was seen along with AC, Victor, and Dinah on Chloe's computer screens in the Isis Foundation. Kyle Gallner returned once again in the season 8 finale "Doomsday" to help Clark fight his biggest enemy yet. However, he eventually turned his back on Clark in order to save him. He was last seen at Jimmy Olsen's funeral, and Chloe later mentioned to Clark that Bart, along with teammates Oliver and Dinah, disappeared from the face of the Earth and that she feared the worst. Bart's name is mentioned in the season 9 episode "Escape" when Clark tells Chloe that Bart is in town for the weekend. Impulse gets later mentioned (by codename) in the season 9 episode "Checkmate" by Amanda Waller, demanding to know everyone who had ever worked with Watchtower (a.k.a. Clark and Chloe). In the season 10 episode "Icarus", Impulse attends Carter Hall's funeral but his face is not shown.
Arthur Curry/Aquaman
Arthur "AC" Curry appeared in an episode of the television series Smallville titled "Aqua", which aired on October 20, 2005. The episode features Arthur investigating the devastating effects on marine life from a project Lex Luthor has been developing for the U.S. military. In the process he also manages to date Lois Lane before leaving to continue his fight for the ecosystem. Like his Filmation counterpart, this version of the character is shown to have the power to throw 'water balls' having tremendous concussive impact; he could also swim faster than Clark Kent. It is also revealed that Arthur wears an orange and green costume because he attends the University of Miami, whose Miami Hurricanes team colors are green, orange, and white. Arthur was played by former American Idol contestant Alan Ritchson. In an allusion to the HBO program, when Arthur is asked which environmental group he is working for, he responds "I don't travel with an entourage." "Aqua" was Smallville's highest-rated episode that season.
Ritchson reprised his role in the 2007 episode "Justice", as a member of Green Arrow's unnamed superhero team. Along with Victor "Cyborg" Stone and Bart "Impulse" Allen, they fought to stop Lex Luthor from creating an army of superhumans which he has kidnapped. During this second appearance, he is now using the codename of "Aquaman", and wears a costume similar to his traditional one.
In episode one of season eight, Arthur, Black Canary, and Oliver are all searching for Clark who had disappeared after the finale of the previous season. They succeed in finding Clark though Arthur and Canary are eventually captured by Tess Mercer. In the end of the episode, Arthur severs ties to the other members of the team due to their identity being compromised. He returns in the season ten episode "Patriot" with his new wife Mera to help Clark save Oliver from Slade Wilson.
Ritchson reprised his role in the 2007 episode "Justice", as a member of Green Arrow's unnamed superhero team. Along with Victor "Cyborg" Stone and Bart "Impulse" Allen, they fought to stop Lex Luthor from creating an army of superhumans which he has kidnapped. During this second appearance, he is now using the codename of "Aquaman", and wears a costume similar to his traditional one.
In episode one of season eight, Arthur, Black Canary, and Oliver are all searching for Clark who had disappeared after the finale of the previous season. They succeed in finding Clark though Arthur and Canary are eventually captured by Tess Mercer. In the end of the episode, Arthur severs ties to the other members of the team due to their identity being compromised. He returns in the season ten episode "Patriot" with his new wife Mera to help Clark save Oliver from Slade Wilson.
Victor Stone/Cyborg
Cyborg appeared in the 15th episode of Smallville's fifth season, which was also titled "Cyborg", and premiered on February 16, 2006. In this version, Victor (Lee Thompson Young), is a former Metropolis High School football star. He is involved in a car accident that kills him, supposedly, and the rest of his family. However, he is secretly rebuilt by Cyntechnics scientists including Dr. Alistair Krieg (Mackenzie Gray), who experimented on a group of test subjects. Victor was the only test subject to survive the experiments. Cyntechnics was bought up by LuthorCorp shortly before Victor's escape. Lex denies any knowledge of Cyntechnics' secretive activities. Although Victor's cybernetic enhancements are entirely endoskeletal instead of exoskeletal as they are in the comics and other media, a shot of Clark Kent's X-ray vision reveals that Victor's cranial armor covers the same-shaped area as it does in the comics. He also bleeds a dark fluid as he does in the comics. Smallville never uses the name "Cyborg" in his first appearance. Instead, Victor refers to his enhancements as "bionic", and the episode explicitly references the 1970s television series The Six Million Dollar Man which also featured a cybernetically-enhanced "bionic" man. Lee Thompson Young reprised his role in "Justice", a Season 6 episode about Green Arrow gathering together a group of individuals to combat Lex Luthor and his experiments. The episode premiered on January 18, 2007. In this episode, Victor has finally taken the name "Cyborg", as Green Arrow's team uses code names. Also on the team are Aquaman and Impulse. While Victor was last seen with a girlfriend named Katherine, he explains that his mechanical parts put a strain on the relationship. After their eventual break up, Victor states that it was Green Arrow who kept him from committing suicide. The episode also shows Cyborg wearing something of a costume (a stylized silver vest), and utilizing further enhancements Green Arrow gave him. One of his new functions allows him to hack into and disable security systems. While connecting to machines, Cyborg's left eye glows red, another nod to his comic book incarnation. Cyborg gets mentioned by codename in the season 9 episode "Checkmate" by Amanda Waller, demanding to know the names and faces of everyone who ever worked for Watchtower (aka Clark and Chloe). Young again reprised his role as Victor Stone in the season 9 finale titled "Salvation". He reported in to Watchtower of the battle against the Kandorians. Cyborg is a main character in the online animated Smallville spin-off Smallville Legends: Justice & Doom along with the other Justice Leaguers. In episode three, he displays additional abilities such as offensive sound wave projection.
John Jones/Martian Manhunter
Phil Morris portrays Martian Manhunter in the Smallville television series. In this show, he is portrayed as an old friend of Jor-El who came to Earth to monitor Kal-El and assist him when he needed it, aiding Clark in defeating the escaped Phantom Zone prisoners. The Manhunter sacrifices his powers at the beginning of the eighth season to save Clark from a fatal wound—flying Clark close to the sun, restoring Clark's temporarily lost powers while depriving him of his own—but, after joining the Metropolis Police Department under the name 'John Jones', he is restored to full strength mid-Season Nine by Doctor Fate, who sacrifices a chance to save his life so that he can send the Manhunter to Mars and restore his powers. John then returns to help battle Icicle's son who had taken the mask of Fate from Dr. Fate's dead body. Later, he and Chloe went for dinner with Oliver Queen, where he mentions that, during his time as a human, he gained a strange desire to eat cookies.
Dinah Lance/Black Canary
The television series Smallville, featured Dinah Lance in a season seven episode entitled "Siren" where she was played by Alaina Huffman. As Dinah Lance, she wears a long brunette wig, while acting as a controversial conservative columnist and talk-show host for the Daily Planet in Metropolis. By night, she uses her metahuman ultrasonic scream to become a vigilante/mercenary with an unorthodox sense of justice. In this incarnation, she has short blonde hair and a tiny faux domino mask created from black makeup with streaks of yellow. She is hired by Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) to bring down the Green Arrow (Justin Hartley). However, Oliver Queen and Clark Kent (Tom Welling) convince her that Lex is the real villain. Chloe (Allison Mack) considers calling her the "Yellow Raven", but Clark thinks the name "Black Canary" sounds better. In the episode's dénouement, Dinah agrees to join Green Arrow's team of pro-active heroes, and flirts with Oliver through her critical comments about his ex-girlfriend Lois Lane (Erica Durance). Dinah subsequently appears, on numerous occasions, as a member of Oliver's league. The season nine two-parter further suggests that another woman had been a member of the Justice Society of America some decades previous under the name Black Canary.
Dr. Emil Hamilton
In the season eight episode "Identity," Emil's name was seen in a Daily Planet article about the mysterious "Red-Blue Blur", Clark Kent (Tom Welling)'s earliest superhero identity, which had been sighted around the city of Metropolis. The article was written by Ron Troupe, another character from the DC universe. His first on-screen appearance was in the episode "Bulletproof" played by Alessandro Juliani. He appears as a doctor who was able to save the Martian Manhunter (Phil Morris)'s life when he had been shot by a corrupt cop, Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) having hired him as a private doctor for his team because of his last brush with death when he had been poisoned. A few episodes later Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) met with Emil Hamilton to ask him about Davis Bloome (Samuel Witwer), but all he could tell her was that he was dangerous and the more attempts one would use to try to destroy him, the more he will adapt to them. Oliver called for him to ask him to help Jimmy (Aaron Ashmore) after Davis attacked. Hamilton alerted Clark about Doomsday striking again, finding the slaughtered metahuman Neutron and his friend Livewire. When Clark lost the use of his powers to Parasite, Hamilton equipped Clark with a fast, high-tech car. Hamilton appears in season nine, in "Savior". "Metallo", "Rabid," "Pandora," and in the TV movie, "Absolute Justice". In season ten, he even more regularly assists the Justice League. In season ten's storylines, he is subject to interrogation by proponents of the Vigilante Registration Act, attends Clark bachelor party, and begins a romance with Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman).
Zatanna Zatara
Zatanna is a recurring character in the final three seasons of Smallville, portrayed by actress Serinda Swan. The character first appeared late in season eight, in the episode "Hex". She is described as the daughter of the deceased John Zatara, "the world's greatest magician". Zatanna is introduced at the Ace of Clubs, the scene of Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack)'s birthday party. To enliven things, Zatanna uses magic to make characters' inner desires come true — Chloe is physically transformed to resemble her cousin, Lois Lane (Erica Durance), for example, and Clark (Tom Welling) becomes "normal". Zatanna later approaches Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) and offers him a deal: she will grant him a wish if he returns her father's magical book to her. Once she acquires the Book of Zatara from Green Arrow, whom she recognizes as Oliver, she reveals her aim is to use it to resurrect her father. Because Clark is vulnerable to magic, and Oliver lacks the power to stop her, Zatanna has to realize for herself that her father sacrificed himself so she could live. She later goes to Oliver to explain herself, and decides to help him if he encounters any supernatural foes along the way by leaving him her phone number. Swan reprises the role in the ninth season of Smallville in the episode titled "Warrior". In season ten episodes which feature the government attempting to hunt down the Justice League, Zatanna's picture is shown among their targets. Although not portrayed by Swan, an actor in costume represents Zatanna in the episode "Icarus". In the episode "Fortune", Zatanna is used as a plot device; the episode establishes her as having sent an enchanted bottle of wine to Clark and Lois on the night of their engagement party, which sets the events of that episode in motion.
Amanda Waller
Pam Grier plays Amanda Waller in the ninth season of Smallville. She first appears in the two-hour episode "Absolute Justice." Waller is portrayed as a ranking agent of both Checkmate and the Suicide Squad. She recruits Icicle to attack and kill the former members of the Justice Society of America. Waller's true intention, however, is to have Icicle fail his task, so that the JSA can reform and come together with the new generation of superheroes to battle what she describes as a "coming apocalypse." Waller also gets Lois Lane to reveal the existence of the JSA and paint them in a positive light, and has Tess Mercer as one of her agents. Grier returns as Waller in the episode "Checkmate," in which she captures the Martian Manhunter in the agency's headquarters after failing to kidnap Green Arrow and recruit him for the government. After the Martian Manhunter manages to escape, the red queen appears on her chess board to show that there are more ways to look at things than black and white and to announce there is a new player in Waller's game. In the episode "Sacrifice," Waller is working with the "White Knight" aka Stuart Campbell to track down Tess Mercer who can lead Checkmate to the Kandorians. Waller attacks several of the Kandorians but before any are killed, Clark saves them. Waller is later attacked by General Zod because she had taken Faora hostage. When Zod learns of what Checkmate has been doing, he destroys the headquarters and presumably kills Waller and Campbell.
Carter Hall/Hawkman
Actor Michael Shanks played Hawkman in the TV series Smallville, in the two-parter episode "Absolute Justice". Shanks later reprises the Hawkman role for the Smallville Season 9 finale episode "Salvation", where he appears alongside other superheroes. Carter Hall returns for the season 10 episode "Shield" where he gives Lois Lane some words of wisdom about her relationship with Clark Kent. Hawkman later appears in the eleventh episode "Icarus" and battles Slade Wilson. During the battle he is mortally wounded and after saving Lois Lane, he dies. His funeral is held in Egypt in a tomb where his wife Shayera was buried, with the Justice League there in mourning.
Courtney Whitmore/Stargirl
Actress Britt Irvin played Courtney Whitmore in several episodes of seasons nine and ten of Smallville, including the two-hour television movie Absolute Justice (which includes several other members of the Justice Society of America). She later appears in the episode "Icarus" playing a part in saving the Green Arrow from some corrupted civilians and a brief appearance in the episode "Prophecy" This marks Stargirl's first appearance in a live action format.
Darkseid
Darkseid is the main antagonist for the tenth and final season of Smallville. Producers of the series mentioned that the character will not be fully revealed at the beginning and will be a force that is going to be felt throughout the season and eventually materialize as the episodes progress. In the series version, he mostly appears as a non-corporeal being. In the season premiere "Lazarus", both Jor-El (Terence Stamp) and the spirit of Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) warned Clark Kent (Tom Welling) of a dark force that is coming to Earth to corrupt it. It heard of Clark's power and the doubts and fears in his heart and wants to turn him into a weapon. The dark force gathers on a rooftop in Metropolis and forms into the shape of a rock-like creature. In "Supergirl", Kara (Laura Vandervoort) tells Clark that the darkness came to Earth after a rip in the universe was created. Clark concludes that when he opened a portal to another world (used to send the Kandorians to a world that would become New Krypton), it must have allowed the darkness to come to Earth. Darkseid went on to possess the radio jockey Gordon Godfrey (Michael Daingerfield). Using him as his vessel, Darkseid created a backlash against the superheroes in Metropolis but left Godfrey's body after a confrontation with Clark and Kara.
In "Abandoned", Darkseid's minions Granny Goodness (Christine Willes), Desaad (Steve Byers), and Godfrey (who was now corrupted by Darkseid's darkness although no longer directly possessed by him) discuss their plans for paving the way for the coming of their dark lord. The episode "Patriot" revealed that Slade Wilson (Michael Hogan) is one of the people whom Darkseid is influencing, as he bears the Omega symbol on his skull. In "Masquerade", it's shown that Darkseid through Desaad is bringing more under his control bearing the Omega symbol, attracting the attention of the FBI. It is shown that the influence gains control by exploiting a person's weakness, thematically one of the Seven Deadly Sins. It fails to ensnare Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) but succeeds in capturing Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley). In "Scion", Darkseid is revealed taking shape from a mass of black smoke before alternate-universe Lionel Luthor (John Glover) in front of his son's tombstone as the episode ends. In "Dominion", Clark and Oliver discover that Darkseid has indeed been to other worlds and that General Zod/Major Zod (Callum Blue) made a deal with Darkseid to get rid of Clark in exchange for Zod to rule over the Phantom Zone. Darkseid manipulates Oliver into finding the Bow of Orion - the weapon that his son Orion used to defeat him the previous time Darkseid attempted to conquer Earth. After Oliver finds the Bow of Orion in "Prophecy", Granny Goodness subsequently destroyed the bow so that it cannot be used against her master again and brings Oliver completely under Darkseid's control and is later seen digging a gold kryptonite rock so he can permanently remove Clark's powers according to his master's will.
During the two part series finale, Granny Goodness tells Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman) that Darkseid was known in Earth's history by many names such as Hades and Lucifer and was also connected to the Hindu goddess Kali. During Clark's wedding with Lois Lane (Erica Durance), Oliver (still possessed) tries to force a gold kryptonite ring on him but Clark saved Oliver from the darkness. Darkseid appeared before Lionel and offered Lionel to bring back Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) to which Darkseid takes out Lionel's heart to resurrect Lex. Darkseid then possesses Lionel's body and confronts Clark in his barn. Darkseid (Glover) realizes that the Kryptonian is a threat after he saved Oliver from his spell, and tries to kill him. However, Clark is now at the pinnacle of his Kryptonian abilities, finally mastering the power of flight after Darkseid threw him into the air while they fought in the Kent barn, Clark regaining control mid-air and flying directly at Darkseid to strike him hard in the chest, defeating him and blasting him out of Lionel's body, seemingly destroying him (although he may have simply defeated the host). Clark then becomes Superman and stops the arriving planet Apokolips from destroying Earth by pushing it into outer space, thus foiling the demonic deity's plans.
In "Abandoned", Darkseid's minions Granny Goodness (Christine Willes), Desaad (Steve Byers), and Godfrey (who was now corrupted by Darkseid's darkness although no longer directly possessed by him) discuss their plans for paving the way for the coming of their dark lord. The episode "Patriot" revealed that Slade Wilson (Michael Hogan) is one of the people whom Darkseid is influencing, as he bears the Omega symbol on his skull. In "Masquerade", it's shown that Darkseid through Desaad is bringing more under his control bearing the Omega symbol, attracting the attention of the FBI. It is shown that the influence gains control by exploiting a person's weakness, thematically one of the Seven Deadly Sins. It fails to ensnare Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) but succeeds in capturing Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley). In "Scion", Darkseid is revealed taking shape from a mass of black smoke before alternate-universe Lionel Luthor (John Glover) in front of his son's tombstone as the episode ends. In "Dominion", Clark and Oliver discover that Darkseid has indeed been to other worlds and that General Zod/Major Zod (Callum Blue) made a deal with Darkseid to get rid of Clark in exchange for Zod to rule over the Phantom Zone. Darkseid manipulates Oliver into finding the Bow of Orion - the weapon that his son Orion used to defeat him the previous time Darkseid attempted to conquer Earth. After Oliver finds the Bow of Orion in "Prophecy", Granny Goodness subsequently destroyed the bow so that it cannot be used against her master again and brings Oliver completely under Darkseid's control and is later seen digging a gold kryptonite rock so he can permanently remove Clark's powers according to his master's will.
During the two part series finale, Granny Goodness tells Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman) that Darkseid was known in Earth's history by many names such as Hades and Lucifer and was also connected to the Hindu goddess Kali. During Clark's wedding with Lois Lane (Erica Durance), Oliver (still possessed) tries to force a gold kryptonite ring on him but Clark saved Oliver from the darkness. Darkseid appeared before Lionel and offered Lionel to bring back Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) to which Darkseid takes out Lionel's heart to resurrect Lex. Darkseid then possesses Lionel's body and confronts Clark in his barn. Darkseid (Glover) realizes that the Kryptonian is a threat after he saved Oliver from his spell, and tries to kill him. However, Clark is now at the pinnacle of his Kryptonian abilities, finally mastering the power of flight after Darkseid threw him into the air while they fought in the Kent barn, Clark regaining control mid-air and flying directly at Darkseid to strike him hard in the chest, defeating him and blasting him out of Lionel's body, seemingly destroying him (although he may have simply defeated the host). Clark then becomes Superman and stops the arriving planet Apokolips from destroying Earth by pushing it into outer space, thus foiling the demonic deity's plans.