Smallville (TV series)

Un article de Vev.

Modèle:Infobox Television Smallville is an American television series created by writer/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, and was initially broadcast by The WB. After its fifth season, the WB and UPN merged to form The CW, which is the current broadcaster for the show in the United States.<ref name="new CW"> Jessic Seid

  . 
 "
   'Gilmore Girls' meet 'Smackdown':CW Network to combine WB, UPN in CBS-Warner venture beginning in September. 
     
 " , CNN Money
  , 2006-01-24
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-08-19
 . </ref> Smallville premiered on October 16, 2001, and completed its sixth season on May 17, 2007.<ref name="tvg">   Smallville Episodes | TVGuide.com 
. TV Guide  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-07-09. </ref> A seventh season was officially announced by The CW on May 16, 2007,<ref> Neil Wilkes

  . 
 "
   'Smallville', 'Supernatural', 'One Tree Hill' safe 
     
 " , DigitalSpy
  , 2007-05-16
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-17
 . </ref> and premiered on September 27, 2007.<ref name="tvg"/> It is produced in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The plot follows the adventures of a young Clark Kent's life in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, during the years before he becomes Superman. The first four seasons focused on Clark and his friends' high school years. Since season five, the show has ventured into more adult settings, with some characters attending college. Recent seasons have seen an increase in the introductions of other DC comic book superheroes and villains.

Smallville inspired an Aquaman spin-off pilot, which was not picked up by The CW network, as well as promotional tie-ins with Verizon, Sprint, and Toyota. In other media, the show has spawned a series of young-adult novels, a DC Comics comic book and soundtrack releases. The show broke the record for highest rated debut for The WB, with 8.4 million viewers tuning in for its pilot episode.

Production

Development

Originally, Tollin/Robbins Productions wanted to do a show about a young Bruce Wayne. The feature film division of Warner Bros. had decided to develop an origin movie for Batman, and, because they didn't want to compete with a television series, had the television series idea nixed.<ref name="genesis">Modèle:Cite book</ref> In 2000, Tollin/Robbins approached Peter Roth, the President of Warner Bros. Television, about developing a series based on a young Superman. That same year, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar developed a pilot based on the film Eraser. After watching the pilot, Roth approached the two men about developing a second pilot, based on the young Superman concept that was brought to him.<ref name="genesis"/> After meeting with Roth, Gough and Millar decided that they didn't want to do a series where there was lots of flying, and a cape.<ref name="genesis"/> It was here that they developed a "no tights, no flights" rule, vowing Clark would not, at any point, fly or don the suit during the run of the show.<ref name="No Flights No Tights"> Barry Garron

     (2001-10-15)
   
.    Smallville 
. MichaelRosenbaum.com 
   

. Retrieved on 2006-10-19. </ref>

Gough and Millar wanted to strip Superman down to his "bare essence", and see the reasons behind why Clark became Superman.<ref name="genesis"/> Gough and Millar felt the fact that they were not comic book fans played into their favor. Not being familiar with the universe would allow them an unbiased approach to the series. This didn't keep them from learning about the characters; they both did research on the comics and picked and rearranged what they liked.<ref name="genesis"/> They returned and pitched their idea to both the WB and FOX in the same day.<ref name="metcom">Modèle:Cite video</ref> A bidding war ensued between FOX and the WB, which the WB won with a commitment of 13 episodes to start.<ref name="metcom"/>

Roth, Gough, and Millar knew the show was going to be action oriented, but they wanted to be able to reach that "middle America iconography" that 7th Heaven had reached. To help create this atmosphere, the team decided the meteor shower that brings Clark to Earth would be the foundation for the franchise of the show. Not only does it act as the primary source behind the creation of the super powered beings that Clark must fight, but it acts as a sense of irony in Clark's life. The meteor shower would give him a life on Earth, but it would also take away the parents of the girl he loves, and start Lex Luthor down a dark path, thanks to the loss of his hair during the shower. Roth loved the conflict that was created for Clark, in forcing him to deal with the fact that his arrival is what caused all of this pain.<ref name="genesis"/>

Another problem the creators had to address was why Lex Luthor would be hanging out with a bunch of teenagers. They decided to create a sense of loneliness in the character of Lex Luthor, which they felt would require him to reach out to the teens.<ref name="genesis"/> The loneliness was echoed in Clark and Lana as well.<ref name="pilcom">Modèle:Cite video</ref> Gough and Millar wanted to provide a parallel to the Kents, so they created Lionel Luthor, Lex's father, which they saw as the "experiment in extreme parenting".<ref name="genesis"/> Gough and Millar wanted a younger Kent couple, because they felt they needed to be able to be involved in Clark's life, and help him through his journey.<ref name="pilcom"/> Chloe Sullivan, another character created just for the show, was meant to be the "outsider" the show needed. Gough and Millar felt the character was necessary so someone would notice the weird happenings in Smallville.<ref name="genesis"/> She was meant to act as a "precursor to Lois Lane".<ref name="pilcom"/>

The concept of Smallville has been described by Warner Brothers as being a reinterpretation of the Superman mythology from its roots. Recently, since the November 2004 reacquisition of Superboy by the Siegels, there has arisen contention regarding a possible copyright infringement. The dispute is over ownership of the fictional Smallville, title setting of the show, and a claimed similarity between Superboy's title character and Smallville's Clark Kent. The heirs of Jerry Siegel claim "Smallville is part of the Superboy copyright", of which the Siegels own the rights.<ref name="Superboy"> Brian Cronin

     (2006-08-02)
   
.    Superboy Copyright FAQ 
. Comic Book Resources 
   

. Retrieved on 2006-12-13. </ref>

Filming

The show is produced at BB Studios in Burnaby. Initially, production was going to be in Australia, but Vancouver had more of a "Middle America landscape". The city provided a site for the Kent farm, as well as doubling for Metropolis. It also provided a cheaper shooting location, and was in the same time zone as Los Angeles.<ref name="genesis"/> "Main street" Smallville is at a combination of two locations. Portions were shot in the town of Merritt, and the rest was shot in Cloverdale.<ref name="pilcom"/> Cloverdale is particularly proud of being a filming site for the show; at its entrance is a sign which reads "Home of Smallville."

Vancouver Technical School doubled as the exterior for Smallville High, as the film makers believed Van Tech had the "mid-American largess" they wanted.<ref name="pilcom"/> This kept in-line with Millar's idea that Smallville should be the epitome of "Smalltown, USA".<ref name="Pilot ep">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.20-23</ref> The interiors of Templeton Secondary School were used for Smallville High's interior.<ref name="locations school/"> School Highlights - School Profile

. vsb.bc.ca  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2006-10-19. </ref> The Kent farm is a real farm located in Aldergrove. Owned by The Andalinis, the production crew had to paint their home yellow for the show.<ref name="metcom"/> Exterior shots of Luthor Mansion were filmed at Hatley Castle in Victoria.<ref name="pilcom"/> The interior shots were done at Shannon Mews, in Vancouver, which was also the set for the Dark Angel pilot and Along Came a Spider.<ref name="pilcom"/> Movie house Clova Cinema, in Cloverdale, is used for exterior shots of The Talon,<ref name="locations talon"> Cloverdale Filming Including Smallville

. Cloverdale Business Improvement Association  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-01-14. </ref> the show's coffee house.

Music

Most episodes feature one or more songs by alternative rock acts. Two soundtrack albums were released, with the second following two years after the first. On February 25, 2003, Smallville: The Talon Mix was released. The Talon Mix featured a selected group of artists that supplied music for the show.<ref> Smallville: The Talon Mix

. Amazon  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2006-10-16. </ref> Following that release, on November 8, 2005, Smallville: The Metropolis Mix was released. It followed the same format, featuring selected artists from the show's music.<ref> Smallville: The Metropolis Mix

. Amazon  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2006-10-16. </ref>

Series overview

Modèle:See also

Season one sees the introduction of the regular cast, and storylines that regularly included a villain deriving a power from kryptonite exposure. The one-episode villains were a plot device developed by Gough and Millar. Instead of creating physical monsters, the kryptonite would enhance the personal demons of the character.<ref name="pilcom"/> To prove the show was not simply about a new kryptonite monster every week, the writers attempted to craft episodes that had nothing to do with kryptonite, like "Rogue".<ref>Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion) pp.52-55</ref> The first season primarily dealt with Clark trying to come to terms with his alien origins, and the revelation that his arrival on Earth was connected to the deaths of Lana's parents.<ref name="genesis"/> Clark develops X-ray vision this season, and, unlike his super strength and speed that he was already aware of, is forced to exercise his new ability to gain control over it.<ref> "X-Ray".

   Mark Verheiden (writer) & James Frawley (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2001-11-06.
 
 No. 4, season 1.
 42 minutes in.
</ref>

Season two has fewer villain of the week episodes, focusing more on story arcs that affect each character and explore Clark's origins.<ref> D.J. Nock

     (2004-11-25)
   
.    Smallville: The Complete Second Season 
. DVD Times 
   

. Retrieved on 2007-09-12. </ref> Several key plot points include Lex becoming more entangled in conflict with his father, Chloe digging into Clark's past while dealing with Lionel, Martha and Jonathan Kent's financial troubles, and Lana and Clark's vacillating relationship though they end the season apart. The main story arc, however, focuses on Clark's discovery of his Kryptonian origins.<ref name="Rosetta ep"> "Rosetta".

   Al Gough, Miles Millar (writers) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2003-02-25.
 
 No. 17, season 2.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> The disembodied voice of Clark's biological father Jor-El is introduced, communicating to Clark via his space ship, setting the stage for plots involving the fulfillment of Clark's earthly destiny.<ref>   "Calling".
   
   Kenneth Biller (writer) & Terrence O'Hara (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2003-05-13.
 
 No. 22, season 2.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Christopher Reeve, who portrayed Superman in the 1970s and 1980s film series, appears as Dr. Virgil Swann to provide Welling's Clark with information regarding his heritage.<ref name="Rosetta ep"/> Season two saw the emergence of heat vision,<ref>   "Heat".
   
   Mark Verheiden (writers) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2002-10-01.
 
 No. 2, season 2.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> as well as a new form of kryptonite. Red kryptonite causes Clark to set aside moral compunctions and act out on his impulses and dark desires,<ref>   "Red".
   
   Jeff Woolnough (writer) & Jeph Loeb (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2002-10-15.
 
 No. 4, season 2.
 42 minutes in.
</ref>, unlike green kryptonite, which physically weakens him and could possibly kill him if he is exposed to it for too long.<ref name="Pilot ep">   "Pilot".
   
   Alfred Gough, Miles Millar (writers) & David Nutter (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2001-10-16.
 
 No. 1, season 1.
 42 minutes in.
</ref>

Season three focuses on loyalty, betrayal, and new revelations involving Jor-El. Early in the season, Michael McKean, Annette O'Toole's real-life husband, portrays Clark's future Daily Planet editor Perry White; from this point on, other major characters present in the Superman mythology and the DC Universe are introduced to Smallville.<ref> "Perry".

   Mark Verheiden (writer) & Jeannot Szwarc (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2003-10-29.
 
 No. 5, season 3.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Pete Ross' inability to deal with keeping Clark's secret causes him to move to Wichita, Kansas with his mother after his parents' divorce.<ref>   "Forsaken".
   
   Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson (writers) & Terrence O'Hara (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2004-05-12.
 
 No. 21, season 3.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Season three introduced Clark's "super hearing", which developed when his heat vision accidentally blinded him.<ref>   "Whisper".
   
   Ken Horton (writer) & Tom Wright (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2004-01-21.
 
 No. 10, season 3.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> 

Season four ventures further into the Superman mythology by creating a story arc that runs the length of the season; it involved Clark seeking out three Kryptonian stones, at the instruction of Jor-El, which contain the knowledge of the universe.<ref name="Crusade ep"> "Crusade".

   Alfred Gough, Miles Millar (writers) & Greg Beeman (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2004-09-22.
 
 No. 1, season 4.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> The majority of this season revolves around Lex trying to rekindle a strained friendship with Clark, Lana dating Jason Teague (Jensen Ackles), a young man she meets in France, Clark and numerous other characters vying with one another in attempts to obtain the stones, and Lionel's ambiguous transformation into a good father and person.<ref>   "Transference".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2004-10-27.
 
 No. 6, season 4.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> This season introduced Lois Lane (Erica Durance), Chloe Sullivan's (Allison Mack) cousin, as well as Bart Allen.<ref name="Crusade ep"/><ref>   "Run".
   
   Steven S. DeKnight (writer) & David Barrett (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2004-10-20.
 
 No. 5, season 4.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> The season began with the appearance of a new form of kryptonite; black kryptonite held the ability to split Clark into—and merge back together from—two separate beings exhibiting two personalities.<ref name="Crusade ep"/>

Season five brings in more elements of the Superman mythology, including <ref name="Reckoning ep"> "Reckoning".

   Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson (writers) & Greg Beeman (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2006-01-26.
 
 No. 12, season 5.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> the Fortress of Solitude,<ref name="Arrival ep">   "Arrival".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer(writers) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2005-09-29.
 
 No. 1, season 5.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> the Phantom Zone,<ref name="Arrival ep"/> and Zod.<ref>   "Vessel".
   
   Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson (writers) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2006-05-11.
 
 No. 22, season 5.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> The villain Brainiac, in the guise of Professor Milton Fine (James Marsters), becomes a recurring antagonist. The season's central plot revolves around Clark using the knowledge contained in the Fortress of Solitude to train for an impending doom that will befall Earth: the release of Zod from the Phantom Zone due to Fine's machinations.<ref>   "Solitude".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & Paul Shapiro (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2005-11-17.
 
 No. 8, season 5.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Clark and Lana finally begin a relationship with one another.<ref>   "Mortal".
   
   Steven S. DeKnight (writer) & Terrence O'Hara (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2005-10-06.
 
 No. 2, season 5.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Season five featured a gradually unveiling storyline in conjunction with multiple minor story arcs running in parallel, mid-season and season finale cliffhangers, and cameos from two other notable DC characters, Aquaman and Cyborg.<ref>   "Aqua".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & Bradford May (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2005-10-20.
 
 No. 4, season 5.
 42 minutes in.
</ref><ref>   "Cyborg".
   
   Caroline Dries (writer) & Glen Winter (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2006-02-16.
 
 No. 15, season 5.
 42 minutes in.
</ref>

Season six takes Clark inside the Phantom Zone, inhabited by a society of exiled criminals from the "28 known inhabited galaxies".<ref name="Zod ep"> "Zod".

   Steven S. DeKnight (writer) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2006-09-28.
 
 No. 1, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> The destinies of Lionel and Lex play out in the aftermath of Lex's possession by Zod and Lionel's adoption as the "oracle" of Jor-El. Several prisoners escape the Phantom Zone with Clark.<ref name="Zod ep"/> Clark acquires "super breath", after developing a cold from over-exerting himself cleaning up Lex/Zod's destruction in Metropolis, and having no abilities while in the Phantom Zone.<ref>   "Sneeze".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & Paul Shapiro (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2006-10-05.
 
 No. 2, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> DC Comics characters Jimmy Olsen,<ref name="Zod ep"/> Oliver Queen (and his superhero alias Green Arrow) and Martian Manhunter are introduced this season,<ref>   "Sneeze".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & Paul Shapiro (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2006-10-05.
 
 No. 2, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref><ref>   "Static".
   
   James Morris, Shintaro Shimosawa (writers) & James Conway (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2006-11-16.
 
 No. 8, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> and many of them unite in Smallville to fight a common threat.<ref name="Justice ep">   "Justice".
   
   Steven S. DeKnight (writer & director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-01-18.
 
 No. 11, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Clark promises to continue his training, at the Fortress of Solitude, once all the escaped Phantom Zone criminals are either returned or destroyed.<ref>   "Fallout".
   
   Holly Harold (writer) & Glen Winter (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2006-11-02.
 
 No. 6, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Other storylines involve Lana and Lex's marriage,<ref name="Promise">   "Promise".
   
   Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson (writers) & Rick Rosenthal (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-03-15.
 
 No. 16, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Lex's secret "33.1" experiments,<ref name="Justice ep"/> and the introduction of a Clark clone.<ref>   "Phantom".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-05-17.
 
 No. 22, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref>

Season seven introduces Clark's biological cousin, Kara as a main character of the series. Her storyline focuses on Clark teaching her to blend in to society, controlling her powers, and learning to cope with the destruction of Krypton.<ref> "Kara".

   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer, (writers) & James Conway (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-10-04.
 
 No. 2, season 7.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Her trust in her father inadvertantly causes her to betray Clark.<ref>   "Blue".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & Glen Winter (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-11-15.
 
 No. 8, season 7.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Lana, after faking her own death, begins stalking Lex in order to find incriminating evidence against him.<ref>   "Cure".
   
   Al Septien, Turi Meyer, (writers) & Rick Rosenthal (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-10-18.
 
 No. 4, season 7.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Chloe, who learns she has kryptonite-induced abilities,<ref name="Bizarro">   "Bizarro".
   
   Brian Peterson, Kelly Souders, (writers) & Michael Rohl (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-09-27.
 
 No. 1, season 7.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> struggles to keep her power a secret from those around her. Lex's younger brother Julian,<ref>   "Gemini".
   
   Caroline Dries (writer) & Whitney Ransick (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-12-13.
 
 No. 9, season 7.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> who was believed to have been killed in his crib when Lex was a young boy,<ref>   "Memoria".
   
   Alfred Gough (writer) & Miles Millar (writer & director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2004-04-28.
 
 No. 19, season 3.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> becomes the new editor of the Daily Planet under the assumed name Grant Gabriel.<ref name="Bizarro"/> "Grant" subsequently hires Lois as a new reporter, based on some of the stories she wrote for The Inquisitor,<ref name="Bizarro"/> with the two beginning a romantic relationship afterward.<ref>   "Kara".
   
   Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, (writers) & Charles Beeson (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The CW .
 
  2007-11-08.
 
 No. 7, season 7.
 42 minutes in.
</ref>

Cast

Unlike most shows, which generally get about four weeks of casting, Gough and Millar had five months.<ref name="genesis"/> In October 2000, the two producers began their search for the three lead roles, and had casting directors in ten different cities.<ref name="metcom"/> There were originally eight series regulars, but since the first season four members of the original cast were written off the show, while five new actors were hired as series regulars during the succeeding seasons.

Original cast

Modèle:Quote box

• Tom Welling as Clark Kent: A young man with superhuman abilities, who tries to find his place in life after being told he is an alien. He uses his abilities to help others in danger. Clark's problem in season one is not being able to share his secret with anyone. He just wants to be normal. Clark is afraid to open up to Lana, for fear that she will not accept him if she knows the truth.<ref name="Tom"/> After months of scouting, Tom Welling was cast as Clark Kent.<ref name="Tom">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.112-115</ref> David Nutter was looking through pictures of actors and stumbled upon Tom Welling's image. When he asked about Welling, the casting director said Welling's manager didn't want him to do the role, because it could hurt his feature film career. After a conversation with Welling's manager, Nutter got him to read the script for the pilot, which convinced him to do the part.<ref name="pilcom"/> For one of his auditions, he read the graveyard scene with Kristin Kreuk; the network thought they had "great chemistry".<ref name="genesis"/> Welling believes his lack of knowledge of the Superman mythology helps his performance because Gough and Millar have set up the series so that the previous mythology is not important.<ref name="Tom"/>

• Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang: The girl next door. She is the "beautiful, popular girl who is really lonely."<ref name="Kristin">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.116-119</ref> She has a "hole in her heart," because of the loss of her parents, and feels empathy for everyone. She feels connected to Clark.<ref name="Kristin"/> Gough and Millar were initially trying to find someone for the role of Clark Kent, but Kristin Kreuk was the first to be cast, as Lana Lang. Casting director Coreen Mayrs sent David Nutter, the director of the pilot episode, a tape of 69 people and the second person on the tape was Kristin Kreuk.<ref name="pilcom"/> They loved her audition tape so much they immediately showed her to the network.<ref name="genesis"/>

• Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor: A billionaire's son, sent to Smallville to run the local fertilizer plant. After Clark saves his life, the two become quick friends.<ref name="Pilot ep"/> Lex tries to be a hero, but his motives are usually driven by curiosity for the unexplained, like the day Clark rescued him from drowning. He is searching for that unconditional love, something his mother had for him before her death.<ref name="Mike"/> Smallville's Lex Luthor was not supposed to be a precursor to the more comedic role performed by Gene Hackman; he was meant to be likeable and vulnerable.<ref name="Mike"/> The role was hard to cast, as no one could agree on who they liked for the role. Gough and Millar wanted to cast a comedian for the series, on the belief that comedians always want to "please and be loved at the same time."<ref name="genesis"/> Michael Rosenbaum auditioned for Lex Luthor twice. Feeling he didn't take his first audition seriously, Rosenbaum outlined a two-and-a-half-page scene, indicating all the places to be funny, charismatic, or menacing.<ref name="Mike">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.120-123</ref> His audition went so well that everyone agreed he was "the guy".<ref name="genesis"/>

• Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan: One of Clark's best friends. She is in love with Clark, although the feeling isn't reciprocated.<ref name="Fever"> "Fever".

   Matthew Okumura (writer) & Bill Gereghty (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2003-02-18.
 
 No. 16, season 2.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Editor of the school newspaper, her journalistic curiosity — always wanting to "expose falsehoods" and "know the truth"<ref name="Allison"/> — causes tension with her friends, especially when she is digging in Clark's past.<ref name="Lineage">   "Lineage".
   
   Alfred Gough, Miles Millar (writers) & Greg Beeman (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2002-11-05.
 
 No. 7, season 2.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> She is intelligent and independent, but also an outcast in the school during season one.<ref name="Allison"/> After learning about Smallville from the show's casting director, Dee Dee Bradley, Allison Mack thought about auditioning for the role of Lana Lang. Mack instead auditioned twice for the role of Chloe Sullivan.<ref name="Allison">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.128-131</ref> The character was created just for the series,<ref name="genesis"/> and was intended to have an ethnic background before Mack was hired.<ref name="Allison"/> Part of the reason she was cast was because Gough and Millar felt she had a "rare ability to deliver large chunks of expositionary Modèle:Sic dialogue conversationally".<ref name="genesis"/>

• Sam Jones III as 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.<ref name="Exodus"> "Exodus".

   Alfred Gough, Miles Millar (writers) & Greg Beeman (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2003-05-20.
 
 No. 23, season 2.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> He is the first person Clark voluntarily informs of his secret.<ref name="Duplicity">   "Duplicty".
   
   Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & Steve Miner (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2002-10-08.
 
 No. 3, season 2.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> He is in love with Chloe,<ref name="Truth">   "Truth".
   
   Drew Greenberg (writer) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2004-04-21.
 
 No. 18, season 3.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> which he keeps to himself because of the Clark-Lana-Chloe love triangle already taking place.<ref name="Sam">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.124-127</ref> Pete Ross was written out of the series at the end of season three. Sam Jones III, who portrayed Pete Ross, was the last of the series regulars to be cast. Gough and Millar saw Jones four days before they began filming for the pilot.<ref name="Sam"/> In the comics, Pete Ross is Caucasian, and the producers chose to cast Jones, who is African-American, against the mythology.<ref name="Sam"/> Modèle:Quote box

• Annette O'Toole as Martha Kent: Clark's adopted mother. She, along with her husband Jonathan, give Clark sage advice about how to cope with his growing abilities. Annette O'Toole devised her own background for the character, in an effort to help her identify with the role. In her vision, Martha was originally from Metropolis, but she left because she felt it was "too phony".<ref name="Annette"/> O'Toole also believes Martha carries sympathy for Lex, because of all the loss he endured as a child (his mother and his hair). According to O'Toole, Martha will always give Lex "the benefit of the doubt," even when he reaches the point that he has crossed to the "dark side".<ref name="Annette"/> In season five, she takes a state senate seat.<ref name="Tomb"> "Tomb".

   Steven S. DeKnight (writer) & Whitney Ransick (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2006-02-09.
 
 No. 14, season 5.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> This leads to a job in Washington, D.C. in season six, and the character's exit from the show.<ref name="Prototype">   "Prototype".
   
   Steven S. DeKnight (writer) & Mat Beck (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2007-05-10.
 
 No. 21, season 6.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Cynthia Ettinger was originally cast as Martha Kent, but during filming everyone realized that she was not right for the role, including Ettinger.<ref name="genesis"/> Annette O'Toole was committed to the television series The Huntress when Ettinger was filming the original pilot. Around the time the creators were looking to recast the role of Martha Kent, The Huntress was canceled, which allowed O'Toole to join the cast of Smallville.<ref name="Annette">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.136-139</ref> O'Toole had previously portrayed Lana Lang in Superman III.<ref name="Owen 3">   Rob Owen
     
   
  . 
 "
   Superman revisited in "Smallville" 
     
 " , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
  , 2001-10-14
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-07-08
 . </ref>

• John Schneider as Jonathan Kent: Clark's adopted father. He goes to great lengths to protect his son's secret. According to Schneider, Jonathan is "perfectly willing to go to jail, or worse, to protect his son."<ref name="John">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.140-143</ref> Schneider also believes, "The least important person in Jonathan Kent's life is Jonathan Kent."<ref name="John"/> John Schneider was written out of the show on the series' 100th episode.<ref name="Reckoning ep"/> Millar and Gough wanted a recognizable face for Smallville. Gough and Millar loved the idea of casting John Schneider as Jonathan Kent, because Schneider was already known as Bo Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard,<ref> John Schneider

. JohnSchneider.tv  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-24. </ref> which Gough saw as adding belief that he could have grown up running a farm.<ref name="genesis"/>

• Eric Johnson as Whitney Fordman: Lana's boyfriend. He becomes jealous of Clark and Lana's budding friendship, going so far as to haze Clark.<ref name="Pilot ep"/> He eventually reconciles with Clark, before joining the Marines.<ref name="Tempest"> "Tempest".

   Philip Levens, Alfred Gough (writers) & Greg Beeman (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2002-05-21.
 
 No. 21, season 1.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Kristin Kreuk feels audiences did not get to know the character, because he was only seen through Clark's eyes.<ref name="Kristin"/> Whitney was written out of the show in the first season's finale, but he made cameo appearances in the season two episode "Visage", where it is revealed he died in combat overseas, and the season four episode "Façade", during a flashback to Clark's freshman year. Eric Johnson has expressed his pleasure in the way the writers handled Whitney's departure, by giving the character the exit of a hero.<ref name="Tube Talk">   Jennifer Squires Biller
     
   
  . 
 "
   Interview with Flash Gordon’s Eric Johnson 
     
 " , Tube Talk
  , 2007-08-20
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-09-08
 . </ref> Johnson auditioned for the roles of Lex and Clark, before finally being cast as Whitney Fordman.<ref name="Eric">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pp.132-135</ref> When the producers called him in for one more audition, after passing on him for the major roles, Johnson informed them that if they wanted him then they would need to 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.<ref name="Eric"/>

Additional cast

• John Glover as Lionel Luthor: Lex's father. Lionel is responsible for the Kents being able to adopt Clark without any legal ramifications or questions of his origins.<ref name="Lineage"/> Glover tried to make Lionel appear as though he was trying to "toughen [Lex] up". The character is made to "go out his way, to give [Lex] tests, so [Lex] can prove himself." Glover saw the character as someone who was a rich and powerful business man, who is disappointed in his son. Glover's goal, for season one, was to show Lionel's attempts to make Lex tougher; he interprets the character's motto, in regards to raising Lex, as "no risk, no rewards."<ref name="Lionel">Simpson, Paul, (Season 1 Companion), pg.144</ref> Lionel was created specifically for the show, to provide a parallel to the Kents, as an "experiment in extreme parenting."<ref name="genesis"/> In season two, John Glover, who had been a recurring guest on the show in season one, became a part of the regular cast.

• Erica Durance as Lois Lane: Chloe's cousin, she comes to Smallville investigating the supposed death of Chloe.<ref name="Crusade ep"/> She stays with the Kents while in town. Durance was a recurring guest for season four; she returned as a regular cast member in season five.

• Jensen Ackles as Jason Teague: A love interest for Lana in season four. He follows Lana to Smallville, from Paris, France, and takes a position as the school's assistant football coach.<ref name="Gone"> "Gone".

   Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson (writers) & Greg Beeman (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2004-09-29.
 
 No. 2, season 4.
 42 minutes in.
</ref>  He was fired from the school when his relationship with Lana came to light. By the end of the season, it is revealed that he has been working with his mother to track the three stones of knowledge.<ref name="Forever">   "Forever".
   
   Brian Peterson, Kelly Souders (writers) & James Marshall (director) . 
    Smallville.
    The WB .
 
  2005-05-11.
 
 No. 21, season 4.
 42 minutes in.
</ref> Ackles received top billing for season four and was contracted to remain through season five, but was written out of the show in season four's finale due to his commitments to Supernatural.<ref>   Ileane Rudolph
     
   
  . 
 "
   Up Close With Supernatural's Jensen Ackles: Part 1 
     
 " , TV Guide
  , 2007-10-25
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-12-19
 . </ref>

• Aaron Ashmore as Jimmy Olsen: Chloe's photographer boyfriend; he also works at the Daily Planet. Ashmore was a recurring guest for season six but became a regular cast member in season seven.

• Laura Vandervoort as Kara: Clark's Kryptonian cousin. She was sent to look after Kal-El (Clark), but was stuck in suspended animation for eighteen years. When the dam confining her ship broke in the season six finale, "Phantom", she was set free. She has all of Clark's abilities, as well as a few that he doesn't have at the moment, including the ability to fly.<ref> Rich Sands

  . 
 "
   Exclusive: Supergirl Soars Into Smallville 
     
 " , TV Guide
  , 2007-06-11
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-06-11
 . </ref> Gough has stated that she will not wear any version of the Supergirl costume.<ref>   Anthony C. Ferrante
     
   
  . 
 "
   Alfred Gough Speaks About Supergirl on Smallville 
     
 " , iF Magazine
  , 2007-06-12
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-06-13
 . </ref> It was officially announced on July 11, 2007, that Canadian actress Laura Vandervoort was cast as Kara.<ref>   Cynthia Wang
     
   
  . 
 "
   Supergirl lands in Smallville 
     
 " , People
  , 2007-07-11
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-07-11
 . </ref>

Reception

Smallville's first accomplishment was breaking the record for highest rated debut for The WB, with 8.4 million viewers tuning in for its pilot.<ref> Seth Gunderson

  . 
 "
   Smallville, Kansas. The biggest little town you've ever seen. 
     
 " , The Trades
  , 2001-11-05
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-22
 . </ref> A common criticism for the first season was the use of "villain of the week" storylines. By the time the first seven episodes aired, at least one journalist had had enough; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Rob Owen stated, "Smallville flies high with super character interaction and a nice performance by John Schneider as Pa Kent, but the series needs better plots than the "monster of the week" stories seen so far."<ref>   Rob Owen
     
   
  . 
 "
   Tuned In: It's time to revisit the season's new shows 
     
 " , Post-Gazette
  , 2001-11-29
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-06-29
 . </ref> Jordan Levin, president of The WB's Entertainment division, recognized the concerns that the show had become a villain-of-the-week series. Levin announced that season two would see more "smaller mini-arcs over three to four episodes, to get away from some of the formulaic storytelling structure we were getting ourselves boxed into... We don't want to turn it into a serialized show."<ref name="Post">   Rob Owen
     
   
  . 
 "
   Tuned In: UPN got 'Buffy,' but WB gets ratings 
     
 " , Post-Gazette
  , 2002-01-16
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-23
 . </ref> Smallville's first season placed sixth on the Parents Television Council's list of the "best shows for families".<ref>"
   Broadcast TV may test limits on sex, language 
     
 " , Baptist Press
  , 2002-08-26
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-06-04
 . </ref>

On January 24, 2006, it was confirmed Smallville would be part of the new The CW's Fall 2006–2007 lineup once The WB and UPN ceased separate operations and merged as The CW in September 2006.<ref name="new CW"/>

Seasonal rankings (based on average total estimated viewers per episode) of Smallville on The WB and The CW:

  . 
 "
   Tuned In: It's time to revisit the season's new shows 
     
 " , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
  , 2001-11-29
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-27
 . </ref>

. USA Today 
 
 (2002-05-28)
   

  . 
 "
   Smallville 
     
 " , Variety
  , 2003-09-30
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-27
 . </ref>

. ABC Medianet  
 

 

. The Futon Critic  
 

 

. Hollywood Reporter 
 
 (2005-05-27)
   

. The Futon Critic  
 

 

   Series 
     
 " , The Hollywood Reporter
  , 2006-05-26
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-25
 . </ref>

   Series 
     
 " , The Hollywood Reporter
  , 2006-05-26
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-25
 . </ref>

. The Futon Critic  
 

 

   2006-07 primetime wrap 
     
 " , The Hollywood Reporter
  , 2007-05-25
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-25
 . </ref> 

. Metacritic 
 
 (2007-06-18)
   

Awards

Throughout its first six seasons, Smallville has won numerous awards ranging from Emmys to Teen Choice Awards. In 2002, the show was recognized with an Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series.<ref> CNN's 2002 Emmy Winners

. CNN  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-05-02. </ref> Four years later, the series was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Editing for a Series for its fifth season episode "Arrival".<ref> 2006 Primetime Emmy Winners

. Emmys.org  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-23. </ref><ref>Modèle:Cite press release</ref>

The series has been awarded Leo Awards on multiple occasions. Make-up artist Natalie Cosco was awarded the Leo Award for Best Make-Up twice, one for her work in the fourth season episode "Scare",<ref> 2005 Leo Awards

. LeoAwards.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-23. </ref> and one for her work in the sixth season episodes "Hydro" and "Wither".<ref name="2007 Leo"> 2007 Leo Awards

. LeoAwards.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-23. </ref> In the 2006 Leo Awards, Barry Donlevy took home Best Cinematography in a Dramatic Series for his work on the fourth season episode "Spirit", while David Wilson won Best Production Design in a Dramatic Series for "Sacred".<ref> 2006 Leo Awards

. LeoAwards.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-23. </ref> Smallville's sixth season won a Leo Award for Best Dramatic Series; James Marshall won Best Direction for "Zod"; Caronline Cranstoun won Best Costume Design for her work on "Arrow", and James Philpott won Best Production Design for "Justice".<ref name="2007 Leo"/> The visual effects team was recognized for their work on the pilot with an award for Best Visual Effects in 2002.<ref> 2002 Leo Awards

. LeoAwards.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-06-28. </ref> They were later recognized by the Visual Effects Society with a 2004 VES Award for Outstanding Compositing in a Televised Program, Music Video or Commercial, for the work they did on the second season episode "Accelerate". That same year, they won for Outstanding Matte Painting in a Televised Program, Music Video, or Commercial for season two’s "Insurgence".<ref> Visual Effects Society Awards

. VESAwards.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-23. </ref>

In 2002, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers honored the band Remy Zero, who provide the opening theme song, "Save Me", for Smallville, and composer Mark Snow for their contributions to the show. The award is given to individuals who wrote the theme, or underscore for the highest rated television series during January 1 - December 31, 2001.<ref> 2002 ASCAP Awards

. ASCAP  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-05-02. </ref> The American Society of Cinematographers gave the series an award for the work done on the sixth season episode "Arrow".<ref> 2006 ASC Award Winners

. Alternative Film Guide  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-23. </ref> Members of the regular cast have won awards for their portrayals on the show. In 2001, Michael Rosenbaum won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor.<ref name="awards"> Saturn Television Awards

. Saturn Awards  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-05-02. </ref> Tom Welling won a Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout TV Star – Male in 2002,<ref> 2002 Teen Choice Awards

. All Your TV  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-05-02. </ref> while Allison Mack was awarded Best Sidekick in 2006.<ref> 2006 Teen Choice Award Winners

. Fox  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-23. </ref> Mack won Best Sidekick for the second year in a row when she took home the award in the 2007 Teen Choice Awards.<ref> 2007 Teen Choice Award Winners

. Fox  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-08-27. </ref>

Other media

Allison Mack's character Chloe Sullivan has starred in two promotional tie-in series, Smallville: Chloe Chronicles, and Vengeance Chronicles. There were two "Chloe Chronicles" editions. The first featured Chloe investigating further into the events of the first season episode "Jitters". The second edition, Chloe Chronicles, Vol II, was a continuation of the first. In total, the first two series included seven mini-episodes. The third series was a spin-off of the fifth season episode "Vengeance". Titled Vengeance Chronicles, Chloe joins forces with a costumed vigilante whom she dubs the "Angel of Vengeance." In a promotional tie-in with Sprint, Smallville Legends: The Oliver Queen Chronicles was released dictating the early life of Oliver Queen in a six-episode CGI series.<ref> Official Press Release About The Oliver Queen Chronicles

. KryptonSite  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-01-19. </ref>

On April 19, 2007, a tie-in with Toyota, promoting their new Yaris, featured an online comic strip as interstitial programs, during new episodes, titled Smallville Legends: Justice & Doom. The interactive comic was based on the episode "Justice", which follows the adventures of Oliver Queen, Bart Allen, Victor Stone, and Arthur Curry as they seek to destroy all of LuthorCorp's secret experimental labs. The online series allowed viewers to investigate alongside the fictional team, in an effort to win prizes.<ref name="Justice and Doom"> Smallville Legends: Justice and Doom press release

. Superman Homepage.com  
 

 

. Retrieved on 2007-04-20. </ref> The plots of Smallville and the Smallville Legends: Justice & Doom are integral and complimentary to each other. Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar also developed an Aquaman pilot for The WB Television Network, with Justin Hartley as Arthur Curry.<ref name="backgroundaqua"> Josef Adalian

     (2005-11-13)
   
.    WB dives into 'Aquaman' 
. Variety 
   

. Retrieved on 2007-01-01. </ref> The series was planned to follow the adventures of Arthur, in the same fashion that was being done with Clark. Following the merger of the WB and UPN, the resulting CW network opted not to produce the show.

DVD releases

Main article: Smallville DVD releases

Seasons one through to six have been released in Regions 1, 2 & 4. DVD releases include commentary by cast and crew members on select episodes, deleted scenes, and featurettes. The promotional tie-ins, Chloe Chronicles and Vengeance Chronicles, accompanied the season two, three, and five box sets respectively. Other special features include interactive features such as a tour of Smallville, or a comic book. There are also DVD-ROM features on some DVDs.

. Amazon  
 

 

. Amazon France  
 

 

. JB HI-FI online  
 

 

. Amazon  
 

 

. Amazon France  
 

 

. JB HI-FI online  
 

 

. Amazon  
 

 

. Amazon France  
 

 

. JB HI-FI online  
 

 

. Amazon  
 

 

. Amazon France  
 

 

. JB HI-FI online  
 

 

. Amazon  
 

 

. Amazon France  
 

 

. Ezydvd  
 

 

  . 
 "
   Smallville - Clark's secret is out: 6th Season Street date, costs, and extras! 
     
 " , TVShowsOnDVD
  , 2007-05-23
 
  . Retrieved on 2007-05-24
 . </ref>

. Amazon  
 

 

. Sanity  
 

 

References

External links

Modèle:Wikiquote

Official

• Official website
• Smallville on YTV (Canada)

Official tie-in sites

• Town of Smallville, Kansas
• The Smallville Torch
• The Smallville Ledger
• The Ezra Small House & Museum
• The Talon
• LuthorCorp Homepage

Miscellaneous

• KryptonSite
• Smallville at Wikia.com- A Smallville wiki encyclopedia
• Interview with the WWE's Kane
• The Kryptonite closet: Silence and queer secrecy in Smallville
• Smallville DVD's

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