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Rating:  -
Season Four of this ground-breaking show proves one thing - not one avatar of Superman before this has done the concept THIS well. At the time of writing, actor Tom Welling is officially the longest-playing Superman in history (be it radio, TV or film), and "Smallville" is well on its' way to being the most revolutionary TV Series ever to be created on a superhero. Nothing else comes close.
There are a few things to look out for in this series, and I've listed both the good and the bad below:
1. Krypto (Super-Dog) : Yes, that's right. Season Four introduces us to Super-Dog (if you're a comic book fan, you'll know that Superman had a pet dog as well as a pet Super-Cat). Krypto is eventually named `Shelby' in his introductory episode here, but he has super-powers (due to meteor rocks, and LuthorCorp testing). The dog itself is played by a reasonably cute mutt, and the storyline was solid here. In fact, the episode `Krypto' ranks as one of the best in this season.
2. Lois Lane : Season Four officially introduced Lois Lane, and thank God for it. Even though actress Erica Durance claims she is about 29 years old, and is playing an eighteen year old, she actually looks about 40 (honestly), which is a bit unsettling at times. Of the entire cast, only Kristin Kreuk is playing anywhere near her real age. With Lois Lane, I expected someone a little more youthful, but Erica plays this character with so much humor and dark comedy (she also has the best one-liners), that its hard to hate her.
3. Countess Margaret Isobel Thoreaux : Lana Lang continues to unravel through the season, as she is apparently the descendant of a 15th century witch in Europe. This plot was a bit nonsensical and its clear the writers had nowhere to go with it. However, at least we got to witness some awesome special effects. However, this gave the makers some license to turn Lana's eyes purple every now and then and display a few powers even greater than Clarks.
4. Jason Teague : This fourth season also marked the debut of actor Jensen Ackles (CWs' "Supernatural") in the role of Lana's new boyfriend Jason Teague. Now Jensen is a really good actor, but you will be shocked at the speed of which they turned his character into a `bad guy' and sent him packing. Alongwith his mother Genevieve (played hilariously by Jane Seymour), this was a waste of some fine talent. In fact, I consider Jensen to be even better looking than Tom Welling, so this was a sore point indeed.
5. More nudity/gratuitous sex : We are reminded early on in this season that Clark and Lana are both virgins (which is kind of unbelievable). Tom Welling has a lot more opportunity here to display some skin (not that his fans are complaining). This is one actor who has refused to strip from the waist down (which is why the most undressed you'll ever find him is with his shirt off). Kristin Kreuk is clothed throughout though.
6. Clark Kent gets Married : Yes, that's right. This season has Clark getting married to resident psycho Alicia, but we're told it doesn't mean anything since they're both underage. Also, the marriage is very quickly forgotten about, which I thought was a little too convenient.
7. The CHINA Episode : The episode set in China (or Chinese sets, whatever) was one of the most beautiful and visually stunning episodes I had seen of this show. I've been a fan since Season 1, but this episode, especially the parts set in the monastery with the martial arts, was just spectacular. You have to see it to believe it.
8. Martha Kent possessed by the spirit of a teenager : Yes, that's right, and she lip-synchs to Ashlee Simpsons' "La La". This is much better than it sounds.
Overall though, I have to say this was not the best season. Despite some new inclusions, many episodes felt like a total waste of time. For every episode that stuck to the storyline, we had two-three episodes that went totally off-target and had nothing to do with Clark Kent or anyone. Hardcore fans must feel cheated! However, Tom Welling has improved dramatically as an actor, though the same cannot be said of Kristin Kreuk who plays Lana Lang. The actress, who showed so much growth in Season 2, looked dazed and confused throughout this mess. The poor script didn't help her either. Also, they REALLY tried hard to get some humorous banter going between Clark and Lana, and I was like WHY did they have to bother.
The other wasted actors were the ones playing the parents of Clark. They have less and less to do each season, and it is a disservice to Annette O'Toole that she is being given such woefully small parts to play these days. The only one I can say who came out truly unscathed was Allison Mack (Chloe) who just keeps growing as an actress. At times, you begin to wonder if the entire show should be written around her instead.
However, the Final Episode of Season Four ties up things pretty well, and Clark gets a grip on his destiny and thwarts Lexs' evil plans. The ending is a bit ambiguous, but nothing that Season Five doesn't clarify. I only hope they give Lana Lang a much meatier role in Season Seven (now that they killed her off in Season Six).
All in All, though this was one of the weaker seasons, there is enough for all fans to love and enjoy. And yes, it is monumental that they finally introduced Lois Lane, at long last.
Rating:  -
I would surmise that the writers felt compelled to go with more T&A while forgetting all about the demographics of a diverse audience. I love the potential of the plot line but, I have to watch each show twice ....once to screen it for my 9 year old daughter, and if it meets my approval, a 2nd time so she is able to watch it with me.
Even though we are coming to the end of season 6, as of the date of this writing, I would have felt compelled to kill off Lana before another season under their belts. If the writers have her visit Clark one more time in his loft I may have to take matters into my own hands;-)
Over-all this season teases you with Clarks real abilities yet trounces his 'super-hero' status by having him kicked around by witches and the like....{Geeze, was the writer throwing nods to "Charmed" or just bored and intoxicated at the same time.} What a waste of celluloid.
This season keeps you on track but, if it were a race horse...you would not have bet on it for winning the possibilities of more seasons. I'm glad though, given the horse, that we are still able to have follow up seasons.
Attention writers...take a long vacation..come back re-charged....or at least run a competition for the top 11 best viewer stories. I'm sure we could save half your sesason and for sure one show without Lana ending up at the end of the program in Clark's loft.... Where's my literary gun???
Rating: -
I know smallville, had started as a family show, but i believe it has taken a turn to the adult world.
Rating:  -
This season was a great installment to the Smallville series. Can't wait until season 5!!
Rating: -
My wife purchased Smallville seasons 1-3 for me and presented them to me as a Christmas gift. I put on a good face but was not overly thrilled. I had never seen Smallville the series but she knew I liked XMen, superhero type stuff so she took a chance.
It was almost like an addiction. I started watching Season 1 and could hardly stop the DVD. And watching shows like this minus the commercials...well, it's great. It really lets you get into the flow of the show and watching back to back episodes is outstanding.
I think this is a great show and the Season 4 dvd was not a letdown. Great content with compelling story lines and just enough humor/fun tossed in to make it entertaining. I am really enjoying the series.
I would recommend this Season 4 pack to anyone who is a fan of the series or even if you have never seen it. Within one or two episodes you would pick up with the action no problem.
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