In Smallville's first season, the "hook" of the show was pretty simple: "Superman in high school". In seasons two and three, the series began straying from hallways and lockers, but still maintained that adolescent feel. Here in season four, however, it is clear that the high school angle is actually wearing the show down to the studs--it needs to grow but is unable to even begin doing so until graduation day.
There are some obvious problems with S4 that clearly denote it as the weakest of the bunch thus far:
-The season-long arc surrounding the "stones of power" and Lana (Kristin Kreuk) being possessed by a medieval witch's spirit. Despite getting one comedic episode out of that premise, this storyline bogs down the entire season and ends up not even really mattering in the endgame. A very poor concept to base this campaign around.
-Remember when you thought Whitney from S1 was a useless character? Well, let me introduce you to Jason Teague (Jensen Ackles)--easily the most useless Lana love interest to date. His family arc also ruins what could have been a really standout guest starring role from Jane Seymour (she is still great, but those characters are as confusing as they are uninspiring).
-The introduction of Lois Lane (Erica Durance) onto the farm, as it were. I get the intention, seeing as how Margot Kidder's film portrayal is so iconic. But this Lois is little more than a super-annoyance--we're talking teeth-gratingly so--and her role is completely undefined. In short, she isn't needed here whatsoever and her presence actually sort of mucks up the mythology.
Though clearly a notch below its predecessors in overall quality, S4 does have a few shining moments to keep things watchable:
-Continued great acting from Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor, such as in a body-split episode ala Captain Kirk in Star Trek. Tom Welling--Clark--also puts in a nice turn mimicking the mannerisms of Lionel Luthor (John Glover) in a similar type situation.
-Though Lois's introduction doesn't "hit", the first glimpses of Bart Allen (Kyle Gallner)--The Flash--and trickster Mxyzptlk (Trent Ford) prove to be solid episodes.
-A two-episode angle that sees the return of Alicia Baker (Sarah Carter)--Clark's former love--might actually be some of the best work the show has ever done in terms of pure emotion and fun.
I think the uneven nature of this fourth season can also be seen simply by examining its beginning and end. The premiere--Crusade--is actually a great episode that seems to set the table for some very interesting plot and character angles. But by the finale--Commencement--the show is so thematically lost that the actual pomp and circumstance is secondary to the asinine stones quest, Teagues, and CGI effects. Very clearly not the same sentiment as that first time we all glimpsed Smallville High.
As I continue a Smallville re-watch, I'm interested to remember what season five brings, now freed from the high school of it all. I hope it allows for some innovation in storytelling and character arcs, as those areas got a little embarrassing over the course of these 22 episodes.
