Our Top 10 Smallville Episodes

The show produced 217 episodes over its 10 year run

Smallville is credited as the show that paved the way for shows such as Arrow and The Flash to exist. Showcasing the early years of Clark Kent, this show had fans waiting patiently over a decade as he eventually became the Man of Steel.

The team at ScreenHeads have put together the top 10 episodes that fans definitely need to go back and watch.

10. Rosetta (2×17)

This episode finally has Clark finding out more details of his origins. He begins to learn about the planet Krypton, the planet’s language, and also sadly its destruction years previously.

As a fun explorative episode, we also get one big appearance in the shape of Virgil Swann. He is played by the most memorable Superman actor, the late Christopher Reeve. A very iconic scene between Reeve and Smallville’s Clark Kent, Tom Welling, which is sure to give fans chills.

9. Arrival (5×01)

Season 5 was advertised as “Superman in Training” and this episode definitely indicates that. With Season 4’s closing moments paying homage to Superman‘s creation of the Fortress of Solitude, we knew Kal-El’s Kryptonian club house was going to make it’s debut. And boy does it.

The episode also introduces other aliens for Clark to battle for the first time, which in itself is exciting to watch as the hero is for once on a very equal playing field.

8. Descent (7×16)

An episode that was a long time coming. Since the show’s beginning, it had been heavily indicated that Lex’s fall to evil will be fuelled by his father, Lionel Luthor.

As Lex had definitely started down his dark path at least 2 seasons earlier, Descent finally staples in his label as a villain with the character murdering his own father, as long theorised. The death of Lionel is much more hard-hitting as expected with the show exploring the character as an ally to Clark eventually, acting as a sort of father figure.

The episode also gives us an interesting power play conversation between friends turned enemies as Clark and Lex bout over Lionel’s sudden death.

7. Exile (3×01)

The ultimate teenage runaway story. We pick up 3 months after Season 2’s finale, which saw Clark indirectly cause his mother’s miscarriage and throw away his long-awaited relationship with Lana Lang. Clark now lives a life of crime in Metropolis under the influence of red kryptonite.

It makes for a nice change of pace as we watch Clark as a villain. If you want to watch the future Man of Tomorrow is his bad boy stage and out of his comfort zone, you need to get back to this entry.

6. Vessel (5×22)

One of the strongest season finales the show produced by a long shot. Vessel ties up all of Season 5’s threads, with the villainous Brianiac’s endgame being revealed and Lex becoming the host of legendary comic book villain General Zod.

The final shots are fan pleasers as Lex/Zod kisses Lana Lang over a war-torn Metropolis, then panning up into space to find Clark locked away in the Phantom Zone helplessly. A very exciting spot to leave viewers until Season 6.

5. Zod (6×01)

The season opener after our previous entry in this list, this episode gives us a sort of Clark vs Lex battle. As Clark battles his way through the Phantom Zone, Zod plans out his attack on Earth, with the characters eventually duking it out.

It is a triumphant premiere that finally starts to lean even further into the alien aspect of the Superman story. A definite crowd pleaser for those wanting some heroic moments and iconic lines. “My father sends his regards” is still a chill giver.

4. Reckoning (5×12)

The show’s 100th episode. Smallville perfectly marks the occasion with a plot thread being tied up whilst tipping the hat to an iconic moment from Richard Donner’s Superman; having Jonathan Kent die.

A great episode for hardcore fans and it is an excellent way to propel the show into it’s next 100 episodes; having Clark have to trust in his own guidance moving forward. A tear jerker episode that is still sad to watch but makes for one of the best entries from the writers.

3. Finale (10×21/22)

The final ever story from the Smallville camp. Having to tie up 10 years worth of character building. Breaking the “no tights, no flights” rule and giving a good enough reason to do so. No easy feat. But it is done perfectly.

We get a wonderful ending for the show and a super (wink wink) introduction to their version of Superman finally. The closing shot may seem a bit over the top but fans of the show can’t say it isn’t satisfactory. This episode could have fell flat but every big moment lands well. Namely the first flight and the suiting up is incredible.

2. Justice (6×11)

Most fans were probably disappointed that we weren’t getting the Justice League we are used to. But, after this episode most probably felt at ease. Clark finds himself teaming up with Green Arrow, Aquaman, Cyborg and Impulse to take down Lex Luthor’s 33.1 facility, and it makes for a fun superhero team up.

In the days before Arrowverse crossovers, this was a big crowd pleaser. Who doesn’t love the iconic walk away from the explosion in the image above? A very cool entrance for Smallville’s version of Justice League and exciting moments from start to finish.

1. Homecoming (10×04)

Making it into the top spot is another milestone episode. Again, filled with easter eggs and fun nods to the Superman mythology. This 200th episode of the show has Clark revisiting important moments from his past and then accidentally being thrust into the future where he learns about his future as Metropolis’ saviour. We even unexpectedly have him coming face to face with his future self! If you love the show and everything it’s built, this is the one for you. An episode full of exciting sequences and fun nods to the show’s history. Though we had less than a season until the show ended at this point, we still got an excellent narrative for why Clark moves even closer to his historic identity as the Man of Steel.

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Agree with our choices? Think other episodes deserved to make it into the top 10? Think another episode deserved the top spot? Let us know in the comment section below!