It has been conceded that despite Smallville's spectacular ten season run, it is chalk full of horrendous (for the lack of better word)things. Even a hardcore Smallville fan and comic book movie fan in general, I realize that Smallville, in any account, is not the best show. In this article, I will discuss SOME of the bad moves that the Smallville execs have made throughout the run. However, it should be noted that any special effects or other things that may be limited by budgets, will not be accounted for in here.
This is an editorial and everything here is MY opinion!
Whitney Fordman
While I've enjoyed the character Whitney Fordman in the first couple episodes of Season 1 (especially the first episode), I found that his character plot ran out rather quickly. I really thought that the jock boyfriend of Lana Lang did not have to be a starring character. It would've been better if the character of Whitney Fordman remain a background recurring character. However, the idea to have the character join the army was a horrible way of sending off the character (especially since it was only the end of the first season). I think it would've been better to either keep him on as a recurring character or just make him an upperclassmen who graduated. They could use the army excuse if it was the end of the second or third season, but not the first.
Henry James Olsen
I enjoyed Aaron Ashmore's performance of Jimmy Olsen much like I enjoyed Eric Johnson's performance of Whitney Fordman. Both character's subplot ran out very quickly. In Olsen's case, I enjoyed his earlier appearances when he was younger, livelier, and not as neat. I thought that he was more fun to watch then. In the end, he became too outlandish, too prim and proper, too old (looking), and not even Jimmy Olsen. Stupid.
Doomsday
I think most people can agree that Doomsday was one of if not the worst long-term bad guy in Smallville's 10 season run. He simply did not match up with the likes of Lex, Lionel, Braniac, and even Zod. I thought the character was brought up too early in Clark Kent's career.
However, strangely enough, I did enjoy Smallville's own take on Doomsday. The idea that he was genetically engineer by Zod and Faora as there son AND has a human form is an interesting concept. I think Sam Witwer did his best to portray Doomsday given the script that the writers came up with. However, all this got kind of erased in that disastrous five second battle between Doomsday and Clark.
Continuity
What really peeves me about Smallville is its lack of continuity. It seems like things never really carry through from season to season. I didn't think that there was enough mention of several influential figure in Clark's life including Pete Ross, Virgil Swann, Alicia Baker, Ryan James, and even Lana Lang (in later episodes). Oliver Queen never mentioned Speedy either anymore. Also, other heroes that have been introduced need to be mentioned more so it feel like they're actually doing something. I feel like there needs to be more subtle hints about these characters in these later episodes.
Limited Set
I know that this probably played into the budget idea that I said I wouldn't discuss but as an honorable mention, it annoys me that everything look so fake in Smallville now. Who likes staring at the same street corner every episode?
Divergence from Comic Book Lore
Sometimes I enjoy Smallville's own take on characters but in other times, not so much. I dislike the fact that sometimes Smallville jumps over 1 incarnation of the characters and went straight for the later incarnation (Speedy & Blue Beetle). And despite the fact that I like the idea of Supergirl and Superboy, I felt that characters like these were introduced waaaaaaaay too early in Clark's career as a hero. Somehow, Kara became Supergirl before Clark became Superman. Same thing with Cyborg. He's portrayed too old in the show and the character should not have been brought on in the first place. Also, Lois Lane was brought in too early in the series.
Too Many DC Characters
Now don't get me wrong, for the most part, I enjoy the DC characters that writers put into the show but I feel like a surplus of them takes away from the originality of the show. Most of the characters don't further any character development. I felt like the beginning of the series was more original. Just look at Smallville's version of Mxyzptlk; original and cool.
Oliver Queen (and all things related)
While I enjoy Justin Hartley's performance as the Green Arrow, I do not think he should have been anything more than a recurring figure because as another starring superhero character, it kind of takes away from Clark. I rather Clark be the one handling all the problems in Metropolis. They should have left Oliver Queen in Star City.
And sorry to any Ollie & Chloe fans. I am not a fan of their pairing WHATSOEVER. I am fan of their individual characters though. On a related note, I think Black Canary should not have been introduce in the show as such an old-looking character. I've always thought that Black Canary should be significantly younger than Green Arrow.
Lex & Lana Luthor
While the idea of Lex and Lana hooking up together is a interesting (possibly even a good one), once they got married, it all went downhill. In the end, this subplot turned out to be a waste of time beyond the fact that it caused more of a rift between Lex and Clark (even though they were already enemies by then so it's still a waste of time).
Death of Lex
Lex's death should never had been portrayed or happened. I think it would have been fine if Lex is given a small, once-in-a-while mention or appearance. And if it was necessary to get rid of the character, there could've been a better excuse. Jail would've suffice for me.
Filler Episodes
I think it's a given that people are quite tired of the filler episodes that tend to pop up every couple episodes. They're just for fun and most of the time do not advance either the plot or the character development. Superpower Lois anyone?
Script
Smallville needs to hire better writers who can write better plots and dialogue. Also...the corny reference to actual things need to stop including any reference of Clark to High School Musical. That was just plain wrong.
Realism
I'm not talking about special effect or whatever. I mean, it's simply not realistic. What bachelor billionaire go walking in the street of Metropolis and not get followed by a throng of paparazzi? Where are the bodyguards? None existent apparently. Smallville just needs to portray things in a more realistic light. That's all.
Overuse of Lana Lang
I think most people can agree that Lana Lang was overused too much. I think she should've been out of the show by Season 5 or Season 6. Her abrupt departure was poorly done and her guest star return was absolutely horrendous. However, I will applaud Smallville execs for going against the stereotype and casting someone who isn't what Lana is like in the comics. Same goes with Pete.
The Blur
The biggest idiocy in all of Smallville's 10 season is the title "The Blur". Quite the stupidest thing I have ever heard of and I am surprise it is still being used. Also...the "all black" phase in Season 9 was also unnecessary at this stage in Clark's journey to becoming Superman simply cause Season 9 was not the darkest part of his journey. I believe Season 10 is.
Anyway, hope you enjoy that long read! Notice how I didn't question the acting in Smallville. This will be explained in my next article about the Good Stuff in the show.