#25-Bride

Season 8, Episode 10

Lana-"But maybe Clark Kent and Lana Lang just weren't meant to end up together." "Bride" is one of 3 episodes from this recent season that will be featured on this list. Not only was it an impressive debut of the first live action version of Doomsday but a very well written episode which saw all the characters featured maturing on Jimmy and Chloe's wedding day. Virtually every character featured had their time to shine and it felt like a great ensemble episode, which Smallville hasn't had in a while. One of the surprising highlights of the episode was Kristin Kreuk's return as Lana! Hard to believe, but her scenes with Clark were some of the best between these characters in years. Both Clark and Lana finally spoke to each other like adults with Lana pretty much telling Clark she's moved on and Clark being okay with that. It's too bad the writers had to ruin such progress and closure for Clana with "Power" and "Requiem" as Lana's storyline could have easily ended at the end of the "Bride"/"Legion" arc. Anyway, the Clois scenes in the episode were passionate and very moving. Even without speaking, you sense the genuine attraction between Clark and Lois. It's too bad their kiss was ruined by Lana's return, but looking back, it wasn't time for that step in their relationship yet.

Another favorite scene of mine is when a slightly heartbroken Lois and Oliver talk about her feelings for her "new guy". I love Lois's vulnerability and Erica Durance truly shines here. I also love how Oliver just knew she was talking about Clark and seemed like he was encouraging Lois to pursue him. Shows just how much Oliver really cares for Lois still. But even all these scenes can't top Doomsday's arrival at the wedding. It's one of the darkest, most brutal sequences of the series as Doomsday destroys everything in his path, including defeating Clark without much effort and nearly killing Jimmy. Not to mention, the closing moments are right up there with some of Smallville's greatest moments as Chloe is re-infected by Brainiac and a tub filled Lex is watching the wedding video in the shadows. "Bride" is an exceptional effort and one of the reasons why Season 8 revived the series.

#24-Reckoning

Season 5, Episode 12

Clark-"...I'm always going to need you Dad." In this heartbreaking 100th episode, "Reckoning" is simply Smallville at it's finest! While some hate it for it's "Groundhog Day" scenario and Lana being brought back to life, the writing, the direction and especially the acting make this one of the most memorable episodes of Smallville. The scene where Clark tells Lana his secret in the Fortress is such a beautiful moment and can't imagine a better way for Clark to reveal the truth to Lana. Both Tom Welling and Kristen Kreuk are wonderful throughout, especially how Lana struggles but ultimately makes the decision to marry Clark after knowing the truth. Unlike most Clana episodes, this one is a special one for the couple with no angst, no lies and all happiness. Then you have Jonathan winning the race for Kansas Senator and everyone just enjoyed by all the good news going around. Everything is too perfect, everyone is too happy, which always means something truly awful is about to happen. When Lana goes to see a drunken, upset Lex after losing the race, we knew this wouldn't end well and it didn't! Lana's death is one of many sad moments throughout this episode and Tom Welling's performance as Clark breaks down over her dead body is some of his best work on this series as well as when Clark asks Jor-El to bring Lana back in the Fortress.

From there the episode rewinds back to the beginning, this time the episode isn't as pleasant as we see the same scenes from the first half, but with more angst and terrible out comes. But what I love about the second time around with these scenes is how other characters are affected by it. Yeah, Clark manages to save Lana this time, but Lois is electrocuted and Jonathan gets into a brutal fight between Lionel at the barn. It's powerful and sadly, last moment for Pa Kent as his final act is protecting his family like he should but dies in the arms of his family soon after. Jonathan's death and funeral are the most powerful moments from this series as saying goodbye to such a good character is truly overwhelming. Yet it's a move that is apart of the mythology and would push Clark further toward his destiny. "Reckoning" is a fantastic outing from this series full of emotion, heart and spirit.

#23-Promise

Season 6, Episode 16

Chloe-"Clark, you don't hesitate to run into a burning building or jump in front of a bullet because nothing can penetrate that iron flesh of yours. But the one time saving Lana means putting your heart on the line, the Man of Steel is nowhere to be found." Ironically, the whole Clexana aspect of Season 6 was one of the weakest storylines of the season, yet episodes like "Crimson" and especially "Promise" are some of the best from the series. "Promise" is more of a character study of Clark, Lex and Lana than a melodramatic fest that most people would conceive it to be. The way the episode is structured is nothing new, but it's ingeniously used here to show the different perspectives of scenes we've seen before. The first 3 acts show how Lex and Lana's wedding day affected the 3 leads of the hour in tragic ways, giving us insight into how they truly feel about losing the ones they love. Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum and Kristin Kreuk all give strong performances with what Clark, Lana and Lex have to face in their future. Then there's tremendous plot moving moments like Clark fighting for Lana, Lex killing Dr. Langston and especially Lana learning Clark's secret finally! Then you have Lionel reverting back to his Magnificent Bastard days when he threatens to kill Clark if Lana doesn't marry Lex. What? Where did this come form? It's a confusing yet chilling turn of events as Lana is forced to marry Lex and leave the love of her life behind. The final moments where a saddened Clark tries to stop Lana from going off with Lex and Lana watching a heartbroken Clark as she drives away even got me a little choked up!

With special use of wedding invitations cards before each act, frightening images (the freak baby) and the touching return of Eleanor "Nell" Potter as Aunt Neil, "Promise" is more than a special wedding episode, it's a masterful mix of emotions from our 3 leads and not in that usual, Smallville soap opera way!

#22-Justice

Season 6, Episode 11

Oliver-"This isn't the end of the story Clark, this is just the beginning." What more can be said about "Justice" that hasn't been said? It's so awesome! Since Bart first referenced the Justice League 2 years before this episode, fans probably never expected for the writers to actually feature an episode of a proto-Justice League! Well, they were wrong. Not only do the writers pull it off, but make probably the best televised live action superhero team up episode ever! I knew after the stunning race between Bart and Clark at the beginning of the episode that this would be epic! I mean you have a great storyline with Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow assembling a group of superheroes to stop Lex Luthor from building an army of meteor freaks. It has all the makings for a signature comic book storyline! I loved the return of Bart (Impluse), AC (Aquaman) and Victor (Cyborg) as all 3 heroes get their time in the spotlight. Then you have Lex actually acting like a supervillain by trapping Bart in a deadly prison where if he stops running, he dies! Also, Chloe becomes the first unofficial Oracle of the JL, which was just more awesome. My only gripe is Clark is secondary in all of this and doesn't get much to do besides save Bart.

With amazing special effects, great returns from past characters, a villainous Lex Luthor, fun dialogue and a promise by Oliver for more adventures for JL, "Justice" is every comic book fans' dream come true!

#21-Leech

Season 1, Episode 12

Clark-"Sometimes, letting go is the only way to move forward." An underrated gem from the very 1st season, sometimes fans forget "Leech" was the first indication that Clark was on his way to becoming the legendary hero he's destined to be! Why? Because even powerless and with Eric with his powers, Clark was more heroic and responsible than he usually is when dealing with a meteor freak. Clark learns that being a hero is in his blood and that he will always be there to help those in need. It's a great development and one the writers handle with care. Clark's first time as a mortal is both humorous and emotionally frustrating like it should be. Eric Summers is one of my favorite meteor freaks played wonderfully by Shawn Ashmore. Eric's home life is pretty sad and he is just seeking acceptance like any other teenager. With Clark's powers, he eventually gets that acceptance and then some. It's ironic, considering Clark always thought if everyone knew about his powers they would treat him like a freak. It's great seeing Eric treated like a hero and called Superboy by the citizens of Smallville while Clark is jealous yet worried about how far Eric will go with his powers. When Eric does go too far, Clark shows how brave he is and how he is the Man of Steel with or without his powers. Of course, this was before Clark lost his powers a dozen times throughout the series! I also like the back and forth banter between Clark and Lex as Lex picks the worst time to believe Clark is more than human.

Just as much as "Leech" saw Clark moving toward his heroic destiny, we saw Lex moving toward his supervillian persona. Lex's sub-plot with Victoria was brilliant, giving us one of Lex's most powerful lines as he tells her "I plan on being great all by myself". Lex probably didn't know how deep his words meant at the time...or maybe he did? Regardless, it was an excellent foreshadowing of Earth's greatest villain! "Leech" is full of tremendous development for the young Superman and his future nemesis!