#20-Crusade

Season 4, Episode 1

Clark/Kal-El-"I am Kal-El of Krypton. It's time for me to fulfill my destiny!" How couldn't I put "Crusade' on this list? It features 2 of the biggest events of the series at that point: 1) Lois Lane makes her debut onto the series and 2) Clark finally flies...or at least his possessed self does! The opening sequence is both some what iconic and beyond hilarious as Lois Lane introduces herself to a amnesic Clark, who is also naked. Erica Durance really makes a great first impression as Superman's future leading lady as she has that feisty attitude and witty humor that made Lois Lane the legendary comic book character she was for 70 years! Lois immediately fits into the narrative and interacts with the cast very well. The episode works very well by introducing new characters and plots while rapping up the shocking cliffhangers at the end of Season 3. It's funny how this episode introduces the newest version of Lois Lane while bringing back the old version aka Margot Kidder (Lois Lane of the 70s/80s Superman films!) I love her character of Bridgette Crosby and how she helps Martha save Clark from Jor-El's control. It's also cool seeing Margot and Annette O' Toole reunite after working with each other years ago on Superman 3.

But the biggest and best part of the episode is when Clark, now programmed as Kal-El, takes flight for the first time. It's one of the most stunning and epic moments of the series with plenty of Superman references along the way. Lana's sub-plot is also interesting, for the most part, as we're introduced to Jason, a decent character here and a mysterious tattoo that appears on her back. "Crusade" is an epic opener with some wonderful developments and moments throughout!

#19-Hidden

Season 5, Episode 3

Jor-El/Lionel-"You're about to face your darkest hour my son but, remember the lessons we learn from pain are the ones that make us the strongest." "Hidden" is what many would call a thrill ride and what a ride it was! It's episodes like this that made me remember how much of an action adventure series Smallville use to be. Now, the series can barely pull off something as epic as this, obviously because of budget cuts, but it's mostly because the writers can't seem to write more episodes like this in general. This may seem like just a meteor freak episode but it's so much more than that. The threat of a missile destroying Smallville is handled very real and all the characters experience some truly overwhelming moments. Gabriel is actually a good villain with a good motive and the actor really brings depth to the role. Then we have the last real genuine moments Clark and Lana ever had. They are deeply in love and having sex, which brought a hilarious scene after the teaser. The scene where Lana visits Clark at the hospital and watches him die is quite chilling and Kristin Kreuk nearly had me in tears from her performance. Clark's resurrection scene is both beautifully shot and powerfully acted by John Glover as Lionel becomes Jor-El's vessel. Jor-El's warning about Clark losing a loved one is sad yet you know it pains Jor-El to put his son through this. One of the best moments between father and son that Clark and Jor-El eve had.

What follows after that is Clark's finest save on the series yet as Clark literally jumps onto the launching missile and deactivates it in space. It's visually stunning and unbelievably heroic for Clark, showing how much his powers are growing and how much more heroic he was becoming. Other great scenes are Gabriel shooting Clark, Lana confronting a cold hearted Lex who didn't even seem to care Clark died in the first place, Lana running into Clark's arms and Clark's talk with Chloe at the end. "Hidden" is a superb emotional thriller in it's own right and also began more storylines for the season.

#18-Prey

Season 8, Episode 6

John Jones-"You are not in Smallville anymore, Clark. Metropolis has millions of people walking the streets, every one of them watching for a miracle to change their lives, to give them hope. You *are* that miracle. And it's just a matter of time before someone discovers that." Before "Prey", I thought Season 8 was mediocre so far: the premiere was decent; the next 3 episodes were meh and Committed was the only truly great episode at that point. But nothing could prepare me for my reaction to "Prey". The episode began with a "Quarantine" rip-off, but as soon as Clark started saving random people around Metropolis....my jaw dropped! Was Clark really doing what I think he's doing? The superjump onto the top of the Ace of Clubs...HOLY CRAP! Detective Jone Johns....Amazing! Clark saying the day he stops saving lives is the day he stops trying...*APPLAUSE*! I couldn't believe some fans have the nerve of saying Clark's whole hero mode was too light switch! Please, more like way over do and 7 years of mopping paying off! This was Clark how he should be, pro-active and ready to save the day. I also loved how Clark and Chloe were at odds this episode as Clark became more independent and investigated on his own...again...like he should be! Here is where I also realized Sam Witwer was a great actor and the writers were writing this Doomsday storyline with care. Also, Jimmy was in top form and the whole twist with the Shadow thief was excellent. The story was so cohesive and the characters were acting more logical than most episodes of Smallville. This was probably the best use of John Jones yet and his speech to Clark about his identity was perfect!

I think IGN's review said it best that "Prey" is a darker, more mature brand of Smallville that should be the mold each episode should follow. "Identity" may get all the praise, but "Prey" was the true gem here. Hard to believe the same writers who wrote "Prey" wrote the crappy finale!

#17-Onyx

Season 4, Episode 17

Lex-"I am the villain of the story." Michael Rosenabum IS this episode! In "Onyx", this is where he proved he wasn't only worthy of playing Lex Luthor, but that his Lex Luthor was the best representation of the character EVER! I'm serious; I can't praise him enough as he embodies the character of Lex Luthor in a way that makes Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey's versions look like parodies of themselves. Some say Michael went too over the top, I say please, this was Lex Luthor in perfection! Every scene that features evil Lex sent chills down my spine, from his disturbing stare at Chloe, to telling Lana he's either with him or garbage, to getting Lionel to unleash he's demons to ultimately find out Clark's secret and defeating him in a fight, Michael owns every moment as Lex and doesn't hold back, like he shouldn't. The kryptonite ring was an added bonus and so Lex Luthor, that I almost geeked out when I saw it for the first time. I also love everyone's reaction to evil Lex, as all of them are disgusted by this side of Lex and even when the 2 Lexs are put back together, everyone is still shacken up by the events that occurred, who wouldn't really? I can't even imagine how better to end the episode as Lex is surprised Lionel has gone back to his old ways because of him. Lionel simply expresses it's in their nature to be bad and that they are Luthors. Lex watching as his walks away...smiles....WOW!

If Lex Luthor ever makes it back to the big screen again, I suggest the director and producers check out this episode. "Onyx" is Lex Luthor done right! An effortless masterpiece!

#16-Covenant

Season 3, Episode 22

Jor-El-"Kal-El, my son! Now you shall be reborn!" One of most explosive season finales of the series as "Covenant" took Smallville to a new level of brilliance and flawless story-telling that it never achieved at this point in the series. A lot of storylines came ahead in this episode like Jonathan's deal with Jor-El, Lionel's trial, Lana's move to Paris etc. and it's all paced so wonderfully well. The introduction of Kara is really exciting and much, MUCH better than the actual Kara who debuted 4 years later. This Kara was more powerful, alluring and fleshed out than the real Supergirl, hard to believe! Shows you how great Smallville was to pull that off. The actress just brings so much presence into the role and loved all the scenes with her, especially with Clark. Finally we learned about Jonathan's deal with Jor-El and it was shocking but understandable knowing why Jonathan would make such a decision regarding Clark's well being. I also love the moments between Lionel and Lex as Lex just enjoys seeing Lionel suffer behind bars, yet you do some what feel bad for Lionel when he said he's dying. John Glover played that scene with such a perfection as Lionel could have very well be lying, which he wasn't, but I love how John makes Lionel's words always have a deeper meaning. Yet it was beyond cruel for Lionel to pit Clark and Lex against each other. Clark discovering Lex's hidden room was a tense scene as we discovered just how slightly demented Lex's obsession with Clark goes. It's this scene the first strike in Clark and Lex's friendship as well as planting seeds for their future rivalry. Watching Lana leave Smallville for Paris was kinda sad; of course, this was back when Lana was still a decent character. I love the shot of Clark dropping the rose and disappearing as Lana walks toward him. These are some of the toughest moment for Clark saying goodbye to his true love as well as finding out his best friend has a sick obsession over him. Who could blame Clark for deciding to go off with Kara into the cave wall? Luckily, Pa Kent comes just in time to stop Jor-El's plan and reveal Kara's identity was a lie. But that doesn't stop Jor-El from taking Clark anyway and leaving Jonathan in a comatose state.

What follows is THE most powerful sequence of the series! An evil looking Lionel gets his hair cut as Mozart's Requiem begins to play in the background. Suddenly, Lex is poisoned by his own drink, Chloe and her father seem to have died in a horrifying explosion and a massive Kryptonian symbol has burned next to the Kent Farm. I was speechless! Then we see Clark floating into nothingness with Jor-El telling him he would be reborn....into what? Superman! Those 3 months were literally hell waiting for the fall! "Covenant" is a sensational episode with dark moments, fantastic acting and amazing story-telling!