#15-Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1

Martha-"We didn't find him. He found us." Jesus, it feels like yesterday when I first watched the pilot of Smallville back in the fall of 2001. I was 8th grade and a big Buffy/Angel/Charmed fan at the time! So when I saw all the previews for Smallville, I got really excited, I mean a show about a young Superman, awesome! 8 years later, it still surprises me how great this series started out! The meteor shower concept mixed in with Clark's arrival was brilliant and the scene where the Kents find Clark was too perfect for words, especially Martha's line about Clark finding them. The whole cast were so youthful, energetic and well casted. Tom Welling really made a great first impression as Clark Kent and realize that the more I re-watch the Pilot. Kristin Kruek as Lana Lang seemed so innocent and sincere back then. Annette O' Toole and John Schneider were the perfect Kents and Chloe and Pete seemed like fun characters. Then of course, there's Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor and the incredible way he and Clark meet for the first time. Clark saving Lex was really symbolic and both becoming friends was such an excellent concept as well for the series. The best scene between them is when Lex asks Clark if he thinks a man could fly and Clark's reaction is priceless. I also love the scene where Jonathan tells Clark the truth about his origins and Clark freaks out, like any teenager would. I loved that about the early years of Smallville how the writers used Clark's alien-ness as a metaphor for teenage adolescence. There's also a terrific first Clana scene with Clark and Lana at the graveyard and the still remarkable image of Clark hung up like a Scarecrow with an "S" painted on his chest.

The meteor freak plot isn't the best, but Jeremy is a decent first villain of the series to show the basic weekly structure for the series with Clark learning and using his powers to defeat other meteor freaks. The pilot episode of Smallville is yet another underrated episode from the season, most of what fans love about the show started here and introduce those wonderful ideas. I suggest you watch or re-watch "Pilot", it's really a great throwback to Smallville at its finest!

#14-Red

Season 2, Episode 4

Clark-"Anybody else!" "Red" is the first episode to show Clark out of character and Tom Welling gets to show a more interesting side of Clark, which you can tell he enjoyed playing. The introduction of red kryptonite was a refreshing change from green kryptonite which was already getting a bit repetitive at that point. It's one of the most entertaining episodes of the series and while we've seen Clark on red kryptonite more times throughout the series, the first time is always the best to me. Tom Welling does a great job as Red-K Clark as fans came to call this version of Clark. Clark's over-confidence and assertive attitude starts off hilarious as he hits on hot girls like Jessie and even makes his move on Lana, resulting in the one of the very first Clana kisses. Lex is intrigued yet slightly worried by Clark's new personality. But then Clark's new behavior quickly becomes a bit frightening when he rebels against his parents and becomes the villain of the episode for a change. My favorite scenes are when Clark and Lana go to the bar where Clark unleashes his powers in public, It's an intense scene and Tom's delivery of "anybody else!" was amazing! There's the scene between Clark and Lionel where Clark steals the gun from the thug and shots his hand point blank in front of Lionel. The final confrontation is suspenseful and I love how Jonathan and Pete team up against Clark by Peter using green K then Jonathan smashing the red k ring in slow motion.

I love how even Clark was acting out of character, everyone knew he telling the truth through it all. The last scene where Clark tries to tell Lana he's sorry makes me always feel sad for both Clark and Lana. Just the way Clark is so nervous trying to explain and Lana just brushes him off in the end even if she doesn't want too is kinda heartbreaking. "Red" is all around a truly fun and exciting episode with tons of tense moments and excellent portrayal of a darker Clark Kent by Tom Welling.

#13-Asylum

Season 3, Episode 9

Lionel-" It's sad to see a man who's lost his mind. But it's tragic when he's convinced himself that he's sane." After the powerful "Shattered', some fans forget about the just as powerful "Asylum". It's by far the darkest episode of the series where we see some characters making some horrifying decisions, characters getting tortured, characters getting killed left and right etc. At the heart of the episode is Lex once again as Michael Rosenbaum delivers yet another amazing performance as well as John Glover, who is at his cruelest as Lionel Luthor. I mean for Lionel to force electroshock therapy on his son which could have left him like a vegetable is beyond evil. Clark is at his finest here, forgetting about Lana for once and coming to Lex's aid despite all the possible outcomes of Lex knowing his secret. Like 'Shattered", this was a great representation of how deep Clark and Lex's friendship had come as Clark risks everything to free Lex from Bell Reeve. Meanwhile, former enemies of Clark plan their revenge on Clark. It was a great idea to bring back Ian, Eric and Van by having them team up to defeat Clark. The way all 3 double cross each other while trying to kill Clark is well done and I love the conclusion of Clark and Eric's fight also starts Lex's horrifying electroshock therapy. Watching Lex convulse uncontrollably gave us some of the most disturbing images from the series and it gets me every time how Clark arrives too late as he sees Lionel comforting a disorientated Lex. The final scene between recovered Lex and Clark spoke volumes for there relationship as Lex gives Clark as emotional hug but Clark is obviously worried about this healthier Lex.

Lana's sub-plot was surprisingly very interesting as we are introduced to Adam Knight. Ian Somerholder is great as the character and dare I say it was refreshing to see a male character not bow down to Lana but actually challenge her character. "Asylum" is a terrific, dark episode with strong character development and truly disturbing moments that are hard to forget.

#12-Zod

Season 6, Episode 1

Lex/Zod-"Kneel before Zod!" The most expensive episode of the series, costing an unprecedented 3 million dollars, "Zod" is one huge special effect spectacle! But that doesn't mean it doesn't have a great story with some awesome moments throughout. "Zod" really cleans up after "Vessel", which while a solid finale, felt a bit crammed and everything happening too soon, too fast. "Zod" just feels so flawlessly paced and rich with story that it fixes some of the plot holes left from "Vessel." The episode opens with Clark being sent to the Phantom Zone and it's one of the best sequences of the series. The PZ setting is an obvious tribute to the one seen in both Superman 2 and Supergirl film. The Phantoms are impressive looking creatures and Raya's entrance gives off a strong presence. I love how Raya gave Clark some insight on more of his father and Krypton's path. You can tell that Clark was realizing how noble his father was. I also loved we got to see Nam-Ek return and try to seek revenge on Clark with the rest of the Phantoms.

Back on Earth, chaos is still raging with Lionel and Chloe fighting for their lives in Metropolis and Lana is taken hostage by Zod who plans to take conquer Earth. Michael Rosenbaum plays an effective Zod, not going too over the top or trying to be Terrance Stamp's Zod. Zod's plan for taking over Earth was well thought out and I loved the scene where he stabs Lana through the hand, lol. Another great scene is Martha meeting Jor-El for the first time in the Fortress. It's wonderfully directed and Annette O' Toole gives a stunning performance as she talks to Jor-El about that losing Jonathan and Clark because of him. It shows just how strong Martha has grown after Jonathan died and I love how Jor-El compliments Martha for all she's given Clark. The story concludes in a some what some what epic fight between Clark and Zod. While it's another one sided battle, the special effects are incredible and the fight ends with that famous line "Kneel before Zod!" I love how Clark tricked Zod back to the PZ as it almost makes up for his lack of effort while fighting Zod.

What's also great about 'Zod" was the introduction of the escaped Phantoms storyline, it was exciting at the time, but it's a same that storyline was lackluster in the end. I would also talk about Jimmy Olsen's debut in this episode, but after 'Doomsday", I rather not. "Zod" is one action packed, often breathtaking episode that's always fun to re-watch!

#11-Exodus

Season 2, Episode 23

Jor-El-" You will obey me, Kal-El." Probably the saddest episode of Smallville as "Exodus" shows Clark at his lowest point emotionally. The anticipated introduction of Jor-El was worth the wait and Terrance Stamp's version of Superman's dad gives a commanding presence right off the bat. At the same time, this Jor-El is so forceful with Clark and that scene where he puts that Kryptonian symbol on his chest is shocking. You really do feel bad for Clark, especially as he and Lana finally became a couple. This was back where we were rooting for this couple and the scenes between the characters are the most touching between them. Everything is going so well for Clark, for him to lose it all because of his real father popping out of no where obviosuly was too much for him to handle. The scene where Clark uses the kryptonite to destroy the ship and causes a massive shock wave is a tragic sequence that leads to Martha losing the baby. The scene between Clark and Jonathan after the incident is always hard to watch. Just the look of disappointment on Jonathan's face and Clark being overwhelmed with guilt is heartbreaking. Meanwhile, Lex is going through the best moment of his life as he gets married to Helen and goes off to his honeymoon. But Lex doesn't stay happy forever and is shockingly left on his own jet to die.

The final scenes of the episode are some of the best moments from Smallville as Pete tries to stop a depressed Clark when he takes a red-k ring and then is about ride off to Metropolis with Lana trying to stop him as well. Kristin Kreuk really shines here as Lana is completely heartbroken as Clark rides off. The last shot of Clark riding off to Metropolis on red-k is the second best cliffhanger Smallville ever hand and only one really beats it! "Exodus" is a morbid but beyond brilliant finale and episode, which shows just how much of a great drama series Smallville was!