Odd or Even? Your favorite seasons of Smallville...

[Xanderman]

It's a strange observation but I've noticed that my favorite seasons of Smallville are all (ETA: or rather, used to be all) even-numbered. S2 and S6 are my favorite seasons up to now, and S4 is my #3. And S8 is shaping up to be one of the best seasons to date I think, making it another even-numbered winner. (ETA: I was dead wrong about Season 8. The only thing it shaped out to be was a disappointment.)

My personal ranking for the first eight seasons, from favorite to least favorite:

#1 - Season 2 (favorite)
#2 - Season 6
#3 - Season 4
#4 - Season 5
#5 - Season 1
#6 - Season 3
#7 - Season 7
#8 - Season 8 (least favorite, although S7 is a close second-least)

blue = even numbered season
red = odd numbered season

So, which is it for you? Odd or Even? (Or in other words, if Smallville were made into a roulette game, what would you always bet on? lol) ETA: Ironically, there is now an episode named Roulette. Granted, an awful episode named Roulette, but still, an episode. heh

[devilneedsaride]

I loved season 1 enough that I almost voted for odd, but seasons 4 and 8 are some of my favorites and I really couldn't stand season 7.

[ClarkyBoy14]

Season 3
Season 2
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Season 4
Season 1

Season 8 will be close to the top.

So I guess it pretty much alternates for me...

[27CDruid]

Even although i didnt like 6 that much.

[redkryptoniteisthebest]

Odd and Even. I liked 1,3 and 5 but not S7. I didn't like S4 that much and S6 was okay. S2 and S8 are awesome though!

[ginnyfan]

I wish I could add 3 to the even list.

[Bane]

I'm going with the odd numbers for now...I'd say season 8 but I need to see how the rest of it plays out. So far, so good.

[skully]

I liked 1, 3 and 5 but didn't think 7 was up to scratch.

[Karafan1]

3 and 5 are my favorite so far, with 4 and 8 very close.

[ColdPlay3r]

depends wat day it is but gotta go even

[marcella]

Even,my favorites are there(maybe except season6)

[xrayvision]

I love season 2 the most, then season 3, and after that either season 8 or season 1. None of the other seasons have been entirely good. Season 4 was so bad until Onyx (with a few exceptions like Run, Transference, Jinx, and Scare). Season 5 was good until Reckoning, which destroyed the season. But even during the good episodes with Brainiac, Clark was portrayed & written as an idiot (a BDA) in season 5 (along with seasons 6 & 7). Season 6 had a few decent episodes like Arrow, Fallout & Rage, but did not get good until Hydro and even after Hydro it had some horrible episodes like Justice & Promise where Clark was shown to be a comic relief instead of a hero. Season 7 probably had the least enjoyable episodes (Bizarro, Kara, Cure, Lara, Gemini, Fracture & Hero---only for Pete, but it was a joke what they did with him).

So out of the seasons I truly enjoy/enjoyed, it seems to be a tie between even numbered & odd numbered seasons.

[Hopefulsuicide]

3
2
4
1
6
5
7

it's entirely alternate for me...

[tyson08]

Season 3
Season 5
(Season 8 looks to be here)
Season 2
Season 1
Season 6
Season 4
Season 7

As you can tell, I don't really favor even or odd. :lol:

[RedKRules]

3
2
5
1
6

[Krypto~Luan]

liked season 1,2,3,4,5,6
not 7

8 is really good

i liked 2 more then 1, 3 more then those, 4& 5 like more then those, 6 was alright, seven was horrible...
wow I suck 0_0

i just really like the show, i thin it has its bad moment. But season seven had enough bad moments that i dont want anymore got it smallville?

[leanne xx]

even seasons for me as seasons 2,4 and 8 are my favourite :)

[Lex Dance]

Random for me Xanderman. Closest I can get to using Mathematics to determine my Smallville preferences is that I like S3 and S5 very much. But then I love S2, am greatly enjoying the start of S8, and rank some episodes of S6 as my favourites. So who can say? :)

[e-µ-i]

I'm currently watching S4, and so far it's my favorite season, while season 2 is so far my least favorite.
Btw, I see nobody likes season 7. How come ? I mean, there is a new character that is quite a break from boring Lana, Kara... Why is this season so lame ?

[Lex Dance]

For me, there's always things to like/love about each season. But with S7 I didn't find myself wishing away the hours between each new episode as I did in previous years (and do even more so with S8). I take that as a sign that something wasn't up to scratch, even if I really enjoyed episodes like Apocalypse, Fracture and (whisper it) Veritas. Feeling slightly let down by S7 was one of the reasons my repsonse to Xanderman's poll is "random". :)

[27CDruid]

This is a thread about odd or even, no favourite season lists!

[stenochick]

I voted even because 2 and 8 are my favorites, but my ranking is:

1. two
2. eight
3. three
4. one
5. five
6. four
7. six
8. seven

[devilneedsaride]

Btw, I see nobody likes season 7. How come ? I mean, there is a new character that is quite a break from boring Lana, Kara... Why is this season so lame ?

Well, personally, I thought season 7 just wasn't very well written. They had evil Lana who was deeply unlikeable, which made the whole Clana relationship that threaded the entire season unpleasant. The Vertias storyline was downright bizarre and had a ton of plot holes and continuity mess-ups (I hate-hate-hate these). And then there was a lot of weird stuff with the crystal and his biological parents that didn't really work either. I also didn't really like Kara that much. I didn't HATE her, she just didn't add a lot to the season for me.

[lana 9]

odd i love season 1,3,5 and i like season 6,7,8,2,4

[Xanderman]

I love season 2 the most, then season 3, and after that either season 8 or season 1. None of the other seasons have been entirely good. Season 4 was so bad until Onyx (with a few exceptions like Run, Transference, Jinx, and Scare). Season 5 was good until Reckoning, which destroyed the season. But even during the good episodes with Brainiac, Clark was portrayed & written as an idiot (a BDA) in season 5 (along with seasons 6 & 7). Season 6 had a few decent episodes like Arrow, Fallout & Rage, but did not get good until Hydro and even after Hydro it had some horrible episodes like Justice & Promise where Clark was shown to be a comic relief instead of a hero. Season 7 probably had the least enjoyable episodes (Bizarro, Kara, Cure, Lara, Gemini, Fracture & Hero---only for Pete, but it was a joke what they did with him).

So out of the seasons I truly enjoy/enjoyed, it seems to be a tie between even numbered & odd numbered seasons.I'm right with you on Season 2. I've noticed that people that rank 3 highly don't tend to like 4, and people who didn't really like 3 (like me), enjoyed 4. Personally I think 3 is overrated. The first half was very good, but the second half was the weakest half-season in the entire series to me. Overall the tone of Season 3 was a downer for me. Season 4 on the other hand was more upbeat and fun, and also more "epic" in scope and feel, more Superman-like I thought. You thought Justice and Promise were horrible? I thought Justice was fun, and for me Promise was one of the best in the season and possibly series. We're in agreement on Season 7 being the worst though--looks like most are in agreement on that little nugget.



I'm currently watching S4, and so far it's my favorite season, while season 2 is so far my least favorite.
Btw, I see nobody likes season 7. How come ? I mean, there is a new character that is quite a break from boring Lana, Kara... Why is this season so lame ?
For me, there's always things to like/love about each season. But with S7 I didn't find myself wishing away the hours between each new episode as I did in previous years (and do even more so with S8). I take that as a sign that something wasn't up to scratch, even if I really enjoyed episodes like Apocalypse, Fracture and (whisper it) Veritas.Apocalypse and Fracture are probably my two favorite eps in S7...Veritas was also one of the better eps.
Well, personally, I thought season 7 just wasn't very well written. They had evil Lana who was deeply unlikeable, which made the whole Clana relationship that threaded the entire season unpleasant. The Vertias storyline was downright bizarre and had a ton of plot holes and continuity mess-ups (I hate-hate-hate these). And then there was a lot of weird stuff with the crystal and his biological parents that didn't really work either. I also didn't really like Kara that much. I didn't HATE her, she just didn't add a lot to the season for me.You pretty much nailed it for me as well DeVoe. Except I DID hate Kara. Lol, she was a big mistake. Now, I've got nothing against "girl power" (I loved Buffy, Xena, BoP, Dark Angel, etc), but Smallville went nuts with it. Chloe was Clark's brain for years, written too much like an annoying Veronica Mars know-it-all, and eventually became super-powered herself. Lana was gradually transformed from a sweet small town girl to a wise-beyond-her-years ninja super spy (becoming "damaged goods" along the way as a result of her various relationships with people like Lex and Bizarro--undoubtedly to force the idea that Lana and Clark aren't meant for each other). Martha went from organic farmer to US Senator. And Lois, well, she's the poster child for girl power as we all know. Nothing wrong with any of that of course, except when it's to the detriment of the development of the main character of the show--Clark/young Superman--Smallville's very own big dumb alien.

[Liquid-Prince]

Neither. My favorites are 4 and 7.

[zorasuperman]

i too was almost tempted to vote odd becuz of season 8 but season 8 wat def a fav for me. clark def is showing to be the superman that he is and basically growing up in general. he has good morals and ethics, which is what we of course all love about our beloved superman :D
season 4 was also good esp since lois was introduced and episdoes like crusade and krypto and lucy were on the top of my favs

[SacredK]

Even - Seasons 2, 4, 6 (and 8)

[jdtoal11]

season 1 and 3 were brilliant in every way and my fav episode is in season 5 so its odd

[Fridaythe13Jason]

Never thought about it before, but most of my favorite seasons are even numbered as well.

[xrayvision]

I'm right with you on Season 2. I've noticed that people that rank 3 highly don't tend to like 4, and people who didn't really like 3 (like me), enjoyed 4. Personally I think 3 is overrated. The first half was very good, but the second half was the weakest half-season in the entire series to me. Overall the tone of Season 3 was a downer for me. Season 4 on the other hand was more upbeat and fun, and also more "epic" in scope and feel, more Superman-like I thought. You thought Justice and Promise were horrible? I thought Justice was fun, and for me Promise was one of the best in the season and possibly series. We're in agreement on Season 7 being the worst though--looks like most are in agreement on that little nugget.

Besides season 2, I loved season 3 as well. I know episodes in the 2nd half like Velocity & Obsession were fillers, but I really liked them, especially Velocity. I loved the undertones of the episode and how Clark was shown feeling bad even though Jason Dante, who was going to kill Pete, got killed. Dante's death scene was pretty powerful for a villian guest character. Velocity did have an element common to the entire season---the morality & legality of Clark's powers (a theme that was central in Exile, Phoenix, Shattered, Asylum, and many other episodes). Hereafter was also a great episode, with Clark being able to change destiny. Crisis continued to play on Clark changing destiny and was one of my favorite episodes of season 3. I liked how the title is like a reference to the Crisis of the Infinite Earths. Even the plot involved Lana from the future--an alternate future, or Earth---where Lana dies much sooner than she does in Earth 1 (or Smallville's Earth). Legacy was another awesome episode, especially that Jonathan-Lionel showdown and the ending with the key ending up with Virgil Swann. Truth was also a cool episode that finally wrapped up the seasonlong problems between Clark & Chloe. Memoria was a masterpiece (not as good as Shattered) that had great acting. The only thing I didn't like was Clark being shown to protect his own secret more than Lex. Talisman was probably my favorite mythos episode of the series--I wish they would have continued with the Naman prophecy & its interpretations rather than doing the conflict-ridden Traveler plot in season 7. Forsaken was decent, but got me down when Pete left (that scene where Pete left was done perfectly and showed how Pete was the best friend Clark had after enduring what he did & not caving). Covenant was not the most interesting finale as a whole, but had the best ending out of any other episode. That ending montage is what I consider the most brilliantly done/filmed/written scene(s) of the series. It left the season at such an unpredictable spot, and season 4 just didn't pick up with the fervor that I expected it to have. Season 4 could have been so much better, if not the best had they stalled Lois' introduction to season 5, nixed the witch plot, and focused on the stones and how they related to Naman.

I would have focused season 4 on Lex's greed for the stones and shown him secretly selling Clark & others out for them, mainly due to his twisted interpretation of the prophecy.

I would have then kept season 5 as one with Brainiac & Zod's disciples, but would have completely redone the episodes so that Jonathan would not have died and the seeds for Lexana would not have been planted. I would have made Lex gain his hatred for aliens as the common theme of season 5, based on Brainiac, Zod's disciples, and other factors. Had I brought Zod on the show, I would not have made him possess Lex.

Season 6 had I wrote it would not have had Lexana, would have had Clark's escape from the Phantom Zone, and would have had Lex getting his hands on alien technology that escaped from the Phantom Zone. I would have also made Clark get dressed up in a Naman suit in season 6, and shown Lex learning about Naman's presence on Earth and shown that his quest for examining the technology that escaped from the Phantom Zone was due to his acknowledgement that he's just about out of time to prepare for battle against Naman. I would have specifically had an episode where there was a costume party at the Luthor Mansion that Lex attended (like the one in Wither) and had Clark show up in his Naman suit for the first time & stay after all the other guests left, to have a staredown with Lex, and burn the 8 symbol on the mansion floor--giving it away to Lex that he was Naman.

My Season 7 would be exactly like the season 7 fanfic episodes I have been posting---with Clark (in his Naman suit) splitting off the Kal-El side of his personality as an ally to stop Hank Henshaw & Lionel (which I would start in the season 6 finale as I did in Eradication). I would have Clark & Kal-El defeat Lionel & Henshaw and then agree to a duel, which would last throughout the season, and become Clark's training. The 2 would agree that the winner at the end of 4 or 5 battles would absorb the loser and become the dominant personality. I would also use this plot to have Lex, Lois, and others see both Clark (without the Naman suit) & Kal-El (wearing the Naman suit) at the same time. This would set it up so that Lex & Lois would think Superman is Naman/Kal-El when Clark eventually becomes Superman.

[Clark/Lois-fan]

Ok, I'm not gonna vote on this poll since I simply love all seasons of Smallville. S7 for me was the weakest season, but that season have some of my favorite episodes like Apocalypse, Descent....

[Smallville Vamp]

Even for me too. Seasons 4 & 6 are my all time favorites and 8 seems to keeping up fairly well so far. About mid season 7 I HAD to stop watching the show but decided to come back and give it another chance.

OH CRAP, ya know what I WAS looking forward to season 9, now not so much! LOL

[Ilidan]

I like the odd seasons, just because they seem to develop the myth a bit more.

Looking at the theme of each season, it almost seems like in even numbered seasons, they simply follow the story, whereas with odd numbered ones they try something new

The only exception there, really, is season four.

Season 2, for me, was a total write-off. Nothing really instumental happened, except for the caves storyline, and even that took us five years to figure out.

[REebee52]

This is an interesting and revealing thread. I had no idea there was such a wide disparity between seasonal preferences. I knew it existed, but not to this degree. It seems that as many people that love a season/episode, there's the same number that hated it! It's interesting. I think there's a general consensus that Season 7 was pretty bad. Poor writing, a retcon that didn't quite pan out like it needed to, the whole 'mother/uncle' storyline (I still can't believe they made Zor el a villain...), the fact that it seemed thousands of Kryptonians visited earth... But other than that, there's little agreement! Season 4 is my least favorite. I think it's quite a bit worse than any other season (except 7). Re-watching it was a *little* easier, but the first time around a lot of what they gave me was hard to swallow. Here's my assessment of seasons, for people to agree/disagree with.

1: Good for what it was. It introduced characters and established the tone of the show. Showed some sweet moments with Lana, and made you wish you didn't know that Lex would become Clark's enemy. However there wasn't much 'continuity' and it relied heavily on FOTWs. The 'Zero' plotline was somewhat hinted at throughout, but other than that it was standalone stories. It also had some bad ideas: Bee girl, Fat-sucker, to name 2.

2. I think 2 might be my favorite season: It deepened the mythology greatly, had more intense storylines, brought Lionel in as a regular castmember, and gave some of SV's best episodes (it also gave Visitor... but we'll let that slide). It made Jor El a bit more 'evil' than he should have been, but other than that, it was neat to have Clark speak to his biological father. It's one of the more consistently good SV seasons.

3. Season 3 was a step down from season 2. It still had some great moments, but it also had some stretches of poor episodes, particularly in the first half. The last few episodes, however, I thought were a stretch of some of SV's finest (I remember one poster saying these episodes were his least favorite! See? Difference of opinion). Episodes like Relic, Sleeper, Delete, Velocity, and Crisis hurt what could have been another near-perfect season. And I'm not crazy about making Perry White a washed up tabloid writer, but whatever. However the first three episodes and the last six are all great, including my favorite episode ever, Memoria. And that finale was insane.

4. I don't exactly know how to approach this season. It has some great episodes, but many of SV's worst. It also has the unfortunate Lana/witch storyline, which was a horrible, horrible idea. And the fact that the stones had been on earth for centuries didn't sit well with me either (I guess you could say Jor El put them through a time warp, but that's kind of a lame cop out). But it had Transference, Run, Unsafe, Pariah, Blank, and Onyx. But there were stretches that were terrible: Krypto, Sacred, Spirit (top 5 worst SV episode), Ageless (worst SV ep), Forever (top 5 worst SV episode). Throw in Jason, who's character is never fleshed out and is suddenly evil, and you have what I consider SV's worst season. But man: the finale is one of my favorite episodes, and definitely my favorite season ender.

5. While I didn't like season 4, it was a season of transition. Season 5 presented a show different from the older one, but just as good if not better. It brought Clark against larger, Superman foes and not just FOTW stuff. Clark was really saving the WORLD for the first time. People accuse him of being a BDA for 5 and 6, but I think these seasons really made him grow. Season 5 we lost Jonathan Kent, a sad but moving moment. This season had some bad episodes, but not as bad as the 'bad' ones from other seasons. It even had some decent filler episodes (Fade), when SV tends to fail at fillers. This is one of my favorite seasons, for sure.

6. I think this is the most divisive season for SV fans. Some people hated the Lexana storyline, to which I say, aren't you supposed to? I really enjoyed season 6. The good episodes are some some of the series best, and most of the bad ones are bearable (the exception is Noir, top 5 worst SV episodes). I read someone hated Justice, which surprises me, because I thought that was a great moment in SV history. It also gave us Green Arrow, an addition I liked.

7. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Things that could have worked were written/acted poorly, continuity was stepped on pretty strongly. There's not a single episode I would call one of SV's best, but it gave us both Hero and Sleeper, two of SV's worst. It had some entertaining episodes, and Lex killing Lionel was pretty powerful, but otherwise the season just didn't work. It had a horrible week ending as well.

8. Against all odds, season 8 picked up SV after a lot of cast/crew losses and makes it one of the best... so far. However it hasn't given many of those SV greats (perhaps only Legion), so hopefully this last part will do that. Rather, this season has given a steady stream of REALLY GOOD episodes, with hardly any being just awful. I wouldn't have wrapped up Lana's story as it was presented, but I don't hate it like many do (though it's certainly the lowpoint of the season). History has shown that the last stretch of episodes really helps define a season, so we'll see how season 8 does with that. It has a lot of potential to be great, so let's hope it delivers.

The rankings:
2 and 5 tie for first, 6, 3, 1, 7, 4 (I feel I cannot include 8 yet, as it is incomplete).

----- Added 2 Minutes later -----


I like the odd seasons, just because they seem to develop the myth a bit more.

Looking at the theme of each season, it almost seems like in even numbered seasons, they simply follow the story, whereas with odd numbered ones they try something new

The only exception there, really, is season four.

Season 2, for me, was a total write-off. Nothing really instumental happened, except for the caves storyline, and even that took us five years to figure out.

Season 2 presented more mythology than any other season! It gave Clark new powers, explained his past on Earth, and then his past from Krypton! We get Virgil Swann, Kryptonian writing, and Jor El. I remember being so excited to see Kryptonian writing when itwas new. Now it's so regular I don't even think about it anymore.

[Smalvil1]

its really akward to put the seasons into these categories. i mean i like season 2, 4, and 6 like as average seasons and love season 8. meanwhile i love seasons 3 and 5, think 1 is average and loathe 7/ so i dont know which to pick

[HeroesUnlimited]

Even for me.

[Xanderman]

So, turns out my precious "Evens" finally have a chink in their armor--Season 8. Bad season. Why, 8, why? What did the other evens ever do to you? heh

[LuthorKent90]

Odd for sure. In fact it ALMOST makes up my favorite seasons. :D

3, 2, 5, 7

[Estro-gen X]

season 3
season 5
season 6
season 7
season 2
season 1
season 4

[Ron Paul]

Even.

6
8
3
2
4
1
5
7

It isnt looking like season 9 will put the odd seasons over the top.

[Rosslyn]

Odd - 3, 5, even 7 and now 9 are doing it for me.