worst season yet

[lujack76]

I'm sorry to be full of piss and wind here, but the writing in Season 4 took a nose-dive. I believe that this is because WB views Smallville as a lame duck, with Superman Returns on the way in 2006, and they're under no pressure to earn future ratings because they've already planned to cancel the show in late 2005 or early 2006.

I was watching all this bullsh(t about Lana Lang's ancestors and their feud with Genevieve Teague, thinking "What the heck does this have to do with Superman?"

Sorry folks, it simply required too much suspension of disbelief.

[MsSullivan]

yah the lana lang side plot was lame and unnecessary

[CapraIII]

I was disappointed in all but the Alf subplot, personally. What do you think's gonna happen to Alf?

[DarkJustice]

Who's Alf?

I actually liked this season a lot. I kinda got tired of Smallville during season 2 after the FOTW appearing almost every episode over and over again. Then I missed most of what happened in Season 3...just rewatched it though and it was pretty good too. But then I started watching this season from the beginning and dont think I missed an episode, except for the first time Lana changed into Isobel I only saw the end of that one. I liked how everything played out throughout the season though. I get tired of any episode with a needless FOTW, but the background story usually makes up for it and I think they did a pretty good job this season with that. I was kept emotionally going up and down. I liked how they made jason turn out and how pretty much everything went together near the end of the season. I was left very satisfied.

[Reptile]

I couldn't agree more - IMHO this season of smallville was complete rubbish. I am not really sure whether I'm even going to bother watching the next one.

The "witches" story arc was totally embarrasing to watch, and for me was completely out of place in the superman world. This is Superman NOT Charmed or Sabrina the *&^%ing Teenage Witch!!

What's next is Clark et al going to be battling against vampires, or Werewolves (although, haven't we already had that?!)? Are we going to have cameos from Buffy or Angel?

Lame Lame Lame Lame Lame!!!!

[superhippie2000]

i thought the backround story of this season was the best. i liked the whole lana as a witch thing. smallville is a prequal to all the superman stuff so why not have a witch in it. clark needed to go agianst someone for the stones and just going agiasnt lex and lionel would be pretty stupid. also if they did what they had in the movie the season wouldnt even have exsisted cause in the movie he already had the crystal and made the fortress of solitude but in this he actually had to create the crystal with the artifacts. if your going to get pissed off at all that why not get pissed off at at all the episodes cause they have had other things in other movies and stuff about people with ice powers and people with fire powers and people turing into bugs and using electricity.

[lujack76]

Yes, basically the first three seasons I felt pretty comfortable justifying watching this series to other people who didn't watch it or thought it was silly. It was easy to get into, and easy to enjoy, especially for Superman fans.

Then they had to go and revolve the ENTIRE fourth season around Lana Lang's ancestry as a witch. Honestly, that might make an interesting series for fans of "Charmed" or "Buffy", but I thought this was about Superman?!?

"Transference" was an interesting episode in that you got to see Tom Welling playing John Glover playing Lionel Luthor, which was a lot of fun.

Other than that, this season had too many FOTW episodes (ten of them, to be exact) which at this point I consider cop-outs, and not enough of the Superman mythology which made the first three seasons so interesting. Season 4 was left totally unresolved, in that the end wasn't so much a cliffhanger which left me in suspense as a botched story which left me in disgust.

Sorry to be so negative, I'm just really disappointed at the writing efforts this season. Such a great cast, a shame they couldn't offer them better.

And to those of you who enjoyed Season 4 unequivocally, I've got some land in Death Valley I'd like to sell you.

:)

[k-son]

Gough and Millar know next season is the last. I hope that means lots less filler episodes because, to finish off the series in 13 or 22 episodes is going to take almost all of those episodes. Its the final season but that doesn't mean it can't be good. Hopefully they will all decide to try to go out with a bang.

[Reptile]

So just because Smallville is a Superman "prequel" then the show's makers aren't bound by the same "reality" that is in the later Superman world?! I used to like Smallville because it added to the Superman mythos, and I DISLIKE the witches crap, because IMHO it pisses over it more than a lot! This is the fine line that the makers of this show have to tread, and in this case I reckon they couldn't have got it more wrong.

Also, why would Lionel, Lex and all the other "normal" people not be enough of a challenge for Clark to go against? FFS Lex is Superman's ARCH ENEMY!! I realise that he hasn't fully turned to the dark side yet, but throw Lionel in there as well, and you've got more of a match for Clark.

[lujack76]

I sure hope so, k-son. Honestly, I know high school kids who could have written more compelling stories than some of the stinkers from Season 4.

[k-son]

I think that since they know next season is the end, they will try to make it stronger. If only for their own egos. They don't want the final season to be a critical failure like season 4. I think G&M do better when they have a definite start and end point. The premiers and finales are always good. They get lost in the middle like this year. But next season is the end so they have a definite finish point and hopefully should be able to make it a good bit stronger than season 4.

[Lana_Lang #1]

Originally posted by k-son
Gough and Millar know next season is the last. I hope that means lots less filler episodes because, to finish off the series in 13 or 22 episodes is going to take almost all of those episodes. Its the final season but that doesn't mean it can't be good. Hopefully they will all decide to try to go out with a bang.

Whoa! Hold on a second! Didn't they say in that interview with Gough and Miles that we would have at least a Smallville Season 6, unless I'm mistaken and someone wants to post proof?

[lujack76]

Why would they have a Season 6 if they're releasing a Superman movie next summer?

[Lana_Lang #1]

Yes they are releasing the movie next summer BUT they also said that while the movie and the show are working together, the movie and it's contents would not impact the creativity or the season plans for Smallville unless it was in direct opposite of what the movie was showing.

[lujack76]

With the release of Superman next year, combined with Season 4's substandard writing, I think Smallville's days are numbered. Clark's graduated.

[Lana_Lang #1]

As Lex said to Clark in "Bound": "Don't give up on me yet"

I won't give up on this show either, you can think negatively, you could give me hundreds of pages of posts saying the show going down and I still wouldn't ever give up on this show.

I, as well as hundreds of other, have put their hearts and their souls into this very show. I can't give up and I won't give up. As long as the fans stay loyal and true, there will be Smallville.

[lujack76]

That's great. Maybe you could take that enthusiasm and write some Smallville episodes? They could use the help!

[Lana_Lang #1]

Actually I HAVE written some Smallville episodes but the trick is not to put anything on it saying you have to mention my name or anything or else they won't use it. They have used bits and pieces of my ideas but not whole episodes, but still watching the show and noticing an idea you sent in is pretty cool.

[lujack76]

Really? That's would be pretty fun, if you weren't interested in being paid for your work or anything.

I hope the "Witch" episode wasn't your idea!

:)

[Lana_Lang #1]

God no! I luckily had no part in that at all!

I'm would be interested in getting paid for my ideas, but it doesn't matter to me as long as it's on the show making the show better.

I mean, money is great but when you watch an episode and you see a scene and think "Hey they used my idea! Cool!" it's priceless.

[lujack76]

Yeah? Imagine how priceless it would be if you were on the payroll and could STILL sit back and enjoy your ideas coming to life.

[Lana_Lang #1]

That would be pretty cool but were all not that lucky! :)
I'm just happy for whatever shows up.

[DarkJustice]

Thats pretty cool, and again I liked last season probably the most, even the witch part. Superman's only two weakness's are Kryptonite and Magic. So this was an interesting way to show how he was weak against magic. I also think the knife the native american kid used against clark in season 3 was a magic knife and not a kryptonian knife, but htey never explained it and i think they just assumed it was kryptonian. So they introduced a witch, parts of it were a little weird. Like going to China...I didn't like that one since next to superman kung fu movies are my favorite I felt like they were just ripping it off. I pretty much hated all of buffy and charmed but didn't mind it in Smallville. Superman goes up against thousands of crazy things in the comics. In the comics people he knows get possessed and turned into power weilding things a lot...probably too much, but it happens. I think even Jimmy olsen became a superhero for a little while. I know he's been attacked by werewolves and magic weilding people a lot. Even Wonder Woman attacked him with a magic knife not too long ago.

And for season 5 to be the last season. I thought I read in the TV guide or Entertainment Weekly they were saying that they had no intention of stopping the show just when he graduates high school, and possibly not even when he graduates college. They said they would stop it when he grew up and becomes the Clark from the comics and goes to work at the Daily Planet. In the comis hes like almost 30 when he does that. And before ever going to the Daily Planet he went traveling the world as a random stranger who just helped people. They could make plenty more stories going from now until he graduates college to even after that if they wanted.

[k-son]

Well Yahoo TV news said the reason WB ordered more drama series for 2005/2006 than any other network is because next year is the last for several of their veteran dramas. The two specifically mentioned were Charmed and Smallville. Its still unofficial but G&M surely know. Let's hope they make the final season good.

[WillTheBrave]

Originally posted by Lana_Lang #1
As Lex said to Clark in "Bound": "Don't give up on me yet"

I won't give up on this show either, you can think negatively, you could give me hundreds of pages of posts saying the show going down and I still wouldn't ever give up on this show.

I, as well as hundreds of other, have put their hearts and their souls into this very show. I can't give up and I won't give up. As long as the fans stay loyal and true, there will be Smallville.

That's the spirit!!! I choose to have constructive critisim as my mantra. If for nothing else, because I love me my Smallville!!!

[ajfinn]

Originally posted by Lana_Lang #1
As Lex said to Clark in "Bound": "Don't give up on me yet"

I won't give up on this show either, you can think negatively, you could give me hundreds of pages of posts saying the show going down and I still wouldn't ever give up on this show.

I, as well as hundreds of other, have put their hearts and their souls into this very show. I can't give up and I won't give up. As long as the fans stay loyal and true, there will be Smallville.

Woohoo!!! Right on dude! And I also saw that interview with G&M at the Saturn awards, which happened just a few weeks ago. They said that they were signed on through season 6, but if there was a 7th, that would definitely be the last.

You know, though, in the first movie, Clark spent something like 6 years in the FOS before he went to work for the DP. So, bring it on! I wouldn't mind a whole 60 minute show every week for 6 years with nothing but Tom Welling learning super-tricks :)

[zanos]

Originally posted by lujack76
I'm sorry to be full of piss and wind here, but the writing in Season 4 took a nose-dive. I believe that this is because WB views Smallville as a lame duck, with Superman Returns on the way in 2006, and they're under no pressure to earn future ratings because they've already planned to cancel the show in late 2005 or early 2006.

I was watching all this bullsh(t about Lana Lang's ancestors and their feud with Genevieve Teague, thinking "What the heck does this have to do with Superman?"

Sorry folks, it simply required too much suspension of disbelief.



It's funny how many ppl complain about the writing this season but most are completely oblivious to the fact that it was really the individual stories they didn't like. The writing has been consistently bad since season one so it hasn't changed. It's like saying the writing on season 5 of Baywatch was excellent but season 6 was god awful.

[lujack76]

Actually, there was some good writing in the first three seasons. Consider it in context because they were employing about a dozen different writers. They set up character development really well, and introduced a new wrinkle to the Superman mythology with the cave mystery.

Season 4 pretty much abandoned most of the previous character development and gave the most screen time to Lana Lang. Clark's parents re-appeared unrecognizable in weak stories with on-the-nose dialogue. Everything got pretty damn muddled.

Again, the end of Season 4 differed from the end of previous seasons in that the execution didn't inspire tension or anticipation as much as disappointment, even disgust.

Just my opinion. We can't argue this topic in absolutes, you know, since it's all completely subjective.

[k-son]

Originally posted by zanos
It's funny how many ppl complain about the writing this season but most are completely oblivious to the fact that it was really the individual stories they didn't like. The writing has been consistently bad since season one so it hasn't changed. It's like saying the writing on season 5 of Baywatch was excellent but season 6 was god awful.

You have a point. The writing has never been that good. They got away with it in season 1 and 2 cause Smallville was new and fresh. With the powers and situation being novel. But even by the end of season 2 the viewer decline had started. It has accelearated since.

Next season is the last and we can only hope G&M and the rest of the cast/crew suck it up and try to make it at least somewhat special.

[DarkJustice]

I thought the Charmed series finale was this past season, it sure looked like a series finale, I just happened to have my tv on and caught the last half hour of it. The writing has been pretty cessy for Smallville since the begining and off and on has it been good. Trying to get friends of mine to watch it has never worked out too well. Although after getting them to watch some of this season and especially the finale they suddenly wished they had been watching it all the while and were upset the episode ended leaving them waiting for next season to start. Wether or not that will last until next season I have no idea.

[Kryppy]

I loved Crusade, Gone, Devoted, Run, Transference, Jinx, Scare, Unsafe, Pariah, Recruit, Krypto, Lucy, Onyx, Spirit, Blank, and Commencement. I didn't like Spell, Bound, Sacred, and Forever. But overall, I think season 4 was the best yet.

[lujack76]

I thought Crusade was good. Krypto stunk, Lucy was the worst, ever. Had absolutely nothing to do with Superman.

Time will tell if Season 4 was worth a squirt or not. Methinks Season 5 will be 13 episodes and out.

[DarkJustice]

I like krypto. Lucy was ok, the main point of the episode didnt have much to do with the overall storyline but it had the background parts that are usually around during the FOTW episodes, so in that sense it was basically the same as one of those eps except I don't think there was any weird freak during that one, just a dumb high school girl.

[k-son]

Originally posted by lujack76
I thought Crusade was good. Krypto stunk, Lucy was the worst, ever. Had absolutely nothing to do with Superman.

Time will tell if Season 4 was worth a squirt or not. Methinks Season 5 will be 13 episodes and out.

Yeah, I think they are only going to go to episode 100 and call it quits. That is why Al & Miles seem to be making such a big thing out of the 100th episode and Gough will himself direct. That makes only 12 or 13 episodes next season but that is enough to wrap things up if they put their minds to it.

[powerofjam]

I think that the whole Lana as a witch thing was actually a good change. In the first three seasons, every episode it was a new FOTW. Clark beats them up and its the same a lot of the time. Now, there is an acutal storyline, and Smallville can follow that so that there doesn't ALWAYS have to be a new FOTW. But that is just my opinion;)

[cayayofm]

I like to grade the episodes by:
Gold episodes - great episodes, with no flaws, not apparent plot holes or not important.
Silver episodes - overall good episodes but with a few flaws or apparent plot holes.
Bronze episodes - Overall bad episodes but with a few moments that save them from total failure.
Bad episodes- Totally sucked

My grade for the season:

GOLD
crusade
transference
blank

SILVER
run
jinx
scare
pariah
recruit
krypto
sacred
onyx
spell
commencement

BRONZE
gone
facade
devoted
spell
bound
unsafe
lucy
forever

BAD
ageless

In general Ageless was the truly bad episode but the bronze ones were weak. Overall the biggest dissapoiment was with the story arc, no with the episodes. The problem was the bad executed story arc.

Season 1 2 and 3 have more bad episodes than season 4 but overall they were better executed.

[CapraIII]

I'm sorry to say it, but I too believe it's about time they laid this show to rest. It had a good run, and hopefully they'll pull off a worthy season five, but otherwise I won't be too sad to see it go.

[skist]

Wouldn't you be sort of unsatisfied with "Commencement" as an ending? Remember when Alf ended with a "To be continued . . ." ? That was one of the most traumatic events of my childhood.

[Arista 07]

I've gotten to the point where I can't complain about the season anymore. I can't get excited about the future season, either. Season four has completely drained me of any genuine interest and enthusiasm I have for the series. I never thought I was would say that, but after Commencement. . .

[LanaandPete]

u didnt like commencement, arista?

[LexLuthorMetropolis]

Generally, I would think the same thing but the stone story arc brought me back into the whole love of SMALLVILLE I've had since the beginning. Given that they made a number of hit and misses (happens with most genre shows) but at least they put forth an interesting continuation of the Lex character and we got to see a new take on the Flash.

And I loved Krypto. Didn't think they were going to pull it off, but that dog stole the show. (Eat your heart out Clark Kent.)

I had trouble with the whole Witch situation at first, but I think it was fun for what it was worth.

Just had the same complaints as I always have with this show. (Continuity needs to be defined.)

[Arista 07]

Originally posted by LanaandPete
u didnt like commencement, arista?
I was underwhelmed. I rather not rehash all things I thought of as "bad" or "lacking" in the episode. I'll just mimick what most have said in this forum. It would make a very good standalone episode. However, when linked to the events of the season. . .:\

[LexLuthorMetropolis]

COMMENCEMENT did have a element of overbuild for a Season Finale and it didn't feel like a real pay-off at certain, but more of one solid set of cliffhangers, that we just have to wait a whole three-four months to have solved.

I have to admit I would have liked to have some more sense of closure for that episode than we did.

[Grand_Sophy]

For a season that accomplished considerable character development for Clark, Lex, Lionel, Chloe and Jonathan, and introduced a major new character; addressed a number of major issues relating to growing up and morality; brought in Mxylptlyk and the Flash, among other interesting characters; and produced consistently entertaining television, there certainly is a lot of negativity. I would bet that if you catch almost any episode of season four in reruns five years from now, you'll enjoy it more than almost all of season one and most of season two. I've added my comments on Commencement to the reviews thread, but all in all I thought it was a fine wrap up to an interesting season.

[LexLuthorMetropolis]

Grand, I completely agree. I think people will look back and think the samething as well. It's like watching old BUFFY reruns from Sophomore Year of High School (Season One). One just can't get enough of them, either way.

[Drakaun]

I may not be the best critic in the world when it comes to judging things, I mean, I loved every single Episode of Smallville I've ever seen, and would gladly watch it all again. I can understand why some people are upset, everyone has their own reasoning and opinions, but that is all it is opinions.

I personally think the writers have something up their sleeves. Many people are pissed off that this season didn't really focus enough on the Superman mythos, and people are complaining that it's superman not buffy and such. I hate to disagree but this isn't Superman, this is Smallville. Superman comes later. Smallville is it's own story, it's own part of the vast majority of superman media in the world. I mean comic books are all different they aren't all connected and they aren't all written by the same guys.

Anyway, back to my main point. I think the last season will really focus on the superman mythos more than it ever has before, and that is why this season wasn't good enough for people because they are saving it to go out with a bang. I can only hope this is the plan and will have the upmost confidence in the writers. I am a Smallville fan and thus I will stay a Smallville fan always.

[k-son]

Its a given season 5 will be the last. That is the unofficial word from yahoo TV news and the rest. But will the final seasobn be good? Hard to have confidence in M&G. Hope WB leaves it at just 13 episodes next year and doesn't pick up the back 9 because what is the point? Bet the reason they moved it to Thursday is to have an excuse to not pick up the back 9. Hope that WB has already told G&M that its over after 13 as waiting until epsiodes 6 or 7 to announce the end at 13 will not force M&G to wrap it up nicely. That is what they need to do and not string it out. Because this is G&M and that is exactly what they would do. It should have ended this season. Commencement was a huge disappointment and especially for WB. It didn't get near the season finale boost most of the rest of WB's shows got.

[docsupes]

We all should have known that season 4 would be terrible when they decided to introduce Lois...not just for an episode or two but to have her be a semi-regular. I love Erica Durance...think she's beautiful and honestly like to see her on camera...but think it has really ruined the appeal of the show. I remember the initial shock before Smallville debuted at learning that they would have Clark and Lex be best friends...however as we all know it has turned out beautifully and for the most part is handled well. Yet the writers have pushed their luck with things such as having Metropolis be an hour or two away in Kansas. Let's just all forget the parallels Metropolis is supposed to have to NYC! But I hate NYC so this latter complaint to me is excusable.

However, to me, and all Superman fans alike, the intial charm of Smallville was that we all knew how it would end - Clark will go (should be far away) to Metropolis, become a reporter, and meet the woman he's supposed to be with. It used to be nice seeing Clark in prior seasons complaining about how he would never meet the right woman...because we all knew it was Lois. But now, you can only have so much childish bickering and obvious attempts to make it seem as if Clark and Lois don't like each other or could never get along, before it gets old. By rushing to have all these future elements be part of the show, rather than just foreshadowing, has made the show very shallow. How much more annoying and foced dialogue can they cram in next season when she's on for another 13 epiosodes? Lines like "I had a nightmare about a guy in a red cape?"...oh....yeah...I forgot.

But these writers seem they couldn't care less...they simply write some fluff so they can get paid. Gone are the subtleties and clever foreshadowing.

Why stop there though? Let's continue this trend and have Jimmy Olsen visit Smallville and decide to move and be part of the crew. Let's have Clark have an affair with an aspiring reporter named Cat who just happens not to like Lois very much. Bring back Perry White and have him be Clark's boss at the college paper Clark will undoubetdly work for.

I say we break the no flight rule yet another time, have Clark fly around the world to go back in time to right before Season 4 began.

[k-son]

The good news is if they cancel Smallville after episode 13 next season which now looks to be the plan, we will only have to endure Lois for 5 or 6 epsiodes.

[Grand_Sophy]

Why on earth do you think the WB is planning to cancel the show half way into next season? I'm pretty sure the renewal order was for a full 22 episodes.

[DarkJustice]

Yeha and the last I read they were saying how they didnt have any plans on ending the show for a looong time, possibly even past the point of when he graduates college.

Lois on the show was pretty weird to me at first too but then I thought it worked pretty good. It would be no big deal if she had already known Clark before he worked at the daily planet, woulda made things bad if they became a couple during smallville though. But in the comics they weren't romantic for the first 40 something years so it's ok.

[Timester]

Originally posted by DarkJustice
Lois on the show was pretty weird to me at first too but then I thought it worked pretty good. It would be no big deal if she had already known Clark before he worked at the daily planet, woulda made things bad if they became a couple during smallville though. But in the comics they weren't romantic for the first 40 something years so it's ok.

40 something? :rotfl:

It's more late 20s. ;)

[Hyde]

Season four was a great season of Smallville. Every character had his journey.

Lana found out that her ancestors were witches ... that's probably where here attraction powers comes from :).

Chloe saw Clark using his powers and now she tries to help and protect him. She thinks Clark is destined to do great things.

Lex has seen his true dark side. Not just a glimpse, not some freakish vision on a desert island, no - the real thing.

Lionel turned to the good side and tries to help Lex and protect Clark's secret.

The Kents realized that Clark has to make his own decisions.

Lois came to town because of the death of her cousin ... not that she has found her alive, she also came closer to her destiny.

Jason started out as Lana's boyfriend, went to Smallville High as the football coach, got fired because of his relationship to a student, turned out to be Mommy's little psycho boy who does anything for her ... similar to the Adam story arc, but evidently better.

[ajfinn]

Originally posted by Hyde
Season four was a great season of Smallville. Every character had his journey.

Lana found out that her ancestors were witches ... that's probably where here attraction powers comes from :).

Chloe saw Clark using his powers and now she tries to help and protect him. She thinks Clark is destined to do great things.

Lex has seen his true dark side. Not just a glimpse, not some freakish vision on a desert island, no - the real thing.

Lionel turned to the good side and tries to help Lex and protect Clark's secret.

The Kents realized that Clark has to make his own decisions.

Lois came to town because of the death of her cousin ... not that she has found her alive, she also came closer to her destiny.

Jason started out as Lana's boyfriend, went to Smallville High as the football coach, got fired because of his relationship to a student, turned out to be Mommy's little psycho boy who does anything for her ... similar to the Adam story arc, but evidently better.

You're totally right. I like your reasoning. This is probably the first year that so many characters had significant changes in their lives. However confusing it was at times for the rest of us, it must have made sense to them :) As for Jonathan & Martha, they also made the decision that they have to allow Clark to grasp his destiny. They had to let go of the boy they found in the corn field, and send him off to save the world. Although I thought the last talk they had with Clark (we've raised you for this very moment...) was cheesy & forced, I did get the message, and thought it was good. Again, they had to give him a gentle shove in the direction of accepting his purpose on earth. Like all good parents do.

[Supersonic]

I agree. While Season 4 is nice, no way can you compare it to how powerful season 2 was, or how creative season 1 was, or how competitive season 3 was.

[pnagel]

I think season 4 was the best so far. I think the episodes and character development improve with each season that passes by.

[k-son]

According to the Hype board, Smallville got a "conditional" 22 epiosde renewal. That means the WB comitted to only 13 epsiodes. They can order more but, if they don't, they won't be dinged. Unlike say Everwood which got a full 22 episode non-conditional renewal. If WB backs out on that they will have to pay penalities to th Everwood producers. BTW, the one other WB drama to get a conditional 22 episode renewal was Charmed. That makes sense - the two shows are the lowest rated WB dramas this season.

WB is hoping its 2 new drames next fall do well. If they do and get back 9 renerwals, WB can drop Smallville and Charmed and move the 3 other midseason dramas onto the schedule. They are betting by then that Everwood will have established itself enough on Thursday to be paired with a new series. Its a tough move for Everwood to Thursdays but, as a compenastion, Everwood got a 2 year renewal. For what that is worth.

[ajfinn]

Originally posted by k-son
According to the Hype board, Smallville got a "conditional" 22 epiosde renewal. That means the WB comitted to only 13 epsiodes. They can order more but, if they don't, they won't be dinged. Unlike say Everwood which got a full 22 episode non-conditional renewal. If WB backs out on that they will have to pay penalities to th Everwood producers. BTW, the one other WB drama to get a conditional 22 episode renewal was Charmed. That makes sense - the two shows are the lowest rated WB dramas this season.

WB is hoping its 2 new drames next fall do well. If they do and get back 9 renerwals, WB can drop Smallville and Charmed and move the 3 other midseason dramas onto the schedule. They are betting by then that Everwood will have established itself enough on Thursday to be paired with a new series. Its a tough move for Everwood to Thursdays but, as a compenastion, Everwood got a 2 year renewal. For what that is worth.

Wow. Thanks for the detailed info, depressing as it is. What is they "Hype Board" you're talking about? Thanks.

[k-son]

Hype is Superhero Hype. But this news has been posted about on Yahoo TV and Superman Homepage too that I know of.

[DarkJustice]

yes yes season 4 best, 3 2nd best 1 3rd best 2 I didn't like much, got me bored. But I'm planning on getting season 2 againa nd rewatching and I might enjoy it more now, dunno.

[So0PAH mAYN]

the season was good...but i hated the whole lana story thingy..

[Lana_Lang #1]

While I usually am a bit of a Lana defender and always Clark defender. I gotta say this:

I liked Clark's storylines this year, they were well done and brillantly polished off with the throwing of the stone at the artic.

I understand that they needed a reason to explore the whole, Clark is weak against magic thing, open up the stones of power storyline and give Lana something to do.

Unfortunately, I too must agree that the whole Lana being a witch thing really brought and slowed the already brillant season down, like a anchor on the Titanic.

Another thing that messed everything up was Jason, an originally much liked character at the beginning of the season, turning evil and a mommy's boy at the very end.

I mean, I know they had to get rid of him somehow but:

A) Why turn him into a mommy's boy? Why not have him profess his undying love for Lana by saving her from his mother in the last episode and then dying to protect her?

Showing him rescue and die for her, would give us a glimpse that he was still good and loved Lana somewhere down there and that he was trying to fight Genevieve's powerful influence. Also we would be seeing the potentially perfect couple they might have been.

Instead they had to turn him into a mommy's boy and create a Adam/Whitney 2.0?

B) You should have given him more revealing dialogue between the Lex and Jason about Clark.

Just in those two minutes at the edge of the cliff in "Forever" when they were talking, that was HUGE plot advancement! I'm like about damn time! Then they shoot him and I'm like oh ****! Not now!

[fa8362]

I am literally stunned that anyone can consider the cr@p that passed for season 4 as being good, much less great!

[Lana_Lang #1]

I am literally stunned that anyone posting on this website would consider season 4 as cra@p! :( Have you no love for the show?

[DarkJustice]

After reading all the hatred for season 4 I went back and rewatched seasons 1-3. My opinnions on season 3 definetly changed after watching all of it, but I still think 4 was a great season and probably the best.

But now i need to watch 4 agan to review it more closely...I need the dvds to come out soon hehe.

But definetly if you look at the season as a whole I think it was an amazing one. I was completely skeptical about everything that was coming this season but through out the entire time I enjoyed it compeletly.

[yanksno1]

Originally posted by Supersonic
I agree. While Season 4 is nice, no way can you compare it to how powerful season 2 was, or how creative season 1 was, or how competitive season 3 was.
Great post and pretty much completely agree. S4 had some bright individual episodes that I liked, but I was really disapointed the direction of the season as a whole. S2 & 3 had some of the best writing I've ever seen on screen, while S4 seems to get dumber with each episode and just didn't go anywhere.

[KryptoniteJem]

Season 4 was the best yet.

KJ