June 28, 2006 - Smallville won't be back on the small screen for a couple of months, but with the Man of Steel returning to the big screen this week, we thought we'd take a look at what may be in store for the series' sixth season. But before we do that, let's recap... Last season started out solid, with main characters Clark Kent and Lex Luthor becoming more like their iconic selves. Unfortunately, halfway through the season -- at some point after the death of Jonathan Kent in "Reckoning" -- the episodes took a turn for the worse. No longer was the focus on character development but instead on the repetitive SECRETS story arc between Lana and Clark. As their relationship crumbled we -- the audience -- were forced to watch every excruciating moment.
Each time this show leaps for great heights it falls back down to mind-numbing lows, which is all the more frustrating since they have such a rich mythology to work with -- Smallville should really be one of the best shows on television. Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum are fantastic in their respective roles and their characters are some of the best depictions, save the comic books and Justice League cartoons.
The problem lies at the heart of the storytelling with showrunners Miles Millar and Alfred Gough focusing far too much on creating tedious, almost sophomoric, drama and tension. Looking back at the show's five seasons, it seems they are trying to turn Clark Kent into Peter Parker with love triangles and even making him best friends with someone whose father is also a villain. Yes, Lex Luthor is Harry Osborne, Lionel Luthor is Norman Osborne and the Lana/Lois combination equals Gwen Stacey/Mary Jane respectively. The similarities are all there... Don't forget that Millar and Gough did write Spider-Man 2.
This type of romantic drama is required for a long-running series -- especially for one on the WB -- but the focus should remain on the development of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor into the characters they will become. Lana should have found out about Clark's secret years ago, instead of making it a tiresome 50+ episode story arc.
The upcoming season does hold promise, as it may very well be the series' last, and that means that the showrunners and writers can push the stories and characters to their limits. Here's some speculation on where the characters of Smallville might be headed this season...
Lana Lang
Where IGN Would Take the Character: Season six should be all about discovery and acceptance for Miss Lang as she finally discovers the truth about her longtime friend and short-time lover, Clark Kent. The SECRET was quite possibly one of the most annoying plot devices of last season and every episode seemed to end with Clark trying to keep his secret identity from Lana while she continued to pry for the truth. NO MORE, WE SAY! It's time for the truth to be revealed and for Lana Lang to take her rightful place at Clark's side.
What Will Probably Happen: For some deranged reason the showrunners continue to keep Lana in the dark. One can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel but not until the Lana-Lex relationship comes to a conclusion (which probably won't be until about midway through the season).
Chloe Sullivan
Where IGN Would Take the Character: A rumor has surfaced that a casting call for Jimmy Olsen has been placed for the season premiere, "Zod." It is high time that Chloe Sullivan found a man of her own instead of pining over Clark who is constantly pining over Lana. With the revelation that Chloe and Mr. Olsen have known each other intimately in the past, this is an opportunity that I would take. Of course, we wouldn't let that Olsen kid stick around too long… he can get annoying. Also, we'd prefer much more Chloe-Clark-centric episodes; their chemistry on screen is by far the best in the series and Chloe seems to always be given the best lines the writers have to offer.
What Will Probably Happen: Sadly, with her character being the only one solely created for the show, Chloe's time is likely short and she may finally be killed off. There needs to be a catalyst for Lois Lane to become who she is meant to become - a hardnosed reporter - and at this point she is nowhere near that mark. Investigating Chloe's death and continuing her legacy is easily the best way to get the ball rolling and as much as we love her character, it's probably time for her to go.
Continue on to Page 2 for our looks at the other characters, including Martha Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor and, of course, Clark Kent.
The problem lies at the heart of the storytelling with showrunners Miles Millar and Alfred Gough focusing far too much on creating tedious, almost sophomoric, drama and tension. Looking back at the show's five seasons, it seems they are trying to turn Clark Kent into Peter Parker with love triangles and even making him best friends with someone whose father is also a villain. Yes, Lex Luthor is Harry Osborne, Lionel Luthor is Norman Osborne and the Lana/Lois combination equals Gwen Stacey/Mary Jane respectively. The similarities are all there... Don't forget that Millar and Gough did write Spider-Man 2.
This type of romantic drama is required for a long-running series -- especially for one on the WB -- but the focus should remain on the development of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor into the characters they will become. Lana should have found out about Clark's secret years ago, instead of making it a tiresome 50+ episode story arc.
The upcoming season does hold promise, as it may very well be the series' last, and that means that the showrunners and writers can push the stories and characters to their limits. Here's some speculation on where the characters of Smallville might be headed this season...
Lana Lang
 |  | |
What Will Probably Happen: For some deranged reason the showrunners continue to keep Lana in the dark. One can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel but not until the Lana-Lex relationship comes to a conclusion (which probably won't be until about midway through the season).
Chloe Sullivan
|  | |
What Will Probably Happen: Sadly, with her character being the only one solely created for the show, Chloe's time is likely short and she may finally be killed off. There needs to be a catalyst for Lois Lane to become who she is meant to become - a hardnosed reporter - and at this point she is nowhere near that mark. Investigating Chloe's death and continuing her legacy is easily the best way to get the ball rolling and as much as we love her character, it's probably time for her to go.
Continue on to Page 2 for our looks at the other characters, including Martha Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor and, of course, Clark Kent.
