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In the season 1 finale ofSmallville, young Clark Kent (Tom Welling) is trying to keep his powers a secret, and his comfortable, happy life is threatened. In the episodes leading up to the end of season 1, Clark balances using his powers with keeping up important relationships in his life. He has a close friendship with Lex Luther (Michael Rosenbaum) and is involved in a love triangle with Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk),
Similar to how theend ofBuffy The Vampire Slayerseason 1finds Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) still adjusting to her abilities, Clark is still getting used to his X-ray vision and super speed. At the end ofSmallvilleseason 1, Clark can’t run from who he is, and that realization sets up an exciting season 2.
How Does Smallville Season 1 End?
In the season 1 finale ofSmallville, “Tempest,” there are two main storylines: the spring dance at school, a reporter investigating Clark, and the LutherCorp plant being closed down. These plotlines speak to the main theme ofSmallville: the tension between Clark Kent’s normal high school life and his powers. WhileClark loses his powerslater on, he is still doing his best to keep them a secret at this point.
One of the most important characters at the end ofSmallvilleseason 1 is Roger Nixon (Tom O’Brien), a journalist at theMetropolis Inquisitorwho spies on Clark and his family at home. After testing his theory that Clark has powers by putting a bomb in his car, he takes the octagonal key from Lex’s house and also puts a video camera on Clark’s property. He knows that Clark’s spaceship is on their property too, which is the biggest piece of evidence that there is something strange about Clark.
21 episodes
October 16th 2001-May 21st 2002
Where To Watch
Hulu
Smallvilledoesn’t show Clark as Superman for 10 seasons, but as the season 1 finale suggests, the trouble for Clark is just beginning. When a storm comes through the town, Martha (Annette O’Toole) and Jonathan (John Schneider) find Nixon in their basement. The spaceship has been turned on thanks to the octagonal disk and races out of the cellar. Jonathan runs after Nixon to try to stop the video from getting out.
TheSmallvilleseason 1 finale proves that Lex Luther wants to be a better person than his father. Lionel says that the plant has to close because Lex hasn’t made enough money. Lex is upset about people losing their jobs at the plant and his ruthless father tells him not to worry about it. Lionel says:
“Smallville isn’t in your future; it’s just a brief chapter in your biography.”
Lex tries to save the plant by asking everyone who works there to take out mortgages on their houses so they can all chip in. Unfortunately, his father Lionel (John Glover) purchases Smallville’s Savings & Loan so he can foreclose on the houses.
In the final scene, Clark saves Lana from being killed by a tornado as she drives through town. This scene not only sets upSmallvilleseason 2 as Clark balances his powers with his regular high school life but also suggests a romantic relationship between Clark and Lana. Her boyfriend Whitney Fordman (Eric Johnson) has just moved away, and now she is free to explore her feelings for Clark. Fans are curious aboutwhat happens to Lana afterSmallvilleas she plays a significant role in Clark’s coming-of-age story and development. While Clark and Lana don’t go to the school dance together, his date Chloe (Allison Mack), who is jealous.
What Happens In Season 1 Of Smallville?
In season 1 ofSmallville, Clark uses his powers to help others. Like thebest episodes ofBuffy The Vampire Slayer, these episodes have a “monster of the week” format that sees Clark saving people’s lives.
Did Smallville Win Any Awards?
In episode 2, “Metamorphosis,” Clark stops Greg Arkin (Chad Donella) from mating with Lana when he becomes half bug, half human. In episode 5, “Cool,” Clark saves Chloe when Sean Kelvin (Michael Coristine) begins stealing body heat from people after he touches meteor rocks at the bottom of the lake. In episode 19, “Crush,” Clark focuses on Justin Gaines (Adam Brody), a classmate who gets into a car accident and can no longer draw with his good hand. Justin kills the principal, but Clark stops him from causing more harm. While somesurprising characters have beaten Superman, no one is a match for Clark in the town of Smallville, at least at this point.
In every season 1 episode, Jonathan and Martha protect Clark, and their family bond is moving. In the pilot, Clark says “I’m glad you and mom are the ones who found me” after his spaceship landed in Smallville. Jonathan says:
“We didn’t find you, Clark, you found us.”
Smallvilleseason 1 also develops the friendship between Clark and Lex. In the pilot episode, Lex is driving on a bridge and almost drives right into the water, and Clark is there just in time to save him. While manymovie characters were inspired by Superman, it’s also fascinating watching Clark learn about who he is. Clark’s journey makesSmallvilleseason 1 so compelling.
