Mid to late last year, conjecture was abound as to whether this 8th season of Smallville would be the last season, as had been originally planned.
Many factors were floating around as to the outcome. Does The CW stick to the original plan? Do ratings have an impact on the plans? What about actor availability? Do we, the viewers want a 9th season? OK, that last one was a duh.
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This season has seen some pretty good plot lines. We’ve seen a few new characters, we’re about to meet the Legion of Superheroes from the 31st century and wait ’til we find out who sent them! We’re going to be seeing The Toyman in February and heck, even Tori Spelling is going to reprise her role of gossip columnist Linda Lake for at least one episode.
Back in December, ratings were telling The CW that the show should go on. Heck it is part of their bread and butter combination with Supernatural, but the only other snag was the actor availability. The question: Did any of the actors start making plans to move on with the advent that season 8 was the last possible season? The availability issue was such that Darren Swimmer had been prepared to write a series finale if Tom Welling did not return.
Today the news on the street is that Tom Welling is close to finalizing a deal to return for a 9th season with some final details being ironed out. One of the details was something to the affect of “the Brinks Truck pull into the actor’s driveway”. Not a bad detail and not surprising to know Welling has some serious leverage.
Of course, we all wonder. Now that we aren’t going to see a series finale this year, do we get to see the suit and when?
More than likely not. February will see a 3 episode story arc with Clark dealing with the premise of a dual identity. The other hangup about the suit is that it may never happen due to a potential conflict with the big screen franchise. Which doesn’t make sense to me since this show seems to be carrying the franchise along nicely, but who knows. Things change with time and we can just keep on hoping.
Me, I’m just waiting to see how they are going to resolve the Brainiac possessed Chloe scenario and I can’t wait to see Doomsday duke it out in plain light so we can finally see him!!
Here’s the official press release from The CW for Smallville:
The aftermath of Doomsday’s (Sam Witwer) attack on Chloe (Allison Mack) and Jimmy’s (Aaron Ashmore) wedding leaves Clark (Tom Welling) in shock, but before he can search for the kidnapped Chloe, The Persuader (guest star Fraser Aithceson) appears and attacks him. Rokk (guest star Ryan Kennedy), Imra (guest star Alexz Johnson) and Garth (guest star Calum Worthy), also known as The Legion, step in from the future to help vanquish the Persuader and the group realizes Brainiac has taken over Chloe once again. Meanwhile, up at the Fortress, Chloe, as Brainiac, informs Davis he is Doomsday and was created to kill “the other Kryptonian” and destroy the world.
Sources: EW, HollyScoop, DarkHorizons
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64 Comments
sweet!
Although its not a ‘duh’ for all viewers, when writing my previous article on Smallville I read a lot of negative flak from groups of fans wanting the show to end this season.
I hope they are a very small minorit as I want more!
I feel so terribly sorry for Welling. The poor boy is going to have absolutely no career outside of Smallville now. Maybe he knows that by signing for another season.
But of course, I could be wrong. And I hope I am. Let’s just hope Welling doesn’t get typecast.
I don’t think he will get typecast because he isn’t in the typical costume. All the other superman actors had the costume which is why I think they had a harder time getting other jobs. It’s nice to know thursdays will still have Smallville and Supernatural.
I’m not a Smallvile fan but this season has become so interesting that I find myself watching episodes again.
I really think they would have something to tell in a 9th season.
The move to Metropolis was certainly someting this show needed, it really improved the show!
I hope they can continue!
Besides it would be nice if Supernatural gets a fifth season to team it up again with Smallville! Sorry, I’m a little Supernatural fan!
I for one am glad that the series is continuing. I thought it would have ended this season too but no. Good so I guess 9 will be really leaned towards Clark becoming Superman.
One more year is OK.
But ONLY one more !
PLEASE lets not go 10!
I think it is great they’re headed to #9.
But a 10th? They would really need to pull some stunts and have some great writing to make that a viable entertainment platform to sustain the viewership… (IMHO)
Middle aged Lois acts with her fake boobs in virtually every scene. Those silicone implants should get screen credit for acting. Onward to Clark and Lois, the middle aged years.
I can see the 9th season as the final season. A 10th season is definitely out of the question. I’m glad there will be a 9th season because I want them to correct the last few seasons that didn’t focus on Clark.
Honestly, this show is as legendary as the original Superman movies (apologies to Christopher Reeves) but Tom Welling has played a phenominal role in the re telling of the saga. I think they shoould sign on smallville for 2 more seasons. Not only would 10 seasons be able to expand the foreshadowing element of the series, but think of the box sets people would purchase. All Special edition sets and what not… and after that, work on getting Tom welling to star in a movie. That would be truly legendary.
If Smallville can help in anyway to give Supernatural more seasons then I say keep Smallville forever:)
i really hope to a 9th season because they have to corect some things and because i’m a fan
For the 9th season, they need to work in Bruce Wayne..I mean they seem to have worked in just about every other hero, why not the other popular DC hero with Superman
A conflict of character rights with the movies that are out and coming out prevent the shows from doing some things. IE: We’ll never see the suit because of a potential conflict with the big screen franchise. Go figure.
I suspect Nolan may have put a serious clamp down on “his” character showing up in other venues. That’s just a guess from past posts and notes I’ve seen.
Well i think there should be a superman movie coming from smallville
if they can get Tom to play the part
Smallville has been such a big hit that it would only increase the big screen franchise, We got to see the early years of superman in smallville but what is he doing now are there no more villians left in the world.
FLY!!!! that’s alll I want… FLIGHT, as himself
Hi my name is clair and me a nd my partner love smallville. i have to admit the seventh season i got a bit disapointed with but the last season has been great and we really hope it may make a 10th season at least. we would also love clark to fly
Hi Clair. Thanks for coming by! We would all love to see Clark finally get some air time indeed!
@redroeder
I’ve deleted your comments and my response. If you can’t express your opinion without insulting people, then go find another site on which to leave your acerbic comments.
Have a nice day.
Vic
I’m going against the grain here, but I actually wouldn’t bat an eye if Smallville stopped dead at eight seasons. I’m emotionally invested in the show, and it’s a good one, but come on: it’s been eight years of Clark & Friends, with no overarching plot, just one villain after another. I want to watch to the end, but I’m just getting tired. It moves so slow, that’s one problem…and the smoldering romantic tension NEVER goes anywhere.
And of course no flights, no tights. I could see that the first three seasons. Eight years in, though, I’d like to see him at least do a few loops above a football game or something…maybe that’s one wish that’ll be granted. Who knows?
Or maybe they’ll save such a major step for season 9. Gack!
@ Bruce:
First of all I think it would be awesome to bring Batman, Wonderwoman or any more Justice League members to Smallville but I understand that due to character rights that may not happen, but if they could work something out that would be pretty sweet. I mean the thought of not seeing Clark in the suit should bring a tear to any Superman fans’ eyes.
I also think that they should have that 9th season because we’re 14 episodes into season 8 and Clark and Lana just broke up. So for Clark to get with Lois before he can defeat Doomsday or before he is killed by Doomsday in the next 7 or so episodes would be an impossible feat for the writers to achieve while sustaining the romantic tension between Clark and Lois and plus if that’s the last we’ve seen of Lex Luthor than in my opinion Smallville will have had a failed ending. With that being said if we do see a ninth season than I’d expect some more of his abilities and maybe some real air time for Clark (not Kal-El) and more glimpses of the suit would be nice. The season should also have a good storyline buid-up about Clark finally accepting his destiny. Also a Superman movie with the full cast of Smallville would be pretty cool don’t you think?
@Ralph:
Agreed, but here’s a twister Ralph: As of last week, the week of 2/9/09, the news is that Welling hasn’t signed up for a 9th season yet!
Smallville and the makers and writers and producers are more than capable of continuing on for a 9th season. Renew Tom Welling’s contract CW and WB would be wise to have the show continue with such a talented crew of actors and actresses on the show including Tom Welling and Allison Mack who have done some episodes directing while still playing their characters. Erica deserves to be in more episodes with Tom as Clark and Lois.The 8th season so far for me has been a hit. Hopefully Clark will fly in season 8 and 9. with Lois and Clark falling in love and moving more towards the real superman Tom would play a excellent superman as Clark as a reporter with his partner Lois Lane. Clark and Lois hopefully will fall in love with each other this season and into a season 9.Makers of Smallville renew Toms Contract for more seasons as well as the other actors and actresses like Allison Mack,Tom Welling,Erica Durance,Aaron Ashmore,and the Green arrow to continue to a 9th season. Please have Smallville continue for a 9th season it is my favorite show from season 1 to season 8. Smallville is the only show I really watch especially on Thursdays it is such a excellent show. Erica and Tom are excellent together and Allison Mack should go back to the Daily Planet as a reporter while helping Clark and Green arrow. Allison as Chloe on Smallville helps keep a balance for the hero’s so they don’t go over the edge and become evil. While they like Clark and Green arrow and Lois help also Chloe from going to far over the edge and she is a very good role model morally as well as Clark is also a good role model as well as Lois Lane or Erica Durance in other words they are the best actors I have ever seen. Continue Smallville for more season CW and WB so the show go’s for more seasons.
The show Smallville is good enough to make it to a season 9 and more. Tom’s contract should be renewed they would be wise to renew it he is a excellent superman. I like how Lana is leaving so the Lois and Clark relationship can grow and develop him into superman. I think that Tom will fly in season 8 and 9. Allison and Erica’s contract should be renewed also for more seasons. I would like Clark and Lois to fall in love this season and to a season 9 where justice league and legion may start to develop. I also hope for new hero’s and new bad guys in the show for Smallville. Smallville is my favorite show to watch any day of the week.
I think it would be a good idea also to have wonderwoman on the show Smallville. They should also have batman on it with other new hero’s. Other people also want wonderwoman and Batman on the show. I don’t know if Spider-Man would be a good suggestion for the show but he and Superman are 2 of my favorite heros
@ Robert
Sorry to disapoint you Robert but you’ll never see wonderwoman or batman and definately not spiderman on the show. The creative team has been told specifically not to put wonderwoman and batman on the show because the show is about Clark becoming superman and superman doesn’t meet wonderwoman and batman far after becoming superman so they were told to keep that level of respect for the dc comics by not including them, btw spiderman never meets superman in the comics so chances are it’ll never happen
Raph,
It’s more about the Batman movie franchises than it is any respect.
And Spiderman and Superman have met. It took place in a Marvel / DC crossover…
But Spiderman will never be seen in Smallville ever, because it’s a different comic company.
Clark will fly in the season finale…..making Season 9 all that more grand. We will have a whole season of him flying and with a dual identity….and possibly donning the suite. I mean, they used to obey the “no tights, not flights”, policy, but with that out the window maybe Clark will donn the tights too…..We’ll see. But I am definitely a happy fan……Now all that has to happen is a “Smallville: The Movie”…..but I won’t hold my breath.
I am so excited. I was really beginning to worry that there was so much to resolve for it to be the last season. I live to watch Smallville.All my kids know that they don’t bother Mama on Thursday night, even if it is rerun time.
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