One of the most popular depictions of Superman in live-action is Tom Welling's incarnation of Clark Kent on Smallville. If it hadn't been for this DC series, something like the Arrowverse would have probably never happened as well as the current climate of comic book TV shows that exists today. While Clark didn't suit-up until the series finale, Welling's version had Superman qualities throughout the entire show, with or without a cape.
Given that he is such a force of good, Clark has some outstanding moments throughout the entire run of Smallville. But, just like with any fictional character, Clark definitely had some moments when he was absolutely terrible. Whether it was intentional or not, Clark had certainly messed up from time to time.
Felt Bad For Clark: Being Brainwashed By Jor-El
If there is someone in the entire DC Universe that deserves the title of "Most Complicated Father," that award would go to Jor-El in a heartbeat. Despite wanting his son to fulfill his destiny, Jor-El definitely approached it wrong multiple times.
The third season got intense between Clark and the Kryptonian A.I. carrying Jor-El's wishes. After pressuring Clark and almost killing Jonathan, Jor-El finally gets what he wants as he takes his son and begins to brainwash him into Kal-El, which plays a big part in the season 4 premiere.
Hated Clark: Jerking Jimmy Around
One of Smallville's few— but biggest— victims was, without doubt, Jimmy Olsen, who didn't even turn out to be the real character that ends up being Superman's best pal. Instead, it was revealed that he was Henry James Olsen, the big brother to the real Jimmy that later becomes Lois and Clark's colleague.
In the eighth season, Jimmy actually solved the mystery of who the mysterious Red-Blue Blur was as he pieced together that it was Clark. Despite having always been good to him, Clark ended up really messing with Jimmy and got help from Oliver to debunk Jimmy's theory. But then he ends up revealing to Jimmy anyway in the season finale before the good old photographer gets killed by Davis Bloome
Felt Bad For Clark: Lex Almost Killing Him
Michael Rosenbaum is, without doubt, the best thing to have ever happened to the Lex Luthor character. Even 10 years later, his Lex is the best version that has ever been on screen. Towards the end of the seventh season, Rosenbaum's time on Smallville was coming to an end as he had decided to pursue new opportunities.
But his final run of episodes saw him finally become the supervillain Lex is known to be. During a confrontation in the Fortress of Solitude, Lex uses the Orb which can control Clark and was basically going to get him killed.
Hated Clark: Standing Up Lois
The eighth season is where the show began to fully explore Lois and Clark's destined romance as they were now working together at the Daily Planet. However, the journey had its many bumps along the way.
Clark, despite his strong feelings for her, later stands Lois up after they were supposed to get together for coffee. Even outside of high school, Clark had way too many problems with how to deal with his feelings for someone he's in love with.
Felt Bad For Clark: When Lana Rudely Left Him
Lex wasn't the only character that left the series after the seventh season as Lana Lang was also on her way out— although Kristin Kreuk did end up coming back for 5 episodes the following season. However, the way Lana left was absolutely terrible for Clark.
After having been in a catatonic state because of Brainiac, Lana is freed after Clark finally takes down the villain. But Lana shows her gratitude in the worst way possible, by leaving Clark a goodbye-DVD. Even though it turned out that she was taken and forced to record that message, it didn't change how horrible it was for Clark as the woman he had fought for had just up and left.
Hated Clark: Prioritizing Lana Over Lois
Imagine if you are getting closer to someone who you have feelings for, especially at a wedding. Despite not having realized it sooner, you are finally dancing with someone that clearly has an eye for you. The worst thing that could happen is if his ex walks in and he suddenly loses his focus on you.
That's exactly what Clark ended up doing to Lois at Chloe and Jimmy's wedding. While he didn't know Lana was coming, Clark really messed with Lois as they were about to kiss and instead ditches her to go to his ex-girlfriend.
Felt Bad For Clark: Coming To Terms With Jonathan's Death/h2>
Smallville had a tragic chapter in the fifth season as the 100th episode ended with the heartbreaking death of Jonathan Kent. The following episode truly pulled the heartstrings of the viewers as Clark wasn't really ready to accept that his father was gone.
After someone steals Jonathan's watch, Clark does everything to get it back while he starts to grieve. The final scene sees Clark coming home to Martha who is watching old videos of Jonathan. This is the moment when Clark finally breaks into tears, as the videos get him to accept that his father is no longer with them.
Hated Clark: Giving Up His Humanity
After the tragic events of season 8, the following season had Clark go on a very complicated journey as he was pursuing his destiny even more. But this time, he did it at the expense of his humanity. While sporting a new outfit to reflect his Kryptonian heritage, Clark had decided to "kill" Clark Kent as he was now only operating as the Blur. While he eventually snapped out of it, it was quite painful to see Clark take such drastic measures.
Felt Bad For Clark: Jor-El Raining On His Parade
The season 10 premiere was one of the best openings to any Smallville season as the beginning of the end was upon the fandom. Having to go up against a Lex clone who had kidnapped Lois and rigged the Daily Planet with explosives, Clark managed to stop him and save everyone. For a moment, as he was leaped to catch the globe, Clark actually demonstrates a bit of flying.
After all of that, Clark was about to finally put on the suit that Martha left behind. But Jor-El spoils Clark's moment by taking him and the suit to the Fortress. Even though Jor-El was right in seeing that Clark's pride was a problem, it had still been a long time since fans ever got to see Clark that thrilled.
Hated Clark: Shutting Jor-El Down
The penultimate episode had perhaps one of the worst moments in the history of Smallville with the 2-hour series finale waiting. After Toyman almost gets brainwashed, and Lois (with Clark's powers) almost kills him, a disastrous conversation with Jor-El follows.
Clark had decided to finally be done with Jor-El as he, literally, shuts him and the Fortress down, thinking he had no more lessons to learn from his biological father. With the looming threat of Darkseid just around the corner, Clark couldn't have picked a worse moment to disable Jor-El.