And Darth Maul was the only good thing about episode 4 you fucking twit.

Now im the fucking twit.

But not having half an episode devoted to Rosenbaum has helped, despite the fact that he was the best actor on the show.

All that said, I cut the show out of the rotation last season. But I remember it fondly, from once upon a time.

All kidding aside, I always thought they should have done 4 years of "Smallville" and then have Clark go to college and call it "Metropolis". You would have moved beyond the entire Superboy problem, you could have had an entirely new cast of characters, and you could of had him meet Lori Lemaris.

After a weak season 4 (which was extremely disappointing after what is still the show's best season finale in season 3), they bounced back a little in season 5 only to begin to lose it in season 6 and fall off the rails in season 7. It's not that the show hasn't had good ideas (amongst bad ones, admittedly) throughout. It's that the writing has often not supported those ideas well. Season 7 was the prime example of that.

I wasn't looking that forward to season 8 but I couldn't deny that there was an excitement about it coming into the proceedings that hadn't been around in years. AlMiles were finally jettisoned and they kicked the two biggest crutches of the show out from under them: Lex and Lana.

The loss of Rosenbaum was inconceivable. Oh, it was high time for Lex to be out of the picture in order to push Clark's destiny forward, but Rosenbaum consistently brought so much to the table (as did his on-screen father John Glover) that you couldn't help but think that this would irreparably wound the show. Clark's counterpoint was gone, as was someone who always upped the game of the other acting playing opposite him in a scene.

With Lana, conversely, Kristin Kreuk was saddled with perhaps one of the worst written characters in the history of television. I feel bad for her - aside from the experience she got to garner as an actress - because she never had a consistent character to play and her character was a significant detriment to the entire proceedings. The fact that AlMiles had such a hard-on for Lana and threw her onto the highest of high pillars never let the character be real and someone you could identify with or rally behind. She was the worst in damsels-in-distress and when they finally started to give her meatier things to do the Dark Lana direction rang so hollow. I don't blame Kreuk; I blame the writing.

But Lex and Lana being gone is exactly what this show needed. It forced them to stop relying on old tropes, recycling confrontations and conversations over and over again. And with AlMiles gone, the writers have felt unleashed to finally carry on the altered premise of the show that was introduced in Season 4: Clark accepting and embracing his destiny.

Now, season 8 didn't start out perfectly. The writing felt like kids in a candy store. Again, the ideas were solid but the writing felt way too schlocky comic booky. I was very ready to throw in the towel and move on. And then, almost immediately, it changed. The show is far removed from the setting of the first few seasons, which would only be natural after so many years. It finally feels as if it is maturing and advancing.

I thought the Doomsday arc was one of the dumbest ideas when it was announced, and yet with Sam Witwer in the role and the deft writing the show has made it work and makes you care about the character. With the episode 'Identity' a few weeks ago, we were finally introduced to Superman in the Smallville universe. Not necessarily Clark in the tights but the public was given a teaser and Clark (finally!) saw himself as a symbol of hope for the masses. The people now know a man in blue and red is out there helping and protecting.

Now, I'd hardly ever call Smallville a bastion of excellent television writing. But if you gave up on the show long ago, give it another look. I think you'll be surprised by this season.

As for Smallville, Playhouse pretty much captured my take...used to be I wouldn't miss the show and we'd all hook up and watch on my brother's system (my cable doesn't issue WB in hi-def, those assholes!) but now I'll actually forget sometimes to watch which doesn't mean I hate it but does mean it's not such a huge priority any longer.

This is the last season though so for the haters, you'll get your wish come the end of Spring.

Continentalop: No, they're not in high school anymore and haven't been for a while. However, they never went to college either. Chlow and Clark just seemed to get jobs as reporters at The Daily Planet with no credentials whatsoever.

Darth Nader: I wondered the same thing about the mind wipe. Does she remember being Oracle-esque? Does she know who Green Arrow is? The rest of the League? I'd think maybe all of that is gone as fruit of the poison tree, but maybe they'll clear it up for us tonight since Oliver appears to be around.

By the way, Smallville sucks.

They're throwing out all of the character's continuity. It's like a Superman Elseworld. "What if Clark Kent runs into everyone before he puts on the super suit?"

Answer: Superman is flying around the world in his new suit with nothing to do in the last episode. And he gets bored.

Me too.

Anyway smallville's been a huge disappointment. thought things would pick up when they canned those two writers, but sadly no.

And yes, waiting until January for new episodes sucks, but at least we get the Legion of Super-Heroes as the first new episode of 2009. Fingers crossed for the Time Trapper as the villain!

WTF was up with that goofy hairstyle? It's the type of style that can only be appreciated in Hollywood, I guess, just like Scientology. I never cared much for Lana's character, but I at least found her hot. Not so much in last night's ep, while at the same time Lois was looking better than ever (and I never use to be into her).

I wasn't suppose to be watching this season, cause it sounded like it was gonna be the shittiest one yet, but I agree with others in that it has gotten better. I'm not sure I'm cool with Chloe going back to not knowing Clark's secret, unless they quickly reveal it again. That smile of hers was pretty cool at the end though.