somebody’s looking out for me i guess i just fractured my ankle and i can’t skate for a month

Summary: Booster Gold, a superhero from the 25th century, arrives in Metropolis, intending to take Clark's place in history as Earth's greatest hero. Meanwhile, a strange device attaches itself to a teenage boy and causes trouble.

The episode was written by Geoff Johns and directed by Tom Welling. Fans were enthusiastic about the episode, and most reviews were positive - it is Geoff Johns, after all. However, the episode drew the lowest viewership of the entire season, with 1.99 million viewers in the U.S., compared to 2.37 million for the preceding episode - a rather significant drop. Booster Gold) and Blue Beetle are two very popular heroes in DC Comics - especially the version featuring Jaime Reyes), and Booster Gold) following the 52 miniseries.

Clark is such a grump in this episode. And I don’t really get why. After Masquerade [which was three episodes ago!], I thought he’d naturally start acting like a "bumbling reporter" - much like he did in the Pilot - so what’s with all the complaining?
On the other hand, he’s so proud of Lois and so supportive of her, which is really great to see. Clark has been doing some investigating this time - mostly online and via Watchtower, sure, but it’s still a lot more than he’s done before. He’s trusting his instincts.

Booster Gold flies before Clark, too. Okay, so you decided that Clark wouldn't fly in the series - but why did you let so many other characters fly? Superman is supposed to be the first hero to fly.

In a perfect world, the tenth season would have focused on the relationship between Lois and Clark, the Daily Planet, and Darkseid. Instead, the season is completely scattered across a million different plot threads, filled with numerous filler episodes. If we had seen more interaction between Clark and Lois at the Daily Planet, this episode would have served as another step in Clark’s evolution into Superman - rather than feeling like a pilot for a Booster Gold and Blue Beetle spin-off. Furthermore, Clark’s complaints wouldn’t have come across as a regression; they would have been a natural progression in his journey. Lois, by contrast, feels spot-on - this is the Lois I recognize.

Lois describes Booster quite accurately - "flying car salesman."

Where does Lois get the money to rent all those billboards?

Booster is an A-hole the entire episode, acting like a bully toward Clark. It’s as if the "52" miniseries - which Geoff Johns co-wrote - never even happened. He keeps taking digs at Clark and The Blur. He’s an idiot. It wasn't the interview with Lois or the key to the city that made The Blur famous; it was his heroic deeds. And even if he *did* manage to take Clark’s place in history, does he really think he could handle the consequences?

Jaime Reyes turns into a fighting machine, yet - contrary to the Smallville tradition [even Clark took revenge on Whitney in the Pilot by stacking the pickup trucks on top of one another] - he chooses, for some reason, to attack Booster instead.

Throughout the episode, the characters explain why people trust Booster Gold - but in reality, they are describing why they trust Superman. He doesn’t wear a mask, he operates in broad daylight and in public, and he is accessible to the general public.

I get that the phone booth is a nod to Superman - really, I do - but Clark changes his clothes so quickly; why does he even need a transparent phone booth?

Erica Durance looks cute in those glasses.

Notes:
* First time Clark Kent changes his clothes in a public phone booth as shown in the comics.
* Ted Kord), who runs Kord Industries and is looking for the "scarab", was the "Blue Beetle" in the DC Comic Universe. In the comics, Jaime became the Blue Beetle after Ted Kord was killed by Maxwell Lord, who appeared in Season Nine.
* In the DC Comic Universe, Dan Garrett) was the original "Blue Beetle". Garrett gained his powers from a magic blue scarab jewel.
* This is the last episode of Smallville directed by Tom Welling. Also, this is Geoff Johns's last episode as writer.
* The sponsor logos on Boosters' NASCAR-like suit include Shake Up Kola, Global Air, Metropolis Telecom, Bank of Metropolis and Federated Couriers
* Ron Troupe) has a cameo in this episode. This is his fourth reference. First, he was mentioned in a screen capture from season 8's Identity, his name can be seen in his Daily Planet article about the mysterious Red-Blue Blur/The Good Samaritan (Clark Kent) that has been sighted around the city of Metropolis. In Homecoming, future Lois mentions Ron's name to Perry over her cell phone. In Icarus, Ron (along with Samuel Troupe) is listed as a relative of Lois Lane by the VRA.
* The phrase "Man of Steel", although having been used before, is used in its correct vernacular and associated with the House of El symbol for the first time in this episode.
* Steve Lombard) is mentioned.
* This is the seventh time the Legion ring has been used to send someone either to the past or the future. The other times happen in Legion, Infamous, Doomsday, Savior, Pandora, and Homecoming.
* Clark's bumbling mannerisms shown throughout this episode are very similar to how he was depicted in Jimmy's 1940s dream sequence in season 6's Noir.
* When Lois talks with Jamie about standing up for himself, she uses the phrase, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore", a famous line used by Howard Beale in the film "Network".
* When he sees Booster's Legion ring, Clark deduces that he stole it. But Booster is from the 25th century, and the Legion wasn't formed until the 31st century.
* Lois Lane is promoted out of the basement bullpen in this episode.

Quotes:
Clark: Lois, I was like that in Smallville. The thought of going back to that, I...
Lois: Clark, the real you can burn holes through buildings with a look, and lift a freight train with one finger. Get over it.
Clark: You know, the last thing you should worry about is teaching me Mild-Mannered 101. You should be focusing on that promotion now that Steve Lombard went to Daily Star. They said that desk could be yours.
Lois: I'm counting on it.

Lois: Booster Gold's star will burn out faster than you can say "up, up, and away." Now let's focus on what's really important here.
Clark: And what is that, Lois?
Lois: Unmaking Clark Kent so that we can get the Blur out there.

Booster Gold: I'm about to get the key to the city. And history says whoever gets the key becomes this city's Man of Steel. Or Gold. All you got to do is show me up. Reveal yourself to the world. Put that suit on display and... steal my thunder. What do you say?
Clark: The suit doesn't make the hero. A hero's made in the moment by the choices that he makes and the reasons that he makes them. A hero brings out the best in people. I don't doubt behind that star, there is a hero... but I haven't seen him. Not yet.

Cat: Lois, Clark's nice and all, if you wanna invest in a fixer-upper, but he's no Blur.
Lois: [pleased] No. No, he's not.

Jaime Reyes: Who are you?
Booster Gold: [to a crowd of people] I'm sure you're all wondering who I am. Well, how about the 411? I'm pure gold, ladies and gentlemen. I am Booster Gold, the greatest hero you've never heard of... till now!

Booster Gold: Who wants to be the star of the show?
Booster Gold Dancer #1: Me!
Booster Gold Dancer #2: Me!
Booster Gold Dancer #3: Me!
Booster Gold: Just kidding, I'm the star of the show.

Clark: After seeing all the trouble that Booster went through hiding his insecurities, I think I can make the glasses work. But...
Lois: But what, Smallville? You owned it today. You went from sleek to geek in under 24 hours. What could be wrong with that?
Clark: I saw the way Cat looked at me. I also heard what she said.
Lois: Yeah, and it's perfect.
Clark: It's not perfect. Lois, it doesn't matter what people say about me. This is about you.
Lois: Me?
Clark: You see, I can fly under the radar. I can live down expectations of Clark Kent as long as the Blur's out there saving people, but...
Lois: But what?
Clark: What are people gonna think about you? The strong and... extremely sexy Lois Lane wants to marry... [putting his glasses on]
Clark: ...this new Clark Kent. How could they ever understand that you'd be interested in this?
Lois: [he rips his shirt open] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop right there. Oh, trust me, Smallville. [taking his glasses off and leaning in to kiss him] We can make this work. Oh, boy, can we.

Lois: Heroism is not for sale.
Booster Gold: Oh, everything's for sale, if not for rent.
Lois: And that's why you'll never be anything like the Blur.
Booster Gold: You just don't get it, do you, gorgeous?
Lois: Apparently not.
Booster Gold: I didn't come here to be like the Blur. I came here to replace him.
Lois: That'll never happen.

Lois: I'm trying to help.
Clark: Help. By making me stumble into Ron Troupe?
Lois: Yeah, it's a start. Clark, you want people to look down on Clark Kent so they can look up to the Blur. Which, by the way, isn't exactly gonna be a fitting name after, you know, stop blurring and start standing in the spotlight.
Clark: Well, the spotlight's kind of crowded with Booster Gold.
Lois: Okay, not that my curiosity isn't in overdrive about booster boy. But you are making way more out of this than you need to. Okay?
Clark: Okay.
Lois: I'm sure our flying car salesman will... buzz off as fast as he buzzed in.

What If Lex and Clark Had Escaped Together in “Shattered”? Would Their Friendship Have Survived?

I often see people on this subreddit asking what would have happened if Clark had revealed his secret to Lex, or whether they could have remained friends if Lex had discovered the truth. But people seem to forget that Lex actually did discover Clark’s secret in the show. He saw his abilities with his own eyes, but after Lionel had him subjected to electroshock therapy, he lost those memories.

So my question is: what if Lex and Clark had actually managed to escape together?

Think about the circumstances. Clark would have saved Lex’s life, revealed his powers to him out of desperation, and helped him escape from an institution where Lionel was deliberately trying to make him look mentally ill. Lex would also have had the opportunity to prove that he wasn't crazy, but rather the victim of his father's poisoning and manipulation.

Lex could have had every reason to feel grateful to Clark. And considering how much their friendship meant to him in the earlier seasons, I wonder whether that experience could have brought them even closer rather than pushing them apart.

Would Lex have kept Clark’s secret? Would his gratitude have outweighed his obsession with uncovering the truth? Or would his curiosity and need for control eventually have driven a wedge between them anyway?

I think this scenario could have completely changed the trajectory of their relationship, and I’m curious to hear what everyone else thinks.

I’m rewatching Smalville and just got to the Season 3 finale, amazing finale!!! and look I love Clark Kent but honestly, Clark ending his friendship with Lex over Lex investigating all the bizarre incidents surrounding him is INSANE to me.

We’re talking about an accident where BOTH of them should have died, and Lex is understandably trying to figure out what the hell happened. Yet Clark acts like Lex is completely out of line for asking questions, as if he hasn’t spent years lying to him and hiding the truth about practically everything.

And the worst part? Clark genuinely acts morally superior, as though Lex is the one betraying their friendship, when Clark has been deliberately keeping him in the dark the entire time.

Like, I understand that Clark has a secret to protect, and he’s entitled to his privacy. But you cannot spend years lying to someone, expect them to trust you unconditionally, and then act offended when they start questioning your increasingly suspicious behavior.

CLARK, MY BOY, LOOK IN THE MIRROR. THE HYPOCRISY IS INFURIATING. 😭

What’s especially tragic is that Lex genuinely sees Clark as someone he can trust, someone who might actually be different from everyone else in his life. And instead of acknowledging how his own dishonesty contributes to the breakdown of their friendship, Clark takes the moral high ground and pushes him away.
I’m not saying Lex is innocent or that his obsession with finding answers is always justified. But watching Clark condemn Lex for being suspicious while refusing to acknowledge his own role in creating that suspicion is incredibly frustrating.

Their friendship is one of the most compelling relationships in the series, but moments like this make me want to shake Clark through the screen. The tragedy is that they both contribute to the destruction of their friendship, but Clark seems so convinced of his own moral righteousness that he can’t even recognize his part in it.

Just finished watching Smallville, and I am really sad that there are no more episodes. I was so looking forward to seeing Clark being Superman and everyone finally getting to see him as Superman!

Clarke, Lex, Chloe, Lana, Oliver, and Loise were incredible!! Johnathan, Martha, and Lionel were great too! I am afraid I am not going to like anyone else as Superman or other characters in other movies/series anymore after watching Smallville. These actors imprinted those characters on my mind and heart, just like the Harry Potter actors.

I am not a fan of any human being on this planet earth, but I certainly admire Tom Welling more than others. He was incredible because his acting was so innocent, and just today his post something about dreamcon came up on my social media, and I suddenly had a huge smile on my face! It’s like I took a huge jump in time and space to see young Tom and old Tom ahhaha I had no idea of his existence before watching Smallville 😆

P.S. There was one scene where someone said that “connor” lex‘s clone is love child of Clark and Lex and I laughed so hard for almost an hour because of the dialogue delivery and Clark‘s reaction on the comment!!! 🤣

Back in 2003 I found Smallville and it practically became an obsession with me for the next 8 years.

On Kryptonsite, I found like minded fans where I was able to express my enjoyment and disappointment with episodes. Through Smallville I developed a lot of my own creativity and writing skills and I thank the show for that.

All in all, it was an emotional rollercoaster and I had a great time. When it was over, it felt like I had lost a friend.

Thanks for the fun.

Today is the 25 Year Anniversary of the Day Smallville aired. I never saw Smallville the day it first aired, but I do remember the first time I saw most of the first episode. My dad recorded the episode, and showed it to me. When Jonathan said “Kids just don’t fall out of the sky Martha,” and when they find Clark’s spaceship I knew it was a Superman series. As of today it is still fun to watch and my favorite superhero series. To all Smallville fans happy anniversary to Smallville.

Felt the need to celebrate such a special occasion with Clark Kent’s FIRST kiss on the show, with none other than Lex Luthor! 😂 Because of course he beats out all of Clark's actual romantic interests, lol. Certainly the beginning of one of the most interesting, memorable, and complicated friendships in TV history.

To anyone out there who remembers the show fondly—I see you! The fact that we’re here, still talking about it after so many years, says everything. I hope today we celebrate such a milestone happily, regardless of ships, biases, and personal opinions—just like Clark would want it. Feel free to drop your favourite moment from any season!

After all, we’re all here, just holding on to Smallville 🤍 Happy anniversary!

First of all, Lex is a complex character and I know that the guy is not as such, someone who was always bad and that probably if some things happened differently the guy wouldn't end up being a villain or at least he wouldn't end up being so bad

Now outside of that, why do many people blame practically everything on Clark for Lex becoming a villain? I've seriously seen people do the typical thing of treating Lex as a victim, which in many ways he is, but mainly he's a victim of Lionel, who is practically the one to blame for not having raised Lex in a proper way, but it still surprises me how many people come down way too hard on Clark and practically blame him for everything for having hidden his secret, or do the typical thing of bringing up bad things that other characters did as if that took away from the bad things Lex did.

I mean, don't get me wrong, Lex is my favorite character in the series, but it surprises me how many people try to take the blame away from him for his actions. The guy went from being a victim of his father to being an abuser.

The next Warner Bros. Archives video featuring props from throughout the series. Part three!

You can also hear Matt regularly on my podcast, Always Hold On To Smallville. (Shameless plug, I know. 😛)

25 years ago today, my favorite show of all time began…Now I didn’t start watching until they shown reruns on ABC Family around 2005. But from then on, this show was a big part of my childhood and I felt I was growing up with the characters mostly Clark. During the pandemic I wasn’t working so I rewatched the show and fell in love with the story all over again, and as I’m writing this, I’m on my second rewatch of the show lol this time I’m picking up on things and relating to Clark’s loneliness more than ever…let’s just say, as a 30 year old guy on the spectrum, losing friends has been tough whether I see it coming or not. This was my Superman, this show had the BEST Lex Luthor and some of the best storytelling(and Music lol)..it oozes 2000’s in the best way and I’m happy I got to experience it.

It's not the best but yeah<3

Also I’m New to This Sub

I’m doing another Smallville rewatch and I just finished 3x06 Relic and realised something kind of insane about Jonathan and the town of Smallville.

One thing I find kind of hilarious about Smallville is how Jonathan is constantly going on about how terrible the Luthors are, especially Lionel, when the town itself is full of corruption.

I’m not saying Lionel is innocent. He’s manipulative, ruthless, and willing to exploit people for his own benefit. But at this point, he’s mostly been a ruthless businessman. Meanwhile, Lex has repeatedly tried to be friendly with Jonathan out of respect for the Kent family and his friendship with Clark, yet Jonathan seems to judge him largely because of his last name.
Then there’s “Suspect” in Season 2, where Jonathan’s own high school buddies, Sheriff Ethan and the bartender, conspire to frame him for shooting Lionel. And in “Relic,” we find out that Mayor Tate tried to have Jor-El murdered and framed another man for it because he wanted the man’s girlfriend.

So Jonathan’s old friends are conspiring to frame him for attempted murder, and the town’s mayor is a would-be murderer, but somehow the Luthors are still the embodiment of evil? 😂

Lionel is absolutely shady, but the irony is that the supposedly wholesome town of Smallville is full of people doing things far worse than the business dealings Jonathan constantly condemns.
I think Jonathan is often right about Lionel, but his moral superiority gets pretty ridiculous when he gives people he knows the benefit of the doubt while judging Lex for being a Luthor. Smallville isn’t nearly as innocent as it likes to think it is.

And it just reinforces how sanctimonious Jonathan can be.