Review: 'Smallville' - Lara

Every year "Smallville" gives us a little more of the Superman mythos. Although the early seasons were limited in what they could include due to the staggering development of what eventually became "Superman Returns," there was enough of the pre-existing mythology to keep the series closely tied to the comic book stories.

Then for the beginning of season 4, the show took a bold step forward with the introduction of Lois Lane (Erica Durance) who turned out only to be the beginning.

The most recent addition is of course Kara of Krypton (Laura Vandervoort), otherwise known as Supergirl, who might have an ulterior motive for being on Earth (even if she doesn’t know it).

She might claim to be protecting Kal-El, but in truth her father Zor-El may have sent her away in the hopes of ensuring Kryptonian survival on Earth in much the same vein as General Zod only a few years earlier.

As Kara flies through the skies of Washington hell bent on relocating her lost crystal, Clark is forced to accept that she is now his responsibility and sets out to bring her home. But when Supergirl-to-be ends up the prisoner of the government’s alien-watcher branch, Kara is relives a part of her forgotten history -- past and present collide as Supergirl comes face to face with … erm, Supergirl. Or is it Supermom?

What Worked

Part of what makes “Smallville” such a fun series to watch is how it can take fleeting references to the comic lore and turn them into winks, hints, nods, nudges and jokes for the existing fans of the story. Helen Slater’s appearance on the series is another nod to the fans but also carries with it the promise of more in the future. Giving Clark the opportunity to see his mother Lara was an interesting move given the absence of Martha Kent (Annette O’Toole) this season.

Similarly, Kara and Lara’s explorations of the Kent farm back in the pre-meteor shower days was slightly more otherworldly than expected, but it was great to see Kara filled with so much concern for baby Kal-El.

Given the conflicting relationship she now has with Clark (which does bring a touch of real life to the super powered family) it was a nice touch to show where she started off before her life-altering journey to the third planet of Sol.

Talk about this story