I'll take a shot at this question.
First of all I don't read comics. I don't like them, and I don't say that to offend the many fans who enjoy them. I just don't enjoy trying to read dialogue trapped in bubbles over well drawn pictures. Why? Because there's no drama for me. I'd rather read a book. However, a drama that can be watched and viewed - even better.
What's my point regarding the thread? Since I've never read a comic about Superman, and I have no clue about the history or "facts" about Superman, except for the basics: Alien, Krypton, green rock is bad, he flies, he's strong, and he wears primary colors - I knew nothing about Superman's life before becoming Superman - until Smallville.
What does Smallville give me and what will I take away from it? The following questions about Superman were answered by watching Smallville:
How does Superman find out about his powers?
Does he automatically have them from the moment he arrives on earth? Yes and no, but I learn that some of Clark's abilities (strength/speed) he had from the very beginning, but the other abilities: fire from his eyes, hearing, and flying developed later as he came into puberty. Makes sense to me. It was wonderful to watch Clark's horror at the initial onslaught of his abilities - especially the fire from his eyes. Watching Clark desperately avoiding his father's gaze for fear of hurting him was so well done. His father was not horrified or frightened. His son was different so I have to teach him to embrace his differences, and he did. Wonderful stuff.
Why EXACTLY is Superman such a good guy? I mean, what exactly did his parents teach him to make him so good? Watching how Jonathan and Martha Kent loved, fought, cried, and sacrificed their lives for Clark on SV was a true eye-opener as to why this man IS Superman. You can't get that from comics, and I certainly didn't get it from The Adventures of Superman or Lois and Clark. I have watched Clark struggle with his desires to be normal and to have "things" that other kids have, including materialistic things, and to become the man that he desperately wants his parents to be proud of in the end. I watched him make stupid and juvenile decisions, I watched him disappoint his parents, and I watched him redeem himself and learn. Basically, I've watched Clark grow from the shy awkward teenager who was unsure of himself to a more confident, courageous man who is screaming Superman to me. (I have no doubt I will see the full transformation before the series end)
Why does Lex Luther become evil? What a great backstory to create for those of us who don't read the comics to see what could happen to a very wealthy young man with a good heart, but with an absolutely evil and black-hearted father who strives every day to corrupt his son. The constant battle of trying to be good against always losing against his father begins to harden Lex and destroy his trust in humanity. I think it was genius to introduce the friendship of Lex and Clark in Smallville prior to the Superman story. What a contrast in lives. Both men, with good hearts, being raised under very different circumstances. It's a true lesson that children do become the products of their parents. SV did this whole "rise of Clark and fallof Lex" beautifully.
How does Clark become involved in reporting? SV showed that by hanging out with Chloe at the Torch in high school. He has no interest in reporting at first, but her insatiable appetite for news and the truth pulls Clark into her world, if for nothing else than to keep her safe from her "stories." However, he does get bitten by the bug. From there, it's a hop, skip, and a jump to The Daily Planet. Very clever.
How does Clark know he's allergic to Kryptonite?
How does he know that it has a deadly affect on him? I don't recall it being in the ship with him when he blasted off of Krypton. So how does he know? Again, brilliant job on SV's part. Let the remnants of the exploded planet follow the ship all the way to earth in a hail of meteor shower that spews the lethal rocks all over the landscape where Clark Kent will be living. Not only does it educate him to its deadly affects to him, but it also morphs into other forms of kryptonite (I'd guess by entering the earth's atmosphere) that affect Clark and others. This gives Clark a training ground to fight "super human" beings that he will confront in the future. That was very smart.
Why is Lexx Luther bald anyway? SV tells me why. Lexx was with his father the day of the meteor shower and gets caught in the path of a streaming rock. The radiation renders him permanently bald and a fascination with "things" from outer space. Hmmmmmm.
How does Jonathan Kent develop his heart condition? I always figured he had a gene and inherited heart disease from his parents. Nope. Not in Smallville. In this show, the writers thought up such a great way to incorporate Jonathan's heart problems into the story. He makes a deal with Clark's biological father, after Clark makes a devastating mistake and leaves town. Jonathan is told that the risks to his physical health would be in peril if he agreed to Jor-el's "gift." Jonathan didn't care. All he knew was that his son was in trouble and that he would do anything to save him. As quick as you can say "Zap it to me," Jonathan is imbued with superpowers, which enables him to bring back his son and restore Clark to his "old self." The consequences to Jonathan Kent, however, will be dire. How can you not love that stuff? Great idea.
These are some of the things that came into my head when I read your post, Tony. Some people can dismiss Smallville as an affront to the Superman mythos or that it is guilty of destroying the "facts" about Superman lore. That's bupkus! If anything, Smallville intrigues me to watch FUTURE Superman movies and shows. The legacy that Smallville leaves for me that I would pass on to other people who asked is: If you want to learn about Superman BEFORE he becomes Superman, just watch Smallville. I would honestly tell them to forget the comic books because what I got from Smallville filled in so many holes and answered lots of questions I didn't even realize I had about the guy. Who knew!
Some people will live and die by the written word of what came before Smallville (in comics and shows). Not for me. Smallville is, without a doubt, the best compilation of stories and events of Superman's youth and boyhood,
prior to him becoming Superman, that I've seen thus far. In other words, it completely satisfies me, as a viewer and a fan. It answers all my questions, and it truly makes me adore these characters that become the legend.
That's the legacy it has left for me, and which I will pass on to people who may want to learn more about Superman. People need and want the backstory of a character, and Smallville delivers in spades.
Oh gosh. Well your opinions tend to differ from alot...but whatever does it for you.
