Smallville Season 1 - The Strong Foundation | Theological Review

[@ailene_e]

I grew up loving Smallville but God didn’t save me until this past year. Then I started rewatching Smallville again and I noticed the deeper and spiritual messages woven throughout the show and it intrigued me. I started to look for deeper analysis about the show on KZbin and there’s a serious lack of commentary and reaction. I’m excited that apparently Tom and Michael are doing a rewatch podcast together coming out next week, so I hope that will inspire more people to revisit or watch it for the first time. It really is one of my favorites ever. How amazing that you did a whole theological review of the entire series, that’s a big commitment! Can’t wait to watch them all. Thank you 🙏🏼 ❤

[@markfortin3502]

As a Christian father of two boys, we made this show a binge favorite (buying the DVD's when available!!). I always call John Schneider the Best Television Dad ever. Season 1 gets it going! thanks for the fun and relevant review

[@ChrisDurban]

Thank you for watching! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@RyogaEchizen]

thats awesome bro

[@misoboskovic]

I'm huge fan of season 1. It's not really fan favorite season, but I just love the beginning. "Pilot" and "Tempest" were massive episodes. And Michael is THE Lex. No one comes close. John Glover was amazing as Lionel.

[@daimonatkins3046]

Almost two decades later and this is still a really good start to what many still consider an iconic show

[@ChrisDurban]

It is such a great start. This is my favorite live action Lex Luthor, Lionel is phenomenal, when Lois arrives she also my favorite live action interpretation of the character.

[@daimonatkins3046]

Durbania Superman does work really well on tv and it has given us so many great moments across all incarnations

[@Profess84]

I was a huge Smallville fan in the 2000's. I loved the first 5 seasons.

[@ChrisDurban]

The first 5 are great! I Iike 7. After that it's hit or miss because I really just wanted him to be Superman. But they managed to tell some pretty epic stories still.

[@flyhi8088]

I really digged your biblical interpretations included with the season. Have never heard this kind of perspective but it is spot on and very refreshing. Keep up the great content my dude

[@ChrisDurban]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@aaronwhite3298]

I was there on October 16th 2001 for the Pilot that set up a great ride for 10 seasons. Hourglass is awesome. Stray is the first meeting of Ryan and the introduction to the Warrior Angel comic. That finale was a great culmination of season 1 that started those summer long cliffhangers of what the heck is going to happen next!

[@LegoJPLstudios]

I've been watching Smallville for the first time these past couple months. The funniest thing to me is that Clark is a much better Flash and Barry is in his own tv show. It's almost ridiculous how Clark's reflexes are faster as well. He uses his speed all the time. Flash just runs in, talks, and forgets that he has speed and gets beaten. I love them both.

[@leonardofarias8843]

Barry runs in circles

[@feliperisseto9113]

There is a interesting dichotomy between Clark and Lex, were the notion of virtue is inverted. Clark is a absolute liar, and Lex is moved by a desire to know the truth about Smallville. Normaly you would suppose the hero is truthfull and the villain dishonest, but is the opposite. Clark lies to protect his loved ones and the secret is a legit sacrifice to him, while Lex's desire for truth becomes a dangerous obsession.

[@masquerader101]

My comfort show. Have watched like once every year or two for like 15 years ❤😂

[@daimonatkins3046]

I’m overdue for a rewatch Haven’t seen the show since 2013

[@ChrisDurban]

It's such a blast to go through again.

[@roderick8167]

Awesome review Durbania I forgot how great Season 1 was because I haven't seen it in such a long time, also i agree that yes as much as people say oh I would use my powers exactly like Clark but would you though, it is extremely easy to fall to temptation when you have powers like Clark's, that's why Clark truly is unique not his powers but his heart

[@ChrisDurban]

That's what I love about the character of Superman, and it's what I think they did so well in Smallville. They really showed it's his heart that was unique. Even when he lost his powers he was trying to save the day.

[@gamecitysavior2910]

These are going to be good video, this is the kind of Smallville videos I've been looking for.

[@ChrisDurban]

I'm so glad to hear that! I just posted my review for the final season!

[@Outlaw8908]

I got into the show a bit late as did my folks. My sisters were onto it early but mostly because they knew nothing of Superman. It was around the time season 3-4 came out.

[@ColtonWilliamCoyne95]

I can't help but love everything about this show, yes even the terrible things. Will this be an ongoing series of your theological review?

[@ChrisDurban]

So far I plan on that. Finished Season 2 so that's coming real soon. I'm still at the beginning of rewatching season 3 so it'll be just a little longer for that.

[@ColtonWilliamCoyne95]

@@ChrisDurban Awesome can't wait!

[@damenicionscott]

I’m currently at season 3 some the best episodes to me are when gets the red Kryptonite season 2 Finale was mine blowing felt sorry about Clark Kent

[@ChrisDurban]

Those are great episodes. Season 3 great between Lionel and Lex.

[@chrisrenshaw8529]

I really enjoyed the friendship and then rivalry between Lex and Clark how their friendship started and how they became bitter enemies and how Lexi found out Clark secret in season seven

[@chrisrenshaw8529]

Clark and Lexi face-to-face in the Arctic in the fortress of solitude that was insane and epic

[@JesusDelgado6594]

I absolutely love Smallville. It's by far my favorite show of all time. And season 1 is one of my favorite seasons, only 6 is better for me. But I've seen season 1 the most like 14 times at least since 2003 when I first discovered the show. The romance between Clark and Lana is my favorite romance in any show I've ever seen. Then there's Lex always wrestling with his destiny. Even though I knew he was destined to go bad I always rooted for him to stick with Clark and he'd show him the right path to take. Then he went bad and I actually hated him. This season has so many great episodes in it though. The pilot, Metamorphosis, Hothead, X-Ray, Cool, Craving, Hourglass, Leech, the one with the invisible guy forgot what its called, and the amazing finale. Still the best cliffhanger I've ever seen in any show for me. I hope you review every season I miss this show being on air.

[@ChrisDurban]

I plan to review the seasons as I finish watching them. I'm loving rewatching season 2! It just did a fantastic job taking everything to the next level. I miss it being on-air too. I'd love to get a Smallville movie just see this Clark full fledge as Superman.

[@JesusDelgado6594]

Awesome so excited to see all your reviews such an amazing show. Yeah I love season 2 as well. Was my favorite season for a long time until I seen season 4. But yeah it definitely takes everything to the next level Clark finally gets Lana, the entrance of the Kowatchi caves, I love Whitney's return episode even if it isn't really him. Great tragic episode always makes me cry haha. Then red kryptonite oh how I love the red kryptonite stories. I'll save the rest of my thoughts for your season 2 review video.

[@lifeisberserk9566]

It is definitely my favorite show as well

[@RyogaEchizen]

Awesome take friend, thank you.

[@DogoHalibar]

I really love Smallville, and my favorite episode is probably either Jitters or Zero.

[@donotreach]

Jitters is probably in my top 5, at least top 10, of every episode in the show

[@iloveu172]

@durbania It seems missing Kristin Kreuk in your description and Lana character in your interview Why ?

[@robbinsnest6163]

I agree 100%! Michael Rosenbaum is definitely the best Lex Luther!

[@ChrisDurban]

100%! I wish he was in BvS, lol!

[@carterpewterschmidt3188]

Haven’t seen smallville since I finished it, just gave S1 a re-watch

[@markschroeter9565]

I like season 1, but all the other seasons of Smallville I believe were better with the exception of season 7. That's a tribute to how good the show was. It got better as seasons went along. My top 1/3rd favorites of the season were: 1. Tempest 2. Stray 3. Pilot 4. X-Ray 5. Zero 6. Hourglass 7. Leech

[@dylanbottom4669]

im am totally a smallvile fan, it is my favorite show.

[@ChrisDurban]

It's such a great show!

[@lifeisberserk9566]

ME TO BROTHER!!!

[@randallreiter9679]

Another good review man. My favorite version of Superman is smallville. Look forward to more season reviews. My favorite episodes of season 1 Pilot Hothead X-ray Hourglass Jitters Rouge my favorite Leech Nicodemus Obscure Tempest

[@ChrisDurban]

Great episodes! Season 1 is a solid season for the show. My season 4 Theological Review is rendering now and will be here Sunday!

[@randallreiter9679]

Durbania I’ll be watching on Sunday then man, that’s awesome.

[@ChrisDurban]

@@randallreiter9679 Can't wait!

[@misoboskovic]

You definitely need to team up with Michael and Tom for, at least, one episode of Talk Ville. Seriously 🙂🙋‍♂️

[@ABCLakey2012]

Sadly, the writers didn't go that route. They were trying to follow Superman canon to a certain point. Great review tho'!

[@randallreiter9679]

Hey man it’s been awhile since I commented lol, hope u are well. If u didn’t know they are now working on brining back smallville but in animated form. With Tom welling and Micheal Rosenbaum coming back to voice them. I just wanted to let u know if u didn’t, because I know u are a big smallville fan like me 😊

[@ChrisDurban]

Thanks Randall, great to hear from you! Doing well over here, I hope all is well with you. I did hear about the animated Smallville. I love the season 11 comic series so I'm really excited for what they'll do with this series!

[@soulquesthealingmusic2307]

Nothing on Lana/Kristin?? Their relationship gave the show heart, the rest was all special effects. I'm not sure you actually watched it.

[@ChrisDurban]

Oh I did. I comment on Lana in other videos. I think the Lana Clark relationship should not have gone past season 3. After season 3, to me, it’s the weakest point of the show.

[@tylermakray2279]

Another father in television who laid a good foundation was Allen Mathews from Boy Meets World

[@multitopictalk6714]

Another great review! I mus admit i skipped all places speaking about church, not into that. As of clark telling his secret to lex in season 1, i see lex still turning out to be the vilain BUT instead of having hatred toward clark, he would have stayed by clark side. I still see lex becoming a vilain, but this time around, clark would see it and leave that friendship himself. S3, S6 and S7 showed us who is the true lex luthor. Even with Clark around, the true lex luthor will always take over at some point. Lex issues are linked to his father and his past, since we can't fix the past, the only way Lex could be fixed would be a better relationship between lex and lionnel, even there, lex was already a young adult by the events of season 1 so it was already too late to bound with lionnel. You can't fix a broken glass if your missing the pieces to fix it. Despite being a strong foundation, i didn't like that much season 1. its strong and good yes, but the later seasons are my favorites.

[@ChrisDurban]

The later seasons are great, and the show just keeps getting better. True, Lex’s problems stemmed from his father. But was it too late for Lex to find healing? That’s the brilliance of his portrayal. I see the battle within and they made him so likable I just found myself rooting for him. Because of that battle I feel like he could’ve changed, he could’ve escaped that darkness. But again, his role is written and portrayed so well that’s open to interpretation.

[@joecarroll3371]

Smallville season 1 was ok but Smallville would get better a bit later on. BTW, my favorite character was Chloe Sullivan.

[@ChrisDurban]

Chloe was always one my favorite characters too. Through this show's ups and downs it definitely kept getting better overall for sure!

[@dougjames4972]

My father was in the darkness, it was his father that had led him there... My father, not wanting to loose his wife and children to the bottle, fell on his knees and cried out to the Heavenly Father...and he chose the right path...and then he led us down that same path...so we could find the Heavenly Father...and now...that's where my wife and I have led our children. So many saved...by the right choice! Thank you Jesus!

[@ChrisDurban]

That's such a great testimony! Thank you so much for sharing that. So encouraging. It's amazing how God saves!

[@dougjames4972]

@@ChrisDurban the path away from the Lord can be a million miles....the path back, just turn around, He is right there!

[@orlandobabe]

Smallville had a great thing if only they not had Chloe, and if not make Lana so sad-orphan-girl (personal I would’ve ended her with going all bad and Clark had to take her down or she wounds up in a coma or she slips out of town never to be seen or heard from again). I would’ve loved it if Lex knew Clark’s secret. Looking back now I think Jonathan Kent was a hypocrite. His prejudices extended to Lex shows he is judgmental.

[@ericadler9680]

Yes, S1 was very good, in spite of a few simple freek of the week episodes. S1, S2 and S3 are clearly the best, but there were several really great episodes in S4, S5, S6 and S7 as well, and the story about Bloome in S8 was at least OK. Then it got really bad.

[@fidel2xl]

Even with the not-so-stellar episodes in some season, 'Smallville' is my all-time favorite show. IMHO, the worst season of Smallville is far superior to the very best seasons of most TV shows even. today. That's how great of a show 'Smallville' was (and is). And btw, the 'worst' season (Season 8) which was/is still an excellent season by any standards, was the result of the writers strike which occurred around that time in 2007/2008, which affected the writing throughout Hollywood movies and TV shows. So, even with the writers strike, the show's creators were still able to put together a pretty strong theme for that season, with clever plots, and dialogue. And really, IMHO, the weakest part of Season 8 was the opening episode (Season 8, Episode 1) which otherwise would have been an excellent stand-alone episode but was only considered weak due to the fact that it did not meet the expectations of what happened to Clark Kent after the Season 7 cliff-hanger ending --- and this was part-and-parcel due to the writers strike. Anyway, this video is about Season 1...apologies for going off-topic and getting ahead of myself...lol

[@jrlovepll1215]

Hey Durban please, please pray for my Mom she has Corona and isn't right with God. I appreciate any Christian prayers that are prayed for my Mom. May The Lord bless you and yours. Keep up the good work sir.

[@ChrisDurban]

Praying now

[@jorgelcc5008]

Why is the title called The Strong Foundation?

[@ChrisDurban]

Because season 1 was a strong foundation for the rest of the show, and they built on it well. Also, because in the video I'm discussing the importance of their choices and the foundation Clark and Lex are laying for themselves with the choices they are making.

[@jorgelcc5008]

@@ChrisDurban Oh, the season subtitle, should be that

[@nurhanasik8818]

I'm from Germany and a huge Smallville fan. There is no bad Season in the entire show. From all ten Seasons i don't like 3 episodes.

[@ChrisDurban]

I'm curious, what are the 3 episodes you don't like? It's a great show. My roughest season is 8. It's because by then I felt like he should've been Superman and I didn't like how they were holding him back, lol!

[@nurhanasik8818]

@@ChrisDurban S3 E4 - S9 E15 - S10 E6.

[@PhantomPain7778]

I definitely miss smallville. Do you think smallville has alot or rewatchablilty? With it being 10 seasons long and all

[@ChrisDurban]

Yes it does. I have rewatched it a few times now. First timeI ever watched the show, I wasn't a season 8 fan. Last time I had a whole new appreciation for it. For me it's always fun to revisit Smallville.

[@_el_boynto]

Yeah it’s a season that definitely holds up for sure. Rogue, leech and tempest I go back and watch quite frequently. Any chance of a smallville ranking on the horizon Durbania? I’ve got mine prepared here.

[@ChrisDurban]

Yes. I plan to rank all 10 seasons after I drop my reviews. Thank you for watching! Those are good episodes to rewatch frequently! Some of the best of season 1.

[@_el_boynto]

Brilliant bro.

[@ryandeffley7652]

I'm probably in the minority, but this is my favorite season. (then - S3, S4, S2, S8, S10, S9, S5, S7, and S6). Clark is a lot more likeable and more like Superman. He has moments of intelligence, creativity, empathy and sacrifice. Plus no Red K/Clana drama. Not to mention how fantastic Rosenbaum is planting the seeds for Lex and the Clex friendship. The foreshadowing and dialogue are fantastic. This season has some of the best lines from the show. I think my all time favorite is when Eric in Leech asks him what he'd do with powers and Clark says "I'd stop people like you." Finally I really like the Kent family dynamic in this season. It is a good mix of support system and conflict resolution. Johnathan is open to learning from Clark just like Clark learns from him.

[@ChrisDurban]

All great reasons to love season 1. It really is a great foundation for the show, it does have some of best lines. I also love it when Clark and Lex are friends. That whole dynamic is so great and tragic.

[@MeRacko]

Martha is the worst specialy in later seasons

[@lenzino7383]

Really good first season!!! Really sold the show well despite some very flawed issues like the repetitive and mostly dumb freak of the week episodes. I mean....the fat sucking Amy Adams episode!?!? WTF!? lol But there were also awesome episodes like Pilot, Leech, Rogue, Stray, X-Ray, Drone, Hourglass, Tempest, etc.

[@JonMiller6991]

Jonathan Kent was a real jerk, especially to Lex

[@ChrisDurban]

He was a jerk to Lex. But we all have character flaws. I think season 2 does a great job revealing why Jonathan is such a jerk to Lex, but I do wish Jonathan found a way to forgive.