Ten Things I'd Like To See In Smallville Season 10

Written by Craig Byrne - KryptonSite Webmaster

Smallville's writers go back to work this week, and trying to coincide with that, I've decided to take the opportunity to make my annual list of things I'd like to see for the new season. Last year, I actually got a few that I wished for (Martha Kent! The return of Geoff Johns! John Jones!) and maybe this year I'll get lucky too. This year is especially important because as far as we know, it is indeed the final season of the series.

Keep in mind this is written with no known spoilers within, and I try to avoid any "relationshippy" requests aside from some material in Choices #2 and #4. And here they are, ten things I'd like to see in Season 10...

#10. Greg Beeman directing the series finale.

Smallville has some really fantastic directors in its crew, with one of my favorites being the series' star, Tom Welling. But seeing Greg Beeman's take on the ninth season finale made me all kinds of nostalgic - the man knows how to helm a season finale. So many of Smallville's best premieres and finales - like "Commencement" or "Crusade" - were under Greg Beeman's watchful eye, and I'd love it if the man who had so much to do with Smallville's original "look" could come back for the end. If that's not possible, I hope at the very least Beeman will be on the roster of directors used for next year.

#9. A good departure for Chloe.

So, we know Allison Mack has announced she's not coming back to Smallville as a series regular. But I do hope her final episodes are good, and that her departure is a great one. I actually would prefer that she does not die, as many have predicted; and I do hope she goes back to journalism, perhaps in another city, so longtime fans who fell in love with that aspect of the character can see that character again. But most of all, I hope she, along with others (see Choice #8) will be back for the series finale, also.

Chloe Sullivan and Lionel Luthor were Smallville's two "legacy characters;" part of what made them fun to watch was to see where they fit into the puzzle. If Allison's time in Season 10 is limited, let's make sure it's time well spent.

#8. Take advantage of Smallville's rich history.

If this is indeed Smallville's final year, I think the show's long history can and should factor in to the final season storylines. Characters from the past are more than welcome in my book; in fact, I'd encourage them. I definitely want to see Lex (see below). I do think we need to see Lana again before all is said and done, and if there's any possibility or excuse to bring John Schneider or John Glover back for appearances, I'd welcome that. I also hope "Hostage" is a sign that Annette O'Toole is willing to return. Laura Vandervoort has told me herself that she'd like to return; as has Kyle Gallner (Bart). Places from Smallville's past - like Level 33.1 or even Smallville High School - would be fun to see, too. Old meteor freaks, long since forgotten, also would be awesome. Reward us for 10 years of watching the show.

I'd also really like to see General Lane again - Michael Ironside is pretty awesome, and if the rumors are true that Darkseid is coming on, who better to see in the same episode than the person who voiced him on the animated series in the first place? (Actually, Michael Ironside AS Darkseid - as some other fans suggested long before I did - would be awesome.)

#7. Please, don't try for a Season 11.

The CW has announced Season 10 is indeed the last, so I hope recent comments by Tom Welling at the Upfronts were just joking. I've always had this fear that Smallville will keep going and going and then have the rug pulled out from underneath, without a satisfying conclusion. So if this is the end as they say it is -- let it be the end; a spectacular end, build on everything the show's got toward a satisfying conclusion. Don't drag things out with hopes of a Season 11, because one of these days, The CW's goodwill will dry up.

Now, I'd be perfectly okay with a spin-off set in the Smallville universe for the future, if the producers or crew would like to do it. But this story needs to come to a conclusion.

#6. Bring me in for a story!

Now, I know this one's about as likely as Christopher Reeve guest starring again, but I do have an idea/episode concept I'd love to pitch, if they'd like to hear it. Sadly, I don't have an agent so I don't think it'll happen. But if there's any chance... producers, you have my e-mail address.

#5. Individual Justice League episodes.

I love seeing JLA and JSA members from time to time, but you know what I'd really love? Another Black Canary story, or another Impulse story. Even another Aquaman story... where that guest star gets the spotlight and doesn't have to share it with other visiting heroes. Episodes like "Run," "Aqua," and "Siren" barely scratched the surfaces of these fantastic characters -- as part of a group they don't get as much time to shine. Cyborg, Zatanna, John Jones, and Hawkman are also welcome to return whenever they want.

Speedy, on the other hand, can stay far, far away. Also on the subject of Justice Leaguers - I hope for more happy, witty Oliver - the Ollie of "Absolute Justice" was a treat and I missed that side of him. Let's see more of him.

With this request though -- I would hope any visiting heroes don't appear at the expense of some Clark screen time. It's still his show, and part of the fun is seeing how he affects others and how they affect him. I loved the sequence in the finale where the other heroes were backing him up. For him to take the lead that these others follow, would make some great TV.

#4. Stop turning the fandom against each other.

Okay, I love Smallville, and I love writing about it but sometimes these "shipper wars" have become draining. Sometimes I feel like scenes or episodes are created to either make one fan group really happy or infuriate another fan group. I don't know if it's even possible to have the show in such a way that wouldn't upset anyone, but I'd like to see it try.

#3. The Costume. And Flying.

Sure, you all SAID "no flights, no tights," but you also made it sound like Smallville would be a 5-year journey. We're tired of waiting, and the start of "Salvation" had is salivating for more. Make either of those things happen, and watch ratings go up, up, and away.

I imagine Season 10 is when Clark is going to embrace his destiny and go public - at least I hope it is. Fully embracing that means finally becoming Superman, which would require the involvement of a costume at the very least, if not flying as well.

#3a. Glasses.

Adding to that previous request - if Clark's going to be super in public, he's going to need a disguise. Glasses don't have to look nerdy. Harry Potter's got them and he's way popular - and we know from episodes like "Apocalypse" that Tom looks good in them, too.

#2. Bridget Regan as Wonder Woman.

I Tweet about it at least once a week, and I posted it on this year's April Fool's, but now I'll grovel if I have to.

Bridget Regan's time as Kahlan on Legend Of The Seeker has sadly come to a premature end. She was phenomenal, as was the rest of that cast, really; but unfortunately, the syndicated model of people not even knowing when the show would be on led the show to an early demise.

Regan has a quality, however, that I have not seen since Lynda Carter -- she's one of the only actresses that I think would make an ideal Wonder Woman, a.ka. Diana Prince.

Dawn Ostroff wants women who kick butt - Wonder Woman would fit the bill, no? And if realized well, bam, there's the continuation of the franchise after Season 10. But the casting has to be right. And, honestly, I don't think anyone but Bridget Regan could pull it off, nor do I think anyone else should even try.

If Smallville doesn't snatch Bridget Regan up, someone else will. I'm not the only one who wants to see her on the show so I think this is more than just the crazed ramblings of a Smallville webmaster. Christopher Nolan is never going to let us have Batman. Wonder Woman is the next best thing.

If you need any more convincing that Bridget Regan would be perfect, check out this fantastic fan art by "KaliWeir" on Livejournal:

#1. Michael Rosenbaum.

Tom Welling says we can't do Season 10 without him, and who knows the show better than Tom?

I wrote a whole column about this on KSiteTV a few months back, and what I said then still stands today -- I think the only way I will be 100% fulfilled with Smallville's ending is if Lex Luthor returns. I feel the show was envisioned as the rise of Superman to heroism and the fall of Lex Luthor to villainy. We might get one half of that, but now we need the other half.

I'm sure it would be costly, but it would be worth it.

I applaud the producers for including Michael Rosenbaum's image in the flashforward of the Season 9 finale, "Salvation" - because it implies to me that they wouldn't do something silly like recasting Lex.

Think about it for the long-time fans, though. Surely partly due to the Friday move, the show has lost around two million viewers a week. Some of those were Lex fans. More might leave when Allison Mack is gone. But the return of Lex? Might be enough reason to come back, whether it's for one episode or a dozen. Rosenbaum is worth it.

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And there you have it. My ten things I'd like to see in Season 10. Agree? Disagree? Let me know, but please be nice about it. Here's to a good season.

Read past wish lists: Season 8 - Season 9