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We also have Season 9 listed separately here

Season 2-For many fans, the Superman revisionist series Smallville truly hit its stride in its second season, when it shifted focus from traditional comic book conflicts to one of self-discovery for its hero, a teenage Clark Kent (Tom Welling). Fans and first-timers can judge for themselves with this six-disc set, which compiles all 23 episodes and a decent selection of supplemental features. Whereas season 1 focused on Clark using his powers to combat a host of menaces à la the WB's other big fantasy hit, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 2 delved into Clark's past and the extent of his super powers, most notably in the back-to-back "Heat," in which he discovers his heat vision, and "Red," in which red kryptonite in the high school class rings uncorks Clark's less-than-upstanding side. Other plot developments from the season that pull the series in interesting directions include the arrival of Dr. Helen Bryce (Emanuelle Vaugier), who becomes involved with Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), but the season's most significant moment comes during episode 17, "Rosetta," in which Clark learns of his Kryptonian origins courtesy of a scientist, who, in an effective bit of casting, is played by Superman film star Christopher Reeve.

The complexity of the writing and issues dealt with in season 2 marked Smallville as a series with depth and drama worthy of its considerable fan following as well as a second boxed set; fittingly, the supplements in this set are more expansive than on the first one. Producers Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Greg Beeman and cast members Welling, Rosenbaum, and Kristen Kreuk weigh in on commentary tracks for two episodes ("Red" and "Rosetta"), while a trio of short featurettes explore Christopher Reeves's appearance in "Rosetta," the show's visual effects, and the amusing "Wall of Weird" web page maintained by Chloe (Allison Mack). The extras are rounded out by a handful of deleted scenes and a gag reel. --Paul Gaita

Season 3-Clark Kent lives in Smallville, but in many ways he is out of this world, and so is this spectacular series that provides a fascinating spin on Superman lore. Season 3 is marked by Clark's inability to overpower destiny and its pressing call for his return home. Clark, who has left Smallville for Metropolis, returns to Smallville to help his parents, who are desperately trying to save their cash-strapped farm and is happily surprised to find that Lex Luthor has survived a deadly jet crash. Lex and Clark's ill-fated camaraderie is strengthened by this miracle but causes tension in the close-knit Kent family, as Jonathan fears that Lex will emulate Lionel and his unscrupulous ways, even while Lex has tried to establish his own identity. 

Season 4-The arrival of another gorgeous young woman with the initials of LL further complicates Clark Kent's (Tom Welling) life in the fourth season of Smallville, the WB's hip and sexy reinvention of the Superman legend. In this case, it's Lois Lane (Erica Durance), a would-be college freshman who's come to the Kansas heartland to investigate the disappearance of her cousin, Chloe. What she discovers instead is a naked, amnesiac Clark Kent in a cornfield, and things take off from there. Durance doesn't appear in every episode--she was credited as a "special guest star"--but her tough spirit and crackling wit provide a great, non-romantic foil to Clark.

That's just as well, because there's plenty of romantic triangulation--or worse--going on. Clark's former love interest--and his first LL--Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), has returned from her summer in Paris sporting a new boyfriend, Jason Teague (Jensen Ackles), as well as a mysterious tattoo that seems to have something to do with a set of Kryptonian crystals as well as Jason's sinister mom, Genevieve (Jane Seymour). Keeping his relationship with Lana a secret, Jason has signed on as Smallville High's new assistant football coach. What's surprising is that the team's new quarterback is none other than Clark, who's grown tired of hiding his super-strength, super-speed, and invulnerability and wants to be part of the team. But nothing's easy for Clark, and he goes through the prom, a marriage, and fatherhood, not necessarily in that order, as well as his secret being discovered, unknown to him, by one of his closest friends. (On the plus side, he does uncover a cool new power.)

But the key to the season is the Kryptonian crystals. They further deteriorate the relationship between the incarcerated Lionel Luthor (John Glover), and his son, Lex (Michael Rosenbaum). Lex may be Clark's best friend, but he reveals more of his dark side in a revelation about his sexual escapades and a split-personality (literally) incident. Lana's frightening dreams actually come to life in a silly Charmed-type episode. Then in the explosive season finale, the main characters are scattered and another meteor shower threatens to wipe out the town.

One of the fun things about Smallville is how producers Al Gough and Miles Millar and their team of writers acknowledge their place in a 70-year Superman mythos (even if Clark is never referred to as Superman). His DC Comics origins receive a nod with appearances by the Flash, Krypto the superdog, and the magical Mxyztplk. And the cast includes not only regular Annette O'Toole (Martha Clark), who had played Lana Lang in Superman III, but guest shots by Margot Kidder (Bridgette Porter) and Terence Stamp (the voice of Jor-El), and the late Christopher Reeve gets a brief but touching farewell in an announcement of the passing of his character, Dr. Virgil Swann.

Extras include 15 minutes with the writing team, a spotlight on Kidder, Durance, and others who have played Lois Lane, deleted scenes, and three episodes with commentary from combinations of Gough, Millar, Durance, Kreuk, Glover and others, but not Welling. --David Horiuchi

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