Smallville (TV Series) Salvation (2010) User Reviews

Pandora made you kneel before your TV ? Well it's time to pray before it !

[igoatabase · 10/10 · 15 May 2010]

The finale season 9 deserved happened. Most past episodes proved that the talents behind the show have matured their skills and nourished its story with all their tremendous experience. Salvation should convince you to stick around a little more, because season 10 is coming. Contrary to some viewers I wasn't disappointed by last season's finale, Doomsday. But this one was really something else.

First even if I found some scenes were too short I think the continuity was smooth. Most of them were so excellent that Salvation should have been a two parts episode, like Absolute Justice. However the editing was well balanced so I can't blame the producers for their wise decision because it allowed them to deliver an astonishing installment. Second the direction was quite creative, like in Checkmate, but well more polished. From the slow motion effects to the choreography it should definitely impress you. Third it was heavy on character development. Oliver and Chloe ? Count them in ! Lois, Clark & The Blur ? Of course they were featured ! But be prepared for the impossible because they managed to take things to a whole new level. Remember The Blur put his right hand on Lois's left shoulder in Charade ? Well what happened in Salvation should blow you away. It should break the barrier of your highest expectations !

To sum things we have a winner ! It was a dark home run at light speed full of cultural references and wicked dialogs. The recap should remind you how intense the whole season was and the very first scene will definitely puzzle you. As for the ending it was just mesmerizing and I couldn't have dreamed of a better way to end this amazing season. It was reminiscent of all these literate and inspiring elements that had been staked out so far. From religion to moral values there was plenty of interesting things to fulfill the belly of the most demanding viewer. But the best part is that the astonishing cliffhanger wasn't the strawberry on the shortcake. The whole damn episode was ! Dive in Clark's eyes as he opens a gift dressed in black. Follow Green Arrow as he goes all John McClane and says something very intriguing to Chloe. Witness the end of a new beginning. The rebirth of Smallville !

The best Smallville finale since Season 1!

[dsrr99 · 10/10 · 14 May 2010]

After Season 8's horrible finale, this episode sure was a sight for sore eyes! Smallville didn't disappoint at all and we finally got to see some things that will make comics fans jump up and punch the air, as I'll admit I did! Sincerely this episode is the best one for all of the actors as each one gave awesome performances! Especially Tom Welling and Callum Blue.

I'm going to share with you guys what i said right after the episode ended: "Tom Welling is the best Superman since Christopher Reeve". I'm on the road to becoming a great director so maybe it doesn't mean much now, even though in the future it hopefully will, if i say Im extremely proud of everyone in the Smallville cast and crew because this season and especially in the finale they gave us the Superman we've always wanted to see.

Can't wait for season 10!!!

Salvation

[Colcatron · 10/10 · 5 May 2011]

Just as the opening sequence of the season 9 premiere helped redeem the show from a terrible season 8, by giving fans their closest glimpse yet at a Superman from the comics, the finale does the exact same thing, but with even more of an impact. Any Superman fan will want to cheer during the opening sequence, as it not only teases the Superman from the comics, but actually flashes forward 3 years to see Superman in action. Although what we see of Superman himself is just a quick reflection. It's still the best thing I'd seen all season.

Season 9, just like season 8, started off very strong and fizzled out at about the half way mark. Just like with season 8, I think it was a mistake to dedicate an entire season to one villain. One improvement the producers made over season 8 was instead of forcing the villain into almost every episode, whether it was relevant or not, they saved Zod only for key scenes and episodes. This was a better idea, as Zod never had a chance to get old like Doomsday did, but because they introduced him right at the beginning, and spaced out his episodes, the entire Zod story arc was too scattered to fully enjoy. Another issue with the Kandorian story arc was that they teased such an epic conclusion, with the apocalyptic look at what would happen if they gained control with the solar tower. This was ditched mid way into the season, and replaced with a dull plot involving the Book of Rao. I don't know whether the producers chose to drop the original idea at the last minute or not, but the way it played out felt that way. I do want to say that despite my dislike for how Zod and the Kandorians were handled in the second half of the season, I'm a huge fan of Callum Blue as Zod, and the way this episode ended the story was perfect.

My favorite twist leading into the finale was how Zod took on the role of The Blur to manipulate Lois, and Clark being aware of this but still hiding himself. This could have very easily just been a repeat of how season 5 and 6 played Clark and Lex off of each other with Lana in the middle. This was much more original, timed right in the season, and not unnecessarily dragged out. Waiting to have Zod reveal himself to Lois until the finale made all the scenes more dramatic.

Now for the cliffhangers. Every Smallville finale is packed full of cliffhangers. Sometimes they add little more than a tease for the opening moments of the next season. This time there are 3 cliffhangers, scaled back from previous seasons that may have over done it. Oliver Queen is cornered by beings that "are not Kandorians" which had me guessing like crazy what setup that was supposed to be for the final season. It took me a second viewings to catch all the little seeds that were planted. Lois and Clark have a more personal cliffhanger that not only teases the 10th season premiere, but actually plays out over several season 10 episodes. Finally there's Clark's final confrontation with Zod and the Kandorians. This extended sequence is the best dramatic TV produced by Smallville in years. Instead of how season 8 wasted the finale with a lifeless and over in 10 seconds action scene, in "Salvation" we have a lengthy dramatic dialogue scene between Clark and Zod. I can't say enough good things about this final scene. Perfectly written, brilliantly acted, flawlessly filmed. The final moment of the cliffhanger not only caught me off guard, but had me dying all summer for the show's return.

Season 9 does not rank among my favorite seasons. It had a lot of weak and poorly planned moments, but the finale ranks among the best in the show's 10 year run.

Epic - everything is brilliant and shot brilliantly; great writing, dialogue, action, drama, pure heart-racing thrills and shots, emotional... More than delivers

[TheMelancholySpirit · 31 January 2021]

Everything about Salvation is absolutely brilliant, epic, emotional, thrilling, fun, engaging, and beautifully shot. The last fifteen or so minutes alone are enough to warrant a 10/10 because it gets me right in the feels. There's something special about the writing/storytelling in series 9 I think. It's almost a touch darker, and Zod (played by Callum Blue) is fantastic, both the character and I like the actors' portrayal a lot. Clark is a true hero.

This is why as much as I love Batman, I might just, indeed, love Superman all that little bit more, all round, because of the brilliance that is Smallville. Superman was never my best superhero growing up but was always a favourite. But these days he's pretty much the favourite, thank you particularly this wonderful show

Tom Welling is great as the young Man of Steel, I always say, and this finale is something of pure epic proportions. It's pretty much the pinnacle moment of series nine if there were one. Not just a scene, but this episode in its entirety, and that end fight between Zod and Clark is the best! I love it. I love the camera angles / work / cinematography for the fight especially.

The rain touches were beautiful and I love the little details that are there. If most superhero shows were as consistent as Smallville, as good, I'd never tire of ever watching them but unfortunately- imo few come so close. I like Legends of Tomorrow and some of Arrow here and there. Couldn't get into much else but I'm always grateful for Smallville. This is peak superhero action drama with so much nostalgia, it's awesome, just the best you're gonna get IMO. Clark risks himself big time. It's a great one. Enjoy as much as I do hopefully :)

New Direction, New writers, better plots.

[nicholaspeteredwards · 10/10 · 14 July 2017]

Since season 8, when new writers took over Smallville, I had hope for the shows redemption once more. Al Gough and Miles Millar were taking the show nowhere, and after seasons 6 and 7, left much to be desired. Thus, for me, season 8 was refreshing, and some of the best Smallville I'd seen in years, and also the start of seeing Clark truly grow into Superman from the comics. The season however, fizzled out sometime in the later half (with some decent episodes spread out, here and there), but it was the final most of all that made me want to drop the show. Truth be told, I left for a few years, not bothering to watch what was perhaps my favourite show back in the day - until I heard from a friend how amazing Season 9 was. I was shocked, and surprised, at first I did my own research into reviews for the second last season, then I began to watch, and boy, was I not let down. Season 9 lived up to all my hopes and dreams, exceeding expectations and became one of my favourites of the whole show. The strong writing, coupled with the great acting and good direction really gave Smallville its second wind.

Zod was one of my favourite characters in this season, his arc was beautiful to watch, and the actor was magnificent. But Welling, Durance, and several other cast members all did great jobs as well, making this one of the seasons of Smallville with a mostly great cast of actors.

But enough of my thoughts of the whole season, and now, onto the finale, which has so much impact and strength to fuel new heights. The opening sequence alone would make any comic fan happy. The twist leading into the finale on Zod taking on the role of The Blur to manipulate Lois, and Clark being aware of this but still hiding himself was very well played and interesting to watch. I had been worried that it would be a repeat of how season 5 and 6 played Clark and Lex off of each other with Lana in the middle however, S9 again surprised me. This was much more original and not dragged out.

One of the best finales in a very long time, it also had the infamous cliffhangers that Smallville is known for, and boy did they do well with them. Overall, I have to say this was some of the best dramatic TV produced by Smallville in years. In fact, this whole season, and furthermore this episode, really puts Smallville down as the best CW/WB television ever produced, and moreover, places it as some of the best television of its era.

Perfectly written, brilliantly acted, and well filmed. The final moment of the cliffhanger not only caught me off guard, but had me dying to watch the next season straight after.

Best season, best finale!

[ireen-geea · 10/10 · 14 August 2023]

I believe that Season 9 is the best of the whole show.

The story is soul uplifting and Kal El sacrifice is sublime.

This seasons' finale was one of the best dramatic TV produced by Smallville in years. Perfectly written, brilliantly acted, and well filmed. And the final moment of the cliffhanger was great.

And yet I can't help but wonder if this movie is addressed to an audience with a low level of intelligence... Do you remember "Pandora"? Why would the Kandorians need a solar tower if they already got the powers through Kal El blood?

Do you remember Charade's, last call of The Blur, when he told Lois that he will not call her again, but that he will be watching over her?. This time, knowing that he will leave the Earth, Clark tells Lois that he will watch over her from wherever he will be, A smart woman would have understood immediately who The Blur was ... In "Charade" The Blur put his right hand on Lois's left shoulder, and this time, only when Zod touched her shoulder, Lois realized that Zod was not The Blur. And only when The Blur kissed her, she understood that The Blur was CK. Did the sharp senses counterbalance the lack of brain?

The book of Rao erased a pointless year...

[m-47826 · 2/10 · 7 August 2023]

Basically nothing unexpected happened in this season finale. Which obviously puts season 9 at the bottom of my ranking. Lois discovered the blur's identity, through a kiss... Tess did a 180, and was sacrificed. Only to be saved by a mysterious woman. The Kandorian's arc went nowhere. They simply returned home, after killing people for no reasons. Zod was defeated, when he should've been episodes ago. And his last showdown with Clark, was like rewatching the battle between Simba and Scar on pride rock. This show became a cartoon, with soap opera intermissions. Sorry for not loving it. There were also some stuffs regarding Chloe and Oliver, but I just don't care.

Season Nine

[zkonedog · 2/10 · 3 July 2019]

When the Eighth Season of Smallville concluded, I wondered how the show could sink any lower. The show's writers had drawn out the Doomsday plot arc all season, then blew it on an anti-climatic finale. Unfortunately, they didn't get back on the right track until very late in Season Nine...literally, the season finale.

This season continued the pattern of featuring more obscure Superman comic book characters, including Metallo, The Dark Archer, Roulette, Toyman (a return appearance), and the Justice Society (in the seasons only other passable episode). Though I applaud the show for trying to feature more aspects of the Superman mythology in lieu of the "freak of the week" angle, the fact of the matter is that these character just don't resonate as much (and thus don't create as much drama) as the major villains of seasons past. When I think of Superman baddies, the hierarchy is Lex Luthor (done), Zod (don...twice, actually), Brainiac (done), Doomsday (done), and maybe Darkseid (hinted at as the Season Ten primary enemy to Clark). The other guys/gals, at least to me, are just fill-ins.

The primary story arc of the season, though, focuses on the return of Zod (this time in body, not spirit, form) and his army of followers. Though the acting of Callum Blue is wonderful in channeling Terrance Stamp's movie Zod interpretation, ultimately his character's angle feels overly drawn-out (including a romance with Tess Mercer that is utterly ridiculous) and doesn't produce any real drama until the very end...once the fate of his character has already been decided.

Plus, it wouldn't be Smallville (broadcast on the CW network) without the nauseating love triangles that only serve to create a little hollow drama or sexual tension. Oliver/Lois, Clark/Lois, Clark/Chloe, Oliver/Chloe, Tess/Zod, and Tess/Oliver are all covered this season, and none of them are likeable whatsoever, usually treading over already-covered ground or going in completely ridiculous, outrageous directions.

In terms of acting, Tom Welling (Clark) and Allison Mack (Chloe) turn in solid efforts, but Erica Durance (Lois) is still sickening, as is Justin Hartley in portraying Oliver Queen. Blue, as mentioned, is a joy to watch, but his primary foil--Cassidy Freeman as Tess Mercer--pales in comparison (again) to Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor.

Thus, despite an incredible finale that came out of nowhere to actually whet my appetite for the 10th (and final) season, this installment in the series was another monumental disappointment. I can only hope that the writers/producers build on "Salvation" and deliver a more consistent final effort that will make we WANT to tune in ever Friday night, not doing so like a chore.