An Epic End to a Super Story

After 10 seasons and 218 episodes, Smallville finally came to a close last night. That's roughly 165 hours total - almost enough to watch 24 hours a day for a week straight.

As sad as I am to see the show wrap up, I'm happy that after 10 years, the producers of Smallville were able to end it so well. Not many shows last a decade; not many shows should. But Smallville's strong plot and well-developed characters enabled a good idea to become not only a great show, but a worthy contribution to the larger legacy of the Superman mythos.

I think Smallville's success can be chalked up to the producers' and writers' motivation in the creation of each week's episode. In an interview promoting season 8 of Smallville, executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders said they considered their job well done if their viewers were left thinking, "I want to be like Clark Kent."

A show based on the early life of Superman is fun to watch. It's got to be one of the most wholesome, inspiring hero stories around. And, since Smallville inevitably points toward Clark Kent donning the cape, the end is in sight from the beginning; from the very first episode, the conclusion is sure. The fun is in watching all the struggles and triumphs that shape Clark along the way.

I could say more, but I'd rather that you just go and watch it for yourself. It's fun, it's charming, and now it's over.

Superman, the Illegitimate Savior

I've been a fan of Superman for a long time. In the comic book world, he's usually recognized to be the greatest of all heroes. Though the original creators of Superman didn't aim to connect Superman with Jesus, over the past 70 years the mythos has taken on attributes that make allusions to the Gospel. However, there is a fundamental difference that negates any of these connections. But first some similarities. 


Superman, or Kal-El, is the only son of Jor-El. He was sent by his father from Krypton to the earth in order to save its people. In the 1978 movie, Superman, Jor-El tells his son, "They're a great people Kal-El; they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you, my only son." 

Kal-El is raised on the earth by human parents, Jonathon and Martha (in place of Joseph and Mary), who give him the name Clark Kent. They teach him virtues such as peacemaking, the sanctity of human life, and the importance of self-sacrifice. Superman spends his life saving people from calamity and defeating evil doers by amazing feats of physical strength. Ultimately, Superman dies in a battle with the great Kryptonian destroyer, Doomsday, but, because of his unique heritage, he is resurrected some time after.

In the more recent movie, Superman Returns, Superman sacrifices his life by hurling a mountain of kryptonite off of the earth to foil an evil plot of Lex Luthor's. As the poisonous mountain fades into space, Superman floats back toward the earth in crucifixion pose. After a few dramatic scenes, we find that Superman has been resurrected once again, alive once more to save earth for another day. 

In the pilot episode of the TV series Smallville, Clark is strung up on a wooden cross like a scarecrow, as part of a high-school hazing ceremony. He hangs there in a noticeably cruciform pose. In the show's 9th season, Clark is described as the one who gives hope to the world, and is compared to Jesus Christ by Tess Mercer (a hench-woman of Lex Luthor's). She desires to see him fight Doomsday (whom she likens to Judas Ischariot), claiming that once he has overcome his great betrayer, he can go on to accomplishing his greatest challenge -- that of saving the world.


Superman first 'took flight' in the early days of WWII, as many wished for a mighty hero who could defeat the Nazis and end the growing war. This savior was born of the wisdom of man, wishing for a strong savior who could defeat any enemy just by sheer force, perhaps much like what Jesus' disciples hoped for in a Messiah. However, the Savior God has sent was humble and meek, and, with regard to the world's understanding, weak and helpless, as a lamb led to the slaughter. The words of the Lord to Isaiah ring very true here: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55:8).

Here is the fundamental break-down precluding any legitimate connection between Superman and Jesus. The 'salvation' that Superman brings is accomplished through power and strength -- his "powers far beyond those of mortal men." In this way, Superman is quite distinctly opposite to Jesus. Jesus came in weakness, putting away his heavenly glory. He refused to enlist the help of the multitude of angels who would have raced to his aid in Gethsemane, had he called for them. He submitted to a passive death, not defending himself. He was born in shame, to a mother accused of adultery, and died the most shameful way possible, on a cross. The hope of the world is bound up in a crucified Savior, rather than in a mighty Superman.

However 'cool' the comic book world may be, I'm glad I live on this side of the page.

How It Should Have Ended

Here are a couple of hilarious 'alternate ending' videos by the good people at howitshouldhaveended.com.


Superman: The Movie
In the world of Superman, some make him vulnerable to pain, and cause him to completes great feats with obvious strain. Some make him wildly powerful and (nearly) impenetrable. While the former makes for more interesting (and perhaps easier) story-telling, the latter is fun to watch now and again. Such as this clip:





Terminator/Back to the Future
Doc had no idea what he started...