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
