Smallville (season 8)

Infobox tvseason
season_name = Smallville Season 8


caption =
dvd_release_date =
country = USA
network = The CW
first_aired = September 18, 2008cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/series-episodes/smallville/?silentchk=1&|title=MSN Episode Guide|publisher=MSN|accessdate=2008-08-27]
last_aired =
num_episodes =
prev_season = Season 7
next_season = |

Season eight of "Smallville", an American television series, began airing on September 18, 2008. This is the third season to air on the CW television network. Season eight regular cast members include Tom Welling, Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Aaron Ashmore, along with new series regulars Cassidy Freeman,cite news|title=Doomsday actor named for 'Smallville' season eight|work=Comics2Film|date=2008-06-20|url=http://www.comics2film.com/index.php?a=story&b=33999|accessdate=2008-06-20] Sam Witwer,cite news|title=Doomsday actor named for 'Smallville' season eight|work=Comics2Film|date=2008-06-20|url=http://www.comics2film.com/index.php?a=story&b=33999|accessdate=2008-06-20] and Justin Hartley.cite news|author=Kristin Dos Santos|url=http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=209ae407-79c9-42aa-9248-8e5a3d4341e6|title=Smallville Season Eight: Look Who's In!|publisher=Eonline|date=2008-06-03|accessdate=2008-06-04] Following the end of season seven, it was announced the series regulars Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum, who had been with the show since the first episode, would not return as regulars for the eighth season,cite web|author=Rob Salem|url=http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Television/article/417678|title=Shaking things up in Smallville|publisher=The Star|date=2008-04-24|accessdate=2008-05-19] cite news|author=Kristin Dos Santos|url=http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=a046f94b-8880-408d-afd6-ed1ea9b2fedd|title=Breaking: Michael Rosenbaum Has Left Smallville|publisher=Eonline|date=2008-05-01|accessdate=2008-05-02] while Laura Vandervoort and John Glover departed the series alongside Kreuk and Rosenbaum; Glover was killed off in season seven's "Descent", while Vandervoort was written out of the series after one season. [cite news|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|title="Smallville" Exclusive: Kara's Future Is Up, Up in the Air|publisher=TV Guide|date=2008-05-16|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Tv-Mattrs/Smallville-Exclusive-News/800039842|accessdate=2008-05-21]

Episodes

Development

toryline

Executive producer Kelly Souders explained that the loss of show creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, as well as series regulars Michael Rosenbaum and Kristin Kreuk at the end of the seventh season, forced the creative team to look at the show from a new angle. As Souders explains, it allowed the writers to work with "blank slates", and come up with ways to "reinvigorate and reinvent the show".cite news|author=Craig Byrne|url=http://www.kryptonsite.com/cc08-kellybrian.htm|title=Roundtable interview with executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson (part 1)|publisher=Kryptonsite|accessdate=2008-09-02] Executive producer Darren Swimmer explained that this season would feature Chloe's powers manifesting in a way that they have not previously been seen. He went on to express that the theme of season eight would be "double identity"; specifically, Swimmer explained that Clark would begin to understand that he is going to have to live a double life, or he will never be able to continue forward with his destiny. Season eight will be about Clark moving forward to his destiny in a way that the show has never attempted before. [cite news|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Smallville-Preview-1/800043585|title=Smallville Scoop, Part 1: Chloe's Challenges and More!|publisher=TV Guide|date=2008-07-21|accessdate=2008-08-27] Swimmer further explained that Clark will be acting more with his superpowers, whereas previously he would "react" to the situation; "he's going to seek out trouble." Clark will join the "Daily Planet" to help his cause, using the "Planet" as a means to get information about where there is trouble. Clark's heroic actions will put him in Jimmy's sights, who starts connecting things to Clark; this will help fuel Clark's decision to develop a "secret identity".cite news|author=Kristin Dos Santos|url=http://au.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b26311_smallville_whats_in_store_season_eight.html|title=Smallville: What's in Store for Season Eight?|publisher=TV Guide|date=2008-08-27|accessdate=2008-08-31] Another reason for Clark's decision to develop a secret identity will be the stark contrast between saving people in the secluded streets of Smallville, and saving people in the crowded streets of Metropolis.cite news|author=Craig Byrne|url=http://www.kryptonsite.com/cc08-kellybrian2.htm|title=Roundtable interview with executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson (part 2)|publisher=Kryptonsite|accessdate=2008-09-02] While working at the "Daily Planet", Clark will be paired up with Lois on various assignments. Lois Lane actress Erica Durance explained the episodes will be more focused on her character than they have been in the past, and that Lois and Clark will be both rivals and supportive partners to each other. Durance also revealed that Lois will begin to realize her true romantic feelings for Clark, but that she does not want him to know the truth because she does not know what she wants to do with those feelings. Season eight will explore those romantic notions between the two characters. [cite web|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TV-Show-Blog/Tv-Previews/Erica-Durance-Smallville/800046486|title=Big Smallville Scoop from Erica Durance: Part 1|publisher=TV Guide|date=2008-09-11|accessdate=2008-09-11] Jeph Loeb added that season eight will explore more of the DC Comics mythology, and will introduce new characters, as well as expand on already existing ones in "Smallville" continuity.cite news|author=Eduardo Vasconcellos|title=SDCC 08: Smallville Q&A: The cast and crew unveil a few tidbits on the upcoming season|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/894/894151p1.html|publisher=IGN|date=2008-07-27|accessdate=2008-09-02] Peterson also revealed that there would be a chance that the show would break the "No flights, no tights" rule, at least in regard to the flying part of the rule.

With Justin Hartley added as a series regular, "Smallville" will explore more of his backstory, including why he chose to become Green Arrow, how he accomplished it, and how he became good at archery. This season will also explore more of the friendship between Oliver Queen and Clark. Oliver will be broken down emotionally—questioning whether he made the right choice to sacrifice all for the sake of being Green Arrow—and that causes him to "butt heads" with Clark, who is beginning to embrace his destiny. [cite news|author=Craig Byrne|url=http://www.kryptonsite.com/cc08-justinhartley.htm|title=Roundtable interview with Justin Hartley|publisher=Kryptonsite|accessdate=2008-09-02] Allison Mack's character, Chloe Sullivan, will have more romantic interests this season. Not only will the character still have Jimmy Olsen, but there is still the question of her romantic interest in Clark, as well as a new interest in the character of Davis Bloome. Mack's character will also be picking up the Isis Foundation, a counseling center for people infected by kryptonite, that Lana founded before she left Smallville. Mack explained that Chloe will be forging her own destiny this season, and letting Clark learn to deal with problems on his own – previous seasons saw Clark relying heavily on Chloe to help solve the crime. [cite news|author=Craig Byrne|url=http://www.kryptonsite.com/cc08-allisonmack.htm|title=Roundtable interview with Allison Mack|publisher=Kryptonsite|accessdate=2008-09-03]

New characters

Brian Wayne Peterson and Todd Slavkin revealed that they plan to introduce more DC Comics characters into "Smallville" this season, among those appearing will be Plastique—in episode two—and Maxima, the latter will be coming to Smallville to try and mate with Clark. [cite news|url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Smallville-Season-8/800043821|title=Smallville Preview: Will Lana Rock Clark's World?|publisher=TV Guide|date=2008-07-24|accessdate=2008-08-27] This version of Maxima will have the ability to make herself irresistible to men, including Clark, whom she has set her sights on; actress Charlotte Sullivan has been cast as Maxima. Apart from the classic DC Comics characters, "Smallville" will also be introducing the futuristic heroes from the Legion of Super-Heroes. Comic book scribe Geoff Johns will be writing the episode that will feature the Legion of Super-Heroes, and suggests that people familiar with the Legion will recognize them when they appear on the show, as they will have some of the quintessential elements of their comic book counterparts.cite news|author=Vaneta Rogers|url=http://www.newsarama.com/tv/080727-smallville-legion.html|title=SDCC '08 - Geoff Johns Brings the Legion to 'Smallville'|publisher=Newsarama|date=2008-07-27|accessdate=2008-08-27] Darren Swimmer stated that they will be using Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy and Lightning Lad for this episode, though he is not sure if they will use those names for the characters.

There will be two new series regulars added in season eight, that of Tess Mercer and Davis Bloome, portrayed by Cassidy Freeman and Sam Witwer respectively. The name "Tess Mercer" is a homage to two characters from Superman lore, Eve Teschmacher and Mercy Graves. [cite news|title=Catwoman 2, Punisher: War Zone, Transformers 2: July 30 Comic Reel|work=Comic Book Resources|date=2008-07-30|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17502|accessdate=2008-08-16] As Freeman describes her character, Tess Mercer is Lex's handpicked successor; she is "fierce", "fun" and intelligent. Tess Mercer's primary goal for this season will be finding Lex, which will draw her inquisitively to Clark, whom she believes will be able to help her find Lex. [cite web|author=Craig Byrne|url=http://www.kryptonsite.com/cc08-cassidy.htm|title=Roundtable interview with Cassidy Freeman|publisher=Kryptonsite|accessdate=2008-08-27] Darren Swimmer revealed that Tess will develop a romantic interest in Clark as well. Davis Bloome will actually be "Smallville"'s interpretation of Doomsday, the only character to have succeeded at killing Superman. In "Smallville", Doomsday will be represented by a "nice guy" paramedic, who grew up moving from foster home to foster home. His storyline will be very dark in that the character will uncover horrible truths about himself. Witwer explained that over the course of the season, his character will come to resemble that of the comic book counterpart he is based on. [cite web|author=Craig Byrne|url=http://www.kryptonsite.com/cc08-witwer.htm|title=Roundtable interview with Sam Witwer|publisher=Kryptonsite|accessdate=2008-08-28] Brian Peterson explained that the new executive producers were looking for a villainous character that was "as great as Lex", with Michael Rosenbaum's departure, and Doomsday fit what they were looking for.

References

External links

* [http://www.cwtv.com/shows/smallville Official website]
* [http://www.kryptonsite.com Kryptonsite]
*imdb title|id=0279600
*Tv.com show|id=1718
* [http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Season_8 Season 8 on Smallville Wiki]