Product: Smallville: The Complete Ninth Season (2009)
Rating: 5.0
Zod finally debuts(for real this time) and "Smallville" delivers a great ninth season
SPOILERS FOLLOWThe ninth season of "Smallville" is loaded with episodes that are either very good or great, with maybe three shows(literally) that are awful.The season kicks off with "Savior," a show that does not feature Clark strongly but is a great introduction for (at first)Major Zod. Here played by very talented British actor Callum Blue, this season marks the first time the iconic "Superman" villain has truly appeared on the series(he was first mentioned in Season Five, and very briefly played by Lex Luthor actor Michael Rosenbaum at the end of Season Five and the beginning of Season Six). Zod's interactions with the show's resident conflicted antagonist Tess Mercer in this episode and throughout the season are fun to watch.Other highlights for the season include "Metallo," in which Brian Austin Green("Beverly Hills 90210," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") plays the "Superman" antagonist very well. Other great episodes include "Crossfire" and "Idol," the latter episode featuring the Wonder Twins Zan and Jayna for the first time on "Smallville." I had real doubts about this pair on the show, but it works beautifully. "Charade" is a magnificent introduction for comic book character Maxwell Lord, and "Hostage" returns to Mr. Lord and also brings back two longtime favorites who had been absent from the show. Additionally, "Absolute Justice" is a series milestone. Two episodes ("Society and "Legends")seamlessly woven into the series' first genuine two-hour episode by comic book writer Geoff Johns, it is an awesome event that also features Pam Grier as villain Amanda Waller.The three weakest episodes of the season are "Rabid," "Warrior," and "Escape." These shows are a bad combination of trite and offensive which stick out badly in an otherwise terrific season.Also featuring a great season finale called "Salvation" and notably the first season to give star Tom Welling official producing credits, the ninth season of "Smallville" is virtually flawless.