Season 1

The first season was a tremendous success, but some fans balked at the frequent plot device of a villain (or outcast classmate) deriving their power from Kryptonite exposure and appearing in only one episode, becoming known as the "freak of the week." Eric Johnson's character of Whitney Fordman, boyfriend to character Lana Lang, was also said to be underused and one-dimensional. Despite these minor problems, the producers were instantly ordered to film at least two more seasons of the show.

John Glover's Lionel Luthor character, ruthless business tycoon and father of Lex Luthor, was originally intended to only be a guest star on the show, but, due to his popularity and Johnson wanting to leave the show, he became a full time cast member for season two, as Whitney was written out of the series.

Season 2

Season 2 had fewer "freaks of the week" appear on the show, focusing more on character development and relationship building. Several key plot points included Lex becoming more entangled in conflict with his father, Chloe digging into Clark's past and making deals with Lionel, Martha and Jonathan Kent's financial troubles, and a vacillating Lana and Clark relationship. The show mostly volleyed Clark and Lana's relationship throughout the season, never actually allowing the two to become an official couple. The main story arc, however, focused on Clark's discovery of his Kryptonian origins.

The disembodied spirit/will of Clark's biological father Jor-El is introduced, communicating to Clark via his space ship, setting the stage for plots involving the fulfilment of Clark Kent's earthly destiny. The most famous moment in the series was arguably the appearance of Christopher Reeve, who played Superman in the 1970s and 1980s film series, as Dr. Virgil Swann. Swann provided Clark with information regarding his Kryptonian heritage (Swann was the first person in Smallville to say the name "Krypton"), in a "passing of the torch" moment between Reeve and Welling.

Season 3

The third season was also moderately successful. Now, the show focused on more character development, loyalty, betrayal, and new revelations involving Jor-El. Early in the season, Michael McKean, O'Toole's real-life husband, portrayed Clark's future Daily Planet editor Perry White; from this point on, other characters relevant to the Superman mythos and the DC Universe were introduced to Smallville. To the chagrin of fans, however, Pete Ross was essentially marginalized as a character, playing minor roles that involved illegal street racing and threats by investigating agents for Lionel.

The character was ultimately written out of the show, explanatorily through his inability to deal with keeping Clark's secret and the desire to move to Wichita, Kansas with his mother after his parents had divorced. Fans have complained that this was because the writers didn't want to expand his character anymore, but Gough has stated that the actor wanted to leave the show due to lack of screen time. As of early 2006, Sam Jones has not made (and does not want to make) any return appearances, however, Gough has said that Pete Ross could potentially return if they find the right story arc for him.

Season 4

The fourth season ventured further into the Superman mythos by creating a story arc that would run the length of the season. The arc involved Clark seeking out three Kryptonian stones (at the instruction of his father Jor-El) that supposedly unlocked the infinite knowledge of the universe.

The majority of this season revolved around Lex trying to rekindle a strained friendship with Clark, Lana dating a young Jason Teague, Lionel's ambiguous transformation into a good father and person, and Clark and numerous other characters vying with one another in attempts to obtain the stones. This season was also a milestone because it introduced Lois Lane (Erica Durance), Superman's future wife.

Season 5

Delving deeper into Superman lore, Season 5 introduced several classic mythos elements such as Johnathan Kent's death, Fortress of Solitude, Professor Milton Fine: (James Marsters), also known as the villain Brainiac, the Phantom Zone, and General Zod. Fine would become a recurring antagonist for Clark throughout the season with the central plot revolving around Clark using the knowledge obtained in the Fortress of Solitude to train for an impending doom that was to befall Earth.

It was revealed that this doom was the release of General Zod from the Phantom Zone due to the machinations of Milton Fine. Season 5 also allowed Clark and Lana to explore their first real adult relationship with each other. This helped organize the blueprint for what would eventually become the series' most sought after love triangle between Clark, Lana, and Lex.

As with Season 4, Season 5 featured a gradually unveiling plotline in conjunction with multiple minor story arcs running in parallel, mid-season and season finale cliffhangers, and cameos from other notable DC characters.

Season 6

Season 6 provided the show's first glimpse into the Phantom Zone, inhabited by a society of exiled criminals from the "28 known galaxies." The destinies of Lionel and Lex play out in the aftermath of Lex's possession by Zod and Lionel's adoption as the oracle of Jor-El. Several criminals escape the Phantom Zone with Clark, and Clark is left uncertain and directionless as he soon realizes that he has no one left to turn to in the aftermath of Lex/Zod's destruction.

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