‘Smallville’s Tom Welling Hated His Alter Ego “Vigilante at Night” Storyline

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As a passionate cinephile, I can confidently assert that Smallville stands among the greatest superhero TV shows ever made. Spanning an impressive 10 seasons from the 2000s on The WB and The CW, it paved the way for subsequent hits like Arrow and The Flash. The series served to establish Tom Welling as one of the most exceptional actors to don the cape and portray Clark Kent. Yet, the Smallville saga was not without its challenges, particularly during its later years when Welling openly expressed his disdain for a specific storyline.

Over the weekend at Fan Expo New Orleans, the cast of Smallville – featuring Tom Welling, Erika Durance, and Laura Vandervoort – shared their thoughts on the show and its ten-season run. When asked about their least favorite parts to film, Welling singled out a particular plotline he particularly disliked. “As for what I didn’t enjoy filming,” he said, “it was that Red Blue Blur business.” Since Vandervoort, who played Clark’s cousin Kara Zor-El, wasn’t present during that part of the series, she inquired about it, prompting Welling to delve into the storyline and explain his aversion to it.

Clark had an unusual side to him – he donned black attire and became a figure reminiscent of Batman. Despite my dislike, as well as Clark’s reluctance, I found myself acting alongside Lois, who continuously praised the Red Blue Blur. It often felt bizarre, like ‘Why are we doing this?’ Essentially, it was Clark taking on the role of a nighttime vigilante.

It appears that the Red Blue Blur storyline in Smallville wasn’t universally appreciated, as the penultimate season received the lowest ratings among all seasons, averaging approximately 2.38 million viewers according to Nielsen ratings. However, despite its low audience rating of 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, Season 9 of Smallville has managed to secure a perfect score of 100% from critics. This indicates that while many viewers may have disliked the season, some found it appealing, perhaps due to the creative direction by showrunner Brian Peterson.

The Red Blue Blur Storyline Was the Beginning of the End for ‘Smallville’

In the seasons leading up to Season 9 of Smallville, it’s clear that some people might think the storytelling was losing its edge. The introduction of the Red Blue Blur plotline didn’t exactly enhance the show’s positive image. By the time Season 10 arrived with Darkseid, viewers were feeling exhausted from the excessive amounts of romance, drama, and action the writers were packing into the developing series.

After a decade, Smallville gratefully came to an end due to its consistent drop in ratings and the fact that it had simply reached its conclusion – both in terms of natural development and creatively, where it seemed like ideas were merely being thrown against a wall to see what would stick. Although Welling and his team have been attempting to launch an animated Smallville series for some time now, even Warner Bros. isn’t keen on reviving it, which might be for the best. As we look back fondly on the show, it’s wise to let it lie peacefully in its place so that we can continue cherishing it as one of the excellent TV shows that heralded the new millennium.

As a movie enthusiast who’s always up for an exciting journey, if you’re keen on experiencing the transformation of a young Clark Kent into the legendary Superman, then why not dive into the 10 thrilling seasons of Smallville that are currently streaming on Hulu? It’s a great way to reminisce about those iconic adventures!

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2025-01-13 23:01