Is Smallville formulaic?

Cafe Society
1

It seems like it’s the same plot every episode.

  1. A resident of Smallville is exposed to Kryptonite and develops a superpower.
  2. That resident invariably uses their new power for evil.
  3. There’s an initial fight where Clark tries to stop them but that necklace or some other source of kryptonite is nearby so he’s too weak.
  4. There’s a second round of fighting where the kryptonite gets moved away and Clark easily defeats the villain.

The first couple of shows I thought they were just trying to establish that weird things happen in Smallville due to the meteor shower, but it seems like it’s every week the same thing. Have other people noticed this, or am I just being overly critical of what is still a pretty good show?

2

No, you’re about right. That’s how all the shows have gone so far. Next week is some sort of Luthor installation episode though, so it may be different let’s all hope.

You forgot at least two points:

  1. The powers usually originate in some sort of aspect of teenage angst, ie. overeating, promiscuous sex, outsiderness. . .

  2. The evil villain’s parents are usually non-existent or killed.

I like Smallville a lot, but I’m really don’t like their decision as per the use of the kryptonite. Not everything needs to be explained by some pseudo-scientific explanation. If they continue down this route we’ll never see Mr. Mxyzpltk, and where would that leave us?