What I'm Watching: Smallville (Season Premiere)

Smallville: Season 8, Episode 1 "Odyssey" (C)

I was thrilled watching promos which seemed to indicate that this season might be about the young Justice League's search for Clark Kent. I had hoped that would mean that Clark might be absent for a good portion of the season, but alas, less than halfway through, he's back, and in a foreign country no less. This is an improved start to this season, and I'm excited somewhat by the new direction of the show. Lana and Lex are both completely out of the picture, as is Kara. Three new additions to the credicted cast: Cassidy Freeman as Tess Mercer, the as-yet-unseen Sam Witwer from "Battlestar Galactica," and my favorite one - the series-saving Justin Hartley as Green Arrow. I'm not so sure about Freeman's character yet, but I think Witwer is a good actor from his Crashdown days on BSG, and as I said before, Hartley was the only bright light in season six. This season seems intent on fulfilling the traditional storyline of Superman - Clark at the Daily Planet, falling in love with Lois, and wearing a costume. This first episode isn't great, still determined to play out the same way as recent "Smallville" episodes, but I like Chloe's enhanced powers and the hopeful continued presence of the JLA. This is an improvement - we'll see if it lasts.