Eh, once it became clear that the producers would continue down an artistically impoverished road as long as their pockets got lined (again, an understandable if not laudable course), faithful viewers arguably got what they signed up for. IIRC, Gough and Miller never promised a demonstration of how Clark would become Superman; merely instead a look at his teenage years. And for at least two seasons, they did pretty well.
I'm frankly
still waiting for a compelling screen story showing the Clark/Superman, and as I doubt this series' finale will satisfy, it looks as though we may not get that for a long while if ever. How does such a naturally mild-mannered, humble guy as Clark get the stones to wear such a ridiculous outfit and call himself Superman with a straight face, even if he
does have unique (
sort of) abilities? In the early pulp decades of the character, AFAIK, neither persona was reflective enough to give that question any thought; it was just there, like Jesus always
knows he's the son of the big guy upstairs, end of story.
Superman: The Movie literally skipped over that moment (/Daddy made him do it), and subsequent movies (the upcoming one included) have all taken place
after it.
Sigh. 
Re:
Smallville; sure, it would have been nice had the writers been able to write 20-plus episodes a year and keep everything fresh with a minimum of cheap soap opera drama, but while I myself certainly would've loved to try, I doubt I'd have been able to match the success they've had. I'm just happy to be able to enjoy the
twenty-four best eps of the first three seasons; that's already loads more (and in many cases, IMO, much better) Supes entertainment than the movies have provided.
? Or less darker
? Making Lana into the next Lady Macbeth or a simple pawn in the conflict between Clark and Lex?
