Long before the buzz about James Gunn‘s take on Superman inspired by Smallville, the series’ sixth season proved how deep and emotionally charged superhero origin stories could be. In particular, the pivotal “Promise” episode offered a fresh look at Clark Kent’s formative years, influencing how future creators, including those behind the current Superman cinematic revival, would approach the character’s journey.
How Smallville Evolved and Broadened Superman’s World in Season Six
For many fans, including die-hard followers and newcomers alike, Smallville was their first introduction to Superman’s world beyond the comic pages. The sixth season marked a turning point as the show matured, adopting a more complex narrative structure and introducing key figures like Aaron Ashmore’s Jimmy Olsen and Justin Hartley’s Oliver Queen, or Green Arrow. “Justice” brought a superhero team-up, while other unique episodes, such as “Static” and “Noir,” pushed the limits of storytelling in the superhero genre. However, “Promise” stood out by delivering lasting emotional impact and redefining the relationships at Smallville’s core.
Exploring Different Perspectives: The Unique Storytelling of ‘Promise’
Clark Kent, played by Tom Welling, faces tremendous challenges as criminals escaping from the Phantom Zone wreak havoc, and his friendship with Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor shatters further as Lex prepares to marry Lana Lang, portrayed by Kristin Kreuk. The narrative structure of “Promise” splits each act to follow a different character’s point of view—Clark, Lana, and Lex—allowing viewers to understand their motivations and fears. Drawing inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon Effect, this device offers insight into the emotional turmoil caused by the Clark–Lex–Lana triangle, adding significant depth to their dynamic and engaging the audience at every level.
The episode opens each act with a dream sequence that exposes the deepest anxieties of the characters: Clark dreams of a violent outburst and unintended tragedy, revealing his inner conflict about confessing his love; Lex envisions his unborn child as a monster, pointing to his fears about legacy and deception; while Lana recalls when Clark once saved her, reminding her—and the audience—of her deep affection for him. This powerful use of visual storytelling underscores why “Promise” is often cited as one of the most compelling episodes of the entire series.
A Heartbreaking Turning Point: Lex and Lana’s Marriage Changes Everything
Throughout earlier seasons, Clark’s devotion to Lana was a central theme, heavily influenced by guilt over the loss of Lana’s parents during his arrival and his ongoing struggle to reveal his secret. By the time season six unfolds, signs point toward a possible union between the two, as Lana investigates Clark’s mysteries and his feelings for her remain strong. However, “Promise” changes everything: John Glover’s Lionel Luthor orchestrates Lana’s marriage to Lex by threatening Clark’s life, forcing Lana to make a sacrifice for the man she truly loves. The resulting scene, where Lana rebuffs Clark at his family farm, is one of the most emotional moments for fans, as the audience understands that Lana is acting out of love—even if it breaks both their hearts—thanks to the exceptional performances from Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk.
Later in the season, Lana discovers Lex’s deception regarding her pregnancy and divorces him. Despite this, the separation between her and Clark remains impenetrable, fueled by subsequent events: Brainiac, played by James Marsters, puts Lana in a coma, and later she grants herself superpowers, which come with the unintended consequence of absorbing Kryptonite radiation—a development that makes her presence deadly to Clark. This effectively ends any hope of reconciliation, as her choice to neutralize a bomb’s fallout in “Requiem” ultimately seals their fate as star-crossed lovers driven apart by circumstances beyond their control.
The Emotional Impact of ‘Promise’: Lessons for Superman and Viewers Alike
“Promise” wasn’t the first time Smallville delved into heartbreak—Clark’s loss of his adoptive father, played by John Schnieder in “Reckoning,” devastated fans. Yet “Promise” clarifies an unexpectedly mature reality: not even Superman is immune to life’s disappointments. The show captures this tough truth as Clark and Lana’s destinies diverge, emphasizing that sometimes personal sacrifices are unavoidable, even for heroes. These grown-up themes not only marked a new narrative direction for Smallville, but also set a foundation for later depictions of Superman, encouraging future creators, including James Gunn, to infuse their versions with depth and realism.
While Smallville’s Lana and Clark couldn’t be together, the series paved the way for Clark’s future relationship with Lois Lane, portrayed by Erica Durance. This evolution was revisited in the crisis-laden Arrowverse crossover “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” which reconnected fans with Tom Welling’s matured Man of Steel as a husband and father, a storyline that echoed the show’s central message about hope and perseverance. These nuanced explorations of loss, growth, and the resilience to move forward have influenced both television and cinematic portrayals, connecting directly with contemporary visions like James Gunn’s Superman by rooting his trials in heartfelt human emotion.
Smallville left a lasting impact on its audience, redefining what a superhero story could achieve on television. Episodes like “Promise” challenged characters and fans alike to accept that even legends can struggle, but new beginnings still await. Smallville continues to stream on Hulu, offering both a nostalgic journey and timeless lessons for generations of Superman enthusiasts.
