| Smallville | |
|---|---|
| Season 8 | |
 DVD and Blu-ray cover | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 22 |
| Release | |
| Original network | The CW |
| Original release | September 18, 2008 – May 14, 2009 |
| Season chronology | |
The eighth season of Smallville, an American television series, began airing on September 18, 2008. The series recounts the early adventures of Kryptonian Clark Kent as he adjusts to life in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, during the years before he becomes Superman. The eighth season comprises 22 episodes and concluded its initial airing on May 14, 2009,[1] marking the third season to air on The CW television network. Regular cast members during season eight include Tom Welling, Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Aaron Ashmore, along with new series regulars Cassidy Freeman, Sam Witwer, and Justin Hartley.
This season focuses on Clark Kent as he starts his job at the Daily Planet, begins to accept more of his destiny as Earth's hero, and develops romantic feelings for Lois Lane. While Lex Luthor is presumed dead, and Lana Lang has left Smallville for good, Clark also meets new characters Davis Bloome, Smallville's interpretation of Doomsday, as well as the new CEO of LuthorCorp, Tess Mercer. In other storylines, Clark and Oliver Queen clash over how to handle Lex when he resurfaces, while Chloe Sullivan and Jimmy Olsen take their relationship to the next level. In addition, this season sees the appearance of more DC Comics characters, including recurring appearances from Plastique and members of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Following the end of season seven, it was announced that series regulars Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum, who had been with the show since the first episode, would not return as regulars for the eighth season, though Kreuk did return as a recurring guest to conclude her story.[2][3] Laura Vandervoort and John Glover departed the series alongside Kreuk and Rosenbaum; Glover was killed off in season seven's "Descent", while Vandervoort was written out of the series after one season but made one guest appearance in this season.[4] Show creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar also departed the series, allowing Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer to continue as executive producers. This allowed the show to "reinvigorate" itself by introducing new characters and storylines, as well as developing Clark's understanding of his destiny.[5]
Averaging 3.74 million viewers per episode, the season out-ranked other high-profile shows on the network, such as Reaper and Gossip Girl.[6] It also received an Emmy Award nomination in the Sound Editing for a Series category.[7]
- ^ "Smallville Episodes". TV Guide. Retrieved July 9, 2007.
- ^ Rob Salem (April 24, 2008). "Shaking things up in Smallville". The Star. Retrieved May 19, 2008.
- ^ Kristin Dos Santos (May 1, 2008). "Breaking: Michael Rosenbaum Has Left Smallville". Eonline. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
- ^ Matt Webb Mitovich (May 16, 2008). "Smallville Exclusive: Kara's Future Is Up, Up in the Air". TV Guide. Archived from the original on May 20, 2008. Retrieved May 21, 2008.
- ^ Craig Byrne. "Roundtable interview with executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson (part 1)". Kryptonsite. Retrieved September 2, 2008.
- ^ "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. May 19, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ EOL Staff (July 16, 2009). "Complete List of Emmy Nominations". E! Online. Retrieved July 23, 2009.