I agree with your comements overall, especially those about Kara/Laura Vandervoort. I even wrote a letter to the producers complaining the way that writers handled Kara in the story line. I urged them to bring Laura Vandervoort back as a reoccuring Guest Star like James Masters for Brianiac, if not as a series regular. I really like Laura Vandervoor playing Kara. She is so beautiful and sexy without being an artifical Hollywood blande bimbo type. She played Kara well even though Kara seemed to be subdued and passive in some of the later episodes compared to the first ones. It is hard to judge if Luara played that as a part of the character’s being a member of “such a stoic race” as Brianiac put it, once or poor acting on Laura’s part. I had thought that they were going to explore more about Kara adapting to life on earth and learning to fit with American culture as in the episode, “Fierce”. I had expected more episodes like that with other villains (preferably not meteor infectted ones as “Smallville” has had enough of those) leading to her teaming up with Clark to be superheroes, moving on eventually to the Justice League. I did really like the two episodes, “Lara” and “Blue” which featured Clark’s biological mother, Lara, who was well played by Helen Slater, who still looks beautiful. But, Kara was missing so much of the time, first in Detroit with no memory or superpowers (which really angered me), then back in Smallville with no memory or powers for a while, then on Krypton in the past and now in the Phantom Zone. I really thought Kara was a great addition to the show that really perked up my interest in it and helped to revitalize it. I was both disappointed and angry that they decided not to bring back Laura Vandervoort as a series regular. I do hope that they will bring Laura back for a few episodes to, at least, wrap up her story line by getting her out of the Phantom Zone which I thought was a terrible way to leave a character, especially if we do not see her again.
With so many changes in Smallville, including the departure of Michael Rosenbaum, John Glover, and for all practial intents and purposes, Kristin Kreuk and the series creators, Miles and Gough, “Smallviile” will be hardly the same. In many ways, the show really ceased to be “Smallville” when Jonathan Kent died and Martha Kent left for Washington. Perhpas it was necessary for Clark to grow up, to become more independent and to eventually become Superman. But, I do miss the Kents, it hardly seems like “Smallville” at all, without them.
I have come to the conclusion that they should have ended the series THIS season, with Clark finally flying and donning the Superman costume. If Tom Welling had not be contracted to do Season 8, it would not have been possible to have it. He must feel all alone as Allison Mack is the only orignal cast member left. I do hope that they give Chloe something better to do than just be Clark’s sidekick. He is too dependent upon her investigative and computer skills and work as it is. He needs to learn to do that on his own if he is going to become the top notch investigative journalist that Clark Kent does for the Daily Planet. I do hope that they have him finally join the Daily Planet as a reporter and start wearing the iconic suits and glasses. He should be teaming up with Lois and Jimmy Olsen to investigate stories and fight villains. Chloe should become Clark new romantic interest since it appears according to DC Comics restrictions that Lois can not do so until Clark becomes Superman. Chloe’s love for Clark is so self-sacrifically and unselfishly pure that she is more than a very close friend, but really almost his wife so that they should become lovers as well as friends. It is too bad that Clark has been so stupid as to not appreciate Chloe more because of his obession with Lana. I am glad that Rristin Kreuk/Lana is leaving even if it is the last season. Kristin Kreuk’s episodes should be only to wrap up her story line and for her to part from Clark in a more satisfactory way.

@Tyler – I’m totally with you on the Kara stuff; the show completely mishandled the character, and it’s a real shame. It would definitely be nice to have Clark working at the Daily Planet, but I feel like that could be tough in keeping Smallville as the show’s main location, although more and more of the action has been happening in Metropolis since Clark and company graduated Smallville High. I disagree with your suggestion that Clark and Chloe should hook-up, as I like them better as friends. With Lana out of the picture, they might be better served with having Clark just being single.

@Raf – Here’s the thing – the show does suck sometimes, but it also has some really great moments. Descent, towards the end of last season, was one of the greatest episodes in the show’s run. If it totally out and out sucked, I’d be able to walk away. But the combination of suckiness mixed with awesomeness makes me want to keep tuning in, to see which Smallville will be on.