Cast: · Tom Welling · Erica Durance · Allison Mack · John Schneider Grade: A

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I remember when I tuned in for the pilot episode of Smallville -- yes, I've been with it for that long. I remember being thrilled with the concept of a serious treatment of the young Superman, being disappointed with the formulaic "meteor freak of the week" format things fell into for a while, and then riding a rollercoaster of exciting peaks -- usually involving greater inclusion of the DC Universe characters -- and lackluster nadirs (sorry, just wasn't that taken with the Phantom Zone plot).

Now here we sit, on the precipice of the tenth and final season. Clark Kent (Tom Welling) has decided his destiny is to protect people, and he thus chooses to become... Batman! Well, he's technically "the Blur" but who else would dress all in black and sit perched on gargoyles listening for a cry for help before striking from the shadows? And what did he get for choosing the path of the martyr? A knife in his chest from Zod, and a near-death experience that he has to pay for by enduring another lecture from his father, Jor-El (voiced as always by Terence Stamp). But Clark gets a second chance at life, and is prepared to step into the light -- to finally become the hero.

And, Great Caesar's Ghost, I actually thought it might happen in this very episode. It's not a blur, it's not a smudge, it's not a dream, and it's not a glitch in your television: Smallville goes blue... but not Clark. Yet. But you'll still stand up and cheer. As the lady says: "So much better in technicolor."

But before Clark can move on toward being the hero he wants to be, he must first confront his prophesied greatest enemy. Doctor Fate has told him that enemy is Lex Luthor -- and guess who's back to make life difficult for our Kryptonian good guy? Sadly, it's not Michael Rosenbaum, but the writers have a really nifty explanation for that, all of which ties to a certain underground project of labs that Lex has been running off the books -- and off the net -- for years. Oh, and one of our female characters unexpectedly finds herself a mom!

The Scarlet Letter. Lois (Erica Durance) in trouble on Smallville.

With all this going on, it's easy to lose track of the fact that Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) has been captured, being tortured by persons unknown for information about the Blur. The search for Oliver has made Chloe (Allison Mack) distraught enough to turn to unconventional -- even dangerous -- resources to discern his location. Ever one to determine her own fate, Chloe risks everything to find and save Oliver.

You'll notice I've said very little about our intrepid Lois Lane. That's because I'm very reticent about revealing anything about her character's actions in this episode. We know she's been invited to go to Africa with Perry White, but she hasn't quite left yet. There's something -- or rather, some one who would keep her in Metropolis, if he would but ask. But Lois has a secret -- or, rather, she knows a secret, and it's one that may have the greatest impact on Clark's world if he discovers it.

Father and Son Chat. Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) and Clark (Tom Welling) talk about the future.

Smallville, "Lazarus" premieres Friday, September 24, at 8pm EST | 7pm CST on the CW.