Talk Ville - Season 2

We're baaack! It's a new year and a brand new season of our rewatch. This week Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum dive into Season 2 Episode 1 of Smallville: Vortex. They pick up on the tornado cliffhanger from last season's finale and discuss what it was like behind the scenes to shoot something of that magnitude. The guys also talk about what it was like jumping back into their characters after a hiatus, the emotionally powerful choices taken by John Schneider in this episode, and their feelings around Clark putting on his patented red jacket, blue shirt combo.

Might be one of those "show episode was ehh but the rewatch was good" type of weeks - this week as Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum revisit Season 2 Episode 2: HEAT.

We find out this episode's idea to be included in the pilot was canned, and maybe for good reason?

Tom remembers what it was like portraying Clark's pubescent discovery of heat vision, Michael questions why every single sultry single got cut from the show, and we all find out why Smallville was so sweaty in this episode. 

Join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum as they break down the countless instances of deceit in this week's rewatch of Season 2 Episode 3: DUPLICITY … whole lot of lying going on. The guys show love to the performance of Sam Jones III in a pivotal Pete episode and discuss the unique decisions Joe Morton made off script in his sendoff as Dr. Hamilton. Tom talks about what went into Clark ‘stopping a car' and debates whether or not Lionel was actually blind. Michael talks about the absurdity of Lana snapping over Clark's ambiguity and how he would have handled learning Clark's secret. Going to get Sam on later this season… promise!

We've finally made it to one of the most loved episodes of the entire series... Introducing Red-K Clark! This week Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum rewatch and review Smallville Season 2 Episode 4: Red. The guys talk about how strange it is seeing Clark go bad, what he means by having split identities, and how sick of Clark's crap. Lana is. Oh yeah... and we're joined by the episode's writer - Emmy Award Winner JEPH LOEB!!! Jeph shares a ton of cool stories behind the scenes and in the writer's room from Smallville. Lots of fun this week. 

This week the guys shine some light on the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde style episode as we rewatch and review Smallville Season 2 Episode 5: Nocturne. Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum talk about Lana's visits to the cemetery, how Martha begins to own her own storyline, and why everyone seems to be injuring their wrists in the episode. We're graced with a call from Al Gough himself to explain some of the logic that went into this episode surrounding Martha and Lionel. Tom remembers a crazy stunt story while on set and Michael wonders why he was left on top of a glacier.

Want to start out by saying thank you if you made it through this episode of Smallville… and well, misery loves company, so buckle up and join us for our review of Season 2 Episode 6: REDUX. Thank goodness we are joined by Maggie Lawson this week, because not only did she help this episode of Smallville save face, but she also helped make this podcast a whole lot better. This week we discuss all things that went wrong, and a few that went right with this infamous episode. We get some behind-the-scenes information on why this was aired out of order compared to when it was shot during Season 1 and how you can notice it throughout the episode. Tom remembers little tricks that he pulled to get through some of the scenes, Maggie remembers what it was like to guest on Smallville back in the day, and Michael questions why he had those sunglasses throughout Season 2.

Our rewatch rebounds this week as Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum review Season 2 Episode 7: LINEAGE. Not only do we get to review a beautifully written and directed episode of Smallville, but we're also joined by two very important people to the show. First - it's been a long time coming, but Annette O'Toole finally joins us! She shares everything about her experience as Martha Kent, questions she had about Clark as a mother of small children at the time, and how she prevented the Kent farm from going up in a blaze. We also bug creator Al Gough about the difference in age between Clark and Lex, how the next couple episodes really picked up after the Redux dud, and why Lineage stood out amongst others. Not only that, but Tom remembers his enjoyment for the adoption storyline scenes and Michael talks about how we really see the conniving and treacherous side of Lionel Luthor start to emerge in this episode.

Our scores may have been high, but this week's episode is definitely a bummer… join us for one of the most emotional reviews yet as we get into Smallville Season 2 Episode 8: RYAN. We revisit memories of working alongside Ryan Kelley on set and the different emotional hurdles we had to overcome in creating this episode. Tom talks about the unique juxtaposition of characters who usually have all the control, being helpless in this episode; while also discussing how he set boundaries while filming. Michael remembers an improvisational outburst that sticks with him to this day, plus the idea of cast members being ‘in the dark' when it came to the success of certain episodes and characters.

Join us this week as Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum revisit Smallville Season 2 Episode 9: DICHOTIC… Not only does the show welcome a notable guest star in Jonthan Taylor Thomas, but our pod gets graced by the one and only, Aunt Nell herself, SARAH JANE REDMOND. Yeah folks! Sarah remembers what it was like during the early seasons of the show, her connection to David Nutter, and a crazy story of how they made Baby Lana cry in the Pilot. While Michael grapples with the idea of every character acting crazy in this episode - Tom talks about working with JTT, the insane Lana dam stunt, and another "damn who's that" Pete moment.

Welcome to Smallville's ‘cave era' … this week Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum review Season 2 Episode 10: SKINWALKER! After talking about how this is probably the unanimous decision for worst set to work on during the series, the guys get some insight from Al Gough on how important this cave plotline is to the vision of Season 2 and origin story of Clark Kent. Tom remembers working with Tamara Feldman (as Kyla Willowbrook) and how intimidating the wolf was on set. Michael talks about the curse that is ‘knowing Clark's secret' while also giving props to another killer performance from Annette O'Toole.

This week he's baaack… and she's back! Join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum as we dive into Smallville Season 2 Episode 11: VISAGE, accompanied by none other than Whitney Fordham himself, Eric Johnson! So glad we got the guy one. Eric remembers what it was like finding out his character was being sent off, the bittersweet return coming back in Season 2, and what it was like playing the heel to the ‘Superman-to-be.' During the review of the episode the guys talk about the interesting dynamics of playing your own character while mimicking another, behind the scenes of Clark on Clark fight scene, and the fun of shooting with two returning guest stars.

We've made it to the Smallville, Die Hard crossover with Season 2 Episode 12: Insurgence! What would an episode of Talk Ville be without a cameo from the one and only, Al Gough. Al shares his thoughts on the episode that mirrors Jitters, and discusses why they also were surprised by how ‘over budget' this went. Despite his court ordered anger management, Michael questions a couple scenes where Lex flies off the handle, while also analyzing how Lionel gets creepier and creepier as the series progresses. Tom talks about the iconic scene where Clark leaps a building in a single bound, while also analyzing how Lionel seems to get less blind as the season continues.

Join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum for a whole lot of fun this week as they re-explore the Smallville ‘who done it' episode with Season 2 Episode 13: SUSPECT! If you've enjoyed this rewatch, then you'll love this episode… it literally has everything (besides an Al's Corner). We get stories from on set, a ‘damn who's that' moment, brilliance from Annette, and more. Enjoy the episode and let us know if we're alone with questioning the lackluster payoff in this unique episode of Smallville.

Join us for a cautionary tale against the usage of  parasites and Red Kryptonite in Season 2 Episode 14: RUSH!

Tried like hell to get Sam Jones on, but we'll just have to settle with gushing over his performance in this fun episode from afar this week… damn who's that?!

After talking about the Chlanaloe love triangle and days in the cave, Michael questions why everything gets wrapped up so neatly so quickly.

Tom remembers scenes Sam hated filming, what the ‘car off the cliff' stunt was like, and why the recipe of Red-K Clark was recycled so quickly.

The reveal we've all been waiting for! Join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum as we talk about the one and only Paul Wesley appearance in Smallville Season 2 Episode 15: PRODIGAL. Tom sits back and plays patron this week as Michael remembers a very Luthor-heavy episode. We get a call from Al justifying one of the most (seemingly) asinine storylines in this episode… Michael remembers working with Paul Wesley (Lucas Luthor) … and Tom questions how long Lionel Luthor has really been able to see.

This week the guys talk about the mysterious "healing" powers of Clark's ship without trying to s*** on the show' when it comes to the kryptonite this episode. Tom talks about leaving his couch scene with Allison and his needle stunt; while Michael holds no punches with Chloe and talks about the bald-prerequisites of performing with your band on Smallville.

One of the MOST impactful episodes in the series folks… join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum as they're joined by Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar for our rewatch of Season 2 Episode 17: ROSETTA!! It wouldn't be right doing this episode without these guys. This week we talk about everything from getting Christopher Reeve to appear in the episode, what he thought of Smallville, Tom's interactions with him on set, and so so much more. This is an episode that needs no introduction, so hope you folks enjoy.

Join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum as we ‘phone home' this week and review Smallville Season 2 Episode 18: Visitor! In an episode following Rosetta, one of the most pivotal of the series, the guys grapple with the ups and downs of this alien classmate introduction. Tom remembers being shocked on set with Kristin as the horse ‘got into position' and also how wild the communication tower was in person. Michael staunchly defends Lex's privacy from his prying girlfriend and throws his hat in the ring amongst the other Canadian bullies in this episode.

This week Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum tackle a Smallville episode all about predatory men in Season 2 Episode 19: PRECIPICE… joined by special guest (of the show and pod) ANSON MOUNT!! We have a ton of fun with Anson discussing his experience with Smallville, working with Michael on Poolhall Junkies, and whether or not he turned down the original offer to star as Lex Luthor!! More good stuff this week discussing the new sheriff, Lana's roundhouse kicks, and more - hope you folks enjoy.

Join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum as we review Smallville Season 2 Episode 20: WITNESS aka the second Home Improvement kid appearance of the season. While there is certainly no lack of ‘shittin on the show' the guys have a blast revisiting this Steroid Era baseball meets Superman episode. Michael goes after the absurdity of Lana's father abandoning her, Tom defends Allison's prying performance, and we get to the bottom of who's bottom walked out of the blast furnace this episode.

Smallville sees dead people this week as Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum review Smallville Season 2 Episode 21: ACCELERATE. After talking about one of the coolest visuals of the season and dangerous Kristin stunts, we have a little jam session… Now that the conspiracy of Lionel's blindness is over, Tom tries to start a new ‘clone Lionel' theory. Michael talks about his own personal ghost encounters and what could have been with our favorite background actor, Evangeline Lilly.

Join us for the penultimate episode of Season 2 CALLING as Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum explore Clark's first formidable foe who loves ‘hand blasting.' We get a healthy dose of Michael dumping on the love-triangle as Tom remembers the first consensual, non-inebriated ‘Clana' kiss in the series. We also learn about Tom's strange interaction with Terrence Stamp, the trick to working with horses, and the scary reason Welling avoids stunts.

Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum revisit the Smallville Season 2 Finale with friend of the show and co-star KRISTIN KREUK!! Kristin was awesome this week… She talks about her opinion on the Chloe, Clark, Lana love triangle in this second season, the constant abandonment intertwined into Lana's storylines, and how she was still finding her voice in the show's infancy. Tom and Michael discuss the gut wrenching ending to this episode, some overly heavy kissing, and some classic pranks on Sam Jones III.

Literally can't believe we've been through two seasons of this show. Wild. Time flies when you're hand blastin' and ‘damn who's that'n. Join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum as the guys pull final tallies for Season 2. We remember the highs and lows of the season and reflect on the rewatch thus far. After that we go through a little stroll down memory lane with the best moments from our time through Season … Stay up to date on our upcoming release for Season 3 (ETA July 19) by following our socials!