The
first season of Smallville began airing on October 16, 2001, on
The WB television network.
Smallville 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 first season comprises 21 episodes and concluded its initial airing on May 21, 2002. The season's stories focus on
Martha and
Jonathan Kent's attempts to help their adopted son Clark cope with his
alien origin and control his developing
superhuman abilities. Clark must deal with the meteor-infected individuals that begin appearing in Smallville, his love for
Lana Lang, and not being able to tell his two best friends,
Pete Ross and
Chloe Sullivan, about his alien nature. Clark also befriends
Lex Luthor. "
Villain of the week" storylines were predominant during the first season; physical effects, make-up effects, and
computer-generated imagery became important components as well. The
pilot broke The WB's viewership record for a debut series, and was nominated for various awards. Although the villain of the week storylines became a concern for producers, critical reception was generally favorable, and the series was noted as having a promising start.
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