Smallville has become a delicate balancing act. The producers have decided to take a page from Buffy and reach out to two separate and very different audiences; Comic/action fans (us) and shipper fans. Smallville has been traditionally been a shipper-centric show (Gilmore Girls meets a Kryptonian meteor shower), but this season they have overcome their allergy to super heroes and are striving for that delicate balance only Joss Whedon has ever achieved: creating a show that I can watch with my wife! (Kim is a long time Smallvillle fan, and while dubious about the increased hero activity is thrilled that I am now eager to share one of her favorite shows.)

The last few episode have been chock full of chewy super hero goodness so “Hydro” was primarily a shipper episode. Balance…

Sure, there was a new villain introduced, Hydro, (portrayed by a clumsily scenery chewing Tori Spelling) but it almost seemed to be more of an after thought. The real meat of this episode was the revelations and angst that shippers love so much. Let's see, we have pregnancies revealed, love professed, friendships threatened, marriage proposals debated and … ‘the Kiss’.

Yes, that’s right Clark and Lois kiss for the first time. They had been adversarial up till now, and fireworks ensue. Of course Clark was in disguise so Lois has no clue who she kissed, but it was evidently one hell of a kiss. Thus paving the way for the inevitable Lois/Clark relationship. Rather clever how they set it up, making good stuff even if it was about a, shudder, relationship.

Sadly, Green Arrow was only a small part of this episode. Justin Hartley’s portrayal of Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) has been the highlight of the last few episodes. I find myself day dreaming (no, not that type of daydream) about a spin-off series with the Green Arrow teaming up with Chloe (Allison Mack), who is by far the most interesting of the bevy of beauteous women in Smallville. Throw in Luthor’s dad and I would be in heaven.

"Hydro" sets up several intertwined story lines. Maybe not the most exciting episode from a comic lovers perspective, but necessary viewing to keep abreast of all things Smallville. A couple of the intense shipper scenes run a bit long, but that is all the rage these days, what with the success of Battlestar Galactica’s overwritten and rather turgid dialogue. (I do love that show; I’m just glad for the FF button on my remote.)

Smallville has definitely crossed the line into Fanboy goodness this season. It’s featured many cameos from various members of the DC universe and added one as a new major character (Green Arrow). I now eagerly await each new episode with glee.

It has filled that ragged bleeding hole in my life that was all things Whedon (Buffy/Angel/Firefly), and you can watch it with your S.O. to boot!

FanBoys rejoice… (Just keep your finger on that FF button.)

Ron Talbot