Superman has been seen at different stages through the ages on television. The latest visage brought to us is Smallville. Featuring a youthful Clark Kent experiencing the development of his powers in his hometown.

The fifth season thickens the plot as Clark begins to fully grasp his destiny and the fate the viewers are gripped to see come about. The season begins with a dark omen for Clark when the scale with life and death begins to slide. Clark also gets a taste of the future when he becomes acquainted with A.C. a.k.a. Aquaman and Victor Stone a.k.a. Cyborg. In addition there is the attraction between Clark and Lana escalates and Jor-El meddles with Clark's life in an effort to mold his son for his destined future.

One of the best elements about this show is the dance the lead characters have with each other. Where the majority of the public knows Clark Kent becomes Superman and Lex Luther is his archenemy, the show tries to divert the viewers’ knowledge of this with a touch-and-go hinting to the future. With Clark and Lex destined to be enemies, the series begins with them becoming friends. Clark and Lois are destined to be together, so Clark's relationship with Lana becomes that much stronger. All of this makes for a delicious mix of emotional turmoil and underhanded acts.

Season 5 has strong plot, while it does play with "future hinting," Clark begins to realize what the future has in store for him. This underlying feeling is spread throughout the whole of the season. He realizes people are trying to steer him down different paths for the future but in the end will Clark allow them to steer him or will he guide himself? Will he do something to protect the people he loves at the risk of exposing his secret or will he chose a quiet life trying to fit in and lead a normal life?

As for the nuts and bolts of the show the acting is well played by the leads, though Aquaman could have been better. The actor had little charisma in his voice and little emotion to his voice. If he said "Bro" one more time... One of the highlight performances, though, is that of James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer/ Angel) as Prof. Fine. But what are Fine's motives for steering Clark toward a certain path? What are his plans for the future? The music is fantastic and greatly adds to the flow of the show.

Season 5 has all twenty-two episodes on six overlapping DVDs with special features on each DVD ranging from deleted scenes to commentary by director, writers, and actors to Superman and Making Of documentaries.

This set is a great way to relive some of the trials of Clark Kent as he takes another step towards his destiny of becoming Superman.