Lana Lang’s final regular appearance on Smallville occurs in Season 8, Episode 14, “Requiem”. While she returns for a brief cameo in the series finale, this episode marks the end of her significant storyline and relationship with Clark Kent.
The Significance of “Requiem”
“Requiem” is more than just Lana’s exit; it’s a pivotal episode in Smallville’s narrative arc. It fundamentally alters the dynamics between Clark and Lana, setting the stage for Clark’s eventual embracing of his destiny as Superman. The episode showcases Lana’s growth, highlighting her transition from a meteor-infected girl to a capable and independent woman willing to sacrifice her happiness for the greater good. The narrative explores themes of sacrifice, destiny, and the complexities of love in the face of extraordinary circumstances. Lana’s departure allows Clark to fully commit to becoming the hero the world needs, free from the constraints of their complicated and ultimately unsustainable relationship.
Key Plot Points in “Requiem”
The episode revolves around Lana’s development of a Prometheus suit, designed to absorb kryptonite radiation and make her invulnerable. This is financed and supported by the Queen Industries foundation. This suit, however, contains a fatal flaw: it prevents Clark from being near her due to the kryptonite absorbing capabilities that constantly emanate from the suit. Lana, aware of this consequence and deeply saddened by it, ultimately chooses to activate the suit to protect Metropolis from a rogue attack planned by Lex Luthor, delivered through an elaborate, and unfortunately very bad, future robot-based plotline from Brainiac, ensuring Clark can save the city without jeopardizing his health. The episode ends with Lana bidding a tearful farewell to Clark, acknowledging that their relationship cannot work while she is using the suit and its powers.
Decoding Lana’s Departure: Why “Requiem”?
The decision to write Lana out of the series was multi-faceted. Actress Kristin Kreuk’s contract was ending, and she desired to pursue other acting opportunities. Furthermore, the producers of Smallville recognized that Clark needed to move beyond his romantic relationship with Lana to fully embrace his Superman destiny. Their on-again, off-again relationship had become a recurring obstacle in Clark’s journey. Separating them allowed Clark to develop his superhero identity independently, free from the emotional baggage and constraints of their love. It allowed the show to explore new character dynamics and storylines, paving the way for Lois Lane to take a more prominent role in Clark’s life.
The Fan Reaction and Critical Response
Lana’s departure was met with mixed reactions from fans. Some viewers were saddened to see a beloved character leave the show, while others felt it was a necessary step for Clark’s character development. Critics generally praised the episode’s emotional depth and Kristin Kreuk’s performance. However, some criticized the Prometheus suit storyline as being convoluted and contrived. The general consensus was that while Lana’s departure was bittersweet, it ultimately served the show’s overall narrative.
Lana’s Cameo: “Finale” (Season 10, Episode 22)
Lana makes a brief, non-physical appearance in the series finale, “Finale.” She sends a video message to Clark and Lois on their wedding day, expressing her happiness for them and offering her support. This cameo provides closure for Lana’s character arc and acknowledges her lasting impact on Clark’s life. While it’s a small scene, it’s significant in that it signifies Lana’s acceptance of Clark’s destiny and her blessing of his relationship with Lois. It shows that she has moved on and supports his journey to becoming Superman.
FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries Surrounding Lana Lang’s Exit
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that shed further light on Lana Lang’s departure from Smallville:
FAQ 1: Why didn’t Kristin Kreuk stay on Smallville longer?
Kristin Kreuk’s contract with Smallville was ending, and she was ready to explore other acting opportunities. She had expressed interest in branching out and taking on different roles. While she enjoyed her time on Smallville, she felt it was time to move on and pursue new challenges.
FAQ 2: Was Lana Lang’s exit planned from the beginning of Season 8?
While the producers knew Kreuk’s contract was ending, the specific details of Lana’s exit storyline were developed throughout Season 8. The Prometheus suit arc was created to provide a logical and dramatic reason for their separation, forcing Lana to prioritize the safety of Metropolis over her relationship with Clark.
FAQ 3: How did the Prometheus suit work?
The Prometheus suit was designed by Dr. Emil Hamilton using technology financed by Queen Industries. Its primary function was to absorb kryptonite radiation, making Lana immune to its effects and giving her superhuman strength and durability. However, the suit’s constant absorption of kryptonite created a field that prevented Clark from getting close to her without being weakened.
FAQ 4: Did Clark and Lana ever truly have a chance?
The Smallville writers often portrayed Clark and Lana as having a complicated and ultimately unsustainable relationship. Their love was often hindered by secrets, obstacles, and Clark’s destiny. While they deeply cared for each other, their paths were ultimately diverging, making a long-term relationship impossible. Clark’s destiny and Lana’s own personal growth forced them on to different paths.
FAQ 5: How did Lois Lane react to Lana’s return in Season 8?
Lois Lane, portrayed as the confident and assertive reporter we know, expressed a mix of curiosity and skepticism regarding Lana’s return. While she acknowledged Lana’s significance in Clark’s life, she was also determined to protect her own burgeoning relationship with him. Lois’s intelligence and intuition allowed her to sense the complexities of the situation and handle it with her characteristic wit and resilience.
FAQ 6: What happened to Lana Lang after she left Smallville?
While not explicitly stated in the series, it is implied that Lana continued to use the Prometheus suit to protect Metropolis and other areas. Her final appearance in the series finale suggests she moved on with her life and found happiness, supporting Clark from afar. The narrative suggests that she devoted her life to helping others using her enhanced abilities.
FAQ 7: Was there a possibility of Lana returning for more episodes in later seasons?
While there were discussions about bringing Lana back for guest appearances, scheduling conflicts and Kristin Kreuk’s other commitments made it difficult. The cameo in the series finale was the only instance where they were able to successfully bring her back, providing closure for her character.
FAQ 8: Did fans prefer Lana with Clark or Lois with Clark?
This is a highly debated topic among Smallville fans. “Clois” shippers (Clark and Lois) often argued that Lois was a better match for Clark because she challenged him, supported his destiny, and shared his sense of humor. “Clana” shippers (Clark and Lana) believed that Clark and Lana had a deeper connection and were soulmates. Ultimately, the writers chose to pursue the Lois and Clark relationship, aligning with the established Superman mythology.
FAQ 9: How did Lana’s meteor powers affect her departure?
Lana’s exposure to kryptonite throughout the series shaped her character and ultimately contributed to her departure. The Prometheus suit, a direct consequence of her meteor powers, became the catalyst for her separation from Clark. Her newfound abilities and her desire to use them for good ultimately led her down a different path.
FAQ 10: Was Kristin Kreuk happy with Lana’s ending?
While Kristin Kreuk has never explicitly stated her feelings about Lana’s ending, she has generally expressed satisfaction with her overall experience on Smallville. She has acknowledged the complexities of the character and the challenges of portraying her for so many years. The fact that she returned for the series finale suggests that she was content with the overall direction of her character’s arc.
FAQ 11: What other actors were considered for the role of Lana Lang?
While specific names are not publicly available, casting directors likely considered a variety of actresses for the role of Lana Lang. Kristin Kreuk was ultimately chosen for her natural beauty, her acting ability, and her chemistry with Tom Welling (Clark Kent).
FAQ 12: Did Lana ever find out that Lex Luthor was responsible for her parents’ death?
While the series hints at Lex’s potential involvement, it’s never explicitly confirmed within the Smallville canon that Lana discovers undeniable proof of Lex’s complicity in her parents’ death. The show leaves this ambiguous, adding to the complexity of their relationship and Lana’s internal conflicts regarding her feelings for him at various points in the series.