Less rigidly formulaic than its freshman year, Smallvilles second season is confident enough with the teen-angst-versus-the-supernatural premise to introduce some new elements from classic Superman mythology.
Clarks first encounter with the mind-altering red kryptonite is a welcome angle (turning the nauseatingly good-natured hero into a cad of the highest order) and Man Of Steel enthusiasts will relish the first real explorations of Supermans Kryptonian heritage.
Consistently good, the series finds its high point in Rosetta, an episode which showcases a cameo from Christopher Reeve.
