Fans Question “Smallville” Ending in “Crisis on Infinite Earths”

Part Two of the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover saw the long-awaited return of Tom Welling as Clark Kent.

SPOILER WARNING! Read on only if you’ve seen Part Two of the crossover.

Lois and Clark of Earth-38 (Supergirl’s earth) are joined by Iris West-Allen as they travel to Earth-167 (the earth of the “Smallville” continuity), where they find that reality’s Clark Kent (played by Tom Welling) as he chops wood on the Kent Farm. The trio are whisked away before they can fully explain why they’ve coming looking for him, with Lex Luthor (from Earth-38, played by Jon Cryer) appearing, planning to kill this version of Superman.

Clark reveals that he’s no longer Superman, as he’s given up his super powers, and is now just a farmer going about his business. It’s also revealed that Clark and his Lois Lane are married, with two daughters.

“Batwoman” Executive Producer Caroline Dries told reporters at a screening last week, “We had conversations about how to best see Tom Welling again. We knew that we really wanted Brandon Routh as Clark Kent in the Daily Planet. I think the Tom Welling that we all kind of picture when we think of him as Clark is on the farm, so it made sense. And the farm is still there. Tom was joking when he was there, saying things like, ‘Look, that cow recognizes me!'”

While he has no powers, Clark was still able to give it to this version of Lex Luthor when provoked. Marc Guggenheim, who served as showrunner for the crossover added, “I feel like every note, even Tom’s little facial expressions when he says, ‘Still stronger!’ are great.”

Fans of “Smallville” took to social media to react to this scene, with many disapproving of the way “their” Clark Kent’s story appears to have panned out. But it appears as though Tom Welling fully supported the choices the writers made for his comeback.

“Honestly, he was terrific,” reveals Guggenheim. “We got on the phone with him and basically pitched him everything. The scene was already done, so we just emailed it to him, and he basically said to me, ‘I love this. You guys have basically written the one scene that I can’t say no to.'”

While there are no announced plans for Tom Welling or Erica Durance to return in the remainder of the 5-part “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover, there’s every possibility we may not have seen the end of the “Smallville” couple now that we know they’re part of the Arrowverse multiverse.