['Smallville' – 'Finale']

'Smallville' ended its ten-season run with an alternately exciting and disappointing finale, which, if you think about it, suits the series perfectly.

The show has always offered a consistent mix of the inspiring and the awful, even from the perspective of a Superman/comic book fan like me.

I loved seeing this story come to life on the tube, and, in some ways, this modern re-telling of Superman's early years was more thrilling and fun than almost any other Superman origin tale. But, at its heart, 'Smallville' was always a sappy teen soap loaded with clunky sci-fi/fantasy mythology elements.

The show carried on in that often clumsy, unsophisticated vein all the way to the end, but there's one thing 'Smallville' always got right – the depiction of Clark Kent as a beacon of light for all humanity.

For 10 years, 'Smallville' has been a mainstay of the ever-evolving WB/CW schedule. Through cast, creative and even network changes, the show has stayed as strong as the iconic Man of Steel at its center, displaying near-Kryptonian resilience as lesser series bowed out around it.

But after a decade of watching mild-mannered alien-turned-farm boy-turned-reporter Clark Kent (Tom Welling) trying to change the world from his diminutive hometown, we've finally reached the home stretch. Superman casts a long shadow, and when the show returns from its final hiatus on April 15, we'll see Clark embrace his destiny like never before.

AOL TV caught up with 'Smallville' executive producer Kelly Souders who, along with producing partner Brian Peterson, is ushering in the end of a 'Super' era. We discussed the long-awaited return of Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), what's in store for the show's most enduring couples and what fans can expect from the final episodes.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Thought J.D., Turk and the rest of the gang at Sacred Heart had said their final goodbyes? Think again.

With Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke and most of the other cast members having just inked deals to return for a possible Season 9, it's looking like fans may get to scrub back in for another year.

In other news, Leno books Conan as his final 'Tonight Show' guest, 'Smallville' kills off an iconic character, and NBC renews 'Carson Daly.'

See more of today's TV headlines, casting scoops and premiere dates after the jump.

(S05E22) Smallville really takes a lot out of you with the season finales. They take the concept of a cliffhanger and just screw you up the butt with it. Yup, I said it. I feel a little bit sodomized after tonight's episode. It's the same thing every season -- the long, drawn-out climax and then ugh...it sorta hurts there at the end.

And, this season's finale was no different.