Good finale. For me the show started to get stale but with Clark taking steps towards accepting his destiny and trying to fulfill it....it saved the show for me. The costume his mom made (seeing the reflection in Clark's eyes) was freaking AWESOME. Having said that, I like the black "prototype" he has been wearing.
Some things I would like to see next season are...Clark finally learning to fly. Enough is enough. With Clark's age being what it is....it is just not believable any longer that Clark can't fly. It just doesn't work anymore. I know they are trying to strike a delicate balance but lets face it....Smallville has been on for 9 seasons now. It's time.
Also, it's time to retire this "blur" business. I know what they are trying to do but the problem is the longer the use of the "blur" goes on, the more it seems like the "blur" is an actual super hero of it's own. The show is not about the "blur" but it seems that way as of late. The show has deviated from cannon a bit but the core of it is intact. The longer the blur stuff goes on the more damaging it is to the show IMO.
Also, I am very interested to see how they will explain how Clark can hide his identity. Smallville has taken more of a grounded approach to the character. So, will Clark develop an ability to mask his identity to those that see him as either Clark or Superman? They have always danced around this issue. In fact, Smallville has defined that it's impossible to hide his identity. However, we all know that in cannon he did it.
I love this show but for me there is a few things that need to change by next season or that will be it for me. At least moving in the right direction would keep me on board. My wife already jumped off that bandwagon with many fans because stretching things out is simply not believable any longer. That....and she hated the addition of the Tess character. I have been to some of the other forums on the show and much of what I stated before is why I think some fans of the show are tuning out.
Maybe this is all for not because we don't know what will happen beyond Season 10. Maybe this show only has another season or so. Having said that, things to need to progress at a more rapid pace IMO. I have watched this show from Episode 1. If I am saying I am on the verge of jumping ship....that says something.....at least to me.
P.S. I really like the usage of the slow mo during fight sequences that has been employed this season. It gives the show a more comic look. The cinematography in those scenes is brilliant. Just wanted to give kudos.