Let me start off by saying Smallville freaking brought it this week.

My faith has been restored as they managed to produce the top episode of the season and one of the best of its entire run. I've been harping lately on how since this is the final season and we don't have time to waste on tangents which seem to have little to do with Clark's journey to Superman or his battle with Darkseid - or Lex for that matter. 

"Abandoned" is the perfect example of how I would hope the storytelling and the pacing for the remainder of this final season will progress.

While I felt that last week spent too much time on Lois' dad and sister, leaving little time for much else, Teri Hatcher's relatively brief scene as Lois' mom was handled perfectly.

It was incredibly touching and had me choking back a huge lump in my throat from start to finish, although I did get a kick out of they way they gave her the signature Lois haircut from season one of Lois and Clark.

Even though I would have liked to have had more scenes with Hatcher, and part of me wishes they'd thought of bringing her in seasons ago, this showed it is possible to include emotional moments concisely while continuing to move forward the story of Clark's path to destiny, as well as his relationship with Lois and battle with Darkseid.

Plus, it led to the most welcome surprise reappearance of Helen Slater as Clark's mom, Lara, alongside Jor-El! Bonus!

Although associated with Darkseid in the comics, I was somewhat dreading the Granny Goodness storyline as the only real knowledge I have of the character stems from the snooze-inducing version, voiced by Ed Asner, featured in the Justice League cartoon series.

Smallville's incarnation, however, literally gave me chills and had sort of a "Flowers In The Attic" vibe about her. And while I'm making movie references, who else was thinking Freddy Krueger when that chick seemed all too eager to slice and dice both Clark and Tess up with her kryptonite claw?

Finally we have DeSaad! Albeit, not the most interesting character in his own right, but Darkseid just wouldn't feel right without his most trusted minion at his side. Though if I heard him right, he, Granny and Godfrey make up some sort of Trinity which will pave the way for Darkseid? 

That confused me, as I thought Godfrey was already inhabited by Darkseid, but I guess we'll see as the story progresses.

I'm very curious to know where they're taking Tess and her newfound identity as a bonafide Luthor.  I pray they don't pull her back to the, ahem, dark side, as she is much more interesting to me as Clark's ally than she ever was as his enemy.

Here's hoping next week's Aquaman-infused offering lives up to this stellar episode.

Jeffrey Kirkpatrick is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.