My estimate is that Smallville will wrap up by Season 6. I'm figuring maybe the new Superman movie will create some new interest in Smallville so they'll get a Season 6 (2006-2007). Following the "Dawson's Creek" formula, I would like to see the series finale follow this scenario:
Opening scene: The Daily Planet
Clark is meeting with Perry White, who he met years ago (in "Perry", when he was a drunk and a loser) to interview for a job. Just as in the pilot for LnC, Lois comes crashing in.
Lois and Clark haven't seen each other in years (Clark went off on his trek around the world to find himself, Lois decided to become a journalist, following in her now-deceased cousin Chloe's footsteps).
"Smallville - is that you?" Lois says. "What's with the geeky glasses?"
Clark looks up, hoping that Lois doesn't remember too much of the inexplicable way he was always the hero back in his Smallville days.
"Oh, hi, Lois. Yeah, I need glasses now - all this close-up work being a reporter and all!"
Lois cuts him off in her usual style. "Yeah, I heard you were a real tiger over there in Borneo. Perry, I need to talk to you for a minute!"
"Later, Lois. Can't you see I'm in an interview? I see that you two know each other."
"Yes, Mr. White, we met years ago back in Smallville - Lois' cousin Chloe and I went to school together. We haven't seen each other in years."
Clark looks at Lois, and his heart starts pounding for no reason. Why didn't he see how attractive she was back in his Smallville days? That fire in her eyes, her vivaciousness?
Jimmy Olson comes crashing in. "Chief - Air Force One is taking a nose dive- right over Metropolis!"
Everyone rushes out of the room to look at the TV monitor. Clark finds a window and changes into Superman for the first time!
After catching the plane and landing it at Metropolis Airport, Clark rushes back to the roof of the Daily Planet where Lois just happens to be hiding in the shadows. Watching Superman change into his Clark clothes, Lois steps out of the shadows and confronts him.
"Hey Smallville. Just before Chloe died, she told me that you had special powers and to keep an eye out for you. I want the exclusive rights to your story in exchange for my word that no one will know who you really are!"
Clark and Lois look at each other. Clark takes off his glasses, his heart pounding again.
Lois feels it too. Remembering that first time she met Clark, buck naked in a corn field, and how sexy he was, trying to ignore how attractive he was to her, not wanting to fall for a farm boy and all. She knew that her cousin was in love with him, so she buried her feelings for him.
Now, with Chloe gone, there was no reason not to go for it.
"Lois -"
"Smallville - "
They kissed and lived happily every after!!
<g>
