You have it lucky in this current day and age. Smallville started 17 years ago and it was a big deal for comic book fans who wanted to watch on of their favourite heroes (and other support characters/heroes) on the television screen. It was on at a time where the age of superhero TV shows and movies were nowhere near as mainstream and popular as it is today.

If you look back at it now, I can see why you think it doesn't hold up compared to the current state of superhero television, but you have to understand its significance for fans who wanted to see those characters come alive on the small screen. The Justice League episode they did was mind-blowing for that time.

That show holds a dear place in my heart and as many have said in this thread and the countless others, it brought back a lot of nostalgic memories watching Smallville and it was definitely a super cool tribute.

I would say Smallville definitely helped pave the way for all these DC shows on The CW. It definitely means a lot to fans who watched were here since the beginning.