It kinda seems like the writers are forcing his development toward him being more Superman-like.. as in, in love with Lois and hating Lex, when really he has a lot more time than than. I think of Superman being in his LATE twenties, early thirties! He doesn't have to work at the Daily Planet JUST yet, and Lois, well, they have a masquerade of many years once they're in love anyway, no need to rush into things that, well, have nothing more to do with Smallville, really...