art of war scene

[Shiver]

What I really loved about the "art of war" scene was the irony of the quote Lionel read: "treat your soldiers as your sons, and they will follow you willingly." And there he is, talking to the son he treated as a soldier, and who hates him as a result.

It's an interesting scene also in terms of the Luthors' different leadership styles. Lionel treats the people under him with indifference or outright cruelty, and they obey him out of fear or a desire to prove themselves. Lex, on the other hand, wants people to love him, and as a result *accidentally* becomes the "hero of a cult of psychopaths" (major future supervillain reference).

What do other people think about Lex vs. Lionel? Is Lex following in his dad's footsteps, or is he striking out on a path of his own? Is he responsible for the creation of fanatics like Samantha, or is he just a psycho-magnet? (kinda like Lana is for meteor freaks :) .)

[LuthorRequiem2]

Shiver,

You bring up very intriguing points. The quote IS very ironic; I didn't realize that. Very interesting.

And I've noticed Lionel's and Lex's leadership style is a bit different. I think Lex IS following in his dad's footsteps in sooooo many ways, but they also have many differences. Lex's leadership is ultimately the most dangerous if used for sinister purposes, because people believe he is a good man, and follow him because they respect him. Much like Hitler did to the German people: he spread propaganda and many people loved him, though he was a genius and a good representative leader for Germany. Not as many people knew the monster he really was. Superman will be in that minority category of folks who know the truth about Lex Luthor and see past his mask.

[mrsmallfan]

I would have to say, that Lionel was trying to put his emphsis on "following". Lionel is trying (actually he is) to make his son in his own image. He wants Lex to be a "survivor". The "followers" are expendable-- or to be sacraficed-- while one advances himself.

Lex's election staff(the girl in particular) got reckless, thus endangering his chances for being elected.

[jimmyolsenblues]

Good Point about how Lionel has not treated Lex like a son. The Art of War scene confuses me because Lionel is supporting the kents. Why push your son to be the meanest baddest guy ever, then support the opposition when he tries something?? Like make the hurdles even harder? I don't get it. It is good writing by TPTB.

[mrsmallfan]

Originally posted by jimmyolsenblues
Good Point about how Lionel has not treated like a son. The Art of War scene confuses me because Lionel is supporting the kents. Why push your son to be the meanest baddest guy ever, then support the opposition when he tries something?? Like make the hurdles even harder? I don't get it. It is good writing by TPTB. Yes, you made a good point on that. But, it appears that Lionel has to stay on the offensive. Lionel really didn't want to give up any power. Last season, Lionel was at odds with the Lana's boyfriend and his mother. Lionel used Lex in trying to collect all those stones.

[I_am_LEX]

Lex has learned many things from Lionel and its interesting seeing Lex evolve because eventually we know he's going to be much darker and much more intelligent than Lionel. Lionel was always trying to create a son he wanted rather than letting Lex become the son he wanted. Now, he's got what he wants and he doesn’t like it because he knows Lex will, one day, be a threat to him, which I believe he already is. Lionel's constant pushing has made Lex stronger & darker than Lionel ever thought he would be & now its scares him. Lionel sees that Lex wants power & knows that eventually no one will be able to stop him so he's trying to slow him down while he can but it continues to backfire. Pretty soon, I think Lex is going to let go of the fear he has of becoming his father because he'll see himself as better, & then he will evolve into the dark Lex Luthor we want to see & hopefully get to before Smallville is over.

[Lifebound]

I think Lionel is supporting the kents for a few reasons. First, he wants to see his son be worthy of what he gets, wants to make him better. That is in part why he treated his son as a soldier and not as a son.

The second reason links back to the quote as well. Lionel knows why Lex treats his employees well instead of out of fear. It is not because he wants them to love him. It is because he wants to show to his friend (Clark) earlier and now to Lana (his love) that he isn't like his father. Lionel sees this weakness for the "Damsel in distress" and wants to rid it by denying Lex something that will potentially suit Lex's image in public and in Lex's mind help his chances with Lana.

[UpandAtom]

Interesting, the Lex on Lois and Clark also used to quote from the Art of War.