Lionel Blackmailed Martha.

[OneWayFilms]

If everyone will remember abck, Lionel turned away from his GOOD side and even told Lex he was BACK. Even recently, (last week I think), we found out he regained some power in Luthor Corp while Lex was preoccupied with the campaign, Lionel tolf Lex again....HE'S BACK. And then he started the mess with Johnathan in the barn which led to his death.

When they showed Lionel handing money over to the guy who was blackmailing Martha...didn't anyone catch it? He PAID the guy to meet Martha and the whole thing was set up BY LIONEL. How else do you think Lionel was able to send the guy on his way? It was LIONEL who sent the video to Martha, so he can try to WIN HER TRUST. He's MANIPULATING her and trying to get CLOSER to the whole secret. He IS gainning her trust, tonight, she even called him a FRIEND. Since Jonathan died, he wont leave her alone.

I believe he's known about Clark for awhile now, but I ALSO believe he's back to his OLD EVIL WAYS and he's the one behind the blackmail. JUST to set up Martha.

[opera_ghost]

just because Lionel got back some control in LutherCorp.. doesn't make him evil.

he financed Johnathan's campaign.. to prevent his son from winning.. not because he wanted the Kent's to owe him... because even if he did... there is no garauntee that the kent's would cooperate.

But, I do agree with you in that I'm not sure if he's 'good' or 'evil' or why... but the fact that he called him Kal-El was REALLY interesting.

but, in defense of "Good" Lionel.... consider one thing.

His statement.. "Your secret is safe... I will never betray you.. Kal-El."

No one was around to hear that... so why would he say it outloud to himself since it clearly was not to impress anyone.

[SamBanksJLA]

Lionel is doing everything that he is going to make himself look as good as possible in Martha's eyes.

[Sayzak]

1. Lionel could have been paying off a hitman who killed the person who was trying to blackmail martha.

2. I think he conned her and is responsible for the entire smokescreen in order to gain her trust.

3. He is ultimately trying to get under his son's skin and have power over him.

4. He obviousely knows everything about Clark.

Ultimately, I think Lex will kill his father next season.

[Nospam]

I think TPTB are making Lionel's motives purposefully amiguous and I am absolutely loving it. In many ways I thought the Martha's blackmail "B" plot overshadowed the Victor Stone/Cyborg plot.

I am of the opinion that Lionel has changed for the better. Mind you, Lionel's appearances this season have been carefully orchestrated such that every encounter could be taken as evil or good, depending on your opinion of him. Notice that Lionel did not attack Jonathan nor did he ask for anything from him in return for financing his campaign. He was simply trying to point out the danger that exists for Clark to Jonathan and that, along with Jor-El inhabiting his body, is one of the reasons why I feel he's turned good.

The great thing is either way, good or evil, Lionel is one of the most intriguing reasons to watch the rest of the season just to find out what the hell is going to happen.

[Drew]

I think he's bad for the most part, but does the things he does because he obviously has feelings for Martha. Although he probably set the whole thing up, so he looked like the good guy, he did say he was going to keep his secret.

[LuthorRequiem2]

I think he's bad. But maybe, he's more "misguided" at this point. You know what I mean? Like he's trying to genuinely help the Kents, because he believes in Clark's heroism, BUT he's doing bad things to help and doesn't mind killing people off (GRIFF) in the process and winning Marth's heart is a delightful bonus.

[Kal'sGirl]

I think he was paying off a hitman because if he said at the end, "I will protect your secret" why would he get another person involved so they'd become curious? If that guy at the end was the blackmailer i think Lionel would have had him killed.

[SeanZo]

I totally AGREE man, THAT'S what I'VE been SAYING all ALONG. PEOPLE just WON'T listen.

[adam_n_me]

I thought it was obvious that Lionel was the one blackmailing her from the moment she opened the envelope...

[OneWayFilms]

martha never saw who delivered the package at the front door, but just MOMMENTS after she recieved it, Lionel showed up at the very same front door. Couldn't he be the one who delivered it?

Couldn't this be the SAME information that Lionel showed Johnathan in the picture in the barn right before Johnathan attacked him?

I REALLY believe Lionel is behind the package. He first went to Johnathan, now he's going to Martha. And it's strange that BOTH people at the time of his approach had the BRAND NEW title of SENATOR. Do you suppose Lionel wants something to assist him against Lex?

Hmmmmm, the plot THICKENS.

[chrismen]

I don't agree. I think that Lionel bought off the guy just so Martha didn't have too. I think the guy was in-deed the blackmailer. He also had the video with him right then. Remember....

[superspider02]

i really dont know what to think of lionel now. He could still ahve jorel in him or retained some of his knowledge but is jsut manipulating every one for something. Also he does want martha as it is clear to every one. But now we have an interesting plot going on with lionel.

[MBCorp]

I don't think the writers know what they're doing with Lionel. This reminds me too much of S2's 'Is Lionel blind, or isn't he?', or S4's, 'Is Lionel good or isn't he?" storyline.

[boli06]

I think that Lionel was blackmailing her, I think the warehouse is LuthorCorp property, so he could have gotten the video first, since Lex was in the hospital. He probably paid the guy to deliver the package and go to the pay site, as you could see, it was very little money, compared to the briefcase that Martha had.

[Videogamer49107]

The Lionel setting up Martha plot was predictable, but what I liked was they kept his thoughts and agenda hidden. Usually you can tell what he's trying to do...but right now I can't figure it out. He knows Clark's real name...he probably knows what Clark can do, but what is Lionel's agenda? I think he's definitely evil...this season finale is going to be interesting.

[Magus]

Originally posted by OneWayFilms
If everyone will remember abck, Lionel turned away from his GOOD side and even told Lex he was BACK. Even recently, (last week I think), we found out he regained some power in Luthor Corp while Lex was preoccupied with the campaign, Lionel tolf Lex again....HE'S BACK. And then he started the mess with Johnathan in the barn which led to his death.

When they showed Lionel handing money over to the guy who was blackmailing Martha...didn't anyone catch it? He PAID the guy to meet Martha and the whole thing was set up BY LIONEL. How else do you think Lionel was able to send the guy on his way? It was LIONEL who sent the video to Martha, so he can try to WIN HER TRUST. He's MANIPULATING her and trying to get CLOSER to the whole secret. He IS gainning her trust, tonight, she even called him a FRIEND. Since Jonathan died, he wont leave her alone.

I believe he's known about Clark for awhile now, but I ALSO believe he's back to his OLD EVIL WAYS and he's the one behind the blackmail. JUST to set up Martha.
he's jor-el. And lionel meeting jonathan didn't have anything to do with jonathan dying minutes later.

[kryptonguy]

What I find so hard about this blackmail plot is that Martha is not telling anyone else about it.

I mean, Lionel knows Martha was being blackmailed, but she won't tell Clark or Chloe? Of course Chloe is a very distant second, but compared to Lionel.....

[Mrs.Bizzaro]

dont know what lionel's agenda is but yeah...he's known about clark for a while now....remember back to all those remarks he's said about clark being special...I mean since really far back in a couple incidences. Before the jor-el thing, lionel knew about clark, he just has never revealed it....my opinion....but who knows why at this point in time is he taking action in manuvering his way closer to clark. I think well over him wanting to be with martha (that's the least of it if you ask me), he wants to get to clark. And how much closer can you possibly get than his mom? And I'm not sure if his intentions are evil or if they're good.....I'm leaning towards good....shrowded in evil-esque actions.