My heart wept for Lex

[Minela]

I always knew it would come one day, Lex' descent into evil. I knew it like I knew that Anakin would eventually become Vader, I wanted it to happen but was all the while rooting for the good side to win out in the end.

So, I guess this is a memorial thread for Lex' good side. May it rest in peace and may we get a glimpse of it again some day.

[thehenry89]

their very first meeting in the piolit when clark saved lex from drowning.

[TheLastKryptonian]

"Our friendship will be the stuff of Legend"

A once upon a time friendship doomed to fail. :(

[Minela]

That's my favorite, too. Actually that line made me a Smallville fan. Up until than I had refused to get sucked into this show. I thought it was a stupid premise and was turned off by the promise of constant Clana, but when I heard that line it made me an instant fan. Maybe that is why I'm so sad to see Good Lex go. *weeps*

[Tebow15]

Our friendship will be the stuff of Legend.

[BIGBLUE10789]

i agree. that was an excellent line and one of the best in the series. Good lex will be missed.

[Minela]

Glad to hear somebody feels that way, too. *sigh*

[AndiGirl]

My heart broke for him as well...just because even now he wasnt totally gone. But the moment he "threw" his young self into the fire. I new he was never coming back...and any good that was left was officially gone.

[theotherJane]

That's my favorite, too. Actually that line made me a Smallville fan. Up until than I had refused to get sucked into this show. I thought it was a stupid premise and was turned off by the promise of constant Clana, but when I heard that line it made me an instant fan. Maybe that is why I'm so sad to see Good Lex go. *weeps*

I agree with you. The Clark/Lex dynamic of the early days sucked me into this show as well. That has to be one of the best written lines on Smallville, IMO.

[Ardiem3]

I miss, nice/friend Lex, but it was just us, waiting for him to fall to see the true Lex! Like the "Star Wars" prequels, we watched them to see Anakin fall, and weve watched "Smallville" to see many things, Clark becoming the man well know as Superman, and Lex, to become the evil, arch-enemy of Superman, and Clark (on "Smallville") :D

[Minela]

Completely agree. One, if not the best, lines of the entire show.

[jimmyolsenblues]

i miss a little of the first season lex where he was like the big brother to clark. he was kind of fonzie to clark's richie cunningham, but this lex of season 7 , i do not weep for.
this lex is evil. to the core.

[Minela]

Is it just me, or does anybody else think there is still good in him? There was still good in Vader, after all.

When he smiled a bit at the funeral... I kind of took it as him being happy to still have family (Clark) share in the loss of his father. I know he thought that for like a split second before going back to his evil self.

[AndiGirl]

Is it just me, or does anybody else think there is still good in him? There was still good in Vader, after all.

When he smiled a bit at the funeral... I kind of took it as him being happy to still have family (Clark) share in the loss of his father. I know he thought that for like a split second before going back to his evil self.

No...I think he is totally gone now. The moment he shoved his young self into the fire (which gotta say...very disturbing!) I new Lex wasnt coming back. In a way i think it was meant to be symbolic...like that part of him is dead now.

The way i read the last scene between Clark and Lex was basically "it's on!" Both of them were giving these looks like.....no more joking around, dancing around...it's officialy on, and I'm going to destroy you. It was the calm before the storm...and I kind of love it, I cant lie! :) It's about time.

[jimmyolsenblues]

dude luthor wearing the exact same winter coat that luthor wore in the movies when he visited the fos. gave me chills.

[Ardiem3]

Is it just me, or does anybody else think there is still good in him? There was still good in Vader, after all.

When he smiled a bit at the funeral... I kind of took it as him being happy to still have family (Clark) share in the loss of his father. I know he thought that for like a split second before going back to his evil self.

The difference between Lex and Anakin, is Anakin was doing what he was doing to save the ones he loved. He thought by the actions he was taking, he was making things better for them, and for him, but he was actually making things worse. It was only, by seeing the error of his ways to save the ones he loved, that he reliases that he was evil. Lex, has only been doing things for himself, for power and influence on others. As Lex puts the good side of himself in the fire, the good side of his mind, burned out. Clark is what was holding the bad side of Lex back, but with all the lies from Clark and others, and all of the negative influence of Lionel and other factors, the dark side of his heart and mind overcame any shred of good in him. The good side of Lex is forever gone, and the bad side has overcome his soul. I took Lex smiling at the end for him thinking that he has gotten away with murdering his father.

[smallvillelogan]

The difference between Lex and Anakin, is Anakin was doing what he was doing to save the ones he loved. He thought by the actions he was taking, he was making things better for them, and for him, but he was actually making things worse. It was only, by seeing the error of his ways to save the ones he loved, that he reliases that he was evil. Lex, has only been doing things for himself, for power and influence on others. As Lex puts the good side of himself in the fire, the good side of his mind, burned out. Clark is what was holding the bad side of Lex back, but with all the lies from Clark and others, and all of the negative influence of Lionel and other factors, the dark side of his heart and mind overcame any shred of good in him. The good side of Lex is forever gone, and the bad side has overcome his soul. I took Lex smiling at the end for him thinking that he has gotten away with murdering his father.

Yes, but don't forgot the confrontation in tonight's episode in the Luthor mansion, where Lex talks to Clark about trying to save others from the strange threats that have come to Smallville. In his twisted mind, and as an excuse for his atrocities, Lex is telling himself that his actions are heroic, and in the end they help others. Kind of like an end justifies the means. Same thing with the creation of his army with 33.1 last year. Again, in a twisted, self-convincing way, he believed that he needed to create the army from other meteor freaks and alien threats. Same thing when he convinced himself that the fledging Justice League were terrorists who needed to be stopped.

[Ardiem3]

Yes, but don't forgot the confrontation in tonight's episode in the Luthor mansion, where Lex talks to Clark about trying to save others from the strange threats that have come to Smallville. In his twisted mind, and as an excuse for his atrocities, Lex is telling himself that his actions are heroic, and in the end they help others. Kind of like an end justifies the means. Same thing with the creation of his army with 33.1 last year. Again, in a twisted, self-convincing way, he believed that he needed to create the army from other meteor freaks and alien threats. Same thing when he convinced himself that the fledging Justice League were terrorists who needed to be stopped.

Yea, but remember in tonights speech, he said "someone has to take control" for thats all he cares about, is control. Hes using the excuse of helping others, as a lie to do research and back-up his past lies and doings for the future. I see your point, but my point is too, Anakin was trying to help those close to him, but Lex has never gone out of his way to really help those the ones that were "close" to him, without him getting something in return, or him having a hidden agenda. Its been lies upon lies...

[smallvillelogan]

For almost six years, Lex tried so hard to be good. Facing the grief of not having the love of parents, and losing the love of a parent and the love he would have had in a brother that he both lost at an early age, when he first arrived in Smallville, he turned to the next -closest thing to love he could get; he was inspired by Clark's goodness. He tried to help Jonathan and the Kent family in any way he could, even when he was turned away- though this served his path to the dark side as well. He wanted to bring down his father, because it would help others whose lives had been damaged by the grief that Lionel caused them.
But that curiosity about what Clark was was always there. It couldn't be suppressed. Once Clark discovered that in the midst of his good deeds, Lex had always been investigating him, that was the beginning of the end both for their friendship and for Lex's desire to do good things. It was apparent to him that no matter how many times he tried to serve others, they would turn him away. Lex gave up. He became obsessed, more obsessed than his father was back in the days of Veritas and through Season 3, to know "the truth."
He wanted the stones, claiming that he wanted to find them with Clark, but inside wanting them to himself. He tried to mend his relationship in this time, but obsession for the power that the stones promised was too much for him. He couldn't believe that a woman could love him for what he truly was; he had been burned to many times, from teenage flings to Helen Bryce. So he thought manipulation was the answer. He even felt sorry for doing such awful things to Lana, but eventually that sorrow wore off. Through other deeds that on the surface looked like was trying to save humanity from extra-terrestrial threats, deep down Lex was looking to get power over these threats. That's exactly why the item in Zurich is tailor-made for his deepest desires, even when he was mostly good, before power and greed got the best of him, and he gave up on helping others who in turn denied him.

Here's to Lex's conflict, and the good person he could have been.
Now, here's to the rise of the famous Lex Luthor, complete villain and enemy of the greatest hero of our time.

[bklvr]

Yes, but don't forgot the confrontation in tonight's episode in the Luthor mansion, where Lex talks to Clark about trying to save others from the strange threats that have come to Smallville. In his twisted mind, and as an excuse for his atrocities, Lex is telling himself that his actions are heroic, and in the end they help others. Kind of like an end justifies the means. Same thing with the creation of his army with 33.1 last year. Again, in a twisted, self-convincing way, he believed that he needed to create the army from other meteor freaks and alien threats. Same thing when he convinced himself that the fledging Justice League were terrorists who needed to be stopped.
Exactly! No one wakes up and decides to be an evil lord. Their actions make sense to them, in whatever twisted world-view they are living in. Lex thinks he is the only one to clearly see the threat, and he needs to take any action necessary to protect the earth and the human race.

[smallvillelogan]

Exactly! No one wakes up and decides to be an evil lord. Their actions make sense to them, in whatever twisted world-view they are living in. Lex thinks he is the only one to clearly see the threat, and he needs to take any action necessary to protect the earth and the human race.

Exactly. Thank you. [smile]

[SteveS]

Their friendship was never destined to 'be legend' as a mid-20s son of a billionaire has nothing in common with a 9th grader son of a farmer. It was a line of the manipulative Lex seeking to ingratiate himself for his own reasons, power and wealth.

[Minela]

dude luthor wearing the exact same winter coat that luthor wore in the movies when he visited the fos. gave me chills.

Me, too!!! Wow. That was awesome.

[smallvillelogan]

dude luthor wearing the exact same winter coat that luthor wore in the movies when he visited the fos. gave me chills.

Did Luthor wear a similar coat in both Superman II and Superman Returns? It looked similar to Returns to me.

[Alexander III]

Favorite would be where Lex said "I want him to love me", referring to his dad lionel. That was such a heart felt moment. Ah well, I guess he'll never get to hear his dad saying that ever again.

[smallvillelogan]

Favorite would be where Lex said "I want him to love me", referring to his dad lionel. That was such a heart felt moment. Ah well, I guess he'll never get to hear his dad saying that ever again.

Yeah that was amazing. I would have voted for that if that was an option, or I would have said "other" if I had remembered when I voted. I believe that moment was in 'Truth' of Season 3?

[LexLuv180]

My hearts still breaking. I wanted that small, small good side to remain. I guess I can try to fool myself into thinking it's there somewhere. I like villains to be more interesting with that small bit of good twisting them up. Definately a tragic character.

[Titan27]

my favorite was when Clark went to visit Lex at the mansion for the first time in the "Pilot" and Clark was staring at the "toy battlefield" of the Trojan Wars and when Lex tells Clark that it was a gift from his father, and Clark says..."Cool toy."

--Well most of you know the rest, comparing Helen to Lana, Prince Paris to Whitney; and how Lex said "Clark you lost one battle, but I got your Trojan horse."

[tejdog1]

I'll always go back to the scene/episodes which made me unleash 435 pages of a fanfic.

The Shattered/Asylum Lex, who learned and KEPT the secret, even under threat of electro-shock therapy. I feel once that was done to him, it all went straight south for Lex Luthor.

[susangail]

As much as I enjoyed the good Lex and winced as I watched him go evil, I don't feel sorry about it now. We all know he had to go. It's been a wild journey.

I voted for the "stuff of legend" comment. My second choice would have been the Nemesis save.

[amberdawn]

Favorite would be where Lex said "I want him to love me", referring to his dad lionel. That was such a heart felt moment. Ah well, I guess he'll never get to hear his dad saying that ever again.

I forgot about that :(

I chose "Our friendship will be the stuff of legend". I mean, I just remember that scene-- Clark and Lex smiling at eachother while in the loft... they were best friends.

[Drew]

I voted for the saving of Clark in Nemesis. We all know Lex started out with the best of intentions but went downhill because of "a complete lack of love" (Clark included). It was more impressive that he saved Clark after his betrayal and everything he put him though.

[Bo Duke Bo Duke]

I always thought that "Lex takes the blame for Julian's death." was the best one. It means alot to both Lionel and Lex. It's pretty much where it all started to go downhill for Lex really. It's one of the best scene in all Smallville also.

[smallvillerocks45]

Well gee, after reading all of the options on the poll I really am starting to feel sorry for Lex. After tonight's episode I was ready to cast him off as a completely delusional maniac, but oh how quickly I've forgotten that he did try to be good... his view of good versus evil is just a bit skewed is all, and it is sad.

I think what I'll miss most is having Lex act like the "big brother" that Clark, even Lana (up until he married her), Chloe and sometimes Lois could go to for help. It was like he was part of something, a team, a family (as someone previously mentioned)... and now he truly is all alone.

[FotW]

I still feel sorry for Lex. That one from "Truth" is one of my favorites, too! All of his life Lionel tried to brainwash him into believing his feelings were weakness and to be strong and get rid of sentiment, and all Lex wanted was love & compassion like he saw in the Kent family. The ironic thing is when Lionel finally decided he loved his son it was too late. Lex couldn't forgive him or love him anymore.
There are so many good Lex moments I like but I voted for the "stuff of legend" scene, because Lex was so full of hope and let's face it - love for Clark and now it's all gone.
When Lex kept Clark's secret even when Lionel gave him the experimental shock treatment is one of my other favorite good Lex episodes.
Favorite would be where Lex said "I want him to love me", referring to his dad lionel. That was such a heart felt moment. Ah well, I guess he'll never get to hear his dad saying that ever again.

[TheANIMAL (marcus)]

I wasn't weeping, i was just clapping.

[jimmyolsenblues]

everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but my thought is if a person feels bad for lex who is a murderer.
Why not feel worse for the victim?
I mean in real life there are thousands of murders in the united states, who do you feel worse for, the criminal or the victim?
Lex is a fallen soul. I mourn for his descent, but he is evil, a great character, a great actor. But he is a bad seed. Now don't get me wrong when Darth vader threw the emperor off the ledge , I cheered for Darth, but I did not cheer or feel bad in any way for lex.
I felt bad for lionel.

[Yasise]

For almost six years, Lex tried so hard to be good. Facing the grief of not having the love of parents, and losing the love of a parent and the love he would have had in a brother that he both lost at an early age, when he first arrived in Smallville, he turned to the next -closest thing to love he could get; he was inspired by Clark's goodness. He tried to help Jonathan and the Kent family in any way he could, even when he was turned away- though this served his path to the dark side as well. He wanted to bring down his father, because it would help others whose lives had been damaged by the grief that Lionel caused them.
But that curiosity about what Clark was was always there. It couldn't be suppressed. Once Clark discovered that in the midst of his good deeds, Lex had always been investigating him, that was the beginning of the end both for their friendship and for Lex's desire to do good things. It was apparent to him that no matter how many times he tried to serve others, they would turn him away. Lex gave up. He became obsessed, more obsessed than his father was back in the days of Veritas and through Season 3, to know "the truth."
He wanted the stones, claiming that he wanted to find them with Clark, but inside wanting them to himself. He tried to mend his relationship in this time, but obsession for the power that the stones promised was too much for him. He couldn't believe that a woman could love him for what he truly was; he had been burned to many times, from teenage flings to Helen Bryce. So he thought manipulation was the answer. He even felt sorry for doing such awful things to Lana, but eventually that sorrow wore off. Through other deeds that on the surface looked like was trying to save humanity from extra-terrestrial threats, deep down Lex was looking to get power over these threats. That's exactly why the item in Zurich is tailor-made for his deepest desires, even when he was mostly good, before power and greed got the best of him, and he gave up on helping others who in turn denied him.

Here's to Lex's conflict, and the good person he could have been.
Now, here's to the rise of the famous Lex Luthor, complete villain and enemy of the greatest hero of our time.

yeah, actually Lex never had a real chance to become a good person and I feel sorry for him. Clark not trusting him with his secret was surely a reason for Lex to turn evil, but not the only one.

Lex knew all the time, that Clark didn't trust him 100%, that he was hiding something from him and that was the beginning of the end of theri friendship, actually.
Lana had the same problem with Clark all the years before, when he didn't trust her with his secret and so had Lex.
Lex needed someone by his side, he didn't have anybody in his whole life, who was loyal to him, even his mother wasn't.
He hoped so much that Clark would be his friend, but we all know, why he couldn't be.
Lex was doomed to become evil and now he finally is, he didn't kill only his father but also what was left of his good side.

[Dor el]

Guess I am the only heartless one here, but I did not and do not feel sorry for Lex. Sure, he had a rough time growing up with Lionel as his dad. But, you know what? Many people have extremely difficult times growing up, and most of them do not have the life of luxury to fall into when the day is done. Not that money makes anyone happy. It clearly does not. But it does allow a reclusion in which to rest. There are people whose struggles are far greater than Lex's, and they manage to get through it without becoming crazed maniacal psychopaths. I do not subscribe to the "devil made me do it" rationale. I believe that we individually make a choice to let the devil into our lives. Lex innately is power hungry and has an extreme first person issue. He felt he had a right to do anything and justify it however he chose to. He felt that he had a right to any knowledge, regardless of how private and personal that knowledge was to someone else. He craved to feel significant and did whatever to that end. Lex is a product of Lex and Lex's own choices. He knew the good within himself, and he chose to kill it; a conscious and deliberate decision. The good was an impediment to what Lex wanted. What Lex wants has always taken priority over everything and everyone else. Even the love of his life, Lana. Now, he has unleashed himself onto the world with Clark in his way. When/if he recognizes that it is Clark who stands between him and the life he wanted/wants for himself, there will be no limit to the villainy he will sow for others to reap.

Seems rather funny and unfair to attribute Lex's behavior to his upbringing, when few will afford Clark the same courtesy. Clark has had a pretty rough life too. Yet, people do not let that be an excuse for Clark's perceived failures. Talk about hypocrisy. I will admit that Clark did have one significant thing Lex did not. Parental love and acceptance. But, even in that love, Clark suffered certain psychological traumas himself which would weigh heavy on anyone. Even a super powered alien.

----- Added 8 Minutes later -----

Yeah Lex was alone. I think he was alone because of himself and his choice to put himself first; before anyone else. So what if Clark had secrets he did not want to share with Lex. Why should Lex be privy to information Clark felt was personal? I seriously doubt if Lex came clean to Clark about all the things Lex tried to hide in his own life. A true friend, which Lex, in his selfishness, is not able to be, would recognize a person's right to privacy. Clark was willing to accept Lex on terms which allowed for the past secrets to remain there, but Lex was not willing to give that consideration to Clark.

[Thrill_Seeker]

lex luthor and darth vader arent even in the same league.
darth vader is sooo different that was just a story created what 30 years ago ??
superman is an icon, and lex luthor STAYS bad and evil for the rest of his life because all good is gone from him,
darth vader still has good in him and is why he is redeemed from his choices in the end althoug he dies.

[WickedJenn]

Definitely the first one...it's so ironic. We all knew from the beginning what would happen eventually, but now that it's come full circle, those words are glaring.

[Ardiem3]

Their friendship was never destined to 'be legend' as a mid-20s son of a billionaire has nothing in common with a 9th grader son of a farmer. It was a line of the manipulative Lex seeking to ingratiate himself for his own reasons, power and wealth.

In Lex's heart and eyes, he really thought it was going to be because Lex wanted to be friends a little more than Clark wanted to be because Lex never had any real friends, besides Duncan... but that wasnt too much, and Lex wanted a true friend, he could trust.

[Humdinger]

My hearts still breaking. I wanted that small, small good side to remain. I guess I can try to fool myself into thinking it's there somewhere. I like villains to be more interesting with that small bit of good twisting them up. Definately a tragic character.

Me, too. I really wanted that so small good part of Lex to remain cause you're right about the twisting.

[psyko69]

Nemesis, Julian, and "Stuff of Legend", all these are great moments.

R.I.P. Good Lex.

[Harry Permafrost]

I do feel sorry for Lex, though it is worth noting, and never forgetting that "the devil made me do it" can't work because others have suffered from painful upbringings, sometimes worse, and they don't become meglomaniacs and killers.

That said, I want to say some words on Lex's behalf.

It is very sad that Lex was a victim of an abusive home. Clark saw this with his own eyes when he was watching one of Lex's memories. Even in later life, we see Lionel putting Lex through electroshock treatments, and not even for medical benefit. It was to erase his memory - the risks of vegatation were dismissed.

It's a weird situation. Definitely Lex did heinous things with his own hands:

he chained down Aquaman without water,

he tried to reprogram Cyborg to take his emotions away ("for his own good" Lex said - a bullcrap rationale that always gets me furious)

he tried to control Lana

he make a dictator at the Daily Planet - Chloe suffered

he withheld the eye-sight treatment from the blind guy who could find metor-enhanced people

he tricked Clark in season 4 when his memory was erased - told Clark the lie that they were both working together to find the three stones.

he had been spying on Clark for however long to find his secret

He forced Flash to "run or die" in his containment trap

He forced Chloe's mother into control and then acoma, he then threatened Chloe with repurcussion that would make "prison seem like a vacation"

He broke down the mind of Lois's first love, the Ares soldier. I can't forgive that because he kept doing these murderous experiments. He's still doing them to this day. More tears are flowing from broken minds.

He shot Black Canary
----

Yes, I've seen the hideous, cruel things he's done. There are others I probably left out. I didn't list his murder if that guy at his wedding. My reasoning is that it didn't seem as bad as hurting the "good guys" up above. Yes, that biased of me. One reason I am very grateful that we live in a society of laws and codes, rather than trusting justice to people's feelings. Mine are as biased as others.

-----

All the acts that Lex committed are his fault. He did them, he's responsible for them. But I can say the same about Lionel in how he treated Lex as a child and even as a adult (unnecessary electroshock anyone?). Lionel also forced Lana to marry Lex. and Lionel trapped Clark in a cage.

And now we are all supposed to now accept, without hestation, that Lionel is a "good man" to be listed alongside Jor-El, and Jonathan Kent? That was definitely a weird trinity that Clark and Chloe came up with. But yes, I see the reasoning in that. All three did serve Clark in legitamite ways. But still, I think the writers intentionally wanted us to feel some ambivalence.

"Total absense of love" - that was Chloe's diagnosis when Clark asked "how can a son kill his own father?"

I would say the fact that Lionel was not the father than Jonathan Kent was. For Clark to compare his own relationship with his father to that of Lex's is ridiculous.

On the other hand, Lionel's redemtion in his later life, and even his goal of restoring Lex's humanity, is a must-mention. Lionel was truly remorseful and looking for redemtion that night at the Daily Planet when he begged Chloe to belive him. Was he referring, among other things, to his harsh upbringing of Lex? What's weird is that the harshness didn't necessarily stop when he changed his goal from making Lex a "Alexander the Great" to making Lex "human again".

I didn't like how he slapped his son after he murdered that guy. Yes, it does sound weird for me to focus on that after Lex committed murder, but isn't the theme of all this that we are all responsible for our actions? Lex is responsible for the murder, and Lionel for slapping his son. Comprehensive views.

Of course, by the time Lex committed his wedding murder he had already become the Stalinist eugenist of 33.1. How on earth could I say he's not the bloody handed villian for that action?

I can't. Lex committed acts of blood. He tortured and controlled people. It was horrible.

Lionel did horrible things too. Though he did try to redeem himself. I can't say the same for Lex.

The image of Lex almost crying when he confronted Lionel is something that is worth me remembering. I don't think "I love you" is enough of aredemtion.

"He was mean sometimes, but he loved us" little Alexander said. Some cold comfort.

But Lionel did have a substantial degree of redemtion, even if it didn't go as far as I might have liked

and Lex did not have any redemtion..

[Yasise]

Guess I am the only heartless one here, but I did not and do not feel sorry for Lex. Sure, he had a rough time growing up with Lionel as his dad. But, you know what? Many people have extremely difficult times growing up, and most of them do not have the life of luxury to fall into when the day is done. Not that money makes anyone happy. It clearly does not. But it does allow a reclusion in which to rest. There are people whose struggles are far greater than Lex's, and they manage to get through it without becoming crazed maniacal psychopaths. I do not subscribe to the "devil made me do it" rationale. I believe that we individually make a choice to let the devil into our lives. Lex innately is power hungry and has an extreme first person issue. He felt he had a right to do anything and justify it however he chose to. He felt that he had a right to any knowledge, regardless of how private and personal that knowledge was to someone else. He craved to feel significant and did whatever to that end. Lex is a product of Lex and Lex's own choices. He knew the good within himself, and he chose to kill it; a conscious and deliberate decision. The good was an impediment to what Lex wanted. What Lex wants has always taken priority over everything and everyone else. Even the love of his life, Lana. Now, he has unleashed himself onto the world with Clark in his way. When/if he recognizes that it is Clark who stands between him and the life he wanted/wants for himself, there will be no limit to the villainy he will sow for others to reap.

Seems rather funny and unfair to attribute Lex's behavior to his upbringing, when few will afford Clark the same courtesy. Clark has had a pretty rough life too. Yet, people do not let that be an excuse for Clark's perceived failures. Talk about hypocrisy. I will admit that Clark did have one significant thing Lex did not. Parental love and acceptance. But, even in that love, Clark suffered certain psychological traumas himself which would weigh heavy on anyone. Even a super powered alien.

----- Added 8 Minutes later -----

Yeah Lex was alone. I think he was alone because of himself and his choice to put himself first; before anyone else. So what if Clark had secrets he did not want to share with Lex. Why should Lex be privy to information Clark felt was personal? I seriously doubt if Lex came clean to Clark about all the things Lex tried to hide in his own life. A true friend, which Lex, in his selfishness, is not able to be, would recognize a person's right to privacy. Clark was willing to accept Lex on terms which allowed for the past secrets to remain there, but Lex was not willing to give that consideration to Clark.

I think, you're right, Dor-El, but in the same time, I believe that what I've posted above, is right, too.

Of course, there are people, who grow up under worse conditions than Lex did, at least financially and of course it always depends on each one's character, what kind of a person he's going to be, but Lex always wanted to be loved by his parents and he didn't get any love, we saw it in "Fracture".
Even his mother was not very kind and loving towards him.
He hadn't a friend his whole life. How can one give love and respect to another person, when he never experienced that kind of emotion himself?

I guess, it's not that easy for us to judge over Smallville's Lex, because they showed us a friendly, caring and loveable Lex in the beginning.
So, I do feel sorry for him but you may not.

But I'm totally with you, concerning the things you've said about Clark. He didn't have an easy life as well, but everyone expects him to do always the right thing, to always listen to his elders and to immediatly learn of his mistakes. Of course everybody hopes to not make the same mistake again, but I must admit, that I in my life did the same mistakes again inspite of knowing it better and I was really shocked about it afterwards. Like, how could i've done it again, how stupid am I?

But it happens and I don't understand, why Clark should not have the same right to do the same mistake one more time. Sometimes you just believe, that this time it's going to be different, but then it turns out to be exactly the same and of course you turn out to have made the same mistake again. That's life, that happens, but if it happens to Clark nobody's willing to understand, because he's supposed to act like the future superman-to-be.
Maybe I'm talking nonsense, but that's the way I'm thinking about it. :)

[Theshadow129x]

I loved with Lex came back for Clark in Nemesis. That showed me there was still a care for Clark and other people. At that point in time, Lex wasn't beyond saving he needed and wanted more people in his life to show him care and pull him from the darkside of the force. But beware, anger, fear, aggression, the dar.....sorry wrong story but you get what I mean.

[Jaderoyale]

"Our friendship will be the stuff of Legend"


Doomed to fail.
And it did.

[Harry Permafrost]

--but Lex always wanted to be loved by his parents and he didn't get any love, we saw it in "Fracture".
Even his mother was not very kind and loving towards him.
He hadn't a friend his whole life. How can one give love and respect to another person, when he never experienced that kind of emotion himself?--

To be technical, I'd argue the last statement is speculative. I once read in a psych textbook that it is a myth that one needs to love oneself before loving others. Of course, maybe receiving love is different. But of course, nothing is determined, although probabilities can be forseen.

I found this quote of yours to be very sympathetic Yasise, and I therefore appreciate it.

Though the characters - and audience - are prepping for the "go time" predicted from that funeral scene. Lex Luthor is now bent on causing more pain and tears then ever before - in the guise of "protecting the world".

Now the entire team must pull together to do all the necessary internet searches to stop Lex and Brainiac.

It does suck how we've lost Lana. She was an awesome asset to the team. I'll even give credit to Lionel, despite my misgivings.

Chloe, Clark, and....well maybe Jimmy and Lois from the outside, but in the inner circle its

Chlark

God's speed to stop the monster with "total absense of love"

That is my new favorite quote. Chloe is such a drama queen :rolleyes:

----- Added 1 Minutes later -----

"total absence of love...the very definition of evil"

Her diagnosis is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

----- Added 6 Minutes later -----

if I may throw in some Charles Darwin...I'd say that the instinct against killing one's parent or child is exceptionally strong, even when there is resentment between the two. So strong is the instinct that even on the rare cases that one can bring oneself to murder their own child or parent, they usually can't do it without feeling a massive tidal wave of stress, guilt, anxiety, etc.

The scene after Lex identified the body was telling. Time seemed to just wash around him. He was swelling.

The instinct is highly, highly sticky. We are born with much baggage.

----- Added 25 Minutes later -----

what's also awesome? Alexander III's "dancing Lex" avatar!

The funeral's over...let's have a laugh with evil., BOOAH-HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA

[LoveHurts38]

"Our friendship will be the stuff of Legend" - will always stick in my mind when he first said it.

[Dor el]

But I'm totally with you, concerning the things you've said about Clark. He didn't have an easy life as well, but everyone expects him to do always the right thing, to always listen to his elders and to immediatly learn of his mistakes. Of course everybody hopes to not make the same mistake again, but I must admit, that I in my life did the same mistakes again inspite of knowing it better and I was really shocked about it afterwards. Like, how could i've done it again, how stupid am I?

But it happens and I don't understand, why Clark should not have the same right to do the same mistake one more time. Sometimes you just believe, that this time it's going to be different, but then it turns out to be exactly the same and of course you turn out to have made the same mistake again. That's life, that happens, but if it happens to Clark nobody's willing to understand, because he's supposed to act like the future superman-to-be.
Maybe I'm talking nonsense, but that's the way I'm thinking about it. :)

You're not talking nonsense. I fully understand and agree in part.

Lex is not the first child not to have been loved by his parents, and I dare say he won't be the last. A person chooses what to make of his life given the opportunities given. Lex had a lot of wonderful opportunities, but when the 'other kids wouldn't play by his rules, he picked up his toys and went home.' That is not Clark's fault.

[Yasise]

.......... but when the 'other kids wouldn't play by his rules, he picked up his toys and went home.' That is not Clark's fault.

Of course that's not Clark's fault.

I don't want to be Lex's advocate, but I was a stubborn kid as well and I also wanted the other kids play by my rules and got angry when they didn't. Kids are like that, or let me say, some of them *lol*
But that's the point, where a mother or a father has to come in and tell the child what it has done wrong and how to behave the next time or that child will go on behaving like that and will never question his behaviour as of being wrong.
But I guess, there wasn't a parent like that in Lex's life, showing him the right thing to do, so he never grew out of his wrong behaviour.

The point is, that no one is born as a bad person, he might become one and that depends on his character, his upbringing, his education and the most, on the amount and quality of the love he receives from the people around him, like family, friends etc.

Sorry for being stubborn again. Some bad habits you never can grow out of, I'm afraid :D

[cricfan]

it was bound to happen...however, I must add that Michael has immortalized Lex Luthor on the small screen...In my opinion, he has truly projected the ruthlessness & cold blooded character like no other actor who has played Lex before in either movies or tv sitcoms...

If you ask me, the Lex Luthor in the movies is rather cartoonish & hardly seems to be threatnening...except for may be Superman Returns where it did look like the evil Lex...but the older movies, hell no!!!

[Dor el]

it was bound to happen...however, I must add that Michael has immortalized Lex Luthor on the small screen...In my opinion, he has truly projected the ruthlessness & cold blooded character like no other actor who has played Lex before in either movies or tv sitcoms...

If you ask me, the Lex Luthor in the movies is rather cartoonish & hardly seems to be threatnening...except for may be Superman Returns where it did look like the evil Lex...but the older movies, hell no!!!

Total agreement. I think MR has raised the standard for the Lex Luthor bar so very high that the previous Lex Luthors pale in comparison. This episode, I think, especially depicted the evil descent very well and left no doubt that there is no longer a trace of good.

Yasise, your points are well taken and understandable. To some extent, I even agree. But, too many perpetrators of crimes have been excused because they were made out to be victims. Again, I have to hypthesize that Lex knew what love looks like and he knew that he wanted it. Not all parents are able to be loving, but that is no excuse for making all the wrong decisions. Doing bad things is a choice. Lex thought that working for a loving relationship was too difficult. He tried to buy his way, seduce his way, clone his way, terrorize his way, deceive his way, and quilt his way into a loving relationship... of any kind. He never did the right thing and that is love his way into one. It appears to me that Lex is a victim of his own desires. Desires that he has proven he will do anything to achieve. This Lex is very scary.

[xrayvision]

Exactly! No one wakes up and decides to be an evil lord. Their actions make sense to them, in whatever twisted world-view they are living in. Lex thinks he is the only one to clearly see the threat, and he needs to take any action necessary to protect the earth and the human race.

This is why I think Lex shoving his young, good self in the fire made no sense. As you put it, choosing to be good or evil is not something someone does. It happens over a while (as was the case in this show) BUT it also happens subconciously, which was not the case when Lex's concious self shoved a hallucination of his good self in the fire. Lex tells people that someone has to take a stand against the meteor freaks, aliens, etc showing that he believes himself to be good. But by conciously shoving a hallucination of his good self in the fire after saying "I'm done listening", he is shown to be a hypocrite.

This is one thing about the development of Lex that has bothered me. In Hydro, he said:

Lana, with the life I've led, I go to bed praying every night that I don't get what I deserve.

This is a contradiction to Lex believing that what he does is actually good and that he (Sageeth) is the hero. What they should have done is have Lex get so perverted in his morals that he takes on 99% of the traits, motives, and tactics of evil Lex (from Onyx, who admits to being evil/a villian) while maintaining the "hero of the story is Sageeth" mentality.

[SteveS]

Guess I am the only heartless one here, but I did not and do not feel sorry for Lex. Sure, he had a rough time growing up with Lionel as his dad. But, you know what? Many people have extremely difficult times growing up, and most of them do not have the life of luxury to fall into when the day is done. Not that money makes anyone happy. It clearly does not. But it does allow a reclusion in which to rest. There are people whose struggles are far greater than Lex's, and they manage to get through it without becoming crazed maniacal psychopaths. I do not subscribe to the "devil made me do it" rationale. I believe that we individually make a choice to let the devil into our lives. Lex innately is power hungry and has an extreme first person issue. He felt he had a right to do anything and justify it however he chose to. He felt that he had a right to any knowledge, regardless of how private and personal that knowledge was to someone else. He craved to feel significant and did whatever to that end. Lex is a product of Lex and Lex's own choices. He knew the good within himself, and he chose to kill it; a conscious and deliberate decision. The good was an impediment to what Lex wanted. What Lex wants has always taken priority over everything and everyone else. Even the love of his life, Lana. Now, he has unleashed himself onto the world with Clark in his way. When/if he recognizes that it is Clark who stands between him and the life he wanted/wants for himself, there will be no limit to the villainy he will sow for others to reap.

Seems rather funny and unfair to attribute Lex's behavior to his upbringing, when few will afford Clark the same courtesy. Clark has had a pretty rough life too. Yet, people do not let that be an excuse for Clark's perceived failures. Talk about hypocrisy. I will admit that Clark did have one significant thing Lex did not. Parental love and acceptance. But, even in that love, Clark suffered certain psychological traumas himself which would weigh heavy on anyone. Even a super powered alien.

----- Added 8 Minutes later -----

Yeah Lex was alone. I think he was alone because of himself and his choice to put himself first; before anyone else. So what if Clark had secrets he did not want to share with Lex. Why should Lex be privy to information Clark felt was personal? I seriously doubt if Lex came clean to Clark about all the things Lex tried to hide in his own life. A true friend, which Lex, in his selfishness, is not able to be, would recognize a person's right to privacy. Clark was willing to accept Lex on terms which allowed for the past secrets to remain there, but Lex was not willing to give that consideration to Clark.

Excellent analysis of this program and reality. No need to feel sorry for Lex, his life will be filled with the pleasures that he desires, feel sad for all the past and future victims of Lex's immoral whims.

[ginnyfan]

I always knew it would come one day, Lex' descent into evil. I knew it like I knew that Anakin would eventually become Vader, I wanted it to happen but was all the while rooting for the good side to win out in the end.

So, I guess this is a memorial thread for Lex' good side. May it rest in peace and may we get a glimpse of it again some day.

When Clark left Lex' good side behind in "Fracture" I thought, "He's a goner."

I would have preferred for it to be left ambiguous. MR is such a good actor, it's very easy to see when he's struggling with his good side and frankly I'm surprised he didn't burst out laughing during the little Lex scenes. LOL!

Anyway, Lex was so raw and open. In the conversation with Lionel, he completely let go of his control over his facial expressions. GAWD MR is wonderful. He let his emotions show completely for the first time since... probably since he told Chloe he wanted his dad to love him. He's probably done it since then.

And then later when Clark and Lex had the whole face off... oh man. Again, he was just raw and open with his emotions. Oh yum! It was WONDERFUL! Mmmm... :D

[xrayvision]

I just wish we had these Clark-Lex scenes all along. They made the series be what it is/was. I think that provided the greatest attraction to the show. It did for me. I always wanted to see how they become enemies and Lex becomes evil.

[ginnyfan]

Yes I feel the same way. If only we'd had more of these types of episodes and less soap opera drama. I'm a season 3 Smallville fan. That's what hooked me.

[All about Clark]

I never felt sorry for Lex because you could see some evil in him right from the beginning. Lex always had an alterior motive for doing something good. And just wanting to be good is not enough, IMO.

[I_AM_LEX_LUTHOR]

In the end Lex could not deny his true nature

[Reeve_290]

Any of the times in season 1 or 2 where he tries to help Clark out with Lana. There was a priceless moment in season 1 where Clark says something like, "I have these two great friends who are girls and I don't know what to do with either of them."

Then Lex: "For arguments sake, lets call them Lana and Chloe..."

Haha Lex used to be so funny. Then he got evil and serious all the time.

[xrayvision]

My favorite was when Clark tried to break him out of Belle Reve in Asylum. The events of that episode were so damn tragic. We saw what good friends they could be & how much Lex really loved Clark as a brother, especially when the 2 Ian's attacked him. Lionel's evil prevented from happening though. Even if they did escape, Lionel would never let up hunting Lex down and trying to find Clark's secret after seeing that security video and how Lex knew his secret. It was more tragic when he forced that doctor to give him radical electroshock therapy and Clark saw what happened to his friend when they met at the end. Clark was so angered at losing that he vowed not to let Lionel get away with it. I loved that episode because we saw Clark as the way Superman would be, refusing to give up after seeing someone abused so badly. We also saw how great their friendship could have been had Lionel not made it impossible. Lionel's continued influence then had a negative influence on Lex until Lex became like him & worse.

[Lex Dance]

I've enjoyed reading all of these posts! Smallville's Lex Luthor, as portrayed so brilliantly by Michael Rosenbaum, is such a fascinating character and his relationship with Clark the reason why I love the show. As I read through the poll I immediatley looked for the Memoria reference, but it actually occured to me that as tragic as the events surrounding Julian's death are, Lex does not willingly take responsibility for them. The tragedy of Lex's upbringing is that he suppresses the truth and makes up his own fiction due the mental abuse he suffers as a result of Lionel's belief that he murdered his brother out of jealousy (just as many children believe the lies of their abusers that the abuse is their own fault). So for that reason, as much as the events of Memoria make me sympathise with Lex more than any other, I don't think it's an example of "good" Lex.
My favourite is the scene towards the end of Asylum (which, as xray says above, has many wonderful Clark/Lex moments), when Lex, in a near-lobotomised state, tells Clark that there is one thing that he will never forget - how much his friendship means to him. Plenty of people on here argue that Lex's friendship with Clark was only ever about finding the truth, but this scene shows that when it's all stripped back, when Lex is at his weakest, when he has suffered yet more abuse at the hands of his father, he looks for solace in his friendship with Clark. I love the way Lex shuts his eyes as he hugs Clark - I think it's the most honest outpouring of love we ever see from Lex.

[rebecavaldez]

I have to say Lex taking the blame for Julian's death.

[xrayvision]

I've enjoyed reading all of these posts! Smallville's Lex Luthor, as portrayed so brilliantly by Michael Rosenbaum, is such a fascinating character and his relationship with Clark the reason why I love the show. As I read through the poll I immediatley looked for the Memoria reference, but it actually occured to me that as tragic as the events surrounding Julian's death are, Lex does not willingly take responsibility for them. The tragedy of Lex's upbringing is that he suppresses the truth and makes up his own fiction due the mental abuse he suffers as a result of Lionel's belief that he murdered his brother out of jealousy (just as many children believe the lies of their abusers that the abuse is their own fault). So for that reason, as much as the events of Memoria make me sympathise with Lex more than any other, I don't think it's an example of "good" Lex.
My favourite is the scene towards the end of Asylum (which, as xray says above, has many wonderful Clark/Lex moments), when Lex, in a near-lobotomised state, tells Clark that there is one thing that he will never forget - how much his friendship means to him. Plenty of people on here argue that Lex's friendship with Clark was only ever about finding the truth, but this scene shows that when it's all stripped back, when Lex is at his weakest, when he has suffered yet more abuse at the hands of his father, he looks for solace in his friendship with Clark. I love the way Lex shuts his eyes as he hugs Clark - I think it's the most honest outpouring of love we ever see from Lex.

It was something how after everything happened even in season 6 (especially Crimson) that Lex was again on relatively decent speaking terms with Clark in episodes like Cure, Action & Lara. We actually saw Clark entering the mansion in Action without any disdain from Lex. I think it was a big mistake not to have a Clark-Lex-Grant plot in season 7 by having the 3 interact in a last ditch attempt for Lex to save himself from becoming totally evil. Lex opened up to Clark a lot about Julian and having it come full circle with Clark & Grant interacting & Clark filling him on the lost times would have been great. I watched Gemini about 1-2 weeks ago and was amazed after watching it again how good that episode was.

I would love to have seen Lex in season 8 knowing Clark was the RBB and having the 2 interact with Lex trying to influence Clark's role as the RBB to what he thinks it should be. I think especially right now with how Clark after Doomsday no longer has a black/white sense of right & wrong & now believes the ends justify the means, an "I told you so" scene with Lex & Clark would be very interesting.

[pizzahead2490]

RIP good Lex...I will miss the warm hugs you use to give Clark :\

"Are friendship will be the stuff of legends."