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Smallville 5.16 Hypnotic
This wasn't my favourite episode ever, but I did enjoy some aspects, and it moved the plot arcs of Season 5 along.
Really the end?
Is this really the end of the Clana? Because I think I've finally run out of patience in that area. If this is another fake break-up, I may have to just stick my fingers in my ears and sing 'la la la' through all future Clana scenes, and that's not like me!
For now, I'll take the ep at face value. This wasn't the Clana break-up I wanted--I had wanted Lana to ditch Clark--but it won me over. I started the episode disappointed in Lana, disappointed that she was still being the ever-patient, ever-tolerant, ever-waiting girlfriend. My disappointment in her was compounded even further when she made only a token effort to get Lex to take her to Honduras. Though she looked annoyed at being told again that he couldn't 'put her in danger' (we know she's sick of being treated like a breakable object!), she ultimately accepted it. I had thought Lana's character development was leading her to be stronger than this.
But this episode wasn't about Lana, it was about Clark. In deciding to break up with Lana, he reached a new level of maturity. Firstly it was an independently reached decision. He discussed it with Chloe, and with Martha we presume, but he came to his own conclusions and surprised Chloe, at least, with his resolve. That's a new development for Clark who has always leaned so heavily on others for advice: first on his parents, then on Chloe. Chloe in particular still has a lot of influence over him, but this episode demonstrated that it was waning. When she asked him to 'think long and hard' before making the decision, I groaned internally, expecting another week of agony. But it appears that Clark decided that he had already thought hard enough. I like that. I like that Clark is an independent thinker now.
There was quite a bit of irony at work in this episode--Clark reaches a momentous independent decision after having been hypnotised; the marker of him reaching maturity in adult relationships is his ability to look someone in the eye and lie to them convincingly. Tom's acting was great in that scene, and I found the idea that Clark can now lie about his feelings quite chilling, while also really respecting his decision. I respect it largely because his call that hurting Lana has become a daily occurrence is completely true. I'm annoyed at Lana for staying in an unequal relationship, but that it was Clark who recognised this inequality and who decided to be selfless about it (finally!) was fantastic. In making the decision, he had to accept that Lana would hate him--an enormous sacrifice for the previously love/adulation-seeking Clark. But he recognised that hate in this instance was healthier for Lana. Clark is, finally, growing up.
Lex and Lana
Lex and Lana, and their experiences with Clark, have been paralleled all season. It may appear foolish of Lana to rush to Lex as the 'first person' she wanted to tell about the break-up. After all, she has Chloe and Lois to turn to. However, they don't understand Clark the way Lex does--ultimately it's Clark that is the connecting force between Lex and Lana, and this was drawn out in their conversation. Lana points out that Lex knows what it's like being friends with him; Lex points out that 'Clark isn't the easiest person to be in a relationship with'. The subtext was rife that they'd had the same experience, which, essentially, they have had--a long intimate relationship of supposed 'epic destiny' proportions that is marred by Clark keeping secrets and never really letting them in (physically or emotionally) and which ends in Clark's rejection.
Lex and Lana both displayed the same reactions to this experience. One is to defend Clark. Lana has been defending him, despite everything, all season. In this scene, it's Lex who feels the obligation to do so, and Lana cuts him off. It's refreshing to see her do so and I'm sure both feel relieved that they are past the stage of having to show some token sympathy for Clark. Another typical reaction is to regard themselves as 'stupid'. Lex responded almost angrily when Lana suggested this about herself, yet we've seen how bitter he has been about the very same thing--how could I be so stupid? Lana provides a mirror for him to work through that--it's easier to tell her she's not stupid than to remove that feeling entirely from himself. They are mirrors to each other, both marked by their experiences as Clark's victims.
The conclusion that both Lex and Lana reach is that they put their trust in the wrong person. This is an interesting concept, since Clark is also toying with the idea that he may have been investing in the wrong 'one', although he won't articulate it aloud yet (it's Martha who does so). When Lana enters, Lex is standing alone in front of the fireplace, symbol of his romantic longings. They have both been abandoned on the hearth--it seems completely natural that they will turn to one another.
Lex's investigative techniques
Mixed feelings here. I was delighted, of course, that Simone turned out to be a ploy of Lex's. I've long hoped that he'd use his gradually increasing collection of freaks against Clark. But oh dear, he walked straight into the double-crossing! When will he learn?
It's a grand pity that this ep didn't see Myx's return (his brainwashing powers would have been fun to watch!) but ok, we're on the WB. *sigh* It was slashy enough to have Lex sending anyone to get it on with Clark as a means of discovering his secrets. Lex's look of 'oh dear god' when she mentioned Clark's great kissing skills was hilarious, though it could have been either 'I know that already', 'dude, he kisses like an 18 year old farmboy--don't kid me!' or 'oh bugger--she's fallen for the kissing.'
At first I wondered what new evidence Lex was really hoping to get from Simone's investigation--after all he already knows about Clark's super-strength and super-speed. I guess it comes down, once again, to Lex's desire for hard proof. Clark throws Lex across the room, and Lex immediately notes that this is because Clark's under hypnosis ('how else could you do that?'). This lets Clark off the hook and at first I thought it was just a cute throw-out by Lex to Clark's ridiculous excuses ('surge of adrenalin' etc). But reflecting on it, it seems that Lex is really hoping for proof of Clark's powers that comes completely independent of excuses.
(Aside: I would have loved them to stay on the scene of wreckage in the mansion just a fraction longer--did Chloe and Clark just go 'oh see you Lex! Sorry we nearly killed you again! Ciao!' and wander out?
Evil aliens
It was with great glee that I watched Fine's return. Oh, Fine, how I have missed you! I hope he'll be around for the Season finale. I really enjoyed his scene with Lex, in particular. Fine played him impeccably, appealing to Lex's darkest fears--that the aliens pose an enormous threat to Earth and must be stopped. Lex requests 'full access' to all Fine's data, which is a typically Lexian request, but we can tell he's going to participate because this appears to be everything he's wanted: collaboration with an intelligent investigative force, the development of a weapon to combat the aliens, insights into alien life, and potentially a whole lot of power.
Multiple Fines? Interesting! I can't wait to see this plot heat up.
Sidelined characters
Probably the aspect I disliked most about this episode was the way some characters were sidelined. But perhaps that's due to the hiatus--it tends to build up expectations and made me long for more screen time for some characters. Notably there was no Lionel at all, despite the teasy teasy Lionel moment in the 'previously on Smallville' intro.
Martha's role was also limited. I did enjoy her scene with Clark at the end, because it demonstrated the subtle changes in their dynamic in the wake of Jonathan's death and with Clark growing up. I also found the Lois-Martha stand off very amusing, and Chloe knocking her out with a rolling pin was hysterically funny.
Lois's role was patchy for me--I enjoyed her interrupting Clark and Simone (so appropriate!), and loved that Lois immediately did the classic girl-buddy thing of telling Chloe so she'd tell Lana. It was particularly interesting to see the female dynamics--the separation between Lana and Chloe-and-Lois was quite marked. While Chloe and Lana are supposedly best friends, they don't always behave like typical best-girl-buddies. Lana doesn't run to cry on Chloe's shoulder--she stays at Nell's instead. Chloe hides the information about Clark and Simone from Lana--that's a little easier to understand, because Chloe is also close friends with Clark.
Lois was also very cute with her 'I might have to take you down' line. However I really feel she's lacking a more permanent role now that Jonathan's dead. She was tag-teaming with Chloe way too much--it seemed like only one character was really needed there, and while I enjoyed her presence, I'd like to see the writers give her her own function. Still, she gets some good-value lines ('not his commanding officer', the call about Chloe's hero-worship of Clark, etc).
So I'm left hoping that we get some Lionel, Martha or Lois development next ep to balance things out. But all in all, an interesting ep.
Really the end?
Is this really the end of the Clana? Because I think I've finally run out of patience in that area. If this is another fake break-up, I may have to just stick my fingers in my ears and sing 'la la la' through all future Clana scenes, and that's not like me!
For now, I'll take the ep at face value. This wasn't the Clana break-up I wanted--I had wanted Lana to ditch Clark--but it won me over. I started the episode disappointed in Lana, disappointed that she was still being the ever-patient, ever-tolerant, ever-waiting girlfriend. My disappointment in her was compounded even further when she made only a token effort to get Lex to take her to Honduras. Though she looked annoyed at being told again that he couldn't 'put her in danger' (we know she's sick of being treated like a breakable object!), she ultimately accepted it. I had thought Lana's character development was leading her to be stronger than this.
But this episode wasn't about Lana, it was about Clark. In deciding to break up with Lana, he reached a new level of maturity. Firstly it was an independently reached decision. He discussed it with Chloe, and with Martha we presume, but he came to his own conclusions and surprised Chloe, at least, with his resolve. That's a new development for Clark who has always leaned so heavily on others for advice: first on his parents, then on Chloe. Chloe in particular still has a lot of influence over him, but this episode demonstrated that it was waning. When she asked him to 'think long and hard' before making the decision, I groaned internally, expecting another week of agony. But it appears that Clark decided that he had already thought hard enough. I like that. I like that Clark is an independent thinker now.
There was quite a bit of irony at work in this episode--Clark reaches a momentous independent decision after having been hypnotised; the marker of him reaching maturity in adult relationships is his ability to look someone in the eye and lie to them convincingly. Tom's acting was great in that scene, and I found the idea that Clark can now lie about his feelings quite chilling, while also really respecting his decision. I respect it largely because his call that hurting Lana has become a daily occurrence is completely true. I'm annoyed at Lana for staying in an unequal relationship, but that it was Clark who recognised this inequality and who decided to be selfless about it (finally!) was fantastic. In making the decision, he had to accept that Lana would hate him--an enormous sacrifice for the previously love/adulation-seeking Clark. But he recognised that hate in this instance was healthier for Lana. Clark is, finally, growing up.
Lex and Lana
Lex and Lana, and their experiences with Clark, have been paralleled all season. It may appear foolish of Lana to rush to Lex as the 'first person' she wanted to tell about the break-up. After all, she has Chloe and Lois to turn to. However, they don't understand Clark the way Lex does--ultimately it's Clark that is the connecting force between Lex and Lana, and this was drawn out in their conversation. Lana points out that Lex knows what it's like being friends with him; Lex points out that 'Clark isn't the easiest person to be in a relationship with'. The subtext was rife that they'd had the same experience, which, essentially, they have had--a long intimate relationship of supposed 'epic destiny' proportions that is marred by Clark keeping secrets and never really letting them in (physically or emotionally) and which ends in Clark's rejection.
Lex and Lana both displayed the same reactions to this experience. One is to defend Clark. Lana has been defending him, despite everything, all season. In this scene, it's Lex who feels the obligation to do so, and Lana cuts him off. It's refreshing to see her do so and I'm sure both feel relieved that they are past the stage of having to show some token sympathy for Clark. Another typical reaction is to regard themselves as 'stupid'. Lex responded almost angrily when Lana suggested this about herself, yet we've seen how bitter he has been about the very same thing--how could I be so stupid? Lana provides a mirror for him to work through that--it's easier to tell her she's not stupid than to remove that feeling entirely from himself. They are mirrors to each other, both marked by their experiences as Clark's victims.
The conclusion that both Lex and Lana reach is that they put their trust in the wrong person. This is an interesting concept, since Clark is also toying with the idea that he may have been investing in the wrong 'one', although he won't articulate it aloud yet (it's Martha who does so). When Lana enters, Lex is standing alone in front of the fireplace, symbol of his romantic longings. They have both been abandoned on the hearth--it seems completely natural that they will turn to one another.
Lex's investigative techniques
Mixed feelings here. I was delighted, of course, that Simone turned out to be a ploy of Lex's. I've long hoped that he'd use his gradually increasing collection of freaks against Clark. But oh dear, he walked straight into the double-crossing! When will he learn?
It's a grand pity that this ep didn't see Myx's return (his brainwashing powers would have been fun to watch!) but ok, we're on the WB. *sigh* It was slashy enough to have Lex sending anyone to get it on with Clark as a means of discovering his secrets. Lex's look of 'oh dear god' when she mentioned Clark's great kissing skills was hilarious, though it could have been either 'I know that already', 'dude, he kisses like an 18 year old farmboy--don't kid me!' or 'oh bugger--she's fallen for the kissing.'
At first I wondered what new evidence Lex was really hoping to get from Simone's investigation--after all he already knows about Clark's super-strength and super-speed. I guess it comes down, once again, to Lex's desire for hard proof. Clark throws Lex across the room, and Lex immediately notes that this is because Clark's under hypnosis ('how else could you do that?'). This lets Clark off the hook and at first I thought it was just a cute throw-out by Lex to Clark's ridiculous excuses ('surge of adrenalin' etc). But reflecting on it, it seems that Lex is really hoping for proof of Clark's powers that comes completely independent of excuses.
(Aside: I would have loved them to stay on the scene of wreckage in the mansion just a fraction longer--did Chloe and Clark just go 'oh see you Lex! Sorry we nearly killed you again! Ciao!' and wander out?
Evil aliens
It was with great glee that I watched Fine's return. Oh, Fine, how I have missed you! I hope he'll be around for the Season finale. I really enjoyed his scene with Lex, in particular. Fine played him impeccably, appealing to Lex's darkest fears--that the aliens pose an enormous threat to Earth and must be stopped. Lex requests 'full access' to all Fine's data, which is a typically Lexian request, but we can tell he's going to participate because this appears to be everything he's wanted: collaboration with an intelligent investigative force, the development of a weapon to combat the aliens, insights into alien life, and potentially a whole lot of power.
Multiple Fines? Interesting! I can't wait to see this plot heat up.
Sidelined characters
Probably the aspect I disliked most about this episode was the way some characters were sidelined. But perhaps that's due to the hiatus--it tends to build up expectations and made me long for more screen time for some characters. Notably there was no Lionel at all, despite the teasy teasy Lionel moment in the 'previously on Smallville' intro.
Martha's role was also limited. I did enjoy her scene with Clark at the end, because it demonstrated the subtle changes in their dynamic in the wake of Jonathan's death and with Clark growing up. I also found the Lois-Martha stand off very amusing, and Chloe knocking her out with a rolling pin was hysterically funny.
Lois's role was patchy for me--I enjoyed her interrupting Clark and Simone (so appropriate!), and loved that Lois immediately did the classic girl-buddy thing of telling Chloe so she'd tell Lana. It was particularly interesting to see the female dynamics--the separation between Lana and Chloe-and-Lois was quite marked. While Chloe and Lana are supposedly best friends, they don't always behave like typical best-girl-buddies. Lana doesn't run to cry on Chloe's shoulder--she stays at Nell's instead. Chloe hides the information about Clark and Simone from Lana--that's a little easier to understand, because Chloe is also close friends with Clark.
Lois was also very cute with her 'I might have to take you down' line. However I really feel she's lacking a more permanent role now that Jonathan's dead. She was tag-teaming with Chloe way too much--it seemed like only one character was really needed there, and while I enjoyed her presence, I'd like to see the writers give her her own function. Still, she gets some good-value lines ('not his commanding officer', the call about Chloe's hero-worship of Clark, etc).
So I'm left hoping that we get some Lionel, Martha or Lois development next ep to balance things out. But all in all, an interesting ep.
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I also love how you watch SV and how much you make me think about it afterwards. While I'm watching, it's all "Clark pretty. Lex sexy." but then I come here and am enlightened.
I'm with you in the on-more-breakup-and-I'll-scream camp. I keep thinking this is it, and damnit this better be it. Besides, as much as I hate to say it, Lex and Lana DO make sense, especially through their ties to Clark.
it could have been either 'I know that already', 'dude, he kisses like an 18 year old farmboy--don't kid me!' or 'oh bugger--she's fallen for the kissing.'
I'm thinking it's the first one. ;)
Excellent meta, as usual.
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I think Lex's eye-roll/head-hang was my favourite bit of this ep--another possible verbalisation of it: 'Yes, yes... and he's got GREAT hair! *groan*' He was so 'been there, done that'!
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LOVE THIS ICON TOO!!!!
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We are a pair, huh?
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part I
Second, ITA with you on this:
Is this really the end of the Clana? Because I think I've finally run out of patience in that area. If this is another fake break-up, I may have to just stick my fingers in my ears and sing 'la la la' through all future Clana scenes, and that's not like me!
This really better be then end, otherwise, with the exception of the Lex-Fine stuff, this episode will have been a *complete waste of my time*.
I respect it largely because his call that hurting Lana has become a daily occurrence is completely true. I'm annoyed at Lana for staying in an unequal relationship, but that it was Clark who recognised this inequality and who decided to be selfless about it (finally!) was fantastic. In making the decision, he had to accept that Lana would hate him--an enormous sacrifice for the previously love/adulation-seeking Clark. But he recognised that hate in this instance was healthier for Lana. Clark is, finally, growing up.
You know, I actually agree with all of this. I just think it would have been even more fantastic if Clark had organically come to all of these conclusions instead of them giving us the whole stupid hypnosis plot as the means of basically forcing his hand. I know it's realistic that sometimes people do have to have their hands forced to end bad relationships, but this was a situation that didn't need convoluted machinations from other characters to get Clark to the same emotional end-point. I like it that Clark finally realized he was being unfair to Lana and that *someone* needed to break the relationship off. I'm just not crazy about the *way* he came to that epiphany, especially because it's something he's arguably been aware of since as far back as the end of *Hidden*.
Lex and Lana, and their experiences with Clark, have been paralleled all season. It may appear foolish of Lana to rush to Lex as the 'first person' she wanted to tell about the break-up.
Oh, it wasn't foolish but it *was*, to me anyway, *hilariously* in-character. Lana never gets out of one relationship without making sure the back-up relationship is ready to go. I mean, seriously, did she just go *straight* to the mansion from the farm? Did she even stop on the road to have a good cry? Nope. 'Cause Lana might be devastated, but she's not so devastated that she doesn't have the presence of mind to ensure the back-up boyfriend is ready to step up to the plate. *g*
I'm being flippant because it was just so *funny* to me, but it does make sense that Lana would turn to Lex as a means of commiserating because he's the only other person she knows who has a frame of reference similar to hers around the issue of being hurt by Clark in a very specific kind of way.
Re: part I
Lana might be devastated, but she's not so devastated that she doesn't have the presence of mind to ensure the back-up boyfriend is ready to step up to the plate
Hee! Oh, I don't mind your flippancy at all--I went though exactly the same emotions. In fact, if she *hadn't* run to Lex, I would have probably been provoked into 'woah! Lana's lasted a full day without a boyfriend!' remarks. ;) At least in this case, she's got more than just the 'I need to fill the boyfriend-shaped hole in my life' reason to turn to Lex.
part II
This is a reading that totally saves that moment for me. Because hearing it initially within the episode, I thought it made Lex sound like an idiot because he's experienced Clark's super-strength before. Your reading makes more sense to me in light of a Lex who's supposed to be smart. He wants proof that Clark can do all these extraordinary things because of who Clark is and not because of whatever Smallville weirdness is in play on that particular day.
(Aside: I would have loved them to stay on the scene of wreckage in the mansion just a fraction longer--did Chloe and Clark just go 'oh see you Lex! Sorry we nearly killed you again! Ciao!' and wander out?
Yeah, that was pretty lame. As
I really enjoyed his scene with Lex, in particular. Fine played him impeccably, appealing to Lex's darkest fears--that the aliens pose an enormous threat to Earth and must be stopped. Lex requests 'full access' to all Fine's data, which is a typically Lexian request, but we can tell he's going to participate because this appears to be everything he's wanted: collaboration with an intelligent investigative force, the development of a weapon to combat the aliens, insights into alien life, and potentially a whole lot of power.
The Lex-Fine stuff is my favorite part of the episode for all the reasons you point out here. I do hope, though, that it's more of an actual *chess game* between the two of them than Fine's playing of Clark earlier in the season was. I won't have much patience for Lex blithely trusting Fine or for Fine effortlessly double-crossing him.
This episode wasn't a favorite of mine, either, but it's still better than the great bulk of S4.
Re: part II
it's very much a deliberate, conscious choice on their part
Yes, it's becoming very noticeable. They're naive if they think the audience won't tire of that. It's ok to cut away from scenes when we know how they'll pan out, but I honestly don't feel like I DO know how these scenes will pan out between Clark and Lex these days. At best, I have to imagine a brief awkward silent moment and then simple departure on Clark's part.
I agree--the Lex-Fine stuff has some promise, as long as it's actually complex. Lex and Fine need to be shown as equal adversaries. Fingers crossed!
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I also enjoye Lex's reaction to the kissing 'revelation.' *g* It was definitely, "I know that already."
Really, the writers did let a bit of Clexy stuff get in there--the kissing reaction, the discussion of how hard it is to have a relationship with Clark. I often wish this show was on Showtime.
Great meta!
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Yeah, lots of Clexy in this ep, all things considered! And I always enjoy Clark throwing Lex around and getting to see how resilient Lex is. ;)
Thanks for the comment!
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Of course, the ability to lie convincingly is one Clark has actually needed for about 5 seasons, and one that's going to be essential to maintaining his Superman persona.
It may appear foolish of Lana to rush to Lex as the 'first person' she wanted to tell about the break-up. After all, she has Chloe and Lois to turn to.
Not really, though. While I am sure that Chloe is going to try to stay neutral, I'm also sure that it is very clear to Lana that Chloe is in Clark's camp, and likely to stay there (and Lois, too, just by the fact that she's Chloe's cousin and close to the Kent family). I think it's very telling that she went back to Nell after seeing Clark and Simone--clearly she needed feminine sympathy from someone who she felt was authentically on her side. One of the things that actually excites me about the upcoming Lexana is the way it's going to cause all the characters to explicitly choose sides.
Lex points out that 'Clark isn't the easiest person to be in a relationship with'. The subtext was rife that they'd had the same experience, which, essentially, they have had--a long intimate relationship of supposed 'epic destiny' proportions that is marred by Clark keeping secrets and never really letting them in (physically or emotionally) and which ends in Clark's rejection.
Yes, I totally agree. Though I think LaT has a point with Lana's "backup boyfriend" modus operandi, I agree with you that it's natural that Lana would turn to Lex because basically they have the same experience with Clark. And they have bonded in the past ("Reckoning" springs to mind)over Clark's lies, so it makes sense she would turn to him when she is angry with Clark.
I also agree with you that they need to show more of the aftermath of events like the scene in the mansion. (I particularly wanted to see Chloe actually retrieve that piece of kryptonite she so blithely tossed down Lex's hallway! But I also wanted to hear the explanations.)
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Hee! I'd forgotten about the blithe throwing of Kryptonite. I wish I'd seen her be all 'I'll just take this green rock and go!' !!
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What if it rolled under a piece of furniture and she couldn't find it? Next thing you know Lex would be infested with mutant mice, and that is never a good thing!
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Or perhaps she was forced to leave it and then we could have had a shot of Lex picking it up after they left with a supervillain-y 'hmmm?'
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And one more tiny thing...do you think the writing staff wishes they didn't use Metropolis in this episode? Because seriously, how on earth did everyone (who doesn't have super powers) manage to go back and forth, and back and forth so quickly. Couldn't the writers have kept the scenes strictly in the Talon and the barn? They was a crazy oversight for them. And they continued on that path with Metroplis throughout this entire episode.
But your critique was fabulous. I always learn from you and that is priceless in itself. Great review and great incite, once again my dear.
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That's true about Metropolis--they've trapped themselves there. Its hilarious to think that through the whole of the first three Seasons, even in Season 4, Metropolis was 'so far away', and now they're popping back and forth all the time!
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And I love your take on Lex's reaction to being thrown across the room. YES.
I like how you make me change my mind about things, Boppy.
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Well, Lana being weak isn't anything new! ;) (although, as I said, I'd hoped she was growing more of a backbone)
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My main frustration was with how stupid Lex seemed to be in this episode. I didn't mind it so much in relation to Clark's sudden strength... because he's always turning a blind eye to Clark, even as he is obsessed with discovering his difference. I'm certainly okay with Clark being Lex's blind spot :) But I couldn't come up with an acceptable reason for it being *so* easy for Fine to play Lex for a dupe. However, you're completely right, it really is believable, as Fine plays Lex masterfully, which suggests that his research into Luthorcorp and Lex goes beyond just how Lex is a ruthless business magnate with dangerous aspirations to who Lex is as a person. That could lead to very interesting developments in the future. (Keeping in mind that I am completely unspoiled...)
So thank you for making me think and bringing me round :)
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The writers have a fine (unintended pun) line to tread with Fine and Lex--to keep both characters believable as powerful figures. In Splinter, Fine demonstrated that his research into Clark's character was deep and mulit-layered, and presumably he's given Lex the same scrutiny. I think Fine was clever in that scene--he was pretty upfront with Lex, telling him without an outright accusation, that he knew he'd taken the ship. I think Lex would respond well to that blend of honesty and absence of emotionalism. I can also well imagine he'd appreciate someone who was his equal in intelligence and argumentative skills. Plus Lex is driven by that drive to gain knowledge and power, but he also still likes a justification for his actions--so Fine's line about the weapon being necessary if the aliens were such a threat would really speak to Lex.
I hope they've got more twists instore in the Lex-Fine plot. This seemed like the first round.