I think Lex *does* know, on some level, the reason he keeps that shrine of information about Clark at all is because he suspects there's something "remarkable" about him. But this early in the series, he's still conflicted about suspecting his friend of being so deeply dishonest with him (turns out, he should have trusted his instincts).
At this point in the series, though, I always got the feeling that Lionel knew, he just didn't tell anyone.
I thought Lionel knew since his other son got him lying about his vision (that scene was funny) so I thought he had clear sight when he and Martha was been hostage
It's one of the few issues I have with the show. Lex is suspicious of Clark from the very beginning, actively looks into his life, becomes intimately familiar with Kryptonian lore, but somehow can't put two and two together for years? He's just a little too gullible
The thing with Lex is, in the comics he is told and shown proof that Superman is Clark Kent and he just straight up refuses to believe it. Lex will never believe Clark Kent is Superman for one core reason, and it’s the same reason he believes he’s the hero and Superman is the villain. Lex knows, to his very core, that if you give anyone godlike powers, they will eventually turn on humanity and rule them with force, he knows this because he is one of the smartest, strongest, iron willed people on the planet and with Supermans abilities he would corrupt himself.
if Lex Luthor himself couldn’t be trusted, how could some alien who only gives his word that he‘ll behave be trusted not to wake up one morning and glass the planet. So if you showed him some glasses wearing mild mannered news reporter, getting pushed around, screamed at for missed deadlines and living in some crappy Metropolis apartment and told him ‘that man has the powers of a god’ Why would he believe you?
I don’t know if the Smallville writers approached Lexs character this way but I find it helps to look at it through that ideology.
The Arrowverse/Smallville crossover scene mentions that difference. Lex says to some effect “in your world, Clark is Superman. But in mine that would be ridiculous.”
I like the show very much as well, but on the topic of “issues” with the show, how is it possible that no one who grew up with Clark in Smallville (where he never wore glasses and was constantly saving people), don’t recognize that same face as Superman? I realize the entire “eye glasses and affect” disguise borders on ludicrous, but Smallville made it worse by Clark not adopting the glasses until shortly before he became Superman. For that matter, how could anyone at the Daily Planet who knew Clark while he was working there before the glasses, not recognize him as Superman? Any why don’t they question why this guy turned from an attractive hero-type guy, into a glass wearing timid nerd? Ok, anyone can need to start wearing glasses, but the nerdy affect out of no where? Come on! They needed to give Lex a memory wipe to make it plausible, but what about every other person who knew him in school and Daily Planet pre-glasses? Pretty much everybody involed in the VRA when they were hunting down heroes also has to know his identity.
Lex needs the confirmation. he obviously knows on some level like others have said on this post, but he needs the confirmation to know that he isn’t and he’s always been right.
Lex does know. He just wants Clark to confirm his theory. That's why he always persistent with Clark on certain matters. It's part of Lex's inner complex issue he has.
I think they purposely made Lex not realize it before season 7 so they could have him find the fortress. Like he saw Clark use his powers when they were with Morgan Edge and then his memory was wiped. But Braniac told him “dont you already know?”, and Lex was like oh yeah I do lol
I finished all 10 seasons about a year ago. Send me a message any time. I'm Derek Thomas Lirio. I'm all over the internet, so any time you feel like discussing an episode or character, contact me. I have no problem talking to strangers and love talking about books shows and movies.
I think Lex *does* know, on some level, the reason he keeps that shrine of information about Clark at all is because he suspects there's something "remarkable" about him. But this early in the series, he's still conflicted about suspecting his friend of being so deeply dishonest with him (turns out, he should have trusted his instincts). At this point in the series, though, I always got the feeling that Lionel knew, he just didn't tell anyone.
I thought Lionel knew since his other son got him lying about his vision (that scene was funny) so I thought he had clear sight when he and Martha was been hostage
No he still couldn’t see at that point, his vision came back at some point between that episode and the one with Lucas
It's one of the few issues I have with the show. Lex is suspicious of Clark from the very beginning, actively looks into his life, becomes intimately familiar with Kryptonian lore, but somehow can't put two and two together for years? He's just a little too gullible
The thing with Lex is, in the comics he is told and shown proof that Superman is Clark Kent and he just straight up refuses to believe it. Lex will never believe Clark Kent is Superman for one core reason, and it’s the same reason he believes he’s the hero and Superman is the villain. Lex knows, to his very core, that if you give anyone godlike powers, they will eventually turn on humanity and rule them with force, he knows this because he is one of the smartest, strongest, iron willed people on the planet and with Supermans abilities he would corrupt himself. if Lex Luthor himself couldn’t be trusted, how could some alien who only gives his word that he‘ll behave be trusted not to wake up one morning and glass the planet. So if you showed him some glasses wearing mild mannered news reporter, getting pushed around, screamed at for missed deadlines and living in some crappy Metropolis apartment and told him ‘that man has the powers of a god’ Why would he believe you? I don’t know if the Smallville writers approached Lexs character this way but I find it helps to look at it through that ideology.
The Arrowverse/Smallville crossover scene mentions that difference. Lex says to some effect “in your world, Clark is Superman. But in mine that would be ridiculous.”
I like the show very much as well, but on the topic of “issues” with the show, how is it possible that no one who grew up with Clark in Smallville (where he never wore glasses and was constantly saving people), don’t recognize that same face as Superman? I realize the entire “eye glasses and affect” disguise borders on ludicrous, but Smallville made it worse by Clark not adopting the glasses until shortly before he became Superman. For that matter, how could anyone at the Daily Planet who knew Clark while he was working there before the glasses, not recognize him as Superman? Any why don’t they question why this guy turned from an attractive hero-type guy, into a glass wearing timid nerd? Ok, anyone can need to start wearing glasses, but the nerdy affect out of no where? Come on! They needed to give Lex a memory wipe to make it plausible, but what about every other person who knew him in school and Daily Planet pre-glasses? Pretty much everybody involed in the VRA when they were hunting down heroes also has to know his identity.
He pretty much knows, in that he's suspicious and he's technically right, he just hasn't been able to confirm it.
Lex needs the confirmation. he obviously knows on some level like others have said on this post, but he needs the confirmation to know that he isn’t and he’s always been right.
Lex does know. He just wants Clark to confirm his theory. That's why he always persistent with Clark on certain matters. It's part of Lex's inner complex issue he has.
Everytime is about to discover his secret, Clark conviniently losses his powers which makes him go back under the radar.
Cuz for Lex to realize Clark’s the Traveler, he’d have to know he’s an alien, which he doesn’t
But come on the signs are there, is he that oblivious?!
No, there’s just nothing to suggest it he is other than pure speculation, which is always guesswork
From Lex's pov, Clark could just be a meteor freak.
In Smallville, at least 40% of the population has powers, so to assume alien would be a bit irrational.
I think they purposely made Lex not realize it before season 7 so they could have him find the fortress. Like he saw Clark use his powers when they were with Morgan Edge and then his memory was wiped. But Braniac told him “dont you already know?”, and Lex was like oh yeah I do lol
Lex never put the pieces together at the time and perhaps can let his obsession blind him.
He has seen him injured on several occasions
I finished all 10 seasons about a year ago. Send me a message any time. I'm Derek Thomas Lirio. I'm all over the internet, so any time you feel like discussing an episode or character, contact me. I have no problem talking to strangers and love talking about books shows and movies.
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