Thursday December 8, 2005
2T6409
Lex considers whether to turn an operative loose to obtain or fake damaging information against Jonathan to upset his Senatorial race. But when Lex is shot, he falls into a coma and is visited by the ghost of his mother, who shows him what his life could be like if he frees himself from his father. Meanwhile, Clark helps deliver Christmas presents.
Read Full Recap » (warning: possible spoilers!)A Luthor's Christmas Carol hide show
Lexmas-Lex considers whether to turn an operative loose to obtain or fake damaging information against Jonathan to upset his Senatorial race. But when Lex is shot, he falls into a coma and is visited by the ghost of his mother, who shows him what his life could be like if he frees himself from his father. Meanwhile, Clark helps deliver Christmas presents.
For Smallville's first holiday episode (let's just forget "Thirst" didn't exist), "Lexmas" is better because is centers around Lex as it gives some great insight on why he becomes the villain he will be one day and why he should become that man! The episode begins with Lex trying to get dirt on Jonathan for the Senate race when threaten by two gang members and shot. From there the episode plays like Smallville's own version of a Christmas Carol where Lex wakes up in a alternate reality where both he and a pregnant Lana are married with a son. Michael Rosenbaum handles this storyline beautifully with his performance as Lex is in awe of his near perfect life. Lex and Clark seem to be closer than ever with Chloe as Clark's girlfriend (ironically!), Jonathan Kent is Senator and even sees Lex as his own son. Allsen Down returns as Lex's mother, Lillian Luthor. She gives a solid performance as Lex's guide throughout the episode and you honestly believe she just wants the best for her son who is on a path he might not return from. John Glover is wonderful as Lionel as usual as he makes a harsh decision with Lex's life. Two powerful scenes are between Lionel and Lex during Lex's alternate reality where Lionel turns his back on Lex in his hour of need and when Lana dies after giving birth to the baby. These two moments are essential the reason why Lex makes the dark decision at the end to chose a life of money and power. Michael handles these scenes so well especially at the end where he discusses that he will continue to run for Senator despite his father's wishes. With such a well developed Christmas themed/Lex storyline, the B plot with Clark and a drunken Santa just seems so out of place. Yeah, it Christmas and this was done to balance from Lex's dark storyline, but it feels too cheesy and hurts the episode in the process, not to mention, Lifetime channel worthy! Also, the twist with Santa being real at the end was laughable and you can't believe the writers would even think that would be interesting. "Lexmas" is a fun holiday episode only to watch for Lex's continuing journey toward being villain, all the other scenes involving Clark and Old Saint Nick...not so much!
Christmas episodes are always a hit or miss affair, but this one is one of those hits and it didn't disapoint me. What I really liked about this episode was it was Lex at his most soulful. This episode sort of reminds me of that film "The Family Man" only better.
The subplot with Clark and Santa was ok nothing really spectacular even though I thought it was a bit cheesy but not overly sentimental and forced I could never stand that in bad Christmas episodes. And the moments with the Kents, Lana, and Chloe more than made up for the cheese.
But anyway down to what's really important the alternate world itself. I really liked the way they handled it, it felt believable as if it really could happen if Lex went the other way. I really liked Lex's reactions it's the I can't believe this is happening to me look; I don't blame him it's kinda strange and funny seeing Lex live in middle class settings let alone something I didn't think would happen in a million years being married to Lana and having children. On second though I take that back, same could be said for the begining of the "Crisis on Infinate Earths" comic miniseries which I saw Lois and Lex married and have a son.
I really liked the interaction between Lana and Lex which was sweet, I really felt they could be a working healthy couple. And a few of the other discoveries on other characters worked Clark and Chloe (she looks great with long hair)both highly sucessful and still friends (may'be more than that but it's not explored) most importantly seem to be best friends with Lex. Same with Martha and Johnathan whom are all sort of a surragate family he never really had. Linel has suffered the fate of Mr. Potter when he disowned Lex from the right decsion he's made he's still wealthy but alone, old, miserable, and might have became an alchololic. What was most heartwarming and a little sad at the same time was discovering he never really celebrated Christmas after his mom died and the time he was spending in the alternate world is the only time he ever had. Even though what happened in the alternate world in the end was tragic, that was life those things happen but it didn't mean good memories had to end; but the real tragidy was Lex just had trouble seeing it that way, that was always part of his Achllies Heel non acceptance of what you can't control which was always what made him villianess his need to control/conquiuer everything in life. This trait may give him power but it also poisoned his own soul and destroyed his personal life, whether he wants to admit it or not.
I would of loved to of given this episode a little more credit but there was something missing from the episode that held it back a bit from me and that was a considerable lack of depth from the alternate world. It wasn't really explored enough like for example I would of loved to of known a little more on how both Lex and Lana got together, from this I can't help but feel a little more could of been done.
But oh well, finally I really liked the ending it was one that really made me feel deeply sad, in the end and it's probably no supprise Lex makes the wrong choice and Lex as we see in the end once again celebrates another lost Christmas. The last part put a tear or two in my eyes when Lex looks out the window and we see his mother stare back at him with a sad and disapointed look on her face knowing a future of happyness for her son is forever lost.
Great episode. I was a little scepticle at first but the writers didnt let me down. Here my usual breakup hide show
Clark and Lana: Where was this fire 5 episodes ago?!?! They were great as a couple. They were romantic, and happy. Almost makes me sad that it wont last.
Lex and Lana: Lanas acting really was top notch in this episode. Lex and Lanas chemistry however was a little off and felt forced on Lex's part, but, being that he just woke up in this alternate life, its understandable.
Lex and Alexander: At first, I saw no intrest in Lex toward his son. But it all changed after meeting Clark. I wonder why that is. I would have loved to see more interaction bewteen Father and son. And see how different or similar his methods are compared to his own father.
Clark (Alternate Reality): I would have preffered him with Glasses. This was a perfect opportunity for the writers to show an Older Clark Kent, a reporter no doubt!!! with Glassess. Oh well.
Clark and Chloe: This was obviously a Christmas treat for all you Chloe and Clark fans. Hoped you enjoyed it. Its interesting that the reason Clark didnt stay with Lana was because he couldnt have children. A fact that carries on to the comics. Clark is only compatable with Wonder Woman. Lois and Lana could never have children with him. He later has one with Wonder Woman who grows up to be one of the Elders that watches over all realitties. Although he is Superman and Wonder Womans son, he was raised by Bruce Wayne. Read the comic "Kingdom" and "Kingdom Come" for more.
Lex: Perfect acting on all fronts. His interaction with his alternate life characters showed that he finally recieved everything he wanted to and its the first time you saw him genuinly happy. I for one loved his interaction with Jonathan Kent. His turn to evil was a tragic one, and one that was welcomed. It was his father who finally pushed him to the edge. Unkowingly.
Smallville: Episode 3? Yes, this defintitly had George Lucas rolling around. But, I ould see no better way to transform him towards darkness. His motivation to fallow his Fathers way was understandable. "Money and power, once you have those things, you can aquire anything. And have the ability to keep it" This resonated Lex Luthor in the comics 100%.
NOTES:
- I dont believe it was a Filler episode. We definitly saw some important Character development on Lexs part. As for the Lionel/Jor-El, well the only time we saw Lionel is in the dream. And that was Lex's interpretation of his father. A person he's not to fond of ever since the dissapearance of the spaceship. There really wasnt enough to say that they were or wernt together.
- I loved the Clana moments. They were long over due.
- Many people complain as to why Lex didnt ask Jonathan Kent for help. I dont think state senators have that kind of money. But still, Im sure they might have worked something out. Or even Clark, knowing how Clark constantly has the habit of saving someone at the last minute.
- Complaints on Santa Claus have filled the boards, but I kind of liked the Santa/Clark relationship. Clark inspiring World leaders and iconic figure will become something common in Superman. I liked how they touched it here. He inspired Hope. Something that Superman has done world wide.
- Smallville = Star Wars? Totally. I had Vaders Theme song ringing in my head during the last section of the episode. Too bad we didnt have Lex and Clark battling it out with lightsabers and "Battle of the Heroes" playing in the background
- Lilly Luthor, was named after Lex's own mother I believe.
- The surgical precedure was an exact duplicate of the season 1 finale. Only that Lex wasnt as happy as Lionel was. And he definitly stated it so.
Lex is mugged, shot, and undergoing surgery as he is swept up in a fantasy about what his life could become, as shown to him by the spirit of his deceased mother Lillian. hide show
On a rainy Christmas Eve in Granville, Lex drives his new Ferrari F430 to a darkened building, where a hired guy, Griff, meets him in the utility tunnel. He's trying some political dirty tricks to help him defeat Jonathan Kent in the state senate election, but he's not quite ready to have something manufactured. Back outside, three punks mug Lex and put two shots into him. Thus starts a dreamlike fantasy, or near-death experience. He seems to awake in another home, next to Lana and a young boy named Alex. Lana has another one in the oven, too, although Lex is conscious of still being himself and having been shot, with the scars to show for it. Where is he? It all seems real enough, until the figure of his mother Lillian appears. How can she be there? But she says he is still alive, and this is his new life, and all of it "can be yours if you make the right choices."
Suddenly back on the street, we see that Lex is still actually on the pavement, wounded, with that Ferrari already in a chop shop somewhere, or more likely, on a joy ride at illegal speeds.
At the Kent farm, Christmas evening cookies are cooking, and everyone seems to be having a holiday of their dreams, all completely secular, of course. A phone call from Chloe brings this scene to a halt, as she asks for Clark's help immediately. Chloe needs help delivering Toys for Tots, and Clark gets in a product placement mention of FedEx and Toys R Us, but he's going to have to do the delivering, a whole roomful, tonight! Fun scene - Clark uses superspeed through the streets of Metropolis, and most of the packages are delivered on time by Santa's superhelper. Of course, he has to take time out to chat with an inebriated Santa Claus atop a building, ready to jump, lamenting the state of the world. As he comes around with Clark's help and kind words, he takes a header off the building, so Clark simply runs down the vertical face of the building and catches the old guy.
At the hospital, Lex is being wheeled in, but in his fantasy, he's back at home with Lana, playing the part of responsible husband and father. It's seven years downstream from the present, and Lex isn't even filthy rich, having to make do with a Jeep Wagoneer as the family bus. It's an idyllic life, with Christmas tree shopping, and everything going well with Clark, Chloe, and other friends. Clark is a reporter at the Daily Planet, and Chloe has had a book published. So are those two an item?
Lionel comes to see Lex in ICU, still unaware of the nature of his wounds, but doctors expect Lex to be permanently paralyzed waist-down. Lionel calls for immediate surgery to forestall this prognosis. Lionel has a neurosurgeon in Metropolis take on the case of Lex, who now continues his dream of a better life. Interesting transformation by Mr. Rosenbaum, playing a happy and loving Lex. Lana says getting shot was the best thing that ever happened to him. At the Kents' Christmas party, Jonathan even reveals to Lex that he's up for a Kansas humanitarian award. Lillian again appears and tells Lex he could have this life - if he follows his heart, and not his ambition.
Real surgery is still underway on Lex - and as he's in a crisis, so is his dream. Lana gives birth to their second child, and that is a pretty young infant they're handling. Lana soon enters her own crisis, losing much blood. Lex seeks the aid of Lionel, a distant and unsympathetic figure. But the fantasy Lionel is out for revenge, denying his son, who turned his back on Lionel seven years earlier. Lex gave up the power to save his own wife, Lionel says. This is the real challenge Lex faces in his life. Lana lies dying in the hospital, and Lex is powerless to save her. Lillian explains that the life he has is a life of love, but to Lex, everyone important to him has died...then he awakens after surgery, remembering the entire fantasy.
At the DP, Chloe is still surrounded by piles of gifts as she clicks away on her product-placement Dell PC. The Santa, whom Clark saved, appears, offering to help deliver the remaining gifts, and Chloe gratefully accepts. So for another little Christmas fantasy, all the gifts, and Santa (himself) disappear.
Lex is skeptical of LIonel's motivation in calling for the risky surgery - too bad these two usually see the worst in each other. But dang if Lionel isn't starting to look pretty straight in these last few episodes.
The Kent home looks great with all the lights and warmth, in contrast once again to the cold life Lex has chosen. It's even going to be a white Christmas.
Griff is back to see Lex, who now has learned once again that his road to living happily ever after is...Power...and Money. And he's going to have Griff do whatever is necessary to knock Jonathan out of the senate race. So once again, Lex has chosen his path, turning away from what could have been. Since this episode has a seasonal theme, and no real change is coming to Lex, it isn't high on the priority list to see again for progress on the Smallville legend, but Mr. Rosenbaum's acting continues to be top-notch. Re-run rating C+.
Lex is being shot by a bunch of street gangstas, and while in come dreams about his possible future. We see his inside feelings. hide show
While walking on a dark street, Lex is being shot by gangsters. While in coma, he dreams his possible future life with Lana Lang, his son Alexander, and his unborn child. Lionel Luthor takes him on a surgery for his leg, but a very dangerous one. In the dream, Lex is a friend with Clark, but Johnatan is the senator of Kansas, and he likes Lex. Actually, everybody likes Lex in this time. He is not very rich, because seven years ago, he turned his back on his father, but he has a very happy life. In the end, Lana's baby is out but Lana dies and Lex can't do nothing about it. His mother's ghost tells him that it's better to follow his heart, instead of his ambitions but he don't want to listen.
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