Dread, well maybe he will opt for the swift and heavy brutality, but only in Offscreenville so that it's easy on the show's budget. That's when Zodblog would come in handy. "2day i totaly razed metrospils then had sushi w/lana. then razed sushi restarant. then razed lana. v. bizzy day!!"

I attributed the smile to the fact that Clark was lying on top of him at the time.



Oh, there is definite comedy potential there!

And yet it would be so in keeping with her character.

I'd laugh if she found out and was furious NOT at the potential destruction of the world but was furious at Zex because he kept "secrets" and told HER "lies." But yes, it would be equally as funny if she didn't have a clue the whole way through and was furious at Clark because she hadn't gotten Zex to squeeze her a diamond the size of his now-absent nuts. Though the best would be if she didn't give a rats ass what the heck he was. "Lex, Zod, names don't matter. Rub my feet!"

It'd fit with her character. No matter how many times Clark has saved her life or the lives of people in Smallville, he's still an asshole for not telling her everything. She had no problem with the dude in "Magnetic" because he was honest.

If Lana does find out that Lex is Zod, then I definitely foresee a speech on her part. "Sure, he destroyed one planet and nearly destroyed another. But he was honest with me. Eventually. First he sucked face with me, then bedded me, then trained a horse to prance around me whinnying menacingly until I broke down into tears and almost died of a heart attack. But you know what? I asked him why he did it and he told me the truth. And that's why the license plates on my Jeep now say MRS ZOD!"

She should be a character on the Simpsons. She'd fit right in. Because *none* of those projections sound like something she *wouldn't* say. This bitch ain't real. If someone can molest her and she'll just brush it aside because at least he was honest with her....meanwhile Clark freaks the fuck out when someone controls him and then tries to be honest with him. So it's not like they don't know when something is seriously fucked up about controlling/drugging someone regardless of subsequent honesty; they just want this to be her priority always, logic be damned. They're writing this pathology on purpose. Who knew that it would be this "honesty" fixation that would turn her into an "evil broad."

Wait, are you telling me that Homer and Marge are NOT real?

Next you'll be telling me Lana's parents are dead.

And tapping our phone conversations without a warrant! BASTARD!



This is just too easy, Cyb. You set me up for this every time.

SoFine69: dood you blew up my apartment 2day
SessyZodBoy: no way! haha. wuz it the big building downtown?
SoFine69: yah. dood it was rent controlled
SessyZodBoy: sweet now itz rubble.
SoFine69: howz that lana muzzle workin?
SessyZodBoy: it doesnt dude. she keeps yappin
SoFine69: hahahaha got ya
SessyZodBoy: oh dude U suck
SoFine69: hahaha :D
SessyZodBoy: when i find U, UR gonna kneel, bitch

Look at me, Lex! It's all for you!

Heh. No, they don't actually use Pete's name in the SV Bible. Pete's referred to as "BFF-that-shall-not-be-mentioned" or "He Of The Product Placements".

Speculation: The MB will be re-bastardized after Zod leaves. Something tells me Jerelle only inhabited our favorite evil father in anticipation of Zod's arrival on Earth. Or at least that will be the excuse. If, as some have speculated, Zod was really the one in the Ice Dildo Palace, since he's not there that means Jerelle can move back in. Rent's probably a bitch though and Zod left the place a complete mess.

Actually, Pete's referred to as "We hired a black guy!?! When?"

This is one thing I don't see happening. TPTB don't seem to get that Lex needs to come across as a hero to the people to further achieve his future glory. They probably just think he became president by like screwing with the results or killing all the opposition. They don't get the idea that Lex has to win. For a long time people looking at potential future plotlines think of logical ways for him to come across as a hero to the people in those situations but that never transpires. I think it's because TPTB don't get what Lex actually is and how the public actually views him. Also, because of their black/white views of morality and fear to show the bad guy "winning," I honestly doubt we'll ever see that side of Lex. But please, for the love of God, I hope they prove me wrong.

I don't think she will. I doubt if after Lex is miraculously cured, they never mention Zod again.

I also want to repeat that no matter how crappy life is in the Phantom Zone, no matter how much "time" passes, Clark will be over it by the end of 6.1. Being in the PZ will have no lasting effects, much like being in the cave had no lasting effects. But at least being in the cave made him Kal for a bit, I really think Clark gets out, he saves the day, says "boy that sucked" and move on.

And, even though we all know it'll happen, please don't have 6.1 end with a mass memory erase.

I agree. The only way that would actually happen is if, after Zod vacates Lex's hot bod, Lex then turns around and does something completely and undeniably evil. You know, to establish himself. He'd give a "Zod Made Me Do It" excuse.



Ha! Yeah, really.



Al: Great idea! Thanks, CantThinkUpName!

Oh I don't think the reason they'd have ZodLex pretend to be good is because they really get that Lex needs to start achieving a certain positive, if unearned, reputation. I think that'll just be coincidental to the budget-saving plot of "ZodLex doesn't destroy the world." Having Lex look like a hero is just fiscally friendly. Plus there's the added "benefit" of Clark angst as a side effect. They love to make other people look like heroes while Clark, the real hero, gets no credit at all. But within a couple of episodes, Lex's savior status would be forgotten much like the drug-induced aspect of his psychosis.

Yeah, could be, although I'm digging his current role as benevolent interloper into the Kents' world. Also, he'd be a fool to be a "bastard" to, say, Clark as Jor-El would probably off him in a second.

I think Lex *should* know. He will have tasted absolute power and never, ever be able to shake off the desire for it again. The Zod-possession could be the absolute last straw that sets him finally on the track towards getting what he wants no matter what it costs.

I still really want it to work out that somehow, Lex gets all the applause for saving the world from Zod/the virus, heralding the turn in general public opinion from "Ew Luthor" to "he is so great, let's make him President!"

Oh, suzycat. The people don't elect the President anymore! That's so ancien regime! That job is left up to Diebold machines and carefully placed State AGs.

*clears throat*

To the NSA agents monitoring all our posts: I full support Bush as my lord and master. I shall never more question his divine wisdom.

Now. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my spiderhole.

Yeah, but so is Lex.

LOL.

ITA and I think that once the Zod mess is dealt with (and the most certain Zex/Lion-El battle has come to past, Exile/Pheonix Boark fight parallels don't ya know), Jor-El may leave our beautiful bastard henceforth. Hopefully the MB's true motivation for gettin' next to Clark and Martha will be revealed early in the season. And, no, I'm not agreeing because I want this to be true. So there! But I said enough in the MB thread: I think he's hosing everyone, all will be revealed, back in character, yadda yadda. That said, I have a feeling Mionel will continue for a while longer. And as to "Martha taking a dark turn" in s6, will she eventually reach out to Lex (thus a parental switch-a-roo, not in the hot Mionelex love triangle that might also be quite interesting to see)? Just musing there...I'll also assume (as I did last year *sigh*) that Lionel will reclaim Luthorcorp next season.
And WORD to everyone on the "Lex must charm the masses to become POTUS" sentiment. I have believed (and obviously some of y'all believe as well) that to win the people, Lex is going to have to redefine the Luthor name in the public consciousness (Luthor=trust, benevolence for the many, etc.). But I think CantThinkUpName is right about TPTB and their black and white view of evil and "the bad guy will never win". As you also pointed out elsewhere (I believe), HypnoHo was only successful (that is, Clark didn't discover he was behind it) so it maybe be used as a Lexana 'out'. *bitter* Hence, it doesn't count in my book. Who knows...ITA, suzycat. The problem will be with Lex knowing Clark's secret. I can't believe that Lex hasn't known about Clark all this time, but OK, AlMiles. Anywho, how will they deal with Lex knowing he was Zod and his having witnessed Clark's powers? Oh and booberella, your Zexniac(?) IM's are killin' me! I laughed until there were tears...

And Bo deBovine, you must be crazy! Elections aren't decided by biased Attorney Generals, corporate/private interests and money, laughably faulty technology, etc. The president is elected by winning the majority of the popular vote! Oh wait...That's right! Bring it 'cause it's on now! Come and get me, NSA! *runs off laughing maniacly*

I'm holding out for Lana to be possessed by LionFineBoJorZexniac.



Squirrels like nuts.


My biggest fear for the season is that Clark will come out of the PZ all Buffy-out-of-heaven mopey and without any clear goals beyond getting Lana away form Zex.

I want him to come out as Superalmostman.

Is it wrong that I want Lana to be possessed by an enormous lion-like creature and Zod asks Lionel and Chloe if they're gods? And a giant marshmallow critter walk through the streets of Metropolis.

Might as well steal from a good and funny movie.

I was thinking more along the lines of Weekend at Bernie's.

I'm not up on Supes canon but doesn't Superman kill Zod and his minions in the second Superman movie? So doesn't that make claims he can't kill a bit off? I heard he killed in the comics though he did have a huge nervous breakdown over it. I'm also wondering if people consider Brainiac a lifeform or just a computer?

Heh. Right on. You realize we don't even have a reliable voting system in this country anymore. By design.

Or the scraps of her fickle attention, at least. That'll be good enough for Lex. I figure she'll try to Guilt him out of world domination because he's not spending enough time on their relationship.

Maybe she'll make her weepy face and say, "Annie, you're breaking my heart!" and get choked unconscious for her trouble. Oh, and then she'll simply give up and die during childbirth. ;)

The movie was pretty darn vague about that. I think I read somewhere that they were led away by the police, in a deleted scene.

True.

Good question. And, could Superman extend his code against killing to a non-organic form of life? In general, if they're up to evil doings, I'd say no.

Pre-Criris, Brainiac was an android, purely a machine intelligence, and I know Superman didn't hesitate to smash him to pieces. And Brainiac would come back, time after time, continuing to evolve into more powerful forms.

Post-Crisis, he was originally an alien scientist, an organic being. He's gone thru a few organic bodies, and now seems to be experimenting with steps that could take him towards a form of existence involving NO organic components. Once he crosses that threshold, is it no-holds-barred for Superman?

Sabra, right? As well, there's The Confessor and Altar Boy, over in Astro City. (It still cracks me up that Altar Boy's real name is Brian Kinney.) Oh, and The Crossbreed, a superteam of devouts. Annnd -- Crusader, a Thor villain. That's all I can recall.

Wait, I forgot the most Obvious one -- The Spectre! There's a version of God in the DCU, and the Spectre serves as his Wrath, the Spirit Of Vengeance, bound to a human host and possessed of nigh-omnipotent power. This spirit tends to get out of control from time to time and threaten the universe, so it requires a very strong-willed human to contain it.

There's also The Phantom Stranger. He doesn't have a definitive origin, but it's been hinted that his existence as an immortal wanderer was a punishment from God. A novel issue of Secret Origins posited FOUR possible origin tales for him. I remember a couple of those tales were based around biblical stories.

I remember he once said to 90s Luthor, "There's a good man in there somewhere, Lex." Even though he was at present a villain. I believe Silver Age Superman always held out a private hope that, one day, he and Lex could let go of their conflict and just be friends again.

(In a classic imaginary tale, "The Death Of Superman," Lex totally played on that optimism. He reformed, began to use his intellect for the benefit of all mankind, and became fast friends with Superman again. Superman even gave Lex a special signal watch to keep him safe. But all of this was only part of Luthor's ultimate scheme. It was all calculated so that he could catch Superman completely off-guard and kill him in the cruelest manner possible.)

I think that capacity is an important quality in Superman. Compassion is his essence. I haven't seen so much of that in the modern age. He has his moments. But, in general, he's not a reformer, he's a bruiser.

However, when Green Lantern Hal Jordan became a maniacal villain, Superman was the most willing of all the heroes to give him a chance to come back and redeem himself. Benefit of the doubt. Batman, of course, was the Least willing.

Alas, they cut the scene. I liked the impression I was getting that the ship was perhaps a lot bigger on the inside than the outside.

Back when all the virus talk was going round, jaysefield said:

Haha. Funny, because I was watching Dawn Of The Dead a couple weeks back and I, too, found myself imagining Smallville as a zombie flick.

I think he put them back into the PZ at the end of the movie. It's been a while. What's interesting though, is how many FOTWs SV Clark has killed indirectly (Tina Greer, that guy in Gone, etc.)



I've always considered Brainiac a computer, but damn if I'm going to contest James Marsters. So good!

They have a scene that shows the Zod squad being taken away by th arctic police but they cut that scene. I think it's because movie-goers generally don't care a fig about these kinds of things (also read somewhere that this is how they fashioned the Superman movies- so that regular people with no knowledge of the comics could jump right in and enjoy them)...Batman generally doesn't kill but they forgoed that to make that cyclical "Just returning the favor" ("You left me for dead in my house; jsut returning the favor" or something like that b/t Ras and Bruce) thing work.

I think he had to kill once in the comics and he went into self-exile.



That's what they're going for in this version too. I loved how he started to disintegrate when Lion-El touched it and was frozen, couldn't do anything about it. So...per JM (interview around mid-season), the story they're going with his that Zod tried to use Kryptonian technology (Brainiac) to take over or destroy the world? Didn't they try to show in the cartoon version that their carelessness expedited the natural demise of the planet? What they can do is fuse those two interpretations together. Zod and Brainiac fucking around with the way Krypton works provoked something, but they were spared the consequences when Zod was exiled into the PZ while everyone else died.

Oh I love JM. This is the first time I've watched him and he's so good. No wonder Fine thinks human technology is "crude." All he has to do is look at his sexy self in the mirror to be reminded of that. But as machine-like as he is, he can't help panting around Zod or gulping in awe (Solitude, in the BS tale he spun to Clark abotu Zod trying to stop Jor-El from destroying the planet..the Kryptonian politics angle could be fun if they play it right). Love that.

Really? Could that happen? I mean, would they let Lana die? Oh, that would be the Christmas episode of them all.




Didn't Zod and friends get depowered, when Supes went in that chamber?

Well, on the plus side, we may get a Clark needing to get horizontal with The Evol in order to "feel" something.

Zod and crew were depowered, and all ended up falling (or were thrown) into pits in the Fortress of Solitude. From the way it’s shot, it appears that they likely either fall to their deaths or fall into the ocean beneath the ice.

By cutting the scene that had them getting hauled away by the army/cops in SII, it leaves their ultimate fate unknown, but seems to imply death.

But I think Zod will go back to the Phantom Zone, and I think Brainiac, if he is destroyed, will survive in one of our computers, since he interfaced with our networks, he probably downloaded a piece of his own code in there somewhere.

I was thinking of Kitty Pryde. Though it's been years now since I've read X-Men. I don't recall her being religious at all, though. I wouldn't even remember that she was Jewish if not for the Dracula issue. Now Nightcrawler is religious - didn't he nearly become a monk?



Yes. Then Non (is that his name?) fell off a pillar. The artic police scene was, IIRC, a deleted scene, though I think it's shown up on some tv airings and the like.



As to Smallville - well, it's set up for Clark to fly in the premiere to save Lois and Mom. But I'm not sure I'm ready for Clark to fly - I guess I always associate the flight with a rite-of-passage type thing and it seems to suit the final season better. Plus once Clark has flown, it would seem odd for him not to fly more often - and he can't do that because of the budget.

I'm curious as to if they're done with Brainiac yet. I know he's popular, but what's left for him to do?

I'm hoping to see Clark at the DP and in college next season.

What do you think of Lionel? I've always thought Lex would kill him. But when do you think is the soonest this can happen? I'd say season six finale at the earliest, series finale at the latest.

Then there's this quote "First we break him down, then we build him up. Hopefully this season we’ll start the building process –- after a heap more torture, of course." - I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm am really ready for the building process. I really want to see him taking strides towards becoming Superman.

And I am one of few (that I know of) who absolutely does not want a Magento/Xavier type relationship between Lex and Clark.

Hah, this lends all that bitterness at the Son of Jor-El more meaning when they meet again later in the second movie. And Zod still kicks his ass a bit the second time around. That amuses me so.

I'm surprised fan fic writers didn't have a field day with the "You have your fathers eyes" and softly reaching out to touch his face. If that's not a direct parallel of Clark/Lex and Jor-El/Zod and subtle acknowledgement at their intense relationships I don't know what is.

Damn! You're on to me!



I think it might depend on who's writing him. I don't read the comics anymore but my BFF does and she tells me all about it. At some point his religion wasn't all that important to him. *shrugs* I dunno.



He'll either do that or "indirectly" allow something like, oh, say, a terrorist attack to occur. Then Lex can pose, to quote Stephen Colbert, "perfectly staged photo ops" on top of rubble and aircraft carriers and things to show how brave and strong he is and how he'll show those terrorists "who's the boss". That would still incorporate what you said, Orestes96 about Luthor=trust, benevolence, security, freedom for 'Merkins yada yada yada Presidentalcakes.

Well, I know faith is important to him. Back in the Dracula issue I mentioned, Wolvie made a cross with claws and Dracula was lik e "idiot, it's how strong you're faith is that makes it work" (which is why the cross didn't work for Wolvie or Kitty - he told her she should have used a star). Then Nightcrawler popped up with a cross and Dracula took off running.

But Lex will catch the terrorists - probably with copious evidence of their next target or actually in the act of doing something. I wonder if he might actually be inbolbed in the planning of the attack - of course it would have to be through a middleman (that he eliminated) or else he'd have to kill the perpetrators (I'm presuming mercenaries, people who work for money). Don't want anyone around the testify, ya know. Probably keeping his identity secret from everyone, actually. With no paper trail and no way to trace it to him at all.

Are we talking about Smallville's Lex here? That's awfully ambitious for him. Don't you think? If Smallville's Lex Luthor tried something like that, his middleman would betray him and he'd end up getting shot. There still wouldn't be any actual proof of wrong doing, but after Clark stopped the terrorist attack, he would have some sort of flimsy evidence that he could take to Lex in order to spit accusations at him.

I think Lex is incompetent on purpose, because having Clark bust in his office and accuse him of stuff is the only way he gets any attention from Clark anymore.

I'd love a scene where Lex is waiting in his office after some mishap, looking at his watch and counting down "2...1..." and then Clark bursts through the door.

booberella, I love this. And maybe it could have something to do with Lex setting a trap for Clark.

If Lana's still with Lex, she can coo and clap like a four month old does when keys are jingled in front of it. "Hooray, Lex is smart!"

My lack of faith is showing as I still consider that far too complex for the show. Something like that is far too big a scope than TPTB seem to want to comprehend. They prefer small and insular without having to think about how things might effect things episodes down the line or have something significant for someone's future that isn't an anvil. And besides, that would mean Lex would get his own episode which really can't happen.

Even better. Lex will open the door just as Clark is about to ram through it. Hilarity ensues.

Oh, Trev! The insanity has claimed you as well! There's nothing at all wrong with our voting system! I don't know what else to say to make you people understand this. ;)

Bo deBovine- I like what you said about Lex allowing an attack and claiming glory publicly for himself (props for quoting Stephen Colbert, btw). Oh and the Merkins ref.? Priceless! I can also see what you're sayin' as well, Tzigone, and hopefully well have more of Lex "covering his bases" next year than we saw this year (I still think Lex's dumbing down this year was an attempt to make Clark appear smarter, but whateva AlMiles). But both possibilities seem like future!Lex more so than SV!Lex to me. No matter how EVOL he becomes next year, it still feels a little early for such epic evil (allowing massive terror attacks and whatnot). I see SV!Lex starting a bit smaller anyway (something that the election storyline could have been a foundation for, but again, whatever). I could be mistaken, of course. Obviously, I'm not sure what to feel about this. Hmmmm...*contemplates* But in any case, I feel CantThinkUpName is right again: this idea is far too interesting and complex. Hence, we will never see anything on this scale. This show has demonstrated time and again that they back off from truly complex storylines in favor of rehashed formulas, CGI explosions, et .al. Perhaps Chluthoropolis was simply written in the year the writers invested in the highest quality crack...I miss those days.You know, even after we've endured the premature end of the friendship and the stupid Clexana angst, someone manages to keep the HoYay alive. *sniffle* Re: the office doors, I still like The Skull's idea: after all the times someone has burst through Lex's double doors, why doesn't he simply lock them? There's a great deal of hilarity to be minded from watching people crash into locked doors! Perhaps you have the answer here, scout.

Oh, I know the answer to this one as well. Watching people burst through those doors is his fetish. He prefers it when it is Clark, which is why he's always so incompetent in his plans, but in a pinch anyone will do.

This is very insulting to four month olds, they deserve better.

God, you're right. And an insult to kids with learning disorders, which Lana surely has as well.

Nah, she'll just furrow her brow and look outraged, and go "how did you know I was here? Why are you trying to force yourself into my life? You left me you know! How could I ever have loved you? Why can't you leave me alone?" and eventually wonder why Clark is talking to Lex and not her.

This probably goes more in the wishlist thread 'cos it's certainly never going to happen on the show, but let's have a scene where Clark is working on a new scarecrow for the farm. He's brought it up to the loft so he can put some of his old clothes on it, and he gets called away for whatever reason. Lana enters the barn, and proceeds to have a lengthy one-sided "me me me" conversation with the scarecrow, not realizing it's not Clark.

"This is just like you, Clark! You never talk to me! You never answer any of the questions that I have! God, I swear, I might as well be talking to a bale of hay! This is it, Clark! You've lost me forever! Your silence is deafening! I NEVER LOVED YOU! *huff*" and then she stomps away.

Hmm. I'm wondering if this is speculation or if it should go on my wishlist. Anyways. I speculate that Clark will no longer where the Horrible Red Jacket (tm Cyb I think) after returning from the PZ. For whatever reason the Members Only HRJ will conjure bad memories. Instead he starts to wear a red cloak. Only one step away from the cape.



Two words: False. Imprisonment.



Heh. Thanks babe!



Then Clark will walk in right as Lana storms away. She'll grill him about his "sudden" appearance and ask why he 'purposely' placed that scarecrow there to fool her and why didn't he tell her. Then Lana can do her "thecweth" and "lieth" chorus we've all come to know and revile.

LMAO! Have I told you that you are a genius, booberella? Again, there were tears...Oh! Can it be a poncho? A poncho would be funny.Exactly. Grrrr.

Hee! Yes. And then he'll wear a snazzy blue cap that says, "I spent a summer in the PZ and all I got was this crappy hat."

If Clark is going to start wearing crazy person clothes (ie a red poncho), and be a prisoner and all, I think he should have an Adebisi hat. A little blue one.

And in a bizarre reversal of good vs evil, Lex can start sporting one of those white Muslim hats like Said. And they can have a really gay knife fight.

If he wears a poncho, he can eat even more pie and no one will ever be able to tell from his physique. Then he can call it his pauncho.

Are the writers going to keep on with the Thecreth and Lieth crap next season? I can't imagine them ever letting it go, but even they must be getting tired of it. It's a central theme of the show, I guess, but someone should send them a thesaurus so at least they wouldn't have to use those exact words. Lana can whisper on about "Enigmas and fabrications!" or if she's feeling really bold, "Myths and mysteries!" On that second one, I imagine her lisping and spitting like Sylvester the cat.