The TV show that kicked off the superhero boom explored the origins of iconic characters, showing us how they became the heroes we recognize. It also gave us a defining quote from Lex Luthor that perfectly captures his personality in every portrayal.
In the Smallville episode “Onyx,” Lex Luthor delivers his most famous line, confessing to Jonathan Kent, “You were right about me all along, Mr. Kent. I am the villain of the story.” This single sentence perfectly captures how complex and tragically destined Lex is as a character – it’s a defining moment that no other portrayal of Lex has quite matched.
Lex Fought Against His Darkness and His Destiny
A privileged young man is exiled by his family to manage a remote Luthor Corp facility as a form of discipline. While recklessly driving his Porsche through Kansas, he crashes into teenager Clark Kent, sending both him and the car plunging into a river.
After Clark saves him, Lex experiences a change of heart and decides to improve himself. In the early seasons of Smallville, they become close friends, with Clark having a good influence on the wealthy and often carefree Lex. Driven by newfound humility and resolve, Lex approaches his work in Smallville with dedication, eager to demonstrate his business capabilities.
So, I’ve been following this story, and it’s really interesting! Lex manages to actually nurture a plant back to health – a small thing, but you can see he’s trying to change. But then his dad, Lionel Luthor, wants him to come back to Metropolis, and that’s where things get tricky. Lex is understandably hesitant; he knows the city, and especially being around his father, just brings out his darker side. He really wants to keep building this new life for himself in Smallville, you know? It’s a struggle between going back to who he was and continuing down this road of trying to be better.
Lex begins a bitter rivalry with Lionel, motivated by what he believes is right, but his actions – filled with scheming and sabotage – actually worsen his negative tendencies. Lex didn’t become villainous overnight; it happened gradually. When he grew suspicious of Clark hiding things, he started using sneaky methods in secret. This created distance between them as their lives pulled apart.
Lex’s Trajectory Into Villainy Paralleled Clark’s Destiny
One of the strengths of Smallville was its exploration of Lex Luthor’s origins. The show delved into the experiences that shaped him, revealing the roots of his villainy. Surprisingly, the answer wasn’t simple evil – it was fear. Lex didn’t desire power for domination, but because he was afraid of being weak and alone.
Lex was attracted to the Kents because he longed for the same kind of love and belonging they shared with Clark. He envied the warmth and acceptance they offered, and desperately wanted to be included in their family. Although Lex tried hard to win Jonathan Kent’s approval, Mr. Kent remained suspicious of him.
During Season 2 of Smallville, Lex discovers he has a half-brother named Lucas, who had a tough upbringing on the streets and tends to look out for himself. Eventually, Lucas turns against Lex, attempting to steal his inheritance. This betrayal leads to Lex losing his job and being kicked out of his house, leaving him with nowhere to go but the Kent farm.
Lex stays with the Kents, helping out on their farm and appreciating the straightforwardness of physical work. On the Talk Ville podcast, which revisits the Smallville series, Michael Rosenbaum questioned why Lex didn’t just stay in a hotel. The show’s creator, Al Gough, explained that no amount of wealth could give Lex what he truly desired: a family.
Driven by both a desire for connection and a deep-seated fear of vulnerability, he embarked on a destructive course – one eerily similar to the path Clark Kent took before becoming a legendary hero.
‘Onyx’ Masterfully Created a Visual Representation of Lex Luthor’s Character
Lex Luthor had a complex personality, and this duality was powerfully shown in the fourth season episode “Onyx.” When exposed to black kryptonite, Lex literally split into two distinct beings – one compassionate and giving.
One version of Lex Luthor genuinely wanted to improve the world. The other was driven by corruption and a thirst for power, determined to use Clark Kent to destroy it. Meanwhile, Lex’s father, Lionel, underwent a personal transformation and dedicated himself to charitable work.
Lex intended to assist by backing this effort. However, when the evil version of Lex discovered his good side, he desperately wanted to destroy it, unsure of the consequences. He kidnapped and held captive his counterpart. Then, he deliberately embarrassed Lionel, driving his father back towards villainy so that once they merged, that harmful influence would be fully restored.
While that was happening, Lex put on a ring made from a piece of a meteor and went to manipulate Clark into obeying him. He threatened the Kent family with a gun and tragically shot Jonathan Kent, then delivered what is now considered his most famous line: “I am the villain of the story.” This moment in the ‘Onyx’ storyline hinted at things to come.
Lex Luthor had a constant inner conflict – a struggle between good and evil that mirrored his dual nature in the outside world. In season seven’s “Descent,” when Lex murders his father and fully gives in to darkness, he symbolically destroys his compassionate side, casting it into flames. With this act, his internal battle ends, and he definitively transforms into the story’s villain.
2026-07-22 06:37