Smallville, season five, episode nine titled Lexmas.
I remember watching this episode years ago and thinking it was so good!
It was a wonderful take on Ghosts of Christmas past, but the difference is the one being taught the lesson, learns absolutely nothing.
This little twist was so much fun because I remember watching it live as a little kid, I remember rooting for Lex to make the right decision. To love Lana and turn his back on the Luthor name. I wanted it so badly, even though I knew from all the Superman mythos I’d ever watched that Lex Luthor will always be the bad guy.
As an adult, I love when a TV show can make me root for the bad guy. That it can make me wish they would just make the right decisions and stop choosing the things that won’t make them happy.
Why?
Why Lex? Why would ever choose money and power over actual happiness?
Why?
He kept thinking he could have both money, power, and love. That he could somehow put those three things together and get the happy ending he didn’t get in his little dream. Lex believed he could still make the vision he saw come true but with money to save Lana.
Instead, Lex doesn’t see that choosing to find dirt on the Kents won’t make that vision come true. In that dream, he was still friends with them. He earned Chloe’s trust by helping her write an expose on Luthorcorp.
If he’s still part of that monster, will he help? Will he get Chloe on his side? How does he plan to win anyone over by being the villain?
Lex misses the key part of the dream.
That version of himself turned his back on the money and power, opting to be a good man. He just wanted to love Lana, have a family, and be happy. He chooses the right things in life.
He doesn’t blackmail or continue to try and win a race that will only further destroy his friendships and life.
He becomes a good person.
And at the end of the episode, he chooses darkness and lies and money and political power. He continues on the very same path – if not more destructive – to get everything he wants.
But he can’t have everything.
Ultimately, this episode is a catalyst for Lex. He could have turned back and regained the person he has been trying to be for most of the series.
Or…
He could shun all of it. And opt to take a darker path. One that sees him do anything and everything to keep Lana under his thumb. Right down to faking a pregnancy and a miscarriage to keep her vulnerable and dependent on him.
Instead, of this traditional storytelling seeing the bad guy do a turnaround and become a decent human being, we actually see Lex Luthor step down a darker road.
One where he will do horrible things to get what he wants, no matter what.
On the flip side, we have the wonderful Clark Kent.
He’s got his first Christmas with the girl of his dreams. The girl he has been pining over the entire series thus far.
They’re together. He’s got the girl. They’re talking about the future, calling this their first Christmas together with plans for more.
Then…
Chloe calls.
She’s got a bit of a dilemma. An obscene number of toys to deliver before Christmas morning. How on Earth is she going to get them to all the children before the morning comes?
She’s going to need help from her friend who is ‘faster than a speeding bullet.’
Despite having everything he wants and only wishing to stay by Lana’s side and enjoy the holiday Clark goes when Chloe calls.
He grumbles, he’s upset because who wouldn’t be? But he does it anyway because it’s the right thing to do.
This episode truly highlights the difference between Clark and Lex.
Lex will always choose what he wants, no matter the consequences.
Clark will always choose the right thing, no matter the consequences. Even if they’re to himself.
Clark tries so hard to do the right thing. He tries to pretend to be Santa to keep the magic alive for a little kid who accidentally stumbles across him putting presents under the tree.
Only to discover someone dressed like Santa out on a roof looking a little worse for wear.
Clark and Chloe’s decision to put little kids needs above their own inspires the very real Santa Claus that there is still good in the world. People can still be nice for the sake of being nice.
Good thing he didn’t stumble across Lex that night. Yeesh. He wouldn’t have believed in anything good.
As a reward for their selfless act Santa goes to the Daily Planet and takes all the toys to their homes with a bit of magic leaving Chloe and Clark perplexed by the whole situation.
Since they actually just met Santa Claus.
This is another wonderful tidbit as I am older now can see how Lex missed the point entirely.
Clark and Chloe gave up their Christmas Eve plans to do the right thing for a bunch of children they don’t know, simply because it was the right thing. Neither of them were exactly happy about it, but they did it. They choose to do good.
To spread a little Christmas cheer.
For this selfless act, both are rewarded by Santa who uses his magic to ensure they still get to have their night with their loved ones.
For doing good, they got something good.
Lex – as usual – misses the point. He wants – like most people – instant gratification. If he doesn’t see the instant reward for his good deeds, there is none. Instead, he chooses to do something that will only benefit him. Usually, something very bad and villainous resulting in more bad things coming his way.
He thinks Clark is somehow magically charmed into getting a good life. When the truth is he usually does something good to earn it.
While Lex always chooses wrong, and the consequences make him believe he’s just cursed, and the world is out to get him.
Newsflash, Lex, it’s your own fault most of the time. Try not being evil.
Your mom gave you the right choices and you choose to ignore them, thinking you somehow knew better than a ghost who could see future.
Nope. You’re wrong.
Lex. Choosing the wrong thing will never get you what you want.
Overall, I love this episode of Smallville. Although, I love all of Smallville, to be honest.
But this is definitely one of my favorite Christmas episodes of all time. I watched it constantly as a kid and well into adulthood. This episode has a good message about doing the right thing, which is perfect for a superhero show, even if there’s no tights.
And I loved the small tidbit about Santa being real. It’s perfect for all ages to watch without spoiling any magic of Christmas.
All in all, this is one Christmas episode I love to rewatch.
What are some of yours? And do you like this episode? Let me know your thoughts.
As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read and check out my blog! If you liked this give me a follow for more weird content and please help me out in funding my blog and further endeavors by leaving a tip on Ko-Fi.
Anyway, read on and spread the love!
Leave a Reply