For the past 80 years, Superman and Lex Luthor have had one of the most iconic rivalries in comic book history. But the Superman origin show Smallville explored a different aspect of their relationship by depicting the two as long-time friends before their lives took them in opposite directions.
Their destiny would eventually pull them apart, and there were plenty of reasons for their friendship not to work from the beginning, such as their drastically different moral comes. But they were great friends who had a surprising amount of things in common, like their feelings of being an outsider.
Things That Make No Sense
Age Gap
Because they spend so much time together during the early seasons of the show, some Smallville fans might have missed the detail that Lex is actually around 5 years older than Clark and his group of friends. This means that Lex is already approaching his 20s when they first become friends.
While the age gap does not necessarily mean that they could not be friends, it is strange that an adult Lex would choose to spend so much time hanging out with high schoolers and getting involved in Clark's teenage drama.
Different Ambitions
Although Lex and Clark genuinely like and respect each other, it is clear from early on that the two are on diverging paths. Lex has lofty ambitions about rising to power and has a vision of becoming president someday. This need for power runs completely contrary to Clark, who has learned to keep a low profile and control his immense power.
Lex's need for power makes him prone to jealousy and pride. Because of this, he could never be okay with Clark being more powerful than him. It was only a matter of time before Lex's jealousy caused a rift between the two and caused Lex to hate Clark.
Keeping Secrets
Any good friendship is built on trust and communication and neither Lex nor Clark are ever able to fully trust the other. Lex is a naturally mistrustful person who becomes increasingly suspicious of Clark as the show goes on and Clark is forced to keep his true identity a secret from Lex.
Considering that the two could never trust each other, their friendship could never work long-term. Despite everything that they go through together, they ultimately cannot overcome the lack of this essential component of friendship.
Different Morality
While Clark and Lex have many physical and personality differences, the biggest difference between the two is their sense of morality. Given Clark's incredible powers, it is the strong moral com that he received from his parents that keeps him from going off track and misusing his abilities. Lex does not have that same moral code and is willing to cross lines that Clark is not.
Both Clark and Lex each have the potential to be great heroes or villains and their paths are determined by their morality and how they choose to use their skills. Given the fact that they fall on different ends of the spectrum, it makes no sense for them to be friends.
Destined To Be In Conflict
From early on in the show, it becomes obvious that Lex is fated to become a villain. Beyond his questionable behavior and well-known comic book history, he discovers the Legend of Naman and begins to learn about his destiny to become Sageeth by turning against Clark and becoming the bearer of darkness.
Whether it is because of his own choice or because it is his predetermined destiny, Lex is meant to become Superman's greatest villain. Although they try to remain friends, Clark and Lex's friendship just does not make sense in the end as they become mortal enemies.
Things That Makes Sense
Complicated Relationships With Their Fathers
The abusive behavior of his father, Lionel, often makes Lex a more sympathetic character and makes his villainous habits more understandable. While Clark's dad Jonathan is a far better father than Lionel, he can at times be stubborn and difficult. Like Clark and Lex, the two fathers are foils that often contrast one another.
Although Lex and Clark come from wildly different families, they both have complicated and at times combative relationships with their fathers. When they are experiencing difficulties at home, they are able to turn to each other for and advice.
Willingness To Stand Up For Others
Despite Lex's eventual villainy, he initially shows a desire to look out for others and stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. As part of this, he frequently offers advice to Clark and Lana and steps in to help protect them whenever he can.
Lex's protective impulses resonate with Clark, who devotes his life to protecting others. Their relationship begins because Clark jumps off the bridge to save Lex and if things had gone differently, the two could have used their combined abilities to change the world. Because of this, it is easy to see how Clark and Lex form their initial connection.
Opposites Attract
Clark and Lex are essentially polar opposites of each other. While this poses some major challenges to their friendship, it is also what makes them such a great duo. Their abilities perfectly complement each other as Lex is intelligent and worldly while Clark is physically gifted and good-hearted.
Because of their differences, the two are unstoppable when they work together. For all of the friction that their diverse personalities and skills cause, they are undeniably a great team that can overcome anything together.
Outsiders
In the Smallville pilot episode, it is established that Clark and Lex connect over shared status as outsiders as Lex rescues Clark from a vicious act of bullying and talks about his past experience with bullying due to his premature baldness.
Because of their incredible abilities and unique family dynamics, Clark and Lex often feel misunderstood by the rest of the world. But together, they are able to understand and each other on a level that no one else can. Their situations are completely different and yet they get each other on a deeper level.
Make Each Other Better
Over the course of their unlikely friendship, Clark and Lex each help make the other a better person. Lex helps Clark learn to be more assertive and active while Clark pushes Lex to be a kinder and more selfless person. During the early seasons of the show, they bring out the best in each other.
At its best, their friendship works because they challenge each other to step out of their comfort zones and become better versions of themselves. Their memorable dynamic is one of the best aspects of the show and makes their friendship more understandable.