Episode 4.17 - Onyx

 

Written By: Steven S. DeKnight
Directed by: Terrence O’Hara
Original Air Date: April 13, 2005

A glimpse of the future Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) is revealed after a kryptonite explosion splits Lex in two and his evil side - Alexander - is released. Alexander immediately imprisons Lex in the mansion and begins his rampage by trying to kill Clark (Tom Welling) and Chloe (Allison Mack) in the lab, jousting with Lionel (John Glover) and convincing him to return to the dark side and finally, threatening to close the Talon unless Lana (Kristin Kreuk) moves in with him. Jensen Ackles, Annette O’Toole and John Schneider also star.

 

“I Drive Alone” by Esthero — The song playing when Lana returns home and finds Alexander waiting for her. It plays throughout the scene, with Alexander telling Lana that he feels she deserves someone else - someone like him.

Alexander: [to Lex] Hello me.

[strikes and fells Lex with pistol]

Alexander: [coldly] Meet the real you.

Lex: My God, you’re me.

Alexander: No, Lex. I’m much, much more.

Lex: The explosion…

Alexander: Freed me from your weakness. At last I can embrace
my true destiny.

Alexander: [to Lex] You disappoint me… as always.

Alexander: [to Lex] See most people think Louis did it to
hide his brother’s true identity, but we know better. He did it
because he couldn’t stand looking at such a pale reflection of his
own greatness.

Clark: That’s impossible.

Chloe: Not in Smallville… you of all people should know
that.

[Clark is puzzled; Chloe covers.]

Chloe:… You know, because of all the weird stuff you’ve
seen.

Alexander: [to Lana] My bad.

Lana: Lex, what are you doing?

Alexander: What I’ve always wanted to.

Alexander: I want you to prove you’re still worthy to be my
father.

[Tosses him a sword, inviting him to fight.]

Lionel: Are you insane? Lex…

Alexander: [admiring his own choice of weapon] No, just
curious.

Alexander: [to Lionel] Was your miraculous transformation
into the man in the white suit genuine or was it all just an act?

Alexander: I knew you were in there somewhere, Father.

Clark: Well, you’ve certainly seen me at my worst.

Lana: And at your best.

Alexander: No, you’re going to join me.

Clark: What?

Alexander: Think about it, Clark. My intellect, your powers -
together, we can rule this world. We’ll walk as gods among men.

Clark: You’re not a god; I’m not even sure you’re human.

Alexander: Are you?

Clark: Is the real Lex still alive?!

Alexander: [sighs, amused] You don’t get it, do you?… I’M
THE REAL LEX!

Alexander: Every man has a weakness, Clark. No matter how
superhuman he may be… I’ve embraced my destiny. Now embrace yours.
Together, we can forge a new future.

Alexander: [to the Kents] I gotta hand it to you guys. I mean
keeping something like this a secret must have required an
impressive ability to obscure the truth… Maybe the Kents and
Luthors have something in common afterall.

Alexander: [notices Jonathan looking at his ring] Oh yeah! I
know about the green meteor rock [points the gun] and Clark’s unique
gifts.

Martha: What do you want?!

Alexander: The world, Mrs. Kent, and your son’s gonna help me
bring it to its knees. Now talk some sense into him before something
unfortunate happens…

[Shoots Jonathan in the leg.]

Alexander: Like that.

Alexander: You were right about me all along, Mr. Kent — I
AM the villain of the story.

Alexander: The hero comes to the rescue. How predictable is
that?

Alexander: [holding a sword, readies to strike Clark] Maybe
this was always our destiny. How’s that?

Alexander: [to Lex while punching him] You can’t kill me. I
drive you! I give your life meaning. I’m your SOUL, you weak,
pathetic little man! I’m the REAL Lex Luthor!!

Clark: It isn’t much too look at is it?

Lex: Broken dreams seldom are.

Lex: Clark, I want to say thank you for saving me, but words
seem too small. Without you, I would’ve been lost. You’re a true
friend.

Clark: Don’t be so hard on yourself. It really wasn’t you.

Lex: That’s what I’ve been standing here trying to figure
out. Did the accident create an evil Lex, or is that what’s really
inside of me.

Lex: I wish I could remember exactly what my other half did,
so I could apologize properly… I just hope it wasn’t anything we
can’t get past.

Lana: Well, as long as you’re not closing the Talon and
kicking me out.

Lex: [disbelieving]… I said that?

Lana: [guarded, slowly] Along with expressing certain…
desires.

Lex: [heartfelt] Lana, I’m sorry. It wasn’t me.

Lana: [pointedly] Are you sure?

Lex: [saddened]… Look, whatever my feelings are… [pause]
I’d never do anything to jeopardize our friendship.

Lana: [also quiet] I know.

[Full of regret, but unsure what else he can say, Lex turns to leave
but pauses and turns back - his voice catches.]

Lex: I really am sorry.

[Lana smiles to reassure him; he then leaves, closing the door
behind him.]

Lana: [alone] So am I.

Lionel: Planning your next assault, Son?

Lex: Dad, your cheek.

Lionel: [waving off] It was a wake-up call, and I’m grateful
for that.

Lionel: [to Lex] I must say you finally proved yourself to be
the son I always wanted, and I thank you - for showing me the error
of my ways.

Lionel: A man can’t deny his true nature, can he, Lex?

[zoom in on Lex, contemplative]

Lionel: No… We’re Luthors.

[Steps to Lex, handing him the empty glass of scotch.]

Lionel: We’re Luthors.