 CONTENTS. Character profiles for fictional characters and relationships. | MISSION. To share profiles and open discussion on character building in writing. | BLOGGER. Jac. | DISCLAIMER. Everything has been done to ensure the personality type template is as accurate as it could be at this point, but leave room for a margin of error. RESOURCES. 9 Types | Enneagram Institute | David Keirsey | Life Explore | The Enneagram Blog | The Personality Page BLOG UPDATE. Newest Entry: Lex Luthor and Lana Lang Pairing Profile
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Lex Luthor & Lana Lang
Pairing: Lex Luthor & Lana Lang · Monikers: L/L, Lexana · Show: Smallville · Relationship: Romantic · Status: Divorced · Type Combination: Inventor/Scientist & Ally (Thinker & Idealist).  (Banner by Helena) Aggression and anger. Lex Luthor's tendency to be aggressive, intimidating and quick-tempered in crises matches Lana Lang's defense of lost values, sneaky vengeance, and retaliatory nature. Pity anyone who comes up against Lex and Lana in a synchronized tantrum, since they sometimes veer towards cruelty. Lana's impulse renders her more verbally hurtful (i.e. with Lex in Recruit and Phantom; with Clark Kent in Vessel). But the physical and emotional pain Zod causes (Zod) and the emotional rift Lex widens (Nemesis, Kara, Wrath) enrage her enough to make attempts to kill them. Notably, because Zod uses Lex's body and convinces Lana that Lex was dead, she had to consider destroying Lex's physical body at a time she was developing romantic feelings for him. On the other hand, Lex is often more controlled. Still, he can be physically and emotionally intimidating (i.e. with Dominic in Suspect; with Perry White in Perry; with Lana in Commencement; with Chloe Sullivan in Commencement, Mortal, and Fragile; with Lionel Luthor in Vengeance and Descent where he shoves Lionel out a window; with Duncan in Reunion; with Dr. Langston in Promise whom he beat to death). Even when he means no harm, he inherently leans towards violence (i.e. revealing his super-powers with a gun, Vessel). NOTE: When Lex's bad side, "Alexander," is accidentally divided from his good side, his latent volatility, normally controlled by his conscience, is unleashed. At one point, "Alexander" tries to kill Clark and Chloe. "Alexander" admits to Clark that Lex may not have actually hurt them under normal circumstances, but he also confesses that, in his normal state, Lex has thought about killing them before (Onyx). Care and helpfulness. His friendliness and his desire to care for others matches her desire to be a cause-fighter and helpful to others. After his "self-destructive" period in Metropolis, Lex has expressed a desire to fix problems while residing in Smallville. In fact, he has protected and intervened in the lives family and friends in episodes like Redux (with Clark), Perry (with Lana), and Delete (with Clark and Chloe), among other episodes. Likewise Lana wants to be needed (Magnetic, Shattered) and disliked feeling "disconnected" after her return from Paris (Ageless). She would engage her need "to do" for others later with Chloe (Tomb) and Victor Stone (Cyborg). They also ally well with others, if given the opportunity (Jitters, Crisis, Mercy, in addition to other episodes). Even after their divorce, Lex still firmly believes his research is to shield the world from intergalactic invaders (Wrath) while Lana takes up the cause of protecting the world from the Luthors through her Isis foundation (Cure, Wrath, Traveler). Commitment. His loyalty to a cause matches her commitment to a cause. This commitment, however, is conditional to the nature of the relationship. Before the current coolness between the Luthors, Lex attempted to honor his father (Vortex, Phoenix, Talisman). Although his affection for Lionel has been stifled, he remains committed to the older Luthor for the sake of LuthorCorp (Mercy). However, after being emotionally and physically abandoned in his major relationships, Lex will only give up when he's faced with overwhelming antagonism and deceit. If an impasse occurs in a relationship he values, he is likely the one to make peace, often acknowledging his errors and darkness, as he has done with Helen Bryce (Visage, Exodus), Lana (Zero, Whisper, Onyx, Vengeance, Kara, Fierce), and Clark (Leech, Zero, Vortex, Duplicity, Devoted, Bound). Likewise, in reaction to previous abandonment, Lana tries to remain dedicated in spite of her partner's emotional distance or disloyalty as she was with Whitney Fordman (Metamorphosis, Obscura, Crush, Heat, Visage), Jason Teague (Recruit, Bound, Lucy, Sacred), and Clark (Exile, Legacy, Hidden, Thirst, Cyborg, Vengeance, Hypnotic). In such cases, she gives up only when she is certain her commitment is unreciprocated. Industry, duty. His fascination with discovery, quick-thinking, resourcefulness and ambition matches her interest in altruism and investigation. At first a reluctant resident to Smallville, Lex's tenure at LuthorCorp Fertilizer Plant #3 was expected to be another exercise in underachievement. However, he finds himself defending his employees (Hothead, Jitters, Tempest). In fact, he is not easily dissuaded from a project, forging his own path of greatness by launching projects using meteor rock/kryptonite, and researching the 1989 and 2005 meteor showers (Rosetta, Skinwalker, Arrival, Aqua, Oracle, among others). Similarly, Lana seemed destined to remain the ultimate trophy girlfriend, especially after her brief stint as a waitress (Hothead). However, with a history of successfully competing in equestrian events (Metamorphosis), she often rises to a challenge and delivers positive results like preserving the Talon (Kinetic, Drone, Talisman). In fact, her emotional commitment to the Talon lessened only after some soul-searching prompted by Lex (Talisman). She later pursues her interests in art (Memoria, Crusade) and the meteor showers (Splinter, Lockdown, Oracle). Languages, arts, literature, and wit. His proclivity towards cleverness and word/strategy games matches her tendency to be bookish. Lex has revealed his erudition with several references to classical mythology, history, politics, philosophy, as well as Nietzsche, Churchill, Rilke and Donne, among others. He speaks German, French and Japanese. Additionally, he plays the piano (Lucy, Void, Subterranean) and is interest in art (Cool). In fact, he has attended the opera since childhood (Pariah, Bound) and visits exhibits (Cool, Rogue). Additionally, many of Lex's conversations with Lionel, Clark, Chloe, and opponents like Genevieve Teague (Pariah), Lois Lane (Solitude, Fracture), and Dr. Milton Fine/Brainiac (Aqua, Oracle), Bart Allen (Justice) in any given episode are replete with his edgy, dry wit. He clearly enjoys verbal sparring. However, he can be brutal as he is with Lionel (Transference, Mercy, and others) and Chloe (Mortal, Fragile). Meanwhile, Lana's cultural exploits are not as consistently displayed as Lex's. In Cool, the idea to visit an exhibit was not initially hers, but her interest in art is first revealed when she excitedly prepares to see the exhibit with Whitney. Having seen the exhibit before, Lex endorses it and later sends her on a trip to Amsterdam for the opening of a new exhibit (Subterranean). Whatever spark was created by the exhibit or by her creative input in renovating the Talon, she later pursues art studies in Paris (Memoria-Crusade, Hidden). She's also an admitted reader and lover of poetry (Cool, Nocturne). In terms of speaking, Lana's dialogue has more angst. Nevertheless, some of her conversations with Lex (Metamorphosis, Hothead, Splinter, Lockdown, Oracle), Chloe (Dichotic, Spirit, and others), and even guest characters (Lockdown) have had some barbs. Sarcastic humor and innuendo can also be found in a few of Lex and Lana's own couple banter (Mercy, Fade, Oracle, Arrow). Trust and trustworthiness. His sensitivity matches her ability to be a good listener. Several conversations with Clark (Leech, Vortex, Duplicity, Covenant, Reckoning, including others) and each other (Shattered, Arrival, Recruit, Splinter, Vessel, Rage and others) indicate that Lex and Lana want their perceptions and feelings acknowledged. They want to be good friends and believe in trust, to a point. This desire may explain their willingness to trust each other; they disclose information in the interest of forming a relationship where there is mutual honesty (Splinter, Oracle, Vessel, Sneeze, Arrow). Secrecy and resistant to intrusion. His tendency to make unnecessary enemies without and within, to be suspicious of others, to be resistant to control matches her predisposition to be skeptical, to be counter-phobic, and to entertain conspiracy theories. While valuing openness and honesty, both remain hyperaware about danger to their emotional, psychological and physical environments. They are both understandably offended when an outsider seeks information about them through someone else (Recruit, Oracle). In fact, Lex and Lana have either deceived or misled each other in episodes like Commencement, Hidden, Nemesis and Prototype because they doubted each other. Lex's struggles are often about control, making attempts to undermine/delay probes into his life or psyche (Reaper, Tempest, Red, Visitor, Shattered, Asylum, Memoria, Pariah, Krypto, Lexmas, among others). In the same manner, Lana is agitated when people inject themselves into her life without warning, and she may resort to secrecy or rage as she has with Nell Potter (Ryan), Lex (Spell, Recruit, Hidden, Nemesis); Agent Frank Loder (Memoria), and Clark (Oracle). Hope and security. His optimism and impatience with ambiguity matches her indecisiveness, uncertainty about the sources of her anxieties, and co-dependence. Lex initially embarked upon and maintained his platonic and romantic relationships in Smallville hoping his descent into darkness would be hindered. He tells Clark (Leech, Devoted), Lana (Reckoning, Lockdown), and even Helen (Visage, Precipice, Exodus) that he needed them in his life to give him hope. Similarly, Lana has conveyed a fear of aloneness and of what might lurk inside her psyche, asking for reassurances from Clark (Visage, Tomb) and Jason (Faηade, Unsafe). Complementarities His confidence, her hesitance. Lex's assurance in his capabilities (Hourglass, Crusade, Oracle, and others) brings more confidence to Lana, who is often unsure about her judgment and strengths (Kinetic, Precipice, Hereafter, Hypnotic). Once assured of his support, she is markedly more decisive and empowered, such as when she pursues self-defense techniques (Precipice), defends her decision to reevaluate her relationship with Clark (Legacy), and seeks to answer questions about the meteor showers (Splinter). PARADOX: Lana has been willing to volunteer information (Oracle, Vessel). However, any hesitation to voice skepticism may give Lex room to overextend his limits in the midst of potential danger. This is shown when she withholds information about Adam's bleeding which would have better helped Lex approach the resurrection project (Obsession). He would eventually discover the fact on his own (Resurrection). Later, in the midst of the chaos brought on by Milton Fine, she confesses to Chloe, "I knew he was getting in too deep" (Vessel). Her doubt was never shown on-screen until she confessed it to Chloe. His gift to lead, her gift to support. Knowing Lex's capability, Lana easily lets him handle situations while she plays a supportive role. As early as S1, she calls him to diffuse a situation that involved him, as well as Whitney and Clark (Kinetic). Later, she alerts him about Perry White (Perry) and Adam (Obsession), and lets him deal with them without interfering. In S5, she tells him about Chloe's predicament and, even though they are on the hunt for Chloe together at one point, Lex immediately takes charge without any complaints from her. Later, he noticeably did all the ranting when they discover Clark removed Chloe from the hospital, again without her interference (Tomb). This happens again in Fallout. In effect, she fulfils his evident image of the "perfect" male/female partnership (Onyx, Oracle) and helps bolster his projection of success. His practicality, her emotionality. Even though both fly into rages, Lex and Lana differ in how much they allow emotion to govern them. Lana makes more emotional decisions, as was clear in her efforts to keep the Talon (Kinetic, Talisman), support Adam (Hereafter), cling to her illusion about Clark (Hidden), and delay telling Clark she had moved on (Fade). However, discussions with Lex often lead her to either temper her reactions or reconsider her first stance on an issue. As a result, she produces a more substantive business proposal in Kinetic, confronts Adam in Hereafter, resolves to pursue studies in Paris in Talisman, and tells Clark about dating Lex in Fade. Yet, in turn, Lana's emotion sometimes unexpectedly draws out Lex's emotion (Talisman, Fallout, Phantom). His proactiveness, her willing spirit. Lana is often hindered by uncertainty. Nevertheless, even though she may not initiate action, once her interest and commitment is engaged, her visionary spirit works with Lex's drive and resources to form a productive partnership. During the first five years of the series, they restored the Talon (Kinetic, Zero), confronted intruders (Lockdown), explored projects of mutual interest (Splinter, Lockdown, Tomb, Oracle), and agreed on the potential use of power to shield themselves (Static) as well as help others (Subterranean). His worldliness, her inexperience. Urbane and exposed to a charmed yet corrupting life, Lex insightfully assesses people and danger, as he is with Bob Rickman (Hug), Paul Hayden (Precipice), Dr. Milton Fine/Brainiac (Oracle), Lionel (Crusade), and even Clark (X-Ray, Leech, Blank, Mercy) and Lana (Metamorphosis, Kinetic, Resurrection, Commencement). Meanwhile, in spite of her inexperience, Lana's natural skepticism has made her aware of Clark's dishonesty (Vortex, Reckoning, and others) and Lex's dubious motives (Craving, Rogue, Hidden, and others). Nevertheless, her perceptivity may not quickly detect danger in every situation. Using his experience, Lex has prompted her to question warning signs about Adam (Hereafter), Jason Teague (Recruit, Onyx), and Clark (Hidden). PARADOX: Even though Lex is perceptive, he may miss or dismiss negativity in favor of focusing on success as he did with the resurrection (Crisis) and vaccine (Oracle) projects. Main Sources of Conflict Lex's need for control and to remain forceful within his emotional and social environments fights with Lana's need to feel safe with people on her own terms. Lex's impatience and cold detachment. He can become impatient with erratic behavior, already pointing out Lana's accusatory snipes (Kinetic, Recruit, Hidden, Fade) and evasion (Resurrection, Commencement, 1st Reckoning reality) with searing accuracy. If he has lost hope in a relationship and is emotionally detached, however, he can also be cruel as he has been with Lionel (Mercy, Fracture), Clark (Vessel), even Helen (Phoenix). Lana's skepticism. She can be overwhelmed by her fears and err on the side of too much caution, sometimes questioning motives and behaviors with too quick and too great an intensity (Heat, Hereafter, Splinter, Nemesis among others). In a period of mistrust, she often revokes her loyalty until trust is restored, if it is ever restored. Similar traits became antagonistic points. Every couple should share basic similarities. But when a couple shares toxic traits, such similarities ultimately undermine the relationship. This is the case with the Lang-Luthor pair. As a pair, Lex and Lana have a history of challenging and testing each other's patience (Kinetic, Splinter, Void, Sneeze, Prototype among a few other episodes). Their individual predispositions to be suspicious, secretive, dishonest and retaliatory sabotaged the relationship when they fear intrusion or strongly disagree about the same issue (Fallout, Rage, Prototype). The more intimate they became the more emotional resources they had to convert into "ammunition" when the relationship veered off-course. As predicted, they quietly became each other's worst enemy (Nemesis, Phantom, Kara, Wrath). Also, because they both seek hope and security from external sources -- success and people -- they reached out for these other things (in Lex's case, his cloning and science to keep Lana) or people (in Lana's case, her lingering affection for Clark) to secure love and acceptance when the relationship deteriorated.  (Banner by Helena) Postscript The beginning of the end -- giving in to fear. Finding difficulty leaving the already unstable relationship because he considers Lana the love of his life, Lex succumbs to his fear of losing her and ironically sabotages the relationship in an effort to save it. Events in Fallout, where mistrust creeps back into the relationship, seem to be the culprit. Meanwhile, Lana emotionally leaves Lex long before she discovers his mistake and she did that when she decided her love for Clark outweighed her love for Lex (Promise). The discovery that Lex had tampered with her body -- making her believe she was pregnant -- simply gave her the ammunition and justification she didn't have in Promise to leave the relationship. As is her nature, she broods over the injustice done to her. Finding out about the faux baby altered her view of Lex. Instead of looking at the depth and substance of their entire relationship, she understandably uses his deception and manipulation in that one incident as a statement of the relationship. When she fails to see him perish in demolished tunnels (Nemesis), she then frames him for her murder (Phantom). But she apparently leaves enough information for him to find her (Bizarro). When he finds her hiding in China, he tells her he's impressed. Holding a gun on him, Lana says she learned from the master. But his contrition surprises her and she is unable to kill him. By this time, Lex confirms he cloned her, a clone Lana used as a decoy to escape Smallville. But he apologizes for hurting her and vows to stay out of her life (Kara). Lana remains a Luthor by nature and Lex keeps Lana "close". After Kara, their relationship may have been over, but they were never far from each others' lives. Unable to kill him in Kara, Lana nurtures her anger towards him and uses methods following true Luthor/Luthorian style (Action, Wrath). She reinserts herself in his life after he baits her about his interest in meeting Clark's cousin, Kara Kent, effectively prompting her to obsess about revenge against him (Fierce). She creates a company called "Isis" with the mission of helping meteor-infected individuals abused by LuthorCorp (Cure, Wrath, and others); she uses Isis's facilities to hack into Lex's security system to monitor him and gather information (Cure); and she makes another attempt on his life when she briefly acquires Clark's superpowers (Wrath). In fact, other people often used her access to Lex's innerworkings to obstruct him, therefore keeping her involved with him to some degree. While Lana attempts revenge and pre-emptive strikes against the Luthors, Lex maintains his distance. He also gets something more important to him -- Lana's continued emotional investment, even if the emotion is anger. When viewers first see Lana hack into his security in Cure, one of her first images of Lex shows he still has her wedding picture on his desk. In Wrath, when she says it's all over between them, he counters, "Is it? Then why have you been trailing me, spying on me, stalking every move that I make?" He knows she's spying yet feeds her obsession by not intervening. He probably doesn't stop it because it's his only way to maintain any emotional connection to her. For his survival, and maybe for his continued attraction to her, he tells her, "Clark isn't like us, Lana. You may not want to admit it, but we understand each other. We understand doing whatever it takes to survive." He kisses her, causing her to drop the livewire she plans to use to electrocute him. Her fingers to crawl up his body for a fleeting moment, but then she resumes her attack. She wipes his kiss off and would not interact with him again later. But the kiss probably says more than she expected it to say. To Lex, the return of his kiss is evidence that Lana still has residual feelings for him, a point he makes to a disbelieving Clark later. More than that, even Clark notes that she acted and sounded like Lex when justifying her actions. At the end, viewers can easily see Clark encourages Lana's desire to be good, but Lex clearly evokes her passion. Blame game. Lana reveals her cynical view of Lex's behavior in relationships when she tells Chloe as they look for Kara Kent in Traveler during the latter part of S7, "Lex likes to keep his women on a short leash." Lex can be territorial as he tries to shield who and what is important to him, but truthfully Lana was never on a leash. She was isolated only because her friends used their mistrust of Lex as their excuse to stay away. Lex's only flaw, if it can be called a flaw, probably was loving her too much. He tampered not just with her body but also with her trust. She was justly upset. Yet, she never admitted she emotionally abandoned him long before she found out the truth about the baby. So they both share equal blame in the relationship's end. Lex and Lana, Smallville's "Dark Couple". Despite the volatile end of their relationship, Lex continues to declare his love for Lana in the present tense an relishes any evidence that she may still have some kind of feeling for him (Fierce, Wrath, Hero). Meanwhile, Lana denies loving him at all. However, her impassioned response to everything related to him paradoxically reveals his deception and sabotage hurt so much because she did care for him and love him (Cure, Wrath, Fracture). At the close of Season 7, Lex and Lana remain estranged. We'll never know what might have been. But they may always be obsessively fascinated with each other and attached to each other. As Lex tells Clark in Wrath, "Funny thing about obsession is it outlives everything, even love." Logged 10.20.2008 | 6:45 pm |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 
|