Season 4, Episode 17: Onyx

"Onyx"

Episode 17

Air Date: April 13th, 2005

"I AM the villain of the story!"

...And with that, Michael Rosenbaum solidify his interpretation of Lex Luthor as one of the all time greatest performances of the character outside Gene Hackman! It's funny Oynx sometimes feels like it's not even a legit episode of Smallville, like some fans of the show created their own fan fic of what they always wanted the show to be at this point in terms of character progression for the leading men of the Superman Comics.  Season 3 definitely toyed with Lex's dark side, but it did it in a more realistic, sympathetic way by exploring his psyche after his truly traumatic childhood that filled in on why he and his father have such a tumultuous relationship.  But this time, this is just the writers finding a way to truly get Lex to fully embrace his dark side early on in his journey for some genuine comic supervillian.  Like Transference was a tremendous showcase of Tom Welling's incredibly improved acting and versatility in becoming a more seasoned actor, Onyx is Michael's time to shine more than ever before.  I use to think that Michael went a bit over the top with his performance as Evil Lex but my god was I so terribly wrong! O_O Michael Rosenbaum just exudes the type of relentless menace with side of gleeful villainy that makes Lex Luthor such a prominent villain the comics. Every moment he gets to chew up the scenery, he does marvelously and I never realized the subtly in certain aspects of his performance. WOW! O_O

Like before everyone realizes he's the evil version of himself, Michael plays Lex like a parody of himself and it's just so hilariously brilliant.  I especially loved the scene where Clark confronts him at the mansion and tries to test to see if he's the real Lex and he just plays along but clearly putting on a performance to be convincing as Lex would be in these situations usually.  Also, that moment when after he visits Dr. Sinclair, that truly terrifying dean pan look he gives Chloe before said doctor goes in to cardiac arrest. Also, speaking of Chloe, I love how Chloe has become to resilient and smart during the past two seasons.  Finding out Clark's secret was truly the best thing to happen to her so far on this series as it's made her into a snarky, quirky, not to mention likable character who is having fun with knowing Clark's secret by being so much more empathetic and understanding.  It's about time! I even love that moment where she just knows just because Lex says he's the real Lex doesn't mean he isn't.  Ha! Also, that kitchen scene where Clark checks on Chloe's wound after that trap at the Luthorcorp lab set up by Lex....awwwwwww!!! I really love seeing these two together now and wouldn't even be made if they started dating here.  The magic of good writing and character growth for such an originally atrocious character! THANK GOD!!!

Back to our start of the show, I can't praise Michael Rosenbaum enough.  Even when he's the good Lex, he portrays the character more friendly and suspicious too nice than usual; clearly making the distinction between the two halves of himself.  Not to mention, acting against himself is done wonderfully, not just because of the seamless effect but how into his performances of the two Lex he gets into.  You actually feel bad for Lex's good side being psychologically and physically tormented by his sinister duplicate.  But no scene is greater than when after the evil Lex finds out Clark's secret; he confronts him in the barn and the entire moment plays out like a classic clashing between Superman and Lex Luthor.  Clark being so adamant about stopping him while Lex cheerfully relishes being challenged by a God, only for him to make him tremble before him as he also knows Clark's weakness to kryptonite and uses it as a powerful ring to punch the crap out of him.  Then confronting the Kents as they try helplessly to protect their son while Lex finds so much joy in the chaos he is causing that he even shots Jonathan in the leg! Omg!!! Sooooo awesome!!! :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and how the writers brought back black kryptonite into the show to make it happen.  Even more powerful than Lex's dark side running a rampage in Smallville, are the consequences of his evil side's actions.  Not only do we find out Lex has had a thing for Lana as well (At least she's legal now, ewwww! O_o), Lana is clearly terrified by that revelation and sets up their relationship in becoming something far more interesting moving forward.  Lastly, Lionel's sudden redemption arc gets an overhaul as Lex's dark side gets to him profoundly; reminding Lex that he can't change from being a Luthor and once again embraces it wholeheartedly.....as the Lex we all know and love; rejoined, smiles at his father's declaration of giving into his merciless persona that the Luthor name is all about.  Wow....just....BRAVO! Stellar from start to finish and one of the best episodes of the series as a whole. :)

Final Kryptonite: A+