Markup View

Author: AmbarSonofDeshar

Dec 14th 2011 at 5:43:14 PM

Lionel Luthor on ''{{Smallville}}'' is an ArchnemesisDad who abuses his son Lex financially and emotionally in an attempt at [[SocialDarwinist making him stronger]]. He is absolutly ruthless in his desire to make [[BastardUnderstudy Lex]] into a [[HeirClubForMen worthy heir]] for his [[MegaCorp corporate empire]], and easily deserves the title of "Worst Father Ever." In Season 3, however, we learn that Lionel's own parents were a pair of [[TheAlcoholic alcoholic]] [[JadedWashout washouts]] who beat him regularly and went out of their way to sabotage his success; if Lionel can be trusted, they actually wanted him to end up just like them. He eventually [[SelfMadeOrphan killed them]], then fabricated a new past for the family, claiming descent from Scottish nobility. Not only does this explain Lionel's drive for success, it also helps to demonstrate why he seems to be unaware that he is abusing Lex: in Lionel's mind, abuse is physical; he sees himself as an involved parent and nothing worse.