In the season 7 finale of Smallville, titled Arctic, Lex Luthor discovers Clark Kent's secret. This is a turning point in the series because it changes their relationship from friendship to rivalry. Throughout Smallville, viewers see the complex dynamics between Lex and Clark, built on trust, secrets, and ultimately betrayal.
From the very onset, Lex is portrayed as an extremely charismatic but also seriously flawed character. The more he learns about Clark, the more he becomes engrossed with the mysterious incidents that seem to surround him. Lex's pursuit of the truth is marked by his unrelenting journey toward the darker recesses of humanity.
The deeper he digs into Clark's life, the more layers of mystery he discovers and the more his suspicions are built up regarding the extraordinary origins of Clark. The series takes its time in revealing this secret, allowing for character development and plot twists that keep viewers engaged.
The tension between Lex and Clark builds steadily over several seasons, with each encounter adding complexity to their relationship. By the time Lex finally learns the truth about Clark's identity, it has significant implications for both characters and sets the stage for their future conflicts.
The evolution of Lex and Clark's relationship
The relationship between Lex Luthor and Clark Kent begins as a friendship in Smallville. Michael Rosenbaum plays Lex, who arrives in Smallville to manage his family's fertilizer plant. Clark, played by Tom Welling, saves him from a car accident. This incident forms the foundation of their bond. However, as the series progresses, Lex's curiosity about Clark deepens.
He has the feeling that Clark is more than just what people perceive, so he begins to research a lot of evidence over the seasons. Lex's suspicion intensifies after he discovers some weird events associated with Clark. For example, he is drawn by the Kawatche Caves, in which he finds a cave with symbols that are associated with Clark's origin.
His search in the cave opened a door that led to the Fortress of Solitude. Although Lex is presented with various pieces of evidence about Clark's alien origin, he only makes the connection much later.
When does Lex find out about Clark in Smallville?
Several critical moments throughout the series contribute to Lex's eventual discovery of Clark's secret. In season 2, Lex begins exploring the Kawatche Caves and becomes increasingly suspicious of Clark's connection to them. He finds a map that Clark had made, which leads him closer to uncovering the truth about his friend.
In season 7, Lex discovers a secret society called Veritas that knows about an alien who landed on Earth in the meteor shower that brought Clark to Smallville. This makes Lex's quest to discover the truth about Clark's identity all the more complicated.
Meanwhile, his discussions with Dr. Virgil Swann make him more aware of the truth behind Clark's existence; Swann labels Clark "The Traveler," an alien entity. The climax of these hints comes in the season 7 finale when Brainiac teases Lex with hints regarding Clark's identity.
At this point, all the pieces come together for Lex. He finally understands that Clark has superhuman powers and, indeed, is from another world.
The confrontation at the Fortress of Solitude
Lex finally discovers everything in the series in the episode Arctic. Having gathered all the pieces of the puzzle and having interviewed various characters who knew about Clark's secret, Lex finally confronts Clark at the Fortress of Solitude. He is in control of Clark during this confrontation because he obtained a device from Veritas.
This is the moment when Lex not only knows the real Clark but also signifies a drastic transition in their relationships from being friends to adversaries. The aftermath of this encounter shapes both characters forever and sends them on their way to being enemies. It is this process that defines the overall storyline of Smallville and how friendship becomes rivalry when there are secrets involved.
Lex Luthor discovers Clark Kent to be the Last Son of Krypton in the season 7 finale of Smallville. This is a significant revelation in their relationship and sets up future conflicts between them as arch-nemeses within the broader Superman mythology. The series effectively uses this discovery to explore themes of trust, betrayal, and identity throughout its narrative arc.