Want the Lex/Lana scoop from each episode? We've got it here. Every episode broken down from a Talonist's point of view. It's golden.

Season One

The Pilot (1.1)

No Lex/Lana in this ep, unfortunately, but it would have been quite a feat given that they haven't met yet. <g>

Metamorphosis (1.2)

At the Farmer's Market, Lex sees Clark staring at Lana and, being a discerning type of guy, quickly deduces the obvious -- his friend is smitten. Lex, looking at Lana, tells Clark that he can't knock Clark's taste in women. The scene ends with Lex staring meaningfully at Lana (ostensibly to start playing matchmaker ... but it wouldn't be a stretch to think there might be more there).

Lex studies Lana's necklace and puts it into a lead box.

Lex meets up with Lana at her horse barn after she's returned from a ride. She's animated and sassy with him -- very unlike the Lana who has been portrayed so far. She reveals that they've met once before -- which Lex is disbelieving about, saying that he'd remember if he'd ever met her.

Lana relates the story of how when she was 10, she went to Metropolis for a riding competition and Lionel Luthor invited Lana and her aunt to stay with them. (We're thinking Nell is a ho-bag, since we can think of no other reason why someone like Lionel Luthor would open his home to them.) Lana went to check out the indoor pool and found Lex skinny dipping with a girl. Present day Lana seems peculiarly disturbed by this, almost accusatory. Was she just a major prude or what? It was his house, and maybe his father didn't tell him there were guests ...

Anyway, Lex seems embarrassed by this and notes that she's "all grown up now." They get to talking about her riding trophies, and Lex casually brings up her necklace, Clark, and Whitney. He wonders whether she's with the right guy, and leaves her with a seed of doubt as to Whitney's whereabouts before the game (he was stringing Clark up in a cornfield, for those with short memories).

Later, Lana seeks Clark out to apologize for Whitney's actions, and says that Lex left a trail of breadcrumbs that she followed.

When Clark delivers some produce to the Luthor mansion, he's captivated by the mini city of Troy that Lex has. Lex explains that the battle of Troy began because two men loved the same woman. Foreshadowing, foreshadowing, foreshadowing. Lex gives Clark the box with Lana's necklace in it.

Hothead (1.3)

Lex and Lionel fence over a dispute about the Smallville plant. During this duel, Lionel accuses Lex of being ruled by his emotions.

Having lost the duel, Lex is later found at The Beanery, going through files, trying to decide who in his workforce to fire. Lana, who has quit cheerleading and joined the ranks of teenage coffeepourers of America, shows up to take his order. Lex is surprised to see her, and the two banter a bit before Clark shows up. Lex orders a cappuccino. Later, Lana returns with Lex and Clark's drinks. Lex takes a sip of his, getting whipped cream on his nose and upper lip, and Lana asks him how it is. He replies, "It's perfect." She's relieved, and after she leaves, Clark asks Lex if the drink was what Lex had ordered. Lex smiles wryly and answers, "Not even close." He couldn't have been kinder or more gracious, not letting on to a frazzled Lana that she hadn't gotten his order right.

Hourglass (1.6)

Lex and Lana don't have any scenes together in this episode, but we are not without hope.

When Lex visits Cassandra to get a glimpse of his future near the end of the episode, he has with him a bunch of white roses. Lex says that he comes "bearing gifts." Cassandra replies: So did the Greeks.

Another allusion to the infamous Trojan War? Could this be purely coincidence? We think this is blatant enough that we'll give the writers the benefit of the doubt and say no, it isn't. Especially given that we know they have the major character and plot arcs planned out, we're going to say that they're as deliberate as they can be without compromising their subtlety with foreshadowing.

Cassandra herself is an allusion to Greek mythology (Cassandra's curse was in being able to see the future, but though she would tell it far and wide, no one would ever believe her), and we don't think that all these references are by accident, or from lack of knowledge of anything else.

If you'll recall, the battle of Troy was brought up in the second episode, when Lex tells Clark that it came about because two men were in love with the same woman -- and here, simply, is another hint. When this has all played out as they planned, everyone will be able to go back and marvel at how clever the writers were, to have subtly left us evidence this whole time. Well, we don't have to go back and marvel. Instead, we can marvel about them now -- as well as about our own cleverness in deciphering the clues. <g>

Craving (1.7)

Mmm, lots of yummy Lex/Lana interaction. Well, "lots" given that there are some eps without ANY. <g> First of all, Lana is having a birthday party (or more accurately, the birthday party is having her, but whatever) -- at Lex's mansion. Gee, does EVERYONE get to have their birthday parties at Lex Luthor's house? We kinda doubt it.

During the party setup, Lex and Lana have a cute little exchange:

LEX: What do you think?
LANA: It's really ...
LEX: Not you at all. I heard the quarterback couldn't make it. Too bad.
LANA: I knew you'd be devastated.

They banter like two people who have either known each other well for a long time ... or like two people who are flirting. Now we're not saying one way or another, but ... we KNOW they haven't "known" each other all that long ... Partly the reason why this exchange feels so intimate is because they both indicate a certain level of familiarity with each other that goes deeper than acquaintences would have.

Later, Lana is outside on the balcony waiting for Clark. Lex joins her, and they share a moment of empathy over what large gatherings like this are like for them -- they're basically alone in a room full of people. Lex tries to comfort her and defends Clark at the same time. A tricky situation, but he pulls it off well.

Rogue (1.9)

Lex and Lana have only one interaction in this episode -- at the beginning during the reception at the Metropolis Museum. He tells Clark that he's interested in people who ruled the world before they were 30 (once again, a Greek figure is called attention to -- that of Alexander the Great); Lana makes her appearance then to tease, "Don't worry, Lex. You still have a few years to go."

They also apparently corresponded on their own (not that this is so unusual, since Lex is not shy about seeking her out) -- Clark mentions that he didn't know Lana was going to be there. She asks, "Didn't Lex tell you?" And of course, Lex plays innocent and leaves them alone together.

Hug (1.11)

No Lex/Lana to speak of. The only even remote thing there is, is when Lana and Whitney are at The Beanery. They're on the outs with Clark. As he passes them, they both give him cold looks. Lex notices and says, "Ouch. What's that all about?" That's IT. If you're looking for Lx/La love, you're looking at the wrong ep. Canon-wise, however, it's wonderful.

Leech (1.12)

This episode was pretty Clark-focused, and there wasn't any Lex/Lana to speak of. However, we do get the seeds planted for a future connection ... Nell is selling her flower shop and the attached theater.

Nicodemus (1.15)

If there were a lusty holy grail, Nicodemus would be it. Through the effects of a meteor-influenced plant (so named Nicodemus), Lana's inner "Alpha Lana" (thanks, Clark!) pays a visit to Lex.

Throughout the episode, we're given a glimpse of Lana's inner, darker urges -- which, apparently, include smearing whipped cream on Lex Luthor's lips and propositioning him rather brazenly.

Lex has a moment where he closes his eyes in an incredibly sexy manner because Lana has done something to the back of his neck. We think Lex was quite tempted by Lana's little display, but that he was deterred by the fact that she clearly wasn't in her right mind.

LEX: You're not impressing anyone with the attitude, Lana. You’re talking to someone who set the bar for adolescent rebellion.
LANA: That's right. I hear you were quite the bad boy before you joined us here in Smallville.
LEX: It's nothing I'm proud of.
LANA: Please. You don't really care about The Talon. You only invested because I asked you to. (Runs her hand up his chest) Now why would you go and do a thing like that? Hmm? (She fondles his mouth, dabbing whipped cream onto his lips) The Luthors are famous for their ulterior motives. So tell me, Lex. Was it really about profit?
LEX: (Moving her hand from his stomach) I'm not sure what this is, but it isn't you, Lana. Are you feeling okay?
LANA: Actually, I'm a little nervous. I might need some guidance. (As she's speaking, she's moved behind him, whispering into his hear, fondling the back of his neck.) You know, from someone with a little more experience. What do you say, boss?
LEX: (Turning to face her, grabbing her hands) Lana, where have you been in the last 24 hours?
LANA: (Angry) It's none of your business. What's your problem?
LEX: This isn't you.
LANA: Why? Because I'm not doing exactly as I'm told? 'Cause I'm not sitting in a corner, hiding in a book? For once I'm not scared of life, and no one can handle it because you all prefer the insecure little girl. Well, I'm sick of her and all her talk about her dead parents.

Mention is made later of Lana "apologizing" to Lex profusely for her behavior -- behavior that she supposedly doesn't even remember. One wonders just what this "apologizing" entailed. (Not that we're suggesting anything smutty. Because we're not. Would we do such a thing?)

Stray (1.16)

There was a deplorable lack of L/L in this episode. What's so wrong about this is that they were both IN The Talon, so we held our breaths hoping for SOME interaction, but none came. Arrrrggghhh.

Reaper (1.17)

Eh, not much in this episode, either. In fact, we're really scraping the bottom of the barrel here. On her way out of The Talon, Lana passes by Lex, who has a broad grin on his face and says, "Hey, Lana." Thing is, it was probably KK's body-double, and no interaction beyond that.

Lex arranges for Whitney to play with the Metropolis Sharks, but of course it was at Clark's prompting. We see Lex and Lana's backs on the football field as Clark and Jonathan head down the bleachers, but they're standing at some distance apart, darn it.

Drone (1.18)

Right up until the end of the episode, we weren't holding out much hope. We got some Lex/Lana interaction and that was pretty much all right with us, considering how little of it there's been in the past couple of weeks.

The Talon has been doing poorly business-wise, and Lex has been pretty indifferent, or willing to let it find its own legs (or trying, in his own way, to teach Lana). The two of them do have a couple of conversations: 1) Lana asks for Lex's advice; he says to "go to the mattresses" (unfortunately, a Godfather reference, not a come on) -- get her hands dirty. Not do anything illegal, but be creative. 2) Lana has done as told; she discovered some health violations at The Beanery and got it printed up in the Ledger. The final scene is Lana going up to Clark's Fortress of Solitude. We think: Well, that's all we're getting for the Talonists in us.

Oh, how wrong we were.

Lana and Clark end up having the most interesting conversation, in which Lana says that she's not sure how she feels about having played dirty with The Beanery. Then she admits, "I felt I had to choose between doing the right thing and being successful. The weird part is ... I kind of enjoyed being underhanded." How much more Lex influence could there be? Aren't those the choices Lex makes every day, and isn't it true that he probably does what he does because on some level, he enjoys it? And beyond the immediate evidence of Lex's influence, what we have here is a shift, a shift in character personality. We always knew that Lana didn't like being seen as the fragile little girl in a fairy-princess costume, but she was always a good girl. Now she's saying that not only does she =know= she been underhanded, but that she actually =enjoyed= it.

We had a taste of Lana's bad self in Nicodemus, and we've always known that there was more to her character than what they've shown us so far (or at least, we hoped, since she's far more interesting and three-dimensional when she's shown to have more sides to her, hidden sides).

Clark replies to Lana's confession: "Lana Lang, seduced by the dark side?" Bwahahaha, oh, could they BE more obvious about what's going to happen??

Truly, this is a momentous occasion -- another step toward the inevitable! <g>

Greek references: The reporter gal talks about Lex's Achilles heel, but that's a common enough term that we don't give it particular meaning. Still, a mention is a mention. : )

Crush (1.19)

No Lex/Lana interaction in this ep, and not really any indirect stuff about them, either. This episode was mostly about Chloe/Clark/Lana, but we did get a moment when Lex and Clark are talking about love, and Lex saying that love is about risk. We also learn that Lex has never really loved any woman romantically -- both of the women that he's loved have been maternal figures. This ep really belonged to the Clark/Lana, which was very well done.

Obscura (1.20)

No Lex/Lana. Nothing even to infer. Just more Lana angst over Clark/Chloe. Alas.

Tempest (1.21)

Again with the lack of Lex/Lana, but we almost didn't notice because what we did have was so kick ass. We said "almost." But Whitney's outta there and Clark promised that he'd look after Lana, so ... he won't be breaking any trust if Lana gets with Lex, right? <eg>

Season Two

Vortex (2.1)

No Lex/Lana. The summer has given us some time to consider that maybe we were crazy to hope for this in the first place.

Heat (2.2)

Lana gets very, very mad at UnderAFloozy'sSpell!Lex when he takes The Talon away from her. He acts like a total asshole, and Lana stomps around school berating herself for having trusted him in the first place. (We always knew their relationship would be fiery! <g>) We cross our fingers, hoping that when Lex gets out of the Floozy's clutches and regains his senses, we'll get a reconciliation scene.

SIGH. We don't. It's off-screen. However, Lana seems satisfied by Lex's apology (roses and the suggestion to create a clause in their contract so that something like that can never happen again), as she should be, given that Lex seems willing to basically cripple himself wrt The Talon, if he has no power to invoke his buy-out clause when he feels like it. Try and convince us he would do this for anyone else, that it's a logical business move. We dare ya.

At the end of the episode, Lex is w/ Clark in The Fortress of Solitude. Lex is subdued because he was very nearly manipulated into hurting a bunch of people he loves. He talks with Clark about Lana. Clark says that he can wait for her. And Lex answers, "Well, don't wait too long." The implication to our Talonist ears is that this statement is almost a threat: if Clark waits too long, he forfeits his chance with Lana, as Lex can't wait forever. Heehee. It will be so delicious at some point in the future to rewatch these episodes and see these dropped hints for what they are. In the meantime, we'll just chalk Lex's warning up to him wanting to be a good friend and not wanting Clark to lose Lana to some schmuck because he didn't have the balls to tell her how he feels.

Duplicity (2.3)

Let's count it up. 1 Lex. 1 Lana. 0 scenes together. Dammit.

Red (2.4)

While Lex and Lana were not in the same room together at any point during this episode, we did get to see some nice subtle clenching-of-jaw from our Lex when Rebel!Clark appeared to be treating Lana indifferently. Lex's voice is carefully moderated when he asks casually, "What about Lana?" but we think it's obvious he's concerned for her well-being.

Nocturne (2.5)

There was much rejoicing in the Mossant and Cruden households tonight, as we got one of the best Lex/Lana scenes ever to grace the silver screen. Pardon us if we go a bit lengthy on this one; since this is such a rare (for the time being) occasion, I think we're entitled.

First, let's get the peripheries out of the way. Greek references: Lionel compares Lex to Prometheus, one of Zeus's adopted sons who was born a god but wanted to be a mortal (that's not quite how I remember it going -- Prometheus just loved the mortals and shared the secret of fire with them, which is why Zeus got pissed, but anyway, this is how Lionel tells it). Prometheus was chained to a mountain (to Mt. Olympus iirc), where every day, vultures would eat his liver. (And because he was immortal, the liver kept growing back.)

Second, the No Doubt song that plays over the Lex/Lana scene is one that we have previously thought suited Lex/Lana to a T! So major kudos to the people who chose tonight's selection. (And surely these lyrics must mean something, particularly as we've seen Lana's darker side hinted at in other episodes. Surely they're not just manufacturing all this just to torture us. Surely it's part of some greater plan of theirs. Surely.)

Some lyrics from "Underneath It All":

There's times where I want something more
Someone more like me
There's times when this dress rehearsal
Seems incomplete
But, you see the colors in me like no one else
And behind your dark glasses you're ...
You're something else

You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely

Third, we finally come to the scene itself. Not only is Lex playful, but Lana allows him to be. They are, once again, very familiar and flirtatious with one another, which is capped off by the fact that Lex quotes John Donne to her. (Read the entire poem here.) The scene, in its entirety:

Lana moves around the counter at The Talon to find Lex holding up her "love letter" with an inquisitive look on his face.

LANA: That's kinda personal.

She tries to grab it from Lex, but he plays keep-away.

LANA: Go ahead and read it, you'll probably agree with Clark that it's sappy.

Lex, looking very pleased with himself, proceeds to read it.

LEX: The, uh, imagery's a little naïve, but the meaning's actually quite sophisticated. Who wrote this?
LANA: Either an admirer or a psychopath, depending on who you ask.
LEX: That had a little edge to it, is everything all right?
LANA: Everyone's giving me a hard time about the poem, I guess I'm just a little defensive.

Lex can sense when Lana speaks with an edge! And then he starts quoting poetry! To Lana! There we go with the exclamations! Again!

LEX: Take me to you, imprison me, for I never shall be free, nor even chaste, except you ravish me. (Is it just us or is it getting hot in here?)
LANA: <delighted> John Donne. He's one of my favorites.
LEX: If I didn't know better, I'd say I found your Achilles heel. (Again, Greek reference w/ "Achilles," but also a common-enough saying that it might not merit particular analyzing.)
LANA: I didn't realize you were so into poetry.
LEX: Anyone who doesn't appreciate poetry doesn't understand that it's all about seduction. (Hmm, is that why you were quoting poetry to Lana? And Lana clearly seems to enjoy it, be it from Lex or PsychoStalkerBoy. Coincidence or not Clark later confesses poetry isn't for him?)

And then, Lex and Lana share a really long, HOT look. Then, stupid Clark interrupts them before they can have sex on top of the counter.

LANA: <pointed> It's nice some people appreciate artistic expression.
LEX: Kind of raises the bar for any contenders, doesn't it, Clark? (Never mind that you just made it harder for him by impressing Lana with YOUR poetry knowledge! Oh, that Lex.)

Redux (2.6)

Lex and Lana continue to stun us with their familiarity with one another when Lana basically orders Lex to dig into the photo she found of her mother with another man. For an employee of Lex's, and perhaps someone who should have been cowed by him, she sure makes a lot of demands. There wasn't even any excessive gratitude, she just asked him to look into it for her. We think this level of comfort is very telling. Anyway, we're slightly disappointed by the fact that Lex didn't bring the results of his detective's findings himself.

Greek reference: from Lex to Lana, no less, about Pandora and the misery she unleashed. Hmm, that fits in with our Talonist theory, too! <g> Lex is comparing Lana to Pandora, and if all goes according to plan, Lana will be unleashing plenty of misery.

Lineage (2.7)

No Lex/Lana scenes, unfortunately, but we did get a Greek reference: Chloe talks about the god Dionysus at the beginning of the ep. Later on, Lionel tells Lex that one day, he too might feel temptation. As usual, this fits right in with our Talonist manifesto. Eeeexcellent. <g>

Ryan (2.8)

Zero Lex/Lana, but we did hold our breath for a few minutes when Lana wondered what options she had if she wanted to stay in Smallville. Um, if you can ask your boss to track down your possible biological father, you can ask him if you can rent a room in his huge mansion, wethinks.

Did you notice that once again, Lex had hot chocolate and whipped cream on hand (we first saw him serve it to Whitney and Lana)? It looks like the same wrong drink Lana served him, back in the day. Looks like he's developed a taste for it. <eg>

Dichotic (2.9)

Lex and Lana did not have any scenes together (and in fact, it looks like Lex is going to have a serious love interest), though Ian attempts to get on the fast track to Lex through Lana. Even though we know that Lana has influence over Lex, it's nice to see it confirmed from time to time by an external character.

There may have been other Greek references, but what stood out is the name of Lex's wannabe girlfriend: Helen. We don't think she'll be the Helen in his Troy, but these are signs, unmistakable signs. We think.

Skinwalkers (2.10)

Oh, this episode was nearly a waste of an hour. Only the glimpses of Lex and our eternal hope that Jonathan Kent will meet an untimely demise kept us watching. There were two minor moments that might be construed as Talonist friendly, however: 1) When Lex confronted Clark on his feelings for Kyla, he seemed quite miffed at Clark on Lana's behalf. (If so, we share his sentiment wholeheartedly.) 2) During Chloe and Lana's conversation in the Talon, Chloe mentioned that she and Lana need to stop falling for guys who are out to save the world. Hey, we know just the guy for Lana!

Visage (2.11)

Nothing between Lex and Lana, but one obstacle is out of the way. We almost feel bad for all those times we wished Whitney would perish. Almost.

Suspect (2.12)

If you find any Lex/Lana or any un-hypocritical bone in Jonathan in this episode, be sure to let us know.

Insurgence (2.13)

Lex is getting slightly eviler, but does not rub off on Lana in this ep, more's the pity.

Rush (2.14)

Lots of not-so-interesting Clark/Lana angst in this ep, but Lex and Lana do not meet even once, despite all the scenes in The Talon.

Prodigal (2.15)

Oooh, Lex has a brother! Lucas is mean to Lana, but she stands her ground saying that Lex made it so that she couldn't be fired willy-nilly by any business partner of hers. Go Lex! Go Lana! Unfortunately, they pass up the opportunity for some Lex/Lana bonding. Couldn't we have gotten even one scene with Lex consoling/reassuring Lana?! We don't think that's too much to ask.

Fever (2.16)

These days, we just live to see if Lex and Lana will ever be in the same damn room ever again. That does not happen this episode, unfortunately. However -- we do see Lana exhibit some rather underhanded behavior at the end. She's discovered Chloe's heartfelt letter to Clark, and what does she do? Makes sure that she expresses her own feelings to Clark! How very Lex of her. <g>

Rosetta (2.17)

<gasp> They SPOKE! Yes, it wasn't much, but what little there was showed promise of future banter, plus: there are layers to everything, people -- we must believe! Lex mentions abandonment, and Lana agrees ... then proceeds to abandon Lex. Bwahahahaha. Oh, she's growing into quite the heartless bitch, and we've got to respect her for that. Speaking of Lana becoming a heartless bitch -- she's becoming quite unrepentant about being sneaky and snooping through other people's things. This can only bode well for the future of Lex/Lana.