Just saw it, interesting but wasn't this plot used in something else? another show or something?
just seemed very familier to me-

.."-someone- gets hurt, ends up in coma-like state- sees his/her life as it would be if they did things differently."

Oh, when my wife and I saw the part where Lex is getting the operation she wondered why if it was his BACK they where working on why was he facing UP?
oh, one last little thing, did it occur a little hoky to anyone else when "santa" appeared then-dissapeared WITH the gifts??
thought there was room for only ONE "superhero".
he he ha ha

Yeah, I could have done without drnk Santa, the Lex dream squence was stronge nough on its own

And yes, this basic idea has been used in MANY a show or movie. I personally was reminded of the "The Family Man" (though that didn't have an injury at the beginning)

Speaking of things seeming familiar, anyone else get an urge to start calling Lex "Anakin"?

Just about everything mentioned about the dream world can be qualified by the old IHILMO (It Happened In Lex's Mind Only).

>> I was really really REALLY hoping that someone would mention at some point the name "Superman" in Lex's dream. It's seven years in the future, and Clark's working at the Daily Planet. Would have been cool to at least hear the name dropped. I understand why they didn't do it, though.

>> In the Lex-dream, are Clark and Chloe married? They way they act when they meet Lex initially seems... more than friendly.

>> Lionel certainly has a flair for the dramatic. Lex walks in to his old office and finds Lionel sitting there in the dark with an ominous bluish/white light shining on him. It's a very eerie atmosphere. Who lives like that on a day-to-day basis?

>> Does anyone else get the impression that the dream-Jonathan actually favors Lex over Clark? He's the "greatest man he knows." That's quite a bit of praise there.

>> Ultimate groan on Clark actually finding the *real* Santa. And how could Santa believe that the Christmas spirit is gone? Isn't he essentially supposed to be omniscient? He knows when you are sleeping, etc. (Sounds like a stalker if you ask me). Shouldn't he already know about Clark's abilities even? Of course, maybe it's not REALLY Santa Claus. It's just some weird thing that is never explained.

>> The whole subplot with Clark delivering presents was okay, but when the drunken Santa came into the picture, I just don't think it worked too well.

>> I think Lex has definitely turned a corner on his descent into villainy. Of course, he doesn't see it as villainy; he wants power in order to control his destiny. I like that.

>> That final shot of Lex and the ghost of his mother was really striking. Kudos to the director on that one.

Overall, the Lex-centered side of the plot was fantastic. Rosenbaum and Glover absolutely shined. The Clark-centered side wasn't as good, but it wasn't terrible either. This was a surprisingly important episode for Lex. From the previews, I was expecting a weird Christmas fluff piece.

TUE

"Mrs. Donner wanted to go along, naturally, but Donner said, 'No! This is man's work!'"

>> Something occurs to me. Maybe Clark isn't Superman in this alternate future because Lex doesn't become evil.

>> Why can't Lex ask Jonathan for money for Lana's specialist? As a senator, he should be moderately wealthy or at least have some connections that could help.

>> Aren't hospitals required to help a person regardless of cost if the person is going to die? (Admittedly, I do not know much about the health care system)

TUE

"Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas, Clark... you about ready to do some kissin'."

Legally in Ohio hospitals are required to provide basic emergency/lifesaving care in the ER at reduced or no cost to persons who qualify. The bad thing is that the income levels for qualification can sometimes be difficult for people to fall under.

I thought it would have been nice if Clark could fly by now.
Delivering gifts that would come handy...


I had a thought that this Santa guy was in fact some Jor-El figure? After all the Fortress of Solitude is in the ice ;)

In Lex' future there is no Superman because
Lex' doesn't know about this.


"Ho ho holy cow..."

>> Something occurs to me. Maybe Clark isn't Superman in this alternate future because Lex doesn't become evil.

Lex's alternate future was Lex's subconscious extrapolation of the present as Lex knows it. And in the present, Lex isn't aware that Clark is "Superboy". As such, in Lex's dream, seven years down the line, Clark isn't "Superman".

I'm not so sure that it's just an extrapolation. Lex's mom indicates that it is indeed, in some twisted manner, real, and some of what happens in this alternate future seems to support that.

TUE

Reality is an illusion created by a lack of alcohol.

Legally in Ohio hospitals are required to provide basic emergency/lifesaving care in the ER at reduced or no cost to persons who qualify. The bad thing is that the income levels for qualification can sometimes be difficult for people to fall under.

What, you mean when somebody is brought into ER, they first take his financial status to see if he's over or under the limit???

No Constanze,It is later when they send out the bill. You have to proove you are within the legal limits to get the state to pick up all or a portion of the bill otherwise you pay the whole bill.

Sorry if I didnt make that clear. Although I wonder sometimes the length it has taken to get in.

My problem with Lex's decision is that he did not think it is through. He knows his life is great up to the moment that Lana has the second child. She dies as a result of the second child. He could have prepared for this eventuality. After the birth of Alexander he could have had an opertion preformed himself and not worry about Lana getting pregnant again. And later adopt if they wanted more children.
But then if Lex had thought of this he would not turn evil and the direction of the show would change.

And in the present, Lex isn't aware that Clark is "Superboy".

I'm pretty sure it's been hinted a few times that Lex is at least aware of some of Clark's abilities, or that he has them (that is, until early this season when Clark lost them).

I do agree that this episode would have been fine with just the Lex bits with the Clark/Chloe/Santa stuff cut out altogether.

I've mentioned it to my friends, but I think one thing that would be a nice change of pace on Smallville is a "Zeppo" episode. In this case, it would be an episode where one or more of Clark's friends get into some sort of jam and actually manage to get out of it without needing someone with superpowers to pull their backsides out of the fire. Possibly while Clark's busy do-gooding elsewhere.

Am I the only one who thinks that a "Zeppo" episode would be pretty nice?

(The "Zeppo" reference comes from a BtVS episode where Xander has a big adventure of his own while Buffy stops an apocalypse in the background)

My problem with Lex's decision is that he did not think it is through. He knows his life is great up to the moment that Lana has the second child. She dies as a result of the second child. He could have prepared for this eventuality. After the birth of Alexander he could have had an opertion preformed himself and not worry about Lana getting pregnant again. And later adopt if they wanted more children.
But then if Lex had thought of this he would not turn evil and the direction of the show would change.

Lex isn't reacting to the specific threat of Lana dieing in childbirth. It's the fact that he was incapable of doing anything to help her. Lex just doesn't want to be in a position where he's powerless.

Anybody have a copy of this ep they can send me? I missed it when it was first broadcast.