One thing I liked about both L&C and Smallville was the portrayal of Lex as more than just evil. He's not a cartoon villain with a nebulous, nefarious motivation for the evil schemes he directs. Smallville showed his capacity for friendship (even if it was ultimately corrupted); L&C showed his capacity for love (even if it was manipulative and self-centered). But it's the evil that lurks underneath the surface which constantly leads to his downfall.
