But you're right--so we assume that for Chloe his death would still be really awful? (just because anyone's death would be? or because she doesn't think he's the complete antichrist?)
Because anyone's death would be, I think. One of the things I noted in some other people's journals, though not my own Vessel review, I think, is that it's pretty clear that although the writers are doing their best to make Clark AND Chloe AND Lana AND Lex's positions all, to a certain sense, sympathetic--we're supposed to see they all have good (or at least intelligible) reasons for the choices that they're making in this episode, it is still clear that they are setting up the Chlark v. Lexana for next season. (And not just in the romantic way).
For me, then, it is significant that in this episode there is a spectrum of responses among the four. Chloe is presented as most concerned about the world (over and above her relationships with other people), which is why she is willing to consider sacrificing Lex (but not advocating it--I think on this show actually advocating murder puts you over the side to villainy, even if it's murder for a good cause). Clark is also considering that option, to save the world, but is still very motivating by concern over Lex. Lex started out as concerned about the world as a whole, as well, though he is also motivated by self-interest, especially after his transformation. And Lana isn't really concerned about the world at all, only about her significant relationships (which really has narrowed down to her relationship with Lex.)
So I think, just as Clark & Lex are mirrors of each other, in this episode (and throughout the whole season), Chloe and Lana are also mirrors of each other, each choosing one extreme or the other on the public v. private interests continuum. I think it is telling that even though Chloe has that dramatic kiss with Clark, what she *tells him* is not to worry about her but to go out and save the world without her. Lana, in contrast, wants Lex to *take her with him,* and is not particularly concerned about the general chaos of the world around her at the end of the episode. She's worried about Lex. That's so in keeping with her iconic role as the home/the domestic/love/smalltown life/ all that stuff Clark has to leave behind (and Lex never gets to have), whereas Chloe (prefiguring Lois) is the one sending Clark out into the world/ encouraging his heroism.
no subject
Because anyone's death would be, I think. One of the things I noted in some other people's journals, though not my own Vessel review, I think, is that it's pretty clear that although the writers are doing their best to make Clark AND Chloe AND Lana AND Lex's positions all, to a certain sense, sympathetic--we're supposed to see they all have good (or at least intelligible) reasons for the choices that they're making in this episode, it is still clear that they are setting up the Chlark v. Lexana for next season. (And not just in the romantic way).
For me, then, it is significant that in this episode there is a spectrum of responses among the four. Chloe is presented as most concerned about the world (over and above her relationships with other people), which is why she is willing to consider sacrificing Lex (but not advocating it--I think on this show actually advocating murder puts you over the side to villainy, even if it's murder for a good cause). Clark is also considering that option, to save the world, but is still very motivating by concern over Lex. Lex started out as concerned about the world as a whole, as well, though he is also motivated by self-interest, especially after his transformation. And Lana isn't really concerned about the world at all, only about her significant relationships (which really has narrowed down to her relationship with Lex.)
So I think, just as Clark & Lex are mirrors of each other, in this episode (and throughout the whole season), Chloe and Lana are also mirrors of each other, each choosing one extreme or the other on the public v. private interests continuum. I think it is telling that even though Chloe has that dramatic kiss with Clark, what she *tells him* is not to worry about her but to go out and save the world without her. Lana, in contrast, wants Lex to *take her with him,* and is not particularly concerned about the general chaos of the world around her at the end of the episode. She's worried about Lex.
That's so in keeping with her iconic role as the home/the domestic/love/smalltown life/ all that stuff Clark has to leave behind (and Lex never gets to have), whereas Chloe (prefiguring Lois) is the one sending Clark out into the world/ encouraging his heroism.