it sounds an awful lot like something the audience is supposed to be agreeing with, as if Lionel is a reliable interpreter of Lex's actions.
Yes, you're right, of course! That is awful. I guess because *I* am still suspicious of Lionel, I wasn't immediately aware of the framing--but you are right that they didn't do much to make it clear to the audience that Lionel's statements about Lex are less than trustworthy. I definitely share your (and LaT's) concern that Lionel may be being 'excused' because of his cirumstantial redemption.