Smallville musings, and why Lanning should write the show

Smallville is one of those shows that I wouldn't watch if it weren't for the subtext, much like Sentinel. Tom Welling is very pretty and plausible as a young Clark Kent/future Superman, but to me, Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor defines the show. My working slogan isn't "You Will Believe A Man Can Fly", but "You Will Believe That Bald Guys Rule".

Keeping that in mind: the fanfic. I have one rec, as announced earlier. It's not that there isn't a whole heap of good stuff, because there is, and maybe I'll get around to reccing it. But lanning's Identical series is so consistently excellent that I really want her to write for the show. (This may strike some as damning with faint praise :-)

It's an A/U that posits one change from the established storyline and runs with it. The focus is on the developing relationship between Clark and Lex, but one of the strengths of this continuing, action-filled story is that all the characters grow and change. Clark's parents, Lex' protector Eli (who is, BTW, the best original character I've come across in ages) and others all face their fears and come out on the other side. Another strength is the dialogue, and the tenderness between Clark and Lex that hardly ever gets sappy. (At least, not while they use endearments like 'freak' and 'moron'.)

Here's a spoiler-free quote from the opening scene:

"My son," Jonathan said between clenched teeth, "is not gay."

"This isn't about being gay. It's about losing a friend."

"My son does not pine for men. My son is not pining for Lex Luthor."

"I really wish you'd stop using the word pining," Martha snapped. "Your son isn't a Jane Austen heroine, either."

"I hate Jane Austen," Jonathan muttered darkly.