I'm actually wondering if Lex has figured out Clark isn't an evil invader himself, but just doesn't have faith he can save the world, whatever his powers. Though if he does believe Clark is an invader, it does explain why he has yet to make a serious effort to catch him for 33.1; he doesn't want to risk showing his hand to Clark's fellow aliens.

I honestly intended to write this without Lana having powers, because then it couldn't be as easily jossed by later eps. It works to an extent anyway, if Lex is counting on having Lana under his control to control Clark-the-invader. But I couldn't get out of my head the idea of Lex having drugged himself to face her on the altar...and Lana-as-love-mutant makes so much sense. Like, this is why Lex is always sending her away overseas and such without him, he needs the distance to think clearly...and it also justifies Clark being such an asshat, if he's under the influence so much of the time...