Wow. Outside your theory of Lex testing Clark because he's preparing for an alien invasion and needs to know for sure which side Clark is on, I tend to doubt Lex actually set up the mutants' escape and hostage-taking in "Mortal," but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief once again for the sake of this story. Beautifully done, and I lovelovelove Clark actually telling Lex the truth. (Finally!) Love your point, too, that Lex usually is honest with Clark about what he knows and/or suspects; I've always thought Clark's reaction to Lex's shrine/room/whatever was ridiculously overwrought, given all the things in there that Lex had every right to be investigating. Great, great story!