Thread:Waterwecna/@comment-5102537-20120903234834

Hi Gerda,

For some mysterious and almost spooky reason I can't comment about the following on your blog. I have no idea why! I can write some few sentences like what I wrote about not being able to comment but the moment I write about the differences I wanted to add in the commentaries, it just doesn't show up. What in the world....???

So I post my thoughts here on your message wall if you don't mind.

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Great Blog post! I agree with almost everything.

However, and I assume you won't be surprised, I'd like to add something to the differences between Lionel and Uther.

First the unpleasant difference which is that Uther killed probably thousands of people whereas Lionel did not. But: those fewer people killed by Lionel were either people standing in his way or simply inconvinient. The people killed by Uther were considered to be a real threat and were not considered to be in his way regarding his power/kingdom. Lionel killed in cold blood to maintain his power and to keep his secrets whereas Uther tried to get rid of what he saw as a threat to the kingdom and his loved ones but feeling depressed by it at the same time. Lionel's actions did not base on a shock or trauma he suffered whereas Uther's actions were indeed based on a trauma (Igraine's death.

Regarding the family, Uther's first priority were his children, no matter what the writers made him say in "The Wicked Day", which was evident when he wanted to sacrifice himself for Arthur in the first season already (and told him that he was more important to him than his kingdom and his own life), when he sacrificed almost his entire kingdom on the search for Morgana, when he acted against his principles in order to save Morgana's life (using magic), when he ultimately sacrificed himself for Arthur in season four and when he was completely broken due to Morgana's betrayal. Lionel on the other hand cared more about his business, wealth and power. When he occasionally told Lex that he was proud of him and that he loved him it was rather his rethorical ability to either convince Lex of something or to calm him down, yet when it came to down to important things he chose his power and business over his children (Tess, Lex, Lucas) and he also chose Clark over Lex several times - something that Uther would never have done. Uther also told Arthur several times that he was proud of him whereas Lionel most of the time clearly showed Lex that he failed in his eyes and that he was a danger to himself and to others.

Since you stated the romantical sides of other characters, I'd like to add that Uther had never been with another woman after Igraine (the troll doesn't count because of the enchantment) which showed his total loyalty, faithfulness and deep love for Igraine even after her death until his own death whereas Lionel didn't treat his mentally ill wife very kindly and played a big part in her mental breakdown. He also later fell in love with Martha (which isn't a bad thing, of course). Moreover, he didn't show much of a bad conscience regarding his wife. Uther, even though he did not kill Igraine, certainly also blamed himself and freaked out when he saw her in a vision.

In short: Uther cared about his family more than about anything else. Lionel's first priorities were his power, wealth and his firm.

I also disagree that Uther and Lionel both played a part in Morgana and Lex becoming evil. It's true with Lionel and Lex because Lionel taught Lex to not show weakness and too much compassion but to be tough and ruthless in business and to be successful at all costs. He constantly made clear to him that he was dangerous but has to be tough at the same time, rejecting his son and his attempted rapprochements very often. Uther on the hand showed his deep love for Morgana, protected her, treated her kindly after their conversation at Gorlois' grave and praised her many times, made clear to her that she and Arthur were most important to him. His complete mental breakdown proved that he meant what he said because he didnt care for his kingdom and not even for himself anymore. His whole life depended on his children alone. No one else than Morgana is responsible for her actions. Lex was raised the hard way, Morgana the soft way.

Lionel remained tough until he died, Uther got soft, weak and sensitive.

And last but not least a difference between Lex and Morgana: Lex didn't take pleasure in harming others but at first felt unpleasant and later obviously didn't care much (just like Lionel), being hard and selfish. Morgana takes great plaesure in destroying others and even tortures. She finds herself being entertained by the misery of others whereas Lex's point of view was a way more rational one since he was not driven by hate and revenge, unlike Morgana. He was confident and Morgana is full of fear and complexes. 