 Initially , Lana is characterized as the intelligent " girl next door " . She eventually becomes a tragic figure in Smallville , as the decisions made by Clark and Lex change the character over the course of the show . As Gough explains , by the end of the sixth season , Lana has shown that she can beat Lex at his own game . Over the course of the show , Lana transitions from the girl next door to a more " self @-@ reliant young woman " . Kreuk has been nominated for various awards for her portrayal of Lana Lang . 
