A scene between Clark and Jor-El in the season premiere may explain why Clark is not flying at this point.
New stuff from TV Guide Magazine: Clark Kent (Tom Welling) is getting a little obsessed as the Red Blue Blur, his budding crime-fighting alias. "He is trying a little too hard to be a hero, and is leaving the rest of his life behind," executive producer Brian Peterson told the magazine.
John Corben (a.k.a. Metallo) is a new reporter at the Daily Planet who ends up with a Kryptonite heart. As for his backstory: "We know that there’s multiple versions of Metallo," executive producer Kelly Souders explained. "We picked one of the different versions and I think people will realize which one after the first episode."
- Regarding Zod: "We had a little peek at who Zod was a couple of seasons ago, which fans will remember. But this a different incarnation of Zod," Peterson said. "We’re introducing him as Major Zod—this is before he became General Zod." Souders added that "over the course of the season, the venomous side of Zod rises because he experiences a few key betrayals with our beloved characters." Read the entire TV Guide Magazine article
Monique Ganderton, an actress who has also served on Smallville as Cassidy Freeman's stunt double, has apparently been cast in the role of "Alia." As previously revealed, Alia is a "beautiful, sexy femme fatale assassin with mysteriously intimate ties to Clark and Krypton."
Michael Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly is saying that we'll be seeing an iconic "S" symbol "all over the place" in Season 9, including on Clark's chest. This spoiler may have something to do with Clark's "new approach to fighting crime" that we posted about last week.
- Justin Hartley has hinted to TV Guide Magazine that Oliver may be "revisiting the Lois romance." No word on when that will start, though it's very likely Lois and Oliver will be sharing at least one scene in the season premiere.
Dr. Emil Hamilton appears and shares a scene with Chloe.
- Lois returns from wherever she disappeared to in "Doomsday."
- Clark takes on a new approach to fighting crime in Metropolis.
Michael Ausiello has confirmed that yes, the "Mason" role that was being cast is indeed "Zod" who will be played by Callum Blue.
We can now confirm the title is indeed "Savior."
- Casting notices have gone out for "Alia," a "beautiful, sexy femme fatale assassin with mysteriously intimate ties to Clark and Krypton." She's an expert fighter, especially with a throwing star and a sword. They're looking for a martial arts background, and this role will recur.

Another female soldier who is described as "sexy and hot" is "Fiona." She wears a faded military jacket and turns against her leader. Together with another soldier named "Basqat" she imprisons her leader. This role may recur too.
TV Guide has said that Callum Blue makes his first appearance in this episode as Zod, and he will be a series regular.
Matt Mitovich of TV Guide says that we first meet field journalist John Corben as he steps into the shoes of a missing-in-action Clark Kent.
TV Guide has revealed that Beverly Hills 90210 and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles alum Brian Austin Green has been cast in "at least the first two episodes of Season 9" as Superman comics villain "Metallo." In this version of the story, Metallo's alter ego of John Corben will be a journalist for the Daily Planet.
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