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The ninth season of Smallville began airing on September 25, 2009, on The CW television network, and concluded its initial airing on May 14, 2010 with 21 episodes.

Summary[]

Soaring into its ninth season, this modern retelling of the Superman legend and its classic characters continues to blend realism, action and emotional depth to reveal a new interpretation of the enduring mythology. This season, as Metropolis' watchtower tolls our hero's darkest hour, we find Clark Kent finally making his first attempts to embrace his calling as a superhero.

After the events of last season, Clark takes on the mantle of protector of Metropolis, trading in his familiar red-and-blue for black-and-gray, sticking to the city's shadows and rooftops to become a solitary sentry simply known as "the Blur". While Clark wrestles with his identity, feeling forced to choose between his Kryptonian heritage and human upbringing, he'll encounter even more powerful enemies and allies from across the DC Universe. This season will feature new and past nemeses, including Metallo, the man with the kryptonite heart; Roulette, a sexy mastermind; the return of Toyman; and the always-treacherous Zod as a young Major and leader of an invading alien army, who befriends fellow Kryptonian Clark just as his venomous side is beginning to emerge. This season will also feature an appearance by DC Comics' first all-star team of superheroes, the Justice Society of America, in an episode penned by renowned comic book writer Geoff Johns, who returns to the show after writing last year's fan favorite episode, Legion.

After a year of protecting Metropolis as the "Red-Blue Blur", Clark Kent finished season eight with the weight and fate of the world on his shoulders, facing down Doomsday. Clark emerged victorious, but his decision to ignore the Justice League's warnings and save the human side of medic Davis Bloome from the monster Doomsday came with a tragic cost – Davis turned out to be just as evil as the beast he'd been bonded to, and murdered Jimmy Olsen in front of Chloe, the woman they both loved. In the wake of Jimmy's death, Chloe retreated into her Watchtower, the Justice League disbanded, and Oliver Queen went into a downward spiral, retiring his Green Arrow persona. And Clark turned his back on his own humanity, leaving behind life as "Clark Kent" to exist solely as "the Blur". Meanwhile, Tess Mercer's obsession with Clark's Kryptonian origins came to a head when she confronted intrepid reporter Lois Lane about a mysterious alien orb that Tess thought Lois had stolen from her, resulting in the two women battling it out in the Daily Planet. During the fight, Lois touched Clark's time-traveling Legion ring and vanished in a flash of light, lost somewhere in time. Tess returned home to discover the orb had released a young version of the villainous Kryptonian, Zod, as well as his fighting platoon from the lost alien city of Kandor. But Clark finished the season unaware of this new threat. Instead, he remains haunted by Lois' sudden disappearance, fearing the woman he cares about most could have been killed during his fight with Doomsday.

The season nine premiere takes place three weeks after Clark and Doomsday's epic battle. Obsessed with becoming the hero the world needs, Clark is now literally leaving his mark on Metropolis - having fully embraced his Kryptonian side in order to finish training with his father Jor-El, Clark has started wearing the iconic "S"-shield on his chest, and spreads the symbol around the city in an effort to give its people hope.

Whereas Clark is working alone, Chloe feels driven to reunite the disbanded Justice League. Her biggest challenge is Oliver Queen, who'd rather lose himself in underground fight clubs and drunken one-night stands. Oliver's friends will hatch a plan to bring him back from the edge. Reconnecting with the hero inside of him, Oliver will return with a renewed purpose, even searching out an apprentice in Mia Dearden, DC Comics teenaged sidekick "Speedy".

Clark and Oliver will find themselves caught up in a love triangle with Lois, as both men's passions begin to burn brightly for her. Returning from her trip through time, Lois starts experiencing nightmarish visions of the future. Could they come true? If so, one not-so-troubling image is playing itself over and over in her head – Lois and Clark locked in a romantic, erotic embrace. Meanwhile, Clark continues to be conflicted over his own feelings for Lois. As the sparks fly, Lois and Clark's relationship will deepen, leading to their first true kiss, and possibly something more.

Meanwhile, Clark and Chloe's relationship is starting to become strained. No longer content just being Clark's sidekick, Chloe uses Watchtower's powerful computers to spin her own web of influence and intrigue, manipulating people like chess pieces in the name of the greater good. But when Chloe begins to believe the ends justify the means, it sends her on a collision course with her friend and ally Clark.

When it comes to master manipulators, Tess Mercer has emerged as the rightful heir to Lex Luthor's legacy. Always inscrutable, Tess has her hands full this season with an army of Kryptonians, newly arrived from the lost city of Kandor and led by the infamous Zod. However, this incarnation of Zod is younger than the one we remember – he has yet to grow into the power-mad sociopathic dictator, General Zod. Season nine's Zod may only be a Major, but he's already a cunning strategist and charismatic leader who knows how to inspire his troops. But behind his magnetism and those piercing eyes, Zod is still very dangerous. When Zod and Clark eventually meet, Clark recognizes that if he can befriend his fellow Kryptonian, he might be able to influence Zod away from becoming an evil, twisted tyrant. While it's true this Major Zod has certain vulnerabilities, it may only take a handful of betrayals to turn him into Clark's deadly nemesis.

Opening Credits[]

The Season 9 opening credits for each episode include the following:

S9 9-00006 S9 9-00013
S9 9-00016 S9 9-00020
S9 9-00025 S9 9-00037
S9 9-00044 S9 9-00047

Recurring Characters[]

The following Recurring Characters appear in more than one episode this season:

The following Recurring Characters appear in only one episode this season, but also appear in other seasons:

Cameo Role[]

While the following recurring character did appear, her face was not shown and the actress was not credited.

Recurring Locations[]

Metropolis

Smallville

Other

Episode List: 2009-2010[]

Image Title Writer(s) Director(s) Airdate #
S901Saviorcap Savior Writer: Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders Director: Kevin Fair September 25, 2009 #175 901
Clark starts his training with Jor-El. Elsewhere, Lois suddenly reappears after having been missing for weeks. Jor-El sends Clark back to Metropolis to cut ties with Lois before he can continue. He can't find her because she is hiding from a Kryptonian assassin from the future. She is with Oliver. Clark thinks that Oliver is "continuing down a dark path." Meanwhile, John Corben starts work at the Daily Planet and Tess is held hostage by Zod and his Kryptonian army.
S902dvdcap Metallo Writer: Don Whitehead and Holly Henderson Director: Mairzee Almas October 2, 2009 #176 902
After being struck by a truck, John Corben wakes up alone in an abandoned apartment as a man-machine with a kryptonite heart. Corben realizes he now has superhuman strength and sets out to exact revenge on the Red-Blue Blur, who he perceives to be an irresponsible vigilante. Against Clark's wishes, Lois involves herself in the Red-Blue Blur's investigation, and winds up getting kidnapped by Corben.
S903dvdcap Rabid Writer: Jordan Hawley Director: Michael Rohl October 9, 2009 #177 903
One of Zod's soldiers releases a virus into the air that turns humans into zombies. The only way to stop it is to make an antidote from the blood of another Kryptonian. After Lois is infected, Chloe pleads with Clark to donate his blood to stop the epidemic, even though it risks outing him to Zod.
S904dvdcap Echo Writer: Bryan Miller Director: Wayne Rose October 16, 2009 #178 904
Tess forces Oliver to come to a Queen Industries gala to put the Board at ease, but things go awry when the Toyman shows up with a bomb and a plan to take revenge on Oliver. The Toyman tells Oliver he must confess to murdering Lex or he will blow the place up. Meanwhile, as part of his training, Jor-El gives Clark the ability to hear other people's thoughts.
S905dvdcap Roulette Writer: Genevieve Sparling Director: Kevin Fair October 23, 2009 #179 905
Oliver is drugged and kidnapped by a woman named Victoria AKA Roulette, who tells Oliver that he's involved in a dangerous game and must fight for his life. After Victoria shows up dead and Oliver is arrested by the police, he turns to Chloe for help. Meanwhile, Lois berates Clark for not telling her about Oliver's suicide attempt.
S906Crossfirecap Crossfire Writer: Holly Henderson and Don Whitehead Director: Michael Rohl October 30, 2009 #180 906
Oliver tries to help a young street girl, Mia AKA Speedy by offering to train her, but Mia finds that it isn't that easy to escape her dangerous life, and is forced to double cross him. Lois asks Clark to help her land a job as an on-air television host, but the two are shocked when the station wants to hire them as a team.
S907dvdcap Kandor Writer: Al Septien and Turi Meyer Director: Jeannot Szwarc November 6, 2009 #181 907
Jor-El arrives at the Kent Farm and meets Chloe. Convinced the Blur is Jor-El, Zod enlists Tess's help in finding him to force him to reveal the secret to his powers. Clark realizes Jor-El is alive and on Earth and races to find him before Zod does.
S908dvdcap Idol Writer: Anne Cofell Saunders Director: Glen Winter November 13, 2009 #182 908
Superhero twins Zan and Jayna show up in Metropolis to help The Blur fight crime but end up botching several rescues, landing Clark in hot water with the District Attorney's office. Clark decides to come forward as the Blur to clear his name.
S909dvdcap Pandora Writer: Drew Landis and Julia Swift Director: Morgan Beggs November 20, 2009 #183 909
Tess kidnaps Lois to find out where she went after she disappeared for weeks. Lois' memory of the future depicts a Metropolis under Zod's rule and Clark powerless under the red sun, while Chloe forms a resistance group with Oliver. After learning of these future events, Clark makes an important decision about Zod.
S910dvdcap Disciple Writer: Jordan Hawley Director: Mairzee Almas January 29, 2010 #184 910
Oliver's past comes back to haunt him in the form of the Dark Archer, Oliver's former teacher, who seeks revenge on his student by taking aim at Lois and Chloe. Oliver faces down the Dark Archer after his former mentor kidnaps Mia AKA "Speedy" but is pushed to his limit and Clark races to stop him from making another deadly mistake.
S911dvdcap Absolute Justice, Part 1 Writer: Geoff Johns Director: Glen Winter February 5, 2010 #185 911
A man named Sylvester Pemberton tracks down Chloe and tells her he knows about her team of superheroes and needs their help. However, before he can explain who he is, he is attacked and killed by Icicle. Clark and Chloe's investigation leads Clark to the former headquarters of the Justice Society of America, where he meets up with Doctor Fate, Hawkman and Stargirl.
S912dvdcap Absolute Justice, Part 2 Writer: Geoff Johns Director: Tom Welling February 5, 2010 #186 911
Courtney pleads with Hawkman and Doctor Fate to help her catch the killer that is targeting their group but they are reluctant to resume their duties as superheroes. Clark, John Jones, Green Arrow and Chloe team up to help the JSA stop Icicle before he murders another member of the group. Meanwhile, Lois receives a package from a mysterious agency called Checkmate, run by Amanda Waller.
S913dvdcap Warrior Writer: Bryan Miller Director: Allison Mack February 12, 2010 #187 912
Clark meets Zatanna at a comic book convention where she tells him her father charmed a copy of the comic book Warrior Angel and it holds magical powers. A young man named Alec steals the comic book and develops super powers, transforming himself into Warrior Angel and saving Chloe from a horrible accident. Meanwhile, Lois becomes jealous of Clark's relationship with Zatanna.
S914dvdcap Persuasion Writer: Anne Cofell Saunders Director: Christopher Petry February 19, 2010 #188 913
It is Valentine’s Day and while Clark is out on a date with Lois, he unknowingly becomes infected by gemstone kryptonite, which has magical wish-fulfilling properties. Clark mentions to Lois that he wishes they had a more traditional relationship, so Lois quits the Daily Planet, moves in with Clark and starts planning their wedding. Still unaware of his new power, Clark also casually tells Chloe he wishes she would spend more time watching out for him, so an infected Chloe takes his wish to heart and sets her sights on a new target – Lois.
S915dvdcap Conspiracy Writer: Al Septien and Turi Meyer Director: Turi Meyer February 26, 2010 #189 914
Bernard Chisholm, a doctor who died and was brought back to life by the Kandorians so they can experiment on him, escapes and kidnaps some Kandorians in order to prove aliens have invaded Earth. Bernard tries to get Lois to write a story validating his claim, but when Lois refuses, he kidnaps her too. In an effort to save his people, Zod poses as a reporter from the Daily Planet and uncovers Bernard's secret lab. Clark arrives at the lab just in time to see Zod get shot.
S916dvdcap Escape Writer: Genevieve Sparling Director: Kevin Fair April 2, 2010 #190 915
Clark and Lois head out of town for a quiet romantic getaway, but their plans are thwarted when they run into Chloe and Oliver at their Bed & Breakfast Inn. The couples' awkward moment is interrupted by the arrival of the Silver Banshee, who sets her sights on Clark and Oliver. Meanwhile, Tess faces off with Zod with a surprising result.
S917dvdcap Checkmate Writer: John Chisholm Director: Tim Scanlan April 9, 2010 #191 916
Tess kidnaps Green Arrow and delivers him to Amanda Waller, who tells him that the government is recruiting him to serve his country. Oliver escapes before they can reveal his identity and brings Clark and Chloe to investigate. Clark is surprised to find John Jones investigating Oliver's kidnapping, and senses that he is keeping information from him. After Tess reveals that Amanda is after something called "Watchtower," Waller threatens to kill Chloe unless Clark gives her the names and locations of the rest of the Justice League.
S918Upgradecap Upgrade Writer: Drew Landis and Julia Swift Director: Michael Rohl April 17, 2010 #192 917
Zod continues to pose as "The Blur" and asks Lois to investigate one of Tess' secret labs. An explosion rocks the lab, and Lois is rescued by John Corben who was a subject of multiple experiments. While investigating the explosion, Clark is exposed to red kryptonite. An infected Clark takes Zod to the Fortress. Tess turns to Chloe for help and they send in Corben to stop Clark from revealing all his secrets.
S919dvdcap Charade Writer: Holly Henderson & Don Whitehead Director: Brian Peterson April 23, 2010 #193 918
Lois investigates the early prison release of ex-District Attorney Raymond Sacks but he threatens her with a gun when confronted. The Blur saves her, but is captured on film by a delivery guy who plans to sell the photo to Sacks. Lois and Clark each attempt to thwart the delivery of the photo and run into Maxwell Lord, a wealthy tycoon and Checkmate operative, who is trying to learn The Blur's identity to eliminate him. Meanwhile, Chloe discovers Zod's secret.
S920Sacrificecap Sacrifice Writer: Bryan Miller, Justin Hartley and Walter Wong Director: Kevin Fair April 30, 2010 #194 919
Tess breaks into Watchtower, triggering an elaborate security system that Chloe installed, ultimately trapping the two women inside. Chloe realizes that Checkmate is downloading information from the Watchtower server, which prompts her to make a drastic move. Oliver confronts Zod and winds up clinging to life with a "Z" scorched into his chest. Clark realizes Zod has given his soldiers super powers.
S9e21-9385i Hostage Writer: Jordan Hawley and Anne Cofell Saunders Director: Glen Winter May 7, 2010 #195 920
Much to Clark's surprise, Martha Kent returns to Smallville with her new boyfriend, Perry White in tow. Lois and Perry realize they are both working on the same story about the Red Queen, and decide to team up, which ultimately puts them in serious danger. Chloe helps Clark search for the Book of Rao, which they believe contains information on how to stop Zod.
02324 Salvation Writer: Al Septien and Turi Meyer Director: Greg Beeman May 14, 2010 #196 921
Zod unleashes his army upon the world, forcing Chloe to call in reinforcements from old friends. Zod tells Lois he is The Blur and asks her to steal the Book of Rao from Clark. Torn between Clark and The Blur, Lois asks Clark to come clean with her about everything but he refuses. Chloe and Oliver attempt to reconnect Watchtower's satellite system in order to fight the Kandorians but to Chloe's horror, Oliver gets caught on site and disappears. Tess attempts to stop Zod but he leaves her clinging to life. Clark and Zod battle for control of Earth.

Cast[]

  • Tom Welling, Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Cassidy Freeman and Justin Hartley returned for Season 9, along with newcomer Callum Blue who portrays series regular Major Zod.
  • Sam Witwer was initially expected to portray Zod prior to the casting of Blue. Witwer’s contract gave him the option to return in Season 9 as Zod in the event the show was renewed. Though he considered his time on the show enjoyable and was flattered by the offer to stay on, he ultimately he passed on the role as felt it would be difficult for both the characters and audience to accept.[1]
  • Cassidy Freeman moves up to fourth billing after receiving fifth billing in Season 8, Callum Blue gets fifth billing, while Justin Hartley remains at the end of the credits.
  • Allison Mack has stated that Season 9 is her last as a regular character. (Sources: KryptonSite)
  • Aaron Ashmore (Jimmy Olsen) and Sam Witwer (Davis Bloome) did not return this season, as they killed each other in the Season 8 finale.
  • There are only 6 main cast members for this season, making it the smallest cast of any season up to that time.
  • There is a notable change in the number of cast appearances, as previously secondary characters have only been in 12-13 episodes. However, as of this season, all long standing cast members appear in 17-18 episodes, while the only newcomer, Callum Blue, appears for 12 episodes. Clark and Chloe appear in all 22 episodes.
  • There have been at least two Kryptonian main characters for the last three seasons: Season Seven had Clark and Kara, Season Eight had Clark and Davis, and Season Nine has Clark and Zod.
  • Brian Austin Green was cast as the DC Comics villain, Metallo. The character appeared in the first two episodes of Season 9, and he returned to the show in the 18th episode, Upgrade. In this version of the story, Metallo's alter ego of John Corben is a journalist for the Daily Planet, similar to the Silver age John Corben version of Metallo.
  • This season features the most Kryptonians introduced in Savior; Actress Monique Ganderton, who had previously been a stunt double on the show, took on the recurring role of Alia until Persuasion. Actress Sharon Taylor played the recurring role of Faora throughout the season up until Sacrifice. Basqat is the only Kryptonian (other than Zod) to have a recurring role from the Season premiere to the Season finale. The Kryptonian character of Vala was first introduced in Conspiracy, as Faora's sister and was played by Crystal Lowe, who featured in 4 episodes including the Season finale.
  • Chris Gauthier reprised his role from Season 8 as Toyman.
  • As of this season, Tom Welling is no longer just the main cast member but also a co-executive producer for the show. Initially he was signed as a director of 2 episodes but due to a new TV pilot titled "Hellcats" ordered by the CW to Tom Welling and his production company, he wasn’t available to direct a second episode. He directed the second half of Absolute Justice. (Sources: KryptonSite, Fancast)
  • Allison Mack directed one episode this season. (E! Online)[2]
  • The new credits feature many clips from Season 8 and season 9 and even new clips from Season 1 and Season 6.
  • Martha Kent (Annette O'Toole) and Perry White (Michael McKean) returned this season.
  • Martha is the only former main character to appear in Season 9.

Notes[]

SML-SE9-DVD-UK-002

Season 9 promotional poster

  • This season features the most different types of Kryptonite other than green kryptonite with blue kryptonite in Savior, Kandor and Salvation, gemstone kryptonite is introduced in Persuasion and red kryptonite reappears in Upgrade. Season 4 is the only other season to feature more than one other variety with both black kryptonite and red kryptonite seen during that season. This is the first season to introduce a new type of kryptonite (gemstone kryptonite) since Season 7.
  • This season includes a 2-hour movie event, Absolute Justice written by comic book writer Geoff Johns and featuring the Justice Society of America, a team of heroes that comes out of "retirement" after members of their team are assassinated.
  • Zod is a younger version of the General Zod in the Season 5 finale and Season 6 premiere. He's not quite a General yet, toting the name Major Zod. Callum explains that Zod is very manic and not quite in control of the troops he's brought with him [3]
  • Everyone featured in the opening credits this season knows Clark's secret with the exception of Lois, who finds out in the season finale.
  • The relationship with Lois and Clark took a big step forward, as they embarked on a relationship together, while a love triangle developed between Lois, Clark and the Blur.
  • Chloe and Oliver began a relationship.
  • Regarding the new Superman suit, Kelly explains that Clark doesn't just show up to a tailor and figure it out the first time. The producers know there is a long arc for Clark to become Superman and it's a bumpy road. (E! Online)[4]
  • This season beats last season's record by introducing even more DC characters including; Roulette, Metallo, Mia Dearden, Cat Grant, The Wonder Twins, the Dark Archer, Amanda Waller, Hawkman, Stargirl, Doctor Fate, Icicle, Star-Spangled Kid, Sandman, Silver Banshee, Franklin Stern, Maxwell Lord, as well as younger versions of Faora, Zod and Jor-El.
  • Characters that return this season include Martha Kent, Perry White, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna, Toyman, Dr. Emil Hamilton, Black Canary, and Cyborg.
  • Season 9's theme was "Clark's darkest hour." (Sources:KryptonSite)
  • Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer have left the show with the end of Season Eight. Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson are the showrunners for Season 9.
  • Clark gains three new powers this year; the conventional Superman power of arctic breath that is used for the first time in Upgrade, and two temporary unconventional Superman powers: telepathy in Echo and persuasion, caused by gemstone kryptonite.
  • This is the second season to have both first-and-last episodes starting with the same letter (Savior and Salvation). The other one is Season Four, with Crusade and Commencement.
  • This is the first season in which Kristin Kreuk does not appear as Lana Lang in any episodes.
  • Lex Luthor only appears in a brief hallucination this season in the episode Echo portrayed by Ayron Howey, making this the only season where he did not play a prominent role; even Seasons Eight and Ten featured him in a behind-the-scenes role in several episodes.
  • More flashbacks of Krypton are shown this season. The last time Krypton was seen on screen was during Season Seven.
  • The Orb reappears after it was introduced in Season Seven, although this time it releases the Kryptonians.
  • The introduction of the Kryptonians is very similar to the bottled city of Kandor storyline in the comics, which similarly to Salvation send the Kryptonians to New Krypton.
  • The Superman symbol appears throughout the season, as Clark began to wear a uniform and burn his symbol around Metropolis.
  • As of the Season 9 Finale, only 2 of the 6 main characters, Lois and Chloe, are known to be alive and/or still on Earth. Oliver is missing, Tess is dead, Clark was stabbed with the blue kryptonite knife and plunging to his seeming death, and Zod is on New Krypton.
  • As the fourth episode of season 10 is recognized as the 200th episode, the feature length episode Absolute Justice counts as 2 episodes. In other countries, this episode was aired in 2 parts rather than as 1 episode.
  • The Season 9 Region 2 DVD Box Set is set to be released in the UK on Monday 25 October 2010 as opposed to the originally scheduled Monday 4 October as Season 9 is still being broadcast in the UK on Channel E4 at 9:00pm every Tuesday. The date change allowed the season finale to conclude the week before the DVD release.
  • The DVD boxset was released in the US the same day Escape aired in the UK.
  • Unlike the previous eight seasons, this season didn't feature any meteor freaks as a villain of the week.

See also[]

Season Nine in Smallville
Details EpisodesCharactersScreentimeBody countMusicOpening CreditsScreencaps
Backstage DirectorsWritersDVD
Seasons in Smallville
TV Season OneTwoThreeFourFiveSixSevenEightNineTen
Comics Season ElevenContinuity

References[]

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