'Smallville' returns tomorrow night at 8PM ET on The CW, and no doubt fans will be glued to their couches for both the new episode and next week's highly-anticipated two-hour movie, 'Absolute Justice.'
The 'Smallville' online community has been buzzing about pictures of Michael Shanks as Hawkman and deciphering the trailer for hints about which other Justice Society of America members we might see. Fans probably also have seen the now famous picture of Lois Lane herself, Erica Durance in a certain red and blue costume.
About the costume, Durance told AOL TV, "It is 'Amazon Princess'. It's another of Lois' things that's her fault. She wasn't trying to be Wonder Woman," she laughed. "She thought she was an Amazon Princess!" Oh, and those two episodes she won't be on? She's not telling!
AOL TV got the scoop from the intrepid reporter about upcoming episodes, working with guest star Pam Grier and whether or not she wants Lois to learn Clark's secret.
AOL TV: You keep getting kidnapped. And from what I hear, it's happening again in 'Disciple'. What can you tell us about your role in the episode?
DURANCE: 'Disciple' is not a kidnapping, per se. I think it's just part of being in Smallville. You will experience kidnappings, you will experience getting hit on the head, shot, stabbed, whatever it is, it will happen. But you will live. So in 'Disciple' Lois actually gets shot by Oliver [Justin Hartley]. And because of the thing that he went through earlier in the season, where you see he's really struggling, you think that he really thinks that he still loves her, she thinks that, OK, perhaps he's gone over the edge and he's just jealous because of her relationship with Clark. And then you see, of course, as the episode goes further on, there's all sorts of other stuff going on. But yes, at the beginning, she actually gets shot with an arrow, which is a new thing for Lois.
AOL TV: I also heard you get a mysterious package from Checkmate in "Absolute Justice'. So, do you actually have any scenes with Pam Grier, who plays Amanda Waller?
DURANCE: Yes. I do. And they've introduced the fact that Amanda Waller has found Lois out of everyone because of how tenacious she is as a journalist. And says that she will be in contact with her. So I get the pleasure of being part of that storyline and then, as an actress, I get to work with Pam Grier, which was awesome.
AOL TV: What was it like working with Pam?
DURANCE: You know, she's been around for a long time and she knows her thing. She just carries this great energy with her. She's gracious, she's just so seasoned. She knows what she's doing. It was intimidating at first, because, this is Pam Grier I'm acting with. But she just made me feel really comfortable and she was great.
AOL TV: You worked with Michael Shanks on 'Stargate SG-1.' Do you have any scenes together in 'Absolute Justice'?
DURANCE: I got to see him as we were walking to our different trailers [laughs]. The whole 'Absolute Justice' thing that they came up with, the whole two-hour event, it was really fun to be a part of. I think the fans will be really excited with all the introductions of these great superheroes. And the whole point of it, really, is to continue on with this great storyline that they're doing, but also to show that other side of Clark [Tom Welling] and give them that window into learning more about him and his heroic side. And he gets to learn more about it. And I think that will help his character evolve.
AOL TV: I had also read that you were a fan of Lois Lane before you were cast. Is there a character you'd like to see on the show?
DURANCE: There have been some comments about having Perry White [Michael McKean] come in ... That would be very very exciting for me. [Note: McKean's guest stint has been confirmed.]
AOL TV: What do you want to see happen with him? Do you want to see him move her up at the Daily Planet? Get a byline?
DURANCE: I'm always excited to see what the writers come up with. They're always giving me something that surprises me. I just hope that it proceeds in a way that is true to form with what they've been doing with me for the last six years.
AOL TV: I've been asked to ask you this by many fans. I hear there is a bed and breakfast scene with Clark and Lois. So, will there be a Clois sex scene?
DURANCE: You'll just have to watch. [Laughs] It's a bed & breakfast. It's not specifically about. ... just watch it. Be patient [laughs].
AOL TV: What is it like being directed by your cast mates Tom Welling and Allison Mack?
DURANCE: Allison directed me for the first time this year and there's something about working with people who are a part of your show or that have worked with you as an actor. They understand how you work. They have that same investment in the show and the end product.
AOL TV: Everyone has been reading that Lois becomes a bit of a happy homemaker in the episode 'Persuasion.' Is there anything that you can tell us about that episode?
DURANCE: Whether Lois has had any kind of persuasion or not, she tends to be somebody that does everything in full color. So now that she's been enhanced with that, and in this one, Clark accidentally is saying that he wants them to be more traditional...she zeroes in on what her idea of traditional is, and what would Clark like most. And who's the only example of a real female matriarch in his life, is Martha [Annette O'Toole] and I think she just goes full tilt to be that for him. And decides that, traditionally, they should be married and live together and there's all sorts of fun that happens [laughs].
AOL TV: What do you want to see for Lois in the rest of this season and hopefully the next one?
DURANCE: You know, I've kind of taken the stance that I have pipe dreams, but I also really keep it open, because the writers have given me a lot. And it's always different and it's always fun. Sometimes it's bizarre and sometimes it's really straight laced. So I've really been able to...I don't have complaints from this year. I just get to continue to evolve. And that's what they've done ... I see them continuing with that trajectory of going forward into the mythology, which would be wonderful for me. But I've never sat around and gone, I want them to do this or that, because they keep opening these great avenues for me.
AOL TV: People really want to know your opinion on whether or not Lois ever learns Clark's secret before the series comes to an end.
DURANCE: That's kind of one of those existential questions. Does she ever know? Does she know deep down? Who knows? I ask myself that all the time. I don't know what they have planned for me...
AOL TV: Do you want her to find out?
DURANCE: I don't know. Maybe she already does on some level. I like the secret. It keeps it interesting. I'll say this though. I think that, being that the show is about Superman, in regards to Lois knowing or not knowing, whatever makes it easier for Clark's character. That's kind of how I feel. There's got to be somebody that is in his camp, that is supportive ... whether he tells the truth to her or not. Up until now, he's had a lot of characters that are like, 'Tell me the truth or I'm out of here.' And that's the one thing that Lois doesn't want to be.