I liked seeing Lois finally show up in "Crusade", but I don't know if I could call it my favorite season premiere.
I'll vote Exile as it is really the only Smallville opener that actually took its time to resolve the major season ending jam instead of cramming it all into one episode.
I gotta agree with you there.. not having everything wrapped up in a neat little bow in one episode make it stand out a little bit from the others....