•“Smallville” – Thursday, 8 p.m., The CW (Ch. 16) – Far and away the best telling of “Superman’s” pre-cape days. This year, Clark Kent must find his way back from the Phantom Zone and stop General Zod. (Returns Sept. 28)

•“Lost” – Wednesday, 9 p.m., ABC (Ch. 7) – The model for many of televisions new shows both last season (think sci-fi spin-offs) and upcoming (think multi-character back stories), the castaways ended last season in flux, with some sort of sonic boom set off and tribal leads Jack (Matthew Fox), Kate (Evangeline Lilly) and Sawyer (Josh Holloway) taken hostage by “The Others.” (Returns Oct. 4)

•“Veronica Mars” – Tuesday, 9 p.m., The CW (Ch. 16) – No show has more intricate plotlines, and that’s why the ratings-challenged “Veronica Mars” will only air 13 episodes this season. Kristen Bell (“Veronica”) is prime time’s best actress – and she’s only 26. (Returns Oct. 3)

•“Bones” – Wednesday, 8 p.m., Fox (Ch. 6) – Think “CSI” meets “Moonlighting.” It's a forensics show that focuses on people – not just their remains.

•“Prison Break” – Monday, 8 p.m., Fox (Ch. 6) – Having escaped from Fox River Penitentiary, last season’s most popular convicts must now figure out how to survive on the run – while being chased by a William Fichtner (“Invasion”) led FBI.

•“Criminal Minds” – Wednesday, 9 p.m., CBS (Ch. 4) – With so many crime procedurals on the air, “Criminal Minds” focuses on why criminals do what they do. A talented cast is headed by the incomparable male TV drama lead, Mandy Patinkin (“Dead Like Me,” “Chicago Hope”) (Returns Sept. 20)

•“CSI: Miami” – Monday, 10 p.m., CBS (Ch. 4) – The fastest-growing “CSI” is spearheaded by David Caruso’s Lt. Horatio Caine. This season begins with his unit hunting his fiancé’s killer in Brazil. (Returns Sept. 18)

•“The Office” – Thursday, 8:30 p.m., NBC (Ch. 2) – NBC’s first post-“Friends” comedy hit. Steve Carell (“Bruce Almighty,” “The Daily Show”) is television’s funniest actor, and the Jim (John Krasinski)-Pam (Jenna Fischer) kiss in the cliffhanger has fans on the edge of their seats waiting for resolution. (Returns Sept. 21)

•“CSI:” – Thursday, 9 p.m., CBS (Ch. 4) – TV’s highest rated program is the pre-eminent forensics show – and look for a budding romance this season between team lead Gil Grissom (William Petersen) and CSI investigator Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox). (Returns Sept. 21)

•“24” – This year’s Emmy winner as television’s best drama is just that … but it doesn’t return until Jan. 2007.

Pictured (clockwise, from front and center): The cast of “Smallville.” Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang; Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan; John Glover as Lionel Luthor; Erica Durance as Lois Lane; Annette O'Toole as Martha Kent; John Schneider as Jonathan Kent; Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor; and Tom Welling as Clark Kent. Credit: © The WB / Timothy White