Hot Spoilers on the 'Case'

We're less than a month away from the new season, so you know what that means... SPOILERS!!! And oh do I have some juicy Cold Case scoop courtesy of the wonderful folks at Look Again. I also have the first photos from the show's upcoming 5th season complete with Lilly's new look (left) courtesy of CBS and Warner Bros. You know the rules, if you don't want to know what's coming up this season, read no further. BEGIN SPOILER DISCUSSION NOW... So, remember how Lil was left shot and bleeding on a hospital bed? Remember how we were slightly worried that she wouldn't live to see another season (like that was going to happen), well I can 100% guarantee that she'll be back, but she won't be the same ole Lil. She'll try to convince her boss that all is well, but between her mother's death and her own ordeal, Lil will be hurtin'. In the season opener, she manages to make Stillman believe she's well enough to tackle the next case. From the CBS press release:

Several weeks after being shot, Lilly returns to work and tries to convince Stillman and herself that she's emotionally ready to spearhead the re-opening of the 1994 case of three slain boys for which two teens may have been wrongfully convicted.

The episode will feature the music of Nirvana. Also, look for Scotty to be under investigation for shooting Ed (a.k.a. "Romeo") in the season finale. The 5th season premiere ("Thrill Kill") airs September 23rd on CBS. Here's a rundown of some of the other episodes scheduled for this first part of the season (NOTE: Subject to change):

"That Woman" (scheduled as the 2nd episode) - The team reopens the 1998 case of a murdered 15-year old with a bad reputation. Meanwhile, Scotty's troubles continue and Stillman begins to worry about Lilly.

"Running Around" (scheduled as the 3rd episode) - The team reopens the 2006 case of a 16 year old found stabbed to death in a warehouse. It takes place in the Amish community. Also, Vera notices Lilly looking tired and begins to worry. The most interesting part, though, Lil attends a counseling session (please don't get cut!).

"Devil Music" (scheduled as the 4th episode) - The teams reopens the 1953 case of a singer found shot through the heart in a parking lot. Word is, this is another racial tension type of episode that CC does so well.

"Wunderkind" (scheduled as the 5th episode) - The team reopens the 2002 case of a murdered 14-year old from a rough neighborhood in North Philly who was a whiz kid at numbers, particularly counting cards. Jeffries feels an emotional connection with the victim.

"Thick as Thieves" (scheduled as the 6th episode) - The team reopens the 1989 case of a wealthy beauty found murdered. This one is supposed to have a lot of personal stuff in it. Lilly begins having nightmares about the shooting while Scotty goes toe to toe with ADA Thomas (who makes her first appearance of the season).

"World's End" (100th Episode!!) - The team reopens the 1938 case of a woman strangled to death and dumped in a well. The case revolves around the struggles of the Depression and Orson Welles' famous "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast.

Those are just a few of this season's offerings. Also, look for Vera's ex, Toni, to show up (the one who broke his heart last season) and for Lilly to have to confront the brick wall she has built up for herself. Since September 23rd can't come soon enough, here are a few more pictures from the premiere (special thanks to RichE at Look Again):

In other Cold Case news, star Kathryn Morris graces the cover of the current issue of the trade publication Emmy magazine. In the 8-page article, she discusses her early years, her climb to the top, where she'd like to see the show head, and much more. She tells the magazine that she wouldn't trade any of her forgettable earlier roles. "If there's an alien and goo involved, and it's low budget, I've probably done it," she says. "I'd take jobs that other people wouldn't because I knew I'd learn something." Regarding her Cold Case character, Morris says, "I want to see Lilly live again. I want to see her heart rate go up. I want to see her not always know what to do. I want to see her laugh. I want to see her try stuff she's never tried before. She needs to not take herself so seriously," she tells the magazine. In her own life, she tries to keep things as normal as possible. "I try not to get controlled by things, although I'm so grateful that I can choose to have them. My friends tease me that I'm always trying to 'keep it real,' but I do think that you need to stay connected to knowing what it is to have little."
See more photos from Emmy magazine at Kathryn Morris Online. Cold Case kicks off its 5th season September 23rd on CBS.