It's possible that Lex remembered the name Kal-El from the Disciples of Zod in Season Five's "Arrival".
Promotional images for this episode showed Lex in snow gear approaching the Fortress, which had been shot for the ending of "Veritas" before the season resumed filming from the writers' strike. That image and footage was scrapped in favor of newer footage with Lex dressed in a manner reminiscent of his coat in Season Five's "Vessel" and Season Six's "Zod".
Lana's video letter where she describes how the world needs him more than she does to Clark bears a striking resemblance to a letter in the comics that adult Lana left for Superman, describing how she wishes they could have spent their life in a bubble away from the world. Lana also made a video break-up message for her high school boyfriend while he was away at war.
This is the second season finale that features James Marsters as Brainiac (after Season Five's "Vessel") and the third that features the character Brainiac (after Season Five's "Vessel" and Season Four's "Commencement").
After Jor-El sent the Orb to earth, he sent transmissions (the prophecy) which enabled Dr. Virgil Swann to find it. Swann then founded Veritas before hiding the orb and leaving a long line of clues to its whereabouts.