Roswell: The Departure
Aug. 15th, 2005 11:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousieContinuing my long marathon write-up. For previous entry re previous 8 eps go here
OK, moving on to “The Departure” which is going on my all-time favorites list. This ep has exactly what I love, only in miniature: angst with HEA, Liz and Max, Michael and Maria. Nothing beats “The End of the World” this season, but this is REALLY good.
Apparently, the aliens have 24 hours to leave (long story) or else they will be stuck on earth forever. However, the only one really delighted by it is Tess.
Isabel is torn about leaving, and Michael and Max? Well, unhappy would be rather an understatement. Max feels he simply must go, however, because of Tess’ child.
So, we get the lovely, angstful ep where the gang has 24 hours or so to settle everything.
First off, Michael and Maria, who are totally going on my all-time favorite OTP list.
I think the dinner Michael had for Maria the night before he had to leave is one of the most romantic moments ever, what with the food (and he knew which one she likes, he does pay attention) and candles and everything. But what I really loved is when he told her that the reason she could never see flashes of him when they touched (unlike Liz with Max) is because he wouldn’t let her, because he didn’t want to let anyone see him, because there are many things about himself he doesn’t want to see or show anyone, and then he stretches out his hands and says he wants her to really see him. And she puts her hands in his and he shows her all sorts of stuff that is really personal and at the end she sees herself the way he sees her. And well, the sniffling is me. The thing is, in many ways, Michael is a lot more guarded and reserved person than Max, and he’s using all of this as a defense mechanism but he is leaving himself completely open and vulnerable to Maria here and….And then he wants to tell her about leaving but then there is kissing and they make love and it’s all just perfect. But afterwards, they are lying in bed and she tells him she loves him and he replies and you can see how hard it is for him to shatter this and tell her the truth about leaving. But he tells her he has to leave and she is completely un-understanding, and says “yes, I know. Sometime” and he tells her that he is leaving tomorrow. And what I absolutely love is that she doesn’t wail or yell or anything. She just asks him how much time they have and then just leans in and they hold each other.
(Also, it rather says something for Max that he could prevent Liz from seeing things but he never ever sets his guard against her).
On the Max/Liz front, we have so much angst that I am going into shock. First, he says he will take care of the alien they believe killed Alex (which just makes me weep for Max, because the old, not screwed-in-the-head Max wouldn’t even contemplate) and he and Liz go off to do that. But then it turns out she is not an alien and they are back where they started.
And then Max tells Liz about Tess and having sex with her and the baby and he tells her he is leaving and you can see how hard it is for him (I still think he is desperately wishing he’d wake up from all of this) and they have the fight I’ve been waiting for all season. Because Liz is furious and heartbroken, even though she gave him away herself. She really has no claim on him, but emotion has nothing to do with logic and she blows up at him and among many things she says she yells at him that she’s saved herself for him to which he yells back that she slept with Kyle. And the issue is out in the open. And so when he drops her off, he gives her the pendant they found a long time ago and then says, “You never slept with Kyle” and that’s not a question any more, it’s a statement and she replies “no” and I am so happy I do an impromptu jig. Or something. Because he understands she was trying to drive him away and what not, and it’s all so heartbreaking because it’s too late. And then he kisses her and tells her he wishes everything was different and she asks him if he loves Tess and he replies “not like I do you” and she runs into the house while he collapses against his steering wheels and just cries, and yep, that sniffling noise is me again.
And I love that Liz runs to Sean and almost has sex with him as some kind of obscure way to get back at Max and to stop hurting but she stops herself and leaves. Because yes, I know, it’s a double standard and all, but I am glad if it turns out that Max is the first guy she has sex with. Mainly because it was she who was pushing him away in S2 so if it wasn’t for her, he would have never even looked at Tess.
I love the scene where Max tells Isabel that she is his home because it’s sweet and lovely and the only time I find Isabel even remotely interesting is when there is brother-sister stuff with her and Max. And the whole flaming, destroying the jeep thing.
And then, when the four prepare to leave forever, Maria Liz and Kyle discover that it’s Tess who killed Alex and race to the site to stop things.
You know what makes me want to hit Tess? When she talks to Max and she says something to the effect of “you still love her, don’t you? But doesn’t matter. You won’t remember her there.” and that is just so cold and horrifying and I love the look on Max’s face because he’s never knew before that he would forget his earth life, and you can see how the realization is taking away the last bit of his comfort.
And then, when they are at the granolith, ready to go, Michael (Michael!!!) says that he isn’t going. He is staying on Earth. He feels he belongs here. And he walks off. And I know that it’s in large chunk because of Maria and I love it. He really does seem a lot more comfortable in his skin and his place in the world and it’s great.
And of course, because he opens the door, Liz, Maria and Kyle can get in and tell about Tess and I love when Max orders everyone out in that tone of voice and has a showdown with her, and finds out she was going to make a deal with Kivar, i.e. getting pregnant was all part of the plan and she would deliver the rest of them into Kivar’s hands and come back with his baby (I assume so Kivar could be regent for him) and then she insults Liz and he snaps and almost hits her (and there is NO character on this show who deserved it more), and she says that if he kills her he will kill the baby too. And she tells him that the man she loved was a king, and now he is just a boy and blah blah blah and why is her mouth still moving?
So Max leaves and Tess goes to alienworld alone, to hopefully annoy me no longer.
And then the granolith blows and the aliens will never be able to go to the homeworld but they don’t seem to care because Michael and Maria are hugging, and Maria realizes that he was leaving the rest and not going to go away and she looks at him and…OK, sniffly time again.
And Max and Liz just hold on to each other for dear life and he tells her that “I've been really wrong about a lot. But I was right about one thing: To get you into my life, to be around you, to love you.” Guuuuh. And yeah, he wants to find his son now blah blah blah (Max was born responsible) but I don’t care because Tess is gone and L/M and M/M are back together and things are OK with the world.
OK, moving on to “The Departure” which is going on my all-time favorites list. This ep has exactly what I love, only in miniature: angst with HEA, Liz and Max, Michael and Maria. Nothing beats “The End of the World” this season, but this is REALLY good.
Apparently, the aliens have 24 hours to leave (long story) or else they will be stuck on earth forever. However, the only one really delighted by it is Tess.
Isabel is torn about leaving, and Michael and Max? Well, unhappy would be rather an understatement. Max feels he simply must go, however, because of Tess’ child.
So, we get the lovely, angstful ep where the gang has 24 hours or so to settle everything.
First off, Michael and Maria, who are totally going on my all-time favorite OTP list.
I think the dinner Michael had for Maria the night before he had to leave is one of the most romantic moments ever, what with the food (and he knew which one she likes, he does pay attention) and candles and everything. But what I really loved is when he told her that the reason she could never see flashes of him when they touched (unlike Liz with Max) is because he wouldn’t let her, because he didn’t want to let anyone see him, because there are many things about himself he doesn’t want to see or show anyone, and then he stretches out his hands and says he wants her to really see him. And she puts her hands in his and he shows her all sorts of stuff that is really personal and at the end she sees herself the way he sees her. And well, the sniffling is me. The thing is, in many ways, Michael is a lot more guarded and reserved person than Max, and he’s using all of this as a defense mechanism but he is leaving himself completely open and vulnerable to Maria here and….And then he wants to tell her about leaving but then there is kissing and they make love and it’s all just perfect. But afterwards, they are lying in bed and she tells him she loves him and he replies and you can see how hard it is for him to shatter this and tell her the truth about leaving. But he tells her he has to leave and she is completely un-understanding, and says “yes, I know. Sometime” and he tells her that he is leaving tomorrow. And what I absolutely love is that she doesn’t wail or yell or anything. She just asks him how much time they have and then just leans in and they hold each other.
(Also, it rather says something for Max that he could prevent Liz from seeing things but he never ever sets his guard against her).
On the Max/Liz front, we have so much angst that I am going into shock. First, he says he will take care of the alien they believe killed Alex (which just makes me weep for Max, because the old, not screwed-in-the-head Max wouldn’t even contemplate) and he and Liz go off to do that. But then it turns out she is not an alien and they are back where they started.
And then Max tells Liz about Tess and having sex with her and the baby and he tells her he is leaving and you can see how hard it is for him (I still think he is desperately wishing he’d wake up from all of this) and they have the fight I’ve been waiting for all season. Because Liz is furious and heartbroken, even though she gave him away herself. She really has no claim on him, but emotion has nothing to do with logic and she blows up at him and among many things she says she yells at him that she’s saved herself for him to which he yells back that she slept with Kyle. And the issue is out in the open. And so when he drops her off, he gives her the pendant they found a long time ago and then says, “You never slept with Kyle” and that’s not a question any more, it’s a statement and she replies “no” and I am so happy I do an impromptu jig. Or something. Because he understands she was trying to drive him away and what not, and it’s all so heartbreaking because it’s too late. And then he kisses her and tells her he wishes everything was different and she asks him if he loves Tess and he replies “not like I do you” and she runs into the house while he collapses against his steering wheels and just cries, and yep, that sniffling noise is me again.
And I love that Liz runs to Sean and almost has sex with him as some kind of obscure way to get back at Max and to stop hurting but she stops herself and leaves. Because yes, I know, it’s a double standard and all, but I am glad if it turns out that Max is the first guy she has sex with. Mainly because it was she who was pushing him away in S2 so if it wasn’t for her, he would have never even looked at Tess.
I love the scene where Max tells Isabel that she is his home because it’s sweet and lovely and the only time I find Isabel even remotely interesting is when there is brother-sister stuff with her and Max. And the whole flaming, destroying the jeep thing.
And then, when the four prepare to leave forever, Maria Liz and Kyle discover that it’s Tess who killed Alex and race to the site to stop things.
You know what makes me want to hit Tess? When she talks to Max and she says something to the effect of “you still love her, don’t you? But doesn’t matter. You won’t remember her there.” and that is just so cold and horrifying and I love the look on Max’s face because he’s never knew before that he would forget his earth life, and you can see how the realization is taking away the last bit of his comfort.
And then, when they are at the granolith, ready to go, Michael (Michael!!!) says that he isn’t going. He is staying on Earth. He feels he belongs here. And he walks off. And I know that it’s in large chunk because of Maria and I love it. He really does seem a lot more comfortable in his skin and his place in the world and it’s great.
And of course, because he opens the door, Liz, Maria and Kyle can get in and tell about Tess and I love when Max orders everyone out in that tone of voice and has a showdown with her, and finds out she was going to make a deal with Kivar, i.e. getting pregnant was all part of the plan and she would deliver the rest of them into Kivar’s hands and come back with his baby (I assume so Kivar could be regent for him) and then she insults Liz and he snaps and almost hits her (and there is NO character on this show who deserved it more), and she says that if he kills her he will kill the baby too. And she tells him that the man she loved was a king, and now he is just a boy and blah blah blah and why is her mouth still moving?
So Max leaves and Tess goes to alienworld alone, to hopefully annoy me no longer.
And then the granolith blows and the aliens will never be able to go to the homeworld but they don’t seem to care because Michael and Maria are hugging, and Maria realizes that he was leaving the rest and not going to go away and she looks at him and…OK, sniffly time again.
And Max and Liz just hold on to each other for dear life and he tells her that “I've been really wrong about a lot. But I was right about one thing: To get you into my life, to be around you, to love you.” Guuuuh. And yeah, he wants to find his son now blah blah blah (Max was born responsible) but I don’t care because Tess is gone and L/M and M/M are back together and things are OK with the world.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-08-15 03:40 pm (UTC)And for flat out romance levels, Michael kicks some butt in that episode. Right down the the Scooby cup. And the complete opening up and just being so vulnerable with her.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-15 03:43 pm (UTC)I love the surpise yet not-surprise on Max's face when Michael says he isn't leaving. Because the only reason he was so gung ho to leave was because his life in Roswell was so miserable. But it isn't any more, and so he choses Maria and the life he knows rather than loneliness and the planet he knows nothing about.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-15 03:49 pm (UTC)And I think he knows that he's a pain in the butt to get along with too, which is why some of his gestures have an almost apologetic edge to them sometimes (and a little surly too because he's not used to putting himself out there and risking getting hurt).
no subject
Date: 2005-08-15 04:00 pm (UTC)finds someone who thinks he's worthwhile and he's willing to give up everything for her
Because Maria is the first person to really love him for himself, and that must be wonderful.
His gestures are a result of a mix of "I can't believe she really loves me, look at me" and "why do I have to do anything and expose myself" as you said :)
no subject
Date: 2005-08-15 04:34 pm (UTC)Michael needs to be treated a certain way and he needs someone to be patient with him, like he says. He knows he's difficult, but what makes him worth it is that he tries so hard to make up for it.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-15 04:46 pm (UTC)ROFL. So true.
He needs someone like Maria, who is utterly pragmatic and matter of fact, and doesn't need the deep romantic talk and is secure and comfortable enough in herself to not need constant reassurances of devotion but knows what he means.
what makes him worth it is that he tries so hard to make up for it
Oh yes. The great thing is he tries to make Maria happy and will do anything for her.
The Departure
Date: 2005-08-15 10:19 pm (UTC)I loved the Season 2 Finale for all it's angst, but also for the incredibly lovely Michael&Maria when he finally lets her see what's inside him. *misty eyes*
And this time Liz is coming to the Granalith & Max (well, with her news) instead of fleeing it, like in the S1 finale.
Re: The Departure
Date: 2005-08-15 10:27 pm (UTC)promised you pain, and pain you got
Heeee. I know a lot of people were upset by S2, but I liked it. I didn't mind the angst, since I had the advantage of knowing it all turns out HEA, after all. Plus, I have no problem with Max sleeping with Tess because the boy is majorly screwed up at the time.
when he finally lets her see what's inside him. *misty eyes*
Oh yes. That is one of the most romantic things on that show (and considering the whole thing is about star-crossed lovers, that's syaing a lot). Actually, I think for all his faults, Michael would be easier to live with than Nax, mainly because Max is so screwed-up by the end of S2.
time Liz is coming to the Granalith & Max (well, with her news) instead of fleeing it, like in the S1 finale
You know, I did not catch this symmetry before :)