Agent Topolsky returns to Roswell, warning of FBI hunters. Meanwhile, a new girl in school befriends Isabel.
(originally aired April 10, 2000)
| Aliens Get All the Best Lines |
Isabel: She's a transfer student, Michael.Max: She's a stranger, Isabel.Isabel: Well it's not like I'm going to fall in love with her and tell her our secrets and compromise our very existence. |
Tess: Well the guys are usually nice because they want to jump my bones, and the girls are usually nice because they want to find out if I want to jump their boyfriends' bones. |
Written by Thania St. John
Directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
GUEST STARS
Julie Benz - Agent Kathleen Topolsky
Kevin Cooney - Dr. Malcolm Margoland
Emilie De Ravin - Tess
WHAT HAPPENED
When
Max and Isabel enter the Crashdown Cafe, Liz leaves her work and asks Maria to cover for her so that she can go to the movies with Max.
As Max and Liz melt into a kiss, Isabel rolls her eyes at the display of affection. Maria looks on, jealous of her friend.
While making out in the back of the Jeep, Liz and Max are interrupted by a flashlight-wielding
Agent Topolsky , who warns them that they are in danger. She advises them to act normal, and trust no one. (more spoilers)
ANALYSIS
Roswell
changes nights and enters the final six weeks of the season with a powerful episode. We meet an old foe -- now a friend? -- and a new friend who may be a foe.
Recent episodes have focused more on the relationships between the teens, but this episode returns us to the basic threats and questions of trust. It reminds us that these teens are aliens and their situation is a dangerous one, with several different forces converging on them.
The return of Topolsky reminds us of the FBI's stake in this investigation while hinting at new depths. For now, however,
it seems we’ve seen the last of Agents Topolsky and Stephens.
New girl, new complications
Tess can only spell complications for our cast. She’s already thwarted
Alex's attempts to get closer to Isabel -- could she move in on one of the alien males?
We know little of Tess so far beyond the basics. She's moved around quite a bit, likes her foods extra-sweet and has a quick wit. Her background will surely become a question in weeks to come.
Tess' mysterious arrival also mirrors the return of the series’ Big Mystery: Nacedo. Just what is he doing here?
Is he working for the FBI? Does he want to send everyone off Topolsky's scent?
As we move closer to the cliffhanger season (or series) finale, we can only wonder where these mysteries will lead.
A bit of irony
Despite their peril, it seems like the aliens are easing up a bit.
The distant Isabel befriends Tess. Isolationist
Michael goes to Topolsky, providing Valenti with some useful clues and causing the aliens to lose the orb.
While Isabel reminds Max that he was the one who first broadcast their secret, she may be exposing them to a future threat in the form of Tess.
Or maybe Tess is just a lonely transfer student with nothing to hide – an ordinary girl.
Never in Roswell.
WHAT WE LEARN
Agent Topolsky claims that there is a special unit of the FBI charged with alien hunting. According to her, the alien orb is a communicator that only works when paired with another of its kind.
FBI Agent John Stephens is dead.
Sheriff Valenti now has the orb Max and Liz found.
DANGLING PLOT THREADS
Is there a secret list?
Where did Topolsky's orb come from? Was it recovered from the crash site at Roswell?
What is Nacedo's relationship to Topolsky and the FBI? Why is he involved here?
How was he able to establish believable credentials with Valenti?
And we still don’t know why he takes those little pills . . .
WHAT’S COOKIN’ AT THE CRASHDOWN?
This week’s menu includes Eclipse Burgers, Chili Rocket Dogs and Saturn Rings.
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK
New episodes continue! Max's grasp on reality slips in "Tess, Lies, and Videotape".
What do you think? Send your comments to the reviewer or editor.
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