Nacedo impersonates Max, trying to draw the attention of Agent Pierce and the FBI hunters. Tess explains what is in the book to the aliens
(original air date: May 1, 2000)
| Love, Alien Style |
Max: If we were together in a dream, does that mean--? Is that how we--?Tess: No, we have to do it the human way. I hope that doesn't disappoint you. |
Isabel: Alex, would you stop? We're not dealing with some troubled teen pregnancy, OK? We're talking alien babies. |
Max: We've got to go to Valenti.
Michael: And tell him what? There's two Maxes: the good one's right here, but please help us catch his evil twin? |
Written by Toni Graphia
Directed by Patrick Norris
GUEST STARS
David Conrad – Deputy Dave Fisher/ FBI Agent Pierce
Jim Ortlieb – Ed Harding/ Nacedo
Emilie De Ravin – Tess Harding
WHAT HAPPENED
We pick up where
last episode left off with our four aliens in the desert. When Michael questions Max about Tess being a fellow extraterrestrial, Max leads them to an overhanging rock formation.
He palms a glowing handprint, causing a door to open into the wreckage of the alien ship. There, they see the pods Max saw in his extrasensory flashes.
Isabel sees them all as children. Denying the vision, she runs away. Max follows.
Tess gives Michael the alien book in an attempt to get him to make the others trust her.
After he leaves, Ed Harding emerges from the rock, changing shape and revealing himself as Nacedo. He warns Tess that Agent Pierce is too close.
Elsewhere, a figure watches videotape of Michael and Isabel talking about Nacedo. The figure possesses an orb.... (more spoilers)
ANALYSIS
This episode should have been momentous -- Nacedo takes action, Agent Pierce steps out from the shadows and the FBI captures Max -- but these parts don't add up to a powerful whole.
Instead, "Max to the Max" feels lopsided, balancing awkwardly between the ramifications of last week's episode and the setup to the next.
Isabel's pregnancy seems crucial until news from Tess deflates that vital revelation. Word that aliens are romantically destined for each other is important stuff, but it pales before the immediate threat unfolding in the person of Agent Pierce.
A wild goose chase?
Nacedo's impersonation of Max sets up the main plot. Liz trusts him, but she quickly learns the difference between this alien and Max.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Valenti chases Max without knowing about the mix-up while the real Max must decide how to follow Nacedo.
It should be exciting, but the drama here dips as the plot chases Nacedo across Highway 380. Nacedo-as-Max has a plan, yes, but it leaves us in a holding pattern, watching to see what the FBI will do in response.
The resolution of the pregnancy plot doesn't help the pacing. Instead, the suspense dissipates. All the waiting falls flat.
While "Crazy" and "Tess, Lies and Videotape" flew along, catching us up in the frenzy, the events of "Max to the Max" drag.
A personal drama
It’s Max's attempt to save Liz that ultimately dooms him. Since he cannot stay away and let Liz walk into danger, Max allows himself to be captured.
The fight in the Mirror Maze -- in which Max figuratively fights himself -- is the peak of the episode's energy.
We see friends and foes reflected in the mirrors. Shots are fired, agendas laid bare, and Sheriff Valenti witnesses Max's capture.
Now the confrontation is set. "Max to the Max" is all set-up, bringing us to a pivotal place.
WHAT WE LEARN
Nacedo has no human body. He has been traveling with Tess for ten years, and has been posing as Ed Harding recently.
Nacedo seems to be the handprint killer. He kills by pressing his hand against flesh, causing it to burn.
DANGLING PLOT THREADS
How does Max find the alien ship? How was it hidden there?
Why doesn't Nacedo have a human form like the others? What is his purpose?
Who has the second orb? Was that Pierce watching the videotape?
How will Maria and Alex react to recent events with their alien loves?
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK
In "The White Room", Max remains in the hands of Agent Pierce, forcing his friends to turn to Sheriff Valenti for help.
What do you think? Send your comments to the critic or editor.
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