Roswell, New Mexico Review: Subterranean Homesick Alien (Season 4 Episode 3)
The conflict is progressing, no matter how contrived or aimless it may feel, on Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 3, “Subterranean Homesick Alien.”
However, the new alien mystery needs to be handled better within the group.
Dynamics are bursting with potential for proper exploration, and it feels like this show cannot commit to seeing something through consistently.
There is also an issue with steady characterization for some of our favorites. First, let’s start with Michael and his relationships with his alien brothers.
Max and Michael have one of the most complex dynamics on Roswell, New Mexico. They don’t always see eye to eye, which leads to big fights, but when push comes to shove, they will always be there for each other.
However, sometimes it feels like Max will never truly understand Michael. We see it often when he refers to Michael’s trauma response as “pulling a Guerin” instead of acknowledging the root of why Michael might act out.
Max wasn’t there through the dark times of his childhood, but he witnessed enough with Michael over the years. Yet, it never feels like he can get through to Michael in ways that Alex, Dallas, or Isobel can.
I wish Roswell, New Mexico would spend more time addressing these issues and allowing them to work together instead of constantly having storylines at odds. There is intriguing familial conflict and potential for growth bubbling under the surface here.
Meanwhile, Dallas and Michael’s relationship is flourishing beautifully on the other side of this alien spectrum. Dallas allows Michael to speak freely and feel recognized. They share similar scars and fears, making it easier for them to connect without fear of judgment.
Quentin Plair is a truly excellent addition to this talented cast of actors. Dallas’s deep sense of compassion is inspiring, and I love seeing him fit right into the group. In addition, he is finally finding his family, and it makes my heart happy.
Shifting gears to Kyle and Isobel, I am disappointed that this love triangle, or square, even exists when it all feels forced.
Kyle and Isobel have an adorable connection with electric chemistry. He sees and understands her in ways that not even Max and Michael do. She provides him with an escape from the stresses of his life while also understanding him well.
They are a perfect match, adding to the clear alien-human soulmate theme Roswell, New Mexico has established with Max and Michael’s central romantic relationships.
However, the addition of separate love interests is insulting to the women made to look dumb on this date, and it drags out the storyline too much.
This date almost feels like a waste of time, considering these other relationships won’t last more than two episodes.
Isobel and Anatsa’s relationship is more established, but as Isobel says, she cannot connect with her because she can’t be honest. She already violated her mind, so it’s full of lies and deceit now, and Isobel has grown so much from her times of mind manipulation.
I wish the show mapped out this storyline better during Season 3 to allow Isobel to explore a relationship with Anatsa before the writers shift to Kyle and Isobel’s romance.
Now, as for the issues with characterization, I have a couple of gripes.
First, I want to start with Liz’s decision to wait until later for essential alien information because it makes no sense. It’s also a stupid choice on Max and Liz’s part.
Dangerous people are going after their friends, but Max and Liz are busy making out on the couch. This choice will bite them later because they don’t know what happened to Alex and Eduardo, but Liz is never this irresponsible.
I know she’s trying to balance her work and personal life, but this matter directly impacts both. She feels out of character, so I’m frustrated.
Now, as for Michael, his insistence that he should “pay it forward” is admirable, but the scene with Bonnie could have played out more naturally in the bar. He knows he isn’t that lost soul anymore, but sometimes the writing forgets his growth.
And how exactly does she look like Michael of the past outside of drinking alone?
Understandably, Michael wants to learn more about these aliens, but Season 4 has him backtracking at points to fit the needs of the narrative, which isn’t fair to his character.
We witnessed this on Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 2, “Fly,” when he was hesitant to let Alex take the console.
He knows where and who his home is, so he should not need to constantly agonize over the same issues without a consistent forward movement.
“Subterranean Homesick Alien” proves that sometimes throwing a bunch of ideas into an already overpopulated ensemble plays out poorly, and it’s important to honor the characters you’ve been writing for four years.
I have a hard time following the different plots, which could be attributed to the excessive use of science. We all love how smart the characters are, but we don’t need fake science to follow the story.
So while the alien mystery unfolding in Roswell has potential, “Subterranean Homesick Alien” fails to capitalize on it.
It heightens the stakes to drag out Alex’s disappearance for a couple of episodes, but until the gang learns about Jones’s plan and what Tezca has been up to behind the scenes, I am bored.
Michael’s trusting boyfriend act feels forced when we know he would be calling Alex every night for check-in.
There is much room to deliver emotional, dramatic, and heart-stopping moments for the critical relationships as the characters learn the danger they are all in. That is what this season needs for it to soar.
Stray Thoughts
- Again, why can’t anybody mention Rosa?
- Michael unpacked! Now, why couldn’t we see this on our television screens?
- Michael running around town with his guitar reminds me of Malex connecting over music. It makes me miss Alex even more.
- Jones is a favorite villain of mine, and I will scream if they resurrect him soon.
- I struggle with how Maria is written because I think good people should still acknowledge flaws and mistakes. It feels lazy that they insist she is without fault.
- Liz’s wardrobe is on point this season.
- I don’t understand why we need another top-secret science agency. Use the one you already have!
- Another episode without a Michael and Isobel scene is maddening. They are the best dynamic on the show!
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What did you think of this episode of Roswell, New Mexico? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Roswell, New Mexico airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Julia Paino
Julia is a TV and pop culture enthusiast who gets too emotionally invested in her favorite characters. She loves making people laugh and is always down for a Taylor Swift sing-along. She is firmly on Team Stefan and has been since 2009. Follow her on Twitter @juliampaino!