Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 4 Review: Dear Mama

Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 4, “Dear Mama,” begins with a heartbreaking loss. Still, the episode spends more time on alien hijinks than the grieving daughter deserving of her time in the spotlight. 

This latest installment forces us to question everything we think we know about aliens, shocking us with the various powers Tezca has. However, there is an opportunity missed here.

“Dear Mama” would benefit from a slower approach to storytelling, focusing on Maria’s journey as she grieves her mother and grapples with the loss of her powers.

It is time for Roswell, New Mexico, to give its underutilized secondary characters opportunities to shine. Instead of solely focusing on their role in the group and relationships with the main four, these characters deserve focus as individuals. 

I am also talking about Maria, Kyle, Alex, and Rosa, but for this episode, I am focused on Maria. It isn’t right that Liz has the emotional moment about grief that Maria rightfully earns. 

“Dear Mama” opens with the unsettling realization that Mimi is dying, and Heather Hemmens delivers a heart-wrenching performance as Mimi dies in her daughter’s arms. It’s raw and emotional, forcing a visceral reaction out of us as we watch. 

Season 1 sets Mimi up as the kind and loveable mother we all wish we had growing up, implying that she served as pseudo-mother to Liz, Rosa, and Alex, as none had present mothers for most of their upbringing.

The episode misses the mark by not focusing enough on how complicated this grief is for Maria. With the support of her closest friends, this should be Heather Hemmen’s episode. 

Instead, the group decides that focusing on the alien conflict is a better coping mechanism. This response is valid, but I desperately wish for more out of the friendships on this show. 

The characters are who we connect with, not the science or alien conflict, and we want to see them in these emotionally vulnerable positions outside of a few particular moments. 

However, the mythology deepens on “Dear Mama,” and it is terrifying and intriguing to see what Tezca is capable of. But as Tezca’s warpath continues to claim victims, Alex is notably absent. 

Roswell, New Mexico‘s decision to make us wait this long for answers is better for a good reason; specifically, his role in this is much more significant than the others. I want to believe that his kidnapping is to evoke a stronger reaction than the rest because then why drag it out so long?

It’s unfair to his arc, and frankly, to a talented, underutilized actor, if there isn’t a jaw-dropping twist soon. 

There need to be real emotional stakes for it to be a story worth investing in. And knowing Michael, there will be a scorched Earth response to this reveal. 

And speaking of that reveal, it feels safe to assume Bonnie’s attempt at romance with Michael is there to tell her that Michael is “completely in love” with someone. When she learns what Tezca is doing to Alex, she’ll have to decide where her loyalty lies. 

From what we have seen of Bonnie, she’s lost and naive, so it’s understandable that she would misread Michael’s kindness.

She’s also the easiest alien to get onto the good side, which is helpful now that some of the gang is learning the extent of Tezca’s powers. 

It’s a great sign of growth watching Michael handle it so well. He sets boundaries, respects his relationship with his boyfriend, and shows Bonnie that he wants to be her friend. 

However, Michael is a genius who is also terrible at undercover work. By revealing that he’s the dictator’s son and has a boyfriend in his heart, he’s giving Clyde information that Tezca can, and probably already has, use against him. 

I hate to say it, but Max isn’t wrong when he points out why Michael might not be fit for this!

His perspective on their origins is different than Max and Isobel’s because of his childhood, which will lead to conflict as they learn more about their home planet. We know the Oasis is a war-torn, destroyed planet, so there is no reason to return. These aliens found their homes in loved ones on Earth anyways. 

But, regarding the abilities of Tezca, it is horrifying that she can shape shift into different characters. 

At least Max catches it on “Dear Mama” instead of dragging it out for more episodes.

There are still so many questions, and sometimes it feels like we’re moving both too slow and too fast to get the answers, but the reveals are exciting nonetheless.

Kyle’s discovery of Tezca’s pod opens up a scary realization that they have no idea what they are up against. 

Nevertheless, “Dear Mama” explores new layers to the Oasis and what the dark triad is doing on Earth, but it should have focused more on the tragic death that opens the episode. 

As the gang continues to uncover what Jones sought to do on Earth, Roswell, New Mexico sets up complicated questions of loyalty. 

Stray Thoughts

• Our favorite elementary school teacher Greg Manes looks like a terrible boyfriend. 
• Once more with feeling, where is Rosa?! 
• I appreciate that Michael immediately calls Alex to tell him about Mimi. 
• My heart breaks for Isobel, but her relationship with Anatsa needs better pacing. I feel whiplash from their Season 4 arc. 
• Max and Liz are too happy, so something must come crashing down soon, right?
• How did Kyle get to Mexico that fast? Time never makes sense on this show. 
• I cannot follow Liz’s storyline when it’s about science, but I am trying. 
• This is four episodes without a Michael and Isobel scene. If you’ve been keeping up, you know I desperately await one.

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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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