Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 11 Review: Follow You Down
Heather Hemmens steps behind the camera for the second time on Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 11, “Follow You Down,” for one of the most monumental episodes of the series.
After weeks of uncertainty, Alex Manes is alive and back in Michael’s arms — as fiancés! Well, he is alive, for now.
“Follow You Down” hits fans with all of the big emotions, especially as Michael and Alex reunite after spending most of this season apart.
Tyler Blackburn and Michael Vlamis possess some of the most genuine chemistry on television. There is an ease with which they tackle the complex facets of their dynamic, and it powerfully consumes us as we watch.
These two deliver some of the most beautiful character work of the whole series as Michael owns his guilt and mistakes and Alex surprisingly proposes.
It is essential that their reunion addresses Michael’s temptation, which stems from his issues with the meaning of home and his traumatic upbringing. Alex masterfully handles his boyfriend’s struggles, always catching him when he falls. Alex knows Michael’s heart and that he’s not going anywhere.
Now, Michael refers to Earth as “our planet” because his home is wherever Alex is.
Michael’s infectious joy as he accepts Alex’s proposal is probably the happiest we’ve ever seen him on Roswell, New Mexico. And after everything they have been through, you can’t help but root for their love story.
I’ll be honest with you and admit that I feel slight whiplash at the speed of their reunion and proposal, but I also understand the circumstances and the history between these two to see why it works.
Michael and Alex’s connection has been cosmic since they were seventeen, drawn together by some otherworldly bond. Pulled apart by abusive fathers, trauma, war, and bad timing throughout their decades-long love affair, through it all, they never stopped loving each other.
They’ve spent too much time apart, which Alex justifiably notes. They deserve to dive in headfirst before their time runs out, ironically giving us the ominous twist that their storyline ends with.
As the two share smiles and kisses, basking in their love for one another, paralleling their young days in the back of a truck, Alex hits us with the devastating blow that he is dying from the radiation in the liminal space.
Malex has always been star-crossed, yearning for something that feels out of reach, which is why I refuse to believe that Alex will die. They’ve gone to hell and back to get their timing right. Their time is now and forever, and they’ll get their happy ending.
Michael is the son of Jones, with untapped alien powers, so it is time for a handprint!
Outside of the Malex love, “Follow You Down” plays into other essential dynamics as the Pod Squad grapples with Liz’s addiction and Clyde’s plan.
While Liz sees the error of her ways by the end, her reckless and selfish actions threaten the safety of the aliens, which is troublesome for Max and Liz’s stability as a couple.
Max’s main fear throughout the series has always been exposure, so he prioritizes his family’s safety. Liz’s time with Shivani, who is extremely powerful and scheming, puts all of the aliens in grave danger.
It is reassuring to see Liz harness her intellect to stop Clyde and set herself on a better path, but I struggle with the ease of Max and Liz’s final scene because they hit such a shocking low as a couple recently.
There are stark differences that they need to work through to regain trust and stability as a lifelong pairing. With only two episodes left, I fear that their issues will take a backseat in favor of a “happy ending.”
Kyle and Isobel, like Max and Liz, are also in an odd place in their relationship, helming the romantic comedy aspect of the series.
Michael Trevino and Lily Cowles are such a delightful duo as “friends” awkwardly tiptoeing around their attraction. We can’t help but root for them to admit their obvious romantic feelings for each other.
However, I will admit that the speed of this season, specifically that it takes place over a week and a half, makes it hard to follow this development.
Anatsa and Isobel’s breakup is still fresh, and most of the characters commenting on Kyle and Isobel’s romance have seen and heard very little to prove they knew about their budding romance until the writing needed them to.
Their dynamic thrives because of the electric chemistry between the actors and the compatibility of the characters, but the pacing struggles to feel right. I wish Roswell, New Mexico had another season for Kybel to flourish.
“Follow You Down” delivers on some of the most important developments of the series, but the episode still struggles to balance alien lore and romance.
Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 heavily leans into the science fiction elements of the series, which is frustrating when the questions feel endless. It is time for answers about the Alighting and Alex’s purpose in Jones’s contingency plan instead of treading around with these uncertainties until the last second.
It doesn’t help that Clyde is a mind-numbingly dull villain, dragging out an evil plan we aren’t invested in when our favorite characters are living through the best and worst moments of their lives.
We watch this show for the friendships and romances that drive the story, so the mythology needs to deliver jaw-dropping, emotional answers to keep us intrigued through the end.
Stray Thoughts
- The Kyle, Isobel, and Rosa hand-holding scene is Roswell, New Mexico comedy at its finest.
- Michael’s “I’m so in love with you it’s embarrassing” is the most adorable line ever uttered on The CW.
- Are these friends even looking for a way to save Michael and Alex? There is a severe lack of urgency right now.
- Max and Isobel’s heart-to-heart contrasting Michael receiving the most devastating news ever hits hard. I wish they mentioned him during that conversation.
- Nothing against Theo, but the mythology strays so far from Nora now, which feels odd. Is it an actor availability issue?
- I miss when music was a character on this show. This season is severely lacking in major music moments.
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!