Roswell heads to the “Wild Wild West” in Liz’s mind
Following the events of “Missing My Baby” we knew that it’s not just Alex, Dallas, and Bonnie in danger in Roswell. It was also Liz.
After being dosed with her own alien power cure, it made sense that episode 9, “Wild Wild West,” would be devoted to Liz and what happened to her. Considering we (and the rest of the Roswell crew) need Liz and her brilliant mind, it makes sense that saving her would be the key to this episode.
What we did not expect was an actual Wild West mindscape. The fact that Liz’s mind took her and Max (after he visited with Isobel) to a Wild West-themed vista where Liz is sheriff, Michael is a gun-slinging poker player (this is not surprising honestly), and another version of Liz is a gunslinger, and her mentor is basically her conscience and guide (also makes perfect sense).
Roswell New Mexico takes to the “Wild Wild West” in Liz’s mind as she fights who she is and what she wants
Of course, out in the real world, everyone else is trying to save Liz (and Max). And at the heart of the group doing the saving is none other than Michael. Yet, the problem with this is that he is also struggling with the fact that he has not been able to save his own man.
With Max diving into Liz’s mind in order to save her, Michael is dealing with the guilt of not even knowing that Alex was missing. And not only that but he hasn’t saved him yet and he isn’t really equipped to save Max and Liz either.
But the thing about Michael is that he never gives up, even when you think he is. So while Liz is struggling with her fears, needs, and wants in her own mind, we have Michael coming to terms with the fact that he can only do so much, even when he wants to be the hero.
And sure our rag-tag group was able to save Liz, but the big question is what did Liz’s decision in her own mind mean for what comes next? Is the Liz that came back from the brink the same Liz we all know and love? We don’t have a lot of episodes left to make sure that the Liz we love is the one that the Roswell crew got back.
I have to say that it is episodes like “Wild Wild West” that make me sad that Roswell is done after this season. Michael Vlamis is brilliant as Michael. He brings so much heart and emotion to the character and he does it in a way that is hard to look away from. He is tortured when we want deep emotional journeys and he is able to bring joy when he is experiencing true happiness.
And of course, there is something so impressive about Jeanine Mason and her ability to make Liz relatable. While she may be a brilliant scientist (which could be hard to relate to), she is also able to deliver these moments where she is fighting with herself that remind us that even the most brilliant person struggles with insecurities and what it means to be in a relationship.
Vlamis and Mason are the very best at bringing heart and emotion to Roswell and this episode just proves it all over again. After this episode, it just cements the fact that we needed another season of their magic.
What did you think of this episode of Roswell New Mexico? Were you surprised by the Wild West landscape? What did you think of Liz’s decision? Do you think this will cause problems for our group?