Roswell, New Mexico Series Finale Review – How’s It Going to Be (4×13)

Reviews

Lives hanging in the balance and time running out—it’s a classic Roswell predicament for the finale episode ever.

On Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 Episode 13, the Pod Squad outwitted Clyde once and for all, but it wasn’t the whole focus of the episode. 

Defeating the season’s biggest villain was important, yes, but it was equally, if not more important, to give these beloved characters a proper conclusion. We’ve come on this supernatural journey with them for four seasons, and science and powers aside, it’s always been about their evolution. And at the core of that evolution is love. Love always trumps hate, and when Clyde was eliminated, a new day began with new possibilities and potential. 

And there was so much love everywhere, even if the outcome didn’t look exactly as some envisioned it. 

Let’s get Clyde out of the way first. The series finale kicked off with Isobel and Max coming back to Roswell from the pocket dimension only to find their biggest foe holding their friends hostage.

They quickly broke free from his grasp thanks to Rosa, whose abilities at tuning frequencies came in handy. They also got her kidnapped, unfortunately, as Clyde used the proteins in her blood to redraw the star map so that he could set course for Oasis. Shivani would’ve never helped him if she knew that’s what he was doing, so he lied and told her that he brought Rosa so that they could isolate the proteins necessary to save her daughter. Honestly, the only feeling I can muster up for Shivani is sympathy. The woman was so far gone. As Allie (Shiri Appleby)informed Liz, her wife didn’t have a blind spot when it came to Nicole, she was simply blind. All logic went out the window as she attempted to resurrect her daughter. It was heartbreaking to see such an intelligent and accomplished woman fall prey to manipulating tactics, but she just couldn’t let go of the desire to save her daughter. She wanted to believe, so she did. Thankfully, in the end, she seemed to come to peace with the fact that Nicole was gone, and she even got her wife back!

Allie played an integral role in the episode as she helped Liz and Kyle recreate the mark of Ophiucus that would prevent Clyde from going back to the home planet. And she made it stick this time so he could never get it removed. She also created a solution to help cure Liz and Shivani from the effects of the mist. Getting in on the alien science wasn’t her only contribution as she also continued to be a great mentor for Liz in her time of need. I loved that the OG Roswell got to play a role in the spinoff, and it was the cherry on top of the sundae to see the original Liz in the alien headband one last time.

The true Bonnie and Clyde — Liz and Max — teamed up brilliantly to take down Clyde. He thought he had won and was even giving a victory speech before realizing that, much like Jones, he couldn’t one-up the great Liz Ortecho. One last time, the science won! And he disintegrated right then and there while watching Oasis slip through his tiny little aspiring-dictator fingers. 

And then, the real fun began. 

First up, a proper wedding for Alex and Michael Guerin. Yes, Alex finally shed the Manes name because “he was never much of a Manes man.” These two deserved the happy ending; they worked like hell for it. 

And I almost lost it when Guerin called Alex his husband while returning the favor and dedicating a song to him.

There were so many incredible moments: Guerin’s nervous telekinetic energy breaking things prior to the wedding, Walt Sanders giving Guerin a final send-off with a speech about finding great love amid everything and a trinket from his mother, and Alex and Guerin getting “the hell out of there”—a town that was never ready for their epic love story. 

We also saw the progression of a few more couples, including Kyle and Isobel. Their love story blossomed earlier in the season, so there wasn’t much here aside from the duo finding comfort in each other as one of the few staying behind in Roswell to find happiness. Bonnie also ended up flying solo, but I find comfort in knowing she’s going to have a permanent spot at Maria’s bar honing in on all the earthly things she’s come to love.

Roswell, New Mexico — “How’s It Going to Be” — Image Number: ROS413c_0290_R — Pictured (L – R): Michael Vlamis as Michael Guerin and Tyler Blackburn as Alex Manes — Photo: Lewis Jacobs/The CW — © 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

There was also Maria and Dallas, who officiated the wedding, Maria realized Dallas made her feel “safe,” which is why she could astral project to him, and it was all code for “I have feelings for you.” For those on Team Gregory, Maria briefly touched on it by explaining that he just wasn’t her person in the end.

Maria and Dallas were a long time coming, and truthfully, I could watch a spinoff about them as a couple. Their chemistry is electric, but I also agree that before Dallas jumps into any relationship, he has to figure out who he is; he owes it to himself to understand where he came from. And those answers are waiting on Oasis, a planet that Maria confirmed is crumbling and on the edge of imploding if it isn’t saved by the Savior, Max Evans. 

Prior to her death in the pocket dimension, Tezca shared a crucial memory with Isobel that revealed Max is the only person capable of saving Oasis from destruction by using the blue flame to restore the energy in the crystals. He basically didn’t have a choice, which was devastating news for his love story with Liz, but also not entirely unexpected. Since day one, Max’s destiny was always tied to his home planet in some way, and try as he might to rewrite what’s meant to be by finding his other half in Liz, you can’t rewrite what’s written in the stars. 

Upon seeing the memory, and confirming with Maria that there is still a planet to save, Max knew in his heart what he had to do. 

Liz always knew it too, hence the “other foot” finally dropping. She may be his destiny on planet Earth, and the final scene revealed that she would be there for him when he got back, but he had another destiny to fulfill before they could get their happily ever after. 

I loved the science analogy about love because it was so fitting for all the different stages of their romance. They’ve gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, but it’s been worth it. 

And there’s nothing more earthly than a diamond to seal the deal. The rock looked damn good on Liz’s finger, plus, it’s nice to see supportive couples on television. Max would never keep Liz from doing her best work, and Liz couldn’t keep him from completing a mission eight decades in the making. They could never hold each other back, especially as his ancestors were relying on him to get the job done.

It’s unclear how long Max will be gone (it’s not like she can text him in another universe), but at least they’ve destroyed the imminent threat and now have a connection to the home planet. That’s all anyone has ever wanted. And once Max gets Oasis up and running, there’s no stopping Michael from visiting in the future and finally getting to see where he came from. To be honest, I thought Liz was going to jump through the portal with Max for a minute there since she really has nothing holding her back in Roswell. Her father is running his business, and Rosa is continuing on her path of self-discovery in New York. My guess is that there are some rules about interdimensional travel, however, and Liz wouldn’t have survived the trip since she’s not an alien. 

 The “ending” to Max and Liz’s romance is enough to satisfy fans while leaving the door open to a potential spinoff, possibly even on a network that would do a better job of showing Roswell, New Mexico the love that it deserves. I’m convinced more people would’ve watched the show if they promoted it better.  

But that’s neither here nor there because as it stands, the directors, writers, cast and crew gave fans the most fitting ending possible and love stories that can be felt across the universe. 

What did you think of the Roswell, New Mexico Series Finale?