The CW's Roswell, New Mexico - Episode 2.01 "Stay (I Missed You)"
Torn between the heartache of Max's sacrifice and the joy of Rosa's resurrection, Liz suppresses her grief to focus on moving out of Roswell with Rosa. Meanwhile, Michael copes with Max's death in his own self-destructive ways, while Isobel focuses her attention on honing her alien powers. Finally, Liz makes an alarming discovery after Rosa begins experiencing mysterious side effects from her resurrection.
In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the season premiere of The CW's Roswell, New Mexico.
"Stay (I Missed You)" was written by Carina Adly MacKenzie and directed by Lance Anderson
Max sacrificed everything for the woman he loves. He gave Liz what she always wanted. He brought her sister Rosa back to life. In doing so though, he died. That was the tragic ending of the first season. Now, the audience could debate whether or not Max was a healthy romantic option for Liz. He was always very emotionally needy and fragile. He was erratic in how he responded to any given situation. As such, it's not a huge surprise that he decided to save Rosa shortly after killing Noah for what he did to her and Isobel. The characters left behind have to explain that that action depleted all the energy he had to give. Of course, he isn't dead quite yet. The natural impulse is there to resurrect him immediately at the start of the second season. Max is the male lead of the show after all. That's not what occurs though. Sure, the characters are actively fighting to make that a reality. It's the only reason why Liz turns the car around to return to Roswell even though she and Rosa are leaving to start new lives in Palo Alto. The hint of that possibility is enough to make several people do some monumental things. Isobel placed Max's body in the alien pod because she always refused to give up hope. She talks about their relationship when she has to put on a face for Noah's funeral. She despises what Noah did to her. She remains haunted by him though. The show even goes so far to say that that emotional connection still runs so deep because she is actually pregnant with his baby. That is a little unnecessary. The trauma she endured should be more than enough for her to remain frightened about him and the threats that he teased are coming. But that final twist also offers a way to throw her off balance when all she wants right now is to be in control with her powers functioning more strongly than ever before. She craves that power which could increasingly turn toxic for her if she isn't too careful. Noah said that the aliens could live as gods on this planet. Max certainly acted like one when he decided to kill Noah and resurrect Rosa. And now, the other main characters are trying to do the same thing with Max. They want to bring him back to life. Liz feels like her whole life has been building to this moment. Her specific medical expertise is exactly what's required in this situation. She could leave for a potentially better life elsewhere with her sister. The bond that they share here is absolutely infectious. Rosa knows exactly what happened to her and is given a second chance to hopefully live a better life. She has been healed from all of her injuries. She can embrace a more hopeful future. Liz is so grateful for that. She can laugh, bicker and jam out with her sister once more. Again, it's all that she has ever wanted. And yet, Liz is also crying in a hotel bathroom and Rosa can hear it as it's happening. Neither one of them chooses to talk about it. They have emotional baggage that they are essentially withholding from one another at the moment. Unburdening that can be healthy for both of them. But a new obstacle is thrown their way at the end of this premiere with Max reaching out to Rosa through their psychic connection. He tells her not to let anyone bring him back to life. It's a dire warning that proves he may know something now that everyone else doesn't. He may just view his continued existence as a threat to his loved ones because Noah teased that more aliens will be coming soon. Of course, strange and mysterious things are still happening in Roswell. This is still a town built around conspiracy theories. Alex has files to decrypt. Maria's mother has gone missing. Isobel, Michael and Liz are putting on a show for their town. And yet, there is a reason to hope because of Liz's brilliance and the opportunity to bring Max back. That would allow everyone to move on with the best potential for a happy and rewarding future. But that warning has to be taken seriously as well while proving that this story may not be as simple as everyone wants it to be. It will be an ongoing struggle filled with questionable science and alien technology.
