Alien Hunter

by Kate Ancel

copyright February 3, 2000

"Who was that?"

Random Thoughts:

This episode was a great mixture of humor and solid story points. I feel like we know Valenti's heart a lot more after this. He's a man almost as much in need of answers about his past as Max, Michael and Isabel. This was a pivotal moment for him and when faced with the consequences of his misplaced trust, he made the right choice.

The return of Larry and Jennifer added to the story nicely as well. I liked that we got to know them a little better individually and the bonding between Liz and Jennifer was sweet. Liz is such a tender-heart. And I loved Jen's choice of reading material… 'Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars'; how appropriate.

The use of the slow motion as we see Liz and Maria through Max and Michael's eyes was interesting and different.

How could Alex not see how hard it was for Isabel to send him away? That was the least convincing send-off I've ever seen. Note to Alex Charles Whitman: when the girl's face lights up when you enter a room and her voice breaks and trails off when she's sending you away, chances are pretty good her heart's not in it. He'd have to be blind to not see how much it cost her to hurt him like that.

Did anyone else notice how fast it got dark after Max pulled into Peppers? When they cut away to the Crashdown, it was still daylight. When they cut back to Max and Hubble, it was pitch dark.

Michael made me laugh with his interrogation of all the conventioneers, looking for answers. Especially his insistence that Max introduce him to 'the real guys', and his expectation that there are real answers to be found at a UFO convention.

• I loved the interaction between Michael and Maria's mother. Especially Michael 'Stonewall' Guerin stepping in and saving the day in the Alien Takedown. He works so hard to hide his heart of gold, but he's really going to have to stop making these grand gestures if he wants to maintain the facade.
• The captioned stills announcing each day of the convention was a nice touch, I thought.
• I loved the irony of Max taking relationship advice from Mr. Lonely Heart himself, Michael. Nothing like going to the experts.
• Milton makes me laugh every time. Steve Hytner plays the quirkiness to the hilt.
• The appearance of Jonathan Frakes at the UFO convention was funny, but I do think they overplayed that joke just a bit.
• The sheriff's dad and Amy DeLuca are great supporting characters and John Cullum and Diane Farr play them beautifully.
• The flashback scenes at Pepper's Café were beautifully done. I loved the use of color to distinguish between the past and the present and the suble blending as we moved back and forth.
• I loved that Michael was finally in a position to save Max for a change. Although you know there is something seriously amiss when he's the calm, level-headed one of the group.
• I thought the final showdown between Max and Sheriff Valenti was fabulous! William Sadler outdid himself in this episode in general, but in this scene especially. The remorse he was feeling at the outcome of the whole situation was obvious and well played. Jason Behr was also outstanding in this scene as he finally confronted the sheriff with all the anger, fear and frustration that has been building for months. He can do so much with facial expressions and tone of voice. It was such an amazing scene; superbly written and acted.

• Hubble died awfully quickly. He appeared to be hit in the upper right shoulder and yet he immediately lost consciousness with no discernible loss of blood. A little too convenient for my taste.
• I know this is nitpicky, but it's a personal peeve of mine…I really wish they would test simple things like cell phone functionality. You don't get a dial tone when someone hangs up on a cell phone....you get a quick busy and then dead air.
• How did Michael get to Pepper's Cafe so quickly? He doesn't have a car and there was no evidence of a bicycle. I was glad to see him there, but it stretched my credibility a bit to believe he made it there on foot faster than the sheriff in a vehicle.
• I wish there had been more interaction between Amy and Valenti. He blew her off so quickly at the convention. I'm looking forward to future story development between those two.
• Max really needs to add a little color to his wardrobe. Does he even own a shirt that's not dark? Light grey doesn't count.

• Isabel: "I want to get the hell out of here. This place is psychologically damaging."

• Michael: "This place could hold the answers to everything."
• Isabel: "Yeah, I'm sure it's a real mecca for factual information."

• Max: [From under Alien head] "Save me....I'm a human trapped in an alien body."

• Isabel: "You realize we've just lost our last shred of dignity."

• Customer: "I am Zenaplox from the planet Zetagon. I come to destroy humanity and return to my home planet."

• Liz: "Well, then, it's really great that you're starting out with a nice, hearty breakfast."

• Liz: "Can I get you a beverage?"
• Larry: "A beverage would be good. How about one of those milkshakes you have...here it is...Alien Encounter. I'll have an Alien Encounter."

• Max: "Michael, I have to talk to you about something....personal"
• Michael: "Nothing's too personal."
• Max: "How did you deal with Maria?"
• Michael: "Too personal."

• Michael: "You can't let yourself be led around by your [pause] energy source."

• Michael: "Alien Takedown? What is that? Some sort of wrestling match?"
• Maria: "Yeah, the Alien Takedown. You have a problem with that?"
• Michael: "Yeah, you know what? I do. I'm here trying to figure out the meaning of my existence and I'm tired of having to wade through the kooks like you and the freak shows like this to do it.

• Maria: "Mom Michael Michael Mom."

• Maria: "My mother. Great first impression."
• Michael: "Why would I want to make an impression?"

• Milton: "I'm not going to lie to you, Evans. I'm moved right now."

• Max: "Michael, there are no real guys. It's a freak show."

• Amy: "If I'd known real life was going to be so difficult, I never would have signed up."

• Michael: [Maria kisses him] "Mud. I'm thinking about mud."
• Maria: "Why do I even try?"

• Alex: "No, no, no. Not a date. Just two friends out at the same place enjoying the same thing at the same time."

• Hubble: "I'm no Captain Kirk, but I'll give it my best shot."

• Larry: "Jen, I have had an epiphany."
• Jen: "Really? I thought you said it was an allergy attack?"

• Max: "You're the sheriff...you're supposed to protect me."

• Max: "You want me? Well, here I am!"

• Valenti: "Son...."
• Max: "Would you treat your son this way?"