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| by Joan |
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THE END OF THE WORLD (Episode 5/Season 2) Musings By Joan Pickering
Main Plot: Subplot: Michael succumbs to Courtney’s seduction and he discovers she’s a Skin. I was totally bummed out by this episode. Granted, it had some amusing parts, (I don’t do spoilers and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had been warned to have tissues handy so I wasn’t expecting to laugh so much), however, the bits of levity did not make up for the ending. The whole time I was watching, I kept thinking Liz and Future Max would figure out a solution - a way to remain together and keep Tess from leaving the group. So I wasn’t worried and when there was no happy solution at the end, it was like being cut with a knife. It was really ironic because during the episode Liz was in so much pain from what she had to do (Max too from her rejection) and I’m feeling for her (and him) but I’m not worried, I’m thinking everything’s going to be OK and then, in the end, Liz is deliriously happy because she’s lost in the euphoria of dancing with Future Max and I can’t enjoy her moment because I’m in too much pain. I was still in pain long after I finished watching the episode, and tears were streaming down my face and falling on my papers as I was writing down my notes for my review. I don’t get it anyway. Future Max never said he had to mate with Tess for their unit to work, just that she had to remain with the unit to create a strong enough bond to defeat their enemies. He also never said that Liz couldn’t tell Max the truth, only that Max couldn’t know he was there and that they couldn’t meet. The logical thing to do would have been to have Future Max make a connection with Liz and give her his memories of what happens when Tess leaves, then Liz could have made a connection with Max to give him the memories. Then he would understand that he could not shut Tess out of his life. How he handled it, whether mating with her or just creating and maintaining a close friendship would have been his decision and not something forced upon him. The way they went about it didn’t make sense and was just hurtful to Max, Liz and the viewers. After what Liz did, I don’t see how they can even remain friends unless she tells him the truth and if she does then what was this whole thing for except to just play with our emotions; I expected better than that from Jason Katims. But I also expect a resolution to this because Max and Liz not getting back together is NOT acceptable. Max: Doesn’t Future Max realize it’s dangerous to mess with the past? For all he knows, this new future without Liz by his side could mean an early death for him and the results would be the same - their enemies would win. Why did Future Max keep referring to Max in the third person? When you talk about your past self, you still refer to yourself as I or me not he or him. I found that very strange, like he was trying to distance himself from his former self. I thought it was unforgivable of Future Max to blame Liz for the fact that he couldn’t stop loving her. Future Max was so cute, saying he would never be jealous of Kyle when all the while he was jealous just thinking about what they were about to do, even though he knew they weren’t really going to be doing anything. J Wasn’t Max taking a chance, changing the color of the roses in front of the Mariachi Band? Michael: So, Michael has wheels now. Did he have the motorcycle all along and just didn’t want to take Hal out on it or did he just get it? My initial reaction was shock when he let Courtney kiss him and then accepted her invitation inside but then I reminded myself that he’s just using it as an excuse to investigate her and he wasn’t really responding to her advances. However when she came to his apartment it was quite a different story, he definitely "responded" then! Did she do something to him (like Tess did to Max) or is he really attracted to her? Is Maria right? Is he just a "hound" after all? When Michael pulled Courtney’s "skin" off, it made me wonder how Nasedo could not have known Whitaker was a skin when they were in a passionate embrace, if it comes off that easily. Unless of course, the Skin was a shapeshifter and did not take over Whitaker’s body until just before Nasedo was killed. I noticed the "skin" did not disintegrate as soon as Michael touched it, nor as he held it. I don’t like that there doesn’t seem to be much consistency with that part. What was Michael planning on doing to Courtney when he found out she was a Skin? If he hadn’t missed, would he have killed her instead of the TV? (Guess he won’t be able to watch hockey games for awhile. ;-)) Did anyone notice that when Michael left Courtney’s apartment he forgot to take his shirt, jacket and helmets? I couldn’t believe that Alex actually punched Michael and that Michael was so understanding about it! I laughed out loud when he said "You realize that you just risked your life?…You’re a really good friend, man." I didn’t quite understand Alex’ response - "Call me that again, and I’ll really kick your ass." What was wrong with Michael telling him he was a really good friend to Maria? Poor Michael, someone always seems to be hitting him; he seems to bring out the violent nature of people who are normally sedate (i.e. Max, Alex) Liz: I loved future Liz’ hairstyle and look. I think Shiri should consider keeping that look for herself. Liz saying she would not have made love to Max is not that believable, considering how close they came in Sexual Healing. If things heated up enough, she would not have been able to resist. It was a little surprising though, that Max (loved it when she referred to him as Saint Max) had anticipated the possibility by carrying protection with him, but better that he have it than not. Maria: What can I say!? I just loved Maria in this episode; she was her old spunky, feisty self again, and the sparks were definitely flying between her and Michael. Courtney: I still don’t know what her angle is. Why did she act like nothing happened in the alley? She must have known Michael’s an alien by now. How could she not have heard Alex referring to Michael’s alien powers. Why was she continuing to seduce him? Does she just enjoy her work? Is she just after information, like where the granilith is? Why did she jump out the window rather than stand and fight. Are his powers greater than hers and does she know this? Tess: I didn’t think Tess (Emilie?) was very convincing when she was telling Kyle that she hates her life and is sick of the whole destiny and waiting for Max to come around crap. I was really surprised that Tess was interested in having Kyle "trim her lamp", I thought for sure she was going to blow him off (no pun intended!). Does this mean she’s starting to warm up to humans (Kyle in particular) or does she just have physical needs that have to be satisfied and, since Max isn’t available, anyone will do? Alex: Alex was soooo cute when he was begging Madame Vivian to find some lust in his life with Isabel. By the way, where was Isabel in this episode? Did Katie need time off for another project? I can’t believe he shouted out "that you have some twisted alien power" to Michael, while the door was open! Why do they have to have him do stupid things like that? But that was so chivalric of him to defend Maria’s feelings like that. Although I don’t condone violence so I don’t think he should have hit him. Kyle: Kyle looked soooo good sitting on the edge of Liz’ bed with his shirt off! He certainly was a good sport to help Liz the way he did but then, if she told him she was trying to discourage Max’ interest in her, he may think he has another chance at her himself. Would he want one? Some of the funniest moments/lines: Maria cuffing Michael on the side of his head for kissing Courtney! Maria asking Madame Vivian "OK, are they a good 48 hours?" but I was a little disappointed that she would be satisfied with just a few moments of pleasure. That’s not a sign of true love, but then, I think she’s in denial about how much she cares for Michael. When they were driving to Madame Vivian’s and Maria was sooo sure she had "landed" Michael once and for all but then qualifies it with an "I think". Maria telling Michael that Courtney just wants to get into his pants and Michael replying "That might work." He meant using Courtney’s interest in him might work with his trying to find out who she is and he had no clue how it sounded to Maria! (and the rest of us, for that matter!) Maria telling Liz: "Granted, Michael is the world’s worst boyfriend. I know that, you know that…America knows that." (Yes, we do!) Max singing with the Mariachi Band. Was that really Jason singing that song!? He has a very nice singing voice. Future Max being concerned that he had grey hairs! Future Max admiring the top Tess was wearing. Michael opening Courtney’s cabinet and finding all that skin lotion. Kyle telling Tess: "In order to trim the lamp of wisdom, we must attend to our bodily needs." (Poor Kyle, he came so close to getting lucky. I bet he never did get a chance to trim Tess’ lamp!) Actually, I enjoyed all of Kyle and Tess’ repartee. Kyle telling Liz: "I’m here to help; my body’s merely a vessel." Back to Episode Page |
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