ROSWELL 2.15 FAQ
WHAT’S IT CALLED?
“Viva Las Vegas.”
WHO’S REPSONSIBLE?
Teleplay is credited to series co-producers Gretchen J. Berg & Aaron Harberts. They also wrote “We Are Family,” the episode which introduced FBI special agent Suzanne Duff. (Berg and Harberts also co-wrote the almost universally-reviled David Boreanaz thriller “Valentine”).
WHAT DOES TV GUIDE SAY?
“Michael's nerves are shot, so he decides that he and Max should take a trip to Las Vegas to blow off steam. Isabel and Maria discover the boys' plan and invite themselves to go along. Then Tess, Kyle, Liz and Alex hear the news and join the road trip.”
THE BIG NEWS?
No big news this week (a fact that underscores the weakish nature of this installment), but Max and Liz come perilously close to the Elvis chapel in which (according to FutureMax) the pair married in an alternate timeline. And Michael gets yet another hair-do.
SUCKOMETRIC READINGS?
A mixed bag. There’s funny stuff with Kyle, Alex, Tess and Maria that more than makes up for an inexplicably lame moment when Liz crumbles under the steely gaze of a casino cop. Also, when Michael lands himself in stir by moodily picking a fight with another casino cop, one might hear oneself emitting a very low moan of boredom and disgust. Yes, yes, Michael’s a cauldron of Angst! We get it!
HOW ABOUT A SECOND OPINION?
An e-missive, authored by a Coax reader who hints she’s at least tangentally involved with the series: “Please, watch [“Viva Las Vegas”] and post one of your great reviews. I have no doubt in my mind you'll love the episode. I've seen the script and it's just magic. There are moments where you'll laugh your head off and others where it'll rip your heart out. It's just a great story.”
BUT HERC DIDN’T LOVE IT?
It’s not magic, it didn’t rip my heart out, but maybe expectations were just too heightened. I encourage: watch and decide for yourself.
WHAT ELSE IS GOOD ABOUT THE EPISODE?
Well, it starts interestingly! Instead of the usual “previously on ‘Roswell’” clip package, the episode kicks off with what MIGHT be a parody of the prologue from the theatrical version of “Dune.” Majandra Delfino plays the Princess Irulan part, disseminating with lightning speed a primer on the Roswell teens.
AND?
It’s amusing to see how Michael’s plan to take Max to Vegas evolves into an excursion that consumes the entire regular cast. I especially enjoyed the way Tess kept absently slapping at Kyle’s skull early on.
ANY SIGN OF SEAN DELUCA, BRODY DAVIS, LAURIE DUPREE, SUZANNE DUFF, THE DUPES OR NICHOLAS?
Nope!
TELL US HOW TO SQUANDER OUR MONDAYS, O HERCULES!
Fox’s “Boston Public” at 8:00; the WB’s “Roswell” at 9:00; and (when it’s not being pre-empted for Judy Garland TV movies) ABC’s “Gideon’s Crossing” at 10:00.
HERC’S RATING FOR “ROSWELL” 2.15?
***
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins
I warn you not to defy me!
