Thursday, 9 November 2000
It's nighttime in New York City. Four teenagers who are dressed as punks, have tattoos of the four square symbol and resemble Max, Michael, Isabel and Tess, come up from a subway station and walk by a fruit stand. Punk Max makes a motion with his hand as they pass and the stand collapses, sending the fruit tumbling to the ground. The owner leaves the register to rescue the fruit. Punk Isabel takes money out of the register while the others steal some fruit, then they take off, smiling. They pass two more teenagers bouncing a basketball, one of whom calls out to punk Isabel "Hey, what's up girl? You look good!" The four stop. Punk Michael says "She knows it!" and asks him to pass him the ball. The other teenager does and they walk off with the ball, ignoring his requests to give his ball back. Punk Michael says to punk Max "They contacted us again last night. Same invite. We gotta tell 'em something". Punk Max offhandedly replies "Tell 'em no". Surprised, punk Isabel asks "Yo, you saying we ain't going to the summit?" and punk Max replies "That's what I'm saying". Punk Michael gets angry and yells at him "Yo, that's messed up duke. This is the only time we've ever been contacted". Not affected by his anger, punk Max replies "Whatever. That's it". Punk Tess pipes up with "We tell 'em no, they won't ask again" but punk Max doesn't care and says "Tell 'em, hell no". Punk Michael stops him and in a confrontational manner says "What is up with you, man? I'm tired of you. I'll go by myself". Punk Max sneers at him and says "They don't want the number two. They want the Royal Four". Punk Michael comes back with "Why don't we go and see what they gotta say? Why don't we go and get the answers?" and punk Max counters with "What if it's a setup?" Punk Michael says "It's not a setup, they need us". Punk Max gets in his face and says sternly "I'm the man. Don't forget". Punk Isabel interrupts, telling them to chill, before it comes to blows. Punk Michael relents and they shake hands.
They continue to walk; punk Max is feeling full of himself.
Thursday, 16 November 2000
One week later, in science class, Mr Seligman is explaining that when a star dies it creates a black hole and that last week there was a spectacular, stellar implosion of a red giant; the first time a main sequence star, burning in it's prime, suddenly exploded in a super nova of a 100 million degrees and disappeared. A process that normally takes thousands of years. He wonders what could have accounted for this remarkable loss. Liz and Max are very pensive upon hearing this information.
Leaving class Liz goes up to Max and says it's sad about the star, that it doesn't seem like something burning so bright could just burn out. Max is reluctant to talk to her and replies "But it did", then walks off.
That night in New York, punk Michael goes up to a car, opens the driver's door and pulls the driver out. Punk Isabel manipulates the license plate, changing it from a New York to a New Mexico plate. The driver runs off calling for the police as punk Michael, Isabel and Tess get into the car and drive off. Punk Tess, sitting in the back seat, is despondent. She says "We were family. The four of us". Unsympathetic, punk Isabel replies "Things change". Punk Tess says "He was your brother, Lonnie". Lonnie looks in the rear view mirror at punk Tess and says "That's right. Zan's my brother". Indicating punk Michael, she continues "Rath's my lover. But who are you? Why are you still living and breathing and riding in this car?" Punk Tess looks somewhat apprehensive at this last question. Lonnie continues "Oh, that's right. You're here because I love you. Ain't that sweet" and rolls her eyes. Rath smiles and punk Tess remains apprehensive.
That night in Roswell, Brody is working on his computer when Max arrives at the UFO Centre. Brody is very glad to see him and anxiously points out that there is "activity" in New York and Roswell. The blips appeared last week and he believes that someone is trying to make contact. Max is intrigued and wants to hear more but Brody's watch alarm goes off, reminding him it's time for dinner. He ushers a confused Max, who had just arrived at Brody's request, out of the room.
At the Crashdown, Maria is telling Michael not to forget the pepperjack because her customer is "nuts about his pepperjack". She mentions that Max wants a meeting Saturday night and at first is pleased that Michael says he can't make it, thinking he wants to go see her perform at the new performance space next to the museum. She is disappointed and angry when she learns it's because he wants to attend the dirt bike finals and he says "I've heard you sing before. What's the big deal". She grabs her take out order and stomps off.
Brody is at the UFO Centre, primping in front of a mirror. Maria walks in with his order. Brody is very pleased to see her. Maria is still agitated and brusquely asks "Is there pepperjack in that sandwich?" Brody checks and says no. Maria goes off on a tirade ending with "and that's why a person who can't even get the cheese right, does not deserve to live". Brody is very sweet about the whole thing, saying he's not concerned about the absence of the cheese and tries to calm her down. She tells him he doesn't have to pay for his order and he insists on giving her a tip anyway, handing her a bill. She says "That's unnecessary, but thank you" and leaves. Brody is disappointed at her early departure.
It's evening. Rath, driving, looks in the rearview mirror and says "What's your problem, Ava? You ain't said nothing in two days". She replies "You said you were gonna make him change his mind about going to the summit". Rath tells her they couldn't convince him so they went with an alternative plan. That Zan could have been the leader of a planet but he didn't want to deal so they are better off without him. Ava asks how he knows this other Zan is going to be any different. Lonnie, flipping through a yearbook with Max's picture, reminds Ava that his name is Max Evans. She says they don't know but they have to be smarter about it this time and find another way in. Rath adds "They don't want to meet with just the three of us, they want the king. So all we gotta do is get him to the summit and we'll marinate on the rest later".
Friday, 17 November 2000
The next morning, Isabel is out jogging and Max cuts her off with the Jeep. He asks her what she's running from and she says she's just getting in shape. He says "Since when? Your only exercise used to be the escalator at the mall". She starts to walk away but stops when he calls her Vilandra. He asks her "Are you Vilandra?" She is distressed and conflicted, doesn't know how to answer. He reminds her that they've always had a special bond, ever since they came out of the pods and that they have to be able to be honest with one another. Isabel says she's sorry and walks away. Max sighs deeply and drives off.
That night, Rath is speeding into downtown Roswell. Jim, in his sheriff's patrol car, pulls them over. He starts asking for license and registration, recognises them, laughs and says "Lord have mercy! What's with the hair and the outfits?" Lonnie, playing along, tells him they are on their way to a party with a New York theme. Jim responds "You look like you're from another planet…for once". They all realise that the sheriff knows their Roswell counterparts are alien. He asks where they got the car and Lonnie, noticing his name tag, addresses him by name and says they borrowed it. Jim tells them "Hey listen. You'll wanna slow it down a little bit. There's no need to attract additional attention to yourselves, especially after what we've been through lately". Rath agrees. Jim asks Lonnie "Where's your brother?" and she tells him they were on their way home to pick him up when they saw a strange car in front of the house. Rath adds that it may be an alien hunter and she asks Jim if he could check it out to make sure it's safe. He agrees, saying they should follow him to the house and he'll wave them in if everything is all clear.
At the Crashdown, Max is sitting at a booth having difficulty concentrating on his homework. Liz comes over and says the kitchen is about to close. He starts to pack up his things. Liz tells him that she hates that they can't even be around each other anymore. She reminds him that, long before they kissed, they were friends; they talked, they laughed. She asks why they can't go back to that. Max is bewildered that she doesn't understand and replies "We can't. I can't. I just…need time". He gets up to leave and Liz says she can understand and respect that, but she just doesn't want him to hate her. Max looks at her a long time, then turns and walks out.
At the Evans home, Rath, Lonnie and Ava get out of their car as Jim drives off. They are derisive about the quality of the neighbourhood and thankful that they did not grow up there. Lonnie and Rath decide to go in, to investigate Max, leaving Ava to act as look out. They break in through Max's bedroom window. Rath can't believe Max's wardrobe; Lonnie, finding his company ID, can't believe he works at the UFO Centre. Rath finds a picture of Liz in his sock drawer. Lonnie reads the inscription on the back "To Max, I'll always love you, Liz". She's not impressed but Rath says he would "do her".
There is a knock on the door and Phillip calls out "Max?" Rath dives to the other side of the bed to hide. Phillip opens the door and sees Lonnie. In shock he says "Izzy?" He asks her what happened to her, saying she looks like a rapper and, seeing the four square symbol, pleads "Tell me that's not a tattoo". She replies "Chill Dad, it's henna. It'll wash off" then tells him the school is doing a rock and roll version of Romeo and Juliet and she's playing Juliet. Phillip is all excited that his daughter is playing the lead in a play and that she's getting involved in school activities. He says he wishes Max would find something to get interested in, states that the therapy doesn't seem to be helping Max, but is helping her, and wonders if they could have a joint session to work out whatever has come between them lately. She promises to think about it. Phillip leaves, happy, and Rath says "So, Max is a head case. We can use that".
The next day, Maria comes into the UFO Centre to confront Brody about the tip he gave her - a $100 bill. He is obviously sweet on her and, unable to think of a legitimate reason, tells her he wanted to get rid of it because he doesn't like Ben Franklin's look. She tells him he clearly has too much money and that she is not for sale, at any price. He asks her to have lunch with him but when she acts shocked at the idea of a date with him he clarifies saying "Maybe the next time you bring me a sandwich, you could bring one for yourself, and not charge me for it, even though I have too much money, but pay for it yourself, because that would make it officially not a date. And then stay, and eat it with me, and keep me company, while I'm dateless. What do you think?" She replies "I think you're a little strange" but she is warming up to his sweetness and flattered by his attention.
Saturday, 18 November 2000
Rath comes up to Liz at school. She bursts out laughing and says "Oh my God, Michael, what is with your hair?" He starts hitting on her. She thinks he's joking, laughs it off and tells him "No, it's not gonna happen…EVER". She starts to walk away. He grabs her arm and kisses her passionately. Shocked, she pushes him away saying "Oh my God!" As she walks away, she shudders while saying "eew".
That night at the UFO Centre, Max is telling Michael, Isabel, Tess, Maria and Liz about Brody's findings and saying they may be connected to the dying star. Michael and Maria are not pleased that they gave up their plans for this, thinking it's not important. Max seems uncertain but says he thinks it could mean something, it's been haunting him and that they should be ready for the next challenge. Rath, Lonnie and Ava are watching from the window at the top of the stairs. Rath says "Yo, he's Zan all right. Look at him". Lonnie concurs with "Zan with an even bigger stick up his ass. No wonder his bitch left him. I don't know why they told all those humans about their secrets. It's like a freaking town meeting down there". Just then Alex comes in and, seeing them, says he didn't realise they were supposed to come to the meeting in costume. When he sees the others through the window, he starts to back away and runs down the stairs. Rath, Lonnie and Ava follow him down and the others look at them in shock. At first they think they are shapshifters but then Michael realises they must be the other four, from the original eight pods. Rath asks "So you know about that?" Michael replies "Yeah, we just found out recently so, I just…didn't know you'd look like us". Max mentions that they didn't know where the other four ended up and Lonnie replies New York. Liz asks where the fourth one is and they reply that they lost him recently. Ava tells them his name was Zan and Rath comments how ironic it is that, with all his powers, he gets killed in a street accident. He introduces himself to Max, as do the others to each other. Max introduces Maria, Alex and Liz. Liz and Rath acknowledge that they have already met and Rath adds "Sorry about that. I was, uh…I was just trying to get the lay of the land". He tells Max that something is cooking that is going to effect all of them and asks if they can speak in private.
Max brings him into Brody's secured room. Rath tells him "We've been contacted. You know, it seems some of the peeps from the hood, they wanna hook up with us and wanna have a sit down". Max, puzzled, says "The hood?" Rath explains "Our star system…home. The ruling families of the five planets, they want to have this summit meeting. And I don't know duke, I mean, I know it's important, it's got something to do with making the peace, but you know, Zan, he was gonna go and represent our family and that's why we need you". Surprised, Max says "Me?" Rath continues "Yeah, with Zan dead, you're the only king we got". Max asks "Why did they contact you and not us?" Rath replies "We're the ones they found. They don't know that there's two sets".
Michael is asking Lonnie "So, why was there two sets?" Lonnie replies "Well, they made one batch, and didn't get it quite right, so they made another". Michael says "So you guys are like, defective" and Lonnie counters with "Actually, you're the defectives. Too human, no offence. When they sent us down here, the war was still going on. We were possibly the only chance for survival, so they sent both sets. You know, for insurance".
Max is asking Roth if he was close to Zan. Roth replies that they were closer than brothers and he looked up to him all his life.
Isabel and Lonnie are staring at each other. Isabel finally breaks the silence by asking if Lonnie is short for Vilandra. Lonnie says yes and asks "Do you know about Vilandra?" Isabel says she's heard some things and asks her what she knows. Lonnie sits down next to Isabel and tells her "She betrayed our family. Brought down the whole house of cards, got everyone killed. Sound familiar? It's been hard keeping it to myself all these years. You have no idea". Isabel says "Yes, I do". Lonnie is surprised that Isabel hasn't told Max since they seem so close. Isabel replies "I…I wanted to, but…but I didn't even want to believe it myself. The thought of telling him…" Lonnie tells her not to worry, it will be their little secret. Alex comes over to offer them refreshments and Lonnie says "No three ways tonight, Opie. Maybe later". Alex is at a loss for a come back and walks away slightly embarrassed. Isabel is unable to keep from smiling at Lonnie's remark.
Max says "I don't even know what the war is about". Rath replies, "We know it's about us, the original Royal Four. Some kind of revolution happened and they were all killed and sent to Earth to be reborn. Ever since then, the hood's been a war zone. Now they want peace. I know you're not Zan and I know it's kind of screwed to lay all this stuff on you but, this meant a lot to him. He saw peace, he saw a chance to do something with his life. This is it". Max is reluctant and says "I'm not Zan". Rath responds "Don't worry. I mean, I'll be right there with you. But without you, there is no summit and there is no peace. Millions of lives hang in the balance, Max, so you gotta step up".
Max and Rath come out of the room. Max walks over to Michael, Isabel and Tess; Rath goes over to Lonnie and Ava. Max tells them "They want me to go to New York, to a summit meeting". Michael says "What, just you? We weren't invited?" Max replies, "I already told them no". Rath tells Lonnie and Ava "I think it's gonna take some work. He's got the same brick head as Zan". Lonnie reminds him they don't have much time. He replies that he's on it and she counters with "Like you were on Zan? Do not screw this up Rath. He goes to the summit or we are stuck on this wretched planet for the rest of our lives".
Sunday, 19 November 2000
The next morning they are all still at the UFO Centre. Maria is incredulous that Rath kissed Liz and she never told her about it, even though she thought it was Michael at the time. Liz asks her to get over it and then apologises. She then tells her she needs to! talk to her about something. She says "This thing kind of happened with Kyle, but it didn't really happen and I can't tell Max what I didn't do. But I can't tell you what I didn't do either, so don't ask me to explain it, OK?. But, the point is, I just feel really stupid being here". Maria replies "Do you realise, that what you just said, made absolutely no sense?"
They all hear Brody arriving and realise they've been there all night and it is now morning. Everyone but Max, Michael, Isabel and Tess finds a place to hide. Brody is angry seeing them there and demands to know what's going on. Rath comes out of hiding and stands next to Michael. Michael introduces him as his twin brother, Bob, from New York. Brody is satisfied with the identification but is still waiting for an explanation as to why they are there. Maria comes out of hiding; Brody's face immediately starts to beam at her presence. She says "You know how you asked about lunch?" He says yes and she continues with "Well, how do you feel about having a little breakfast?" She takes his arm and starts to lead him towards the stairs. His face is beaming even more. Michael's is not, as he looks on with concern. At the stairs, Brody turns to Max and says "Stay as long as you like". As they leave, Rath says to Michael "You want me to kill him for you?" and Michael sighs and replies "I'll get back to you on that".
At the Crashdown, Brody asks Maria if she believes in God. She remarks that it's a little early for that conversation, replies that it's a definite maybe and asks him if he does. He says he used to, maybe he still does but there are a lot of things that make him wonder. He asks if she believes in aliens and she replies "Why not, I'm dating one…kidding, of course". He says he's not, because of an experience he once had. She replies "Oh right, your abduction". He asks if Max told her. She says no but admits that because he was a good looking, multimillionaire who recently bought the UFO Centre, she was curious and looked into his background on the Internet. He's a bit chagrined that she found out he was a wacko but pleased with the "good looking" remark. He tells her he thinks it's about to happen again because of recent missing moments of time and bizarre dreams, just like before. He tells her if he suddenly turns up missing, it's nothing personal, he's just been abducted. She says "OK" and he is surprised at her cavalier attitude. She tells him that living in Roswell has taught her that anything can happen.
Back at the UFO Centre, Ava is saying "He'll never change his mind". Lonnie says "I don't care. He's coming to New York, one way or another". Ava asks "What's that supposed to mean?" and Lonnie replies "You really wanna know?" Ava says she doesn't want to be a part of it and walks away from Lonnie and Rath. Rath says she's turning into a problem. Lonnie replies "Don't worry. Max is coming with us. I guarantee it" and Rath smiles.
Lonnie walks into Max's bedroom, using the door this time. Max is startled and asks what she is doing there, telling her it's dangerous. She tells him she had to speak to him, that she's had something on her conscience that she wanted to tell Zan, but since he's now dead, she's hoping if she tells Max it will help. She tells him she wanted to apologise and he asks for what. She replies "For betraying you. Max, have you ever been so crazy in love, that you'd do just about anything?" He nods and she continues, "Well back on our planet, Vilandra…me…Isabel, this person we used to be, we had it bad for a guy named Khavar; we sold you out, man. We're the ones with blood on our hands; we're the ones who got everybody killed. Vilandra was the, uh, the Benedict Arnold". Max tells her "But you're not Vilandra and neither is Isabel". Lonnie replies "Not technically, no, but she's like this…demon I carry around in side of me. We both do, Isabel and I. She told me so, that night we met". Max says "Isabel would never betray me". Lonnie says "Of course not, just like I would have never shafted Zan. I'm glad she's come clean with you about this. You're lucky to have a sister you're so tight with, you know?. I wish Zan and I had been that tight".
Isabel is walking down an alley in downtown Roswell and Max is lying in wait for her at the end. He confronts her saying "You lied to me about Vilandra". She starts to say "I don't know…" but he interrupts her shouting "SHUT UP!" She looks at him in shock. He continues saying "She betrayed me…and Michael and Tess and our mother? Our whole planet?" At first Isabel seems ashamed, then she gets angry saying "Who told you this? Did she tell you this?" Max replies "She cared enough to apologise to me. I had to hear it from a stranger. And yet, my own sister…?" Isabel counters with "All right, Max, fine, now you know. I'm sick of keeping it a secret; sick of worrying about disappointing you. The great king". Almost in a whisper, Max says "I trusted you". Isabel replies "I didn't do anything. I didn't do anything! And I'm not gonna stand here and be accused of something someone else did, in another lifetime. Something completely irrelevant". She starts to walk away and Max asks "If it's so irrelevant, then why didn't you tell me?" Isabel screams back "Because, I have my own life and I can't live it when I am busy trying to prove myself to you all the time. Trying to prove I won't betray you. It is exhausting, living with that". Max counters saying "I never asked you to prove yourself". Still yelling, Isabel replies "Yes you did. You treat everybody like they're your property. I don't belong to you, Max; I never did". Incredulous, Max says "I feel like I don't even know you". Isabel replies "How could you? All you care about is yourself; and Liz Parker of course. Maybe you're finally getting what you deserve. Finally looking in the mirror and seeing what you really are and you are no king. You are a self centred, self indulgent, little boy". Angry, Max steps towards Isabel and grabs her arm. Just then, Michael comes from the alley and pulls Max away from Isabel saying "Hey, what are you doing?" Breathing heavy from the tension of the moment, Max replies "I'm going to New York". Michael says "That is an amazingly bad idea, Max". Max replies "If you think it's bad Michael, then I know It's the right thing to do" and walks away. Michael yells after him "Then fine! Fine! Go be with them!" He turns to comfort Isabel saying "Don't worry, it'll be OK". She replies "I know". They then turn into Lonnie and Rath and share a kiss.
In her bedroom, Liz is looking at pictures of her and Max when he knocks on her bedroom window. Excited by his visit, she practically skips to the window and lets him in. He tells her he can't be friends with her because he's still hanging on to what they had. Deciding to make a clean break, he returns her last year's Christmas present to him - a pocket knife with the inscription "Max and Liz 4-Ever". Liz is crestfallen. He tells her he is going to the summit in New York with Rath, Lonnie and Tess. She asks him if he is going to come back. He says "I don't know. I can't think that far ahead". He starts to leave and she stops him to warn him that the granilith is very powerful and it would be really dangerous if the wrong people get their hands on it. He asks how she knows anything about the granilith and she realises she has revealed something she didn't mean to. She tells him she can't tell him how but that he needs to trust her. He replies "I guess that's the problem, Liz" and leaves. She slams down the window in frustration.
That night, Ava, Lonnie and Rath are waiting by the car when Max arrives with Tess. Ava flashes back to that night when they were with Zan. After he and Rath shake hands they continue walking. Lonnie and Rath exchange a look and she drops the basketball she was holding, in front of Zan, just as they reach the kerb. He stoops to pick it up and Rath pushes him into the path of an oncoming truck. For insurance, he uses his powers to increase the speed of the truck. The flash ends and Ava, feeling superfluous says she's not going. Rath gets angry, grabs her and demands that she get in the car. She challenges him saying "Or what? You gonna kill me?" Max wants to know what's going on and Rath, not wanting to get Max angry, tells Ava if she wants to stay it's OK with him. She walks off and Max stares after her, then they all get in the car and drive off.