Four-time Oscar nominee Ridley Scott knows his way around historical epics, with 2000’s Gladiator remaining his best to date. 2021’s The Last Duel, based on true events and loaded with A-list stars, isn’t quite in the same league as Gladiator but does come in a close second among all of Scott’s ventures into historical territory.
The Last Duel brings to life the final officially sanctioned duel in France. It’s unnecessary to have more than a vague idea of what life was like in 14th century France prior to watching The Last Duel. That said, it does help to do a little surface-level research on the actual duel to fully appreciate the approach taken by screenwriters Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Nicole Holofcener.
The Last Duel is set in Normandy and plays out as a “he said, he said, she said,” with each participant in the tale afforded a chance to tell their side of the story leading up to the titular event. Their chapters are introduced with title cards declaring what you’re about to be exposed to is the truth, an impossibility given the many ways the participants’ stories vary in insignificant as well as major ways.
The first chapter is told from knight Jean de Carrouges’ perspective. Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) is revealed to be a fierce, battle-hardened soldier with a fiery temper and a tendency to become litigious when wronged. De Carrouges holds himself out as a loving husband, good friend, and the aggrieved party in a plot by Count Pierre and Jacque Le Gris to keep him from his birthright.
The second chapter’s devoted to squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), a friend of Jean de Carrouges before they had a falling out over land, among other supposed offenses. Le Gris is a favorite of Count Pierre d’Alencon (Ben Affleck), with the Count and the squire sharing a love of wine and women. The close relationship between Count Pierre and Jacques Le Gris helps drive a wedge between Le Gris and de Carrouges that no amount of diplomacy could mend. The line in the sand marking the complete dissolution of their friendship is drawn when Le Gris commits an atrocious, unforgivable act.
The female perspective of the last official duel is provided by Jean de Carrouges’ wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer). Marguerite’s tale appears to be the most trustworthy and it’s through her eyes we discover the true horror of what a judicially sanctioned duel actually involves.
Marguerite de Carrouges acted with unparalleled bravery and informed her husband that Le Gris had raped her while she was left alone and vulnerable. Unlike most women of that time, Marguerite refused to be silenced and was not swayed from her story despite the best efforts of the clergy, doctors, and members of court. Her account of the brutal attack is so gut-wrenching and realistically portrayed it should come with a trigger warning. (It’s important to be aware there are multiple scenes of sexual assault in The Last Duel, and they are disturbing and difficult to watch.)
Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Adam Driver deliver powerful performances but it’s Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer who absolutely drives this riveting epic tale. Ridley’s The Last Duel has plenty of exhilarating scenes of swordfights and battle sequences to keep the attention of action fans. But it’s in the quieter, character-driven moments centering around Comer as Marguerite that the film is at its most engaging. Comer is able to convey every ounce of pain, every heartbreak, and even the few scattered moments of joy in such a way that Marguerite earns our respect and empathy.
In The Last Duel’s testosterone-filled world of bloody battles and swordfights, it’s Comer’s Marguerite who emerges as the film’s fiercest warrior.
The decision to break up the film into three chapters told from differing points of view was inspired. Allowing the three central characters to speak their truths by watching the events from their individual standpoints makes for a much more complex and compelling viewing experience. I’d go as far to as to the story feels more participatory as we see the events unfold through the eyes of each key player and are able to judge their worth before the final horrific joust to the death plays out.
GRADE: B+
MPAA Rating: R for sexual assault, language, sexual content, some graphic nudity, and strong violence
Amazon’s just released the official trailer for Fairfax, an adult animated series set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on October 29, 2021. The two+ minute trailer features foul-mouthed smoking pigeons along with a bunch of teens struggling to be cool and fit in.
The voice cast includes Skyler Gisondo, Kiersey Clemons, Peter S. Kim, and Jaboukie Young-White. Pamela Adlon, Jeff Bottoms, Yvette Nicole Brown, Rob Delaney, and Zoey Deutch lend their voices in guest starring roles. Colton Dunn, John Leguizamo, Camila Mendes, Larry Owens, Linda Park, Billy Porter, Ben Schwartz, Tim Simons, and JB Smoove also guest star in season one.
Matthew Hausfater, Aaron Buchsbaum, and Teddy Riley created the series and serve as executive producers. Peter A. Knight and Serious Business’ Jon Zimelis and Jason U. Nadler also executive produce along with Titmouse’s Chris Prynoski, Ben Kalina, and Antonio Canobbio. Somehoodlum designed the characters and is involved as a consulting producer.
The Plot, Courtesy of Amazon:
Fairfax is an Amazon Original adult animated comedy series that follows four middle school best friends on their never-ending quest for clout on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles — the pulsing heart of hypebeast culture. This series is about the timeless struggle to be cooler than you are and fit in while standing out, and what it feels like to wait in line for a pair of sneakers you’re never going to cop.
NBC’s just released the first batch of photos from the upcoming ninth season of The Blacklist, kicking off on October 21, 2021. Season nine will air on Thursdays at 8pm ET/PT.
In addition to James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington, the season nine cast includes Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler, Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai, Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma, Laura Sohn as Alina Park, and Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper.
NBC released the following description of the new season:
“In the two years following the death of Elizabeth Keen, Raymond Reddington (Spader) and the members of the FBI Task Force have disbanded – their lives now changed in unexpected ways and with Reddington’s whereabouts unknown. Finding themselves each at a crossroads, a common purpose compels them to renew their original mission: to take down dangerous, vicious and eccentric Blacklisters. In the process, they begin to uncover lethal adversaries, unimaginable conspiracies and surprising betrayals that will threaten alliances and spur vengeance for the past, led by the most devious criminal of them all – Raymond Reddington.”
James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington in ‘The Blacklist’ season 9 episode 1 (Photo by: Will Hart/NBC)Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai, Laura Sohn as Agent Alina Park, and Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper in season 9 episode 1 (Photo by: Will Hart/NBC)Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper in season 9 episode 1 (Photo by: Will Hart/NBC)Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai and Laura Sohn as Agent Alina Park in season 9 episode 1 (Photo by: Will Hart/NBC)Amir Arison as Aram Mojtabai in season 9 episode 1 (Photo by: Will Hart/NBC)Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma in season 9 episode 1 (Photo by: Will Hart/NBC)Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper and Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler in season 9 episode 1 (Photo by: Will Hart/NBC)
Jeremy Allen White as Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto, Lionel Boyce as Marcus, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard ‘Richie’ Jerimovich in ‘The Bear’ (Photo Credit: FX)
FX just announced they’ve picked up the half-hour comedy The Bear to series and are targeting a 2022 premiere. The network also confirmed Shameless‘ Jeremy Allen White is on board to star.
The season one cast will also include Ebon Moss-Bachrach (NOS4A2), Ayo Edebiri (Dickinson), Lionel Boyce (Loiter Squad), Abby Elliott (Indebted), and Liza Colón-Zayas (In Treatment). Edwin Gibson and Matty Matheson will appear in recurring roles.
Joanna Calo (Bojack Horseman), Hiro Murai (Atlanta), Nate Matteson (Station Eleven), Christopher Storer (Eighth Grade) and Josh Senior are executive producing. Matty Matheson serves as a consulting producer.
“The Bear delivers thanks to the ferocious performances of Jeremy Allen White and fellow cast members Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Abby Elliott, Liza Colón-Zayas, Edwin Gibson and Matty Matheson,” said Nick Grad, President, Original Programming, FX. “The series gets off to a fantastic start in the pilot and we know this creative team including Hiro, Nate and Joanna has the comedy chops and producing experience to deliver the latest in a storied line of FX comedies.”
“We are so grateful to FX and overjoyed we get to tell more stories from this world,” said Calo. “And while this cast is talented enough to make standing silently in an empty space riveting, we can’t wait to get to work in the writer’s room.”
FX describes The Bear as a comedy about a young chef, played by White, who returns to Chicago to run the family restaurant.
The team race to save a man who wound up on the losing side of a battle with a chainsaw on Fox’s 9-1-1 season five episode five. “Peer Pressure” will air on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT.
Executive producers Angela Bassett and Peter Krause return to lead the cast as Athena Grant and Bobby Nash. Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Maddie Kendall, Oliver Stark is Evan “Buck” Buckley, Aisha Hinds is Henrietta “Hen” Wilson, and Kenneth Choi is Howie “Chimney” Han. Ryan Guzman plays Eddie Diaz, Rockmond Dunbar is Michael Grant, Corinne Massiah is May Grant, Marcanthonee Jon Reis is Harry Grant, Gavin McHugh is Christopher Diaz, and John Harlan Kim plays Albert Han.
“Peer Pressure” Plot: The members of the 118 face an awkward rescue call when they arrive on the scene of a man who has over-exerted himself exercising. The team also must save the life of a groundskeeper whose chainsaw cut into him and race to an explosion at a retirement community.
Meanwhile, Athena has an extreme reaction to Harry’s new behavior. Then, Hen and Eddie, as well as Buck and Ravi, have rocky starts to their new partnerships, and May receives an emergency call from a suicidal teen, while continuing her uneasy work relationship with Claudette.
The Season 5 Plot, Courtesy of Fox:
The first responders race into action when a series of ransomware attacks target computer systems, air traffic control towers and hospitals. Then, a massive city-wide blackout causes havoc in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Athena deals with a family emergency, Maddie’s postpartum depression worsens, Eddie suffers a health scare and a new call center operator takes charge.
Peter Krause in ‘9-1-1’ season 5 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Jack Zeman / FOX)Ryan Guzman, Aisha Hinds, Peter Krause and Oliver Stark in the “Peer Pressure” episode (Photo Credit: Jack Zeman / FOX)Ryan Guzman in season 5 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Jack Zeman / FOX)Aisha Hinds in the “Peer Pressure” episode (Photo Credit: Jack Zeman / FOX)Peter Krause in the “Peer Pressure” episode of ‘9-1-1’ (Photo Credit: Jack Zeman / FOX)
Apple TV+ just dropped a new trailer for The Shrink Next Door, an upcoming limited series starring Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell. The series, based on a popular podcast and inspired by true events, is set to premiere on November 12, 2021.
Apple TV+ will release the first three episodes on Nov. 12th followed by new episodes on subsequent Fridays.
In addition to Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell, the eight episode limited series also stars Kathryn Hahn and Casey Wilson.
Described as a dark comedy, The Shrink Next Door was directed by The Big Sick‘s Michael Showalter and Jesse Peretz (GLOW). Emmy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, WGA Award winner Georgia Pritchett (Succession) wrote the script and Pritchett, Ferrell, Rudd, Showalter, Jessica Elbaum, Brittney Segal, Marshall Lewy, Hernan Lopez, Aaron Hart, Jared Sandberg, Katie Boyce, Francesca Levy, and Jordana Mollick executive produce. Podcast host Joe Nocera is involved as a co-executive producer.
The series is a Civic Center Media production in association with MRC Television.
Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd star in “The Shrink Next Door,” premiering globally Friday, November 12 on Apple TV+.
The Plot, Courtesy of Apple TV+:
The Shrink Next Door follows the decades-long manipulation and exploitation by psychiatrist Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf (Rudd) and his longtime patient Martin “Marty” Markowitz (Ferrell). Dr. Ike is accompanied by his unsuspecting wife Bonnie Herschkopf (Wilson) and though Marty may be defenseless against Dr. Ike enticing offerings, his hard-headed sister Phyllis (Hahn) is not.
The official trailer for Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s revival of the Scream film franchise begins with a callback to the original film’s opening scene in which Drew Barrymore fell victim to the Ghostface killer. Dewey Riley rings up Sidney Prescott – played by returning Scream franchise stars David Arquette and Neve Campbell – and informs her the killings have begun again.
Sidney advises the new group of targeted teens that things are about to get serious, and teams up with Gale Weathers (with Courteney Cox reprising the role) to take on the new Ghostface killer.
The 2022 Scream also stars Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sonia Ammar. Scream creator Kevin Williamson serves as an executive producer, with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett directing from a script by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick.
The latest installment in the franchise is also executive produced by Chad Villella, Gary Barber, Peter Oillataguerre, Ron Lynch, Cathy Konrad, and Marianne Maddalena.
Paramount Pictures has set a January 14, 2022 theatrical release date.
The Plot:
Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past.
Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) and Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) star in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream’Jack Quaid (“Richie”) and Melissa Barrera (“Sam”) – Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media GroupDylan Minnette (“Wes”) stars in ‘Scream’ (Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group)David Arquette (“Dewey Riley”) stars in Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Scream’
The official trailer for Netflix’s Colin in Black and White limited series opens with Colin Kaepernick declaring he’s always wanted to be a quarterback. “But what you start out as is not necessarily what you become,” says the activist and former NFL QB.
Kaepernick and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay met in 2017 and decided to team up on Colin in Black and White. “In high school, I faced a lot of different challenges from sports, to my family, and other parts of my personal life, which a lot of viewers may be able to relate to. But I also faced obstacles as a Black kid growing up in a white family in a white community,” stated Kaepernick. “After meeting Ava DuVernay in 2017, I knew she was the right person to collaborate with. I shared my idea to create a series based on my high school years and she said, ‘Ok, Let’s do it.’ And we started working together to bring these stories to life in the most impactful and compelling way possible.”
“It was vitally important to me that this wasn’t another autobiographical series about a famous person as a child. No disrespect to those shows, but it’s been done – and done well. I was interested in pushing a bit further into this storytelling trope,” stated DuVernay explaining their approach to the limited series. “It was about challenging the process to determine how we could expand the core of a young person’s path to power into a story that can appeal widely and personally to others. The goal was to take the kernel of the idea and make it mean something to viewers whether they’re watching in Detroit or Dubai, Shreveport or Senegal. This is how the idea of weaving cultural and historical context with the young person’s story came to my mind.”
The series stars Jaden Michael as a young Colin, Nick Offerman as Rick Kaepernick, and Mary-Louise Parker as Teresa Kaepernick. Colin Kaepernick appears as himself and narrates.
DuVernay, Kaepernick, and Michael Starrbury executive produced, with DuVernay, Sheldon Candis, Robert Townsend, Angel Kristi Williams, and Kenny Leon directing.
The six episode series will premiere on October 29, 2021.
The Plot, Courtesy of Neflix:
From co-creators Ava DuVernay and Colin Kaepernick comes Colin in Black and White, a bold new dramatic limited series that chronicles Kaepernick’s coming of age story, tackling the obstacles of race, class and culture as the Black adopted child of a white family.
Colin in Black and White stars Jaden Michael as Young Colin before reaching the highest levels of American football as an NFL quarterback and becoming a cultural icon and activist; Nick Offerman and Mary-Louise Parker as his well-meaning parents Rick and Teresa; and Colin Kaepernick himself, who appears as the present-day narrator of his own story, guiding viewers through a robust and colorfully presented array of historical and contemporary contextual moments. You don’t know Kaepernick until you know Colin.
The team tries to keep a diplomatic crisis from happening on CBS’s NCIS: Hawai’i season one episode five. Episode five was directed by Tim Andrew from a script by Ron McGee and will air on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT.
On October 11, 2021 CBS announced they’ve given NCIS: Hawai’i and FBI: International full first season orders.
Vanessa Lachey (Call Me Kat, Truth Be Told) leads the cast as Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, Alex Tarrant plays Kai Holman, Noah Mills stars as Jesse Boone, and Yasmine Al-Bustami plays Lucy Tara. The first season also stars Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik and Tori Anderson as Kate Whistler.
Episode five guest stars include Enver Gjokaj, Seana Kofoed, Madeline Zima, Sonny Saito, Toshiji Takeshima, and Saxon Sawai.
“Gaijin” Plot: When a Japanese sailor is killed on American soil and evidence links the case to the previous murder of the victim’s girlfriend back in Japan, NCIS must find the murderer before the wrong person is accused and the case triggers a diplomatic crisis. Also, Captain Milius makes a personal request to Tennant.
The world’s most successful television series continues on the seductive shores of the Aloha State with NCIS: Hawai’i, where the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, Jane Tennant, has thrived and risen through the ranks by equal parts confidence and strategy in a system that has pushed back on her every step of the way. Together with her unwavering team of specialists, they balance duty to family and country while investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the sun-drenched island paradise itself.
The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico season three episode 13 – the season finale – picks up seconds after the end of episode 12. Max (Nathan Dean), Isobel (Lily Cowles), and Michael (Michael Vlamis) use their powers to save Heath, Kyle, and Eduardo from plunging to their deaths, with Liz helping by pulling the men in.
Now that everyone’s back on solid ground, the squad assembles to go over Liz’s actions and what to do next. Liz (Jeanine Mason) explains they needed to inject either Max or Jones anyway, and now they have nine hours before Jones’ DNA detangles from Max’s. However, the bond will be re-established if they don’t kill Jones during the period of time when Jones and Max are fully separated. As soon as that happens, Liz needs to inject Jones with biomolecules that will keep the DNA from reconnecting.
Michael reveals Jones took the Lockhart machine because he wants to send a signal out. Alex and Eduardo are currently working on a way to send a signal to the machine, which will not only help locate Jones but also allow the broadcast of a frequency burst capable of forcing Max and Jones back into their old bodies.
Isobel’s not sure about their plan and opts to spend her time rebuilding her mother’s sword.
Isobel and Rosa (Amber Midthunder) head over to The Wild Pony and discover Maria (Heather Hemmens), crying. She doesn’t offer much of an explanation as to what’s wrong and instead asks about a bag they’ve brought. Isobel lays out the pieces of the sword and explains they need to put it back together to take on Jones again.
Rosa’s not sure the sword matters; it’s not what makes Isobel strong. Isobel’s adamant about piecing it together as it’s the only thing that’s ever stopped Jones in the past. Maria points out Isobel’s nosebleed and Isobel admits she hasn’t slept in days.
Marie sends Isobel off to take a nap by promising she and Rosa will work on the sword.
Over at Deep Sky an exhausted Liz confesses to Kyle (Michael Trevino) that’s she scared of losing Max. As they’re talking Liz’s computer beeps and she learns that once they inject Jones with the biomolecules, they’ll only have seconds to kill him without killing Max.
Meanwhile, Max begs Michael to kill him to stop Jones, fearful that when things do eventually turn bad he won’t be able to do it. He needs to die now to stop this, but Michael isn’t having it. He yells at Max to grow up and to stop surrendering.
“Maybe today is your last day, Max. Maybe it’s mine, too. But if that’s true we can’t walk away from the tough conversations with the people who love us,” says Michael.
Heath (Steven Krueger) watches over Dallas (Quentin Plair) as he rests following surgery. He describes Dallas’ condition to Liz as surprisingly good, given everything he’s just been through. Heath confesses that while he was hanging outside the building he thought about never having a chance to say he was sorry for everything.
Dallas wakes and jokes that listening to Heath and Liz is like watching a soap opera. He asks for music to get his blood flowing and Liz has an epiphany.
Kyle’s a little embarrassed to be caught by Heath and Liz dancing with an IV pole to Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” Fortunately, the embarrassment’s over quickly as he and Liz reveal they’ve separately come to the conclusion they need to administer the biomolecules in adrenaline. It only takes seven seconds to travel the entire body. The wall between Max and Jones will go up and Jones will be vulnerable.
Isobel’s definitely not resting when Rosa finds her shooting arrows at a no trespassing sign. Isobel’s an emotional wreck and believes her life is coming apart at the seams. Rosa tells her to think about her life and who she wants to be away from all this noise.
Eduardo locates Jones in a deserted building and fires a shot, shattering the piece of alien glass Jones was about to put into the Lockhart machine. Eduardo demands to know how Jones plans on leaving the planet, but Jones knows Eduardo won’t shoot him. Eduardo admits he’s there to destroy the machine.
Unfortunately for Max, Kyle needs to extract some alien adrenaline from him without being able to use any anesthetic. Kyle, on the other hand, is perfectly fine with inflicting a little pain on his least favorite alien.
The electronics flicker as Max gets worked up watching the needle approach his abdomen. Kyle’s not helping settle things down and Liz barges in, volunteering to take over. Max heaves a sigh of relief.
Max confesses he’s scared of hurting her; she deserves better. The electronics flicker again and Liz leans over to remind him of when they were kids and she let him listen to a song on her Walkman the day they met. He told her all those years ago it was the first time he felt connected to this world.
“I never told you but I feel so lucky I got to give you that,” says Liz.
Max confesses he sometimes hears that song in his head but doesn’t remember its name. All he can remember from that day are her eyes and how they made him feel calm.
The lights and monitor stop flickering as Liz and Max allow themselves to relax into each other. No matter what happens the remainder of the day, they both quiet each other’s noise. Liz reveals she used to think it was a choice between him or science but she’s learned it’s actually him and science.
Liz extracts the adrenaline and it’s obviously extremely painful, but Max doesn’t cry out or jerk away.
Isobel returns to The Wild Pony and confesses she got lost on her journey to becoming a badass warrior. She’s figured out she doesn’t need to do everything by herself and can let her friends in. “I don’t want to be a lone wolf. I want to be part of the pack,” says Isobel which earns a group hug from Rosa and Maria.
Maria explains they’ve figured out the sword broke because the sword was owned by Theo, Louise, and Nora, which is why it shattered in Isobel’s hand. It doesn’t represent Isobel or her power. Maria reminds them aliens get power from their triad and their generation line. Maria loves Isobel like a sister and wants to use their family’s bracelet (specifically the purple petals) to help power up the sword. She also reveals her mom’s condition has worsened and Maria hopes that they can take down Jones and use his body to figure out a way to keep her from ending up as sick as her mother.
Michael checks in on Alex’s progress preparing Kyle’s dad’s radio to send out a message to the Lockhart machine. Michael admits he’s freaked out and upset they never went on a real first date. Alex (Tyler Blackburn) cuts Michael off as he’s saying, “I need you to know if this goes bad tomorrow I…” Alex isn’t about to consider they won’t win this battle and refuses to let Michael declare his love right now.
Alex is shocked when Michael confesses he’s worried they will win. He doesn’t think Alex will love him if he has to kill his own father. He’s also worried he won’t love himself if he takes his father’s life. “That self-loathing is what caused this mess between us for 15 years. What’s winning going to do? Is it going to set us right back to square one?” says Michael, barely holding it together.
Alex assures him they have grown together and changed. They beat one monstrous dad – they can beat another. Alex kisses Michael and then receives a message from Liz that she’s finished the serum. They sneak in one more passionate though short kiss before Michael takes off.
The sword reassembles thanks to Maria, Isobel, and the purple petals.
Liz, Michael, and Max prepare for the showdown at the electrical tower. Michael secures Max in the alien cage as Liz reveals they’ve got 22 minutes and nine seconds before they can inject Jones. Max asks for a kiss for good luck, but Liz wants to hold off until Max is back in his real body.
Michael turns on the Valenti radio, car headlights and other electronic items feel the surge, and Max appears to pass out. He comes to and it worked! Jones is back in his own body which is currently restrained in the alien cage.
Jones is impressed with what they’ve done, but he already knows about their plan because he saw it in Eduardo’s head. He chuckles as he thinks about Max returning to his own body while it’s plunging the alien sword into Eduardo.
The scene switches to Max back in his own body and using his powers to heal Eduardo.
Michael, Isobel, Rosa, and Maria arrive and Jones is unimpressed. He’s certain he’ll get out and promises whoever helps him get out of the restraints will live. Michael informs him they are standing together; his attempts at splitting them up won’t work.
Jones claims he’s already used the Lockhart machine to leave a message for a vessel’s occupants to come pick him up once they awaken. Michael doesn’t believe him and Maria believes he’s too chatty.
Jones specifically addresses Rosa and asks if she figured out the mistake Michael made. She has no idea what he’s talking about.
While all this is going on, Kyle’s drawing additional blood from Max as the countdown to separation continues.
Maria wonders what Jones was talking about and suddenly Rosa winces in pain. She explains she’s hearing something loud and squeaky just as bats descend on their location. The power to the cage is cut off and Jones is freed. (Thanks a lot, bats!)
Jones immediately uses his powers to pull Liz through the air and into his hands. He demands to know the location of the serum just as Isobel tries to attack him with her sword. Jones turns the knobs on the radio and swaps places again with Max just as Isobel is about to stab him. Fortunately, Max convinces her he’s not Jones before she finishes her attack.
Max asks to be swapped back because right now Jones is alone with Kyle!
As Jones is about to kill Kyle to get the Lockhart machine Alex tases him from the rear. Seconds later Max and Jones swap bodies again, and Max feels the effects of being tased. “Oh today is not my day!” he says and Kyle realizes Max is back.
Isobel attempts to hold Jones in check with the sword but he manages to push it away from his neck. He pushes Isobel to the ground and sends the sword flying into the desert. Maria chases after it while Jones pulls the vial from Liz’s hands. The vial hangs in mid-air as he and Michael attempt to gain possession of it. It’s slowly moving toward Jones when Liz jumps up and grabs it.
Jones creates a circle of fire around him and Liz just as Max and Kyle pull up. Max warns Michael they only have 47 seconds until Jones is disconnected from him, and Michael leaps into action. Michael joins them in the circle and fights with his dad.
Isobel wishes Dallas was there since he can control water, and Kyle points out he has a fire extinguisher in the car.
Jones knocks Michael down and throws a metal cabinet at him. He then summons his sword and prepares to kill Michael but is stopped in mid-swing by Isobel (with an assist from Kyle). Maria tosses Isobel her sword and this time Isobel’s able to disarm Jones.
Jones turns his attention to the Valenti radio, switching the dials to jump back into Max’s body. He and Max wind up fighting over the frequency until finally the radio’s had enough and stops working.
Max and Jones turn to face the group and both declare themselves to be the real Max. Isobel can’t read their auras and Rosa can’t get a read on their frequencies. Liz is completely confused as she loads up Maria’s shotgun with the vial. Max and Jones both know Max’s secrets, including the fact Max has never been in Liz’s bedroom.
Liz finally figures out which is her Max when she asks for the name of the song that was playing on her Walkman. Jones knows the answer, but Max doesn’t. Liz knows which is which since Max confessed he was lost in her eyes the day they met and never remembers the song’s name.
Jones names the song but Max can’t. She shoots Jones but he tries for one final jump into Max before succumbing to the biomolecules. Their struggle with the alien dictator is finally over.
Liz and Max kiss and hold each other tight.
Their nightmare’s ended and Max spends some time in front of his place pounding away on the typewriter. Michael and Isobel join him and Max hands Isobel an envelope. Michael hopes it doesn’t contain more sappy letters. It doesn’t; it’s his secret acetone margarita recipe.
Max confirms he wants to give Jones’ body to Liz, but he believes they should all have a vote. And by all, he means Dallas who pulls up right that moment. Dallas apologizes for being late and blames it on Heath’s long confessional.
Kyle finds Rosa sketching in the park and hands her an envelope. Inside are new IDs under the name Rosalinda as well as a plane ticket to New York! She’s overwhelmed and happy, but also worried she might ruin her new life too. They share a hopeful hug.
Over at The Wild Pony, Michael and Isobel drink while Michael kills time before his first official date with Alex. Alex told him it doesn’t appear Jones was successful in getting out a message.
Gregory Manes (Tanner Novlan) shows up and requests a dance with Maria, and Isobel volunteers to man the bar while they hit the dance floor.
Liz wants some alone time with Max and suggests they leave the bar and head to the ocean.
Michael and Alex’s first in-public date begins at the foot of Alex’s dad’s statue followed by a stroll down main street while holding hands.
Kyle arrives at The Wild Pony and Isobel’s excited to yell out, “We’re closed!” She claims she’s always wanted to say that. Kyle’s brought Tequila for Maria to thank her for saving his life, and Isobel explains she gave Maria the night off. He volunteers to stay and help her clean, but she wants a little alone time.
Before Kyle leaves, Isobel calls him back for a dance. They’ve just touched hands when Anatsa arrives with news she’s landed the job at the newspaper. They kiss and Kyle looks uncomfortable as he suggests they drink his Tequila gift. Isobel asks if he wants to stay and celebrate but Kyle declines.
Max makes his first visit to Liz’s bedroom, confused since she said they were going to see the ocean. She hands him the ocean-themed snow globe and says it’ll do until they get to the actual beach. Liz asks Max to use his powers to lock the door and Max smiles and obliges while they kiss.
The episode – and the season – ends with a naked woman walking around in Careyes, Mexico. A radio gets staticky and a kind woman covers the stranger in a blanket. The woman takes the stranger to see a friend, explaining she believes she’s one of the sky people she talks about when she’s had too much to drink.
The kind woman shows her friend, Allie, the stranger’s tattoo and says she keeps repeating the name Liz Ortecho. Allie knows the naked woman’s not Liz Ortecho since Liz was one of her students in Roswell. Allie (played by Roswell’s original Liz, Shiri Appleby) leans forward and asks, “How do you know who Liz Ortecho is?” as the episode ends.
And that’s it for a jam-packed season three of Roswell, New Mexico. Thankfully, The CW gave the series an early season four renewal order so we’re not left wondering about this new alien and whether her appearance confirms Jones was able to get a message out before he died.
