#vlamis continues to slay us with the glassy eyes

[lovecolibri]

Things that Spark Joy-4x10

It’s gonna be a shorter list today folks, followed by a much longer, much saltier list which you can find here. On the bright side, the few things that DID spark joy, sparked a lot of it, so let’s talk about Kyle them!

First off, Alex crumbs with that “AM was here” written on the Welcome To Roswell sign! 

I’m not thrilled with the pacing or it’s placement in this season instead of last season, but I’m intrigued by Isobel and Tezca working together and their similar stories about being controlled and not able to tell what in their past is “true”.

As I said here "After everything we've been through, our love is losing out to a hole in the ground" sparks joy because BOY did you feel the frustration Vlamis has for this separation. I can’t wait for the writers to finally set him free to be as feral and desperate and in love with Alex as Vlamis always wants to be.

I still think it would have been better for either Dallas OR Bonnie to go in the hole and to have another main like Isobel trapped with whoever went, but ignoring that this is the last season and how frustrating it is not having our mains working together and spending so much time on side characters, I don’t actually mind Bonnie and I adore Dallas and their scenes weren’t bad (though that blue filter certainly is). Plus, we get some alien lore in there scenes which is always nice, if often confusing and contradictory to everything we’ve learned before. BUT having some focus on the alien stuff is always interesting and needed. Seeing that the star map is more than just a map and has a place to actually navigate the journey was good information I’m glad to have!

As irritating as the cyclical arguments with Echo have been and how this should have happened ages ago, them both calling out the other for making decisions fueled by fear is exactly what they BOTH need to hear.

Also, Max saying  "All I've ever wanted is to be the man standing behind Liz Ortecho” was sooo good and they should have been leaning into that part of his character all along because that’s when he’s at his best.

Isobel zooming in on the picture of Kyle smiling 🥺🥺🥺

Michael being contacted and immediately asking if it’s Alex 😭😭😭 please my heart can’t take it! But also, I love when we get to see Genus Michael come out. I know a lot of people are eye-rolling about Michael and Dallas just happening to know Morse Code, but they are EXACTLY the kind of nerds who learned that shit. You know Dallas and Heath used it to chat after hours at camp when they were supposed to be sleeping, and I would bet anything Michael and Alex did the same thing because Alex for sure had to learn it young, and he taught Michael and they would tap pencils at each other during class. 

*klaxon blaring* Michael went in the hole through the portal! I repeat, MICHAEL WENT THROUGH THE PORTAL TO GET HIS MAN!

Okay now lets talk about KYLE!! Because Kyle Manuel Valenti literally saved this episode.

He just got back from what was likely a very long flight from Mexico and is over at Max’s first thing in the morning to check on Liz

His awkward hello with Isobel and the hug where they are both a little stiff then just melt into each other

His gracious acceptance of Michael’s teasing which he brushes off while also making a joke he know will make Isobel smile

Dropping certified Truth Bombs on Max about getting on the same page with Liz because that has ALWAYS been their problem

Going with Michael to read over the letter left by his mom so he’s not alone for that, and helping him research the symbol. Also his panic about everything shaking and going haywire every time he’s in Michael lair is hilarious and  "Is this a space curse?!" is my favorite line this season and might just be my favorite line Kyle has ever said.

Kyle going out to the desert to run experiments with Michael all day so they can go get Alex is exactly the support Michael has been lacking from everyone else. It was so good to see someone finally not just supporting but actively encouraging and fighting for Michael’s quest to save Alex instead of throwing things in Michael’s face about why he shouldn’t go and how it’s not helping anyone, and guilting him into staying and helping save anyone BUT Alex. Kyle is the captain of the Malex ship, and even when Michael is losing hope, Kyle doesn’t throw that in his face either, he’s understanding that it’s hard sometimes and if Michael needs a break to breathe, then Kyle won’t let the flame go out, he’ll keep it safe until Michael is steady to pick up the torch again. WHOMST is doing it like him?! This is the energy I have been waiting for all season, this is the kind of friend Alex and Michael both deserve. And you can see the way his words just fill Michael with determination vs the way every other person has stopped him and discouraged him from going after Alex and how broken he looks walking away every time. I just 😭😭😭 Bless Kyle. The writers have had Max occasionally say some pretty words, but it’s always within the bubble of the scene without being backed up by actions on his part which is a shame, but BOY was Kyle allowed to deliver in this episode. I can’t wait for him to be Alex’s best man at the Malex wedding. He’s going to cry the entire time.

Kyle’s heartbroken comment about reaching out, putting himself out there, and Isobel not reaching back 😭😭😭

But also, even with all the support and love, Kyle and Michael still have their banter and it’s always hilarious. I wish we had gotten more of them working together as Science Bros with Liz because you know it would be so chaotic and fun and every pairing would leave one person holding the braincell trying to get the other two to behave. Kyle vs Liz & Michael working on weird alien stuff, Michael vs Kyle & Liz working on weird medical stuff, Liz vs Kyle and Michael trying to one-up each other with weird alien medical stuff. Literally comedy gold, not least because Trevino, Vlamis, and Jeanine all play off each other so well. We were robbed!

Kyle not even trying to stop Michael from going to get Alex because he knows a) that it’s futile, and b) that if anyone can rescue his best friend it’s Michael. Kyle is the ONLY friend who currently has rights.

Link to previous episode posts: 4x01, 4x02, 4x03, 4x04, 4x05, 4x06, 4x07, 4x08, 4x09