Reviews By Jennifer
#301 Busted! – Review
Written by Jennifer
Main Plot: Max and Liz “rob” a convenience store in Utah while tracking down the aliens’ spaceship, which is housed in the store’s basement. They are arrested and both sets of parents arrive in Utah to sort things out. Friction arises between the Parkers and the Evans as they discuss how best to handle the teens’ defense. Despite Mr. Evans’ assurances, Liz’s case is transferred to criminal court (since she was holding the gun) while Max gets off with a slap on the wrist. Mr. Evans secretly follows Max as he goes back to the convenience store to check out the spaceship, only to find the ship gone leaving a toxic substance behind in its place. Mr. Evans uses this as a bargaining chip to have Liz released. Max and Liz are forbidden from seeing each other by Liz’s parents. Max moves out of the Evans home rather than reveal his true identity to his father.
Subplots: Michael attempts to finish school. Isabel is having a romantic fling with a lawyer in her father’s firm.
Character Development
Missing in Action: Jim and Kyle Valenti, Amy and Sean DeLuca, Brody Davis
New Characters Introduced: Jesse Ramirez
Max and Liz both appear to have rebelled a bit over the summer. Gone are the “goody-two-shoes” teens; these kids are turning into typical rebellious teenagers. Since this is a little out-of-character for both of them, I haven’t quite decided if I like that or not.
Cautious, thoughtful Max appears to be gone. This Max doesn’t think things through before he acts, he just goes on instinct. More like Michael used to be.
Flashbacks are used to reveal their initial steps toward reconciliation. Personally, I would have preferred a little more groveling by Max. Unfortunately, romantic bliss is still not in the stars, since the moment they decide to cut loose and just enjoy themselves Max is “contacted” by his son. (Sigh) Will they ever get a break?
Michael and Maria play minor supporting roles in this episode. Very little character development here, with the exception of Michael’s finally taking an interest in his education. Better late than never, I guess.
Isabel seems to have changed a lot over the summer. Gone is the girl whose main concern was hiding her true identity and that of those around her. Gone is the “Ice Princess” of earlier seasons. Along with her new look, Isabel has thrown caution to the winds and gotten herself a secret new boyfriend and she seems to be enjoying life to the fullest.
The entire alien trio seems to have come to terms with the fact that they are stuck here on earth with no means of getting back to Antar, and that they should make the most of their lives here… that is, until Max’s son contacted him. Michael has gotten serious about his education and future prospects. Isabel has gotten involved in a very earth-bound relationship with someone who is entirely unaware of her alien identity. Max was content to rekindle his romance with Liz. All three seem to have forgotten the “mission” their mother gave them at the end of the “Destiny” episode… you know, fight the evil aliens and all….
Ongoing Storyline Development
Liz’s parents forbid her from seeing Max. Max moves out of the Evans house. Isabel has a new, secret boyfriend.
Overall Thoughts
I liked the fact that Max and Liz are together and happy.
I disliked the fact that the entire storyline of this episode is based on something totally out of character for the Max and Liz we knew from previous seasons. If they were going for a shocking opening episode, this definitely was it… these cautious, play-it-safe, goody-two-shoes characters have turned into rebellious, daring teens. If they just HAD to go this route, I would have liked to have seen this transformation occur gradually so it would be more believable.
We STILL haven’t seen an explanation to Max from Liz (or even Kyle) for the events of “The End of the World”. The poor kid deserves to know the truth.
Memorable Dialogue
Teacher: And how far away did you plan to move that you didn’t think that your high school records would’ve been sent to your new high school?
Michael: Actually, pretty far.
Michael: Mr. Seligman, I know you hate my guts. Personally, I hate yours, too.
Teacher: This is how you ask a favor?
Michael: But if you help me graduate this year, then you won’t have to see me next year.
Teacher: Well, you do have a point there.
Isabel: Max! You idiot. What are you trying to do to our poor, clueless human parents?
Michael: So what’s the deal? You running low on cigarettes?
Isabel: Max, a little reality check. This ship you’re talking about… sucks. It’s a lemon. It crashed to begin with. That’s why we’re stuck here.
Quote of the Week
Max: Liz, I just want to put everything that happened behind us.
Liz: Yeah, you know that I would, too, if I had impregnated an alien killer who murdered one of our best friends and then left the planet with my unborn child.
Max: So you’re still holding on to that?