ROSWELL on PLANET-SF

Crazy

Liz, Maria and Michael are in the Crashdown's kitchen when Max and Isabel enter. Maria indicates Max and Liz and asks Michael whether it's so hard to act like a real couple. Michael replies that it's overrated.

Liz and Max leave to catch a film, but Michael tells Maria that they're only after somewhere to make out. They don't need that since they have his apartment. Realising this, the pair decide to close up early, even though Isabel wants to order.

Liz and Max haven't gone to the cinema and are making out in the jeep. Someone runs up and starts banging on the window. It is Kathleen Topolsky, who tells them that they're in danger and that the best way to protect themselves is to act like normal kids. Max replies that they are normal kids. Topolsky believes that she has been followed and tells them not to trust anyone and that she'll find them again.

Maria and Michael are making out in Michael's apartment when Max, Liz, Alex and Isabel arrive and explain about Topolsky. Michael believes it's a trap, but Liz believes her, although Michael points out that Liz also believed her the first time around. Max points out whether or not they believe her, it doesn't hurt to act like normal kids.

At school, Alex and Isabel are sat at a table when a blonde girl asks if she can join them. Alex tries to point out that they were in the middle of something, but is cut off by Isabel who asks if she's the new girl. Introductions are made - the girl is Tess, and this is, indeed, her first day at West Roswell High.

At the Evans' house, Michael is talking to Max about dating Maria. Tess shows up and he stops talking, but she tells him to continue: his comments were fascinating. Isabel introduces her, but once Tess is out of earshot, Michael tells her that for all they know Tess could be a plant. Isabel tells him that she's just a student, but Max points out that she's a stranger. Isabel tells him that it's not as though she's going to fall in love with her and tell her their secret, adding that they were supposed to be acting normally in front of others.

A delivery of flowers arrive at the Crashdown for Liz. She reads the card and tells Maria that Max wants to meet her at the restaurant where they had their first date.

Liz arrives at Senor Chow's and gets a table for two. A disguised Topolsky slides into the seat across from her and tells her to act normal. She warns Liz that there's an alien hunter deep inside the FBI and he's looking for Max and anyone who he thinks is involved with him. She tells Liz to meet her behind the theatre the following night.

At school the next day, Liz tells Max about her meeting with Topolsky and tells him that she thinks all six of them should have a say.

The group meet in a quarry. Michael believes that Topolsky's plan was to spook the three humans into giving up the three aliens. Isabel says that there's no decision to be made: they trust no one. Michael still believes that it's a set up, but Maria suggests they put it to a vote. Alex and Liz vote to meet Topolsky, but Maria sides with the three aliens on the basis that if they feel that strongly about not meeting her, who are the humans to tell Topolsky their secret.

That night, Topolsky waits behind the theatre, but Liz doesn't show up.

Valenti enters his office and finds Topolsky waiting for him in the dark. She tells him that when her cover was blown she was sent back to Washington, which is when she found out about the FBI's Special Unit led by Agent Pierce. The FBI believe Max is an alien but haven't acted either because they don't have solid proof or because they fear what he might do. Topolsky suggests if Valenti doesn't believe her, he should try asking Agent Stevens what happened to him when he tried to get out.

After Topolsky has left, Valenti calls Stevens at the FBI, only to be told that he doesn't work there anymore. He then phones Stevens' home number and Stevens' wife tells him that her husband is dead.

In the Crashdown kitchen, Michael suggests that he and Maria and Max and Liz go out - if anyone really is watching them it won't give them anything to be suspicious about.

Valenti goes to the UFO Center where he talks to Max, telling him that although most teenage boys think he's the enemy, he's really just protecting him, just like he protecting him from Hubble. He tells Max to tell him know if anyone bothers him or his friends.

Alex enters the Crashdown's employee area looking for Liz and Maria. He's rented some films to watch, but the pair tell him that they're going for a Mexican with Max and Michael.

Max and Michael have brought gifts for their girlfriends. Max has got bubble bath, Michael has brought shampoo and conditioner. Maria is less than impressed.

Alex is talking with Isabel about how things would be easier if you're not alone. Isabel has always believed that letting someone in would make her too vulnerable and that she's not sure she can afford that right now. He suggests they start slowly by watching Notting Hill, but then Tess arrives - she and Isabel are having a girl's night and Tess is going to do Isabel's hair.

Alex leaves and a sinister looking car pulls up next to him. The passenger tells Alex that Topolsky sent him and tells him to get into the car, but it drives off when Valenti shows up. The Sheriff offers Alex a ride home, no questions asked.

In the restaurant, Liz remarks that it's been really fun. Michael agrees that it hasn't been as bad as he thought it would. He also tells Maria that she'll have to pay since he doesn't get paid until Tuesday. Hearing this, she gets up and walks off. Encouraged by Max kicing him under the table, Michael gets up and goes to talk to her. She tells him that he's got no manners, only talks about himself and has absolutely no regard for others, pointing out that if you buy a girl shampoo, don't get the generic kind.

Later, Michael returns to his apartment and finds it ransacked, with Topolsky hiding in the shadows. She has a communication stone and tells him that she's got another one that she stole from the FBI's Special Unit. Topolsky wants Michael to agree to take her with them when his people come to get them and wants to meet him at Buckley Point the following evening.

The group meet up in the quarry again, discussing Alex's experience the previous night. Alex believes that Valenti is on their side, but Max doesn't trust him or Topolsky, or Tess. They agree not to talk to anybody and everyone except Michael and Maria leaves.

Maria apologises over the whole "perfect boyfriend" issue - after what happened to Alex the previous night, it's just not important.

Alex and Isabel are hanging out in the Crashdown since Isabel doesn't want to be alone. In the backroom, Maria catches Michael going through her locker: he's after her car keys. She's sees that he's got the communication stone and, realising that he's planning on meeting Topolsky, insists on going too. Unknown to Michael, she scribbles a note to Liz: "Meeting Topolsky at Buckley Point. Hurry".

Michael and Maria are waiting for Topolsky when they see a set of headlights approaching: it is Max, Liz, Alex and Isabel in the jeep. Max demands Michael hand over the stone, but Michael is determined to find out what happens when it's with the other one. Max tells him that no one can know they've got it and punches Michael in the face.

Two further sets of headlights appear: Valenti in one vehicle and Dr Malcolm Margolin in the other. Margolin tells them that Topolsky won't be meeting them - ever. Michael accuses him of having killed her, but Valenti explains that he's a psychiatric specialist who has been treating her following a breakdown: anything Topolsky told them should be disregarded.

Michael wants to collect the communicator which was dropped during his fight with Max, but Max tells him they'll come back for it later. However, Valenti finds it instead. Max sarcastically congratulates Michael on his good work.

Margolin drives to a secluded area and shapeshifts into a hiker.

In another part of Buckley Point, Topolsky is waiting with the communicator. Agent Pierce pulls up and congratulates her for leading him to them. Topolsky tells him that they have nothing to do with it, but Pierce tells her that it's no longer any of her concern.

The car drives off with a desperate Topolsky in the back seat pleading for help.

Cast

Australian born actress Emilie de Ravin, who makes her debut as Tess Harding in this episode, went on to play Claire Littleton in Lost.

Julie Benz makes her final appearance as Kathleen Topolsky.

Comments

Isabel has previously been shown not to let many people get close and, apart from the rest of kids involved in the alien conspiracy, it's unlikely she's got many friends. Although she might see a new girl at school as a chance to make a new friend independent of the others, would she really be so friendly with a newcomer?

However, despite this plot convenience, this is a good episode, tying up the Topolsky storyline and advancing the FBI and Nasedo ones as well as giving us some good relationship stuff as well. Although Michael's cluelessness about the whole dating thing is quite funny, is was good to see Maria realising that she's been unfair expecting him to be the perfect boyfriend.

A couple of other thoughts - what sort of restaurant is Senor Chows? Chinsese-Mexcian? And why does Valenti believe that Margolin has tracked Topolsky via her credit card transactions? Surely if she's as paranoid as she seems, the last thing she'd use would be a credit card. back to the top

CRAZY

Written by THANIA ST. JOHN

Directed by JAMES WHITMORE, JR.

STARRING
SHIRI APPLEBY
Liz Parker

JASON BEHR
Max Evans

KATHERINE HEIGL
Isabel Evans

MAJANDRA DELFINO
Maria DeLuca

BRENDAN FEHR
Michael Guerin

COLIN HANKS
Alex Whitman

NICK WECHSLER
Kyle Valenti

and WILLIAM SADLER
Sheriff Jim Valenti

GUEST STARRING
JULIE BENZ
Kathleen Topolsky

KEVIN COONEY
Dr. Margolin

and EMILIE DE RAVIN
Tess

CO-STARRING
HUGH BENJAMIN
Delivery Guy

YELYNA DE LEÓN

UK/US TRANSMISSION DATES
The WB - 10 April 2000

Sky One - 4 May 2000

BBC Two - 11 January 2001

EPISODE RATING: 7/10

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SEXUAL HEALING