Ep 10. The Balance

The Balance is the tenth episode of the first season of the science-fiction television series Roswell. The episode was directed by Chris Long and written by Ronald D. Moore and directed by David Semel. It originally aired on December 13, 1999, on The WB network.

The episode continues the storyline from the previous episode, Where the Vampires Roam, where Liz had discovered that her journal was missing, and both she and Max decided to try and track it down. In The Balance, Liz has given up on finding her journal and is focused on her future plans. She has a meeting with a Harvard representative to discuss her possible admission to the university.

Meanwhile, Max, Michael, and Isabel have found themselves in trouble with the law after being caught breaking into a government building. As a result, they are forced to perform community service at a local hospital. It is at the hospital where they meet a young girl named Riley, who suffers from a rare disorder that causes her to have uncontrollable seizures.

During their community service, Max, Michael, and Isabel learn about a doctor named Linda, who was working on a cure for Riley's disorder but died before she could complete her research. The three aliens decide to use their powers to help finish the doctor's work and give Riley a chance at a normal life.

At the same time, Liz's meeting with the Harvard representative does not go as planned. She learns that her application has been put on hold because the representative received an anonymous letter that accuses Liz of being an illegal immigrant. As Liz struggles to clear her name, she discovers that the anonymous letter was actually sent by her ex-boyfriend Kyle, who is trying to win her back.

Throughout the episode, there is a notable balance between the scientific world and the supernatural world. The aliens are using their otherworldly abilities to help a young girl, while Liz is grappling with the old-fashioned politics of college admissions. This theme is also apparent in the relationship between Max and Liz, with Max struggling to balance his alien abilities with living a normal human life.

The Balance also introduces a new character named Sean, played by Devon Gummersall. Sean is a motorcycle mechanic who has a romantic interest in Liz and becomes a new love interest for her. He also plays a crucial role in helping Liz clear her name and regain her college admission status.

The episode deals with themes of identity and acceptance, as the aliens struggle to come to terms with their alien nature and their place in the world. While they try to live a normal human existence, they are constantly reminded of their differences, both by society and by their supernatural abilities.

Overall, The Balance is a solid episode of Roswell that furthers the ongoing storylines and themes of the series. It balances the supernatural and scientific elements of the show and introduces a new character to the mix. The episode also explores themes of identity and acceptance, which have been a recurring theme throughout the first season of the series.