We’re going to need open-heart surgery after watching Roswell, New Mexico season 2, episode 5, “I’ll Stand By You.”

Roswell, New Mexico just delivered one hell of an episode, complete with flashbacks, multiple dimensions, broody boy breakdowns, and resurrections. Needless to say, I have a lot to talk about.

I never would’ve expected that the episode where Max comes back would’ve been all about Michael’s feelings, but boy, oh boy, am I here for it. It wasn’t the obvious choice, but in the end, it was really the only choice to let us fully appreciate, grieve, and rejoice for Max.

Max’s relationship with Michael is the best of him. Loving Liz is effortless and loving Isobel is instinct, but loving Michael takes a little more work. Okay, so it can take a lot more work, but it’s work that Max has always been more than willing to do.

Max is more of a hero to Michael than anyone else. Even though Michael’s faith in his brother was shaken after Rosa’s death, Max never stopped showing up for him. Even when everyone else did. In Roswell, New Mexico season 2, episode 5, Michael Guerin showed us that Max’s resilience, persistence, and heart have always been his greatest superpowers.

I absolutely adored every flashback scene in this episode. They perfectly highlighted the abandonment that Michael felt and the fortitude of Max’s commitment to his brother in a way that I don’t think I fully understood until Roswell, New Mexico season 2, episode 5. Right from the bike ride to the tequila.

Related: Roswell, New Mexico’s Michael Vlamis talks Malex, MiLuca and quarantine routines

It was such an amazing choice to showcase Guerin in this episode because everyone else has kind of had their moment of grief already, while he’s been running from his. To see him finally give in to his feelings, use them to completely save the day, and then tie it all up in his heartfelt speech to Max made for one of the best episodes of the season. I absolutely can’t wait for them to all be a family again.

Of course, Isobel also shone in this episode, both in the flashbacks and otherwise. I was absolutely amazed to see her accepting Max’s death in any way, even if she still had to try to save him, one last time. The fact that she didn’t crumble at the mere thought of a life without her brother shows how far she’s come in Roswell, New Mexico season 2.

Even when she thought she was losing him and she went to his mind-death dimension, she did so with strength and a desire to be there for him in his last moments rather than a compulsive need to hang on to him. Now she might have to face the possibility of killing him all over again, and I actually kind of believe that she’s up to the task.

Liz’s story was slightly less impactful than those of the siblings in Roswell, New Mexico season 2, episode 5, if only because she’s been dealing with her grief all season. That being said, damn it if I didn’t still break down right along with her when she thought Max was lost. Up until that moment she still had hope, and to see that foundation crumble underneath her was heartbreaking.

I really love that Rosa also got to help save the day, and I’m very intrigued to see if this means that she’ll continue to manifest powers. Was that surge of energy simply tied to the handprint on her chest, or did the pod do something else to her?

On top of that, I’m sure it means everything to Rosa that she got to help her little sister like that. She may have come to stop them, but as soon as she saw how broken Liz was, that wasn’t even an option. She’s been struggling to find her place in Roswell, New Mexico season 2, and I think that win will really help.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, we also got the long-awaited Maria and Alex reunion and some unbelievable Malex flashbacks in Roswell, New Mexico season 2 episode 5! Maria and Alex are officially even after Alex didn’t tell Maria about aliens and Maria fell for Alex’s ex. Makes sense.

I really like Maria and Guerin together, and I want them to have a real chance at happiness, but this episode made me want Malex to happen more than ever. Alex is being such a saint about everything going on, truly caring for Maria and Michael and pouring love out on both of them. His love is so strong and pure, and I need him to be happy immediately!

Even in the flashbacks when Alex hilariously asked Guerin if he was in love with Max (after the hottest makeout scene Roswell, New Mexico has ever had), he didn’t ask in a jealous way. He asked with caring concern. I bet if Guerin had said, “You know what, yes, I am in love with Max,” Alex would have tried to figure it out, doing anything he could to make Michael happy.

Also, the fact that Alex was so concerned about Guerin not wasting his life makes me like them even more as a couple. Even then, Malex was so much more than a high school romance. Alex knew what he wanted and what Michael had the potential to be. It sucks that Alex left, but he didn’t know the full story. For him, asking those questions and pushing Michael to be his best just shows how committed he was to making their relationship work.

Now that Alex knows the truth and they’re developing a foundation of friendship, I think they could (and will) become something really, really special. Even if it does take some time for Roswell, New Mexico to get there.

And take some time, it might, because now that Max is back, the gang has a whole lot of darkness to deal with! Hopefully Isobel can beat it out of him with her new-and-improved alien powers on the next episode of Roswell, New Mexico!