ARCHETYPE SIGHTINGS ON ROSWELL

Many Roswell FanForum Threads have examined a variety of allegorical and literary allusions as interpreted by the viewers including the Bible, the Beatles, and King Arthur. Thanks to SF for finding this definition of archetypes:

Jung's defintion of archetype from Archetypes In World Literature: "The writing of Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) popularized the term "archetype" which he used in two meanings: first, "archetype" in Jung means "primordial image" that predates the recorded history of mankind; it is a universal and recurring image, pattern, or motif representing a typical human experience. Archetypes are spontaneous productions of the psyche, "inherited forms of psychic behavior" constituting the "collective unconscious" of the human race. The second meaning of "archetype" in Jung is "mythological image"; for Jung,myths are not inventions but representations that reflect real, vital perceptions of the human psyche and express the manner in which people experience the world. In post-Jungian psychology, "archetype" came to mean the basic patterns of human consciousness."
NEW TESTAMENT
(summarized by Nemo)
On the first Science Fiction thread (3/3/2000), Elliott suggested a parallel between Max and Moses or King David. Soon, others discussed Max as a possible messianic figure.

This reminded me that in The Balance, the last new episode before Christmas, we saw a special star formation overhead, and heard of someone living in a cave, as if there had been "no room at the inn." Later, just after Easter, we saw (in Four Square) the podsters emerge from the cave, a kind of resurrection. Interesting that they did not have to "roll away the stone," it moved by itself.

Most of the parallels to the story of Christ that I noticed were in the episode Crazy, seen just before Good Friday:

Alien Mother and Child. Crosses, and the name Pierce. Agent Stevens, the first "martyr" (like Stephen, who was stoned to death, an ancient equivalent of "piece by piece"). Max and his circle (about half the canonical number), meeting at a lakeshore.

Pierce could have picked up Max any day at school, but instead he tries to capture him in a remote place at night. This parallels the arrest of Christ, who pointed out that he could have been found day after day in the Temple. (Matthew 26:55)

Pierce tries to cast Topolsky in the role of Judas: "you led us right to them." As she tries to absolve herself and to protect them -- "they had nothing to do with it" -- she sounds something like Pilate's wife "Have nothing to do with this righteous man...." (Matthew 27:19)

Even the writer's name ties in: Thania St. John.

Also, an art print in Ms. Topolsky's office long ago was by J. Chris Morel. http://biggallery.com/art/byimg/A0KHY000.htm 		Another Biblical Parallel--Max as Moses:
The podsters were abandoned to be adopted by kind parents (Pharoh's daughter) or not-so-kind (Hank as Pharoh).
Max, like Moses, chose a mate from another culture, and his sister and brother disapproved.
Max, like Moses, is the reluctant saviour of his people. This makes Max a type of Moses who is himself a type of Christ.

Liz as Virgin Mary With Strawberries
Screen cap courtesy shapeshifter:
In the opening scene of Missing, Liz is wearing pants with a unique Sacred Heart pattern.

Screen cap courtesy of Momo:

Later, in Sexual Healing, strawberries appear to represent Liz's virginity in danger of being lost. The Strawberry is frequently used in art to represent the Virgin Mary, with different sources giving different historical backgrounds on this symbol. At the Flower Symbols of Mary on Earth and in Heaven Web site, John S. Stokes Jr. gives a very simple and beautiful explanation:
"Stawberry: 'Fruitful Virgin,' in flower and fruit at the same time."
 

The X is reminiscent of the Greek X symbol for Christ (see Ancient Christian Symbols)

ROCKY RACCOON?
 Did the Roswell writers realize that in the episode titled Into the Woods that the witness of the alien flash has a name (Rocky Calhoon) that sounds remarkably like "Rocky Raccoon?" Were they thinking of Rocky Raccoon from the song by the Beatles about two men fighting over Lil' McGill? Sounds an awful like a Kyle-Liz reference to me.
Let's anaylize some of these lines:

Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota
The Black Hills are in Western South Dakota and North-Western Nebraska. The hills have been considered sacred by the Native Americans that occupied the area. The Black Hills were a dumping ground for the Gods that created Mother Earth. Everything that was left from making up the rest of the world was put in this region. This was the Indian's burial land--a place where rebirth of leaders from different worlds could occur. Could this be a parallel to Max/Michael/Isabel who were recreated into human beings after perishing on their home world?

There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon
Rocky is a very masculine name, suggesting brashness, courage, and physical qualities such as strength. A raccoon is a very curious animal, that is known to be a bandit of sorts. In Missing, Liz thought her journal was stolen by Kyle.

And one day his woman ran off with another guy
Liz dated Kyle in the first 5 episodes of Roswell. Then the secret she kept of the aliens' existence came between her and Kyle, so they agreed not to date. Thus Max, Michael, and Isabel are all represented by "another guy".

Hit young Rocky in the eye Rocky didn't like that He said I'm gonna get that boy.
In 285 South, Kyle is pushed by Michael. Kyle stated in the next episode, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone... Not until I have something on him that will destroy him."

So one day he walked into town, booked himself a room in the local saloon. Rocky Raccoon checked into his room, only to find Gideon's bible
Kyle followed Max, Isabel, and Liz to Sultan's Palace, a cheap motel, where he crashed in on a highly emotional conversation between Max, Isabel, and Michael.

Rocky had come equipped with a gun, to shoot off the legs of his rival.
In Destiny, Kyle takes one of his father's guns and follows Max to the UFO center were the interrogation of Agent Daniel Pierce is occuring.

His rival it seems had broken his dreams, by stealing the girl of his fancy.
At this point, Liz was dating one of the aliens.

Her name was Magill and she called herself Lil But everyone knew her as Nancy.
Lil is like Liz, and Nancy is the mother of Liz.

Now she and her man who called himself Dan Were in the next room at the hoe down
Kyle found Daniel Pierce bound up at the UFO center. Liz was in the next room though.

Rocky burst in and grinning a grin, he said Danny boy this is a showdown. But Daniel was hot--he drew first and shot, and Rocky collapsed in the corner.
Agent Daniel Pierce shot at Max, Michael, and Sheriff Valenti, Kyle's father. Sheriff Valenti returned fired at Agent Pierce, but accidentally shot Kyle while he was hiding in a corner.

Now the doctor came in stinking of gin, and proceeded to lie on the table.
Max could be the doctor here, only not stinking of gin. But this does remind us that Max and Kyle had drunk hard liquor together in Blind Date.

He said Rocky you met your match, and Rocky said, Doc it's only a scratch, and I'll be better. I'll be better, doc, as soon as I am able.
Kyle's wound was a fatal one, but Max healed Kyle.

Now Rocky Raccoon, he fell back in his room, only to find Gideon's Bible. Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt To help with good Rocky's revival.
Everything that was normal to Kyle changed at the end of season one. Kyle's revival left him asking, "What the hell just happened to me."

***This is not a Season One reference: But later we find out that Kyle had turned to reading religious books at this time, not Gideon's Bible, but the teachings of Buddhists. Also, in the light of Season 2, the whole song can be reinterpreted with the roles reversed for Max and Kyle.***

Here are the lyrics for the song.

Rocky Raccoon, Lennon/McCartney **no infringement intended, this is for the purpose of academic discussion**


Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota
There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon
And one day his woman ran off with another guy
Hit young Rocky in the Rocky didn't like that
He said I'm gonna get that boy
So one day he walked into town
Booked himself a room in the local saloon.

Rocky Raccoon checked into his room
Only to find Gideon's bible
Rocky had come equipped with a gun
To shoot off the legs of his rival
His rival it seems had broken his dreams
By stealing the girl of his fancy.
Her name was Magil and she called herself Lil
But everyone knew her as Nancy.
Now she and her man who called himself Dan
Were in the next room at the hoe down
Rocky burst in and grinning a grin
He said Danny boy this is a showdown
But Daniel was hot-he drew first and shot
And Rocky collapsed in the corner.

Now the doctor came in stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said Rocky you met your match
And Rocky said, Doc it's only a scratch
And I'll be better I'll be better doc as soon as I am able.

Now Rocky Raccoon he fell back in his room
Only to find Gideon's bible
Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt
To help with good Rocky's revival.


 
 
 
  from Destiny
"And Rocky collapsed in the corner"

IN SEARCH OF THE HOLY GRAIL
-- see also: Post-Season 3 Holy Grail of Roswell
    By January of 2001, shapeshifter found her personal Space Odyssey to be an endless search for the Season 1 discussion of The Arthurian Legend interpretations of Roswell. She contacted 3 different posters who had saved parts of the discussion on hard drives, floppies, and even paper, but in each case it had been destroyed 2 weeks prior to her request. This irony of it all became more intriguing than any theory. Then, in May of 2001, the Odyssey that shapeshifter had all but abandoned turned up some bits of that original, elusive discussion, led by the wonderfully articulate BehrAll. Here are the gems from the Summer of 2000 that were saved by CharlieGirl:

    BehrAll:
    Do you see Max as Arthur? What would that make Michael? (I'm thinking one of the Round Table Knights, just not sure which). And now that I think about it, there is something of the "love not following its proper path" element in the Guinevere and Morgana subplots. Hmmm .... I wonder where Liz, Tess et al would fit in.
    WhiteOtter:
    Max as Arthur? You know, I hadn't thought about it...but I think some parellels exist. Both have 'destiny' thrust upon them, both are presented as pure of heart...both are manipulated by women (arthur by morgana, max by - well I think we both know the answer to THAT question! ). And in a way, both are held up to incredibly high standards. Much is expected of them, and much is delivered. Let's hope Max has a happier ending than Arthur, though.

    Final thought: Does the mommygram make anyone thing of the Lady of the Lake out of Arthurian legend? She did present the podsters' with a sort of Excalibur, a test of purity (re the Evil Within).
    and Palomino:
    They do appear to be waiting for Max in particular to return and save them. He must be the most able, that does not preclude rule by bloodline or devine right. He still could be a messianic figure to them, and in fact, what if part of his ablity to defeat the enemy is because they are afraid of him, and it will psyc them out? If my side were being led by Gen. McClellan(Civil War) against a resurrected King Arthur or even Alexander the Great, I think it would be hard to keep our morale up. I can imagine the incredible up-lifting and boost his presence would give the enslaved people.
    Zero (posting during Season 2) defines the relationship of Roswell to Camelot a little further:
      "The Holy Grail was meant to be found by a man with a pure heart who will use it to feed the hungry and heal the sick, and with it will bring peace and happiness to the land. So whose heart is the purest in Roswell? Could it be Liz? The Granolith could be like Excalibur from the King Arthur tales, to be used as an instrument of the righteous, by a good man for a good cause. So who fits that description? Max?"

    While there was no Granolith in Season 1, theories and analogies of Excaliburs abounded with the Orb as the Excalibur (whatever that is -- will some English Scholar help us here?). If I recall correctly, the Home Planet was also seen as the object of Max (and Michael)'s quest.

    The discussions of Grails and such during Season 1 were certainly on target as in Season 2 T. Greer refers to Max as "The Once and Future King."
This document last modified July 21, 2002

All images derived from the Roswell television show are reproduced solely for purposes of academic discussion. Any commercial usage is a violation of copyright. All screen caps courtesy of crashdown.com.