FLASHBACKS TO 2008 — In a series of flashbacks to 2008, secrets are uncovered about Rosa's final day, Isobel's mysterious blackouts, and Alex and Michael's relationship in high school.
Tropes
- Alpha Bitch: Isobel, up to a certain extent, and Kate Long, who harassed Rosa.
- Downer Ending: All in all, this episode showcase the beginning of a lot of traumas, hurt and struggles the characters dealt and currently are dealing with. Rosa's, Kate's and Jasmine's murder put a stop to many of the plans the trio had with their lives and strained their relationship, specifically Max's and Michael's. There's also the fact that Liz not only lost her sister but it was the beginning of the hatred and harassment her family would have to endure.
- Emo Teen: Alex Manes, who we know had grown up together with Kyle, but having to deal with an overbearing and abusive man like Jesse Manes, he was withdrawn and more of an outcast, even if he had a close friendship with Liz, Maria and Rosa.
- Flashback B-Plot: Max narrates the origin of Isobel's blackout which started in 2004 after she nearly escaped from a sexual predator then jumps forward 4 years later 2008 to their senior year where they had an impact on Liz's life today.
- High School: This episode is centered in the cast's year as seniors.
- Hormone-Addled Teenager: Averted, for the most part. While romance and physical affection was a priority to some of the characters, it all took a backseat once tragedy struck and the romantic connections that were formed, crumbled or ended in a bittersweet note.
- Jerk Jock: Kyle Valenti, in general acts like every high school jock, being abrasive and obnoxious. He goes out of his way to mock and ridicule Alex during prom, prompting Liz to fight with him and leave him.
- Make It Look Like an Accident: Not only to protect Isobel, but also their nature as aliens, the trio decide to put the bodies of Rosa, Kate and Jasmine in Rosa's car, using Michael's powers to turn it on so it drives itself at high speed. After it loses control and crashes, Max uses his powers to ignite the car after Isobel points out that they needed to do more to properly cover up their tracks.
- Once More, with Clarity: Throughout the season, there had been snippets and small flashbacks, giving a glimpse of what everyone was like or a specific point of their past without much context. In this episode, a lot if not all those small flashbacks and references are given a much larger explanation and show how they're all connected and how it all led them to the present.
- Senior Year Struggles: What Max and Michael thought Isobel was going through, due to her erratic behavior shortly after finding out Michael got a scholarship and that the both of them were making plans to travel around Europe before entering college. This would mean, they were all going their separate ways for the first time in many years and the guys thought Isobel was feeling apprehensive, which would trigger her episodes. However, as the episode showed, the blackouts turned out to be the beginning of something far more sinister.
- Teen Genius: Michael and Liz, who were at the top of their class.
- Whole Episode Flashback: 98% of this episode takes place in 2008 with the expect of the present day in two scenes Max and the 2004 cold opener.
