Day 5: Isobel Evans (Roswell New Mexico)

[impala_chick]

Isobel Evans is the perfect character to talk about for the Moods theme, because she's an empath! She discovers this particular ability during season three, when the Alien known as "Mr. Jones" tells her that she shares this trait with her mother. I wrote a bit of meta about this ability but first, these are all the Isobel icons I made over the past year.




Thanks to tellshannon815 for the prompt!

For the first two seasons, it seems as if Isobel doesn't come by her alien abilities as easily as her brothers. Max's healing comes naturally to him, same with Michael and telekinesis. Isobel does become an extremely talented and competent fighter, but she works hard through season two to really hone that physical prowess.

She is able to take over people's thoughts by taking them to the "mindscape" to talk (and then making them forget all about her doing so). She uses her powers to change people's moods and nudge them in a certain direction, without their consent. We find out that she convinced Liz to run from Roswell and leave Max behind. Another example is when she convinces Anatsa to stop looking into aliens in Roswell.

It seems like Isobel is on the edge of unspecified mind control type powers until she finds out she's an empath, and then that skill really takes off and is used a lot. In season 3, she holds turquoise and then is able to see an aura around people that indicates how they are feeling - first with Maria, and then with Michael and Max and Mr. Jones. Isobel uses this ability to hone in on exactly what is bothering someone, and inadvertently expose vulnerabilities. As she becomes better at 'reading' people, we actually see her less prone to using her abilities against someone that she cares about. I think in keeping with the trope, becoming a better empath means she can relate to people more and wants to use her powers for 'good.'

The most interesting part about this trait imo is that the show doesn't stop her from being a fighter. She still uses physical violence as a tool, especially against Mr. Jones and his followers, and she's not punished for that (her judgment is actually improved over the four seasons). Her empath abilities let Isobel turn to diplomacy and emotional pleas first, but she still retains her ability to totally kick ass if she thinks she needs to. I think these two traits in particular work well together (and are not often embodied by a woman), especially when her brothers are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Michael often wants to shut down emotion, whereas Max leans too heavily on them at times. Isobel is able to be in tune with how they are feeling, and she's able to identify the middle ground much more quickly.

Comments

[impala_chick]

Yes you can absolutely use them!! Thanks so much for the lovely comment. I think Isobel's growth is so great, especially considering I didn't like her at first. She could have become Queen of Oasis if she wanted, which is a whole different type of meta but would have been fun to see in canon.