Max is haunted by a man he's failed to save - can he put things right in the spirit of Christmas?

Written by Jason Katims
Directed by Patrick Norris

The nice thing about this episode's theme is that it tackles Max's use of his healing powers. We see him tortured by the fact that he's allowed someone to die but kept his alien nature secret.

It's an interesting struggle - we completely understand Max's dilemma, but the resolution is mawkish in the extreme as Max and Michael indulge in an orgy of healing in a children's ward full of ickle-wickle lovely-wovely sickie-wickie baby-wabies. It's a shame that the show goes from intelligent debate about the use of superhuman powers to schmaltz-fest with cheese. It is, at least, well done.

This is backed up by the revelation that Brody has a daughter, and she's busy dying. It's all terribly sad, and makes you realise that Brody is one of the unhappiest millionaires on the planet - he's divorced, his daughter is dying, and he's constantly being possessed by aliens.

Hooray, then, for the light-hearted subplots with Isabel as the Christmas Nazi, and Tess playing matchmaker with Maria's mum and Sheriff Valenti.

Pity it snows at the end.