Prediction time:
So one of the first flashbacks we get this season is of Michael’s mom, Nora, & Louise. We learn that they spent about a year rebuilding the spaceship so they could get home. Now let’s juxtapose that with Alex finally giving Michael the piece of the ship he needs.
This show loves itself some circular storytelling (and given the many parallels between past and present, I’m feeling very strongly that everything is going to come full circle by end of season.)
Obviously, narratively speaking, we all know where this road leads. The inevitable conclusion. The goodbye scene. But wait. We learned in last night’s episode that when Alex left town, Michael got himself locked up so he wouldn’t have to say goodbye to Alex. “I didn’t get to say goodbye.” And we can see from Alex’s face and tone of voice that this is something he wishes had happened.
So, my conclusion: Michael will fix the ship. And Alex will turn up. Emotional and gut wrenching speeches will be made and Alex will finally get to say goodbye. And then we will have Michael, destroyed, leaves forever. Except wait. No. He can’t. Because Alex is his home and GOD DAMN IT WHY IS HE SO STUPID. He comes back. Emotional reunion coupled with an “I love you” or something equally devastating to our fragile psyches.