Ninpreview

I missed the TV episodes of 'Roswell' because I worked nights when it was on television, but my daughter found the 3 season DVD's in a store, bought them, and invited me to watch them. I was hooked on the series from the first episode on, and I regret that it is no longer being produced. I enjoyed the romantic involvements, the comedy, the drama, the many heart wrenching scenes, and loved the final episode. When the last episode ended, I felt a great sadness that I would likely never again see these lovable aliens and their human friends. It was a show that left an indelible impression on my mind. It brings out the youth, dreams, and fantasies in all of us. I can think of no other TV show I've watched that I loved and will miss so much. I hope to see a motion picture come out of this series one day, one featuring the same actors and actresses who starred in the TV series. The series showed the ups and downs of everyday life which we all experience, and showed there is always hope for a new and better tomorrow, if we truly believe in ourselves. It was a great philosophical show. And now, it is gone. I will miss it, but I will never forget it. Thank you 20th Century Fox for giving us the show.

21 out of 22 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

This show was one of the best on television and always struggled to stay on the air and that is crazy although not surprising. Unique shows like this do not fair well on television. It lasted 3 seasons and this first season was one of the greatest first seasons that any show could ever produce. People might have been turned off by too much sci-fi or romance, but i thought they did a great job of balancing the two and it is a shame not enough people watched this show. The chemistry between Behr and Appleby and Fehr and Delfino was just great. They are all great actors. The romeo and juliet aspect of the show was very unique and rare for this age of TV. I first saw this show in 99 i was 17 and could relate to the characters very well, alien part aside. This show can be enjoyed by people of any age or gender. I highly recommend buying this show on DVD even if you never seen it before its well worth it. People afraid of the sci-fi part should know the aliens are just like humans no green skin or big eyes. They just simply can do things normal humans cant. The first episode Max (behr) heals Liz (appleby) after she is shot and their lives are changed forever. They both fall in love from their and their problems also start because now the sheriff and FBI start to suspect something isn't right about Max.The alien part of the show is what causes a lot of problems that are impossible to have on other teenage dramas, which is why its unique. Katims who is the creator behind the show is just a genius. So again I highly recommend this DVD set. The second and third seasons will be out soon enough.

118 out of 142 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

This interesting story of extraterrestrial alienation is a fascinating metaphor of teen angst -- a topic that has often been treated in movies and on TV, but here it is offered with new and insightful perspective.
The show is a way to symbolize common human fears in an imaginative parable. Issues that are woven into the story line include not knowing who you are, the experience of being a foster child, keeping secrets from parents and other authority figures, the danger of making close personal connections with others, and the isolation of being in or from one's own strange world.
ROSWELL is a clever idea with a fresh, interesting young cast. The show is an imaginative cross between, on the one hand, THE X-FILES and THE FUGITIVE, and, on the other, the odd perspective of ALF and THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN. This is an excellent show in a time when too many shows are carbon-copies or silly assembly-line junk. I give the show an A+.

72 out of 91 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I once heard that when 'Bonnie and Clyde' was first released, the reviewer for Newsweek savaged the film. Then, a week later, he saw it again and wrote a new review saying it was one of the landmark films of its era.
So, ok, I can be wrong, too. I was a Roswell fan from the start, but feared they were heading off in a very wrong direction in year two of this show, concentrating too much on sci-fi and action at the expense of what made the show great in the first place, characterization.
It turns out, none of my dire predictions have come true. The show has featured more sci fi action and a lot less about life in high school. But both of those moves have proved well advised and neither has hurt the show's quality.
Roswell continues to be a show about characterization. We have actually seen the characters taken to new places in this second season and I salute the writers/producers, directors and the cast for being able to do this.
Special praise should also go to the show's young actors and actresses. This season the talented Katherine Heigl, who plays Isabel, has been given some break out episodes and she has not wasted a single 'moment.' Her performance in the most recent episode, playing a duel role of both a good and bad version of Isabel, was absolutely brilliant. She may have lifted a little of her 'bad girl' mannerisms from Angelina Jolie, but she's not a bad person to steal from since she has rather perfected the tough girl personna.
And of course, Shiri Appleby continues to astound, delivering some almost heart breaking performances as the girl dumping the guy she loves for his own good.
But again, hats off to the writers and producers for coming up with some very strong story lines, and even some cleaver tricks, like the 'Summer of '47,' episode and the current two-part episode featuring the four 'evil' alien duplicates. Giving talented young actors the chance to play different roles on the same show is a master stroke which keeps it interesting.
Well done one and all!

63 out of 85 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

This was my favorite show. I dont understand why it got cancelled. It had such a loyal big fan base. Anyway the first season followed the lifes of 3 teenagers living in roswell. They happen to be aliens. In one moment there lives are changed, Liz (played by Shiri Appleby) gets shoot and Max rushes to heal her. The rest of the series is about the relation between the aliens and the human that now share their secret, and the sheriff is onto them and spends all his time trying to prove they are aliens. The first series was very promising. It had 8 brillant actors who had so much talent. The storylines were always satisfing and creative. Each episode we learnt interesting facts about each character, and it was filled with suspence. The most interesting aspect of the show was the central story, the relationship between Liz and Max. It was real and touching and the viewer felt for them, we followed the heartache and the happiness. The chemistry between Jason Behr and Shiri Appleby was amazing. The second season was a little less as brillant as the first, but it did have interesting storys and new characters that were good. The best episodes were the end of the world, it was filled with feelings, and watching it i was absorbed into the world of roswell and it felt almost real. The Third season was stronger, more creative and better than the previous two. I have no idea why they wanted to cancell such a brillant show. The show will always remain in my heart and i will always be a fan no matter what!!! If it was on dvd i would recommend you buy it, it wouldn't be a waste of money, but money will spend. 10/10

13 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Normally I do not get so pathetically obsessed with things, but what can I say -- Roswell was and is by far my favourite show ever made. It had angst without being too teen-y, it had passion, idealism and realism, and a compelling storyline. The setting was superb, the plots were for the most part perfect (I have to admit, Season 3 was a bit of a disappointment after Seasons 1 & 2, but not enough to make me stop watching), and the acting was great. A teen show like Dawson's Creek, or Buffy for that matter (I still can't understand why so many people like it -- ick), cannot hold a candle to Roswell. It's unfortunate that it had to end, but all good things usually do before their time.
As for the comment about Katims not being able to pull off sci-fi -- puh-lease. The best sci-fi is that which is realistic enough and embedded enough in everyday life that it is believable. The best thing Katims did was not make it tacky, as-if sci-fi.
There are shows from your past that you thought were sensational (as a kid or teen), and then see them as an adult and wonder, 'What was I on?' But watching Roswell as an adult, I can honestly say that it will likely remain my favourite show for a long, long time, considering the kind of mindless crap coming out of Hollywood these days. I love the show so much that even I, a poor pharmacology grad student, made an effort to tape reruns of Season 1, had the foresight to tape Season 3 (even if it was sub-par for the show), and after the Space station here in Canada stopped the reruns, paid way too much for Season 2 on VCD, just so I can watch it whenever I want, whenever the current lineup on TV gets me down. I honestly think that if more of the population had an open mind to realistic sci-fi, and if Roswell had received more publicity (esp. considering how much is devoted to Buffy, an inferior show), the show could have went on much longer, and maybe Season 3 would have been up to par.
I HIGHLY recommend this show, for everyone.

12 out of 14 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I never make plans on monday nights. Roswell is one of the top shows on television today... or any other day. It's excellent if not a little unlikely. the character chemistry is perfect. The only thing i would change, is the amount of romance. I'd definitly get more serious into the sci-fi, and give kyle(Nick Wechsler) and alex (Colin Hanks) more screentime. They keep the show from getting to serious... with just the right amount of confusion, they give us comic relief. And their chacters are a fresh change from Max's 'Whoa is me' self-pity

33 out of 50 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

'Roswell' is probably not one of the few shows that really sticks with you. It's not 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', it's not 'Six Feet Under' or 'Dead Like Me'. It's not groundbreaking or brilliant, but it's a very nicely entertaining show with a heart.
While a little bit silly sometimes when it comes to both, relationship and sci-fi-elements, the strength of the show definitely lies in the more grounded relationship-story lines which dominated the show in its first season. Back in the first season, the writers also included a nice storyarc that was very well executed in terms of just revealing a little bit, but enough to make it interesting and suspenseful. (the whole Nasedo/FBI-storyarc) Unfortunately the show was always a show that was on the bubble and since the network wanted the show to be more successful than it was, they insisted on extending the fantasy/sci-fi/action-elements of the show, since 'Buffy' and 'Angel' were a huge success for them back then. While 'Buffy' and 'Angel' are definitely superior to 'Roswell' and brilliant (although not with every single episode), that's what ultimately led to 'Roswell's demise since that simply wasn't the show that 'Roswell' was and since the writers didn't really succeed at making the sci-fi-elements post season one work. Most of the time, the sci-fi-elements were a huge weakness of the show. Sometimes very silly and not really thought through, they hurt the show more than they helped her. Obviously you can still watch the show and enjoy the sci-fi-elements in season two and three, but only if you switch your brain off and don't think about them.
The characters on the show and their relationships to each other are the heart of the show. At developing these characters and letting them grow over a couple of seasons, the writers of 'Roswell' succeeded and were even better than writers of shows that air these days.
The cast of the show is topnotch. Behr and Appelby deliver stellar performances as the star-crossed couple Max and Liz which are the center of the show. The real stars however can be found in the supporting cast. Majandra Delfino delivers wit and beauty in her part as Liz's best friend Maria De Luca, but is still capable to add emotional depth to her character. Brendan Fehr makes Michael to the most interesting and most vulnerable character of the show, while Katherine Heigl plays the sympathetic and spoiled princess among the group. Nick Wechsler, pretty much wasted in season one, becomes a fully fledged character in season two with some of the funniest lines of the whole show. William Sadler however is the show's most talented actor and his performance is just beautiful.
'Roswell' is a show for people who can overlook flaws and just enjoy a very nice show with a heart, despite its silliness at times.

14 out of 19 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

My sister got me hooked on 'Roswell' at the beginning, but I kept watching because it was such a fantastic show! The episodes are wonderful, I love the music, and the storylines were incredible (even the often-dreaded Season 3, which I actually liked). I identified most with Max because he had been an outsider all his life, and had been in love with one woman but never had the courge to tell her (I felt like that a lot of the time). All the actors were wonderful, but I wish they hadn't made some of the decisions for Season 2 that they had. Well, I might as well list my favorite episodes, so here goes:
Season 1: Pilot, Leaving Normal, Blood Brother, The Toy House, Max to the Max.
Season 2: Skin & Bones, A Roswell Christmas Carol, Heart of Mine, The Departure
Season 3: Who Died & Made You King?, Graduation

25 out of 38 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I think the show is really good, but was a downer because I came into it on the Third Season after reading the books. Even though the third season was a let down, I saw the first and second season on Sci-Fi, and they were great. I guess you have to have an active imagination to watch it. The show was great because not only did they have the right amount of Science Fiction, there was some good comedy in it. Definitely going to buy the DVD.

27 out of 43 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Roswell- mystery, enigma. There is some thing in Roswell that I can't put my finger on. And it is this that makes Roswell so very special. And suddenly - I believe in aliens. Whenever I see any of the episodes I feel as if everything is happening around me, as if I am one with the show. The characters of Roswell would stand out among a million others. Max, Michael, Isabelle, Liz and Maria - bonded by a secret. Max - so calm, so composed. Liz - unsure, disturbed yet optimistic. Michael- wild, impulsive. Isabel- though haughty yet with a faint touch of meekness. Maria- unsteady, 'on the edge' but true. Liz and Max, when together, depict everything beautiful in this world. The chemistry between them is so wonderful that it could make anyone wish to fall in love (all over again). The words spoken between them make time stand still, and make me feel like I'm the only audience to the most beautiful thing of the world. They, like, share an unspoken promise that, no matter what, they'd forever stand by each other. This is what that makes their relationship so special. It is a special relationship between special people The rest of the cast too carve a niche for themselves and make themselves felt against so strong a principal cast. And just to think I never knew about a place called Roswell, somewhere far away, where a secret will forever lay buried.
P.S: At home, the first season of Roswell started this October (2001). And I am writing a review after having seen just six episodes.

28 out of 45 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Roswell captures the essences of what a good tv show should be about. Right from the pilot the audiences are enthralled in what's going to happen with the four aliens, what their lives are going to be like and you wonder most of all, if they're ever going to get home again. Through it's three seasons, Roswell had viewers on the edge of their seats hoping that they get to go home or hoping that the fbi will leave them alone. An excellent tv show which finished long before it's due date.

3 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I have watched Roswell since the very first episode. Roswell is the one show that has everything-- sci-fi, romance, action, drama, sarcastic humor, some horror, a great cast, a storyline thats way out there but also realistic enough to make it work, and even great music. Roswell was, is, and will always be my all-time favorite show. Men and women of all ages were devoted to this show. With a loyal fan base from all over the world, I dont understand why they would cancel the show. If I had to get charged to see every episode just to keep the show going, it would be worth it. When they canceled the show I felt and still feel like a piece of my soul has gone. I could understand and relate to what they were going through. I believe that the people that could not were just too shallow to get it. Thank you Jason Katims for atleast allowing me the privilege of getting to see a show that I will forever respect and never forget.

3 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The name Roswell should say it all: aliens are among us. While this rather cliched idea may in fact put people off, it was what initially drew me in. he concept of alien walking among seems rather simple, usually seen in 'no brainer' shows. Roswell on the other hand is fabulous.
While the idea may be cliched, and the budget may be small, this show is a work of art. The acting is superb and the storylines are absolutely astounding! Roswell takes dozens of cliches, wraps them up and gives them an immensly entertaining outlook. The blend of teenage matters and science fiction phenomena is perfect. Watching the whole of the series illustrates how people change and move on, especially when you are befriended by an alien!
This show is instantly addictive and must not be missed!

3 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I have to admit I boycotted Roswell when it first aired on TV. I was just not interested. I had just started to watch Buffy and thought Roswell would be kind of a copying show. But hey, I was wrong. I didn't hesitate to buy the DVD and I am happy I did, because those lazy nights are great to be spent with such a TV show like this.
This is filled with all good stuff and good characters. Valenti, whom is supposed to be the bad but instead is fun and great. Kyle, whom is hilarious but it was first by the episode when he and Max were drunk that got me to like him. Max, because he is the guy in my dreams. Good-looking, blue-eyed, shy, quiet, thoughtful and wise - and most of all - sexy to women. Michael, because he is the ordinary rebel who actually is very intelligent and kind in his gold heart, but is rebel because of his parent situation. He feels lost in his world. Isabel, because she is always lovely and says smart lines and is very intelligent. Maria, who is the one who helps whoever whenever needs to be. Liz, who is very faithful and believes the best of other people. Alex, who is the ordinary nerd guy who falls in love with Isabel, very different his personality.
In some way I am more drawn to this than Buffy, The X files and other science fiction TV shows, as this finished after only three seasons. Smart done by the producers, I think, because it would have lost its charm after the third season. And it is the more reason to keep this in mind, when everything has just been great. And the more reason to re watch the three seasons when you haven't something to do or when it is bad TV shows airing on TV... Just re watch this and enjoy your memories.. I will for sure never be tired of this TV show.
Evertything starts with Liz being shot. Max heals her with his alien power, but after that their lives, and the others's, change forever. Things went weird. The secret has to be told. And so starts the hunt for the truth...
This is not too much romance. Not either too much science fiction. It is just an ordinary TV show, except from the fact that it is about three aliens and three humans in the center. They are looking for the truth of the three aliens's past and origin - why they came to Earth and how they can come back there. But before they are able to do, they fall in love with each other. Max in Liz, Michael in Maria and Alex in Isabel. They have to handle everyday troubles - love troubles, friend troubles, parent troubles, alien troubles and so on. But the most problem they are handling every day - to keep their secret from the world outside... FBI must not know their secret. Neither must their adopted parents.
The chemistry between Behr and Appleby and Fehr and Delfino was just great. The chemistry between Colin Hanks and Heigl was also good, but they were not such in love as Max/Liz and Michael/Maria were, and anyway Colin Hanks dropped off this TV show after his character Alex Whitman's death in the 2nd season.
It is unusual for such a TV show to have great actors, but this have.
First watching this TV show when I was 14-turning-to-be-15, I am happy I didn't check out this when I was ten. If I did, it had been difficult to relate to the characters and the story, alien part aside.
In fact, I am absolutely sure this can be enjoyed of people of all ages, as it is kinda of a teen story with 'moralic aspects', which turns to label this TV show not only as a 'sci fi romantic teen drama' but also a 'family TV show'.

15 out of 24 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

This series was amazing. I watched it on the WB in 99 and followed it through to the end on UPN. I purchased all 3 seasons on DVD and I still can't get enough of it.
The story is timeless and the chemistry between Jason and Shiri on screen is incredible. Majandra and Brendan also make a powerful connection on screen that is rare in television.
Jason Katims is an amazing writer. The love stories alone were riveting and the dialog was intense and thought provoking.
I am disappointed that the series did not last longer, but as they say all good things must come to an end.

4 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

This show starts out sweet and tenderly as a coming of ageteen drama with a SF undertone to keep things interestingand succeeds in this up to mid season 1,than quickly fallsapart into teendrama 101 with melodramatic endless loops.Still season 1,some season 2 episodes - mostly those witha story arc spanning two or three episodes -,and very fewseason 3 episodes are enjoyable to watch.

2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

To some it's just a TV show to others the mere thrill of Tuesday nights can wake you up early in the morning. A masterful switch to UPN Roswell has come a long way from it's first season young sophomoric romance. The characters have become webbed within the lore of Roswell and the 1947 crash. Season one showed a lighthearted romance between not one but three different couples. Our focus wasn't stirred from the stars of the show though. Liz Parker played by Shiri Appleby and Max Evans played by Jason Behr brought to light a love labor lost romance. We sat intrigued and amazed as these two fell madly in love on the screen. Maria Deluca played by Majandra Delphino and Alex Whitman played by Colin Hanks were well cast as the comedic keys for this Teen Sci-fi drama. A well-supported cast Isabel Evens played by Katherine Hiegl and Michael Geurin played by Brendan Fehr the other two aliens in the mix. The first season had me at the edge of my seat and squirming with hilarious one liners and brilliant love scenes.
Shiri Appleby and Jason Behr sizzle on the screen no matter their characters' woes. Season two opened hard into the Sci-fi aspect with a new main character Tess played by Emilie DeRavin. A spice thrown into the cake Tess's character was one you loved to hate. She was a test to Max and Liz's relationship. With Destiny at hand we were dealt numerous confusing plot devices. The story of these alien teenagers become more complicated by the episode. Also a shift in female leads occurred in the second season. Isabel Evens was thrust in front to maybe lure and broaden the male audience. With this in place the main couple Liz and Max were thrown into angst as Tess moved in slowly but surely. By the end of Season two post Hybrid Chronicles we saw a flicker in the Roswell Staff writing. Cry Your Name exemplified a brilliant performance by the entire cast and set forth the end of one of the most underused member Colin Hanks. Soon Emilie DeRavin's character Tess was also sent aside but not without more obstacles for Liz and Max.
It seems to be a re-occurring theme for Liz and Max the show's star-crossed lovers to be kept apart. The characters are changing some for the better and some for the worst. Yet I still sit spellbound for every episode that Jason Katims and Co can give me. The writing though sometimes rebutted by its Internet audience as inane can have you slapping your head in disbelief. Roswell as a whole has the opportunity to wipe out the world with Roswellian fever. If only the writers would get it right. This show is amazing yet it once was out of this world. This has left many old viewers turning away. I urge though for any new fan out there to watch this show it is unlike anything you have ever seen before.

2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I love the show 'ROSWELL'. It will certainly be very missed because there is no other show like it. Hopefully the producers along with the cast can get together again and continue with the seasons. I definitely recommend people to watch it, trust me, you'll get hooked on it! Its been 6 years since the last season but I still get some of my friends to watch it and when they do, they cant stop. Not only does the show have action ( something always going on) it has love & romance specially between Max and Liz ( Jason Behr & Shiri Appleby). By the way he is so romantic and Hot in the show. If you're a romantic person you certainly will LOVE IT!

3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The first season of Roswell was a magical experience. It was about love, about alienation, about self-discovery and learning to trust people. Unfortunately, when the show was faced with cancellation at the end of its first season, the writers took what was a mystical show and made it into a hackneyed and badly written science fiction rip off. The magic of Roswell lay in the three aliens (Max, Michael and Isabel) and the fact that they knew nothing about where they came from or why they were on Earth. All Max Evans knew was that for some reason, he was in love with Liz Parker. They were faced with trouble from the government, who wanted to study them, and strangers who claimed to be related to them, but they were never sure who they could trust except each other. Even after Genie Francis appeared in holo-mom form with a ridiculous tale of inter-galactic royalty and war, the show could have been saved - that hologram should have been revealed as a tactic by the mindwarping Tess, but the aliens made the mistake of not doubting it for a second. When Tess was accepted as their friend (and there was no reason for them to trust her), this show took a plunge that it never came back from. Stick with the first 15 episodes - the rest is a downward spiral.

3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I started watching Roswell in 1999 when I was still in highschool. One day I was flipping channels and came across this show. I didn't even realize I was on the space network until it went to commercial(Canada only had this show aired on the space network). At first I thought it was strange the show was about aliens but the storyline was so good that it didn't matter to me, I was instantly hooked. The love story between Liz and Max and the emotions and fear felt through Isabel, Max and Michael felt so real that I began to go thru their journey with them. I devoted myself to this show and during that hour I was hypnotized. Unfortunately the space network was cancelled and Roswell was forgotten, I never got a chance to finish it. It was not until I watched Swimfan on TV this summer (starring Shiri Appleby), that I remembered how much I loved Roswell. I went and bought Seasons 1 & 2 and once again I am hooked. I have not seen Season 3 yet, I haven't read many good reviews on it but I will judge that for myself.
In these past years TV shows have lost their passion and while watching Roswell I have regained the memory of what it is like to watch something that touches your soul. Roswell has romance, action, comedy and a bit of horror to it. You grow with the characters as they travel through their journey to discover where they come from and come across obstacles along the way. It leaves you at the edge of your seat...always wanting more. This is an excellent show where many of the characters began their career...I am also a huge fan of Grey's Anatomy (starring Katherine Heigl). Its sad Roswell didn't get the appreciation and recognition it deserved but its good to know there are other loyal fans out there such as me! I highly recommend this show to anyone out there who is looking to escape the norm of everyday life and begin an experience that will forever change them.

4 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Yet another show destroyed by the networks. Seems all the teen paranormal dramas get smothered by control freaks, it's really sad. We saw it recently with Point Pleasant. These shows have the potential to be great, but are never allowed the sky to spread their wings and take flight. But, that's the description of a crime, and this is supposed to be a review, so let's get to it.
Wow, what a pilot. I watched it back in 1999, and watching it now it's even better.
Working at a diner, Liz is shot by 2 men who are caught in a scuffle over money. When Max uses some kind of power to bring Liz back from near death, leaving only a lambent hand print on Liz's stomach, the story begins to unfold.
Enter Max, Michael, and Isabel. Three aliens who were brought to Earth by parents they either don't know or don't remember. Max and Isabel are adopted into the Evans family, while Michael is adopted by a man he can't stand.
They have pretty cool powers that Isabel uses for recreational purposes all the time, from melting the cheese on her taco lunch, to playing a music CD without a player. Saving Liz goes over the line, but telling Liz the truth even more so.
It isn't long before more people know, everything becomes entangled, maddening, and more than a little confusing.
If only the networks had allowed them a bit more wiggle room, the show could have been great, instead of being a tiny ripple in a forgotten pond somewhere.
What a treat to see Richard Schiff in episode one of Roswell, after loving him for so long on The West Wing, I totally forgot he played any character on Roswell. If you don't know him, he's terrific. He plays Agent Stevens, the impersonal paranormal investigator whom the sheriff brings in near the end of episode 1, and who takes the dress with him in his briefcase to study in the lab later.
'So, where are you from?' (points up) 'Let's just say I'm not from around here.' 'Up North...' (Points higher)

4 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

i advise you utter and complete honesty not to watch this show.... i have intense stamina for digesting even the crappiest of films and TV shows and sit to the end without skipping a scene and i am pretty good at taking in all sorts of bizarre and nonsense ideas...and i am CULT follower on Roswell and alien landing etc (feel Free to judge my mental health). but this show is way beyond my patience...imagine yourself...u must have seen plenty of those HIGH SCHOOL sort of films in which the girls first boyfriend is is always a ace football player now take ALL the elements from such films and mix them with ALIENS AMONG US IN HUMAN FORM theories and opinions and you have ROSWELL TV show. now u tell me could it be worth watching in ANY way ? i have watched 7 or 8 episodes so far of the first season and it is utter nonsense and pathetic....i have lasted it so far thinking that MAYBE if i somehow manage to finish one season it might get better by then but honestly...i am not very hopeful...and i am surprised and shocked that this show is rated 8.4 ? this show is probably written/directed/created by someone who is expert in making teenage high school films and who wears kids dresses and talks like ''DUDE!! i just had this totally crazy idea about this whole Roswell thing...now imagine a cute chick dating/falling in love with a shy guy who is an alien in human form....and we gotta put in some FBI guys after them just like X-files mojo u know?...it sounds pretty cool right ? hey u told me Ur dad works for TV i am sure he can swing some budget for us to shoot this show and i am like totally sure its gonna be huge...and don't worry abut actors u can bring Ur cousins in all i want is Katherine heigle cuz she has these TOTALLYy huge boobs''. i hated the show ALIAS and always wondered how it lasted so long but i have to say if things like ROSWELL can last 3 seasons then alias surely deserved to last so long. in short its been made by people who i call DTK (DUDE..TOTALLY...KOOL) people...imagine the quality and creativity yourself.

14 out of 32 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I'm astonished at the amount of positive user comments for this show. Apparently a lot of people like very jejune shows with melodramatic acting and a hefty dose of teen angst, poorly-developed story lines and insignificant character development... If that's your thing, you'll LOVE this show. Initially the kitschy quality of the weird sci-fi elements coupled with coming-of-age conventions appealed to me -- however, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a contemporary of Roswell, accomplishes this about a gazillion times better. This show takes itself too seriously, there is not enough humour (another thing Buffy had pined down perfectly, the combination of clever pop culture references and snappy wit that this show sorely lacks), the characters become quite unlikeable as the series progresses, the story-line is overblown and contrived without being interesting, there are too many details that are not resolved / explained properly, and it's hard to tell if the actors are decent or not, since the script is so crappily written. If you like stuff about aliens, watch X-Files; if you like high school shows, watch Freaks & Geeks; if you like cheesy crap, watch Roswell.

7 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

This was three shows in one. In descending order of quality, they were:
The first, or 'Teenagers from Outer Space: the Teen Romance,' season was silly and occasionally tasteless but often sweet and touching. No, it wasn't really science fiction, it was sci-fi-like.
The second, or 'Teenagers from Outer Space: the Anime,' season was even sillier, and often stupid, but also occasionally exciting in a Hardy Boys-Nancy Drew-ish way. Sometimes it kept up the personal stories from the first season, sometimes it trashed them. The aliens' powers became random. The attempted explanations of the hints in the first season became increasingly muddled and self-contradictory. The producer evidently thought he was doing science fiction but had evidently never seen any.
The third, or 'Teenagers from Outer Space: the Soap,' season was just boring: no plot, no threat, no antagonists, the aliens' powers being whatever-we-say-they-are-this-episode. The writers stopped giving explanations. By the end of the three seasons one or other of the aliens had raised the dead, traveled through time, seen ghosts, died and been reborn, wiped out a multitude. In the final episode, for no given reason, one of the human characters became a prophetess.
What's exasperating is that the actors and the directors could have kept the show going, but the writers let them down.
Ah, well.

6 out of 13 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink