Clever stories and tragic romance propel revamped ‘Roswell’

By JOHN HANSEN

Feb. 23, 2001

Like “The X-Files,” “Roswell” has bounced back this year after some rocky moments late last season. New producer Ronald D. Moore (“Deep Space Nine”) probably deserves most of the credit, as his sci-fi expertise has led to some extremely creative episodes.

The first three episodes of Season 2 lay out the new direction: Liz (Shiri Appleby) refuses to let Max (Jason Behr) take her back, fearing more heartbreak; Michael (Brendan Fehr) refuses to be with Maria (Majandra Delfino) because of his larger concerns; Isabel (Katherine Heigl) ignores Alex (Colin Hanks); Sheriff Valenti (William Sadler) becomes proactive in his support of the aliens; Kyle (Nick Weschler) takes up Buddhism and Tess (Emilie de Ravin) moves in with the Valentis.

Like the beginning of Season 1, the tragic romance between human Liz and alien Max is the show’s focal point, but it has developed new dimensions now.

“The End of the World” is a complete masterpiece. In this episode, a future version of Max travels back in time to tell Liz “I need you to help me fall out of love with you” because otherwise Tess will leave Roswell and the Royal Four will be missing a member key to the saving the planet.

Appleby is an amazing actress. It is incredibly difficult to watch cute and loveable Liz cry, and she has plenty of reason to do so here. The final crane shot — Liz standing alone on her rooftop as Future-Max disappears and the final strains of Sheryl Crow’s “I Shall Believe” fade out — is a thing of beauty.

Other standout storylines found the teens facing off against the Skins, who transport the entire human population of Roswell to an alternate dimension; and the showdown with their manipulative doubles who hatched from the second set of pods. And there’s a compelling thread for future episodes: Liz’s discovery that because she was healed by Max, she has alien-like powers.

Currently, “Roswell” is in the midst of “The Hybrid Chronicles” arc, about a young woman who was buried alive and apparently infected with alien chemicals.

The writing is solid and the actors are shining with their multiple roles and increased development; this is a pleasant contrast from the late Season 1 episodes. The “multiple-worlds-at-stake” suspense and “non-humans struggling with their powers” theme gives “Roswell” comic book thrills reminiscent of “X-Men,” while the moody atmosphere is comparable to the dark suspense of “The X-Files.” All these elements have combined to make “Roswell” one of TV’s most addictive shows.

What: “Roswell” Season 2

When: 8 p.m. Mondays on The WB

Starring: Shiri Appleby, Jason Behr, Majandra Delfino, Katherine Heigl, Brendan Fehr, Colin Hanks, Nick Wechsler, Emilie de Ravin, William Sadler

Executive Producer: Jason Katims

Grade (episodes 1-14): A