DVD Review | Roswell (Season 1_
Written by: Kage Alan

Several of us have often wondered if my partner is an alien.  Why?  Whenever we’re warm, he’s cold.  When we’re cold, he’s freezing.  The boy can eat like you wouldn’t believe and never packs on an ounce.  I know…I’ve tried.  Thinking back on it, I believe I was a bit worried when he took such a liking to “Roswell” and maybe that’s why I shied away from it until now.  When fans go to such great lengths to keep a show on the air, though, especially a Sci-Fi show, people stand up and take notice.

Liz Parker (Shiri Appleby) leads the life of a typical teenage high school student, only she lives in Roswell, New Mexico.  You know, the place of an infamous UFO sighting?  Anyway, she goes through her day either studying, working at the diner her parents own, dating jock Kyle (Nick Wechsler), son of local Sheriff Valenti (William Sadler) and being the quiet object of Max Evans’ (Jason Behr) affection.  When Liz is shot in a scuffle at the diner, Max saves her life and sets something into motion that puts the two of them, as well as several others, in danger.

For the few of you who haven’t watched the show yet, it’s really not spoiling anything to tell you that yes, Max is from outer space.  So is his no-nonsense sister, Isabel (Katherine Heigl) and rebellious friend, Michael (Brendan Fehr).  As Liz is brought further into Max’s world, she confides in best friend Maria (Majandra Delfino) and, later, Alex (Colin Hanks).  Much of the season revolves around first dodging a possible F.B.I. agent (Julie Benz) at their school, then discovering more about where the four came from, who can help them and who is responsible for killing people years ago who could only have been an extraterrestrial.  The arrival of Tess (Emilie de Ravin) halfway through also adds to the tension.  She’s the girl you love to hate because there’s just something about her.

The problem with “Roswell” is that the show wavers from Science Fiction to a ridiculous amount of making out between the characters.  If I wanted to watch “Dawson’s Creek,” I would.  I wanted Science Fiction.  Fortunately, the series does venture deep into that territory towards the end.  However, instead of presenting character studies of teens who were different, knew they were different and then trying to find their way in the world (you know, something original), the writers introduce a finale that relies on so many genre clichés.  It’s a shame because the cast of “Roswell” is amazing and manage realistic chemistry ranging from love to severe dislike.  The strength is in the performances, which is what sold it to fans and to me.  Yes, I enjoyed the show for its weaknesses and strengths.

Fox has released “Roswell” in its original Widescreen (woo hoo!) format.  Video quality is nice and solid and audio is equally impressive.  As for extras, the studio has included a number of them in this first box set.  Not only do we have commentaries with cast and crew, but we’re also given “Area 51: Behind the Scenes of Roswell” (30 min), “Roswell High: The Making of Roswell” (min10 ¼), two audition scenes with Emilie de Ravin and Sense Field’s video for “Save Yourself.” The featurettes are quite nice, actually, and don’t contain nearly as much fluff as one would expect.  The commentaries, on the other hand, are a mixed bag.  The first commentary is with Executive Producer/Writer Jason Katims and Executive Producer/Director David Nutter.  Please, never, EVER let Katims partake in another commentary.  Count the number of times the man says “uh” and can’t finish a thought.  I felt SO sorry for Nutter, though Katims does better in the final episode’s commentary.  Co-Executive Producer/Writer Thania St. John fares better as do Shiri Appleby and Majandra Deflino (on their first commentary, not so much the second).

If I’d had any say so about the show during its run, I definitely would have suggested many more shirtless shots of Jason Behr.  Could always make him a swimmer!  Right, so, knowing that “Roswell” only lasted three seasons, I’m eager to see what direction the show goes in next, mostly because the commentaries elude to the direction the show ends up taking.  It made me all the more curious.  So, until then, I’ll keep feeding my partner and see how he reacts to watching “Roswell (Season 1).” Maybe I’ll get to marry my very own alien.

Season Rating: B
DVD Special Features: B