Week 5: Roswell

I have watched Roswell and been a fan of the show since it debuted in 1999. In some ways it was difficult watching the first two episodes and seeing people’s reactions. Clearly the show is somewhat dated, but I don’t think the true essence of the show comes through in the first two episodes. I began to enjoy the show about halfway through the first season when the sci-fi story lines took a backseat to the character development and interactions between the main characters. I think sci-fi shows are a really difficult type to sell. Unless they become mainstream, they is a stigma around them and they only really have a cult following, which Roswell had when it was on the air. This cult following was made evident by the response the online community had to September 11. They took their common interest in the show and used that as a jumping off point to larger and more important issues.

So why is there a stigma around sci-fi shows? When describing Roswell as soon as you say the word alien people lose interest and laugh because the story line becomes so ridiculous. I think for Roswell in particular though it is important to look past the alien part and the "sci-fi-ness" of the series and focus on the characters. In actuality the UFO crash in Roswell and aliens is just a backdrop for the teenage drama and character development of the show to give it a fresh take and make it unique compared to other teen shows on television. The show delves into such issues as alienation and feeling like you belong in your community. Many shows look at teens trying to fit in, but Roswell gives it a new spin because of the backdrop it has. Max can never fit in because he must remain invisible for his own safety. Once people get past the sci-fi exterior of the show, I think Roswell explores some really important teen issues and coming of age situations. At its core, the show has a very similar structure to other teen shows, but Roswell has an extra layer with the inclusion of sci-fi elements.