*love, Roswell style*

The invasion has just taken place…for my attention. At first, I was going to write off Roswell because it seemed too glossy for its own good. But then, last week, I decided to take a second look. And I found a diamond in the rough. It seems that the romance between Max and Liz is rather infectuous. Being from two different species only cracks the surface. Their romance is so compelling that it unleashes the 'Shipper in me waiting to break out--at least for this show.

There's something sweet and endearing about the romance between these two, teen characters. The aura of Liz and Max's otherworldly, star-crossed attraction paints the entire atmosphere of the show. Thus, Roswell possesses all the good ingredients that those Saturday afternoon Sci Fi B-Movies on independent stations would depict. Far off worlds. Sentimentality. Meaty, campy villains. However, the program also contains the single-most thing that would keep me tuned from time to eternity: real drama. Oh yes. You wouldn't think that I would leave this out, would you? The constant tension within the plotline keeps you from wanting to escape and run down the hall to the bathroom--even before the commercial break. In fact, the story has the same suspense that you would feel watching the latter half of NCAA March Madness. Except the only madness here is the whimsical love affair between the two teen lovers. They have so much "goody-goody" appeal, you just want them to thwart the bad guys and get down to business--of the romantic kind.

There are many levels demonstrating the lessons of human and alien nature due to the initial meeting between these two, teen characters. What fascinates me about this program is the nature of conspiracy culture. There seems to be this quid pro quo manner throughout the show. Everyone does something for someone else in order to prove their loyalty and trust. When the show began, Liz--despite the fact that Max saved her from a fatal gunshot wound--didn't start out trusting her love interest. When Max healed her, Liz took a sample of his blood and looked at it under her microscope. Thus, she discovered his secret. Even then, Max didn't completely trust her--let alone his brother and sister. And as the program rolls on--they don't completely trust each other as the strong, romantic bond grows between them. When new challenges are brought forth on the show--Liz and Max still maintain this delicate balance. This, of course, puts a damper on their relationship--especially when it has to do with the other characters.

Witness the drama unfolding between Liz and her best friend since fifth grade, Alex. Liz's friend--who has a crush on her-- waivers in his loyality due to his own selfish interests. After all--if last week's episode was any proof--Alex is doing it all for Liz--to spite Max. And of course, Liz…has to keep Alex in line in order to preserve Max's cover. Therefore, with more intricacies than what you would see on a soap opera….before you know it a subtle triangle is occurring. As more gets revealed show by show…one of them might crack under the pressure--due to misplaced emotion and a whole lot of unbridled passion.

When I think about what keeps me watching this show, it just has to be the emotional content. It's not braced in popular culture. And of course, it's not so sickly sentimental that you would just want to puke. The writers of the show take a subtle approach, only found on Now and Again. The real drama of Roswell occurs in the underlying actions of Liz and Max. What they do has an effect on others within the landscape of the show. There isn't any stone left unturned when it comes to keeping the secret of "aliens" living among everyday folk. What's surprising is that it isn't the weird ones (even the geeks--when it comes to High School culture) that are sinister. It's the normal people--if you think about the high school counselor and the town sheriff. And that alone unleashes the disturbing nature that is inherent in this issue of trust and promises on the show. That trickles down to the need to find someone to intimately connect with. When it comes to Liz and Max, it seems that they have a whole lot of work cut out for them--if they don't get caught first.

It'll be fun to see how it all turns out.

"love, Roswell, style"©1999 by Ceci M.