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There’s been a crashdown -- right here in this column! The entire focus of the article I
was going to write about the UPN television show “Roswell" has completely changed. Why?
Because “Roswell" fans are so passionate about the show that I didn’t want to leave any
information out. So welcome, my human and alien friends alike, to the very first two-part
editorial I have ever written.
“Roswell", which has distinctively combined science fiction with the heart-wrenching
disconnection and angst of 21st century American teenhood, is well on its way to achieving
cult television status. This post-modern blending of genres from writer / executive
producer Jason Katims (“Relativity," “My So-Called Life") moved from the WB to UPN this
season.
For those of you who are still pondering if you should begin watching the show, now in its
third season, I say go for it! Odds are you’ll be hooked faster than a speeding
spaceship. Also, check out the newsgroup alt.tv.roswell for some current tips on what’s
going on. Meanwhile, here’s some background information:
July 3, 1947. The crash of a spaceship – an event officially but never effectively denied
by the United States government – leaves three young aliens to grow up in the sleepy,
backwater town of Roswell, New Mexico. Joined together by their common, otherworldly
heritage, Max Evans (Jason Behr), his sister Isabel (Katherine Heigl) and Michael Guerin
(Brendan Fehr) keep their true identities a secret from their families and friends. But
the shooting of a classmate, Liz Parker (Shiri Appleby), forces Max to use his astonishing
powers to save her life, and draws Liz and her best friend Maria DeLuca (Majandra
Delfino) into the extraterrestrial trio’s secret world. On the peripher of this extraordinary
secret, the aliens must also trust their real identities with the local sheriff, Valenti
(Willian Sadler) and his son (and Liz’s former boyfriend), Kyle (Nick Wechsler).
Complicating their overwhelming desire to uncover the truth about themselves – who or what
they are and where their true home might be – is the need to keep one step ahead of
both terrestrial and extraterrestrial adversaries. “Roswell" explores the emotional drama of
the ultimate outsiders – surviving descendants of alien beings – attempting to find their
place among humans as they struggle with adolescence.
Besides alt.tv.roswell, there are numerous “Roswell" websites, groups / clubs and message
boards that have evolved since the beginning of the show. Fanfiction (aka
fanfic, aka FF)
for “Roswell" has become so intense that there are sites now set up specifically to handle
these stories written by fans. And it’s a good thing too, because how else are viewers
going to satisfy their craving for “Roswell" during the off season?!
I posted a bunch of questions to “Roswell" fans that I was going to integrate into the
original article I had planned, but the response was so overwhelming, that integration
could perhaps take years, even lightyears! So, stepping away from my usual format (see
previous articles ), for the remainder of this article I’m going to give a
biography of the characters and actors, and in the second-part of the article coming out
the third week of November, I want to share the fans’ answers to my questions. So, if
you’re NEW to “Roswell," the character information should be quite helpful. And for those
who already know this information, it will be quite interesting to read the differences
and similarities in the answers to the questions coming in the second part.
Shiri Appleby plays Liz Parker, one of the human teenagers who knows the secret of her
three alien friends in the New Mexico town made famous by the supposed crash of an alien
spacecraft in 1947. Most recently, Appleby completed the independent feature film
“Swimfan85." She is committed to completing her education.
Jason Behr plays Max Evans, one of the three aliens who have hidden their identities
behind human facades in the New Mexico town. Behr is a native of Minnesota and will soon
be seen in Miramax’s “The Shipping News," in which he co-stars alongside with Kevin
Spacey, Cat Blanchett and Julianne Moore.
Katherine Heigl plays the alien Isabel Evans, Max’s sister. Heigl has eight feature films
to her credit and also stars in the upcoming teen comedy “100 Girls."
Majandra Delfino plays Maria DeLuca, a human who was let into the aliens’ secret world.
Delfino was born in Caracas to Venezuelan and Cuban-American parents and moved to Miami
with her family at age three. Delfino is also an accomplished ballet dancer.
Brendan Fehr plays Michael Guerin, an alien teenager. During this past hiatus, Fehr
completed work on the independent film “A Wilderness Station," which is based on the short
story by Alice Munro and will be released by Lion’s Gate. Oh, in case you didn’t know,
Fehr is an avid sports fan.
Nick Wechsler plays Kyle Valenti, a human who knows the three aliens’ secret. The fifth
of eight sons, Wechsler grew up in Alburquerque (not far from the setting of “Roswell!").
He began his acting career in high school, turning in what he modestly describes as
“awe-inspiring performances" in every succeeding school play.
William Sadler plays Sheriff Valenti, who knows the teenaged aliens’ secret. Though he
currently lives in Los Angeles for the filming of “Roswell," Sadler and his wife spend as
much time as possible in their restored 1790-era farmhouse in upstate New York.
So please stay tuned! In two weeks the second part of this article will be thrust onto
the online world. But to give you a sneak peak, here are the questions with fan Amy
Burroughs’ answers!
1. What draws you to Roswell? (ie, storyline, special fx, etc)
I think the thing that drew me to Roswell from the very beginning is the love story
between Max & Liz. It was the perfect story of two people who loved each other and
wouldn't let anything stand in their way. I guess it was the soulmate concept of two
people being meant for each other and even when faced with tremendous odds, they managed
to stay together. I know the show has dramatically changed since season one, but the show
had me hooked from the first episode and I just can't stop watching.
2. Who is your favorite character and why?
Liz is definitely my favorite character. Her strength and wisdom always shine through. Liz
would sacrifice anything for the people she loves, including her own happiness.
3. If you could change anything about the series, what would it be?
Where should I begin? Well I would definitely get rid of the "search for Max's son"
storyline. I also really liked Tess and I hate that they completely ruined her character.
Finally I wish they would address some of the issues that came up in season two such as
the end of the world and Liz's powers. Most of all I just wish they could bring back the
romance we saw in season one with Max & Liz's relationship.
4. If you could have a role on the show, either one that exists or a new character, which role would you choose?
I would like to have the role of Serena who was supposed to be Liz's friend from the end
of the world episode. I think it would be a very interesting element to the show to
introduce her.
Thanks, Amy!
Please come back to see the second part of the Roswell Crashdown article! Feel free to
discuss this article in the newsgroup newsguy.writers.scificapsule.
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"Roswell's Crashdown"
