Roswell, New Mexico

Roswell, New Mexico is a science fiction drama television series that premiered its first season on The CW in January 2019. The series is an adaptation of the "Roswell High" book series written by Melinda Metz and serves as a modern-day reboot of the Roswell TV series that aired between 1999 and 2002.

The show is centered around the character of Liz Ortecho, a jaded biomedical researcher and the daughter of undocumented immigrants, who moves back to her hometown of Roswell, New Mexico. After 10 years away, Liz is confronted with a lot of mysteries, high school memories, and unresolved feelings. Not everything has remained the same, though, as she soon discovers her teenage crush, Max Evans, is in fact an alien who has concealed his extraordinary abilities for the entire time that she's known him.

As Liz's old crush turns into a chance for a new romance, the two must juggle their human and non-human urges, pursue the truth behind a historical government conspiracy, and face the very pertinent political anxieties of immigration. The small desert town of Roswell, famous for its purported 1947 UFO crash, is revealed as a place full of secrets, including a history of extraterrestrial visitations that interplays with Washington politics, corporate interests, and the daily lives of its residents.

One of the interesting aspect about Roswell, New Mexico is how it chooses to depict its extraterrestrials. The “aliens” in question appear human, behave human, and are trying to live human lives. They have abilities that are beyond anything a human can possess, which makes them the prime target for governmental scrutiny and public fear. This concept of being "alien" is layered with a commentary on immigration, making a parallel between the extraterrestrial characters and the experiences of Earth-born immigrants, who often face marginalization and stigmatization in their adopted countries.

Max is not the only extraterrestrial in Roswell. His quiet but protective elder sister, Isobel, and the loose cannon Michael Guerin also conceal the same secret. Each of these characters battle with their alien nature and juggle the moral implications of their uncovered pasts, all the while struggling to safeguard their secrets from an increasingly suspicious and fearful local populace. This sets the stage for a character-driven drama, infused with relationship conflicts, intrigue, suspense and a touch of humor.

As of 2022, the series has delivered three intriguing seasons and has been renewed for a fourth. The storytelling remains charismatic throughout, cleverly combining elements from the original Roswell series with modern themes and discourse, whilst updating the narrative to reflect contemporary social and political realities.

Moreover, the cinematography provides a rich authenticity to the series, showcasing the sweeping landscapes and stark contrasts of the New Mexico desert as another character in its story. The series' ensemble cast, led by Jeanine Mason as Liz Ortecho and Nathan Parsons as Max Evans, have won praise for their rich portrayal of their respective characters. They effectively capture the complications, transformations, and humanity of their alien characters, while weaving their stories through a blend of dramatic and intimate moments.

As a whole, Roswell, New Mexico effectively marries its science fiction and supernatural elements with real, grounded elements of memoires, romance, and mystery. It smartly combines these narratives into a compelling, consistently evolving series that skillfully evolves the Roswell mythology.

The tale it spins is a thrilling and thought-provoking story of romance and suspense, where it steps into the social commentary zone by highlighting the immigrant perspective, prejudice, acceptance, and individual liberties.

In conclusion, Roswell, New Mexico is an engrossing series which primarily circulates around a group of friends, some of whom harbor an out-of-this-world secret. The show uses the familiar concept of aliens to infuse new life into the themes of acceptance and identity. It is ultimately a story about finding where you belong, in a world where you may feel like an outsider, an alien, metaphorically or literally, and the lengths you may go to protect the people you care for. This is a must watch for fans of the original series, as well as those who enjoy a fresh take on millennial themes of identity, love, and acceptance through an extraterrestrial lens.