Max Evans (Jason Behr), his sister Isabel (Katherine Heigl), and their friends Michael Guerin (Brendan Fehr) and Tess Harding (Emilie de Ravin) could probably have stayed comfortably under the radar if not for a freak accident that left fellow student Liz Parker (Shiri Appleby) mortally wounded, prompting Max to reveal his powers and save her life. The incident proves a powerful bonding experience between Max and Liz, who -- along with a few close friends -- promises to keep the foursome's secret. But as Max and Liz are falling in love, he learns that he's destined to be with Tess, and much of the show centers on the conflict between Max's desire to be with his human girlfriend and his sense of duty, which requires him to give her up.

The four aliens are being hunted by another group of extraterrestrials living incognito on Earth, the Skins, and many of the episodes center on this conflict. With its battling aliens and superpowers, Roswell is clearly sci-fi, but below the surface lies a more fundamental issue -- who will end up together in the end? -- that makes the show similar to any other teen drama.