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The Best Episodes of Roswell

Every episode of Roswell ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Roswell!

Binge this in 1d 17h•Peaking at 8.4/10

Bizarre things start happening in the little New Mexico town where UFOs were spotted in 1947. Cut to 1999, when a cute high-school student saves the life of a teenage waitress. Surrounded by cliques of

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Roswell Season 1 Episode 22 - Destiny
    8.4/10(368 votes)

    #1 - Destiny

    S1:E22

    After escaping from Pierce, the aliens save Nasedo. Michael accidentally kills Pierce. Nasedo, as the aliens' guardian takes Pierce's place to help the aliens. The aliens figure out how to use the devices and release a message from Max and Isabel's real mother. She says Max is their leader and Tess, his fiance and that Michael is Second in command and he is Isabel's fiance. After hearing all this Liz runs out.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writers:Toni Graphia, Thania St. John

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  2. Roswell Season 1 Episode 21 - The White Room
    8.3/10(348 votes)

    #2 - The White Room

    S1:E21

    Max finds himself in a white room with no windows or doors, facing questions by Agent Pierce. Isabel telepathically contacts Max, who leaves her clues to his location. Michael, Isabel and Tess then set out on a rescue mission.

    Director:Jonathan Frakes
    Writer:Thania St. John

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  3. Roswell Season 2 Episode 21 - The Departure
    8.3/10(322 votes)

    #3 - The Departure

    S2:E21

    Max, Isabel, Michael and Tess struggle with goodbyes on what they believe to be their last night on Earth before they travel back to their home planet. In the final hours, Max frantically searches for the killer that is still out there and threatens the lives of everyone they love.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writers:Garrett Lerner, Russel Friend

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  4. Roswell Season 3 Episode 18 - Graduation
    8.3/10(390 votes)

    #4 - Graduation

    S3:E18

    As their high school graduation approaches, the gang must come to terms with their expectations for the future, while joining together to thwart the FBI when they discover that several members of the group are under surveillance. Meanwhile, Liz begins exhibiting even more alien-like powers, that cause her to see visions of their future - including their deaths.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Ronald D. Moore

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  5. Roswell Season 1 Episode 6 - 285 South
    8.2/10(408 votes)

    #5 - 285 South

    S1:E6

    Michael's monomaniacal urge to find the geodesic dome that's been stalking his dreams leads him to hijack Maria's car to Texas.

    Director:Arvin Brown
    Writers:William Sind, Thania St. John

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  6. Roswell Season 2 Episode 10 - A Roswell Christmas Carol
    8.2/10(370 votes)

    #6 - A Roswell Christmas Carol

    S2:E10

    Max witnesses a tragedy and is haunted by the ghost of a man he could have saved, leaving him overwhelmed with guilt and questioning his healing abilities. Isabel aka the Christmas Nazi (dubbed by Michael) tries to brighten up the holiday season and Tess tries to became a part of the Valenti family.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Jason Katims

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Roswell

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  7. Roswell Season 2 Episode 17 - Cry Your Name
    8.2/10(338 votes)

    #7 - Cry Your Name

    S2:E17

    The sudden death of a close friend shocks the group.

    Director:Allan Kroeker
    Writer:Ronald D. Moore

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  8. Roswell Season 1 Episode 20 - Max to the Max
    8.1/10(325 votes)

    #8 - Max to the Max

    S1:E20

    Tess's book suggests that she and Max are predetermined mates, as are Michael and Isabel, who thinks she might be pregnant -- with Michael's baby. Meanwhile, Nasedo disguises himself as Max and kidnaps Liz as part of a plan to trap FBI agent Pierce.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Toni Graphia

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  9. Roswell Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.0/10(682 votes)

    #9 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Liz Parker learns Max Evans' out-of-this-world secret when he saves her life and must rely on her to safeguard his secret as an orphaned extraterrestrial.

    Director:David Nutter
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  10. Roswell Season 2 Episode 5 - The End of the World
    8.0/10(378 votes)

    #10 - The End of the World

    S2:E5

    An older Max travels from the future (2014 to be exact) to tell Liz that their relationship will imperil his planet and together they devise a plan to change the future: by making present Max fall out of love with Liz.

    Director:Bill L. Norton
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  11. Roswell Season 1 Episode 9 - Heat Wave
    7.9/10(389 votes)

    #11 - Heat Wave

    S1:E9

    A freak December heat wave hits the town and sparks romance as Michael's relationship with Maria heats up and Liz's infatuation with Max intensifies; meanwhile Isabel enters into one of Alex's dreams only to discover her likeness already there and dancing with Alex.

    Director:David Nutter
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  12. Roswell Season 1 Episode 14 - Blind Date
    7.9/10(377 votes)

    #12 - Blind Date

    S1:E14

    Maria enters Liz in a blind date contest; Max and Kyle commiserate about their shared feelings for Liz; Michael and Isabel send a signal to the fourth alien.

    Director:Keith Samples
    Writer:Thania St. John

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  13. Roswell Season 1 Episode 18 - Tess, Lies and Videotape
    7.9/10(323 votes)

    #13 - Tess, Lies and Videotape

    S1:E18

    Max develops an uncontrollable attraction to Tess that includes intense sexual daydreams, and Sheriff Valenti learns that Topolsky was killed in a suspicious fire. Meanwhile, someone has secretly placed a video camera inside Michael's apartment.

    Director:Paul Shapiro
    Writers:Toni Graphia, Richard Whitley

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  14. Roswell Season 1 Episode 15 - Independence Day
    7.8/10(343 votes)

    #14 - Independence Day

    S1:E15

    After Michael has a violent showdown with his father, Max and Isabel's father helps Michael set up his emancipation; the fourth alien emerges as a shapeshifter who watches over Max, Michael and Isabel.

    Director:Paul Shapiro
    Writer:Toni Graphia

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  15. Roswell Season 1 Episode 16 - Sexual Healing
    7.8/10(367 votes)

    #15 - Sexual Healing

    S1:E16

    Liz is unnerved by her strong desire for Max and the visions that come when they kiss - visions that lead to a glowing orb in the desert.

    Director:David Semel
    Writer:Jan Oxenberg

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  16. Roswell Season 1 Episode 17 - Crazy
    7.8/10(322 votes)

    #16 - Crazy

    S1:E17

    FBI agent Topolsky returns to warn Liz that a covert alien hunter inside the Bureau is pursuing Max and his friends -- and that he will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Meanwhile, Isabel befriends Tess, a new female student who immediately arouses Max and Michael's suspicions.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writer:Thania St. John

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  17. Roswell Season 3 Episode 17 - Four Aliens and a Baby
    7.8/10(303 votes)

    #17 - Four Aliens and a Baby

    S3:E17

    Max's quest to find his son ends with the return of Tess and the baby, and the gang find themselves in danger again while trying to protect the child. Meanwhile, Jesse encourages Isabel to reveal her true origins to her parents, and the elder Evanses provide a way to ensure their grandchild's safety.

    Director:William Sadler
    Writers:Garrett Lerner, Russel Friend

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  18. Roswell Season 1 Episode 8 - Blood Brother
    7.7/10(360 votes)

    #18 - Blood Brother

    S1:E8

    Max is injured in a car accident and Liz pressures Alex to help protect him from medical procedures that could expose his identity by providing blood samples to replace Max's.

    Director:David Nutter
    Writers:Barry Pullman, Breen Frazier

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  19. Roswell Season 1 Episode 13 - The Convention
    7.7/10(335 votes)

    #19 - The Convention

    S1:E13

    Max plays host to actor Jonathan Frakes at the annual UFO Convention while trying to avoid the meddlesome couple who witnessed Max's life-saving abilities on Liz at the Crashdown Cafe.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Emily Whitesell

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  20. Roswell Season 2 Episode 4 - Summer of '47
    7.7/10(351 votes)

    #20 - Summer of '47

    S2:E4

    Michael discovers the hidden history behind the 1947 crash when interviewing a World War II survivor for a school project. The story unfolds with familiar faces portraying people in 1947.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writers:Aaron Harberts, Gretchen J. Berg

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  21. Roswell Season 1 Episode 7 - River Dog
    7.6/10(362 votes)

    #21 - River Dog

    S1:E7

    Liz and Max journey to an American Indian reservation where they glean information from an elderly tribesman about the alien who vanished in 1959.

    Director:Jonathan Frakes
    Writer:Cheryl Cain

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  22. Roswell Season 3 Episode 10 - A Tale of Two Parties
    7.6/10(297 votes)

    #22 - A Tale of Two Parties

    S3:E10

    In an attempt to find Roswell's legendary New Year's Rave, Max and Maria join forces. Meanwhile, Liz connects with her father and Isabel helps Kyle find the perfect date for New Year's.

    Director:Allan Kroeker
    Writer:Laura J. Burns

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  23. Roswell Season 3 Episode 16 - Crash
    7.6/10(280 votes)

    #23 - Crash

    S3:E16

    Michael witnesses a fatal crash between a fighter jet and an alien vessel, and embarks on his own investigation leading to the recovery of an artifact. Meanwhile, Isabel spends the day with her mother, who's harboring a secret agenda and is working with her husband to discover Max & Isabel's secret, which leads to a shocking revelation.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:David Simkins

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  24. Roswell Season 1 Episode 2 - The Morning After
    7.5/10(458 votes)

    #24 - The Morning After

    S1:E2

    Liz tries to maintain her relationship with Kyle despite her deep bond with Max; Michael is obsessed with the idea that there was another alien in Roswell in 1959 and tries to decipher the meaning of the flashes only he sees. Meanwhile, Liz suspects the new guidance counselor Ms. Topolsky is hiding something, especially when she sees her with Michael's file.

    Director:David Nutter
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  25. Roswell Season 1 Episode 3 - Monsters
    7.5/10(403 votes)

    #25 - Monsters

    S1:E3

    Isabel is concerned about Maria's nervous reactions to Sheriff Valenti, so she invades one of Maria's dreams to determine whether she can keep the aliens' secret.

    Directors:David Semel, David Nutter
    Writer:Thania St. John

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Best Episodes Summary

"Destiny" is the best rated episode of "Roswell". It scored 8.4/10 based on 368 votes. Directed by Patrick R. Norris and written by Toni Graphia, Thania St. John, it aired on 5/15/2000. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The White Room".