characters
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Though a main character in the book series, Adam is not introduced into the television show.  Nikolas Branson is not a character in the television show, but remnants of his character are portrayed through the television character Kivar. Still very different characters--what with Nikolas being a troubled teenager and Kivar being a ruthless king--both Nikolas and Kivar serve as forbidden romances for Isabel Evans.
In the first episode of Roswell, Maria's character was very close to her character in the book series. Both Marias were into aroma therapy and had a fun and crazy side to them. As the television show developed, however, Maria's character became more serious and a little more independent. In the show, Maria lives with her mother and does not have a brother or a cat; her mom, Amy DeLuca, makes a living by providing tourist traps with alien-themed goodies. With a love for music, and a constant change in her hair style, Maria struggles to find her identity on the show. In contrast, book Maria is a softer character who does what needs to be done and provides humor at the same time. She, like her counterpart, falls in love with Michael, and while their relationship is still rocky, Maria maintains a constant personality. Elsevan DuPris is not introduced to the television show. As one of the main villains in the book series, DuPris holds similar traits to Agent Pierce and the Skins--two of the evils faced in the television series.
Isabel's character in the television series is much more complex than her character in the book series. In the books, Isabel is a popular girl who loves getting what she wants. A true "ice princess," Isabel pretends not to care what others think of her and hates to show her vulnerability. With a need to clean or organize whenever she is nervous, book Isabel has many layers and a good heart--once she is willing to let someone in. The character Isabel from the tv series builds on these traits and takes them to another level. While Isabel does not organize obsessively in the television show, she does have a need for everything to be perfect (and as result, she has gained the nickname the "Christmas Nazi"). In the television series, Isabel is not the popularity queen that she is in the book. Still a little cold, television show Isabel shuts people out of her true feelings. Nevertheless, Isabel's growth throughout the show's three seasons is remarkable. By season three, Isabel is a highly independent married woman who stands up for what she believes in, while still maintaining relationships with her friends and family. She grows from the self-centered woman she had been in the books to a balanced and sincere woman in the tv show.
In the books, he is called "Mr. Responsibility". In the tv show, he is "Fearless Leader." Max Evans, in both the books and the show, pulls the group of teens together and helps direct plans. In the books, however, Max is less of a leader. His leadership skills derive from his desperate need to keep his family from falling apart. He is the only balance between his rash and impulsive sister and his distrustful alien friend. In the show, Max is the reincarnation of his previous self, Zan--the king of his home planet Antar. Despite these differences, the character of Max Evans is very similar in both the books and the show. Max is withdrawn and afraid of revealing his true self. He tries hard to do what's right and doesn't back down.
Michael's character in the show is very different from his character in the book series. In the books, Michael is a troubled foster child who is afraid to open up. He wants to find a way home and his whole world revolves around Isabel and Max--the only family he has. In the show, Michael has a similar starting point for his character but the two Michaels are developed in completely different directions. In the show, Michael is rash and impulsive. He doesn't know how to use his powers and often gets himself into trouble. In the books, Michael keeps his powers mostly to himself and and allows himself a moment to think before acting out. Book Michael struggles to find his home, but has a great sense of humor and a sweet side that shows itself more often than not. On the contrary, Michael in the television series hardly ever lets his guard down and constantly acts out. He is also more self-centered and aggressive. Michael from the books will fight when he is needed, but he doesn't instigate fights when they can be avoided--instead, book Michael is better at avoiding stressful situations rather than confronting them. Ray Iburg is not introduced into the television series. First Milton owns the UFO Museum and then a man named Brody Davis. Yet, if anyone shows the same traits as Ray Iburg, it would be Larek or Nasedo. Ray was the adult survivor of the Roswell crash and offered valuable information and safety to the teens. In the show, Nasedo was the adult alien survivor, but he turned out to be working with the teens' enemies. Larek, an alien who had never come to Earth, offered the teens advice by long distance communication.
Alex, in both the show and the series, offered humor and a good sense of reality. With the last name Whitman in the tv series, Alex's home life is very different. He doesn't have a military father or tons of brothers. Still, Alex is good with computers in both the books and the show. In the books, he has a website. In the show, his skills are taken to a next level, and Alex is able to hack into FBI files and decode alien languages. While Alex Manes learns about the aliens in book one, Alex Whitman doesn't find out until much later. Not much of Alex's personality is different. In both the books and the show, Alex is love sick for Isabel. A little more geeky in the books, Alex had his fair share of "dork-a-lert" moments in the show as well. Still, when Alex's friends need him, he is always there to pull through.
In the show, Liz's last name is Parker and she lives at the Crashdown Cafe instead of down the block from it. She is not Spanish and she never had a sister who overdosed on drugs. As a result, Liz's personality is different. In the books, Liz has a deep need to be perfect for her parents. In the show, Liz still is a straight-A student who likes to have control--but her motives are not the same. Nevertheless, the character of Liz is very similar in the books and the show. She may be a little more silly and willing to let her hair down in the books than she is in the show, where she seems more concerned, worried, and practical. Though a main character in the book series, Trevor is not introduced into the television show.
In the books, he is a jerk. In the show, Kyle is a friendly jock. Kyle's character in the show is completely opposite of his character in the books. In the show, Liz breaks up with Kyle after falling for Max. Kyle, hurt and confused, struggles to understand why both Liz and his father are lying to him. Eventually, Kyle learns the secret about the aliens, and then, after finding Buddha, Kyle helps keep their secret and befriends the teens. Kyle offered humor and an interesting side story about broken families in the show; in the books, his character was more stock than developed.
In the books, Sheriff Valenti reveals to Liz that he is the head of a secret organized called Project Clean Slate. He is, in fact, one of the villains of the series--a ruthless and cold person. In the show, Valenti does hunt the teens, but after finding out their secret, he doesn't turn them into the FBI; instead, he helps them to escape. The Valenti in the books may have the same name as the Valenti in the show, but their characters are completely different. Book Valenti is most like Agent Pierce in the show, the man who captured and experimented on Max in the white room. Though a main character in the book series, Cameron is not introduced into the television show. |
