Roswell (TV Series) Graduation (2002) User Reviews

Very sad - not the ending I wanted but it was good enough

[chazygray · 8/10 · 10 November 2006]

I really enjoyed the series, however it became evident half way through season 2 that the writers had less to play with and this resulted in the eventual ending of the show in the 3 rd season. In the 3rd season writers were grasping at straws trying different things not the best idea. However they were able to end it off nicely. I found the ending to be very sad very sudden, and although there was so many questions that had gone unanswered like " What about the aliens stuck under Kavars rule? " The end was simple and the whole idea of ending the series with the journal that had started it was brilliant. I was very moved by this show, the cast was brilliant and the acting was good. The last episode is moving on all accounts.

Well done

[Vash_ebas · 9/10 · 6 September 2009]

SPOILERS AHEAD.............

All is well that ends well. Even though I will miss this show, I was pleased with the way it ended. It was a bitter sweet ending. Max, Isabel, Liz, Kyle will miss their parents for a long long time (until it's safe), because they are forced to leave Roswell to protect themselves. Tess is gone for good, even before this episode, and it is nice to see Liz & Max have a real relationship. Max & Isabel's parents and Isabel's husband have all accepted them for what they are. The only problem is- they may all get killed, according to Liz's premonition, but they are able to escape, thanks to 'the power of love'. There is a very touching moment when Max creates a diamond out of a coal and then proposes to Liz. Their chemistry is great, as it has been throughout this series. They get married sometime after they escape from Roswell.

I think Jesse should have joined them, as it would be dangerous for him not to. However, Isabel convinces him to go to Boston and live a normal life. Katherine Heigl does a wonderful job as Isabel in that scene.

There is a very touching moment between Kyle and his father, the former Sheriff Valenti. Kyle wants to be with his alien friends, and does not want the same career as his father and grandfather. Kyle and Jim say "I love you" before Kyle goes back to the van to join others.

At the end, Liz's father is shown reading her diary, which she sent him by Fedex, telling him as much as she could, without putting herself and her friends in danger. All we learn is that they are far away, hiding from the law, helping others.

I heard that the producers of Roswell were forced to end the season earlier than planned. That is why this episode feels like it was a bit rushed. Still, it is very effective, and I like the happy ending, with Max/Liz married, Michael/Maria together (though not married) and all six of them together.

I really enjoyed this series, and will definitely miss the characters that were so well acted. They seemed so real.

The series finale that redeemed all the bad.

[m-47826 · 8/10 · 11 February 2024]

Roswell may pale in comparison to other series, but this episode reminds me why I love this show, and why I used to be obsessed with it. Season 3 is the shortest and the last one of the series, but that doesn't mean it's the worst either. It's the most entertaining of them all, and « Graduation » brought it perfect closure. It is full of twists and turns and at the end of it, you see the group leave Roswell (in a mini van...) and heading for new adventures, fans can easily write or imagine themselves. After risking their lives in a final battle with the FBI (the show's « big bad »). This season, the tension was high between characters, but not in a way that made you hate any of them. I think it even helped them grow and appear more sympathetic and relatable to the audience, which made their almost happy ending all the more satisfying. In spite of how underwhelming it feels every time I revisit it, I always put season one on a pedestal for its « gravitas », and get sucked into season 2 insane stories. But season 3 has the merit of not having one episode I don't like (even the weird « I married an Alien » has its upside), and the last one is my favorite of the whole series, with the pilot episode. I love how simple and effective they can be, and how each scenes matter. So, for all that, Roswell still has a special place in my heart. It wasn't the most popular show, but to me it was, I love the whole cast and I'm always surprised with how good and appropriate this finale can be. It even mentioned Maria's mother, whose presence was missing all season long. And the closing song remains the same on both the TV and DVD version.

Graduation?

[acharrell · 3/10 · 18 June 2019]

Don't be fooled, this is a bad ending to a basically bad show. Stupid things in this episode include: Max's impromptu commencement speech. Nobody would've put up with that and everyone would've been totally confused. Teachers would've shut that down. Where did Jesse get that van and how did he find them in the desert? How did any of them graduate? When did these kids go to class? Seriously, I don't think we've seen them in school at all since season 1. The writing in this show is just awful and the finale is no exception.