(FORTUNE Magazine) – Roswell WB: Wednesdays, 9 p.m. EST

Most of this fall's teenage dramas are ludicrous rip-offs of the new and old (say Ally McBeal meets My So-Called Life, with a dash of Dawson's Creek). The sole exception is the WB's Roswell--which gleefully plays with the alien legend surrounding the New Mexico town. When Max, one of three aliens masquerading as high school students, saves the life of fellow student Liz, his secret is exposed. It's gripping to watch the aliens' past unfold (and pretty cool to see Max's sister, Isabel, use her alien powers to listen to a Hole CD by simply holding it to her ear).

While the pilot is captivating, it's tough to envision what the producers plan for the second episode, never mind the second year. But the show should thrive until they figure it out, thanks to its post-Dawson's Creek time slot.

--Henry Goldblatt