Alien Nation

One of the best sci-fi and/or buddy cop shows I've ever seen. Like all really good science fiction, it comes up with an utterly improbable premise (namely that an alien slave ship lands on Earth and the humanoid ex-slaves must integrate into human society) and proceeds to be completely real within that premise. Without fail, every single episode of this tragically short-lived series was, in turns, touching, humorous and compelling.

If you can find this show on the air, watch it, its well worth it.

Capitalizing on the success and popularity of the movie, this series used many of the same plot devices and dynamics, yet eventually found a footing of its own. The aliens were in effect the "newcomers" or latest immigrants to the US that society was now compelled to absorb. Many of the episodes centered around what one would expect for any immigrants; settling in, retaining one's own culture, defining a new identity etc. At the same time, there was the "other-worldly" aspect (visible from the appearance of the aliens) which kept the viewers learning about their past little by little. On top of this, the show actually dealt with sub-themes of aging, sexuality (even homosexuality in one episode), caste-system, human (or alien) trafficking and other topics that are even relevant for today. Though short-lived, it really is worth watching.

Normally I'm not a fan of sci fi but something about this series changed my opinion Alien Nation is probably one of the best cop shows that was on TV. A slave ship carrying an alien race known as the Tenctonese crashed in the Mojave Desert near the city of Los Angeles five years ago. They have been bred to have great strength and quick intelligence, hard edged Officer Matt Sikes, played by Gary Graham is teamed up with a newcomer officer George Francisco (Pierpoint). Although the two mismatched cops have many differences and issues they have to work together thrown into the mix is George's family wife Susan (Scarabelli), young daughter Emily (Woodland) and teen aged son Buck (Six). Meanwhile Sikes must also deal with his budding romantic feelings for his neighbor and scientist Cathy Frankel (Treas) a gorgeous newcomer.

What I like most about the show is the humorous and difficult moments that are displayed when prejudice is shown towards the newcomers, also it's interesting to see a romantic relationship developing between a human male and a tenctonese female but what's a love story without the hurdles of interspecies romance.

For fans of sci fi classics Alien Nation is the number #1 show to watch.

We're currently watching this on Roku's Dust channel (October of 2019). Full series, over 17 hours. Excellent science fiction based on the movie from 1988. Probably a little better than the movie (which is unusual for a TV series). Cancelled too early. This should have run at east a couple more seasons.

Strong characters. Tight scripts. Storylines that blend science fiction, drama and humor with a little bit of alien sexiness thrown in. Sometimes the animosity between the two main characters is pushed. They can go from being close comrades one moment to arguing about food or odors the next. But this is definitely forgivable.

Look for Lori Petty in a great role in an early episode.

It's 5 years after a disabled alien spaceship land in the Mojave desert. There are 250k alien slaves on board. The newcomers or derogatory called slags have settled into their new homes, mostly in southern California. Slave drivers called Overseers are rumored to have blended into the refugee population. Detective Matthew Sikes lost his partner to an alien gunman. He is assigned newcomer Detective George Francisco, the first in the LAPD. The Franciscos move into the suburbs and face varying discrimination. Salt water hurts them and sour milk gets them drunk. Humans calling themselves Purists oppose the newcomers. The two species try to overcome cultural differences as criminals on both sides take advantage of their new reality.

First, the pilot is compelling but overplays the discrimination aspect. They are literally burning a circle instead of a cross on the family lawn. The daughter's story works well and incorporates a nice new friend with the bullying story. The fountain story is too on the nose. The worst is Sikes firing his gun in the air like Martin Riggs going half-pretend-crazy during the school demonstration. Somebody really overplays the script. Then there is the rebel son. The rebellion is fine but the killing lays a deadly landmine for future episodes.

The story promptly steps into it by catching the boy but somehow gets the equivalent of probation. It's the weirdest of rewrites. I guess the writers had no way of writing out of that predicament. It's the last major misstep. There are little questionable aspects like how the Overseers have a mark on their wrists. It seems like an easy to identify them. The show does find its footing. The relationships are compelling. I would give more time with the family. The daughter doesn't have enough screen time. This is a police drama and the school has no place in the show. The captain is a weak character but worst, he's played by a weak actor. Despite any shortcomings, the show worked for the most part and should have been renewed except for troubles at the network.