Alien Nation

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.

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.

Having grown up in a household where Science Fiction was Dad's staple, I never really picked up on it, preferring more real-life drama. Having said that, this show is about the top of the line for TV scifi. The characters are believable, fully developed and imperfect.The acting is top-flight, and the stories, mostly carrying a message, are not overly burdened or preachy. The culture, habits, language, slang of the Aliens is presented in a matter-of-fact manner. Other than Heinlen or Finney, this is about the best scifi I've come across. And I don't like scifi.

"Alien Nation"is a science fiction show that is well done,well acted and well created by Kenneth Johnson(The Incredible Hulk, and V). The series dealt with a lot of issues, especially racial issues,and cultural issues too.

The Tenctonese are a race that were slaves who came to earth cause of their ship crashing in the Mohave Desert in 1991. The Tenctonese are from the planet Tencton, they have the ability to adapt in any environment, they learn fast and live a little longer than Humans,they are known to us Humans also as Newcomers.There are Humans who don't like the Newcomers, they are called Purists, the Newcomers are called Slags, the word "slag" is a racist term by the Purists.The Newcomers that don't like Humans much call us Humans, "Terts".

Human cop Matthew Sikes, played superbly by Gary Graham(All The Right Moves, Robot Jox, and The Last Warrior), is a cop who lost his former partner to a Newcomer in a robbery. Sikes's new parter, a Newcomer cop, Det. George Francisco, played awesome by Eric Pierpoint(Invaders From Mars, Forever Young, and Liar Liar), work together to fight crime. The two Detectives have their disagreements on certain issues,but work great together. Cathy Frankel, played awesome by Terri Treas(Seven Brides For Seven Brothere, The Nest, and House IV)is Matthew Sikes's Newcomer neighbor who he develops a relationship with her later on, Capt Bryan Grazer, played by Ron Fassler(Camp Nowhere, Child's Play 3 and Gremlins 2), Det. Dobbs, played by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs(Welcome Back Kotter), Albert Einstein, a Newcomer janitor, played by Jeff Marcus, are some of the members of the precinct.

George Francisco's family consists of Susan Francisco, played by Michele Scarabelli(Air Wolf),Buck Francisco, played by Sean Six, is a teenage Newcomer who has got into some trouble, but has got better, though he has resentment towards Humans. Emily Francisco, played by Lauren Woodland(The Young And The Restless), is a young Newcomer girl who is a nice girl who is smart.

I was very upset that Fox canceled "Alien Nation"in 1990, but they did redeemed themselves by making 5 "Alien Nation" TV movies, "Alien Nation:Dark Horizon", "Alien Nation:Body And Soul", "Alien Nation:Millinium", "Alien Nation:The Enemy Within", "Alien Nation:The Udara Legacy".

I give this show 10/10 stars and 2 thumbs up.

The "Alien Nation" TV series was based on the "Alien Nation" movie that came out in 1988.

This series is fantastic! I do not understand why it only lasted one season. It gave us so many insights into the relationships between people of all "races". It allowed us to see the pain of "inter-species" relationships and the acceptance of beings "different" from us. As the series unfolded, it was uplifting to see how people can overcome their differences to get along and thrive on earth. There are so many lessons that we can ALL learn from this series. We can get along in peace and harmony.