Alien Nation
Detective Matthew Sikes, a Los Angeles police officer reluctantly works with "Newcomer" alien George Francisco. Sikes also has an 'on again off again' flirtation with a female Newcomer, Cathy Frankel.
Production
Production
Seasons
Cast
Gary Graham
Matthew Sikes
Eric Pierpoint
George Francisco
Michele Scarabelli
Susan Francisco
Terri Treas
Cathy Frankel
Ron Fassler
Bryon Grazer
Jeff Doucette
Burns
Molly Morgan
Jill Molaskey
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
Sergeant Dobbs
More Like This
Reviews
misubisu
**Score: 9/10 — A Pioneering, Profound, and Perfectly Portrayed Sci-Fi Masterpiece**
*Alien Nation* is that rare gem: a television sequel that not only honours its source film but deepens, enriches, and transcends it. Premiering in 1989, this series was decades ahead of its time, using the brilliant, high-concept premise of alien integration as a flawless lens to examine the most pressing and permanent human issues. It is a **grossly overlooked** classic that deserves to be ranked among the greats of socially conscious science fiction.
**A Seamless, Superior Continuation:**
The transition from James Caan's film detective to **Gary Graham's Matthew Sikes** was a masterstroke. Graham was **perfectly cast**, bringing a more nuanced, world-weary, yet open-hearted humanity to the role. His **chemistry with Eric Pierpoint's George Francisco was second to none**—a partnership built on growing respect, clashing perspectives, and a profound, unshakeable loyalty. Their dynamic was the show's beating heart, a buddy-cop blueprint elevated by genuine dramatic heft.
**The "Perfectly Portrayed" Premise:**
The show’s enduring genius lies in its execution. Its depiction wasn't just good; it was scrupulously thoughtful and consistent.
* **Co-existence:** The daily reality of the "Newcomers" in Los Angeles—their jobs, their homes, their attempts to blend or maintain their culture—was rendered with tangible, lived-in detail.
* **Relationships:** From the deep friendship of Sikes and Francisco to the complex, beautiful human-alien romance of Sikes and Cathy (the superb Terri Treas), these connections were treated with absolute sincerity and emotional truth, never as gimmicks.
* **Speciesism (Alienism):** The prejudice faced by the Newcomers was the show's central, unflinching focus. It mirrored real-world bigotry with startling clarity, exploring it on systemic, violent, and casually personal levels.
* **Political & Social Issues:** Every episode was a compelling sci-fi parable for issues like immigration, racism, addiction, terrorism, and assimilation. It was never preachy, always letting the powerful allegory speak through its engrossing police procedurals.
**Legacy and Resolution:**
While the series was tragically **cut short by network cancellation, leaving a myriad of unexplained situations**, its passionate fanbase was rewarded. The subsequent **series of five tele-movies** (1994-1997) provided the necessary closure, tying up arcs and delivering the emotional payoff the characters and audience deserved. This completed the journey, making *Alien Nation* a rare example of a franchise that got to finish its story **cleanly and brilliantly**.
**The Verdict:**
From its bold movie to its groundbreaking single season to its satisfying movie sequels, *Alien Nation* is a complete, brilliant triumph. It is a masterpiece of world-building, character-driven drama, and social commentary disguised as a police procedural. Gary Graham and Eric Pierpoint delivered one of television's finest partnerships. It earns its **9/10** for its fearless intelligence, its emotional depth, and its timeless, humane vision. To overlook it is to miss one of sci-fi television's most important and rewarding treasures.
**Watch if:** You love intelligent sci-fi, social allegory, perfect buddy-cop dynamics, and deeply developed alien world-building.
**Skip if:** You require non-stop action or prefer your science fiction devoid of earthly politics. This is thoughtful, character-first storytelling of the highest order.
You've reached the end.