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.
CreatorsKenneth Johnson, Rockne S. O'Bannon
Alien Nation: The TV Movie
Sep 18, 1989
When the Francisco family move into a rich suburban part of L.A., they get to experice hate and racism spread by the radical Purists.
Fountain of Youth
Sep 25, 1989
Sikes and Francisco (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) investigate a doctor who is killing Newcomers to benefit human patients.
Little Lost Lamb
Oct 2, 1989
Sikes and George (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) uncover a prostitution ring after a Newcomer prostitute, on the run from her pimp, is murdered in Sikes' apartment.
Fifteen with Wanda
Oct 9, 1989
Sikes' (Gary Graham) daughter (Cheryl Pollak) visits, accompanied by her radical boyfriend (Wayne Pere), and Buck Francisco (Sean Six) faces expulsion from school. With Eric Pierpoint.
The Takeover
Oct 16, 1989
During heavy rioting, the precinct is near deserted & Sikes & Francisco must stop criminals who attempt to take the precinct over and raiding the evidence lockers for drugs, money and weaponry.
The First Cigar
Oct 23, 1989
George (Eric Pierpoint) accepts a loan from a Newcomer loan officer before discovering she is a drug czar
Night of the Screams
Oct 30, 1989
The method of a serial killer stalking Newcomers re-creates one of their most grisly legends.
Contact
Nov 6, 1989
While investigating a famous doctor's murder, Sikes and George (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) discover he was attempting to contact a probe seeking the Newcomer slave ship.
Three to Tango
Nov 13, 1989
George and Sikes (Eric Pierpoint, Gary Graham) search for a Purist radical who has been murdering special Newcomers.
The Game
Nov 20, 1989
George is confronted with his past as a slave on the spaceship, when it appears that an old Russian Roulette style game he was once forced to play has returned. Will George take revenge for his brother, who died being hit by a bolt of salt water while playing the game on the ship?
Chains of Love
Nov 27, 1989
George (Eric Pierpoint) goes under cover as a client at a computer-dating service for Newcomers to locate a female Newcomer killer.
The Red Room
Dec 18, 1989
Sikes and George (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) become involved in a federal search for a Newcomer who was programmed to kill while in the quarantine camps.
The Spirit of '95
Jan 15, 1990
George and Sikes (Eric Pierpoint, Gary Graham) discover a Purist plot to sabotage an election while investigating the bombing of a Newcomer voter campaign office.
Generation to Generation
Jan 29, 1990
Sikes and George (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) follow the trail of a mysterious Tenctonese box which is deadly for those who fail to comprehend its powers.
Eyewitness News
Feb 5, 1990
Sikes and George (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) trail a man (Hugh MacGuire) who is obsessed with a Tenctonese porn star (Deborah Goodrich).
Partners
Feb 12, 1990
Sikes (Gary Graham) attempts to prove George (Eric Pierpoint) innocent in a drug case as Susan (Michele Scarabelli) prepares to transfer the pod to her husband.
Real Men
Feb 19, 1990
A violent confrontation with a drug suspect (A.D. Muylch) causes George (Eric Pierpoint) to give birth prematurely.
Crossing the Line
Feb 26, 1990
Sikes (Gary Graham) vows to capture a serial murderer who once eluded him when it appears he has killed again.
Rebirth
Mar 12, 1990
Sikes (Gary Graham) vows to capture the Newcomer convenience store robber (Brian Thompson) who attacked him and left him near death
Gimmee, Gimmee
Apr 9, 1990
George (Eric Pierpoint) searches for the killer of a Newcomer corporate executive (David Selburg) who invented a durable synthetic fabric.
The Touch
Apr 30, 1990
Sikes and George (Gray Graham, Eric Pierpoint) uncover an overseer rejuvenation plot when they investigate the dramatic behavior change of a boy (Mitchell Allen, Jonathan Brandis) Cathy (Terri Treas) knew on the slaveship.
Green Eyes
May 7, 1990
While investigating a series of mysterious Newcomer deaths, Sikes and George (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) discover a plan to eliminate the Newcomer population with a lethal bacteria.
misubisu
@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.
