Alien Nation

Set in Los Angeles, the show follows detective Matthew Sikes, a weary by the book cop, who is teamed with George Francisco, a polite but stubborn newcomer from a distant world. The two form an uneasy partnership as they tackle urban crime, corruption, and the hidden tensions that erupt whenever a human police force intersects with an alien community. George brings a different sensibility and unusual abilities, while Sikes has to rethink procedures, loyalties, and his own assumptions about loyalty and justice. A frequently revived sub thread involves Sikes's complicated relationship with Cathy Frankel, a Newcomer with her perspective on survival in a city that rarely forgives outsiders. The show blends action with social questions as it builds its world.

The series arrived in 1989 as a spin off from the 1988 film Alien Nation. It was created by Kenneth Johnson and Rockne S. O'Bannon, expanding the concept into ongoing stories about crime, city life, and cross species diplomacy.

Alien Nation used the alien immigrant premise to mirror late 80s debates about race, assimilation, and community policing. Its blend of sci fi spectacle with social commentary helped widen the range of what a syndicated series could discuss on air.

Critics often noted the show for its earnest performances and its willingness to tackle prejudice without tipping into cynicism. Central themes include cooperation across cultures, the cost of mistrust, and the uneasy balancing act between enforcing law and honoring diversity.