Alien Nation (1989)

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 18, 1989
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8

Critic Reviews

  1. San Diego Union-Tribune
    Reviewed by: Joe Stein
    Apr 20, 2014
    60
    Graham and Pierpoint do a nice job of playing off each other, and Michele Scarabelli and Lauren Woodland as Pierpoint's wife and daughter work well, too. Still, the premise is limiting and the guess is this show is much more likely to become a curiosity than a hit. [18 Sept 1989, p.D-6]
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  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Apr 20, 2014
    50
    It almost torpedoes itself by being a bore and taking its futuristic sociology too doggone seriously. [18 Sept 1989, p.3D]
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  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Rick Kogan
    Apr 20, 2014
    40
    Shadowing most every encounter and incident are examples of the same sort of bigotry and racism that many other peoples have faced and fought as they dragged themselves into this society. Racist references - the aliens are called slags and spongeheads - are unfortunate and but the most serious of this series' many problems. [18 Sept 1989]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Onlyclassicvg1
    Sep 26, 2022
    7
    The movie film is a government assigned project to broaden and enlight people and glory of nation. Cultural learning is emportant to follow onThe movie film is a government assigned project to broaden and enlight people and glory of nation. Cultural learning is emportant to follow on global basis. We make our nation a better and more convenient place for house and living. Kazakhs are progressive and asstonishing people that with conclusion of project will have new optimistic… Full Review »
  2. Hemp316
    Mar 4, 2016
    10
    Truly this A classic example of A show way too ahead of it's time.The movie based on it's name starring James Caan was overlooked itself asTruly this A classic example of A show way too ahead of it's time.The movie based on it's name starring James Caan was overlooked itself as many have no idea that it ever existed.Alien Nation is even more relevant now and certainly more appreciated.The show examines what it would be like if A genetically modified,enslaved group of Aliens called the Tetenese.Their slave ship landed in the Mojave Desert and quarantined before given U.S. Citizenship.What happens in their struggles of fitting in and finding their place in society results in Racism,bigotry and overall for most of them not being wanted by Human society.Also,their unique strength and intelligence attracts the wrong people whom simply want to use them for nefarious reasons.However,all are not so innocent as many from the slave ship were Slavers themselves called the Overseeers or Klag'sa'sugh in Tentenese.They wish to unite with their superiors to not only enslave the Tentens on Earth but all of Earth's population itself.

    The show mainly takes place in Los Angeles and the two main character are the grizzled Detective Matt Skies (Meaning excrement and cranium in Tentenese) who's partner was murdered by A Tetenese hit squad ran by A Tetenese Mobster.The other character is the newly made Tetenese Detective George Francisco.Suffice to say,these two do not get along and Matt specifically has nothing but contempt for George and basically all of the Tetenese calling them derogatory terms such as Spounge heads and Slags.

    However,during the Pilot Episode He slowly learns that no matter what the Biological differences are,the Tetenese are just people just like any Human and never asked to be slaves in the first place.Throughout the series and subsequent Television Movies,Matt and George learn and experience both the good and bad of both races,ultimately respecting both of their races and each other.

    What really helps Matt in particular are George's Family-His Wife Susan,His Daughter Emily,His Son Buck and His Uncle Moodri.George's Son however has no desire fitting into Human society and regularly lashes out with A combination of Teen angst and hatred of anything Human as oppose to his Sister Emily-A young Girl who wants nothing more than to fit in.Susan desperately tries to adapt and raise her kids to embrace Earth and their society and George trying to provide for His family and set An example for His children.

    The second dynamic for Matt is His next door apartment neighbor Catherine Frankel.She is A Tetenese Woman who has trained to be A Doctor.Through time there is A very obvious attraction and that grows steadily through time and beyond through the Television Movies.

    The other characters mainly are mainly focused on the Police Precinct such as Captain Byan Grazer,the Janitor Albert Einstein and Officer Beatrice Zepeda.These character offer surprising humor and when it calls for it serious dramatic interludes.They all fit right into the show and overall are well casted for their particular roles.

    Overall,Alien Nation is A Television Classic that was widely overlooked and under appreciated for it's time as the indication of future Television Movies would prove.To be honest,people at that time really missed A great opportunity to embrace something way ahead of their time and the show could of been one of the most successful Science Fiction series of all time.I am glad however there are people like myself who still remembers and appreciates the series for all of it's worth and I encourage people to rediscover it for themselves and relive one of the most imaginative,unique and exciting Science Fiction experiences of all time.    … Full Review »
  3. SquintyReviews
    Sep 18, 2015
    8
    One of the best cultural commentaries of the 80's, a spin-off of the equally great movie of the same name, this had great characters and goodOne of the best cultural commentaries of the 80's, a spin-off of the equally great movie of the same name, this had great characters and good episodes that used the science-fiction to comment on various social hot topics of the period that should gone past season 1.… Full Review »
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