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🔔 Notify me about new seasonsSynopsis
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.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 Alien Nation: The TV MovieNext upSep 18, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jeff Austin, William Frankfather, Evan C. Kim, Loyda Ramos, Tim Russ, James Greene
- E2 Fountain of YouthSep 25, 1989 · 60 min · ★ 7.0
Synopsis
Sikes and Francisco (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) investigate a doctor who is killing Newcomers to benefit human patients.
Guest stars: James Greene, Wendy Foxworth (Beth Meadows (as Wendy Kaplan)), Liz Torres (Dr. Tamayo), Jason Beghe (Dr. Jim Trenner), Susan Gibney (Harriet Beecher)
- E3 Little Lost LambOct 2, 1989 · 60 min · ★ 6.7
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Will Bledsoe (Dorian Gray), Heather McAdam (Mary Shelley), Shannon Wilcox (Charlotte Brontë), Catherine Lansing (Receptionist), Kimberley Kates (Dallas Ft. Worth)
- E4 Fifteen with WandaOct 9, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Joan McMurtrey (Victoria Sikes), Lori Petty (Sal), Wayne Péré (Thor), David Bowe (Buster Keaton), Cheryl Pollak (Kirby Sikes), Sachi Parker (Wanda Bendefski), Haskell V. Anderson III (Principal Fisher)
- E5 The TakeoverOct 16, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Ji-Tu Cumbuka (Andrew Craig), Tracey Walter (Tom Mulden), Will Egan (Harry Dundee), Gwynyth Walsh (Diane Elrea), Charley Lang (Kenny Dunstan), Michael Fairman (Capt. McKnight), Camila Griggs (Letitia Rosari)
- E6 The First CigarOct 23, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
George (Eric Pierpoint) accepts a loan from a Newcomer loan officer before discovering she is a drug czar
Guest stars: Jennifer Banko (Nina), Doug McKeon (Sam Simian), Carolyn Mignini (Ruth Steelman), Steve Susskind (Vahan), Diana Bellamy (Betsy Ross), Joon Kim (Korean Drug Dealer), John Patrick Reger (Ramna (credit only))
- E7 Night of the ScreamsOct 30, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
The method of a serial killer stalking Newcomers re-creates one of their most grisly legends.
Guest stars: James Greene (Uncle Moodri), Bradford English (John Macy), Wayne Powers (Teddy Roosevelt (Car Salesman)), David Opatoshu (Paul Revere), Meagen Fay (Coroner Barkley), Mitch Pileggi (John Paul Sartre), Anya Ormsby (Mrs. Sartre (as Anya Liffey))
- E8 ContactNov 6, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jeffrey Josephson (Sergius), Stuart Fratkin (Bob), John Apicella (Jerry Bielack), Annabelle Gurwitch (Dr. Marissa Meyers), Joel Polis (Carl Peterson), Curt Lowens (Concierge), Michael Paul Chan (Mr. Kim), Donald Hotton (Prof. Charles Tower)
- E9 Three to TangoNov 13, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
George and Sikes (Eric Pierpoint, Gary Graham) search for a Purist radical who has been murdering special Newcomers.
Guest stars: Alan Scarfe (Drevni), Dana Anderson (May O'Naize), Ivan G'Vera (Bjorn)
- E10 The GameNov 20, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
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?
Guest stars: Andreas Katsulas (Koulak Scarhand), Sam Anderson (Thomas Edison), Teddy Wilson (Dr. Roscoe Brennan), Billy Ray Sharkey (Deon Flack), Joel Swetow (Joe Comet), Maggie Egan (Mrs. Comet)
- E11 Chains of LoveNov 27, 1989 · 60 min · ★ 3.3
Synopsis
George (Eric Pierpoint) goes under cover as a client at a computer-dating service for Newcomers to locate a female Newcomer killer.
Guest stars: Teddy Wilson (Dr. Roscoe Brennan), Caitlin O'Heaney (Jenny Moffat), S.A. Griffin (Marvin Gardens), Diana Barton (Emma Bovary), Jeffrey Nordling (Ted Healy), Darren Dalton (Leonard), Ted Raimi (Johnny Appleseed)
- E12 The Red RoomDec 18, 1989 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Katherine Justice (Dr. Marcie Wright), John P. Connolly (Jeffries), Tom Dugan (Silas Marner), Patricia Heaton (Amanda Q. Russle), Ray Reinhardt (Dr. Chris Pettit), Michele Lamar Richards (Dr. Lois Allen), Chuck Bennett (Marcus Byer)
- E13 The Spirit of '95Jan 15, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Mark Thomas Miller (Wyatt Earp), Mark Joy (Max Clay), Clarence Felder (Jack Mahoney), Harvey Jason (Mr. Hopper), Henry Brown (Jesse Parker), Frances Bay (Mrs. Gillirue), Mark L. Taylor (Mike Wilmington)
- E14 Generation to GenerationJan 29, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Peggy Doyle (Lucille), James Greene, Scott Jaeck (Henryk Glass), Michael Faustino (Sydney Foley), Francis Guinan (Howard Thayer), Aubrey Morris (Auctioneer), Michele Lamar Richards (Dr. Lois Alle), Ernestine Mercer (Krasava)
- E15 Eyewitness NewsFeb 5, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
Sikes and George (Gary Graham, Eric Pierpoint) trail a man (Hugh MacGuire) who is obsessed with a Tenctonese porn star (Deborah Goodrich).
Guest stars: Angela Bassett (Renee Longstreet), Deborah Goodrich (Virginia Hamm), Gene Butler (Arvin Kaufman), Hugh Maguire (Ernie Denton), Kelly Jean Peters (Mrs. Denton), Rob King (Louis Denton), John Mese (Roger Rose), Evelina Fernández (Female Executive)
- E16 PartnersFeb 12, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Gilbert Lewis (Theo Miles), Tom Byrd (Zack Whelan), Tony Rizzoli (Jeffrey Ross), Terry Beaver (Sgt. Dustin Baxley), Bill Kalmenson (Ken Jester), Maria Rangel (Allison Wolfe), Crofton Hardester (Chester Charles), Wilson Raiser (The Con)
- E17 Real MenFeb 19, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
A violent confrontation with a drug suspect (A.D. Muylch) causes George (Eric Pierpoint) to give birth prematurely.
Guest stars: William Shockley (Nick Coletta), A.D. Muyich (Viktor Wendkos), Robert Neary (Don Zimmer), Hank Garrett (Marty Penn), Debbie Barker (Karina Bowan), M.E. Loree (Doctor), Martin Garner (Sol Birnbaum), Jeff Skier (Guest)
- E18 Crossing the LineFeb 26, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
Sikes (Gary Graham) vows to capture a serial murderer who once eluded him when it appears he has killed again.
Guest stars: Jenny Gago (Det. Beatrice Zapeda), Michele Lamar Richards (Dr. Lois Allen), Tobin Bell (Brian Knox / Dr. Death), Robert Alan Browne (Tool & Die Shop Foreman), Ivory Ocean (Dutchman), Robert Balderson (Wounded Officer), Heather McComb (Cindy), Eva Von Widman (Nurse Adele Addison)
- E19 RebirthMar 12, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
Sikes (Gary Graham) vows to capture the Newcomer convenience store robber (Brian Thompson) who attacked him and left him near death
Guest stars: Brian Thompson (Peter Rabbit), Ellen Wheeler (Okno), Milt Kogan (Doctor), Raffi Di Blasio (Billy Boardman), John Sudol (Sikes' Father), Ryan Cash (Young Sikes), Rif Hutton (Officer), Terri Semper (Nurse)
- E20 Gimmee, GimmeeApr 9, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
George (Eric Pierpoint) searches for the killer of a Newcomer corporate executive (David Selburg) who invented a durable synthetic fabric.
Guest stars: Michele Lamar Richards, Alan Fudge (Sleepy Phil), Kim Braden (Marilyn Houston), Joseph Cali (Lee Smith), Armin Shimerman (Cyril Roman), David Selburg (Edgar Allan Poe), Beverly Leech (Rita Allan Poe), Michael Zand (Mr. Elias)
- E21 The TouchApr 30, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jenny Gago, Michael Preston (Rigac), Barbara Tyson (Lorraine Welch), Jonathan Brandis (Andron), Dorothy Fielding (Ella Day), Doug Ballard (Mr. Eugene), Martin LaPlatney (Troy), Margaret Howell (Andron's Mother)
- E22 Green EyesMay 7, 1990 · 60 min
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Jenny Gago (Det. Beatrice Zapeda), Haskell V. Anderson III (Principal Fisher), Michele Lamar Richards (Dr. Lois Allen), Kim Braden (Marilyn Houston), Barbara Tyson (Lorraine Clark), John Calvin (Rick Parris), Lee Bryant (Phyllis Bryant), Geoffrey Blake (Michael Ducouski)
Cast & crew
Created by Kenneth Johnson, Rockne S. O'Bannon
Gary Graham
Eric Pierpoint
Michele Scarabelli
Terri Treas
Ron Fassler
Jeff Doucette
Molly Morgan
Lawrence Hilton-JacobsImages · 5
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Reviews · from TMDB members
misubisuJan 17, 2026
**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 b… Read more
e 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.