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Alien Nation

1989 – 1990Show1 season22 episodes

Action & AdventureSci-Fi & Fantasy
63
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9Metacritic537.9Rotten Tomatoes43%100%

A nostalgic, tense drama series about everyday modern life and crime.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

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Episodes

1 season · 22 episodes · best: S1E9 "The Game" 7.9

Episodes

7.6

Story

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.

Feels like

  • Sci-Fi Police Procedural
  • Allegory for Racism
  • Late 80s Nostalgia
  • Buddy Cop Dynamic
  • Social Realism
  • Integration Drama
  • Cult Classic TV
  • Noir Atmosphere

Cast

24 of 126 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Stan Lathan, John McPherson, Harry Longstreet
Written by
Diane Frolov, Andrew Schneider, Craig W. Van Sickle
Produced by
Kenneth Johnson

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 18, 1989 · May 7, 1990 · Ended

First aired
September 18, 1989
Last aired
May 7, 1990
Status
Ended
Length
1 season · 22 episodes
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Drug Use
Genres
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
2 countries

Tropes

But I Can't Be Pregnant!, Rubber-Forehead Aliens, Shaming the Mob +9

  • But I Can't Be Pregnant!
  • Rubber-Forehead Aliens
  • Shaming the Mob
  • Evil-Detecting Baby
  • 20 Minutes into the Future
  • Smug Snake
  • Date Rape
  • Hollywood Law
  • Happily Married
  • Fantastic Slur
  • Human Outside, Alien Inside
  • Alien Blood

12 of 130 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Alien Nation?"

Questions about Alien Nation

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Alien Nation?

In the United States, you can rent or buy Alien Nation from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home.

Is Alien Nation worth watching?

63
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 43%, and Metacritic 53). Audiences rate it higher (83 out of 100) than critics (48).

How long does it take to watch Alien Nation?

17 h

About 17 hours: 22 episodes in 1 season of about 47 minutes each, aired from 1989 to 1990.

Is Alien Nation good for date night?

and 3 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightIntergenerational

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

What tropes does Alien Nation use?

But I Can't Be Pregnant!Rubber-Forehead AliensShaming the MobEvil-Detecting Baby20 Minutes into the FutureSmug SnakeDate RapeHollywood LawHappily MarriedFantastic SlurHuman Outside, Alien InsideAlien Bloodand 118 more

TV Tropes lists 130 tropes for it, including But I Can't Be Pregnant!, Rubber-Forehead Aliens, and Shaming the Mob.