- published: 02 Jun 2016
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Alien Nation is a science fiction television series, loosely based on the movie of the same name. Gary Graham starred as Detective Matthew Sikes, a Los Angeles police officer reluctantly working with "Newcomer" alien George Francisco (from the planet Tencton), played by Eric Pierpoint. Sykes also has an on again-off again flirtation with a female Newcomer, Cathy Frankel, played by Terri Treas.
The storylines generally revolved around morality plays on the evils of racism and bigotry using Newcomers as the discriminated minority. As fictional extraterrestrial immigrants, the Newcomers could stand in for social issues about African-Americans or Hispanics, as well as sexual-behavior minorities such as gays, and would invert the usual expectations. For instance, during the run of the series, George became pregnant (the male of his species carrying the fetus for part of its gestation) and during much of the episode dialog included lines like, "If you females had to feel the pain we males feel during pregnancy, there wouldn't be any babies." The series offered social commentary by illustrating what it means to be human and the often bizarre rituals we observe.
Alien Nation is a 1988 American science fiction film directed by Graham Baker and produced by Gale Anne Hurd, Richard Kobritz and Bill Borden. The storyline was based on a screenplay written by Rockne S. O'Bannon. It stars James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, Terence Stamp, and Kevyn Major Howard. The film depicts the integration of aliens settling in Los Angeles, much to the dismay of the local population. Released in 1988, the motion picture takes place in 1991. The film's plot is a buddy cop theme, with some detours into science fiction.
The filmmakers also introduced some sociological ideas, such as the effects of illegal immigration, discrimination and racism; as the aliens try to interact and fit in with human society. The aliens have enlarged spotty craniums, two hearts, can consume only raw food and are sensitive to seawater which acts like an acid on their skin. Over the course of the film, their slavery past is alluded as they are genetically modified for slave labor.
Alien Nation premiered in theaters nationwide in the United States on October 7, 1988, grossing $25,216,243 in domestic ticket receipts. The film earned an additional $6,938,804 in business through international release to make a combined $32,155,047 gross revenue. The film was met with mixed reviews before its initial screening in cinemas, and was considered a moderate financial success after its theatrical run. The popularity of the film's concept spawned a television series in 1989, and five television movie sequels during the 1990s, in an attempt to continue the character development surrounding the fictional alien culture.
Cloud masses meet and clash
Along shifting lines of grey
No sunlight, no blue skies below
Just endless, eternal rain
I always stare at the endless sky
Waiting for the end of another day
I always stare at the falling rain
Waiting for the sun to shine again
Nothing can be seen
Of the planet's surface
No oceans, no deserts or seas
No mountains, no signs of life
I always stare at the endless sky
Waiting for the end of another day
I always stare at the falling rain
Waiting for the sun to shine again