Ep 1. Pilot

In Alien Nation, we are transported to a world where aliens integrated into society decades ago, and are now working alongside humans. Our introduction to this world comes with the very first episode, creatively titled "Pilot." The episode begins with a short history lesson on the aliens' arrival on Earth: A slave ship containing thousands of alien passengers had crash-landed on our planet years ago. After being granted asylum, the aliens were given their own city (named "Newcomer town") and integrated into society as working members of the community.

Our story follows a detective named Matthew Sikes, played by Gary Graham. He is a gruff and hardened cop, wrestling with some personal demons that are hinted at but left vague. Sikes is also partly responsible for keeping the peace with the alien community, which often involves investigating alien-related crimes.

When a human businessman is found murdered and his partner left in a coma, Sikes is called in to investigate. The prime suspect is a newcomer named George, a former slave who knew the victim and had a heated argument with him the day before the murder. At first, Sikes is sure George is guilty, but as he investigates more thoroughly he starts to uncover a web of lies far more complicated than he ever could have imagined.

The plot of "Pilot" primarily revolves around Sikes and George's developing relationship. At first, Sikes is understandably standoffish towards George, thinking of him only as a suspect. George, on the other hand, is naive and almost childlike in his trust towards Sikes and the concept of human justice. The two soon find themselves in situations where they must depend on each other, and start to form a begrudging respect for each other as a result.

Another key aspect of Alien Nation showcased in this episode is the unique culture of the newcomers. At one point, we see George and his family preparing and eating a traditional meal, complete with bizarre-looking alien foodstuffs. We also get a glimpse at some of the newcomers' unique physiological traits, such as a third eyelid that blinks sideways over their pupils. These moments are brief, but they add a lot of depth to the world-building of the show.

Overall, the pilot episode of Alien Nation succeeds in introducing viewers to a world that feels both familiar and foreign. The integration of aliens into society is a concept that has been explored in multiple science fiction films and TV shows, but Alien Nation still manages to feel fresh and unique. The characters are well-acted and likable, the plot is engaging and complex, and the overall tone strikes a balance between lighthearted and serious. The episode ends with a resolution to the murder case, but with plenty of hooks for future episodes to build on. It's a promising start to a series that would end up lasting for several seasons.