Alien Nation 1988
Directed by
Graham Baker
Plot Summary
The narrative unfolds in Los Angeles during the year 1991. Three years prior, an alien vessel made a crash landing on Earth, revealing itself to be home to 300,000 “Newcomers,” an extraterrestrial workforce stranded with no means to return to their home planet. Initially quarantined, these beings were eventually allowed to coexist alongside humans in the LA area.
The story centers on Detective Matthew Sykes and his partner, Detective Tuggle, who are on patrol in a Newcomer neighborhood. When they witness two aliens clad in long black coats entering a convenience store, the situation swiftly escalates. Armed with shotguns, the aliens rob the store’s owner, prompting an intervention from Sykes and Tuggle. A fierce gunfight breaks out, resulting in Tuggle being struck fatally by a powerful shotgun blast that penetrates the car he is hiding behind. Incensed by his partner’s death, Sykes pursues the assailants with vengeance.
Venturing into a dark tunnel, Sykes confronts one of the Newcomers who has taken a mysterious blue fluid. After a violent encounter, Sykes ultimately shoots the alien, who initially appears unfazed but eventually collapses. When assistance finally arrives, Sykes reacts violently upon discovering that one of the officers is a Newcomer, showing his deep-seated prejudice toward the alien race.
The following day, at their headquarters, the team mourns Tuggle’s demise during a debriefing. The captain announces the inclusion of a Newcomer detective, and Sykes, despite his biases, offers to take on the alien as his new partner. This Newcomer, who has adopted the vernacular name Sam, quickly earns the nickname “George” from Sykes, who refuses to accept his full name of “Sam Francisco.”
As the duo investigates, they visit the coroner’s lab where they learn about the slain Newcomer store owner and the alien that Sykes shot. While Sykes engages with the coroner, George converses in his native language with his assistant, revealing a sense of unease about their findings, particularly a condition linked to the murderer that he withholds from Sykes.
The investigation leads them to Joshua Strader, a nightclub owner in peril. Strader is being brutally attacked by the henchmen of a Newcomer businessman named William Harcourt, while his assistant, Rudyard Kipling, looks on anxiously. Harcourt, intent on coercing Strader into a deal, orders his men to take him into the salt water — a substance detrimental to Newcomers just as acid is to humans.
Delving deeper, Sykes and George uncover that Strader shared quarantine with Harcourt and two other chemist Newcomers. Their inquiry takes them to a factory where Newcomers operate in an atmosphere filled with methane gas unharmed, showcasing the strange dynamics of their existence. After leaving, the factory manager peeks behind protective glass at Newcomers working on a complex production of the blue fluid that one of the robbers had consumed prior to their encounter.
Through these unfolding events, the harsh realities of prejudice, rivalry, and survival are starkly illuminated on the streets of Los Angeles.
Timeline
Alien Crash Landing
In 1988, an alien vessel crashes in Los Angeles, bringing with it 300,000 Newcomers, an extraterrestrial workforce. Initially quarantined, these beings are gradually allowed to live alongside humans, sparking tensions and prejudices in the city.
Detective Sykes and Tuggle on Patrol
In 1991, Detectives Matthew Sykes and Tuggle are patrolling a neighborhood populated by Newcomers. During their patrol, they encounter two aliens in long black coats entering a convenience store, setting the stage for a violent confrontation.
Convenience Store Robbery
As Sykes and Tuggle monitor the convenience store, two Newcomers armed with shotguns rob the store owner. This engagement escalates into a fierce gunfight, resulting in Tuggle being fatally shot while taking cover behind a car.
Sykes' Vengeful Pursuit
Fueled by rage over his partner's death, Sykes tracks down the two Newcomers. His pursuit leads him into a dark tunnel, where he confronts one of the assailants and engages in a brutal fight, ultimately shooting the alien.
Discovering the Newcomer Officer
After Sykes shoots the Newcomer, he reacts violently when he realizes that one of the arriving officers is also a Newcomer. This incident highlights Sykes' deep-rooted prejudice and sets a tone for his interactions with aliens to come.
Mourning Tuggle
The following day, Sykes and his team gather at headquarters to mourn Tuggle's death. During a debriefing, the captain announces the addition of a Newcomer detective to the team, prompting mixed feelings from Sykes.
Sykes' Reluctant Partnership
Despite his biases, Sykes agrees to work with the Newcomer detective, who goes by the name 'Sam'. Sykes quickly nicknames him 'George', dismissing his full name and highlighting his struggle to accept this partnership.
Investigation at the Coroner's Lab
Sykes and George visit the coroner's lab to investigate the shooting of the Newcomer store owner. Here, they discover significant information about the crime but George holds back crucial details that hint at the complexities of their case.
Confronting Joshua Strader
Their case leads them to Joshua Strader, a nightclub owner who is under threat from William Harcourt's henchmen. Strader is coerced into submission while his assistant watches, showcasing the dangerous underbelly of Newcomer relations.
The Dangers of Salt Water
Harcourt and his men prepare to punish Strader by taking him into salt water, a lethal substance for Newcomers. This pivotal moment illustrates the lengths to which Newcomer businessmen will go to assert control and dominance.
Linking Harcourt and Strader
Sykes and George investigate the connection between Strader and Harcourt, revealing that they were quarantined together. Their research showcases the complex history between the Newcomers and the challenges that arose from it.
Exploring the Factory
The detectives visit a factory where Newcomers work in methane-filled environments, emphasizing their unique adaptations. They observe the production of the mysterious blue fluid that is central to the case's developments.
Confronting Prejudice and Rivalry
Throughout the investigation, Sykes grapples with his prejudices towards Newcomers, while George struggles with the reality of their existence. Their partnership embodies the broader societal clashes and their search for harmony amidst chaos.
The Blue Fluid's Secret
The detectives uncover that the blue fluid is linked to the crimes committed by the Newcomers. As they tie together the pieces of the puzzle, the fluid represents both a source of power and a symbol of the dark undertones of their society.
Characters
Detective Matthew Sykes (James Caan)
Detective Matthew Sykes is a seasoned LAPD officer deeply rooted in his biases against Newcomers. His character evolves throughout the film as he grapples with the loss of his partner and the necessity of working alongside George, the Newcomer detective. Sykes embodies the struggle between personal prejudice and the need for collaboration in a changing world.
Sam Francisco (Mandy Patinkin)
Sam Francisco, nicknamed George by Sykes, is a Newcomer detective who strives to prove his worth while navigating human prejudices. He represents the Newcomers' resilience and intelligence, often showcasing an insightful perspective on both human and alien experiences. His partnership with Sykes becomes a critical turning point in the acceptance of their differences.
Setting
Time period
1991
The events of 'Alien Nation' unfold in the early 1990s, a time marked by significant societal changes and increasing awareness of multicultural issues. This period saw the emergence of a more diverse world, where humanity grappled with its attitudes towards those seen as 'other,' particularly in the wake of new technological advancements and global interactions.
Location
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis known for its diverse cultures and vibrant entertainment industry. In the context of 'Alien Nation,' it becomes a backdrop for the complex coexistence of humans and extraterrestrials, as the city grapples with the implications of an alien workforce newly integrated into society. The city's neighborhoods reflect a mix of human and alien influences, underscoring themes of prejudice and acceptance.
Themes
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Prejudice
The theme of prejudice is central to 'Alien Nation,' as it explores the biases held by humans towards the Newcomers. Detective Sykes embodies this prejudice initially, struggling to accept his new partner because of his alien heritage. Through their partnership, the narrative examines how personal biases can hinder understanding and cooperation.
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Coexistence
Coexistence is a pivotal theme, as the film portrays the challenges and dynamics involved when two vastly different beings attempt to live together. The partnership between Sykes and George symbolizes hope for bridging gaps and working through differences, representing how understanding can emerge from conflict.
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Survival
Survival is a recurring motif, illustrated by the Newcomers' struggle to adapt and thrive in a world indifferent to their plight. The blue fluid consumed by the aliens points to their unique physiology and underscores the lengths they must go to secure their safety and existence under severe societal pressures.
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