Alienating Ourselves Podcast

Alienating Ourselves Podcast
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Nick and Todd explore sci-fi entertainment, with a focus on aliens and the humans that interact with them. Initially, Nick and Todd are reviewing the theatrical movie, TV series, and TV movies for the "Alien Nation" franchise.

  1. 10 hr ago

    #028 - Alien Nation 1.22 "Green Eyes"

    The journey reaches a milestone. Nick & Todd have rewatched & reviewed the season finale, and sadly the series finale, of "Alien Nation." It's called "Green Eyes" and involves purists assassinating prominent Tenctonese via poisons transmitted by smell. Don't worry; there are still five "Alien Nation" TV movies to review, and Nick & Todd have a plan for reviewing another show, but this is the bittersweet end to reviewing the weekly "Alien Nation" episodes. - Is it good that the episode finally addresses the power dynamic between Matt & George via George's promotion to Detective 2? - Matt & Cathy reach a milestone themselves in their will-they-won't-they relationship. Is it is a significant step forward, or is it another step back, or a little bit of both? - What are the positives & negatives of the puppet used to represent baby Vessna? - What do the co-hosts feel about the Kaif Balls, cloth spheres filled with pleasant-smelling substances that are then sniffed by Newcomers for a calming effect? - Which board game is adapted to the Tenctonese language for a brief mention in this episode? - How stubborn is George being for participating in parts of the investigation that take him to the marina, where the salt water could kill him if he fell in? - How much did one co-host love the family's interactions with baby Vessna, including the singing of a lullaby? - How well (or not well) does the episode handle the differences between the species when it comes to Matt & Cathy finally taking a step forward in their possible relationship? - What advice for Matt by Zepeda was a slightly sour note for one co-host? - Was the Melissa Etheridge song used in this episode a good fit for the sad scene after Matt & Cathy take a step back in their relationship? - Was the immaturity & conflict between Matt & George successfully humorous as the cast intended or did one or both co-hosts find it annoying? - What were the many frustrations with the continuing Buck & teacher arc, something even the writers & producers of the show think might have been one subplot too many? - What issues were brought up in this week's "Yikes, Sikes!" segment? - What are some of the stats behind the Melissa Etheridge song, "You Can Sleep While I Drive"? - Is there any clear meaning behind the episode title "Green Eyes"? - What did one co-host predict would have happened in a 4th or 5th season to keep the narrative fresh and to cut the budget, as some shows do in later seasons? - What were some of the literary references in this week's episode? - In the "Unofficial Companion" book, what did the writers, producers, and actors, have to say about this episode, particularly concerning the cliffhanger, having too many subplots, the interactions between Matt & George, and the show's cancellation by Fox? - What was Todd's breakdown of episode grades throughout the season and his ultimate top 10 episodes? - Do some of Nick's favorites and least-favorites line up with Todd's? - And, what is the plan going forward? Listen now for the answers to these and other questions as we take a look at the season finale, "Green Eyes." And, here's the answer to that last question... We still plan to review the five "Alien Nation" TV movies, but we're going to intersperse them with our new ongoing topic...our top 20 episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." For now, we've decided to return to "Alien Nation" once for every two episodes of "TNG." Thank you for joining us on this journey of one of our favorite one-season wonders. Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes via the Spotify or GoodPods apps. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode came from Pixabay.com.

    1hr 54min

  2. 3 Jul

    #027 - Alien Nation 1.21 "The Touch"

    This week's episode is finally a Cathy Frankel centered story. It's not about her background as a scientist or her attraction to Matt but about her connection to a traumatized boy, named Andron, from the slave ship. When Cathy crosses paths with him again and suspects he's being abused, she risks everything to protect him. - What do we learn from this episode about Kleezantsun, the Overseers? - How do the co-hosts feel about Beatrice Zepeda compared to Sergeant Dobbs (Todd is now realizing Dobbs might not have ever been given a first name)? - What moment from the next episode did Todd accidentally get confused with this episode? - Is it totally clear whether Andron's foster mother actually cared for him or was just raising him on behalf of others? - What criticisms did the co-hosts have about this week's police work? - How good were the performances this week, including those of the guest characters? - What were one co-host's mixed feelings with the final moment of the episode? - What was special but also tragic about the actor that played Andron? - What did we learn this week about Tenctonese biology, culture, and/or language? - What were the strange references to Ronald & Nancy Reagan? - And, in the Wheel of Press Kit segment, what did we learn about the actors that played the Francisco kids? Listen now for the answers to these and other deep, compelling questions as we have a counseling session about..."The Touch." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes on certain pod players like Spotify and GoodPods. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

    1hr 27min

  3. 25 Jun

    #026 - Alien Nation 1.20 "Gimme Gimme"

    Gimme, gimme some more "Alien Nation" reviews, you ask? Okay, we'll do that. This week, we review episode 1.20 "Gimme, Gimme" which is all about inventions, investments, good luck, bad luck, the lottery, cars, 2nd jobs, joy, and toxicity -- not the social media kind of toxicity...but actual hazardous chemicals & noxious fumes. - What did Nick do to help advertise the podcast at Stellar Fest this year? - Why does at least one of the co-hosts feel this episode portrays Matt Sikes as a "sourpuss"? - Which co-host went on a long, weird tangent about what makes anyone geeky? - When conventions have different themed "tracks" which tracks rooms do the co-hosts spend the most time in? - What did the co-hosts have to say about Matt's obsession with a car this week, and what does that say about our fandoms & obsessions? - Which co-host appreciated Buck's increased appreciation of school and also his tendency to care for his baby sister Vessna? - Why do Tenctonese not even detect the noxious (to humans) nature of fumes coming from the production of Nu-Knit fabric, when they supposedly have an enhanced sense of smell. - What nitpicks did the co-hosts have about overacting,, swimming pools, lame alibis, one-time side characters, bad police work, and cheaply framed photos of inanimate objects kept in desk drawers, in this episode? - What was Nick's really good Star Trek Alumni score this week, and which of his +1s was for someone who was a major cast member throughout an entire "Star Trek" show? - How & why did one co-host go on a tangent about another podcast featuring cast members of "Star Trek: Voyager" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"? - What biological & cultural things did we learn about Tenctonese this week, including fashion and infant entertainment? - And, what did writers, producers, and cast members, of the show thing about this epiosde? Listen now for the answers to these and other enterprising questions as we hope to have good fortune with "Gimme, Gimme." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes on certain players, such as Spotify and GoodPods. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

    1hr 24min

  4. 19 Jun

    #025 - Alien Nation 1.19 "Rebirth"

    What happened to Matt? Who or what brought him back? Was it a Tenctonese spiritual healer, a Tenctonese special power, a Human medical anomaly, or just an unexplainable miracle? Were crystals involved, and where did Matt get a crystal? We watched & reviewed this episode of "Alien Nation," and we're still not sure. Listen now and help us figure out, "Rebirth." - Where would one or both co-hosts rank this episode in the whole season? Which other episode was most compared to this one? - What moment of alien religion & culture did one co-host point out as interesting & enjoyable? - What about the opening scene was confusing to one co-host? - What aspect of the beginning of the episode led one co-host to bring up the movie "The American President" and count the similarity as a small, weird perk of this episode? - How did the previous weird tangent lead the other co-host to reciting a deep quote about politics? - What about both Matt *and* George, mostly related to this episode's Little League baseball subplot, annoyed one co-host? If any listeners are baseball fans, what do baseball stats have to do with actually playing the game? - Did anything about the Little League baseball subplot work at all for either co-host? - What about this episode led to mentions of "The X-Files" episode "The Unnatural" and the "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode "Take Me Out to the Holo-Suite"? - Was this episode's music montage great or terrible? - Did the imperfect Little League baseball subplot have a satisfying ending? - What confusions does one co-host have about the intersection ...if any...of the possible-miracle-worker garbageman subplot and the crystal cult subplot? Are they really connected, or are the similar themes in the same episode just a coincidence? - What do the co-hosts have for this week's "Yikes, Sikes!" segment? - How many subplots in this one episode did one co-host count as missed opportunities? - Which co-host continues to get character actors Brian Thompson and Jeff Kober confused? - According the "Unofficial Companion" book, did even the producers of the show have issues with the final product of this episode? - And, which unsuspecting "Alien Nation" actor actually took ballet in college? Listen now for the answer to these and other home run questions as we resurrect..."Rebirth." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes at certain venues like Spotify and GoodPods. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

    1hr 24min

  5. 10 Jun

    #024 - Alien Nation 1.18 "Crossing the Line"

    This week is the first of two Sikes-centric episodes, first with Sikes obsessing over a particular murder case right when he's supposed to start a vacation to Hawaii, in "Crossing the Line." Meanwhile, the Franciscos are preparing a special ceremony for newborn Vessna, and one family member isn't quite sure how to honor the baby. - Does the new support character, Beatrice Zepeda, make a good first impression? What is her nickname for George, and is she a worthy replacement for Dobbs? - How strange is it to have tabloid report Burns in this episode when the actor that plays him used to be in the opening credits, isn't any longer, and is finally given the most to do in this episode even as a guest star? - Does anyone else think it's unusual that everyone at the police station gave Matt a going away part, including gifts, for just a vacation? - Which of the co-hosts had an issue with the early banter between Matt, Zepeda, and Lois? Listen now for the answer to these and other questions, as we take a look at "Crossing the Line." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. Our e-mail is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music in this episode comes from Pixabay.com

    1hr 22min

  6. 4 Jun

    #023 - Alien Nation 1.17 "Real Men"

    She's finally here! Little Vessna Francisco has arrived. The conception, gestation, and...pod transferral...of this alien baby has provided the show "Alien Nation" with some of its best storylines, quirkiest moments, and some of the wildest sci-fi imagery. And, her birth is no different. In this episode, "Real Men," George's self-confidence is challenged by the last days of his pregnancy. A job-related tussle triggers the baby early, but does everything go according to plan, and does Matt have to step up to do a hard thing in the moment? - How good was this episode and did one or both co-hosts hope it would have been even better? - What mix of traits & emotions did Eric Pierpoint convey in this episode as an insecurely pregnant (alien) man? - What did Nick say was a the thesis statement this episode was trying to convey? - How much did we learn in this week's episode about pregnancy in Tenctonese men? - What did Nick's wife think about the scene of a pregnant male going into labor? - Why does Todd give Matt some credit for doing something in the episode he doesn't think he could do himself? - And, what nitpicks did the co-hosts have about Tenctonese serums, people from Matt's past, the amount of time we got to see George pregnant, and the appearance of the baby? Listen now for the answer to these and other laboring questions as we buff up into..."Real Men." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes on the Spotify or GoodPods apps. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

    1hr 7min

  7. 27 May

    #022 - Alien Nation 1.16 "Partners"

    In this week's episode of "Alien Nation," Matt and guest character Theo Miles were former partners on the force, Matt & George are current partners on the force, and Susan & George are partners in the gestation of their baby...well, pod, for now (baby later). That's right, if you want to learn what it's like for a male Tenctonese to become pregnant, listen to our review of 1.16 "Partners." Stay tuned next week when we review the episode where George deals with the challenges of his pregnancy. - What three marks does Nick have against this episode right away? - How much did Nick's wife enjoy watching George have the alien equivalent of morning sickness & labor pains? - What are some of Todd's theories as to how pregnancy could put George & Susan in biological sync? - What issues did both co-hosts have with the guest character in this episode? - In what ways did Todd feel like Matt finally "calmed down" in this episode? - In what ways is a Tenctonese pod transferral similar to...and very different from...human pregnancy & labor? - What three objects used during the pod transferral have been mentioned and/or shown in previous episodes? - What disagreement did the producers & writers have, before this episode aired, about how viewers would respond to it? - Which co-host had an issue with how fake some of the laughter sounded in this episode? - What were some of the nitpicks about police work this week? - Were there any contenders for the Albert Einstein Award this time? - According to the "Alien Nation" press kit, what are some interesting things about actress Terri Treas (Cathy Frankel), and does sour milk have negative health effects on Tenctonese the way alcohol does on humans? - And, what does one co-host mean when he says this episode is guilty of the "Up" effect? Listen now for the answers to these and other laboring questions as we reminisce about..."Partners." Please review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes via the Spotify and GoodPods apps. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

    1hr 11min

  8. 18 May

    #021 - Alien Nation 1.15 "Eyewitness News"

    This week's episode of "Alien Nation" is guest starring Oscar-nominated, SAG award winner, BAFTA-nominated, DGA-nominated, Emmy-nominated, Golden Globe winner, Angela Bassett, Queen Mother of Wakanda herself, as a local TV news reporter in an episode appropriately called, "Eyewitness News." - What line, delivered by Angela Bassett, made Todd laugh out loud? - What sexually-awkward scenes between Matt & Cathy did Nick enjoy? - In what ways did Nick feel this episode was progressive? - What did we learn about Tenctonese pregnancy? - What quaint 1990s party decoration did Todd point out during the fake birthday party scene? - What reference to a 1990s canine celebrity did Nick appreciate? - How did the show work in a brief Ronald Reagan mention? - What was interesting about the test of the Emergency Broadcast System and how one Newcomer reacted to it? - What weird fashion choice of Matt's did one co-host point out this week? - What moment in the episode felt unusually preachy? - How did one co-host compare Matt & Cathy's on-and-off-again flirtations to a recurring segment of "The Late Show with David Letterman"? - Which behaviors of Matt's were pointed out in this week's segment of "Yikes, Sikes"? - What about this episode reminded Todd of two episodes of "Babylon 5"? - Which guest star from this episode was also in Gary Graham's movie, "Robot Jox"? - Which "Alien Nation" actor was the son of a CBS News correspondent? - And, what about this episode lead to a tangent conversation about city mayors? Listen now for the answers to these and other hard-hitting questions, as we do an exposé on..."Eyewitness News." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes via the Spotify & GoodPods apps. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

    1hr 37min
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About

Nick and Todd explore sci-fi entertainment, with a focus on aliens and the humans that interact with them. Initially, Nick and Todd are reviewing the theatrical movie, TV series, and TV movies for the "Alien Nation" franchise.

Information

  • Creator
    Alienating Ourselves Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alienating Ourselves Podcast
  • Show Website
    Alienating Ourselves Podcast