View First-Rate Sci-Fi In ‘Alien Nation’

FOX revisits its “Alien Nation” movies on Tuesdays for the next three weeks.

The FOX series, inspired by the 1988 theatrical film of the same title, was first revived in “Alien Nation: Dark Horizon” (1994), which airs at 8.

Gary Graham and Eric Pierpoint reprise their roles as detectives Matthew Sikes and his alien partner George Francisco in an action-packed, often humorous thriller that’s helped out by an above-average script and the series’ memorable makeup artistry.

Also from the original series “Alien Nation” are Michele Scarabelli as Susan Francisco, Lauren Woodland as the Franciscos’ daughter Emily and Sean Six as son Buck.

The two detectives uncover a plan by a racist group to wipe out all Newcomers when Susan and Emily are exposed to a lethal virus intended for George. But a mysterious physician (Scott Patterson) who saves their lives turns out to be a high-ranking alien commander who’s been sent to Earth to capture the Newcomers and enslave the planet’s human population as well.

Imaginative, intelligent and entertaining, this movie has a lot to offer. It’s the best kind of science fiction.

There’s a touch of the bizarre, but fundamentally it’s a morality play that uses a futuristic setting to spin an engaging story about cultural differences and individual relationships. A little romance is thrown in as a bonus.

Highlights

“Heart of Africa,” KSPS at 7; concludes Wednesday at 7: The creatures of Lake Tanganyika are examined in “Jewel of the Rift.”

“The Client,” CBS at 8: In the last scheduled episode of the tepid drama, Reggie (JoBeth Williams) tries to convince an old friend that she’s pushing too hard for her gymnast-daughter to make it to the Olympics. The young woman, who is bulimic, is turned over to an unscrupulous trainer.

“3rd Rock from the Sun,” NBC at 8: Dick (John Lithgow) experiences earthly loneliness when Albright (Jane Curtin) goes on vacation. But the repeat’s highlight is an appearance by Phil Hartman as a skin-care consult who gives Harry (French Stewart) a make-over.

“Her Deadly Rival” (1995), CBS at 9: The thriller stars Harry Hamlin and Annie Potts as a couple victimized by his secret admirer. It’s a fatal distraction.

“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: To take your mind off summer heat, ABC repeats a Christmas episode in which Tim and Al (Tim Allen, Richard Karn) are stranded in a tiny airport.

“P.O.V.,” PBS at 10: “The Women Outside” documents the sad lives of Korean women who work in the brothels and bars surrounding U.S. military bases in Korea.

“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: A chilling repeat finds Simone and Sipowicz (Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz) tracking a rapist-murderer who throws children from the roofs of buildings.

Cable Calls

“SportsCenter Olympic Preview,” ESPN at 4:30: The three-hour-long special, hosted by Robin Roberts, sets the scene for the Atlanta games.

“Dalziel and Pascoe: A Clubabble Woman,” A&E at 6 and 10: A&E’s latest British crime import stars Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan as mismatched detectives. They try to unravel the murder of the wife of a rugby player.

The series, based on Reginald Hill’s novels, remind me of “Cracker.” The cynicism and wit are similar and gruff.

Clarke is cast from the same mold as “Fitz” Fitzgerald.

“Urban Heartlands,” DISN at 9 p.m. and 4:35 a.m.: In the second installment of the poetic three-part series, lawyer-author Scott Turow takes viewers on a personal tour of Chicago.

Talk Time

“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Model-actress Kathy Ireland, actor Kevin Spacey and singer Tracy Chapman.

“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actor Laurence Fishburne and actress Lea Thompson.

“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Jonathan Katz (“Dr. Katz”) and music guest Rebecca Pidgeon.