‘Alien Nation’ Offers Entertaining Drama
“Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy” (FOX at 8), the fifth and final TV movie based on the Hollywood film may be the best of the lot.
Detectives George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint) and Matt Sikes (Gary Graham) investigate a pair of puzzling murders by Newcomers with impeccable backgrounds. A common clue links the killers to Udara, the violent underground resistance group that slaughtered Overseers aboard the slave ship that brought them to Earth.
The Udara, believed to have disbanded, is apparently alive and well and interested in the outcome of the U.S. Senate race between a human incumbent and a popular Newcomer.
George and Matt find an unexpected link to Udara - a development that rocks George’s personal life.
Once again, writers have combined action, family drama, social commentary and a dash of humor in a thoughtful and entertaining tale.
I’ve regretted that FOX didn’t stick with “Alien Nation” as a weekly series. George’s ongoing family issues would work better over a sustained period.
In the movie-of-the-week format, they seem to appear out of nowhere - plot devices that create secondary story lines.
Tonight’s problem: Son Buck (Sean Six) enters the police academy against his mom’s (Michele Scarabelli) wishes.
But the Franciscos face a greater conflict - one that goes to the heart of the family.
Highlights
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Just about every sitcom couple that has a baby makes a comical mad dash for the hospital. This one threw in a madcap “dry run” that leaves Paul and Jamie’s (Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt) birthing teacher (Marsh Warfield) wondering if they have the right stuff for parenthood. Repeat.
“Life’s Work,” ABC at 8:30: Lisa (Lisa Ann Walter) takes on the school board when her 8-year-old Tess (Alexa Vega) is suspended for kissing a boy.
Is it sexual harassment?
This is topical stuff in light of what’s gone down in the real world, where kissing kids have been dealt with harshly and girls-only and boys-only birthday parties have been banned. Repeat.
“In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride and Madness” (1994), CBS at 9: The sordid two-part drama concludes with a string of custody battles, all stemming from a divorced psychopath’s (Kelly McGillis) injured pride.
Jerry Bledsoe’s novel was better. At least you didn’t have to suffer through scenery chewing by Harry Hamlin, who plays the woman’s wacko cousin.
“Frasier,” NBC at 9: You’ll be giddy with laughter as Niles (David Hyde Pierce) gets his best-ever chance of fulfilling his fantasy of bedding Daphne (Jane Leeves). A heat wave fuels the pentup passion, but you know it’s only a matter of time before Niles has to chill. Repeat.
Cable Calls
“A Touch of Frost: True Confessions” (1997), A&E at 6 and 10: Frost (David Jason) steps into a sticky situation when a wayward wife is killed, possibly by a young man who confessed to a priest that he was going to commit a murder. Frost is hardly a dashing hero, but that doesn’t weigh down these well-written whodunits.
The episode concludes the British crime drama’s fourth season.
“Boxing,” USA at 9: Heavyweight Larry Holmes continues his comeback effort, taking on Maurice Harris in a Madison Square Garden bout.
“Unplugged,” MTV at 10:30: Fiona Apple performs songs from her CD, “Tidal,” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: To be announced.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Phylicia Rashad (“Cosby”) and music group Jamiroquai.
“Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher,” ABC at 12:35 a.m.: To be announced.
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Actor-comedian Scott Thompson and basketball star Rebecca Lobo.