Screenplay data
Three years after Newcomers arrive on Earth, cynical human detective Matt Sykes is forced to partner with George Jetson, the first Newcomer detective, to investigate a series of Newcomer homicides after Sykes's partner is killed by a Newcomer. Their investigation uncovers William Harcourt, a charismatic Newcomer entrepreneur secretly manufacturing a deadly, addictive drug called 'ss'jabroka', leading Sykes and Jetson to infiltrate his operations and confront him and the Newcomer who killed Sykes's partner. Following a chaotic shootout and high-speed chase, Harcourt seemingly dies by ingesting the drug but reanimates into a monstrous form, killing several officers before Sykes and Jetson track him to a warehouse and then onto a fishing boat. Sykes and Jetson engage in a final battle with theartransformed Harcourt, culminating in his death in the ocean and Sykes's rescue by Jetson, after which Sykes attends his daughter's wedding, having finally accepted his Newcomer partner.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Alien Nation follows Detective Sykes as he reluctantly partners with Newcomer cop George Jetson to solve interconnected homicides.
Open full beat sheetMatt Sykes is listed as Detective Sergeant. A cynical, veteran human police detective who has recently lost his partner. In the parsed data, Matt Sykes is connected to 67 scenes, 220 dialogue lines, 221 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
67 scenes / 220 dialogue linesJETSON is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, JETSON is connected to 53 scenes, 146 dialogue lines, 433 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
53 scenes / 146 dialogue linesHARCOURT is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, HARCOURT is connected to 9 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 150 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
9 scenes / 33 dialogue linesCassandra is listed as Dancer. An alien dancer at the Encounters club who becomes involved in the investigation. In the parsed data, Cassandra is connected to 8 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 72 text mentions, first appearing around scene 48.
8 scenes / 18 dialogue linesTUGGLE is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, TUGGLE is connected to 5 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
5 scenes / 11 dialogue linesFEDORCHUK is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, FEDORCHUK is connected to 4 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
4 scenes / 12 dialogue linesWILTEY is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, WILTEY is connected to 4 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 26 text mentions, first appearing around scene 132.
4 scenes / 6 dialogue linesWINTER is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, WINTER is connected to 3 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
3 scenes / 14 dialogue linesQUINT is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, QUINT is connected to 3 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 68.
3 scenes / 8 dialogue linesRudyard Kipling is listed as Harcourt's Assistant. A dangerous Newcomer enforcer working for Harcourt. In the parsed data, Rudyard Kipling is connected to 3 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
3 scenes / 8 dialogue linesWATSON is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, WATSON is connected to 3 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
3 scenes / 7 dialogue linesALTEREZ is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, ALTEREZ is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesO'NEAL is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, O'NEAL is connected to 2 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 30 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.
2 scenes / 11 dialogue linesCaptain Warner is listed as Police Captain. The precinct captain overseeing Sykes and Jetson. In the parsed data, Captain Warner is connected to 2 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
2 scenes / 10 dialogue linesPORTER is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, PORTER is connected to 2 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.
2 scenes / 7 dialogue linesMAYOR is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, MAYOR is connected to 2 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
2 scenes / 5 dialogue linesVOICE is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, VOICE is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesPILOT is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, PILOT is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 173.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCRAIS is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, CRAIS is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesOPERATOR is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, OPERATOR is connected to 1 scene, 7 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 91.
1 scenes / 7 dialogue linesDRIVER is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, DRIVER is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 133.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMINKLER is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, MINKLER is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMAFFET is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, MAFFET is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesNATUZZI is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, NATUZZI is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesThis scene block presents the title page and credits for the screenplay "Alien Nation," written by Rockne S. O'Bannon and rewritten by James Cameron, dated October 1987, followed by the opening transition.
The scene depicts a television image of a mysterious metallic object hovering in the Mojave Desert, observed by both the US Army and local civilians, before transitioning to a CNN reporter, Duncan Crais, who recounts the event as the historic arrival of a "Newcomer ship" three years prior.
CRAISIn a crowded cop bar, two detectives watch TV news reports about the arrival and nature of "Newcomers," a genetically-engineered alien race, before one of the detectives teases an alien busboy working in the bar.
CAL-TECH PROFESSOR, CRAIS, ALTEREZ, FRESNO HOUSEWIFE, FEDORCHUKThe scene opens with a montage of aliens integrated into human society, observed by Sykes who makes critical comments, leading to an interaction with an alien derelict and a question from Tuggle as the opening titles conclude.
TUGGLE, Matt SykesDetectives Sykes and Tuggle discuss Sykes's reluctance to attend his daughter Kristin's wedding, which is being paid for by his ex-wife and her new husband, before their attention is drawn to two suspicious-looking aliens entering a mini-mart.
TUGGLE, Matt SykesSykes drives a short distance down the street and parks his car among other vehicles.
Sykes and Tuggle respond to a possible robbery at Porter's Mini-Mart, with Tuggle calling for backup while Sykes impulsively exits the car.
TUGGLE, Matt SykesTwo cops, Sykes and Tuggle, observe an alien mini-mart robbery from across the street, discussing their lack of vests. As Tuggle moves for a better angle, one of the robbers, Kipling, brutally shoots the Proprietor, prompting the getaway driver to react to Tuggle's presence.
TUGGLE, Matt SykesKipling and a Raincoat alien react to a horn honk, spot Tuggle, and open fire through the mini-mart glass, subsequently hitting a civilian car that skids to a stop in the intersection.
During a chaotic street shootout, Sykes eliminates one assailant while his partner Tuggle, after seeking cover behind a civilian car, is tragically killed by alien shotgun fire that penetrates the vehicle.
TUGGLE, Matt Sykes, OLD MANKipling throws Raincoat towards the back exit of a mini-mart, causing Raincoat to drop his shotgun, and then both of them run out the back.
Sykes finds Tuggle's dead body and reacts with shock and then escalating rage, running towards the store as sirens are heard approaching.
Matt SykesSykes forcefully and quickly exits the mini-mart.
Sykes spots two aliens rounding a corner at the far end of an alley and immediately gives chase, accelerating to full speed.
Sykes is ambushed by Raincoat on a back street at night, who shoots at him from a billboard before running off, with Sykes in pursuit.
Sykes races down Tunnel Street, pursuing someone, and approaches a tunnel, which is the only possible route for them.
Sykes battles two aliens in a dark tunnel, first killing a Raincoat alien and then being attacked by Kipling, before accidentally punching a human-looking alien cop named Jetson who was attempting to assist him.
HUMAN COP, JETSON, Matt SykesTuggle's body is zipped into a body bag and loaded into a coroner's wagon, while Sykes observes the scene amidst police and onlookers.
At a mini-mart crime scene, ballistics expert Minkler explains the powerful shotgun slugs used, and Jetson arrives to reveal the same ammunition was used in a prior Newcomer homicide, suggesting a connection before he is called away to assist with a distraught witness.
NATUZZI, Matt Sykes, FEMALE COP, MINKLER, JETSONSykes arrives at his apartment building in the slug-mobile and, looking drained, walks to his front door.
Sykes returns to his untidy apartment, listens to a loving but unsettling message from his daughter Kristin on his answering machine, and despite her playful warning, saves the message tape.
KRISTIN'S VOICESykes confronts fellow detectives about a stalled murder investigation before Captain Warner announces the controversial promotion of a Newcomer officer to detective, prompting Sykes to approach Warner's office after recognizing the new detective, Jetson.
Matt Sykes, Captain Warner, DETECTIVE, ALTEREZ, FEDORCHUKSykes volunteers to work with the new detective, Jetson, and, despite Warner's initial suspicion and attempts to keep Sykes away from certain cases, successfully lobbies with Goldrup's help to take on a new homicide investigation involving a "Newcomer."
Captain Warner, JETSON, Matt Sykes, GOLDRUPSykes and Jetson discuss the terms of their new partnership, with Sykes establishing boundaries, before Sykes realizes Jetson's full name and teases him about it, leading Jetson to reveal his true, complex name.
JETSON, Matt SykesJetson cleverly insults Sykes by explaining that Sykes' name sounds like "excrement" and "cranium" in his language, then clarifies it means "shit head" before leaving Sykes dumbfounded.
JETSON, Matt SykesWhile driving, Sykes and Jetson discuss the murder of Hubley, with Sykes attempting to convince Jetson to disregard procedure and help him investigate a related mini-mart shooting where Sykes's friend was killed, ultimately forcing Jetson to agree to connect the cases.
JETSON, Matt SykesWinter, a deputy Medical Examiner, leads Sykes and Jetson through a hallway while discussing a case file, prompting Sykes to make a sarcastic remark about Winter's job.
WINTER, Matt SykesIn an autopsy room, Winter and Sykes discuss a human victim while Jetson examines an alien body, discovering unusual features that lead him to question a lab assistant in alien language, piquing Sykes' suspicion.
JETSON, WINTER, Matt SykesIn the county morgue's property room, Sykes attempts to explain a condom to Jetson while they examine the belongings of a dead alien and a human. They discover a significant connection between the two cases when Jetson identifies a resin on the alien's boots, leading them to plan their next investigative steps.
ORTIZ, JETSON, Matt SykesAt a mini-mart with boarded-up windows, Jetson shows a photo to the Proprietor's Wife, who then speaks rapidly in an alien language.
Sykes drives past a large, steaming refinery, and the scene transitions.
Sykes questions the newly promoted Methane Section manager, O'Neal, about a "Raincoat alien" involved in a previous incident, eventually identifying the suspect as James Anderson, an employee in O'Neal's section who is now missing.
O'NEAL, Matt SykesThe scene begins in a control room where O'Neal makes a phone call, then transitions to a tracking shot through the Methane Section, observing alien workers and equipment, and ends with a close-up of a dispenser filling with a pale blue liquid.
Sykes arrives at Jetson's home, initially mocking Jetson's idyllic family life, but then finds himself softened by the innocent scene as Jetson says goodbye to his wife and son before getting into the car.
Matt SykesIn a hotel restroom, Kipling, now in a tuxedo and without his disguise, takes a dose of a blue gel drug from a dispenser. He quickly pockets the dispenser when a drunk politico enters, then exits the room.
Sykes and Jetson are in a car, discussing their investigation into Mr. Porter's death. Jetson reports that Mrs. Porter identified Hubley as one of two men who frightened her husband before his death, and that her son might know the other man's identity.
JETSON, Matt SykesAt a formal event in the Biltmore Hotel ballroom, the Mayor introduces William Harcourt, a successful Newcomer entrepreneur, who then takes the stage and begins his speech with a charming, self-deprecating joke.
HARCOURT, MAYORDetectives Sykes and Jetson attempt to question William Harcourt about a business associate, but their conversation is interrupted by the Mayor, who escorts Harcourt away after Harcourt delivers a subtle warning to Jetson.
JETSON, Matt Sykes, MAYOR, HARCOURTKipling and Harcourt walk and speak in low voices, discussing a human cop who killed Anderson and the driver, with Harcourt expressing concern about a security breach and the cop's new partner.
HARCOURT, Rudyard KiplingAt a police firing range, Sykes meets Maffet to acquire a powerful and illicit Casull .454 Magnum pistol, which Maffet procures for him.
Matt Sykes, MAFFETAt a shooting range, Sykes criticizes Jetson's shooting and reveals his true motive for partnering with him: to find the person responsible for his previous partner's death. Sykes demonstrates his resolve by powerfully shooting through a bullet-proof vest, injuring his hand.
JETSON, Matt SykesSykes and Jetson arrive at a rough-trade bar frequented by alien laborers, who glare at them antagonistically, and Sykes instructs Jetson to observe and learn from him.
Matt SykesDetectives Sykes and Jetson enter a dark Newcomer bar to find a suspect named Porter, encountering hostility and a language barrier, which escalates into a physical confrontation where Jetson intervenes, revealing a past connection with Porter.
Matt Sykes, OFFENDER, VOICE, PORTER, ALIEN VOICE, JETSONDetectives Jetson and Sykes question Porter outside a bar about an argument involving his father and two other men, Hubley and Strader. After Porter provides limited information and leaves, Jetson offers Sykes a tactical suggestion for future interrogations.
Matt Sykes, JETSON, PORTERSykes and Jetson order food at a burger stand staffed by humans and aliens, where Sykes comments on the difficulty of learning the alien language, prompting Jetson to explain their species' rapid adaptability. As they leave, Sykes mentions a gifted Newcomer child.
JETSON, Matt Sykes, KIDSykes and Jetson discover they've received each other's unusual meals, with Sykes recoiling from raw meat and Jetson grimacing at a cheeseburger. After trading, Sykes expresses disgust at Jetson eating raw mole, while Jetson explains his body's need for uncooked food, leading Sykes to lose his appetite.
JETSON, Matt SykesInside the Slug-Mobile, Sykes asks Jetson to repeat a foreign word meaning "small but intelligent creature" and another phrase about his mother, which Sykes then practices saying.
JETSON, Matt SykesDetectives Sykes and Jetson visit an upscale dance club to find an alien dancer named Cassandra. After her performance, they intercept her backstage and question her about her boss, Strader, to which she responds by leading them backstage.
JETSON, Matt Sykes, CassandraBackstage, Jetson questions Cassandra about someone's location, but she claims ignorance and leaves, followed by Jetson and Sykes.
JETSON, Matt Sykes, CassandraDetective Sykes attempts to interrogate Cassandra about a homicide investigation, but she flirts with him and deflects his questions while his partner Jetson awkwardly leaves the room. Cassandra then tries to seduce Sykes, who remains uncomfortable but professional.
JETSON, Matt Sykes, CassandraJetson moves through a second-floor corridor, checking doors, and eventually finds an unlocked office which he enters.
Jetson enters an office, searches a cluttered desk, and discovers a small dispenser with a trace of a viscous substance, which makes him suspicious and concerned.
Cassandra attempts to seduce Sykes, who resists her advances despite her suggestive comments about his curiosity and fear. Sykes ultimately rejects her, stating he will return later for Strader and leaves.
Matt Sykes, CassandraSykes closes a door and lets out his breath, indicating a moment of relief or tension.
Cassandra's expression turns to worry, and she quickly moves to a phone to punch the intercom button.
Jetson, while searching an office, overhears an urgent intercom call from Cassandra to Todd, warning him that the police are looking for Strader and asking about Todd, prompting Jetson to draw his gun and approach the adjoining office.
WATSON, CassandraJetson enters a manager's office, finding it recently occupied but empty, only to be ambushed by a chair crashing down on him, disarming him.
Jetson and an assailant are engaged in a battle within a private office during the night.
Sykes hears a fight through a private office door and throws it open.
Sykes confronts Jetson's assailant, Todd Watson, but is then attacked by Cassandra, which allows Watson to escape and shove Jetson.
Matt SykesWatson escapes onto a fire escape while Sykes struggles with Cassandra; Sykes directs Jetson to pursue Watson, then handcuffs Cassandra and joins the chase.
Matt SykesJetson descends a fire escape, observing Watson reach the ground and run towards the parking area, then Jetson gives chase.
Watson zig-zags through a parking lot at night, with Jetson attempting to close the distance between them.
Sykes quickly descends a fire escape, leaping the final fifteen feet to the ground.
Watson gets into his Alfa Romeo and starts it, while Jetson approaches with a gun, but hesitates to shoot. Watson then floors the car, forcing Jetson to jump out of the way.
Watson attempts to drive away, but Sykes is in front of the car, forcing Sykes to jump onto the hood as Watson panics.
Sykes and Jetson apprehend Todd Watson in a parking lot after a car chase, interrogating him about his employer Joshua Strader, who Watson claims is out of town.
WATSON, JETSON, Matt SykesWatson is alone in a parking lot when he is attacked and knocked unconscious by Kipling and four thugs, one of whom, Quint, orders the others to pick him up.
QUINTHarcourt attempts to coerce the alien Watson into working for him by revealing his boss Strader is dead and then torturing him with seawater, which is deadly to his species, after Watson refuses.
QUINT, WATSON, HARCOURT, Rudyard KiplingJetson, an alien, calls his wife while Sykes drinks vodka; Jetson then drinks Sykes' old, lumpy milk and comments on Sykes' messy apartment, leading to a conversation about marriage and divorce.
JETSON, Matt SykesSykes shows Jetson a photo of his daughter, Kristin, who is getting married, but expresses reluctance to attend; Jetson then tries to lighten the mood by showing photos of his own son, Richard, leading Sykes to offer humorous advice.
JETSON, Matt SykesA drunk Sykes tries to tell a joke to a stone-faced Jetson, who offers a literal and unamused punchline, before they share another drink.
JETSON, Matt SykesJetson, under the influence of alcohol, opens up to Sykes about the struggles and gratitude of his people living among humans, leading to a moment of shared understanding and laughter before Jetson departs and Sykes passes out.
JETSON, Matt SykesThe scene opens at dawn in Sykes' apartment, where Sykes is still passed out on the sofa.
At dawn, a tow truck arrives at Sykes' building, and Quint exits it to break into the slug-mobile parked at the curb.
Quint prepares C-4 explosives in a car, unaware that George Jetson is waking up groggily in the back seat. Upon discovering Jetson, Quint immediately punches him in the face.
Quint bails out of a car and leaps into a moving tow truck, while Jetson stumbles out of the car, drops his gun, and gives up.
Sykes is woken by pounding on his door and reluctantly answers it to find Jetson, who hands him a C-4 charge, explaining that someone was wiring it to Sykes' car, while Jetson, feeling terrible and panicked, expresses a need to call his wife.
JETSON, Matt SykesDetectives Jetson and Sykes discuss Jetson's marital problems before a secretary informs them that the person they were looking for, Strader, has been found dead on Zuma beach. Sykes then urges a reluctant Jetson to head to the beach to investigate.
JETSON, Matt Sykes, SECRETARYA car drives onto Zuma Beach at dusk, with Jetson repeatedly demanding Sykes stop the car, which Sykes eventually does.
JETSON, Matt SykesKRISTIN'S VOICE Hi, Daddy, it's me. I'm over at Danny's parents' house... talking about Sunday. I thought maybe you'd be home by now. Anyway, uh, nothing really. I just wanted to call and say I love you. I love you, Daddy. Uh-oh, I shouldn't'a done that. Knowing you, you'll probably pull this tape out of your machine and save it -- in that drawer where you keep every card I ever gave you, and all of my old baby teeth... gross! Anyway, Daddy, don't save this tape -- but I do love you, and I'll talk to you before Sunday. Oh, Tug and Carol came by and met Danny last week. Danny thought Tug was the greatest -- but, then, who doesn't? Anyway, love you, talk to you soon. 'Bye.
JETSON You humans are very curious to us. You invite us to live among you, in an atmosphere of equality we've never known before. You lay before us a beautiful green world, full of freedoms and opportunities... You give us ownership of our lives for the first time... and you ask no more of us than you do of yourselves: to live by the rules... rules that aren't made to keep one people subordinate to another, but rules that exist to preserve equality. You aspire to very high ideals here.
CAL-TECH PROFESSOR From the time mankind first gazed up at the stars there had been speculation about a visit by people from "out there." How ironic that when that first contact was made, the two hundred and sixty thousand occupants aboard the craft were as surprised as we were about their arrival. That they awakened from frozen hibernation to find their malfunctioning autopilot had landed them here by mistake.
SYKES But he didn't figure on you, George.You're going to get me through thatwall of silence. You're going tomake them talk to me. You're goingto help me find that Slag son-of-a-bitch. Comprendo? And if Fedorchukand the boys in the bullpen don'tlike it, screw them... and if theCaptain doesn't like it, screwhim... and if all the Slags down inSlagtown don't like it... well screwthem too!
QUINT You never seen this before, have you, Billy? oh, man, you ain't gonna believe it... seawater is like battery acid to these guys... I don't know what it is, some kinds chemical reaction. Whatta you think it is, Watson? Whoa, hold him. What I love about the surf is you can never tell how far up it's going to come until it... whoops, got a little wet there.
MAYOR ... Our guest speaker tonight has done so much in his community and for his community in such a short period of time. And I must say, as the founder of the first Newcomer owned and operated corporation in Southern California, he certainly has come quite far in the last few years. Granted, not as far as he came in the years before reaching Los Angeles.
CRAIS That was the scene in California's Mojave Desert three years ago today -- the historic first view of the Newcomer ship upon its dramatic arrival. As with the assassination of John Kennedy, who among us does not remember exactly where he was that October nineteenth morning, when news first broke: that people have landed... from another star.
FRESNO HOUSEWIFE When the Newcomers were first let out of the ship, they were quarantined in a camp not ten miles from the town here. You can imagine how the people around here felt about that. But once they were releases from the camp and we got a chance to know them, we saw what nice, quiet people they really are...
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