Alienating Ourselves Podcast

Happy New Year! We welcome 2026 with a review of the "Alien Nation" episode "Contact," a story about a Kleezantsun intimidating scientists into sending a nefarious signal into outer space. Meanwhile, Matt deals with memories of his uncle, Cathy shares with him aspects of her own childhood, and the Franciscos consider having another child of their own. - What is Nick's favor...

Just in time for Christmas is our review of the "Alien Nation"...Halloween episode. Sorry, I guess we should have started the podcast a couple months earlier. Anyway, you will shriek with delight, uh, I mean, terror, at this week's episode, "Night of the Screams." - Which co-host has a lot to say about the germy ickiness of bobbing for apples? - What did the co-hosts feel a...

Because of the December timing, Nick & Todd make one more slight detour from "Alien Nation" to talk about the 2014 "Doctor Who" Christmas special, "Last Christmas." - What are each co-host's respective journeys with "Doctor Who"? Do they both love it, or do one or both co-hosts have mixed feelings? How much has each one seen of the show? Who are thei...

After a two-week "Star Trek" detour, we're back to "Alien Nation" with an episode about taxes, bribes, scams, and gangs. This week's episode, called "The First Cigar" involves a Tenctonese business owner who may have a surprise hidden up her sleeve...literally. Meanwhile, Buck sells real estate, George deals with the IRS, and Matt & George give each other...

Nick & Todd continue their discussion of the "Star Trek" franchise. - What was Nick's hot take about "TNG" season 2, teased at the end of Part 1? - What "TNG" season 2 improvements did Nick point out? - Which "TNG" episodes from each season did Nick highlight? - Nick & Todd agree that "TNG" season 7 is a bit of a decline, but which rede...

The "Alien Nation" rewatch will definitely continue, but this week (and next), Nick & Todd take a detour to talk about one of the biggest sci-fi franchises of all..."Star Trek." We're calling it a primer because we discuss the whole franchise in broad strokes, comparing notes on what we've seen, haven't seen, loved, liked, disliked, hated, and still want to see....

This week, Nick & Todd review the 5th "Alien Nation" episode, "The Takeover," a story about a police station siege during a city riot, with the themes of control and...smells(???). Along the way, we get to see a remnant of the controlling ship gas, from the Tenctonese slave ship, in action. - Why does one co-host think command and...smells...are the two main themes of the e...

Nick & Todd are really enjoying rewatching & podcasting about "Alien Nation." But, even the best things in life aren't always perfect. Join Nick & Todd as they critique the first disappointing episode of the show, "Fifteen With Wanda," while still talking about redeeming qualities and the usual guest cast connections to other shows. - What was Nick's first r...

Nick & Todd return to talk about the 3rd episode of "Alien Nation" in which Detective Matt Sikes tries to protect a teenage Tenctonese girl who's life has taken a bad direction. When the situation takes an unexpected turn, Matt & George go undercover to take down a dangerous Tenctonese prostitution ring. - How did discussion of this episode start off about goats? - How much d...

Nick & Todd are back for the first "Alien Nation" 1-hour episode entitled "Fountain of Youth." This is an episode that explores the topic of aging from two different angles. Something about Tenctonese physiology may help slow or even reverse aging in humans, and Susan struggles to find work in her field due to her age. - This is the first installment of "Alien Nation" to have a standard weekly...

Nick & Todd are back and diving in to the "Alien Nation" pilot TV movie (counting as episode 1 of the TV series). This episode is packed with world-building, character development, and social commentary. - What was Todd's favorite moments, and how did Nick react to it differently? - Did the TV pilot continue the trend in the theatrical movie of Matt Sikes doing bad police work? -...

Welcome to the Alienating Ourselves Podcast, the brand new podcast where Nick & Todd explore sci-fi entertainment with a focus on aliens and the humans they interact with. In the beginning, we'll be reviewing the TV show & movies of the "Alien Nation" franchise. Listen now to our first episode where we take a deep dive into the theatrical movie that started it all (and stay t...