Alien Nation

In 1988, an alien vessel crashes in Los Angeles, bringing with it 300,000 Newcomers, an extraterrestrial workforce. Initially quarantined, these beings are gradually allowed to live alongside humans, sparking tensions and prejudices in the city.

In 1991, Detectives Matthew Sykes and Tuggle are patrolling a neighborhood populated by Newcomers. During their patrol, they encounter two aliens in long black coats entering a convenience store, setting the stage for a violent confrontation.

As Sykes and Tuggle monitor the convenience store, two Newcomers armed with shotguns rob the store owner. This engagement escalates into a fierce gunfight, resulting in Tuggle being fatally shot while taking cover behind a car.

Fueled by rage over his partner's death, Sykes tracks down the two Newcomers. His pursuit leads him into a dark tunnel, where he confronts one of the assailants and engages in a brutal fight, ultimately shooting the alien.

After Sykes shoots the Newcomer, he reacts violently when he realizes that one of the arriving officers is also a Newcomer. This incident highlights Sykes' deep-rooted prejudice and sets a tone for his interactions with aliens to come.

The following day, Sykes and his team gather at headquarters to mourn Tuggle's death. During a debriefing, the captain announces the addition of a Newcomer detective to the team, prompting mixed feelings from Sykes.

Despite his biases, Sykes agrees to work with the Newcomer detective, who goes by the name 'Sam'. Sykes quickly nicknames him 'George', dismissing his full name and highlighting his struggle to accept this partnership.

Sykes and George visit the coroner's lab to investigate the shooting of the Newcomer store owner. Here, they discover significant information about the crime but George holds back crucial details that hint at the complexities of their case.

Their case leads them to Joshua Strader, a nightclub owner who is under threat from William Harcourt's henchmen. Strader is coerced into submission while his assistant watches, showcasing the dangerous underbelly of Newcomer relations.

Harcourt and his men prepare to punish Strader by taking him into salt water, a lethal substance for Newcomers. This pivotal moment illustrates the lengths to which Newcomer businessmen will go to assert control and dominance.

Sykes and George investigate the connection between Strader and Harcourt, revealing that they were quarantined together. Their research showcases the complex history between the Newcomers and the challenges that arose from it.

The detectives visit a factory where Newcomers work in methane-filled environments, emphasizing their unique adaptations. They observe the production of the mysterious blue fluid that is central to the case's developments.

Throughout the investigation, Sykes grapples with his prejudices towards Newcomers, while George struggles with the reality of their existence. Their partnership embodies the broader societal clashes and their search for harmony amidst chaos.

The detectives uncover that the blue fluid is linked to the crimes committed by the Newcomers. As they tie together the pieces of the puzzle, the fluid represents both a source of power and a symbol of the dark undertones of their society.