Alienating Ourselves Podcast

#024 - Alien Nation 1.18 "Crossing the Line"

This week is the first of two Sikes-centric episodes, first with Sikes obsessing over a particular murder case right when he's supposed to start a vacation to Hawaii, in "Crossing the Line." Meanwhile, the Franciscos are preparing a special ceremony for newborn Vessna, and one family member isn't quite sure how to honor the baby. - Does the new support character, Beatrice Zepeda, make a good first impression? What is her nickname for George, and is she a worthy replacement for Dobbs? - How strange is it to have tabloid report Burns in this episode when the actor that plays him used to be in the opening credits, isn't any longer, and is finally given the most to do in this episode even as a guest star? - Does anyone else think it's unusual that everyone at the police station gave Matt a going away part, including gifts, for just a vacation? - Which of the co-hosts had an issue with the early banter between Matt, Zepeda, and Lois? Listen now for the answer to these and other questions, as we take a look at "Crossing the Line." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. Our e-mail is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music in this episode comes from Pixabay.com

#023 - Alien Nation 1.17 "Real Men"

She's finally here! Little Vessna Francisco has arrived. The conception, gestation, and...pod transferral...of this alien baby has provided the show "Alien Nation" with some of its best storylines, quirkiest moments, and some of the wildest sci-fi imagery. And, her birth is no different. In this episode, "Real Men," George's self-confidence is challenged by the last days of his pregnancy. A job-related tussle triggers the baby early, but does everything go according to plan, and does Matt have to step up to do a hard thing in the moment? - How good was this episode and did one or both co-hosts hope it would have been even better? - What mix of traits & emotions did Eric Pierpoint convey in this episode as an insecurely pregnant (alien) man? - What did Nick say was a the thesis statement this episode was trying to convey? - How much did we learn in this week's episode about pregnancy in Tenctonese men? - What did Nick's wife think about the scene of a pregnant male going into labor? - Why does Todd give Matt some credit for doing something in the episode he doesn't think he could do himself? - And, what nitpicks did the co-hosts have about Tenctonese serums, people from Matt's past, the amount of time we got to see George pregnant, and the appearance of the baby? Listen now for the answer to these and other laboring questions as we buff up into..."Real Men." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes on the Spotify or GoodPods apps. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

#022 - Alien Nation 1.16 "Partners"

In this week's episode of "Alien Nation," Matt and guest character Theo Miles were former partners on the force, Matt & George are current partners on the force, and Susan & George are partners in the gestation of their baby...well, pod, for now (baby later). That's right, if you want to learn what it's like for a male Tenctonese to become pregnant, listen to our review of 1.16 "Partners." Stay tuned next week when we review the episode where George deals with the challenges of his pregnancy. - What three marks does Nick have against this episode right away? - How much did Nick's wife enjoy watching George have the alien equivalent of morning sickness & labor pains? - What are some of Todd's theories as to how pregnancy could put George & Susan in biological sync? - What issues did both co-hosts have with the guest character in this episode? - In what ways did Todd feel like Matt finally "calmed down" in this episode? - In what ways is a Tenctonese pod transferral similar to...and very different from...human pregnancy & labor? - What three objects used during the pod transferral have been mentioned and/or shown in previous episodes? - What disagreement did the producers & writers have, before this episode aired, about how viewers would respond to it? - Which co-host had an issue with how fake some of the laughter sounded in this episode? - What were some of the nitpicks about police work this week? - Were there any contenders for the Albert Einstein Award this time? - According to the "Alien Nation" press kit, what are some interesting things about actress Terri Treas (Cathy Frankel), and does sour milk have negative health effects on Tenctonese the way alcohol does on humans? - And, what does one co-host mean when he says this episode is guilty of the "Up" effect? Listen now for the answers to these and other laboring questions as we reminisce about..."Partners." Please review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes via the Spotify and GoodPods apps. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

#021 - Alien Nation 1.15 "Eyewitness News"

This week's episode of "Alien Nation" is guest starring Oscar-nominated, SAG award winner, BAFTA-nominated, DGA-nominated, Emmy-nominated, Golden Globe winner, Angela Bassett, Queen Mother of Wakanda herself, as a local TV news reporter in an episode appropriately called, "Eyewitness News." - What line, delivered by Angela Bassett, made Todd laugh out loud? - What sexually-awkward scenes between Matt & Cathy did Nick enjoy? - In what ways did Nick feel this episode was progressive? - What did we learn about Tenctonese pregnancy? - What quaint 1990s party decoration did Todd point out during the fake birthday party scene? - What reference to a 1990s canine celebrity did Nick appreciate? - How did the show work in a brief Ronald Reagan mention? - What was interesting about the test of the Emergency Broadcast System and how one Newcomer reacted to it? - What weird fashion choice of Matt's did one co-host point out this week? - What moment in the episode felt unusually preachy? - How did one co-host compare Matt & Cathy's on-and-off-again flirtations to a recurring segment of "The Late Show with David Letterman"? - Which behaviors of Matt's were pointed out in this week's segment of "Yikes, Sikes"? - What about this episode reminded Todd of two episodes of "Babylon 5"? - Which guest star from this episode was also in Gary Graham's movie, "Robot Jox"? - Which "Alien Nation" actor was the son of a CBS News correspondent? - And, what about this episode lead to a tangent conversation about city mayors? Listen now for the answers to these and other hard-hitting questions, as we do an exposé on..."Eyewitness News." Please rate or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes via the Spotify & GoodPods apps. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music used in this episode comes from Pixabay.com.

#020 - Alien Nation 1.14 "Generation to Generation"

Uncle Moodri is back, Matt becomes a big brother, and we explore the "Heart of Tencton" in this week's review of "Alien Nation" episode "Generation to Generation." - How good is it to have Uncle Moodri back? - What do the co-hosts think of the name Vessna for the upcoming Francisco baby? - How strange is it to see the depiction of an auction where the main items for sale are related to forms of slavery? - What do the co-hosts think about Matt becoming a big brother and the kid he mentors? Why is the kid so nice & thankful? Are there suspicions that there's something wrong with grandma (the kid's guardian)? - The kid mentions wanting to go camping with Matt. What creative (and derogatory) name does one co-host have for camping.? - Which co-host was pleasantly surprised & relieved that the kid wasn't a psychopath? - What did the co-hosts think about the Tenctonese culture this week, including a certain kind of memorial service? - What did the co-hosts have to say this week about plot points, pacing, and structure? - Which co-host was surprised to find out he's had the "Alien Nation" DVD box sets this whole time and feels stupid for not being able to find his DVD player remote control? - Speaking of boxes, what did the co-hosts think about "The Box," also known as the Heart of Tencton, in this week's episode? - Which of Matt's traits were featured in this week's "Yikes, Sikes!" segment? - And, what did Todd come up with from the "Unofficial Companion" book and for the "Wheel of Press Kit" segment? Listen now for the answers to these and other out-of-the-box questions, as we look back at..."Generation to Generation." Please like or review us wherever you listen to podcasts. You can leave comments on individual episodes via the Spotify and GoodPods apps. Our e-mail address is alienatingourselves@gmail.com. Royalty-free music in this episode comes from Pixabay.com (plus one from the now defunct FreePD.com).