It is not simple to conceptualize a show that centers on light topics of racial and religious diversity but which is altogether unpatronising. After hearing about Little Mosque on the Prairie, a small series that did big in Canada, I had wanted something on our screens to depict the life of a foreigner thrust into the limelight that is America. Partly to explain his story, yet not to propagandize entirely. Thus, I find it invigorating to learn of a show like Aliens in America – a daring departure for the politically-challenged TV networks in America.
Undoubtedly attracting the sci-fi audience unintentionally, lest the reader or viewer misunderstand the title, let me expound: this new offering deals with a foreign exchange student who lands in the small town of Medora, Wisconsin – he is coincidentally Muslim (the title’s play on words is brilliant – all I could probably come up with would be “Muslim in Wisconsin”). Jumping to the little green men conclusion would be a forgivable mistake for most. This alien in question lands on the Tolchuk family with unquestionably surprising results.
The main family member, through whom the story is told, is Justin Tolchuk (Dan Byrd) and through his drily funny narration, we learn what it is to be the outsider – a localized type of ‘alien’. After a harrowing first day in high school, during which he was royally roasted, the family decides to accept the charge of hosting a foreign exchange student, having been misled into believing that it could provide Justin with the opportunity to better himself and through the information and personality exchange, end up the leader that his mother expects him to be. That, along with the promised compensatory monthly check for all their troubles in hosting.
They agreed blindly, and the result was Raja (Adhir Kalyan), a bewilderment to them all, including the suddenly nervous students in school. Speaking of the latter, Raja’s first day happened to be without Justin’s accompaniment, Justin having claimed illness of some sort. He was miserably left to fend for himself as the vultures (misinformed students and teacher alike) picked his innocence clean. Sad to say, he wasn’t allowed a word in to explain his non-participation and erroneous immediate affiliation simply for his religious beliefs. I do however suspect his anger would get the best of him (and his sweet, lilting accent) – albeit in a future episode.
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