Ep 1. Pilot

In the first episode of Aliens in America, we are introduced to the main character of the series, Justin Tolchuck, a high school sophomore who is struggling to fit in. Justin is constantly teased and bullied by his fellow classmates, and he feels like an outcast in his own hometown.

In an effort to help improve his social life, Justin's mother, Franny, decides to sign up for an exchange program that will bring a foreign student into their home for the school year. Franny hopes that having a new friend around will help Justin come out of his shell and make new friends.

When the exchange student arrives, however, Franny and Justin are in for a bit of a surprise. Rather than a student from Europe or Asia, they find themselves hosting Raja Musharaff, a Muslim Pakistani teenager who stands out like a sore thumb in their predominantly white, Christian town.

At first, Justin is hesitant about the idea of hosting Raja. He worries that he won't be able to connect with someone who comes from such a different background than his own. But as he and Raja start to spend more time together, Justin begins to realize that they have a lot more in common than he initially thought.

Meanwhile, Franny is struggling with her own prejudices and biases. While she sees herself as open-minded and accepting, she finds herself making assumptions about Raja based solely on his race and religion. As she gets to know him better, however, she begins to see the world through a new lens.

Throughout the episode, we see the characters grappling with issues of acceptance, identity, and belonging. Justin struggles to find his place in a world that seems to constantly reject him, while Raja tries to navigate a new culture where he doesn't quite fit in. Franny, meanwhile, is forced to confront her own biases and prejudices in order to truly welcome Raja into their home.

Overall, the pilot episode of Aliens in America sets the stage for a thoughtful and heartfelt series that explores what it means to be an outsider in a world where fitting in is everything. With its charming cast of characters and nuanced approach to issues of race, religion, and identity, Aliens in America promises to be a refreshingly honest and insightful take on life in small-town America.