Alien: Earth – Season 1 Spoilercast: Should The Series Pick A Side?

Alien is one of my favourite sci-fi and horror series. Its sense of the unknown, the hostility of space and life existing together is unmatched. It’s this mixture of elements which has helped the series remains popular for almost five decades. And now FX, partnering with Disney, have commissioned Alien:Earth. With high expectations and a lot of money spent, let’s debate on how it fared. Opinions at the ready! 

As this is a spoilercast, everyone will benefit greatly from having watched the show. I hope everyone enjoys it. And please feel free to say what you thought of the show in the comments section below. Alien: Earth is available to watch on Disney Plus. 

For people interested in this world, Rafly Wibowo gave his opinion on Alien: Dark Descent, while Abi Westy talks about big horror releases in the gaming landscape for last month.

Alien: Earth

Alien: Earth is about three separate entities searching for the supposed promise of immortality. These are: cybernetically enhanced humans aka Cyborgs, artificially intelligent beings aka Synthetics, and synthetic beings with downloaded human consciousness aka Hybrids.

The show kicks into gear when the deep space “research” vessel, the USCSS Maginot, unexpectedly crashes back to Earth. A group of hybrids, a posse of tactical soldiers and other forces converge to make a discovery putting them face to face with the planet’s greatest ever threat. Just what might that be? 

Which technology prevails may determine what corporation (or even beings?) rule the universe.

Episode 1: Neverland

In the year 2120, there are five companies which control Earth. We have colonised the Solar System. The Prodigy Corporation is the newest, led by the flamboyant Boy Kavalier. He has managed to transfer the consciousness of children into adult synthetic bodies. However, the USCSS Maginot, a Weyland-Yutani vessel has arrived unceremoniously back on Earth. Boy Kavalier decides to test the hybrids capabilities by sending them there to investigate. What will they find? 

The crew of the USCSS Maginot wake from cryo-sleep. There are 805 miles from Earth. Plenty of time for things to go wrong.

Neverland Island

I enjoyed the beginning of Alien: Earth, even if it’s a homage to the original film. Extremely similar aesthetics and tone, specifically the dinner scene. Total fan service. Afterwards, I feel there’s a little too much time devoted to Neverland Island but understand why. There’s a lot of information to take in regarding human consciousness continuing inside synthetic bodies; what does that entail and how would it feel?

Marcy Hermit, the first synthetic, is the main character and I really like her. The actor’s enthusiasm shines through as she plays a hard role; a child inside an adult body. As she is the first one “born”, she is also the leader of a group of synthetics proclaimed as the “Lost Boys”, and she gives herself the name “Wendy”.

Marcy deciding her new future.

Of the other characters on Nevemore Island, they aren’t given a lot to work with yet; I liked the actors playing the adults, Samuel Blenkin as Boy Kavalier and Timothy Olyphant as Kirsh specifically. We quickly see how powerful Wendy could become as she is physically strong but also able to control electronic devices. Boy Kavalier proclaims her “special”. He has a fondness for the bed time story, “Peter Pan”, hence the names for the group. 

This is home of CEO Boy Kavalier’s company Prodigy, Nevermore Island

The USCSS Maginot

The scenes about the USCSS Maginot are very good. There is intrigue as to what happened and the crash itself is well done. We meet Joe Hermit, who Wendy is convinced is her brother and the plot gathers pace. We meet the ships’ security officer, Morrow, who survived the crash and seem quite a capable individual. The cinematography is well done, and music is good. There is also a stylistic choice of using transparent imaging, usually while someone is talking; I liked it.

The episode does bring out philosophical questions about humanity; are the synthetic “Hybrids” more than just machines? Where do humans now sit on the “food chain?” The series has started slow but Alien: Earth is trying to be more than just about Xenomorphs. It does showcase some action around the titular monster onboard the Maginot. And I feel the episode does enough to pique my interest on where it might go next.

Wendy and her mentor Kirsh ruminate about humanity.

Episode 2: Mr. October

Boy Kavalier tells one of his scientists that he created the hybrids as a means to compete with AI. He also allowed Wendy to learn so he will finally have a debate with someone “smarter” than himself. Kavalier declines Weland-Yutani’s request to secure the Maginot while the Xenomorph stalks Joe, Morrow and the SWAT team. The Lost Boys encounter a research lab – and several dangerous lifeforms.

Joe is ready to defend himself.

Alien: Earth isn’t afraid to start slow. It’s insistence on debating human consciousness residing within something artificial won’t be for everyone. Boy Kavalier is determined to have a conversation with a “superior” intellect. In this regard, the show might appeal to fans of Blade Runner. It’s a running theme throughout.

Wendy is here to kick ass and chew bubble gum. Wait….wrong character

USCSS Maginot Investigation

Most of the episode resides within the USCSS Maginot and the collapsed building. This focused the action which I appreciated. There is more Xenomorph in this episode – which was good and bad. The action is best when you don’t see what’s going on. The Xenomorph out of shot, it’s actions shown after – evidence that it is NOT to be messed with. Except when it’s not too bothered. It encounters main characters, and sort of toys with them. It’s not a fatal flaw – I understand why characters need to survive a TV show. It is still cool to see it “appear”. Some ingenuity about their escapes would have been nice though. 

Interestingly, the best action is within the research lab of the Maginot where the Lost Boys encounter a dead cat. “Looking” around for its next victim. The eye creature is intriguing and genuinely scary. It’s something different, not seen in this universe before and that is a good thing.

This cat has “seen” some things

The Lost Boys

Regarding the characters, our focus is on the Lost Boys. They’re written like children and they aren’t irritating…..yet. Sydney Chandler as Marcy/Wendy is someone I like. Slightly is getting the most dialogue but it doesn’t make him interesting – he’s insecure, has no filter, goes into a huff. It’s well done. And like many children, it’s a little annoying. The others are fine but they aren’t given a lot to do. Nibs later on goes through a more traumatic experience than the others. We’ll wait to see how that plays out.

Alien: Earth: Mr. October is more of the same. It’s a solid watch so far. It’s well shot, the music is good. Acting by the adults is solid. The children aren’t getting their due yet bar Wendy and Slightly though. 

Moving into the Maginot was good as we saw the aftermath and the Xenomorph. Certain scenes felt great, showing us certain dread… then others feel a little clumsy. I’d rather it had just disappeared. Nothing is scarier than no information. The unknown. The end of the episode was good though.

It does make me think there’s a debate to be had to have shown a Xenomorph at all. Would the show have benefitted from holding the monstrosity back to later into the series?

Lost Boys….assemble?

Episode 3: Metamorphosis

Wendy goes to save Joe from the Xenomorph. Boy Kavalier orders Kirsh to bring the specimens back to Neverland. Smee joins Slightly in guarding the eggs – but soon comes into contact with Morrow. Once everyone is back at Neverland, both Joe and Wendy need surgery. Having escaped, Morrow contacts Ms. Yutani to discuss options. Curly confronts Boy Kavalier about his “favouritism” towards Wendy. When Wendy wakes up, she is especially tuned to a certain frequency.

Wendy is trying to find Joe

Wendy vs Xenomorph

Alien: Earth – Metamorphosis starts with a bang. Things are happening on multiple fronts: Kirsh and most of the Lost Boys are cataloguing specimens to come back to Neverland Island. Nibs is in shock. For some reason, Slightly is left “guarding” the xenomorph eggs. And Wendy is in pursuit mode, trying to save her brother Joe from the Xenomorph.

This particular scene was dramatic and a little baffling in it’s decision making. They show the cunning of the Xenomorph to lure in Wendy using Joe and to not attack Wendy directly. Attacking the trailer to disorientate both is a good move. When it has Joe at its mercy though… it takes all day about it. Wendy get to attack it and both are soon trapped inside a storage unit. We don’t see the resulting fight until Joe manages to prise it open – but do we need to?

This felt a little predictable, but also necessary for Alien: Earth to move forward. I enjoyed this scene but it encapsulated how I felt about the Xenomorph at this point. Some of the scenes were very tense and exciting, others could be drawn out. Which is a real shame.

The Xenomorph at times could still be unnerving

Conversations

After all the excitement, there must be a lull. Slightly and Smee meet and have more “kid” talk. It’s far too slow. It’s elevated when the enigmatic Morrow enters the picture. There is now a focus point, a semblance of danger. He provides snippets of backstory of the fate of the Maginot which is interesting. This culminates in the arrival of Kirsh who spars with Morrow and the two make the scene genuinely engaging. More of this please.

We get back to Neverland Island. The biggest takeaway I had here was the power dynamics between Boy Kavalier and the other characters. Kavalier spars with the doctors, annoyed they don’t speak their minds. He spars with Kirsh, annoyed that he does speak his mind. Doesn’t mind debating with the children though.

Boy Kavalier, the Boy Genius

Lost Boys Development

There was a little development for Curly; she’s jealous of Wendy’s “favourite” status while also thinking about trying to improve herself. She’s got a supercomputer for a brain – why not use it? I liked this exchange. Nibs wasn’t really in this one, but her PTSD was referenced which was appreciated.

Wendy isn’t really in this episode either apart from the action-packed opening. Boy Kavalier got a little more depth, displaying his ease at moving on. As Kirsh chides him, he now has new toys to play with; he has a low attention span.

This was nice in the stark contrast of the “kids” behaviour, specifically Smee and Slightly. It’s childish and will remain childish. I think their interactions with anyone slowed the pace of the show right down. Maginot Science officer Morrow now has a connection to Slightly and we’ll have to see how that plays out.

This was a decent episode of Alien: Earth. The exciting opening brought act one to a dramatic close, the action good if a little ridiculous. Scenes with Slightly and Smee genuinely bring the pace down – whereas I’m interested anytime Kirsh or Morrow is on screen. The episode is a bit of a slow burn which culminates in amplifying Wendy’s frequency dilemma. We’ll have to wait and see.

Kirsh defends the Boys from Morrow

Episode 4: Observations

With the scientists help, Wendy’s frequency dilemma is fine-tuned. Could she speak to Xenomorphs? Kirsh and Tootles allow an octopus like alien to control a sheep. Tootles declares his new name: Isaac. Morrow pressures Slightly into doing something for him. Joe threatens to take Wendy away with him; however he is threatened himself. The Lost Boys struggle with the aftermath of the mission, no more so than Nibs. 

Wendy’s depiction of a memory. This is nice.

Alien: Earth – Observations is an apt title for this episode. Wendy is being watched by Boy Kavalier, realising she can now also communicate with alien life forms. She’s growing. Joe Hermit, Wendy’s brother, is being watched after having his life saved. Can he be trusted to keep Wendy on track or is he a distraction? Slightly is literally being watched, by both Morrow and now it seems Kirsh. He’s piggy in the middle.

Kirsh is observing someone.

Character Growth

The scientists Arthur and Sylvia, husband and wife, debate whether what they’re doing is the right thing. Are these people real or have they genuinely killed six children? Only a dilemma they can answer. And one answer may come in the form of Nibs. She isn’t coping with everything she has been through and genuinely might have PTSD. We observe this when she talks to Sylvia and it was a little distressing.

Slightly is being blackmailed into doing something which sounds impossible. I think it’s a little implausible myself – I hope it goes somewhere. Atom Eins, Boy Kavaliers’ advisor, gets some screen time blackmailing Joe. A predictable slimeball tactic, keeping everyone in line. 

I appreciated the growth of Tootles, now named Isaac. He is learning new skills, being trusted by Kirsh and the team. Making decisions for himself. He is growing. The same could be said for Curly, albeit she has less screen time.

Morrow trying to persuade Slightly to help him.

The end of Alien: Earth – Metamorphosis brings about that impetus needed because this was a slow episode. I’m interested but I need more. The character development is most welcome, but I need to know where this is headed. Observations made? Yes. Decisions made? No. Well, Isaac made a decision, that is something.

Boy Kavalier is a really big fan of the novel, “Peter Pan” – will the show follow in it’s footsteps?

Episode 5: In Space, No One…

A flashback episode describing the events which occurred upon the USCSS Maginot before it’s fateful descent to Earth. 

Can nobody resist a good camera pan shot of a corridor within a ship interior regarding anything Alien?

Alien: Earth decides to bring us up to speed on why events have unfolded thus far. This is a bottle episode. Of lightning, if you will. Are there some problems with this episode? Sure. There is just one problem after another on the USCSS Maginot’s flight back to Earth. However, the cast are great, the dialogue and interactions between the crew are well realised. We see complex relationships play out here better than it has for four episodes of the Lost Boys.

The Maginot crew work together. They have their own opinions and agendas. And we see how “competent” everyone is, which is even acknowledged by the crew themselves. The ship lost a lot of good men getting the specimens onboard. They are the only ones left. The crew need to do the best they can. And it’s not going to be good enough.

The relationship between the Captain and Security Officer is a good one.

Alien: Earth – Blade Runner Edition

This episode is also a complete change of pace. It’s a murder investigation. Someone is making sure the Maginot is a speeding bullet towards Earth. That’s a problem. It’s up to Security Officer  Morrow and new Captain Zoya Zaveri to work together to fix what’s going wrong.

Morrow’s investigation scenes are very good. Almost done like a episode of Blade Runner. The dialogue is great between the mechanics Schmuel and Machicite; they’re almost comedy relief under all the tension onboard. Some of the incidents which occur, I’ll admit the writing makes these “smart” people come under severe stress and they make mistakes. It isn’t always convincingly done within the series but I didn’t find it annoying for it to damage this episode.

These scenes were actually really interesting.

The episode is confident in taking it’s time, showing off views within and around the Maginot, the aesthetics look great. The music is great. Once the action finally kicks in, it’s definitely like an old version of Alien/Aliens; it’s a little goofy, even showing off Alien 3’s camera zoom shots with the Xenomorph in full motion. It’s a little slice of fan service. It’s well made and a great episode of television. We’re looking forward to seeing what happens next. Really enjoyed this one.

I enjoyed the camaraderie between Schmuel and Malichite

Episode 6: The Fly

Wendy works on communicating with a baby Xenomorph. Nibs undergoes testing after her “discussion” with Dame Sylvia. One of the scientists, Arthur, is fired after refusing orders. Boy Kavalier meets Yutani to discuss the USCSS Maginot. Kirsh asks Isaac to feed the specimens. Slightly tries to go through with his plan. Arthur helps with Joe’s plan to escape with Wendy. 

I’m not sure i want to know what’s in there

Alien: Earth brings us back down to Earth for The Fly. Neverland Island. The paradise with Synthetics, Hybrids and biological entities all waiting to be tested. After the high of being in space and solving the mystery of the USCSS Maginot, we’re back into a holding pattern of sorts. Wendy’s speech with the Xenomorph is progressing – but where will it go? Is it enemy or friend? We won’t find out till later – but I liked it.

This is a cool beginning to the episode.

Character Regression

Character progression is the biggest downgrade in this episode. Nibs with her PTSD has been “reset” – she doesn’t remember the last three days. So nowhere to go there. They’re doing nothing with Smee. Joe and Wendy are disgruntled and are in the planning stages of getting off the island. Joe mentions it to his Squad mates; they’d rather stay here. At least they know where the monsters are when things go wrong. That’s optimistic.

Well, they have gone wrong for Tootles/Isaac. I’m extremely disappointed with this. Of the Lost Boys, he was the one getting more development. I was appreciating his growth as a person; he was making decisions for himself. The writing here, as with many “incidents” which occur on the show, is disappointing. They make people look dumb. The previous episode, the way it’s presented, I accepted it. Here I feel it insults our intelligence, even if he is supposed to be a child.

I was really looking forward to this – and was kind of disappointed.

Writing Regression

The writing does feel changed slightly in this episode for the worse. Boy Kavalier and Yutani meet and it’s like a kid meeting an adult for the first time. Kirsh and Morrow also meet for the first time properly. And it’s schoolboy stuff. Previous standoffs were interesting and dynamic. This was petty, like an infant goading the other. A shame as they are good characters and actors here.

There is also another incident which affects one of the only morally good characters on the show. He didn’t deserve what happened to him. I’m getting over Slightly’s dilemma. It’s been dragged out for too long.

The need for the writing to have “incidents” happen, I’ve realised that possibly nothing else would have happened in this episode if it wasn’t for Slightly. And that’s disappointing. Not a bad episode but coming after the last one and having hope for the future, Alien: Earth has stalled somewhat.

Kirsh and Morrow finally meet properly – and it’s a bit of a letdown.

Episode 7: Emergence

Smee and Slightly are hiding a secret. Wendy convinces Joe and Nibs to leave the island with her. Morrow’s forces arrive to storm the island. And a Xenomorph now stalks the land.

Slightly’s journey is about to get worse.

Alien: Earth – Emergence is finally showing the islands slow descent into anarchy. And just like with real anarchy, this is one messy episode. It’s not for lack of trying to be fun; there is a lot going on here. However, one problem with the show has been too many moving parts. It’s about converging those parts into a satisfying, cohesive whole. It can’t quite pull it off.

Paradise In Peril

Everyone has had enough and is trying to make it off the island. Wendy goes with Joe and Nibs. She’s fed-up feeling trapped in this prison; doesn’t have agency. One of the Lost Boys is no longer with us. Nibs was reversed into someone else. Wendy is turning into something else. Using her powers, she sets the Xenomorph from the lab loose. 

Their journey to escape the island sees them find their own graves as children. It’s a small, poignant scene. However, they’re soon ambushed and they need help. Cue Wendy calling the Xenomorph for backup. I’m not sure where they’re going with Wendy having a Xenomorph to call on. It highlights the shows’ shortcoming in developing any tension or horror. It can be bloody at times, but there weirdly isn’t much suspense involved. In my opinion, removing the horror and mystery of the Xenomorph is a mistake.

This was a nice, poignant scene.

Slightly & Smee

The dilemma of Slightly and Smee. This plot point is resolved in this episode – and it’s a complete damp squib.

Everything is resolved in a nice, neat bow.

They need to get somebody down to the beach; I felt that would be intriguing. Kirsh interestingly gives them a hand. Getting there involves them losing something, finding it again. Losing the cargo. Somehow making a raft, when they should be strong enough by themselves. To meet Morrow – who planned on coming in, regardless of their success or not. Cue Morrow and his team being derailed at the first opportunity. A complete waste of time.

I felt cheated. All that set up by Morrow lead to this? Another confrontation with Kirsh and Morrow would have been nice, but it was all far too neat and took far too long to get there.

Morrow is FINALLY ready to storm Nevermore Island.

Alien: Earth – Emergence is compounded by the destination of Wendy’s escape with her brother and Nibs. They’re confronted by Joe’s old SWAT team by the end, which ends in a bloody confrontation. The standoff is shocking but Joe makes a decision which could affect the relationship with his sister. However, i feel the overarching goal of the episode is to move on. And it can’t do that. We’re back to square one. We’re still here.

Wendy and Joe discuss what to do next.

Episode 8: The Real Monsters

So, we’re still here: The Lost Boys are locked up, while Joe and Morrow are in a different cell. However, Wendy is “special”, and with her connection to the Prodigy network, starts causing chaos. Kavalier eventually tries to placate them, while Morrow and Kirsh clash. Which “technology” will prevail?

Ladies and Gentleman: Welcome to The Breakfast Club. Love that film.

Escape The Prison Planet

The finale of Alien: Earth is all over the place. I feel like it’s been waiting to pull the trigger on the demise of Neverland Island. And we’re getting there. Comms are down, a Xenomorph is on the loose. The Lost Boys are contained after their escape attempt during episode 7. Morrow is contained as well with Joe. We know Yutani is soon going to make her assault.

The episode begins slow, like it’s trying to build a haunted house vibe. However, unlike the promise of tomorrow, the next episode, it needs to build to something here. This is the end. And the tension for a rebellion isn’t quite there.

The Lost Boys now have a lot of free time of thier hands

Promise Unfulfilled

I know it isn’t there because at times, there IS tension in this episode and for fleeting moments, quite effective. The biggest flaw within the series has been how to use the titular species, the Xenomorph. It’s poignant in this episode again; there are instances of it’s subtle appearance, displaying the terror of being confronted by one of these majestic monstrosities, only for it be disturbed somehow. People miraculously survive an attack on this show, when we know from the films that it is a hostile killing machine. Striking that balance is a very hard act. Something as a viewer, we need to try and accept.

And that has been a problem with Alien: Earth. How much creative freedom was given? Were they told that no one could die? The initial sparkling rivalry between Kirsh and Morrow is brought to a crunching end here. It’s almost a great scene, where either one could kill the other. And it ends in effectively what we’d call a “draw”. It’s enjoyable until it’s frustrating. And that’s this episode. Frustrating. Several groups and sub plots, like episode 7, are finished here. It’s a bit of a letdown. The fate of the SWAT team who have been patrolling the island is a good example.

Welcome to music’s new supergroup: The Lost Boys.

Wendy

The biggest gripe I have is the enhancement of one of its star actors: Wendy, played by Sydney Chandler. She’s still great in this, however her character development as a person and leader here is suddenly off the scale, that I was genuinely confused.

One great scene displaying this problem is the fate of her brother Joe. He is put in a severely precarious position by Atom Eins. Joe’s next scenes are great. They are anxious, terrifying moments, where you wonder just how is he going to survive. Enter Wendy, who dispenses with the threat as well as Atom Eins – which is part of a very cool reveal, but ultimately displays the writings’ weakness.

Wendy says she isn’t sure “what” she is. The scene after with Joe is very affecting, displaying their strained relationship. However, the showrunners aren’t sure what Wendy is either, culminating in a character who can seemingly now do everything. How do you make that satisfying television? This isn’t a Marvel movie.

The finale of Alien: Earth almost felt like it had too much to say and that it does have a lot more to say in the future. It’s a messy, at times enjoyable but ultimately frustrating finale.

Boy Kavalier goes to talk to the “Kids”.

Conclusion

Impressions

I enjoyed Alien: Earth Season One but it ends with a conflicted sense of identity. It is bursting with ideas – like it is trying too hard with too much. There are Blade Runner vibes throughout; the different types of beings introduced here makes for fascinating subject matter. I think it does it better than the prequels. 

I think the biggest casualty here was trying to fit the Xenomorph species into the story. It’s not terrible, but doing away with the horror factor of this creature is a misstep – because it’s definitely still there when deployed correctly. Episode 5, In Space, No One… showed how you could pay homage to the original and still make something great.

Dealing with technology, I applaud the show for tapping into a different strand of the series. I almost would argue the show isn’t built for Alien. It’s not needed for the story it’s trying to say about man vs machine consciousness. It was messy but enjoyable.

Story Structure

I critique harshly because I’m a big fan of the franchise. In terms of enjoyment, Alien: Earth has an exciting opening half, culminating in Hawley’s Alien film explaining why we’re on Earth. There is the thrill of anticipating the climax and what the answers might be. And while a lot of things happen in the second half of the show, for me it ultimately fails to give us those answers satisfactorily.

The threads sown throughout the show are dealt with without real repercussions. The lack of conviction, particularly when things came to a head in episode 7, was bitterly disappointing. No real decisions were made; Morrow’s plan is proof of promise unfulfilled all round. 

Alien:Earth is like a combination of good elements with squandered momentum.

Performances

The acting is enjoyable even if character development is lopsided for the Lost Boys. I struggled to sympathise with Smee and Slightly. Tootles started getting somewhere then completely stalled. Nibs also had a spark which was extinguished before being reignited. Curly, sadly for the actress, existed.

Then there is the overcorrection with Wendy. As the main character, they were doing well until the last episode where everything was dialled up to 11. There is a problem when you can make interesting characters for the USCSS Maginot stand out against the main cast.. For the actors, the main standouts are Babou Cessey and Timothy Olyphant, but Sydney Chandler and Samuel Blenkin are up there with them, with the rest being totally fine; my problem was the writing itself – the Lost Boys simpler dialogue made it hard to appreciate the characters as growing individuals.

Production Values

The show is well made, with a good soundtrack and excellent production values. Using commercially successful rock/metal music at the end of an episode was a choice. The cinematography is incredible. Thailand looked amazing. The special effects for the Xenomorph were up and down: sometimes they looked great and scary; other times they’ve decided it’s a man in a suit – which was also good and bad.

It’s main downside is writing and decision making, which is a hard needle to thread. Alien:Earth is enjoyable and worth watching – but beware the bumps on the road. Hopefully Disney greenlight Season 2 and we’ll see which direction they take. After seeing the ending, i’m not sure where it can go. Maybe that’s part of the fun.

What do you think? Let us know down below!

Here some of the cinematography, which was excellent.

Thank you for reading.