This 2025 move of the Alien verse onto television is slow and intense. Alien: Earth, episode 1 and 2 is, as the boy prodigy says, very special. Show creator Noah Hawley almost effortlessly takes us back to the Ridley Scott original. Or more accurately a combination of James Cameron’s world of Aliens and the first in the franchise. There is less a feeling of speed, like Romulus, for example; that moved incredibly fast.
This television version of the Alien franchise is slow, intense and downright scary. It is not just the monsters that evoke a feeling of fear, it is also the people. The world is ruled by corporations and the value of human life is negligible. Boy Kavalier is the Peter Pan to Wendy and the “lost boys” but he is an evil, non-caring, leader.
The Story
A science vessel containing a plethora of alien life crashes, on purpose, into Earth. Humanity is in danger and the only saviors may be the new hybrids led by Wendy. The only problem with the hybrids/synths is that they have the minds of human children. What could go wrong?
The Cast
Sydney Chandler is Wendy.
Alex Lawther is Hermit.
Essie Davis is Dame Sylvia.
Samuel Blenkin is Boy Kavalier.
Babou Ceesay is Morrow.
Adarsh Gourav is Slightly.
Erana James is Curly.
Jonathan Ajayi is Smee.
Timothy Olyphant is Kirsh.
Adrian Edmondson is Atom Eins.
Not seen nearly enough:
Michael Smiley and Ade Edmondson.
Let’s Talk Alien: Earth
Creator Hawley taps into a lot of cinematic references and at least one Manga reference. The scene, in episode 2, where the soldiers are slaughtered behind Morrow harks back to Cabin in the Woods. *The elevator scene.*
Boy Kavalier is an allusion to “L” in Death Note, the Japanese Manga (2003-2006). All long hair, super level intelligence and bare feet.
The biggest “nod” however is that to the Peter Pan verse. The Disney animated film is playing while Marcy “becomes ” Wendy.
*One could even see a connection to the British puppet series Thunderbirds (1965) with Dame Sylvia. Actress Sylvia Anderson played another member of the English aristocracy; Lady Penelope in that one.
Borrowing from other films is the norm nowadays. Leaving that artifice behind, let us look at what Hawley brings forward from the Alien-verse.
Cyborgs are all evil. Morrow aside, Kirsh; as the ever helpful mentor to the new “lost boys” is downright scary. We feel he has the propensity to be beyond evil.
In space, no one can complain if you use tobacco products. This includes Smiley’s character and his use of “dip.”
Cryogenic sleep is still a thing and the ship’s computer system is still called “Mother.”
Corporations run everything, similar to the world created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie for Dark Matter. They fight amongst one another and start wars to take over other corporations.
Ground Control to Major Tom
Morrow sets up his compadres, the humans, to perish before the ship crash lands into Boy Kavalier’s territory. This is on top of his decision to scuttle the ship.
Alien: Earth is Slow
The pacing is practically lethargic to the nth degree. It has to be. There is a lot of exposition, backstory and new monsters to set up. Somewhat surprisingly this all works, the glacial pacing of story actually makes sense.
Casting is King/Queen
The casting here is spot on. Chandler’s new “synth/hybrid” is terminator tough yet oddly vulnerable. We really believe that this creature is under the control of a 12 year old child.
Chandler is not alone. All her “lost boys” actors sell it. We have no problem going along with the premise that underneath all that synthetic strength lies the brains of children.
Olyphant, as the cyborg (?) is cold, creepy and seemingly devoid of any emotional attachment. His character may look human but acts like the machine it really is.
The Sky is Falling
This 8 episode series looks to be as addictive as most of the Alien film franchise. Introducing the Xenomorph to Earth, along with all its intergalactic pals looks to be harrowing fun.
The Verdict
This looks to be a tense 5 star effort. Alien: Earth is edge of your seat viewing. Suspense that will make your jaws ache. A set of heroes and heroines that are all vulnerable in the right places equals success. This is streaming on FX and Hulu/Disney + with new episodes airing on Tuesdays. Check out the first two episodes and see what you think.
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