A New Chapter in the Alien Universe
A megacorporation’s research ship returns from a 65-year mission into deep space, carrying with it mysterious and gooey alien specimens. However, as is often the case with such high-stakes endeavors, things go awry. The ship crashes on Earth, landing directly in a city controlled by a rival corporation. This sets off a chaotic race to recover the valuable yet dangerous alien cargo before it causes widespread destruction.
The seriesAlien: Earthbegins with this intense scenario, and the first few episodes show that the situation is far from under control. The shipwreck becomes a battleground where both corporate interests and the unknown forces of alien life clash in a thrilling and unpredictable manner.
Unexpected Fun in the Alien Franchise
I wasn’t expectingAlien: Earthto be good. For years, I’ve been let down by the majority of Alien movies and games, which have often failed to live up to the hype. The iconic xenomorph, once a source of genuine fear, has become somewhat predictable in its slow, methodical kills. ButAlien: Earthoffers something different.
This particular xenomorph isn’t picking off its victims one by one. Instead, it’s killing through the show with a bodycount quota in mind. It’s an exhilarating change of pace, and it makes for some truly entertaining viewing. What’s even better is that the xenomorph isn’t alone. Noah Hawley, known for his work onFargo, clearly understood that the Alien universe needed a fresh injection of creativity.
A Variety of Alien Lifeforms
The crashed ship carries not just one type of alien but several, each with their own terrifying methods of attack. While fans are familiar with face-hugging, double jaws, and acid blood,Alien: Earthintroduces new and disturbing alien biology. This expansion adds depth to the franchise and offers a much-needed evolution of the classic horror elements.
Hawley also brings more diversity to the human characters. In previous Alien films, there was usually one synthetic character among the survivors. Here, there are three distinct types of artificial beings—classic synths, cyborgs, and hybrids who have had their minds transferred into artificial bodies. These characters interact in a way that feels like a group of eccentric semi-superheroes trying to contain the chaos.
A Fresh Take on the Classic Formula
This new approach is a welcome relief after years of disappointing entries in the Alien franchise. While there have been some successes, many have fallen short, including some with Ridley Scott’s involvement. EvenPrometheus, which I enjoyed, suffered from a weak script.Alien: Isolationmanaged to capture the tension and fear of the xenomorph effectively, but the creature has become too familiar for new storytelling.
Alien: Romulusdidn’t do much for me, partly due to the controversial use of CGI for Ian Holm’s character. However,Alien: Earthseems to be doing things right. The cast includes strong performances from Timothy Oliphant, Sydney Chandler, and Samuel Blenkin, who bring a unique energy to their roles. There’s also a sense of anticipation for what will happen next as more characters get caught in the crossfire of the alien threat.
A Prequel That Doesn’t Need to Fit Perfectly
WhileAlien: Earthmay not make perfect sense as a prequel to the originalAlienandAliens, it doesn’t need to. The timeline is already complicated by previous entries, and some of the damage has been done by the very creators of the franchise. As long as the show is fun and engaging, it doesn’t have to adhere strictly to canon.
Ultimately,Alien: Earthis a refreshing addition to the Alien universe. It embraces the chaos, delivers exciting action, and introduces new elements that keep the franchise feeling fresh and relevant. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, there’s plenty to enjoy in this new series.
