REVIEW: ‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 1-2 — “Neverland” and “Mr. October”

The time has finally come, and the ship has crash-landed; it’s time to be reunited with the Alien universe with a prequel series. Alien Earth finally graced us on August 12th and is a sci-fi horror prequel series set 2 years before Alien (1979). The series follows various groups who, unfortunately, find themselves dealing with the xenomorph and other alien creatures who are relatively unknown. And from there, it becomes a fight for survival against threats they were never prepared for. 

Alien: Earth introduces us to the first hybrid being (human consciousness transferred into the body of a synthetic) and a new alien species that would make anyone leap over a fence. In Alien Earth Episode 1 and Episode 2, titled “Neverland” and “Mr. October,” we meet the characters we’ll be dealing with throughout most of the season. Granted, many of them survive long enough to reach the season finale.

In “Neverland,” we are immediately introduced to a crew whose ship is carrying alien specimens, which we know is going to bite the dust. And the only survivor of the ordeal on the USCSS Maginot is Morrow (Babou Ceesay), who is an enhanced human being called a cyborg. He’s very mission-oriented as a character, and that becomes extremely evident in his behavior throughout “Mr. October”. 

“Neverland” doesn’t waste time showcasing the franchise’s latest xenomorph.

Throughout the episode, we come to realize just how far humanity has advanced by way of technology. “Neverland” takes the hands of its viewers and guides them deeper into new Alien lore. Where terminally ill children are given a second chance by becoming hybrids, thanks to the Prodigy Corporation. The first hybrid in a line of them being Wendy (Sydney Chandler). 

As soon as the show introduces us to Wendy, who we initially meet in her human child form (Florence Bensberg), it’s clear that her childlike curiosity and persistence to help her medic brother, Joseph (Alex Lawther) once she realizes he’s likely in danger.

Instead of solely focusing on the xenomorph and other alien creatures, there’s also an emotional core to Alien: Earth. For those just looking for the gore and the action, they might not find the more emotional or quieter character moments all that fascinating. But if you enjoy the balance of tones, then it’ll work for you. 

Aside from being introduced to characters who work for the CEO of Prodigy Corporation, named Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin), Morrow, Wendy, and her fellow hybrid crew members and synthetic scientist Kirsch (Timothy Olyphant), Joseph, and other various characters, there’s no shortage of scares and gore in Alien: Earth Episode 1.

The new species are nothing short of squishy and menacing, and the xenomorph isn’t afraid to ravage its prey. If you had any reservations about the series being on Hulu (or Disney+ internationally), you can let those go and enjoy the type of gore you’d expect from the films. 

Alien Earth opens up by embracing the franchise’s roots. 

In “Mr. October,” things crank up a bit, and the majority of the episode is spent on the ship as well as the tower it crashed into. Joseph and his colleagues soon realize the danger they’re in, but the carnage begins, and it’s not pretty for either the residents of the tower or other search and rescue crew members.

If comparing the episodes, the scares are heavily increased in Alien Earth Episode 2. There are more than a few pulse-pounding moments, such as the xenomorph chasing people, the alien series scaring the hybrids, and a xenomorph tearing apart a party of upper-class individuals. You’re going to be wishing you could give various characters increased speed. 

When Alien Earth isn’t being scary or ponderous about purpose, technology, and the future, it surprisingly has humorous moments. And those are appreciated to help momentarily break the tension before getting back into the thick of it.

Other than tension breaking, the episode does have a better pace in comparison to the premiere. It’s not to say the characters are boring to get to know or that the writing is bad. But the pacing in “Mr. October” sets up what the rest of the season is going to be. Especially now that Wendy and Joseph have been reunited quite early into the season. 

“Mr. October” is all about the scares.

When we’re not exploring the ship or the tower, we’re spending time in flashbacks and the present day. Whether it be the times in which Wendy was showing further signs of advancement regarding manipulating technology, Weyland-Utani wanting permission to contain the xenomorph and other specimens, and various peeks into the corporation side of the game.

It’s a reminder that the first Alien film isn’t just a sci-fi horror hit, but also a film that taps into the rich and their obsession with finding ways to weaponize people and things without caring about the sacrifices. It’s all very political because horror is an incredibly political genre. 

As the episode carries on, it shows that everyone’s objectives conflict with one another. Wendy just wants to save her brother, Morrow wants to retrieve the xenomorph at all costs, and the rest of the characters are all operating with their own limited knowledge or missions. “Mr. October” is an episode that’ll satisfy most folks who were on board in the premiere, and it might even be considered the better of the first two episodes.

The next episode will get into what Wendy is willing to do for her brother and how the rest of the people scattered in the area are going to fare against the other threats. Overall, Alien: Earth is off to a terrific start with a lot of interesting characters, xenomorph action, and more. Episode 1 and Episode 2 are setting audiences up for a gory good time. 

Alien: Earth Episode 1 and Episode 2 are streaming now on Hulu and Disney+ internationally, with new episodes releasing every Tuesday.

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