Now Showing TV Edition | Alien: Earth (Episodes 3 & 4)

Synthetics, Callbacks, and Controversy

We're back with another Now Showing TV Edition, continuing our coverage of Alien: Earth, Noah Hawley’s ambitious FX series set in the iconic Alien universe. This week, we’re digging into episodes 3 and 4, and the series is starting to show its teeth.

Where the Show is Working

Butler is fully on board with what Alien: Earth has been building so far. The show is fleshing out its ensemble cast while giving the spotlight to the synthetics, adding layers of complexity and raising questions about identity, loyalty, and what it means to be “real.” Butler’s enjoying the steady pacing and character-driven focus, which he argues makes the inevitable bursts of horror more effective.

Field, on the other hand, likes what he sees but with a bit more caution. Field contends that The Alien franchise, recently, has a history of leaning too heavily on callbacks, and while Alien: Earth hasn’t stumbled into that trap yet, he worries the temptation is there. "A show this strong doesn’t need to constantly remind us of past films. It needs to carve out its own identity."

Looking Ahead

With half of Season One down, Alien: Earth is shaping up to be a fascinating addition to the franchise. The atmosphere, performances, and thematic weight are all strong, and the series still has plenty of directions it could take. Will it stay grounded in its human conflicts, or veer toward the cosmic horror we know is lurking in the shadows?

Either way, we’ll be here, two episodes at a time, breaking it down.