Observation

For a show that has seemed to have covered a lot, when I take a step back and try to take stock of what I've seen, I'm not sure where we are?

The action sequences are top notch; it's so hard to do Alien without just a rehash of what we've seen in the movies, and in general it's been well done. The introduction of the new species (especially the eyeball alien) has been a needed freshness the franchise has been looking for.

The characters are a bit all over the place. Marrow is the strongest and most interesting, followed by Kitch. But after that, it's a bit of a drop off - Marcy/wendy is ok, but she and the entire "kid" cast are hampered by exactly who they are - children in robotic bodies. The thing that makes characters interesting is the baggage they bring with them, and the children just don't have that baggage to make them relatable to the viewer. Kid cavalier is a bit too stereotyped in the show and the character so far lacks any depth or true examples of narassism that may make him more interesting.

Which leaves the last and most important part of this review - the story. What is this story, exactly? Is it the rushed technology of the hybrids? Is it the invasion of alien lifeforms on earth? Is it the relationship of the 5 corporations (which we meet only 2 and even their interaction seems strange)? It's hard to know where this is going ... and maybe that is the point? To quote a famous line from a silly movie "and we are all dumber for having listened to that."

That's how I feel- not any smarter about what this show is half way in.

Still, the ride so far has been mostly a fun one. I'm not nearly as frustrated with alien earth as I have felt with other shows (for example, house of the dragon). I'm excited to see how the second half of this season goes... but like most viewers, patience wears thin unless I really like characters, and alien earth hasn't done enough with its characters to make me want to hang out with them doing nothing for another 4 hours.

I've been so surprised with the direction of Alien: Earth! We're seeing so many new interpretations of the Alien universe and it's refreshing!! This show is not just about the aliens/species themselves. One thing I noticed during this episode is that I can't truly tell who the 'good guys' are. In fact, I'm noticing the flaws in Kavalier's ideas of perfection. I think he's lost sight of what's important based on decisions made from greed and impulsiveness. Not to mention, his holier-than-thou attitude has him thinking he's too smart - too smart for his own good. Kirsh is more observant at face value, but there is something lurking in that synthetic mind of his.

The idea of seeing corporate greed absorb people and cause them to respond in a rash manner to it shows how humans are easily led. But it's the hybrids who seem to be more human...and more flawed.

I cannot wait to see the development of the characters and the story. Something big is about to happen and I want to see it!

This episode doesn't move the story forward as much as the previous ones. Instead, it focuses more on psychology and social relationships. We see some of the core team members getting distracted - for different reasons - which will likely make them the source of problems in future episodes.

What I really appreciated was the explanation of The Five - the five companies that have replaced governments. While it wasn't directly tied to the main plot, it added valuable context to the Alien universe. In general, I like how the series continues to educate us about aspects of the universe we didn't know before, and that educational angle keeps me engaged.

I'm also glad they did something with the other species Prodigy brought to their lab; I had assumed those species would simply be forgotten in favor of focusing solely on our familiar alien character. The ending sets up a new direction that will definitely need a deeper explanation in future episodes - otherwise, it risks feeling confusing.

Ep 4 "Labyrinth" is a vexing slog, squandering its promise in a mire of aimless filler.

Noah Hawley's vision, once brimming with dread, stalls as Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and her "Lost Boys" meander through a derelict facility, xenomorphs reduced to mere shadows.

The vaunted Neverland set, though grimly splendid, hosts naught but repetitive traipsing, with nary a thrill to stir the blood. Chandler's emotive grit strives to salvage the torpor, and Samuel Blenkin's Boy Kavalier injects a flicker of corporate malice, but Timothy Olyphant's Kirsh languishes in obscurity. The "Lost Boys" grate with juvenile prattle, their purpose muddled.

Only the final three minutes, teasing a belated escalation, offer a glimmer of hope, sparing this episode from utter ruin. Expository drivel and lethargic pacing betray the Alien legacy, leaving one teetering on abandonment.

A dire misstep, barely redeemed by its closing spark.

I think the action directors, cinematographers and editors etc have done the great job because I don't feel this monster looks cheap or overexposed. And I saw a few reviews complaining about the story is too silly? So far I feel fine, not so pretentious like what Ridley Scott did, not so entertaining like AvP, it's just at the right spot lol. But It's a little bit off to add culture in, like Bangkok, Paris, New York... None, just the Earth, no need to mention any current city... Still think this IP must strictly ban hits, I don't mean in this episode but in episode 2 definitely, and in episode 3 there is a formed music just feels like Scream after the killer kills another victim, it's not some very American IP like Scream or AHS that you can add hits between different scenes, this IP isn't that POP, it's supposed to be dark, maybe just add some pretentious Ridley Scott Moody Piano Chord or some nebulous symphony? There are some flute in Alien 1 hitting that creepy vibe so much and it doesn't sound like a formed music. I love Timothy's acting, I expect to see his part in every episode the most.