Mr. October

In the year 2120, alongside humans, cyborgs (people with both biological and artificial components) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist. But everything changes when Prodigy unleashes a new technological advancement: hybrids (humanoid robots imbued with human consciousness). The first hybrid prototype, named Wendy, marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. After the Weyland-Yutani spaceship crashes into Prodigy City, Wendy and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could ever have imagined.

But first, the positives. After watching two episodes, you have to conclude that the sets look fantastic. The opening scene, which manages to imitate the atmosphere of Alien 1978 fairly well, is unfortunately not continued in a longer scene with more depth. We get transitions to Earth and more or less cuts where a lot of the story is skipped.

Unfortunately, there are also some negative aspects. Goldsmith's traditional soundtrack is sorely missed, and at times, the film even switches to a kind of rock music that completely ruins the atmosphere and saps the tension.

Furthermore, the characters don't always react logically to the horror they witness, often too apathetically or almost indifferently, as if what they see is practically normal.

We see this especially when the young rescue worker walks through the ship, encounters the alien several times, experiences the greatest horror but still carries on as if nothing special has really happened instead of being in shock, compare that to the original Alien in which the crew members react in a much more human way, traumatized and panicked.

The series seems promising but it could go either way and I have a feeling that one small mistake could ruin the whole series.

Alien: Earth's second episode dials up the intensity, clawing closer to the franchise's horror roots while untangling Episode 1's AI haze.

Noah Hawley leans into visceral thrills, delivering a blood-soaked xenomorph "slaughter" that echoes Alien's primal terror. Sydney Chandler's Wendy, the synthetic-human hybrid, grounds the chaos with raw vulnerability, her arc sharpening as she navigates her strange existence. The grimy, post-apocalyptic Earth setting pulses with dread, amplified by a haunting score and tight cinematography. Timothy Olyphant's Kirsh brings gritty charm, though his role still feels secondary.

The AI and corporate threads - less cluttered than the pilot - start to mesh with the horror, hinting at deeper stakes. However, pacing dips when tech jargon resurfaces, and the "Lost Boys" hybrids remain an odd fit, teetering on gimmicky.

Ep 2's leaner focus and gory set-pieces make it a step up, recapturing the Alien vibe while teasing future clarity. It's not perfect, but it's a pulse-pounding stride forward.

Knowing what Noah Hawley is capable of, I'm wondering how such plot holes, non-existing character development and general emptiness could take place.

As for the direction, there is no tension and nothing appealing despite the high budget displayed on screen.

There is absolutely no soul in these first two episodes.

Rival business empires fight to get their hands on the valuable cargo, but the group that is first on board the crashed ship discovers a deadly foe. The ship proves to be the unlikely venue for a family reunion.

It surprised me just how good this was; it's a terrific second episode that really held my attention and left me wanting more. Pace, action, horror, and some of that anticipation you get from the franchise-simply waiting for something bad to happen.

When I think of the early Alien movies, I think of the horror element: helpless people up against a deadly and terrifying threat, beasts that kill without thinking. This brought back some of that intensity.

I'm enjoying the characters, and I like the interesting relationship between Wendy and Joe. I also like that Wendy and her friends are still children; I think they're doing a reasonable job with that.

8/10.

Mr October continues where Neverland left off, with effective character introductions and moves the action and threat slightly beyond its original location.

For me, the highlights are the scenes involving Wendy and Joe. The filmmakers have achieved my investment in these characters, which feels important for what is to come.

Certain other characters are not as likeable, and one in particular feels like he is being set up for grisly demise at the hands of a foreign body. How, or if, this comes to pass is likely to be a source of interest as the story unfolds.

If you are watching for the Xenomorph spectacle, you will likely not be disappointed, as it offers plenty of creature effects and associated horror sequences. Seeing the unknowing characters facing what we already know is always entertaining. Plus, it has an unknown quantity of non-xenomorph alien lifeforms that adds a further level of intrigue.

Generally, the visuals are high quality. The design, tone (and themes) are as reminiscent of Bladerunner, as they are of the Alien and Aliens movies. This should please fans of Ridley Scott's and James Cameron's work.