We have lived in such a TV wasteland for the last couple years, that I don’t know if I’ve been satisfied with a season finale in the way I was after watching Alien: Earth Season 1 Episode 8 “The Real Monsters.”
By TV wasteland I mean that there has been an uptick of shows that aren’t bringing it. Everything is just given to the viewers, not allowing any space for nuance or critical thinking. I also feel like TV shows nowadays are just doing the same thing over and over again to the point where I’m not being surprised as a viewer. But here stands Alien: Earth, a continuation of the beloved Alien franchise, doing something refreshing while still staying true to the source material.
MORE: Alien: Earth Season 1 Episode 7 Review: ‘Emergence’
In the Season 1 finale of Alien: Earth, Marcy (or Wendy) takes absolute control of her life. And it’s kind of terrifying to watch as Sydney Chandler’s character wields the power of the xenomorphs and all the technology around her as if it were as easy as breathing. But it’s also exhilarating to see a young woman like Marcy cause so much chaos, death, and confusion because of how her mind has expanded due to her own self-liberation. She’s messy, I find her to be often wrong, and will cause more trouble. And I love every second of her.
You know who also loves every second of everything that Marcy is doing? Boy Kavalier.
Samuel Blenkin’s character of Boy Kavalier created these hybrids because he wanted someone interesting to talk to you but also because he wanted to make money. And in “The Real Monsters” you come to understand that he is the monster. He painted himself as the liberator of the sick and genius of Prodigy. But he’s nothing more than an angry man. And Marcy sees that. And even though Boy Kavalier is literally caged and surrounded by xenomorph’s and hybrid synths, this is probably the most entertained he’s been in years. Yeah he’s scared. But he’s also absolutely delighted because in his twisted mind, he created Marcy and this entire mess.
MORE: Alien: Earth Season 1 Episode 1 Review: ‘Neverland’
In a way, everything that happened on Alien: Earth is because of Boy Kavalier. He set a lot of these events into motion. But it’s Marcy who freed herself because she could. It’s also Marcy who chose forgiveness when it came to her brother Hermit hurting her new family even though she ended Alien: Earth Season 1 Episode 7 furious at him for shooting Nibs. Which, shout out to Smee (Jonathan Ajayi) for being the absolute best hybrid synth and giving Marcy perspective. She needed it. And as a viewer I need Smee to get more backstory and be protected at all costs because he is my favorite.
But back to Marcy.
She has evolved into something that no one on planet Earth can understand. But even then, she took counsel from those like her and forgave her brother while also protecting him from the others and the xenomorphs. And it’s this love that Marcy has for Hermit that will continue grounding her while she tries to figure out what she is, who she is, and what she wants to be called. Unless Hermit dies, which could be a compelling storyline that will shatter everyone’s hearts when Alien: Earth returns for season 2.
MORE: Where Does Alien: Earth Fall in the Timeline?
Now, at the time of writing this review, FX hasn’t renewed Alien: Earth yet. But the way that things ended, Season 2 is right there. And if Alien: Earth can slowly build this compelling storyline and mythology within the Alien universe that feels fresh and intriguing with one season, imagine what they could do with a second season? Alien: Earth has revitalized the Alien franchise in a way where I’m excited for the continuation of this story more than any other sequel or prequel we’ve had in this universe.
Alien: Earth Season 1 Episode 8 “The Real Monsters” is engaging storytelling grounded in family, found family, and self-determination in the face of a world where you were created for money and to give others the chance at immortality. And I need more. I need Season 2.
Alien: Earth season 1 is available on FX and Hulu.
