"Alien: Earth" - An Extraterrestrial Drama Unfolds on the Small Screen

Get your popcorn ready, sci-fi fans! Noah Hawley returns to his creative partnership with FX for the series "Alien: Earth." If you thought for a minute that Hawley's imaginative magic was over post his spinning of "Fargo" into a five season masterpiece or the transformation of minor "X-Men" antihero into the trippy drama of "Legion," then buckle up!

In "Alien: Earth," Hawley offers up a unique spin on his borrowed “Alien” franchise toolbox. Seemingly more fascinated with carving out a new set of ideas than focusing on Xenomorphs and body horror, this series decided to put synthetics at the core of its narrative.

Twist and turns are abundant in the show. As we watch the voyage of research vessel Maginot collide with Earth, releasing a zoo of extraterrestrial lifeforms (more than just Xenomorphs!) scrambling for hosts among the human population, it needles your imagination. Then, there's the Prodigy-backed birth of the first human-synthetic hybrids, marking a giant leap for mankind in their venture to challenge the fence of life and mortality. Sparks really fly when Prodigy's founder, Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin), propels his hybrids to retrieve the wreckage of the Maginot.

The meaty landscape of "Alien: Earth" unfolds against a backdrop that reminds viewers of both "Alien" and "Blade Runner." The protagonist, Wendy (played by Sydney Chandler, daughter of Kyle), a former cancer patient turned hybrid, steals the show with her wide-eyed curiosity and ground-rattling discoveries. Drawing on the eternally enchanting narrative of Peter Pan, subsequent hybrids adopt the names of Peter's Lost Boys, while Kavalier himself plays the part of Peter - a rich boy at play in a grown-up world.

Hawley cleverly assumes the audience's familiarity with the “Alien” premise. He strategically omits plots that would be overly predictable and introduces refreshing details to keep the thrill alive. This approach allows him to dig deeper into exploring human consciousness when it’s transplanted into a machine, with the hybrids retaining the mind of their former, younger selves.

In examining these synthetics, Hawley showcases the "Alien" universe’s unique trait in that they’re not the prey, essentially because there is simply no flesh to feast on! It amps up the tension, but also provides a philosophical reflection - whether the hybrids and aliens can somehow find a common ground amid their shared experience. The question arises - who are the real jailers?

Fasten your seat belts on this visual and conceptually intriguing ride! With designer Andy Nicholson turning in impressive scenic designs and the new aliens all set to trigger fresh nightmares, "Alien: Earth" is a definite must-watch. Watch Wendy and her fellow synthetics, stumble and soar in their newfound existence. Trust me, they are more layered and fascinating than those ever-hungry monsters!

So mark your calendar folks! The first two episodes of "Alien: Earth" will drop on FX and Hulu on August 12 at 8pm ET. Be sure to tune in every Tuesday for fresh episodes.