Spoilers Alien: Earth Spoiler Thread

[Snarf Zagyg]

Someone’s Law: In real life, people do stupid things all the time. In fiction it’s bad writing.

I mean ... I think that a lot of this goes to suspension of disbelief- which can be very subjective.

To give you some examples- most of the time when I watch something "law-adjacent," I can give it a pass. I'm used to the fiction tropes surrounding how "the law works" that I can suspend my disbelief. But there are times (usually when something is egregious, or, more often, when a show is attempting to be "realistic" and gets something wrong) when I'm just ... naw, I'm out.

Or, for some people, the whole "pew pew pew" in space might throw them out of it, while for others ... it's just how it is.

A common example is what I call the "cop rule." Cops will show up to an event depending on the needs of the fiction, not based upon ... what is actually happening on-screen. Most of the time we overlook it because we are caught up in the story. But there are times when the cop rule becomes noticeable for us- and that moment can differ from person to person.

I think I've pushed back on some of what @Clint_L has stated. Some of the criticisms (IMO) were not examples of bad writing at all. But I think he was also spot-on for some. When Nibbs woke up with Wendy there ... it was jarring for me as well. It really tugged on my own suspension of disbelief. It bothered me, even though the rest didn't.

But that's okay! We all have different subjective levels. Personally, I am enjoying the show so much and I am so caught up in it that I'm probably a lot more tolerant than another person might be because I'm caught up in the fiction. Another person might not be. It's all good!

 

[Morrus]

I think for somebody who doesn't like fiction with the hubris of people making terrible choices and dying horribly as a consequence as it's basic premise, the Alien franchise probably won't appeal. That is, after all, what Alien is basically about.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I think for somebody who doesn't like fiction with the hubris of people making terrible choices and dying horribly as a consequence as it's basic premise, the Alien franchise probably won't appeal. That is, after all, what Alien is basically about.

Good point. If you don't like "cringe" or "uncomfortable" comedy, you probably will not enjoy Larry David or Tim Robinson.

I love Cronenberg, but body horror isn't for everyone.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I think for somebody who doesn't like fiction with the hubris of people making terrible choices and dying horribly as a consequence as it's basic premise, the Alien franchise probably won't appeal. That is, after all, what Alien is basically about.

I think that’s common element in horror. The audience knows they are safe, because they aren’t dumb enough to go up into the dark attic alone, so they can enjoy the misfortunes of people who are not as sensible as them.

 

[Stalker0]

I think for somebody who doesn't like fiction with the hubris of people making terrible choices and dying horribly as a consequence as it's basic premise, the Alien franchise probably won't appeal. That is, after all, what Alien is basically about.

yeah to me its always about internal consistency. If the universe is consistent to itself, or characters are consistent to themselves, than that's fine.

Alien has created a universe where workers have horrific safety standards compared to our modern day. Its more like early industrial era where no one gave two craps about workers, and so basically anything goes. That does not work with our modern sensibilities, but could I imagine a future where corporations care so little for workers that the safety culture has gone out the window, and workers are so disenfranchised that they don't think about it either.... yes I can. And so if the universe continues to portray conditions like that, ok I buy it.


Why the Nibs scene doesn't work to me, is that our "mother" figure not only cares about the kids, but she is supposedly a trained Psychologist and Therapist. So the idea that your going to do this mind wipe, and not prepare both Nibs afterward and the children....is just so antithetical to what her character should think to do that its jarring.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Why the Nibs scene doesn't work to me, is that our "mother" figure not only cares about the kids, but she is supposedly a trained Psychologist and Therapist. So the idea that your going to do this mind wipe, and not prepare both Nibs afterward and the children....is just so antithetical to what her character should think to do that its jarring.

Yeah, I mentioned that above as well, and I agree on all counts. It threw me out for a bit (and I'm in for just about everything A:E is serving) ... and even the person I'm watching it with, who is only half-watching (they aren't into it like I am) was like, "What? That doesn't make any sense?"

I'd argue that it was a weird and unnecessary misstep simply because it was so out of character. Look- it could be explained (everyone is under pressure, the "Mother" (name escapes me) had a lot of stuff to do and her husband was just fired, etc. etc. etc. but it didn't ring true and it didn't work).

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand fast. I think I saw Hermit kill Nibs with a trident.


This was the penultimate episode of the season, and it was mainly about moving the chess pieces around and getting the thematic elements in order for the finale. As such, there was a lot of stuff happening! I have some thoughts-

1. Finding the graves ... that's the show holding your hand and saying to the viewer, you get it, right? Just checking. Wanted to make sure you were watching.

2. Really, the whole escape of Hermit (I know, last name, but I use for the brother) and Wendy is basically an extended excuse for the characters to examine the ways in which they must give up on their idealized dream (Hermit and Marcy) and face the reality that ... things are very different now. Which led to the series of heartbreaking decisions on the boat.

3. Maybe it's just me, but I've written in the past about the power of the narrative focus on the protagonist to shape our approach to a narrative and identification (see, e.g., viewers' difficulty fully understanding the Tony Soprano is a bad guy) ... but in the last scene, I was ready to have Wendy and her pet doggy (ahem) rip into the troops like I would rip into a troupe of wandering bards.

4. Oh, Timothy Synthophant. I cannot describe how much I love your acting in this program. You and Mr. Tom Morrow have stolen my heart. With that in mind ... I have even MORE questions at the end of the episode about Kirsh than I did midway through. I am still working through various ideas, but I think that Kirsh believes he is doing the right thing ... but what is his agenda? In other words, I think that there is some directive he is following that involves loyalty to Prodigy (maybe) but he is just taking exceptional chances to follow it ... because, from his P.O.V., a lot of damage might have been caused, but he has also learned so much (what the flies do, the intelligence of the octo-eye, more about the moral and intellectual capabilities of the hybrids, and he has gained a new alien ... and the only problems were outside of his control ... losing the tracking and Wendy letting lose the other Alien). Moreover, he knew all about WY's invasion and now has captured Morrow and the team and Prodigy has leverage. Can't wait to find out. KIRSH!

5. Boy Genius .... I mean .... not a real people person. I have a real strong suspicion as to who he has in mind for the octo-eye, but I'm willing to wait (and thank goodness it won't be the thankless Chekov's Mold Cleaner). But hey- seems like a solid plan, right?

6. Finally ... season 2. Look, there's only one episode left, and there are a lot of Kirsh and Wendy details left to deal that should take up most of it. Which means that we will not get enough of everyone's true hero, octo-eye. Octo-eye is where it's at.

 

[wicked cool]

I can’t see how this ends next week unless it’s a nuke from space

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I can’t see how this ends next week unless it’s a nuke from space

... Hawley has already confirmed he has planned out Season 2. As much as I hate this, it's entirely possible that S1 could .... leave us hangin'.

 

[Stalker0]

1. Finding the graves ... that's the show holding your hand and saying to the viewer, you get it, right? Just checking. Wanted to make sure you were watching.

This honestly feels like someone went outside the chain of command and did this outside of BK's knowledge. We have seen just how little he values human life, so I doubted he would have authorized that gravesite. Probably some sympathetic scientists that thought it was the right thing to do.

and yes as you said, narratively to hammer home the "they really aren't human anymore"

2. Really, the whole escape of Hermit (I know, last name, but I use for the brother) and Wendy is basically an extended excuse for the characters to examine the ways in which they must give up on their idealized dream (Hermit and Marcy) and face the reality that ... things are very different now. Which led to the series of heartbreaking decisions on the boat.

Is Nibs really dead though? Synths are supposed to be super durable. It might have knocked her out, but I would doubt she is dead. If a little electric gun could kill them, they wouldn't have been flaunting their durability before.

4. Oh, Timothy Synthophant. I cannot describe how much I love your acting in this program. You and Mr. Tom Morrow have stolen my heart. With that in mind ... I have even MORE questions at the end of the episode about Kirsh than I did midway through. I am still working through various ideas, but I think that Kirsh believes he is doing the right thing ... but what is his agenda? In other words, I think that there is some directive he is following that involves loyalty to Prodigy (maybe) but he is just taking exceptional chances to follow it ... because, from his P.O.V., a lot of damage might have been caused, but he has also learned so much (what the flies do, the intelligence of the octo-eye, more about the moral and intellectual capabilities of the hybrids, and he has gained a new alien ... and the only problems were outside of his control ... losing the tracking and Wendy letting lose the other Alien). Moreover, he knew all about WY's invasion and now has captured Morrow and the team and Prodigy has leverage. Can't wait to find out. KIRSH!

KIRSH indeed! A mystery wrapped in an enigma!

5. Boy Genius .... I mean .... not a real people person. I have a real strong suspicion as to who he has in mind for the octo-eye, but I'm willing to wait (and thank goodness it won't be the thankless Chekov's Mold Cleaner). But hey- seems like a solid plan, right?

I'm curious your thoughts. I mean realistically it should be a random nobody that has absolutely no relations with the kids whatsoever as that would just cause more unnecessary problems....but BK will do as BK wills am I right?