“Observation” Spends So Much Time On Set-Up That It Creates A Lull In The Action
This review contains spoilers for Alien: Earth Episode 4 Alien: Earth episode 4, “Observation,” is the season’s midpoint, and as much fun as I have every week watching the Boy Kavalier dig his own grave, the latest installment was more stagnant than I was expecting. Alien: Earth episode 3 slowed down and laid the groundwork for the next phase in the series’ evolution, which was necessary after the gore of the debut episodes. However, it felt like “Observation” spent its run time rehashing much of what we already know and stalling before we get back to the heart of the story.
“Observation” and “Metamorphosis” could have easily been combined and retained the slow, deliberate pace that makes Alien: Earth so good. Episode 4 still has the look, feel, and burning philosophical questions that have kept us on the edge of our seats, but it was clearly a stepping stone to take us into the latter half of the season. Through the use of what might be the most cross-fades ever seen in a single episode of television, Alien: Earth juggles its overlapping storylines and lets the audience know that on the island, nothing is a secret.
“Observation” Lives Up To Its Title As The Characters Circle Each Other
Alien: Earth Continues Laying The Groundwork For The Rest Of The Season
Part of why “Observation” loses a little steam is that the episode requires a lot of tell-don’t-show moments that stick out compared to the early action of the series. Poor Slightly is blackmailed by Morrow, Hermit is put in his place by Atom, and the Boy Kavalier makes a very one-sided deal with Wendy, sinking his claws even deeper into her psyche. Everyone has private motivations and aims as they enter into the many conversations of “Observation,” with the primary tension of the episode stemming from how these plans will play out.
Wendy and Hermit get to spend some real time together in “Observation,” and I want to like Hermit a lot more than I do. Alex Lawther isn’t bad, but it’s a brutally unforgiving part. Though Hermit is important for the plot, he’s much less interesting than the geniuses and Hybrids who surround him. His relationship with Wendy is confusing. He’s more than ready to accept that this person is his sister and that he lacks control. However, it’s clear that his sense of identity and belief system are weak, as Atom easily manipulates him into questioning Wendy’s humanity.
Wendy’s ability to directly mimic, and it seems communicate, with the Xenomorphs is compelling, and the way Alien: Earth plays with the sound design to translate this to our ears is as immersive as the beautiful sets. However, the series is leaning a little too heavily on the Hybrid children’s ability to be anything and everything the narrative requires. Fortunately, each of the Hybrids is becoming more fully realized, and their differing perspectives on life on the island have a lot of promise. Nibs’ hysterical pregnancy and physical dominance of Dame Sylvia are a reminder of the power the Hybrids wield.
It’s easy to agree with Arthur, as he privately argues that spending time on the Xenomorphs and playing god with these experiments is a fool’s errand. With the building tension surrounding who will be the alien’s first snack and how the Boy Kavalier’s world will come crashing down around him, I’m the least interested in the Xenomorphs. I know the aliens’ place in the narrative, but I’m most invested in the characters. This is why “Observation” still held my attention, even if it wasn’t action-oriented.
Wendy’s Relationship With The Xenomorphs Is Still Ambiguous
Her Motivations & Abilities Are Still Coming Into Focus In Alien: Earth
Like most viewers, I can find a way to have empathy for almost anyone when watching a TV show, especially if the series finds a way to make the character relatable or make their motivations interesting. However, bonding with the baby Xenomorph is a little too far for me, and I wouldn’t be surprised if others felt similarly. It makes sense that Wendy would see herself in the Xenomorphs, as they’re also under observation, experimented on, and their fates have been taken out of their hands.
However, the terrifying creatures we spend the episode observing might be intelligent, but I know too much about what they’re capable of. Like the Boy Kavalier, we watch Wendy and the Hybrids with as much interest as we do the aliens, since they’re as freshly born and dangerous as anything in the lab. As the next episode approaches, Alien: Earth has set up some more violence and thrills to suck us back into the narrative’s forward momentum after “Observation” fed us a more contemplative story.
Alien: Earth episode 4 is now available to watch on FX and Hulu.
