Well, what I would argue is the best new show on TV aired a new episode last night, and it appears a lot of people were interested. Rotten Tomatoes tracks the most popular series on its site, which is not “viewers,” of course, in the traditional sense, but how many people are investigating the show and its score. This week? The top show is none other than FX/Hulu’s Alien: Earth
Alien: Earth, from Fargo/Legion’s Noah Hawley, is the best-reviewed Alien franchise offering since the original Alien/Aliens almost 40 years ago with its 95% critic score from an impressive 131 reviews. It has not quite enraptured audiences to that same degree, but it still has a positive 71%. Keep in mind, critics have seen more episodes, however, and we only got the fourth episodes of Alien: Earth last night. Here’s the synopsis if you haven’t heard about it yet:
“When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, Wendy and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat.”
Alright that’s a bad synopsis, and very much at odds with what the series is actually about, including child soldiers, new alien species besides Xenomorphs and manboy space trillionaires. Also, Timothy Olyphant as a blonde synth, and you can’t beat that.
Alien: Earth has beat out some impressive productions on the list to nab this #1 spot.
Peacemaker Season 2, with a DC record 99% Rotten Tomatoes score. That may even be a Marvel record, I have to check.
Hostage, which is the #1 show on Netflix right now, meaning it’s the most-watched show in the country, most likely.
Chief of War season 1, the most-watched show on Apple TV+.
Code of Silence, a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rated show from Britbox.
Dexter: Resurrection season 1, which most Dexter fans agree is one of the best seasons of the entire series.
Untamed, the massive Netflix hit that was so big it broke out of its Limited Series label and is getting a second season.
What does all this mean for Alien: Earth? Well, that’s not clear, and a 95% score is no guarantee of renewal. It’s not even in the top 3 Hulu shows right now, sitting at #4 behind Eenie Meanie, General Hospital and The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox. I just had to look up what Eenie Meenie is, and it’s a 38% rated crime movie starring Samara Weaving and Marshawn Lynch. Yes that one.
Alien: Earth is not pitched as a limited series, so it is trying to land a second season like Hawley’s other projects, but it needs big views to justify its no doubt extremely expensive budget. Hopefully that happens and Hulu wants to take the critical win.
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Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.