Noah Hawley’s new TV series is an Alien prequel that plays fast and loose with some parts of the franchise’s convoluted history.

"Earth" smacks you in the face with all things "Alien" from its very first moments, describing a capitalist world controlled by corporations instead of governments, and bringing us to a deep space research vessel with sleep pods and a congenial crew. Nothing could possibly go wrong with all the vicious alien specimens on board, right?

Alien: Earth is the latest entry into the long running franchise that all at once pays homage to its source material while breaking some entirely new ground with a thought experiment worthy of the best kind of proper science fiction. It’s an evolution, it’s slick and scary just like every good little Xenomorph should be.