Alien: Earth Season-Finale Recap: Ghosts in the Machine

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It takes a long time to create big, visually complex TV shows these days, and we often overlook how many are still dealing with the setbacks caused by recent events that disrupted the entertainment industry. The production of *Alien: Earth* was initially paused due to COVID-19 and then further delayed by the Hollywood strikes. While viewers can’t know for sure, these delays likely had some effect on the final version of the show.

I’m bringing this up because the first season of *Alien: Earth* has a somewhat strange ending. Throughout the season, the show does a lot of things well – the monsters are darkly funny, it thoughtfully explores what it means to be human, and the actors really commit to their unusual roles (playing kids, robots, and robot-kids!). The first four episodes were tightly plotted and built nicely towards a big climax in episode five. However, the last three episodes feel a bit drawn out, like the showrunner, Noah Hawley, didn’t quite have enough story to fill them all.

The season finale, “The Real Monsters,” is enjoyable on its own, offering a creepy and funny conclusion that hints at a second season. However, the title feels a bit on-the-nose – even the creator of the original *Twilight Zone* might think so! The show has been so consistently excellent that when it stumbles, it’s more noticeable. *Alien: Earth* started the season strong, and while the finale gets close to that same level of quality, it doesn’t quite reach it.

The latter part of season one largely focused on Boy Kavalier’s overconfidence and the actions of his gifted followers. This led to dangerous alien creatures escaping and Kavalier’s “Lost Boys” realizing they were more powerful than he was. By the season’s end, Neverland Island had become a haven for a group of non-human beings who pose a potential threat to global dominance.

Last week’s episode centered on the aliens, but “The Real Monsters” shifts the focus to the humanoids – both artificial and naturally born. Initially, the organic humanoids are in control. Following the failed escape attempt – which Joe Hermit helped prevent, much to Wendy’s frustration – these hybrids are now held in a containment cell while Kavalier plans his next move.

This is a serious problem for a few key reasons. Although the Prodigy soldiers have stopped the Weyland-Yutani attack for now, more enemies are likely coming. Plus, Wendy’s Xenomorph pet is still loose and attacking anyone it encounters. Most concerningly, the Lost Boys could escape at any time if they wanted to.

Eventually, they’ll come around. First, though, they need to put aside their disagreements and really understand each other. This episode focuses much more on conversations than last week’s, and those talks are full of tension, particularly when Wendy tries to explain to Curly that she wasn’t the most important person to Kavalier. As Wendy points out, in the original story, she was Peter Pan’s favorite, but he got upset when she grew up. Slowly, the characters begin to develop their own identities and even start using their original names. For example, Tootles insists on being called Steven – or Steve-O, as his mother used to call him – instead of Tootles or Isaac.

Curly finally understands the truth when she comes face-to-face with her creator. In what is arguably Samuel Blenkin’s strongest performance of the season, Boy Kavalier shares the story of how he came to be. He reveals he built his first synthesizer at age six, intending it to replace his abusive, alcoholic father. Despite any attachment he has to his robotic creations, he can’t escape the cruel tendencies he inherited. He bluntly tells Curly and the others they are simply tools, dismissively calling them “floor models,” then erupts in anger, accusing them of ruining everything.

When the hybrids break free, Curly reveals her name is Jane. It’s a surprising moment that makes you wish we’d learned more about her earlier in the season. Even though the last few episodes don’t have a lot of action, it sometimes feels like key scenes are missing. I previously noticed it was odd that Wendy seemed to know so much about Nibs’s struggles, since we never actually saw anyone tell her what happened. The show has been jumping ahead in time a lot recently-like at the beginning of this week’s episode, where they skipped over Wendy being captured and returned to the facility.

Much of Morrow’s story feels underdeveloped, but he ultimately plays an important role by representing a more human side in this world of humans and machines. In a tale about the power of evolution, it’s appropriate that Kirsh defeats Morrow, after initially being severely injured by him. Kirsh then points out the real ending to the legend of John Henry – yes, the human won, but at the cost of his own life, dying from exhaustion.

By the end of the episode, the hybrids face another artificial human: Atom, a strong and intimidating enforcer working for Kavalier. It wasn’t always clear if Atom was a synthetic being – it’s possible the show held back some details, or simply didn’t mention them earlier. During a tense scene, Atom tries to force Hermit to become a host for the monster, but Joe manages to hide in a cage. Thankfully, Wendy arrives just in time, using her ability to control machines to stop Atom and save her brother.

This leads to another philosophical discussion between the Hermit brothers. Joe attempts to apologize for stopping Nibs in the last episode and once more warns Wendy/Marcy about getting too close to the dangerous aliens. He insists they see humans as food, but she retorts that *she* is the one they’d target. She also shares a surprising realization: she’s not simply Marcy or Wendy, but something different entirely.

The conversations between the characters in this season have been surprisingly direct, which could be annoying, but I’ve actually found them quite enjoyable. This is largely due to the sincere and understated performances of Sydney Chandler and Alex Lawther. They portray their characters’ worries as real and honest, and they do it well. For example, Wendy can deliver sharp lines like, “That’s what people without power tell themselves to justify inaction,” when Joe describes life as “complicated,” or, “You’ve always been a bitter, angry man, just like your father,” to Kavalier, without the scenes feeling overly awkward or forced.

Even though this episode isn’t perfect, it ends the season strongly thanks to Wendy – or whatever name she chooses. She’s incredibly compelling to watch, radiating confidence and determination. The way the episode is filmed really emphasizes this, often showing her from a powerful, low angle, positioned centrally and surrounded by her followers. And the moment she summons the Xenomorph, with that classic *Alien: Earth* visual effect, is truly fantastic.

At the beginning of the episode, Nibs’s comment that “We’re all ghosts” makes Wendy realize how frightening ghosts can be. This sparks a determined effort to take control, and she begins haunting both humans and other synths. Ultimately, Wendy and her group capture all their opponents, imprisoning Atom, Morrow, Kirsh, Dame, and Kavalier. With a grown Xenomorph and a baby one under her control, Wendy declares, “Now we rule.”

I really love George Romero’s zombie films, and a similar idea runs through the *Alien* movies: no matter how well we try to protect ourselves from monsters, our defenses will eventually break down. This happens because of natural decay and because people make mistakes. These aren’t stories meant to warn us about what *could* happen, but rather a stark look at how things actually *are*.

What makes *Alien: Earth* stand out – and why I’m looking forward to season two, despite some issues with the finale – is its unique perspective. It doesn’t view this endless cycle of destruction as something sad. Instead, it suggests humanity has had its time, and now it’s the monsters’ turn.

Screaming, Hearing, Etc.

I previously thought Smee’s habit of giving hugs felt a bit forced, but I’ve changed my mind. When he hugs Wendy to comfort her, it’s actually quite touching.

Sending Dame Sylvia to the Bad Grown-up prison feels harsh, but as Wendy points out, she was responsible for the deaths of six children, regardless of her motives. Currently, Joe Hermit is the only adult allowed to move around freely, though he’s still being watched closely. The episode frequently shows him alone, physically separated from the hybrids.

Of course, I couldn’t finish this recap without talking about what happened to the eyeball monster – arguably the best new TV character of 2025! At the end of the season, it takes over Arthur’s body and seems ready to cause more trouble.

Let me share one last amusing detail about Arthur Sylvia’s body: a crab actually crawled onto his chest wound and, surprisingly, scared away an approaching Xenomorph with its little claws! It’s easy to see why – crabs may be small, but their pincers pack a punch. You should never underestimate shellfish!

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2025-09-24 06:07