The latest episodes of Alien: Earth season one have ramped up the excitement, especially with the release of episode seven, titled “Emergence.” After several episodes of buildup, this entry serves up an adrenaline-filled ride packed with climactic moments and plenty of terrifying Alien action. It might just be the standout episode of the season, so let’s unpack what unfolded, its implications, and what made it so captivating.
“Emergence” is aptly named, as it signifies significant developments throughout the episode. The title can represent multiple plot arcs—be it the emergence of a new xenomorph, the rebellious hybrids, or even Kirsh’s enigmatic strategy. However, the most crucial emergence is the fracture between Wendy and Joe by the episode’s conclusion.
Let’s break down the key storylines that led to this emotional climax, starting with Slightly. In the previous episode, Slightly succeeded in getting a Facehugger to attach to a human for the first time, with Arthur as the unfortunate test subject. While Arthur was busy facing his grim fate, Slightly’s loyal friend, Smee, grew suspicious and barged into his room. Shocked by Arthur’s lifeless form, Smee, being the true friend he is, agreed to help Slightly finish what he started—on the condition that Arthur would recover once the Facehugger detaches. Spoiler alert: he won’t be fine.
As they secretly escape, Kirsh surprisingly steps in to assist the two hybrids rather than capturing them. His motives remain unclear—is he secretly aligned with Weyland-Yutani? We are left pondering this as Arthur regains consciousness outside, expressing confusion about his location. Slightly and Smee concoct a story about an evacuation, allowing a disoriented Arthur to go along with their fabricated tale.
However, Arthur’s memory soon returns, leading him to confront the boys, reminding them they can tackle anything together. Then comes the shocking moment: with a pop and a scream, a baby xenomorph bursts from his chest, leaving Smee furious with Slightly for what they’ve lost.
They transport Arthur’s body to a rendezvous point where Morrow is waiting with soldiers. Time is critical, and although Morrow is furious, he dispatches his team to search the island. They soon discover Kirsh has captured the escaped baby xenomorph and secures Morrow and his men in a makeshift prison. A whirlwind of plot points are resolved rapidly, but we are still in the dark regarding Kirsh’s intentions and Slightly’s family safety.
In the lab, Wendy learns of Isaac’s unexpected demise, heightening her worries for her safety and that of her fellow hybrids. When guards try to stop her from leaving, Wendy cleverly sends a signal to an xenomorph, enabling her escape. This frontline escape raises alarms in Boy and Kirsh about the hybrids’ growing power when they discover all the trackers have been disabled. This indicates a dramatic shift in control.
Unbeknownst to them, it’s Arthur who helped disable the trackers to facilitate Joe’s escape with Wendy. When they finally reunite, Wendy wants to rescue as many of her Lost Boys as possible. She first encounters Nibs, who has been comforted by Curly after experiencing her memory wipe. Nibs agrees to join, although Curly hesitates. Wendy compels her to keep quiet about their plans, a promise we suspect she may break. Before their departure, Wendy unleashes the fully-grown xenomorph, which then wreaks havoc on the lab.
As they journey outside, the trio stumbles upon the graves of their former selves, forcing them to confront their pasts. This haunting scene does not pause their resolve, and they press onward.
A group of soldiers intercepts them, initially seeming to seal their fate, but just as tensions rise, the released xenomorph intervenes. After killing the soldiers, it approaches Wendy, who gently wipes its blood, whispering an instruction. Nibs is fascinated, while Joe is horrified, asking what she said. “Hide and follow, I think,” she replies—defining a new dynamic.
As they finally make it to their escape route, they are cornered again, but this time by Joe’s former friends. A tense standoff ensues, and Nibs, in a moment of vulnerability, reacts violently. The conflict escalates into chaos, leading to Nibs being shot. As Joe intervenes, Wendy is enraged, standing against him in disbelief.
Earlier, we witnessed Joe grappling with Wendy’s bond to the xenomorph, marking a significant division between them. This disconnect is exacerbated by Joe’s instinct to protect his friends, creating a rift that looms ominously over their future.
This episode felt nearly like a season finale with everything coming to a head—two xenomorphs on the island, Weyland-Yutani soldiers infiltrating, hybrids in jeopardy, and countless other threats looming. Anticipation builds for an explosive conclusion.
Thoughts to Ponder
- Did you catch the moment when Boy communicated with the sheep using Pi’s digits? It was brilliantly executed and highlighted his pursuit for intelligent life, though still centered around a sheep!
- Is the ongoing reference to a “mold guy” hinting at earlier episodes? It could pave the way for an intriguing revelation.
- While Wendy, Joe, and Nibs were ensnared by soldiers, they were seen next to a yellow structure reminiscent of elements from the original Alien films, showcasing how well this series captures its roots.
- Slightly and Smee’s actions with Arthur’s body before it was discarded into the water hold significant weight. We might not have seen the last of that character yet.
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