The Alien franchise has consistently captivated audiences by exploring themes that resonate deeply, particularly corporate greed. At its heart, the narrative revolves around the relentless pursuit of profit by companies like Weyland-Yutani, which often leads to disastrous consequences. The ambition to seize alien technology from the farthest corners of space drives the plot, reflecting on our own world’s corporate machinations. Sacrificing entire crews, families, and even cloning the deceased, the stories illustrate the dark lengths corporations will go to secure a profitable asset.
However, their schemes rarely succeed. In the original Alien, the xenomorph onboard the Nostromo eliminated nearly all the crew before being cast into the void of space. The latest installment, Alien: Romulus, follows the aftermath, showing how the remains of the xenomorph led to another ship’s destruction. The sequel, Aliens, reveals Weyland-Yutani’s continued failures to bring a specimen back after the fateful trip to LV-426. Even in Alien 3, their plan to reach Ripley in prison falters, resulting in yet another opportunity lost. By the time we reach Resurrection, any remaining xenomorphs are long gone. Each attempt to harness the alien species has ended disastrously.
Yet, a twist awaits us in Alien: Earth. Set just before the events of the original film, we learn that not only did one fully-grown xenomorph make it to Earth before the Nostromo crew was revived, but several viable eggs also found their way back. Unfortunately for Weyland-Yutani, they were snatched by a rival corporation, Prodigy. In the most recent episode, we witness the beginnings of what Weyland-Yutani always dreamed of—scientists studying xenomorphs. While they falter, Prodigy seizes this unparalleled opportunity.
What lies ahead in Alien: Earth remains uncertain, but chaos typically follows such pursuits. The pressing questions are: Will Prodigy uncover valuable insights that justify their risky endeavor? Is this failure by Weyland-Yutani what prompts them to send the Nostromo on its ill-fated mission shortly thereafter?
This pivotal moment is thrilling for Alien enthusiasts. While Alien: Resurrection hinted at research on xenomorphs, it took place off-world. The android David explored similar themes in Alien: Covenant. Now, we finally see intelligent individuals—equipped with advanced technology—dedicated to unraveling the enigma of these extraterrestrial beings. This is precisely what the ambitious characters within Alien have aspired to for so long, and we get to witness it unfold in our own homes this summer.
For those interested, Alien: Earth is currently available for streaming on FX and Hulu.
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How does corporate greed play a role in the Alien franchise? The franchises delve deeply into how pursuit of profit often leads to unethical decisions, reflecting real-world corporate practices.
Are there any successful endeavors by Weyland-Yutani in the Alien series? Every significant attempt to acquire and study a xenomorph has resulted in catastrophic failure for the company, contributing to the overarching narrative of greed leading to disaster.
What can we expect from Prodigy in Alien: Earth? Given the franchise’s history, it’s likely that any research Prodigy conducts will lead to unpredictable consequences, further developing the story’s tension.
Is Alien: Earth connecting the stories of the original movies? Yes, it serves as a prequel, adding depth to the overarching narrative by revealing previously uncharted events that set the stage for the main saga.
How has xenomorph research been depicted in the Alien series? Various installments, including Alien: Resurrection and Alien: Covenant, have touched upon the study of xenomorphs, but Alien: Earth finally places this research in a terrestrial setting.
To continue exploring fascinating themes and narratives in the Alien universe, don’t hesitate to check out more related content at Moyens I/O.