Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Alien: Earth And What's Making Us Happy"

NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour delves into the latest installment of the iconic Alien franchise with their episode titled "Alien: Earth And What's Making Us Happy," released on August 15, 2025. Hosts Glenn Weldon, Joelle Monique, and Chris Klimek engage in an in-depth discussion about the new TV spinoff, exploring its themes, characters, and overall execution.

Overview of "Alien: Earth"

Glenn Weldon kicks off the conversation by introducing "Alien: Earth," a series crafted by Noah Hawley, known for his acclaimed work on Legion and Fargo. Set in the year 2120, Earth is dominated by five powerful corporations. The narrative centers around a Weyland Yutani spaceship that crashes into Prodigy Corporation's territory, inadvertently releasing a host of alien specimens, including the notorious Xenomorphs from Ridley Scott's original Alien films.

Key characters introduced include:

• Boy Cavalier (Sam Samuel Blinken): The charismatic and manipulative leader of Prodigy.
• Wendy (Sidney Chandler): Leader of the hybrids, humans whose consciousnesses have been uploaded into synthetic bodies, originally child minds to ensure adaptability.
• Kirsch (Timothy Olyphant): A synthetic Android overseeing the hybrids.
• Moro (Babu Sise): A cyborg and the sole survivor of the crashed ship, fiercely loyal to Weyland Yutani.

Glenn provides a succinct summary, highlighting the series' blend of horror and sci-fi elements, enriched by Hawley's signature storytelling style.

Joelle Monique's Enthusiastic Take

Joelle Monique expresses her admiration for the show, emphasizing its resonation with alien enthusiasts:

“I loved everything about it. I love the acting performances. I love the production design, I love the music... as an extreme alien fan”
— Joelle Monique [02:52]

She praises the depth of character relationships and highlights favorite characters, Slightly and Smee, portrayed by Adarsh Gaurav and Jonathan Ajayi, noting their adorable camaraderie. Joelle is particularly impressed by the show's exploration of childhood terror and the intense horrors the hybrids face, aligning with her appreciation for horror films that probe societal impacts on youth.

Chris Klimek's Critical Insights

Chris Klimek offers a more nuanced perspective, blending appreciation with constructive criticism:

“The great prevalence of adults playing children was, to me, one of the more irritating aspects of this show.”
— Chris Klimek [04:30]

While acknowledging his love for the Alien universe, Chris feels the series occasionally misses the mark by having adults inhabit child bodies, which he finds distracting. He also critiques the show's transition from a franchise extension to a prestige TV narrative, particularly the "needle drops" or musical endings of episodes, describing them as "tenured" and less impactful compared to shows like The Sopranos.

However, Chris doesn't shy away from praising standout performances, especially Babu Sise's Moro, whom he describes as:

“completely compelling... like Inspector Javert... fascinating character”
— Chris Klimek [13:07]

Balancing Humor and Horror: The Music and Tone

The hosts discuss the series' musical choices, notably the use of Tool's "Stink Fist":

“Stink Fist, which was an awesome ending song...”
— Joelle Monique [06:28]

Joelle defends Noah Hawley's decision, explaining that the aggressive and rebellious tone of the music complements the show's grimy and underhanded atmosphere. Glenn adds that initially, the series adheres closely to traditional Alien motifs but gradually infuses Hawley's unique humor and weirdness, enhancing the narrative's depth.

Exploring Themes of Humanity and Childhood

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the show's thematic exploration of humanity through the hybrids:

“When Ridley Scott came back... Prometheus and Covenant, that's what became a central theme.”
— Glenn Weldon [09:35]

Both Joelle and Chris appreciate the show's attempt to delve into what it means to be human, paralleling the existential questions posed in Prometheus. Joelle highlights the shift from the original franchise's focus on women's horror to the hybrids' childhood fears, offering a fresh and poignant take on the franchise's legacy.

Character Dynamics and Development

The dynamic between Kirsch (Timothy Olyphant) and Moro (Babu Sise) becomes a focal point as the series progresses. Glenn notes:

“Whenever this show becomes about the Timothy Olyphant character and the Babu Sise character... that's the show for me.”
— Glenn Weldon [12:40]

The loyalty and complexity of Moro, coupled with the enigmatic presence of Kirsch, add layers to the narrative, keeping viewers engaged. Joelle appreciates the nuanced performances, particularly the tension between mature instincts and childlike behaviors in the hybrids, which she finds relatable based on her own experiences with horror from a young age.

Narrative Elements and Future Expectations

The hosts express anticipation for the show's future developments, especially concerning the integration of the Peter Pan motif. Joelle sees it as a metaphor for balancing childhood innocence with adult responsibilities, hoping the series will deepen its exploration without exhausting its thematic potentials:

“It's an exploration of... how much of an adult do you want to be as a child...”
— Joelle Monique [20:09]

Chris remains cautiously optimistic, eager to see how the series resolves its current character arcs and thematic threads.

"What is Making Us Happy" Segment

In their beloved closing segment, the hosts share personal picks that brightened their week:

• Joelle Monique celebrates Lauryn Hill's MTV Unplugged 2.0, praising its vocal prowess and emotional depth.

  “There is a song called Just Like Water that is my favorite track... I completely recommend this album.”
  — Joelle Monique [24:04]

• Chris Klimek recommends Spike Lee's Inside Man (2006), highlighting its exploration of power dynamics in New York City and its thoughtful commentary on race and law enforcement.

  “It's totally compelling. As much as something can be riffing on all these great 70s classics, but also wholly original...”
  — Chris Klimek [24:57]

• Glenn Weldon shares his enthusiasm for the Las Culturistas Culture Awards, a satirical yet heartfelt award show that redefines traditional ceremonies with humor and inclusivity.

  “What if award shows were funny and knowing and somehow even more queer?..."
  — Glenn Weldon [26:04]

Final Thoughts

Pop Culture Happy Hour concludes the episode with reflections on "Alien: Earth," acknowledging both its strengths and areas for improvement. The hosts appreciate the series' ambition to expand the Alien universe while introducing fresh perspectives and complex characters. Their balanced discourse offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the show's current trajectory and potential.

Notable Quotes:

• Joelle Monique [02:52]: “I loved everything about it. I love the acting performances. I love the production design, I love the music...”

• Chris Klimek [04:30]: “The great prevalence of adults playing children was, to me, one of the more irritating aspects of this show.”

• Glenn Weldon [09:35]: “When Ridley Scott came back... Prometheus and Covenant, that's what became a central theme.”

• Joelle Monique [20:09]: “It's an exploration of... how much of an adult do you want to be as a child...”

Conclusion

This episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a thorough and engaging analysis of "Alien: Earth," blending enthusiasm with critical evaluation. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Alien franchise or new to the series, the hosts provide valuable insights that enhance your understanding and appreciation of the show's intricate narrative and thematic ambitions.