Essential Elements for a Successful Alien TV Series

Article Key Points

In order to stay true to its roots, the upcoming Alien TV show should give utmost importance to horror rather than action. This is because the franchise has gained fame for its terrifying aspects, such as creating suspense, and inducing fear by hinting and building up anticipation.

The content of the TV series should connect with the existing storyline of the original Alien films, immersing itself in the same universe and incorporating additional elements that enhance the established mythology, regardless of the absence of characters like Ripley.

Including subtle references and appearances from the original films and related properties can enhance the quality of the show, as long as they are executed effectively and contribute to the overall narrative and world development.

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Premiering in 1979, Ridley Scott's Alien left a lasting impression on audiences, becoming a film that would be remembered for generations. The world of Alien continued to expand through three direct sequels featuring Sigourney Weaver's iconic character, Ellen Ripley. The franchise even ventured into different forms of media, with licensed sequels in video games and comic books. Ridley Scott later returned to explore the origins of the story through two prequels. Now, with an upcoming TV show, fans of the franchise can delve back into the world of Alien, albeit with a significantly different setting.

Unlike previous installments that took place on ships or small colonies, the Alien TV show, created by Noah Hawley of Fargo fame, will be set on Earth. This new storyline will showcase a threat that has the potential to break free and jeopardize the very existence of the characters' world. In order for this FX series to surpass a single season and succeed, it will need more than just the recognition of the Alien brand. With Hawley's proven talent for storytelling, attention to the following key elements will be crucial to prevent the show from meeting a premature demise.

Alien Needs to be Horror First

Ridley Scott's Alien film is undeniably a work in the science fiction genre, but above all, it prioritizes horror. James Cameron's Aliens leans more towards action, yet it still retains elements of horror. Therefore, it is clear that the Alien franchise is most successful when it embraces its roots as a horror franchise, rather than an action-oriented one. If a TV series is to follow suit, it must effectively build tension throughout the season, leaving ample room for the audience's imagination to run wild, rather than rushing into action immediately. While jump scares have their place, they can quickly lose their impact. Instead, instilling a deep sense of dread through suggestion and anticipation adds a greater level of value to the narrative.

When it comes to horror properties, there are two distinct schools of thought. One school believes that the focus should predominantly be on the creature itself. For example, people watched The Walking Dead because they wanted to see zombies, and some expressed disappointment when an episode concentrated more on the interactions between human characters. On the other hand, there are those who appreciate the "less is more" approach to horror. This approach allows a project to delve deeper into the characters and their motivations, utilizing them as a means to explore the complex range of emotions associated with fear. In a similar manner to Steven Spielberg's gradual reveal of the shark in Jaws, Ridley Scott, whether intentionally or not, took a more conservative approach to showcasing the xenomorph.

Noah Hawley is well-versed in infusing his projects with elements of horror and mystery. In FX's Legion, he artfully crafted a sense of claustrophobia and disorientation that enhanced the enigmatic nature of the series. While the show primarily centered around the characters and their choices, the omnipresent horror of the Shadow King added an eerie aura without becoming overtly intrusive. Additionally, Fargo, hailed by fans as one of the finest thrillers on FX in the last decade, further attests to the impressive range of Hawley's talents.

It Should Tie Into the Continuity of the Original Alien

The Alien and Aliens movies stand out as the pinnacle of the series, with fans hailing Ripley as one of the most iconic heroines in the history of cinema. Neglecting to establish the TV series within that rich universe would be a grave oversight, particularly considering the impressive world-building achieved in the first two films. Hawley emphasized in a 2021 interview with Vanity Fair that his aim is not to deliver another Ellen Ripley narrative, stating:

She is truly one of the most iconic characters ever created, and in my opinion, her story has already been told flawlessly. I don't want to interfere with its perfection. Additionally, the Alien series has always revolved around the concept of being trapped, whether it be in a prison or a spaceship. I believe it would be intriguing to expand the scope a bit, to emphasize the immediate consequences of not being able to contain the alien.

It is praiseworthy that Hawley is not attempting to retell Ripley's tale, but it would be beneficial for him to clarify that the series is somehow connected to the original movies. Hawley is actively collaborating with Ridley Scott, the director of the first Alien film, on the production of this series for FX. However, it is not always guaranteed that a project in collaboration with the original creator is directly linked to the original incarnation.

Hawley's new TV series is set 70 years prior to Scott's original film, making it impossible for Ripley or any of the original characters (except potentially Ash, the android) to be included. The backdrop of this series could potentially unveil how the Weyland-Yutani Corporation obtained knowledge about the xenomorphs. Fans are aware, through various references made in the Alien franchise, particularly in Alien: Resurrection, that Earth has become a slum or wasteland of sorts. It is plausible that the xenomorphs wreaking havoc at some point may have contributed to this decline.

Easter Eggs and Cameos are Always Welcome

Cameos always bring satisfaction to fans and can also add value when executed well. In Predator 2, there was a subtle hint of the xenomorphs' existence in the same universe when Danny Glover's character stumbled upon the Yautja's ship and discovered a collection of trophies, including a xenomorph skull. This ultimately paved the way for the Alien vs. Predator stories, spanning from novels and comics to two live-action films. In Hawley's Alien show, it would be a nice gesture to hint at the inclusion of the predator race in some capacity, which could potentially lead to an AvP storyline set during the time period of the original Alien film rather than in Earth's past.

Unfortunately, due to the story taking place seventy years prior to the events of the original Alien, it is not possible to feature the original characters. However, there are other creative ways to incorporate elements from the first movies. Hawley's series already includes androids and AI, so giving an android the name Ash or an AI the name MU/TH/UR would be a subtle homage to Ridley Scott's film. Introducing a Colonial Marine bearing the name Hicks could offer some closure to Michael Biehn's character from Aliens, who met an off-screen demise between the events of Aliens and David Fincher's Alien 3.

Hawley can effectively connect the entire Alien franchise, including Prometheus, by incorporating cameos and Easter eggs. While fans will eagerly search for these hidden references, they should be used sparingly in the show and only if they enhance the storyline. As Ian Malcolm wisely stated in Jurassic Park, "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." Therefore, if these elements do not contribute significantly to the world of Alien or the show, they should not be included.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of the Alien franchise, I am thrilled about the upcoming TV series. I believe that the show has the potential to be a huge success, but only if it stays true to the roots of the franchise and embraces the horror elements that made the original film so iconic.

I am particularly excited to see how the show will incorporate the existing storyline of the original Alien films. I think it is important for the show to connect with the established mythology and build upon it, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. I am also curious to see how the show will handle the absence of characters like Ripley. While Ripley is an iconic character, I think it is important for the show to focus on new characters and stories.