Alien: Earth | "Emergence" Recap & Review | "The Real Monsters" Preview

Wow. This week’s Alien: Earth might be the wildest yet, and it feels like the show is teeing us up for an insane finale.

First off — how cool is it that Marcy basically has a Xenomorph as a pet now? The way she called it, calmed it, and even petted it gave us chills. We’ve all seen Xenos as nothing but nightmare fuel, so seeing one actually respond to her was jaw-dropping. It raises the question: is this control real, or is it just buying time until it turns on her? It also visually and thematically sets this series apart from other Alien stories. The horror is still brutal, the stakes high, but this connection adds a weird tension and potential tragedy. It’s cool from a storytelling perspective: you rarely see a Xenomorph not as a mindless monster but as something that could be “tamed” in a sense — or at least persuaded. It raises real questions: is Wendy just using a monster as a tool to fight her way out, or is she forming a deeper connection (psychic, empathic) that could change how she sees herself? Also, visually and atmospherically this is strong — the show stages these scenes in a way that emphasizes Wendy’s agency, often showing the alien’s actions from just behind or around her, so you feel her power over the creature.

Then there’s Kirsh. At this point, the guy might be the most unpredictable character on the show. Instead of cracking down on the Lost Boys, he’s just letting things slide — even helping them sneak out with Arthur’s dead body. He’s either playing 4D chess or setting himself up as the one who walks away when the smoke clears. Also, Kirsh seems to be distancing himself from pursuing violence directly — instead letting chaos do some parts of the work, then stepping in with precision. Helping them escape with the dead body (Arthur) also gives him leverage: the body, the chestburster, the alien embryo—it’s all powerful bargaining material. So his “laid-back” attitude isn’t weakness. It looks deliberate: part of a strategy where he plays multiple sides, waiting for the moment to act for maximum effect.

Marcy’s brother though? Not loving it. The second she started calling the alien, you could see the fear in his eyes. He doesn’t trust the bond, and honestly, can you blame him? Watching your sister cozy up to a killing machine would shake anyone.

Verdict & Grade

“Emergence” is one of the show’s stronger, more evocative episodes. It doesn’t shy from its horror roots, but it’s also brave enough to let characters like Wendy/Marcy gain unusual and unsettling power. Kirsh’s ambiguous loyalty and strategic patience make him intriguingly unpredictable. There are risks: the more the show leans into empathetic control of the alien, the more fragile the horror becomes if not handled with care. But as a pen-ult, it sets up a finale that could be spectacular and heartbreaking in equal measure.

Grade: A- perhaps. Lots of promise, strong execution, a few soft spots.

What’s Next

The finale looks like it’s going to blow everything wide open. Will Marcy’s bond with the alien save them, or doom them? Will Kirsh finally show his true hand? And is Nibs really gone?

Either way, one thing’s clear: the season is ending with fire — and probably a lot more blood.