‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 3 Delivers the Xenomorph Deathmatch Fans Have Wanted for Years [Review]

‘Alien: Earth’ goes for broke with a brutal, brilliant Xenomorph hunt as the walls around Wendy, Hermit, and company begin to close in.

“When is a machine not a machine?”

Alien: Earth has tried on several skins since its premiere, almost like it’s been evolving into something different that will come to fruition by the season’s finale. The first two episodes felt like they were pulled right out of Ridley Scott’s ’79 classic. This atmosphere continues in “Metamorphosis,” but it boldly feels like an improvement upon pivotal cinematic Alien sequences. 

“Metamorphosis” is an Alien: Earth episode that’s brilliantly structured around multiple spectacles wherein different alien evolutions take out various members of the dispatch crew, whether it’s a fully-grown Xenomorph or a newborn, that helps collectively highlight why this monster is pure death and regarded as the perfect killing machine. Numerous moments in “Metamorphosis” present these characters as trapped in a haunted house with these monsters. This triggers a transformation of sorts in Wendy and Hermit who may never be the same again.

The episode’s title is implied to be about the Xenomorph that the dispatch team battles, but this Kafkaesque blossoming is just as present in humans, synthetics, and hybrids as it is in the killer predator that hunts them down. Alien: Earth is only three episodes in, but “Metamorphosis” delivers a masterclass in tension and anxiety that holds its own with the Alien films.

“Metamorphosis” continues Alien: Earth’s fascination with breaking down people to their very essence as it examines what separates man from machine. This is especially poignant as it explores identity and memories, but also loyalty and compliance; a machine will endlessly follow orders, even to a fault, but what happens when a man is beholden to that same level of loyalty? Do they lose their humanity in the process or become a part of something even bigger? 

Even just the way in which each Alien: Earth episode begins with fragmented clips from the previous installment, as if they’re memories that are being downloaded or someone’s brain rebooting as they regain consciousness. It’s such a simple, yet effective trick that reinforces the importance of memories – even if they’re artificial – in a world where increasingly less is organic. Similarly, the way in which the Xenomorph requires organic material in order to incubate and evolve makes being human a dangerous liability. It’s yet another factor in this enlightening tipping point where synthetics – and even more so, hybrids – become superior to humans and the more sustainable “model” as the world heads into the future.

Alien: Earth is still deeply interested in these headier questions, but “Metamorphosis” is likely to resonate with those who are more interested in extraterrestrial extermination. “Metamorphosis” is an episode that’s pure action and horror as Wendy fearlessly and foolishly heads after Hermit when he and a Xenomorph hurdle down into the abyss. “Metamorphosis” follows through on this promise and then delivers so much more. It hinges on its epic Xenomorph showdown with Wendy and Hermit, which is easily the series’ most striking material to date.

“Metamorphosis” hits on a lot of the iconic Xenomorph iconography, right down to Wendy getting her own “Get away from her, you bitch,” moment. Wendy’s heroic rescue is delightfully undercut by her winging it and declaring that she doesn’t know what she’s doing, all while she simultaneously saves the day. Alien: Earth effectively solidifies Wendy and Hermit’s bond as they work together to defeat this terrifying threat. There’s a harrowing moment when it looks like Wendy and Hermit might both be down for the count, something that seems simultaneously impossible and plausible in a show of this nature where consciousness can be transferred and immortality more or less exists.

Kirsh gets more to do in “Metamorphosis” and his standoff with Morrow (Babou Ceesay) is Timothy Olyphant’s best work yet, especially when it’s played off of Slightly (Adarsh Gourav) and Smee’s (Jonathan Ajayi) contrasting body language. They’re like two shy children hiding under their mom’s dress. Olyphant’s just-mechanical-enough delivery really shines in this episode as he gets to showcase more of Kirsh’s complexity. The utter confusion that he displays after Morrow’s exit speaks volumes, despite his silence, and is another powerful character beat. It’s a moment that’s on par with another economical reaction where Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin) marvels and laments the sight of a decapitated Xenomorph that continues to smolder. Infinite potential and power melt away into destruction.

Kavalier’s cipher of a character becomes more well-rounded and a little less inscrutable. A rivalry between Wendy and Curly (Erana James) also gets teased here, which has the potential to become a compelling source of conflict by the end of the season. It also certainly doesn’t seem like a coincidence that this jealous female protagonist who wants to run the show happens to look quite a bit like Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley. It’s like Alien: Earth wants the audience’s mind to subconsciously complete the thought and begin to prefer Curly to Wendy as this schism widens.

”Metamorphosis” also better establishes Morrow as a tangible villain for Wendy, Kirsh, and company, who feels like a more approachable threat than a Xenomorph. “Metamorphosis” provides greater insight into Morrow and for him to refer to the Xenomorph as “his life’s greatest work” indicates that he may share more in common with the Engineers than Bishop. It will be curious to see how this further develops. Morrow has very Anton Chigurh energy here and is properly imposing. Alternatively, Slightly and Smee pantomiming horror stories by Xenomorph eggs already feels like Alien: Earth’s version of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, in the best way possible.

Alien: Earth has set up the idea that a Xenomorph spreads like a virus as it infects and kills, yet “Metamorphosis” teases an even more insidious infection. A slow infiltration begins wherein trusted characters are “hacked” and compromised as dissent spreads and it becomes less clear who can be trusted and who is still themselves. This takes the concept of a “hive mind” to disturbing new heights. No one can hear you scream when the screams are happening inside your brain.

Alien: Earth hits a new high with “Metamorphosis,” an episode that’s as chaotic as it is confident. The series continues to adeptly spin many plates at once — while adding even more to the mix — as it develops anxiety, tension, and terror across the season. The roadmap is now a little more clear, but the challenges aren’t going to get any easier. One conquered Xenomorph doesn’t mean that the next one will go down so smoothly. It’s not always a good idea to throw the first pancake in the trash, after all.