Warning: This post contains spoilers for Alien: Earth Episode 5, “In Space, No One…”
The fifth episode of Alien: Earth, titled “In Space, No One…,” premiered on September 2, 2025, on FX and Hulu in the US (and September 3 on Disney+ in the UK), and it’s a standout chapter that delivers the visceral horror and claustrophobic tension fans have been craving. Directed and written by showrunner Noah Hawley, this flashback-heavy episode shifts the focus from Neverland Island to the doomed USCSS Maginot, unraveling the catastrophic events that led to its crash in the series premiere. Packed with gore, a gripping whodunit mystery, and a loving homage to Ridley Scott’s 1979 Alien, Episode 5 is a thrilling high point for the series.
A Return to the Franchise’s Roots
“In Space, No One…” takes its title from the iconic tagline of the original Alien film, and the episode lives up to that legacy by plunging viewers into the claustrophobic, retro-futuristic corridors of the Maginot. Set 17 days before the crash, the episode is a bottle-like narrative (though not a true bottle episode, as it uses expansive sets) that feels like a direct remake of Scott’s classic. The production design—white corridors, glass hibernation pods, and flashing golden lights in the Mother room—evokes the Nostromo so vividly that fans might feel a pang of nostalgia. As Tech Advisor notes, “The interiors, costumes, hairstyles, colours, lighting, and even the dramatic music evoke the spirit of 1970s’ and 1980s’ sci-fi cinema.”
The episode begins with Morrow (Babou Ceesay), the Maginot’s security officer, waking from hypersleep to find chaos: a fire has broken out, the captain is dead, and two alien specimens—a facehugger and a creepy eyeball creature—have escaped. What follows is a tense, bloody unraveling of the crew’s fate, blending classic Alien horror with fresh twists.
Morrow Shines, but the Crew Struggles
Babou Ceesay’s Morrow steals the show, delivering a performance that critics, like those at IGN, describe as casting him in a “Ripley-hued light.” His cold, calculating demeanor is layered with new depth as we learn about his personal loss—a daughter who died during his mission—making his ruthless actions (like blackmailing Slightly in earlier episodes) more sympathetic, if not excusable. Morrow’s investigation into the sabotage, paired with his confrontations with the Xenomorph and other creatures, makes him a formidable anchor.
The Maginot’s crew, however, is less compelling. Characters like Rahim (Amir Boutrous), the sarcastic medic, and Malachite (Jamie Bisping), a naive assistant engineer, serve as analogues for Alien’s Parker and Brett but lack their depth. As Film Stories points out, the crew suffers from the “Prometheus effect,” appearing too incompetent for a multi-billion-dollar mission. Still, Michael Smiley’s Shmuel, a worldly-wise engineer, brings charm, and the crew’s dysfunction fuels the episode’s Agatha Christie-esque mystery about who sabotaged the ship.
Xenomorph Terror and a Shocking Twist
The episode doesn’t skimp on horror. The Xenomorph, affectionately dubbed “Bear” by the show, stalks the crew with terrifying precision, while the eyeball creature delivers some of the series’ goriest moments. A particularly gruesome scene involving facehuggers and acid blood had me wincing, and ScreenRant calls this “the sci-fi show’s goriest episode yet.” The action is relentless, with bodies dragged into vents and a chilling sequence where a crew member’s eye bulges under alien influence.
The big reveal—that Boy Kavalier orchestrated the crash—adds a sinister layer to the tech genius’ Peter Pan persona. His betrayal, hinted at in the trailer, reframes him as a puppet master pulling strings from afar, setting up major stakes for the remaining episodes. As Collider notes, this twist “perfectly reveals just how evil Boy Kavalier is,” though some critics argue it feels more like a plot device than a deep exploration of his motives.
Visual and Technical Brilliance
Hawley’s direction, paired with Andy Nicholson’s production design and Colin Watkinson’s cinematography, makes the Maginot a visual feast. The episode’s pacing is tight, balancing slow-burn tension with explosive action. The sound design, from the Xenomorph’s screeches to the ship’s creaking hull, amplifies the dread. Winter Is Coming praises it as “a fantastic slice of red-blooded science-fiction horror cinema,” and it’s hard to disagree. The episode’s hard rock needle drop—continuing the series’ tradition—closes with a rebellious energy that contrasts the bleakness, reminding us, as IGN puts it, “this show fucks.”
Fan Reactions and Critiques
Fans on Reddit and X have largely hailed Episode 5 as a return to form, with many calling it the season’s best for its fidelity to the Alien formula. Some, however, echo ScreenRant’s critique that the episode doesn’t fully explore the class and subjugation themes hinted at in earlier episodes, using the betrayal as a plot point rather than a thematic deep dive. Others appreciate the nostalgia, with one X user noting, “It’s like watching Alien but with new monsters and a twisty mystery.”
The episode’s focus on the Maginot means Wendy and the Lost Boys take a backseat, which might disappoint viewers invested in her Xenomorph-whisperer arc from Episode 4. Still, the flashback structure feels earned, providing context that reshapes our understanding of Morrow and Kavalier.
Looking Ahead
With only three episodes left, “In Space, No One…” sets up a thrilling final arc. Will Morrow’s obsession with the Xenomorph eggs clash with Kavalier’s plans? How will Wendy’s connection to the aliens tie into the Maginot’s fallout? The episode’s closing shot of Morrow heading to Neverland Island promises a collision course with the hybrids, and I’m eager to see how it unfolds.
What did you think of Episode 5? Did the homage to Alien hit the mark, or did you miss the Neverland storyline? Share your thoughts below, and let’s speculate on where Alien: Earth is headed as it races toward its September 23 finale!
Alien: Earth airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on FX and Hulu in the US and Wednesdays on Disney+ in the UK. Stay tuned for Episode 6, “The Fly,” dropping next week!
