"Earth" smacks you in the face with all things "Alien" from its very first moments, describing a capitalist world controlled by corporations instead of governments, and bringing us to a deep space research vessel with sleep pods and a congenial crew. Nothing could possibly go wrong with all the vicious alien specimens on board, right?

The show, based on the Ridley Scott film, creates its own creepy-cool world and juggles ideas that go beyond merely trying to gross out its audience.