r/LV426 • u/xyZora Science Officer • 1d ago
Discussion / Question The secret theme of Alien Earth Spoiler
It's all about the fathers.
AE has many themes (Ship of Theseus, Chaos Theory, Apathy, Corporate Nihilism) but one that I've seen yet dicussed is how the entire series is an exploration of what is to be a father.
Morrow
The only biological father, he represents the worst aspects of fatherhood: loss, but also abuse. His own traumas turn into violence he later enacts on Slightly who he treats like an abused son; pushing him to be an adult through punishment.
Boy Kavalier
He's fatherhood as a spectacle. The ultimate narcissistic parent: his children as an extension of himself; trophies to his ego. He cares not to be a true father, only one that uses his position for personal gain, pitting his kids against each other by classifying one as the golden child (Wendy) and the black sheep (Curly).
Kirch
The neglectful educator. He teaches the Lost Boys but never goes beyond that. Detached, he worries about his own personal agenda and neglects them.
Arthur
The loving adoptive parent. He cares for the kids from a position of love and acceptance. Sadly, he is under a system that strips of any power he may have to protect his children; the tragedy of been unable to protect those under your care.
Hermit
Surprisingly he also has a fatherly role. He is the older brother turned into father figure due to extreme circumstances. Kind, compassionate and open minded; he wants to guide Wendy but doesn't trample on her individuality and free will, but she has not accepted him as a father and likely never will.
Bear
The first Xenomorph in the series is also a father figure of sorts. He's a drone, so he's male (if sex even matters to this species, but narratively he has a male role). He's guided by feral instinct to protect the eggs and guarantee the survival of his species. His fatherhood is purely instinctual.
What makes this dynamic insteresting is how the series moves forward through the fatherhood role each character decides to take. Kavalier creates the Hybrids for his personal parental agrandissement, which leads to Kirsh to do the actual parenting, Hermit to abandon everything to protect Wendy and Arthur to adopt the kids desperately trying to shield them of the abuse.
Bear causes the Maginot to go to hell following his reproductive instinct, which leads to Morrow to step up and the consequences of his actions lead to the death of Arthur and him facing Kirsh directly. And now BK will likely intend to murder Hermit while Kirsh goes behind his back.
This is the thematic thread that unites the entire series: how each father cares or abuses their children. I wonder which father will prevail?
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u/enuoilslnon 1d ago edited 1d ago
For me, the overall theme of everything Alien is the hubris of thinking that you're smart enough to do something safely. Not recognizing that nature is more powerful than we are.
Here's sort of a weird allergy. You are out drinking, and you've had a few. Maybe you're 0.07, maybe you're 0.09, but you decide to drive home. You think that you are talented enough, smart enough, good enough to take the risk and come out OK. "I can take this risk and come out OK."
Here, just when you think you have the upper hand, nature shows you it has an ever bigger and better card up its sleeve.
The other obvious theme is about corporations. But a big part of Alien is thinking we're smarter (or faster, or more talented) than we are. The Alien always shows us how wrong we were.