Expanding the ever-growing Alien universe with fresh layers of depth and nuance, the first two episodes — “Neverland” and “Mr. October”— are packed with references, Easter eggs, and subtle callbacks to previous films, along with clever nods to other corners of pop culture.

It's also a proper work of Hawley's, a mish-mash of his Marvel masterpiece Legion and other prestige sci-fi of the last ten years, from Westworld to Severance. "Neverland" is a long, labored inhalation for what is a simple inciting incident.

The "Alien" franchise welcomes a new chapter, or rather looks back at one, in the prequel series "Alien: Earth" that further expands the science-fiction lore that has steadily grown for nearly 50 years.