Writer/director Noah Hawley is best known for the TV version of “Fargo” and “Legion,” both excellent series. He’s moved the Alien franchise down to Earth in this new show (set 2 years before the original film). A deep space research vessel full of vicious extraterrestrials crash-lands on Earth. They’re all kept on an island run by a genius trillionaire, who’s fascinated by their potential. Of course, things go horribly wrong with the expected kills. In the show’s most unusual aspect, there’s a group of android soldiers inhabited by kids. The first 3 eps have some brutal moments, but it’s slow going, diluted by too much dialogue. Eventually, things ramp up when the expected escapes start. Hawley has created some cool new creatures who have their own clever ways of attack. Even so, the series needs to be tighter to sustain the tension and rate as well as his other shows. (8 one-hour eps with a 2^nd season looking inevitable, but not confirmed)   (3.5 / 5)

Hulu link (also on FX)