Strange Planet

As a fan of the comic, the tv adaptation of Strange Planet is not exactly the same as the source material, but that doesn't mean it's less creatively valid. In fact, the series adds layers of depth and nuance to Nathan Pyle's characters that is indelibly charming and comforting. That warmth is not subtle, it's intentional. It's the series' heart-on-its-sleeve approach that adds an emotional depth and dimension that's filling a certain entertainment gap. There are so many lonely people in the world, and Strange Planet is about connection. Shows like Community are hungered-after cult classics for a reason. Hopefully Strange Planet is allowed to stick around long enough to make a similar impact.

This show is not about aliens coming to Earth- rather, it is a view of our own world, viewed from a different angle. That is why it is called 'Strange Planet'- because our world, in truth, is very strange, yet often we are too caught up in its flow to realize this. Strange Planet (both the show and the comics) seek to remedy this. By using unfamiliar terminology to address things we are familiar with, and rearranging the wording of situations, it highlights the absurdity of everyday life. The world in Strange Planet is not exactly our own- certain animals have three eyes instead of two, there are two moons, and the beings that inhabit this world are very physically different from us. And yet, through this funhouse mirror of a show, we can more clearly see our own world as it truly is. One marked difference in the show, however, is the addition of 'true' sci-fi elements, which I will not go into for the sake of spoilers. It is truly amusing that in a show populated by beings of stereotypical 'alien' appearances, it is the inclusion of these elements that feels truly alien. That said, this does not take away from the quality of the show, and those elements are left to linger in the background, providing an underlying mystery to drive a story forward, while the stories of the main cast take center stage. These main stories truly offer valuable lessons, and are aimed mostly towards adults navigating their way through life. In conclusion, while this show may not be exactly the same as the comics, it does not need to be, as it does exactly what it sets out to accomplish- to tell our own stories through a different perspective.

I had no solid expectations when starting the show since although I'm a longtime enjoyer of the comics, I was very intrigued as to how well the format would translate into a whopping 24 minutes per episode show. The veredict: Not very well. HOWEVER, that does not make it a bad show. Pros: The storylines are sweet and down to earth (ironic ik), the characters are likeable, the backgrounds are pretty and the animation works well enough (smoothly animated rigs) and it even made me smile a few times. Cons: It can get long and slightly confusing since characters are not given names and their appearances outside of clothing items are all the same. Also the joke about them using literal descriptions for everyday things gets old quick and is also strangely inconsistent (Alcohol = Mild Poison but Restaurant = Restaurant?) plus some of the wordings had me seriously scratching my head at times (took me a while to understand that fabric tubes meant socks).

Something that's noticeably lost from the comics is the naivete they gave off. The funny aliens were often discovering new earthly concepts and hence their literal alien descriptions and feelings towards them made more sense, while here it's just an alternate earth that works just about the same except humans are aliens, some animals have three eyes and they use funny words for some things.

Overall this really felt like an Apple TV original to me, same vibe as say, Central Park in that very relaxed and human tone, something nice to have on in the background while doing something else but that might feel overly long if sat down to watch. I am curious as to if and how the stories will continue to interconnect and if a consistent main character or characters will be set.

Lots of folks have different thoughts about the show "Strange Planet." Some people don't think it works well on TV, saying it's too slow and dragged out. But when I look at it without any bias, I think some of these complaints come from folks who never really wanted it as a show in the first place. They were set on not liking it. Personally, I think "Strange Planet" is a nice and good show to watch.

Also, it's worth saying that sometimes people don't like adaptations that stick too closely to the original. It's tricky to find the right balance between staying true to the old stuff and making it work in a new way. Not everyone's gonna be happy. This show is all about digging into what makes us human. It sneaks in funny similarities to how we act and think, making us think about what being human really means.

To wrap up, not everyone will be into "Strange Planet," but it does give us a new way to think about our lives.

It's Strange Planet, what more can I say?

Firstly, if you're expecting an intricate, raunchy show with heavy nuance then you're going to be disappointed.

The show is what it says on the box.

It does what it sets out to do, which is present episodic stories about the human experience through unique dialect and grounded storylines with a generous, dry sprinkle of humor.

The characters, considering they all have the same basic appearance, were delightfully realistic - from character design to animation movements to each one's chosen VAs.

The overall vibe is amusing, wholesome, and well grounded in this particular reality not far off from the one we live in today. There's also loads of easter eggs and references to both our society and the society within the context of the OG comic posts.

If you don't like one episode's storylines or characters then good news! Each episode shows us different beings and perspectives with different motivations and outlooks, much like the beings in our world.

It's exactly what I would've expected as a long time fans of the comic shorts - with animation and voices added that only elevate the messages told within. I found it very engaging, if not slightly predictable (which of course it is bc these are stories about people going through relatable situations and coming out the other side).

So don't let the negative reviews keep you from giving it a try!

It's a good show and I personally look forward to seeing more!