The Aliens

Are stuck in a weird mental state. The Aliens was a great show, sad that no one wanted to continue it. Idiots abound. In every country. In every strata of life.

I don't usually write reviews but I felt I had to as this show is incredibly underrated here for completely irrelevant and silly reasons. Someone said it was created by the same people as Misfits? Irrelevant. The apartheid theme is too liberal for your political persuasion? Irrelevant. Too "urban" (seriously, what?) for you? Irrelevant. Not as good as a completely unrelated sci-fi movie with one similar plot point? Also irrelevant.

The story lines are compelling, the acting is very good, and the plot is very believable. I have never seen so many ridiculous complaints about a show (and no, I am not a "fanboi").

Science fiction isn't just about superheroes and superpowers, at it's core the genre is meant to portray difficult topics (like the immigration/migrant/refugee debate for instance here) in an atypical way that makes you think about them conceptually rather than exactly as they are. Does this show achieve that? Yes, absolutely. We can quibble about whether it does it effectively or not (I think it does) but it seems like some people reviewing this show can't wrap their heads around the fact that that's what sci-fi is often meant to do. It balances that with some humor and cringe comedy, which works here, nothing truly hilarious but decent enough.

All in all, it's a decent show with good writing, good acting that shows a lot of promise. It's mind boggling why it would deserve a 5.7 rating (not least of all because it's only 3 episodes in so far!).

The Aliens, is one of those earthy, unabashed, human drama's the UK does so well.

The initial premise is a little reminiscent of District 9. The aliens who arrive on earth as refugees, live in a segregated zone. That said, in this instance, the otherworldly refugees are, in most respects, more human than not. There are some differences, which offer the opportunity for some classic, rather ribald, Brit humour. Alien pacifying sound grenades, for example, that can be rigged to make the aliens run to the toilet. Or alien body hair, that can be shaved off and sold as a smokable narcotic.

The acting is good too, with the well cast Michael Socha, who some might remember from the series Being Human, in the lead role. Socha's character's rather sad sack, doe eyed, hopelessly unaware misfit, who works as an alien border guard, is a brilliant comedic foil, that softens some of the series more hard edged moments.

The Aliens is, if episode one is anything to go by, off to a good start. I look forward to seeing where this rather zany, quirky series, goes next. Eight out of ten from me.

Obviously it's not Interstellar. But it is a good comedy drama dealing with issues that are just as relevant today as when V premiered or if you're a '90s kid that other short lived show about aliens coming to the US which I liked as well. It's funny relevant and not filled with deep mind blowing time travel explanations that you have to Google. For example the drug of choice is alien hair that they smoke like marijuana. The main guy is a Jake Gyllenhaal look alike but more likable lol. I just started watching on Hulu 3 episodes in. They only have 5 so I don't think I'm far behind. I hope it isn't canceled. Im happy I found a new funny smart entertaining series to watch.

Something of a flawed gem.

Like many British dramas it is rather gritty at times. Set in a dystopian Britain of the future divided between humans and an alien ghetto.

Some of the themes are a little trite. There are clear allusions to the immigrant crisis faced by Europe in general and the UK in particular. There is a feeling of both sides being imprisoned behind the wall, although I'm not sure that was entirely the intention of the director or the writers. There is comedy but it can be a bit hard to spot at times.

There are some good performances, although some of the talent is rather wasted.

On balance watchable if you've got a bit of spare time but it is understandable that they didn't want to make another series.