Drama
Alien: Earth
FX’s ‘Alien: Earth’ is just the latest graphically violent entry in the already graphically violent ‘Alien’ franchise.
Elizabeth Holmes wants to be a billionaire. And by golly, she’s going to get what she wants—no matter who tries to stand in her way.
She idolizes Steve Jobs, she’s in the top 10% of accepted students at Stanford University and she’s dreaming daily of inventing something that can change the world. And it’s not too long until she finds her idea: a cheap and rapid blood test that only needs a drop to work, rather than a whole vial.
Despite many experts within the field telling her that Elizabeth is bound to fail, she presses on, confident that her invention will change the world. And it does. Her company, Theranos, eventually grows to be valued at $10 billion, and she achieves the billionaire status she so zealously sought.
But there’s just one little issue that’s going to put a wrench in her plans: The tests don’t work as well as she claims.
Hulu’s The Dropout miniseries details the real-life events leading up to the eventual conviction of Elizabeth Holmes and dissolution of Theranos, which specialized in rapid blood tests. On Jan. 3, 2022, the real Holmes was convicted on three counts of wire fraud and one conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and she currently faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison as well as fines—though her sentencing will not occur until later this year.
In this dramatic retelling of those events, we watch as the Theranos plane slowly takes off before turbulence sends it careening Mach 10 into the side of a mountain under a multitude of allegations. But this drama focuses not just on the company but also on the personal life of the brains behind the operation.
Elizabeth’s intentions start out … OK. Yes, she wants to be a billionaire, but she hopes to accomplish that by inventing something that might benefit humankind. And the moment she sets her sights on that invention, she takes off in pursuit of ensuring it becomes reality, despite her naysayers. And soon, she’s proven them all wrong, eventually topping Forbes’ “America’s 50 Richest Self-Made Women” in 2015 with her product.
Well … actually, she hasn’t proven them wrong. Not quite. Because it turns out, her invention, blood tests that require tiny amounts of blood, aren’t very accurate. And according to all the evidence, Elizabeth knew it, too, but she didn’t want the facts to get in the way of her success. She’s soon accused of intentionally misleading investors and potential patients alike, eventually drawing the attention of the SEC, FDA and FBI.
The story is ripe for a dramatic miniseries. But a scandal of epic proportions is often accompanied by unsavory activity apart from the scandal, and Hulu’s The Dropout is sure to include those into its narrative as well. Prospective viewers should expect sex (though no nudity is shown), alcohol and swearing, including the f-word and misuses of God’s name.
As Elizabeth Holmes is questioned about her alleged fraudulent activity at her company Theranos, we turn back time to see the story of how the company began.
Elizabeth tells her mother, Noel, that she’s “considering becoming sexually active,” and Noel tells her to be careful with the man she chooses and references sex slaves. Later, Elizabeth and a man have sex. They’re hidden under covers, but we do see movements and hear the man moaning, and we briefly see Elizabeth in a bra. Elizabeth goes to a college party, and two girls later mention that Elizabeth was raped there.
Elizabeth has her blood drawn. She vomits after eating a cooked scorpion. Elizabeth asks Sunny, an older man, if he is a Muslim, and he responds that he is Hindu. She also asks if he likes beer, and she convinces him to burn Chinese renminbi (the official currency of China) with her. Later, she and Sunny passionately kiss. A stray bullet destroys Elizabeth’s car window while she is in the front seat.
Sunny says that no one thinks you’re a terrorist when you drive a Lamborghini. Channing, Elizabeth’s professor, tells her to enjoy freshman year by getting drunk and sleeping with her boyfriend. Multiple people drink and talk about beer and wine at various points of the show, and a group of girls talk about getting drunk later. A guy and girl kiss in a hallway, and a shirtless man whose shorts reveal the top of his boxers is seen at one point.
The f-word is used six times, and the s-word is used once. “B–ch” is used once. God’s name is misused five times, and Jesus’ name is inappropriately used once.
As Theranos quickly runs out of money, Elizabeth becomes increasingly desperate to woo investors—regardless of what illicit means are required to get there.
Elizabeth accidently reveals a pack of condoms in her office. She and her boyfriend, Sunny, passionately kiss one another. It is implied they have sex. Later, at an important investor meeting, Elizabeth fakes a successful demo in order to make it seem like the prototype works. At a celebration party, Elizabeth drinks champagne straight from the bottle, and she throws up outside afterwards. Other employees are also seen drinking.
Theranos employee Rakesh talks about his rear. A venture capitalist makes a sexual innuendo. Theranos chemist Ian talks about “glowsticks that teenagers on drugs like.” Rakesh and another employee bump into each other, sending blood samples flying onto Rakesh’s shirt. Theranos engineer Edmond drinks a beer.
Potential investor Larry Ellison drinks a beer, and he talks about satori, “Buddhist enlightenment.” Missy Elliott’s song “We Run This” plays in the background and talks about being intoxicated.
The f-word is used nearly 30 times, and the s-word is used nearly 20 times. The words “b–ch” and “h—” are also used. A crude reference to female genitals is made once. God’s name is misused seven times.
When Elizabeth attempts to charm and deceive her way into needed financial investments, she draws the ire of previous employees and financial backers.
Elizabeth’s bra strap continuously falls down her shoulder, causing her to clip it off with a pair of scissors. This causes the indent of her nipples to be briefly visible. Elizabeth breaks her phone screen by slamming it on her desk in anger. Elizabeth lies to her company board in order to keep her job as CEO.
A female employee (who is played by a male actor) mentions that she has a wife. Disgruntled employees leave a book for Elizabeth, titled “The No A–hole Rule.” An enraged Sunny spills green juice on Elizabeth.
The f-word is used 15 times, and the s-word three times. “D–n” is used three times. God’s name is misused three times.
Elizabeth tries to convince Walgreens to partner with Theranos without letting them see the company’s lab. Ian, upon discovering the plans to market blood tests in retail stores, argues with Elizabeth.
Walgreens Medical Director Dr. Jay Rosen references another man’s DUI. Ian drinks alcohol while talking about his concerns with a board member, and he drinks at a later point as well. A man references the football term “Hail Mary.”
The f-word is used 13 times, and the s-word is used four times. “H—” is used three times. Jesus’ name is inappropriately used five times.
Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He’s also an avid cook. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”
FX’s ‘Alien: Earth’ is just the latest graphically violent entry in the already graphically violent ‘Alien’ franchise.
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