Drama
Alien: Earth
FX’s ‘Alien: Earth’ is just the latest graphically violent entry in the already graphically violent ‘Alien’ franchise.
Leanne sits, stunned, at the kitchen island.
“You build a life in sickness and in health because you took a vow when you were young and skinny,” Leanne muses. “And then, after 33 years of complete and utter devotion, you find out he’s run off with a younger woman!”
Leanne’s sister, Carol (herself a two-time divorcee) offers advice on coping with husband Bill’s sudden departure. Part of that advice is to rebound back into the dating sphere once more.
But the problem with the sudden collapse of a 33-year marriage is that you get a little out of practice when it comes to dating. Leanne knows she’s no longer in her prime. And even if she was, Leanne’s not even sure she’s emotionally ready to date.
Especially when Bill apparently can’t take the hint that he’s no longer welcome.
Leanne pitches itself as a sitcom, and it’s modeled after those from the 1990s and 2000s—the ones delving into family drama that insert a laugh track to remind you that the joke was funny. It comes prepackaged with the stereotypically promiscuous alcoholic aunt, the vagrant daughter and the desperate-to-please son. But the subject around which the show is based leaves the story feeling more sad than cheerful.
Leanne’s divorce prompts plenty of struggles as she makes her way back into the dating pool; she’s forced to relearn the “game” to find a new boyfriend. Her struggles are also a catalyst for the family to muse on the relationship between a man and a woman—and as more affairs are revealed, we come away with a depressing outlook that one character clearly states: “It’s man’s nature to stray.”
It isn’t long before Leanne’s Tennessee church community learns what took place—but piety is more of the nominal variety here than a committed lifestyle. Viewers will quickly find that Leanne’s family finds the commands in Scripture optional. It’s why Leanne and Carol engage and joke about many sexual encounters; why Bill runs off with another woman and gets high with Carol; why we’ll hear the s-word and misuses of God’s name.
And it’s why families will have to consider whether Leanne is worth a watch.
(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at [email protected], or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)
Shocked by her husband’s betrayal, Leanne tries to hide the news from her daughter and parents.
Leanne complains about the size of the underwear she once wore to impress Bill. She also claims that Bill left her for a woman with whom he could “do nasty things with.” Leanne tells Carol every spot she and her husband had had sex. She also reminds Josie that she helped her get fitted for a diaphragm. Carol says she once married a man to trick his mom into thinking he was straight. Leanne doesn’t want to show a new man her naked body, but when Carol pitches a celebrity, Leanne says she’d consider seeing where it went. Leanne’s daughter, Josie, arrives at church wearing a low-cut top, prompting disapproval from her mom. Someone describes a man as “a little handsy.” Leanne blames an outburst on menopause.
Leanne says she’d drive off a bridge if she found out her husband left her for an older woman. She also smacks her husband a couple of times. Leanne’s father says that they used to walk “perverts” deep into the woods and come back alone.
We hear a joke about someone being rebaptized. While at a church potluck, a woman tells Leanne that she struggled with runaway anxiety about her husband’s faithfulness when he traveled a lot for work. When Leanne reminds the woman that her husband is dead, the woman says “But I know where he is.” The woman also tells Carol that she had been rooting for her and her Italian ex-husband. When Carol says that the man was from New Hampshire, the woman replies, “Still, a Catholic.” Someone says that she’s “basking in the sunshine of our Savior.” Someone else says that a man is in the “sweet arms of Jesus.” We hear other Scripture-based allusions, such as “salt of the earth” or “no rest for the wicked.” Following an outburst, Carol tells Leanne that she’s “been a good Christian all [her] life; [she’s] entitled to a small psychotic break during fellowship.”
Aunt Carol offers Leanne Xanax, Ativan and Ambien (she settles on a laxative). Carol encourages Leanne to get drunk so she’ll feel better (and we’re told that’s how she dealt with her divorces). Leanne’s daughter arrives at church inebriated. People drink beer.
We hear one use of “b–ch.” God’s name is used in vain twice. Someone uses the word “buttload.”
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.”
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