The new TV series from the Alien universe brings us Boy Kavalier, the supposed genius behind groundbreaking technology. However, as viewers delve into the episodes, a glaring issue emerges – Boy’s genius seems to be missing in action. Showrunner Noah Hawley paints him as a prodigy, yet his actions fail to match the hype.
In the first few episodes, we witness Boy overseeing the creation of human-synth hybrids, a feat requiring specialized knowledge and dedication. However, it appears that the real work is carried out by other characters, leaving us to question Boy’s actual contributions to the project. Despite being hailed as a visionary, his involvement seems limited to supervising rather than innovating.
As we observe Boy’s daily routine at Prodigy Corp, we find him meandering around headquarters in a lackadaisical manner. His interactions with employees are often flippant, and his interest in the groundbreaking technology he’s heralded for seems lukewarm at best. Instead of championing his magnum opus, the hybrids, he treats them carelessly, showcasing a disconnect from their significance.
The series squanders Boy’s potential by portraying him as whimsical and entitled rather than truly brilliant. While eccentricity can enhance a character, in Boy’s case, it overshadows any semblance of genuine intellect. This discrepancy raises doubts about his supposed genius, prompting viewers to wonder if he’s truly the mastermind behind the project or merely a figurehead.
In a landscape filled with tech moguls and eccentric geniuses, Boy Kavalier falls short of the mark. Unlike characters such as Dr. Robert Ford from Westworld or Lukas Matsson from Succession, Boy lacks the depth and gravitas expected of a visionary leader. The creators seem to have mistaken arrogance for intelligence, leaving audiences craving the brilliance that was promised but never delivered.
As the series unfolds on Hulu and Disney+, viewers are left to ponder whether Boy Kavalier will rise to the occasion and prove his genius or continue to flounder in mediocrity. The missing ingredient in Alien: Earth may not be the genius itself but rather the storytelling that fails to capture the essence of a true visionary.