In the world of the first-ever TV series from the Alien universe, Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin), the CEO of Prodigy Corp and the mastermind behind hybrids, doesn’t quite live up to his reputation as a brilliant mind.
One of the things that often bothers me in movies and TV shows is when a character is portrayed as the smartest or most fabulous, but their actions and words don’t support that claim. Boy Kavalier falls into this category, with showrunner Noah Hawley and other characters praising him as a wunderkind.
However, as the season progresses, it becomes clear that Boy’s brilliance may be more hype than reality. It’s hard to believe that he could have achieved all that he’s credited for, especially the groundbreaking technology to transfer human consciousness into synthetic bodies.
But before we jump to conclusions, let’s take a closer look at this curly-haired young genius from Alien: Earth.
Spoilers for episodes 1-4 below.
What exactly does Boy do at his research facility?
In the first episode, Boy, the creator of hybrid technology, meets Marcy, who later becomes Wendy, the first human-synth being. More children join her, receiving new names inspired by Peter Pan after being transferred to synthetic bodies.
The experiment is complex and costly, requiring specialized knowledge and dedication. However, it seems that Boy doesn’t actively participate in the creation and oversight of the hybrids, leaving most of the work to Dame Sylvia, Arthur Sylvia, and Kirsh.
While it’s clear that a team effort is needed to implement the hybrid experiment, Boy’s role seems to be more supervisory and focused on running the corporation.
So, what exactly is Boy’s contribution?
Based on the first four episodes, Boy Kavalier spends most of his time wandering around the Prodigy headquarters, often barefoot and in worn-out tracksuits. He occasionally glances at test results or makes snide remarks to his employees. His fascination with reading Peter Pan over the speaker system also stands out.
However, when Boy does get involved in the lab’s research, his employees may prefer more guidance. The hybrids represent a groundbreaking technology that could revolutionize human existence, yet Boy’s handling of them seems careless.
The series is wasting Boy Kavalier’s potential… and the hybrids’ too
Boy entrusts the hybrids with tasks beyond their capabilities, exposing their naivety despite their enhanced bodies. Instead of providing meaningful training or enhancing their skills, the hybrids are left to their own devices.
Boy’s lack of effective guidance is evident when he expresses a desire to have a stimulating conversation with someone smarter than himself. However, none of the characters, except perhaps Nibs, seem to meet this criteria.
In cinema, eccentric scientists and tech billionaires have long been a staple of the science fiction genre. However, recent portrayals of tech moguls like Peter Isherwell and Miles Bron showcase a level of genius that Boy Kavalier seems to lack.
The creators of Alien: Earth have confused an entitled brat with a sassy genius
Despite being touted as a wunderkind, Boy comes across as entitled and irritating, lacking the brilliance that the show claims he possesses. It’s possible that he may have taken credit for someone else’s work and developed it under his brand with the help of actual scientists.
Perhaps a plot twist revealing Boy’s true role in the creation of the hybrids would add an intriguing layer to the story.
Alien: Earth is currently airing on Hulu every Tuesday night at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. UK viewers can catch the series on Disney+ starting at 1am BST on Wednesdays.
