Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for Alien: Earth Episode 2. Alien: Earth has barely begun, but is already breaking new ground in the Alien franchise — and retracing some older steps, too.

After several pointless prequels and spluttering spin-offs, the Alien series is back with a bang with Alien: Romulus. A fresh young cast injects new life into what has become a tiresome franchise, ...