In the inaugural episode of *Alien: Earth*, I noticed an orange feline and mused, “What a charming Easter egg!” The cat makes its appearance during the initial sequence aboard the Weyland-Yutani ship Maginot, which pays tribute to Ridley Scott’s *Alien*, encapsulating the crew’s dynamics and atmosphere of the film. The cat in *Alien: Earth* reflects Jonesy from the classic movie.

Anyone acquainted with *Alien* recognizes Jonesy as the film’s furry hero, enduring alongside Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and managing to hiss at a Xenomorph without a scratch. Spotting a similar cat in *Alien: Earth* felt like a salute to fans, suggesting it would be safe like Jonesy.

However, I was incorrect. In the premiere episode, the Maginot crash-lands on Earth, bringing bad luck to everyone aboard, including the cat. But a crash would be better than what ultimately unfolds.

In episode 2, Prodigy Corporation’s hybrids investigate the debris and stumble upon the Maginot’s lab, where the cat is found. Its mews are gurgled, its fur stained with blood, and its hind legs drag limply.

The image is horrifying, particularly for cat owners who have faced pet crises. The cat’s movements and sounds brought back memories of taking care of my ailing cat. It’s acceptable to take a moment here if necessary.

The situation escalates as the cat reveals a grotesquely large eye, replaced by T. Ocellus, a parasitic eyeball-octopus hybrid that seizes control of its host’s brain. T. Ocellus detaches from the cat, leaving it lifeless. Justice for the Maginot feline!

Though fleeting, this scene ranks among *Alien: Earth*’s most unsettling. The terror of the Xenomorph is intertwined with the loss of bodily sovereignty. T. Ocellus introduces the dread of an outside force commandeering your mind, poignantly underscored by the cat’s demise.

Fans of *Alien* can relate to the anxiety of potentially losing Jonesy, feeling relieved when he escapes harm. Hawley toys with these anticipations in *Alien: Earth*, lulling viewers into a false sense of security regarding the Maginot’s cat.

“Surely this is merely an Easter egg,” one might ponder. “Surely the cat will be okay like Jonesy!” But in Hawley’s horror, the fate of the cat exemplifies the dread of T. Ocellus and a chilling reality about *Alien: Earth*: no one is protected.

*Alien: Earth* is currently available for streaming on Hulu, with new episodes debuting on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and FX.