FX’s science-fiction horror series “Alien: Earth” has emerged as a breakout hit less than two weeks after its 12 Aug premiere. Disney said the opening two episodes were streamed 9.2 million times worldwide on FX, Hulu and Disney+ during the first six days, making the show last week’s most-watched programme across the two services. Critics have been equally enthusiastic, giving the series a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while Hulu lists it as its No. 1 title. Created by “Fargo” and “Legion” showrunner Noah Hawley, the franchise’s first television entry is set two years before Ridley Scott’s 1979 film and blends corporate intrigue with creature horror. The third instalment, “Metamorphosis,” which aired on 20 Aug, ended the opening arc by relocating the action from a crashed Weyland-Yutani vessel to Prodigy chief executive Boy Kavalier’s secret island laboratory. The episode introduced several franchise firsts, including a televised facehugger extraction and dissection led by synthetic researcher Kirsh, and expanded the mythos around cyborg security officer Morrow, whose newly revealed 65-year history underscores the show’s themes of immortality and corporate exploitation. Hybrid protagonists Wendy, Curly and their siblings also began to show divergent loyalties, hinting at conflicts ahead. “Alien: Earth” streams on Hulu and Disney+ shortly after its Tuesday night broadcast on FX, with five episodes remaining in the eight-part season.