Over the past few years, TBS has been knocking out its original programming of the park by banking on distinct shows such as Angie Tribeca, Wrecked, and The Detour. Aliens. They’re the gimmick in People of Earth. Only they’re not being treated like a gimmick at all (except when they are). Instead they take on the topic with a tremendous amount of maturity and curiosity, shining light on the people involved in “abductions” with respect and honesty. Right from the start, People of Earth feels very different for a pilot. It’s almost like you’re an abductee yourself. Ozzie Graham (played thoughtfully by Wyatt Cenac) is our entry point into this series. The skeptically optimistic Ozzie is a Pulitzer-chasing journalist who is profiling Star Crossed, a support group of alien experiencers (the term “abductee” is akin to slut shaming, we learn) and this is where the chaos really begins. We get to meet a wide range of support group members, consisting of the likes of character actors such as Brian Huskey as a guileless Ethernet jack salesman with a heavy hang up with Reptilians, Ana Gasteyer, and Oscar Nunez as a priest. In spite of Cenac’s Ozzie, this is truly an ensemble vehicle with everyone getting a chance to shine here. Not only that, but by the time this very busy pilot is over you actually manage to start caring about these weirdoes already. As Ozzie continues profiling these people he begins to realize that he might have more in common with them than he originally thought. The series spends a lot of time on just meeting these off kilter victims, their stories, who they are, and Ozzie’s increased fascination about it all, as well as what’s going on with the problems he’s been experiencing lately. The series pushes the idea that these people are not victims, but actually special, chosen individuals who can finally fulfill their purpose and do something. And if it’s not aliens that are behind this, then what IS going on in this hotbed (it’s surely a lot more than just “alien dickery” being afoot in Beacon, NY)? This degree of mystery amounts to quite the solid premise that has definite legs. People of Earth is very interested in humanizing this niche of individuals as well as unearthing why they believe the things that they do, but the show also looks pretty damn gorgeous while it’s opening up your mind. Greg Daniels directs the pilot (as well as the season finale, I’m told) and it contains perhaps some of the most beautiful cinematography that he’s worked with. Beacon, New York (which is real, by the way), is shot with such curious abandon. All of the abductee—er I mean, experiencer scenes are gorgeous set pieces to behold. The Reptilians in question are particularly well executed and seem far from derivative. The idea that these fantastical aliens are actually mundane, blasé individuals, on the other hand, is a little less fresh but the show still makes it work. Created by David Kissinger and David Jenkins (with Conan O’Brien’s Conaco handling the producing duties, along with the always reliable Greg Daniels), the two have spoken about intentionally creating a binge-friendly approach to their storytelling, even if the show is still airing from week to week. People of Earth’s pilot does a suitable job at showing off the addictive sort of narrative that will be in play here. The energy presumably is only going to get stronger as the show progresses. For instance, the pilot closes on a colossal twist that should leave all audiences hungry for the next chapter in this story. While much of the DNA of this pilot is concerned with debunking what’s false and establishing what’s true in this off kilter world, the episode also has a lot of introduction duty to take care of. People of Earth has a lot of characters, which is far from a negative thing. It just leaves this first episode feeling especially packed accordingly. Maybe Ozzie will get that Pulitzer yet…or maybe something even better. People of Earth premieres on TBS on October 31st at 9pm
