214 // Alien Day: The Founders Part Two | An Interview With Joshua Izzo

Happy Alien Day! We are pleased to present our interview with former Fox executive, Joshua Izzo. In 2022, we interviewed informal Alien Day founder Alaric Hahn. This year, we're talking to the man in charge of starting Alien Day as we know it on a corporate level. Josh Izzo is the former Director of Licensing at 20th Century Fox, before it was purchased by Disney. This was one of the most insightful and fascinating conversations that pulls back the curtain at what was happening in the company before Disney stepped in. We hope you enjoy. 



BONUS EPISODE: Frame Rate | The Last of Us

To say HBO's The Last of Us had a high bar to clear would be putting it mildly. For one thing, it would need to adapt one of the most critically acclaimed video games in history to a different medium. But to be successful, it would also need to speak to new fans in an urgent way, while carrying along the fans who'd been there since 2013. To simultaneously satisfy a generation of PlayStation gamers' expectations while surprising them enough to feel like more than a series of cutscenes.

In this installment of Frame Rate—the first of (at least) two episodes we're dedicating to TLOU—Jaime, Patrick, Micah, and Dan (Ferlito, who came back just for the occasion!) explore the first season of this landmark television series in depth. Please—please—make sure you've watched all the episodes of season one before listening to this, as we go very much into spoilers. 

213 // The Blomkamp Saga: Part Three

As we bring this Blomkamp miniseries to a close, we end in a place we never expected: one of empathy, appreciation, and understanding. It's easy to lose sight of the human behind the headline. Neill Blomkamp underwent some very public suffering during the events surrounding his unmade Alien film. And Ridley Scott, despite his prickly exterior, is a person with feelings and frustrations as well—and Alien: Covenant is a window into those frustrations. 

This final installment is dedicated to listener feedback, and it's your listener feedback that brings us to that place of empathy. This episode is a wild ride, and it's one we'll always remember. Thank you for writing in, thank you for giving us new perspectives and insights, and thank you for being part of the Alien family. We're lucky to share this space with all of you.

212 // The Blomkamp Saga: Part Two

Jaime, Christian, Andie and Patrick sit down for the next episode in our Blomkamp miniseries to discuss the fallout of Blomkamp's project during the release of Alien Covenant. We leave no stone unturned as we attempt to get to the bottom of how much Covenant was affected by the excitement for the ill-fated Blomkamp film. Join us once again as we continue to investigate the Alien film that was never made, yet feels like it was. 

211 // The Blomkamp Saga: Part One

Almost exactly eight years after our first episode aired, we return to the topic that started it all: Neill Blomkamp's unmade Alien project.

In this first episode of a miniseries we're devoting to the Blomkamp situation, Jaime, Patrick, and Christian take a trip back in time to 2015 and examine the sequence of events that led to the very public conversations about whether or not this thing was going to get made. What actually existed? Was there a script? What would this film have become?

Join us as we don our detective hats and seek some answers.

// Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes

209 // Lovecraft and Alien: Covenant

As we close out (for now) our miniseries on Lovecraft's cosmic horror in the Alien universe, we come to the most recent film in the saga: the ever-controversial, ever-interesting, ever-bizarre Alien: Covenant.

Is Covenant Lovecraftian? Is it Gothic horror? Is it something in the middle? Jaime, Patrick, and resident Lovecraft expert Christian ponder these (and many more) questions on this wide-ranging and impassioned episode.

They also address recent listener feedback about whether the prequel saga should continue—and, if so, what a successful third prequel might look like.

Artwork by Matt Hatton.

// Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes

208 // Alien 3: The Theatrical Cut vs The Assembly Cut | A Roundtable

In what was our final recording for the calendar year 2022, Jaime, Patrick, Christian and Perry come together to discuss the working title news of the Fede Alvarez-directed Alien film as well as go on to discuss the merits of the theatrical edition of Alien 3 versus the Assembly Cut. From chest-bursting, to creature effects, we leave no stone unturned as we share our ideas on why one version of Alien 3 may work better than another. We hope you enjoy and thank you for celebrating the 30 year anniversary of Alien 3 with us. 

207 // Interviewing Adam Ezekiel (Nostromo Crew)

The costumes of Alien have long been praised for adding to the verisimilitude of the film's "Truckers in Space" aesthetic. Fans have sought out replicas of these items right from the start with hats, patches, and pins filling the back pages of Starlog magazine.

In this episode we sit down with Adam Ezekiel, a fan who has turned his love for the Nostromo crew uniforms (and his keen eye for detail) into a prospering business.

Make sure to stop by Adam's website, www.nostromocrew.com, to see his work for yourself!

// Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes

BONUS EPISODE: Frame Rate | Andor - A Roundtable Discussion

We are happy to release our coverage of the Disney+ series Andor as a bonus episode this holiday season. In this special roundtable, your hosts Jaime, Patrick, Christian, AndieGeekGirl, and special guest Micah Greene discuss what some of us agree is the best Star Wars product since the original trilogy. As always this was a lively and in-depth conversation that we hope you enjoy. 

206 // The Space Jockey

Some call it the Pilot. Some call an Engineer. Many of us call it the Space Jockey. Call it what you will, this mysterious figure inside the Derelict has haunted and intrigued fans for decades.

But why? What is it about this silent, seemingly ancient figure that makes it so unforgettable? For years, a major part of the Jockey's lasting appeal was its unknowability. But now that we have the prequels—and with them, the Engineers—is the Jockey no longer a mystery? Or has the mystery just shifted?

In this roundtable, Jaime, Patrick, Maj, and Perry ponder these questions and come to some unexpected conclusions. They also explore the history of the Pilot from script to screen, and examine its life in the Expanded Universe of Dark Horse comics, etc.

// Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes

205 // Lovecraft and Prometheus (Cosmic Horror Part Two)

A decade ago, Guillermo del Toro famously stopped his work on an adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness because he felt Ridley Scott's Prometheus had beaten him to the punch. Scott himself was mum on the issue, but when Prometheus premiered in theaters it was clearly connected to ATMOM, whether Ridley (or Spaihts, or Lindelof) were public about it.

So what exactly is Prometheus' connection to Lovecraft's 1931 novella? Do they share story beats, or are there deeper philosophical connections between the two? 

In this second installment of our investigation into cosmic horror and the Alienfranchise, we mount an expedition to look for answers to questions we might not've known we were asking in the first place.

Art by François Baranger.

// Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes

204 // Alien and Cosmic Horror: Part One

"Lovecraftian" gets thrown around a lot these days, but what does it actually mean? When people say Alien is a Lovecraftian film, what are they getting at?

We're launching a miniseries to explore those questions (and a whole lot more), and on this first installment we're looking at H.P. Lovecraft himself and how his themes speak to the themes in Alien.

How does Giger's reverence for HPL show up in the film? What are we actually afraid of, long after the credits roll? Join Jaime, Patrick, and bona fide Lovecraft scholar Christian as they wade into the strange depths in search of answers.

To support Christian's Necronomicon project, head over to his Patreon page!

// Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes

203 // Wreckage & Rage: David Fincher and Alien 3

David Fincher's involvement with Alien 3 does not have a storybook ending. Unlike his predecessors Ridley Scott, and James Cameron, Fincher's work on Alien 3 would be remembered as one of the most troubled productions in cinema history. In this episode, Christian, Patrick, and Jaime discuss the issues surrounding Fincher's involvement and the merits of his continuing disassociation from the film. This was a interesting and challenging conversation. We hope you enjoy.

202 // The Feminine & The Beast

Feminism is a word that's long been linked to the Alien franchise, and it continues to be an incendiary term in our current social climate. In this episode, special guest Sarah Welch-Larson joins Patrick, Andie, and Jaime to break down what that actually term means and if it's faithful to the spirit of the original four Alien films. This was an informative and educational episode that might surprise you. We hope you enjoy.

201 // Interviewing the Team Behind Aliens Expanded

Patrick and Jaime were delighted to sit down with writer/director Ian Nathan, and executive producer Robin Block as they discussed their new documentary Aliens Expanded. If Alien fandom has a bedrock, it would be none-other than James Cameron's Aliens. Aliens is the film everyone gathers around, the main course at a cinematic feast. Ian, and Robin discuss why they believe that's the case, and how they want to capture the love and celebration in a documentary that's certain to ignite our love for the film even more. We hope you enjoy.

200 // Celebrating 200 Episodes of Perfect Organism Podcast & Beyond

Perfect Organism: The Alien Saga Podcast celebrates 200 episodes of what has been a rollercoaster of excitement and wonder. Join cohost and founder Jaime, Patrick, Christian, AndieGeekGirl, Perry, Maj, & Xander as they sit down to discuss the journey they've been on as a team, the road ahead, and the latest Alien tv show and film news. This was a wonderful episode to be a part of. This was a very special episode for everyone, we hope you enjoy.

199 // Inferno’s Fall: Interviewing Authors Philippa Ballantine & Clara Carija

Christian, Patrick, and Jaime were delighted to sit down with co-authors Philippa Ballantine and Clara Carija to discuss their new book, Alien: Inferno's Fall. As long time fans of the Alien saga and extended universe, Philippa and Clara discuss what the Alien universe means to them, and their propensity for creating rich and diverse worlds populated with multifaceted characters. This was a wonderful interview full of laughter and candid moments. We hope you enjoy.

198 // Interviewing Chris Bissette, Creator of The Wretched

Have you ever wondered what would've happened if Ripley's showdown with the creature onboard The Narcissus had ended differently? Chris Bissette is a game designer, writer, and musician who created an innovative RPG experience to explore that question—not only creating a theoretical fifth act to Alien, but putting players in Ripley's shoes as well. The Wretched is an original IP, but functions beautifully as an Alien analogue.

In this minisode, Patrick and Christian chat with Chris about game design, the enduring power of Alien, and why single-player RPG experiences are having such a moment. 

For more on Chris and their work (and to grab a copy of The Wretched for yourself!), visit https://loottheroom.itch.io/wretched.

And be sure to give Chris a follow on Twitter @pangalactic while you're at it!

An actual play of The Wretched will be coming to our Patreon feed in the near future if you'd like to hear the full audio experience. Happy gaming!

// Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes

197 // The Artificial Intelligence of Alien and Blade Runner

In this special crossover episode, hosts Patrick and Jaime are joined by contributing host Peter from the Midwest to discuss artificial intelligence as featured in Alien and Blade Runner. This is a bit of a crossover episode as we explore why the kinds of A.I. exist in both of these worlds and what's really behind the need for such technology. This was a fascinating and complicated discussion. We hope you enjoy!

To listen to the rest of this Artificial Intelligence mini-series, go to www.bladerunnerpodcast.com 

// Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/perfectorganismitunes