George R.R. Martin’s Nightflyers asks whether humanity deserves to be saved by aliens

Spoilers for the general plot of Nightflyers ahead.

In the first episode of Syfy’s new series Nightflyers, Karl D’Branin (Eoin Macken), head of a scientific expedition meant to intercept an alien spaceship and establish first contact, talks with xenobiologist Rowan (Angus Sampson) about the mission. Karl views the incredible energy given off by the ship as mankind’s salvation, but Rowan expects the aliens haven’t responded to repeated messages from Earth because they don’t want to talk.

“Any beings that intelligent would see the human race for what we are,” he says. “We’re a virus that has killed its host and is looking for a new host to infect… They’re probably going to exterminate us.”

Science fiction typically portrays aliens either...

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Pandora Stories lets artists add commentary to their own playlists

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