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.