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As in any family, the relationship between sibling genres science fiction and horror has its ups and downs. Alien vs. Predator, though it had so much potential, is generally considered a low point in the genres' shared history. However, streamer Peacock's upcoming series Teacup is looking to be a relationship counselor of sorts, to analyze and resolve those blunders that put AVP at the bottom of so many franchise rankings. I'll explain how in just a moment, but first, Popverse is thrilled to share the show's very first teaser.

Pretty spooky, eh? Admittedly, it's impossible to tell what's going on in this first teaser (though some horror fans would argue that the less you know going into a show, the better) so allow me to explain what Teacup is going to be about: Based on the novel Stinger by Robert McCammon, Teacup tells the story of two galactic forces coming to earth. One is a more peaceful psychic being, and the other is a kind of space bounty hunter on the search for the first. This bounty hunter, though, is not the Boba Fett type - but a creature of cosmic terror that gives Pennywise himself a run for his money. 

Now, two alien species at odds wreaking havoc on a group of people is literally the plot of Aliens vs. Predator, so you might expect Peacock to be prone to its same pratfalls. But here's the thing - if Teacup follows the plot of Stinger, it will avoid what ultimately doomed AVP. That is, making one of its aliens too human.

At the end of Alien vs. Predator, main character/final girl Lex teams up with the last remaining Predator against a raging horde of xenomorphs. And while this makes sense for her, as it's the only , the move has been widely criticized as out of character for the Predator, who just moments before the team-up was committed to wiping out both the humans and xenomorphs in the movie, even upon pain of death. All of a sudden, one of the movie's titular monsters became, well, less monstrous, and critics never forgave it.

The idea of a creature with powers beyond that of mankind is as much of a scifi concept as it is a horror one. So long as Teacup remembers that, the related genres will live in harmony during its run, and we the audience will be all the better for it. 

Teacup comes to Peacock October 10, 2024.

If you love aliens bursting out of chests and hugging your face, then we have all you could want from  Popverse's Alien watch order, details on where Romulus fits into the Alien timeline, and all you need to know  on the upcoming Aliens TV show with Timothy Oliphant.