What do the aliens want in “Invasion?”

In the heart-stopping season finale of Simon Kinberg's Invasion, viewers were left teetering on the precipice of understanding, grasping for answers amidst an onslaught of fresh mysteries. The focal point of our musings: what, exactly, is the purpose of the alien invasion that has so brutally reshaped the world we thought we knew? Are these extraterrestrial beings here to conquer, study, or transform Earth? The Socratic method, with its tradition of challenging assumptions and seeking evidence, may help us find answers.

To begin, let's lay down our initial assumptions: we're dealing with an alien species sophisticated enough to travel the vast distances of space and engage in a planet-wide offensive. Their motivations may be as alien as their form, but we can still look for clues in their actions, their effects on humanity, and their interactions with our world.

Conquest or Colonization?

The most straightforward assumption would be conquest. Aliens have often been portrayed as interstellar conquerors in pop culture, eager to annex new worlds and exploit their resources. In Invasion, there is evidence that supports this theory. The aliens seem to have started terraforming Earth. Terraforming, the process of altering a planet's atmosphere and ecology to be more suitable for life (as we see in the Amazon rainforest scene), implies a desire for long-term occupation, even habitation. Are the aliens, then, attempting to make Earth more suitable for their own species?

However, the narrative subtly challenges this assumption. If the aliens wanted to conquer Earth for their own species, why not eliminate humanity entirely? Why the partial and seemingly random attacks? Furthermore, if they're capable of interstellar travel, wouldn't they be able to manipulate their own environment to suit their needs without resorting to violent invasions? Is there something unique about Earth that they can't replicate elsewhere?

Scientific Study?

Another possible motive is scientific curiosity. The aliens might be interested in studying Earth, its inhabitants, or the planet's unique properties. This theory aligns with their selective and non-total extermination approach. They could be observing human behavior under stress, examining our cultural or biological traits, or testing Earth's unique resources.

However, their violent methods seem to contradict this assumption. Scientific study usually suggests a degree of detachment, a desire to observe without overly influencing the subjects or systems. The destructive, transformational effects of the alien invasion, from mass deaths to dramatic ecological shifts, seem incompatible with this goal. Why disrupt a system so much if you're attempting to understand it?

Transformational Agenda?

A more speculative theory is that the aliens are here to transform Earth - not for their habitation but for a higher, perhaps incomprehensible purpose. The evidence supporting this theory lies primarily in their interaction with the psychic abilities of humans like Caspar and Hinata's father. They seem to have the ability to connect with the human consciousness at a profound level, enabling a shared psychic experience. This intermingling of consciousness, while at times deadly, could suggest a goal beyond conquest or study.

Again, this theory has its own contradictions. Why choose such a destructive path for transformation? If their goal is to elevate or transform human consciousness or the Earth itself, wouldn't a peaceful approach yield better results? Or is violence and disruption an essential part of the transformation, a breaking down of the old to make way for the new?

The rich, layered narrative of Invasion leaves us with more questions than answers. As we continue to question, probe, and challenge, we find ourselves entwined in the mystery that mirrors our own human curiosity and the quest for understanding. The alien purpose, like much of the universe, remains enigmatic, a riddle that may be beyond our understanding. As we await season 2, we are left to contemplate these questions, exploring the spaces between the known and the unknown, between assumptions and revelations.