Elliott from Earth
Sweet cosmic fantasy promotes tolerance, curiosity, courage.
Elliott from Earth
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Elliott from Earth is an animated fantasy series about 11-year-old Elliott (voiced by Samuel Faraci), who travels around outer space visiting planets with intelligent life along with his mom, Frankie (Naomi McDonald), and dinosaur friend Mo (Noah Kaye Bentley). The show has an agreeably loopy tone; just about anything can happen from moment to moment, and what usually happens is that the characters meet odd-looking creatures who turn out to have recognizable, relatable motives and dilemmas. Some scenes may be too scary for younger or more sensitive viewers: The show sometimes plays up the menace of new beings or novel planets with ominous music, big dark shadows, flashes of light, and so forth, but it never feels as if anyone's in any real danger. Language is kept to a bare minimum ("Those gosh darn lights!" is about as profane as it gets), and there's no other mature content to question. Elliott from Earth takes advantage of its scientific setting to transmit facts, too -- the difference between types of meteorites, background on the Voyager 1 probe, and so forth. Communication and curiosity are evident in Frankie, Mo, and Elliott's zest for space travel and easygoing attitude upon encountering new creatures and ideas.
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What's the Story?
Created by the same team behind The Amazing World of Gumball, ELLIOTT FROM EARTH is an animated adventure series set in a surprisingly crowded outer space. Frankie (voiced by Naomi McDonald) was just an ordinary geologist when she found a meteorite that she believes is irrefutable proof of intelligent life in space. But since then, the only people she's been able to get to believe her ideas have been kooks. She travels from location to location with her inquisitive son, Elliott (Samuel Faraci), looking for answers -- that is, until Frankie's mysterious rock transforms into a beacon that sends them on a journey from planet to planet with the companionship of young dinosaur Mo (Noah Kaye Bentley). There are some mighty strange planets and creatures out there. Good thing Frankie, Elliott, and Mo are prepared to meet them all with a spirit of adventure.
Is It Any Good?
With a colorful, chunky visual style that will remind animation fans of Steven Universe and The Amazing World of Gumball and a cool cosmic setup, this charming series has heart and is lots of fun. At its core, the intergalactic adventures center around the chemistry between Elliott, Frankie, and Mo, and it's choice: Frankie is a gentle and playful authoritarian; Elliott is brash yet friendly; Mo is lovably brainless. The three instantly form a pseudo family that grounds all the wilder goings on, with Elliott becoming a sort of older brother to Mo, as well as an emotional anchor for Frankie, who often must balance her zest for scientific exploration with her obligations to her son. In the show's very first episode, she almost refuses to go with the beacon that blasts the two through space, yet Elliott urges her on: "Don't you want some answers? Besides, we're pretty good at moving."
And so, even though there are scary moments, with dark shadows looming and ominous music and unknown alien danger, it's all filtered through the Elliott/Frankie/Mo family unit and becomes not just something bearable, but an easygoing lesson for the viewer: What's out there in our own lives that scares us at first but ultimately becomes the source of joy and beauty? In an early episode, Elliott and Frankie are intimidated by a swampy planet with a surprisingly quick sunset. As gloom steals over the planet's surface and plunges them into inky black, Frankie and Elliott tense up. And then, the planet's trees and flowers light up one by one, casting an ethereal glow as Frankie sighs "This planet's like nothing I've ever seen before." You could say much the same about Elliott from Earth, too; it's a reliable pleasure with imagination, beautiful visuals, and surprisingly resonant emotion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of fantasy stories like Elliott from Earth. Why is it fun to imagine supernatural forces at play around us? How would it change the world if such things could be true?
Some animated shows contain both comedy and drama in their stories; Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and others. How does Elliott from Earth stack up to these other shows? Is it funnier? More dramatic? About the same? Does the comedy detract from the drama or vice versa? What do you think about this trend? What can animation do that live-action can't?
How do the characters in Elliott from Earth demonstrate compassion and curiosity? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 29, 2021
- Cast: Ashton Leon Frank, Samuel Faraci, Noah Kaye Bentley
- Network: Cartoon Network
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Science and Nature, Space and Aliens
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Curiosity
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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The Amazing World of Gumball
Colorful cartoon is full of silly laughs and scrapes.
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Steven Universe
Quirky cartoon values family, fun, and finding your purpose.
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Adventure Time
Original, if nonsensical, hilarity; expect minor weapons.
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