Imagine if Sheldon Cooper from “The Big Bang Theory” was an alien from a distant world, with a spaceship for a home and a “replicant” family unit. That’s Korvo, from Hulu’s animated comedy, “Solar Opposites.” Korvo is one of the four main characters from this hilarious series co-created by Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan.
A striking, multifaceted character, Korvo blends pessimistic humor, alien wonderment, and the innocence of a middle-aged man trying to grasp the complexities of human behavior.
Korvo: An Alien Genius
Korvo’s species from the planet Shlorp are all vaguely humanoid with a sprinkle of neon green skin and no noses. This unassuming appearance ironically complements Korvo’s longing for a mundane life on Earth. But, like his physical attributes, his lifestyle is anything but ordinary.
Surrounded by replicants Terry, Yumyulack, and Jesse, his attempts to blend into human society create a spiral of chaotic (and hilarious) events.
Aliases
- Korvo
- The Incredible Burn Victim Trash Man
- Korvy
- Korv
The Reluctant Leader
Despite his wishes for a quiet life, Korvo leads his band of alien replicants on Earth. His leadership skills are a mixed bag of practical decision-making, occasional panic, and an ever-present frustration with his fellow aliens, particularly Terry.
He wants nothing more than to fix their spaceship and return to the utopian world of Shlorp, away from the absurdities of Earth.
But his leadership isn’t about grand speeches and inspiring pep talks. It’s about keeping the ship (quite literally) running and making sure the replicants survive another day without causing an intergalactic incident. His constant struggle with understanding human norms offers many comedic and thought-provoking moments that add a new layer to Korvo’s character.
More Background
Korvo hails from the planet Shlorp, proudly representing the Shlorpian species. Life was bliss in the utopian world of Shlorp until an asteroid obliterated it. From then on, Korvo, his partner Terry, and their replicants, Yumyulack and Jesse, sought refuge on Planet Earth, aiming to settle down and create a new life.
As they grapple with Earth’s unfamiliar customs, Korvo’s family faces the challenges typical of immigrants on an alien planet. Their lack of experience on Earth lands the Shlorpian family in numerous wacky scenarios, proving that adapting to a new world is anything but easy.
Korvo and Terry: An Alien Odd Couple
If Korvo’s the straight man of this alien comedy duo, Terry is the wild card. Where Korvo is serious, focused, and a bit of a stick in the mud, Terry is laid-back, impulsive, and fascinated with Earth. This contrast creates a compelling dynamic at the heart of “Solar Opposites.”
Korvo’s exasperation and lack of understanding of Terry’s love for human pop culture often lead to some of the funniest moments in the show. He doesn’t understand Terry’s obsession with fun, colorful T-shirts or why he’d want to watch a show about a doctor who’s also a motorcycle.
Despite their differences, their bond deepens as they navigate the complexities of Earth together. This relationship not only creates a breeding ground for comedy but also adds depth to Korvo’s character, making him more endearing.
Alien Tech and Science Wizardry
Despite being exasperated by Earth’s complexities, Korvo’s scientific genius outshines many characters in the series. He’s an inventor, a mechanic, a mad scientist, and an alien who can make human technology seem outdated.
Whether it’s using a memory extractor to plunge into the minds of humans or building a robot to clean up after their messy shenanigans, Korvo’s inventions are far beyond human comprehension.
His scientific prowess, however, serves more than just the plot—it gives viewers insight into his world back on Shlorp. His inventions, although foreign and sometimes disastrous, are glimpses of an advanced civilization that humans can only dream of. Yet, it’s also a tool for comedy, as even the most advanced alien technology often leads to disastrous, unintended consequences.
An Alien Learning To Be Human
One of the key aspects of Korvo’s character is his struggle to fit into human society. He’s the perfect alien outsider trying to understand human emotions, culture, and habits.
Korvo’s observations and misunderstandings about Earth’s customs are both hilariously absurd and poignantly reflective. His interactions with human society serve as an amusing mirror held up to our own culture.
Even in his criticisms of Earth’s flaws, we see his longing to understand and fit in. For instance, his constant complaints about the weather are less about atmospheric conditions and more about understanding why humans are obsessed with discussing it. These nuances make Korvo a relatable character for anyone who’s ever felt like a stranger in a strange land.
The Pupa: Korvo’s Ultimate Responsibility
Finally, we can’t discuss Korvo without mentioning the Pupa. This cute, seemingly harmless creature that bears a striking resemblance to a neon green slug is anything but. It’s a ticking time bomb programmed to terraform Earth into another Shlorp, something Korvo is supposed to facilitate.
The Pupa presents a unique challenge for Korvo. It symbolizes his ultimate responsibility and the existential crisis of their stay on Earth. On one hand, he’s responsible for keeping it safe and making sure it matures. On the other, its maturation means the end of Earth as we know it.
This moral conundrum introduces a new level of depth to Korvo’s character and reinforces the complexity of his alien existence on Earth. As such, the Pupa is a constant reminder of Korvo’s ultimate mission, and how it contradicts his growing attachment to Earth.
Korvo’s Personality
Korvo embodies introversion, pessimism, and a certain close-mindedness. He vehemently despises Earth, a sentiment he openly expresses in the show’s opening sequence. Rather than embracing the local culture, Korvo chooses to hole up inside, fervently working on ship repairs to hasten their departure. He dismisses Earth’s inhabitants and their customs as senseless. Much like Yumyulack, Korvo possesses a cold, cunning, and serious demeanor.
In contrast to Terry, Korvo demonstrates hard work and diligence, earning himself the reputation as “the smart one”. He positions the mission at the top of his priorities, wishing for Terry and their family to focus their energy on it too.
Despite his negative feelings towards Earth, Korvo reluctantly attempts to learn and adapt, often spurred on by Terry.
This process sometimes sways his opinions and he even enjoys the experience occasionally. He remains the sole member laboring to fix their ship, though success eludes him.
Relatives
- Yumyulack (presumed replicant/”son”)
- Terry (evacuation partner/lifemate)
- Jesse (presumed surrogate “daughter”)
- Yumyulack Jr. (presumed “grandson”)
- Red Chris (progeny/”son”)
Voiced by
- Justin Roiland (2020 – 2022) / Dan Stevens (2023 – present)
Solar Opposites Korvo Does a Job
Korvo Narrating in The Show’s Intro
Planet Shlorp was a perfect utopia, until the asteroid hit. One hundred adults and their replicants were issued a Pupa and escaped into, uh, the space, searching for new homes on uninhabited worlds. We crashed on Earth, stranding us on an already overpopulated planet. That’s right, I’ve been talking this whole time. I’m the one holding the Pupa. My name’s Korvo. This is-this is my show. I just dropped the Pupa. Do you see me? (stammers) This is ridiculous. I hate Earth. It’s a horrible home. People are stupid.