This week on Resident Alien, Heather’s abrupt departure sent Harry into an dramatic downwards spiral, which in turn caused Asta and D’Arcy’s relationship to became frayed. Elsewhere, Mike started to reflect on his treatment of women after encountering Lena’s son, and… a certain someone returned to Earth.
1. The Universe’s Most Heartbreakingly Funny Break-Up
Heather and Harry’s break-up was so damn funny, from her using the infamous “buying cigarettes” line as she left, to dumping him via messenger pigeon, and the subsequent back-and-forth that sent poor “Arlo” flying to and fro until she finally gave up and used the portal to leave him in-person. I was so emotionally conflicted during this sequence, because I was laughing my head off at the sheer ridiculousness of it, and feeling genuinely sad over Harry’s hurt and confusion. The subsequent scene where Asta and D’Arcy check in with him, and he acts like the world’s oldest teenager was also hysterical; I knew Harry would be heartbroken, but damn, I was not expecting him to shut the door quite so literally and figuratively on the rest of the world.
2. Sister Fight
Handling Harry’s heartbreak proves to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for Asta and D’Arcy, who were squabbling over the latter’s decision to tell Ben about his abductions, and Jay raiding the fridge, as well as Asta letting Jay’s girlfriend, Bree (Gina Vultaggio), stay over without D’Arcy’s knowledge. (It’s ironic, D’Arcy wanted to be Jay’s cool aunt so badly before this.) The two descend into accusing each other respectively of being a loose cannon and of having a martyr complex, and they don’t reconcile by the end of the episode, although they manage to (barely) put aside their differences when Harry disappears into the mountains, which was a realistic touch that helped sell their current rift.
3. Mike and Liv’s Scary Brand of Feminism
Mike discovers Lena’s son, Troy (Josh Zaharia), has been stalking him, trying to understand what kind of man would break his mom’s heart. (And here I thought the boy might not be real!) His shame causes him to persuade Liv to confront her nasty grandma Patty over the years of emotional abuse she’s subjected her to, culminating in a foul-mouthed rant that causes Nana to faint. It was unreal seeing our timid deputy lose her shit, and Mike realizing he may’ve been too supportive, plus the very presence of bleeped swearing, which is always an unexpectedly funny way to break the fourth wall. (Can we have the unbleeped audio? I want to know if Elizabeth Bowen really was cussing.) Still, good for Liv, and good on Mike for discovering his inner feminist.
4. A Clone? What, Like [Insert Movie of Your Choosing]?
Judy, you dim-witted angel! You disappear for the past two episodes and then you prove pivotal by spying on Joseph and Heather’s meeting, alerting D’Arcy as to what’s going on. Harry sees from the footage that Heather gave the greys his DNA, which would allow them to create a clone who can use the technology they stole. Now, a clone? I guess that would be simpler than using Heather’s family to blackmail him into betraying humanity too, but what an unexpected prospect: Harry vs. Evil Harry? So you’re telling me we could have two Alan Tudyks onscreen together? I don’t think the world is ready for such a prospect: the levels of laughter that could ensue from him bickering with himself could be apocalyptic.
5. NO, BAD BABY!
Bridget returns to Earth in his own little spaceship in the cold open, something that’s not followed up on until the final scene, when he kills and assumes the form of a trucker (Silvio Cuadra), before telling a diner waitress that he’s here to take out his father. What happened?! Are Harry’s people pissed he didn’t take the greys’ deal? Did they exile Bridget over that, so he’s seeking revenge? Is he trying to stop Harry from preventing the course of events that leads to his existence? Or is he just mad over being given such a stupid name? God, first Harry is betrayed by the only woman he’s ever truly loved, and now his alternate future self’s son wants to kill him: what a horrible turn of events this week has been.
Continued belowBonus Thoughts:
– I don’t how much to say about Ben and Kate continuing to slowly uncover what’s really going on this week, other than to ask where’d Kate get those handcuffs? Oh yeah… talk about a long game.
– Don’t get me started on how McCallister tried to cheer Harry up by giving him an emu: that’d be like if Harry tried to pair you or me up with a gorilla or a chimpanzee, it’s so speciesist and messed up.
– Remember: don’t confuse your knees with your niece, or the city in France.
– Poor Steve.
See you next week for “Here Comes My Baby,” which certainly sounds much more terrifying now! Ugh, kids right? And since we’ve spent the whole time talking about “Bye Bye Birdie,” how about we kick back and listen to the song it’s named after?
