This week on Resident Alien, Harry and Asta flew to Manhattan to find the alien who contacted him, and learned he was a street artist known only as Goliath, “the Ghost of New York.” The original Harry Vanderspeigle’s past also came back into the spotlight, as the pair learned he and Sam Hodges had been blackmailed before their deaths. Back in Patience, Ben asked D’Arcy to borrow an ATV to spy on Jessup’s plans for a 5-star resort, and Thompson grew frustrated with Liv’s interest in UFOs.
1. 42, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Before he heads to New York, Harry is informed by Sahar that the ball Max took has gone missing, so she’ll be wanting Murphy — the dog he kidnapped last week — back. Harry, who hid Murphy in the back with 42 the octopus, is too outraged to notice Murphy emerging chewing 42 like a toy, while Sahar is as stunned as we are, meaning it’s too late when she finally points out what’s happening. I was distraught, and confused by how amusing I found 42’s death; yes, it was very emotional, I love 42, and I was sad Wash and Mal Reynolds were being separated again, but good lord was Harry trying to perform CPR on an octopus funny. (Alan Tudyk deserves an Oscar, yes, an Oscar, I meant what I said.) The kicker was Harry dolefully having 42’s remains for dinner, which was very weird, despite it being his last wish. (And The Simpsons doing it first.)
2. Harry vs. the City of New York
Harry finds Manhattan an overwhelming, smelly and overpopulated place (similar to Atlantis, which was real apparently), and immediately gets briefly separated (and sent into a panic) from Asta. While Asta heads into the Galvan/Powell Group’s reception to find out more about Human Harry and Sam’s blackmailers, Harry wanders into a downstairs cafe to have some pie, and finds himself accosted by a henchman (Robert Moloney, who’s dressed like a Dick Tracy villain), who demands to know if he destroyed some medical files. Harry manages to blow him off by being very vague, but he probably made an enemy for life: damn, New York did not make a good first impression on him. Then again, given the way he corrected Asta after she mistakenly believed his second order of pie was for her, perhaps he fits right in. (Kidding, I love New York!)
3. D’Arcy and Ben Move On (Hopefully)
While scouting the area Jessup is interested in, D’Arcy apologizes to Ben for making a move on him, and he forgives her, acknowledging he is fairly attractive. They talk about his marriage to Kate, and the way he sometimes feels restrained by it (he doesn’t allow himself to fart around her, for instance), leading her to encourage him to be impulsive, and put up a sign in their living room that he was reluctant to as he knew Kate would hate it. (I’d understand by the way, seriously, “Live, Laugh, Love,” what is this, 2012?)
D’Arcy then reveals she stashed weed when they were teenagers in what is now Max’s bedroom, further motivating him to loosen up. While smoking, Ben tells D’Arcy she’s no failure, revealing her boldness inspired him to rescue his family from David and Lisa, instead of waiting on Thompson. She eventually passes out, and he tucks her in like he would Max; perhaps her arrested development has made him realize that he can help her get over her feelings by treating her like a younger sister. (At least I hope so.)
4. Thompson vs. Baker
Thompson gets annoyed when he learns Liv is conducting interviews about UFO sightings, and crosses the line into paternalism when she disobeys him to restrain a detained man fighting back. At night, they meet off-duty at the park, where Thompson apologizes for his attitude, but Liv cuffs him to the bench so she can find out what’s really eating at him. Thompson confesses it’s the anniversary of Jesse’s death, and it’s not just the grief that’s resurfaced, but the guilt over causing it, revealing he and Jesse were childhood friends. Corey Reynolds gives a really beautiful and sincere performance in this scene — now he genuinely deserves an award. So, why was Thompson exasperated about Liv looking into UFOs, beyond being skeptical? Perhaps he’s subconsciously afraid Harry will harm her if she remembers his true nature?
Continued below5. Harry vs. Human Biology
Harry and Asta are led by Goliath’s clues to an art show, where he struggles to ascertain who might be his fellow alien. He attempts to call him using a silent whistle, but unfortunately, his human vocal chords cause everyone to hear him screeching. When they learn from a painting that Goliath’s been on Earth for over a decade, Harry gets upset at the realization that the brethren he’s been looking for has been contaminated by humanity too. He then consumes some LSD that a waiter offered, and starts hallucinating that he’s losing control of his human form, causing him to panic and run outside into Times Square (or maybe he wasn’t hallucinating losing his appearance, everything’s a bit unclear when you’re tripping, y’know?) I have agree with Harry, it is “some bullshit” LSD affects him. Asta, meanwhile, doesn’t notice, because the host of the event, Violinda Darvell (Maxim Roy), asks her how long she’s known Harry’s an alien.
Bonus Thoughts:
– The map Harry deciphers from Goliath’s murals indicates their homeworld orbits the double star Mizar and Alcor. And no, your eyes did not deceive you: Harry did stir his coffee with a fork.
– D’Arcy dancing on the counter was certainly one way to relieve workplace boredom; also, between that and Thompson’s rant about how pretentious mermaids sound, I’m getting the feeling the cast have free reign to adlib, and I’m here for it.
– Man, if Thompson hates the thought of mermaids that much, hopefully no one will tell him octopuses are sapient.
– Someone please tell Ben buying all the copies of The Patience Post to suppress bad reviews of his play still counts as violating free speech.
– On another slightly serious note, Human Harry and Sam being blackmailed is probably going to be another example of why America needs state-funded healthcare.
Once again, R.I.P. 42, and see you next week for Harry and Asta’s “Escape From New York.” Now for some tangentially related music!
