Resident Alien (SyFy series now on Netflix)

[Dave]

There ought to be a thread on this series so I'm beginning one. It's from a Dark Horse comic story. I'm surprised no one else has discussed it.

I've taken the liberty to quote these existing posts here:

Just saw Resident Alien - thought it was very funny. Alan Tudyk was great in it.

I ...saw the first episode of Resident Alien, which i very much enjoyed.

I just saw a trailer for Resident Alien. It looked interesting, but the Netflix trailer made him look like an less competent Dexter and I assume that it's rather meant to be a comedy....

Resident Alien is great. I'll probably watch it first now. My idea of him as an incompetent Dexter is almost spot on, but I realise that Alan Tudyk isn't on TV nearly enough. He has so much facial expression. And I've missed his little painted dinosaurs on the dashboard in Firefly.

Resident Alien is a show Netflix has bought from SyFy Channel, so Netflix only has two of the three seasons. This first season looks like it has some long story arcs - the "Home Alone" kid who can see him as an alien - all the women wanting to date him - his spacecraft under the soon-to be-melting snow - and the device that will cause a mass extinction event.

It also has some similarities to Alien Nation which I liked too. They both have a very dark humour underneath a veneer of the lighter humour.

There are far more levels in this that that. Even the metaphysics of what it is to be human.

I've just binged on the rest of Season 1 of Resident Alien. It's the best show I've never watched before.

I almost forgot about the murder that needed to be solved as another long story arc, finally solved.

I like all the well developed characterisations. I like the strong female characters (unusual in any TV series.) I like the way Native American culture is reflected in how it feels to be an alien. It also works that it's a small town where everyone knows everyone, but no one ever really leaves, and any strangers stand out.

The 'Men (and Woman) in Black' have such a funny relationship too. I also love the 'E.T. kids,' the new Doctor, the Mayor and the Teacher relationship, and the Sheriff and Deputy relationship. The appearance of his wife, Isabelle, was unexpected, but worked. Her leaving was more unexpected, but then he does have way too many human women in his life to contend with. Marcie's story is bittersweet.

The whole thing is a very funny satire but episode 9 is especially a hoot with those 'alien convention' and the 'Karaoke' set pieces.

And it's great to see SFF staples Linda Hamilton and Terry O' Quinn appearing in it too. i can't wait to watch Season 2.

 

[Cthulhu.Science]

Resident Alien is a good time.
The show is a Canadian production and it shows in a lot of little ways.

 

[Rodders]

Thanks, i did look last week but didn't find anything.

I've only fully watched the first episode, but it is very good. Likeable characters and Alan Tudyk is very watchable.

It's got a nice Wonderfalls vibe to it.

 

[Dave]

I won't spoil it any further, but the story races around and is quite involved, and it raises quite serious issues in a satirical manner (very like Alien Nation did). Tudyk also has some great one-liners.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Sounds interesting - next time I have Netflix will try to remember to seek this out.

 

[Dave]

The second series begins a little slow. When people know that he is an alien it is far less funny. And a lot of women getting drunk in a bar, is that funny? However, it does pick up. The introduction of his daughter in S2:E5 together with the Sheriff and Deputy investigating their 'missed day' and the hilarious Mayor's play about the mine accident, make that the best episode. I've watched up the point that he goes to New York to find Goliath and takes LSD.

 

[Dave]

I've watched all the second season now. It's longer but it definitely gets more 'soapy' and less funny. That turns around towards the end, when it gets darker and back to the alien theme again. I don't want to spoil but it's a pity that Terry O'Quinn is killed off, and I honestly didn't expect the Goliath reveal.

 

[Rodders]

Making my way through it slowly and am now on S1: E7. It's giving me Third Rock From The Sun vibes.

 

[Droflet]

I agree with most of the comments above but for me I stopped watching when I stopped laughing.