Resident Alien, Season 1, Episode 4 “Bird’s of A Feather”
Air Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 10:00PM – 11:00PM ET/PT on Syfy
Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars
***WARNING: Spoilers Ahead ***
“Why can’t you just be getting a divorce!” – Max
The more I watch Resident Alien, the more I appreciate the intro and the variety of animated ‘how to’ guides pop up. Like how to use and not use a urinal. Vital things for aliens to learn. In “Bird’s of A Feather,” Max (Judah Prehn) thinks his parents are sitting him down to tell them they’re getting divorced. Nope, they just invited an alien to dinner.
Harry (Alan Tudyk) decides to bring D’Arcy (Alice Wetterlund) but not as a date, but as a buffer. Of course, D’Arcy has a completely different take on this dinner. She also reveals some fun facts about her and Ben’s (Levi Fiehler) history. They both grew up in Patience, CO and, you guessed it, they dated, much to Ben’s wife Kate’s (Meredith Garretson) surprise.
While the grown-ups are talking, Max and his new friend Sahar (Gracelyn Awad Rinke) are secretly plotting to steal Harry’s keys so they can do some recon at his cabin. Max’s over-the-top act to keep Harry at the house while Sahar goes to get a copy of the keys is quite funny. Harry is a little suspicious but he’s also a bit delusional in thinking Max likes him.
After dinner, Harry takes D’Arcy back to her place. He has no intentions of going further but when she asks, “Are you going to kiss me?” Harry leans in and gives her a kiss like no other. I’m reminded, more than once in “Bird’s of A Feather,” of scenes in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. The kiss Dr. Bravestone and Ruby Roundhouse share, that’s kind of what happens with Harry and D’Arcy. It’s a ‘must-watch’ scene, especially since Harry experiences “rigor mortis” in his genitals. Tudyk does such a fantastic job portraying an alien having his first human boner! Hilarious!
Meanwhile, back in town, Sheriff Mike Thompson (Corey Reynolds) and Deputy Liv Baker (Elizabeth Bowen) log evidence from the lake. Everything from ice skates to “doorknobs” are found, including a very familiar doorknob that looks like the one that got broken when the Alien killed the real Harry Vanderspeigle. Sheriff Mike needs to start listening to Deputy Liv more. She’s smarter than he gives her credit for and underestimates her abilities as a police officer.
It made me sad when Deputy Liv goes to the local bar and talks to D’Arcy. “It’s just one of those days where you question whether you deserve to exist.” You do, Liv! Sheriff Mike is a jerk and a bully. I love his crazy ass, but he doesn’t know what’s what. I love the pep talk and encouragement D’Arcy gives. While many people think she’s the town drunk, D’Arcy had a promising skiing career that came crashing down after her accident.
D’Arcy’s got more heart and depth than people give her credit for and it is showcased so well in “Bird’s of A Feather.” Well done to writer Tazbah Chavez and the other writers on this episode.
Asta (Sara Tomko) and her father Dan (Gary Farmer) take Harry with them to administer shots for Asta’s Grandma Ruth (Edna Manitowabi). I have always thought of elders being wise since they’ve been around awhile, having knowledge based on their experiences. I’m not sure if Grandma Ruth’s intuition is right or wrong about Harry. He’s not really a “white man” but a celestial extraterrestrial being pretending to be one. When she says, “You’re here to do good things, my boy; I can tell,” I want to believe her.
If you recall at the beginning of “Bird’s of A Feather,” Harry has a dream that he is accepted and welcomed, yet when the humanity destroying machine is delivered to him, everyone around gets disintegrated.
I digress. The events that take place at Asta’s family’s get-together is quite revealing. Harry accidentally on purpose spills the tea about Jay (Kaylayla Raine) being Asta’s long lost daughter. Then, after Harry tries to play basketball, he reveals he had a wife who died in a very poignant moment in this episode. He says that’s why he took “the job.” But Asta thinks it’s the town doctor when in reality it’s Harry’s mission to destroy mankind.
While on the road to Grandma Ruth’s house, the trio stop so Harry can use the bathroom. His urinal etiquette also reminds me of a scene in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle when Bravestone and Mouse Finbar try to help Shelly Oberon (aka Bethany) how to use her new equipment to urinate.
The two mysterious strangers from episode three, “Secrets,” are also there in their RV. The woman (Mandell Maughan) and the man (Alex Barima) talk about a “General” who’s given them orders. I’m very intrigued and eager to learn more about this General. And I’m not sure if a dude should ever ask another dude (especially a stranger) anything while they have their junk out in such close proximity.
Back at Harry’s cabin, Max and Sahar investigate down in the basement where they find the strange floating apple. When Sahar goes the touch, it releases an energy spark that knocks them both unconscious. Harry finds them, saddened that they are still alive. As he carries their bodies out in large duffle bags, an unfamiliar woman shows up to the cabin. Harry asks how she got in, to which she replies, “I have a key. I am still your wife.” Say what now? Human Harry is married?
This is getting much more complicated and interesting. I’m ready for the next episode!
Tune in to Resident Alien, Wednesdays at 10PM E/P on Syfy.
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Judy Manning
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