‘Resident Alien’ Recap: ‘The End Is Here’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Finale of ‘Resident Alien’. To revisit the Penultimate Episode, click here.
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For the most part, the series finale of a science fiction television series, is quite epic in nature. After all, the ending of Battlestar Galactica (the 2004 Ronald D. Moore version) featured a stunning and breathtaking final battle between humanity and the Cylons, and the finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation, featured a grand gambit to save all of humanity and the fabric of time and space. For sci-fi fans love a grand magnificent ending to the stories they love. But what’s interesting about finales like the ones just mentioned is that they also harbor a lot of humanity and moments that are emotional and powerful. Because big spectacle means nothing without depth and meaning, and the lovely characters those finales/shows harbored as well, and their response and their fight for something more, is a big reason why those finales matter.

Which is why, the ending of Resident Alien on USA Network and SYFY is one that will be fondly remembered. Because series creator, and writer of the series finale, Chris Sheridan, opted to try something new with the end of a grand sci-fi series. In that, he wondered what the ending to a show in this vein might look like, if it focused upon the humanity aspect over anything else and the end result… is a story for the ages. For ‘The End Is Here’ brought this show to its conclusion in a beautiful and powerful manner, after of course… straight up fooling us. For this story opened up with the return of Dr. Ethan. Who wanted to return to Patience to kill Harry and well, he died. But came back as another alien from Harry’s world. Who of course, was here to finish what Harry started and that, set the stage for a hideous final battle between Harry and this wayward usurper from his home world.

Who in a standoff, informed Harry that the Greys lost control of the Earth because of the Yellowstone incident and thus, Harry’s people were ready to blow the place up. Likely because, as Harry would put it, they were dicks. But that’s where this story took us in a vastly different direction and opted to give us a finale unlike any other in the genre. Because as time went on, Harry was quickly noticing that this second Dr. Ethan, was not a threat at all. Just another cold individual from his species that needed to take a beat and learn about the majesty of planet Earth and what it can do for visitors and those who live upon it when they are in tune with the beauty and the majesty it provides. And just like that, this alien was more human than alien and integrated himself into the town without anyone having to fire off a laser beam or raise a fist in anger.

Which in turn allowed for this story, to reflect upon four years of storytelling and what this journey meant to its characters and the audience and well, this ending made it clear… this was about the real wonder we are capable of. Of how while we are a flawed species, one that can take part in great cruelty, we are also capable of great beauty. Since we love, we laugh, we offer kindness and hope to one another and we learn, we grow, we change. We are also often grateful for our journey, since we come to understand how each moment both good and bad build upon one another. Plus, we lift one another up and inspire each other, even when we make poor choices. Which makes us a lovely species really, one that finds new ways to improve and new ways to believe in something more, even when our world is at its darkest. Because of the change we fear yet embrace, and that was a lovely to have spelled out here, and it was equally as lovely to be reminded that we should be embracing that beauty now more than ever in these dark days.

But of course, with this being a story, an ending, and a farewell… there was still more to for this story to offer. Since it took the time to reflect that change and put everyone on new paths in life to coincide with their new chapters, complete with an understanding of how they came to this point. After all, Mike and Liv found their way into federal work since their ability to face off against aliens and help Peter track down his son, did not go unnoticed. Not to mention, that helped Liv find peace regarding her own, scary close encounter, and Mike also made some real memories with his dad as part of Harry’s efforts to make right the mistakes he made. As for Ben and Kate, well… this four-year journey and those lessons helped Kate to think about going back into law, since Asta inspired her with her decision in this tale and Ben… well he finally realized how he was the sum of the whole in this life and a better man for having gone through it all.
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When it comes to D’arcy, well she finally came to realize in this tale… that she could be more than her mistakes and that she can make peace with them through kindness. Since she reached out to that skier she met in AA and took the time to point out how to not fall into the same mistakes she did. Both in skiing and in life, and that helped to give her soul real calm, and reminded her… that she had value and worth. Speaking of kindness, well Asta finally came to understand, that she would always be a caretaker. But that did not mean she could not see the world and experience life while staying true to herself, so she signed up with a service that provided medical care to those in need, and she of course… made nice with Jay and showed her daughter how much she really loved her, in her own special way. All of which brought those lessons home in a beautiful manner, and of course, Harry Vanderspeigle, had his own moment of summary and growth as well.

Because, as mentioned, he did his best to right wrongs, he found out how to bring down a real foe with kindness and he finally realized that he has desperately wanted to be loved in this life, and to matter to others, and here he learned… he had achieved those goals. Since his friends let him know how much he mattered to them and he had a love waiting for him across the stars and that allowed for he and Bridget to move into that new chapter, fulfilled. But not after a few final ‘son of a bitch’ moments and the trademark charm he’s sent our way for four lovely years and well… that is it, fellow nerds and geeks. That’s all we can say about this show. For we have reached the end of the journey, in a manner that was epic in its own right. By exploring the beauty of who we are and who we can be, and it was a story that was beautiful and tear jerking for certain, and well… all we can do now, is offer thanks.

Thanks to, Meredith Garretson, Elizabeth Bowen, Corey Reynolds, Levi Fiehler, Alice Wetterlund, Sara Tomko and Alan Tudyk, and the countless guest stars and supporting cast members in this series. For giving us performances that we deeply related to, that resonated with our very souls. Because without that, none of this would have worked, but you all sold it so well. Also, on a personal note, I cannot thank this cast enough for their time and their beautiful insights regarding their work on the show in the interviews I had the honor of taking part in, with them… and the same gratitude is extended to Chris Sheridan. Who above all, truly captured the wonder of who we are in the most creative manner possible, and we are all going to be grateful for that for years to come. Since so many of us will return to Patience when we need that pick me up, that hope that this wondrous series provides. But in the interim, this is indeed goodbye and what a lovely farewell it was and the only way to honor this show in the moment is to bask in the fact that we got to experience it in the midst of dark times, and perhaps… to eat a slice of pie, in Harry’s honor.