Resident Alien Season 4, Episode 4 Review: I Loved Alice Wetterlund’s Stunning Performance During D’Arcy’s Tough Moment With Ben

Resident Alien season 4, episode 4 packs an emotional punch as Harry and his friends confront some difficult truths. The hit sci-fi comedy series continues the season with the townsfolk of Patience still hiding huge secrets from one another. While this season has been the one where most characters now acknowledge aliens are real, they are hesitant to share that information with each other.

Following the return of Heather, Harry’s girlfriend in Resident Alien season 4, and the death of the Mantid, the focus of this season has begun to shift. While the Mantid was set up as a major antagonist and threat for the season, he is now off the board, and the people of Patience are once again at the center of the story. From D’arcy keeping huge secrets from Ben and Kate to Sheriff Mike coming to terms with an alien invasion, a lot is happening. And for Harry, his reunion was complicated by the complex emotions he now feels towards Heather as an ordinary human.

Resident Alien Gets Deep In Season 4, Episode 4

Despite being a comedy show, Resident Alien knows how to balance the humor with more serious and dramatic moments. And this comes across spectacularly in episode 4. After the Mantid was taken out of play, Harry has to confront Heather about the fact that he is now a human. In addition, we see some flashbacks that explore the closeness between D’arcy and Ben Hawthorne, which makes the distance between them now even more intense.

These emotional beats add powerful layers to the show that help break up the consistent jokes and develop a deeper plot. It also creates a lot of intrigue and tension as these characters are forced to hold their tongue while seeing each other on a regular basis. This tension easily overshadows the setup of the Mantid from earlier in the season and keeps the drama rolling.

On top of creating tension and drama, the way these characters are dancing around the truth also gives them individual chances to shine. Harry and Heather play a big part in the episode, but increasingly, the locals are becoming a much larger part of the narrative, with their own journeys and objectives. The way they confront each other and avoid telling the truth is satisfying, with the show setting the stage for season 4’s second half.

Resident Alien Beautifully Balances Comedy & Drama

While some of the season’s episodes have leaned more into action, comedy, or drama, this episode is much better balanced. Some of the funniest moments in the episode come from Harry’s interactions with Heather and the appearance of her father. In addition, Sheriff Mike is increasingly becoming a highlight as he navigates his newfound belief in aliens, while trying to keep up a healthy relationship with his stern and level-headed girlfriend.

On the other hand, this episode also pushes some of the most intense dramatic moments of the season, with Ben and Kate trying to confront D’arcy about her knowledge of aliens, and again when Ben meets D’arcy alone in the hopes of getting the truth out of her. In this encounter, D’arcy hits an emotional rock bottom as she lies to her dear friend’s face. The moment is stunningly performed by Alice Wetterlund.

The relationships between characters are at the core of this episode, and while it doesn’t appear to significantly move the plot forward, several characters achieve major development milestones. Resident Alien continues to build a strong foundation for season 4, with the stakes continuing to rise for all involved.