Read this review to see if the Resident Alien episode “Prisoners” is worth watching.
About Resident Alien
- Season 4, Episode 1: “Prisoners”
- Directed by Alan Tudyk
- Written by Chris Sheridan
- Synopsis: Harry and Robert must escape the alien prison on the Moon, and need the help of a friendly Grey. Meanwhile, Asta begins to suspect that the Harry with her isn’t “her” Harry. Liv helps Mike deal with what he saw, and Ben and Kate deal with Kate’s alien abduction.
- Airdate: June 06, 2025
- Starring: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Elizabeth Bowen, Clancy Brown, Michael Cassidy, Angela Chu, Taijah Clough, Levi Fiehler, Meredith Garretson, Andrea Geones, Enver Gjokaj
If you want to avoid spoilers for this episode skip to the overall section at the end.
Warning: Spoilers for Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 1 “Prisoners”
Recap Resident Alien (2025): S4E01 – “Prisoners”
The trailer suggests Harry Vanderspeigle (Alan Tudyk) returns to Earth, but the episode starts with him stuck on the moon. The third season revealed the Grey Aliens took Kate Hawthorne’s (Meredith Garretson) baby, leading to D’Arcy Bloom (Alice Wetterlund) saving her and her baby. The family is not reunited yet as D’Arcy is hiding with the child and getting a little too attached.
The season 4 premiere of Resident Alien opens with Asta Twelvetrees (Sara Tomko) in bed with Joseph Rainier (Enver Gjokaj), a Grey alien who seems to be shape-shifting into a human form. Asta and D’Arcy have Mayor Ben and Kate’s baby, which the Grey aliens are still after. Kate is fight-training with a dummy that looks a lot like Ben, but she’s unable to protect her baby. D’Arcy realizes she cannot keep the baby in town. Asta finds a home for the child on a reservation, symbolizing a twist of fate for Native Americans.
Sheriff Mike has been on medical leave since last season’s finale, refusing to believe in aliens. Even though he clearly saw one and tried to hide it in a bag. He sees Fake Harry in therapy as a way to cope with his feelings. Deputy Liv Baker (Elizabeth Bowen), who has lost weight, wants to help the robot Peter Bach, who is now just a body with arms and a head. Mike and Ben notice Liv’s weight loss but they don’t want to get caught in a trap. The Sheriff eventually does give her a new uniform, and their partnership is expected to change if Mike accepts aliens.
Meanwhile, Harry, Robert Hutchins (Paul Piaskowski), and his kid Bridget (now the “boss of the prison economy”) are trapped in a prison cell due to a mantis-type alien shapeshifting into Harry’s pizza guy. There’s a 40% chance it was a trap but he was willing to risk it. Harry offers to take Bruce (named after the “greatest” actor Bruce Dern), an Earth-loving Grey alien to Earth to escape.
The Mantid (voiced by Clancy Brown) is watching ladybugs go at it just as Asta arrives with pizza. The Mantid assumes she’s into him, attempting to mate with her. Asta is put off by his sexy cigarette-lighting moves. She’s repulsed and runs outside to find Astra, Max, and Sahar. The Mantid takes them inside the house with the Mantis who’s planning to eat their heads with lots of ketchup. Gross.
Just as the head-chomping is about to start Harry busts in. Seeing pepperoni he drops his kid and dives in. Harry tries to transform into his alien form but struggles to do so. Max, who has never seen Harry in his human disguise, zaps the Mantid unconscious.
The group reunites in Asta’s car, and Mike gifts Liv a new uniform. So sweet.
Meanwhile, Kate is questioned by three green glowing alien balls, and D’arcy gives Ben and Kate’s baby to Kayla. Robert takes Bruce to Las Vegas for an Earthling experience. Harry contemplates his new normal, but it doesn’t help their battle with the Mantid.
Overall: Watch Resident Alien (2025): S4E01 – “Prisoners”
To provide a fantastic prelude to the fourth season, “Prisoners” capitalizes on the humor and our bond with the residents of Patience, two of the show’s strongest points. All things considered, episode one was a solid start to the new season, setting the stage for the subsequent episodes. The only problem is it relies heavily on knowledge of the characters and plot lines from previous seasons. It’s not a good entry point for new viewers But after a well-earned standoff at the end of Episode 1, we’re eager to see what kind of antics this season will bring.
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