Resident Alien: The Human Condition

Max: Why would I let you adopt me? I don't even like you.
Harry: That is a lie. You love me. Remember when I used you as an ottoman? Oh, that was fun.
Max: For you. And it was different then. I mean, sure, you were mean to me and tried to kill me a few times. At least you were an alien. Now you're just an old guy, a human, and not even a good one.

An uneven episode, with too much human and not enough alien, containing nevertheless a few nuggets of wisdom. A surprise at the end.

Harry’s stuck as a human and trying to deal with it. As Max says, he’s not a very good human. And without his alien abilities, he’s not even a very good doctor. He’s also lonely, so lonely that he tries to pick up a woman in a bar and even proposes to Asta (she says no). Asta reminds Harry he still does family on Earth – Bridget. Harry works on that relationship, with mixed results.

FBI agent Jules and Lieutenant Lena tell Sheriff Mike the hunt for the serial killer has stopped, as there have been no more murders in a while (not sure how much time has passed since they started it). Mike tries to tell them it’s a Mantid that must be feeding on deer in the woods. This does not go over well.

There's too much going back and forth in this episode, filling the minutes with weaker material. Ben and Kate, wanting to talk about aliens, invite Deputy Liv and only Deputy Liv, for dinner, but Sheriff Mike shows up anyway. Ben and Kate don’t want to confide their alien stuff to Mike – he’s been so negative about aliens in the past, and although he’s eager now, they don't know that – so there’s a lot of cross-purposes material, motives that have been redone in about a billion sitcoms (well, without the aliens). It takes a long time for the four of them to reach the point where Ben and Kate burst out about aliens stealing their baby.

It’s funny that the camera that D’arcy installed is what leads to Mike and Liv and Ben and Kate finally talking to each other, and not one of the devices left by the Greys.

Speaking of D'arcy, this episode has a storyline about her trying to adopt a dog but getting turned down because of her public drunkenness. She teams up with Judy, who will always do anything for D’arcy (and pretty much anyone). Although this is characteristic of D’arcy, the storyline is not the most interesting. It also quashes any speculation that she might be a suitable partner for Ben. Of course, Ben’s married and has two kids, but if anyone out there was shipping Ben and D'arcy, I hope this stops them.

Harry has polarized encounters with the two humans he knows who can see aliens. Max rejects him when Harry appears in his bed – and yes, it probably is illegal, but Max sort of gives him pass because he knows Harry is just weird. On the other hand, Peter Bach actually seeks Harry out and their time together is much more meaningful.

The conversations between Harry and Asta are also good. There’s no physical attraction, but a friendship that spans lightyears. Thank goodness, though, he vanishes during their last tête-à-tête in the episode, signaling we might return to having more alien involvement.

Title musings. “The Human Condition” is the name of the episode, and it's fine. I don't see any double meanings. And, in a way, it's important, because throughout the series, Harry has been wondering what it means to be human.

Bits and pieces

Seems like an abrupt end to the hunt for the serial killer. Someone chopping off heads would merit a lot more attention.

Gary Farmer, who plays Asta’s father Dan, shows up for the first time this season. He looks much, much thinner. Perhaps he was ill? Anyway, he appears in the 59, singing, and then takes off to go to a music festival. I don’t think it’s really a spoiler to say he returns for the last four episodes of season four, but the fact that the writers were giving him an out makes me suspect some illness. However, they ascribe his weight loss to dieting (no cookies or cake).

Elizabeth Bowen, who plays Deputy Liv, seems to have gained back some of the weight she had lost at the beginning of the season.

I did not realize bars were called church so that Irish men do not need to lie to their wives. Not sure if it’s widespread or not but there are some Irish pubs called Church.

Quotes

Harry: Humans are just like animals. Both are drawn to communal areas. This is why bars are called watering holes. Bars are also called church so that Irish men do not have to lie to their wives.

Asta: OK. Um, what? You swearing off pie now, too?
Dan: Just cake and cookies, never pie.
Asta: See? You and Harry are more alike than you think.

Lydia: So, doctor, hmm? Do you enjoy it?
Harry: Not very much. But you would if we were a couple.
Lydia: Oh. And why is that?
Harry: Because doctors are good at sеx, because doctors have seen lots of vaginas.

Kate: Are those cookies from the alien girl?
Ben: Well, they're still cookies.

Asta: Well, I told them you are going, hm? And I can take care of the diner while you're gone. I've worked here my whole life, on and off. I know how things operate. When are the food deliveries? Tuesdays and Thursdays. Driver's name is Hal. I even have his number, just in case there's a problem. Server and cook shift sheet are in the office. Money bank drops are nightly. And the payroll is Friday.
Dan: Not bad.
Asta: Have fun. (Hands him a suitcase)
Dan: This is empty.
Asta: It's symbolic. You still have to pack.

Dog shelter clerk: We need to make sure we're moving our dogs into a better home.
D’arcy: Better than a dog shelter?
Clerk: Yes.
D’arcy: So what you're saying is that my life isn't good enough for a dog?
Clerk: I'm sorry.
D’arcy: Sorry about what? My life or the dog?
Clerk: I guess both?

Harry: I know how to be an alien. But I'm not an alien anymore. But I don't feel like a human. I'm neither.
Peter: No. You're both. Look at me. I'm trying, but it's hard. I know. I'm this robot. But I feel like a human.
Harry: You are half of each.
Peter: No, not half of each. 100% of both.
Harry: That is bad math, especially for a robot.
Peter: I am everything I was and everything I am. You are both human and alien now, and that's a good thing.

Asta: I thought I could take care of the diner no problem, you know? I wanted my dad to be proud of me. But it's too much. I'm a failure.
Harry: You are a failure.
Asta: What?
Harry: But you're also a success. You need to find the part of you that is a success and then love it. And then that will be the part that you are.

Overall rating

Kind of clunky, but nuggets of wisdom. Enjoyed it, but was glad Harry vanished at the end and we’ll get back to more intense alien stuff. Two and a half out of four not-yet-packed suitcases

Victoria Grossack loves math, birds, Greek mythology, Jane Austen and great storytelling in many forms.