Episode description: "Asta tells Dan about the shooting while Harry learns what it takes to be a good friend."
Asta is still suffering deeply from the fact that she killed someone. As a result, she's trying to take a break from Harry. That's completely understandable. Harry, even when she likes him – and ever since he caused her to miss Jay's birthday, she's been understandably angry – has been completely disruptive for her. Now that she thinks the alien threats are over (she thinks this because Harry did not tell her the whole truth), it's natural for her to take a break.
Harry's direct reaction to the killing of Tanner Carrington weighs less on him than it does on Asta. This is not surprising. He was shot by Carrington; he is also an alien with a different attitude toward death, and of course he did not actually kill Carrington. But Harry is experiencing other problems. Most of all, he misses Asta's friendship. He ends up turning to Max, whose talents he needs anyway, because Max can see aliens even when disguised and Harry needs to find the alien baby. The frenemy relationship between Harry and Max always delivers. By watching Max with Sahar, Harry learns how he needs to tell Asta the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. At last he tells her there's another group of aliens threatening Earth. Afterwards he sighs with relief, because this burden has been weighing on him.
D'arcy also claims to be reacting to the death. Now, she did not murder Carrington; she wasn't even there when it happened, but she's certainly an accessory after the fact. She says she's worried about the impact it could have on her romance with Elliot. Perhaps she does think it will matter, but I think she's just looking for an excuse to sabotage the relationship. However, she takes a step forward to returning to the ski slope. Of course, with the fact that she's been working out, that was always a possibility. The weight on her has been, since her accident, the lack of genuine purpose in her life. She shines when she has a real raison d'être, she drugs and drinks when she does not.
Kate checks in with Asta for a second pregnancy test, which turns out to be negative. This is much easier on the actor; she's not going to have to wear pillows to make her appear pregnant. And it's easier on Kate because she gets to keep drinking coffee. And margaritas! Still, this is a strange direction for writers to take: to introduce a pregnancy and then to end it without either producing a baby or the trauma of a miscarriage. Given Kate's earlier symptoms and the positive pregnancy test, I think we should put a pin in it. The pregnancy, which was not really welcomed by Kate or Ben, is another weight gone.
We finally have a bit of an update on Dr. Ethan Stone. I have worried about Dr. Ethan Stone, who was taken away through no fault of his own.
Sheriff Mike and Sheriff Lena have some flirty exchanges, but Mike's dialogue was not as sharp as in some other episodes. Deputy Liv, however, makes more progress in the case, using her smarts to get Asta to join in on the inquiries into the medical files of Sam Hodges. Liv is perceptive enough to understand that these people will react better to the nurse than to the town doctor.
Title musings. “The Weight” is the title of the episode. Three people – Harry, even D'arcy, but most especially Asta – are feeling the impact of having killed Tanner Carrington. Harry was even more concerned about the other alien race. I don't see a double meaning in this, but the title is fine.
Bits and pieces
Love how perceptive Dan is with respect to Asta. When she tells him she has to talk to him, he immediately recognizes it is serious and kicks everyone else out of the restaurant.
I feel for the Hawthornes, first hearing that Max wants to learn an instrument – great! – and then hearing he wants to play the drums – oh, noes! The drum storyline may not be deep, but it is really funny.
Funny the different attitudes towards Gerard's possessions when he dies. Harry is happy to take the milk from the fridge and a hat. Ellen wants to take a cashmere scarf but Asta won't let her.
I love how Max spits into his hand and holds it out to seal the deal with Harry – and then Harry, not knowing the custom, also spits into Max's hand.
Quotes
Asta: I am a horrible person.
D'arcy: Okay, no. You are not a horrible person. You are incredible. You are loving and kind and thoughtful. And you were just distracted because you had to kill a guy and bury his body.
Asta: You know, contrary to popular belief, Dad, Harry and I are not Bert and Ernie. You should collect from him yourself.
Dan: Sorry I asked.
Asta: No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just need space from him. Being friends with Harry is like – it's like raising a child who lies and tells secrets and has weird alien powers.
Dan: Okay. Why don't you tell me what's going on? You look like you got the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Harry: I need you to help me search the town.
Max: Looking for an alien seems like a lot of work for my eyes. But I'll do it – if you buy me a drum set.
Harry: No, that is too expensive. On Law & Order, a generous older gentleman went to jail just for buying a young boy a camera and a chicken sandwich.
Max: What if you pay me to do chores?
Harry: (to self) I like this compromise. He gets money and I get an alien and someone to clean bird shit off my deck.
Deputy Liv: So I've been looking at these medical records. I was thinking of talking to the families of the deceased. You know, maybe they can shed some light on it.
Asta: Yeah, um, that makes sense.
Deputy Liv: The problem is, if I pull them into the station, they may clam up. Like, you're a nurse. They may feel more comfortable with you. Maybe we could talk to them together. Like, here, where they feel more safe.
Kate: Max. Max! We told you that you could not have a drum set.
Max: No, you said you wouldn't pay for it, so I paid for it myself with the money I made from my job.
David Logan: Look, I've been tracking events and – I've been tracking Internet chatter of some events in Patience, Colorado, since we took the doctor. Unexplained power surge, blip detected at the reservation a half hour away, woman posted a video, octopus stolen from a Japanese restaurant – which probably isn't related, but sure is weird.
General Wright: Your point?
David Logan: I don't think this guy's an alien. I think the real alien might still be in Patience.
Max: I thought RV stood for "real big van."
Harry: Your skull is very hollow.
Max: Good. Helps me run faster.
Max: This is why you have no friends.
Harry: I do too. Asta is my friend.
Max: No, she's not. She won't even talk to you. Mm. And now Sahar won't talk to me.
Sahar: Yes, I will. You made a mistake, but friends also forgive. Plus, it's against my religion to hold a grudge.
Harry: He told me you wanted him to come work for me to pay for the drum set because – you're poor.
Kate: Well, that is not true.
Harry: Do not be ashamed of being poor. You can sell the drums and buy food.
Kate: We are not poor, okay? I mean, there's nothing wrong with being poor. It's fine to be poor. It's... well, it's not fine.
Asta: Why didn't you tell me then?
Harry: Because I'm a bad friend.
Asta: Oh. Oh, Harry.
Harry: But I want to be a good friend. (Sighs) I feel better now. Ah. We're in danger.
Asta: Okay. Well, that is not good news, but I'm used to it. So thank you for sharing that with me. I know that was hard for you.
Overall rating
Was moved by how Dan comforts Asta. Three out of four spitballs.
Victoria Grossack loves math, birds, Greek mythology, Jane Austen and great storytelling in many forms.
I thought this was a good episode. Of course Harry is going to see killing differently than his human friends do, and that's what this show is about, anyway -- an alien learning about being human. I liked the subplot about the drums; Max and Sahar are not as annoying as some kid characters can be. And I liked Dan being a good dad to Asta when she needed him.
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