RESIDENT ALIEN Season Premiere Recap: (S04E01) Prisoners

Geek Girl Authority

07-06-2025

Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 1, 'Prisoners,' is a solid opener, brimming with hilarious character beats and plenty of narrative movement. I didn't expect Harry to return to Earth so quickly, but I'm glad we didn't waste time in that regard. Alan Tudyk is a once-in-a-lifetime comedy talent, effortlessly breathing life into Harry and the Mantid. He nails their shared awkward alien mannerisms while making them significantly different. I'm curious to see where this season takes us.
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We open with Harry (Tudyk) and Bridget attempting to find Asta and … is it Marcy? Darby? (Just kidding, I know it's D'arcy with a lowercase 'a.') Anyway, instead, he discovers his pizza delivery guy imprisoned in a cell within the Greys' Moon base. Pizza Joe offers to give Harry a delicious pizza and a discount on his next order in exchange for freedom. Unfortunately, Pizza Joe is the Mantid, and this is how Harry winds up trapped on the Moon base while the Mantid takes up residence in his cabin in Patience. This is some bullsh*t.
Later, we see Harry has a beard now. He instructs Robert (Paul Piaskowski) on how to draw all his Patience friends. Harry needs fresh wall art for his cell. On Earth, the Mantid (voiced by the legendary Clancy Brown) is livin' on Easy Street. As Harry, he's got his hair slicked back. He puffs on a cigarette like those cool kids who smoked under the bleachers in the '90s. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Prisoners' Season 4 Episode 1 — Pictured: Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network) Too Cool for School
Sheriff Mike (Corey Reynolds), who's in civilian clothes, and Deputy Liv (Elizabeth Bowen) greet him. Mayor Snowflake — ahem, Ben (Levi Fiehler) and Kate (Meredith Garretson) say hi. Ben asks Mantid/Harry if he's ready for their therapy session. Mantid offers a dry remark before setting fire to a newspaper dispenser. Before it goes up in flames, we see the headline for today's paper involves a missing hunter. Hmm. His head's probably missing, too, knowing the Mantid.
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Finally, the Mantid runs into Asta (Sara Tomko) and D'arcy (Alice Wetterlund) outside the clinic. It's Titty Tuesday, or is that Thursday? Asta clocks 'Harry's' peculiar behavior. Meanwhile, on the Greys' Moon base, Harry sings Bridget's praises. You know, Robert's brother. (Robert insists they aren't related.) Prison looks good on Bridget. He's King of the Yard. He even has a b*tch now, Reese. Admittedly, this line made me snort laugh.
Harry admits to himself that he misses his old life, but especially Asta. He puts up Robert's drawing of Asta in his cell before we see her in bed with Joseph (Enver Gjokaj). Asta wakes up, surprised to discover that Joseph slept over. She emerges from her room to find D'arcy in the kitchen. She looks suspicious. Asta claims she stayed up all night studying medical reports. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Prisoners' Season 4 Episode 1 — Pictured: Sara Tomko as Asta Twelvetrees — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network) Dumb, Cute Face
However, our girl D'arc can spot that hookup hair a mile away. Joseph makes his grand entrance. D'arcy thought Asta was done sleeping with this particular half-alien. Asta admits she had some wine, and Joseph has a 'dumb, cute face.' Totally fair.
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The conversation pivots to another roommate — Ben and Kate's baby. D'arcy still has her. Joseph reminds D'arcy that she can't give the aforementioned couple their child. The Greys will simply take the baby from Kate again. It's best to keep them separated.
As Joseph leaves — insisting he'll call Asta — we see Max (Judah Prehn) and Sahar (Gracelyn Awad Rinke) spying on him. Well, and Asta, too. They categorize her as an enemy since she's sleeping with Joseph. We learn that they got away from the Mantid because Sahar persuaded the alien that Max had simply stepped on a bee. They butt heads on how to proceed with their investigation. When in Doubt, Punch Aliens
Before Asta leaves for work, she advises D'arcy not to get too attached to the baby, which the latter has already named Daisy. Aw. Elsewhere, in the woods, we find that missing hunter — but not his head. At the same time, Kate beats the snot out of a dummy, throwing herself headfirst into training. Ben remarks that the dummy looks an awful lot like him.
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Anyway, he has a lead. Mrs. Brown reported she saw something strange in her backyard, so Ben plans to chat with her. They must exhaust all avenues if they're to find their baby. Well, Kate plans to punch the aliens out of this solar system. I'm Team Kate. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Prisoners' Season 4 Episode 1 — Pictured: (l-r) Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne, Meredith Garretson as Kate Hawthorne — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
Later, at the diner, Liv confronts Mike about his leave of absence. Apparently, after punching a Grey, Mike bagged it and threw it in the trunk of his vehicle. However, he and Liv opened said bag to find it empty. So, Mike assumes he hallucinated the alien due to a radiation leak in the abandoned high school. Liv tries to persuade him that he did see an alien because they're real. Mike is incredulous. He also doesn't notice that Liv's uniform is too baggy on her. Bruce the Grey
And when Ben enters the diner, he, too, pretends not to notice. After she leaves in a huff, Ben insists he dodged a bullet. He and Mike agree that she looks great all the time, but they can't remark on it. Ben tells Mike that the town's insurance only covers two therapy sessions a week, and Mike saw Harry three times the previous week. So, prepare to pay that out of pocket, bud.
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Next, Harry and Robert meet Bruce, a Grey who's obsessed with Earth. He wants to visit so badly. Bruce leaves after giving the prisoners their meals. Robert believes they should ask Bruce to help them escape. In exchange, he'll finally visit Earth. Bruce doesn't seem like the other Greys, nor like he'd rigorously adhere to protocol.
In the woods, Liv visits Peter (Terry O'Quinn), who is legless and in a cave. She tries to brainstorm ways to reassemble his robot legs, but this is, admittedly, a first for her. Liv gives him his favorite fried chicken and soda, which he promptly spits out because he no longer has a stomach. Liv asks him about the bullets that struck him — Where did they come from? Who turned him into a Terminator? Peter insists he can't disclose that to Liv for her safety. Human Heads Are a Delicacy
Later, Ben meets with Mrs. Brown in his office. Apparently, that strange thing she saw in her backyard wasn't an alien but her intoxicated cousin rummaging through her empties. Ben presses on, though, unconvinced by this. He closes his door. Mrs. Brown questions why his fly is open. Uh-oh. That ain't good.
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Outside the clinic, the Mantid smokes and observes the residents of Patience. He can't wait to eat more people. He compliments Judy (Jenna Lamia) as she walks by. Then, the Mantid reunites with Asta in the clinic breakroom. He's feelin' sexy, so he, obviously, does a couple of lunges. Asta believes 'Harry' is still mourning the loss of Bridget. She encourages him to give therapy a shot. Asta admits she might try therapy. Ever since they returned to Earth, she's felt like she's not really here. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Prisoners' Season 4 Episode 1 — Pictured: Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
The Mantid finds it difficult to focus during his therapy session with Mike, who claims he's the last bastion of civility, grace and sanity in this town. And good looks, too. The Mantid wonders if he could grill Mike's head at Harry's cabin and season it with fennel. On the Run
Then, D'arcy returns home with the baby. She gives Asta the explanation she's told the townsfolk who question when D'arcy had a child: the kid belongs to her cousin, who just lost her husband. Tragic. The conversation pivots to Ben and Kate. D'arcy set up cameras in their living room to inspect any potential alien activity. Not invasive at all.
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Next, Bruce visits Harry, Bridget and Robert again. This time, Harry and Robert ask Bruce to help them escape. Bruce is tickled at the prospect of finally checking out our little blue planet. And just like that, Bruce releases the prisoners and leads them to a ship. Thankfully, all the guards on the Moon base are on strike. I guess Bruce isn't down with sticking it to the man.
Meanwhile, Ben tells a table full of ladies outside a restaurant to prepare to iron their skirts since spring is around the corner. Oof. He just keeps digging a hole for himself, doesn't he? Try Manticide Today
Then, Ben spots Joseph outside a flower shop. He has a bouquet of flowers (undoubtedly for Asta) and a red umbrella under his arm. Ben calls Kate, who's getting her hair done across the street, and informs her that Joseph is still in town. Joseph clocks Ben from afar and devises a plan to flee. Kate barrels across the street and tackles who we think is Joseph. Unfortunately, it's Mrs. Brown. She tells Ben and Kate that a handsome man gave her the flowers and the umbrella.
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In the woods, Sahar and Max prepare to storm Harry's cabin. Or, at the very least, continue spying on the Mantid. Sahar has invented Manticide, a special spray to repel the Mantid. Max takes offense at her creating a weapon without his knowledge, as the bona fide alien tracker. He improvises, grabbing a nearby stick and deciding to sharpen it. Well, this is Sahar's world, and we're just living in it.
Later, Richard Nixon — ahem, Ben, meets Liv in her vehicle. He pretends not to be Ben, though. Simply an anonymous stranger divulging the truth. He tells Liv that Joseph is back. She should investigate him. However, it's best not to involve the mayor in all this. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Prisoners' Season 4 Episode 1 — Pictured: Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network) Looking for a Mate
At the same time, D'arcy takes Daisy to work at the bar. Liv confronts Mike, who's playing pool. She informs him about Joseph. Mike insists this isn't his job. He's on leave. Liv tries to persuade him to come back to work. When he refuses, she messes up the pool balls on the table before storming out. And he still hasn't noticed why she's not wearing her uniform. Ben and Kate enter the bar as she leaves. D'arcy urges Judy to take Daisy out back so her real parents don't see her.
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The Mantid watches two ladybugs get it on — because nothing revs the engine quite like nature documentaries. Asta arrives with pizza. The Mantid assumes she's into him, so he decides to mate with her. Can she hold, say, 300 Mantid eggs within a sack in her body? Let's find out. Asta's put off by the Mantid's indisputably sexy mating moves. He even lights two cigarettes at the same time before offering one to her. Who is he, Humphrey Bogart? RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Prisoners' Season 4 Episode 1 — Pictured: (l-r) Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle, Sara Tomko as Asta Twelvetrees — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
When the Mantid makes his intention known, Asta hightails it out of there. Outside, she runs into Sahar and Max, who accuse her of working with the Mantid. That's when the Mantid reappears to blow his cover. He brings them back inside to prepare them for dinner. He even busts out the condiments. Harry's Return
Before he can properly season them, though, Harry barges into his own cabin. Asta and Sahar are thrilled to see him. However, Max doesn't recognize Harry. He's never seen Harry in his human disguise, only as an alien. Who's this dude? Harry eats a slice of Asta's pizza before attempting to fight the Mantid. Unfortunately, he can't transform into his big, bad alien self. Bridget tries to attack the Mantid to no avail.
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After a few futile attempts at alien transformation, Sahar realizes that Harry's alien magic is gone. Thankfully, Max zaps the Mantid unconscious with his alien device before they all pile into Asta's car and zoom away. Elsewhere, Mike returns to his office, ready to get back to work. He gifts Liv with a new uniform that fits. Aw.
During the night, Kate is questioned by three green glowing alien balls courtesy of the Greys. They ask her if she's seen her daughter. She hasn't. D'arcy could've watched this exchange unfold via her laptop, but she's giving Ben and Kate's baby to Kayla (Sarah Podemski) to keep. Permanently, perhaps? We'll find out. Robert takes Bruce to Las Vegas for a proper Earthling experience. After this, D'arcy snuggles with the child's blanket on the couch.
While on the road, Harry contemplates his new normal. It seems he might be fully human now. That certainly won't help their battle with the Mantid. Asta drives the group through the woods.
Resident Alien drops new episodes every Friday at 11 pm ET on Syfy and USA Network.
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