RESIDENT ALIEN Recap: (S04E05) The Human Condition

Geek Girl Authority

05-07-2025

Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 5, 'The Human Condition,' sees Harry grapple with his new normal. He struggles to claim his identity. He's no longer an alien, but he doesn't feel fully human, either. Our titular 'resident alien' exists in this liminal space now. However, in the end, he learns to embrace every part of himself, even if they seem incongruent. Harry's episodic arc is the highlight for me. Meanwhile, Asta and D'arcy's journeys mirror each other — Asta wants to prove to Dan that she's a responsible adult, while D'arcy is trying to do the same for Asta. And that cliffhanger begs the question: Where the hell did Harry go?
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We open with Harry (Alan Tudyk) going for a morning run. That's what humans do, right? Unfortunately, he's running in the middle of the road in Patience and holding up traffic. After this, he hangs up the requisite human motivational signage. He's becoming a Live, Laugh, Love girlie. This feels like a natural trajectory for him. Harry even has social media, and he's caught the attention of the foot fetishists. (Will he pop up on wikiFeet?)
Then, Harry eats a frozen dinner. He monologues about feeling 'alonely.' He feels bereft. There's something missing. Meanwhile, Liv (Elizabeth Bowen) hosts the Alien Cracker podcast in a closet at work. She talks about the hunt for Robert, Peter Bach's song, and some banger cheese/cracker pairings. Mike (Corey Reynolds) walks in on her recording. He approves of this. Perhaps her search for Robert will bear fruit regarding Joseph's whereabouts. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'The Human Condition' Season 4 Episode 5 — Pictured: Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network) Finding a Mate
Later, Harry stops by The 59. Dan (Gary Farmer) performs with his band. Dan! Oh, how I've missed my TV dad. Harry hangs out with Mike. One woman, Lydia (Kimberley Shoniker), has her eye on Harry. Mike encourages him to chat with her. In true Harry fashion, though, he makes it weird and mentions 'vagina' one too many times. Mike pulls Harry aside and encourages him to build a rapport with a potential girlfriend. However, don't take too long — she might 'friend zone' him.
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Asta (Sara Tomko) reunites with D'arcy (Alice Wetterlund), who's behind the bar. D'arcy tries to butter Asta up because she wants to adopt a dog. Asta is immovable, though. Then, Asta chats with her dad. We learn that Dan's bandmate wants them to play at a popular music festival. Dan would have to leave town for the week. However, he told said bandmate that he couldn't do it. Who's gonna run the diner while he's gone?
Asta volunteers to take over for him. Sure, she also works at the clinic, but she can balance both. Dan doesn't want to put that on her. At that moment, Harry presents Asta with flowers before proposing to her in front of everyone in the pub. Oh, boy. So 'Alonely'
Later that evening, Asta asks Harry why he proposed to her. Harry's lonely. He wants a partner. With Heather and the kids, Harry felt complete. Now, there's a gaping hole in him. Asta encourages him to bond with Bridget.
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Next, Harry heads inside his cabin, where he finds Bridget (Andrea Geones) with Dale (Linden Porco) and two more alien friends. I love that we're seeing more alien species this season. They're all playing poker. Harry joins in. At the same time, Kate (Meredith Garretson) plays a soundbite from Liv's podcast for Ben (Levi Fiehler). Kate believes they should talk to Liv. Not Mike, Liv. She might have inside info regarding the Greys and their missing baby. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'The Human Condition' Season 4 Episode 5 — Pictured: Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
Meanwhile, Harry isn't having fun with Bridget and his pals. Being aliens, they can all communicate telepathically. Harry is fully human now and feels left out. Dale and the others teleport out of the cabin, leaving Bridget to bicker with his dad. Bonding With Bridget
The following day, Dan finds Asta hard at work in the diner, preparing it for opening. She reveals she told his band that he's accompanying them to the music festival. Then, Asta hands Dan his suitcase. It's symbolic, really. Dan finally allows Asta to tend to the diner in his stead.
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Elsewhere, Harry and Bridget go fishing on the lake. Bridget takes on the form of Liza (Taylor Blackwell). Harry admits it's easier to bond with Bridget if he looks human. Meanwhile, D'arcy enters Pet Haven, an animal shelter in Jessup. She asks if her application to adopt Ruby, a dog, has been approved. Unfortunately, it was rejected. Why? Her references fell through, and she has an arrest record. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'The Human Condition' Season 4 Episode 5 — Pictured: Taylor Blackwell as Liza Vanderspeigle — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
D'arcy spirals, realizing this shelter is telling her that she can't even take care of a dog. At the same time, Asta finds herself on the receiving end of Mrs. Brown's (Naomi Simpson) judgment as she works at the diner in her nurse's uniform. Jay (Kaylayla Raine) appears, revealing that Dan asked her to work on her day off to help Asta. Asta is irritated — she's tired of Dan not viewing her as an adult. Dinner Plans
Later, Mike has a meeting with Lena (Nicola Correia-Damude) and Jules (Jewel Staite). Jules reveals that the FBI has reassigned the murder investigation to the Seattle Field Office because it appears the serial killer is no longer in Patience. Mike utilizes this opportunity to mention the Mantid, much to Lena's abject horror. Jules is bewildered. Mike believes these killings can't be linked to a human, though. Lena abruptly ends the meeting.
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Next, Ben asks Liv to dinner with him and Kate. Just her. No John. Ben doesn't disclose why, confusing Liv as to why she can't bring her spouse. She accepts the invite, though. Afterward, Liv tells Mike about it. He insists on tagging along. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'The Human Condition' Season 4 Episode 5 — Pictured: (l-r) Nicola Correia-Damude as Detective Lena Torres, Jewel Staite as Jules Gardner, Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
On the lake, Harry and Bridget argue because the latter is essentially a teenage boy. Bridget grabs a fish from the lake and threatens to take a bite out of it. Harry puts his foot down. Then, Bridget leaps into the lake and swims back to the cabin. So, Harry breaks into Max's (Judah Prehn) room and declares his plan to adopt him. Who knew we'd get to this point after four seasons? Oh, how far our resident alien and Max have come.
Max asserts he doesn't like Harry. Harry insists they're friends, though, and he could give Max a good life. Max kicks Harry out of his room.
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Later, D'arcy eats at the diner. Asta has been swamped at the diner. Jay informs Asta that she must return to the clinic to reset a broken leg. Asta assumes Ellen is covering for her until she spots Ellen (Diana Bang) sitting in a booth with a plate of food before her. Judy (Jenna Lamia) appears in her Sunday best. We learn that she attempted to adopt Ruby for D'arcy. It didn't go well. (Although Judy's refusal to commit to an accent is hilarious.)
Then, Liv arrives at the Hawthornes for dinner. Unsurprisingly, Mike is hot on her heels. He comes armed with chicken and a fancy knife set. Ben and Kate are taken aback by his arrival. Kate pulls Ben aside. Mike's presence throws a wrench in their plans. However, they're still aiming to address the alien-sized elephant in the room with Liv. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'The Human Condition' Season 4 Episode 5 — Pictured: Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
Next, D'arcy and Judy attempt to break into the animal shelter to 'rescue' Ruby. When Judy fails to unlock the doors with the keypad, D'arcy attempts to use Judy's credit card to jimmy the lock. Unfortunately, she drops the card … inside the building. And, as it turns out, that was her card. Judy sticks her arm through the mail slot to attempt to retrieve the credit card. She also tries to unlock the door this way.
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Well, Judy gets her arm stuck in the slot. D'arcy tries to pull her arm out. Then, D'arcy breaks a window, triggering the alarm. Judy encourages D'arcy to leave her behind. Save yourself, D'arce. D'arcy and Judy are always a fun combo.
Meanwhile, Harry finds an unexpected guest in his cabin — Peter Bach (Terry O'Quinn). Peter acknowledges that Harry is now a human, while Harry notes that Peter is more of a robot these days. At the same time, Ben decides to get Liv alone to ask her about aliens. He and Kate bring out the main course for dinner.
Ben asks Mike if he wants to see his candle collection. Mike rejects the offer, claiming he hates candles. Naturally, this launches Ben into a pro-candle rant. We know how much Ben loves his candles. This scene is hilarious.
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Next, Harry tells Peter about Robert. Robert helped him and Bridget out tremendously while imprisoned on the Greys' Moon base. The last time he saw Robert was in Las Vegas (in episode two). Peter advises Harry on the ways of humanity. He encourages Harry to embrace both of his identities — he's fully human and alien, even if he can't tap into his alien energy anymore. Then, Peter leaves to find his son.
Then, after dinner, Mike discovers a tiny camera concealed in a potted plant on the mantle. He assumes Ben and Kate are swingers. Ben 'accidentally' spills wine on Liv and urges her to follow him so he can remove the stain. It's all a cover to get her alone to ask her about alien abductions. Liv insists she's not a swinger, though.
Ben and Kate discover the camera. They assume it's from the alien Girl Scout — well, the Greys. Kate blurts out that the camera is from the aliens who abducted their baby. The truth is out now.
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Later, D'arcy tells Asta that she has a court appearance coming up for attempting to break into the animal shelter. Asta must stay later at the diner to wait for the refrigerator dude. She asks D'arcy if she can do the bank drop for the diner that night, since D'arcy must do the same for The 59. D'arcy offers to give Asta a hand. She vows she's responsible enough to do this. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'The Human Condition' Season 4 Episode 5 — Pictured: (l-r) Alice Wetterlund as D'Arcy Bloom, Jenna Lamia as Judy Cooper — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
After this, D'arcy and Judy hang out at the bar. Judy reassures D'arcy that she's too cool for school. She's not irresponsible. D'arcy drinks with Judy, insisting it'll be an early night for her. However, she wakes up the next morning, still at the bar, a bevy of empty glasses before her. She had a wild night. Unfortunately, the money Asta gave her from the diner is gone. Who Will Finish the Pie?
Harry has a lovely time fishing with Bridget, who's still in his Liza form. He took Peter's advice to heart and has a better relationship with his son. Then, Harry reunites with Asta at the diner for his slice of morning pie. Asta laments 'failing' at this diner thing. She wanted to prove to her dad she could handle it, but it's too much. Harry compliments his friend and gives her a much-needed morale boost. It's sweet.
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Suddenly, Harry vanishes into thin air, just as he's about to take a bite of pie. Asta calls out his name.
Well, that can't be good.
Resident Alien drops new episodes every Friday at 10 pm ET (new time!) on Syfy and USA Network.
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