DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Resident Alien episode “Escape From New York” has spoilers. Microwave that day-old pizza, cue up the Law & Order reruns and proceed at your peril.
Welcome back, residents of Patience! Resident Alien returns this week with an action-packed outing. “Escape From New York” ties the Goliath and Lisa Casper loose ends, albeit somewhat clumsily. The pacing in this episode is uneven, and its inconsistency prevents it from truly soaring.
Admittedly, I find the non-Harry plots less interesting. Even the jokes aren’t landing as well as they usually do, and I genuinely like all the supporting characters (especially Dan Twelvetrees and Sheriff Mike). Something feels off. Maybe it’s me.
That said, “Escape From New York” provides decent action and propels the main plotline forward in an intriguing direction, especially with Harry becoming a father again. That might make for some great laughs. Once again, Alan Tudyk proves he’s the King of Comedy.
Ready to dig deep into “Escape From New York”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with a flashback, 33 years ago in Brazil. One man stumbles upon what appears to be a purplish portal in the forest. A towering alien steps through the outlet while he tries to feel it out. Could this be Goliath? The man inadvertently dies after smacking his head on a rock.
Presently, Harry (Tudyk) stands in Times Square, gawking at his surroundings while tripping on LSD. Meanwhile, Asta (Sara Tomko) chats with Violinda (Maxim Roy) about her knowledge of Harry’s alien status. After some prodding, Violinda finally takes Asta to meet Goliath. Unfortunately, Goliath’s a massive stone sculpture.
Violinda explains that she and Goliath fell madly in love. Goliath purposely released signals only Harry could interpret. However, Goliath passed away six months ago and became fossilized post-death.
Harry video calls Asta while standing in front of the New York Public Library. Asta’s bewildered to find Harry in his extraterrestrial form in public. Thankfully, she swoops in and saves him, and the pair sit in Central Park as Harry recuperates from his high.
That’s when she breaks the news that Goliath died. Incredulous, Harry wonders why Goliath passed standing up and how he fossilized.
Next, Lisa Casper (Mandell Maughan) kills the pizza joint guy (RIP pizza joint guy). She swipes a slice on her way out and snaps a photo of the Goliath mural outside.
D’Arcy (Alice Wetterlund) wakes in Max’s bed to the sound of Kate (Meredith Garretson) returning home. Ben (Levi Fiehler) distracts Kate, giving D’Arcy enough time to sneak out of the bedroom window. But first — get the joint! 10-year-old Max isn’t gonna smoke the devil’s lettuce. Not on D’Arcy’s watch!
Meanwhile, Kate notices the “Live, Laugh, Love” sign Ben erected in last week’s episode. She also spots the coffee table in the wrong position. Ben refuses to stand his ground regarding his decorative choices, so he hangs the sign in Liv’s (Elizabeth Bowen) office, much to the latter’s annoyance.
Liv shows Ben the UFO video she plans to share online, but Ben only gives the thumbs up once he persuades Liv to mention the spacecraft was near Jessup, not Patience.
Sheriff Mike (Corey Reynolds) laments the new doctor’s egregious error when she numbed his still-numb arm. Well, probably more like medical malpractice. Ben refuses to fire her due to nostalgia. That ole nostalgia!
Then, D’Arcy hits up the gym for the first time since her accident, and we get an unnecessary workout montage. Seriously, I’m not sure why this scene needed airtime.
Mike and Liv respond to a complaint regarding Abigail Hodges’ (Deborah Finkel) yardsale. Her neighbor is quick to condemn her, acting as judge, jury and executioner in one fell swoop. After telling him off, Mike takes a box of Sam’s books at Abigail’s behest, free of charge.
When Mike and Liv return to their vehicle, Mike notes Abigail didn’t act like someone who killed her husband — she’s grieving. He wonders whether he put the wrong person behind bars.
D’Arcy has a flashback to her accident while working out, but then she sees Kate on the treadmill, so she decides to join Ben’s wife for some gal pal gym time. They proceed to engage in friendly competition, gauging who can withstand the highest setting on the treadmill.
Harry and Asta return to Violinda’s loft, and he destroys the so-called fossilized statute of Goliath. After the bout of destruction, Harry notices a blue egg lying among the debris. Violinda reveals this is her and Goliath’s child, an alien with human emotions.
However, Lisa arrives, asking to purchase artwork from Goliath. When Violinda refuses to sell anything, Lisa brandishes her gun and demands to know what’s in Violinda’s bag. We see blue goo seeping out of its corner. Harry and Asta charge toward Lisa. Harry dukes it out with Lisa while Asta keeps the egg safe. Our resident alien tosses Lisa through a window.
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Meanwhile, D’Arcy and Kate go out for post-workout beers. Kate discloses she might be pregnant after a brief dizzy spell at the gym and remarking that the beer tastes like soap. Kate believes Ben will be thrilled, which isn’t what he confided to D’Arcy amid their Mary Jane session. D’Arcy tries to remain mum about what Kate’s husband wants.
Ben visits Dr. Smallwood (Eleanor Walker) at the clinic, and she reveals he has aggressive colon cancer. Thankfully, Ellen (Diana Bang) informs Dr. Smallwood she has the wrong chart. Ben merely has a Vitamin D deficiency (I know that game).
After that little mixup, Ben politely fires Dr. Smallwood with the help of a brusque Ellen. Once Smallwood leaves, Ellen reveals the only viable candidate is Harry. Ben notices that Harry’s birthday is coming up. We see the wheels turning.
Violinda gives the egg to Harry, asserting that Goliath would want him to have it. As Harry and Asta depart, they spot two men following them. Lisa also follows our besties while they round a corner. She promptly shoots the two men, and we see they work for The Galvan/Powell Group Asta tried to investigate in last week’s episode.
Next, D’Arcy and Kate discuss motherhood and its pros and cons. Kate envies D’Arcy for her ability to up and go, but D’Arcy wants a family someday. D’Arcy, true to form, wallows in self-pity while Kate bolsters her confidence.
D’Arcy gives Kate a pregnancy test and encourages the latter to take it when she’s ready.
Harry and Asta take a train home to Patience. They can’t take an egg through TSA. I would’ve loved to see Harry in an airport, but that’s just me. Harry tells Asta he has no clue when the egg will hatch or what lies in store for them. Goliath was their only lead, the only means of communicating with Harry’s people. Now, it looks like the world will genuinely end.
At Joe’s Diner, Mike seeks advice from Dan (Gary Farmer), who regales him with a story from his days in the Vietnam War. Dan named the diner after his late friend and fellow soldier, Joe. Please protect Dan Twelvetrees at all costs. Mike wonders whether he wrongfully arrested Abigail Hodges, and Dan urges him to be the best cop he can be.
Liv shows John (Trevor Carroll) the UFO video she posted. Unfortunately, nobody believes it’s real, and they even share memes with a doughnut Photoshopped in place of the spacecraft. Liv gets a message from Mike, so it’s back to work.
Meanwhile, Asta departs the car to get tea, so Lisa seizes the moment to confront Harry again, guns blazing. After a brief scuffle, Harry holds Lisa outside the train window. We see his second set of alien hands protruding, reaching for Lisa’s neck. Lisa realizes Harry’s the alien, but it’s too late. An oncoming train decapitates her, and Harry quickly tosses her headless body outside. RIP, Felicia.
Asta wonders why there’s a draft in their car, and she spots Harry’s blood-soaked face as he grins awkwardly at her. Tudyk’s mannerisms and physicality kill me.
Mike and Liv make a breakthrough in the Sam Hodges case. While they rummage through the late doctor’s office, they find a piece of paper concealed in a photo frame featuring a list of Galvan/Powell Group associates. Huzzah!
Dan, Harry and Asta arrive at Harry’s cabin after their arduous journey to the city of Law and Order. Dan congratulates Harry on his egg acquisition, which sits snuggly in a duffel bag. The trio heads inside to find Ben, Mike, Liv, Kate, John and D’Arcy with a surprise birthday party setup. Harry immediately orders them to leave, and while he does so, we see the alien egg inside the duffel bag crack. Like Jurassic Park!
RELATED: Catch up on all the extraterrestrial antics with our Resident Alien recaps!
With Lisa dead and gone, what does that spell for General McCallister and her operation? Resident Alien has woefully underutilized Linda Hamilton all season, so I hope they’re building something spectacular for her in future outings.
What about David Logan, also still at large? Do you think Harry will accept Ben’s offer to become the town doctor again? What will Harry name his new alien baby?
Join me next time while I recap Resident Alien here on Geek Girl Authority!
Resident Alien airs Wednesdays at 9 pm on your Syfy affiliate.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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