‘Resident Alien’ season 2 episode 7 review: The big city makes you appreciate the comfort of home

On the most recent Resident Alien, Harry’s trip goes unexpectedly but not entirely unsuccessful.

March 9, 2022

On last week’s Resident Alien, Asta and Harry head out to New York hoping to find another extra terrestrial. They are sent on a scavenger hunt following the murals of an enigmatic, Banksy type-street artist. On their journey, they even become mixed in the real Dr. Vanderspeigle’s shady dealings but that doesn’t stop them as they end up in an art gallery showing.

The episode picks right up with Harry still tripping on acid. The drugs have such an effect that he can no longer retain his human form but he’s in New York, right? No one’s going to bat an eye considering the crazy stuff happens there all the time. It’s good to get the silliness out of the way early considering how the tone shifts later on as we receive a more reflective Harry.

What he finds is unexpected and even uncomfortable but is a kindred spirit to a degree. Like him, it straddles the worlds of alien and human so they will have that connection. However, Harry has the opportunity to shape, mold, and influence as well. The added responsibilities are reinvigorating giving our resident alien more purpose moving forward.

The darker mood is enhanced by the presence of Lisa Casper and hired goons hot on their tail. The tension and suspense increase with the close calls and confrontations. Casper in particular is further characterized as a sociopath as a trail of dead bodies follow her. There is more action than we usually receive and Harry, despite how eccentric and bungling he seems, is so formidable and makes things look so effortless. I don’t watch everything but I would be confident to say he has one of the kills of the week in all of TV this week.

It’s curious to see these different factions after Harry and how it will all come together. General McCallister has to retaliate but will the “Escape from New York’s” results make her more unhinged? Galvan/Powell are still lurking in the background and are they making sure Harry goes back to Colorado are they even more linked to him now? There are definitely interesting developments that are now coming to light.

'Resident Alien' season 2 episode 7 review: The big city makes you appreciate the comfort of home — Photo: James Dittiger/SYFY

Resident Alien also does a good job creating a more cohesive story this episode involving the folks back in Patience. The other subplots tie into the themes in Harry’s narrative such as remotivation in life and new beginnings. For the latter, after dinner with her parents and a candid talk with the mayor in previous weeks, D’Arcy is ready to get out of her rut. She’s still haunted by her traumatic accident in the Olympics but it’s a good first step.

Likewise, the Sheriff wants to find Dr. Hodges true killer. Using his past experiences with grief, he surmises (correctly) that Abigail isn’t responsible. He has sympathy for the widow and makes it his duty to clear her name. This demonstrates a nice evolution of the character coming to terms with and overcoming his partner’s loss and wanting to be the best person he can.

With regards to new life, the mayor’s wife has a feeling she may be pregnant. The reveal comes during a candid talk with D’Arcy. Their growing friendship this episode of Resident Alien serves as nice breaks from the more serious and contemplative moments back in New York. What started as a petty rivalry at the gym grew into a genuine bond at the end of the day with the mayor’s current and old flame getting along. We might have to wait for confirmation on Kate’s pregnancy but in that cliffhanger, it looks like another bundle of joy is on its way.

Although there are separate locations, the different stories in “Escape from New York” connect through shared themes creating a cohesive episode while hitting a nice mix of introspection, suspense, action, and levity.