Resident Alien first introduced Terry O’Quinn’s Peter Bach last season at an experiencer convention. Like Max, Bach is able to see through Harry’s genetic cloak to his true form. In “Cat and Mouse,” the known extraterrestrial tracker pays a visit to Patience for some unfinished business.
The hunter/hunted game played between Harry and Bach is very entertaining featuring two great actors. O’Quinn instills his character with resolve and determination to make up for their previous encounter. Dr. Vanderspeigle is right to flee in fear, at least temporarily. The pair have an interesting dynamic because the roles could be so easily switched considering Harry’s alien powers.
A fascinating direction the conflict takes is the inclusion of Max. Though he has a dysfunctional relationship with our resident alien, there is a closeness and bond between them. However, with Bach, there is also the shared connection of being able to see aliens’ true form. This gives Max a kindred spirit in some way; someone he can relate to on a level he can’t with others. The kid doesn’t have the same feeling of aloneness or being an outcast. That experience is very eye opening and helps fuel the inner turmoil of who to be loyal to.
Elsewhere, we dive into the personal lives of our characters. Love is in the air with Asta expressing her motherly affection for Jay and Sheriff Mike grabbing drinks with his crush, Detective Torres. On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have the predictable fall of D’Arcy as a result of her painkiller addiction. It is difficult to watch her be self-destructive and lash out at those closest to her. Even more so when you consider she is turning her life around. The emotional impact is greater since she’s a fan favorite, but you wonder why she has to go through this at all.
The Hawthornes can’t seem to stop bickering on Resident Alien. What was once about their inability to communicate is now about their differing opinions about the proposed resort. They mayor carries most of the blame for the storyline because of his pettiness and puerile behavior. It was a bit satisfying hearing Kate’s response to the hypothetical situation after the resort is up and running. What starts off so plausible takes a quick turn into the humorously extreme.
The part of the episode with the biggest potential deals with McCallister and the baby alien. The general seems defeated and ready to give up on the existence of extraterrestrials. During her interrogation, the baby is able to probe her mind and witness everything she lost due to the alien sighting of her youth and how that motivated her to get where she is now. Perhaps through Sahar’s teachings of empathy, the little guy reverts back to its true form and give his captor validation. I can’t wait to see how McCallister reacts to the revelation in the future.
“Cat and Mouse” is an uneven episode with some predictable or lackluster personal stories but an exciting chase between hunter/hunted and a lifechanging moment for General McCallister.
New episodes of Resident Alien air Wednesdays nights on Syfy.
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