I discovered 'Resident Alien' relatively recently and ended up watching all 4 seasons back-to-back as it became my most recent casual comfort watch. I came to this show not knowing much about it, drawn by the concept of a sci-fi comedy involving an alien crash landing on earth and posing as the local doctor of a small town, and by my particular soft spot for Alan Tudyk.
It's not without its imperfections, it has the occasional sitcomy inconsistencies and character development that doesn't always stick around for the next episode, but all in all it's a funny and heartwarming watch. The plot is defined by its silliness, and even though some storylines get a little too ridiculous, it keeps you invested because of the endearing characters and the plot points that are glued together by wholesomeness, heart, and some very human moments. And despite being cancelled, the series gets a satisfying, if bittersweet conclusion that feels true to its spirit.
I liked that beyond the alien shenanigans the show's main focus remained on the little things that brought the characters together and the importance of human connection in general. I liked that it features two married people who are actually in love after years of being together, genuinely care for each other, and resolve their problems with healthy communication instead of resorting to the usual comedic tropes of constant bickering and misunderstandings. I liked how sisterhood and female friendships were portrayed, and how it showed that messy, flawed people can form healthy bonds, grow, learn, and reinvent themselves. I also liked the fact that Linda Hamilton had a recurring guest role as a no-nonsense badass.
'Resident Alien' doesn't set to answer any big philosophical questions, and it doesn't take itself too seriously, but at the same time, in all its weirdness, it manages to provide some good laughs, make a little bit of a sociopolitical commentary, and tell a story on how even if there are many horrible things in the world, there is a lot of good in humanity too.
