RESIDENT ALIEN Recap: (S04E08) Mine Town

Geek Girl Authority

15 hours ago

Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 8, 'Mine Town,' kicks the overarching narrative into high gear. With only two episodes left of the entire series ( sob ) after this, we're now hurtling toward what'll undoubtedly be an epic conclusion. Mike and Liv finally know that Harry is an alien. D'arcy exhibits more growth. Harry and Mike have a plan to take out the Mantid, but unfortunately, the Mantid is now Liv. 'Mine Town' is easily one of the best outings of the season thus far. It maintains a steady clip while delivering the show's trademark blend of humor and heart.
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We open with Jules (Jewel Staite), aka the Mantid, arriving home after her encounter with Mike. She tells someone unseen that she must leave. Jules (Manules? Jantid?) ventures into the attic, where she keeps the real Jules trapped in a cocoon. Then, the Mantid stabs the real Jules, killing her.
Meanwhile, Harry (Alan Tudyk) now has to contend with more people knowing his alien secret: Ben (Levi Fiehler) and Kate (Meredith Garretson). Kate tries to wipe the alien germs off Max (Judah Prehn). She asks Harry to conceal the stone corpse of his late father. Harry committed patricide to save Max, and the Hawthornes are thankful, but it's a lot, y'all. It's overwhelming. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Mine Town' Episode 408 — Pictured: Judah Prehn as Max Hawthorne — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
Ben asks why Max didn't tell them sooner that the town doctor is an alien. Max reminds his parents that he did — they just thought he was 'broken' and tried to send him to that school in Georgia. So, there's that.
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Elsewhere, Mike (Corey Reynolds) tries calling Lena again to warn her about Jules. He asks her to return the call. Oh, and Cletus is farting incessantly because he misses her. It's his love language. As an English bulldog owner, I understand this all too well.
Liv (Elizabeth Bowen) reveals that Jules is gone. She hightailed it out of town, it seems. Well, Mike believes she'll turn up again at the Old Mining Days Festival in a few days. It'll be a bona fide human buffet for the Mantid.
At the same time, Asta (Sara Tomko) and D'arcy (Alice Wetterlund) arrive at Harry's cabin. They learn that, well, the Hawthornes know everything. Kate calls D'arcy and Asta out for keeping her baby from her. Asta insists it was for a good reason. They had to protect not only the child but Ben and Kate from the Greys. Asta defends D'arcy, who's had a rough go of it, too. D'arcy tells Ben and Kate that she's in AA now. She's on a better path.
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The conversation pivots to the looming threat the Mantid poses. Harry could use someone who can see aliens, like, say, Max. His parents refuse to allow Max to help Harry track down a dangerous alien, though. Kate asks Harry to stay away from her family before suggesting Mike and Liv get involved. Asta urges her not to disclose Harry's alien status to Mike. It could muddy the waters a bit. Small Town, Big Hearts
Ben admits he's not good at withholding anything from Mike. Mike can see right through him. Sure enough, the following day, Ben struggles to keep the Harry-shaped secret, well, a secret from Sheriff Mike. Mike informs Ben that Jules is the Mantid. As per usual, the two bicker in a clash of egos. Ben reminds Mike that he 'pretty much runs' this town. He even came up with the new town motto: 'Small town, big hearts.'
Mike proposes that Ben cancel the Old Mining Days Festival because of the Mantid. Ben claims he can't do that. He'd have to petition the town council, and the festival is in two days. It's too late to do anything. Meanwhile, Harry enjoys having his alien form back. We see him leaping out of the lake in said form like an extraterrestrial dolphin.
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Then, Harry learns at work that Asta is considering leaving Patience. Dan planted those seeds. So, Harry presents a list of potential places they can move to, and all of them are big pizza cities. Typical Harry. Asta remarks that if she leaves town, she's doing it alone. That hits Harry where it hurts. How dare she leave her best alien friend behind? RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Mine Town' Season 4 Episode 8 — Pictured: (l-r) Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne, Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network) Not a Real Doctor
After this, Ben discloses the Mantid development to Harry. Now that he knows who the Mantid is masquerading as, Harry asks Ben again for Max's help. Max is the only person in town who can see aliens in their true form. Ben refuses to budge on this, though. Harry uses whatever leverage he has — Ben's therapy session shares. Ben fires back that Harry isn't actually a real doctor, and he expects the latter to refund him for those sessions. Ouch.
Meanwhile, Liv shows Mike something significant she caught on the camera she installed in the woods. It's Asta with a mystery person. She's carrying a shovel. Hmm. Elsewhere, Asta and D'arcy chat about the former potentially leaving Patience. Asta admits the idea of seeing what else is out there is alluring. D'arcy bursts into tears. She can't bear the thought of her BFF skipping town. Asta embraces D'arcy, reassuring her that she's staying.
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At the same time, Dan (Gary Farmer) asks Harry if he'd like a slice of pie at the diner. Harry declares he's angry at Dan for putting a bug in Asta's ear about leaving. After this interaction, Sahar (Gracelyn Awad Rinke) slides into the seat across from Harry. Harry asks Sahar to break Max out of Hawthorne Jail. Sahar claims that Ben and Kate are adamant about keeping Max under their thumb ever since they learned that Harry's an alien. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Mine Town' Season 4 Episode 8 — Pictured: (l-r) Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson, Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network) A Realization
Well, if Harry can't have Max as a helper, Sahar will do. Sahar shows Harry the formula for her patent-pending Manticide. We see said formula swirling around Harry's head, along with a few stray pieces of pie (hey, the heart wants what the heart wants). Now that he has his alien energy back, Harry understands the formula.
Later, Mike and Liv search Asta's office at the clinic. They find a card from Joseph, who once gave her human flowers. Liv realizes that Joseph was in love with Asta. Asta returns to her office to find the sheriff and the deputy. Liv shows her the photo of her on the trail cam with a mystery person. Then, she whips out the card from Joseph. Asta immediately throws Joseph under the bus, claiming she was with him in the woods. They were planting radishes. Mike buys the lie.
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When our pair is outside Asta's office, though, Mike admits that she was quick to pin it on Joseph. Liv surmises that she was with a different alien in the woods. It would have to be someone she trusts, someone she spends all her time with. That's when it dawns on Mike and Liv as they both stare at Harry's office door. He's the other alien . Finally! Not About You
Next, D'arcy visits with Kate. She apologizes for the other night at Harry's. Kate reciprocates, claiming she and Ben were overwhelmed by the alien reveal. Kate understands that D'arcy was trying to protect her and her baby. D'arcy admits that doesn't make it right, though. The conversation pivots to pictures D'arcy took of Kate and Ben's baby while the latter was with her. Kate learns that D'arcy named her child Daisy. However, Kate and Ben have settled on Isabella Rose after her grandmother.
Looking at the photos is too much for Kate. She's overcome with emotion. D'arcy wonders what's amiss. Kate reveals she can't do this now. She doesn't have the bandwidth or energy to make D'arcy feel better about herself. D'arcy storms out.
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Meanwhile, Harry and Sahar work on perfecting the Manticide formula in his cabin. Asta stops by, revealing that Mike and Liv caught her and Harry on camera in the woods when they tried to dig up the Mantid. Well, just Asta, for now. Harry claims he's mad at Asta. But it's okay — he's got Little Asta (Sahar) now. An Unexpected Arrival
Then, Robert (Paul Piaskowski) shows up at the sheriff's office, much to Liv's delight. She informs Robert that his father is alive and looking for him. Initially, Robert is incredulous. He saw Peter die. Liv tells him that the government revived Peter. She can't contact him, but when he reaches out, she'll tell him that Robert is here. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Mine Town' Season 4 Episode 8 — Pictured: (l-r) Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne, Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
Elsewhere, Jules, aka the Mantid, spies a flyer for the Old Mining Days Festival. The 'All You Can Eat' tagline is really intriguing for her. D'arcy pops into an AA meeting, where Asta and Kayla's cousin from the reservation speaks about her experience as a sponsor. D'arcy recognizes her. She admits that she tried to make a situation about her before realizing, 'It's not always about me.' This statement profoundly resonates with D'arcy. I love Alice Wetterlund's performance in this short scene.
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Later, the town attends the Old Mining Days Festival. Ben sports 10th-century garb, complete with a handlebar mustache. Mike insists Ben should've canceled the event. Ben counters that he doesn't want everyone living in fear. The Bait and the Lure
Then, Mike shows Liv the layout of the nearby mine, where he plans to lure in and blow up the Mantid. In the meantime, he'll watch Harry's movements. He believes, if anything, the only two aliens in town would know each other. At the same time, Asta discovers that Judy (Jenna Lamia) is dressed identically to her. It's no secret that, every year, Asta dresses like a town-famous historical woman who helped establish Patience in the 19th century. It seems like Judy is trying to steal her thunder.
Meanwhile, Harry also observes Mike from afar. He's using Mike as bait for the Mantid. Sahar is coming down with a case of secondhand embarrassment while standing beside Harry. At least they have her bottles of Manticide at the ready. Asta reunites with Harry, but he's still mad at her.
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Next, Kate, Max and Isabella, aka Bella, are at a gas station. Max tries to persuade his mom to let him help Harry catch the Mantid. He procures his alien-hunting taser, which Kate confiscates before grounding him for eternity. While she's distracted, though, Max seizes the opportunity to escape. Uh-oh. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Mine Town' Season 4 Episode 8 — Pictured: (l-r) Judah Prehn as Max Hawthorne, Meredith Garretson as Kate Hawthorne — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network) Everybody Knows
Lena (Nicola Correia-Damude) enters Jules' home and searches it. She spots strange liquid dripping from the ceiling. Lena pokes that spot with a broom handle, causing Jules' cocooned corpse to fall through the ceiling and into the living room. Naturally, Lena is in shock.
Harry and Mike munch on turkey legs before admitting that they hoped the other would draw out the Mantid. Asta tries to tell Mike and Liv the truth —that Harry is an alien —but of course, they already know. They also know he was in the woods with her.
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D'arcy approaches Kate again. This time, she apologizes for making the situation at the Hawthorne house about her. D'arcy admits she does this a lot, but she's aware of it now and will work on it. Aw. Look at how much our girl has grown. Kate accepts her apology and asks her to watch Bella while she searches for Max. Revelations
Asta performs for the festival attendees as the aforementioned historical woman. While recounting the woman's story, Asta has an epiphany that relates to her own life. Judy ruins Asta's a-ha! moment by lobbing a tomato at her. Asta chases her. RESIDENT ALIEN — 'Mine Town' Season 4 Episode 8 — Pictured: (l-r) Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle, Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson — (Photo by: James Dittiger/USA Network)
Meanwhile, Mike and Harry approach the mine where they plan to trap/explode the Mantid. Max joins Sahar some distance away. That's when he spots the Mantid. And this time, it's someone they know quite well.
It's Liv. Liv glares at Max and Sahar menacingly before turning to follow Mike and Harry.
Resident Alien drops new episodes every Friday at 10 pm ET on Syfy and USA Network.
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