The Universe is an ever-expanding space in which everything exists. In the vastness of space, it is hard to doubt that humans are the only sentient life in the Universe. The idea of external life forms from afar is nothing new to Hollywood, but that idea has been explored from a comedic standpoint in the show “Resident Alien” since 2021.

The show’s focus is an alien (Alan Tudyk) who crash lands in the fictional small town of Patience, Colorado, and takes the physical identity of a secluded doctor, Harry Vanderspeigal.

Four months after the crash and living in complete isolation, the police arrive at Harry’s door asking him to come into town to investigate the death of Doctor Sam Hodges. Now is the time that Harry puts his research of humans through television to the test, because if he can fool the humans into believing he is a real doctor, he can continue his mission on Earth.

Now comes into question, what is Harry’s mission while he is on Earth? Simply put, his mission is to eliminate the entire human race. However, humans are more complex than Harry first thought, as he starts to form relationships with everyone in the town, from the mayor to the man who runs the local diner.

Alan Tudyk’s portrayal of the alien is full of wit and classic comedy. His character is supposed to be a clueless alien and Tudyk’s delivery is masterful giving the viewer exactly what they expect and more. The character’s hijinks are a constant of the show that not only helps with the comedy of the show but also adds contrast to his way of thinking with that of the humans.

Another aspect that the show covers is that only one person can see through Harry’s disguise: a ten-year-old boy named Max Hawthorne (Judah Prehn). Max has a genetic mutation that can see through Harry’s morphing ability. This causes an initial confrontation where they both try to get the other to leave the town. But after all of that, the two call a truce and eventually become friends.

This is the type of relationship that starts to change Harry’s viewpoint and makes him question if he should complete the mission. The relationships with all the characters in the show make Harry question his initial value of humanity.

Through murder, mystery, and the common plight of man, Harry learns that relationships are what makes humanity so special and that maybe not all humans should be eliminated from the earth.

After just finishing its third season on April 8, this show makes a great summer watch as it tests comedy and hijinks. It makes the viewer reflect on their relationship with those around them and develop a sense of appreciation for the human race. This show is available on streaming services such as Netflix, Peacock, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.