FARE THEE WELL, RESIDENT ALIEN

I find SyFy's cancellation of Resident Alien a heedless verdict, but then perhaps it's just as well, allowing it to end on a bang instead of a whimper. 

On the other hand, that doesn't mean that the finale was explosive by any means. I had assumed Season 4 would have been more cosmic driven (with lots of garish, outer-space effects), but as it turned out, it was more grounded than anything else. In other words, it was sentimental. 

That tradition can be found in other embraced finales, with M*A*S*H and Little House on the Prairie being the big, stand-outs, but then there are those famous, polarizing goodbyes, such as The Prisoner and The Sopranos. Resident Alien falls somewhere between the extremes: solid enough to prod the senses, but not too radical to spark impassioned debate. 

At any rate, there were many fine novelties to enjoy within Patience, Colorado's continued, Northern Exposure context this season, the Mantid problem being a strong highlight, and the goofy, baby-abducting Greys were always pushing the ambivalent laughs, but that 1970s, time-travel bit with Harry and D'arcy was cool, too, even if brief. (I mean, the concept could have carried an entire season.) 

Even so, I suppose it was the season's emotional strand that resonated most, in particular when Max's parents learn the truth about Harry, or when Harry's dad becomes impossibly judgmental (not to mention murderous), and yet Harry's rejection of and reconciliation with Heather, his feathery lady, were the season's best aspects. Through such, our Earth-preserving extraterrestrial showed that, despite all the "bullshit" he had to endure (and man, did wee Bridget ever layer it on), he still could muster a human heart, and a heart, no less, that harbored all the foibles that any human would have. Kudos to the pliable Alan Tudyk for making it work, in what goes down as his signature role. 

It would be neat if SyFy (or some source) produced occasional, Resident Alien movies, building a sequel string, much like Fox did decades ago for Alien Nation. (Resident Alien's mastermind, Chris Sheridan, has even suggested the prospect.) Then again, I guess that sort of reasonable continuation isn't in the bag these stodgy days. Still, what exists of Resident Alien is mighty special. Like My Favorite Martian and Mork & Mindy, it'll be remembered, discovered and re-discovered for years to come by those who appreciate quirky, fish-out-of-water sojourns, and believe me, those of that ilk are many, indeed.