Sob Story

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I reached for my notebook the moment the tears started to flow.

“You’re crying over Resident Alien?” I scribbled in my journal.

I have made no secret of being a shameless weeper.

I cry over anything, old movies, new movies, TV shows, songs and don’t even get me started on that Kohl’s Christmas commercial from a few years ago.

Seriously, don't get me started or I'll fall apart all over again.

You know things are bad when the women in my family—my sister and auntie—are fed up with all my waterworks.

“Don’t start bawling!” is one my sister’s common commands.

On Saturday morning, I was watching the latest episode of Resident Alien the Syfy channel’s comedy series based on a comic book that I’ve never read.

The show debuted on January 27, 2021, and I was hooked immediately.

Alan Tudyk plays the titular hero who is known on this planet as Harry Vanderspeigle, the town doctor in Patience, Colorado.

The program is in its fourth season now and while it may have lost some of its early momentum, (inevitable, really) it’s still one of my favorite shows.

My apologies to anyone who hasn’t been watching the show. I know that crappy feeling you get when you're in a group and you don’t know what people are talking about.

Moving and Energetic

I came home from Manhattan one night many years ago with a carload of Criminal Minds fanatics and as I listened to them talk about a program I had had never watched, I almost wished I had taken the subway home.

I can’t lay out all that’s happened over the last four years, but I can tell you that in the latest episode, “Soul Providers”, Harry makes an important discovery about himself--and it hit me hard.

One of the things I like about Resident Alien is that it features several Native American characters and, in this episode, Harry attends a powwow.

He has been entrusted with a baby—the last being in this or any other world who should be anywhere near a child.

Harry tries unsuccessfully to soothe the baby, wondering aloud if the child has an Off switch. But he notices that the child is calmed by the dancing, and he realizes how all things in the universe are connected.

Harry, currently trapped in human form, suddenly realizes that he has a soul.

“Anyone who's gone to a powwow knows it is unbelievably moving and energetic," said showrunner Chris Sheridan, who stressted accuracy in depciting Native American rituals. "It's really incredible. So, you can understand how Harry was absolutely moved.”

Harry’s not the only one who went through an emotional turn. I grabbed some tissues, appalled that I was falling apart over a science fiction program.

Dude, I thought, what the hell are you doing? You watch this show to get some laughs, not go through your Weeping Willy routine.

But I’ve noticed that emotional triggers can come from anywhere. My family has gone through some serious upheaval this year and I think I was reacting to the idea of someone making a connection—even if he is a fictional character from outer space.

This was also one of my brother Peter’s favorite shows and I keep wishing I could talk to him about it.

I’m looking forward to seeing how this season plays out. And when I sit down to watch Resident Alien next week, I’ll make sure to keep the Kleenex close by.

Comments

Bijoux said…
It's good to get the emotions out, Rob. Even if it's while watching Resident Alien!
11:02 AM
Rob Lenihan said…
Hey, Bijoux! Emotions have a sneaky way of popping up at the strangest times.
2:43 PM
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