Bye Bye Birdie is the thirty-second episode of the science fiction comedy television series Resident Alien and the sixth episode of the third season. It premiered on March 20, 2024.
Synopsis[]
Harry hits rock bottom; Kate begins seeing the truth; Mike helps Liv face her greatest fear.
Plot[]
Cleaning[]
Harry is at work in his cabin. He thinks to himself that after having discovered the Greys' plan, he has devised one of his own. He is building a bomb that will destroy their spaceship. He thinks that thus their hybrids will be stuck on Earth and have to get jobs. He stops to get some pizza bites out of the microwave, then thinks that he can give General McCallister the bomb and then embark on his new mission: leaving the planet with Heather. Heather emerges from the bedroom. He greets her as his beautiful bird of paradise. He offers to make her breakfast, but she tells him she's not hungry. He suggests he could chew it up first. She, however, sighs, saying that she didn't sleep well, that his bed isn't as comfortable as the nest he made her at the hotel. He tells her he'll make her a new one, but she says she wants to do something for him. She tells him that she needs him to change first. She then cleans his gills. He is ecstatic, but what she does not tell him, as he talks about leaving everything in the open, is Joseph Rainier directing her to get his DNA.
Ben Hawthorne emerges from the family home to find D'arcy outside, sleeping in her car. He goes up to it and knocks on the window, waking her. He asks what she's doing and she claims to have worked late and pulled over on the way. He reminds her that his house isn't on the way to her place and she says that she wanted to make sure he was doing okay. "And you slept out there?" he asks, asking how she used the bathroom. He asks if it's about the alien stuff, but she acts like she has no idea what he's talking about. He tells her she needs to go home before Kate comes out and starts asking questions. She nods, then asks him to toss her water bottle for her. He asks if she peed in it and she agrees she did. He tells her he's not going to toss it and walks off. She returns to the apartment, annoyed to see Jay's clothes and dishes all over the place. Asta asks her to tell her that she did not spend another night in front of Ben's house. She tells her that she did and Ben caught her, so she can't do it again. She says she'll have to bring binoculars and park up the street. Asta asks how she could even stop an abduction if she witnessed one. "Baseball bat," replies D'arcy, saying that she's seen pictures of the Greys online and that with their long necks, their heads are right in her strike zone. She asks if it would kill Jay to wash a dish once in a while. She says that she's Asta's daughter and it explains why she doesn't clean, but her stuff is everywhere and her raspberry yogurt is gone again. Asta tells her she'll buy her more yogurt and clean, asking if she's happy. She says that she's not, that Jay should be doing it. Asta tells her that things are good between her and Jay right now and she doesn't want to rock the boat. She says they have bigger things to worry about, like how they're going to keep Harry from leaving with Heather. Jay then emerges from the bathroom, looking strung out and going to the refrigerator and drinking the last of the milk. She tells them that they're out of milk, then lies back down on the couch with her girlfriend. "You were saying?" comments D'arcy.
Back at the cabin, Harry is savoring the results of Heather's cleaning, as Heather ties up the contents in a trash bag. Harry asks what he can do to thank her, but she tells him that she doesn't deserve it. He tells her she deserves everything and that he will finish the bomb so they can leave and never look back. He asks if her friends will accept that she's dating an un-winged alien. "Let's not talk about the future," she says, saying they should just talk about the present, that it's so special. He starts to read her a new poem, but she tells him not to, saying she's taking out the bag and that if she doesn't come back, she went to get cigarettes. He tells her he likes that she tries new things. He thinks to himself that it must be what true love is like, that when your lover leaves, you feel like you will never see her again.
The breakup[]
At the Patience Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Mike asks Deputy Liv if she ever gets the feeling like she's being followed. "Right now comes to mind," she tells him, but he continues that last night he felt someone following him. He tells her that he changed his route, but he still feels like Joseph is on his tail. He says it means they're on the right track with their investigation. She, however, says that she's not involved, that she told him when she is, people get hurt. He says he thought she just needed time, but she says she needs distance. He shares a story about his dog Cletus that is supposed to make her feel better, but just comes off as strange. Mayor Ben comes in, saying that he's recently had some complaints about the Sheriff's Department. Mike tells him he shouldn't have put up the suggestion box, but Ben continues that "certain constituents" aren't happy about taxpayer dollars being used to investigate alien-related matters. Mike argues that taxpayers shouldn't have a say in this, that it's anarchy. "some people call it democracy," Ben says. Mike asks him who these "certain people" are, but he says he's not at liberty to say, even as Nana Baker appears, confirming just who these "certain people" are. Ben tells him he'd like to see him in his office. Mike, however, takes a seat in his own office, telling him he gets what he wants. Ben notes that he and Liv have been snooping around, that he practically begged him for a new deputy, who is now gone and they haven't even replaced him. He pleads with him to stop being so secretive, saying that it's his town. Mike, however, asks him if he's ever seen a Western, that it's the sheriff who says "You're in my town, now." He replies that Hawthorne is printed on the soul of the town. "Like that poison creek," quips Mike. They continue to argue for a bit, not getting anywhere.
Harry thinks that humans thrive on forming connections to each other, but they feel untethered when the connection is broken and he is starting to feel that way. He thinks that Heather has been gone for two hours and he is worried about her. He finds a pigeon pecking at his window with a note. It reads "Harry, if you're reading this, then you've meet my friend Arlo. I'm leaving the planet without you. Don't look for me. And please give Arlo some cereal, if you don't mind." He sobs that it cannot be and writes a note back, asking how he can know it's really her. They exchange a series of further notes, concluding when Heather finally arrives back through the portal. She tells him that they can't keep doing the notes, that it isn't fair to the pigeon. She tells him that it's over. "But why?" he pleads. She tells him that she doesn't love him, that she never did. He says he doesn't believe her, that his heart is stopping. She, however, says that hearts are the only thing that stop working even after they break. She claims, though, that hers isn't breaking. She tells him she has to go. He tells her has a poem, "Forever Together," but she says she can't do it. She walks back through the portal. "Good--" she says before disappearing. Harry wonders what the rest is and receives one final note from the pigeon - "Bye." "Why?" he sobs.
That evening, Sheriff Mike confronts someone, believing them to be Joseph. The person he accosts, however, is not in fact Joseph, but Troy, the son of his old flame, Lena Torres. He tells him he was curious, that he wanted to see the man his mom was dating. He tells him to relax, that they're just colleagues, but he says that she doesn't talk about him like a colleague. He says that he heard he doesn't like her paying for stuff, asking what's wrong with that. Mike tells him he's appreciates it, but it's grown man stuff, it's complicated. He says it's not, and to stay away from her, but Mike tells her she already is. Troy asks what kind of man he is. He walks away.
Asta and D'arcy arrive at Harry's place, Asta saying that she got a text from him saying he wanted to die and some awful emojis. They find him lying on the couch. He tells them that Heather left him. "Yes!" shouts D'arcy, and Harry tells them his life is over. He says that they shouldn't lie, that they're happy. Asta admits that they did try to break them up, but it didn't work. D'arcy says maybe it's just him, but he sobs, saying that Heather loved him, that he loved her. He says he doesn't know what happened and Asta tells him that sometime's there's no explanation. D'arcy tells him to stay busy, to focus on his project. She asks what it is and he tells them it's a bomb, that he built it for General McCallister to use on the Greys after he left the Earth with Heather. Asta tells him that saving the Earth is something to live for, but he says he doesn't care about it, that it sucks. He shouts that he hates it there and runs outside, shouting that the Greys can take it. "Take me!" he shouts. Asta makes him come back inside and D'arcy suggests he eat some pizza, but Harry takes it and stomps on it, saying he hates it too. He locks himself in his room.
The loose cannon and the martyr[]
Sheriff Mike goes ice-fishing with Dan Twelvetrees. He tells him he met Lena's son, that he had been tailing him. Dan asks if he wants to talk about it. Mike claims there's nothing to talk about, but then says that Lena's been crying over the breakup. "Seems like you want to talk about it," points out Dan. Mike protests, but then says that maybe his destiny to be alone. "Let's talk about it," Dan says and Mike tells him that Troy was right about him, pushing people away. He asks what kind of man does that and Dan tells him that he got attached to notions of masculinity from losing his mom and being raised by his father. He tells him to take it easy on himself, that it's not his fault.
At the cabin, D'arcy studies Harry's specs, saying that he was serious about leaving, that the instructions for the bomb are all there. Asta tells her that anything serious is on hold, that Harry just asked if men can be nuns. D'arcy agrees it's probably best if Harry doesn't handle a bomb. Asta says she's tired of playing parent to Harry, that it's enough to do it at home with Jay. "Yeah," comments D'arcy skeptically, saying that Asta isn't really doing it at home. She says that Asta is afraid to piss Jay off, that she doesn't want to lose her and is thus aiding and abetting her. She tells her she's trying to be Jay's friend instead of being a responsible adult. Asta asks why she comes to her every time she's in trouble. D'arcy tells her she's only there for her when it suits her. Asta asks when she was ever not there for her and she points out her not telling her about Harry being an alien. She says she was supposed to be her best friend, but she couldn't share it with her. She tells her she wants to know why and Asta calls her a loose cannon. D'arcy says that Harry's arrival was a godsend for her, a secret baby on her doorstep, for her menagerie of the needy. Asta argues that she told Ben she was being abducted, that she made everything about herself. D'arcy argues that she told Ben because friends don't keep huge secrets. They continue to bicker, D'arcy calling Asta a martyr. Harry comes out, getting some beer. He tells them to pretend he's not there. Asta leaves, slamming the door.
That morning, General McCallister arrives, knocking on the door of the cabin. She finds Harry looking terrible and drinking milk straight out of the carton. He asks why she's there and she asks how he's doing, that Asta contacted her and told her he's a mess and can't work. She tells him she doesn't know how to console a lovesick alien, but she heard about his chicken girlfriend. "So..." she says, leading an emu into the cabin. He asks what the hell it is and she tells him she thought "Patricia" could help him get over his girlfriend. He tells her he's offended she thought she could replace the love of his life with a random bird. She tells him to just finish the bomb and not fall in love with the bird, that she's a rental. "We can just talk, Harry tells the bird."
Deputy Liv is at her alien experiencer group. She is touched to see a woman with her mother, telling her that she's there to support her, even though she's never had an experience herself. "So this is where all the crazies meet" comments her Nana Baker. She says she expected there'd be more padding on the walls. Just then, Kate Hawthorne arrives. The leader asks if she wants to tell them more about herself, but she says she's only there to watch. The leader says they don't get a lot of watchers, but Kate insists she hasn't experienced anything. Then, however, she admits to seeing an owl outside her window. She insists, however, that she's good. "Except, I'm not good," she admits, saying that she used to like where she lived, but that even though she loves her home, she doesn't feel safe. She says that she thinks it's bigger, like she's not safe anywhere. She says she feels like she's going crazy, asking her if she's allowed to use the word. A man tells her that she's not crazy, that he had a similar experience. He says that the owls didn't seem odd at first, but it kept happening. One day, in the shower, he discovered a tiny bump behind his knee and realized that it might be a chip implanted in him. Kate feels on her neck. "Are you okay?" Liv asks her. She tells her she doesn't know.
Support[]
Heather meets with Joseph, who asks her if Harry had any idea about her taking his DNA. "No," she tells him, but says that she feels terrible, that she loves him. "You love your niece?" he asks, but she misinterprets this as a threat to break her knees. "Judy Cooper" observes their conversation, not realizing what she's seeing. At the Patience Sheriff's Office, Mike notes that Liv looks sad. He suggests putting a pencil in her mouth to fool her "smile muscles." He tells her it takes seven minutes and she spits it out. He asks what's got her down and she tells him about the alien experiencer meeting and the lady whose mother came to support her. She tells him she never got that support and likely never will. He tells her a story about himself, though claims he's talking about someone else, and how he had notions of masculinity pushed on him. He tells her the people around her weren't supportive and held her down. He tells her she needs to stand up to her grandmother. She says she can't, that Nana is mean. He says that he'll go with her and give her the support she never had.
Asta and Jay arrive back home from a snowboarding trip. Jay tells D'arcy she should have come with and she says that it must be nice to take off work on a whim. Asta asks if she has a problem with her snowboarding now. "Nope," D'arcy tells her, asking where Harry is. She tells her she went to the cabin and he wasn't there, just a giant bird. Asta asks why she's looking for him and she explains that Judy saw Joseph talking to Heather. D'arcy asks if Heather is a spy for the Greys, that they have to find Harry and tell him. Asta agrees that she knows where he goes when he gets depressed. So, they get in a helicopter with Steve of avalanche control to find Harry. Along the way, D'arcy brings up Asta's assertion of her being a loose cannon. Meanwhile, Asta asks Steve if it's fair for D'arcy to go after her for spending time with her daughter. They continue to trade barbs until Steve pulls his microphone feed so he can't hear them.
Mike and Liv arrive at Nana Baker's, but Liv tells him that she can't knock, that she's too nervous. Mike tells her he'll be with her the whole way. He pushes her hand forward to knock on the door and Nana Baker answers. She asks why Liv couldn't have just sent an e-mail if she wanted to talk to her. She grudgingly invites her in, telling her to wipe her feet. She asks what it is and Deputy Liv tells her that the things she says about her feel kind of mean. She tells her that it's probably not her fault, that her generation had it hard. "Oh, you want to apologize?" she says. She asks if that's it, but Mike asks if there wasn't something else. Deputy Liv tells her that she stole her deviled egg recipe, but it's because she admires her cooking and her, that she wanted to be like her. She continues that this was until she trash-talked her, asking why she would do that. Nana Baker replies that she just told the truth, that she always does. Liv says that she can do truth-telling too, that grandmothers are supposed to be nice, but she's cruel and vicious and smells like vinegar. As Mike starts telling her to dial it down, she continues that little girls are supposed to be happy to see their grandmothers, but she dreaded it because she made her feel small and worthless. She tells her she won't feel that way anymore, that she's the one who's small and worthless. She starts cussing her out and she collapses on the floor. "She's faking it," insists Liv, but the paramedics come, taking her away for a "minor heart attack." Mike claims that she looked pale when she showed up, and that she told Garrett she's delusional, so nobody will believe her. "You get your recipes?" he asks. "Yeah," she agrees, thanking him for picking the lock. He says they were never there.
The ominous return[]
Mayor Ben sneaks into the Patience Sheriff's Office. He pulls a shutter and rifles through drawers. He then discovers Deputy Liv's murder board, with a picture of Peter Bach captioned "Who killed Peter Bach?" and a picture of Joseph Rainier labeled as "prime suspect." On the snowy mountain, Asta and D'arcy are finally dropped off in front of Harry. "Told you he'd be here," comments Asta. He asks what they're doing there and D'arcy tells him that Heather is working with Joseph. He claims they're spreading lies, but Asta tells him that Judy saw her give Joseph a trash bag. He asks if it was blue. They agree and he realizes that she wanted his DNA, that they want to clone him. He tells them that they have his alien ball and want his DNA to use it. He calls Robert Hutchins, asking how he is and if he is still on Earth. "Yeah," replies Joseph in a terrible fake voice, saying he's at the malt shop. Harry laughs and hangs up, telling Asta and D'arcy that the Greys have the ball. Asta asks what they would do with it and Harry explains that his his people's technology is hydrogen-based, that it manipulates water. They realize that with it, they could destroy the Earth at any time. And Harry realizes that Heather betrayed him. He thinks to himself that he feels cut off from the only love he will ever know. On the plane, Asta pleads with D'arcy for them to just talk. At the Hawthorne family home, Kate handcuffs herself to her bed in the hopes of preventing abduction. Back at this cabin, Harry sings a terrible song about wanting a wolf to kill Heather and that there is no love.
On a dark road, a man emerges from a truck outside a cafe. As he opens up the back, the baby alien Bridget is seen off to the side. He skitters into the truck. "What the hell?!" shouts the trucker. He shouts out in pain, then falls over. There is a sound of slurping and then he emerges from the truck, except it is not him, but Bridget in his form. He closes up the back of the truck and heads into the cafe. The woman behind the counter asks what brings him to this neck of the woods. Drinking the coffee, he tells her he's there to kill his father. He sets down the cup of coffee.
Cast and characters[]
Starring:
- Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle
- Sara Tomko as Asta Twelvetrees
- Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson
- Alice Wetterlund as D'arcy Bloom
- Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne
- Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker
- Judah Prehn as Max Hawthorne (credit only)
Special guest star:
Guest starring:
- Meredith Garretson as Kate Hawthorne
- Gary Farmer as Dan Twelvetrees
- Mary Walsh as Alice "Nana" Baker
- Kaylayla Raine as Jay
- Jenna Lamia as Judy Cooper
- Diana Bang as Nurse Ellen
with
- Edi Patterson as Heather
and
Co-starring:
- Ethel Pitchford as Debra
- Maggie Ma as Cheryl
- Vivin Oommen as Flight Engineer
- Josh Zaharia as Troy Torres
- Marlee Walchuk as Dorothy
- Laura Mac as Linda
- Michael Bean as Richard
- Jason Tremblay as Steve
- Silvio Cuadra as Tom
- Flossie McKnight as Terri the Waitress
- Gina Vultaggio as Bree
- Andrea Geones as Bridget
Quotes[]
"You have reception here? How?"
"It's very easy. You just go into settings. It will prompt you. 'Would you like to harness the mountain to use as your own personal cell tower because you're a brilliant alien?' And you just push 'yes'."
"So funny."
- D'arcy, Harry and Asta
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Still images[]
