Resident Alien: Season Three Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		4.0

Resident Alien: Season Three Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker September 3, 2024

The last season to air on the SyFy Channel, 'Resident Alien: Season Three' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. All eight of the third season's episodes are collected here on two discs, and follow fan-favorite actor Allen Tudyk as an alien in the town of Patience, Colorado as he now tries to save the earth from the Grey Aliens. Based on the Dark Horse Comics property of the same name created by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, the first two seasons are available separately, and information about them can be found by following these links: 'Resident Alien: Season One' and 'Resident Alien: Season Two'. Technical merits are strong but on- disc supplemental materials are incredibly light. Neither a slipcover nor a Digital Code are included.

Those who have not yet viewed season one and two are advised to do so before reading any further as what follows may contain some level of spoilers from the previous seasons, and this third season will make much more sense and be far more enjoyable having seen what has come before. Reduced from twelve episodes as it was originally intended to the eight episodes appearing here, events move along briskly but never feel rushed. This season of Resident Alien finds Harry Vanderspeigle (Allen Tudyk, TV's Firefly) working with General Wright (Linda Hamilton, Terminator) to thwart the Grey Aliens' plan to destroy the earth. Convinced he is the most intelligent asset the operation has at its disposal, Harry is far from a model employee and seems to create as many issues as he resolves. Meanwhile, Sheriff Mike Thompson (Corey Reynolds, TV's The Closer) and Deputy Liv Baker (Elizabeth Bowen) continue their investigation into the murder of the Alien Tracker. D'Arcy (Alice Wetterlund) and Astra (Sara Tomko) feel the strain of moving in together while Kate and Ben Hawthorne (Meredith Garretson and Levi Fiehler) unravel details of their previous and ongoing abductions. Season Four will move to the USA Network, its new home. Those worried that the change could compromise the production quality or the tone of the series should be comforted by series creator Chris Sheridan continuing in is roles of Executive Producer and showrunner for the new season.

Though the series spends a substantial amount of time on alien politics, plotlines, and action, the heart and soul of Resident Alien remains on something far more earthbound; what it means to be human. Season three pays particular attention to the notions of love and family, two elements critical to the human experience. The rigid, inflexible and somewhat controlling Sherriff Thompson's new romance with Detective Lena Torres runs into trouble when his overly traditional views on gender roles of those in a relationship run counter to Torres' modern conceptions and ideologies. Thompson chafes at not picking up the tab on dates, viewing himself as the "protector" and "provider". Torres, for her part, refuses to acquiesce to this antiquated worldview as she is seeking equality and a partner in the true sense of the word. It's only when Thompson recognizes that compromise and adaptation are preferable to losing a true chance at happiness that he comes to realize the views he has held for years don't really fit in the modern world. While he has held some affection for Astra, Harry was not in any way prepared to experience a more "human" love in season three. Though viewed through his alien lens and the series-specific scenarios and situations his relationship creates, it is no less an embodiment of the sort of all-consuming love or infatuation t experienced by some which causes them to push aside virtually all other people and responsibilities so that the sum total of their focus and attention can remain on the object of their affection as much as is possible. Platonic love also comes into focus with Astra and D'Arcy's relationship. Living together, the two are forced to confront the elements in their own personalities and the roles they play in their relationship that create their co- dependence, with Astra typically assuming the role of the "pleaser" and the "problem solver", while the more impulsive D'Arcy usually requires propping-up and support. While they each give each other what they need in the dysfunctional relationship, both will need find a way to change for them to continue as friends.

Family, specifically the bond and relationship between child and parent, is examined in five specific situations. Harry, whose relationship with his own children, while perhaps normal to him and those of his species, is hostile and alien by human standards. He is forced to confront those views when his son, Bridget, returns. Much of the action in this season will depend on how well the two can move beyond their pasts and adopt a more humanlike relationship as parent and child. So as not to provide any potential spoilers for those who have not yet seen season three, suffice it to say other characters will face parenting crises of their own - some who need to understand when the right course of action is letting go, some who need the sense of grounding and belonging that family can provide, and others who experience the grief of loss and the struggle to find hope. Still another will need to reestablish boundaries and redefine what is considered acceptable within the family dynamic. As is the norm for this series, these issues are tackled with its trademark mix of slapstick, dark comedy, outrageousness, seriousness, and melodrama, but the results are always fitting and rewarding.

Resident Alien: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Resident Alien: Season Three's MPEG-4 AVC encoded 1080p presentation is incredibly pleasing. The crisp precision on display in each of the eight episodes continues to impress with high levels of fine detail visible in every scene. Facial particulars are open for examination in the frequent close-ups. This is especially true for Tudyk who expertly leverages a seemingly limitless variety of expressions to convey not only his "alienness", but also a host of emotions and his efforts to blend in and pass for human. Every line and wrinkle is discernable in his Harry Vanderspeigle persona and every detail and texture is observable on his true (alien) face as well. Textures are also the beneficiary of the transfer's quality. Fabrics possess an authentic tactile presence, from the slick nylon/polyester of coats and jackets, to the chunky and fuzzy sweaters worn by those in the cold Colorado town. VFX work also fares well. Colors are consistently wonderfully saturated and true, and skin tones look healthy. Black levels are satisfying and whites border on brilliant.

Resident Alien: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track is frequently impressive without being oppressive. Surrounds are often leveraged for ambient and environmental sounds to place the viewer solidly in the middle of every scene. Restaurants, the sheriff's office, and exterior locations are all populated with elements like background chatter, clinking cutlery and dishes, and wildlife as appropriate. The Grey Alien ship, like ships in other science-fiction series, emits a hum to suggest that it is in outer space. Directionality is accurate with sounds moving fluidly through the sound field. Bass is sufficient to add realistic depth to music and effects without threatening to overpower the viewer. Dialogue is always properly prioritized and is typically placed front and center. It is never less than clean and intelligible to ensure viewers will not miss a single joke or an important clue and Harry, Astra, D'Arcy, and the others in Patience seek to unravel the core mystery and uncover their own truths.

Resident Alien: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The supplental material for Resident Alien: Season Three is spread across both discs and consists exclusively of deleted scenes, one on Disc One, and four on Disc Two as below: Disc One

• Deleted Scene (0.32) - A single deleted scene from the episode Avian Flu.

Disc Two

• Deleted Scenes (4.01) - Four deleted scenes from three Disc Two episodes: one from Lovebird; two from Bye Bye Birdie; and one from Here Comes My Baby.

Resident Alien: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Perhaps it is a function of the reduced slate of episodes for the latest chapter, but Resident Alien: Season Three maintains a laser-like focus for its eight-episode run. While there are still opportunities for character development, the fat has been trimmed for this outing, with only elements that serve the main plotline or the critical subplots of the season remaining. The result is a season that brisk, binge-able, and impactful. Tudyk is as charming, hilarious, and dangerous as ever, and the supporting cast, especially Linda Hamilton, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, and Sara Tomko provide the show's heart and ground this otherworldly tale in our reality. Outfitted with a stellar audio and video presentation, Resident Alien: Season Three comes highly recommended.