Awesome to see all of the major cast return for season two and they get things rolling. The objective of this season isn't clear but they've got a few potential storylines going. Good effects, and some funny moments, D'arcy bringing the plate back?! Hilarious.
16 Reviews
Cinematographic quality has gone WAY down in season 2
Roshtaria30 January 2022
The visual quality of the 1st season has gone DRASTICALLY down hill in the 2nd season.
It appears as though they tried to majorly cut costs by shooting the exteriors of the lake house on a soundstage, with either a virtual background or a green screen, either way, it looks TERRIBLE.
Also the lighting is all over the place, highlights on peoples faces are are blown out, actors aren't properly lit in general. Skin tones are disgusting, and even though they attempted to soften the images via some kind of softening filter, the lighting on the actors skin is so awful that I can see the light blooming in EVERY light fixture but some how I can still see EVERY pore in their skin still.
It's hard to watch, when last season was so beautifully lit by Scott Williams. I don't know what happened but this season looks SHOCKINGLY bad.
When I went into the cast and crew to see who the Cinematographer of the episode was, they aren't even listed.
Story wise it's still well written and well acted, it just lost a lot of it's magic due to inferior production elements, specifically the Cinematography.
It appears as though they tried to majorly cut costs by shooting the exteriors of the lake house on a soundstage, with either a virtual background or a green screen, either way, it looks TERRIBLE.
Also the lighting is all over the place, highlights on peoples faces are are blown out, actors aren't properly lit in general. Skin tones are disgusting, and even though they attempted to soften the images via some kind of softening filter, the lighting on the actors skin is so awful that I can see the light blooming in EVERY light fixture but some how I can still see EVERY pore in their skin still.
It's hard to watch, when last season was so beautifully lit by Scott Williams. I don't know what happened but this season looks SHOCKINGLY bad.
When I went into the cast and crew to see who the Cinematographer of the episode was, they aren't even listed.
Story wise it's still well written and well acted, it just lost a lot of it's magic due to inferior production elements, specifically the Cinematography.
It was fine. NOT Season 1 quality!
marskiz1 February 2022
I understand other reviewers' complaints...but at the same time I don't! Besides, that's all this is...the S2 premiere. There's still hope here for the remainder of the season.
It's not the best way to start off a new season. I can see how some new viewers may have been told by their friends, etc., to try out this funny show may have been disappointed by the S2 premiere, and thus may not be coming back.
So, about the episode. Not only was it told in a confusing way to start off the episode and the season, but many of the jokes didn't land. Harry was...weird and had some okay moments...but not S1 funny weird. I am thinking the writers spent A LOT more time to perfect the comedy, drama, and storytelling overall of S1. It's too early to tell for S2, but if you look up info about S1 prep, the creators and everyone involved really went through a lot to make sure this show was the best it could be.
S2 just began, sure, but I wonder how long they had the time to hash out the story. I have no issue with the production values of S2 premiere, unlike some other reviewers on here, and/or maybe I don't know what to look for. Reviewers are also saying the cast looks noticeably older.... While I don't disagree, I think it's not "that" noticeable.
I think what people are really criticizing about this premiere is that viewers were not seeing the same characters that they all loved in S1. Harry the alien was not himself for a while, the mayor had TOO much confidence, and Big Black changed a bit too. Change isn't a bad thing, as long as it's written well...and it could have been written better. The actors all delivered, but the material was not the same quality as S1. C'mon writers! I hope you all have something awesome for us!!!
I am looking forward to the story of Big Black the most, as well as Asta's father that works in the restaurant. That actor is great! What a funny guy he is!! That's the thing about this show that made all of S1 stand out, were the funny, likable characters...and it surprised so many viewers with how good a comedy can be. That's part of the magic of TV. You just never know when you will find a gem like Resident Alien Season One.
It's not the best way to start off a new season. I can see how some new viewers may have been told by their friends, etc., to try out this funny show may have been disappointed by the S2 premiere, and thus may not be coming back.
So, about the episode. Not only was it told in a confusing way to start off the episode and the season, but many of the jokes didn't land. Harry was...weird and had some okay moments...but not S1 funny weird. I am thinking the writers spent A LOT more time to perfect the comedy, drama, and storytelling overall of S1. It's too early to tell for S2, but if you look up info about S1 prep, the creators and everyone involved really went through a lot to make sure this show was the best it could be.
S2 just began, sure, but I wonder how long they had the time to hash out the story. I have no issue with the production values of S2 premiere, unlike some other reviewers on here, and/or maybe I don't know what to look for. Reviewers are also saying the cast looks noticeably older.... While I don't disagree, I think it's not "that" noticeable.
I think what people are really criticizing about this premiere is that viewers were not seeing the same characters that they all loved in S1. Harry the alien was not himself for a while, the mayor had TOO much confidence, and Big Black changed a bit too. Change isn't a bad thing, as long as it's written well...and it could have been written better. The actors all delivered, but the material was not the same quality as S1. C'mon writers! I hope you all have something awesome for us!!!
I am looking forward to the story of Big Black the most, as well as Asta's father that works in the restaurant. That actor is great! What a funny guy he is!! That's the thing about this show that made all of S1 stand out, were the funny, likable characters...and it surprised so many viewers with how good a comedy can be. That's part of the magic of TV. You just never know when you will find a gem like Resident Alien Season One.
Stealing an octopus...
XweAponX27 January 2022
I never would have recognized Nathan Fillion's Voice as octopus "number 42"... on the menu! In retrospect we have Wash and Mal back together again. It's appropriate...
So, Max stowed away on Harry's spaceship and then the next thing you know they have crashed. Except there are a lot of details missing. I suppose those will get filled in as the season progresses. I am disappointed, only eight episodes, down from 10 the first season. I remember when we used to get 26 per season...
Harry now has a small army of people who know who he is. So he has a few allies now. Max and Sahar are starting to get taller... especially Sahar. And this was supposed to be the day after that ruckus in the warehouse... The same thing kind of happened with the kid in the first season of Lost, during the second season he was much taller so they had to use tricks to hide that fact.
But what about those people that Max's parents chased off? They kidnapped the wrong doctor and there is something very funny going on there. Don't really think we've seen the last of those people. In fact...
Harry has some trouble remembering exactly who he is, so for a while he thinks he's the detective from early seasons of law and order. Boom-BOOM.
Memory is key, for these humans.
And, to put the icing on the Pizzas, "Tom Paris" from Voyager directed this episode (Robert Duncan McNeill). Where's Neelix!?
So, Max stowed away on Harry's spaceship and then the next thing you know they have crashed. Except there are a lot of details missing. I suppose those will get filled in as the season progresses. I am disappointed, only eight episodes, down from 10 the first season. I remember when we used to get 26 per season...
Harry now has a small army of people who know who he is. So he has a few allies now. Max and Sahar are starting to get taller... especially Sahar. And this was supposed to be the day after that ruckus in the warehouse... The same thing kind of happened with the kid in the first season of Lost, during the second season he was much taller so they had to use tricks to hide that fact.
But what about those people that Max's parents chased off? They kidnapped the wrong doctor and there is something very funny going on there. Don't really think we've seen the last of those people. In fact...
Harry has some trouble remembering exactly who he is, so for a while he thinks he's the detective from early seasons of law and order. Boom-BOOM.
Memory is key, for these humans.
And, to put the icing on the Pizzas, "Tom Paris" from Voyager directed this episode (Robert Duncan McNeill). Where's Neelix!?
ROFL
aky13-118 December 2022
I waited a long time to start the second season just like I save my favorite burnt food tidbit for last to SAVOR it.
I love Tudyk's portrayal. I love the writing which reminds me of all the excellent sci-fi I read 60 years ago that was more about society, humanity and human behavior than fantasy as they are today.
I have one complaint ... the cutting/editing before commercial breaks is BRUTAL, poorly planned and/or executed. For example, I want to see what was growing where the ship was!
I am thankful for my cable service DVR that allowed me to collect the entire season and save it.
In short, I love this show!
I love Tudyk's portrayal. I love the writing which reminds me of all the excellent sci-fi I read 60 years ago that was more about society, humanity and human behavior than fantasy as they are today.
I have one complaint ... the cutting/editing before commercial breaks is BRUTAL, poorly planned and/or executed. For example, I want to see what was growing where the ship was!
I am thankful for my cable service DVR that allowed me to collect the entire season and save it.
In short, I love this show!
Let's give season 2 a chance
loloimdb27 January 2022
OK, well, first of all, it's great that they didn't stop the show.
Good to see all the characters back and some new storylines developping.
BUT, I can't forgive (and forget) the atrocious green screens and artificial lights of the lake house scenes, that was so obvious!! As well as Harry doll (or miniature???) floating in the water. It was so fake that at first, I though Harry had became a miniature doll or something like that.... So basically they didn't shoot any scene at the lake.... Is it because of covid restrictions or because of a budget cut???
Hope the rest of the season isn't that cheap....
Good to see all the characters back and some new storylines developping.
BUT, I can't forgive (and forget) the atrocious green screens and artificial lights of the lake house scenes, that was so obvious!! As well as Harry doll (or miniature???) floating in the water. It was so fake that at first, I though Harry had became a miniature doll or something like that.... So basically they didn't shoot any scene at the lake.... Is it because of covid restrictions or because of a budget cut???
Hope the rest of the season isn't that cheap....
Just felt weird
MovieGeekery5727 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Love Season 1 but Season 2 is off to a half hearted stsrt with this episode. I still have high hopes for this show but Episode 1 of Season 2 felt rushed and weird. I didn't care for the shakey cam camera work at the baseball field. It was jarring and irritating to look at. The scenes at Harrys cabin with Liv and Mike looked weird too. They changed the look of the camera work somehow from Season 1 and it's not for the better.
Also this episode tried way too hard with showing how sexually amped Ben and Kate suddenly are. No kink shaming here but the show could have toned those scenes down or left them out, mostly. We get it, they are into each other big time. Sometimes showing less is more.
The episode writing felt sloppy as well. Massive crater in the baseball field and thr teams show up to play but no one ever mentions the giant crater?
Then Asta shuts the lights off and everyone leaves without questioning why the lights went out?
It really felt like they crammed ideas for 3-4 episodes into one and cut it all together.
There is something interesting going on under the over sexxed surface of Kate's behavior though. Something not good. Showed when she smashed the flowers.
In general though this was a weak disappointment of an episode. I really hate even saying so.
Also this episode tried way too hard with showing how sexually amped Ben and Kate suddenly are. No kink shaming here but the show could have toned those scenes down or left them out, mostly. We get it, they are into each other big time. Sometimes showing less is more.
The episode writing felt sloppy as well. Massive crater in the baseball field and thr teams show up to play but no one ever mentions the giant crater?
Then Asta shuts the lights off and everyone leaves without questioning why the lights went out?
It really felt like they crammed ideas for 3-4 episodes into one and cut it all together.
There is something interesting going on under the over sexxed surface of Kate's behavior though. Something not good. Showed when she smashed the flowers.
In general though this was a weak disappointment of an episode. I really hate even saying so.
#42 or #49
art-3409922 February 2022
Unfortunattly not as good as first season !
martinsmarkss28 January 2022
Unfortunately not as good as the first season! It's been only one episode so i wll not judge too harshley I don't know is it because of C19, felt kinda rushed ! And what's wrong with Max parents they are so weird, even weirder than Harry being alien !
Still fun but I wish the mayor and his wife were gone
josephinelebeau524 February 2024
This show is funny and I love Alan T. I just find the major and his wife's character more and more pathetic, self involved and annoying! The other characters are funny even if they are annoying or stupid. Like the sheriff and deputy- he can be obnoxious but he's also hilarious and the deputy's character balances him. Darcy can be pathetic at times but hilarious and also bad ass. But the mayor and his wife- I find them insufferable and I hate that they feature more in this season. Wish I was more articulate but I really just left this review as a venting point on how much my son and I hate the mayor and his wife!
Not the best starting point
kikkula27 January 2022
Lost its charm
bigalrc27 January 2022
Had very high hopes.. but the green screen shots of the lake behind Harry's cabin are atrocious.. a blow up doll floating in the lake that was really Harry? Cringe.. Max's parents were funny at first and then it just got old... there was for sure some funny parts. But over all this seemed rushed and what once was a dramedy turned into just a comedy with the feel of Brooklyn 99 in a way.. The green screen shots were truly atrocious.. continuity errors with the cast looking much older.. had high hopes but this fell short..
WTF??
ingridwinter-3161327 January 2022
Resident Alien has officially jumped the shark, like what the heck was that even? Some cool effects and a couple of mildly humourous lines but they were trying real hard to keep up the quirkiness but missed the mark went well beyond the mark. Wow. I had high hopes and was a tad disappointed.
Old Friends
Prismark1026 February 2022
Resident Alien returns for a second season and I had even forgotten that the first series was broadcast just a year earlier.
I looked at some of the cast members and wondered if they had been replaced by new actors. Some of them looked different.
One think that was different was the lack of location shooting. There was a lot of green screen on display such as the lake house. It implies budget cuts.
Harry and Max were involved in a crash with the spaceship. Harry gets a head injury and wakes up in a hospital thinking he is an alien.
Later he acts like Lennie Briscoe from Law & Order.
I thought the first episode was flat. The humour was forced. It concentrated too much on other characters.
It already looks like that this is going to be a disappointing season. It has creative bankruptcy stamped all over it.
I looked at some of the cast members and wondered if they had been replaced by new actors. Some of them looked different.
One think that was different was the lack of location shooting. There was a lot of green screen on display such as the lake house. It implies budget cuts.
Harry and Max were involved in a crash with the spaceship. Harry gets a head injury and wakes up in a hospital thinking he is an alien.
Later he acts like Lennie Briscoe from Law & Order.
I thought the first episode was flat. The humour was forced. It concentrated too much on other characters.
It already looks like that this is going to be a disappointing season. It has creative bankruptcy stamped all over it.
Edge? Hello...edge? Edge?! ....
rsvp32127 January 2022
So boring! This could be the lamest episode so far, and for the new season entrée, that's disappointing. He is supposed to be a brutal alien, mission to kill all humans, and now he's like a guard dog for the planet?
Really - is there anyone out there that doesn't already know what's going to happen for the rest of the season?
I will give it one more episode to fix it, then I'm bailing.
Really - is there anyone out there that doesn't already know what's going to happen for the rest of the season?
I will give it one more episode to fix it, then I'm bailing.
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