Resident Alien season 4 premiere ending explained: Is Harry truly powerless?

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Resident Alien season 4 begins with intense action, suspense, and unexpected twists. The new season brings back familiar faces and introduces new characters while revealing that Harry's past actions have serious consequences.

The premiere episode, titled Prisoners, reveals Harry is imprisoned by the very aliens he once assisted on the Grey Moonbase. Meanwhile on Earth, a shape-shifting Mantid alien takes over his identity. Harry's absence affects the town of Patience.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1. Reader's discretion is advised.

The Resident Alien season 4 premiere's ending raises crucial questions. Harry appears truly powerless, unable to transform or access his alien abilities. The cause of this loss remains unclear, suggesting there may be more to his condition than it seems.

Despite his best efforts, he can't revert back to his alien state. What could this mean for him and the people he’s come to care about? Will he be able to get his powers back? The real Harry has arrived back in Patience, but it’s unclear whether he will still be the hero the town needs.


The escape and loss of powers in Resident Alien season 4

A still from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1 (Image via USA Network)
A still from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1 (Image via USA Network)

In the premiere of Resident Alien season 4, Harry’s escape from the Grey Moonbase marks a pivotal moment. With help from a well-meaning Grey alien named Bruce, Harry manages to break free from his cell. Bruce’s desire to visit Earth creates an unlikely alliance, which ultimately allows Harry to escape.

However, the victory comes at a cost. Harry’s powers are gone. His ability to transform, use super strength, or tap into his vast cosmic knowledge has been stripped away, altering the show's dynamics.

Harry’s transformation from a powerful alien to a human without any powers is a major plot point. As Alan Tudyk, who plays Harry, explains, it is almost as if Harry has suffered an injury and now feels diminished. Struggling with this change, he is forced to navigate a world he once controlled in a completely new way.

Read More: Resident Alien season 4: Full list of cast and characters explored


The Mantid impersonates Harry

A still from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1 (Image via USA Network)
A still from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1 (Image via USA Network)

The episode also introduces a major twist: a Mantid alien has assumed Harry’s identity on Earth. This shape-shifting alien is not as smooth as Harry, often acting exaggeratedly.

This Mantid has its own agenda, which includes consuming human heads, something that Harry never did. The Mantid’s presence creates confusion and fear in Patience, especially when it starts interacting with Harry’s friends and allies. It even manages to convince some of the townspeople that it is the real Harry.

Now powerless, the real Harry must reclaim his identity and stop the Mantid from causing further harm. His return to Patience is unexpected, but his inability to revert to his alien form raises concerns.

As Max Hawthorne points out, the Harry they are seeing now is not quite the same. The loss of his powers is so pronounced that Max no longer recognizes him as an alien, further underscoring how Harry’s identity has been altered.

Read More: Alien: Earth trailer released - Details explored about the Alien franchise prequel


Asta and D'Arcy’s new challenges

A still from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1 (Image via USA Network)
A still from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1 (Image via USA Network)

Meanwhile, on Earth, Asta and D’Arcy have taken on the responsibility of raising Kate and Ben’s baby, which brings new complications. The Greys continue to hunt for the child, using Kate to lure her back into their grasp. D'Arcy and Asta must protect the baby at all costs, even though they know the Greys are relentless in their pursuit.

To safeguard the baby, Asta finds a temporary refuge for them on a Native American reservation, evoking themes of fate and protection. This development raises the stakes, making the Greys' quest for the baby a central plot point for the rest of the season.

At the same time, Sheriff Mike’s struggles with his belief in aliens continue to unfold. Despite having seen an alien face-to-face, he refuses to accept the reality of what he witnessed. His denial creates tension, especially as fake Harry tries to manipulate the situation.

Mike’s eventual confrontation with the truth will likely be an important storyline throughout the season. It’s unclear if Mike will ever fully accept the existence of aliens, but his journey to do so is expected to play a key role in the unfolding narrative.

Also Read: Resident Alien season 4: Everything we know so far


The fate of fake Harry and the real Harry’s struggles

A still from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1 (Image via USA Network)
A still from Resident Alien season 4 episode 1 (Image via USA Network)

In the first episode of Resident Alien season 4, the Mantid—posing as Harry—clashes with Harry. With help from Max and Sahar, the real Harry escapes the imposter. When he fails to regain his alien form, it becomes clear that the Mantid's impersonation could harm the town.

Despite its attempts to imitate Harry, the Mantid lacks his unique qualities and behaves differently from Harry. Its failure to fit in with the human world creates a sense of urgency. The real Harry must act quickly to stop the chaos caused by the fake Harry. However, without his powers, Harry is now at a severe disadvantage.

His once-dominant alien posture is now a memory, and he must survive using his wit and human ties. As the season goes on, this dynamic will be quite important since it will cause an inevitable conflict between the two Harry incarnations.

Read More: Resident Alien season 3 recap: All to know before watching season 4


Resident Alien season 4 episode 2 will air on Friday, June 13, 2025, on USA Network and SYFY.