S01.E05: Love Language

[jewel21]

Quote

A surprise visitor introduces Harry to a stressful human institution: marriage

Airdate: 02/24/2021

[possibilities]

This isn't so bad! She's warm like a ham!

--

I loved the kids talking with him in the diner after the truce. 

[redpencil]

I laughed so hard at "I am snowflaking" that I had to pause and collect myself before continuing. Also, "Sam Neill from the Jurassic era dinosaur documentary." Hahaha.

Harry's voiceovers never fail to crack me up. I especially love anytime he says some version of "I am so good at this".

I also enjoyed Harry's scene with the kids in the diner. I knew there would have to be some sort of truce eventually, though I hope he still has voiceovers complaining about the kid.

[Quilt Fairy]

I found it funny that the original Harry married a Vulcan. 

[AnimeMania]

9 minutes ago, Quilt Fairy said:

I found it funny that the original Harry married a Vulcan. 

Her ears are very pointy. Not sure why she wanted the divorce so badly and then the moment he signed she changed her mind.

Chicken Ass Bitch!

[dwmarch]

I loved "Ninja!" and "Everybody poops!"

I'm glad Harry agreed to the truce with the kids. Also nice to see that he is protective of Asta and looking forward to doing some more violence to her ex.

I have read Communion by Whitley Strieber and it is some serious nightmare fuel. Although I guess it would be a good book to have around if there was an actual alien in your town.

[redpencil]

8 minutes ago, dwmarch said:

I loved "Ninja!" and "Everybody poops!"

I got a kick out of the "Everybody poops" reference. When I was in high school I worked as a page (shelver) at the public library. Even though it's been like 25 years, I still have a vivid memory of one of the librarians coming into the back and searching for something on one of the carts and chuckling to himself at one of the books. After he left I went over to see what he was laughing at and it was Everybody Poops.

[possibilities]

I noticed that he didn't "kiss like a horse licking an ice cream cone" when he kissed his "wife."

I'm trying to square how doing family right on his planet means not caring if they live or die, yet when his (real/alien)wife died, he was too upset to stay... and now he's homesick.

 

[cardigirl]

11 hours ago, possibilities said:

I noticed that he didn't "kiss like a horse licking an ice cream cone" when he kissed his "wife."

I'm trying to square how doing family right on his planet means not caring if they live or die, yet when his (real/alien)wife died, he was too upset to stay... and now he's homesick.

 

Yes, exactly. This episode had parts in it that didn't feel like it squared with previous parts, but that was the number one comment. 

The rest, the truce with the kids, protecting Asta, and enjoying sex were all quite good. 

I really wonder about Max's friend though.  Why did she say she didn't remember?  Was she protecting herself, both of them, or did she really not remember?  I'll have to watch it again, but I thought Max said, "I know you don't believe there's an alien." Or something and she just kind of batted that away by saying all she said was I don't remember.

Also confused about the real Harry Vanderspeigal, was he really in trouble? Or were the men that visited his wife in NYC part of the crew that is hunting the current Harry?

[SoMuchTV]

21 minutes ago, cardigirl said:

really wonder about Max's friend though.  Why did she say she didn't remember?  Was she protecting herself, both of them, or did she really not remember?  I'll have to watch it again, but I thought Max said, "I know you don't believe there's an alien." Or something and she just kind of batted that away by saying all she said was I don't remember.

I thought she mentioned the floating apple. She was the one who actually touched it so it had a stronger effect on her?  Then Max must have told her what had happened, since her memory was wiped?

[cardigirl]

2 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

I thought she mentioned the floating apple. She was the one who actually touched it so it had a stronger effect on her?  Then Max must have told her what had happened, since her memory was wiped?

I guess that makes sense. Just seemed like a betrayal of sorts and that she didn't really apologize for. Like I said, I'll have to rewatch. Sometimes I miss stuff. 😞

 

[Chicago Redshirt]

I think the key to my enjoyment of the show is basically zoning out whenever Harry's not on-screen or being directly or indirectly discussed. Don't really care about Sheriff's daddy issues or Asta's kid issues. 

I also am not sure what changed to switch Harry from "get out of here, wife" to stay here, or bad kisser to passionate kisser other than plot.

Seems to me like the truce is super unreliable. Like, what is stop Harry from actually going through and murdering both kids, other than plot? Or the kids from getting actual proof of Harry's alien nature? And not sure why Max's friend doesn't just record Harry confessing he's an alien.

I feel bad for Darcy. It seems like she should not be so hard up that she keeps on going after Harry when his interest in her is so limited. Get some self-respect!

Oh well. I should just enjoy a couple LOL moments per episode. In this one, they included Harry taking the coffee from Darcy and his going out of his way to eat the steak during the emotional moment.

12 hours ago, possibilities said:

I'm trying to square how doing family right on his planet means not caring if they live or die, yet when his (real/alien)wife died, he was too upset to stay... and now he's homesick.

I suppose that there are a couple ways.

One is that Harry is simplifying/exaggerating. "Big girls don't cry" may be true as a general proposition, but obviously lots of big girls do cry.

Harry could also be the exception to the rule.

And of course, Harry is an unreliable narrator generally, or at least could be on this particular point.

26 minutes ago, cardigirl said:

I really wonder about Max's friend though.  Why did she say she didn't remember?  Was she protecting herself, both of them, or did she really not remember?  I'll have to watch it again, but I thought Max said, "I know you don't believe there's an alien." Or something and she just kind of batted that away by saying all she said was I don't remember.

Also confused about the real Harry Vanderspeigal, was he really in trouble? Or were the men that visited his wife in NYC part of the crew that is hunting the current Harry?

I take it as a given that she literally does not remember what happened. Perhaps it was that she got concussed (both by the original throw by the device or by being dropped when Harry saw his wife). Perhaps it was a function of the alien doohickey itself. But she clearly still believes Harry is an alien and does not seem to be running a game or anything.

It sounds like Wifey is saying real!Harry suddenly shut his NY practice and went to Colorado. So it looks like real!Harry had gotten himself in some form of hot water or another. There seemingly would be no reason for alien hunters to connect anything to NY.

[cardigirl]

36 minutes ago, cardigirl said:

I really wonder about Max's friend though.  Why did she say she didn't remember?  Was she protecting herself, both of them, or did she really not remember?  I'll have to watch it again, but I thought Max said, "I know you don't believe there's an alien." Or something and she just kind of batted that away by saying all she said was I don't remember.

Also confused about the real Harry Vanderspeigal, was he really in trouble? Or were the men that visited his wife in NYC part of the crew that is hunting the current Harry?

 

5 minutes ago, Chicago Redshirt said:

I suppose that there are a couple ways.

One is that Harry is simplifying/exaggerating. "Big girls don't cry" may be true as a general proposition, but obviously lots of big girls do cry.

Harry could also be the exception to the rule.

And of course, Harry is an unreliable narrator generally, or at least could be on this particular point.

I take it as a given that she literally does not remember what happened. Perhaps it was that she got concussed (both by the original throw by the device or by being dropped when Harry saw his wife). Perhaps it was a function of the alien doohickey itself. But she clearly still believes Harry is an alien and does not seem to be running a game or anything.

It sounds like Wifey is saying real!Harry suddenly shut his NY practice and went to Colorado. So it looks like real!Harry had gotten himself in some form of hot water or another. There seemingly would be no reason for alien hunters to connect anything to NY.

All really good points, but she asked him if he had closed his practice (or so I thought) rather than stating it as fact. Apparently real Harry would come out every summer for some "alone" time, I guess, and then go back. Whatever happened between him and his current wife (he introduced himself to her as a divorced guy) to lead to divorce papers this time, we haven't been shown.

LOTS OF MYSTERIES TO COME. 

(Also, I totally think the Dr. Sam's wife killed him. 😉 )

[Raja]

12 hours ago, possibilities said:

I noticed that he didn't "kiss like a horse licking an ice cream cone" when he kissed his "wife."

I'm trying to square how doing family right on his planet means not caring if they live or die, yet when his (real/alien)wife died, he was too upset to stay... and now he's homesick.

 

Perhaps after the first encounter with D'arcy he watched a few more romcoms instead of Law & Order. With the disguised human body reacting like it was designed I wonder if he ever discovers porn.

I will just head canon some kind of cultural do not resuscitate, only the strongest warriors survive ethos towards treatment. Thus comedy when he is forced to doctor and care give in Paradise as part of his cover.

[tennisgurl]

I thought for sure that real Harry's wife would be leaving after this episode, but it looks like she is sticking around. I like her so far, but it is really a messed up situation. She has no idea that she husband is dead and that she is sleeping with the alien who killed him and his body is now in the freezer. I am very curious as to how she will fit into this, its going to be harder for Not Harry to keep up the Harry act around someone who really knew him. It also sounds like real Harry was in some trouble, maybe the people looking for Harry and the agents looking for Not Harry will take each other out? 

I am glad that Harry and the kids have reached a truce, although I will miss watching Not Harry being outsmarted by two children while he voice overs about how much smarter he is than humans. Their chat at the end was quite cute. "The dress was gold and white?" 

Also glad that Jay found out about Asta being her mother, we are really moving those subplots forward. We also seem to finally be moving with the murder mystery, we get conformation that Sam was poisoned. His wife seemed rather off, she is high on my suspect list. The many subplots and tonal shifts are quite interesting, you never really know what your going to get when you start an episode. Focus on the murder mystery with Sam and the cops? The family drama with Asta? The dark comedy science fiction with Not Harry that also turns into a medical show and character drama? The government conspiracy with the agents? The raunchy rom com with D'Arcy? The Spielberg style kids adventure story with Max and Sahar? The whimsical quirky comedy with the townies? 

[possibilities]

I thought Max's friend (is her name Sahra?) was lying so she wouldn't get in trouble with her parents. But then she said her memory was lost due to touching the apple. I also think she's smarter than Max, and knows that they aren't getting anywhere by claiming Harry is an alien, so she was concocting another approach. She could see that their parents weren't going to give in on the alien point, so what does she gain by agreeing with max about it? Then both of them would be in trouble and they would still be separated because the parents aren't going to encourage a friendship that leads to breaking and entering.

I thought the sex helped convince "Harry" to stop trying to evict his "wife." Also, she wasn't going to give up, and he didn't want to have to kill her.

That freezer is a ticking time bomb, though. 

[Gimmick Genius]

I loved the whole exchange in the diner with Harry:

"I'll kill you and spit on your grave!"

"No, I'll cremate him and sprinkle him in the ocean!"

"Then I'll spit on the ocean."

"No, because I won't really put him in the ocean (etc., etc.) Your spit will never touch him!"

Harry: (Oh, yeah?) P-TOOEY!

[Gimmick Genius]

Also, I liked the photo line up (including Sam Neill!). It never occurred to me that Max doesn't know what "Dr. Vanderspiel" actually looks like to other people. So should we assume that was a photo of (real, dead) Harry? Would Max see the alien face in a photo of fake Harry or the disguise everyone else sees?

[iMonrey]

I took it at face value that Sahar genuinely did not remember anything past riding bikes, since Max called her on the walkie talkie afterwards and she confirmed she did not remember, but still believed him.

Quote

Also confused about the real Harry Vanderspeigal, was he really in trouble? Or were the men that visited his wife in NYC part of the crew that is hunting the current Harry?

Oh - at the time I thought it was the former but now that you mention it, it might be the latter.

Quote

I think the key to my enjoyment of the show is basically zoning out whenever Harry's not on-screen or being directly or indirectly discussed. Don't really care about Sheriff's daddy issues or Asta's kid issues

Yeah that's basically where I am too. I've been harping on the uneven tone of this show, but it might work better if the less cartoonish parts were just more interesting.

[SoMuchTV]

I’m not sure if I missed it, or forgot, or they didn’t show it (yet?), but what happened to the bikes? Did not-Harry take them back to their respective houses? He must have, right?

[Chicago Redshirt]

5 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

I’m not sure if I missed it, or forgot, or they didn’t show it (yet?), but what happened to the bikes? Did not-Harry take them back to their respective houses? He must have, right?

Unless I missed it or blocked it out too, they basically skipped the whole part of Harry having two kids-sized sacks, Wifey asking why there are two kids bikes in front of his cabin, etc. etc. 

[Quilt Fairy]

5 hours ago, iMonrey said:

I took it at face value that Sahar genuinely did not remember anything past riding bikes, since Max called her on the walkie talkie afterwards and she confirmed she did not remember, but still believed him.

If she remembers touching the apple then she remembers at least something after their bike ride. 

[jewel21]

This show amuses me. It helps that I'm not super invested so I can just tune in weekly and be amused. I'm kind of just going with the flow, wherever it takes me, and I'm enjoying it. I agree that the best parts are with Harry. I like him with the kids a lot and want to see them continue to interact with one another. 

I'm not sure about the wife sticking around but I guess I'll just have to see where it leads. Harry really needs to get rid of that body in the freezer, though. It's stressing me out and it's not even my freezer, lol. 

[mjc570]

I thought Sahar (I hope that's right, Max's friend) (1) doesn't see Harry as an alien, at least going by the what we were shown in the diner, where he looked liked Harry when she was talking and looked at him but looked like an alien when Max did; (2) did remember, but didn't want to get herself or Max in trouble, I would think her family is probably stricter than Max's is.  

I really only like Harry, don't at all care about Asta and her family, etc.  A little bit of the sheriff goes a long way, although I do think he's pretty funny.  And  D'arcy is a total waste of space, I assume she was just there to set up that great description of a "horse licking an ice cream cone."

A big thank you to whoever pointed out that the opening "instructions" are specific to each episode - I really watch them now. 

[possibilities]

I looked it up on imdb: Max's friend's name is Sahar. I was feeling bad about not being sure. 

[kirinan]

I missed most of the beginning where Real Harry met his wife, so the answer may have been in what I didn't see: Was there a reason other than being touched/fascinated by the sound of her voice or the music that Alien Harry looked so stunned when she began singing Nature Boy? To me, his reaction seemed more like he recognized the song. (I'm sure I could easily have missed a connection in an earlier episode, too.)

[meira.hand]

10 minutes ago, kirinan said:

I missed most of the beginning where Real Harry met his wife, so the answer may have been in what I didn't see: Was there a reason other than being touched/fascinated by the sound of her voice or the music that Alien Harry looked so stunned when she began singing Nature Boy? To me, his reaction seemed more like he recognized the song. (I'm sure I could easily have missed a connection in an earlier episode, too.)

I had the same problem with this. It was not a reaction of recognition of the song, but of the song triggering an emotional memory.  It did not make sense at all.  

Edited February 26, 2021 by meira.hand

[SoMuchTV]

59 minutes ago, kirinan said:

I missed most of the beginning where Real Harry met his wife, so the answer may have been in what I didn't see: Was there a reason other than being touched/fascinated by the sound of her voice or the music that Alien Harry looked so stunned when she began singing Nature Boy? To me, his reaction seemed more like he recognized the song. (I'm sure I could easily have missed a connection in an earlier episode, too.)

 

49 minutes ago, meira.hand said:

I had the same problem with this. It was not a reaction of recognition of the song, but of the song triggering an emotional memory.  It did not make sense at all.  

The song was playing in the flashback of Real Harry and his wife.  Then when Fake Harry seemed to have a reaction to it, I thought the show might be hinting that he had somehow picked up some of Real Harry's memories.  I'll be interested to see if they go farther in that direction.

And, I guess we're going to learn more about the Sheriff's and his father's backstories.  Didn't know we needed that, but we'll see how that develops.

[meep.meep]

When they showed Harry sleeping next to his wife, he had his hands out on top of the bedspread just like they were hands from his (alien body) little legs!  So cute. 

The sheriff frequently seems to be from a different show, but I love his enthusiasm over the growing crime spree in town.  A real murder!

[roctavia]

1 hour ago, SoMuchTV said:

 

The song was playing in the flashback of Real Harry and his wife.  Then when Fake Harry seemed to have a reaction to it, I thought the show might be hinting that he had somehow picked up some of Real Harry's memories.  I'll be interested to see if they go farther in that direction.

And, I guess we're going to learn more about the Sheriff's and his father's backstories.  Didn't know we needed that, but we'll see how that develops.

I didn’t get the impression that Harry and his wife were hearing the song during the flashback, just that it was for the audience... But maybe I missed that part since her singing it was somehow important...

 

It was strange how he responded to her singing... not sure if we are meant to get more out of that or just he was fascinated by it?

[ctlady]

36 minutes ago, roctavia said:

The song was playing in the flashback of Real Harry and his wife.  Then when Fake Harry seemed to have a reaction to it, I thought the show might be hinting that he had somehow picked up some of Real Harry's memories. 

 

36 minutes ago, roctavia said:

I didn’t get the impression that Harry and his wife were hearing the song during the flashback, just that it was for the audience... But maybe I missed that part since her singing it was somehow important...

I got that impression too that AlienHarry may have absorbed some of RealHarry's memories, but he would've realized them sooner I think.  But I did notice some hint of recognition of his face when the song began to play so I wonder.......

I'm REALLY enjoying this show.  Like, I can't wait for the next episode to upload to On Demand enjoying.  Hub and I get such a kick out of it and we laugh out loud several times.  The ony character who can take a hike is D'Arcy/Darcy (however it's spelled).  I don't like how she's portrayed, the gibberish dialogue and she just looks like she needs a bath.

I so look forward to scenes from Max's POV just so I can see AlienHarry's eyes blink.  I get a hoot out of the sound they make

41 minutes ago, meep.meep said:

The sheriff frequently seems to be from a different show, but I love his enthusiasm over the growing crime spree in town

Up till this episode he was pretty one-dimensional, but his issues with his father added another layer.  I think that snarky, sarcastic act is really to hide something else

Max's parents are dweeby.  "Oh, the town doctor suggests we ship our 9 year old son across the country to a special school?  Sure, let's consider it"

I think I"m in the minority, but I don't care for Asta or her past issues.  I know these storylines are all to help AlienHarry come to understand humans better, but I find her uninteresting

And I have to say it - the actress playing RealHenry's wife - that short, pixie cut does those ears of hers no justice

"I'm so good at this"

"I'm snowflaking"

His dialogue/inner monologues are just gold!

[marketdoctor]

What I liked that hasn't been mentioned:

They also moved forward with D'arcy's drinking problem.  That's come up before, but Harry and his wife would have been triggering.

The running riffs on "The Trouble with Harry".

The way so many characters have multiple dimensions.

The issue with face blindness, which was almost funny when they introduced another attractive brunette as Harry's wife (I know, it was at the end of the last episode.)

The prop details--that was a well-worn copy of Communion, as a paperback from a while ago might be.

Now I'm wondering if the aliens from NuHarry's planet were planning on having the device kill NuHarry as well, and whether or not he's aware of that (e.g. was this a suicide mission?  Though his impression was that he'd set off the device and go home, so he probably doesn't think so.  He's got enough blind spots that it's something he might have missed.)

[possibilities]

Human men must not say mean things to women. If I don't apologize she will know I'm an alien!

 

 

[juno]

18 hours ago, possibilities said:

Human men must not say mean things to women. If I don't apologize she will know I'm an alien!

 

 

Probably a really good idea across all species.

[mickiemac]

I am really liking this show and this episode was a riot! Alan Tudyk is the perfect alien and his interpretation of a human laugh (in its many forms) is a hoot. Harry's reaction when he found the door to the cellar open and screeching 'OPEN' then trying to eat the piece of meat on his fork while hugging his wife was another gem to this most entertaining series. I loved the A Cappella version of There Was A Boy towards the end of the dinner scene. The kid (Max) has a kind of Jerry Mathers vibe (in appearance) and I'm kinda warming up to him. The sheriff is extremely annoying and way too in your face all the time. This type of new series usually has 10 episodes at best so although I look forward to the rest of the series I will be sad when it ends. I would assume this series will have a second season since it's so entertaining and unique.

[Tachi Rocinante]

"Scrub the pans before you leave" and "It's the Greys that have the anal fetish" or whatever had me rolling.

[possibilities]

We need a quotes thread. I keep laughing about things said weeks ago. 

[DanaK]

This is definitely a weird show, but it’s also pretty funny. Alan makes it work and is the best part

Those kids are darlings

Edited March 11, 2021 by DanaK

[lucindabelle]

Only just found this show and am watching it a bit at a time.

to me, it was Christel clear that something in his molecular restructuring has some of old Harry’s memories. Otherwise why start the show with the flashback and that song? It reminds me of the original RoboCop, in which we learn that muscles have some emotional memories in them too. because yes, he looked like he recognized the song when she begins singing it, and suddenly he remembered how to kiss. nothing about their lovemaking, was funny until the very end. Instead it was touching.

[Anela]

On 2/24/2021 at 11:26 PM, possibilities said:

This isn't so bad! She's warm like a ham!

--

I loved the kids talking with him in the diner after the truce. 

That was my favourite part. I liked the end of the previous episode, when he found them, and checked for a pulse: "they're still alive!" followed by something like "damn it!" lmao. 

I started watching this on Monday, finally, and I like that it's just silly, but also has its moments, when he realizes what he's feeling for the people around him. He doesn't really hate the kids.

I recognized his wife right away. She was in a show for ABC, maybe eight years ago. I've also seen her on instagram, she's friends with Rose McIver (who I follow). She has a distinctive look.