Warning: Spoilers ahead forResident Alienseason 4, episode 5, “The Human Condition.“Alan Tudykis reuniting with another member of theFireflycast in his highly-rated sci-fi dramedy, marking the second time the show has allowed the actor to work with someone from his lone season aboard Serenity.Tudyk has gone on to have one of the most fruitful careersafter departing theFireflycast, but most of his former colleagues have also enjoyed success.
Still, it’s always exciting when stars of the 14-episode cult classic come back together within the context of a new story.Resident Alienfirst made this happen whenNathan Fillion voiced an octopus named 42in 6 episodes between seasons 1 and 2. While his time as part of theResident Aliencastis over, anotherFireflyalumnus has stepped into the void.
After Just 2 Scenes, It Seems Like Jewel Staite’s Resident Alien Character Is Gone For Good
Agent Jules Gardner didn’t stick around for long
It was already known going intoResident Alienseason 4 that Jewel Staite, who played Kaylee Frye inFirefly, was going to appear in the show. What was less clear was just how prominent her character of FBI Agent Jules Gardner would be. By the end of episode 5, “The Human Condition,” she has appeared in two very brief scenes.
Staite’s return in “The Human Condition” feels very much like a farewell.
During her debut in episode 3, “Ties That Bind,“Agent Gardner is brought on board to aid the investigation into the “serial killer,“who is actually just the Mantid (Clancy Brown). Since then,the Mantid has died, which has stopped the killings. So, Staite’s return in “The Human Condition” feels very much like a farewell.
With the Mantid out of the picture, the case is essentially closed, as Agent Gardner is working on the theory that the suspected serial killer has moved on fromResident Alien’s primary settingin search of a new hunting ground. While this theory is wrong, it does at least suggest thatStaite’s character is leaving Patiencewith no intention of returning.
Jewel Staite’s Potential Resident Alien Exit Ruins The Most Exciting Part Of Season 4’s Firefly Reunion
Agent Gardner never even crossed paths with Harry Vanderspeigle
The announcement of Jewel Staite’s role inResident Alienseason 4 was met with anticipation fromFireflyfans, as any reunion between the former cast members is often seen as a meta, landmark event. If I’m right, and Staite has been written out of the show already without making an impact,Resident Alienseason 4 was barely aFireflyreunion at all.
Jewel Staite appeared with Alan Tudyk in 2 episodes ofCon Manseason 1 in 2015.
Jules Gardner could conceivably have been played by any number of actresses, so the decision to cast Staite felt very much like an attempt to exciteFireflyfans by promising to put her in a scene with Alan Tudyk. The biggest problem with the execution of this idea is thatJules and Harry still haven’t met, and now they may never do.
Members Of Firefly’s Main Cast Who Have Appeared In Resident Alien
42
Kaylee Frye
Agent Jules Gardner
While there is still plenty of time for Agent Gardner to return, it doesn’t seem likely that she will.Harry’s disappearance at the end of “The Human Condition"makes it seem as thoughResident Alienis ready to pivot to a new storylineafter the Mantid’s exit, so Staite’s character is arguably surplus to requirements at present.
Jewel Staite’s Role Is Repeating Resident Alien’s Last Firefly Casting Disappointment
Nathan Fillion only provided a voice performance for 42
If Jewel Staite doesn’t return toResident Alienafter her apparent exit in “The Human Condition,” the show will be carrying out an even more disappointing version of its otherFireflyreunion.Nathan Fillion’sResident Aliencharacter only required a voice performance. As such, he was never required to be physically in a scene with Alan Tudyk.
Fillion was great as 42, but it would have been an even better use of the actor’s talents to place him in front of the camera rather than confining him to the recording booth. So, just as I thinkResident Aliencould have made better use of Nathan Fillion, the show very much appears to be repeating the mistake with Jewel Staite - but worse.
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