While I’m overjoyed that Resident Alien season 4 has finally been confirmed, comments from the showrunner have me concerned that a key character from recent episodes won’t be coming back. The core cast of Resident Alien has remained the same since the sci-fi show began back in 2021, which is obviously great, but I love it when other characters come in and add something new to the dynamic. Worryingly, it seems that one of my favorite Resident Alien guest stars is going to be kept away from the story for now.

The ending of Resident Alien season 3 immediately left me wanting more, with the finale dangling several loose ends that it was clear needed another run of episodes to tie up. Thankfully, USA Network has taken on Resident Alien after Syfy decided to cut it loose. So, it looks like I’ll be getting the answers I craved after all. With any luck, Resident Alien season 5 and beyond will happen, leaving plenty of time for one of my favorite new characters to appear again.

Heather May Not Return In Resident Alien Season 4

The showrunner doesn’t sound like he has immediate plans to bring Edi Patterson back to Resident Alien

Edi Patterson’s Blue Avian character burst onto the scene in Resident Alien season 3, episode 3, “141 Seconds.” The show hasn’t focused too much on other alien lifeforms other than Harry, so I was immediately onboard with her presence. As a fan of franchises like Star Trek and Star Wars that boast countless fictional races, I felt it was one of the biggest sci-fi hallmarks that Resident Alien was missing. So, when I saw a TV Line interview saying the showrunner would, “Love to have her back when the time is right,” my hopes of seeing her return dipped.

It isn’t just the fact that Heather broadens the scope of the Resident Alien universe, I also loved her dynamic with Harry. They were hilarious together as they navigated their romantic attraction to one another, and the writers even somehow managed to make their breakup funny. Showrunner Chris Sheridan sounds like his goals to reunite Harry and Heather aren’t immediate. If true, I think that’s a great shame. I wouldn’t expect her to show up right away in Resident Alien season 4, but she’d make a fitting addition, perhaps a few episodes into the run or maybe in the finale.

Heather’s Comeback Will Probably Still Happen Eventually

In the same interview, Sheridan waxes lyrical about Edi Patterson’s time on the show, praising how great she was to work with, her chemistry with Alan Tudyk, and basically how expertly she navigated the show’s comical elements. In fact, Sheridan openly says, “I would be foolish not to try to bring her back.” So, while it doesn’t sound as though Patterson’s comeback is a sure thing, there is at least a strong possibility that she will reappear in Resident Alien at some point.

Logically, I suppose it would make sense for Heather to stay away until after Resident Alien season 4’s new villain has been handled. The Mantid is a shapeshifter, and a violent one at that. If Heather were to come back looking for Harry, she might find herself killed and eaten by the villainous insectoid. Then, the Mantid could assume Heather’s form and make use of her portal technology as well as her Galactic Federation credentials to wreak even more havoc. So, while I hate to admit it, maybe it’s best that Heather doesn’t return in Resident Alien season 4.

Resident Alien May Not Get Chance To Reunite Harry & Heather

Resident Alien season 5 may not happen (so it could be a matter of now or never)

For a while after Resident Alien season 3 ended, it looked like it wasn’t going to get renewed. The fact that season 3 had a vastly reduced episode count also wasn’t a great sign that Syfy was confident about the show’s future. As such, I can’t see USA Network abandoning the one-step-at-a-time approach, although that’s often the case with almost every show. So, if Sheridan really isn’t planning to bring back Heather in Resident Alien season 4, it’s possible he’ll never get the chance if USA don’t renew the show for a fifth season.

It’s possibly a pessimistic view of the future, but I think it’s a real possibility that Resident Alien could end after season 4. I really don’t want it to, but the fact that it barely survived cancelation after the season 3 finale suggests the show needs to flourish in its new home in order to secure a future for Chris Sheridan’s saga. Just to be safe, it might be best to reunite Heather with Harry in Resident Alien season 4, just because it’s made impossible by the show being canceled.

Source: TV Line