Cat and Mouse

**Cat and Mouse** is the twenty-fourth episode of the science fiction comedy television series *Resident Alien* and the fourteenth episode of the second season. It aired on September 14, 2022.

## Synopsis

Harry goes head-to-head with one of his biggest enemies.

## Plot

### Meeting an alien

In her secret black site in Wyoming, General McCallister takes a report from a minion who tells her that their tests haven't detected any alien DNA on the boy "Bobby Smallwood." She tells McCallister that they're about to conduct another round of experimental tests, but McCallister tells her not to bother, that she's going in. The woman states that she'll inform the guards to prepare the restraints, but McCallister tells her not to bother, that the boy isn't an alien, that none of them are.

She enters the boy's cell. She tells him that she remembers being a child and the pranks that they would play, that she knows he'd do anything to fit in. She says that it's clear he looks like the dead boy in the newspaper article, but asks whose idea it was for him to pretend to be an alien. She says he can tell her, that he won't get in trouble. When, however, he does not reply, she shouts at him to "cut the fake alien shit!" She sighs, saying that she knows that aliens are real, that she saw them with her father when she was about his age. He walks up to her and puts his hand on her head. He sees a memory of hers, of her seeing the spaceship as the young girl Eleanor Wright, then a man coming and shouting at his father, making him jump to his death. He releases his hand and morphs into the form of the alien baby. McCallister gasps, stunned.

### The most mature thing

Harry Vanderspeigle thinks to himself that his people started out as aquatic creatures and he is glad they started walking on land. He thinks that he would not want to be a fish, as so much of their lives is out of control. They swim around, looking for food, only to get yanked out and then thrown back. He thinks that it's not the fishs' fault, that if he saw a pizza on a hook he might not be able to control himself either.

Dan tells Asta that what happened with her mother is his fault, that he spent his whole life trying to protect her and he should have told her a lot sooner. She tells him that she now understands why he didn't. He explains that he met Mary-Ellen Taylor when she joined his band and so Asta was like the fifth member. He ended up watching Asta most of the time and then one day Mary-Ellen was just gone. His bandmates told him to call Child Protective Services but instead he called an adoption lawyer. She tells him he's too kind for his own good and he tells her that it was love, that he can't make people see how special she is, but he always has.

Mayor Ben Hawthorne enters the living room of the Hawthorne family home and sees Kate and Kayla at the table. He says that he thought he heard voices. Kate tells Ben that Kayla asked her to help her with a case. Ben says that he knew she'd get back into law when the time was right, asking what the case is. She tells Ben that she's helping Kayla's firm to get a temporary restraining order to stop the resort from going forward. "Huh," comments Ben, asking if he can get her some coffee. She agrees that it would be nice. He goes to make the coffee. Kate and Kayla start discussing the case, but Ben keeps running the coffee grinder, perfectly timing it to interrupt their conversation each time after a few words. Kate tells him she knows what he's doing and Kayla says she's just going to head out, that she'll let Kate know what the judge says and take a rain check on the coffee.

"Was that the most mature thing you've ever done?" asks Kate. "Top three," quips Ben. Kate tells him that she knows they're on different sides of the whole resort thing and that maybe it wasn't fair for her to have a meeting there. She asks that they make a pact, that the second they walk in the door, they don't talk about the resort. They agree it's a deal and shake on it.

### The system

Asta enters Harry's office in the Patience Health Clinic, saying that he wanted to see her. He agrees that he had something that he wanted to tell her. He says he didn't know how to tell her, so he wrote it in a letter. He hands her a couple of papers, the opening which reads "Dear, Asta, The Greys are hear to kill us all." "That's your opening?!" asks Asta, stunned. He says he wanted to get her attention and she asks if they're all going to die. He grunts and she asks why they are there. He admits that he doesn't know exactly, that it all happened very fast. He tells her that he will find them and not to worry. She points out that he drew the Earth exploding.

Sheriff Mike Thompson calls Detective Lena Torres of the Jessup Police Department. He leaves her a message, asking her to give him a call sometime. Deputy Liv Baker comes in, saying that she knew it and that he and Lena are going to have ten babies together. He tells her that he hadn't hung up yet and he was on the verge of leaving a perfect message, but he came up on her with a lead pipe and smashed his knees. She puts down some papers, saying she's just going to leave them there and walks away.

At home, D'Arcy Bloom puts an ice-pack on her swollen knee and swallows some more pills. Elliot comes out the bedroom and she hides the pills. She asks if he's seen her blender lid, saying it was in the drawer and she has a system. He tells her he never pegged her for a system person. She asks if he thinks she's messy and he tells her that he likes her being a neat freak about her blender. She insists she's not being a neat freak and he asks if she's really going to rant at him over a blender lid. She tells him she just needs him to help her find it. He pulls it out of a dish rack. She kisses him and blends a smoothie, asking him if he wants one. He asks if she's okay, saying she seems a little all-over-the-place. She tells him she's just in her head about the tournament. He suggests they skip tonight if she's too stressed, but she tells him that dinner is on.

### Plan B

Liv asks Mike if there's been any word from Lena Torres. He tells her that there hasn't, asking her if she wasn't trying to get in touch with the Alien Tracker. She tells him that she gave up, that she sent 60 e-mails and he didn't respond even to one. She says that she spent so much time putting him on a pedestal and he's probably just a jerk. "Well, he's also here," Mike tells. Peter Bach appears in the door. He tells her it was actually 62 e-mails. "Would you care to have lunch with a jerk?" he asks. Her jaw drops. Meanwhile, Mayor Ben enters the sheriff's office, telling Mike they have a problem, that a couple of power-hungry lawyers are trying to stop the resort. Mike asks how he knows this and he claims to have ears in the community.

"Kate's one of the lawyers," realizes Mike. "She sure is," agrees Ben. He tells Mike that he would blame it for his stress headache but he's had it since he was six. Mike gives him a massage, telling him he's a professional masseur. He tells Ben that he practiced on cats, "the more feral, the better." Ben tells him that the back pain has drowned out the head pain. Mike suggests that now that his headache is gone, they can think of ways to get Kate off the resort thing when he gets home. Ben tells him that this is a problem because they agreed not to talk about it at home. Mike agrees that this is best for their marriage, but he made no such agreement, so he should invite him over for dinner. "I accept. I'll see you tonight," he tells him.

At Joe's Diner, Harry tells Asta that he's figured out to stop the Greys, that there is another alien convention in New Mexico in the coming week. Asta asks if he's going to use the implants to track the Greys and Harry says that he will instead rip them out and implant them in professional show dogs. "What?" asks a befuddled Asta and he tells her that the Greys will be so confused wondering why the humans they abducted are running around in circles and jumping over gates. He admits that this will probably only stop them for three-five minutes and Asta tells him they need to start thinking of a plan B. Just then, Liv walks in the doors with Peter Bach. "Oh my God, that's the alien tracker!" realizes Asta, wondering why he's sitting with Liv. She rushes Harry to a back room.

Liv and Peter sit and discuss their shared alien experiences. He tells her he's producing a documentary where experiencers share their stories, asking if she'd like to participate. She tells him that she couldn't, that she'd be so worried about what people would think that she would sweat. Meanwhile, in the back room, Dan calls Asta out for bringing Harry back there, saying that it's unsanitary. Asta pleads with him to just let them hide, explaining that the man outside knows Harry's an alien and might recognize him. It's already too late, however, as Peter spots Harry through a window. Harry asks Asta for a fork, saying that he needs to stab him, but instead she and Dan rush him out the back door. "What's going on?" asks Liv as Peter gets up, but he tells her he has to go check something out and leaves. She asks if checking is tracking, telling him that she'll be there.

### Pursuit

The chase begins. Peter spots Harry in the street and Harry gives him the finger. Back at the diner, Asta distracts Liv, talking with her about the Alien Tracker. Liv tells Asta he's tracking a lead now. "I wouldn't want to be that alien," comments Asta. The chase continues on the streets and sidewalks of Patience. A woman tries to stop Harry to make an appointment, but he just keeps moving. Peter finally manages to corner Harry in a back alley. Harry tells him that he should have killed him when he had the chance. Peter replies that sometimes he wishes he had, the only thing keeping him going being the incontrovertible fact that next time he saw him, he would be the one cowering in fear. He pulls out a shock prod and turns it on. Harry thinks to himself that he did not want to murder this man in the middle of town, but just then, Judy Cooper opens the door Peter was standing next to.

Peter is sent sprawling to the ground. Judy immediately makes excuses, saying that there's a witness and that Peter was texting while walking. Peter, however, just gets up, telling her it'll take more than that to take him out. Harry then claims to sexually aroused by Judy and uses it as an excuse to flee into the bar with her. She thinks she's flirting, but he immediately claims they've grown apart and leaves out the other end of the bar. Stymied, Peter returns to Joe's Diner. Liv tells him she saved him breakfast, but he tells her he's not hungry. She says he ran off fast and asks if he found the alien. He tells her that people think you have to be alone for them to get you, but the truth is that they took is wife's baby when they were on a crowded bus. "So, even if there was an alien standing right next us, I would not tell you," he continues, explaining that he would never take action while there were any innocent people around.

She tells him that's admirable and he asks what it was she wanted to show him. She shows him her documentation on UFO sightings and alien activity in Patience. "What's this?" he asks, stopping on the picture of Harry's alien form drawn so long ago by Max Hawthorne. She tells him that it's nothing, just a hoax started by the mayor's son, unless it manes something to him. He claims that it doesn't, but nevertheless asks to hang on to her book of evidence. She wholeheartedly agrees. He suggests they catch up that night at 2100 hours, asking if the town has any sort of tavern. She says they have a pub, The 59. He tells her he prefers a tavern and she asks if there's really a difference. He says there's a big difference and she tells him there's only a pub. He says they'll go with that.

D'Arcy pays a visit to Judy, asking her for the pain meds that she took after she fell off the roof. Judy hands them over without a second thought, asking to keep just one in case she swallows a bead. "No, just don't eat beads," D'Arcy tells her, leaving. In the Patience Health Clinic, Harry sits eating a sandwich he stole from Ellen. Asta asks what he's doing there, telling him he should be hiding. She closes all the doors and shutters the blinds to keep him from view. He tells her that he's an alien and aliens don't hide from humans. She tells him that he should, that Peter's "Alien Tracker" thing is not just for show. When he continues to be dismissive, she notes that feels like he's not taking it seriously. He asks what the Alien Tracker could possibly know about aliens that he doesn't. Asta tells him that he knows about a secret government alien program and therefore could know anything. She warns him to go home and hide, but he thinks himself that humans hide, while aliens hunt and that he might be able to use any insider info that Peter has about the Greys. He tells Asta he will go.

On the sidewalks of Patience, Peter finds Max Hawthorne. He introduces himself as Peter Bach and Max recognizes him as the Alien Tracker. He shows him his drawing, saying he needs help finding him. Max dismisses it as being only a joke. Peter tells him that he doesn't think it's a joke, that it looks exactly like an extraterrestrial he saw there today. "You can really see them?" asks Max. "Just like you," he agrees, but then Max again insists he only made it up. Peter tells him he remembers seeing his first alien and how it had humanoid form but its face looked like a snake. "An Alpha Draconian," realizes Max. He tells Max he knows he's probably called crazy before, like him, again pleading for Max to tell him about Harry, but Max just shouts that he can't and starts to leave. Peter says that he understands, that he knows Harry is probably made him his friend, but aliens come to the Earth to do harm. "This one won't," Max tells him. "He's a good alien." Peter shows him the scar Harry gave him, telling Max that Harry would kill him if he had the chance and kill him too. He gives him his card, asking him to call him. Watching from the distance, Harry thinks to himself that there is a word for little boys like Max: "Traitor." Also "shitweasel" and "dick."

### A good rat infestation

At the Hawthorne family home, Ben, Kate, Sheriff Mike and Max are all having dinner. Mike compliments Kate's soup, saying that it takes him back and that five years ago, he had a bowl just like it. Ben says that speaking of work, he heard there was a commotion on Main Street the other day and Mike had to round up a pack of rowdy teenagers. Mike agrees that they nearly killed someone. "Why would they do such a thing?" asks Ben, leading Mike on, and Mike says it's because of boredom, that it's a big problem in Patience.

Kate looks troubled, clearly starting to figure out what's going on. "Is that so?" Kate asks and Mike says that teenagers need something to keep them out of trouble, like skiing, gondolas, or hip stores. Kate says that she sees what it is and Ben claims he only invited Mike over for a meal. She tells Mike that she understands where he's coming from and there's a lot to gain from a resort, she just realizes there might be a lot more to lose. He tells her they're a lot alike as city people, that they miss the same things. Kate tells him that she loves cities, but Patience is a quaint town and she's beginning to appreciate that, that a resort would take away the charm. Mike says that Patience needs rats, not charm, that nothing says "successful town" like a good rat infestation. He says that he once fell asleep during a stakeout in Washington D.C. and a rat ran across his face and he knew he had made it. "I think you're losing the argument," Ben warns him.

At The 59, Asta commiserates with Kayla over the meeting with her mother, asking why she event went and what she expected. Kayla tells her she had to go, that she had to at least try. Asta agrees that she knows, saying that she hoped her mother would tell her what happened was like with her and Jay. Kayla says that what every child needs most is for their mother to tell them that they love them and that they'll always be there for them. Asta agrees she could have used that, and Kayla tells her that Mary-Ellen Taylor couldn't give that to her, but it's on her and she can't control that. She tells Asta it left a hole, but that she filled that with family and they love her unconditionally. They hug.

### Friendship

D'Arcy tells off a man at the bar, shouting at him for not giving a bigger tip. She starts throwing the coins and Asta and Kayla are disturbed. She asks if she can get them anything and they tell her they're good. "What the hell was that?" wonders Asta. At the Hawthornes, Kate and Ben discuss the potential benefits of the resort, or lack thereof. Kate tells Ben that he knows the pact and they and Mike end up having a "tell him I'm not speaking to him" sort of conversation, Max looking increasingly troubled. They end up trying involve Max in the conversation and he picks up his plate, telling them he's going to go eat upstairs. Kate tells Ben that if he wants to talk, they can talk it out. He gets a resort and some rich businessman likes it. He comes to town and likes it, maybe runs for mayor and wins. He starts throwing his money around and all the buildings in town are ugly and modern with his name on them. She then suggests that he might offer Ben a million dollars to bang his wife. She says no because a million is practically nothing these days, so he offers five and she says yes. Ben turns to Mike, who tells them they changed gears way too fast.

Max arrives upstairs, only to find Harry pigging out on his leftover Halloween candy. He asks him what he's doing there, telling him the police are downstairs and that he could scream. Harry asks why he doesn't just scream for his "new friend," the Alien Tracker. Max closes the door, asking how he knows about that. Harry asks him to tell him where he can find him. Max tells him he can't and Harry asks if that's because he's the Alien Tracker's friend now. They argue over whether the two of them are even friends. He asks Max if he told the Alien Tracker where to find him. Max says he didn't and Harry tells him he doesn't believe him. Max says this is because he is always lying and so he expects the same of others. Harry insists they are alike, saying he should help him get the Alien Tracker. Max sniffles, sitting down on the bed and saying that he likes Peter, that he understands him. Harry tells him that nobody knows him like he does. He tells him that if he will not pick a side, he will call his real friends, pretending to call somebody named "Lloyd" on the phone. He leaves and Max sighs. Max pulls out Peter's card and considers it.

Sheriff Mike and Deputy Liv have beers at The 59. She thanks him and he tells her that she doesn't have to, that being at the Hawthornes was like "a powder keg of sexual tension." He asks where Peter is and she tells him that he didn't show. He apologizes, but she tells him not to be sorry, that he's on the trail of a real alien. He chuckles, but she tells him she can tease her if he wants, but she followed her instincts and Peter came because of her. She tells him she's tired of sitting back her whole life. She tells him not to be mad. "Mad about what?" he asks and Detective Lena Torres walks in the doors. He complains he's not even date-ready, but she tells him he looks nice and he waves her away, saying she's dismissed. They bond over carrying the same type of knife and she buys him a beer.

At home, Ben and Kate sit reading books when Kate's phone rings. Kate tells whoever is on the end of the line that it's great news, then ends the call. "Great news?" asks Ben, but he tells her it's not something she can talk about there. "Restraining order?" he asks and she agrees that it's been granted. He curses and she tells him they really should just leave it. He tells her that the part of him that's her husband is glad to see her smiling, but that the part of him that's fighting for the resort can't wait to crush her in court.

Asta approaches Jay outside Joe's Diner. She tells her that she just needs to tell her one thing. She says that she probably had a lot of questions growing up, but the most important thing that she needs to tell her is that she loves her. She says that if she needs her, she's there for her, but if she never needs her, that's okay too. Jay nods and tells her that's alright. Asta walks away smiling. Elliot enters The 59 and finds D'Arcy alone, passed out on the pool table. He shakes her awake and she asks him what's going on. He says to tell him, that it's 1 in the morning and she was sleeping in there with the door unlocked.

She claims she was just cleaning up and lost track of time, but he doesn't buy it, saying she was passed out on the pool table. She asks if he's going to tell her where to sleep now and he starts to walk off. She shouts for him to wait, but he tells her they had plans. He tells her that if she really cares about him, she needs to tell him what's going on. He tells her it's okay, that she can tell him, but she says it's fine, that she can just grab her stuff and they can go. He says it's best they just leave at this. She begs him not to go, but he hugs her and tells her goodbye, telling her it's best if she lock up behind him. She throws a glass at the door and sobs. Harry narrates that it's natural for aliens to take control of their lives, but not so natural for humans. D'Arcy goes to Asta, showing her the bottle of pills. They hug. Peter Bach arrives at Harry's cabin. He looks through the window and sees Harry sleeping in his bed. He enters the cabin and goes to the bedroom, pulling out his shock prod. Harry narrates that there are some obstacles you cannot control and some you can, as Peter fires off the shock prod. He pulls back the sheet, but finds nothing. He emerges back into the living room and is ambushed by Harry, who shocks him. "Max picked the right side," Harry narrates.

## Quotes

"*I should have killed you when you were begging me not to rip your neck open like a stupid baby.*"

"*Sometimes I wish you had. The only thing keeping me going was the incontrovertible fact that the next time I saw you, you would be the one cowering in fear.*"

- Harry Vanderspeigle and Peter Bach

"*Look, honey, I don't want to talk about the resort, okay? Let's just leave it.*"

"*The part of me that's your husband is glad to see you smiling. I like it when you're happy.*"

"*Thank you. I am. I'm really happy.*"

"*But the part of me that's fighting for this resort cannot wait to crush you in court. I will stomp on you like a grape until you realize you have wasted your time and you feel absolutely worthless.*"

- Mayor Hawthorne and Kate

## Cast and characters

Starring:

* Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle
* Sara Tomko as Asta Twelvetrees
* Corey Reynolds as Sheriff Mike Thompson
* Alice Wetterlund as D'Arcy Bloom
* Levi Fiehler as Mayor Ben Hawthorne
* Elizabeth Bowen as Deputy Liv Baker
* Judah Prehn as Max Hawthorne

Special guest star:

* Linda Hamilton as General McCallister

Guest starring:

* Terry O'Quinn as Peter Bach
* Meredith Garretson as Kate Hawthorne
* Gary Farmer as Dan Twelvetrees
* Nicola Correia-Damude as Detective Lena Torres
* Jenna Lamia as Judy Cooper
* Justin Rain as Elliot
* Sarah Podemski as Kayla
* Kester Talbot as Humalien in the form of Bobby Smallwood

* and George Takei as voice of the Grey alien

Co-starring:

* Kaylayla Raine as Jay
* Alix West Lefler as Eleanor Wright (Young McCallister)
* Michael Adamthwaite as Howard Wright
* Christine Tsiliverdis as Mrs. Brisco
* Terence Hayman as Agent
* Myrasol Martinez as Aide
* Elijah Silva as Male Customer

## Gallery

### Videos

Harry Is Confronted by the Alien Tracker - Resident Alien (S2 E14) - SYFYBEHIND THE SCENES- The Alien Baby Transforms Back - Resident Alien (S2 E14) - SYFYHarry Gives His BEST FRIEND Max a Surprise Visit - Resident Alien (S2 E14) - SYFYResident Alien Season 2 Episode 14 RECAPPED! - Resident Alien (S2 E14) - SYFY
## External Links

* Cat and Mouse on the Internet Movie Database
* Transcript @ TV Show Transcripts
* Transcript @ Forever Dreaming