If Resident Alien had a Mount Rushmore of unforgettably weird, uncomfortably familiar characters, Stephen Root just blasted his way onto it with alien-grade precision.
As Harry’s father, Ed, Root delivered a performance that was equal parts terrifying, hilarious, and emotionally devastating — often in the same breath.
We knew from our earlier chat that Root was excited to reunite with longtime friend Alan Tudyk, but what we didn’t know was just how much chaos he’d unleash in a single episode.
With his commanding presence, relentless barbs, and masterful control of tone, Root’s Ed barreled into Harry’s life to do one thing: pass judgment. And if that meant breaking his son down to do it? So be it.
“There’s not a lot of redeeming qualities in him,” Root said bluntly. “I think he probably had the same bad dad that I am in this.”
The legacy of alien dysfunction runs deep, and it’s painfully and recognizably human.
Whether it was favoring the other child, mocking Harry’s emotional evolution, or fiddling with the thermostat like every dad on Earth, Ed wasn’t just awful.
He was relatable.
Root found the sweet spot between biting cruelty and comedy, relishing the chance to perform on that razor’s edge.
“Being able to switch back and forth is a great acting exercise,” he said. “And I really wanted that challenge.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be Resident Alien without the alien part, and Root delivered on that front too — most notably when it came time to use the full alien voice.
And yes, that long, ridiculous pronunciation of Harry’s true name was as fun to perform as it was to watch.
“I specifically didn’t ask how we were going to do that,” Root said.
“I wanted to get to the place and then see what Alan wanted to do… We did a short one, which was okay. And then we did that longer one, which I thought was much funnier.”
Funny, yes — but also quietly tragic.
Because in the end, Harry’s father wasn’t just a menace. He was a final test. And when Harry made his choice to protect Max and finally unleash the part of himself he’d long buried… well, let’s just say Ed didn’t see it coming.
“He thinks of himself as so powerful and so all-encompassingly right, that no, he had no clue at all that his son would end him,” Root said. “Just — ‘What?’ Bye.”
That line could double as Ed’s epitaph — and Root delivers it with such deadpan clarity that it echoes long after the credits roll.
Is Ed really gone for good? Root hopes not.
“I’m hoping there’ll be some kind of flashback when we’re both on the planet together,” he teased.
“Maybe we get to see the brother as well and see that dynamic… I still think [Harry’s] going to get dissed no matter what.”
No matter what’s next, Root’s turn as Ed will go down as one of the season’s standout moments — a performance that made us laugh, cringe, and maybe even ache a little for the alien who just wanted his dad’s approval.
And for anyone who ever had to fight a parent just to be seen: Harry’s final act was more than cathartic.
It was universal. And Resident Alien — in all its weird and wonderful wisdom — never lets us forget that.
Make sure you check out our full Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 7 review, too!
Watch Resident Alien Online
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Stephen Root Breaks Bad (and Hilarious) as Harry’s Father on Resident Alien
Stephen Root’s unforgettable guest turn on Resident Alien brings sharp comedy, deep cruelty, and a father-son showdown for the ages. He opens up about Ed’s twisted mindset and that hilariously long alien name.
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Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 7 Review: Daddy Issues
Resident Alien Season 4 Episode 7 delivers gut punches and growth as Harry faces his father, D’arcy sets boundaries, and Jules reveals her terrifying truth.
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Stephen Root Brings Alien Dad Energy to Resident Alien — And It’s Everything We Hoped For
Stephen Root joins Resident Alien as Harry’s alien father, and it’s everything fans could hope for. Root teases the hilarious, emotionally charged reunion — without spoiling a thing.
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