Warning: Spoilers ahead forResident Alienseason 4, episode 2, “The Lonely Man.“Resident Alienseason 4, episode 2,“The Lonely Man,” ends with an homage to a Marvel showfrom long before the MCU existed, and it could mean a permanent exit for one member of theResident Aliencast. I’m talking, of course, about Enver Gjokaj’s Joseph Rainer, who has been part of the story since season 2 and played a significant role in stoppingResident Alien’s Grey Aliensin the season 3 finale. WhileResident Alienseason 3’s endingmade it seem as though there would still be a place for Joseph in Patience, that may not be the case.
Gjokaj’s has appeared in the first two episodes ofResident Alienseason 4 and has been a notable presence in both episodes. His increased involvement in season 3 means this isn’t that surprising. However,“The Lonely Man” may have just quietly confirmed that Gjokaj’s time onResident Alienis done. The show sends a pretty clear hint that this is the case even if the Marvel reference is missed, but if it’s noticed, Joseph’s exit seems especially permanent.
Resident Alien Season 4’s Tribute To The Incredible Hulk TV Show Explained
Joseph’s hitchhiking scene is an homage to how Bruce Banner would travel
The Incredible Hulkbegan in 1977 and went on for five seasons, totaling 80 episodes. There were also five straight-to-TV movies made. While Lou Ferrigno played the Hulk, his non-green alter ego, Bruce Banner, was played by Bill Bixby.It became a common occurrence for Bixby’s character to move on at the end of an episode, and he could be seen hitchhiking as he made his way down the road and away from where his cover had just been blown. During these sequences,The Incredible Hulk’s somber theme music, “Lonely Man,” would play.
Joseph leaves town after telling the Hawthornes that their baby is on Earth.
Resident Alienseason 4, episode 2, is named afterThe Incredible Hulk’s iconic theme music, composed by Joe Harnell. While this is a nice nod to the Marvel show,Resident Aliengoes even further by showing Joseph attempting to leave Patience behind in a way that’s intentionally reminiscent of how Bruce Banner would often travel. Plus, “Lonely Man” soundtracks the scene. So,the tribute is hard to miss forResident Alienfans who also watchedThe Incredible Hulk. To tie Joseph to Bruce Banner even further, both characters live their lives while hiding their true nature from almost everyone.
Joseph May Leave Patience Forever, Just Like Bruce Banner Often Moved On
The Incredible Hulk’s character stayed on the move
The Incredible Hulk’s closing scenes that showed Bruce trying to catch a ride to his next stop only ever signaled the end of an episode, rather than the character’s story being over for good. Because Bixby led the show, it was pretty much always a given that he would return soon, in a new setting. Joseph isn’tResident Alien’s main character, so the show is far less likely to follow him and see what he gets up to next.There is already a lot going on in Patience without also continuing to address Joseph’s story.
I think it’s quite possible that now Joseph has decided to leave Patience, that the show will stop acknowledging him.
IfThe Incredible Hulkwere set within a specific town, thenBruce Banner would be seen making his entrance and then leaving again, and his part in the story would be over - which is what has happened with Joseph inResident Alien. So, I think it’s quite possible that now Joseph has decided to leave Patience, that the show will stop acknowledging him. If anything, it would be more likely that Joseph’s exit would mean Enver Gjokaj’s character getting a spinoff, but I don’t think that’s likely to happen either.
Finally, the heavy references toThe Incredible HulkinResident Alienseason 4’s second episode, specifically how Bruce would always be on the move, feel far too prominent to be ignored.“The Lonely Man” really doubles down on the nods to how Bill Bixby’s character was something of a nomad, so I think it would be overkill if something similar wasn’t set to happen to Joseph inResident Alien, even if it happens offscreen.
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