Resident Alien Finally Showed Us "The 59 Who Died to Save One" in Emotional Flashback
Since the pilot episode, we've heard about the mining tragedy that shaped Patience. Now, at long last, we finally get to see it with our own eyes.
This story contains spoilers for Resident Alien Season 4, Episode 9, “Tunnel Vision."
Ever since the pilot episode of Resident Alien, we've heard the story of the 59 miners who "died to save one" during a catastrophic cave-in. Unfortunately, 60 souls, including the trapped miner, Jed Calhoun, were lost that day. Was it foolhardy in the extreme to risk so many lives? Absolutely! But that's not the point. Jed's compatriots weren't going to abandon him that easily.
As a result, the almost-mythical tragedy stands as a badge of pride and honor among the townsfolk of Patience, Colorado, whose local watering hole, The 59, was named after the 19th-century event. Run by D'arcy Bloom (Alice Wetterlund), the bar is adorned with mining equipment (think pickaxes and shovels) in a nod to the town's once-booming industry.
Now, at long last, we finally got to see it with our own eyes in the show's penultimate episode, "Tunnel Vision," which opens with a flashback 138 years into the past.
Resident Alien finally showed us that famous mining disaster
As confirmed by series creator, showrunner, and executive producer Chris Sheridan in this look behind-the-scenes, Patience was loosely based on the town of Crested Butte, Colorado. The place is notable for the Jokerville Mine explosion in 1884, which claimed the lives of 59 workers, making it the third-deadliest mine disaster in Colorado's history.
In any case, the opening prologue foreshadows the events of present-day when nearly all of the main players — Harry (Alan Tudyk), Sheriff Mike (Corey Reynolds), Asta (Sara Tomko), Max (Judah Prehn), Ben (Levi Fiehler), and Kate (Meredith Garretson) — rush into that very same cave to hunt down the shape-shifting Mantid alien to ensure the safety of their loved ones.
Thankfully, history does not repeat itself, and everyone emerges from the subterranean tunnels in one piece, though the danger is far from over. They still need to save Deputy Liv (Elizabeth Bowen) and Robert Bach (Paul Piaskowski) from the Mantid's ravenous spawn, which are ultimately burned to a crisp, Thing-style, by Peter Bach (Terry O'Quinn).
How to watch the series finale of Resident Alien
Only one more episode of Resident Alien remains! Episode 10 (titled "The End is Here") will premiere next Friday — August 8 — at 10:00 p.m. New installments are available to stream on Peacock a week after they air.
The first three seasons are now streaming here!
