Resident Alien

Countless TV series and films have utilized the fish-out-of-water premise, mining tons of comedic and dramatic mileage from characters trying to acclimate to unfamiliar environments. At first glance, Resident Alien's extraterrestrial-stuck-on-Earth story seems like another attempt to squeeze any remaining originality from the cliched conceit. But thanks to fantastic performances -- most notably Tudyk's thoughtful, nuanced turn as the titular foreigner -- this latest trip through well-trodden territory feels like a breath of fresh air.

Even when the series walks the tightrope with potentially tired jokes, like an alien consuming alcohol for the first time, Tudyk puts an unexpected spin on it. It doesn't hurt that the show isn't the straight comedy you might expect, but rather a bizarre blend of genres that continually surprise. One moment Resident Alien might evoke the folksy, quirky charm of Northern Exposure, before pivoting to a murder mystery, or taking an even darker, more mature turn. The unpredictable structure might not appeal to everyone, but again, Tudyk's excellent performance -- whether he's playing clueless doctor, armchair detective, loyal friend, or evil-doing E.T. -- is the common thread that'll keep you engaged regardless of where the wild plot takes you.