Harry Solomon - Mission

Mission

In the early episodes, Harry, unlike the rest of the "family," didn't seem to have any definable role in the expedition. During the opening credits of the first season, James Earl Jones, acting as narrator, states that "well-- they had an extra seat" in reference to him.

After the discovery that he has a "transmitter" implanted in his brain (which, apparently, takes up half the space in his head) for the purposes of communication with the home planet, he takes the title of "Communications Officer," which the others agree to so he doesn't feel left out.

According to an interview with French Stewart on the 3rd Rock from the Sun First Season DVD, Harry was related to/knew an important alien back on the homeworld, and that his position was a sinecure.

Communication was usually initiated without warning, either from the Big Giant Head himself, or his office. Upon contact, Harry is "taken over" entirely. The first signs are always physical - he immediately shudders violently, garbles incoherently, then adopts a stance with bent knees and upraised arms, palms forward. The message itself is always preceded with "Incoming message from the Big Giant Head....", followed by the message, spoken in a voice unlike his usual one.

When the message is completed, the exit statement is always "Resume normal functions in three ... two ... one ...", or later "transmission ending in three ... two ... one ...", after which he shudders, performs a dance-like movement, or sneezes. Returning to normal he usually inquires "So what did it say?...", indicating that he doesn't know what he had said.