Meet Dave (2008) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The aliens' home planet Nil is experiencing a severe energy crisis. Salt is the only solution to restore their planet's energy, so they planned to drain Earth's oceans using the metallic orb that crash-landed on Earth. This would have destroyed all life on Earth but saved their own planet.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, the blue orb that landed in Josh's fishbowl was identified as the metallic orb needed for their plan.

• nil planet
• salt
• energy crisis
• drain oceans
• alien mission

The spaceship itself is named Dave and is designed to morph into a humanoid form. Captain Dave operates the ship from within, controlling its movements and speech. The ship appears as a human (played by Eddie Murphy) to blend in and observe human behavior while carrying out their mission.

Foreshadowing: The spaceship is described as humanoid in shape when it lands on Liberty Island.

• spaceship
• Eddie Murphy
• transform
• human form
• alien ship

Captain Dave develops a deep appreciation for human life through his interactions with the Morrison family, particularly Josh and Gina. He witnesses acts of kindness, compassion, and emotional depth that make him realize humans are worth protecting. This change of heart leads him to betray his own mission and protect Earth from destruction.

Foreshadowing: His bond with Gina, who shares her passion for painting, and his experience with a homeless man sharing his food foreshadow his changing perspective.

• Captain Dave
• save Earth
• change heart
• humanity
• compassion

Number 2 becomes increasingly suspicious of Captain Dave's growing fascination with human culture, viewing it as a dangerous distraction from their critical mission to save Nil. When Captain Dave decides to protect Earth instead of draining the oceans, Number 2 sees this as a betrayal and takes control of the spaceship to complete the mission himself.

Foreshadowing: Number 2's wariness is evident early on as he watches Captain Dave immerse himself in human activities.

• Number 2
• rebellion
• mutiny
• spaceship
• alien crew

Number 17, a young alien inspired by the crew's carefree behavior on Earth, makes a chaotic exit from the spaceship while the crew is celebrating. He ends up drunk and hidden inside Officer Dooley's morning coffee, leading to Dooley's discovery of the alien presence.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows Number 17 making a raucous exit from the vessel during the crew's revelry.

• Number 17
• Kevin Hart
• Officer Dooley
• drunk alien
• discovery

When Captain Dave falls into a dormant state after the orb slips away and FBI agents close in, Josh bravely intervenes by seizing Officer Dooley's taser. He uses it to awaken Captain Dave, allowing them to reveal themselves to the authorities together and prevent Dave's capture.

Foreshadowing: The bond formed between Josh and Captain Dave throughout the film makes this intervention feel like a natural culmination of their relationship.

• Josh
• Captain Dave
• taser
• escape
• FBI
• rescue

Throughout their time on Earth, Number 3 develops feelings for Captain Dave and ultimately chooses to help him rather than follow Number 2's orders. After they successfully protect Earth and before departing, Captain Dave proposes to her as a symbol of their love and new beginning together.

Foreshadowing: Number 3's struggle between loyalty to Number 2 and her affection for Captain Dave builds throughout the film.

• proposal
• Number 3
• Captain Dave
• marriage
• love

The metallic orb is the key device the aliens need to drain Earth's oceans. It was the same blue orb that crashed into Josh's apartment months earlier. The orb connects to their spaceship and, when activated, can extract all the water from Earth's oceans to harvest the salt needed to save planet Nil.

Foreshadowing: The orb's dramatic entrance into Josh's room and subsequent rediscovery establishes its importance to the alien mission.

• metallic orb
• drain oceans
• salt
• Nil
• spaceship device

After Captain Dave escapes confinement and returns to the spaceship with Number 3, he detains Number 2 in the ship's confines to stop him from completing the ocean-draining mission. When the crew escapes to Nil, Number 2 is left behind on the ship, his plan thwarted.

Foreshadowing: Number 2's attempt to toss the orb into the ocean is thwarted by Captain Dave and Number 3's return.

• Number 2
• imprisoned
• left behind
• spaceship
• defeated

Captain Dave forms a special bond with Gina Morrison, Josh's mother, as he observes and learns about human customs. Through heartfelt conversations, she shares her vulnerabilities and passions, like her painting. This relationship helps Dave understand human emotions and ultimately contributes to his decision to protect Earth.

Foreshadowing: Gina's character is introduced with warmth, setting up the emotional connection she forms with Dave.

• Gina Morrison
• Elizabeth Banks
• Captain Dave
• bond
• human connection