Normally, when a beloved character from a long-gone but still-beloved movie series or TV show returns, fans are able to pontificate over whether or not the return is wanted, needed, or a good idea.
So when — without warning or fanfare — Xfinity released a new commercial featuring the return of the title character from the 1982 film E.T., people were surprised, (mostly) delighted; the commercial features Henry Thomas reprising his role as Elliott and reuniting with his extraterrestrial pal.