FOX
The premiere for the second season of The Orville debuted with new characters and new relationships that push the show into more of a dramatic territory. The show has always mixed comedy with drama, but it is apparent that show wants to focus more on drama. Only days after the premiere of season two, The Orville finds its home on Thursday nights for upcoming episodes. The premiere of the second season scored above average viewership thanks to appearing right after a football game last Sunday night.
The second episode titled ‘Primal Urges’ sends the crew on a rescue mission to save survivors from a doomed planet. The episode also focuses on Bortus, as he is constantly sneaking off to a simulation room to meet other Moclans and engage in sexual activities. Bortus and his partner Kylden have been arguing for quite some time due to Bortus always working and not spending time with his family. Kylden enters Bortus’ room and stabs him while he is asleep. Apparently the Moclan tradition when one wants a divorce is to stab their partner. The couple takes on couple therapy to only discover more issues amongst the two.
Bortus has always been a straight-faced character hardly showing any emotions. The show presents Bortus with personal issues that feel authentic. Through the moments of Bortus entering a simulation room to meet other men, we can understand more of Bortus and issues that surround him. Fans of The Orville will remember that Bortus gave birth to a baby girl mid-way through the first season. This was an unheard of event since Moclans are a predominantly male species. Bortus wanted to keep the gender of the baby a girl despite his partner wanting to keep Moclan traditions. Kylden eventually went behind Bortus’ back and successfully changed the sex of the child. This created tension amongst the two in the first season and it is brought back up in the second season. I like that Seth MacFarlane is continuing certain storylines instead of them being a one-time deal. It adds depth to the characters and time spent on the ship.
FOX
The show also focused on a rescue mission to save survivors from a doomed planet. The episode had opened with the crew looking at a lone planet circling a star. The planet is the last one of its solar system. The crew explores many different options to save the citizens of the planet with one option including collecting the evaporating gas from the star. The was a real sense of urgency surrounding this episode and the race against time was felt. The writers did a good job of creating suspenseful moments throughout. The ending of the episode provided two team members with a task of saving citizens of the doomed planet. The situation that the two members were put in tested their characters and what their jobs meant to them. I always admire when MacFarlane puts his characters in dangerous situations. I know the characters will come out alive, but I love watching how the characters react to the problem and how it will help the character grow. In this case, Captain Ed Mercer was able to view a character in a different light.
The second episode gave depth to a continuing character while keeping it authentic. The episode was both gripping and genuine. The problems that Kylden and Bortus were facing allowed for great character development as well as solidifying Bortus as an important member of the ship. I hope that Seth MacFarlane resumes a few storylines, which could make the show more compelling.
The Orville airs Thursday at 9:00 PM on Fox.
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