Warning: The following review contains spoilers for the tenth episode of The Orville’s second season titled “Blood of Patriots”

We’re reaching the home stretch of The Orville’s second season. There are 14 episodes in total, and we’re on episode 10. I’ve heard that things only ramp up from here and after the two-part episode (“Identity” and “Identity Part II”) I can’t wait to see what comes next. This season has thrown a lot of changes and new things into the mix and I can’t even begin to imagine what next season will bring.

Anyway, without speculating on that too much (we’d be here all day) let’s recap the last episode shall we? We finished off the two-part episode, with Isaac helping to stop the Kaylon invasion. Now he has no home to return to and is the only Kaylon (currently) that does not wish to wipe out all biological life. His earlier betrayal was a hard pill to swallow for some of the crew though, so I am curious to see how that impacts him moving forward.

Episode Spoilers Begin Here!

“Blood of Patriots” begins with a ceremony where Ed gives Yahphit the Sapphire Star of Heroism for his actions during the Kaylon invasion. During the afterparty, Ed is called to the bridge due to a call from Admiral Perry. Perry tells Ed and Kelly that the Krill are ready to negotiate a peace treaty, and he wants Ed and the Orville to facilitate said peace talks.

They are to rendezvous with a Krill ship containing an ambassadorial detachment and attempt to secure the peace treaty. It is a big responsibility, but Ed has the most Krill experience of any Union officer. It is obvious why they want him to spearhead this. When the Orville reaches the Krill vessel, they discover that the ship is firing on one of its own shuttles for some reason.

The shuttle hails the Orville and asks to board, so Ed complies. The shuttle crashes in the shuttle bay, and when Talla, Kelly, and Claire get into the shuttle, they find a man that is unconscious and a frightened young girl. Gordon discovers that the unconscious man is Orrin, an old friend, and Union officer.

The commander of the Krill vessel demands that the humans on the shuttle be handed over to them. Ed counters by saying that he wants to know what is going on, because the Krill firing on their own shuttle doesn’t make sense. The commander accuses Orrin of destroying 4 Krill vessels, with 3 of the ships being destroyed in the past 30 days, which was after the ceasefire between the Krill and the Union.

Kelly asks how one person could do that kind of damage with just a shuttle, a stolen shuttle, but a shuttle nonetheless. The commander answers that Orrin is in possession of a very powerful weapon, though the Krill have no idea what the weapon is, or how he is using it. They want to interrogate Orrin to figure out what he is using. Kelly points out that they searched the shuttle and did not find a weapon.

Ed suggests that the ambassadorial delegation come over to the Orville so they can speak and figure things out in person. They agree, and while the delegation is preparing, Ed asks Talla to stall the Krill so that he can figure out more about Orrin and what is going on. Gordon tells Ed that he and Orrin were best friends from grade school all the way through to his time at Union Point. Orrin lived on Outpost 73 with his wife and newborn daughter Leyna, when the Krill attacked the outpost.

Orrin’s wife died and after that Orrin and Leyna disappeared. Gordon had no idea that Orrin was even alive. Orrin wakes up in the sickbay and asks where his daughter is. Claire explains that she is resting in guest quarters but that she tried to convince Leyna to let her check her out in the sickbay. Leyna flew into a panic, to which Orrin explains is likely due to what the Krill “did to her.”

Claire also mentions that she tried to ask Leyna what was wrong, but she wouldn’t speak. Orrin confesses that Leyna hasn’t said a word in 12 years, due to spending a large portion of her life in a Krill prison camp. Claire tells Orrin that she needs to be able to examine Leyna, and he tells her that Leyna is healthy, she just needs time to learn to trust her surroundings.

Something about this whole thing is suspicious, and I’m not so sure that any of the crew should trust a word of what Orrin says. Maybe I’m naturally suspicious, but there are too many gaps in his history and a lot of convenient answers. Ed and Gordon enter the med bay, and what should be a joyful reunion of old friends, quickly turns sour. Ed explains that the Krill vessel wants them to hand him over.

Orrin denies his involvement in the attacks and says that he was in a prison camp with Leyna for 20 years and that they just escaped in a shuttle 6 weeks prior. The timing of this is weird to me, if Leyna hasn’t spoken for 12 years, but they were in the camp for 20, how old is she? Did she learn to talk in the prison camp and then just…stop? That’s not unheard of due to trauma but there’s just something about Orrin’s story that I can’t put my finger on.

Ed asks why Orrin never called the Union for help while in the shuttle and Orrin explains that he didn’t want to risk exposing their location. Orrin also claims that he had no idea there was even a ceasefire between the Union and the Krill, which I could believe. Of all the things he’s said so far, that is the least suspicious one.

Next, we get to see a short (yet hilarious) scene of Talla’s methods of stalling, including a ton of boarding regulations and the requirement of a urine sample from each member of the delegation. Also yes, I’m totally mature enough not to make a joke about the male members of the delegation having to whip out their…well, members to provide said urine sample. Oops, maybe not.

Talla then calls Ed and tells him she can’t stall them any longer. Ed answers that if she can buy him five minutes, then take them straight to the briefing room, everything will be fine. Gordon enters Ed’s office and asks if Ed is thinking of turning Orrin over. Ed tells him no, since he can’t find any data on the destroyed ships, and the Union has no extradition treaty with the Krill.

Gordon tells Ed that Orrin is a good guy and that he knows Orrin didn’t do this. Ed concedes that while Orrin is Gordon’s friend and he knows that Orrin has been through a lot. However, he and Leyna could not have shown up at a worse time.

The Krill delegation asks when they will be able to get access to Orrin, and Ed asks to table that for now. Kelly explains about Leyna and says that she needs time to heal, but the Krill do not want her, only Orrin. They tell Ed and Kelly that the ships that were destroyed amount to 1200 Krill that were lost. Ed tries to focus on the peace talks, but the Krill will not be deterred.

The delegation tells Ed that unless Orrin is handed over to them, there will be no peace. They don’t seem to care how Orrin destroyed the ships (or even if he did) they simply want someone to answer for them. The delegation tells them that they have 12 hours to decide whether to turn Orrin over or whether they will forgo peace altogether. It is a difficult situation since they both know that if Orrin is turned over, he will be killed.

Next, we see Orrin and Gordon watching Leyna play the game that Isaac played with Marcus and Ty a few episodes ago. Gordon marvels at how good she is at it, and Orrin points out that everything on the Orville is a new experience for her. Everything is either awe-inspiring to her or frightens her.

Gordon asks Orrin how bad the Krill prison camp was, and Orrin has a strange reaction. He says that it was bad, but it was worse on Leyna because she didn’t have Union training. For someone in a prison camp for 20 years, he doesn’t seem very traumatized by it. If anything, he seems comfortable, relaxed. Maybe I’m reading him wrong, but he just reeks of suspicion.

During this conversation, Gordon thanks Orrin for saving his life during the invasion on Outpost 73. Gordon tells Orrin that he owes him one, but Orrin says that he doesn’t owe him anything. The only thing that seems to actually cause genuine (at least in my eyes) emotion for Orrin is the mention of his wife Sophie.

He tells Gordon that losing Sophie was the worst thing that ever happened to him. Orrin asks Gordon to tell Ed, that peace with the Krill is a big mistake. Gordon is surprised by this, pointing out that securing a treaty would prevent more lives lost. Orrin has a furious outburst, and though I can’t say I’m surprised by his view, it definitely makes the Krill’s claims more valid.

Next, we see Talla and Kelly showing Leyna an instrument from Xelaya. I am excited to see more things like this, small things. Instruments from other worlds, cultural elements, these things are all really exciting and build the universe in great ways. I mentioned it during the early part of the season when they showed the orchestra. The Orville delivered on my curiosity and request for an imaginative idea for instruments of the future.

I should also mention here that there’s something…creepy about Leyna. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this father-daughter duo is sending alarm bells all through my head. Maybe it is her wide-eyed, sunken stare. Maybe it is the fact that she looks kind of like she should be coming out of a well and then climbing through a TV.

Afterward, Ed visits Talla in her office. He confides in her completely off the record, asking what she thinks of Orrin. Talla agrees with me and doesn’t trust him at all. She tells Ed that she can’t put a finger on why, but something about him rubs her the wrong way. Ed asks Talla to keep an eye on Orrin; they need to figure out if he is telling the truth or if the Krill are lying.

Orrin makes his way to the Engineering area and John offers to let him look around. He sneaks into one of the storage rooms and is clearly looking for something. Talla catches him in the act and, after an awkward exchange, tells Orrin that if he needs anything she is around to help. Orrin leaves Engineering, but she knows something is up.

She tells Kelly and Ed, then goes to check with John to make sure nothing is missing. After contacting Admiral Perry, he tells them that the treaty is the most important thing. So, they need to find if Orrin is guilty, but even if he isn’t, they are to turn him over to the Krill if they can’t find proof. Ed tells Kelly that they need a lead and fast.

Gordon and Leyna are watching the original Planet of the Apes film when Ed arrives. He wants to talk to Gordon in private and asks if there is anything he should know about Orrin. Gordon tells Ed about what Orrin said but accuses Ed of being jealous. Gordon doesn’t believe that Orrin did anything wrong and even has begun to believe that the peace talks are a mistake.

Gordon brings Leyna back to her dad and asks Orrin if he violated the ceasefire. He also lets slip what Ed said about the Admiral’s decision. Orrin asks Gordon to give him a shuttle so that he can stop the peace talks once and for all. Orrin manipulates Gordon’s feelings, including throwing the fact that he saved Gordon before, in his face.

In Engineering, John finds that there are two quantum storage cells missing in the supply area. He goes to tell Ed and Kelly, explaining the situation. Gordon then goes to see Talla and asks her to join him for a drink. When she accepts, he uses the food synthesizer to get them each a drink and then makes a confession. He tells Talla that Orrin asked him to steal a shuttle.

Talla points out that he needs to tell Ed, to which Gordon lays out his dilemma. If he tells Ed, he betrays a man who saved his life. If he doesn’t tell Ed, he betrays the Orville. Talla makes it easy, commenting that by telling her at all, he’s chosen the Orville and its crew.

He tells Talla not to tell Ed, that he’ll tell Ed himself. However, he goes to Orrin and agrees to help him. Talla intercepts them at the shuttle bay, but Gordon uses his phaser to stun her. He and Orrin then steal the shuttle, but Gordon can’t really be this stupid, can he?

We then see the truth. A tracking device was put on the shuttle. Ed signed off on this, even though Kelly points out that it is a big gamble. They want to see what Orrin’s weapon is, so they can stop him or get the weapon and turn it over.

Gordon asks Orrin what the plan is and Orrin tells him to rendezvous with the Krill ship. He won’t tell him more than that and asks him to “trust him.” Talla goes to check on Leyna and sees injection sites or wounds on her arms. When she calls Claire to come check on Leyna, we see the truth. Leyna speaks for the first time, holding a knife to Talla’s throat.

It doesn’t do Leyna much good though, since Talla just throws her into a wall. Claire comes in to find Leyna bleeding and immediately pulls Talla from the room. She locks the door to the room Leyna is in and asks the bridge to vent all nitrogen from the room, and put a force field around it. Claire reveals to Talla that whoever “Leyna” is, she isn’t Orrin’s daughter.

Claire explains that “Leyna” is an Envall, a race of humanoids whose blood explodes when exposed to a nitrogen-rich environment. They figure out that Orrin has been using this woman’s blood, in torpedos weaponize it into bombs. The Union shuttles do not have torpedos, so Orrin intends to kamikaze with Gordon using the Quantum Storage cells he stole.

The Orville moves to intercept the shuttle and, in the meantime, Gordon demands to know what Orrin has planned. Orrin explains to Gordon that his daughter Leyna was killed by the Krill along with his wife. The girl that is on the Orville is an Envall he met on an outpost after he escaped the Krill prison camp.

Gordon refuses to help him and after contacting the Orville, he and Orrin struggle. Gordon wants no part in this plan and Orrin insists on finishing it. Before Gordon can finish him off, Orrin activates the bomb. He tells Gordon that they can either finish the mission or they can die in the shuttle. When Orrin tries to set their course, Gordon shoots the controls, preventing him from using them.

Gordon puts on a suit to bail out of the shuttle, but Orrin refuses to do so. Gordon chooses to live, leaving his old friend behind on the shuttle. The shuttle explodes as he leaves it, which blows him into space. He is caught by the Orville’s tractor beam and is pulled back to safety.

The peace talks go on as planned and the first step in a treaty is signed. Afterward, Gordon is in his room, looking at an old photo of him and Orrin. Ed enters and apologizes to Gordon. He tells him that it isn’t easy to have to put duty before friendship. He also offers condolences for Orrin’s death.

Gordon tells Ed that Orrin died a long time ago, in the Krill prison. The man they met wasn’t the man he knew at all. Ed also admits that Gordon might have been right and that he might have been a little jealous of Orrin. Ed explains that he always wonders if he is the right person in the captain’s chair.

However, he can’t tell anyone else on board, because they might lose confidence in his leadership. Ed admits that he counts on Gordon and values their friendship. Gordon answers that he can always count on him and that it will never change. They go to get a beer together, deciding to end the evening on a relaxing high note.

This episode of The Orville was great. I’ve been wanting more Gordon-centric episodes for a while, mostly because he didn’t have any in season 1, and we know the least about him. This episode wasn’t as action-packed as the two-parter, but that’s perfectly fine by me. We got new Sci-Fi lore and worldbuilding instead of interstellar conflict.

It was also nice to see the continuation of the Krill storyline. I wonder if the “progressive” element in Krill society that was mentioned previously is spearheaded by Teleya. Or maybe she’s just a part of it? Either way, this episode was great, though I did have one complaint.

What happened to the Envall woman? Did she explode in that room? Did they drop her off somewhere? Did they boot her out of an airlock? What happened? They never really explain what happens to her. Maybe we’ll get a passing comment about it in later episodes or maybe it is just a plot hole.

Regardless, I really can’t wait to see what the rest of this season brings. There’s still no word on the release date of The Orville’s third season, so hopefully, we’ll know more by the time I finish this review series.

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The Orville

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• Small Worldbuilding Details
• Furthering the Krill Storyline
• Beautiful Effects and Visuals
• More Gordon Backstory

Cons

• A Few Plot Holes