Warning: The following review contains spoilers for The Orville episode titled “Sanctuary.”

Instead of my usual open for these reviews, I decided to change things up a little this week. I’ve been talking a lot about how much I love the art direction and writing of The Orville lately. However, I haven’t mentioned that on the whole, The Orville has only two episodes (thus far) that I haven’t loved or at least really enjoyed. This week’s episode makes references to one of the less enjoyable ones but brings back a wonderful character. With that tease, let’s recap the last episode shall we?

Last week’s episode “Lasting Impressions” had the Orville crew uncover a time capsule from 2015. In it, they found a cell phone from a young woman named Laura. Gordon found himself infatuated with her life, ultimately falling in love with her, and discovering that not everyone is forgotten after death. It was a great character-focused episode with a guest appearance by Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl fame. With that out of the way, let’s get into this week’s adventure!

This week’s episode of The Orville, titled “Sanctuary” begins with Ed, Bortus, and Kelly talking to Admiral Halsey. Since the Kaylon attack, the Moclans have encouraged the Union to upgrade its weapons on vessels of an Explorer class rank or higher. The Orville is one of those vessels to be upgraded. Plus, the Moclans have requested that they pick up a specific engineer and take them to a planet in the Nekkar system.

Of course, we all know how well it went the last time the Orville had a new Moclan engineer on board, don’t we? Anyhow, Ed has reservations since they’re “starting to feel like a taxi service” but Halsey maintains it’s important in exchange for the upgrade. Next, we see Ed and Kelly talking with Bortus and a Moclan engineer about the upgrades they’ve received. They are sizable, and after a job well done Bortus escorts the upgrade crew to the shuttle bay.

Afterward, Talla gets permission from Ed for the Moclan Engineer, named Toren, and his mate to come aboard the Orville. Talla speaks with Toren and his mate Korick on the way to their quarters and offers to carry their bag, which she notes seems heavy. Toren refuses but tells Talla when asked that he and Korick have been mates for 9 years.

Korick strangely mentions that he is aware that this ship is known to be attentive to its guests. He also says that he and Toren would like to be left alone during their voyage. Suspicious or maybe I’m just used to people arriving on the Orville who aren’t what they seem, a la Orrin and Janel Tyler. Talla agrees, and the plot thickens once Korick and Toren get inside.

Korick tells Toren that this was a mistake, that they will be caught. Toren assures him that they got past the scanners and that the crew will not be suspicious. They are hiding something in the large cargo case they brought on board, though the camera doesn’t pan around to show us what yet.

Next, we see a classroom setting, with Topa getting into an altercation with a human student over taking a piece she needed for building. Topa is clearly learning from his Moclan parents to have a disdain for females and pushes the human girl over. The teacher calls Bortus and Klyden into the classroom for a conference, explaining that it isn’t the first time Topa has been disrespectful to a female student.

Klyden suggests that maybe the teacher should separate the male and female children, clearly harboring prejudice ingrained in him by Moclan traditions. The teacher points out that none of the other boys have an issue getting along with girls. Bortus, however, apologizes for Topa’s behavior and tells the teacher that they will speak with Topa. Klyden is clearly flustered by this, but Bortus has always been the more evolved of the two.

In their quarters, Bortus asks Topa about what happened and Topa justifies his actions by affirming that the human was a female. He sees nothing wrong with his behavior. Bortus tells Topa that it makes no difference what gender the other child was, what he did was wrong. Topa stands his ground and says that it doesn’t matter because females are inferior, which he then tells Bortus he learned from Klyden.

Bortus sends Topa to his room, and quickly an argument brews between him and Klyden. Klyden affirms that he was simply teaching Topa the traditions that he was raised on. Bortus questions if his time on the Orville has taught him nothing, but Klyden seems to be apathetic to that idea. He tells Bortus that Topa may want to live on Moclus one day, and the subject of Klyden being born female (much like Topa was) comes up.

Klyden angrily states that his birth does not change his values or his belief in the Moclan way. Bortus suggests that when Topa is grown, perhaps Moclus may not be so intolerant, which angers Klyden. He asks who Bortus is to question the Moclan beliefs and traditions, and throws the fact that Bortus wanted to keep Topa as a female in his face, clearly trying to hurt Bortus.

He goes to apologize, but before the conversation can continue Ed calls for Bortus. There is a power fluctuation that is leading them to believe that their new visitors have piggy-backed on their power grid somehow. Kelly sends Bortus to investigate, citing that if they need more power for a legitimate reason then that is fine, but they need a reason and they must disclose it to the crew.

Before I get into the next scene, I just want to mention something. For the entire series, I’ve wanted to find some sort of redeeming quality in Klyden. He’s a character that is a product of his own upbringing, and in some ways, I think he exemplifies the parts of the LGBT community that may dive into self-loathing, even if he doesn’t realize it. He could resent that he was born female because the Moclan tradition says females are inferior.

Similarly, there are many homosexuals, bisexuals, and even transgender people, in the south or in other areas internationally in less tolerant countries that have been taught to hate themselves. Even if it is subconscious, it is a sad, sad thing. However, in Klyden’s case, I’m finding it more and more difficult to make excuses.

Bortus shows a shining example of a character that has grown and learned from his problematic upbringing. He, much like Isaac, overcame his species’ bigoted, extreme ways and has become a better person overall. Klyden has not taken that same path, and I find myself gritting my teeth in some respects when he comes on screen.

Perhaps it is because I’ve seen too many people internalize things and become someone worse in the process. Perhaps it is because I find it frustrating to see people who are given evidence of the truth time and time again only to turn a blind eye. How can Klyden not see what Bortus sees? What is it about these topics that seem so obvious to some of us, but is so hard to grasp for others?

At any rate, with that rant out of the way, Bortus goes to Toren and Korick’s quarters. He explains that there is an unauthorized power drain, and when Toren makes an excuse about the food synthesizer being underpowered, he asks to come inside. Bortus inspects the food synthesizer and as he explores their room, Korick and Toren seem to shadow him.

Bortus finds their large cargo box that Talla commented on earlier and asks that they disconnect it from the power. Toren answers that it is sensitive research and that he would prefer to wait until they rendezvous with their vessel. Bortus asks what they’re carrying that requires such power, and when they refuse to answer, he asks that they open the box.

When they do, Bortus discovers that they are smuggling a female child, seemingly to keep her from being forcibly changed by Moclan decree. Bortus asks why they are hiding the infant and Toren confirms my suspicions. They are fleeing the Moclan planet because they do not want their daughter to be forcibly made male and they do not want her to have to live as an outcast in seclusion.

Toren explains that the Retepsian government has granted them asylum, where they can raise her in peace. The captain of the research vessel they are rendezvousing with has agreed to take them to Retepsia. Korick and Toren beg Bortus not to tell anyone because their daughter would be taken from them and forcibly be made male. They love her as she is.

Bortus points out that he is asking Bortus to lie to his captain, but Toren explains that he has heard of Bortus’ trial. He knows that Bortus supports female Moclans. Toren asks that Bortus simply stay silent on the matter until they leave, nothing more.

As a response, Bortus covers for them, telling Kelly that they required extra power to keep perishable supplies from going bad. He tells her that he will find an alternative power source for them. In response, Toren and Korick explain that they will not forget his kindness. Next, we see Bortus going back to Topa’s class, speaking with the teacher in an attempt to see how Topa is doing.

The teacher explains that there have been no further incidents. Bortus then asks to take Topa from class early, for a family matter. Bortus brings Topa to see Toren and Korick, also bringing the alternative power supply. Bortus shows Topa the female infant after Topa swears not to tell anyone what he sees. Topa is confused because he was taught that there are no Moclan females.

However, Bortus takes this moment to explain that the baby girl (named Mersa) is one of a few females born every generation. He tells Topa that some fear female Moclans, which is why Toren and his mate are hiding her. It is a chance to show Topa that male and female Moclans really aren’t so different. It is an important lesson too. Starting at a young age and teaching him the truth is easier than teaching an adult who has been indoctrinated by tradition, much like Klyden.

Next, we see Bortus and Talla guiding Toren and Korick to their shuttle, to rendezvous with the science vessel. They bid Bortus farewell and take off in the shuttle. Bortus is in the armory when Ed calls him to his office, where he finds Claire, Talla, Kelly, and Ed, along with Topa and Klyden. Topa reveals that he didn’t mean to tell, but he did nonetheless.

Ed asks why Bortus didn’t say anything and Bortus is honest. He didn’t want to jeopardize the infant’s future and didn’t know how they would respond. Claire points out that if he had told them, she could have run a DNA test to make sure the child was theirs. Bortus says he had no reason to question that but Talla protests.

She points out that they boarded a Union ship under false pretenses and it is possible that they kidnapped that baby. Kelly points out that Bortus has jeopardized them all if he is wrong, and Ed suggests that they need to be sure that Toren and Korick are actually the parents, and actually taking her to Retepsia.

He tells the crew to find the ship and intercept it. Bortus asks what Ed plans to do when they find the couple, and Ed simply says that they will verify their story and go from there. He then dismisses Bortus, clearly upset by Bortus’ deceit and lack of trust.

On the bridge, Kelly is baffled that the ship has seemingly vanished since it is a research ship. Gordon asks Isaac if he can scan for Ion signatures, citing a time at Union point when he used a tractor beam to mask his ion signatures. Isaac says he has found the ship and it isn’t on course for Retepsia. The ion trail intersects with a nebula, which Gordon sets a course for.

Ed hypothesizes that the “research vessel” never had any intentions for research at all. The nebula is huge and the trail leads inside, but they can’t scan further. So, Ed suggests they go in and they discover that the Nebula is actually a star system. The Orville goes into orbit high over the habitable planet, which is over 80 percent ocean.

The Moclan vessel has landed on an island near the Equator and Talla discovers that there are thousands of Moclans on the planet. A shuttle goes down to investigate and they are met by armed female Moclans. Kelly, Talla, Ed, and Bortus are brought into a village of female Moclans, where Toren and Korick are found along with many other female children.

Inside one of the buildings, they are greeted by Heveena, who explains that she knows Ed and the others, to dissuade the females who are on edge by their presence. If you need a refresher, Heveena was introduced in the third episode and wrote one of the Moclan’s most revered books under a male pseudonym. She has also advocated for female Moclans ever since.

Heveena is the leader of this colony and explains that the Moclan government is lying about how many females are born. The government hides it and forcibly changes most of them to men. However, some women resist and fight to escape Moclus. These women make their way to “The Sanctuary” and there are over six thousand female Moclans in this colony.

Years prior, they established a clandestine network of ships for families who sought refuge. This is not unlike the underground railroad, at least in theory. Heveena has traveled back and forth from this colony over a dozen times herself over the years. Kelly asks if Moclus knows about the colony, and Heveena explains that they have suspected, but the colony has managed to remain undetected until now.

A female warrior known as Osaia suggests that the Orville remain on the planet so they aren’t discovered. Talla tries to say that they weren’t followed, but Heveena points out that there are over 300 people on the ship, which means 300 ways for them to be discovered. Osaia explains that if Moclus found out their location, they would destroy the planet.

Heveena plans to evacuate the planet and relocate elsewhere, but Ed has another idea. He suggests that they go to Union Central and apply for the colony to be recognized as an independent state. If the Union agrees, they would be under Union protection and the Moclan government would have no power to oppose them. There would be no more hiding.

Osaia is concerned about what happens if they refuse, but Heveena quotes Gandhi in stating, “every revolution begins with a single act of defiance,” Though she does not know who actually made the quote. She asks to accompany Ed to stand before the council, which pleases Ed greatly.

Admiral Halsey speaks with Ed and Kelly, stating that their request for a hearing has been approved, but the Moclan delegation is up in arms. They are demanding to know the location of the colony so that they can apprehend and extradite the “fugitive” female Moclans. He explains that a shuttle from the Orville will go to the USS Burnell, while the Orville will remain in orbit to protect the colony itself.

Ed confides in Kelly that he hopes he is up to this and Kelly tells him that she can’t think of anyone that is more trustworthy to help the female Moclans. On the shuttle, Heveena asks if Earth is anything like Moclus. They discuss Earth females and Heveena wistfully talks about wishing for the freedom to create, to make art, and to write.

After Ed gives Heveena access to Earth’s cultural records, she finds Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and is immediately enthralled by the song. She praises Dolly’s spirit by saying “She speaks with the soul of a thousand warriors!” and proclaims that the song is the voice of her revolution. As someone who loves Dolly, (a national treasure really), I find it hilarious and awesome that she’s celebrated by Heveena.

The hearing begins, with union delegates of various races present. Heveena is called to make her statement, but before she can do so the Moclan delegate named Dojin erupts in anger, calling it an insult to their people. Admiral Halsey reminds him that he will get his chance to speak and tells him that the council has already voted, she will be allowed to speak.

Heveena’s speech is profound, as she tells the council that while they have lived in exile, to do otherwise would lead to their persecution, mutilation, and extinction. Heveena is eloquent and a commanding presence as she always is when she appears. She points out that in this council there is diversity and they all have something in common.

At one time or another, all of them have had groups that were oppressed. She states, “The history of moral progress can be measured by the expansion of fundamental rights to those who have been denied them.” I can think of no words that are more timely. She does not ask for anything beyond that her people be included in this expanding circle of justice.

She then quotes Dolly’s “9 to 5”, and yet…it is in a way that is not cheery, sunny, or funny. It is perfectly stated, showing that they are deserving of fair treatment as much as anyone else. I should state here that Rena Owen’s performance in this episode as Heveena is superb. In fact, I would say that she is on the same level for me as Kate Mulgrew and I absolutely adore Kate Mulgrew.

The Moclans then declare that if the Union grants this colony independence, they will renounce their Union membership. Back on the Orville, Bortus finds a Moclan vessel entering the nebula via the Orville’s scanners. Kelly asks them to identify themselves and they are greeted by Captain Jakohn. Kelly asks what they are doing in the nebula and Jakohn says they are monitoring the colony while the council deliberates.

They also make a thinly veiled threat, that should the council not give them independence, essentially they wish to exact justice sooner rather than later. Kelly issues a yellow alert, but for now, the Moclan ship is merely watching.

Back at the hearing, the Moclans state that the colony is an elaborate child trafficking operation. He calls these women radicals which, if you’re not being called radical as a woman it seems you’re not doing something right these days. They also try to leverage the fact that they are the primary supplier of weapons for the Union, essentially trying to buy the Council’s denial of this colony.

Ed speaks with the Admiralty, who tells Ed they can’t afford to alienate the Moclans with the Kaylon threat still active. However, Ed is adamant that this is a rights issue, which it is. He asks an important question: if they aren’t willing to stand up for their values, what are they fighting for?

Next, we see Kelly talking to Bortus, telling him that she spoke to Ed, and explaining their situation. Deliberations are currently underway with the council. She asks Bortus what he’ll do if Moclus leaves the Union and he answers that he doesn’t really know. Klyden comes and tells Bortus that it is late, and he should come home.

Bortus answers that he will return soon, but Klyden says that they should discuss what happens if they have to return to Moclus. However, Bortus doesn’t seem to have any intention of doing so. Bortus accuses Klyden of not being comfortable on the Orville due to being sickened by females. When Klyden protests, Bortus points out that Klyden did not even acknowledge Kelly and when she tries to disengage, (not wanting to get involved) he asks that she stay.

He points out that Klyden rarely leaves their quarters and hardly socializes with the crew. Bortus also accuses Klyden of, “clinging to traditions that serve no useful purpose,” tells him that he remains closed-minded, and is trying to raise their child to embrace ignorance. Before this can be resolved, Talla calls in and tells them that 4 Moclan shuttles are heading for the colony.

Kelly hails Jakohn, who tells them that they are not to interfere since they were given orders to apprehend the colonists. Kelly calls Union Central and then the scene shifts. The Admiralty is angry, but the Moclans (led by Dojin) say that the colony is in their jurisdiction. The Moclans give them an ultimatum. There will be war or they will find an acceptable diplomatic solution, two options.

Ed asks Halsey for help, telling him that he can’t simply stand down. Halsey says that he shouldn’t interfere, but if communications within the nebula were to be spotty then they’d have a miscommunication and it wouldn’t be their fault. AKA he’s giving them a little wiggle room.

Ed calls Kelly and tells her the official orders. However, he also tells her that the unofficial orders (covered by Halsey) are for her to, “work on her tan,” AKA go kick some butt. At first, Kelly intends to go alone, but Bortus insists on accompanying her. He isn’t swayed, even at the risk of ending his career or firing on his own people.

The Moclans try to stop the shuttle by hitting them with a tractor beam, but Talla makes a risky move by firing on the Moclan ship with the Orville’s weapons. She is risking her career too, but she does so gladly. We see the Moclan men dragging women out of their homes, holding them at gunpoint. Kelly gives the Moclans a warning, to stand down or face the consequences.

We then get an amazing combat montage to the tune of Dolly’s “9 to 5,” which is a montage I never knew I needed. Seeing female Moclans take the fight to their own oppressors was very satisfying, and Kelly is a formidable force. Bortus holds his own as well.

At the same time, the Orville is fighting with the Moclan warship. Gordon pulls off a risky maneuver to try and keep the Moclan ship from blowing them to bits, but before we see the final resolution to that, we’re back in the council chamber. Some members argue that this is an internal Moclan matter and the discussion gets tense.

Ed makes an interesting point. The colony is so secluded that if the Kaylon attacked the Moclans, it might survive, making the Moclans an all-female species. Admiral Halsey provides a compromise, which isn’t ideal but is enough. The compromise is that the Union postpones its decision on the sovereignty of the colony. At the same time, the colonists must agree to stop their clandestine smuggling of children. In return, the Moclans will agree to leave the colonists alone.

As Kelly and Bortus fight with the Moclan women, Bortus chases after a soldier trying to carry one of the children off. Suddenly, the Moclan soldiers stand down as the Moclans have taken the agreement. Back on the planet, Ed apologizes to Heveena for not being able to cement the agreement. Heveena is optimistic though, suggesting that this was not a failure.

Heveena is wise, suggesting that these women are safe, and have lives of their own. They could have failed and all of them could be imprisoned, not to mention forcibly made male. Heveena believes that in time, the female Moclan revolution will continue. Back on the Orville, Bortus goes to Topa’s class and sees him playing with the female student he pushed earlier in the episode.

Just like that, another episode of The Orville concludes. I can say without a doubt that this was the best Moclan-focused episode so far. However, I think there is a lot to be said about this episode as a whole. It was a great story, and a great continuation of Heveena’s legacy, which began in season 1. I want to believe that Bortus’ words to Klyden at the end of the episode made an impression, but I’m not sure.

In truth, I could write an entire article (and after this season ends I just might) about how Klyden is simultaneously a comparison of two types of gay people. He is simultaneously (in my mind) a representation of these “reformed” LGBT people you see that come out of conversion therapy “cured,” and a representation of LGBT people who are forced into the closet due to tradition and fall so deep into religious doctrine and brainwashing that they begin to hate themselves for their difference to the norm.

Part of my frustration there comes from the fact that this hits close to home. I’ve seen this before. I’ve seen people deny themselves in the name of tradition. I’ve seen people model problematic ideals onto their children because they, “turned out okay.” It hits hard, but perhaps it should.

I think this episode of The Orville did a compelling job of showing how parental prejudice passes on to children. Children are not born with prejudice or hate. They are reflections of us. We impart these things onto them. Sometimes they rise above it, realize that their parents and those around them are wrong. Other times they become exactly what their parents modeled for them.

If there were more LGBT characters in The Orville I might not find Bortus and Klyden so exhausting. However, it seems as though every episode they are centered in has to be a teachable moment on some form of bigotry, with the “adult simulation addiction” episode not counted among them. Is it too much to ask to have an LGBT couple that could just be a normal Sci-Fi couple that isn’t there to serve the growth of closed-minded people?

I think normalizing LGBT relationships is important. Yet while I find that Bortus and Klyden’s struggles can be refreshing at times, only giving them these “socially relevant” stories without letting them indulge in high points as well becomes very taxing and exhausting. All in All, I hope The Orville continues to unravel these threads, but a few more light-hearted LGBT characters that are written with the same care as their other relationships couldn’t hurt.

I mean, Seth McFarlane and these writers got me to root for an interspecies Robot/Human relationship. If they can do that, why can’t they show off multiple facets of homosexual/LGBT characters that aren’t simply on the basis of extremism and growth? At any rate, there are two more episodes left in The Orville’s second season. I look forward to finishing this ride and seeing what Season 3 has to offer.

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Also, if you’d like to join the Phenixx Gaming team, check out our recruitment article for details on working with us.

Phenixx Gaming is proud to be a Humble Partner! Purchases made through our affiliate links support our writers and charity!

The Orville

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• Great Writing and Dialogue
• Incredible Costuming
• A Fight scene to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" is genius
• More Heveena Storyline

Cons

• Klyden is Exhausting