Warning: The following review contains spoilers for episode 4 of The Orvile’s third season, as well as references to previous episodes.

I’ve been loving my time with The Orville: New Horizons (Season 3) so far. The production quality is great, the writing has never been better, and the acting has been top-notch. Even when I was dissatisfied with the characters in episode 1…the grace and nuance of storytelling made “Electric Sheep” a compelling watch. Episode 4, “Gently Falling Rain” doesn’t ease up on the trend. In fact, it brings back one of my favorite guest characters, and pushes the story forward in a rather shocking direction.

The episode begins with a cold open involving a familiar face. In the background, we know that the Krill and the Union seek to reach a peace treaty. However, not all Krill are pleased by this. Teleya (my favorite guest character) has begun a campaign to run for Supreme Chancellor, opposing the treaty with the Union. She is growing in popularity amongst the Krill, despite the incumbent Chancellor Korin being projected to win.

Her campaign speech isn’t that surprising. She capitalizes on nationalism amongst her people, preying upon the fear that joining with the Union will lead to the sacrifice of Krill lives at the expense of those the Krill view as “lesser beings.” She also advocates against the “erosion of Krill Ideals and identity,” which sounds familiar if you look at our political landscape. Sadly, considering the state of our world right now, if we were a spacefaring race of the same technological level, I could see several of our politicians making the same statements.

I see Teleya’s words as a mirror of nationalist, religious rhetoric seen every day all over the news, Twitter, Facebook, and any other platform you can think of. It is that “us versus them” mentality that keeps people at each other’s throats and prevents real progress from being made. But the politics of the Krill being an allegory for modern strife isn’t exactly the point, so let’s move on.

Before we get too far into the episode though, I should reiterate that I like Teleya as a character. She serves as a fascinating foil. A lens through which we can see how the Krill view humanity and The Union. However, we know for certain that she is also not stupid. She is aware of the complexities of humanity outside of the teachings of Avis. If I had to guess, her fight for the role of Supreme Chancellor is a fight to gain control and power. But is there more to it than that?

After the cold open of Teleya’s campaign speech, we see a “Modern” (in-universe modern) take on the play “Annie”, with a young Xelayan girl as the titular orphan. The play is being performed for the Union as well as the Krill delegation, likely as an attempt to share Union culture with the Krill. After the performance, we get another view of the Krill’s ideology compared to the Union.

Their religious background is a cornerstone of their militaristic, conquering society. At the same time, The Union chooses the opposite approach, banding together with other races and exploring in the name of peace. These polar opposites seem doomed to be at odds, yet this is the closest the races have ever been to peaceful relations.

Despite the other Krill not seeing the need for the alliance, the incumbent Supreme Chancellor is pragmatic. He understands that cooperation will ensure the victory of the Krill and the Union, rather than incurring massive losses taking the Kaylon on alone. Korin is also aware that Teleya’s rhetoric is based on ignorance and fear, though it is clear that he doesn’t think much of her chances at winning.

Next, we see the Orville crew in a simulation of an old Western bar, sharing a few drinks. Sparks are flying between Talla and Lamarr and even better is the sight of Isaac in a cowboy hat and moustache. The pub crawl is interrupted by Admiral Halsey, who informs Kelly and Ed that he is requesting the Orville for transport duty en route to the Krill homeworld for the signing of the treaty.

I’m also going to take a side note here to mention that I absolutely love Victor Garber as Admiral Halsey. I’ve watched him for years in various roles, and it is always a treat to see him on screen. At any rate, the crew gears up for a long trip to the Krill homeworld, first picking up Union delegates for transport. When the delegates arrive on The Orville, Halsey reveals Teleya’s opposition to Ed.

He also reveals that Teleya is now regarded as a folk hero, with Ed’s release of her (last season) leading to a reinvention of herself. Once the treaty was announced, her rhetoric began to gain traction and she is gaining supporters by the day. It is a dangerous situation, and even if Korin wins, Teleya will stop at nothing to destabilize the alliance. As such, Halsey asks Ed for his advice, and it seems Ed is conflicted.

It makes sense really, they had an intimate (if short-lived) relationship last season, even if it was mostly subterfuge on Teleya’s part. Ed believed they’d made progress, but clearly, something changed. Later, Kelly goes to check on Ed, where he apologizes to her for ignoring her objections to Teleya’s release. Ed reveals to Kelly that both sides have been creating false video evidence discrediting the other.

This goes so far as to even fictitiously create situations and events that never happened. It is a digital political war, not unlike things we’ve seen in recent years, though on a more futuristic, macro scale. Kelly points out that while Teleya is running on fear rather than experience, emotions can be more persuasive than fact. Whether the incumbent chancellor realizes it or not, her chances aren’t as slim as he believes.

The Orville and the delegation meet with the Krill and are led to the planet. This is the first time a Union vessel has been allowed on the Krill planet. Ed, Charly, and the senators take a shuttle to the planet. The Krill homeworld is beautiful, but there are definitive differences between it and Earth on an architectural level.

The designers on The Orville production team did a great job of defining the sharp lines and dark aesthetic of the Krill city. Gothic influences and several other things give it a darker juxtaposition between a civilization and a religious, militaristic force. Charly joins Ed and the Senators on the planet, and we are led into a gorgeous, sprawling Krill building.

The statue of Avis in the center of the building is imposing. It further reminds both us and the characters that this is a harsh, hostile environment, even if they are here under the guise of peace. Things seem to be going well at first, with Korin feeling optimistic about the unannounced election results. The mood sours when the race becomes tighter, and Korin only seems to be winning by a small margin.

Teleya is projected to win, but Korin aims to challenge the result. That is, until some of Teleya’s supporters seek to arrest him, ultimately leading to what is effectively a coup. Ed, Charly, and the delegates are arrested, and things are not looking good. Things get worse for The Orville crew, as Teleya’s men attempt to board the ship to arrest them. They narrowly escape, but Ed and the others are left on the Krill homeworld.

Teleya is sworn in as the new Supreme Chancellor. She kills Korin in front of her followers, and with his death, it seems all hope for peace is gone. For once, Charly says something sensible as she speaks with Ed in their holding cell. Without the Krill alliance, the Kaylon will take advantage and the Union will be fighting a two-front war. The Krill will also be fighting it of course, but it definitely makes the Union’s chances of survival much worse.

Teleya then sends for Mercer specifically and rebukes his assertion that he thought they’d found common ground. Ed reiterates that the Krill and the Union need each other, but Teleya suggests that the Krill are stronger than ever. She also reveals that the Union delegation is to be executed in the morning. However, she did not count on Ed being there.

For a moment it seems like she hesitates, but then she stands firm on her assertion that she has made the right decision. Yet as they drag Ed away… she seems conflicted. Before bringing Ed back to his cell, they put a cloak over him, leading him elsewhere. Before we see what happens next, Teleya contacts Kelly on the Orville.

Strangely, Teleya taunts Kelly with knowledge of her infidelity and other information. The Union starts preparing for war, as well as a military rescue of the delegation. Meanwhile, Ed is led elsewhere, and yet before his captors can take him to his destination, they are intercepted by other Krill. He is led to a building where a shocking reveal takes place.

Ed and Teleya have a child! Anaya is Ed’s daughter. Teleya feared that if people knew about Anaya it would lead to scandal and kill her political aspirations. As such, she has never met her daughter, and a caretaker has tended to her. Ed introduces himself, and Anaya reveals that all her needs are met. She even shows Ed how to play with one of her toys.

Anaya is brilliant, vibrant, and the scene itself is surprisingly emotional. Anaya’s caretakers believe that a treaty with the Union is still possible. They believe that Anaya is a symbol of hope for their people. They want Ed to reveal Anaya to the world and persuade Teleya to embrace her as their daughter. It is also revealed that Teleya intended to let Ed go, rather than kill him.

Ed agrees to try and speak with Teleya and says his goodbyes to Anaya. It is hard to watch, knowing that Ed may not see Anaya again. Meanwhile, Kelly and the Union prepare an extraction. They hope to avoid conflict but are aware that it isn’t likely.

Back at the capital, Teleya reveals that she doesn’t want to kill Ed. In turn, Ed reveals that he knows about Anaya. Teleya believes Anaya will be better off hidden away, but Ed uses Krill teachings to suggest that Anaya might be the key to peace. Teleya tells Ed that Anaya’s name means “Gently Falling Rain”, and in a heated exchange, Ed asks her why she gave birth to Anaya if she was just going to keep her locked away.

She reveals that any Krill who terminates a pregnancy is forced to see a simulated version of the life they destroyed. It is a cruel fate and is horrifying to imagine. Ed tries to get through to Teleya, and though she seems affected… he is sent back to his cell. Later, Teleya greets her people, and it does not look good for Ed and the others.

Kelly mounts a rescue mission, but Teleya sends her forces to attack. Just in the nick of time, before the delegation can be killed, Claire and LaMarr arrive disguised as Krill and stage a rescue. Though both sides incurred losses, the delegates were saved. However, the treaty is effectively dead, at least for now.

Later, Admiral Halsey suggests that they could use Anaya to force Teleya’s hand, but Ed refuses. He asserts that Anaya didn’t ask to be born, and that he isn’t sure Teleya wouldn’t try to harm her to protect her interests. Regardless, Ed resolves that he will one day find a way to bring peace to the Union and the Krill, even if he never sees Anaya again.

The episode ends with a sweet moment between Kelly and Ed, as well as a moment of Teleya watching Anaya via a security feed. While I’m not sure we’ll get more information on this by the end of season 3, I’m relatively certain that if we get a Season 4, we’ll see Anaya again. “Gently Falling Rain” is easily my favorite episode of The Orville: New Horizons thus far.

Not only did the episode tackle hard-hitting social commentary on things like nationalism, but it also pushed forward a storyline that looking back seems inevitable. Teleya was geared to be important from the very start, and now it seems like she holds the key to whatever the future holds for the Krill, the Union, and Anaya. The Kaylon still looms large as the main threat this season, but if they don’t show their hand and give the Krill a real scare… the Union might have a war on two fronts to deal with.

I’m sure things will get worse before they get better, but I’m captivated by the story that is unfolding with each new episode of The Orville. I just hope we get an announcement soon that Season 4 has been greenlit. At the time of writing this, it hasn’t been confirmed. However, the reviews and viewership are good, so we can only hope.

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The Orville

10

Score

10.0/10

Pros

• Gorgeous visual design
• Great political commentary
• Wonderful acting and storyline
• The return of great guest characters
• Isaac with a moustache