Warning: The following review contains spoilers for episode 5 of The Orville’s third season, titled “A Tale of Two Topas” as well as references to previous episodes.

We’re at the halfway point of The Orville: New Horizons and I have been enjoying myself immensely. One of my previous complaints with The Orville was the over-reliance on storylines revolving around Bortus and his family. Each of the episodes was good, and they all had something important to say, but in previous seasons there was more time focused on the Moclan race than anyone else. Now that we’ve had a string of episodes that are more varied, with a looming Kaylon threat and tensions with the Krill, I don’t mind that episode 5 “A Tale of Two Topas” centers around Topa, Bortus, and Klyden again.

I knew that we’d get here eventually, as it was obvious to me at the end of last season that the storyline revolving around Topa’s forced gender reassignment wasn’t over. Between Heveena leading a female Moclan sanctuary and tensions between Bortus and Klyden, this storyline was bound to resurface. Without beating around the bush too much, let’s get into episode 5 “A Tale of Two Topas.”

The episode begins with the crew investigating a temple on a desert planet. Kelly is running the operation, and while talking to Ed she discovers that Ed has been writing letters to Anaya. He isn’t sending the letters, just writing them in the hopes that when he sees her again, she might want to read them. After an Indiana Jones-esque tomb-raiding interlude, the crew takes the treasures and artifacts from the temple back to The Orville.

In the meantime, Topa is in the simulator trying to prepare for the Union Point entrance exam. Kelly goes to the simulator to use it herself, and after talking to Topa agrees to guide them to help them prepare. Then, when the time comes, Topa can take the exam and pursue their dream. Later, Topa joins Kelly to shadow her for the day. The great part about this is that we get to see more of what goes into Kelly’s job as the First Officer.

After resolving a cultural dispute with a rather naked Ensign, Kelly and Topa continue their rounds, heading toward Engineering. Topa shows an intense desire to learn, and after asking Kelly why she chose to join the fleet, Topa reveals that they have felt incomplete ever since they were a child. Topa hopes that by exploring the stars as an officer, they can figure out who they truly are.

Kelly is shaken by Topa’s dissatisfaction with life and is aware (like the audience) that Topa’s identity was irrevocably changed due to Moclus’ rules about forcibly changing female Moclans to males. It is heartbreaking to hear Topa say that they feel as though something is wrong with them. Kelly goes to speak to Claire and Ed, explaining what Topa confided in her about.

Kelly expresses her concerns and tells them that she wants guidance. She doesn’t want to betray Topa’s trust, but she feels as though she is lying by omission by not confessing what happened. Ed suggests speaking with Bortus, and on that suggestion, Kelly goes to see Bortus and Klyden as they are eating dinner.

As you can expect from Klyden’s usual attitude toward this subject, the conversation does not go well. Kelly confesses that Topa’s not being there for dinner is because she wanted to speak to Bortus and Klyden alone, and thus put Topa to work on something that would assist their exam prep. Kelly presents her concerns about Topa’s origins, and Klyden becomes angry. Bortus supports Kelly as Kelly expresses what she has seen, heard, and feels about the situation, but Klyden is less than cooperative.

Klyden doesn’t want Topa shadowing Kelly or spending time with her, though Kelly asks Bortus to speak to Topa, and it is clear that Bortus is concerned by what she has revealed. I’ve made it clear in previous reviews that I’m not at all fond of Klyden for various reasons. He comes from the same background as Topa and yet has no empathy for the situation at all.

On top of that, for someone aboard a Union ship, he refuses to bend even slightly away from Moclus’ stringent, militant ideals. Where Bortus has grown to be a kind, yet strong man, Klyden is stubborn, cold, and in some ways, cruel. Bortus and Klyden argue, but Klyden’s internalized feelings about his origins blind him from being able to see the situation clearly.

As mentioned, Klyden forbids Topa from training with Kelly. Topa is heartbroken and asks Kelly to speak to Klyden, but she asserts that this time she won’t be able to change Klyden’s mind. Topa goes to engineering and after speaking with Charly for a bit, Topa approaches Isaac. Topa asks Isaac what it is like to be dead, and because Isaac doesn’t understand that this question is a cry for help, he tells the truth, that he felt nothing.

Thankfully, Isaac is concerned by this line of questioning and tells Kelly what transpired. This rattles Kelly, as it should, and she later finds Topa in the mess hall. She tries to reach Topa, to let them know she is there for them, but Topa asserts that they are fine. Kelly tells Topa to have a slice of a Moclan delicacy known as Kimbock which is also part of a password to a file detailing Topa’s origins

Kelly immediately goes to Claire and confides in her about what she has done. In the meantime, Klyden finds Bortus and tells him that Topa never arrived when they were supposed to play together. Topa is understandably angry after finding out about their origins, especially after Klyden tries to lie. Bortus tells the truth, but Klyden only makes things worse by continuing to act as though Topa was born “malformed.”

Bortus stands up for Topa and asserts that he loves them regardless of how Topa was born. Klyden angrily confronts Kelly, but Kelly asserts that she was doing the right thing regardless of Klyden’s worldview. After an angry and tense exchange, Klyden leaves Kelly’s office. She is then visited by Bortus, who wants her help. Topa will not speak to either of her parents, and Kelly reveals that Claire has been able to talk to Topa, which is a good sign at least.

Kelly apologizes to Bortus, but explains that she could see how much pain Topa was in. Bortus reveals that he was the one who gave Topa the password and that Topa didn’t find it on her own. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and Bortus is emotional as he confesses that he doesn’t know how to help Topa.

Ed and Kelly check on Topa, and Claire suggests that the best thing they can do for Topa right now is listen. Kelly confesses to Topa that she wanted to tell the truth sooner, but she couldn’t blatantly go against Klyden and Bortus’ wishes. Topa tells Kelly that they wish they could meet a Moclan female, so Kelly takes Topa to the simulator.

She shows Topa how Heveena pled on Topa’s behalf, and Topa is visibly moved by her eloquence. Kelly and Topa return to Claire, where Topa asserts that she is female. She wants Claire to undo the gender reassignment surgery.

Klyden is not pleased, but Kelly believes that it is Topa’s choice to make. Bortus supports Kelly’s analysis, and despite Klyden’s protests, says Topa has the right to decide her fate. Klyden says that Topa is too young to make the decision, but Kelly correctly points out that Klyden made the decision when Topa was a baby. How is that different? At least Topa is choosing it herself.

Claire asserts that Topa’s wishes matter here and that despite Klyden’s protests it would just be restoring what was taken from Topa. The decision is ultimately up to Bortus because the Union rule states only one parent has to consent. Klyden threatens to leave Bortus if he consents, but there is a bigger problem.

The Union refuses to sanction it because Moclus will leave the Union if it takes place. Claire is ordered not to perform the procedure because she is a union officer. If she wasn’t a union officer then they could do the procedure, but it would humiliate the Moclans if they go around their verdict. Losing Moclan support would weaken the union against the Kaylon.

The crew is devastated and has no idea how to tell Topa what has been decided. Bortus agrees to tell Topa himself and Kelly accompanies him to do so. Topa is angry, justifiably so. What they are asking of her is unfair, to live a lie just to satisfy political peace. Kelly assures Topa that they will find a way, but Topa is devastated.

Later, Claire suggests that perhaps she can resign her position, which would thereby no longer make her a Union physician. As such, she could operate with no blowback from the Moclans. Ed and Kelly point out that not only would that end her career, but it would make her a target for the Moclans. Claire believes that it is a fair trade if she can help Topa.

Surprisingly, Isaac has a better idea. Isaac is not a union officer and thus could use the information from the ship’s computer to perform the operation. This would give the Union plausible deniability, save Claire’s career, and give Topa what she needs. Ed tells Isaac that he is “officially” ordering him not to do the procedure, so that if he does go through with it, no one on the Orville knows or sanctions it.

Ed schedules a concert where Bortus will sing for the crew, thus giving Isaac time to perform the procedure with no one else being the wiser. I love that we get a musical performance from Bortus this time, unlike the tease we got early in the show’s run.

Isaac takes Topa to the med bay to perform the surgery. Isaac assures Topa that she will be fine, despite Topa’s nerves. Klyden tries to stop the procedure, but Isaac refuses to let him have his way. After a tense few moments, Klyden leaves the medical bay. After the procedure, Topa looks at herself in the mirror and smiles, truly seeing herself as she should have been from the start.

The Union commander is angry. The Moclans are furious, but since a Kaylon performed the procedure, it only emboldened their resolve to vanquish the Kaylon. As such, the commander slaps them on the wrist, despite their insubordination. Despite threatening Ed and Kelly’s career should they step out of line again, the commander sends her regards to Topa.

Further cementing my distaste for Klyden, as he leaves Bortus and Topa, he makes it very clear that he wishes Topa were never born. Bortus tells her that she is perfect the way she is, regardless of what Klyden says. Even though I knew Klyden and Bortus would split eventually, it doesn’t make this any less infuriating. The fact that Klyden couldn’t see past his religious upbringing is nothing short of shameful. To reject your child that way is an unforgivable act.

Claire goes to see Isaac, where he reveals that he helped Topa in the hopes that it would mend relations with the crew a bit more. Claire invites him to dinner, and it seems that things are finally starting to look up for Isaac and Claire’s relationship.

The episode ends with Topa joining Kelly and the crew on the bridge to resume her training. “A Tale of Two Topas” was a fantastic episode. It brought Topa’s arc (thus far anyway) back to where it all began, continued the story of Klyden and Bortus’ inevitable split over Klyden’s beliefs, and charted new territory. I have to applaud the effects and makeup teams, which were able to give Topa a visual identity both pre and post-gender-affirming care that showcased her journey. The actress also did a great job at showcasing Topa’s feelings of restraint, and then eventual liberation.

I have no doubt that the Moclans will eventually make good on their threat to leave the Union. I have a feeling that by the end of this season, the war with the Kaylon will have far-reaching effects for the crew and The Union as a whole. However, The Orville continues to treat sensitive subjects with nuance and care, in a way that makes it an absolute must-watch.

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 acting
• Delicate yet powerful writing
• Clever costume design for Topa
• Interesting plot development in a character-focused episode

Cons

• Klyden is obnoxiously frustrating