The Orville: New Horizons Episode 3.5 "A Tale of Two Topas" Discussion Post

[senshi_forever]

The Orville: New Horizons season 3, episode 5, "A Tale of Two Topas", is now on Hulu! What do you think???

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A brand-new episode of The Orville: New Horizons begins now!!! #theorville #theorvillenewhorizons
- Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) June 30, 2022
I'm gonna admit... there were a few moments where I gasped out loud (warning: spoilers and

Comments

[poisonapple73]

I have mixed feelings on some of the metaphors they've done with the Moclans re: sex/gender/trans issues/intersex issues. If I was watching it totally divorced from modern discourse I think I would like it wholeheartedly- its internal logic all tracks and it's very moving. But since it's clearly intended as a metaphor for modern trans kids but is closer to the intersex experience, and encompasses the storyline they did about compulsory homosexuality...ehhh I don't know. I would be interested to see what trans viewers make of it, I guess I'll do some digging.

Kylden is a good villian. I really hate him, but the writing and acting is so strong.

I also like the new admiral! I hope we see more of her.

It was nice to have such a Kelly-centric episode as well.

[senshi_forever]

https://youtu.be/X3o2CNC8aVs

Please start here. I really enjoy her reviews and for this video, I believe she touches on everything you just mentioned.

EDIT: I don't know to embed videos on mobile, sorry! But it's the review of the episode from Jesse Gender's After Dark YouTube channel.

[poisonapple73]

Thank you, much appreciated! I will check this out.

[screamingintune]

I see the Moclans as a civilization where misogyny was simply taken to its fullest extreme. Less of a perfect allegory for the trans experience and more the result of a society that literally hates its women so much it tries to erase them from existence

[glitterslugs]

wait ok i see my mom watching this show all the time and i thought it was the new star trek LOL

[senshi_forever]

I'm so happy your mom watches! I hope you choose to give it a chance too ☺️

[beesknees7]

the newest star trek is pretty orville-esque so that makes sense

[xpirate_queenx]

It is the new Star Trek tbh

[lurkurheartout]

I was such a casual fan, but this season really made me love this series more. I couldn't believe I was crying by the end of this episode. Who would have thought a Sci-Fi show by the guy who made Family Guy would hit you like that. Between last episode and this one, the writing is amazing. I hope enough people watch so we get another season. It's a great show.

[senshi_forever]

I went out of my comfort zone to join this community after years of lurking solely because I wanted to start discussion posts and hopefully invite some engagement from other fans. I love this show so, so, so freaking much, and I second your hope that we get a fourth season. I hope I'm helping to spread the word even just a tiny bit ❤️🚀🌠

[x_spinfaster]

this comment is so cute with joining ontd just to make these posts! I only came into this post bc I've thought about watching this show but never started, and wanted to see what people were saying. your comment is making me want to try it out more now :)

[screamingintune]

just wanted to say, it's a really cute show! like, if you liked the 90s Star Treks (TNG, DS9, VOY), you will love Orville, it has a very similar vibe.

it can be serious or funny or heavy or trippy or tense or light... truly how sci-fi should be where it can be experimental with tone

[jorwuvsyou]

When Bortus broke and said he didn’t know how to help her I lost it.

This was such a good episode. And so was the previous one.

[xorogueox]

So like… I cried during the first Topa episode, idk how it will go with this one. The storyline is so… I don’t know, heart wrenching?