The Orville Season 2, Episode 7: Deflectors

This week on The Orville there's good news as well as bad. The Good: We get our first ever Talla-centric episode. The Bad: We get yet another in a seemingly endless series of glimpses into Moclan society. 

Jessica Szohr, aka Talla, did an awesome job for her first time in the spotlight. She proved she can carry an episode as well as the rest of the cast, as she absolutely nailed her highly emotional scenes. Great job!

That said, I felt the Talla/Locar romance was incredibly rushed. They shared one kiss after knowing each other for literally two hours, and that was somehow enough for the two of them to fall deeply in love. The whole thing felt completely unearned, especially Talla's sorrow over their untimely breakup.

Maybe if they'd taken things further than a simple kiss, or had known one another a week or more, their love might have been a bit more believable.

Speaking of rushed, Cassius' unexpected departure was also much too abrupt. Even though he's appeared multiple times this season, we've really only seen him and Kelly alone as a couple twice— and one of those times was in this episode! We definitely needed to see them together more often. As is, their breakup had little or no impact in this episode.

This seems to be an ongoing problem with this series— none of the story ever have enough time to breathe. Janel Tyler was introduced in the season premiere, and then in her second appearance she's revealed to be a Krill spy. 

Slow down, MacFarlane. Let your plots stew a bit before you serve them.

I'm also a little disappointed that Cassius' departure seemingly clears the way for Mercer & Kelly to get back together. The show's demonstrated time and again that they work better as friends rather than lovers, so we don't need to see it proved yet again. The whole "Will They Or Won't They" plotline played itself out long ago.

I was less than enthused to see we were getting another Moclan episode so soon. MacFarlane likes to use them to examine various gender and sexual orientation themes in our own society. That's all well and good, but they need to be used sparingly. Let's hope he dials back on the Moclans for the rest of the season.

That said, the Moclans were cleverly used in this episode. Their same-sex society, which is meant to seem progressive to us, is revealed to be oppressive and unyielding when it comes to accepting someone who's different. It's an interesting spin that's definitely intended to mirror or own world.

Lastly, at the end of this episode Mercer wonders aloud how long the Union will put up with the backward and destructive attitudes of Moclas. I'm betting this was a setup for a future conflict in which the planet's either secedes or is kicked out of the Union.

SPOILERS!

The Plot:
Kelly & Cassius enjoy a recreation of 1945 New York City in the Environmental Simulator. Cassius pesters her to take a trip with him, but she says it's not a good time. He tells her she needs to find a balance between her work and downtime, like he has. Kelly asks him what he wants out of their relationship (uh-oh), and he says to eventually get married. She says she's been there & done that, and is in no hurry to marry again.

She then blindsides Cassius by saying they should break up. Cassius wants to discuss it further, but Kelly's called to the bridge. She tells him she doesn't want to see him anymore.

Cut to the Orville arriving at Moclas (again!?!?!?). A massive Moclan cruiser pulls up next to the ship, as a shuttle flies over to the Orville and lands in its bay.

In the Shuttle Bay, Mercer, Kelly and Bortus welcome Captain Rechik and Locar, a brilliant Moclan engineer. He's there to oversee an upgrade to the Orville's deflector shields. Locar greets Bortus, who grunts a tepid reply.

After Talla takes Locar to his quarters, Kelly asks Bortus how he knows Locar. Bortus says, "He was once my kodashik. What you would call an 'old boyfriend." He turns on his heel and exits, leaving Mercer & Kelly with their mouths hanging open.

Locar inspects Engineering, as Bortus and Talla look on. He says he hopes to have a chance to get together with Bortus later. Bortus grunts that he's much too busy and exits. Talla tells Locar to let her know if he needs anything. He gives her a long, hard look as she leaves (hmm...).

That night, Bortus eats dinner with Klyden and their son Topa. Klyden knows that Bortus' ex is on board, and asks what they talked about. Bortus says they spoke only about work. Suddenly Locar shows up at their door. Bortus tells him to get lost, but Klyden invites him in for dinner. Klyden asks Locar if he has a mate, but he says he's "too busy." Klyden gives him a knowing look.

The next day, Locar and John complete the deflector upgrade. Mercer contacts Captain Rechik and says they're ready for the test. The Orville activates its new shields and takes off, as the Moclan ship follows closely behind. The Moclans fire live rounds at the Orville, which are easily deflected.

Suddenly the Moclans lobs a powerful torpedo, which rocks the Orville. The new deflectors fizzle out, and John says he's calling off the test. Locar tells him to wait, assuring him the shields will reset themselves. Sure enough, they reset and return to full power. Locar and Talla exchange smiles (hmm...) as John calls the test a success.

Mercer enters Kelly's office and notices a cookie bouquet on her desk. She says it's from Cassius, and admits to Mercer that they broke up. Mercer offers a very week, "Oh no" at this news. Talla enters and says the upgrade should be finalized in another forty eight hours.

Talla returns to her quarters and is surprised to see Locar waiting for her. When she asks what he's doing there, he hesitates and says he's attracted to her. She's skeptical, since he's from a single-sex species. Locar says there are others like him on Moclus, but they have to keep their feelings secret or face imprisonment and familial disgrace.

He says he told her because he sensed she was attracted to him as well. She says she just met him, and doesn't know how she feels. Embarrassed, he apologizes and leaves.

In the Mess Hall, Kelly vents her feelings about Cassius to Mercer. It's hard to tell if he's glad or genuinely feels bad for her. A few tables away, Gordon and John watch the "Ed & Kelly Show." Talla says it's obvious that Mercer and Kelly are still in love, and asks why they don't just get back together. Gordon notes that the only two people onboard with a normal relationship are Claire and Isaac.

Talla finds Locar staring out a window. He says he hasn't even told his family about his feelings, as it would bring them great shame. Talla asks if he'd like to go for a walk. For some reason, she takes him to Kelly's New York program in the Simulator— a place and era that two aliens are sure to appreciate. She teaches him how to dance, and after a minute or two he leans in and kisses her. She doesn't stop him.

Suddenly Kelly calls Talla to her quarters. Talla tells Locar she'll be right back, and to enjoy New York. He looks around the simulation for a while, and then begins practicing dancing by himself (I guess it didn't occur to him to conjure up a holographic partner).

Just then Klyden enters the Simulator (what is it with this guy always barging in on people there?). He hisses that he knows what Locar is, and says he's going to inform the authorities.

In the most superfluous cutaway scene ever, Talla enters Kelly's quarters, where Cassius has apparently gifted her with a gigantic talking sentient plant. The plant talks up Cassius, and urges Kelly to get back together with him. Kelly's unimpressed, and orders Talla to remove it pronto.

Talla returns to the Simulator and finds Locar's gone. She asks the computer for his location, and finds he's nowhere on the ship. She tells the Simulator to replay what happened while she was gone, which is apparently a thing it can do (?). It displays Locar dancing by himself, as someone else enters the room. Unfortunately she can't see who the someone is, as their image has been corrupted. Suddenly the mystery person pulls out a blaster and disintegrates Locar! Holy Crap!

Cut to the conference room, as the Orville's senior staff and Captain Rechik discuss Locar's death. Gordon wonders why Locar was in the Simulator in the first place. Talla admits she took him there after he announced he was attracted to her. Rechik flies into a rage, saying he won't listen to such outrageous slander. He says Talla must have done something to Locar. Mercer tells Talla to wait in his office, and assures Rechik they'll get to the bottom of the matter.

Later, Mercer and Kelly meet with Talla and tell her she should have given them a heads up about her relationship with Locar. She says she'll make up for her mistake by finding his murderer.

Bortus accuses Talla of encouraging a dangerous impulse in Locar. She assures him that Locar was the one who came on to her, not the other way around. She says she expected more from Bortus, considering what the Moclans did to his daughter. This enrages Bortus, and he tells her to get the hell out.

Meanwhile, John and Isaac are in the Simulator, attempting to repair the corrupted image of the murderer. Isaac makes an adjustment, and the image resolves into Klyden. Yikes!

Cut to Klyden being held in the Brig, as Mercer and Kelly question him. Klyden says he went to the Simulator to tell Locar he was turning him in to the Moclan authorities, but didn't kill him. Talla tells Mercer she believes him, despite the evidence. Bortus asks to speak to Klyden alone, and demands to know the truth. Again, Klyden says he's innocent.

John tells Talla he's suspicious of the Simulator incident, because it was too easy to clear up the distortion. He says it's almost like someone wanted them to discover Klyden's incriminating image, in order to frame him.

Talla apologizes to Bortus for her earlier outburst. He confesses he met Locar years ago when they were both in the service, and fell in love with him. Shortly afterward he caught Locar with an alien woman on shore leave. He kept his "perversion" a secret though, as Locar's life would be over if anyone ever found out. Talla says she'd kill herself if she had to live in an oppressive society like Moclas. Bortus says suicide is also an unforgivable crime on his world.

Talla thinks about Bortus' comment, and comes to the conclusion that Locar isn't really dead. She gathers everyone in the Simulator and begins monologuing. She says after Klyden's threat, Locar knew his life was over, so he used his engineering skills to fake his own death. She believes he's still onboard the Orville. Mercer gives her permission to search the ship.

The entire Security Team begins a thorough search of the ship, looking in every nook and cranny (literally!). Talla checks out a shuttle, and hears a noise behind her. She realizes Locar's hiding inside the shuttle, and he suddenly appears. He tells her he's been using a personal cloaking device to hide until he figures out what to do.

Locar begs Talla not to turn him in. She says she can't do that, as it would mean Klyden would go to prison. She suggests Locar go to Mercer and request asylum. For some reason Locar refuses, and insists on returning to Moclas to face the music. He says Talla's betrayed him, and whatever happens next is all on her.

Later on, Mercer and Kelly have dinner. He says he doesn't know how much longer the Union will put up with Moclas' antics. Cassius approaches, and Mercer excuses himself. He asks Kelly if she's still in love with Mercer, and she mumbles that she'll always have feelings for him. A sad look crosses Cassius' face, as he says he's put in for a transfer to another ship.

Klyden thanks Talla for freeing him. She says she was just doing her job, and warns him to stay away from her from now on. Klyden returns to his quarters, where Bortus is staring out the window. He silently glares at Klyden, who walks away.

On Moclas, Locar is led into a courtroom in chains. He stands before a judge, who bangs a block on the bench, presumably sentencing him to life in prison.

Thoughts:
• This week we find out that Kelly likes spending time in a simulation of 1945 New York City. According to Kelly, the simulation makes her feel "less isolated," as she can "lose herself in another time and forget she's in space."

OK, I'll buy the losing yourself in another time bit, but why 1945? That's a whopping FIVE HUNDRED years ago from Kelly's perspective! That'd be like you or me enjoying a simulation of the 1600s! Personally I don't think I'd enjoy "losing myself" in a simulation filled with poor hygiene, untreated water, rampant disease and bloodletting!

Methinks some show on the Fox lot built a vintage New York City street, and MacFarlane saw it and thought it'd be fun to use it in an episode before it was torn down.

• For a second I thought Kelly was sitting in the New York City simulation practicing her breakup with Cassius. As it turns out, it was the real thing!

• Cassius doesn't let us down this week, as once again he sports some truly awful 25th Century fashions. While I'm sad to see the character go, I won't miss his taste in clothes.

• I really like the design of Moclan ships. They're sleek and intimidating, which I'm sure is their intent. It also looks like every race in this particular universe has adopted some variation of the Orville's "ring engines."

• Once again we see a race whose shuttlecraft are simply miniature versions of their capital ships. 

Also, why don't any of the shuttles on this show ever have landing gear? No matter what race it is, their shuttles simply plop down on their bottoms. Seems like that could cause unnecessary damage or place undo stress on the hulls.

• I audibly groaned when the Orville arrived at Moclus, as I thought this was gonna be yet ANOTHER Bortus episode. Nothing against him, mind you, but... he's hogged the spotlight enough lately. Time to give someone else a shot. Luckily it wasn't about Bortus after all, as it turned out to be a Talla episode.

• So Moclan society, which consists of a single sex, is prejudiced against anyone who's attracted to a different sex. I see what you did there, MacFarlane.

• During their awkward dinner, Klyden & Locar have the following conversation.

Klyden: "Do you have a mate of your own, Locar?"
Locar: "I do not. My work demands much of my time."
Klyden: (in a patronizing tone) "It must be very difficult."

It's pretty obvious here that Klyden suspects Locar's "abnormal." In fact he probably already knows he's single, and asked just to see what he'd say. And Locar might as well have said the classic "I just haven't found the right guy yet" excuse.

• Bortus is my spirit animal! His expression here is identical to the one I tend to walk around with all day.

• Loved the cupcakes (complete with little Orville's on them) that Ensign Turco brought to Engineering!

• Man, Locar absolutely towers over the Orville crew! According to IMDB, actor Kevin Daniels, aka Locar, is 6' 5". If that's true, then the regular cast must all be five feet tall!

Daniels' height is especially noticeable whenever he shares a scene with Talla. Jesus, couldn't they have found a box for her to stand on?

• Speaking of height— apparently Yaphit is somehow able to "see" through the tendrils he forms. Either that or he's just guessing what buttons he's pushing! Wouldn't it be easier if he just stretched his body vertically a bit so he could see the console?

• Haw! I loved the fact that Mercer took Kelly's cookie bouquet for himself. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get a scene in which Mercer runs into Cassius in the hallway, and has to try and explain why he's got his bouquet!

So why's Mercer acting like this basket of cookies is such a rare commodity? It's not like there's a limited supply of them onboard. He could order one from the Synthesizer any time he wants!

• Not sure if this the marquee in the New York simulation was an Easter egg or just a coincidence. It lists Gene KELLY and Kathryn GRAYSON. Get it? Kelly & Grayson? Kelly Grayson? Eh?

By the way, there really was an Anchors Aweigh that starred those three actors, and it was actually released in 1945— the year in which the simulation's set!

• Once again the Environmental Simulator gets a workout during an episode, and gains even more peculiar abilities.

I'm always puzzled by these kinds of shots. Based on what we see here, the Simulator's back wall has to be parallel to the doorway. Which means everything on either side is a holographic projection, to give the illusion of depth, and make the room seem much bigger than it is. 

So what would happen if Talla or Locar decided to investigate those brownstone buildings behind the door? They'd walk right smack into the wall, right? Seems like the Simulator should do something to prevent that. Like parking a car in the way, or setting up a holographic sawhorse to block anyone from getting too close to the wall.

Another oddity: the Simulator apparently records everything that goes on inside it (yikes!), and can play it back on command. Here's where it gets really weird though— not only does it display the holographic characters in its playback, but it apparently recreates REAL crewmembers and their actions as well! Much like a holographic security tape.

Wha...? Why the hell would it ever need that function? And how is it recreating real people? It'd be like having a VCR that recorded me watching the show I was taping!

Lastly, the Simulator has safety settings in it, to prevent users from actually getting hurt (just like the holodeck on TNG). These safeties can be overridden though (also just like on TNG). Amazingly, the Simulator is capable of creating a holographic blaster that can disintegrate a person! Does that seem right? How can a hologram kill someone? It'd have to be able to create a REAL gun in order to disintegrate someone, wouldn't it? Can the Simulator create real objects?

And yes, I know Locar faked the record of Klyden killing him with a holographic blaster. But the crew had no trouble believing someone could do this, so it has to be possible.

I enjoyed Locar's interaction with the holographic little girl in the Simulator.

Holographic Girl: "Who are you?"
Locar: "I am Locar."
Holographic Girl: "What's wrong with your head?"
Locar: "I am a Moclan."
Holographic Girl: "Oh. This is Betty. I got her for Christmas."
Locar: "That is not my concern."

• Apparently kissing is a universal demonstration of affection, practiced on multiple planets.

• This is a very minor nitpick, but still worth a mention— Talla's last name of "Keyali" is very similar to "Kelly." 

At one point Kelly pages Talla, saying, "Grayson to Kelali." The way she pronounces Talla's name makes it sound almost identical to "Kelly." So for a second I thought Kelly was paging herself!

• Jesus Christ, Klyden has a real knack for entering the Simulator at the worst possible time! Is there a lock on that door? If so, why the hell doesn't anyone ever use it to keep Klyden from barging in?

• Speaking of Klyden, how much longer is Mercer gonna put up with his sh*t before he kicks him off the ship for good? A few episodes back he stabbed (and technically killed!) Bortus as part of a Moclan divorce. This week he threatens a visiting dignitary, becomes a murder suspect and gets another Moclan sentenced to life in prison!

One more strike and he should be outta there!

• I reeeeeeeally could have done without the scene with the Katrudian in Kelly's quarters. It was painfully unfunny and didn't match the tone of the episode at all. In fact it felt like something they'd have done in the early days of Season 1. 

It was also completely pointless. You could excise the entire scene and it wouldn't affect the plot one bit!

By the way, according to Seth MacFarlane that was Bruce Willis voicing the giant plant. This is probably the most committed and energetic performance by Willis in twenty years!

• Poor Doctor Finn only gets one line this week. Actually it's barely a line, as all she says is, "What for?" I wonder how much she got paid for saying those two words?

• Bortus is angered by Talla's relationship with Locar, telling her, "You encouraged a dangerous impulse!" Yes, Bortus, this is nothing like the time you endangered the entire ship so you could masturbate in the Simulator.

• When Klyden's cooling his heels in the Brig, he tells Bortus, "Topa will be returning home from school soon. You should prepare his snack."

What prepare? This ship has Food Synthesizers, that can materialize any dish in seconds. Why's Bortus have to be there for that? Couldn't Topa order a peanut butter sandwich from the Synthesizer himself?

• Late in the third act, Talla suspects Locar's not really dead. She assembles her security team to search the ship for him.

Get a load of that baby-faced black security guard on the right. He looks like he's fifteen, tops! Things must be going badly for the Union if they're recruiting teenagers!

• Security leaves no stone unturned as they search for Locar. I love this guard here, who's actually looking inside a panel that's all of six inches deep! "Nope, no seven foot tall Moclan hiding inside this bread box-sized compartment!"

• Wow, the Orville has Jefferies Tubes just like every version of the Enterprise!

• I'm really starting to dislike Klyden. He guesses Locar's "perversion," and decides to squeal to the authorities. He could have easily kept quiet about it like Bortus did, but he rather ruin Locar's life and get him sentenced to prison— for something that's none of his goddamned business.

Add this to Klyden's enthusiastic insistence on turning Topa into a boy, and I have to wonder how much longer Bortus is going to put up with his awful mate's antics.

Locar's no saint either, as he actually fakes his own murder in order to frame Klyden! Yes, Klyden was about to ruin Locar's life, but is retaliating in kind really the answer? It doesn't exactly endear him to the audience.

If that wasn't enough, Locar tries to guilt Talla— who he supposedly loves— into going along with his plan and letting Klyden hang (or whatever they do to murderers on Moclas). It's manipulative and unfair for him to put her in that position.

Bortus is the only Moclan who comes out of this episode with his reputation unscathed!

• This Week's Incongruous 20th Century (And Earlier!) References:
Not too many this week, other than the New York City simulation and the song (They'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover.

The song was written in 1941, about a year after the Battle Of Britain. The Nazis had conquered much of Europe at that time, and were still bombing England—  specifically the Dover area. At the time, America and Russia had yet to join the war, so England was the only major European power battling the Germans.

The melancholy song lyrics look forward to a time when the war would be over, and England would finally be at peace. It's a particularly apt song for this episode.

• This Week's Star Trek Swipes:
Deflectors is VERY similar to the TNG episode The Outcast. In that story, the Enterprise-D encounters the J'naii, a race of androgynous, genderless beings. Commander Riker works closely with a J'naii scientist named Soren. Eventually Soren admits "it" identifies as a female, an act considered a crime on its world. Soren also confesses she's attracted to Riker. He tells her the feeling's mutual. Eventually Soren's "perversion" is discovered, and  the government forces "her" to undergo mandatory conversion therapy.

It also shares elements with the TNG episode A Matter Of Perspective, in which Riker (again!) is accused of murder after a visit to an alien planet. The crew then uses the holodeck to recreate and the crew uses the holodeck to recreate the incident in question and prove his innocence.

It's also somewhat similar to the TNG episode Peak Performance, in which an alien consultant comes aboard the Enterprise-D to observe them during wargames.

Locar faking his own death and Talla searching the ship for him is a nod to the TOS episode Court Martial. In that story, Lt. Commander Finney resents Captain Kirk for an imagined slight. He then fakes his own death, in order to incriminate Kirk. Spock figures out that Finney's not really dead and is likely still on board. McCoy uses a souped-up medical sensor to locate Finney's heartbeat in Engineering, where Kirk confronts him.

• This Week's Best Lines:
Ensign Turco: "Hey, guys, I brought us some good-luck cupcakes."
Dann: "Oh, my God, Jenny, those look amazing."
Ensign Turco: "Yeah, see, look, they have little Orvilles on them."
(Dann picks up a cupcake and moves it toward his mouth.)
Dann: "Uh-oh. Tractor beam activated. It's pulling us in. Oh, no!"

Ensign Turco: "Locar, cupcake?"
Locar: "No."
Ensign Turco: "You sure?"
Locar: "I HAVE GIVEN YOU MY ANSWER!"

Kelly: "Your ex seems like a pretty nice guy, Bortus."
Bortus: (growls incoherently)
Isaac: "May I ask why you terminated your coupling?"
Bortus: "We were incompatible."
Gordon: "When Moclans break up, is there, like, all that stabbing, like with the divorce?"
Bortus: "No. Each Moclan extracts a tooth and leaves it with his former mate."
Gordon: "Yeah. I knew it had to be something like that. Do you still have the tooth?"
Bortus: "No. It is given to the next mate."
Gordon: "Uh, let me guess. He eats it."
Bortus: "That is correct."
Gordon: "Yes! Man, I'm getting so good at this."

(The Moclan ship fires live rounds at the Orville to test its new shields.)
Gordon: "That was a torpedo!"
Mercer: "Hey, guys, no torpedoes, okay? We said no torpedoes."
Captain Rechik: "My apologies, Captain."
Mercer: (to Kelly) "We said no torpedoes, right?"
Kelly: "I was right there when we said it."
Mercer: "You were right there."

Mercer: (seeing the cookie bouquet on Kelly's desk) "Is it, like, an anniversary or something?"
Kelly: "No, I, uh I broke up with him."
Mercer: (in a flat, emotionless voice) "Oh, no."
Kelly: "Wow, that was really convincing."

Gordon: "You know, there's something seriously wrong with all of us when the most stable relationship on the Orville is Isaac's."
John: "Yeah, man, what's your secret?"
Isaac: "Doctor Finn has cautioned me against speaking too openly about our coupling."
Talla: "Did something happen?"
Gordon: "Oh, yeah. He was going around the ship asking everybody what sexual positions are most pleasurable to biological life-forms."
Isaac: "I was merely attempting to provide Doctor Finn with the most dutifully calibrated coital experience."
Gordon: "Yeah, no, that's what women want: dutiful coitus."

Talla: "It's got to be hard living there feeling the way you do."
Locar: "For a long time, I had no one to tell. I tried to hide it, not only from others but from myself. Had I not left Moclus, that would still be so."
Talla: "I'm assuming your family doesn't know."
Locar: "The shame would be theirs as well. They would be ruined."
Talla: "Tough crowd on your planet."
Locar: "On Moclus, mediocrity is the only behavior above suspicion."

Talla: "I mean, this has to be the most insane thing that's ever happened on this ship."
John: "One time I almost died 'cause I humped a statue."
Gordon: "Isaac once cut my leg off."
John: "The captain and commander, they got put in a zoo."
Gordon: "And Bortus almost crashed the ship 'cause of porn."
Talla: "I see."

Locar: "My brother says, 'No friendship is complete until your friend turns to you in despair.' I turn to you now."