Definitely one of the weaker episodes of The Orville. The concept of witnessing a civilization's development in 700-year time leaps is an interesting one, but the execution is lacking. The trope of religious people being mindless, tyrannical bigots is getting a little tired. Even the prelude is a bit contrived and drags. Ed wants to get together with Kelly again... because he's bored? The Moclans invite him for a drink and - suprise! - the drink is terrible. They invite him to play a game and - surprise! - the game is violent. Why do I see that coming from a mile away and Ed doesn't? Why do these people not understand that their food and drink might not be suitable or palatable to other species? None of this is credible, and it's too predictable to be funny.
The biggest problem is how careless Kelly is about what they call cultural contamination (violating the prime directive in the Star Trek universe), and Ed as well. Isaac even reminds her of it and then she goes right ahead and violates it... because a little girl fell over? Really? "The girl would have died!" First of all, that wound wasn't lethal, second of all, if you mess up a whole civilization, much worse things than a girl dying from an accident can happen, which is exactly why interference is forbidden. Why don't Ed and Kelly know that? It really doesn't make any sense. At least use your scanner or ask Isaac to make sure there aren't any people around who could see you helping the girl.
It's a similar problem as in the Black Mirror type social media voting episode wherein John Lamarr acts like a complete fool throughout, showing zero consideration or respect facing an alien culture, even though his own life is at stake. Selective stupidity of characters who aren't supposed to be stupid is the worst plot device, and these episosodes make heavy use of it.
The biggest problem is how careless Kelly is about what they call cultural contamination (violating the prime directive in the Star Trek universe), and Ed as well. Isaac even reminds her of it and then she goes right ahead and violates it... because a little girl fell over? Really? "The girl would have died!" First of all, that wound wasn't lethal, second of all, if you mess up a whole civilization, much worse things than a girl dying from an accident can happen, which is exactly why interference is forbidden. Why don't Ed and Kelly know that? It really doesn't make any sense. At least use your scanner or ask Isaac to make sure there aren't any people around who could see you helping the girl.
It's a similar problem as in the Black Mirror type social media voting episode wherein John Lamarr acts like a complete fool throughout, showing zero consideration or respect facing an alien culture, even though his own life is at stake. Selective stupidity of characters who aren't supposed to be stupid is the worst plot device, and these episosodes make heavy use of it.