The Orville (TV Series) Deflectors (2019) User Reviews

More to this episode than preachy rainbows

[isabellacheng · 8/10 · 15 February 2019]

I don't get why a lot of reviewers are saying this episode is about Bortus. The way I see it, this is a Keyali show. The episode showcased Keyali's compassion toward a marginalized Moclan individual, and her struggle reconciling her beliefs and her duty. In the end, duty came first. This is the very first Keyali show, and I am thankful for it.

The more you think about it, the less the episode is preachy. Unlike the episode "Cogenitor" of Star Trek Enterprise as another reviewer brilliantly suggested, this isn't the Federation messing with another culture. There are more grey areas and fruits for thought.

First, Locar initiated the relationship with Keyali, and confided in her. The Union didn't shove their values down the Moclan's throat. Second, Klyden is (probably) a Union citizen, living on a Union ship. As an immigrant/guest on the Orville, should Moclan culture come first, or Union values be upheld? If you are a Saudi touring/living in America, when a kid stole your wallet and you caught him red-handed, would you proceed to chop off his hands according to Wahhabi beliefs?

I believe the message of the episode is: What Klyden practices on his own on the Orville is his own business. But when it affects others' welfare, Union values should take precedence.

We have already seen this dilemma earlier this season when Klyden stabbed Bortus's heart. I don't think the viewers had any trouble agreeing that there shouldn't be stabbing on a Union ship, despite it being a legitimate act as per Moclan culture, involving two Moclan individuals. So why the double standard when it comes to LBGTQ, with equally dire consequences for the affected individual? It is not Earthly gay rights, but the Moclan judicial system. Locar wasn't just going to get bullied at school or turned away at job interviews (not that I condone them), rather, his life would be destroyed and his family disgraced. Where should Klyden (or any of us) draw the line? As Keyali said, Locar wasn't hurting anyone.

By the way I need more Katrudian. Its entrance... I mean his... his entrance is so hilarious and at the same time so hilariously bad that it is good! Did you notice all his tiny gestures? The entire scene is just so much fun to watch!

Mirror Mirror

[DanielSchmaniel · 9/10 · 16 February 2019]

The Moclan are a race of gay men who forcibly transgender their female children and put anyone attracted to the opposite sex to death and the Union turns a blind eye to this practice while benefiting from arms deals with the Moclan. I mean, yikes, talk about holding a mirror up to the human race.

There are so many great alien races and social dilemmas in The Orville. It's a real homage to the spirit of Star Trek.

Critics that don't know how to critique.

[qwblame · 9/10 · 22 February 2019]

The complaints about this are all focused on one thing: interpersonal relationships and social commentary doesn't belong here; Star Trek would NEVER do that. Except that is almost all they've ever done.

There were elements of the story and that were predictable, and those that were not. The acting was as good as could be asked for. I saw no editing, continuity, character, or other errors. There was a slight issue with the resolution being given the reasoning it was, but in a science fiction show that is basically Star Trek, there is far less sin here than in the show's inspiration.

Let's compare this to other episodes rated this low... is that where it really belongs? Not at all.

This was a great/smart episode

[gp-48159 · 10/10 · 15 February 2019]

I don't understand complaints, this was a good episode, TNG and Voyager had those types of episodes and they were accepted by most. This one is a great one at least for me. OK I will elaborate, to me it was a character building episode, I mean how much did we know about new security chief before? I know most of you watched "Lost", the entire first season was about character building and you dealt with it, not sure why there is so much hatred about this one, this is SciFy with a heart, deal with it, or simply don't watch it at all and let the rest enjoy it.

Very good

[AliensReservoir · 10/10 · 15 February 2019]

This new episode give us a better understanding about the Moclan and who is really the new chief of security. I did enjoy it a lot as we are getting deeper in the different personages for us to better understand why they are what they are. very good episode

This is a Moclan's way. Deal with it.

[Muromets · 15 February 2019]

Back in 2003 an episode "Cogenitor" of Star Trek: Enterprise was released. With powerful, yet unpleasant (to some, that is) message - your way is not the right way simply because you think it's right. And your actions against something you perceive as bigoted and close minded, may lead to a disaster. In the case of "Cogenitor" actions of a progressive and tolerant human led to death of innocent soul (two, if one will count an unborn child) and ruined a first contact with highly advanced and peaceful race.

"Orville" tries to send a mesage of it's own, though not with the same success.

This is a Moclan's way. That's how they do things. While your species evolved on a paradise (high-gravity paradise is still a paradise) they evolved and survived on a hellish planet and achieved space flight - all on their own. Maybe one day their ways will change. But only if and when they decide to do just that. Accept that. Deal with it. And if you can not - stay the hell out.

Klyden Is A Dick: Part 2...maybe 3?

[speilbergjnr · 7/10 · 31 July 2019]

A Klyden episode. This one cements that he is a dick, and that his actions only (certainly to this point) lead to everyone else suffering. It's a nice episode but as I say it cements the "Klyden is a dick" subplot so don't expect a happy ending.

Meanwhile, Grayson is also being a dick. Thankfully, Dann is still having a good time eating cupcakes but for everyone else it's a pretty solemn experience. Ultimately, another episode about the harsh realities of Maklan culture in which love and affection are sidelined for duty and honour.

Since her first appearance the new Salayan security chief feels somewhat shuttled through some character arcs to get her up to speed but it works quite nicely here and there are some genuine feels to be found toward the end.

Although up to this point Season 2 feels to me a bit more depressing, less hopeful than the first season, not so much humour, by no means is an episode like this unenjoyable. It is notably better than the earlier "All The World Is Birthday Cake" and on par with its predecessor "A Happy Refrain", plus the Orville (ship) interior looks great in this episode (nice focal lengths...it's a film-maker thing).

A good episode, but leaves one a little weary if Klyden (and his episodes) can be about anything other than him being a total dick. Don't get me wrong, that arc is interesting as is its effect on everyone else. But next time I half expect Captain Mercer to look at camera and say "Yep, it's a Klyden episode"... I know some folks are born unlucky but my point is I hope Klyden doesn't become too predictable after this point or at least, after a number of episodes of him being a dick, gets a bit of a reprieve along the line.

PS. I listened out for the Bruce Willis voice cameo but damned if I ever heard it.

brave tv

[Rob-O-Cop · 8/10 · 21 February 2019]

A good episode with thought provoking twists on prejudice. The ending played the same card as ep 2.2 'primal urges' with the non happy ending. I like they're doing this, maybe they're one of the few programs brave enough to acknowledge that in real life things don't work out for everyone and some people have to live with the loss while the rest get to go on with their lives. Ep 2.2 had the crew having to leave some of the people to perish because there was not enough time to get them all, and the survivors had to live with that and move on. It's a really weird taste to deal with after decades of happy endings for everyone. Brave tv.

Not such a great episode. Hear me out

[imdb-451-718995 · 6/10 · 15 February 2019]

I watched with pleasure as the San Francisco City Hall was lit up in a pride rainbow to celebrate a court decision legalizing gay marriage again. That was quite a few years ago already and with the exception of a few backwards folks in rural america, nobody wants to take anything away from gay people.

So why is there a need for a heavy-handed "morality play" when everyone already agrees with the moral?

Still, I take no stars off for the choice of subject matter.

Instead, I take stars off:

1) Because this episode was not funny at all. Other episodes this seasons had me laughing out loud at multiple turns.

2) Everything was so obvious and the characters were acting stupidly. "He's not dead and the genius hacker guy hacked the holodeck," I was telling the officers as they struggled to piece it together.

3) The whole Kelly-Cassius thing was boring. There was a tease of insane stalker/rejection complex but it didn't go anywhere. And don't act like that stupid animated talking flower was good TV!

4) I didn't really want to go back to Moclan court, but the arc felt kind of unresolved at the end, didn't it?

5) Some of the technical mumbo jumbo was pretty bad, like first-draft bad, super stupid bad.

Still, it was nice to see Jeffries tubes.

Hoping to see the Orville back in top form next week.

The "real" space shows....

[nnom35 · 9/10 · 15 February 2019]

....are starting to get angry. And, as my dear sainted mother used to say, "Eff you, you're not my kid." This one didn't knock it out of the park, but it was still quite good. And I am, against my will, starting to like the new sec chief.

The direction is awful.

[implaxis · 7/10 · 21 May 2022]

The cuts between acts, in this and many other episodes, are appalling. Crew member asks a fairly loaded question. Other crew member looks at first crew member with a pregnant pause. Cue rising music, fade to black (for the obvious commercial break). Fade in on a completely different scene.

The music and visual effects are really good, as is the makeup for even minor characters.

The Orville delivered another brilliant mix of storylines

[patrickbennett66 · 10/10 · 15 February 2019]

Yet again, Seth MacFarlane has delivered another episode full of interlinked storylines and scratching at the door of society norms.

Deflectors

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 16 February 2019]

Another political episode, this one choosing to focus on anti-gay rhetoric in our society, only flipping the script and having one species in the world against the idea of straight relationships.

It wasn't perfect, but this show has found the right tone in Season 2 and has been delivering pretty consistent episodes since then.

Oh come on!

[basitnadeem28 · 1/10 · 15 February 2019]

There's whole galaxy out there with infinite possibilities and you guys decided to do another episode based on Moclans? Seriously, do something creative like you did in the last season.

Why tell..... ?

[zimmerblitz · 8/10 · 29 March 2020]

As good as some of it is I was really dissapointed by the way in which Lt Keyali "outed" Moclan Engineer Locar as being "unnatural" after their excursion on the Simulator. Not least because I think they made for one of the best couples on this show- or any other. To say it in Bortus´words: " I was really looking forward to witness their mating. It would surely have been very eventful." All they really did was dance in a simulated 20th-century-earth environment, and this could surely have been filed under :" Cultural exchange". Or is this too much to bear for Moclan culture already? It probably is- as Klyden shows. He is increasingly hard to endure in his extreme views. But this is exactly what makes this so much more than just entertainment. Knowing this Lt Keyali should have considered her account of what transpired, and I think a woman of her abilities would have done so. Sometimes telling the truth doesn´t mean you have to tell everything. Or is this just what the future holds for us ? No secrets whatsoever? I´m sure glad i´ll be dead by then. So....... have fun, be safe, and remember: What happens on the holo-deck- stays on the holo-deck

Great episode

[kevedw1 · 9/10 · 15 February 2019]

This is my favorite show on television. It has replaced Star Trek.

Seth...enough!

[rsvp321 · 15 February 2019]

Every episode, pounding social messages onto the audience!

Where's the science?

Where's the space?

Where's the adventure?

Nowhere! Instead, we're getting more and more soap, relationships, more relationships, and current-Western World social issues no one cares about (or at least, not looking *here* for those discussions) hammered at us without mercy.

This isn't a "science fiction" series, anymore. Soap.

The Orville, or The Love Boat?

[jeff-cossey · 6/10 · 6 February 2020]

Mr, Macfarlane

I very much enjoy your show sir but if you could stop making the basis so many episodes around relationships, and out-of-place humor, and making references that are common in our time seem like they would still be common in your time as far as the show goes I believe you're so would do much better!.

Example. If I walked around now saying groovy I would not be taking serious or humorous and that's only been out of style for 40 years!

I think I could watch just about any Love boat episode and draw a parallel to so many of your episodes!

The humor just seems disjointed given the appropriateness. I know you're a fan of Star Trek sir, you would never have navigator he is cocky or as lacking of bridge ethics.

You may never read this but I've watched every episode twice and I plan on to keep watching as long as you produce them but these tweaks would make the show so much more enjoyable.

Live long and prosper

I Really Hate Klyden...

[that_movieguyxx · 9/10 · 16 February 2019]

All I really have to say, is that my general dislike for Bortuses mate, Klyden has grown to the point of me despising him. A contemptible morally devoid character.. At the same time I must take my hat off to the heart wrenching storyline, not only behind this one episode, but to the entire series. I think the series is gunning towards making us loathe Klyden, and I think a lot of us really want to see him dead for the selfish things he has done, and I love how at the end, we see the anger in Bortuses eyes, when Klyden walks in.

A powerful story drowned in soap opera

[antony-1 · 6/10 · 25 February 2019]

Where The Orville was heading in season one got me greatly excited that this was a Star Trek successor. I recommended it, I got people to buy it... and I'm slowly feeling I have made the wrong decision to recommend it.

At the core of this story is a very powerful tale about sexual orientation and the cultures that will kill you for the person you just want to love in life. Torture, death... it's all very real right here right now, and in true Star Trek style it's tackling it. It even strays around the topic of who are we as people when we say we have moral values but then fraternise and give money to people that don't share those values.

My issue is that it ties too much into relationship drama. We just had a heavy Mocklin episode. We just had a relationship heavy episode. they immediately tie the new guest character into being an ex-boyfriend (entirely pointlessly, it added nothing to the episode).

Then if you haven't gotten that enough, let's throw in ANOTHER first officer episode where she's again being defined by her relationships with her men.

And am I meant to be upset by the ending? You just had talking pot plants and this is a comedy right?

The Orville needs to work out what it is. This would have been a stand out episode if it was embedded amongst some more - dare I use the world - "normal" sci-fi episodes.

It's all about a counterpoint. A surprise. Contrast. But at the moment the Orville seems to flip flop with no real purpose.

Which is a shame as what is at its core a great episode is now getting lost in the humdrum and soap opera.

Another well-written morality play

[MrGoog · 10/10 · 15 February 2019]

******SPOILER ALERT******

Star Trek connections - David A. Goodman, who wrote the episode, wrote a few episodes of Star Trek - Enterprise (and Family Guy) and is one of the Orville's producers. Wren T. Brown, who played Captain Rechik, appeared in Star Trek - The Next Generation and Star Trek - Voyager.

Star Trek, at its best, presented morality plays that made the viewers think about various contemporary issues. Those stories didn't tell the viewers what to think, but simply encouraged viewers to think about a topic and form their own opinions. Seth MacFarlane obviously is following Star Trek's lead in the morality plays we have seen in The Orville. This episode is another example.

Kelly and Cassius are relaxing in the Simulator's rendition of 1945 New York City. However, she decides that the relationship is not what she wants now; Cassius openly talks about marriage, but Kelly, understandably, is in no hurry to rush into another marriage, so she breaks up with Cassius.

The Orville is at Moclus to receive Captain Rechik and Locar, one of Moclus' best engineers. Locar wants to test an improved deflector system for Union starships, and it will be tested on the Orville. The complication: Locar was one of Bortus' former boyfriends. Locar will be working with the Engineering team and Talla, who will handle Security clearances for the alterations.

As Locar and the Engineering team prepare to test the upgrade, we see some spark between Talla and Locar, even though Talla is female. But I have a big question about that scene: Where can I get those cupcakes?

The obvious test of a deflector system is combat, so Rechik's ship chases the Orville in a war-game exercise. Naturally, Gordon seizes the chance to show off his grandmaster piloting skill. In the end, the upgraded deflector system passes the test, and Locar and the Engineers install a permanent upgrade.

Cassius still pines for Kelly, so he sends to her a cookie bouquet (wouldn't that make her fat?). Kelly tells Ed that she split with Cassius, and Ed barely contains his happiness. Meanwhile, Isaac, continuing his relationship with Claire, has been asking the crew about pleasurable sexual positions. So everything seems to be normally daffy on the Orville. Until...

Locar confesses to Talla that he loves her. This is a very dangerous admission for a Moclan; among his people, affection for a female is seen as deviant behavior punishable by lifetime imprisonment. Another complication: she loves him. They run the Simulator's 1945 NYC program, where Talla teaches Locar human dancing (she had dated a human). After she is called away by Kelly, Klyden enters the Simulator and threatens to expose Locar.

BTW - Groogen, the Katrudian (talking plant) in Kelly's quarters, was voiced by Bruce Willis.

When Talla returns to the Simulator, Locar is gone. The visual record shows that someone - the person's appearance was deliberately scrambled - vaporized Locar with a Union weapon. The weapon itself was a simulation, so it bypassed the safety protocols of the Simulator. As Isaac and John try to unscramble the image, Talla tells everyone, including Rechik, the truth about Locar. Rechik is enraged, and Talla calls him a bigot. That is where Talla was way out of line. Whatever personal opinions she has about Moclan society, she has no right to tell the Moclans how to live. That is a violation of the Union's version of the Prime Directive. However, despite Ed's justified anger about Talla's outburst, he knows that she should be part of the investigation of Locar's death.

The image is descrambled, revealing Klyden as the killer. But it seems too obvious to Talla - the descrambing was easier than expected; Klyden insists that he didn't kill Locar, but admits that he planned to turn in Locar to the Moclan government. Talla concludes that the visual record itself is a simulation - created by Locar. Indeed, Locar faked his death to escape prosecution for his "deviant" behavior. Talla finds him and offers him sanctuary on the Orville. But Locar decides to stop running - especially with Klyden facing execution - and turn himself in to the Moclan government.

Klyden thanks Talla for exonerating him. But Talla, still upset by Locar's punishment and the Moclan view of "deviant" behavior, tells Klyden to stay far away from her.

Cassius finally gives up on Kelly. He will transfer to the starship Watson. So the next big question is: What now for Ed and Kelly?

Transparent comment on homophobia

[robert3750 · 7/10 · 12 September 2022]

The original Star Trek would sometimes tackle social issues of the day, using the science fiction context to good effect. One of the more heavy handed examples is "Let that be Your Last Battlefield", which addressed racial hatred. With this episode, Seth MacFarlane shows that he knows his Trek, and knows how to follow its approach. It's an example of why people say that the Orville is more Trek than the recent shows officially named Trek. The episode centers around the social attitudes of the Moclans. Conditions on their planet caused them to become an all-male society that will not tolerate having females, even to the extent of immediately changing any female-born Moclan to a male, and imprisoning and shaming any male who is attracted to a female. It turns out that Bortus' ex boyfriend is such a male, with tragic consequences. The episode is an obvious allegory meant to comment on homophobia. It was interesting to see Captain Mercer question Moclan participation in the Planetary Union, based on their attitudes. Is it really the business of the Union to have everyone share the same social attitudes regarding sex? It seems to me that the episode inadvertently highlighted how ludicrous it would be to have disparate aliens serving on the same ship.

Loved this episode

[fig-75275 · 9/10 · 23 February 2019]

After skim watching a few YouTube reviews for this episode I was worried that Deflectors would be the episode that would take the "relationships" aspect of the show too far. We've had quite a few relationship episodes already this season. As a result I didn't have high hopes, but I was really surprised how good this episode was. In my mind I imagined a slightly different ending but I loved every minute.

Moclan Stuff

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 20 June 2022]

An advanced culture has developed to where if you have a difference you are to be executed. Bordus's wife/husband takes action against a vulnerable, successful engineer because he has feeling for a woman. Maybe now we can put this plot element to sleep.

Is Bortus a executive producer now?

[lordcaptainima · 5/10 · 15 February 2019]

The first season was great, his lot has been worse than Days of our Lives, tired tropes and every episode fixated on Bortus (having human problems) rather than exploring new ideas which last year did. Maybe I'll try again next year if it gets renewed