‘The Orville: New Horizons’ Recap – ‘A Tale of Two Topas’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘The Orville: New Horizons’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We live in a genuinely unique time when it comes to gender identity. Simply because for the first time in modern human history, we are finally acknowledging the fact that one’s assigned gender at birth, does not guarantee that one will maintain that gender throughout the course of one’s life. For sometimes that person comes to discover that they are in fact, a man living in a woman’s body or vice versa. Or that they do not identify as either gender and would prefer to be nonbinary in nature and this is… incredible. Simply because we are finally seeing a freedom for individuals that have struggled with their gender identity their entire lives, and they can finally be who they are and embrace internal peace at last. 
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However, this is something… that isn’t embraced by all. For there are plenty of religious and conservative individuals that believe that gender identity issues are nonsense and constructs. Brought about by external influences such as popular media or as they like to call it… ‘the failure of family values’ and ‘the failure to maintain God as our savior’, and they are of course… making life difficult for transgendered individuals. By doing more than just calling them frauds. For they are also working to help pass laws to prevent their ability to live as their preferred gender, leaving one to wonder… how do we as a society, stop this kind of wanton and unnecessary persecution? For this is a real issue that isn’t going away. But perhaps the solution lies in education and understanding, and that’s why this week’s episode of The Orville: New Horizons is of note.

For ‘A Tale of Two Topas’ is a story that takes the time to educate everyone on what it means to be transgender and why it is important to support those who are wondering if by chance their gender doesn’t fit them properly, and it brought forth this lesson in a powerful manner. Simply by… having Topa begin to wonder where he fit in within the universe. For he was having trouble sleeping and felt as though something wasn’t right about him and that he wasn’t quite at peace. A move that led him ask for Commander Grayson’s tutelage on all things Union to see if a career in the fleet would bring forth that peace. But instead, their time together made it clear that Topa was suffering greatly from the fact that he wasn’t comfortable in his own skin and Kelly knew why and that led to some incredible moments for certain.

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The kind that saw Bortus, Klyden, Captain Mercer, Dr. Finn and Kelly… debate whether or not to tell Topa the truth about his birth gender. A move that led to some stunning decisions from Bortus and Klyden… which saw a family divided and a truth be told, and a decision be made. One where Topa was able to choose which gender he wished to embrace and he… chose to become a female once more and after some stunning trickery courtesy of the captain and his first officer, and some bravery from Isaac… Topa was granted her wish and finally felt comfortable in her own body and well, that was an incredible way to teach us the lesson in question. Since we came to learn first-hand that being transgender isn't some fad or outlandish decision influenced by popular media. It’s real, it’s confusing for the individual experiencing those identity issues, and they need guidance and help and care so they can embrace who they truly are. 

But as this series is wont to do, its examination into such matters went beyond that baseline understanding of what it means to be transgender. For it also offered up commentary and a potential solution to the current impasse regarding transgender rights in America. Wherein there simply needs to be, a bold installment of protections that are grand and sweeping and ignore the dissenting voices, and ‘oh well’ for them. Because this is a human rights issue and placating one side does no good but delay the inevitable. So why not do this now, and offer the equality that should be afforded to all and let people just… live their lives. For a person’s gender and their pronouns don’t cause any harm, or any trouble. It only becomes an issue when someone feels the need to spew their toxic fears and opinions about matters… that don’t concern them. 

However, perhaps the best part about that commentary… is that it tasks all of us to imagine what the world would be like if we truly did indeed offer equality for transgender individuals and quite frankly equality for all. In that, the world would be a happier place and people could seek out what brings them joy and excel and that… is quite the world to shoot for, and this episode, and Seth MacFarlane’s masterful script and direction, deserves a round of applause for pointing that out and for taking us on this incredible and moving journey. Because it really did a wonderful job of teaching us a part of the human condition that few understand. But that’s what great storytelling does, and it just serves to remind us that The Orville really is the smartest sci-fi show around, and this brilliant tale is definitely going to make the wait for next week’s episode quite painful. Since we are all now beyond eager to see, what other incredible lessons await us in the stars. Until next time.  

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