‘The Orville: New Horizons’ Recap – ‘Electric Sheep’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the revival premiere of ‘The Orville: New Horizons’. To revisit the season two finale, click here.
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It’s been a little while since we’ve gathered here to discuss the phenomenal hit series The Orville and well… it makes sense as to why. After all, some merger madness involving Disney and Fox, put the show in a temporary holding pattern until it could find its new home via Hulu… all before the world made life difficult for the dedicated cast and crew of this show. Because you know, the thing… that we all didn’t enjoy. But now that restrictions are lifting and now that Seth MacFarlane and his crack team of writers and directors and stellar cast mates have been able to get back to work to bring this revamped version of the series back to life, the wait for more Orville has finally come to its long and painful end. 
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For yesterday, The Orville: New Horizons made its debut on Hulu and well… it is safe to say that fans of this show met its arrival with both utter joy and trepidation. For while it was wonderful to be reunited with this crew, there is always worry in the back of one’s mind that a revamp of a beloved series on a new network, could easily go sideways. Since there could be bold new decisions with the characters present, that potentially annoy or there could also be the addition of new concepts to the story that change the tone of what was beloved from the get-go. But it didn’t take long for ‘Electric Sheep’ to establish, that this revamp of this incredible series… didn’t alter the core of what made it so great to begin with in the slightest.

In fact, if the premiere is any indicator, we are about to be treated to some special storytelling. For this particular tale was able to take its time with its story and its commentary, one that revolved around the nature of bullying and why people take part in it, and the damage it can cause to those who are on the receiving end of it… and it brought about this powerful and moving set of examinations, by revisiting a key plot line from season two in a realistic and dynamic manner. Specifically, that fateful day in ‘Identity, Part 2’, where the Kaylon arrived on Earth’s doorstep with the intention of wiping out humanity and the rest of the Planetary Union, an act that proved costly to both sides since that fight wiped out a majority of the Union’s fleet and left the Kaylon reeling as well, courtesy of an assist from the Krill. 

But while it seemed as though that fateful and ugly day was resolved and the Union had moved on, this episode proved otherwise. For while the Orville was in dock for a major refit, old wounds were still healing aboard the ship and bad blood was everywhere to be found… when it came to Isaac. For so many expressed to him, their outright hate of the Kaylon and the pain they carried around for the slaughter they imposed upon innocents, and their pure disdain for Isaac himself. And well, hearing that constantly from the crew, and receiving some incredibly harsh words from Charly Burke… the latest addition to the crew, alongside having Marcus Finn lash out over the terror of that day… put Isaac in quite the unfortunate and unsettling place, mentally.

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For while he couldn’t feel the hurt and pain the audience felt over what was said, he clearly realized that a problem existed courtesy of his presence aboard the ship and that motivated him… to do the unthinkable and take his own life. A move that stunned the crew through and through and forced Ed and Kelly to really evaluate a great deal about the conduct of their crew and how to better understand their pain. Because they in essence, bullied a bridge officer into suicide and that was quite the devastating revelation. For this is the kind of behavior that the people of the Union, should have moved beyond, for humanity is in a better place in this time period.  But alas, this is what we were privy to and well, this is where the exploration on the genesis/nature of bullying got underway.
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Which as it turns out… relates to fear and anger and a bevy of unresolved emotions. Which motivates people to simply lash out and impart that pain upon others in a desperate attempt to heal. Which of course, doesn’t work and causes more harm than good, but it was wonderful to see this show examine the simplicity of bullying and of course… how we can potentially put an end to it. Which in this instance revolves around the possibility of finding a way to show the bully in question… how their actions impact and influence the emotions of others and the lasting damage it can create. Because that could in fact open their eyes and motivate them to change course, as evidenced by how Charly came to learn that her lasting fury toward Isaac was indeed poisoning souls and teaching others that acting out in anger was helpful, as evidenced by her powerful conversation with Marcus. 

Which in turn... pushed her to do the right thing and save Isaac’s fragile mind when John found a way to restore it and save his life. Granted, that didn’t resolve her trauma from that fateful day, but it was a step in the right direction and spoke to how we start to change this particular problem in our world, and it took its examination of this whole topic one step further, by also pondering upon how we prevent those being bullied from harming themselves or withdrawing. In that, they need a real support network and a safe space where they can sort out the madness of bullying and how it hammers down their psyche and confidence. All so they can understand that this is temporary and not their fault and that they do indeed provide value to the world and well… in the end, all of these elements and examinations made for one stunning premiere.

One that quite frankly, reminded us exactly why we love this series so. For it is never afraid to put our flaws on display and task us to be better. Not to mention, it always knows which taboo topics to tackle in a creative and smooth manner so the commentary is never overwhelming, and the fact that this premiere had every available minute at its disposal to examine this the right way, should only excite and inspire us to continue the journey. For new horizons indeed await this crew and its intrepid fans, for now this series is unleashed and can properly explore every corner of the human condition and that will undoubtedly produce brave new tales that will move us and wow us and leave us in tears of joy. But what matters most, is that one of the finest science fiction shows in recent years has returned to the airwaves at last, and it will be fascinating to see where this new chapter takes us in the weeks to come. Until next time.

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