‘The Orville: New Horizons’ Recap – ‘From Unknown Graves’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 307 of ‘The Orville: New Horizons’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular constant found these days in science fiction stories, is social commentary, and it makes sense as to why this is now commonplace. For writers that work within the genre have come to discover how easily these tales can put a magnifying glass up to burning issues in our world, but this is also present in storytelling because… we are currently searching for all kinds of answers regarding the human condition. For we live in precarious times, where it seems as though everything is on the brink of disaster. So, if by chance, we can find answers regarding one of the many problems and issues we are facing, perhaps we can begin to solve them all and put mankind back on the path toward a better tomorrow.

But while that is indeed leading to some of incredible storytelling through and through, the kind that is thoughtful and observant and compelling… what’s fascinating about science fiction… is that it doesn’t always have to work to solve our problems and guide us. For sometimes, the finest science fiction stories out there are just observant in nature and present to us the human condition in the raw, in all of its glory and its folly. And in doing so, that too can be just as compelling and just as powerful since that kind of objective and sweeping look at who we are can teach us individual lessons about humanity and influence change in different ways and that’s why the next episode of The Orville: New Horizons on Hulu is of note. For ‘From Unknown Graves’ is a story that offered up very little in the way of focused commentary to instead just examine the human experience as a whole. 

A feat that it accomplished by offering up a bevy of storylines. Such as one involving a peace keeping gambit on Ed and Kelly’s part, where the crew flipped roles to put the women of the Orville in charge to please a race of aliens where women were the dominant species, to try and secure a new ally. And while that was happening, John and Talla were struggling to find balance in their imbalanced relationship, and behind the scenes of all of that… was a storyline involving a rogue Kaylon that was given the gift of emotions. Allowing for him to offer apologies for the actions of his people and provide context of what drove them to their desire to commit genocide across the stars. And of course, if this were any other sci-fi show on the market, that many storylines at once would make this episode feel akin to a filler/transitional tale… one easily forgotten about by next week.

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But all of these fascinating storylines, several of which offered a touch of the classic comedic relief this show is known for, really were a grand look at the human experience as a whole. Take the romance angle for instance, since that spoke to how love is love, and it doesn’t matter who we meet and where they’re from, when the heart knows and wants, it draws us to that person like a moth to a flame. As for the treaty plot line, well that was a touch more somber of a storyline. Since it did speak to our ongoing fight for equality and how we tend to take more steps back than we should regarding it, when it really is a far simpler matter than we give it credit. For equality is equality and there should be no debate regarding that, and it was fascinating to see this storyline play out. 
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However, while those storylines were powerful in their own right and fascinating for certain, they were greatly overshadowed by the Kaylon plot line present here. Since that story looked hard at our capacity for evil, and how we sometimes tend to treat others that are different than us, as subservient in nature. Something that is wrought in American history via genocide and slavery and seeing that on display here, definitely provided this writer and others undoubtedly with pause. Since it was a very raw look at the darker parts of our history and the unfortunate reality of where we are at and how somehow… we need to find a way to learn from one another again, so that our prejudices are replaced with understanding. So that perhaps we can finally find common ground in the same manner that Charly and Isaac did. 

Speaking of Isaac, we’d also be remiss to not talk about Mark Jackson’s excellent performance here, since he was given so much to work with regarding the emotional programming storyline and that resulted in some genuinely beautiful and moving scenes. The kind that served as the perfection exclamation point to a perfect reflection upon the human condition. One that put us on display for better or worse… all while reminding us, what we can become when we try… and that made this episode a special one for certain. One that just, celebrated humanity and offered up some tender moments and laughs along the way and it was done in such a compelling manner, that we were undoubtedly glued to our screens and well, now that this wonderful little surprise has come to a close… we sadly must impatiently wait again for a brand-new episode from a brilliant series that always knows how to surprise. Until next time.

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