‘The Orville: New Horizons’ Recap – ‘Future Unknown’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season three finale of ‘The Orville: New Horizons’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One thing that fans of The Orville: New Horizons absolutely agree upon through and through, is that season three of this magnificent Hulu series… has been its outright finest. For not only are this year’s special effects top notch and downright cinematic, a rarity for a science fiction show… but the acting has been at its best, courtesy of powerhouse performances from every single member of the cast. But most important of all, the writing has been utterly phenomenal. For this season of storytelling has tackled some incredibly powerful topics. The kind that has ranged from socio-political to intimate in nature and these stories have been so detailed and so on point, that they have moved us to tears and left us in silence when the story ends.
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In fact, this season of storytelling has been so on point, and so flawless, and so intricate in nature… courtesy of follow-ups and progressions to prior stories… that we have been all wondering, exactly what kind of season finale Seth MacFarlane and his team had planned. Because the show could easily offer up either another follow-up or some kind of grandiose tale that managed to bring this entire season together and as it turns out… Seth opted to do both. A feat that ‘Future Unknown’ accomplished… by having another blast from the past come aboard the Orville. For Lysella from ‘Majority Rule’ came aboard the ship requesting asylum. For her world was now full of more rhetoric and fury than ever… and she wanted no part of that, and her struggles in acclimating to a new life alongside a wedding between Isaac and Claire, and a celebration of Moclan love, allowed for this series to bring this season, together in a fascinating manner.

Because let’s be honest, season three of this show, has explored in great detail… the troubles we are currently facing as a society, especially in America. Such as our divisive nature at the moment, our rhetoric, and our constant infighting over moving toward the future while holding onto the past. A reality that has so many of us on edge and worried and hoping for a quick fix so life in the United States can finally return to ‘normal’ and be peaceful in nature and well… the coda to those explorations turned out to be a bevy of commentary on how we get to that point. Which first involved a little lesson on how, there won’t be an easy or quick fix. Because we’re not ready for a miracle solution or fast change, not with the current generational divisions present. Instead, we have to find amicable solutions, and begin to heal the divides through youth, by teaching them many of the commonsense lessons we’ve learned this season

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Once we’ve done that, we can start to work toward something better… the unity we’ve sought, for ages on end now. Which might seem too simple an answer, but the simplest answers have been present for a lot of the problems this series addressed in season three. Because sometimes we tend to overcomplicate the solution when the easiest answer is the way to go, and it was fascinating to see this be expressed through Kelly’s teachings to Lysella, and it was equally as incredible to see her slowly absorb the lesson and come to realize the work that goes into making great change within oneself and within a society. But what truly made this tough lesson so impactful and so worth our while, was how the show also expressed… how we get through the tough times and how we soldier on when it our hopes are constantly being dashed as they are right now.
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Which involves… taking a moment and just appreciating the beauty of the world. Because despite the rhetoric that surrounds us, and the anger and disdain… there is still beauty to be found. For there are people committing to kindness, there are enemies becoming friends, and love is still out in the world and being expressed despite what others might think or want. And celebrating that, reminds us that the human condition is more than political nonsense or old ideologies. It's about the wonder of who we are and what we can be, and the majesty we can accomplish when we let go and embrace the moment. All of which was expressed through the union of Isaac and Claire and well… that’s a wonderful way to bring together a flawless season of storytelling. Since it tasks us to soldier on and find what lifts us up as we barrel toward tomorrow.

If anything, this finale also serves as a fine reminder, as to why this show… is the best science fiction show on television right now. For the finest sci-fi stories out there, lift us up and inspire hope or show us the way forward and this show does all that and that is one big reason why it needs a season four and beyond. But it also deserves more seasons, simply because it is also the bravest show on the air. Because no one else is tackling the topics that New Horizons spotlights every season and that’s something that the world needs in this moment, to have its problems and its concerns exposed in an intelligent manner that starts conversations. Not to mention… it is fun and hilarious, because where else can we see a Moclan invoke the spirit of Elvis Presley? So hopefully, we get good news from Hulu soon regarding the future of this series. So, we can enjoy more of this genius creation, one that celebrates humanity and tasks us to be the change we seek. Until next time.

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For the moment, Lieutenant Commander Bortus has left the building.

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