Klyden (Chad L. Coleman) and Cmmdr. Grayson (Adrianne Palicki) in The Orville: New Horizons

In the beginning of “Midnight Blue”, Admiral Halsey (Victor Garber) sends Grayson and Bortus to The Sanctuary to ensure that there has been no breach of agreement between the colony and Moclus. In the agreement, Moclus is not permitted to attack or interfere with The Sanctuary, but at the same time, Haveen and her underground network are no longer permitted to rescue other female Moclan infants, or their parents who wish to be free. 

Topa comes on the trip with Grayson and her father, and while they did initially deal with prejudice from the Moclan delegation there to do the inspection, it is otherwise a very reaffirming experience for Topa to see other women like her, and the society they’ve built. 

This is the first instance in an epic episode where the show begins to drag somewhat. It is certainly an important moment for Topa, but the time she speaks to Haveen, has dinner with the colony, and chases the lightning bug luminites, almost feels like an entire episode on its own. The writers of this episode, Brannon Braga and André Bromanis don’t really give the audience enough credit. They clearly have so much they wanted to write between Topa and Haveen, but it was already explicitly known from previous exchanges and episodes. 

There is a bond enough there already, that by the time they get to the exchange between the two, the eight pages of dialogue feel redundant. The episode may have also benefited from a subplot as well to break up these longer sections, which has been a concern in previous episodes. At times the writing can seem unbalanced, as it either has too many subplots at once, or none at all, and that can often mess with the overall narrative.  

While the visit to the Sanctuary is only one fifth of the episode, and while it may feel longer, it is ultimately necessary to set up the main conflict. After Haveen asks Topa to become a key member of the underground “railroad”, Topa is kidnapped by the Moclan delegation, and taken to a secret military instilation where she is tortured and interrogated. The Moclans want to know the name of the railroad’s accomplice on Moclan, as they consider him to be a traitor. While Grayson and Bortus attempt a rescue without communication with The Orville, Captain Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) and the crew investigate the disappearance of all three, and discover the truth. 

The third act of this episode is impeccable, and in fact finds the balance it lacked in the first act. Mercer needs Haveen’s help to admit what is happening so that the Union can conduct an investigation without instigating the Moclans, and the exchange between a steadfast Haveen and a frustrated Mercer is among the best writing of the series. Haveen refuses to admit to Moclus that she continues to rescue infants and those who seek refuge, which spawns a poetic response from Mercer that while he respects her struggle, she was wrong to try and recruit a child, and that she cannot “advertise tactical opportunism as pious morality”.

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