IR TV Review: THE ORVILLE - NEW HORIZONS - EPISODE 5 (“A Tale Of Two Topas”) [Hulu]
The important part of Episode 5 of "The Orville: New Horizons" is that it does take itself seriously and there is a notion of weight. While Episode 4 had to integrate the texture of world building, it did have large scale elements in comparison to what was at the core of the story. That episode was more akin to Captain Mercer. This episode, by comparison, brings it back to stories on the ship that are both internal and external. This specific episode was directed by Seth McFarlane so it has a slightly different feel. The shots hold longer and there is a sense, not necessarily of cinematic, but a certain touch. There is one scene in a hall that has "The 5th Element" vibe and yet a speckle of "Moulin Rouge" despite that the story has nothing to do with that. Not to make an obvious comparison but last week's "Strange New Worlds" had a similar conundrum but in a different way. While that approached it one way, despite a pay off in the end, it didn't build.
This one, in comparison, does and in a much more complicate fashion. Granted it is a very specific story approach but this is where you can also feel the impact of Brannon Braga's many years on early 90s "Trek" because this is what it felt like. McFarlane has found a way to temper down any need for obvious jokes. Just the right tinge of dialogue can be effective. And yet the mechanics of the script still work. Peter Macon as Bortus and Chad Coleman who plays Clyden have a difficult job but again it brings back tinges of Worf but this is much more complicated. Adrianne Palicki also gets to shine here in an episode that is mostly pushed forward by her. The young actor playing Topa also has an interesting progression to play and the ability of how it is achieved is best kept to mystery. That said, it is quite affecting because McFarlane as a director always knows when to hit the gas and pull back with the slightest nudge and, surprisingly enough, with a little bit (maybe more than that) of tenderness. A
By Tim Wassberg
