The Orville Review: Shadow Realms (Season 3 Episode 2)
Season Three of The Orville clearly has a much higher budget than the first two seasons. The most noticeable thing about The Orville‘s Hulu era is that the special effects look more crisp and the practical effects are more detailed.
On The Orville Season 3 Episode 2, “Shadow Realms,” the budget is put to good use creating new alien creatures that reproduce using a viral infection.
On the one hand, a viral infection spreading an alien race throughout the crew may be a little bit on the nose, considering this season was filmed during the time of COVID. On the other hand, the story they told was really freaking cool.
While the previous episode has something important to say, “Shadow Realms” has few parallels to regular human life in 2022. Instead, it tells a cool, Alien-esque horror story that thrills both psychologically and physically.
“Shadow Realms” at times feels a little bloated. Before they can get into the meat of the alien life form story, there is a lengthy amount of time spent doing expository work. Claire and Paul’s backstory is moderately compelling, but combining it with the alien story makes the episode feel too full.
They do a good job of giving most of the main cast significant screen time, but sometimes can get a little off track in doing so.
Claire’s history with Paul should have a better payoff, too. “Shadow Realms” clearly builds to something happening because of all the time spent exposing their history. But the end of that story is anti-climactic — as Claire is able to talk him out of their ship.
The alien story works, though. The effects work exceptionally well to make the story compelling and scary. It’s borderline terrifying — there’s even a scene that causes a bit of a jump scare.
“Shadow Realms” is also a breath of fresh air because it’s funny. Even though Seth MacFarlane is a comic genius — The Orville isn’t a parody of Star Trek. Rather, it’s an homage from someone (MacFarlane) who loves Trek.
Bortis: What about us?
Claire: You might get the sniffles
Bortis: …I am prepared
So it’s not uncommon for episodes of The Orville to not be funny at all. But “Shadow Realms” brings with it a couple of laugh out loud moments.
So while “Shadow Realms” contains several compelling elements, namely the terrifying alien story, it feels a tad over-stuffed. Episodes under 50 minutes would be better!
A few stray thoughts:
- While “Electric Sheep” has a singular focus in terms of message, “Shadow Realms” is a little all over the place. It references religion, the pandemic, and more.
- “Let’s give this everything you’ve got…and may the force be with you!”
- The approach The Orville has been taking (giving all of the characters something to do but really focuses in on one character) really works. The focus has been on Isaac and now Claire, which is working out swimmingly. Penny Johnson Jerald is phenomenal.
- Fingers crossed for a couple more Yaphit appearances before season’s end.
What did you think of this episode of The Orville? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.