The Orville Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Midnight Blue
The Orville often addresses a modern issue through direct metaphors. Much like Star Trek before it, The Orville makes astute observations about the present by imagining a better future. Some of these metaphors are direct, and some less so.
On The Orville Season 3 Episode 8, “Midnight Blue,” is the best kind of Orville tale. It tells the story of Topa being kidnapped by her own kind and used as a pawn to create a prejudicially motivated conflict.
“Midnight Blue” is the best kind of story that The Orville tells because it has socio-political undertones, but works on two levels. Beyond the references to modern politics and global affairs — there’s an epic rescue tale.
Bortis and Kelly embark on an ill-advised rescue mission when Topa goes missing, which turns into a harrowing but exciting adventure. Season 3 of The Orville has been increasingly epic in scale, and the streaming service budget really shows up on episodes like this. There are some tremendous advantages to being on Hulu and off FOX.
In that same vein, there’s only one major disadvantage: the episodes are too long. “Midnight Blue” is a great episode, but it’s the length of two network episodes. With no edits, it would’ve aired as a two-parter.
Still, it’s excellently done. The colony of Moclan women who live by Dolly Parton’s teachings, the epic rescue mission to save Topa, and the final act in which the Moclans face consequences for their actions are each master strokes. There is no need for a B or C-plot, because the main story is compelling enough.
But perhaps the most compelling story within “Midnight Blue” is the somewhat surprising return of Klyden to the Orville. On The Orville Season 3 Episode 5, “A Tale of Two Topas,” Klyden said some horrible things to his daughter.
But after Topa’s near-death encounter with her own kind, Klyden shows incredible remorse. Topa and Klyden’s scene in the medical bay is a tear-jerker, but perhaps one of the best scenes of any episode of The Orville. Imani Pullum and Chad L. Coleman give a great performance.
The length of “Midnight Blue” could be distracting, but it’s the rare 90 minute episode of television that truly holds your attention from beginning to end.
A few stray thoughts:
- Am I crazy, or did Bortus and Kelly have a slightly romantic moment during the rescue mission?
- Kelly joining Bortus, Klyden, and Topa for dinner is a wonderful bookend to the story arc that begins with Topa’s transition. It’s a great illustration of the changes of heart that have occurred in that short time.
- I do think a few things could have been cut to trim the length of the episode, like Topa’s crush on Gordon. That scene is pretty funny, though.
- But of course, “Midnight Blue” has a big highlight — Dolly Parton’s guest appearance! The use of her music as a cultural cornerstone for the female Moclan colony is a master stroke, and having her cameo is even better.
What did you think of this episode of The Orville? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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New episodes of The Orville stream Thursdays on Hulu.
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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.