The synopsis for "If The Stars Should Appear" promised much, and delivered on about half, though it's what we may not have expected to happen in the episode that seemed to provide the more interesting scenes. Among these, Klyden and Bortus's early argument about Bortus's neglect of his mate for his ship duties (which makes we wonder whether this story is heading on a parallel course as Ed and Kelly's prior to their divorce, though perhaps minus either Moclan cheating with "Papa Smurf"), Yaphit showing up in sick bay once again to continue munching away at The Orville's CG budget (and somehow tug our heartstrings), and the mind-boggling sudden appearance of Liam Neeson. If I'm impressed by anything this episode did, it's that it managed to keep Liam Neeson's guest appearance a total surprise in this spoiler-saturated world.
But there was little else to spoil in this episode, an episode where Liam Neeson's shock appearance was the biggest twist. "If The Stars Should Appear" was similar to "About a Girl" in the respect that it examined a prevalent topic, but much weaker for doing so without attaching it to any of the main characters in a meaningful way. Where "About a Girl" gave us an insight into culture through one main character using a contemporary topic, "If The Stars Should Appear" gave us insight into culture using a contemporary topic - but completely skipped the magic ingredient that made "About a Girl" such an effective vehicle for its message.
Which was another issue with "If The Stars Should Appear". It's examination of religion and those who follow religion was thin at best: rather than the debate presented in "About a Girl", "If The Stars Should Appear" simply threw out lines at appropriate times to link the current scene to some aspect of religious belief ("there are those among us who have begun to question scripture; we believe that there may be more to the universe than we can see"). The most effective commentary was perhaps the secret appearance of Liam Neeson, who portrayed the ship's inhabitants' version of God, named Dural: we didn't know he would appear or that he would basically be God - and if we saw God it would blow our minds. But Dural appearing on a screen didn't seem to affect the ship's inhabitants; they certainly weren't mind-blown by having their beliefs about their insular life totally shattered.
It's hard not to compare "If The Stars Should Appear" with "About a Girl", but it's only by doing so that I've been able to properly define why I felt this episode was so lacking in comparison to previous installments of The Orville. That and the fairly derivative plot: evil guy hiding the truth from his people kidnaps main character, while heretics aid the other main characters in their rescue.
I also find it a shame that, after wanting to know more about Isaac, his heavy involvement in this episode only reversed that decision. He made a couple of the elitist remarks we've been waiting for him to crack, and we learned how Kaylons reproduce (they are built, which shouldn't surprise us greatly), but when it came time for him to involve himself in the plot, he just seemed like a far-too-easy vehicle for the story to progress. "Captain, I have suddenly discerned something new about this world, just enough to move us to the next point in the story. And I will not explain how: you must just accept this."
And the subplot - Bortus, Malloy and John fighting off a Krill ship nearby - was scandalously short. Dammit Yaphit, I love you, but stop eating the CG budget.
Overall, it's hard not to consider this the weakest entry so far. There were some good moments, but mostly this was just a very simple plot that didn't have the action of "Old Wounds", the shocking twist of "Command Performance", or the debate/character development combo of "About a Girl". I'm sad to feel a little disappointed.
RATING: 6.5/10
POINTS OF NOTE
- Like Alara's race, which I originally spelled "Silean" (I've since learnt it is spelled "Xelayan"), I've probably spelled "Dural" wrong.
- This episode was pretty funny. If the pilot struggled a little to land its punchlines, the last few episodes have slid the jokes in much more smoothly.
- Am I the only one whose escape food isn't Rocky Road ice cream? Mind you, the long-winded way Klyden settled on this order was very entertaining.
- "Alara, care to open this jar of pickles for me?" So many jars of pickles in 2417.
- Referring to the ship's inhabitants who "questioned scripture" as "Reformers" gives me a very 1500s Tudor England vibe.
- Liam Neeson! 'Nuff said.
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