Orville delivered on balancing comedy and drama while giving us an insight to the society of Krill.
So far series presented this alien species as the default enemy. If the plot needed nameless bad guys, Krill filled the role. This episode gives us a chance to see Orville's universe through Krill eyes - it is a great chance to explore series setting.
Speaking of settings, Krill ship, prognostics and actors in them, present themselves outstandingly and give a believable representation of an alien culture.
Krill bare resemblance to Warhammer 40.000's Empire of Man - with their religious devotion in the age of spaceships, by we can easily compare them to our modern faith-based societies and ask ourselves a question, how to make peace with someone who is on a mission from the Divine?
Orville doesn't present those type of questions openly, but introduces us to a story that grows more complex with each scene - a fairly simple mission gets complicated and moral choices must be made.
That is what sci-fi that inspires to resemble Star Trek should be doing!
It is worth noting that we're having a chance to see Captain Mercer and Lieutenant Malloy being focus of the episode - both characters bring a degree of awkward charm to the story, but there is only one truly memorable funny scene in the whole episode. Both protagonists present rather awkward, bordering of incompetent, attitude towards their mission, especially compared to the very serious negative background of their Krill crewmates. It serves as a lighter tone for the episode but can be seen as overdone.
Light touch when it comes to comedy adds to the dramatic undertone, leaving us asking ourselves the question - can the circle of hate be broken by more violence and death?
Seth Macfarlane proves, beyond any doubt, that his aspirations for Orville go beyond a simple spoof fuelled by humour. Those who want a space comedy might feel disappointed, everyone else will probably enjoy the ride.
