Ep 3. About a Girl

The Orville season 1 episode 3 titled “About a Girl” revolves around a complex ethical dilemma faced by the crew of the Orville.

The episode begins with Bortus, the second officer and a member of a single-gender species called the Moclan, laying an egg. The newborn child is named Topa, and the Moclan society determines its sex through a process called “allocution.” However, when the baby’s sex is determined to be female, the crew of the Orville is faced with a moral quandary.

Moclans view females as inferior and believe that their sex is a birth defect that must be corrected through gender reassignment surgery unless the parents decide to abandon the child. When Bortus and his mate, Klyden, refuse to allow the surgery, the crew must decide whether to honor the Moclan culture or take a stand for gender equality.

The episode explores the nature of cultural relativism and the limits of understanding and respecting other cultures. The crew ultimately grapples with whether they should intervene in a culture that is not their own. They consider the consequences of their actions and what rights they have to dictate how another society functions.

Captain Ed Mercer, the commanding officer, takes a strong stance in the matter, arguing that he cannot condone gender reassignment surgery for a healthy infant, regardless of cultural beliefs. He views this as a violation of basic human rights and believes that allowing the surgery to take place would condone female infanticide.

The episode also portrays the personal struggle of several crew members who must question their own biases and prejudices. Doctor Claire Finn, the chief medical officer, must confront her own ingrained cultural beliefs when she agrees to perform the surgery, only to later change her mind. Lieutenant Gordon Malloy, the helmsman, initially jokes about the situation before he understands the gravity of the decision and what it means for gender equality.

The conflict escalates as the Moclan leadership catches wind of the situation and intervenes. The Moclan captain offers to take Topa off the Orville and hide her from the rest of the Moclan society, but this option is soon revealed to be a ploy to have the infant undergo gender reassignment surgery.

Ultimately, the crew of the Orville decides to take a stand and support Bortus and Klyden’s decision to keep their daughter as a female. This decision has repercussions for the Orville’s relationship with the Moclan society, and the episode ends with a strong message about the importance of standing up for what you believe is right, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.

“About a Girl” provokes thought-provoking questions about gender, culture, and ethics. It tackles a sensitive topic and encourages viewers to reflect on their own biases and beliefs. This episode serves as a testament to The Orville’s ability to blend comedy, sci-fi, and drama seamlessly.