MovieChat Forums > The Orville (2017) Discussion > Firestorm

Firestorm

posted 6 years ago by Jes' Sayin' (5965)
3 replies | jump to latest

Probably would have worked better if they had just shown it on Hallowe'en, but this Hitchockian episode is like a lot of them from TNG where there's a puzzle for the character to figure out and you are there trying to figure it out at the same time. Always this type of story is a metaphor for the mystery of life and its meaning, as well as developing further the character we are seeing. In this case we learn just how dedicated and determined Alara is to pursue her career, both defying her parents and going to extreme lengths to satisfy herself that she is qualified.

Probably this one could have been made more satisfying by having her solve step-by-step the puzzle, with us along for the ride, but instead the big reveal occurs with both of Alara and us still deeply in the dark. Possibly there wasn't time to do all of this in one episode though.

[–] Keelai (31931) 6 years ago

"by having her solve step-by-step the puzzle"

She was facing different types of fears at each step to see if she could face them or would freeze. I had the impression that the puzzle for her was to find any fears that might effect her ability to do her job. It wasn't an intellectual puzzle, but an emotional-based (fear) one which she did pass at each step. An interesting twist.

I was thinking Halloween while watching, too. They'll probably show the rerun on that day in future.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5965) 6 years ago

But she didn't know that it was just that. Didn't she wonder, as we did, just what was going on?

Yes, good point about future showings, assuming we get to the magic 100 episodes necessary for syndication.

[–] Keelai (31931) 6 years ago

"Didn't she wonder, as we did, just what was going on?"

Absolutely. I figured out it probably had something to do with her facing fear since that theme kept repeating and she was probably in a holodeck during the middle of the episode. Alara's parents already said she wasn't too bright which may explain why she didn't.