02x03 - Home

[bunniefuu]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

There he is. Let's go.

Oh, yeah. Here we go. Let's do this.

Oh, come on, you guys, I'm eating here.

Oh, Alara, this is now an
official Friday night tradition.

- You cannot deprive us.
- Isaac,

get your shiny butt over here.
It's go time.

ISAAC: I still fail to comprehend

the purpose of this ritual.

We're circus animals, Isaac.

- I hate to break it to you.
- OLIX: All right.

Come on, everybody. Place your bets.

Use comscanner code 7-4-9-9-alpha-6.

Hey, what's the score?

Alara's won 16, Isaac's at 14.

All right, let's just
get this over with.

I have wagered on you, Lieutenant.

Do not fail me.

And go.

- Come on, Alara!
- [PEOPLE SHOUTING]

Bring him down! Isaac!

- You are nothing!
- MALE: Concentrate!

GORDON: You are nothing! You
will never amount to anything!

[SPEAKS ALIEN LANGUAGE]

Play one of the best new FPS sh**t,
search Steam for PROJECT WARLOCK

- [BONES cr*ck]
- [SCREAMS]

[CHEERING, BOOING]

Boom! And it's Isaac for the win.

[QUIETLY]: God.

What's the matter?

- Alara, are you okay?
- Call Dr. Finn.

I think my arm is broken.

[DEVICE WHIRRING]

How's that?

It's... [EXHALES] much better, thanks.

Well, it was a clean break,
so it should be fine

in a half hour or so.

Just don't put too much stress
on it before then.

Claire, how did this happen?

I mean, I know Isaac and I
are evenly matched,

but to break my arm?

In Earth gravity? I...

Alara, uh...

how have you been feeling otherwise?

Any unusual soreness or inflammation?

Yeah. I mean, maybe a little,

but I've also been
working out more lately.

Wh-Why?

Well, your muscle mass is down 20%.

No.

And your bone density
is down five percent.

Alara, your strength is deteriorating.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Physical deterioration as a result

of changes in gravity is nothing new.

It happened to the earliest
human astronauts.

Even with extensive physical
training while in microgravity,

muscle volume and peak power
inevitably decrease.

Has it ever happened with a Xelayan?

There have been several cases, yes.

But the atrophy seems
to be affecting Alara

at a faster rate than most,

probably because
she left home so young.

So, uh, what do I do?

The good news is, the effects
aren't permanent yet.

If you can reacclimate
to Xelayan gravity,

there's a 90% chance
you'll regain your strength.

How would she reacclimate?

She's gonna have to return
to her home planet.

Well, for how long?

Well, there's no way to know.

There have been documented cases

of Xelayans reacclimating within weeks.

- Some took longer.
- How much longer?

Well, the longest
recovery period on record

was about four years.

And there was one subject
who never recovered.

He never left Xelayah again.

I'm not trying to scare you.

I'm just giving you the data.

And if I don't go back?

In time, your body will adjust
fully to Earth normal gravity.

After that, if you tried
to go back to Xelayah...

Crushed like a grape.

Without protection, yes.

When would she have to leave?

To maximize her chances?
Soon as possible.

[GRUNTS]

- [SIGHS]
- [DOOR CHIMES]

Come in.

[GRUNTS]

When I first got here,

I could lift a hundred kilos
more than that.

That's still a hell of a lot
better than the rest of us.

[SCOFFS]

Look, I have a thought. Okay?

Now, whatever you decide to do,
I'm gonna support you.

But if you did decide to stay...

Then you'd have a security chief

who could get beaten up
by a high schooler.

Captain, look at me.

We both know the only reason
I got this job

is because I'm Xelayan.

Alara, your skill set
as chief of security

covers more than just busting heads.

We could expand your staff,

give you as much manpower as you need,

but you would still call the sh*ts.

Yeah, like they'd want
to take orders from me.

- That's their job.
- They'd never respect me.

And the ones who didn't resent
me would just feel sorry for me.

I... I don't need charity, Captain.

So what are you gonna do?

What else can I do?

I'm going home.

Well, who knows?

Maybe you'll recover
faster than anyone in history

and you'll be back here in a week.

What if it's longer?

Your job will be waiting for you.

What if it's... a lot longer?

Just get better, okay?

I'll say it again.

Best-looking planet in the Union.

Alara.

I just... I wanted to take
one last look at the bridge.

How are you feeling?

I'm gonna b*at this.

I promise.

And I am going to come back
to you tougher than ever.

I know you will.

We're gonna miss you so much.

I'm gonna miss you guys, too.

Now entering atmosphere.

Activating gravity shield.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

God, I just can't...

I mean, look at that.

Nothing like it.

You know, it's places like this
where you realize...

God, I'm trash. My family is trash.

It's that one, straight ahead.

Can I just park anywhere?

Yeah, just park out front.

Okay. Open the hatch.

[DOOR WHOOSHES OPEN]

[CREATURES CHIRPING]

Ah, Alara.

[LAUGHS]

- [GRUNTS]
- [SHOUTS]

- Honey!
- Honey! Are you okay?

ALARA [GRUNTS]: Yeah.

I'm fine. It's just the gravity.

Looks like it's more serious
than we were told.

Alara, are you sure you're okay?
I could have Dr. Finn sent down.

We have doctors on Xelayah, Captain.

Far superior to any you can provide.

Dad, for God's sake.

Oh, you were always
a fragile one. Poor thing.

ED: Mr. and Mrs. Kitan,

it's no secret to anyone

that Xelayans don't think much
of the m*llitary.

But you should know that your daughter

has distinguished herself
beyond all expectations.

She has saved a lot of lives.

Including mine.

ILDIS: Yes, well, thanks
for dropping her off.

We'll take it from here.

Captain.

Thank you.

For everything.

I'll see you soon.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Come inside, sweetheart.

You can lie down.

[ALARA GRUNTS]

It's no wonder she's so hard
on herself all the time.

God, I'd like to punch
that guy in the face.

All right, come on, let's go.

Hey, hang on. I've always wanted
to try something on this planet.

Brought this with me.

Wow!

Oh, man. Thank God for gravity shields.

- Hi, honey.
- Up and around?

Feeling any better?

Yes. Thanks.

Wow, this looks great.

DRENALA: I hope you're hungry.

I know, I'm late. Sorry.

Hi, sweetie. Look who's here.

Alara. Oh, my God.

- Hi, hon.
- Solana, hi.

Uh, I thought you were out
on Jintann 8.

- Jintann 9.
- I was,

but the lab's all set up, and
they don't technically need me

for a few days, so of course

I'm gonna come see my baby sister.

Especially if she's sick.

[SIGHS] I'm not sick.

I was saying earlier, she already looks

healthier than she did on the Orville.

DRENALA: Well, that recycled air
wasn't doing you any favors.

They worked you way too hard out there.

You always looked tired.

I don't know how you did it.

Cooped up on that ship all the time?

I would lose my mind.

Actually, the Orville's great.

I like working there.

Well, now that you're back,

the important thing is to stay busy.

In fact, this could be the perfect time

for you to go back to school,
get your degree.

I'm not gonna be here that long.

Well, honey, you don't know that.

ILDIS: If you're worried
about competing,

I've already talked to some of
the professors

at the university.

They know you're going to need
a little extra attention,

but they are all up for the challenge.

Oh, thanks.

SOLANA: Is gravity readjustment

kind of different for everybody?

Because I was reading that some people

take a really long time to recover.

You know, it'd be
really great if everyone

could just stop rooting for me to fail.

[SIGHS] I'm... I'm sorry.

It's just... look,
even if I were staying,

I'm not going back to school.

Honey, why don't you tell her
about you and Terlus?

- What is it?
- We're getting married.

You are?

That's amazing. Congratulations.

Took him long enough to propose.

You'll be my maid of honor, of course.

And now that you're home, who knows?

Maybe you'll have some luck
in the romance department.

[CHUCKLES]

♪ ♪

[DOOR CHIMES]

Come in.

Enjoying your old room?

It's like a flashback.

You hardly changed anything.

Yes, well, we always knew
you'd come back.

- Or at least we hoped.
- Because you missed me?

Of course we missed you.
And we want what's best for you.

[CHUCKLES] God, you just
can't help yourself, can you?

What?

Did you ever stop to think

that maybe there are people who might

possibly prefer
a different lifestyle than you?

Or is that just completely
beyond your ability to imagine?

Look, sweetheart...

you were born with certain...
disadvantages.

- [CHUCKLES]
- We both know if you hadn't been

slower than the other children,

you wouldn't have felt trapped
into joining the fleet.

Dad, I was well aware
of my intellectual weaknesses.

I had you to remind me every day.

What, was I supposed to lie to you?

- You're my daughter.
- Yeah, exactly.

I'm your daughter.

You're supposed to offer me...
I-I don't know...

encouragement, support.

Things a father is supposed to do.

Now, hold on, that's not fair.

Your mother and I did the best
we could with you.

Oh, the best you could. Wow.

I am sorry I was such a project.

We put in a lot of time
and a lot of energy.

Do you know why? Because we love you.

It broke our hearts
to see you join the m*llitary.

Those people inspired me more in a year

than anyone on Xelayah did
my entire life.

Now, that is
the gravity sickness talking.

No, Dad, that's me talking!

Open your stupid ears and listen.

All I ever needed to hear
from you was, "You can do it."

That's all. Just once.

And-and maybe it would've been
a lie, but I needed that, Dad.

I really needed it.

And do you know who said it
to me instead?

Captain Mercer, Commander Grayson

and everyone on the Orville,
but not my own father.

The doctor doesn't know how long

you're going to be in that chair.

Your mother and I
have decided that a trip

out to the beach house
might do us all some good.

Pull the family back together.

Trip to the beach isn't
going to fix 20 years.

[SIGHS]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

- SERRIS: Hello, hello.
- DRENALA: Hi, Serris.

I've got the house all set up for you.

Thank you. Anything we need to know?

The island is all yours.

Deserted for the off-season.

I'm headed back to the mainland,

but don't hesitate to contact me
if you need anything.

Thank you so much.
My best to your family.

Thank you, sir.

Alara! Look!

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

It's so beautiful.

I haven't seen a wild eevek in ages.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

- Hi, honey.
- Didn't Serris say we're

the only ones on the island right now?

Yes.

I saw a light on in one
of the houses down the beach.

Well, maybe someone else

wanted to take advantage
of the off-season.

It's so peaceful here
when it isn't crowded.

[CHUCKLING]: I can hardly blame them.

[SIGHS] So what do we think?

- Bedtime?
- Absolutely. I'm exhausted.

[ILDIS SIGHS]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

So, short-term request
for a DNA specialist in medical,

staff reviews in armory
and communications.

Anything new in engineering?

Nothing departmental,

but Yaphit's six-month
evaluation was last week,

and he asked what
our parental leave policy is.

Why? Is he thinking
of splitting in half?

We can't legally ask him that.

- [DOOR CHIMES]
- Come in.

Captain, the interim
security chief has arrived.

- Okay. Send him in.
- Aye, sir.

You miss her, don't you?

I just hope she's okay.

Yeah.

- [DOOR CHIMES]
- Come in.

Lieutenant Tharl reporting for duty.

Tharl, come on in.

This ship is totally sick, man.

- Thank you.
- Yeah.

I was checking it out
on the way up here.

I'm like, "Man, this is bitchin'."

I like all the carpets.

Your references are terrific.

You come very highly recommended.

Yeah, my last captain had
a total boner for me.

Not a boner-boner;
a professional boner.

Um, we only have standard-issue
uniforms on board,

so if you need something specific...

No, it's all good.
I got a few of these.

So... can I take my station?

Yes. I'll show you to the bridge.

Hey, what is that?

Uh, Kermit the Frog.

Sick.

No, don't help me.

I'm not. I'm here just in case.

Alara, you're doing great.

[GRUNTS]

Not great enough.

No. That was so much better
than yesterday.

Hello. May I help you?

Yes. Hi.

I'm Cambis Borrin,
and this is my wife, Floratta.

We own the gray house
just up the beach,

the one with the silver railings.

Oh, yes. That's a beautiful home.

- Thank you.
- Come on in.

- Thank you.
- I'm Drenala,

and these are my daughters,
Solana and Alara.

Hi. We're so sorry to bother you.

We just arrived this morning,

and we think someone's
been in our house.

So we were wondering if you'd noticed

- anyone or anything unusual.
- Someone broke into your house?

Well, we don't know for sure,
but we think so.

Was there any sign of forced entry?

No. No, not that we saw,
but when we got inside,

it looked as if several items
had been moved around,

like someone was looking for something.

- Was anything missing?
- Well, not that we could see.

Did you call the police?

Oh, of course. They came right away.

Did they scan for DNA?

I'm actually not sure.

Alara was a security officer
on board a Union starship.

Am. Not was.

I know that it's the off-season,

but do you know if there's
anyone else on the island?

Our caretaker was here yesterday,

but he already left for the mainland.

Forgive me for asking,
but how well do you know him?

Serris? He's been with us for years.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean
to imply anything.

We're just, uh, a little bit rattled.

No, it's fine.
I mean, I'm happy to call.

Thank you.

[COMM CHIMING]

No answer.

Why don't I go check his cottage?

Oh, honey, no. Not in your condition.

Mom, it's what I do.

I can go with her.

Hey, you know, Tharl, you can, uh,

take a break if you want,
go eat in the mess hall.

Oh, yeah, I'm good.
I like to work through lunch.

May I ask, what is that?

This? It's stew.

No, your appendage.

Oh, yeah. This is my esophagus.

My species has a crazy high metabolism,

so we evolved two esophaguses...

one on the inside,
one on the outside...

so we can just pound food.

Just pound it.

Bam. Taking the tube to Tummy Town.

Captain, Commander, we have an idea.

- About what?
- It's about Alara.

We may have figured out
a way to help her.

Now, there are no guarantees, but...

can you come to Simulator 3?

Bortus, you have the conn.

So... any cute guys on that ship?

Some, yeah.

Cool.

Your life must be
pretty interesting out there.

You could say that.

You know,

I kind of envy you.

You envy me?

Yeah.

I mean, I know we haven't talked
that much in the past year,

but every time we did,

you always had some crazy, wild story

about something you'd seen
or some new place you'd been.

Well, there's a lot to tell.

- I mean, two-dimensional space?
- [CHUCKLES]

I can't even imagine
what that must have been like.

I thought you guys hated the m*llitary.

I have a theory.

I think the soldiers
and the intellectuals

all secretly want what the other has.

The muscle wants the brains,

and the brains wish
they had what it takes

to clobber the barroom drunk
who gets out of line.

Why can't a person have both?

I guess a lot of us look
at people like you,

and we think that we're better,
more evolved.

[CHUCKLES] But...

you know I'm proud of you, sis.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

What is all this?

It's all of Serris's stuff.

He never left.

He must still be on the island.

Ildis, how much longer is this
gonna take? We're starving.

Trivalve sauce is a delicate thing.

You can't eat it
before it's completely boiled.

- He thinks he's a celebrity chef.
- [LAUGHTER]

Drenala, thank you again for this.

Oh, please, I wouldn't want to go

back to that house tonight, either.

Well, we're gonna head across
to the mainland tomorrow.

Do you think Serris
could've done something?

Well, if we don't hear
from him by morning,

- I'm calling the police.
- At least it's the off-season.

If they do need to search for him,

they'll have an easier time.

That is true.

The high season always so crowded.

You can actually see sand and water now

- instead of umbrellas and towels.
- [LAUGHTER]

FLORATTA: Oh, I do like
the crowds sometimes.

Our house is usually
just the two of us.

It can get a little lonely.

Do you have children?

We do... a son.

He's so busy, though, he can't
usually can't find the time

- to join us out here.
- ILDIS: How old is he?

FLORATTA: Oh, he just turned 30.
He had a birthday last week.

Oh, that's great.
Did you do anything fun?

No, no, no. Galdus isn't
a birthday kind of guy.

Very serious.

Doesn't really like when
he's the center of attention.

Except when he's teaching, of course.

Oh, where does he teach?

He is an associate professor

at the University of Xenara
Medical School.

Really? I've done a few stints

as a visiting lecturer there
over the years.

- Lovely campus.
- FLORATTA: It is.

It's beautiful. Galdus loves it.

CAMBIS: Yes, he started teaching
there when he was just 21.

- Bit of a prodigy.
- Mm-hmm.

Not to brag or anything.

Oh, please, brag away.

Talking about Solana's PhD
is our favorite topic.

- [LAUGHTER]
- SOLANA: Come on, Mom.

- DRENALA: It's true.
- [DEVICE CHIMES]

Oh, yes, there we go.
The sauce is ready.

Oh, finally.

CAMBIS: I can't wait to try it.

Here, give me your plate.

You'll have to let me know
if it's spicy enough.

- Is that ladle clean?
- Yes, of course it is.

It looks a little dirty.

No, it's fine, I promise.

Just the same, maybe you could
use something else.

Okay, uh,

I'm sure I must have a spoon
around here somewhere.

Why don't you use your hand?

[LAUGHTER]

- Right.
- I mean it.

What are you talking about?
It's boiling hot.

Use your hand.

What the hell is this?

Okay, what is going on,
and who are you?

I'm a hungry man asking my host
to serve him some trivalve sauce

with his hand.

- Ildis.
- Mom, sit down.

Better do as you're told.

Ildis.

[ILDIS SCREAMING]

Oh, I would say
that is indeed spicy enough.

FLORATTA: Look what I found.

Frizzian champagne?

Oh, Ildis, you've been
holding out on us.

Saving this for higher-class company?

Listen, whatever it is you want...

Shut up, Ildis.

I propose a toast, sweetie.

To Galdus's birthday.

Happy birthday to our little boy.

Mmm.

It's too bad Galdus can't share
this wonderful champagne,

but he d*ed last year. su1c1de.

But you were just talking
about him earlier.

FLORATTA: I can see how
that would be misleading.

We talk about Galdus often.

I'm so sorry about your son.

That must be terrible, to lose a child.

It is.

The worst pain a parent
could ever imagine.

He held on for a while,
as long as he could,

a few years, actually,
after you destroyed his career,

destroyed his life.

I don't understand
what you're talking about.

Professor Ildis Kitan.

Author of a paper first published

in the Xelayan Journal of Science,

"The Mellara Vaccine and Its Effects

on the Risk of Torin's Syndrome:
A Formal Dispute."

Galdus Harona.

Ah, it all comes back to him.

Dad, who is he?

A medical researcher,

a very outspoken opponent
of the Mellara vaccine.

Galdus's research revealed
that the vaccine

was putting children at risk
of Torin's Syndrome.

He published his findings,

was on the verge of becoming
a household name

for exposing the dangers,
for protecting the children.

Please listen to me very carefully.

I never set out
to deliberately ruin your son.

It wasn't personal.

It was about the science.

His methodology was flawed.

Incomplete. Every credible
researcher in the field knew it.

He needed more peer review.
He was wrong about...

No, no, no. You were wrong.

And you are going to admit
that you were wrong.

Your son was a very smart man.

Too smart to rush publication
of his research without...

You are going to renounce
your position.

Thousands of people would've
d*ed without that vaccine.

You are going to tell the world
that you lied.

He was right. You were wrong.

And you can't live
with the guilt anymore.

- Sweetie.
- ILDIS: This is insane.

I will not go on record
declaring a vaccine is dangerous

when it isn't.

All right... all right..

I-I'll do it.

Dad, the second you make
that retraction,

they'll have no reason
to keep any of us alive.

[SIGHS]

All right. That does create
a bit of a stalemate,

yes. [CHUCKLES]

Sweetie, it seems we need
a less absolute incentive.

I have an idea.

Ildis, I noticed you have
a lovely garden.

- Solana, your hand, please.
- No, no, please.

- Please don't. I...
- Your hand or your head.

[CRIES]

Which one, sweetie?

Don't do this. I'll make the statement.

- I'll say what...
- I know you will, Ildis,

but I do want you to have a small taste

of what it feels like
to watch your child suffer.

Let's start with the little one.

- [SCREAMS]
- [SPACESHIP WHOOSHING]

It's a Union shuttle.
What have you done?

- Nothing. I swear.
- Who is it?

- I swear, I don't know.
- The point is, they're here.

If I were you, I'd make a break
for it while you still can.

Come here. Come here. Sweetie.

Get rid of them.

Nobody makes a sound.

Professor Kitan,

I'm sorry to just drop in
unannounced like this,

but your comm seems to be down.

Yes, we've been having
some trouble with it.

- Should be repaired by tomorrow.
- I need to speak to Alara.

Uh, she's resting right now.

The gravity's been getting to her,

but we'll let her know you were here.

- She'll call you tomorrow.
- It's very important

that I talk to her. I promise you

she's gonna want to hear
what I have to say.

I'm sorry, it's not a good time.

Look, Ildis,

I know you don't think much
of me or the fleet,

but please believe me when I tell you

that I care about your daughter
just as much as you do.

Now, I need to speak to her right away,

and I'm not leaving until I do.

[GRUNTS, PANTS]

[GRUNTING]

[w*apon FIRES]

Everyone get upstairs
and lock the doors.

- Alara, what-what...
- Dad, get them upstairs now!

[GRUNTS IN FRUSTRATION]

[PANTING]

Ed!

Ed, can you hear me?

Yeah. I can't move.

Contact the Orville.

Ed, I'm reading a problem
with your gravity field.

Check your gauge.

Power's low.

It must have been
overloaded by the sh*t.

Malloy to Orville.

Ed's gravity field is malfunctioning.

He's got about three minutes

until the Xelayan gravity gets through.

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]

[PANTING]

Dad, I can take this guy,
but I need you to go help Ed.

- What?
- You have to go over the balcony

and get him inside the shuttle.

What...

- What is it?
- Can't you go?

My legs are about to give out
on me. I won't make it.

Dad, you can do this.

Okay? You can do it.

Let's go.

♪ ♪

[GRUNTS, PANTS]

[GRUNTING]

Little further, a little further.

- [BONES cr*ck]
- [SCREAMS]

Come on. A little further,
a little further, come on!

[BONES cr*ck]

Ed. Ed, are you okay?

He's unconscious but stable.

You'll have to get him
back to your ship,

but he'll be all right.

Are you gonna be all right?

Alara took care of it.

She always does.

ILDIS: Alara? Are you okay?

- I'm fine. How's Ed?
- A few broken bones,

- but he'll make it.
- Good.

Alara, you... we would all have been...

You don't have to say it.

Dad, it's my job.

It's what I've been trying
to tell you for years.

They would have k*lled us.

All of us.

Probably.

I don't know you.

I never even tried to know you.

I wanted you to know me, Dad.

All I ever wanted
was for you to be proud of me.

I am so proud.

So very proud that you are my daughter.

And I'm so sorry
that you got me for a father.

[CRYING]

♪ ♪

We've managed to create a finite area

of stabilized synthetic graviton
particles in the simulator.

And you're sure this will work?

Two hours a week of high-gravity
treatments, and you'll be able

to maintain your strength
aboard the Orville.

Sounds so simple.

Not entirely. The gravity is amplified,

even from what you're used to
on Xelayah.

The treatments will be painful
at first, very painful.

But you'll be able
to keep your posting.

You're our chief of security
as long as you want to be.

- [DOOR CHIMES]
- Come in.

Hey.

How you feeling?

Not bad.

Claire said you're scheduled

for your first treatment
this afternoon.

That's actually what I came
to talk to you about.

Uh, Captain...

What's wrong?

I've decided not to do the treatments.

Claire said they were painful,
but I didn't think that...

No, it's not that. It's...

Sir, I joined the fleet because
I never really had a family.

And I wanted to belong
to something larger than myself.

Captain, the Orville
has been so much more

than I ever could've wished for.

It was warm. It was welcoming.

I was needed.

You were my family.

You and this entire crew, but...

I found something on Xelayah.

Something I'd only ever seen from afar.

I always thought it was just for
other people, but not for me.

And now I have a chance
to experience it for myself.

I've already missed out
on so much time.

I... I don't want to miss out anymore.

You're going back.

I need to be with my family.

That's two goodbyes so close together.

I won't forget this place.

I promise.

We won't forget you.

And if you ever decide...

that you miss that little chair
on the bridge...

[CHUCKLES]

...it'll be there for you.

This is for you. [LAUGHS SOFTLY]

It's been a pleasure
serving with you, Lieutenant.

Likewise, Captain.

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