THE ORVILLE S1, E9: "CUPID'S DAGGER"
- Thread starter Mudd
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He was weirded out, because Ed hated the living guts out of Darulio up to this point (even calling him a smurf in one of the other episodes). And all you can think of is "hm, Malloy seems to be a homophobe"? Seriously? O_o
Yaphet had no reason to think that Finn was under alien influence. He's a dumb bipedalsexual creature in love and a bipedal was throwing herself at him, for all he knew his wooing finally won her over.
But, Blue Cosby knew exactly the effect he was having on people and still took advantage of it, so *he* committed rape. If anything Finn and Yaphet are also his rape victims, just he's not the one who had sex with them.
I don't think Malloy expressed any homophobia. If one of my gay friends seemed attracted to a guy I would see it as completely expected, but if one of my friends I knew to be straight did I would find it pretty odd.
But, Blue Cosby knew exactly the effect he was having on people and still took advantage of it, so *he* committed rape. If anything Finn and Yaphet are also his rape victims, just he's not the one who had sex with them.
I don't think Malloy expressed any homophobia. If one of my gay friends seemed attracted to a guy I would see it as completely expected, but if one of my friends I knew to be straight did I would find it pretty odd.
Yes, by our standards (and presumably those of the Union) he was a rapist. He may not have been under the standards of his own culture however.
There was the nexus of a much more interesting - and still uncomfortable - episode somewhere in there.
What's odd is that the Union does not seem to be aware of this love pheromone that Darullo's species emits during mating season. Shouldn't the crew of the Orville have known about this issue? But even more odd is that Darullo himself never seem to care to warn anyone or take precautions. Is he ignorant of the effects on other species or is he fully aware and takes advantage of it? The latter scenario is pretty creepy because it would make him a sexual predator.
Taking the position of a lawyer representing Blue Cosby. You could argue that what he did to them did not constitute inability to consent any more than playing Marvin Gaye music does. The counter to that I guess is that the person would be aware of the influence of Marvin Gaye music on them and could take their altered state into account.
For the cultural differences argument, there's probably been many many cases like this and questions about what laws apply in the middle of space. In a world where lots of aliens interact with each other, kids probably learn all about these issues in school. And anyone professionally immersed in the other culture would be taught all about the laws regarding sexual relationships and altered mental states. So I'm not sure you can argue Union law doesn't apply even if it wouldn't be rape on his homeworld.
As for Yaphet, any argument that he raped Finn also implies that Data raped Tasha. A person comes to you in an altered mental state, is there strict liability or can you say you were too dumb to realize they were in an altered mental state?
I agree with what seems like the majority opinion, that this was meh and somewhat uncomfortable. But I really dug the design of the alien in the elevator, like Predator crossed with a Talosian. They gave us several good aliens this week, though some looked more rubbery than others.
On a tremendously minor note, I thought it was interesting that they call them "elevators" rather than the more Trek-like "lifts." Also, they're getting good value out of that spiral staircase, aren't they?
If this eventually lets them put the divorce subplot behind them, it might be worth it. I was hoping that storyline was done already. It's my least favorite part of the show.
On a tremendously minor note, I thought it was interesting that they call them "elevators" rather than the more Trek-like "lifts." Also, they're getting good value out of that spiral staircase, aren't they?
If this eventually lets them put the divorce subplot behind them, it might be worth it. I was hoping that storyline was done already. It's my least favorite part of the show.
I call Elara to the stand. Ms Elara, when you confronted Mr Darullo about his pheromone, what was his reaction? Did he seem surprised?
No, he knew what I was talking to it and admitted to it right away.
Under our current legal system, a person in an altered mental state is not able to give true consent. So if you engage in any kind of sexual activity with them, you are liable. The problem in this episode is that Yapphit had no way of knowing that Claire was in an altered mental state. If he had asked her if she was sure she wanted to do it, she would have said yes which would have appeared to be consent. He could easily had thought that his charms had finally worked on her.
The episode does not portray Darullo as someone who is premeditating to take advantage of people but rather as someone who knows the effect on others but does not really care. He seemed very casual about the whole issue. Still not good.
Witholding knowledge is not the same as denying consent or being unable to provide consent.
That would be concern that his friend is showing interest in the guy who slept with his wife which resulted in the break-up of his marriage who he'd probably said on numerous occasions that he hated. That's concern that something is wrong with his friend, not quasi-something else.
He came across as a major asshole for that, yeah, and by human standards possibly sociopathic.
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Poor Alara, who saw things that she will never unsee. 
We saw them too...Poor Alara, who saw things that she will never unsee.
No, and that clearly was not the intent. It was supposed to be funny that Ed was so obliviously schoolboy ga-ga over a guy he had loathed.
Mercer is an odd combination of informality and stuffiness, which is part of his charm. Seeing him giddy - we saw with Pria what he's usually like when he's interested in someone - is funny.
I'd rather see that than Sub Rosa.We saw them too...
By the way, makeup and costumes of Proud Warrior Aliens were absolutely gorgeous.
I had enjoyed this one, and honestly hadn't thought of the more unpleasant aspects of the whole Darullo story until you guys pointed it out on here. It does definitely bring the episode down a bit for me. Although when I mentioned it to my mom, who also watched the episode, she did point out that Darullo made a comment about how in his society it's rude to turn down people who want sex. So I do think in his mind he was behaving appropriately, but that doesn't make it OK.
I have to admit, I was little surprised by how little was made of Ed being into Darullo. We did have to the scene with Gordon, but I took that as Gordon just being surprised that he was acting out of character and not that he had a problem with gay people in general. And even Ed didn't really seem that bothered by the fact that he'd been with a guy.
I don't blame Yaphit for what happened with him and Claire, he had no idea what was going on, so all he knew was that the woman he was in to seemed to be into him.
I have to admit, I was little surprised by how little was made of Ed being into Darullo. We did have to the scene with Gordon, but I took that as Gordon just being surprised that he was acting out of character and not that he had a problem with gay people in general. And even Ed didn't really seem that bothered by the fact that he'd been with a guy.
I don't blame Yaphit for what happened with him and Claire, he had no idea what was going on, so all he knew was that the woman he was in to seemed to be into him.
Not sure which ones you mean, but I liked the ones with bat'leths coming out of their faces a great deal.
