I like the show a lot but that particular episode was meh. If anyone wanted to give that amazing series a watch, definitely do NOT start with this recent episode. If you were to watch only one episode, start with Season 2, Episode 8 titled Identity – Part I.
With your political leanings Fish, I’m surprised you resonated with that particular recent episode. For those thinking they may try watching The Orville but haven’t yet started, stop reading this post now because I’m going to talk plot.
This recent episode draws parallels to the situation with real life David Reimer. The character in the show was born biologically female and transitioned to male as a baby. Like with David Reimer, the kid was socially raised as the gender opposite their biological gender and never knew the difference until they reached adolescence. Then biology kicked in and David Reimer / fictional character in this show developed a dysphoria.
At age 14, David Reimer's parents told him the truth — and he immediately began his transition back to a male body.
allthatsinteresting.com
Real life David Reimer and The Orville fictional character uncovered the truth of the natal gender transition procedure, sought to have the procedure reversed, and expressed suicidal ideation. In real life, David Reimer killed himself. In the show, the fictional character was detransitioned back to her biological gender and was happy. The kid’s parent who had originally insisted the baby be transitioned, upon seeing their happy detransitioned daughter, packed a suitcase to leave the family. The daughter said words to the effect of “Don’t leave, I love you” to which the pro-trans parent replied “I wish you’d never been born” and stormed out.
It is a really good show but this is not the episode to start with.