The Orville: The best first season Kelly Grayson moments
Commander Kelly Grayson is The Orville’s executive officer, the captain’s ex-wife, the crew’s emotional sounding board, and god of at least one random planet.
Not only is Commander Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki) one of the fiercest crew members on The Orville, but she’s also the second in command. On top of that, she’s probably the reason the cast of the ship even exists. If it weren’t for the fact she petitioned for her ex-husband Captain Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane), he would have never taken command of the ship.
On the other hand, Kelly cheated on Ed with a forensic archaeologist and pheromone spreading alien named Darulio. So it was probably a little guilt that fueled her move, and she’ll likely be repaying Ed as long as the pair run the ship. Here are her best moments of the first season.
Banging Papa Smurf.
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If it weren’t for Kelly’s adultery – regardless if she could resist – then The Orville wouldn’t be the ship it is. Ed wouldn’t have his command, she wouldn’t be his executive officer, and they wouldn’t be on their way to a reunion (hopefully). Her indiscretion has paved the way for both conflict and redemption.
It’s unclear if Kelly will ever earn Ed’s trust back, but she proved her worth early on. Consequently, he kept her on the ship. That has to be a positive sign, right?
Kelly is a goddess!
Aside from the obvious truth of Kelly’s beauty making her a “goddess,” she literally was a goddess to at least one uncivilized culture in the first season. “Mad Idolatry” provided a chance for Kelly, while on away mission, to help provide some advanced medicine to a sickly child.
As a result, Kelly became a god to the society. They created monoliths and revered her as a deity demanding sacrifice. Hey, if Darulio and Ed worship her, why not an entire civilization?
Kelly made the most important discovery of season one.
Sure, the crew went to a few new places and dealt with alien races. They even went into a 2D world. But that 2D world experience on “New Dimensions” is when Kelly made the most important discovery of the season.
Kelly’s discovery not only led to John LaMarr’s (J. Lee) promotion, but it changed the dynamic of the entire ship. As a result, John now has to take on more responsibility, Yaphit feels like Captain Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) is a racist, and there is room for a new Navigator.
Survivor
“About a Girl” provided Kelly a moment to inspire with some wise words. Rather than quoting Nietzsche, Aristotle, or Socrates, she goes with something a little more contemporary. Kelly pulled from Destiny’s Child.
The words are enough to impress Bortus, who actually quoted a famous author from his planet. Comparatively, Ed’s comments that 15 people who wrote the less impressive song lyrics.
No clue how Destiny’s Child is popular 400 years in the future.
"“I’m a survivor. I’m not gon’ give up. I’m not gon’ stop. I’m-a work harder.”"
Are there no Planetary Union urinalyses?
A little back story is provided in “Command Performance,” and Ed’s mother despises Kelly. How could she not? The infidelity caused her son a bunch of pain, and she called Kelly a b*tch 46 times in a row. The thought of dealing with her mother in law again causes Kelly to completely disregard decorum and use the food replicator inappropriately.
Next: The Orville season 2 wish list
What did you think were the best Kelly moments of season one? Does she regret not remaining a god on a planet where people might worship her? The Orville definitely can take a variety of approaches with John’s character, and it will be great to see him grow in future seasons.
The Orville is expected to return the Fall season of 2018.