I loved DS9's Fascination and I loved this - guess I'm a sucker for a "love virus" farce episode when it's done well, which this was (and as a bonus, it was queer-inclusive too). This episode was funny, engaging, used the characters well (good ensemble writing), had a strong character core with the Ed/Kelly/Derulio triangle, improved as time went on, and I liked how Alana was the straight man who took control (ably supported by Bortus and Isaac), showing development since episode 2. Even Gordon was well-used in his limited appearance (as an already goofy character, it was a wise decision not to involve him in the farce side of the episode but to just use him intelligently as support, in a positive way that still allows him to be a relatable everyman but not an idiot). Another non-MacFarlane script that got both the humor and the characters more right than the MacFarlane episodes.
18 Reviews
Better than it has any right to be - funny, ingenious and warm, with surprisingly good characterization
wolfstar_imdb8 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The best episode so far
pjgs20013 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I haven't been impressed with The Orville's humor so far. It's usually vulgar and feels out of place more than anything, but Cupid's Dagger is a genuinely funny and entertaining episode. I'm glad I can finally say that about The Orville. I've liked the show so far, because I like the concept, but out of the first eight episodes the only ones I've actually liked were "Old Wounds," "About a Girl," and "Majority Rule." That's only three out of eight. Thank God this episode and "Firestorm" came around, because both are very good and turned what has been a surprisingly tame series into one that I really enjoy.
In "Cupid's Dagger," Darulio comes back (the blue guy who Kelly cheated on Ed with) and infects Kelly, Ed, and others with something that has the same effect as Cupid's Arrow, leading to some really funny sequences and a hugely entertaining episode in which the cast can flex their comedic muscles. It's really fun to watch and is a huge step up from Pria and Krill, which I thought weren't very good. I'd say that this is the best written, acted, and directed episode of The Orville so far.
8 out of 10.
In "Cupid's Dagger," Darulio comes back (the blue guy who Kelly cheated on Ed with) and infects Kelly, Ed, and others with something that has the same effect as Cupid's Arrow, leading to some really funny sequences and a hugely entertaining episode in which the cast can flex their comedic muscles. It's really fun to watch and is a huge step up from Pria and Krill, which I thought weren't very good. I'd say that this is the best written, acted, and directed episode of The Orville so far.
8 out of 10.
Orville Muzak
tapalmer-9483410 November 2017
I recognized the voice of Bobby Goldsboro in the elevator. The song is called The Straight Life. I'd like to know how many other planets are familiar with his music. Maybe they know him from his TV series. I was surprised that I recognized a voice I had not heard since I was a kid. Who picks this stuff? Will there be more space Muzak in future?
Reminds me of DS9 S03E10 "Fascination"
yoshimo-131299 November 2017
I can't help. I have to rate this 10 out of 10 stars. Surely, way too many people rate way too high on IMDb due to their emotions. But I don't care, because this episode of The Orville was so much fun!
"Cupid's Dagger" is predictable and it has strong similarities with the Star Trek DS9 episode S03E10 "Fascination", which itself was a variation of the age-old "people-on-a-starship-start-to-act-strangely-theme". But know what? It doesn't matter! This episode still was great and it made me happy. Hopefully there is more of this stuff upcoming!
"Cupid's Dagger" is predictable and it has strong similarities with the Star Trek DS9 episode S03E10 "Fascination", which itself was a variation of the age-old "people-on-a-starship-start-to-act-strangely-theme". But know what? It doesn't matter! This episode still was great and it made me happy. Hopefully there is more of this stuff upcoming!
Discovery of laughter
d.rust11 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The first belly-laugh happened when Bortus took the stage and commanded all "YOU WILL BE SILENT!" with another following moments afterward when a comm signal interrupts.
Then there was the reveal of Darulio coming on board: an evil cruel laugh. Tittering continues as Mercer squirms and Kelly preens.
The inevitable eye splash. WOOHOO! Yeah, baby! You know what I'm talking about.
Scenes with Yaphit in the med-centre with Claire the doctor. Scenes with Ed, Dar and Kel as they compete. Scenes as Alara copes with her responsibilities.
And the inevitable resolution: HAW HAW YEEEEEE!
So far, the most enjoyable of episodes with great writing, timing and acting on the part of the guest cast. Rob Lowe is a little bit sleazy, a little bit manipulative, and down right groo-vay.
This is where that other competing science fiction show fails: THE ORVILLE finds its heart. Cupid's Dagger rips it wide open! And of course, we are all Hot for Halston.
Then there was the reveal of Darulio coming on board: an evil cruel laugh. Tittering continues as Mercer squirms and Kelly preens.
The inevitable eye splash. WOOHOO! Yeah, baby! You know what I'm talking about.
Scenes with Yaphit in the med-centre with Claire the doctor. Scenes with Ed, Dar and Kel as they compete. Scenes as Alara copes with her responsibilities.
And the inevitable resolution: HAW HAW YEEEEEE!
So far, the most enjoyable of episodes with great writing, timing and acting on the part of the guest cast. Rob Lowe is a little bit sleazy, a little bit manipulative, and down right groo-vay.
This is where that other competing science fiction show fails: THE ORVILLE finds its heart. Cupid's Dagger rips it wide open! And of course, we are all Hot for Halston.
Love Stinks!
MrGoog9 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
******SPOILER ALERT******
Star Trek connection - J. Paul Boehmer, who played the Navarian Ambassador, played 6 characters in Deep Space 9, Voyager, and Enterprise. He also provided the voices of 4 characters in 2 Star Trek video games.
It's Karaoke Night on the Orville. Kelly performs Journey's "Any Way You Want It." As Bortus prepares to sing (?!?!), they are contacted by Admiral Halsey ("Admiral Halsey notified me......").
Lapovius is a planet which was colonized millennia ago by the Bruidians and the Navarians. The two races have become adversaries, each claiming to have colonized the planet first. Now they are on the verge of war, and such a war probably would pull in the allies of those races. Because Lapovius is close to Union space, such a war would endanger Union civilians. However, an ancient artifact, a piece of Lapovian pottery, has been found. The two races have agreed to let a neutral forensic archaeologist from the Union examine the artifact. If the DNA of either race is found on the pottery, then that race can claim Lapovius. The pottery and the archaeologist are currently on the Olympia, orbiting Lapovius. The Orville will host diplomatic teams from the two races while the examination is conducted.
After the Orville arrives at Lapovius, a shuttle brings the archaeologist and the ancient pottery to the Orville. Ed and Kelly are shocked to see that the archaeologist is Darulio (played by Rob Lowe). He is the Retepsian with whom Kelly did the Horizontal Tango at the beginning of 'Old Wounds'. However, Ed and Kelly shake hands with Darulio and promise to handle this encounter professionally.
On the way to the Science Lab, Darulio accidentally steps in Yaphit. The blobby engineer brings flowers and a guitar to Sickbay. He gives the flowers to Claire and serenades her, but she still rejects him.
As Darulio examines the artifact, he converses with Kelly, and they seem to get along well. Then the shuttles carrying the Bruidians and the Navarians arrive. Kelly is supposed to be in the Shuttle Bay to welcome them, but she isn't. Instead, Ed finds Kelly doing another Horizontal Tango with Darulio, prompting Ed to call Kelly a "sexual jihadist" (Yikes!). In the Shuttle Bay, Alara, as Security Chief, takes charge by breaking up a nasty argument between the visiting races.
Kelly, chatting with Alara, claims that she loves Darulio. Ed, chatting with Gordon, wants to fire Darulio from the mission (and probably fire him out of an airlock). In the Science Lab, Darulio tells Ed that the pottery is a 30,000-year old birthing vessel. Darulio will need only 36 hours to identify the DNA, so Ed lets Darulio continue his work. Ed also becomes more friendly with Darulio, even agreeing to share a drink off-duty. Ed even puts on cologne while preparing for that drink, provoking concern from Gordon.
As if that's not weird enough, Claire, wearing a sexy outfit, goes to Yaphit's quarters. Hours later, Claire's sons can't enter her office. Alara unlocks Claire's office and finds naked Claire immersed in Yaphit! Bortus tells Alara that the Bruidians and Navarians can't contact Ed or Kelly and are on the verge of war. Alara takes charge again, confronting Darulio about all of these sexcapades. He admits that it's the time of year for Retepsians to be in heat, causing them to release pheromones which trigger sexual responses. The physical contact - direct and indirect - with the officers causes the goofy behavior, which will pass in a few days. However, there is no known cure for Retepsian pheromones. Alara confines Darulio to his quarters.
With the space fleets of the Bruidians and Navarians posturing aggressively, Ed preparing for sex with Darulio, and Kelly crying in her quarters, Alara takes charge again. But Darulio offers a solution. Later, Alara opens a channel to both fleets, and the Ambassadors of the races order their fleets to stand down. The Ambassadors suddenly have become very friendly; Nurse Park had planted concentrated Retepsian pheromones on them.
As everyone returns to normal, Darulio finds that the DNA on the pottery contains traces of both species - those races have a common ancestor. At the end, Kelly asks Darulio if he was in heat at the time of 'Old Wounds'. Darulio replies, "Maybe."
Star Trek connection - J. Paul Boehmer, who played the Navarian Ambassador, played 6 characters in Deep Space 9, Voyager, and Enterprise. He also provided the voices of 4 characters in 2 Star Trek video games.
It's Karaoke Night on the Orville. Kelly performs Journey's "Any Way You Want It." As Bortus prepares to sing (?!?!), they are contacted by Admiral Halsey ("Admiral Halsey notified me......").
Lapovius is a planet which was colonized millennia ago by the Bruidians and the Navarians. The two races have become adversaries, each claiming to have colonized the planet first. Now they are on the verge of war, and such a war probably would pull in the allies of those races. Because Lapovius is close to Union space, such a war would endanger Union civilians. However, an ancient artifact, a piece of Lapovian pottery, has been found. The two races have agreed to let a neutral forensic archaeologist from the Union examine the artifact. If the DNA of either race is found on the pottery, then that race can claim Lapovius. The pottery and the archaeologist are currently on the Olympia, orbiting Lapovius. The Orville will host diplomatic teams from the two races while the examination is conducted.
After the Orville arrives at Lapovius, a shuttle brings the archaeologist and the ancient pottery to the Orville. Ed and Kelly are shocked to see that the archaeologist is Darulio (played by Rob Lowe). He is the Retepsian with whom Kelly did the Horizontal Tango at the beginning of 'Old Wounds'. However, Ed and Kelly shake hands with Darulio and promise to handle this encounter professionally.
On the way to the Science Lab, Darulio accidentally steps in Yaphit. The blobby engineer brings flowers and a guitar to Sickbay. He gives the flowers to Claire and serenades her, but she still rejects him.
As Darulio examines the artifact, he converses with Kelly, and they seem to get along well. Then the shuttles carrying the Bruidians and the Navarians arrive. Kelly is supposed to be in the Shuttle Bay to welcome them, but she isn't. Instead, Ed finds Kelly doing another Horizontal Tango with Darulio, prompting Ed to call Kelly a "sexual jihadist" (Yikes!). In the Shuttle Bay, Alara, as Security Chief, takes charge by breaking up a nasty argument between the visiting races.
Kelly, chatting with Alara, claims that she loves Darulio. Ed, chatting with Gordon, wants to fire Darulio from the mission (and probably fire him out of an airlock). In the Science Lab, Darulio tells Ed that the pottery is a 30,000-year old birthing vessel. Darulio will need only 36 hours to identify the DNA, so Ed lets Darulio continue his work. Ed also becomes more friendly with Darulio, even agreeing to share a drink off-duty. Ed even puts on cologne while preparing for that drink, provoking concern from Gordon.
As if that's not weird enough, Claire, wearing a sexy outfit, goes to Yaphit's quarters. Hours later, Claire's sons can't enter her office. Alara unlocks Claire's office and finds naked Claire immersed in Yaphit! Bortus tells Alara that the Bruidians and Navarians can't contact Ed or Kelly and are on the verge of war. Alara takes charge again, confronting Darulio about all of these sexcapades. He admits that it's the time of year for Retepsians to be in heat, causing them to release pheromones which trigger sexual responses. The physical contact - direct and indirect - with the officers causes the goofy behavior, which will pass in a few days. However, there is no known cure for Retepsian pheromones. Alara confines Darulio to his quarters.
With the space fleets of the Bruidians and Navarians posturing aggressively, Ed preparing for sex with Darulio, and Kelly crying in her quarters, Alara takes charge again. But Darulio offers a solution. Later, Alara opens a channel to both fleets, and the Ambassadors of the races order their fleets to stand down. The Ambassadors suddenly have become very friendly; Nurse Park had planted concentrated Retepsian pheromones on them.
As everyone returns to normal, Darulio finds that the DNA on the pottery contains traces of both species - those races have a common ancestor. At the end, Kelly asks Darulio if he was in heat at the time of 'Old Wounds'. Darulio replies, "Maybe."
Who is Darulio
islandsaltdogs9 November 2017
Listening to his voice I'm convinced that even though IMDb doesn't list any credits for the Alien Darulio he has to be played by Rob Lowe. I like this show.Since he was an important part of this episode it seems like they would give him some credit unless he didn't want his name tied to the show.
Rape Drugs
stewartjmartin-5745722 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Major spoilers
The blue guy emits some kind pheromones that completely take over a person's brain and make them completely consumed with the objective of having sex with him. Not only does that break the suspension of disbelief to believe that a society would allow someone so dangerous to work with other people in the confinement of a star ship, but if you choose to believe it is possible, then it opens up all kind of issues with the people in charge in this universe.
The blue guy emits some kind pheromones that completely take over a person's brain and make them completely consumed with the objective of having sex with him. Not only does that break the suspension of disbelief to believe that a society would allow someone so dangerous to work with other people in the confinement of a star ship, but if you choose to believe it is possible, then it opens up all kind of issues with the people in charge in this universe.
Abject crap
bnevs1810 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
So, normally, Im a nicer than average reviewer...but seriously I don't see how this could have been so well liked. The cold open was great, but then they pull every crappy trick in the book. Are we really supposed to think that this blue species that the union has extensive contact with never had problems before making people go out of their minds? Suspension of disbelief is many times necessary in sci-fi, but this was beyond the pale. They even threw in a deux ex machina for good measure. Im not going to bury this series because of one crap episode, but how exactly does this rate as a good episode?
Someone should have pointed this out
paddymmorrissey9419 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I don't think they realise what they made. It's now canon that characters have been raped and the infidelity that the central relationship hinges on is an actual rape but isn't close to acknowledged as such- exactly the opposite. Jesus, Seth.
Condoning rape?
babawonga13 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This episode did help in the story line to repair the relationship between the captain and commander, but the fact that what is essentially a rapist walks free and has not a single condemnation of his actions made is very troubling. The alien in the show secretes a pheromone that when he touches someone makes them fall in love with them. He then beds then and later says the worst thing that happens is everyone has great sex. He destroys relationships (as with the aforementioned), it isn't something they would do otherwise, so is it any different than a date rape drug? Then he saves the day and goes happily on his way. Horrible episode with a horrible message. This is really too bad as ever episode up to this point has been ok to excellent with good messages.
And you were doing so well..
jared7911 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
While I'm not going to give up on the Orville yet. This was certainly a low point. I know it's only the first season and it's still finding it feet and figuring out what it is, but this just un-does everything they had built. The whole everyone having sex with everyone because of the blue guy is just wrong and borders on rape. I felt like he was using a date rape drug to get everyone into bed and they just laughed it off. Then they used it to solve a war, I mean come on.
Let's hope they don't revisit this story line ever again.
Let's hope they don't revisit this story line ever again.
Ridiculous
polite-456924 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Ridiculous
What should have been a test of diplomatic ability became a farce.
As others have pointed out, it is not believable that an advanced society would permit a person ready access to ships and their crew, when that person has such ability to manipulate individuals and destroy relationships.
The blue pervert behaved unethically, as did the captain for permitting that tactic to be used on other people (which potentially could lead to worse conflict).
As others have pointed out, it is not believable that an advanced society would permit a person ready access to ships and their crew, when that person has such ability to manipulate individuals and destroy relationships.
The blue pervert behaved unethically, as did the captain for permitting that tactic to be used on other people (which potentially could lead to worse conflict).
Enjoyable if you don't expect much
mr-shcmr6 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Hi, everyone ! For this review, I'll be receiving a special guest : myself ! Alter Ego, welcome.
AE : Thanks for having me.
ME : We'll be discussing that weird Orville episode...
AE : Weird is good ! Weird is what I look for in a space exploration show. Pushing boundaries. Provoking thought.
ME : I agree, but I have to admit I was weirded out. I mean, there was a fully nude sex scene...
AE : The captain, the first officer and the alien's private parts are never shown !
ME : I'm talking about the doctor and Yavin.
AE : Oh. But the doctor is technically covered by the alien. And aliens can be shown. Or are you saying that discovery documentaries should be flagged for showing animals mating ?
ME : But they're never mating with a human !
AE : I guess it's a new case : alien with human. It falls into a grey area.
ME : Whatever. There were so many plot holes in this episode, you could have made a golf course. The alien character at the center of the plot, he...
AE : It's an alien, there is no way of knowing it's gender.
ME : ... Fine. Nor its age, I guess. But it seems to know its own physiology very well. Yet he never seems to bother telling others about his 'love ability' before he's confronted. That's plain manipulation.
AE : Should it be held responsible for an innate power that triggers without his conscious decision and it has no capacity to suppress ?
ME : Gotcha ! You said 'his'. But he DOES have capacity to suppress it ! He could have avoided shaking hands, or just worn gloves. That would have saved thousands of lives by avoiding the delays in the peace talks, just sayin'.
AE : Well... Remember, he's under its effects as well. He's in heat too.
ME : Right. But he doesn't seem overwhelmed like the others affected are.
AE : Maybe he's just as overwhelmed, but better at playing cool because he's used to it.
ME : And he doesn't offer to solve the conflict before it is nearly too late, despite having being comissioned precisely to solve that conflict.
AE : Again, he is in heat. And please note that he never tries to use his power to avoid being discovered or judged.
ME : So, he's just manipulative enough to avoid disclaiming his power and let it act, but not enough to lie about it. The assumptions keep piling here. How about this : his 'heat' power triggers at regulars intervals. When he was commissioned to support the peace talks, he should have either taken precautions to prevent his power from affecting people, or declined the job altogether. Not doing so is precisely what led to that space shootout.
AE : Well... Um... Well...
ME : By the way, when the leaders make their declaration, their people have already started shooting at each other. I have a hard time believing they would stop so fast. How about for convenient ?
AE : (whistles)
ME : That sums it up, thanks. I don't think it's a terrible episode, but you better leave any critical thinking at the door if you want to enjoy it.
AE : Thanks for having me.
ME : We'll be discussing that weird Orville episode...
AE : Weird is good ! Weird is what I look for in a space exploration show. Pushing boundaries. Provoking thought.
ME : I agree, but I have to admit I was weirded out. I mean, there was a fully nude sex scene...
AE : The captain, the first officer and the alien's private parts are never shown !
ME : I'm talking about the doctor and Yavin.
AE : Oh. But the doctor is technically covered by the alien. And aliens can be shown. Or are you saying that discovery documentaries should be flagged for showing animals mating ?
ME : But they're never mating with a human !
AE : I guess it's a new case : alien with human. It falls into a grey area.
ME : Whatever. There were so many plot holes in this episode, you could have made a golf course. The alien character at the center of the plot, he...
AE : It's an alien, there is no way of knowing it's gender.
ME : ... Fine. Nor its age, I guess. But it seems to know its own physiology very well. Yet he never seems to bother telling others about his 'love ability' before he's confronted. That's plain manipulation.
AE : Should it be held responsible for an innate power that triggers without his conscious decision and it has no capacity to suppress ?
ME : Gotcha ! You said 'his'. But he DOES have capacity to suppress it ! He could have avoided shaking hands, or just worn gloves. That would have saved thousands of lives by avoiding the delays in the peace talks, just sayin'.
AE : Well... Remember, he's under its effects as well. He's in heat too.
ME : Right. But he doesn't seem overwhelmed like the others affected are.
AE : Maybe he's just as overwhelmed, but better at playing cool because he's used to it.
ME : And he doesn't offer to solve the conflict before it is nearly too late, despite having being comissioned precisely to solve that conflict.
AE : Again, he is in heat. And please note that he never tries to use his power to avoid being discovered or judged.
ME : So, he's just manipulative enough to avoid disclaiming his power and let it act, but not enough to lie about it. The assumptions keep piling here. How about this : his 'heat' power triggers at regulars intervals. When he was commissioned to support the peace talks, he should have either taken precautions to prevent his power from affecting people, or declined the job altogether. Not doing so is precisely what led to that space shootout.
AE : Well... Um... Well...
ME : By the way, when the leaders make their declaration, their people have already started shooting at each other. I have a hard time believing they would stop so fast. How about for convenient ?
AE : (whistles)
ME : That sums it up, thanks. I don't think it's a terrible episode, but you better leave any critical thinking at the door if you want to enjoy it.
Missed this episode? Good
peter-dobson-27 June 2022
Forget About It
Hitchcoc9 June 2022
I have come to grips with this show being over the edge at times. There are things about the behavior of the crew that I can forgive. This one left me cold. I found it silly and dull. This mind altering was a staple of the old Star Trek, whether for good or bad. I just couldn't get interested.
Dagger
bobcobb30110 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I believe that The Orville could have been much more successful had they not started the series with Ed walking in on his wife and a blue creature. It just seemed like such a bad idea and would clearly disturb viewers.
So, after a string of some pretty solid episodes, why The Orville would opt to revisit that idea is beyond me. This lacked laughs and it lacked the sci-fi stories that make this show worth watching.
So, after a string of some pretty solid episodes, why The Orville would opt to revisit that idea is beyond me. This lacked laughs and it lacked the sci-fi stories that make this show worth watching.
Disappointment
rvscript-6494629 April 2023
Kelly Grayson is amazing. The more I invested in "The Orville" the more I saw a person who is curious, assertive, knowledgeable, funny, likeable, entertaining, sympathetic, a hero. Then the cupid episode comes out. That's right Kelly is "perfect". Not her fault that she screwed her marriage with Ed. Literally. Now Ed falls under the same spell and a perfect explanation as to why Kelly made a mistake. This episode is the beginning of the end for Orville. Kelly is allowed to make mistakes. It's called being human. What made her interesting is NOT how amazing she is but her development in the series from her bottom , with Ed , to her in later episodes. Her goal was to "make things right". How does that even matter if her whole reason to fix things with Ed is some chemical "geo fence" that makes all with in it horny. This is a parody on itself and the beginning of the end for Orville. Stop giving your characters an OUT every FV<K'n time. Kelly made a huge mistake. She is making it right with all that she is doing for herself and hopefully for Ed. If he accepts it . STOP excusing characters for their mistakes with scientific explanations for their infidelities and allow them to be human. It's the humanity that makes them worth watching. NOT the constant excuses to why they are "perfect". Just stop it or stop making episodes.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
