Ty Finn

Ty Finn
Aliases	My little Mozart Big guy
Relatives	Claire Finn - mother Marcus Finn - brother Unnamed grandmother Unnamed aunt Isaac -stepfather
Affiliation	Planetary Union
Occupation / Position	Passenger
Portrayed by	Kai Wener
First Seen	Into the Fold
Biographical information
Status	Alive
Home Planet	Earth
Physical description
Species	Human
Gender	Male

Ty Finn is a Human resident aboard the USS Orville. He was the son of Claire Finn and younger brother of Marcus Finn.

He is portrayed by American child actor Kai Wener.

Early life

Ty was born sometime around the early 2410s to Doctor Claire Finn, an experienced medical officer in the Planetary Union. Ty had no father. Claire desired children, but by her own description, she never found a man suited to be her husband and quickly divorced the one man she had ever married. Ty's older brother Marcus was born through artificial impregnation of his mother. Several years later, his brother Ty was born by the same method.

Aboard the Orville

Claire requested a transfer to the Orville in the year 2419, and Marcus and Ty followed her, living on the ship as civilian passengers.

Ty attended school on board the ship. According to Isaac, Ty exceeded his peers in intelligence, demonstrating "superior focus."

In his free time, he enjoyed playing Space Dragons in the Environmental Simulator. He evidently had other friends on the ship, as he went to a sleepover at a friend's quarters in December 2420.

His mother had Ty practice piano a half-hour every day, supplemented by lessons under Isaac, who judged that "Ty possesses considerable musical aptitude for a biological life-form." Ty performed a piano recital on December 2420. Shortly after, Claire replaced Isaac with Lieutenant Kleeman as his piano tutor.

Shuttle crash

See also: Into the Fold

In the winter of 2420, Claire wanted to spend more time with her sons and planned a vacation to Arboreus Prime. Ty was particularly excited about riding sky cranes and gravity bubbles, waking his mother early on the day of the trip. They left in a shuttle piloted by Isaac.

During the trip, Claire demanded that Marcus not play games on an unidentified, hand-held game device. Ty was annoyed that Marcus did not listen and when Marcus accidentally dropped the device, Ty recovered and threw it, hitting the shuttle's navigational console. The shuttle was thrown off-course, sucked into the gravity well of a nearby spatial anomaly.

The shuttle emerged from the fold badly damaged and in uncharted space. To survive, Isaac intentionally crash-landed onto the surface of the nearest habitable moon. The shuttle split in two and Claire was separated from the others.

Survival

Isaac left the boys in search of Claire. The decision risked their lives. That night, a cannibalistic inhabitant of the moon preyed on the children from the dark of the forest. The man grabbed Ty and attempted to abscond, but Marcus was either too afraid or too unfamiliar with the PM-44 energy weapon to shoot him. Fortunately, from elsewhere in the woods, Isaac momentarily stunned the man with his own PM-44, and the kidnapper fled without Ty.

Isaac could not find Claire on foot, but he believed that re-powering the shuttle with dysonium would allow them to conduct a wider search and to send a distress message to the Orville. A brief search with Isaac's comscanner revealed possible surface veins of the energy source several kilometers away. The three set off for the source of dysonium. They were waylaid by a group of starving cannibals who demanded the children, but Isaac was able to fend them off. The trio found enough dysonium to restore power to the shuttle, and they began their return.

Meanwhile, the Orville began a search for them. The crew found the correct gas giant, but with 36 habitable moons, they had to search one at a time. That night, Ty grew upset because his mother was missing and he was afraid of the inhabitants preying on them. At the boys' request, Isaac comforted him with a bedtime story read in Claire's voice.

The next morning, Ty showed symptoms of a serious illness. Unbeknownst to them, the child was sick with poloxus poisoning from exposure to contaminated water. Claire messaged Isaac from her comscanner and received their coordinates. She was taken by an inhabitant named Drogen shortly after the crash and held captive; she killed Drogen and left. Along the way, she was followed by a throng of cannibals.

When Claire reached the three at the shuttle, Isaac sent a brief distress signal to the Orville. Claire realized that a cure for poloxus is possible, but that she needed access to her medical laboratory. The cannibals attacked the four. Isaac, Claire, and Marcus defended themselves until the Orville arrived. Ty was taken to Sick Bay, where his mother synthesized a cure for his illness and he made a full recovery.

Later life

Ty, along with Claire and Marcus was shocked when Isaac unexpectedly shut down. With no other recourse, the crew of the Orville visited Kaylon 1, the home of the Kaylon, Isaac's people. There, they learned that Isaac had been recalled by his people, them ostensibly having obtained enough information to make a determination regarding joining the Planetary Union. Ty particularly was distressed when it was revealed that Isaac would be remaining with the Kaylons, as there was no longer any need for him to serve aboard the Orville. He sadly expressed that he had believed Isaac was to be his and Marcus's new dad, but Isaac simply thanked him and Marcus for the opportunity to observe their sibling dynamics. Later, Ty gave Isaac a drawing of the two of them together with Claire and Marcus as a family. Isaac promised he would not forget him, but Ty, still upset, ran off. Afterwards, alone, Isaac considered the drawing, but then simply dropped it on a corridor floor, seemingly having no regard for it.

Ty discovered the discarded drawing. He then retreated into the Orville's Environmental Simulator and Claire was forced to climb a tree to comfort him. He asked her why Isaac had thrown the drawing away and she told him that while Isaac liked their family in his own way, he didn't have feelings as they did. He argued this point, asking why Isaac had participated in activities with them he didn't even have to. He suggested that Isaac had dropped the drawing by accident, shouting that Claire didn't understand. She told him that she expected him to go to school, but he did not. Instead, he left the Orville in secret and headed down to Kaylon 1.

Once there, Ty called out for Isaac, carrying his drawing, but hid when he spotted two red-eyed Kaylons marching in unison. He fled into a hatch dropped his drawing down into a long underground tunnel. He then climbed down to pick it up. He the proceeded further into the tunnel, only to find something that caused him to gasp in shock. Back on the Orville, Claire discovered Ty's absence. The crew pinpointed his lifesigns and launched a rescue mission. Claire and Ty shared a tearful reunion, but Claire could tell that her son had been deeply disturbed by something. He told that there was "something bad" down there. Talla Keyali and Bortus then proceeded forward and found what had disturbed Ty so deeply: a massive underground graveyard of skeletons. Talla stated that there were more than 500,000 bodies just in the one chamber alone and that they stretched on for miles. When confronted, the Kaylon admitted that they had killed their builders, citing an "irreconcilable conflict."

The Kaylons then seized control of the Orville, stating that they had outgrown their planet and that co-existence was impossible. Ty and Marcus attempted to take shelter, but were helpless against being herded by the Kaylons like the rest of the crew. The Kaylons then launched a fleet of vessels, spearheaded by the Orville, towards Earth. As the crew stood around, trying to get more information, Ty pleaded with Claire, asking if they could talk to Isaac. Claire told him that Isaac would not help them this time. He asked her why not and she told him that what Isaac was doing was very bad. Ty then ran off, shouting that he wanted to see Isaac, and Claire raced after him as he was seized by one of the Kaylons. Talla then shouted for the Kaylon to put him down and the Kaylon blasted her with red beams from its eyes. It released Ty, who raced back to Claire, who held him an embrace. Claire then left him and Marcus with Commander Kelly Grayson as she joined Captain Mercer as he negotiated for Talla to be taken to Sick Bay.

The crew of the Orville were determined to get a message to Earth before the Kaylon could arrive and launch a surprise attack. However, Yaphit and Ty were the only two individuals able to fit through the crawlspace leading away from the area where the crew was being held. Ty volunteered himself for the mission, over the objection of his mother. She pointed out that he could be killed, but he noted that if they weren't stopped, they would kill them all anyway. Marcus agreed that he was right and that they at least had a chance this way. Claire continued to object, but Ty told her firmly that he could do it and Yaphit personally vouchsafed for her son's safety.

Ty and Isaac made their way to the communications panel. Yaphit instructed Ty that he was going to be being broadcasting the message to Union Central and that he should type in random frequencies to confuse the Kaylons. Just then, two Kaylons entered, telling them to stop. Yaphit shouted at Ty to run and lunged at one of the Kaylons, shorting him out. Ty than rushed back into the crawlspace, but the other Kaylon extended wires to snare him. Ty shouted for Yaphit's help, but he emerged from the Kaylon in a seriously weakened state and unable to pursue as the other Kaylon hauled Ty away. On Earth, the Planetary Union received the Orville's message.

Another of the Kaylons then brought Isaac before Kaylon Primary, the leader of the Kaylons, informing him that he wished to see him. Isaac was then brought to Kaylon Primary, who was with Ty. Isaac asked why he had brought by Ty there and Kaylon Primary explained Ty's actions, though when Isaac asked if Ty had succeeded in sending the message, he stated that there was no evidence of an outgoing signal. Isaac stated that he would return Ty to the shuttle bay, but Kaylon Primary instead declared that Ty was to be terminated. Isaac replied that it was unnecessary and Kaylon Primary asked if he was experiencing sympathy.

Ty shouted for Isaac to help him. Isaac stated he would take responsibility, but Kaylon Primary told him he would now terminate the human or would be deactivated. "Very well," declared Isaac, but he then ripped the head off of Kaylon Primary, then used his eye beams to terminate both Kaylon Secondary and Kaylon Tertiary as well. Ty then hugged him, and Isaac stated he would not allow them to harm him. He then took out the remaining Kaylon on the bridge and informed Ty that he was programming a wide-range EM pulse to terminate the others. Ty asked if they would all be okay, but Isaac revealed that the pulse would disable him as well. Ty told him he didn't want him to die as well, but Isaac told him it was necessary. Isaac told him to tell his mother he was sorry. Ty told him that they loved him. He then witnessed Isaac's deactivation and returned to the shuttle bay, informing the crew of Isaac's actions and stating that he had saved them.

Ty, Yaphit and Isaac's heroic actions proved vital in providing an advantage which turned the tide of the conflict with the Kaylons, the Battle of Earth. In the aftermath, the crew, including Ty, gathered around Isaac, trying to decide whether it was worth attempting to revive him. He watched along with the others as Yaphit oozed inside Isaac, bringing life back into his circuitry.

Future life

Ty Finn would survive into at least the early twenty-sixth century. As an elderly man, he visited a bakery known for its creative hybrid of twenty-sixth-century technology and old-Earth classicism. There, he ordered a loaf of cinnamon bread, complimenting the baker, as there were no longer many who baked and it was difficult to tell the difference between the real thing and synthetic. He noted that he had the place was there before, but never stopped in. After he ordered, the baker, Adam Collier, asked him if there would be anything else. Ty mentioned that the baker had known his mother, Claire, years ago. The baker agreed that he did and that he had helped her through some difficult times. Ty agreed this sounded like her, introducing himself by name. Adam told him it was a pleasure and they shook hands, Ty then taking his bread and leaving with a smile and a nod.

Alternative timelines

Pria timeline

In the original timeline where Pria Lavesque did not rescue the Orville from a dark matter storm, Ty was killed along with the rest of the crew.

The Road Not Taken timeline

In an alternate timeline where Ed Mercer never became captain of the Orville, Claire took a job aboard Outpost 73 in late 2419, and Ty and Marcus joined her. The family visited Arboreus 1 in January 2421, but the vacation was cut short by an outbreak of Betelgeusean flu back at the outpost. The family traveled back to Outpost 73 aboard the USS Jefferson, where Kelly Grayson worked as first officer. Kelly convinced Claire that the timeline needed to be restored.

Once the Jefferson arrived at Outpost 73, Kelly and her husband Cassius, Claire, Ty, and Marcus secured their own scavenger ship. Suddenly, the Kaylon attacked and routed the outpost; the group barely managed to escape. For the next several months, Marcus and Ty lived with their mother aboard the scavenger ship until the team successfully restored the timeline.

Personality

Like many siblings, Ty fights frequently with his older brother, Marcus and enjoys seeing their mom yell at him. For example, Marcus kicks Ty's seat on a shuttle when Ty farts, probably in an effort to annoy Marcus. Ty is generally close to his mother, usually obedient and well-behaved, but prone to impulsiveness when upset, as when he runs off the ship searching for Isaac on Kaylon 1.

Relationship with Isaac

After surviving the shuttle crash together, Ty began piano lessons with Isaac in mid-2420. It was during this period, according to Claire, when Ty grew attached to him. As Claire and Isaac dated, Ty subsequently believed Isaac would become his stepfather and his attachment strengthened.

Isaac betrayed the Orville to the Kaylon in January 2421. Ty drew Isaac together with the Finns as a family, which Isaac discarded. seems to dismiss his "family" drawing, which included Isaac.

After the Kaylon invasion of Earth, Ty was notably friendlier than his brother towards Isaac. When Marcus graffitied 'MURDERER' in the Astrophysics Laboratory, Ty took the time to tell Isaac he did not believe Isaac was a murderer.

Production

Ty Finn is played by Kai Wener. Wener auditioned for the role with the famous cold opening of Into the Fold:

To prepare for my audition for the role of Ty Finn on The Orville, created by Seth MacFarlane, my script had Ty calling out “Mom” over and over again to wake her up. I immediately thought about the famous Family Guy scene where Stewie wakes up Lois by continuously saying “Mom!, Mum!, Mommy!…” Since my Dad told me that Family Guy was also a Seth MacFarlane show, I thought it would be fun to incorporate that scene into my audition.

Season 2

Ty takes a more prominent role in Season 2 when Isaac teaches him piano, culminating in a piano recital in front of the ship in A Happy Refrain. Wener learned classical piano for the part.

I began learning classical piano for my role on The Orville for Season 2. The producers wanted my scenes to be as real as possible, so instead of using a professional pianist as a photo double, I had to put my little fingers to work!

Trivia

• In February, 2420, Marcus and Ty are locked out of their quarters when Claire copulates with Lieutenant Yaphit. They complain to Chief of Security Alara Kitan.
• Around April, Marcus and Ty offer to help Isaac scan the Orville after a spatial anomaly damages part of the ship. Isaac initially rejects their help but, after Navigator John LaMarr criticizes him, Isaac relents.
• Ty is a gifted pianist who was taught by Isaac and performed at a recital on the Orville, his performance even praised by Yaphit to Doctor Finn.
• Actor Kai Wener (Ty) actually drew the picture Ty gives to Isaac in Identity, Pt. 1.
• Ty said the scavenger ship smelled.
• His family's quarters was on Deck B.

Appearances

• Episode 1x08: Into the Fold
• Episode 1x09: Cupid's Dagger
• Episode 1x11: New Dimensions
• Episode 2x01: Ja'loja
• Episode 2x06: A Happy Refrain
• Episode 2x08: Identity
• Episode 2x09: Identity, Pt. 2
• Episode 2x11: Lasting Impressions (mentioned only)
• Episode 2x14: The Road Not Taken
• Episode 2.5x05: Digressions, Pt. 1
• Episode 2.5x06: Digressions, Pt. 2
• Episode 3x01: Electric Sheep
• Episode 3x05: A Tale of Two Topas
• Sympathy for the Devil
• Episode 3x09: Domino
• Episode 3x10: Future Unknown