Episode 8 of Orb: On Movements of the Earth (Season 1) dives into a profound exploration of the universe, challenging entrenched beliefs by examining both radical and established theories. A pivotal conversation unfolds between Badeni and Jolenta, navigating the tension between daring ideas and the enduring quest to understand the cosmos—a pursuit driven by humanity’s relentless desire for truth.
In a surprising twist, Jolenta unveils herself as the one who solved the enigmatic problem at the heart of their journey. She then introduces Badeni and Oczy to Count Piast, a staunch advocate of the geocentric model. Despite his traditional stance, Count Piast reveals an ambitious aspiration: to refine our understanding of the universe, uniting his belief with a shared commitment to truth.
This article contains spoilers.
Orb: On Movements of the Earth (Season 1) Episode 8 “We Must Become Icarus” Recap:
The episode continues as Oczy and Badeni question Jolenta whether she is the one who has solved the problem. Jolenta panics and says it is her master who has solved the problem. When probed further, Jolenta says her master is away and that he would be away for a while. So Badeni asks Jolenta to take them somewhere private as they have a message for Jolenta’s master. As they walk to the destination, Jolenta expresses her views in the name of her master. When Badeni questions Jolenta about Ockhman being radical, Jolenta says the important thing is pursuing the truth. Now Badeni tricks Jolenta and asks if she solved the problem using a particular theory. Jolenta immediately says she did. Realizing her mistake, Jolenta changes her statement, saying her master used the theory.
After this, Badeni is sure Jolenta is the one who has solved the problem and is thrilled. Using a woman to do their research will help if Badeni gets caught, as he can blame it on Jolenta, and she will be punished for being a witch. This idea is unacceptable to Oczy, but he plays along as he has no choice. Once they reach the destination, the real test begins. Playing along with Jolenta’s lie, Badeni inquires if Jolenta is also interested in astronomy.
To which Jolenta says she is interested in astronomy. Their conversation leads to Badeni and Jolenta discussing Philolaus’s theory of the universe. According to the theory, there is a mysterious fire in the middle of the universe, and the people on Earth do not live on the side of the fire. Around the fire, the Earth and Sun rotate. This conversation makes Jolenta uncomfortable as it goes against the faith. However, Badeni reminds Jolenta that he is from the church, which helps Jolenta talk freely.
Why is Jolenta angry with Badeni?
First, Badeni says that creating a theory where the Earth moves is ridiculous, to which Jolenta agrees. Just like the rest, Jolenta also believes the Earth is in the center of the universe. Next, Badeni introduces Jolenta to Aristarchus’s theory, which is similar to Philolaus’s theory. However, in Aristarchus’s theory, everything is based on observable facts. Now, Badeni asks Jolenta what would happen if these ridiculous theories were to spread among the masses.
Jolenta says it would go against the church questioning authority, and the world they know will seem strange. The next question Badeni asks is if she wants the world to remain the same, asking her to consider that humans are born into a world of sin and freedom. The trigger point for Jolenta is when Badeni asks what if the world and the ideas the people believe in are lies? When Jolenta says these ideas are ridiculous, Badeni says they are the way to find the truth.
Immediately, Jolenta asks Badeni and Oczy to leave. Before leaving, Badeni tells Jolenta they will wait for her by the bulletin board in the afternoon the next day. As soon as they go, Jolenta rushes to tell Kolbe about these men but does not find Kolbe in his study. Jolenta realizes that Kolbe must be involved in the research discussion. As usual, Jolenta climbs down the well and overhears the conversations above.
Through the lecture, Count Piast says that he wants to complete the model of the universe, and most people are content with Ptolemy’s theory, but it has a few problems. So, the search for truth must continue. Furthermore, Count Piast says they lack the audacity to look for the truth, and they should all become Icarus to find the truth about the universe. Once Jolenta comes out of the well, she bumps into Count Piast.
Orb: On Movements of the Earth (Season 1) Episode 8 “We Must Become Icarus” Ending Explained:
Why does Badeni refuse to meet Count Piast?
Now, Jolenta panics, but Count Piast already knows the essay Kolbe submitted is Jolenta’s. Furthermore, Count Piast encourages Jolenta to reach him directly the next time she writes an essay. The following day, Jolenta shows up at the bulletin board and reveals the truth to Badeni and Oczy. When Badeni asks if Jolenta will work for them, Jolenta agrees but says she does not have access to the observations. So she asks Badeni and Oczy to meet Count Piast. Hearing Count Piasts name, Badeni refuses to collaborate as Count Piast believes in the geocentric model. The argument Jolenta makes is that Count Piast believes in searching for the truth.
During the meeting with Count Piast, Piast gets angry as what Badeni suggests can prove Count Piast’s research wrong. In anger, Count Piast asks the group to leave. In a flashback, we see a young Piast getting disowned by his father (who is royalty) as Piast is interested in astronomy. So Piast visits another cousin, whom the family disowns for the same reasons. After asking about Piast’s skills, the professor requests Piast to prove his observational skills. After going through Piast’s observations, the professor hands Piast the golden astrolabe to start making observations of the universe. Currently, an adult, Piast wants to continue his professor’s dream as well as his to perfect the cosmos.
The reason Piast is obsessed with perfecting the universe is because of the professor and mentor who had the same desire. Probably after the professor’s death, Piast took it upon himself to continue the work. In the next episode, we will probably learn about Piast’s journey and how he became a master of astronomy. Unlike the others, Piast is open to hearing ideas from women, which is unacceptable in society, and is also willing to consider radical ideas if that will help perfect the universe. However, we are yet to see if Piast will collaborate with Badeni and the group.
