In episode 3 of “Orb: On Movements of the Earth,” the story continues when Rafal resumes his research on heliocentrism. After spending time with Hubert, Rafal is confident about the earth theory. However, Rafal intends to keep his research a secret, but Potocki finds out about it. Rafal is surprised to know Potocki’s knowledge of astronomy. While Potocki and Rafal have secrets within the house’s four walls, Nowak is suspicious about Rafal. Nowak uses Potocki to ensure that Rafal is imprisoned. In prison, Nowak tries to help Rafal get on with his life by asking him to recant. However, Rafal has other plans.
This article contains spoilers.
Orb: On Movements of the Earth Episode 3 “I…Believe In Heliocentrism” Recap:
The episode begins with Rafal continuing to work on heliocentrism in secret. After working on the rough notes, Rafal burns it as Potocki will come home soon. However, Rafal puts the revised notes in the same box as Hubert’s research. When Rafal is out, Potocki comes home and sees that one of the papers has not burnt correctly. When Potocki reads the content of the paper, he is surprised. As Rafal walks, lost in thought about ways to prove Heliocentricism, he bumps into Nowak. Nowak praises Rafal for being smart and getting into university. As they converse, Rafal tries to stay calm and says he will major in theology.
As Rafal tries to leave, Nowak stops him, asking about the necklace he is wearing. Rafal says it belongs to Hubert, and since Hubert was a heretic, Rafal is wearing it as a reminder to remain vigilant against heretics. When Nowak asks if Rafal knew about what Hubert was researching, Rafal feigns ignorance. At home, Rafal sighs in relief as he escapes Nowak’s questioning. However, Rafal is shocked to see a revised calculation on one of the documents that Rafal had burnt. Immediately, Rafal suspects Potocki of correcting the documents. When Rafal asks Potocki about it, Potocki pretends not to know anything.
While Rafal contemplates taking a break from research until university, Potocki is upset with himself for correcting the calculations. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door, and it’s Nowak visiting Potocki. Seeing Nowak, Potocki is a little flustered. Now Nowak questions Potocki about how he feels about Hubert’s execution as Hubert was Potocki’s student. In reply, Potocki says Hubert was like any other student, and a heretic is a heretic. In a twist, Nowak reminds Potocki that he once convicted him of heresy. However, Potocki says he has recanted and no longer believes in heliocentrism. Now, Nowak gets to the point and asks if Rafal is researching heliocentrism—the mention of Rafal shocks Potocki.
Will Rafal recant?
Unfortunately, Potocki is unable to hide the guilt, so Nowak utilizes the opportunity to ask Potocki to turn Rafal to the authorities. Due to Rafal’s first offense, he will not be executed. If Potocki knows that Rafal is studying heliocentrism and not turning Rafal in, then Potocki’s life will be in trouble as it will be Potocki’s second offense. Potocki is still unsure of the decision he needs to make. That night, Potocki asks Rafal if he is confident that he can prove heliocentrism. Rafal replies he is confident. The following day, Rafal finds Nowak waiting to take him to prison. As soon as Rafal wakes up, Potocki asks for Rafal’s forgiveness.
In the prison, Nowak tells Rafal that he will meet him the next day when the official torturing begins. However, Rafal can escape it if he recants and destroys his work. Left alone, Rafal contemplates and uses logic to decide to cooperate with Nowak and be free. Even if someone destroys the documents, everything remains in Rafal’s mind, and he can resume his research anytime. The next day, they present Rafal to the court, where he declares that he has recanted. Furthermore, the court allows Rafal to continue his education with some conditions.
Orb: On Movements of the Earth (Season 1) Episode 3 “I…Believe In Heliocentrism” Ending Explained:
The Final Stand of Rafal: A Defiant Act of Truth and Sacrifice
When it is time for Rafal to accept the university application, he takes it and tears the application, saying he believes in heliocentrism/earth theory. Subsequently, Rafal is put in a prison cell. As Rafal starts to drink some wine, Nowak visits Rafal and asks why he chose to waste his future. Rafal invites Nowak for a drink and explains that burning his documents would be a waste. Nowak is dealing with a strong opponent, which is the truth itself. Suddenly, Rafal asks Nowak if he knows the purpose of poppy seeds. Nowak is dumbfounded to hear that poppy seeds can kill a person if mixed with poison; one can die without suffering. Soon, Nowak panics when he learns Rafal has mixed some in his wine.
Nowak is infuriated as he considers suicide to be a mockery of the church. Hearing Nowak, Rafal quotes some philosopher’s views of death. This does not help Rafal’s cause, as Nowak believes these philosophers to be heathens. However, Rafal delivers a compelling case, stating that Hubert inspired him even in death, and he wants to be the inspiration, even at the cost of his own life. Sensing that it is time to take his last breath, Rafal asks Nowak to leave him alone. Ten years later, two men are climbing a mountain, and one man is wearing Hubert’s necklace. One man is pressuring the other man to find Hubert’s research. Eventually, both these men reach the box, and inside is a note with the title Earth. This is written by Rafal.
Rafal’s Influence and the Future of Heliocentrism
In the end, the protagonist of the story kills himself. Since they did show a scene fast-forwarded to 10 years ahead, it seems that Rafal had inspired someone to take up astronomy. In the last scene, one of the people wears Hubert’s and then Rafal’s chain, indicating that they indeed believe in heliocentrism. The other man seems to be someone from the authority trying to get rid of these documents. It will be interesting to see where the heliocentrism theory has reached after a decade and if it is still forbidden to study. The next episode will reveal who these two men are and how earth theory will progress.
