Janel Tyler

**Janel Tyler** was a cover identity designed by the Krill soldier, and former teacher, Teleya. During Teleya's period as Janel Tyler, Tyler was a Human Lieutenant Science Officer and dark matter cartographer serving in the Planetary Union.

## Creation of "Janel Tyler"

After Teleya escaped prison in Union space, she joined the Krill military and was assigned to an unnamed Krill destroyer. She volunteered for a mission to infiltrate the Union as a spy to capture a captain. According to Teleya: "Lieutenant Tyler was designed to be the ideal Union officer and the perfect lure."

 Teleya chose Captain Ed Mercer because he killed her brother Arnak at the Battle of Kastra 4 and captured her ship, the *Yakar*, which led to her imprisonment.

To pass Union bioscanners, Teleya was made to appear wholly Human via transcellular micrografting and was given a backstory:

* Tyler had been an "explorer at heart" since she was a kid, she followed her childhood dreams to visit uncharted space and contact new species.
* Tyler was a Human, a lieutenant in the Union, and a dark matter cartographer.

Janel Tyler was a compelling cover identity. Since the Union learned how to map dark matter from Pria Lavesque in late 2419, the Union had a new need of experts.

## Career

It is not known how Teleya infiltrated the Union, but Janel worked "mostly on science vessels and outposts," including Outpost 58, by mid-2420.

She successfully transferred to the USS *Orville* in August to serve as its new dark matter cartographer, ostensibly fulfilling her character's dream to explore the quadrant.

Tyler served aboard the Orville during its missions to Nyxia, Xelaya, and part of the journey to Epsilon 5.

## Personal life

On the same day Janel first arrived at the Orville, Helmsman Gordon Malloy attempted to woo her, despite her showing an almost complete indifference to him.

Janel began quietly dating Captain Ed Mercer some time on or shortly after August 2420. Teleya later said it was easy to attract Ed because he was "simplistic and easily manipulated." In October, Janel's co-worker Lieutenant Morris tells her that she had a "glow;" and she and Ed agreed to publicize their relationship. Their relationship lasted until Ed's capture several days later.

Gordon asked Ed if the two of them had "done it," but Ed evaded the question asking if it was allowable to use that phrase after the age of 12 but never answering directly. The two had, in fact, had sexual relations which led to Teleya's pregnancy and the eventual birth of their daughter, Anaya, whom Teleya had raised in secret.

## Capture of Ed Mercer

In October 2420, Ed and Janel took a trip by shuttle to Sensoria 2. However, Janel led Ed into Krill hands. Krill soldiers feigned torturing Janel until Ed divulged his Command Codes after which Janel returned to her form of Teleya.

## Production

The name of the character underwent several changes. In the original draft, Tyler's name was "Janet Miller." A Fox press release from late December listed her name as "Janel Gillis," which may be an error or reflect a later draft name.

## Appearances

* *Episode 2x01: Ja'loja*
* *Episode 2x04: Nothing Left on Earth Excepting Fishes*

## References

1. ↑ Episode: Ja'loja
2. ↑ Teleya: "Choosing you was my idea." Episode 2x04: Nothing Left on Earth Excepting Fishes
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Episode 2x04: Nothing Left on Earth Excepting Fishes
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Episode 2x01: Ja'loja
5. ↑ Episode 1x05: Pria
6. ↑ Episode 2x02: Primal Urges
7. ↑ Episode 2x03: Home
8. ↑ Episode 3x04: Gently Falling Rain
9. ↑ Twitter post. Feb. 26, 2018. Deleted.
10. ↑ ORVILLE, THE. *The Futon Critic*. Last accessed Dec. 30, 2018.