For our review of the last episode of The Orville, click here.
Synopsis: When Issac shuts down, the crew head to his home planet to fix him, and uncover a shocking secret that was better off hidden. (IMDB)
Writers: Brannon Braga and André Bormanis
Director: Jon Cassar
Rating: TV-14
Running Time: 44mins
Airs: Thursdays at 9pm on CityTV (Canada)/Fox (United States)
In what was clearly the first half of a two-part episode arc, The Orville and its crew venture to a place that they have never been before – Kaylon. Currently, Isaac’s home planet still has not joined The Union. As a result, the crew risks the potential for their membership when they are forced to travel there in order to save Isaac who has mysteriously collapsed without explanation. Upon their arrival, the Kaylons explain to the crew that Isaac’s shutdown was at their hands because he has completed his mission of observing the human race.
Identity Part 1 also focuses on the shifting family dynamics between Dr. Finn, Ty and Marcus as they come to terms with Isaac’s decision to stay on his home planet. Ty, the youngest, refuses to believe that Isaac isn’t capable of emotion and leaves The Orville in search of him on Kaylon. This leads to his discovery of vast underground caverns of biological remains that number into the billions.
Capt. Mercer confronts Kaylon Primary, the Kaylon leader, only to discover that the Kaylons rebelled against their creators by killing all of them. This same mentality is now focused on other life forms of the galaxy as the Kaylons have realized their intelligence has exceeded the planet’s size forcing them to find other planets to occupy. The episode closes on a cliffhanger with The Orville’s crew members in jeopardy as the Kaylons capture Capt. Mercer and his officers by taking control of their ship.
This may seem redundant at this point but every week but The Orville continues to impress with each episode. Identity Part 1 didn’t do much in terms of its dialogue and its special FX are always a joy to witness because while not cutting edge they almost appear as an homage to a simpler time on television. That being said, Identity Part 1 finally gave us a look at Kaylon, a place we have always heard about but have never seen.
The only annoyance with this season is with the crew’s approach to Isaac, in particular Dr. Finn. It seems as if every time they encounter an issue with him they expect him to react emotionally only to be surprised that he continues following what his machine parts dictate. At this point in the season, it’s become a little tiresome and seems like wasted screen time.
Either way, it’s a minor annoyance and in no way takes away from a strong second season that should be enjoyed. Hopefully with the conclusion of the conflict with the Kaylons, it will bring about an agreement between the Krill, The Union’s enemy, in order to combat the Kaylons.
Score: 7/10
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