When a planet appears from out of nowhere, the crew realize they’ve discovered something extraordinary; a world whose orbit takes it between universes. But when an accident during first contact leads to Kelly being worshipped, they discover the terrible price anyone who stays on the world pays…

As season finales go this is a little odd. Nothing major happens, there’s no cliffhanger, there’s no real change. Other than the fact that The Orville closes its freshman year in an infinitely better place than it started.

A Plot first. The world is another lovely science fiction McGuffin the show has a lot of fun with. The repeated advances in technology, especially the final one, are gorgeous and the way the society develops is pleasingly clear eyed. It would have been so easy for this to be shouting at all organized religion and, well, it is. But that shouting comes not from self righteous but from honesty and is shot through with a remarkable compassion. This is a society in crisis and the show lets us see that and, crucially, that bad choices happen for good reasons. It’s nuanced, far more than you’d expect for 42 minutes, and gives the show a chance to do more of its trademark visual wit. The stained glass window in the Church of Kelly is especially good.

Again though, it’s the characters that make this work. Gordon (GORDON!) is absolutely on point this week and the show has finally hit the right balance of comedy and drama with him. Likewise Claire and Alara are both on top form and there’s possibly the best Bortus scene the show has done to date too

But it all comes back to Ed and Kelly and it does with a bravery and maturity the show has learned. Kelly, for excellent reasons, screws up. That screw up apparently affects centuries of the planet’s history. Ed covers for her with the Admiralty and is found out.

At which point the fact they’re dating again is brought up by Kelly as being bad for their careers. And that’s what they both care about right now.

It’s a great, clever, nuanced and realistic way of exploring the relationship. There’s no angst, no yelling, Just two people who are clearly attracted to one another making a difficult choice. It will undoubtedly not stick but it ends the show’s first run on a somewhat down, but very fitting note. And besides, it’s not like they break up…

Verdict: This is a smart, funny and sweet episode that brings the series into land on a high note. The Orville had some bumpy spots but it’s ending this first voyage as a weird, kind and fundamentally hopeful series. Much more of that in year 2 please. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart