Claire begins a relationship with Isaac and discovers the complications of dating a digital lifeform. Bortus grows a moustache.

The Orville’s second season has been defined so far by how undefinable it is. The show continues to grow from its Star Trek-ian roots into something rich and strange and unique. It does a lot of that growing this week in an episode which is smaller scale, and arguably more successful, than anything it’s done before.

After the events of last season, when they were marooned together, Doctor Claire Finn has become attracted to Isaac. She asks him on a date and Isaac, eager to continue his research into how humans interact, agrees. The pair begin dating and over time it becomes clear that there are challenges involved. Not the least of which is Isaac’s inability to feel emotion.

Written down it looks tiny doesn’t it? But Seth MacFarlane’s script engages with the relationship, the romance and the consequences with a delicacy and charm that his frequent (and frequently deserved) detractors could never foresee. Penny Johnson Jerald has been a mainstay of the show from the start but here she’s on exemplary form,  balancing Claire’s rational training with the simple, honest truth of who her heart wants to be with. Mark Jackson too absolutely excels as Isaac, in perhaps the second script in the show’s history that actually gives him something to do. Their second date, when he’s deleted all the information he knows about her so it can be a proper first date is impossibly sweet and a highlight of the episode. Plus Jackson clearly revels in the chance to not be in costume for once.

But where the episode really comes into its own is the final scene. Isaac, having broken Claire’s heart, apologises to her on the bridge in front of the entire command crew. It’s a classic tearful, rain-soaked reconciliation from every romance ever. Only it’s taking place on the bridge of a starship. As the pair leave hand in hand, Gordon, basically to camera, says: ‘This is the weirdest ship in the Fleet’. And he’s right. And it’s wonderful.

Verdict: The Orville has found its voice. Charming, old-fashioned and increasingly in a good way and fundamentally hopeful, it’s a welcome addition to the modern genre conversation and even more so if episodes like this become the standard. Sweet natured, romantic, kind and funny this episode is a joy. Top marks all round. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart