With the Kaylon fleet heading for Earth, and the Orville as a trojan horse, all seems lost. But Ty, Yaphit, Kelly and Gordon have other plans.

There’s an expectation that two part stories in shows like this don’t tend to land. This is an expectation ‘Identity’ ignores. After the slow burn and horror of the first episode this is bigger, louder, faster and changes the world of the show forever in some fascinating and gutsy ways.

The first is a noticeable change in tone. Up to now, this has been a show that’s focused on one ship and, by and large, things have worked out. This episode we have multiple crew fatalities including a startlingly grisly spacing, the destruction of another Union vessel and a knockdown drag out battle over the Moon between the Union (aided by the Krill) and the Kraylon that leaves thousands dead. All of which takes place in full view of Earth.

There are going to be massive changes in the world of the show after this and for it to back away from them would be an act of cowardice it would never recover from. Thankfully it shows no signs of doing so thanks to the second brave choice that’s made: toys very definitely do not go back in the box this week. The best scene of the episode is the closing, with Isaac slowly assembling a photo of his home world. Claire joins him and makes it clear that while he will be forgiven he isn’t yet. That’s a brave choice and one the show is to be absolutely commended for. It also suggests we’re going to be getting the profound cultural shock of the Earth’s near destruction also explored this year.

Finally, there’s the fact that these changes actually solve all the show’s outstanding issues. Yaphit was a single joke stretched across a season last year. Here his unique makeup and approach is vital to the show. Claire’s kids could so easily break the show. Here they’re a vital part of its core dynamic. Even the Krill are given context here in this suddenly much more complex, frightening and exciting universe the show finds itself in. The most advanced race anyone has ever met is in fact a group of systemically traumatized AIs so convinced they’re under threat they could lash out at any time. Throw in the crew fatalities and the fact Isaac is, well, kind of a war criminal and you can see how tough a road the show has ahead. How much fun it will be too.

Verdict: Simply put, this is how you do multi part stories. Driven by character, crammed with action and endlessly impressive this is the best story to date in a season that’s never been less than good. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart