The top three episodes of The Orville season two

I just wrapped my first viewing of The Orville’s second season, and while there were several good episodes, three managed to stand out as great episodes, ones that I know I’ll probably watch again before season three releases.

Home (Episode 3)

When Alara starts losing her strength, she is forced to return home where she is misunderstood by her parents, especially her father. He never wanted her to join the military, and she feels like she never measured up to him. But when she, her parents, and her sister are held captive, Alara uses her security training to save her family.

Despite Dr. Finn finding a way for Alara to stay onboard the ship, Alara chooses to remain on Xelaya so she can have the chance to really get to know her family. This means saying goodbye to Halston Sage’s character. The ending was bittersweet and very well-done. It was the perfect way to bring a character’s journey to an end.

The Road Not Taken (Episode 14)

This was the season finale of The Orville, and it played off a decision made in the previous episode, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Commander Grayson that changes the timeline. In the alternate timeline, the Kaylons won the war with Earth and other planets, and those who haven’t been conquered are forced to hide out and scavenge for food and other necessities.

Captain Mercer and Lt. Malloy are racing to get away from a Kaylon ship when they’re towed aboard a scavenger ship where they meet Grayson who, in this timeline, Mercer hasn’t seen since their one and only date. She realizes saying no to the second date set the catastrophic events in motion, and she has a way to fix it, to go back to the time where the Kaylon didn’t win.

This episode showed a different side of all the characters. Hiding away from the Kaylon, they are forced to survive the only way they know how…by fighting for it. And there are so many picture perfect scenes in this episode, especially The Orville rising from the bottom of the ocean and breaking through water to ascend into the clouds. This episode was a look at what might have been, and it was done incredibly well.

Identity (Episodes 8&9)

I’ve already written a review of this episode so I won’t belabor the point. Suffice it to say that this was my all-time favorite episode of not only season two but the series so far. This one gave me a taste of Star Trek, and I loved every second of it. And I’m not the only viewer who feels the same way as other reviews are just as positive, with The Verge saying that “The Orville has matured into serious science fiction.”

And there you have it, my top three episodes. Now I join the number of people impatiently waiting for season three!