A Happy Refrain

This episode is profoundly good. Seth MacFarlane is a genius.

In light of Star Trek Generation's "In Theory" episode.. we see once again, what happens when a human falls in love with a machine.

Only this time.. it's hilarious!

A job well done. It only missed a perfect 10 from me, because of how close the story line was/is to STG. Other than that, S2 is warming up to be well worth watching.

The Oroville continues its Data-esque Isaac escapades. It is a rare episode which does not include an external threat or conflict, instead focusing purely on the relationship between Isaac and the doctor. One of the best two endings of the series thus far. Poignant, funny, and absurd, with the absurdity augmenting the poignancy. It's one of the few episodes that has managed to thread the needle between ridiculous humor and genuinely moving moments between the characters.

Trek has never done this kind of story before and really done it justice. It tried to, back with Kirk and Miramanee and again with Edith Keeler, but it was never as successful as what Seth MacFarlane accomplished.

Dr Finn has been developing a relationship with Isaac over some months, and now armed with Kelly's encouragement she broaches the offer of a date after her son has a successful piano recital due to Isaac's tutelage.

The pair attend an absolutely wonderful orchestral concert in the company of the crew. The scene is pure genius on MacFarlane's part. A slightly more awkward encounter in the simulator as Isaac reveals he knows literally everything about Claire. Eventually through various crew members offering advice, the two consummate their relationship in a unique way.

Their relationship goes south when Isaac reveals he has come to the end of his data gathering and Dr Finn is furious. And we come to the second plateau: boy loses girl.

The resolution of the matter is so heart-warming, so romantic, so human that it is clear that Seth MacFarlane didn't want just an homage to Trekery. He wanted to surpass it and go far beyond the Roddenberry vision.

He has succeeded.

Seth, keep it coming. I was pleasantly surprised to the hollow deck used in this way, very clever. Laughed out loud, even the second time I watched it. Well done to all The Orville crew. This episode is a character builder for the fans to connect withSome folks want to see more adventures, however, sci-fi doesn't have to be star wars all the time. To the people who didn't like it, it seems clear you do not get the spirit of the series. Sci-fi, adventure, fun, humor and different.