PrimeWire

Yes! We now see how crafty Seth MacFarlane is. He’s using a playbook straight from Joss Whedon plot lines: start with irreverent silliness to evoke compassion for the characters, then hit us in the gut with heavy life-threatening drama. Identity was the our belly-punch this season as Brannon Braga wrote part one and Seth wrote part two.

Braga started as an intern on Star Trek TNG and rose through “Federation”the ranks until Enterprise was cancelled. Since then he wrote and produced shows like 24 and Terra Nova. Now, he serves as executive producer, director and screenwriter on The Orville.

In Identity part one, Braga’s style immediately emerged with the musical overture that was hauntingly reminiscent of Star Trek’s battle rifts. With the ominous overtones rising, The episode began with The Orville descending on the home planet of the Kaylons. By the end, it became crystal clear that the Kaylons are this universes Borg.

In part two, written by MacFarlane, we see that Isaac comes to realize the value of humanity, much like Seven of Nine on Voyager, and suffers a similar fate. In another parallel, The Krill become frenemies with the Union, as did the Klingons with the Federation.

So now the chess pieces have been lain out and identified. And we have learned more about how the masters play their game. For the fans, there are exciting times ahead.

And as far as the haters and complainers are concerned, they need to just relax, sit back and enjoy the ride!