The Orville

Good morning, Isaac.

Good morning.

Do you have an update on the array?

The trans-focal scanner array is online

and undergoing final collimation.

Commander Lamarr and I will have a full report for you

in approximately 26 hours.

Well, make it 28 at least. We'll be on Listak Two tomorrow morning.

I would be most interested to observe the ceremony.

Are we all invited to attend?

Yes.

The presence of friends and relatives is as important for the Renewal

as it is for a Ja'loja.

How long does this usually take? I mean like, what's the gist?

When we arrive on the planet's surface, Klyden and I will disrobe.

Once we are fully bare, thus unified with our natural surroundings,

as we were at birth, Klyden will flee into the forest.

Shortly after, I will follow in pursuit.

If I catch him, we will share the Sexual Event there among the trees.

Our mating vows are thus formally renewed

and sanctified in the eyes of Moclan tradition.

I dare all of you not to cry.

Bortus, don't listen to him. I think it's beautiful.

Thank you, Commander.

Wait, I do have one question.

If you both ultimately want to be back together,

why wouldn't he just let you catch him?

If the pursuit is dishonest, the mating is seen as false.

Such a tactic has been known

to negatively affect the bonding for years afterward.

Klyden will attempt to escape. I must take him.

In the absence of an ordained Moclan Officiant,

I have been asked to perform the Commencement Rite of the Kazh'gahl:

the Renewal of Mating Vows.

Ah'narok Eldosh Macah.

The Two will enter and return as One.

We, the witnesses, will attest to the purity of the chase.

Ja'vok Uvet!

Ja'vok...

Uvosh!

Ja'vok...

Uvosh!

Ja'vok...

Manaka...

The Kazh'gahl has been sanctified.

We are mates.

We'll be sending Cmdr. Keyali the contact code,

as well as a target window for communication with the science team.

They'll give you the supply delivery coordinates.

I hope they're faring better than their predecessors.

Might I recommend you not send Commander Lamarr this time?

Trust me, sir, he does not want to see Sargas Four again as long as he lives.

I would imagine.

Keep me posted.

Halsey out.

- Mercer to bridge. Bridge here.

Set course for Sargas Four.

Aye, sir.

Please state request.

Display all available data

regarding the various cultural traditions associated with...

bonding.

Narrow parameters, and confine search to customs found throughout Earth history.

She's easily my most high-maintenance patient.

I think people like her forget that we're not all-powerful fortune-tellers.

We're just doctors.

Well, it's your own fault, your bedside manner's too good.

- Well, maybe I need to frown more. - Yeah.

Hello, Claire.

Isaac. This is a nice surprise.

Come, sit down.

Perhaps shortly.

I have a very important inquiry for you.

What is it?

Will you marry me?

Isaac, where in God's name did that come from?

And why would you do it in front of half the ship?

Cmdr. Bortus' mating ritual prompted me

to research the matrimonial practices of other worlds.

By calculating courtship duration averages for biological life forms,

cross-referenced with your current age,

I have determined that this is an appropriate time

for us to formalize our coupling.

What does my "current age" have to do with anything?

Throughout human history, most have found it desirable

to marry prior to the onset of physical deterioration.

Well, I'm glad I haven't spoiled.

Isaac, people can and do get married at any time in their lives.

But the more important question is, why did you want to get married?

As I have stated, my calculations--

Eh-eh! Never mind your calculations. I...

Isaac...

have you ever stopped to think about the practical challenges

that time will impose on us?

Please clarify.

You won't age.

I will.

Someday I'll be gone, and you'll still be here, unchanged.

I mean, how do you fee--

What do you think about that?

Given the abstract choice between your continued existence

and your death, the former is preferable.

Well, that's very sweet of you to say.

But my death is an inevitable human reality.

What will you do then?

Perhaps I will select a new companion.

Oh, for god's sake.

And, of course, I will continue to monitor

the well-being of your offspring.

Ty and Marcus...?

Yes. As well as your many descendants.

It will be intriguing to observe the anthropological evolution

of the Finn lineage over the eons of time.

You'd...

look after all of them?

That is correct.

I never even wanted to get married again.

I was so happy just having my kids.

So why didn't you just tell him no? I mean it's not like you're gonna hurt his feelings.

I don't know.

I mean, the fact that he had the idea...

it's so sweet.

Would you get married again?

Maybe.

But we'd both have to be all in.

Ed and I got to the point where it felt like we were both

visiting the marriage instead of being full partners in it,

and... I couldn't do that again.

Maybe we were too young, I dunno.

Here's the wild card:

If any of my other friends were thinking of marriage,

I would give them this heads up:

the man you marry and the man you make your life with

are two different people.

But with Isaac... that all goes out the window.

He said he'd look after my descendants.

I mean, what can a person even say to that?

It's the most beautiful sentiment I've ever heard of.

Well... you love him, don't you?

I do.

Very much.

Well, okay, let's game this out. Pros and cons.

Okay.

Pro: my great-grandchildren will be taken care of.

Big pro. For sure.

And if he commits to this, he'll commit, he will never leave me.

- Should that go on the con side? - Possibly, yeah.

Ooh, he's great in an emergency.

There you go. Smart guy. Dependable.

Selayan-level strength.

Doesn't argue.

Look at this, we're on a roll. Shit. I wanna marry this guy.

No emotions.

I don't know how to answer that one.

What we experienced that day in the simulator...

I know he loves me too.

He just...

doesn't have the machinery to express it like we do.

But then again, so what?

Wouldn't we all be happier if we just accepted people for what they are

instead of being disappointed with them for what they're not?

Come in.

You're busy, I can come back.

- No! Wait! - Captain, come back! - Come here!

You're the one sober person in the room.

What's going on?

We're trying to help Claire make a decision.

I'm trying to decide... whether to say yes to Isaac.

So it's not just a rumor.

No, it's not.

Yeah, I don't know if I'm the best person to consult in this area.

I agree, but we still wanna know what you think.

I guess, how about...

asking your kids if they think you should do it?

Hmm.