It's 2417, and the Planetary Union promotes Ed Mercer to Captain of the exploratory vessel The U.S.S. Orville. Ed's enthusiasm for his new position is dampened when his ex-wife, Kelly Grayson, is assigned to be his First Officer. While on their first routine mission, the Orville crew is ambushed by the Krill, a vicious alien race, who are bent on stealing a device that can cause time to accelerate.

The Orville crew is divided between cultures when Bortus and Klyden debate if their newly born offspring should receive a controversial surgery.

Ed and the Orville crew encounter a massive vessel adrift in space, which is in danger of colliding with a star. While some of the crew set out to help the ship's inhabitants, Bortus, Gordon, and John stay behind and fend off a Krill attack on another Union ship

After the crew saves a stranded ship and its attractive captain, Ed becomes smitten with the Orville’s new guest, while Kelly suspects all is not what it seems. Meanwhile, Gordon attempts to teach Isaac the art of pulling off a practical joke.

Ed and the crew set out to save Dr. Finn, her two sons and Isaac after their shuttle gets thrown into uncharted space and they crash-land on a moon that is light years from the Orville.

The Orville is called to mediate a peace treaty between two warring cultures, but tensions run even higher between Ed and Kelly when a familiar face boards the ship. Meanwhile Yaphit declares his love for Dr. Finn with surprising results.

Kelly discovers that Lt. John Lamarr is smarter than he lets on. So, she pushes Ed to consider him for a key leadership position on the ship after The Orville gets damaged by a mysterious spatial anomaly causing harrowing effects to all things living.

Ed, Gordon and Alara visit Alara's home planet of Xelayah.

The Orville crew is surprised when Claire's personal life takes an unexpected turn, and Gordon makes an unusual grooming suggestion to Bortus.

One of Bortus's old lovers is assigned to help upgrade the ships defences and makes a surprising admission to Talla.

Ed and the crew travel to Isaac's home planet, Kaylon.

The Kaylons take control of the Orville with the intention of destroying all biological lifeforms.

Ed must initiate peace talks with the Krill.

The Orville crew members open a time capsule from 2015.

A time distortion affects Ed and Kelly's relationship.

The crew must contend with the disastrous fallout from Kelly's decision.

The Orville crew deals with the interpersonal aftermath of the battle against the Kaylon.

Tensions between Kelly and the Moclans result when she helps Topa prepare for the Union Point entrance exam.

The crew must rescue Gordon from a distant yet familiar world.

The Orville discovers a Kaylon with a very special ability.

The crew visit Haveena's sanctuary world and embark on a journey that may leave the Union more vulnerable.

A celebration is underway aboard the ship.