This episode is dedicated to Norm MacDonald who died in September 2021 and played Yaphit. He finished recording the material for the third season and so will still be featured all through the season.
The show has undergone a visual overhaul since the previous season. Introduced here are modified uniforms and a spruced up exterior for the ship. Most notably, Isaac's design has been modified, appearing more robotic. While the modifications to the ship are explained in-story as a refit following the battle against the Kaylon, no explanation is given for the change in Isaac's appearance.
Introduces new regular character Ensign Charly Burke, the ship's navigator. The Orville had been without a regular navigator since Lt. Commander LaMarr was promoted to chief of engineering.
Isaac says he is "functioning within normal parameters," the same response often uttered by Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987).
A new title sequence is introduced, along with a new arrangement of the opening theme music, replacing the opening theme/titles that had been in use since the show's beginning.