The Orville

[on:]

Is anyone else watching this? Before it aired, I was lukewarm. Naturally I missed the pilot episode and ended up catching Ep2 and Ep5, I think, and my friend filled me in on the first ep. Then I accidentally stumbled across all the eps on my cable box and watched them straight through. At first it seems like kind of a mashup with the ethos of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and some of the dryer humor from Galaxy Quest. But after 5-6 episodes it really developed its own character.

I'm watching Ep9 right now, and it's starting to play on itself and it's a bit over the top. And it's a riot, even though it's letting the obvious plotline play out. I'm really liking it   And I heard the other day that that it's been re-upped for a second season.

[Reply #1 on:]

I haven't seen this show (or any iteration of Star Trek, admittedly -- I have a lot of catching up to do), but my initial understanding of this show was that this was going to be a parody of Star Trek. And considering that Seth McFarlane has worked almost exclusively in the realm of comedy, that seemed fitting. But from what I've read so far (a few abbreviated reviews over the weeks), it seems more like it's inspired by Star Trek (some reviews noted that there wasn't much to distinguish it from Star Trek itself) rather than parody or satirize Star Trek.

What is your take on the series so far? You (and others, as I've read) make it seem as though the show is still finding and establishing itself. Do you think it is supposed to be or will be more of a comedy or a drama? A unique universe or a highly derivative endeavor? A parody or an imposter?

[Reply #2 on:]

It clearly came across as a comedy/drama show initially, but my take is that it's been transitioning to less comedy and more drama as the show finds its footing. Some of the humor in the first handful of episodes came across as really forced, and either the humor has become more natural and subtle or I'm just becoming accustomed to it. The only overt comedy I notice now is that revolving around a key relationship plot point.

If it should turn out that McFarlane was simply using the concept of a humorous sci-fi series to sell the show initially but had always intended Orville to be a serious project, I wouldn't be all that surprised.

One significant difference from the Star Trek universe is that there is no energy-beam transportation technology in the show. Not so far, at least.

[Reply #3 on:]

They used a grappling hook in Enterprise.

[Reply #4 on:]

Thanks for the info. I hadn't see it employed in the only episode I watched.

[Reply #5 on:]

Well, Enterprise is the best Star Trek.

[Reply #6 on:]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdshFLqiMyE

[Reply #7 on:]

How insightful!?

[Reply #8 on:]

Well, GALAXY QUEST is the best Star Trek.

Fixed it for you

[Reply #9 on:]

Well... that one character did seem like Scott Bakula.

[Reply #10 on:]

I've watched the first three episodes. I can see the potential for something but it's let down by MacFarlane's writing (I'm aware that he probably didn't do any actual writing on it, but his typical, hacky style is present). Still, I do intend to go back and watch some more at some point. I can believe it figures out what it wants to be a bit more as it goes on.

[Reply #11 on:]

I agree since it seems more like a straightforward scifi series with jokes randomly thrown in as opposed to a straight up comedy with a scifi background

[Reply #12 on:]

My suspicion is that it was sold as a comedy, but that the comedic aspect was a Trojan Horse which was hiding a real sci-fi show with a humorous patina inside. It really didn't work all that well as a comedy, at least for me. I watched episodes 3 and 5, I believe. Then discovered them on On Demand and watched them all from the beginning.  It's definitely finding its footing, now, and the random humor has been cut way back except where the smart-ass character's characters are involved, which works for me.

Yes, I've become hooked. And some of the seemingly straightforward plot elements are resolving to the point that additional subtlety is revealed. And I'm starting to care about the characters, and even have a bit of an e-crush on Adrianne Palicki

The show has been picked up for another season, and this season's finale is this Thursday. I can't wait!

[Reply #13 on:]

I dont know how to sumarize this series... its certainly very light hearted sci-fi with comedy factor but its not a comedy..and it certainly touched very deep and dark themes like religion, gender prejuicies,fanatism or the quite interesting "non structured democracy" wich was a very direct take at the every day growing issue of mass-opinion and lemming effect directly ruining and influencing people's lives...

I renember when they said this series was like Galacy Quest but its not either

I kinda like it .. and i didnt liked Star Trek the next generation... this is like a weird mix of light-sci fi/satire/comedy ..but non of the genres seem to rule

One thing that strikes me is the aparent way the members of the union seem to work together in the end.. we in the first episodes are presented with what seem stereotipic sci-fi characters ..wich in any other screams "oh this one is going to constantly believe himself superior, this one beligerant, this one pedantic..." and then throught the series they seem to work very cordially and go along very well.. much better and naturally than in Star Trek where even old time members like Vulcans were constantly clashing with other races

[Reply #14 on:]

Has season 2 been greenlight yet?

[Reply #15 on:]

YES, but only for 14 episodes. Which is better than the 13 episodes we had this year, I guess.

[Reply #16 on:]

YES, but only for 14 episodes. Which is better than the 13 episodes we had this year, I guess.

13 episodes is the new 22 episodes... series are becaming shorter and if that means higher production quality and less to none filler episodes then im ok with that