Online Series: The Orville : New Horizons - March 10, 2022 on Hulu

[beowulf]

Interesting that the first two episodes were very Bortus centrist.

 

[Guardian17]

I'm going to miss Alara.

 

[Ducks in a row]

3rd episode of the season was a good one. Nice to see John Billingsley appear in the show.https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0082517/?ref_=tt_cl_t12

 

[peate]

This was a good, albeit sad episode. I always fall for tearful goodbyes.
Was funny seeing two former Starfleet doctors in one episode. I think I also saw one of the wives before as a Vorta.

 

[SJSharksfan39]

This was a good, albeit sad episode. I always fall for tearful goodbyes.
Was funny seeing two former Starfleet doctors in one episode. I think I also saw one of the wives before as a Vorta.

She was the first Vorta in DS9.

 

[RobBrown4PM]

She was the first Vorta in DS9.

Ah the good old DBZ vorta. I'm glad they didn't keep the whole energy throwing crap. Way to gimmicky

 

[SJSharksfan39]

Ah the good old DBZ vorta. I'm glad they didn't keep the whole energy throwing crap. Way to gimmicky

True, but I would have loved it if she had returned.

 

[Osprey]

I finally watched it. It was a really good episode, restoring my faith after the silly first two episodes. It was a lot more sad and serious than I expected, which I liked. For a minute, it looked like she was going to stay and I was wondering if MacFarlane duped the internet, but, alas, it was not to be.

The only thing that I didn't like was the little bit of humor, not that there was some, but that it was so recycled. The interim security chief was of the same awkward-slob-who-says-"sweet!" mold that we've seen before, particularly in Dan. MacFarlane really needs to come up with some fresh humor or let others help him write it.

 

[Jussi]

I finally watched it. It was a really good episode, restoring my faith after the silly first two episodes. It was a lot more sad and serious than I expected, which I liked. For a minute, it looked like she was going to stay and I was wondering if MacFarlane duped the internet, but, alas, it was not to be.

The only thing that I didn't like was the little bit of humor, not that there was some, but that it was so recycled. The interim security chief was of the same awkward-slob-who-says-"sweet!" mold that we've seen before, particularly in Dan. MacFarlane really needs to come up with some fresh humor or let others help him write it.

I think the humor in this situation is how out of place he seems, not how he talks.

 

[NyQuil]

Good episode.

Again, I was taken aback by how well the visuals delivered. Production values were top notch.

A relatively simple character plot but it worked well.

It's funny how easy the Orville can make it look while everything about Discovery tries way too hard. (sorry to bring it up in this thread, but it's ridiculous)

Loved seeing Robert Picardo. He really is the heart and soul of Trek post-TNG.

 

[Osprey]

I think the humor in this situation is how out of place he seems, not how he talks.

They're one and the same. The way that he talks and carries himself is why he seems out of place. It's funny, just less so when the joke's been used several times already.

 

[RobBrown4PM]

There was nothing wrong with the first two episodes. Both had pretty good messages, especially the 2nd one

 

[Ducks in a row]

So what did everyone think of episode 4?

 

[Blender]

Just caught up with the 4 new episodes of Star Trek Orville. Pretty strong start to the season, even if episodes 1 and 2 were a bit flat. The Bortus jokes have been a bit overused at this point, so those episodes dragged for sure.

Both episodes 3 and 4 were fantastic and up there with the best episodes of the series so far. Sad to see Alara gone, but they gave her one hell of a send off.

 

[peate]

It seems they're focusing more on individual crew members this season. First Kelly's relationship dilemma, then Borta's porn addiction, Alara's departure, Gordon's failed ambitions and now Ed's deception from the Krill agent.

It's been OK so far, but I miss the adventure aspect that was more present last year. I think it gets better next week with a First Contact scenario.

 

[Jussi]

I watched the Discovery season premier and Orville episode back-to-back and I think I enjoyed the Discovery episode more.

 

[montreal]

One of the best episodes of the series imo. Although I couldn't remember last season, I had thought of doing a re-watch before this season but didn't get around to it as I thought it might not hold up well.

 

[discostu]

Not sure if this has been discussed in this thread, with regards to the tone, I was discussing with a colleague, and his theory about why it pushes the silliness a little too much is that it may be based on copyright laws. If something is deemed a parody it's given a lot more leeway on what it can copy.

So much of the The Orville is lifted from the ST:TNG, that it does seem odd that it hasn't faced any pushback. I assumed that McFarlane himself must have negotiated something, but if it's the parody angle, it explains why the humour angle is pushed more aggressively when it's not as needed.

 

[montreal]

Not sure if this has been discussed in this thread, with regards to the tone, I was discussing with a colleague, and his theory about why it pushes the silliness a little too much is that it may be based on copyright laws. If something is deemed a parody it's given a lot more leeway on what it can copy.

So much of the The Orville is lifted from the ST:TNG, that it does seem odd that it hasn't faced any pushback. I assumed that McFarlane himself must have negotiated something, but if it's the parody angle, it explains why the humour angle is pushed more aggressively when it's not as needed.

I figured it was due to fox wanting him to pander to his Family Guy fans perhaps thinking they will see it as well it's a Seth McFarlane show so there must be some low brow humor or whatever his kind of shows type of humor are considered. Not knocking it as I have been a big fan of family guy in the past.

 

[RobBrown4PM]

That was the best episode of the series.

And probably one of the best showing of ST since Enterprise went off the air.

Wow.

*clap*

 

[Osprey]

That was awesome and one of the best episodes of the entire series, IMO. It had tenderness, drama, action and humor all in a single episode, as well as a great variety of locations.

For me, the big revelation of the episode is that MacFarlane has been watching Discovery. That twist could not have been a coincidence. She even describes the procedure similarly. It wasn't parodied, exactly, but just the fact that he appropriated the story element and gave a nod to the current Trek series was amusing.

Also, it seems pretty likely that Malloy going through command training was a parody of Tilly doing the same on Discovery. It makes me ill whenever someone tells Tilly what a great Captain she'll make, so I loved the fact that no one had any confidence in Malloy succeeding (ex. Bortus: "He will fail") and we even got to see how unfit he is. Discovery is like your mom who tells you "You can be whatever you want to be, dear," while The Orville is like your dad who says "Math isn't your strong suit, son. Why don't you just stick to mechanics?"

 

[NyQuil]

Great episode.

 

[Jussi]

I didn't find this better than the best episodes in the first season. The pilot's captain aspiration bits were just cringeworthy and unfunny. Captain's girlfriend being a Krill spy seemed very familiar for some reason. I can't put my mind to it I where but felt like I had seen a similar storyline in some work of fiction before.

 

[Blender]

I didn't find this better than the best episodes in the first season. The pilot's captain aspiration bits were just cringeworthy and unfunny. Captain's girlfriend being a Krill spy seemed very familiar for some reason. I can't put my mind to it I where but felt like I had seen a similar storyline in some work of fiction before.

@Osprey pointed it out above, the entire plot of the episode seemed like a parody of aspects of Star Trek Discovery season 1, yet it was so much better executed.

 

[Mimsy]

The season opener was inconsequential, but I was okay with it. The Bortus story worked as Vulcan parody. The B-plot (or A?) with the mischievous kids was bland. I hated the second Bortus episode. The marital discord stuff isn't working for me.

Alara's exit was well-executed. It was a mighty big sendoff for a character who lasted only a season, but it made for an entertaining and sentimental episode. Along with the most recent Krill episode, these two are my series favorites. I would have liked to see more of Alara's evolving relationship with her father. It's a shame Picardo is likely done with the show. While Fox left the door open for Sage's return, there's no chance in hell she'll ever be a series regular again. Alara had been the most promising character for me. I don't know when McFarlane's romantic relationship with Sage began or ended. If it was pre-Orville, then it was perhaps a mistake to cast her on the show. I also don't know the circumstances surrounding her departure, apart from her Netflix gig, but it's disappointing to see a fan favorite leave. At least Sage's exit was handled with class.

I loved the Krill episode. The guest actress did an amazing job emoting through the prosthetic (Andrew Robinson would be proud). Even in full alien-vampire garb, she projected a certain appeal. I wasn't a big "Seth as leading man" cheerleader in season one, but he delivered in this episode, and I've warmed to him overall. I felt for Mercer at the end. The last few minutes of "...Excepting Fishes" were among my favorites of the series. I've never been much into Billy Joel's catalogue, but "She's Always a Woman" was a perfect song choice. It hit me in the feels while lyrically capturing the essence of the female Krill's character and her relationship with Mercer. I expect she'll be an occasionally recurring character. Even if she isn't, it was a neatly wrapped story.

I agree with others who wonder how the hell McFarlane is getting away with this show. The last two episodes, in particular, could slot into any later season of TNG or Voyager. McFarlane has long been in Trek's good graces, having celebrated the show in his animated universe as well as hosting roundtable discussions for the special feature presentations on the ST:TNG blu ray releases. Still, The Orville is crossing into full 90s Trek territory. Were it someone other than McFarlane, maybe the show wouldn't get the same leeway, or maybe CBS couldn't do anything even if it wanted to due to the parody, as others have noted. I don't know. I guess both parties are cool with it.

In Orville related news, Scott Grimes and Adrianne Palicki are engaged.