Orville: New Horizons (Spoilers)

[Umbran]

If it helps, the second season makes it much clearer that The Orville is less a TNG parody and more of a TNG continuation

Yeah, it was never a parody, so much as an homage that decided to include comedy.

 

[Mallus]

Yeah, it was never a parody, so much as an homage that decided to include comedy.

True. 'Homage, with comedy' is probably a better description. Though it does veer pretty close to parody in some places, ie the Moclans being a parody of TNG-era Klingons.

 

[Umbran]

True. 'Homage, with comedy' is probably a better description. Though it does veer pretty close to parody in some places, ie the Moclans being a parody of TNG-era Klingons.

I don't take them as a parody - a parody typically takes the original, and exaggerates aspects of it for comedic effect, typically poking fun at the original. Klingons are exaggerated enough of their own that parodying them runs into issues of Poe's Law.

Meanwhile, the Moclans are what Orville uses to hang some of it's strongest social commentary. If they are exaggerating Klingons (arguable - I see them as merely inspired by), it is for that, not of laughs.

 

[Janx]

That appears to be the lesson that Seth was trying to teach, in his rather heavy handed way. After a suicide everyone sits around asking, "Why did they do it?", without bothering to hold up a mirror.

my idea of heavy handed might differs from yours. Captain Me woulda said, "All you mofos bullying Isaac is why he is dead. Get off my ship. I don't care that we're in deep space."

 

[Ryujin]

my idea of heavy handed might differs from yours. Captain Me woulda said, "All you mofos bullying Isaac is why he is dead. Get off my ship. I don't care that we're in deep space."

Heavy handed in the literary sense, as in about as subtle as a 9 iron to the back of the head.

 

[Morrus]

While I do like this show, the bland TNG era set design and CGI stands out a bit when you have Strange New Worlds on the other channel!

 

[Ryujin]

While I do like this show, the bland TNG era set design and CGI stands out a bit when you have Strange New Worlds on the other channel!

If it forced CBS/Paramount to up their game, then it was well worth it.

 

[Horwath]

I'm sorry, but Charlie struck me as... Racist Wesley Crusher.

I was disappointed in an aspect of the episode - Isaac's role in events was repeatedly misrepresented, and nobody really pushed back on it. Isaac did not choose to betray the Union.

It is natural for people to think Isaac did so, and to have fear, and to rest their anger on him. For none of the bridge crew to go, "Wait, that's not what happened..." I find problematic.

I would not say racist, I would just say little over the top filled with anger and hate.
And Mercer did rightfully put her in her place, that she does not have monopoly on that mindset in current situation.

But, Isaac knew what his mission was, he was an infiltrator.
His report secured that "biologicals" are not worth of preserving.
He stole all Union secrets and protocols, even the "13 button salute" that could have given Union more preparation time and most probably fewer losses.
He did not try to warn crew of Orville in what trap they are entering when going to Kaylon planet.

He is guilty as every other Kaylon, and changing your mind at 11th hour does not absolute him from his crimes.
Best he could hope was avoiding summary execution. And he got a lot more than that.


Also this episode is little reminder of TNG "the enemy" where Worf is faced with dilema of donating blood to romulan survivor, and I would say that Picard and Worf played it better than Mercer and Burke, as Picard did not order Worf to undergo the donation or disciplined him.


And, if anyone aboard Orville is a bigot or racist and should be put in airlock, then that is Klyden

 

[Catolias]

Yeah, it was never a parody, so much as an homage that decided to include comedy.

Spot on.

I also think it manages to skewer the self-righteousness that Star Trek often falls for, especially in TNG. Think of S1:ep3 (About a girl). That ending is the antithesis of how a Star trek episode would end. Also, each of the members feel more human for their goofiness.

I like too that you can play spot the actor who previously did a turn on Star Trek

 

[Horwath]

Spot on.

I also think it manages to skewer the self-righteousness that Star Trek often falls for, especially in TNG. Think of S1:ep3 (About a girl). That ending is the antithesis of how a Star trek episode would end. Also, each of the members feel more human for their goofiness.

I like too that you can play spot the actor who previously did a turn on Star Trek

Well, Orville's About a girl is a "copy" and ended similar as TNG episode The Outcast.