The Orville - Season 1

[CapnZapp]

Cut and paste from an AV Club comment that I liked:

"I’ve gotta say, after this second episode I unabashedly love this show, just for how earnest and cheesy it is.

The thing that struck me about a lot of the reviews of the pilot, and even this second episode, were how confused the reviewers were about the tone of the show, whether it was trying to be a comedy or a sci-fi drama and not mixing well.

There are comparisons with the show to “Star Trek,” sure, but the reviews almost never seem to be from people who “got” “Star Trek.” And I don’t mean understand that it’s a metaphorical sci-fi show expressing an optimistic view of humanity. I mean they don’t love the show the way the fans do for not only its message, but for its characters, its settings, and despite its idiosyncrasies, its inconsistencies, and even its flaws (and, in most cases, love it because of those things). In other words, the reviewers aren’t “fans” of “Star Trek.” Not the way I am. Not the way Seth MacFarlane is.

After the teaser and opening credits of the second episode, I seriously suspect that the confused tone is the entire point of the show. This isn’t a sci-fi show with an optimistic view of the future. It’s ah homage to fans of such shows.

What is the first shot of the second episode? The Orville floating through space as the music swells up. Presented EXACTLY as it would be on Star Trek TNG or Voyager, just with the Orville instead of the Enterprise or Voyager. It’s even looking at the ship at the same camera angle. That’s a very specific thing to reference. It cracked me up.

Then, there are the newly presented opening credits. And, sure, it’s one thing to say that a minute-long opening credit sequence on a broadcast TV show in 2017 is a huge throwback. But this wasn’t just any opening sequence. This was practically a beat-by-beat re-creation of the Star Trek Voyager opening credits sequence, just with the Orville being depicted encountering all manner of weird space stuff instead of what Voyager encountered.

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[Ryujin]

Some of the pacing was forced, but overall, Ep2 was decent. Liked the non-ST Twilight Zone-style plot.

Reminded me, somewhat, of the original Star Trek pilot which eventually became the two part TOS episode "The Menagerie."

I think that they wanted Alara running away to be funny but it.... wasn't.

 

[Ryujin]

Double post.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Reminded me, somewhat, of the original Star Trek pilot which eventually became the two part TOS episode "The Menagerie."

That element is there, no doubt. Especially in the general physiognomy of the alien captors. But for me, the TZ episode "People are alike" resonated more.

[video=youtube;nIZ04AGTjHc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIZ04AGTjHc&sns=em[/video]

I think that they wanted Alara running away to be funny but it.... wasn't.

I don't know about their intent, but I think it was a fair representation of how some would react or think they'd react if given a crisis in the first hours of their first command.

 

[Legatus Legionis]

.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

After the second episode, I am definately luv'n the show.

How the crew acts when an order goes against what they believe - priceless.

Of course, on a military ship such insubordinate would never be tolerated, but on the Orville, the passion of the crew is front and center.

And how they traded the worst of network TV (ie. reality TV) in exchange for those three are funny as hell!

As a punishment for taking our captain and first mate, we will give you files upon files of reality TV! LOL.

I can't wait for episode three!

Does anyone else suspect our crappy shows will contribute to the decline and collapse of that species' culture? Or a cultural mutation, a la the Sigma Iotians* from Classic ST?


* "A piece of the action"

 

[Ryujin]

Does anyone else suspect our crappy shows will contribute to the decline and collapse of that species' culture? Or a cultural mutation, a la the Sigma Iotians* from Classic ST?


* "A piece of the action"

Or perhaps like the Talosians from "The Managerie"; unable to maintain the technology that was created by their predecessors though, in this case, because they're bloated on beer and pork rinds, and so unable to rise from their couches.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Or perhaps like the Talosians from "The Managerie"; unable to maintain the technology that was created by their predecessors though, in this case, because they're bloated on beer and pork rinds, and so unable to rise from their couches.

We have such things to teach them...


Nononononono!

Selfies! Table flipping! Plastic surgery/tattoo/piercing fails! Kittens! Porn!

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt clips might make them suicidal.

 

[Jester David]

I quite liked this episode.

The comedic set-up and routine family drama just seemed exactly like what a comedy sci-fi show would do. I fully expected that to continue. And then *bam* the twist. That was a thing of beauty. The music got all dramatic and things looked serious, and even the friendly expendable ensign got hurts.
While the reactions were silly and played for laughs, the situation was dead serious and the stakes were real. Which is just perfect. And the episode focused on character growth to boot. Just what I wanted from the show. More than I exepected really.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Reminded me, somewhat, of the original Star Trek pilot which eventually became the two part TOS episode "The Menagerie."

I think that they wanted Alara running away to be funny but it.... wasn't.

Am I misremembering things,or are you?

Wasn't the take of the Menagerie that the super advanced aliens managed to save a single woman from a horrible crash, but only in a horribly disfugred state that made her unable to live without their assistance - and so they created a nice artificial environment for her to keep her happy - and they decided that adding Pike to it would complete her experience.

It wasn't really a Zoo arrangement, was it?