The Orville - New "Star Trek" like Show by Seth Macfarlane

[Janeway]

[IMG]https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0V87ADO6OOt2x5wDi-1kYJFSl40=/0x0:1024x768/920x613/filters:focal(412x175:574x337)/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54787267/C_3xXLOVwAA6Dqv.0.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE]The Orville is an American science fiction comedy-drama series created by and starring Seth MacFarlane that premiered on September 10, 2017, with new episodes to air Thursdays on Fox during the 2017–18 season. Seth MacFarlane stars as Ed Mercer, an officer in the Planetary Union's line of exploratory space vessels whose career took a downturn following his divorce, and who is given the titular ship as his first command, only to discover that his ex-wife, Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki), has been assigned to be his First Officer. An homage to the television series Star Trek, the series depicts the interactions of Mercer, Grayson and the crew of the Orville as they embark on various diplomatic and exploratory missions[/QUOTE]

[video=youtube;ABUzgAvubYg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABUzgAvubYg[/video]

[angrytoadnoises]

Happy to see this thread crop up, though I hope the show merits enough discussion to justify it's existence.

If you're hesitant to give this show a try, dive right in. I admittedly don't find the humour all that great but when it's not being funny it's being pure, unadulterated Trek.

To start some discussion off - I actually [I]really[/I] liked the third episode. Like, on it's own merit. It had almost no jokes and the plot was genuinely interesting. [sp] The arguments and logic presented in the tribunal was a little off at times but the 'twist' at the end of them not winning the case actually surprised me a bit. I hate to keep using this term to compliment the show, but it honestly felt like a classic Trek episode. [/sp]

[Dracon]

Although it's only three episodes in, I feel episodes 2 and 3 are pretty good. It feels like it's still getting it's legs but is almost there. I'm glad the relationship issue between the captain and first officer is NOT the focus of the show. And it's interesting to see a crew that works together well while also not being perfect as people.

[ThePanther]

I agree The Orville is surprisingly well balanced between the humor and genuinely interesting plot/character development. If you like classic Star Trek, chances are you'll like Orville.

[Saxon]

It feels like Star Trek that takes its self less seriously imo

But jesus that 3rd episode felt more Trek than anything that's come out from actual Star Trek in a long time.

[Miya]

first two orville episodes were dumb seth mcfarlane stuff then the 3rd ep went full star trek with a dash of seth.

i want more episodes like that.

[ardosos]

I thought I was gonna hate it, but I gotta say, I'm hooked.

[RoboChimp]

Which service is it on, amazon prime?

[revan740]

I found it for free on Fox.com (their website). It has commercials. Not sure if it's available outside of the US.

But oh my god, I'm so hooked. That third episode was so much like TNG, but with a bit more modern issues.

The humor doesn't necessarily overtake the show, and it takes itself seriously where it matters. There are genuine emotional moments, and really FANTASTIC music. It's so much like Star Trek.

The humor mixes it up, but I really hope it doesn't make the show less serious and coherent as it goes on. I want to make sure I can learn about the cultures and people and have a great Star Trek time.

Can't recommend it enough.

[Elv02]

In Canada it can be found on City TVs website, with commercials.

Also agree with the above, that despite the humor it is so Star Trek :v:

[ithon]

wow I'm surprised, I thought there might had been bias because of hate for discovery, holy shit episodically episode 3.

AHH the music, so much warm nostalgic feeling that I thought it's borderline copyright at parts.

Also on the humor, the problem with most of bad jokes is that it's built for a laugh track sitcom. Take away some of the dragged on humor to pull a quicker punch, way better.
For instance:
"you know he left two drunk dudes in charge of a baby?" (you can cut right there)
"kinda like how I was raised" (okay great, move immediately from that joke.)
"yeah... I miss my dad" (stop, shut up, just stop)

[FlandersNed]

Is there any way to watch this in Australia? Don't think any networks picked it up....

[Sableye]

its so far been fairly good, the show is now on new ground since the reviewers only got the first 3 episodes.

it reminds me a lot of TNG in both the asthetic and feel, although mcfarlane is certainly no picard, nor is he meant to be, he realizes that he's not a good lawyer and pawns that off on his ex, he is middle management, flying the middle management ship with the middle management crew, compident, but not stellar. if they stick to this, he's not going to be boldly going where no one has gone before, but he might just be cutting the ribbon on some species giant space-mall

if they can find some good stories and get some good momentum behind them i think this will be a huge contrast to discovery, especially since this is on broadcast TV

[Janeway]

Teaser for the next episode.

[video=youtube;icMy38Xdnk4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icMy38Xdnk4[/video]

[Smeetin]

I really thought this show would be too "Family-guy esque" and just annoying, but I am so glad to be wrong.

Overall, I've really enjoyed the first two episodes of The Orville. It definitely hit a Trek Vibe pretty successfully, and the humour isn't too intrusive overall. One negative is that, the humour IS intrusive sometimes and kind of takes you out of the moment. It has been relatively little though so far. The only thing I worry about is that the "comedy" branding will prevent them from adequately approaching / exploring serious political / social / scientific issues. Though it sounds like episode 3 may prove me wrong, I'll have to see.

I look forward to the next episode, though I can't help but feel this show is doomed on FOX since it is already receiving pretty poor ratings and FOX likes to cancel things before the ever get going properly.

All in all this show makes me really happy and I can't explain it.

[editline]28th September 2017[/editline]

[QUOTE=Ithon;52727165]
For instance:
"you know he left two drunk dudes in charge of a baby?" (you can cut right there)
"kinda like how I was raised" (okay great, move immediately from that joke.)
"yeah... I miss my dad" (stop, shut up, just stop)[/QUOTE]

Ya, that is the Macfarlane-esque stuff creeping through, but it hasn't been too bad so far.

[ithon]

episode 3 is good. episode 4 was alright but not as drama, however felt like TOS plotwise.

[Saxon]

Episode 4 gave me that satisfied good inside feeling that I usually get from watching a Star Trek episode.

[ithon]

[QUOTE=Saxon;52729428]Episode 4 gave me that satisfied good inside feeling that I usually get from watching a Star Trek episode.[/QUOTE]

are you sure that wasn't [sp]liam neeson[/sp]?

[ardosos]

[QUOTE=Ithon;52729469]are you sure that wasn't [sp]liam neeson[/sp]?[/QUOTE]

[sp]Wait, that actually was him? My friend and I were were going back and forth whether it was or not.[/sp]

[RoboChimp]

Yeah it basically looks like Seth Mcfarlane remade TNG in his own image.

[Sobek-]

This show is pretty fantastic. I watched the first episode, and I immediate watched the second... as soon as that was finished I was excited to get into the third. It really does feel like classic Trek. Although I would love a show like this without the crude humor, in all honestly it's so subtle and well handled that it doesn't even affect my enjoyment of the show. Compared to Discovery, THIS is what I am most excited to see. I'm very curious how the season plays out as the actors settle into their roles and it finds it's footing as a show.

It's interesting, this show's contrast to Discovery right now (sorry to keep mentioning it but the comparisons are obvious and expected) feels like how it used to be when Stargate and Star Trek were on the air - you had the one more serious toned show and then the more light hearted one, and it was always great each week to have those two formats to watch. I get that feeling again right now, something I haven't had in a long long time.

Anyway, really surprised by this show, and absolutely loving it. I genuinely hope it survives and goes on to success.

*edit* Also, didn't even realise Brannon Braga was involved with this show, that explains a lot. Also also, the music is REALLY good, I know it riffs on Star Treks little incidental themes and transitions a LOT but I love it... It just gives you that nice cosy nostalgia feeling.

[Janeway]

[QUOTE=Ardosos;52731446][sp]Wait, that actually was him? My friend and I were were going back and forth whether it was or not.[/sp][/QUOTE]

Yeah that was him, him and Seth worked on something together previously, that one Western thing, so this might just be a cheeky cameo because of that.

[Takuat]

So how many episodes until Patrick a Stewart appears. Him and Seth are buddies and he already works with him on American Dad as Bullock

[meppers]

and seth confirmed on reddit that a star trek actor will make an appearance this season...

[ichiman94]

The first episode really hooked me in with how much it borrowed from the classic Star Trek: The Motion Picture moovie. The shuttlepod ride and the ship's launch shows dedication to being more Star Trek than its title suggests. Apart from mcfairlaine's humour it's definitely a recommended watch.

[sp]That ending in episode 2 with the "more advanced" aliens loving reality TV got me laughing tho.[/sp]

[editline]30th September 2017[/editline]

Holy shit, by episode 4 it is evident that Seth really loves ST:TMP.

[trainplane3]

You guys weren't kidding. I made fun of this show when the ads first started running on TV. I was so wrong. This is so much Star Trek it hurts. Plus some pretty decent comedy tossed in. I'm just hoping the comedy doesn't turn into Family Guy and just hurt after they run out of references and ideas.

[QUOTE=meppers;52732210]and seth confirmed on reddit that a star trek actor will make an appearance this season...[/QUOTE]

Wasn't Jonathan Frakes directing an episode? I'd be okay with a knock-off Riker making an appearance.

[Sableye]

[QUOTE=ichiman94;52732236]The first episode really hooked me in with how much it borrowed from the classic Star Trek: The Motion Picture moovie. The shuttlepod ride and the ship's launch shows dedication to being more Star Trek than its title suggests. Apart from mcfairlaine's humour it's definitely a recommended watch.

[sp]That ending in episode 2 with the "more advanced" aliens loving reality TV got me laughing tho.[/sp]

[editline]30th September 2017[/editline]

Holy shit, by episode 4 it is evident that Seth really loves ST:TMP.[/QUOTE]

what are you talking about thats straight out of ST:TOS its litterally the exact episode "for the world is hollow and I have touched the sky" but done with modern CG and slightly different focuses.

[ichiman94]

Sorry, I didn't clarify. Where I get the TMP inspiration is from the music, too. When they get there with the shuttlepod the music has heavy influence from when [URL="https://youtu.be/rzHw3W_7Ft8?t=26m17s"]Enterprise entered V'Ger's cloud[/URL].

Also, "I've reduced field magnification by a factor of 10 000."

[RoboChimp]

In episode 4, the non-crew characters, acting and backdrop was very generic TNG looking, good parody I thought.

[editline]2nd October 2017[/editline]

[QUOTE=meppers;52732210]and seth confirmed on reddit that a star trek actor will make an appearance this season...[/QUOTE]Another Character, Kasidy Yates from DS9 is already the ship's doctor.

[ithon]

[QUOTE=RoboChimp;52735092]
Another Character, Kasidy Yates from DS9 is already the ship's doctor.[/QUOTE]

Ohhhhh that's why she's familiar.