Star Trek spoof series "The Orville"

[MonnoM]

"Follows the crew of the not-so-functional exploratory ship in the Earth's interstellar fleet, 300 years in the future" - IMDB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy9sKeCE8V0

[I. Rex]

Has anybody watched any of these yet? Why did Seth MacFarlane get approved to do this? I mean I know hes always wanted to be Captain Kirk. And now they are bank rolling his dreams? Does he really have that much pull at Fox because of Family Guy? Its hard for me to take him seriously in a role like this. He comes across as Brian from Family Guy to me whenever i hear his voice. And this character seems similar to him as well. But the show, while full of comedy elements is not farcical at all. It seems to be trying to play it straight and truly be another Trek series. Ive only seen one episode so Im not sure what I think of it yet. Just hard for me to take him seriously. Its kind of like Star Trek: New Generation meets A Million Ways To Die In The West.

[Saunch]

This hasn’t been cancelled yet?

[gbgoodies]

I'm not a fan of any of Seth MacFarlane's other TV shows, but I've been watching "The Orville", and I like it. It's like a fun version of "Star Trek".

[MonnoM]

I'm with gb, I also like the show. I like that it's starting to come into its own by branching out and not just giving us spoofs. Keeps this up and it just might stick around a while.

[TheUsualSuspect]

The episode with the sex-reassignment dilemma of the child was depressing....

The series seems not as edgy as McFarlane is use to and actually wants to tell stories so we'll see how it goes.

[Captain Steel]

On last night's season finale, this show gave me my first good laugh out loud moment with the opening scene of the Captain playing "Latchcomb" with the Moclans. The timing was perfect and the joke was completely unexpected which led to the laugh.
It was funny because, rather than my usual criticism that the show makes jokes using modern references that no one 400 years in the future would understand, the humor here was centered around alien customs and was a thinly veiled homage to the Klingons and their culture - this was a game only Klingons would play. (For spoilers, you can find a video of the scene on YouTube).

[Captain Steel]

Has anybody watched any of these yet? Why did Seth MacFarlane get approved to do this? I mean I know hes always wanted to be Captain Kirk. And now they are bank rolling his dreams? Does he really have that much pull at Fox because of Family Guy? Its hard for me to take him seriously in a role like this. He comes across as Brian from Family Guy to me whenever i hear his voice. And this character seems similar to him as well. But the show, while full of comedy elements is not farcical at all. It seems to be trying to play it straight and truly be another Trek series. Ive only seen one episode so Im not sure what I think of it yet. Just hard for me to take him seriously. Its kind of like Star Trek: New Generation meets A Million Ways To Die In The West.

I have to say I also didn't have any high hopes for this show (but sometimes lowered expectations make for better outcomes). I was never a big fan of Seth McFarlane and was afraid this show would just be "Family Guy in Space" or that it would be analogous to the 1970's TV space comedy Quark (which could be described as "screwball.")

But it seems to be finding its groove in between comedy and adventure.

The stories are somewhat hit or miss, but they seem to be acting the same way Trek stories did - as social commentary with a dose of morality (although many are still wondering what the message of the Moclan sex-reassignment episode was).

Personally, I liked the episode where Mercer and Malloy disguised themselves as the Krill and infiltrated their ship (I liked some of the subtle analogies made... depending on how you looked at it). The makeup in this episode was also pretty impressive.

I could go into some negatives...
Such as I really don't like Scott Grimes "Malloy" character, but maybe I think a helmsman with a beard just rubs me the wrong way... maybe I'd find him more acceptable if he shaved. ;) I found out he played "Malarkey" in Band of Brothers (an excellent WWII HBO series) which brought him up a notch in my book, but I'm still not sure if he fits the show's dynamic... it certainly doesn't need more comic relief and he seems an additional layer of comic relief.

Still not sure how I feel about MacFarlane in the lead (satisfactory so far). I'm wondering if I also might have liked an unknown in the role, or at least someone who doesn't sound like "Brian." In this case, I guess it's a good thing I never watched much Family Guy.

I found Dr. Finn rather bland at first, but she's grown a bit.

Lamarr also seems a bit nondescript (despite being featured in 2 episodes.)

Bortus is okay, but seems just a Mr. Worf copy (which can be good or bad depending on how he's played - and I obviously enjoyed the "Latchcomb" joke of the finale.)

Isaac also seems mostly a copy of TNG's Mr. Data - especially his voice which sounds like a direct impersonation of Brent Spiner. He's interesting in that, unlike Data, he belongs to a race of sentient machines that considers organic beings inferior (for Trekkies, I interpret that he could be from the planet described in ST-TMP where a race of intelligent machines build the V-ger vessel.)

Yaphit (voiced by comedian Norm MacDonald) as a secondary character is also questionable - on first appearance he seemed to raise the goofball level.

I like Kelly and Alara (although I keep expecting Alara to act like a Vulcan since she has pointed ears.)

[I. Rex]

Its just hard for me to take it seriously. Ive seen a few episodes now and Im still not sure what they are trying to do. I find myself waiting for it to reveal itself as one giant long winded Family Guy joke. Plus Im not really into the characters. MacFarlend is always the same character no matter what program he's in. Having his ex wife there with them just seems to be an excuse for lots of jokes about how terrible marriage is. The doctor seems boring. The robot comes off as a Data caricature and the big guy comes off as a Warf caricature. The security chick is completely unbelievable in her role as head of security. I guess thats the point but it seems stupid to have this tiny little girl acting in that position because of her "super strength" which just seems like a joke because Halston Sage is like 85 pounds soaking wet and she's wasted anyway behind all that grease paint and lose fitting uniform. The notion that shes really strong because of the effect of gravity on her home world is eye rollingingly silly (gravity doesnt work that way! she would be 3 feet tall and rippling with muscles and barely able to walk in a 1G environment and her heart would probably explode!) Oh and the two helmsmen both come off as frat bros and why in the world do we need two of them exactly? And dont get me started on the blob guy. It is cool that theyve gotten a number of interesting cameos though. Liam Neeson and Charlize Theron are nothing to sneeze at.

[Captain Steel]

You'll note, I. Rex, that I had a lot of the same observations (or criticisms), but after watching a season I'm willing to go with gbgoodies' assessment... that it just feels like a more fun version of Star Trek.

Anyone notice the story of the finale (which was a fun story) bore some resemblance to a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode where Lisa places her tooth in a dish of cola and little people are formed who come to worship her as a god. The Orville used a phase shift where the planet would emerge every 11 months with 700 years having passed on its surface, whereas for Lisa, her civilization would advance centuries overnight.;

[gbgoodies]

On last night's season finale, this show gave me my first good laugh out loud moment with the opening scene of the Captain playing "Latchcomb" with the Moclans. The timing was perfect and the joke was completely unexpected which led to the laugh.
It was funny because, rather than my usual criticism that the show makes jokes using modern references that no one 400 years in the future would understand, the humor here was centered around alien customs and was a thinly veiled homage to the Klingons and their culture - this was a game only Klingons would play. (For spoilers, you can find a video of the scene on YouTube).


As soon as I saw them playing Latchcomb, I knew something bad was going to happen. They're a Klingon-like race playing a game of Hot Potato. I immediately asked Hubby what he thought would happen if someone didn't get rid of it fast enough.

[gbgoodies]

I have to say I also didn't have any high hopes for this show (but sometimes lowered expectations make for better outcomes). I was never a big fan of Seth McFarlane and was afraid this show would just be "Family Guy in Space" or that it would be analogous to the 1970's TV space comedy Quark (which could be described as "screwball.")

But it seems to be finding its groove in between comedy and adventure.

The stories are somewhat hit or miss, but they seem to be acting the same way Trek stories did - as social commentary with a dose of morality (although many are still wondering what the message of the Moclan sex-reassignment episode was).

Personally, I liked the episode where Mercer and Malloy disguised themselves as the Krill and infiltrated their ship (I liked some of the subtle analogies made... depending on how you looked at it). The makeup in this episode was also pretty impressive.

I could go into some negatives...
Such as I really don't like Scott Grimes "Malloy" character, but maybe I think a helmsman with a beard just rubs me the wrong way... maybe I'd find him more acceptable if he shaved. ;) I found out he played "Malarkey" in Band of Brothers (an excellent WWII HBO series) which brought him up a notch in my book, but I'm still not sure if he fits the show's dynamic... it certainly doesn't need more comic relief and he seems an additional layer of comic relief.

Still not sure how I feel about MacFarlane in the lead (satisfactory so far). I'm wondering if I also might have liked an unknown in the role, or at least someone who doesn't sound like "Brian." In this case, I guess it's a good thing I never watched much Family Guy.

I found Dr. Finn rather bland at first, but she's grown a bit.

Lamarr also seems a bit nondescript (despite being featured in 2 episodes.)

Bortus is okay, but seems just a Mr. Worf copy (which can be good or bad depending on how he's played - and I obviously enjoyed the "Latchcomb" joke of the finale.)

Isaac also seems mostly a copy of TNG's Mr. Data - especially his voice which sounds like a direct impersonation of Brent Spiner. He's interesting in that, unlike Data, he belongs to a race of sentient machines that considers organic beings inferior (for Trekkies, I interpret that he could be from the planet described in ST-TMP where a race of intelligent machines build the V-ger vessel.)

Yaphit (voiced by comedian Norm MacDonald) as a secondary character is also questionable - on first appearance he seemed to raise the goofball level.

I like Kelly and Alara (although I keep expecting Alara to act like a Vulcan since she has pointed ears.)


I think Scott Grimes is the weak link on the show. He's supposed to be a likable character, but there's something about him that kind of annoys me a bit. I think it's because he's kind of goofy sometimes.

I think not watching any other Seth MacFarlane shows is a plus for me because I didn't know anything about him before watching this show, so I don't recognize him, (or his voice), as any other characters. He's just a newcomer to me, and he's very likable on the show.

I don't really see the point of Yaphit (Norm MacDonald) other than comic relief. He rarely has a large part in any episodes, so I don't really mind him being there just for laughs.

Isaac is the obligatory "logical" character on the show, so I wasn't surprised that he's basically a clone of Data. He's a "required" type of character in any "Star Trek" type of show.

[gbgoodies]

Its just hard for me to take it seriously. Ive seen a few episodes now and Im still not sure what they are trying to do. I find myself waiting for it to reveal itself as one giant long winded Family Guy joke. Plus Im not really into the characters. MacFarlend is always the same character no matter what program he's in. Having his ex wife there with them just seems to be an excuse for lots of jokes about how terrible marriage is. The doctor seems boring. The robot comes off as a Data caricature and the big guy comes off as a Warf caricature. The security chick is completely unbelievable in her role as head of security. I guess thats the point but it seems stupid to have this tiny little girl acting in that position because of her "super strength" which just seems like a joke because Halston Sage is like 85 pounds soaking wet and she's wasted anyway behind all that grease paint and lose fitting uniform. The notion that shes really strong because of the effect of gravity on her home world is eye rollingingly silly (gravity doesnt work that way! she would be 3 feet tall and rippling with muscles and barely able to walk in a 1G environment and her heart would probably explode!) Oh and the two helmsmen both come off as frat bros and why in the world do we need two of them exactly? And dont get me started on the blob guy. It is cool that theyve gotten a number of interesting cameos though. Liam Neeson and Charlize Theron are nothing to sneeze at.


You're reading too much into this show. Don't try to take it seriously. The show isn't a serious show. It's a light and fun version of Star Trek. It has a lot of Star Trek in-jokes and references, but it's not an "official" Star Trek show.

Don't compare it to Family Guy, or any other previous Seth MacFarlane shows. Just try watching it for what it is, "Star Trek Lite".

[gbgoodies]

You'll note, I. Rex, that I had a lot of the same observations (or criticisms), but after watching a season I'm willing to go with gbgoodies' assessment... that it just feels like a more fun version of Star Trek.

Anyone notice the story of the finale (which was a fun story) bore some resemblance to a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode where Lisa places her tooth in a dish of cola and little people are formed who come to worship her as a god. The Orville used a phase shift where the planet would emerge every 11 months with 700 years having passed on its surface, whereas for Lisa, her civilization would advance centuries overnight.;


I don't watch "The Simpsons", but we've seen this type of "God worship" scenario before. The Ewoks worshipped C3PO as a God, and in the last episode of "DC's Legends of Tomorrow", there was a time travel episode where the people in the past worshipped a doll named "Beebo" as a God, and it screwed up our present timeline's Christmas.

[I. Rex]

Don't compare it to Family Guy, or any other previous Seth MacFarlane shows. Just try watching it for what it is, "Star Trek Lite".

"Star Trek Lite"? Yuck. Just what I want. Watered down sci fi pablum designed for people who cant handle "regular strength" Star Trek... And easy for you to say not to compare it to any other MacFarlane vehicle because its exactly like ALL of them.

I will say the special effects on the show are excellent (ironic that a "Lite" version of Star Trek has the best special effects yet) and I saw an episode recently where the doctor from Star Trek Voyager plays the father of one of the cast members. More of that kind of thing will always help.

[Captain Steel]

"Star Trek Lite"? Yuck. Just what I want. Watered down sci fi pablum designed for people who cant handle "regular strength" Star Trek... And easy for you to say not to compare it to any other MacFarlane vehicle because its exactly like ALL of them.

I will say the special effects on the show are excellent (ironic that a "Lite" version of Star Trek has the best special effects yet) and I saw an episode recently where the doctor from Star Trek Voyager plays the father of one of the cast members. More of that kind of thing will always help.

Well, it's not "exactly" like Family Guy.
(And Family Guy is just the Simpsons but with a TV show or movie reference or flashback every 2 minutes and more sexual innuendo.) ;)

There've been a few ST alumni to show up so far (but none that I know of from the original series since most of them are dead). It would be a kick if they could get Shatner to appear.

[I. Rex]

Well, it's not "exactly" like Family Guy.

Its Brian's voice and mannerisms. Thats enough for me. And the essence of Family Guy pervades everything that MacFarlane seems to do. Ever seen A Million Ways to Die in the West or any of the Ted films?

There've been a few ST alumni to show up so far (but none that I know of from the original series since most of them are dead). It would be a kick if they could get Shatner to appear.

I seriously doubt youll ever see that knowing Shatner's attitude. Unless they pay him a ridiculous amount of money. Would still be weird though. He never did it for any of the other Star Trek iterations. But I like the random second and third tier cameos where you sit there and say to yourself "hey... is that..." Maybe they could have Whoopie do something. Having two comedians working off each other might be good for a few winky laughs knowing MacFarlane.

[I. Rex]

Well since theres some folks here who inexplicably seem to really like this thing, I thought Id give you MacFarlane's original original Star Trek performance. Not sure why they only give you a little bit. Maybe the rest was terrible. But I wasnt joking in my original post about this being his dream. Hes been a geek about this since he was a kid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn_Sgcxg5PQ

[gbgoodies]

Well since theres some folks here who inexplicably seem to really like this thing, I thought Id give you MacFarlane's original original Star Trek performance. Not sure why they only give you a little bit. Maybe the rest was terrible. But I wasnt joking in my original post about this being his dream. Hes been a geek about this since he was a kid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn_Sgcxg5PQ


I. Rex

You seem to be against this show because you don't like Seth MacFarlane, but I think the fact that he's been a Star Trek geek since he was a kid is a good thing. It means that he knows what most Star Trek fans like, because he's one of us. This is basically a Star Trek show that's made by a fan and for the fans.

[Captain Steel]

I've watched all 10 episodes of the fan-made web series "Star Trek Continues." It's very faithful to the feel of the original series and its production values are top notch - making it look very much like the original (all the sets, sound effects and music are spot on). I've got my criticisms, of course, and the stories are somewhat hit or miss, but the good ones are pretty good - especially the final two-parter (the lady who plays the Romulan Commander is a dead ringer for the original) and I liked how the very end begins to tie into the start of the movie franchise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G-ziTBAkbQ&t=697s

[gbgoodies]

I've watched all 10 episodes of the fan-made web series "Star Trek Continues." It's very faithful to the feel of the original series and its production values are top notch - making it look very much like the original (all the sets, sound effects and music are spot on). I've got my criticisms, of course, and the stories are somewhat hit or miss, but the good ones are pretty good - especially the final two-parter (the lady who plays the Romulan Commander is a dead ringer for the original) and I liked how the very end begins to tie into the start of the movie franchise.


I've heard about "Star Trek Continues", but I haven't seen it yet. I've been trying to find time to binge watch all of the episodes, but I just haven't found the time yet.

[Captain Steel]

Just found out The Orville is returning this Thursday (check your local listings)!

And in commemoration, I found a new YouTube video making some interesting points comparing The Orville to Star Trek Discovery:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZspRRB6o_NU

[gbgoodies]

Just found out The Orville is returning this Thursday (check your local listings)!



Captain Steel
I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it already returned this season. The first new episode aired on Sunday Dec 30th, and the second new episode aired on Thursday Jan 3rd.

[average joe]

I think anyone who likes Star Trek, especially "The Next Generation," should check it out even if they are not a Seth McFarlane fan. Despite being a comedy, it deals with some thought-provoking concepts at times.

[average joe]

Those who enjoy "The Orville" also might enjoy the British sci-fi series "Red Dwarf," though its comedy was broader.

[Doolallyfrank]

I didn't know Adrianne Palicki was in it, might have to start it now :)

[TheUsualSuspect]

This season so far has had little laughs and more character based development. I honestly think they want to steer away from the MacFarlane based comedy and do a light-hearted funny Star Trek.

Glad to see some things from the first seasons carrying over though, such as the gender reassignment episode.

[Captain Steel]

Captain Steel
I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it already returned this season. The first new episode aired on Sunday Dec 30th, and the second new episode aired on Thursday Jan 3rd.

WHAT??? I just saw the commercial and assumed it was the season premier. Hopefully the On Demand on the house TV carries the episodes (this cable doesn't carry the same stuff I used to have).
Thanks for letting me know!

[TheUsualSuspect]

WHAT??? I just saw the commercial and assumed it was the season premier. Hopefully the On Demand on the house TV carries the episodes (this cable doesn't carry the same stuff I used to have).
Thanks for letting me know!

At least two episodes have aired.

[Captain Steel]

I didn't know Adrianne Palicki was in it, might have to start it now :)

She's one of the best parts of the show!
(This is horrible, but I wonder if she could have that mole right between her eyes removed?) ;)

[Doolallyfrank]

I didn't know Adrianne Palicki was in it, might have to start it now :)

She's one of the best parts of the show!
(This is horrible, but I wonder if she could have that mole right between her eyes removed?) ;)

The 3rd eye is sexy as hell

[Captain Steel]

The 3rd eye is sexy as hell

At least it's not a piercing! :D

[Doolallyfrank]

The 3rd eye is sexy as hell

At least it's not a piercing! :D

Stop teasing me

[Captain Steel]

I've watched the 3 new episodes on On-Demand.

I have to think that Seth McFarland liked Seinfeld since at least 3 Seinfeld alumni (by my count) have shown up, perhaps more have appeared. It took me a while to place Jason Alexander under the make-up. I hate to admit I found Patrick Warburton's short appearance hilarious.

Again, nice to see more Trek alumni show up (two ST doctors in the same episode no less: Voyager's Holo-Doc and Enterprise's Dr. Flox).

I also hate to admit that I teared up at Alara's (Halston Sage) goodbye as she hugged the crew members.

Now, I wish I could have a discussion about gravity vs. atmospheric pressure (as the plastic bottle flattening on Alara's home-world looked more like the result of greater atmospheric pressure than gravity - there are no soft, light or fragile materials that just flatten under Earth's gravity, while objects under pressure - like submarines at the bottom of the ocean - will crumple. The planet Venus is a good example of this - it's gravity is similar to Earth's since it's about the same size, but the atmospheric pressure on the surface is similar to the pressure at the bottom of our deepest oceans. Things sent to Venus get crushed - unless they're made of metal - the pressure combined with the acid atmosphere and the intense heat means that things sent to Venus from Earth don't last very long.)

[TheUsualSuspect]

Sad to see her go too.

[Captain Steel]

I wonder if Seth McFarlane is intentionally "borrowing" names from Star Trek (or maybe they're just stuck in his memory).

Alara's homeworld is called Xelaya which is pronounce exactly like Star Trek's Mount Selaya - a mountain on the planet Vulcan where the crew had to bring Spock's body to get his katra restored in The Search for Spock.

I just found our there was a Klingon ship in the Enterprise TV series called the Bortas - the same name as the Klignon-like character in The Orville (who's name is spelled Bortus).

P.S. The fourth episode was probably the best of Season 2 so far - with some major surprises. I liked the episode in season 1 with "The Krill" (when Mercer & Malloy went undercover on their ship), so apparently I like the Krill. The make-up in this show is as good if not better than that of the best of the Trek TV series (although I haven't really seen Discovery, so I can't compare much to that.)

[Raven73]

I really like this show.
It is a comedy-drama. The second season seems lighter on the comedy and heavier on the drama.
The Identity (two parts) episode was awesome!

[Captain Steel]

I really like this show.
It is a comedy-drama. The second season seems lighter on the comedy and heavier on the drama.
The Identity (two parts) episode was awesome!

Wasn't it though?
A bit predictable at parts, but still awesome.
I thought it was going to be the season finale, but apparently there's more to come.

For those who still think this is just Family Guy in space... this is not your grandfather's Quark! (A sci-fi comedy TV series from 1977.)

If this were Star Trek - then the Kaylon are the mechanical race that created the V-ger probe ship from STTMP! Think about it - Spock found out that V-ger was a originally a space probe that fell into the gravitational pull of a planet inhabited by a highly advanced mechanized civilization who identified the probe as a similar (if cruder) being as themselves. They copied the probe's programming - to obtain knowledge - and built the humongous "V-ger" ship around the probe. The Orville may be giving us some background on this civilization.
The Kaylon are a highly advanced mechanized civilization that regard biological creatures as inferior, deserving of extermination. V-ger said the biological creatures ("carbon units" / humans) were an infestation of the Enterprise and deserved extermination. Both sought to exterminate the carbon units on Earth.

[average joe]

"Identity" was great. The story, effects and music were worthy of a theatrical film.

[Raven73]

Wasn't it though?
A bit predictable at parts, but still awesome.
I thought it was going to be the season finale, but apparently there's more to come.

For those who still think this is just Family Guy in space... this is not your grandfather's Quark! (A sci-fi comedy TV series from 1977.)

If this were Star Trek - then the Kaylon are the mechanical race that created the V-ger probe ship from STTMP! Think about it - Spock found out that V-ger was a originally a space probe that fell into the gravitational pull of a planet inhabited by a highly advanced mechanized civilization who identified the probe as a similar (if cruder) being as themselves. They copied the probe's programming - to obtain knowledge - and built the humongous "V-ger" ship around the probe. The Orville may be giving us some background on this civilization.
The Kaylon are a highly advanced mechanized civilization that regard biological creatures as inferior, deserving of extermination. V-ger said the biological creatures ("carbon units" / humans) were an infestation of the Enterprise and deserved extermination. Both sought to exterminate the carbon units on Earth.

Good points. I think the Kaylon share some similarities with the Borg, too (with the main difference being that the Kaylon are interested in extermination of bios as opposed to the assimilation of bios).

I also think Yaphit might be loosely based on the monster from the Star Trek "Devil in the dark" episode. Yaphit (voiced by Norm MacDonald) is obviously there for comedy relief, but he did some serious stuff in the Identity episodes.. It also makes sense to have an engineer that can climb through narrow spaces.

[average joe]

Yaphit is cool. Was that his first appearance? I have only seen a few.

[Raven73]

Last night's episode "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" was excellent. I had to look up whether Adrianne Palicki has a twin - turns out she does not and it was all special effects and camera tricks.

[Captain Steel]

Last night's episode "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" was excellent. I had to look up whether Adrianne Palicki has a twin - turns out she does not and it was all special effects and camera tricks.

"Kelly" looked gorgeous in bangs! Especially when they covered that mole between her eyes. ;) That blouse, though...

Another interesting episode.

The one with Gordon and the "Simulator" (a.k.a. Holodeck) was also interesting but a bit lackluster. However, I'm glad the show is making episodes that make you think.

Personally, I've never liked the concept of the Holodeck - if they existed no one would want to explore space - people would just live inside them in their own personal paradise. People would be addicted to them (kind of like Bortus with the Simulated porn!)

If they existed in reality, they'd probably only be available for the rich, and there'd be year-long waiting lists to use one. The technology is also way too advanced for the Orville or ST-TNG for that matter - it's on par with the Teleporter (which the Orville doesn't have) - rearranging matter at a molecular level to create anything? - the inherent danger of such a device would be unbelievable.

And now - in honor of Kelly's bangs.... a song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejMN4ohVU-A

[TheUsualSuspect]

The Kaylon episodes were really good and I liked the effort put forth with Time Travel in the finale. The show works for me when I thought it wouldn't. It's weird because the comedy isn't as in your face as one would expect from McFarland. Glad they are keeping up with some character centric episodes.

[gbgoodies]

The Kaylon episodes were really good and I liked the effort put forth with Time Travel in the finale. The show works for me when I thought it wouldn't. It's weird because the comedy isn't as in your face as one would expect from McFarland. Glad they are keeping up with some character centric episodes.


I don't know much about Seth MacFarlane, but I've read that he's a big Star Trek fan. He made a Star Trek fan film when he was a teenager, and he appeared in two episodes of "Star Trek: Enterprise".

Since he seems to be a trekkie like the rest of us, he knows what we want to see.

[Citizen Rules]

So far I've watched 5 episodes of The Orville. I'm liking it, of course I didn't have too high of expectations, but it's fun and sometimes funny...and sometimes not. I liked all of the cast right from the start, except the damn robot thing:rolleyes: Gawd! he's bland and annoying. I'm going to watch all the episodes and then I'm going to be out of Star Trek to watch. Don't think I'll watch Discovery.

[Captain Steel]

So far I've watched 5 episodes of The Orville. I'm liking it, of course I didn't have too high of expectations, but it's fun and sometimes funny...and sometimes not. I liked all of the cast right from the start, except the damn robot thing:rolleyes: Gawd! he's bland and annoying. I'm going to watch all the episodes and then I'm going to be out of Star Trek to watch. Don't think I'll watch Discovery.

The good news is the episodes actually get better as they go along. It gets to be less about trying to make jokes and more about story - and then any jokes come more naturally.

(For future reference just keep this whimsical thought in the back of your head - that this is actually part of the ST universe and the bland robot thing belongs to the race of machines that built V-ger in ST-TMP!) ;)

The bad news (for me) is the next season is not going to be on regular TV, but on some special order thing you have to pay extra for. :(

[gbgoodies]

So far I've watched 5 episodes of The Orville. I'm liking it, of course I didn't have too high of expectations, but it's fun and sometimes funny...and sometimes not. I liked all of the cast right from the start, except the damn robot thing:rolleyes: Gawd! he's bland and annoying. I'm going to watch all the episodes and then I'm going to be out of Star Trek to watch. Don't think I'll watch Discovery.


If I remember correctly, the robot's name is Isaac. I wasn't a fan of his at first either, but he got better as the show went on. He's supposed to be the new Spock or Data type of character, but he's not as good. He'll never be a character that you love, but give him a chance and you might at least like him more than you do now.

[gbgoodies]

The good news is the episodes actually get better as they go along. It gets to be less about trying to make jokes and more about story - and then any jokes come more naturally.

(For future reference just keep this whimsical thought in the back of your head - that this is actually part of the ST universe and the bland robot thing belongs to the race of machines that built V-ger in ST-TMP!) ;)

The bad news (for me) is the next season is not going to be on regular TV, but on some special order thing you have to pay extra for. :(


I agree that the show gets better as it goes on.

I haven't heard that it was changing networks, but if you're right, I'm not happy about that. I"m sure that it will be a network that's not already in my cable plan, and I'm not adding anything to my TV bill, so it could be the end of the show for me, (at least until it gets released on DVD and I can find it at a cheap price).

[TheUsualSuspect]

Man, it feels like ages ago that season 2 was on television.

[Citizen Rules]

I just finished the 1st season of The Orville...now I'm on season 2 episode 4.

I'm still liking it but what the hell! They got rid of one of my favorite characters, Lt. Alara Kitan. Both me and my wife really liked her character, she brought a lot to the show and lots of personality, so it sucks that they canned her for someone else. I haven't seen who replaces her on the ship yet, hopefully they will be OK.

I'm also bummed that Lt. Cmdr. John LaMarr, got a 'promotion' to chief of engineering but so far he's not been on the show much. I liked it better when him and Gordon set side by side driving the ship and making jokes. It feels like the show lost something when they moved John off the bridge.

I still don't like the robot, but he's a bit better I guess. Glad to see Penny Johnson who was great on DSN get some more air time as the doctor. I take it they've paired her up with the robot, I guess that works.

Some good episodes, some mediocre ones...some good jokes and some stale, juvenile jokes too.

I'm not a fan of Brannon Braga and his style of show construction and the second season is starting to feel like it's structured after the last couple seasons of Enterprise...too much focus on action packed thrills with energy weapons fights and edge of your seat, block buster type entertainment, blah...I like a more sedate and cerebral show with strong character development and interaction.


The Captain, Seth MacFarlane has gotten better in the second season as now he's the flawed, 'lonely guy' who's pining for his ex wife and feeling quite miserable. That all makes him seem more human and more interesting. I liked the 1st officer Kelly Grayson from the get go, but I liked her look (hair & makeup) better in the 1st season. She looked more edgy, more flashy too, not she's more softer looking. I still like her and her relationship with the Captain.

[Captain Steel]

I just finished the 1st season of The Orville...now I'm on season 2 episode 4.

I'm still liking it but what the hell! They got rid of one of my favorite characters, Lt. Alara Kitan. Both me and my wife really liked her character, she brought a lot to the show and lots of personality, so it sucks that they canned her for someone else. I haven't seen who replaces her on the ship yet, hopefully they will be OK.

I'm also bummed that Lt. Cmdr. John LaMarr, got a 'promotion' to chief of engineering but so far he's not been on the show much. I liked it better when him and Gordon set side by side driving the ship and making jokes. It feels like the show lost something when they moved John off the bridge.

I still don't like the robot, but he's a bit better I guess. Glad to see Penny Johnson who was great on DSN get some more air time as the doctor. I take it they've paired her up with the robot, I guess that works.

Some good episodes, some mediocre ones...some good jokes and some stale, juvenile jokes too.

I'm not a fan of Brannon Braga and his style of show construction and the second season is starting to feel like it's structured after the last couple seasons of Enterprise...too much focus on action packed thrills with energy weapons fights and edge of your seat, block buster type entertainment, blah...I like a more sedate and cerebral show with strong character development and interaction.


The Captain, Seth MacFarlane has gotten better in the second season as now he's the flawed, 'lonely guy' who's pining for his ex wife and feeling quite miserable. That all makes him seem more human and more interesting. I liked the 1st officer Kelly Grayson from the get go, but I liked her look (hair & makeup) better in the 1st season. She looked more edgy, more flashy too, not she's more softer looking. I still like her and her relationship with the Captain.

I actually cried a little when Alara said goodbye to each of the crew.

I still want to debate over her planet - what we saw was not the effects of increased gravity, but increased atmospheric pressure!

Under increased gravity a bottle will indeed weigh a lot more, but it won't flatten - just like our gravity doesn't just flatten anything made of light or crushable materials.

Whereas with atmospheric pressure, that's exactly what it does to objects - crushes them flat under tons of layers of atmosphere.

Go to a planet with greater gravity and you may not be able to stand up, it may feel hard to breath (if there's a breathable atmosphere), but you won't suddenly be crushed flat like under a steam roller, however... sink to the lowest depths of the ocean and you will indeed be crushed and flattened into the sea bed - this is the difference between gravity & atmospheric pressure: gravity pulls on you from the center of the planet, while atmos. pressure presses on you from above, thus crushing & flattening you.

My contention: Alara's planet may indeed have greater gravity than Earth, but when
we see things get crushed on the surface, it can only mean the planet's atmospheric pressure is probably even greater than its gravity.

[gbgoodies]

I just finished the 1st season of The Orville...now I'm on season 2 episode 4.

I'm still liking it but what the hell! They got rid of one of my favorite characters, Lt. Alara Kitan. Both me and my wife really liked her character, she brought a lot to the show and lots of personality, so it sucks that they canned her for someone else. I haven't seen who replaces her on the ship yet, hopefully they will be OK.

I liked Lt. Alara Kitan too. I think the actress, (Halston Sage), left the show because she was cast in the show "Prodigal Son". I read somewhere that she liked the new show because she looked like herself.


I still don't like the robot, but he's a bit better I guess. Glad to see Penny Johnson who was great on DSN get some more air time as the doctor. I take it they've paired her up with the robot, I guess that works.

I've seen Penny Johnson in a few other shows, and she usually plays a character who has a strong presence. Even though her character wasn't likeable in "24", and it took some getting used to her character in "Castle", she was always memorable.


Some good episodes, some mediocre ones...some good jokes and some stale, juvenile jokes too.

I'm not a fan of Brannon Braga and his style of show construction and the second season is starting to feel like it's structured after the last couple seasons of Enterprise...too much focus on action packed thrills with energy weapons fights and edge of your seat, block buster type entertainment, blah...I like a more sedate and cerebral show with strong character development and interaction.

I didn't stick with "Enterprise" long enough to compare it to "The Orville", but I find that "The Orville" is a fun version of the original "Star Trek".


The Captain, Seth MacFarlane has gotten better in the second season as now he's the flawed, 'lonely guy' who's pining for his ex wife and feeling quite miserable. That all makes him seem more human and more interesting. I liked the 1st officer Kelly Grayson from the get go, but I liked her look (hair & makeup) better in the 1st season. She looked more edgy, more flashy too, not she's more softer looking. I still like her and her relationship with the Captain.

I didn't know much about Seth MacFarlane before I saw him in "The Orville", except that he created shows like "Family Guy" and "American Dad!", which I don't like, so I expected not to like him in "The Orville", but he turned out to be one of my favorites on the show. I read somewhere that he's a huge Star Trek fan. I also liked Kelly Grayson from the first time I saw her, and I love her relationship with the Captain.

[gbgoodies]

I actually cried a little when Alara said goodbye to each of the crew.

I still want to debate over her planet - what we saw was not the effects of increased gravity, but increased atmospheric pressure!

Under increased gravity a bottle will indeed weigh a lot more, but it won't flatten - just like our gravity doesn't just flatten anything made of light or crushable materials.

Whereas with atmospheric pressure, that's exactly what it does to objects - crushes them flat under tons of layers of atmosphere.

Go to a planet with greater gravity and you may not be able to stand up, it may feel hard to breath (if there's a breathable atmosphere), but you won't suddenly be crushed flat like under a steam roller, however... sink to the lowest depths of the ocean and you will indeed be crushed and flattened into the sea bed - this is the difference between gravity & atmospheric pressure: gravity pulls on you from the center of the planet, while atmos. pressured presses on you from above, thus crushing & flattening you.

My contention: Alara's planet may indeed have greater gravity than Earth, but when
m we see things get crushed on the surface, it can only mean the planet's atmospheric pressure is probably even grater than its gravity.


This is a problem on a lot of science fiction shows, (and movies). They have some type of plot hole or goof because whatever idea they came up with isn't correct.

I've learned over the years that it's easier just to accept their incorrect premise as being correct in their universe because it's easier to enjoy the show if I accept it, rather than being bothered by the fact that it's wrong.

[Citizen Rules]

I liked Lt. Alara Kitan too. I think the actress, (Halston Sage), left the show because she was cast in the show "Prodigal Son". I read somewhere that she liked the new show because she looked like herself. That's not what I read. I read in a couple of different articles that she was written out of the show and it wasn't her choice to leave.

Why did Halston Sage leave the show? Truth be told, neither Fox nor show creator and executive producer Seth MacFarlane have given a clear reason as to why she was written out, and Sage herself seemed largely in the dark too. When asked if she chose to leave The Orville in a 2019 Television Critics Association panel, the actress simply stated, “It wasn’t about a choice. It was what was best for the show at the time.”and this
Halston Sage did what ‘The Orville’ writers askedFox never issued a clear reason for writing Alara Kitan off The Orville and bringing on a brand new Xelayan. Halston Sage wasn’t entirely clear either but had good spirits about the whole thing.

“I completely trust our writers and producers,” Sage said. “I think everything happens for a reason.”

So, did she choose to leave the show or did they ask her to?

“It wasn’t about a choice,” Sage said. “It was what was best for the show at the time.

Halston Sage did not have Prodigal Son lined up immediately after The Orville. She landed the role the old fashioned way.

“When Orville ended I was just out there auditioning like everyone else,” Sage said. “Every audition is tough. I think this especially, I was very emotionally attached to Ainsley and to this script and the project and everyone involved. I like that though. I like that when you’re feeling really passionate about something. I like that energy that produces.”

I seen her replacement tonight, Lt. Talla Keyali and I did not like her at all. She seemed like she should have been in some crime show. She just didn't fit with the demeanor of the rest of the crew. Now I don't feel like watching the rest of season 2, but probably well.

The actress seemed like an odd replacement and even odder she's the exact same species, how embarrassing for Halston Sage 'Alara' to be booted off the show and replaced. At least her replacement could've been a different species. I wonder if Seth MacFarlane had a personal grudge against Halston Sage?

[Citizen Rules]

Some replies to older post...

...Personally, I liked the episode where Mercer and Malloy disguised themselves as the Krill and infiltrated their ship (I liked some of the subtle analogies made... depending on how you looked at it). The makeup in this episode was also pretty impressive. For me, the story premise was intriguing and the make up amazing. But I hated how Mercer and Malloy didn't even try to fit in as Krill. They just started with the goof ball jokes once they got onboard the Krill ship. The jokes should've come from their serious attempts to interact with the Krill, as fellow Krill...but inevitably they'd say the wrong thing and then they'd have to scramble to cover up their mistakes.

Bortus is okay, but seems just a Mr. Worf copy (which can be good or bad depending on how he's played...Bortus is great IMO, he's clearly like Worf but still not a Klingon. I like how he interacts with his mate and the way his race does things, like laying eggs and urinating once a year in a grand ceremony! He cracks me up.

Isaac also seems mostly a copy of TNG's Mr. Data - especially his voice which sounds like a direct impersonation of Brent Spiner. For me, he just hasn't got it. By that I mean I get that he's like a Data character, but image Data being played by Will Weaton instead of Brent Spiner.

He's interesting in that, unlike Data, he belongs to a race of sentient machines that considers organic beings inferior (for Trekkies, I interpret that he could be from the planet described in ST-TMP where a race of intelligent machines build the V-ger vessel.)Ha, you always interpret things as being V-ger like;) Actually you should watch Picard because it was said that an ultra advanced race of sentient machines would one day come to our galaxy and purge it of organic life...sound familiar?

I think Scott Grimes is the weak link on the show. He's supposed to be a likable character, but there's something about him that kind of annoys me a bit. I think it's because he's kind of goofy sometimes. I think he's suppose to be the loutish, crude jerk, who inside is still a good person. He's not my favorite though.

I don't really see the point of Yaphit (Norm MacDonald) other than comic relief. He rarely has a large part in any episodes, so I don't really mind him being there just for laughs. I don't care about Yaphit so far.

[Captain Steel]

This is a problem on a lot of science fiction shows, (and movies). They have some type of plot hole or goof because whatever idea they came up with isn't correct.

I've learned over the years that it's easier just to accept their incorrect premise as being correct in their universe because it's easier to enjoy the show if I accept it, rather than being bothered by the fact that it's wrong.

It's my love of science that makes me love science fiction (and want to critique it when things don't quite click with known science or speculation on science). I don't enjoy the shows any less (unless the mistakes are TOO flagrant or are there due to sloppy or lazy writing). I just kind of enjoy discussing these little discrepancies. ;)

[Captain Steel]

For Rules: Don't know if you've gotten to the episodes about Isaac's planet yet (I think it was a 2-episode finale).
But they are really interesting and some of the best action episodes of the series (which ups Isaac's place on the show a bit, at least for me)... and, of course, (trying to avoid spoilers) those episodes fit the V-ger scenario quite nicely. ;)

(My programing is to relate everything relatable to V-ger and return that relatable information to my creator!)

I think it's in these episodes that Yaphit ends up playing a pivotal role (I'm not sure if that raises the bar on his character or not, although I did find his crush on Dr. Finn rather humorous throughout the series).

I also liked the story arcs about Isaac having a relationship with Dr. Finn... (kind of reminiscent of the various humans who had or tried to have relations with Mr. Data on TNG).

[Captain Steel]

P.S. Alara's replacement was also a dud for me (no offense to the actress).

[Citizen Rules]

My programing is to relate everything relatable to V-ger and return that relatable information to my creator!Ha, that's funny and I get it too!

For Rules: Don't know if you've gotten to the episodes about Isaac's planet yet (I think it was a 2-episode finale).
But they are really interesting and some of the best action episodes of the series (which ups Isaac's place on the show a bit, at least for me)... and, of course, (trying to avoid spoilers) those episodes fit the V-ger scenario quite nicely. ;) Nope I haven't seen that one yet. Last night I watched the episode where they make first contact with the humanoids who imprisoned people born under the wrong astrology sign. I thought that was a weak story idea, as it's more or less been done before. I also wondered about the morality of Kelly killing all those prison guards? I mean maybe they were forced to be prison guards because of their own astrology signs. Not to mention the end result of all that killing would be more innocent prisoners killed.

I think it's in these episodes that Yaphit ends up playing a pivotal role (I'm not sure if that raises the bar on his character or not, although I did find his crush on Dr. Finn rather humorous throughout the series).The crush on Dr. Finn part is fun, I haven't seen the episode you're talking about though.

I also liked the story arcs about Isaac having a relationship with Dr. Finn... (kind of reminiscent of the various humans who had or tried to have relations with Mr. Data on TNG). Me too.

BTW, good call on gravity not crushing the beer can on Alara's home planet. I hadn't thought of it while watching the show but like you said the crushing would be from dense atmospheric pressure. Still as a special effect it showed how dangerous the planet was to humans.

What do you think of Alara's replacement?

[Captain Steel]

Don't want to just reminisce off-topic...
But remember the TNG episode where a woman (non-regular character - not Lt. Yar who just used Data for sex!) tried to have a romantic relationship with Data?

That was a really good one! :)

[Citizen Rules]

Don't want to just reminisce off-topic...
But remember the TNG episode where a woman (non-regular character - not Lt. Yar who just used Data for sex!) tried to have a romantic relationship with Data?

That was a really good one! :)Well it's still Star Trek so that's on topic, to me at least:p

You must mean the episode where Data is sent to evacuate a group of stubborn colonist because the Sheliak claim the planet as their own...and are going to exterminate them unless Date can convince them to leave. The only person who believes Data is a young woman who falls in love with him. That one? That's a favorite for me too. They just don't make them like that anymore.

[Captain Steel]

Well it's still Star Trek so that's on topic, to me at least:p

You must mean the episode where Data is sent to evacuate a group of stubborn colonist because the Sheliak claim the planet as their own...and are going to exterminate them unless Date can convince them to leave. The only person who believes Data is a young woman who falls in love with him. That one? That's a favorite for me too. They just don't make them like that anymore.

I do recall that episode, but I'm referring to a different one... where a female crew member aboard the Enterprise falls for Data.

She tries dating him, then gets mad at him for not having normal human emotions or sensing a woman's needs (obviously!) like she would at a human boyfriend who was not romantic enough.

I can't remember if the woman seeks out Counselor Troi for advice, or if Data confides in Geordi for advice (maybe both or neither).

I don't remember how it ends (only that it apparently ends amicably and they don't go on dating since the woman was only a one-episode character).

P.S. In case you missed my earlier post: Alara's replacement on The Orville was also a dud for me (no offense to the actress).

[Citizen Rules]

I do recall that episode, but I'm referring to a different one... where a female crew member aboard the Enterprise falls for Data.

She tries dating him, then gets mad at him for not having normal human emotions or sensing a woman's needs (obviously!) like she would at a human boyfriend who was not romantic enough.

I can't remember if the woman seeks out Counselor Troi for advice, or if Data confides in Geordi for advice (maybe both or neither).

I don't remember how it ends (only that it apparently ends amicably and they don't go on dating since the woman was only a one-episode character).

P.S. In case you missed my earlier post: Alara's replacement on The Orville was also a dud for me (no offense to the actress).Oh, that TNG episode, I think it's called In Theory, (I should check to see!), yeah that was a really good one, love that one. I liked how it ended...and how we see Data emulating human actions and yet being so vastly different.

[Citizen Rules]

P.S. Alara's replacement was also a dud for me (no offense to the actress).Oh, I did miss your post. The actress herself would probably be great in a gritty crime film, but she just doesn't gel as a member of The Orville. I sure wish I knew what happened to cause Halston Sage to be written off the show so abruptly. And yes it was a tear jerker when she left.

[Captain Steel]

Oh, I did miss your post. The actress herself would probably be great in a gritty crime film, but she just doesn't gel as a member of The Orville. I sure wish I knew what happened to cause Halston Sage to be written off the show.

Gotta sign off, but, unless I'm remembering wrong... I thought I heard a while back that she was in a relationship with Seth McFarlane. If that's true, maybe it had something to do with her leaving?

[Citizen Rules]

Gotta sign off, but, unless I'm remembering wrong... I thought I heard a while back that she was in a relationship with Seth McFarlane. If that's true, maybe it had something to do with her leaving?Wow, I didn't know that. Have a good evening.

[gbgoodies]

That's not what I read. I read in a couple of different articles that she was written out of the show and it wasn't her choice to leave.

I read the article back when the episode first aired, so it's possible that I'm remembering some of the details wrong.


I seen her replacement tonight, Lt. Talla Keyali and I did not like her at all. She seemed like she should have been in some crime show. She just didn't fit with the demeanor of the rest of the crew. Now I don't feel like watching the rest of season 2, but probably well.

The actress seemed like an odd replacement and even odder she's the exact same species, how embarrassing for Halston Sage 'Alara' to be booted off the show and replaced. At least her replacement could've been a different species. I wonder if Seth MacFarlane had a personal grudge against Halston Sage?

I also vaguely recall reading something about her having a relationship with Seth MacFarlane, but I thought that turned out to be just a false rumor.

[gbgoodies]

Gotta sign off, but, unless I'm remembering wrong... I thought I heard a while back that she was in a relationship with Seth McFarlane. If that's true, maybe it had something to do with her leaving?


Have you heard anything about this recently? This story was out around the time that she left the show, but I thought the updated reports, (within a few weeks of the original story), said that this wasn't true.

[Captain Steel]

Have you heard anything about this recently? This story was out around the time that she left the show, but I thought the updated reports, (within a few weeks of the original story), said that this wasn't true.

Not recently, gbg, but I saw a site today that had McFarlane included in a list of Halston Sage's former boyfriends.
https://www.distractify.com/p/halston-sage-boyfriend-list

[gbgoodies]

Not recently, gbg, but I saw a site today that had McFarlane included in a list of Halston Sage's former boyfriends.
https://www.distractify.com/p/halston-sage-boyfriend-list


If it's true, then it's likely the reason that she left the show.

[Citizen Rules]

If it's true, it's a sad commentary on Seth MacFarland as Halston Stage sounds like she didn't want to leave the show. I guess when a show's creator is the star & executive producer & often the script writer, ego has to come into play.

[Captain Steel]

If it's true, it's a sad commentary on Seth MacFarland as Halston Stage sounds like she didn't want to leave the show. I guess when a show's creator is the star & executive producer & often the script writer, ego has to come into play.

When you think about it... it might be a case of life imitates art!
Because... think of the show's premise: former lovers forced to work together and all the tension & awkwardness it creates?

(How many episodes featured the Captain not wanting Kelly to serve as his first officer, or Kelly considering a transfer due to the awkwardness of serving with her ex-husband?) ;)

[Citizen Rules]

Don't know if you've gotten to the episodes about Isaac's planet yet (I think it was a 2-episode finale).

But they are really interesting and some of the best action episodes of the series (which ups Isaac's place on the show a bit, at least for me)... and, of course, (trying to avoid spoilers) those episodes fit the V-ger scenario quite nicely. ;)Hey, I finally seen that 2-parter episode where the crew of the Orville travel to Issac's home world.

You know what? I did think the writers had V-ger's planet in mind. Not totally of course but I noticed at least two clues that seemed like a nod to STTMP.

I'll tell you what those nods were, but I'd first like to hear your thoughts on how that Orville episode fit in with V-ger?

[Captain Steel]

Hey, I finally seen that 2-parter episode where the crew of the Orville travel to Issac's home world.

You know what? I did think the writers had V-ger's planet in mind. Not totally of course but I noticed at least two clues that was at least a nod to STTMP. I'll tell you what those nods were, but I'd first like to here your thoughts on how that Orville episode fit in with V-ger?

I don't remember a whole lot of details from the episodes - but the race of machines seemed to fit perfectly with what Spock described in TMP (after he mindmelds with V-ger and learns about the planet of intelligent machines that sent the probe on its mission).

Also, if I remember correctly, Issac's race regards humans (and all organic beings) as inferior - i.e. an infestation. I don't remember if they said anything like the humans need to be eliminated for infesting the Orville or that they acknowledged the ship almost as a being like themselves (like V-ger said about the crew of the Enterprise), but I believe they made that idea pretty clear.

I looked up "the Kaylons" for a little refresher course and see their origins are also very similar to the plots of the Terminator movies (machines created by biological beings as tools gain greater intelligence and eventually overthrow their creators to become the dominant force on the planet).

[Citizen Rules]

I don't remember a whole lot of details from the episodes - but the race of machines seemed to fit perfectly with what Spock described in TMP (after he mindmelds with V-ger and learns about the planet of intelligent machines that sent the probe on its mission).

Also, if I remember correctly, Issac's race regards humans (and all organic beings) as inferior - i.e. an infestation. I don't remember if they said anything like the humans need to be eliminated for infesting the Orville or that they acknowledged the ship almost as a being like themselves (like V-ger said about the crew of the Enterprise), but I believe they made that idea pretty clear.

I looked up "the Kaylons" for a little refresher course and see their origins are also very similar to the plots of the Terminator movies (machines created by biological beings as tools gain greater intelligence and eventually overthrow their creators to become the dominant force on the planet).That all makes sense what you said about a V-ger tie in.

I hadn't thought about Terminator but if you remember the original ST episode What are little girls made of? The android Ruk tells Captain Kirk that the old ones who made the androids, grew fearful of their creations and tried to shut them down. The androids then fought back and destroyed their makers.

OK, the two things that struck me in the Orville episode as a V-ger nod, was when they first approach the Kaylon home world we hear a moog synthesizer making that distinct ba-waan-gah electronic sound, which was the theme sound for V-ger in STTMP.

And when the Kayon's scan the ship it's a distinct vertical scanning beam that travels across the bridge from one side to the other, just like in STTMP.

As far as the episode goes, I was disappointed. Not surprisingly the Kaylon home world couldn't match my expectations of what a V-ger type world would be like. The first 1 hour was decent, the second hour I was bored. I guess the space battle was big, but I don't like protracted action scenes of any kind.

I'm not sure how they could ever redeem Issac's character enough to have him be a part of the crew again? I know he had a change of 'heart' and protected the youngest boy of Dr Finn and went against his fellow Kaylons, saving the day. But unless I misunderstood something, it was stated that for all of season 1 and 2 Issac was on the Orville knowing he would eventually help exterminate all biological life in the galaxy. Or did I get that wrong?

[Captain Steel]

That all makes sense what you said about a V-ger tie in.

I hadn't thought about Terminator but if you remember the original ST episode What are little girls made of? The android Ruk tells Captain Kirk that the old ones who made the androids, grew fearful of their creations and tried to shut them down. The androids then fought back and destroyed their makers.

OK, the two things that struck me in the Orville episode as a V-ger nod, was when they first approach the Kaylon home world we hear a moog synthesizer making that distinct ba-waan-gah electronic sound, which was the theme sound for V-ger in STTMP.

And when the Kayon's scan the ship it's a distinct vertical scanning beam that travels across the bridge from one side to the other, just like in STTMP.

As far as the episode goes, I was disappointed. Not surprisingly the Kaylon home world couldn't match my expectations of what a V-ger type world would be like. The first 1 hour was decent, the second hour I was bored. I guess the space battle was big, but I don't like protracted action scenes of any kind.

I'm not sure how they could ever redeem Issac's character enough to have him be a part of the crew again? I know he had a change of 'heart' and protected the youngest boy of Dr Finn and went against his fellow Kaylons, saving the day. But unless I misunderstood something, it was stated that for all of season 1 and 2 Issac was on the Orville knowing he would eventually help exterminate all biological life in the galaxy. Or did I get that wrong?

I have a lot more to discuss (but have to go walk soon)... but I just wanted to say, based on your last paragraph, this would have been the perfect opportunity to write Issac out of the show (based on the way some feel about him and the fact that he's a thinly veiled copy of Data)! ;)

I think you got that right - Isaac was an enemy operative the entire time.

Don't remember, but did the Kaylons send some kind of weapons into orbit around our planet to eliminate all the carbon units on Earth like V-ger did?

P.S. This isn't the end of the Kaylons - I believe they return in the next season which ends up making for some strange bedfellows for the Orville (just a teaser without giving away too many spoilers)!

[Citizen Rules]

I have a lot more to discuss (but have to go walk soon)... but I just wanted to say, based on your last paragraph, this would have been the perfect opportunity to write Issac out of the show (based on the way some feel about him and the fact that he's a thinly veiled copy of Data)! ;) Well, a funny thing...after the episode where Dr Finn and Issac become a couple, during the holodeck scene where Issac appears as a human, I realized he's an excellent actor. So it's not him who I don't like, but it's his cheap robot suit and unhuman like head. I just can't relate to him in that cheap get up. But I thought the actor was excellent and was very believable as a sentient machine, that looked like a human. I wish they'd let him appear that way instead, I think the show would be more deeper if they had.

I think you got that right - Isaac was an enemy operative the entire time.That's what I thought, I half expected to learn that Issac had been unduly influenced by the evil red-eye Kaylon's. Sort of like what happened to Data because of Lore's control of him.

Don't remember, but did the Kaylons send some kind of weapons into orbit around our planet to eliminate all the carbon units on Earth like V-ger did?Yup, a whole fleet of machine weapons. I don't know if they were manned, err robotted or not?

[Captain Steel]

Well, a funny thing...after the episode where Dr Finn and Issac become a couple, during the holodeck scene where Issac appears as a human I realized he's an excellent actor. So it's not him who I don't like but I realized it's his cheap robot suit and unhuman like head. I just can't relate to him, but I thought the actor was excellent and portraying a very believable machine that looked just like a human. I wish they'd let him appear that way instead. I think the show would be more deeper if they had.


Issac's look had me thinking from the first episode...

Yes, I thought the same thing at the outset - such a cheap & goofy looking suit, like something out of an old b&w Flash Gordon serial...

Maybe the look of it was somewhat intentional = so they could surprise the audience with that crazy CGI when the Kaylon's heads open up!

[Citizen Rules]

Last night's episode "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" was excellent. I had to look up whether Adrianne Palicki has a twin - turns out she does not and it was all special effects and camera tricks.She really looked and acted like a completely different person in that episode, impressive.

"Kelly" looked gorgeous in bangs! Especially when they covered that mole between her eyes. ;) That blouse, though...I didn't care for her younger self look, too girly-girl foo foo. It was well done by the make up department though. But I couldn't stop thinking she reminded me of someone and it wasn't her other self...Finally it dawned on me, she reminded be of Jane Fonda from Cat Ballou. I actually liked Kelly's look best in the alternate time line, she looked tougher and more world weary (which makes sense for the storyline). Her first season look was to me better than her softer look in season two.


The one with Gordon and the "Simulator" (a.k.a. Holodeck) was also interesting but a bit lackluster. However, I'm glad the show is making episodes that make you think.I liked the first half of that one, some excellent acting from 'Gordon'. I thought for sure it would end with him showing her, her own mobile phone and telling her she'd been gone for 400 years and all of this was just a computer simulation. I think the episode done that way would've had more of a punch to it.


The Kaylon episodes were really good and I liked the effort put forth with Time Travel in the finale. The show works for me when I thought it wouldn't. It's weird because the comedy isn't as in your face as one would expect from McFarland. Glad they are keeping up with some character centric episodes.

[gbgoodies]

I'm not sure how they could ever redeem Issac's character enough to have him be a part of the crew again? I know he had a change of 'heart' and protected the youngest boy of Dr Finn and went against his fellow Kaylons, saving the day. But unless I misunderstood something, it was stated that for all of season 1 and 2 Issac was on the Orville knowing he would eventually help exterminate all biological life in the galaxy. Or did I get that wrong?


If I remember correctly, Isaac was different from the rest of the Kaylons because he was created after they killed their creators. That's probably the only reason that he was able to turn on them and help the humans.

Personally, I wouldn't trust him again, but the crew of the Orville will because they have to show that they're not like the people who created the Kaylon and basically tried to make them slaves.

[Citizen Rules]

I've watched all 10 episodes of the fan-made web series "Star Trek Continues." It's very faithful to the feel of the original series and its production values are top notch - making it look very much like the original (all the sets, sound effects and music are spot on). I've got my criticisms, of course, and the stories are somewhat hit or miss, but the good ones are pretty good - especially the final two-parter (the lady who plays the Romulan Commander is a dead ringer for the original) and I liked how the very end begins to tie into the start of the movie franchise.I'm only 3 years late to the reply:p but thanks to you I've started watching Star Trek Continues. I didn't even know it existed tell I seen your mention of it on this thread.

I got to say it's very impressive for a non-profit fan based show. I mean damn the sets look like the real thing! And the music is the real McCoy;) and even the second actor to play McCoy is pretty good. I've enjoyed the stories as they are both well done AND pay homage to the original Star Trek...for a fan like me I love the references to the old show (especially the one about Mr Leslie not being at his station, ha).

Like you I could have my complaints but I don't expect perfection. But...I'd like to hear your thoughts on the series and complaints too.

[gbgoodies]

I'm only 3 years late to the reply:p but thanks to you I've started watching Star Trek Continues. I didn't even know it existed tell I seen your mention of it on this thread.

I got to say it's very impressive for a non-profit fan based show. I mean damn the sets look like the real thing! And the music is the real McCoy;) and even the second actor to play McCoy is pretty good. I've enjoyed the stories as they are both well done AND pay homage to the original Star Trek...for a fan like me I love the references to the old show (especially the one about Mr Leslie not being at his station, ha).

Like you I could have my complaints but I don't expect perfection. But...I'd like to hear your thoughts on the series and complaints too.


You may be 3 years late, but you're better than me. I still haven't found time to watch Star Trek Continues, but it sounds like it's worth finding the time soon.

[Captain Steel]

I'm only 3 years late to the reply:p but thanks to you I've started watching Star Trek Continues. I didn't even know it existed tell I seen your mention of it on this thread.

I got to say it's very impressive for a non-profit fan based show. I mean damn the sets look like the real thing! And the music is the real McCoy;) and even the second actor to play McCoy is pretty good. I've enjoyed the stories as they are both well done AND pay homage to the original Star Trek...for a fan like me I love the references to the old show (especially the one about Mr Leslie not being at his station, ha).

Like you I could have my complaints but I don't expect perfection. But...I'd like to hear your thoughts on the series and complaints too.

So cool. Unlike the Abrams reboot, the series is really like Star Trek continues.

Some of the ideas are so innovative - like a direct sequel episode to Mirror Mirror that picks up right where the original episode left off! What ST fan wouldn't want to see that?

What really needs to be lauded is the cast & crew's loyalty to the original series - as well as their acknowledgment of all that came afterwards as they drop cues to the movie series and The Next Generation - giving a tighter linkage to the ST continuity. (Little things like Scotty working on an early version of a holodeck, a new Starfleet program of placing counselors onboard that begins during the Enterprise's 5 year mission, Kirk showing up in the last episode wearing his uniform from TMP!)

I have issues with some of the actors, but may get into that later (I don't want to alter your perceptions with my observations). None can compare to the originals, of course, but most of them do grow on you after a while.

I may go back and watch some episodes again myself.

[Allaby]

It's finally back now! Season 3, episode 1 is available now on Hulu or Disney+ (depending on what country you are in).

[PumaMan]

It's finally back now! Season 3, episode 1 is available now on Hulu or Disney+ (depending on what country you are in).

I liked seasons 1 and 2. So, how is season 3 so far?

[Cryptic]

I'm loving the orville. Not long finished season 3. This feels more like Star Trek than 'Star Trek'.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm loving the orville. Not long finished season 3. This feels more like Star Trek than 'Star Trek'.Is season 3 of The Orville completed now? Last time I checked it wasn't.

[Allaby]

I liked seasons 1 and 2. So, how is season 3 so far?

I’m enjoying it so far. I’m behind a few episodes, but what I have seen is good.

[Allaby]

Is season 3 of The Orville completed now? Last time I checked it wasn't.

Yes, season 3 is finished.

[Citizen Rules]

Yes, season 3 is finished.Cool, time to binge it!

[Cryptic]

Is season 3 of The Orville completed now? Last time I checked it wasn't.

Yes Season 3 is finished on Disney+.