I had seen trailers for this, and my first impression from them is that it was totally a piss-take / comedy, so maybe I'll get around to watching one day.
Yesterday I had the day off, so watched it all day from episode 1, and I think the trailer does not do it justice.
The series is very much in the true style of Star Trek - the episodes are distinct stories with interesting and thought provoking ideas. There is an ongoing development of the crew and the universe in which they live, with a nemesis (the Krill). There are episodes that provide some proper character development for the members of the crew.
The graphics, effects, and even costumes are excellent - more than could ever have been done in original Star Trek, and to be honest better than TNG, etc. Not surprising with advances in CG but they are actually quite good.
Unlike the limitations of the original Star Trek where aliens had to allow for a person inside a suite in almost all cases, they have not pulled any punches. The aliens are varied, and whilst most of the crew are people in (good) costume and make-up, some are far more exotic - such as Yaphit, a gelatinous blob. But even Yaphit is not just a joke in the first episode, he is a crew member with a role in the plot in many episodes.
I my view this is much truer to Star Trek than the latest Star Trek Discovery, which I think has lost the plot. The Orville is great to watch.
However, as you would expect, it is also played with the realism of Seth MacFarlane, with loads of throw away comments and snide remarks that would happen in reality. Some of the practical jokes are crazy! It is also done without any of the usual taboos of Star Trek - yes there is mention of going to the toilet even, and scenes where an alien is naked. I love little things like a damage report after the ship is somewhat shaken about (as is classic in Star Trek) but it includes that someone spilt soy sauce on their shirt - the captain is "really, he included that in a damage report?", but you can bet in real life someone would do that. It also has lots of contemporary references, and, of course, aliens not having a clue what they are talk about - even "go to hell" confusing someone. And of course Kermit the flog.
But the jokes do not ruin the plot or make it any less fun to watch, or deminish how it looks at some serious issues even. I also found the humour not cringeworthy either, which is good.
Well worth watching. In the UK it seems to be on Fox on Sky, and on Now TV, but not from the first episode any more which is rather annoying. I ended up finding it on iTunes. Whilst the episodes are mostly self contained it is worth watching from the 1st episode in order.
Enjoy...
We really enjoyed the show (we like Star Trek ) but curiously my Star Trek loving friends didn’t like it and one friend that doesn’t really rate Star Trek loves it. It seems to be another marmite show.
ReplyDeleteAt least they’ve not cancelled it and season 2 might be a bit longer.
I almost love The Orville, for many of the reasons you mention - there are the bones of a really solid, serious SciFi series.
ReplyDeleteBut it really feels like they sold it to the network as a 'comedy', so feel obliged to have an initial 5 minutes of pretty low-grade sitcom humour before getting down to the actual story.
I wish they could decide what they were trying to make and then stick to it.
The first episode is pretty cringy.. I think that was the one they used to sell it as a parody. I'd almost recommend starting from episode 2. At least be prepared for too much bad comedy and be assured it gets better.
ReplyDeleteI like the way they have star trek universe without all the picardian self righteous speeches. They's ordinary flawed people and it makes for a better story.
Agreed, I was prepared to hate this.
ReplyDeleteThe stories themselves are mostly pretty good and interesting. The comedy aspects are mostly good too, although I'd rather it was a little less "silly" at times. As others have said, I think it's been sold as a comedy, but they reall y wanted to make star trek.
Overall it's WAY better than I expected or hoped for :)
asxd
ReplyDelete