Orville: New Horizons

[CharlesPhipps]

So, because there's not a thread for it yet and I really liked the newest episode:

I feel like this episode is an interesting rebuttal to THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY in that it kind of shows how it would go if things hadn't been so committed.

1. The Union unintentionally insult the Krill every time they open their mouths at the dinner scene. They talk about how capitalism was stupid and the Krill point out that they're still a capitalist society and doing fine. They also basically are their usual smug selves about their materialism which the Krill are trying to ignore. The Krill being their usual awful selves as well.

2. Part of what the episode does is reveal the Krill are both a lot more nuanced than we're left thinking about them as well as also still possessing the qualities that made them effective baddies. They're a capitalist democratic society rather than the authoritarian theocracy we thought they were.

3. The abortion hologram is meant to be a form of psychological torture and Mercer reacts to it as such. It's basically Seth talking about the "heartbeat test" designed to anthropomorphize a fetus and prevent abortion, though in this case it's just meant to inflict psychological guilt. If it doesn't work on an audience member because they don't think of fetuses as possessing any such qualities, it will just come off as silly. However, it's based on an RL thing.

Mercer is disgusted by it as I presume Seth is by the RL version. Ironically, it also is designed to once more highlight the Krill are NOT stereotypes. They're not executing the parents, they're trying to guilt them.

4. Part of what makes the episode good is we're continually assaulted with the casual arrogance of the Union regarding the situation. Whether this is just Seth commenting on the 2016 election or a larger point that people take for granted the progression of history is to, well, progressiveness, it is the same message.

They dismiss the possibility the Krill will legitimately vote in Teleya because they don't WANT to believe that they're that unpopular with the people. They always act as if the Krill are uncivilized savages and if they're just "shown civilization" they'll change their attitudes on everything.

5. I'm not really cool with the fact that the standing President was going to contest the election because, well, it implies that the "good" side is perfectly willing to throw democracy down the toilet when things get bad as well.

[clearspira]

So, because there's not a thread for it yet and I really liked the newest episode:

I feel like this episode is an interesting rebuttal to THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY in that it kind of shows how it would go if things hadn't been so committed.

1. The Union unintentionally insult the Krill every time they open their mouths at the dinner scene. They talk about how capitalism was stupid and the Krill point out that they're still a capitalist society and doing fine. They also basically are their usual smug selves about their materialism which the Krill are trying to ignore. The Krill being their usual awful selves as well.

2. Part of what the episode does is reveal the Krill are both a lot more nuanced than we're left thinking about them as well as also still possessing the qualities that made them effective baddies. They're a capitalist democratic society rather than the authoritarian theocracy we thought they were.

3. The abortion hologram is meant to be a form of psychological torture and Mercer reacts to it as such. It's basically Seth talking about the "heartbeat test" designed to anthropomorphize a fetus and prevent abortion, though in this case it's just meant to inflict psychological guilt. If it doesn't work on an audience member because they don't think of fetuses as possessing any such qualities, it will just come off as silly. However, it's based on an RL thing.

Mercer is disgusted by it as I presume Seth is by the RL version. Ironically, it also is designed to once more highlight the Krill are NOT stereotypes. They're not executing the parents, they're trying to guilt them.

4. Part of what makes the episode good is we're continually assaulted with the casual arrogance of the Union regarding the situation. Whether this is just Seth commenting on the 2016 election or a larger point that people take for granted the progression of history is to, well, progressiveness, it is the same message.

They dismiss the possibility the Krill will legitimately vote in Teleya because they don't WANT to believe that they're that unpopular with the people. They always act as if the Krill are uncivilized savages and if they're just "shown civilization" they'll change their attitudes on everything.

5. I'm not really cool with the fact that the standing President was going to contest the election because, well, it implies that the "good" side is perfectly willing to throw democracy down the toilet when things get bad as well.

I think Seth has gone from being a straight up TNG fanboy to being a bit SFDebris in his outlook. He still clearly loves the show, but one gets the feeling that he is also deconstructing the arrogance of the TNG Federation. I like it. The Orville is starting to feel like it's grown the beard.

I also wonder if the switch from Fox to Disney has anything to do with the change in direction.

[Al-1701]

That and moving to Hulu.

Season 2 was also incredibly smug (like Season 1 TNG smug), and the ratings tanked. I think MacFarlan realized he needed to ground the show to get the audience back. Especially now that it's on streaming.

[CharlesPhipps]

Yeah, the second episode also lines up with this as Captain Mercer even acknowledges the Krill's myths may be based on SOMETHING but steams ahead anyway into what I'm terming "Reaper Space" for lack of a better term and gets a good chunk of his crew killed in what is probably the worst catastrophe the ship has faced outside of the Kaylon takeover (and probably has a higher body count too).

They just sort of, "Stupid Space Vampires know shit."

And it hit them square on.

I mean, yeah, they're very religious and this is presumably a materialist universe because Seth wrote it but they're still a space going civilization.

They're not morons.

[Durandal_1707]

It's dumb even if there was nothing in that area at all, because they're supposed to be opening diplomatic relations with their former enemy, and they should be trying to establish that they can be trusted.

New ally: Okay, you can visit our space, but we ask that you stay out of that area.

Our heroes: Sweet, I know what area just got bumped to the top of the list!

[Al-1701]

If you see a sign that says "Here Be Dragons", it doesn't hurt to be prepared to encounter a fire-breathing lizard.

[CharlesPhipps]

Well, I have to say I owe Seth MacFarlane an apology.

The last episode was arguably one of the best Star Trek episodes of all time.

You have done your "Measure of a Man."

[Durandal_1707]

I have to agree. That was surprisingly excellent.

This season has, in general, been a marked improvement over the earlier two.

[Frustration]

Like TNG, it takes some time to work out the kinks in a new show.

Which is part of why it's terrible that so many shows are few- and short-season offerings, nowadays.

[clearspira]

Well, I have to say I owe Seth MacFarlane an apology.

The last episode was arguably one of the best Star Trek episodes of all time.

You have done your "Measure of a Man."

Where would you rank it against the other New Trek shows?