Just thought I’d drop a quick post to enthuse about this show further. While they’ve backed-off on the jokes considerably since the first episode, there’s still plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in there. I’d basically define the show as: “Star Trek for people who don’t like Star Trek”. It’s also been helping me get through a sudden low mood attack over the past two days. Nothing helps a person attempt to climb out of a pit of existential despair quite like Seth MacFarlane’s big, dumb face.
I say that with all due respect, of course.
Adrianne Palicki has definitely improved since episode one. I’m not sure what was going on there, but clearly someone whispered: “Try pretending like you care!” into her ear at some point over lunch. Bless. Her character’s still pretty forgettable, but at least the actress is now fully charged.
Peter Macon is a left-field delight, creating plenty of humour with his Off-Brand-Worf dryness. Scott Grimes creates a joyful idiot, with his IQ test in court during one episode a series highlight, for sure. I’ve officially fallen in love with Halston Sage, but I’m guessing I’m not alone there. Norm MacDonald steals the limelight every time his wonderful give-no-fucks voice makes an “appearance” (I’m gonna go ahead and assume “Yaphit” is a Yaphet Kotto/Alien reference). Oh and how giddy was I to learn that Rachael MacFarlane voices the ship’s computer?! Very, that’s how giddy. You go, girl! I also nearly wet myself when I learned who plays god in one episode. I’m not a religious man, but I will be happy to worship Liam Neeson any day of the week.
I struggled to watch the episode “Majority Rule”, which is about social media encouraging mob bullying. Having suffered such an attack myself, it kept bringing up bad feelings. It helps to know that I’m not alone in lamenting where society is going with such outlets though. As I’ve said before, social media just isn’t a place for shy, awkward, lonely nerds anymore. To quote poorly from memory the character Isaac: “I believe you are mistaking opinion for knowledge”, which is why I will never return to most social media. It’s dead.
Elsewhere, I like that the show mixes up serious episodes with a bit of levity, although that’s pretty standard for most TV series. Basically, I’m relieved The Orville isn’t the parody I feared it might be. While full of humour, its creators definitely take the dramatic moments seriously.
Mostly.
I’ve nearly cried a few times too, which has taken me by surprise. In particular, I had to fight back the tears during “Into the Fold” when Isaac the robot learns to comfort people. I’m also shocked at how badass the show can be. Like, our heroes actually kill people. There sure ain’t no “pussy Batman code of ethics” b.s. in there, that’s for sure. Actually, I’m still not quite sure what The Orville’s overall mission out in space is, perhaps because the ship’s mission statement isn’t repeated at the start of each episode, a la Star Trek. We’re also never guaranteed a pat-happy ending each time, which makes for quite a suspenseful viewing experience. You’re just never 100% sure how things are going to turn out, which is admirably unique.
So, yes, I’m completely hooked right now and finding it difficult watching anything else, so the next Friday the 13th review may take some time. Apparently I have to sign up to the Fox streaming service to watch Season 3 of The Orville, which I will not be doing, so I only hope the UK distributor releases a complete 1-3 boxset in the near future.
Speaking of Jason, I’ve just bought Part IX and X (as the set I have only goes up to VIII), deciding not to bother with Freddy vs. Jason. The copies are from Europe, so fingers crossed they work!
Anyway, back to amorphous blobs and creepy clowns…
Do stay in touch, darlings.
Toodles!
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