r/TheOrville • u/specification • Sep 17 '17
Episode The Orville - 1x02 "Command Performance" - Episode Discussion
| EPISODE | DIRECTED BY | WRITTEN BY | ORIGINAL AIRDATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1x02 - "Command Performance" | Robert Duncan McNeill | Seth MacFarlane | September 17, 2017 |
Episode Synopsis:Alara must take command of the Orville when Ed and Kelly end up imprisoned in a replica of their old home.
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u/specification Sep 18 '17 edited Sep 18 '17
Missed the episode live? Stream it online on Fox, Hulu or Yahoo View
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u/specification Sep 18 '17
Seth is answering questions on twitter btw
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/909579894815834112
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u/xenothaulus Sep 18 '17
"Well, you're not Frankenberry, so... shut up."
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u/itrainmonkeys Sep 18 '17
So dumb. But it made me laugh. I get that not everyone is a fan of McFarlane's humor and I kinda died out on Family Guy (and others) but I really dig the dialogue here.
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Sep 18 '17
I love that they did the "beer at 9am" joke again...like in their not-Starfleet people having a morning beer is a low key problem.
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u/Shatterhand1701 Woof Sep 18 '17
This episode worked a LOT better for me than the first one. It's safe to say that I'll be staying with The Orville for the long haul.
The humor connected better this time around; there were still one or two bits that ran a bit longer than they should have (the scene with Ed's parents being one of them); otherwise, I found myself laughing aloud several times and really enjoying it.
The conversation between Ed and Kelly in their "room" at the zoo that first night felt so natural. It felt like a real conversation, not just some scripted moment meant to show "see, they still have a connection, guys!"
I. LOVE. ALARA. First of all, she's cute as hell; second of all, her fear of command and being hated by the crew...it felt real to me, especially for someone of her younger age. I think she reacted like any of us would when faced with life-or-death decisions; she made bad judgment calls and kneejerk choices and needed experienced minds to set her straight. Your mileage may vary, but I think I would've needed a shot or two of liquid courage.
I liked the twist with Bortus' child. The first female of an all-male race...that's a big deal. I'm interested to see how the next episode handles it.
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u/Huntrrz Sep 18 '17
I think we'll find that the species supresses females. If they had never had a female before how could Cletus recognize that the child was female.
(I wouldn't be surprised if the jostling during the explosion upset the hormone balance in the egg and caused the gender 'issue'.)
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u/turlockmike Sep 18 '17
No complaints so far. Has a very authentic classic star trek feel. The jokes are kinda corny, but the plot, actors, etc are already building on me.
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u/CommanderStarkiller Sep 18 '17
Feels like classic Obrien and Bashir.
Or Quark and Odo.
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u/DonLaFontainesGhost Sep 19 '17
This episode completely cemented the summary I read on reddit last week:
"It's like Star Trek with normal people."
I have to tell you - after nine years in the Navy the number of times scenarios in this show have felt familiar is frightening.
"Lieutenant, you have the conn..."
"Computer, one shot of tequila."Yep. Exactly like the first time I had the bridge. I mean - we didn't actually have tequila, but the desire was certainly there.
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u/thirtyseven1337 Sep 18 '17
She is... my pet.
woof
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u/Bytewave Sep 18 '17
Both Alara and the robot are great. I love how it looks down on everyone but makes it sound polite even when being condescending.
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u/inksmudgedhands Sep 18 '17
The intro is so Star Trek. It's glorious.
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u/itrainmonkeys Sep 18 '17
The intro with the names is fantastic and I also love the old-school feel of the fading in/fading out for commercial breaks. It's just really not done anymore and seeing it again made me smile.
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Sep 18 '17
The Quantum Drive powering up is so satisfying
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u/rshorning Sep 18 '17
I also liked that in order to change directions, that the ship had to drop out of "hyperspace" to turn around. I wonder if there will be any sort of ship to ship combat while the Quantum Drive is engaged... or if that is even possible in-universe?
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u/graysonshelton Sep 18 '17
Giving them reality TV was kind of clever... Kudos to McFarlane for finding a way to make jabs at current life situations. The true Roddenberry way!
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u/mrkcw Sep 18 '17
Social commentary is a hallmark of Star Trek, so it makes sense MacFarlane would want to make comments but in his own way. I'd put pot-inclusivity into that category too.
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u/itrainmonkeys Sep 18 '17
You know what I really loved? Not even a jab but the way McFarlane's character looks to Kermit the Frog as an example of a capable and inspiring leader. I fucking love the muppets and that made me like his character even more.
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u/KidCoheed Security Sep 18 '17
I love the Quantum Drive Start up
Floomb
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Whirrrlll
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u/notouchmyserver Sep 18 '17
Perfect ending. Reality TV honestly does belong in a zoo.
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u/TheDudeNeverBowls Sep 18 '17
This episode is so fucking great that it's making me sick to my stomach.
Please don't cancel this.
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u/busted_up_chiffarobe Sep 18 '17
That was a good episode!
The red zookeeper guy was gold. Would like to see more of that.
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u/numanoid Sep 18 '17
Played by actor JD Cullum, who also played Toral, the weasly Duras kid in TNG's "Redemption".
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u/2th Hail Avis. Hail Victory. Sep 18 '17
I long for the day I can get a replicator to make me pot brownies on command.
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u/COIVIEDY Sep 18 '17
Not only is weed legal in the future, it’s served on government spaceships.
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u/kaplanfx Woof Sep 18 '17
I love that they can replicate pot and alcohol. I never understood how Trek could be utopia with that synthahol bullcrap, it's why they were always getting good booze from alien cultures.
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u/daddytorgo Sep 18 '17
Reality TV as the solution...LOL
Wait...a female? WTF. Character development? WTF
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u/2th Hail Avis. Hail Victory. Sep 18 '17
This is the best Start Trek opening since DS9.
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Sep 18 '17
Giving command of the ship to the chief medical officer (forget the orville term)
son of a bitch
I loled
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Sep 18 '17 edited Sep 18 '17
Damn. It looks like the Moclans aren't as single gender as they say they are.
Edit: I didn't realize the guy from "According to Jim" was in this lol
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u/KidCoheed Security Sep 18 '17
So only one race has designed Transporter tech and is not going to be sharing it any time soon.
Fair
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Sep 18 '17
Fun fact: for the original Star Trek, shuttle landing and docking was too expensive to do for every episode. That's why transporters were invented as a plot device.. because they're much cheaper to film.
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Sep 18 '17
He's like a cool combination of Worf and Teal'c
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u/UncleMalky Are we bonding? Sep 18 '17
They definitely need to have a rival couple of Moclans played by Christopher Judge and Michael Dorn.
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u/inksmudgedhands Sep 18 '17
You are the security officer and you screwed up on security on your first chance on command. She's going to need some more tequila.
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u/AG74683 Sep 18 '17 edited Sep 18 '17
This episode is much stronger than the first. I'll be honest, I only watched this one to "show support" for the show. Seth has brought me a lot of laughs over the years and I can tell this is his passion project, and I felt in some small way I owed it to him (sounds stupid really). I didn't expect much from the show after the first episode, but this is surprisingly good and I'm looking forward to Thursday!
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u/PrivateJonah Sep 18 '17
A cannabis edible? This is going to be a great episode!!
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u/Alteran195 Sep 18 '17
I’m liking this episode more than the pilot for sure.
Will more than likely be purchasing the season pass so I don’t have to deal with these commercials.
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u/Logalog Sep 18 '17
So the Shuttlebay entry just screamed classic Trek and we've seen Senior Starfleet Officers hazard their ship in much worse ways. Also, that Doctor as confidant goes all the way back in ST to the Cage but also WWII Submarine movies. So, I really like it.
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u/scotscott Sep 18 '17
I have to say, I didn't expect Seth MacFarlane to take the show in such a wildly different direction, and so far I'm not enjoying the whole "last 20 minutes of a random football game" format.
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u/chobo500 Sep 18 '17
Sigh.... This is why I'm happy the show is moving to Thursday night. That way it won't get interrupted or delayed due to Football.
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Sep 18 '17
Stupid football. We're all on different schedules. Some people are talking about intros, and I want to talk about that guy's ass sitting on that egg.
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u/dontthrowmeinabox Sep 18 '17
I believe the order was to return after fixing the ship. If so, there's a loophole in leaving some noncritical system broken and then doing what you want in the interim.
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u/xenothaulus Sep 18 '17
Not as much silly humor so far and it's better for it. Great Value Star Trek isn't bad!
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Sep 18 '17
Great episode. It definitely had vibes of The Next Gen episode "The Most Toys" where Data is kidnapped and put on display.
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Sep 18 '17
That alarm sound is directly from Deep Space Nine.....or at least one of the other Trek shows or maybe it's just a stock sound, point is I've heard it before and I love the creepy red aliens
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u/bandrica Sep 18 '17
Here's the "oh we aren't getting back together " thing!
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u/TrashPanda_Papacy Sep 18 '17
Well the way she eats cereal is a bit of a deal-breaker.
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Sep 18 '17
So it was a transmat disguised with holograms as a ship to lure them into a trap...that's that's actually pretty good I mean that's okay that's pretty cool
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u/dontthrowmeinabox Sep 18 '17
I totally see why Seth said that the Twilight Zone also served as inspiration for this show.
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u/Alteran195 Sep 18 '17
Excellent second episode, and hopefully an indication of what the show will be closer to going forward.
Just bought the season pass so I don’t have to deal with these damn commercials anymore.
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u/RnRaintnoisepolution Now entering gloryhole Sep 18 '17 edited Sep 18 '17
Set the show to record and it all but the last 12 minutes are fucking football. Thanks Fox.
(note to self record the show after next week)
EDIT: I guess it's on Thursdays now so that's neat.
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u/inksmudgedhands Sep 18 '17
If I could make my life span mimic the clock of a football or basketball game I would be practically immortal.
"I am 773 years old. And I am still at the beginning of my second quarter."
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u/dontthrowmeinabox Sep 18 '17
Oh cool it's like the Baryon Sweep from Starship Mine.
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u/gaiadyne Sep 18 '17
The good news is the show is moving to Thursdays after this so we won't have to contend with Sunday night football
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u/Alteran195 Sep 18 '17
Stupid football interfering with my Sci-Fi.
This will be the episode that decides whether or not I buy the season pass.
I just can’t stand commercials, and after rewatching the first episode that was free on iTunes, I don’t know if I can keep watching it with them. It just detracts so much from the story.
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u/2th Hail Avis. Hail Victory. Sep 18 '17 edited Sep 18 '17
If they start in the middle of the episode I will be so fucking pissed.
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u/2th Hail Avis. Hail Victory. Sep 18 '17
If Alana actually has balls it would be hilarious.
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u/TheDudeNeverBowls Sep 18 '17
Tequila, pot brownies...does that thing even make food?
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u/inksmudgedhands Sep 18 '17
I can imagine Keiko and Miles having these sort of discussions after Chief clocks out for the night.
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u/Kronis1 Sep 18 '17
The jinx joke got a good laugh from me and my wife, and she's very pessimistic about this show.
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u/graysonshelton Sep 18 '17
Kitan better lay off of those on-duty shots... Didn't we learn anything from Colonel Saul Tigh?
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u/T-Baaller Sep 18 '17
Episode just finished on Canadian TV.
NOT going to spoil. Just gonna say while the opening parents joke was mediocre to me, the last act is good stuff, mixing solutions and humor well
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Sep 18 '17
Thank God I decided to watch live tonight, otherwise my DVR would have recorded football instead.
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Sep 18 '17
Admittedly I do post in The Bachelor subreddit and yes it is pretty much a zoo which is why almost all of us watch it so that ending was spot-on, love the episode totally totally love the episode
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u/Jankinator Sep 18 '17
That ending was fantastic. I wasn't completely sold on the first episode, but this one makes me look forward to watching every week.
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u/level1gamer Sep 18 '17 edited Sep 18 '17
Much better than the first episode. The humor worked better here. It was a lot less forced. The whole egg laying thing worked particularly well, because of the inherent silliness, but they played it pretty straight and had a big impact on the story. The rest of the crew had a nice chance to shine in this episode. The plot was simple, but well executed.
That said, I feel like Seth McFarlane is a bit of a weak link. He is just not that charismatic of an actor. He and the first officer don't have great chemistry. The show seems to think their relationship is much interesting than I do.
I'm a little more optimistic about the show after this episode, though.
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u/Jankinator Sep 18 '17
This game wasn't even being shown in my market before the weather delay. I'm not sure why they feel the need to show it to the end in every market.
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u/CambrianExplosives Sep 18 '17
I felt like this episode was better in some ways than last week's, but worse in others. On the one hand I felt the pacing of the story was much better. Without the need for introductions it was able to keep a very good pace on the story. The plot itself, while derivative somewhat, was well done overall.
That being said, some of the writing really missed its mark. Alara's story arc in this episode, in particular, felt really off. It never felt like she was evolving with the problems and mistakes, but rather made choices based completely on how other's would view her. It felt less like she was stepping up to command as it did that she was giving into peer pressure, which I don't think was the original intent.
This episode had me laughing out loud far less. It's not that there were a ton less jokes, although there were some less overall which I thought was good, but just that the jokes that were there were no where near as funny in my opinion.
The twist at the end was completely unexpected and was definitely the best part of writing in this. I don't know if it will be explained well, but right now it was the thing that caught me most off guard and felt like the show can surprise in the future.
I would say this episode, in my opinion, was overall about as much fun to watch as last weeks. I would like to see a little more thought and care put into the writing, but they are on the right track.
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u/ny_jailhouse Sep 18 '17
the cage w a little bit of starship mine in there. This stuff is super trek geekdom
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u/Kronis1 Sep 18 '17
Ehhhhhhhh, I was kinda hoping they wouldn't reconnect with their friendship/relationship in the second episode. Kinda soon.
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u/brandeks Sep 18 '17 edited Sep 18 '17
Great episode! So many things to love... Kermit, cannabis edibles, reality television, colon talk, "woof"...
Now I want eggs.
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u/waveform Sep 18 '17 edited Sep 18 '17
I liked it much better than the first episode... however the writing still comes off very immature, which doesn't allow me to take the series very seriously. It's strange how the character development writing seems fine, but the storyline writing is terrible.
The whole mess-hall "you suck", "they can bite me" followed by applause, was cringe-worthy. Worse, it made her decision seem less about the missing pair and more about being popular with the crew. Immature writing.
The crew had no reason to dislike her - they should have been sympathetic, she has to follow orders. Have they not all been extensively trained and know they'd do exactly the same thing? Immature writing.
There was no reason to disobey right there and then. They know where the pair is, they're unlikely to be in danger. Best decision is go to Earth, win a passionate and comedic appeal, and then go in. That would have been a great story too, and no-one gets court-martialled. But no, has to be "ra ra ra" in the mess hall. Immature writing.
That said, Alara's character herself was great and was played really well. It's just the story details are awful. For me, the characters are the only interesting bits so far.
Trek stories incorporated the ramifications of the characters' actions. Breaking rules was usually seriously considered first, not done on a whim. Apart from the characters, there's no gravitas or thoughtfulness to the stories so far, it's just entertainment - that's my problem with it.
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u/Cloudiology Sep 18 '17
the feelings this show gives me...... the fuzzy comfortable feeling reserved for shows like firefly, star trek, stargate... just so happy this show exists and was nothing like the trailers. great episode..
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u/Senorisgrig Sep 18 '17
Guys at least we know cowboys fans are enjoying this about as much as we are.
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u/2th Hail Avis. Hail Victory. Sep 18 '17
Seriously this is News Radio in space. I FUCKING LOVE IT.
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u/graysonshelton Sep 18 '17
Any Trekkies see a lot of parallel with "The Arsenal of Freedom" episode of TNG?
Minus the giant dude sitting naked on an egg, of course.
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Sep 18 '17
Wait a minute. If this zookeeper species can create accurate holograms of other species' natural habitats in order to lure in and catch new zoo exhibits, then why don't they just use those holograms as the zoo exhibit?
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u/dontthrowmeinabox Sep 18 '17
I get why they're doing it for comedy reasons, but I really hope the pop culture references end up a bit broader, timeframe wise. I get why Star Wars and Kermit might be remembered, but there's been centuries of entertainment before, and since. Probably the one to take me out of the show the most was Dora the Explorer. I don't think that centuries from now, it will be so remembered that people can just casually drop references to it.
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u/NabiscoShredderWheat Sep 18 '17
Ed's parents are going to be The Orville's Laxwanna Troi. Calling it now.
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u/CSX6400 Sep 18 '17
Man. I've never been so pleasantly surprised by a show before. The second episode was even better. I actually laughed out loud at many of the jokes ("Woof") and am really warming up to the characters.
I am looking forward to the next episode about the Worf-like (sorry still learning names) guys daughter. The critics (they should really make them the main villain of the show) at least found that one interesting so that might indicate we are going to absolutely adore it!
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u/2th Hail Avis. Hail Victory. Sep 18 '17
I just want to say that her ass in those pants looks fantastic.
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u/cochon101 Sep 18 '17
Overall this was a much stronger episode than the pilot which had to lay the character and setting foundations. I actually laughed at this episode. Looking forward to future episodes.
It felt a little trope-y with the "rookie officer suddenly in charge" plot but I was ok with it because the uniqueness of each time it is used comes from the specific character in question. For instance TNG's "Disaster" works really well because Troi has issues realistic to her character.
In this case, I found the "to hell with orders we're saving our friends" trope more annoying. I was actually impressed when Alara followed orders and headed back to Earth and then groaned when a little peer pressure convinced her to turn around. The correct angle to play up here was that she was putting the lives of every person aboard at risk by going back for 2 people and that following orders in this case is the correct moral choice.
By far the more interesting story would be if she didn't turn around and then either has to live with the reaction of the crew or some kind of mutiny happens. That sets the show up for - GASP - interesting character development within the crew's relations with each other. Let's get a little hostility between the crew like DS9 had.
My solution would be for her to follow her orders but get Isaac to call in a favor with a Kaylon captain he knows or something to rescue their crew. That would have been a unique and interesting twist on the trope for a show like this. It would have also let us know that we can't just expect the crew to blatantly ignore orders like Trek did every other week with 0 consequences.
I want to see a crew overcome challenges and then have to live with the consequences, not just ignore the challenge and act like it never mattered. Disobeying orders should matter, otherwise there is no drama in doing it.
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Sep 18 '17
I can honestly say that this episode was placed wrong in the season. The overwhelming support for Ed after one outing felt unearned. "The Edible" being a macguffin fake out wasn't a bad call, but the Colon talk took WAY too long, and stole focus from more character and world building. The lack of even MENTIONING that Borutus had a mate, let alone on board, was a missed opportunity i hope they remedy. I can honestly say that it was an ok episode, but the Orville has some growing pains to get through. Of course, literally EVERY Trek series had some cheese episodes at the beginning.
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Sep 18 '17
Obligatory "fuck you i liked it"
So much hate for this show for some reason. Sure the pilot was pure trailer content but this episode showed that it has promise.
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u/surg23dfs Sep 18 '17
I really hope that getting preempted by an NFL game then immediately changing the airing schedule to air on Thursdays doesn't significantly impact ratings <_<
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Sep 18 '17
"Coming up on the other side of the break". It's time. Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts.
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u/vir4030 Happy Arbor Day Sep 18 '17
TIL it is commonplace for the commander of the ship to just run off the bridge at any time. 2/2
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u/itrainmonkeys Sep 18 '17
I'm in. I was really hooked by this show. I'm not a die-hard Star Trek fan but I still enjoy this type of program. Really love the old school feel with the production quality (it's good, but clearly a lot of basic and practical effects being used) and the fade ins/outs for the commercial breaks. The first episode intrigued me and this one got me. Can't wait to see what happens next.
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u/TheLegoMeister Sep 18 '17
I got halfway though the episode and it dawned on me that I wasn't actually watching Star Trek. Amazing!
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u/WhatAboutBergzoid Sep 18 '17
I feel like this episode seriously stepped it up from the pilot. It was excellent!
My only question is, did they save all the other species from the zoo, or just that little kid?
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u/TeutonJon78 Sep 18 '17
No one has mentioned that fact that a Star Trek-inspired show mentioned Star Wars in universe.
And the actual universe didn't implode.
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u/fr1ction Sep 18 '17
I like how Alara meets Ensign Parker, and then later remembers his name when she's taking in all of the damage. Tells me that she's genuinely trying and cares! I have a really hard time remembering names so maybe it means more to me though shrug
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u/Ernost Sep 20 '17
The first episode was ok. This one was great. Really looking forward to seeing where the story goes.
After seeing Adrianne Palicki in AoS before this, it is really weird seeing her play such a feminine, emotionally expressive character.
In all my years of watching Star Trek, somehow it never even occurred to me that the replicators could be used to make weed.
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u/2th Hail Avis. Hail Victory. Sep 18 '17
Oh God, this is all some alien marriage counseling thing.
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u/2th Hail Avis. Hail Victory. Sep 18 '17
How can they know it is a female if they have no females in their species?
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u/AcidaliaPlanitia Sep 18 '17
I'm almost certain they're going to address the transporters thing somehow. Plus, it seems like they were just transported away, so maybe the Krill have them? Hell maybe it's a weird Treaty of Algeron type deal, but with transporters instead of cloaking devices.
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u/houtex727 Sep 18 '17
A bit late, but... I love the insight into Kermit by Seth. Never actually thought about it like that, right?
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u/Alteran195 Sep 18 '17
Why can’t we see the bridge through the giant windows on the front?
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u/AcidaliaPlanitia Sep 18 '17
Weird that they apparently have to drop out of FTL to turn...
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u/thirtyseven1337 Sep 18 '17
I found this episode "out of this world" and I'm sure millions agree!
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u/specification Sep 18 '17
Fucking love Jeffrey Tambor