The Orville Season 1 [DVD]

I would like to have had a blu-ray version but this was a great series

Having seen the first four episodes available in the UK so far, I think I understand the tonal intent behind the series. In the run up to the pilot, my biggest concern (and the impression given by Fox's trailers for the series) was that this would be a sitcom farce with sci-fi tropes drawn on for disposable laughs. Thankfully it is not; this is a sci-fi drama (leaning more to the space opera end of the sci-fi spectrum), but with the odd joke here and there. In fact, the Orville is a loving homage to Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it borrows heavily from the Trek universe, using some ideas for light comedic effect, but without losing reverence for its source material. Even Star Trek: Deep Space Nine alumnus Penny Johnson Jerald is along for the ride, almost carrying on the tradition of characters from previous incarnations handing-off to subsequent spin-offs to aid in the continuity (a la Deforest Kelley as McCoy in the pilot for TNG, Picard in the pilot of DS9, and Quark in the pilot episode of Voyager).Whilst TNG's Captain Jean-Luc Picard is the epitome of the enlightened, cultured intellectual diplomat entrusted with the flagship of the fleet, The Orville's Captain Ed Mercer is the flawed everyman, having achieved moderate success in his career thanks to persistence and favourable circumstances, and has been put in charge of a middle-of-the-range exploratory vessel. This juxtaposition is a running gag, where the holes in his literary knowledge and occasional insights into his slightly lower-brow (but nonetheless endearing) cultural interests are the comic relief between surprisingly intelligent speculative plot points. In true Trek style, the series does not shy away from contemporaneous moral commentary, which undoubtedly would be mirrored were TNG to have been made today.MacFarlane has actually pulled off some decent worldbuilding here; the pilot introduces us to a line-up of believable and entertaining characters, as well as established the recurring antagonists. Whilst occasionally, the plot verges on the absurd for comic effect, it is never at the expense of the story's verisimilitude.In short, if like me, you loved the golden age of the TNG/DS9 era of Star Trek, and enjoy a good laugh now and then, you'll love The Orville.

Good

I'll be completely honest - I wasn't expecting much of a sci-fi show from a creator of a rude cartoon and The Orville was basically the last on my list to watch. Really? How in the world a guy responsible for years of bad jokes could ever create something deeper than a plate? Spoiler alert - He can!When Brian Fuller and Alex Kurtzman both failed miserably, Seth found the way to deliver. The Orville is a piece of solid old school space show without PC creeping around every corner. Unlike "paper thin" Picard and Discovery, characters are three dimensional, with all the "real life" quirks an issues. Nobody is perfect and there's no almighty Mary Sue's or other superdiversed individuals.And yes, You'll get a bit of a Family Guy taste sometimes, but all the jokes are nicely balanced and woven in plot or disguised as cultural references.Don't get me wrong - if You're in search for some sort of a hardcore space opera - turn around and keep looking. It is more like lightweight Voyager, but serious enough to keep You in front of Your TV for a bit longer.To me, The Orville feels like a younger brother of a Galaxy Quest, but even without superstars cast it is equally good - must watch for every ST fan.

i am enjoying this. I was a fan of the original Star Trek but it has aged so much it is hard to watch now but you miss that kind of television. I have loved all those that followed but this is not the same as those. It is more like Star Trek original series but with better and more conscious script. I find the topics really make me ponder about stuff even though the storylines are simple. You can see how the generations have changed.It is just fun and a good range of Characters to get attached to. I love the humour. It is at the right level. It really makes me laugh at times and its great that it is not all the way through. It gives that human element to the plot.If i was to be critical ( i still really enjoy it so far)I would have more characters. Audiences have progressed to expect more than just a few roles. A find that female roles in most programmes lack a comic edge and character traits and they could have more facets to them.Some of the episodes end flat or rushed.

I love this programme. That is why I bought both seasons

As a Macfarlane fan, I find this to be another one of his successful projects.Is it as funny as some of the other things he's done? No, and it doesn't try to be.Lets face it: "Seth Macfarlane in a space drama" will never sell as well as "Seth Macfarlane space comedy". Yet there is drama, with moments of humour to lighten the mood. The sci-fi is played straight and can be quite thoughtful. The special and practical effects are awesome and the orchestral score is as lush as you can ask for.The only gripe is with Amazon not being clear on a release schedule. I would have accepted it if this was on Prime, but having paid for it, any reasonable person would have believed they would either have access to the entire season or at least know when episodes would be available. Who would have thought that Amazon would be selling things that they did not have the full rights to? It will certainly make me think twice before any future purchase of season long shows.