[Armus]

Anybody watching Season 3? So far through two episodes I'm liking what I'm seeing.

[Se7enofMine]

100%. So far, its been a home run. Trek has never been shy on delving into real life issues. That first episode hit on a few (no spoilers here).

I enjoyed season 1 and 2 of Orville as well. While not quite as 'deep' and a little more jokesy than season 3, I fully expect to enjoy the rest of this season.

[monty42]

I'm loving it. If anything it proves that the classic Star Trek formula still works and doesn't need to be reinvented into a dark, dystopian world where everything's fucked up.

Episode 1

I think is a direct play on TNG's The Best of Both Worlds. One I think that TNG missed to tackle. How did the crew deal with Locutus coming back as Picard after murdering thousands of Federation citizens. They gave us a brief glimpse from Sisko's POV later in DS9 but I actually think Orville did it better.

Episodes 2 & 3

are classic Star Trek tropes. They both feel like an amalgamation of multiple episodes we've already seen on TNG and TOS. And while you get the distinct I've seen this before feeling, they still keep it fresh and intriguing enough to make me want more.

I missed some of the light heartedness from seasons 1 & 2 but I always believed it was only a matter of time before the show would start to take itself seriously.
Like all Star Trek shows (and this is a Star Trek show) it took them 2 seasons to find their feet.

[BCSWowbagger]

I'm loving it. If anything it proves that the classic Star Trek formula still works and doesn't need to be reinvented into a dark, dystopian world where everything's fucked up.

Episode 1

I think is a direct play on TNG's The Best of Both Worlds. One I think that TNG missed to tackle. How did the crew deal with Locutus coming back as Picard after murdering thousands of Federation citizens. They gave us a brief glimpse from Sisko's POV later in DS9 but I actually think Orville did it better.

Episodes 2 & 3

are classic Star Trek tropes. They both feel like an amalgamation of multiple episodes we've already seen on TNG and TOS. And while you get the distinct I've seen this before feeling, they still keep it fresh and intriguing enough to make me want more.

I missed some of the light heartedness from seasons 1 & 2 but I always believed it was only a matter of time before the show would start to take itself seriously.
Like all Star Trek shows (and this is a Star Trek show) it took them 2 seasons to find their feet.

[Armus]

I'm really liking the prior season call-backs they've been employing so far. It makes this universe feel more complete and consistent in a way I find pleasing -- actions taken by characters in past episodes have consequences in future episodes.

[Se7enofMine]

I missed some of the light heartedness from seasons 1 & 2 but I always believed it was only a matter of time before the show would start to take itself seriously.
Like all Star Trek shows (and this is a Star Trek show) it took them 2 seasons to find their feet.

I agree on this part. From what i read, it was a 'forced change' during the negotiations in moving to the Hulu network. Hulu wanted to keep some of the levity but make it a bit more serious. So far, the pendulum has swung the other way with, what i feel is, not enough levity. Hopefully it swings back a tickle to add a bit more but 100% keep the subject matter.

[KazonPADD]

Episode 4 is awesome!

[Armus]

Episode 4 is awesome!

Whatever else it is, it's shockingly relevant to contemporary US politics (for details go to the Bar). No way they could have planned this when they were filming two years ago. Crazy!

[monty42]

I try not to bother myself with what's going on in american politics these days.
I do however think that this was a very intelligent episode. I have a feeling that it might be inspired by The Undiscovered Country. I could see a very similar political play happening on Qo'nos during the events of the movie.

[Armus]

Another week, another really strong episode.

Nice callback to a Season 1 episode to do some more world building.

It's also sticking with the social commentary, but it's putting some interesting twists on it in ways that make you think without beating you over the head with it.

[Armus]

It's been said that The Orville has been out-Star Trekking modern Star Trek. Maybe that's true, and maybe it's not. I'm not looking to re-light the torch on this particular debate right now.

However, after episode 9, I will say that that single episode out Star Warsed modern Star Wars. A 90 minute episode that had such amazing visuals and effects as to rival anything on the big screen combined with deep moral quandries and personal character development... I have no idea how they did it, but needless to say, I was HIGHLY impressed.

I know a 4th season is no guarantee, but man I hope Hulu finds a way to make it happen. Otherwise this show will be the next Firefly, and NOBODY wants that.

Season finale this Thursday. They've set the bar really high. Hopefully they can meet it, and if this is it, then go out like champs!

[Armus]

Well, whether it's for now or forever, that's a wrap on The Orville.

I kind of expected a more low-key episode after last week's epic amazingness, and with it being up in the air whether it was a season finale or a series finale, creating an episode that could serve as either presented a bit of a challenge, and one that I think the writers did an admirable job of threading the needle on.

The biggest (highly pleasant!) surprise was the B story callback to one of my favorite episodes of the series from the first season, Majority Rules. For obvious reasons this was definitely the B story, but it did a really good job spending time in the space of "What would happen if all of our material needs could suddenly be met by technology" and gave a quality meditation on the ethics of The Prime Directive (it's not called that, but it's the same thing and given the same importance)... some real big Roddenberry energy there.

Bottom line, this is a REALLY GOOD show, with high quality writing and amazing production value. If you haven't watched it, I HIGHLY recommend a top-to-bottom viewing. I know that it's moving to Disney+ and is currently streaming on Hulu, and I know that whether or not it gets renewed will be primarily a function of viewership and popular response.

So following the path of the great Bjo Trimble, whose letter-writing campaign back in the day saved the original Star Trek not once but twice, from one nerd to another, I'm asking you to pitch in. Watch The Orville and spread the word. You'll be glad you did.

#RenewTheOrville