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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: K Frame on January 03, 2019, 12:43:25 PM

Title: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on January 03, 2019, 12:43:25 PM
Season 2 started on 30 December.

All of the core cast is back, which is good.

They also seem to be introducing some new characters, possibly a new love interest for the captain.

That said, the entire episode was, I think, rather weak and kind of convoluted.

The 3 primary plot lines were REALLY fractured and it just didn't mesh well.

I have hopes that the show will maintain the standards that it established last year. Not tremendously high, but those of a decently thought out and amusing, entertaining show.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Sindawe on January 03, 2019, 01:09:22 PM
Yea, it was not the best episode.  Mercer in the shuttle was funny though.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: TommyGunn on January 03, 2019, 01:23:04 PM
Episode #1  weak  .... ooookay, a bit.  I still like it.   Back on Thursday nights .... I'll have to remember it after Tucker Carlson ends. 

Idiot cable company Spectrum is in a tiff over costs with Tribune broadcast so  watching cable is ..... interesting.   I've hooked up a digital broadcast antenna to get stuff until the tiff is .... terminated.   
First time in 28 years I've watched over-the-air tv.   

 :facepalm:   Better quality video than the ¤¤¤¤•••●•●•●•●•●•⊙⊙○○⊙○⊙○⊙ cable box atleast.  >:D
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: grampster on January 03, 2019, 03:47:21 PM
I was really disappointed.  I thought the first episode plainly sucked.  Not funny.  Not even weird.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: TommyGunn on January 03, 2019, 07:26:55 PM
I was really disappointed.  I thought the first episode plainly sucked.  Not funny.  Not even weird.
Urinating into a canyon once every year isn't wierd? :O
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: RoadKingLarry on January 03, 2019, 09:39:43 PM
You've had enough injections.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: grampster on January 03, 2019, 10:42:33 PM
The networks for quite awhile, especially NBC every day this week, has been jamming homosexuality down our throats as something to be celebrated.  (sorry for the porno pun....ummmm, no, I'm not)  So I was hoping for some weirdness and funny on The Orville after Sunday's disappointment.  

Episode 1 had couple problems for an hour...boooring and stupid.  Throw in a yearly pee into a canyon by a race of same sex beings who mutilate their children...not weird, more meh.  I was disappointed.  But then, we get an opportunity on Thursday to bring back the subtle funny.  They couldn't screw up twice, could they?

Then comes tonight.  The same sex alien couple is having a marriage problem.  The crew member, Bortus or Portus, has a porno addiction that endangers the ship as well as himself and his "marriage".  The little kid looked soooo sad.  They have a odd way of divorce.  The only redeeming comedic feature is the porn provider was a very well done stylized, lumpy, brutish alien; a metaphor for the brutishness of porn.  Then they attempt to rescue aliens who look like white humans and speak English.  I suppose that was a pinch of humor mocking the present racism of the Left.   The woman leader sacrifices herself so her husband can leave with their son.  Heroic woman.  More SJW Bleh.  But only half can be saved which teaches Portus or Bortus a life lesson about being unselfish and now all is forgiven;  this after the porn addiction causes a virus that just about wrecks the ship and kills the crew.  Sigh....

The previews for next week looked a bit more positive.  Sigh....  I need about 2 fingers of brandy and get back to my sci fi book, Sten #8, Empire's End.  Swmbo is right.  I have evolved into a grumpy, loud, old bastard.  At least I am a proud, registered, 55 year member of The International Order of Old Bastards, #699842.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: HankB on January 03, 2019, 11:48:10 PM
. . . Sigh....  I need about 2 fingers of brandy and get back to my sci fi book, Sten #8, Empire's End.
Have you gotten a knife in your arm yet like Sten?  ;)

(Funny how a lot of older sci-fi books seem SO much better than the SJW crap being published today.)
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: grampster on January 04, 2019, 12:46:43 AM
Ssshhhhhh.  Dinna talk't aboot thae knife.  Campbells dinna need't' knae.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: HankB on January 04, 2019, 11:40:16 AM
Ssshhhhhh.  Dinna talk't aboot thae knife.  Campbells dinna need't' knae.
Talk about spotted snakes instead.  ;)
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: grampster on January 04, 2019, 01:41:51 PM
 =D =D =D =D
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on January 05, 2019, 07:08:49 AM
OK, I watched episode 2 last night.

A LOT more cohesive than episode 1.

And one of the creepiest, most cringe inducing episodes of any TV show I have ever watched.

Just wow.

Even worse that Derulio the Blue Dude in Heat.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Sindawe on January 05, 2019, 10:29:32 AM
Concur with Mike Irwin, episode 2 of season 2 as much better written and arraigned than the last episode.  Some cringe moments, but the porn/holoaddiction aspect did provide some genuine funny moments later in the show.

Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Ben on January 05, 2019, 10:47:54 AM
I missed episode 1, but watched episode 2 yesterday. I have to say I'm still not sold on the series. Based on episode 2, I have the same complaints as when we discussed the first season: a comedy/serious combination that just isn't working for me.

I continue to use the Firefly comparison. Firefly managed to merge comedy and serious in the same episode. The Orville does not. I think the problem for me is that they combine extremes in a single episode. If there was comedy in a very serious Firefly episode, it was limited and not "in your face".

In this Orville episode, we have guys making masturbation jokes at the same time they are trying to save the last survivors of an entire species, and having to make the decision to save only half of them. The college frat boy humor hand in hand with another subplot with serious consequences just doesn't work for me. It's like Aragorn and Gandalf doing a Three Stooges routine right before the big battle in The Two Towers.

I recall there were a few episodes in season 1 where they got this a bit under control, and I was hoping they were tightening things up. This episode has me thinking not. I would have really liked this episode if they had made it all about showing up at the dying world, discovering the survivors, and working on ways to rescue them. They could have thrown the computer virus in to complicate stuff without going through the whole porno thing and "couples therapy" and stuff. Or they could have kept their porno stuff, but made the planet subplot less consequential, like trying to get that fuel compound instead saving a species from extinction.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: HeroHog on January 05, 2019, 07:15:20 PM
Where are you watching the earlier seasons at? A streaming service, if so, which one?
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on January 13, 2019, 06:26:29 AM
Episode 3 was a LOT better.

Each episode seems to be getting better in terms of story line.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: grampster on January 17, 2019, 10:08:12 PM
Episode 4.  Finally.   A decent plot, aliens, and a bit of schmaltz and humor.  Worthy of watching at last. I even chuckled a couple times.  :old: 
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on January 18, 2019, 07:32:23 AM
OK, good, I have something to look forward to this evening, then.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Declaration Day on January 18, 2019, 10:07:15 AM
I loved episode 4.  Being both a Trekkie and a fan of the Orville, I like the actor crossovers and the Orville's subtle nods to Trek.

For example, last week's Orville episode starred Robert Picardo (the holographic doctor) and Ethan Phillips (Neelix) from Star Trek Voyager.

Note also the Orville character Kelly Grayson, whereas Amanda Grayson is Spock's mother.  Then there's Ash Tyler, the decoy in Discovery, and the decoy in Orville is Janel Tyler.

Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: MillCreek on January 18, 2019, 10:25:52 AM
^^^No, John Billingsley, the doctor from Enterprise was on last week's episode.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Declaration Day on January 18, 2019, 10:35:39 AM
^^^No, John Billingsley, the doctor from Enterprise was on last week's episode.

You're right, my mistake.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on January 18, 2019, 11:23:12 AM
Robert Picardo, who plays Alara's father, also had a short appearance in Season 1 of The Orville.

He's the one who said "Humans, hillbillies of the galaxy."
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Ben on January 18, 2019, 11:36:28 AM
He's the one who said "Humans, hillbillies of the galaxy."

My favorite line of the entire series so far.  :laugh:
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on January 18, 2019, 09:53:11 PM
VERY GOOD episode!

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Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on February 04, 2019, 08:58:03 AM
Finally got around to watching Thursday's episode.

Not at all a good episode. One of my least favorites, in fact.

Although it is interesting that the doctor has come out as a Robosexual.

Oh, and it's now official... Halston Sage, who played Lt. Alara Kitan, has left the show. Very bummed at that. I thought she was an excellent character.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Ben on February 04, 2019, 09:24:41 AM
Yeah, I was liking the previous two episodes. This one was more like "Sex in the City in Space". In fact I was cracking up because they would intermittently insert these three second snippets of the ship moving through space I guess to remind viewers that this was all in fact taking place on a spaceship.

This might have been an okay subplot, but not an entire show. Plus it was already done on STTNG.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: zxcvbob on February 04, 2019, 09:51:30 AM
I thought it was kinda boring.  Not horrible; not very good either.  But I did wonder, was the guy who played holographic ISAAC the same actor who plays robot ISAAC?
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on February 04, 2019, 09:53:14 AM
"This might have been an okay subplot, but not an entire show. Plus it was already done on STTNG."

Actually there aren't too many truly original plot lines in the space operas these days.

Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: BobR on February 04, 2019, 10:22:25 AM
I have been recording and then watching, so far the one where the Krill take him prisoner was my least least favorite. The rest have pretty much sucked eggs. I am not feeling the love for this series but I try. OTOH, my wife really dislikes it so I usually watch it when she is not around. So they are basically 0 for 2 in our little abode. I just can't put my finger on it, it isn't drama yet they try at times, it isn't comedy yet they try at times. The comedy usually goes over better than the dramatic parts, usually. Then again some of the comedy (ok, a lot) falls flat for me. I will probably finish recording this season and not bother next season if there is one.

bob
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Ben on February 04, 2019, 10:24:04 AM
I thought it was kinda boring.  Not horrible; not very good either.  But I did wonder, was the guy who played holographic ISAAC the same actor who plays robot ISAAC?

It was. Same with blob guy.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on February 04, 2019, 10:41:48 AM
"I have been recording and then watching, so far the one where the Krill take him prisoner was my least least favorite."

That one was probably my favorite so far this season, followed closely by the one where Alara has to go to her home planet because she's adapting to lesser gravity.

The one where Kelly and Bortus are taken prisoner during a first contact was also quite good.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: TommyGunn on February 04, 2019, 11:07:53 AM
Finally got around to watching Thursday's episode.

Not at all a good episode. One of my least favorites, in fact.

Although it is interesting that the doctor has come out as a Robosexual.

Oh, and it's now official... Halston Sage, who played Lt. Alara Kitan, has left the show. Very bummed at that. I thought she was an excellent character.

Well, the Orville is "the weirdest  ship in the fleet."   (It's OFFICIAL!!!!!!)

...... And no,  it wasn't a particularly good episode .... but it had a few good double entendres about .... malfunctions" .... >:D
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: grampster on February 05, 2019, 10:02:42 PM
So far I am disappoint.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: zxcvbob on February 26, 2019, 11:26:06 PM
Did you see it last week?  (first of a 2-parter)  Very good!  Looks like the stupid episode with the Dr and Isaac may have just been the set-up for a new major story arc; and it sure went in a different direction that I expected.  
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: TommyGunn on February 27, 2019, 12:36:24 AM
Isaac sure went sideways in a hurry.    Too bad they forgot Asimov's  Laws of Robotics. [tinfoil] 

It's going to be interesting to see how the mostly bags of water resolve this sticky wicket.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on February 27, 2019, 07:09:12 AM
I watched the first half of the 2 parter on Sunday when I got home.

EXCELLENT episode. I just hope that the second half keeps it up.

Asimov's Laws of Robotics don't apply when you suddenly realize that you've built Skynet...

I have a funny feeling, though, that Isaac is going to end up saving the day because he suddenly programs a conscience.

Interesting, though, that all of the robots on Kaylon had eyes (and they were all red).

If you remember back to the first season someone asks Isaac about his eyes, and he says that they're not needed/functional, and that he put them on because it made his human coworkers more comfortable.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: MillCreek on February 27, 2019, 11:53:08 PM
We just watched part one of Skynet vs. the humans, and we think this is one of the best episodes yet. 
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: HankB on February 28, 2019, 12:13:45 PM
. . .  I have a funny feeling, though, that Isaac is going to end up saving the day because he suddenly programs a conscience . . .
I hope not - too many shows go for a "warm and fuzzy" happy ending as it is.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on February 28, 2019, 02:24:11 PM
I hope not - too many shows go for a "warm and fuzzy" happy ending as it is.

I'd hope not, too, but it's an easy and lazy way to end the situation.

A better way to end it would be to have the doctor discover a weakness in the Kaylon race given the time she spent schtupping Isaac.


Have to admit that I REALLY liked the design aspect that had the dual guns pop out of the Kaylons heads. Made a menacing character REALLY menacing.
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: Ned Hamford on February 28, 2019, 05:06:23 PM
I'm rooting for self interest.  As the most unique AI; having so heavily edited himself, he places a higher value on himself than the rest of the machines whose information requirements are growing exponentially and just filled a planet.  He was also going to be dismantled as having his purpose complete.  I'm looking forward to some clever side stepping tonight.

I do love the whole meme of potato head prank worthy of genocide that has been going around. 
Title: Re: The Orville is back on!
Post by: K Frame on February 28, 2019, 10:04:36 PM
They chickenshitted out.

Good episode but they chickenshitted out with Isaac.

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