Extra Sauce
Member
Your post made me curious about the buzz so I checked the Discovery thread and... it seems quiet considering we are two weeks away from the first Star Trek show in over a decade.
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First reviews for Seth McFarlane's scifi drama The Orville
- Thread starter Slayven
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Your post made me curious about the buzz so I checked the Discovery thread and... it seems quiet considering we are two weeks away from the first Star Trek show in over a decade.
The trailers didn't instill trekkies with hope
I've never found Gaf to be a Trek heavy forum in the first place. Star Wars? Yeah. You rarely see Trek threads made in general and when they do get made they die fairly quickly. The Discovery thread gets thrown off page 1 and 2 by other topic traffic insanely fast when post are made it I noticed.
the drama and scifi part of Orville were actually okay. But the potty and dick jokes did not help at all. Orville totally reminded me of the Baywatch movie, which also tried to infuse an action movie with lame humor and it didnt work out well either.
It certainly captured the Trek tone quite well, but also reminded of how stale and outdated that tone had become by the time Enterprise rolled around without an amazing cast or the strong, original ideas required to elevate it. Pilot episodes are often the show at its weakest so I'll keep going, but at the first time of asking the jokes weren't funny or frequent enough to sustain an hour-long comedy, and the characters and drama felt very pedestrian. Ted aside, I'm not a big McFarlane fan but do find his insouciant straight man delivery quite amusing, so hopefully the material will start to come together as the season develops. Other Space did this sort of thing more effectively and with greater originality.
Rather liked the show. Little rough in the writing department though and the pacing was a bit off.
Given time I really think they could smooth out the rough edges. First season of TNG wasn't very good on all fronts. Season 2 was a bit better, but not by much. TNG unofficially starts at season 3, aka when they start wearing collars.
Given time I really think they could smooth out the rough edges. First season of TNG wasn't very good on all fronts. Season 2 was a bit better, but not by much. TNG unofficially starts at season 3, aka when they start wearing collars.
They weren't kidding when they said this was class action suit material.
It's not a parody of Star Trek; it's just plain Star Trek without the license.
It's not a comedy either; there was one joke every 5-10 minutes, this was a sci-fi drama. (although I did like the few jokes it had)
The script was probably it's biggest problem; it's just the most generic Star Trek story you could come up with, it's a total fan film, recreating moments from countless Star Trek episodes completely straight without any attempt at comedy or making it distinct in any way; McFarlane did the same thing with those awful Family Guy Star Wars episodes. He considers just doing the thing as worthwhile content.
The visual effects were good, seems like they had a decent budget; but the resolution on the CG was weirdly low, you could see pixel shimmering on all the ships, as if they forgot to add AA to the image. I don't know if it was a reference to the primitive digital effects in TNG or just something they did to skimp on server rendering time, but it stood out.
The visual style was exactly what you'd expect a Star Trek show should be, bright and colorful (something Discovery doesn't seem to really 'get'), but this is not something in Orville's favour, it shows that the production team simply intended to make Star Trek without the work of getting the IP.
The musical score was bland, it tries to get the flavor of other Star Trek themes but doesn't do anything unique; unlike the Galaxy Quest theme or Enterprising Young Men which worked very well as it's own theme but also gave the feeling of a Star Trek adventure. It's as through-the-motions as the basic premise of this show is.
I will complement the characters though, all the characters shown are really well played and have a lot of good chemistry with each other. The basic idea is the closest that you could get to a Star Trek parody with; although they didn't really bother to say anything with these characters (like how Dr. Lazarus in Galaxy Quest was great commentary on the life of a Star Trek actor when they are beholden to such roles, as well as being an excellent homage and distillation of characters like Spock and Worf). Instead, they simply be the characters of the Star Trek shows, except they are witty.
It might get good later on, but I don't see how this script got past a first draft, let alone produced and made to the air. Well, I do know, it's because Fox let's McFarlane do whatever he wants, and he wanted to play Star Trek.
It's not a parody of Star Trek; it's just plain Star Trek without the license.
It's not a comedy either; there was one joke every 5-10 minutes, this was a sci-fi drama. (although I did like the few jokes it had)
The script was probably it's biggest problem; it's just the most generic Star Trek story you could come up with, it's a total fan film, recreating moments from countless Star Trek episodes completely straight without any attempt at comedy or making it distinct in any way; McFarlane did the same thing with those awful Family Guy Star Wars episodes. He considers just doing the thing as worthwhile content.
The visual effects were good, seems like they had a decent budget; but the resolution on the CG was weirdly low, you could see pixel shimmering on all the ships, as if they forgot to add AA to the image. I don't know if it was a reference to the primitive digital effects in TNG or just something they did to skimp on server rendering time, but it stood out.
The visual style was exactly what you'd expect a Star Trek show should be, bright and colorful (something Discovery doesn't seem to really 'get'), but this is not something in Orville's favour, it shows that the production team simply intended to make Star Trek without the work of getting the IP.
The musical score was bland, it tries to get the flavor of other Star Trek themes but doesn't do anything unique; unlike the Galaxy Quest theme or Enterprising Young Men which worked very well as it's own theme but also gave the feeling of a Star Trek adventure. It's as through-the-motions as the basic premise of this show is.
I will complement the characters though, all the characters shown are really well played and have a lot of good chemistry with each other. The basic idea is the closest that you could get to a Star Trek parody with; although they didn't really bother to say anything with these characters (like how Dr. Lazarus in Galaxy Quest was great commentary on the life of a Star Trek actor when they are beholden to such roles, as well as being an excellent homage and distillation of characters like Spock and Worf). Instead, they simply be the characters of the Star Trek shows, except they are witty.
It might get good later on, but I don't see how this script got past a first draft, let alone produced and made to the air. Well, I do know, it's because Fox let's McFarlane do whatever he wants, and he wanted to play Star Trek.
I'll laugh if the general public thinks Discovery is ripping off The Orville because The Orville premiered first.
Then I'll get bummed out.
dickroach
Member
nah, those thing's had a joke shoe-horned in every 10 seconds. whether they landed or not is one thing, but those were clearly parodies
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Yeah he directed the pilot.
Dandy Lyin
Member
They really nailed the aesthetic of TNG -- the look, the music, the sound effects... All of it was perfect. I'm not sure that's enough to make me watch it again though. I didn't find it funny, or interesting.
Extra Sauce
Member
I know you're joking but network television is watched by old people and old people can recognize Star Trek so we should be okay.
UnknownSpirit
Member
This is Star Trek. And I think I kinda like it.
I dunno. It's more of a sci-if drama which means they have totally mis-marketed this thing.
The writing needs to be better. (However, the "anti-banana" ray joke made me laugh).
But I mean.. it's Star Trek down to the long shots of them leaving space dock.
I'm gonna stay with it, it isn't atrocious as some were saying.
I mean.. the score has hints of Star Trek, like almost note for note.
Ed Mercer (McFarland) even does the TNG shirt tug at one point.
Is it bad that I think this might be better than Discovery?
I dunno. It's more of a sci-if drama which means they have totally mis-marketed this thing.
The writing needs to be better. (However, the "anti-banana" ray joke made me laugh).
But I mean.. it's Star Trek down to the long shots of them leaving space dock.
I'm gonna stay with it, it isn't atrocious as some were saying.
I mean.. the score has hints of Star Trek, like almost note for note.
Ed Mercer (McFarland) even does the TNG shirt tug at one point.
Is it bad that I think this might be better than Discovery?
DangerMouse
Member
Yeah UnknownSpirit, I rather liked it as well.
Yeah, I quite enjoyed that first episode.
Yeah, I quite enjoyed that first episode.
I'm faily certain that they also used a location that Trek has used numerous times over the years. That "planet" they went to seemed an awful lot like Starfleet Academy from TNG/Voyager (which was a botanical garden somewhere in California if I remember correctly? This is also where they shot Biodome?)
Winterblink
Member
Pretty much every joke in the show fell flat for me, and nothing felt as clever and inspired as something like Galaxy Quest. I know it's just the first episode but holy shit, what a weak start.
Ah I remember that
Knuckle Sandwich
Member
It was... ok I guess. I like Seth a lot so I hope it does well and gets better.
UnknownSpirit
Member
I feel like there is potential for a really good show. Just need some better writing.
And humor, and tone.
Fenderputty
Banned
Just about everything was more enjoyable than I thought it would be. It was funnier than the OP made it seem and it was enjoyable enough as a sci fi show for me to not care it wasn't a straight comedy. Maybe its because my expectations were lowered due to the OP, but I don't think that's the only reason I enjoyed the first episode.
BlackSalad
Member
pretty much
I left it on because I was lazy and didn't change the channel after football. I enjoyed it, it was fun enough. The worf character made me laugh the most.
"There are no strip clubs."
Mr. Pointy
Member
If they can polish out the shittier jokes and keep the DS9/VOY era Trek vibe going, I think I can really like The Orville, but at the moment it's just okay.
ComputerBlue
Member
I enjoyed it.
It kind of made me feel like a kid again and reminded me of the days when Star Trek was still on TV.
I think it has potential, it's nothing amazing but certainly not as garbage as the reviews made it out to be. I don't get why people are angry at it ripping Star Trek off either, it really is, but so what, Star Trek hasn't been on TV in over 15 years and Discovery is looking a lot like the reboots, which is okay, but I enjoy some classic Star Trek and The Orville might scratch that itch. I like the cast well enough, characters well enough, love the high but also low budget looking visuals, liked the music, we'll see.
It kind of made me feel like a kid again and reminded me of the days when Star Trek was still on TV.
I think it has potential, it's nothing amazing but certainly not as garbage as the reviews made it out to be. I don't get why people are angry at it ripping Star Trek off either, it really is, but so what, Star Trek hasn't been on TV in over 15 years and Discovery is looking a lot like the reboots, which is okay, but I enjoy some classic Star Trek and The Orville might scratch that itch. I like the cast well enough, characters well enough, love the high but also low budget looking visuals, liked the music, we'll see.
KojiKnight
Member
Watch it and form your own opinion. Critics are panning it, but a lot of average joes seem to enjoy it. Myself included. I'll definitely give this first season a few more episodes. It certainly feels like a proper star trek, unlike what I get from Discovery and certainly more than the movies.
davepoobond
you can't put a price on sparks
im certainly going to give it a view, just to see how bad it is.
but a show is rarely represented by its pilot. it could turn into a good show for all we know.
The aesthetic is the only trek vibe I got. It's too "sup breh?" "it's cool dude" to get close to trek.
LibrarianGMR
Member
I thought it was fun but will be shocked if it lasts longer than a single season. This is a pure vanity project. It's Seth McFarlane playing dress up with Family Guy and American Dad money. He looks like he's having fun and that's cool. I liked it well enough to stick around.
Fancyarcher
Member
Personally I actually think that The Orville theme is on par with the Galaxy Quest theme, which means that both are very good, and I'm sure I'll listen to the Orville theme several times now. I just wish both themes were longer then a minute if I'm being honest.
StudioTan
Hold on, friend! I'd love to share with you some swell news about the Windows 8 Metro UI! Wait, where are you going?
I thought it was pretty good. To me it feels like they took the Stay Trek future aesthetic but the crew are still regular joes talking about porn and making jokes instead of everyone being so prim and proper. The only jokes that felt like "gags" were the fear the banana bit and the blue guy's ink from the intro, the rest felt more like banter to me and I thought it worked ok.
Nah, the Orville theme isn't as fun to listen to as the Galaxy Quest theme. It's much slower and with less varied instruments, and the melody tries to mimick TNG but it doesn't do it in a way that makes the song flow well, it feels like the song has to recover from the Star Trek reference every time it does it. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Quest theme keeps its spunk and fun nature going all throughout, and it doesn't feel as awkward in any way trying to mimick a Star Trek theme, instead it does it naturally by simply giving you the adventurous tone of an adventure instead of trying to mimick the actual melody of a Star Trek song. It's the difference between a proper new Star Trek theme versus a royalty-free sound-a-alike.
TimeEffect
Member
Why couldn't this be a cartoon?
Now we have to put up with really bad low budget sets and Seth's bad acting
Now we have to put up with really bad low budget sets and Seth's bad acting
Fenderputty
Banned
Yeah I thought he was pretty fuckin' hilarious too. The overly racist robot is a great concept as well. lol
The one thing I was wondering the whole time is "where's my transporter tech, man"
Fancyarcher
Member
Both theme are obviously inspired by the original Courage Trek theme, and I don't mind the Trek influence in the Orville theme either. I happen to enjoy both anyway, the Orville theme just has a good adventure sound to me. Heck I think you could argue it wouldn't be out of place in a pirates score, so I guess Galaxy Quest does have it up on the upper-hand in that regard.
I guess I'm just glad to have actual themes, and background music that isn't just meant to be just supposedly "atmospheric" either. MacFarlane seems to one of a few people on television right now willing to use an actual orchestra to its fullest, anyway.
Yes, I believe good music is important to a good show; I learned that ever since I first watched Lost and now a show with simply 'atmospheric' music seems like it's missing something.
Fancyarcher
Member
After hearing the Star Trek: Discovery theme, which I thought was okay, I actually appreciate The Orville's even moment.
Ironic that the "rip-off / Star Trek" parody The Orville has more of a classic feel with its use of music, then the actual Star Trek show itself probably will though. Not surprising though, since Trek has always approached a "wallpaper" approach to music since the mid seasons of TNG. In many ways Berman was ahead of the game when it came to music as essentially sound design might I add.
Fenderputty
Banned
My wife and I picked up on this right the fuck away. The music is classic old school trek.
Yeah, exactly. I thought it was less "comedy Star Trek" and more "casual Star Trek." Long shot of the ship leaving dock, and the navigator pulls out his soda. Jerry-rigging some sci-fi tech with a hot glue gun. That sort of thing: not outright funny, but more of a just casual fun vibe.
Although I'm not huge on the guy/ex-wife dynamic. I mean they played well off each other, but just in concept I'm not a fan of "I was cheated on, it devastated me, but I'm going to work with her because plot."
The thought of being forced to work with someone who's wronged me like that does not make me laugh.
Ronabo
Member
I watched it last night. I have no idea what I watched.
Sometimes it felt like it used to have a laugh track. Other times scenes would go on longer than needed and I was waiting for something to happen "unexpectedly"
Such a weird show. McFarlan must have some major dirt on a FOX executive to have this thing green lite.
Sometimes it felt like it used to have a laugh track. Other times scenes would go on longer than needed and I was waiting for something to happen "unexpectedly"
Such a weird show. McFarlan must have some major dirt on a FOX executive to have this thing green lite.
As a Trek fan who can't stand Star Wars this is so painfully true.
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