A solid enough episode, slightly less comedy this week and more focus on drama which helped I think. I thought something would happen obviously when they went to help the cargo ship, I didn't expect what actually happened though which was nice. Came across as very Star Trek in nature which I also liked, reminiscent of the very first pilot "The Cage" Not really getting why the show has taken such a beating. It's a bit of fun and generally enjoyable to watch.
18 Reviews
Tiny Cheesy Masterpiece
ionisravell18 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
(Spoiler-light part)
Second episode of Orville is a notable improvement over the previous instalment. Gone is the toilet humour so jarring in the pilot and "Command Performance" finally feels like an ensemble show it should be. Episode doesn't try to be funny at all cost, giving stage to drama, which was missing from the one-liner loaded pilot.
Episode is carried by Halson Sage(Lt. Alara Kitan) performance which mostly hits the spot, leaving Seth MacFarlane (Cpt. Ed Mercer) and Adrianne Palicki (Comm. Kelly Grayson) to their B-story. Miss Sage gives a believable performance, convincingly showing her character's struggle. Delivery of few lines might have been better, but overall we can identify with Lt. Kitan very well.
Episode has an overall cheesy feeling to it. It's a simple story with predictable plot points and conclusion - but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of watching it.
Score 8/10 is given for an overall feeling to the episode - you can sense the show is done by people who know exactly what they are doing. Orville doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is. People behind, as well as in front of the cameras understand the scope and nature of the show.
(Spoiler-heavy part)
With captain Mercer and first officer Grayson kidnapped and Lt.Cm. Bortus laying an egg, command falls to the young Lieutenant Kitan who struggles with sitting in the big chair. Departure of characters who were focal point of the pilot, gave other crew members a real chance to shine and show some depth of their characters. Hopefully this trend will continue as the show, if imitating Star Trek, will rely on well written characters.
Likable Lt. Kitan stole the show completely, despite story arc of the episode being quite predictable. Predictability of the plot, makes the First Act of the episode most enjoyable, other two lagging behind due to their on-rails plot line. Once again, the Star Trek nostalgia is present. And for you Trek-fans out there, you might feel an echo of TNG's episode "Disaster" ringing in your ears, while watching Lt. Kitan struggling to command her crew.
B-plot revolves around Mercer and Grayson's reevaluation of the failed marriage and presents a little more depth to their characters as well, giving us more insight into how their relationship worked. This feels like a setup for future evolution of their bond.
Overall, episode 2 of Orville shows a lot of promise and is less uneven with the humour. "Licking balls" jokes are gone, replaced by somewhat more intelligent approach to the funny aspect of the show. After "Commanding Performance" I have no doubt crew of Orville could deliver real drama, despite light attitude the show rides on.
Second episode of Orville is a notable improvement over the previous instalment. Gone is the toilet humour so jarring in the pilot and "Command Performance" finally feels like an ensemble show it should be. Episode doesn't try to be funny at all cost, giving stage to drama, which was missing from the one-liner loaded pilot.
Episode is carried by Halson Sage(Lt. Alara Kitan) performance which mostly hits the spot, leaving Seth MacFarlane (Cpt. Ed Mercer) and Adrianne Palicki (Comm. Kelly Grayson) to their B-story. Miss Sage gives a believable performance, convincingly showing her character's struggle. Delivery of few lines might have been better, but overall we can identify with Lt. Kitan very well.
Episode has an overall cheesy feeling to it. It's a simple story with predictable plot points and conclusion - but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of watching it.
Score 8/10 is given for an overall feeling to the episode - you can sense the show is done by people who know exactly what they are doing. Orville doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is. People behind, as well as in front of the cameras understand the scope and nature of the show.
(Spoiler-heavy part)
With captain Mercer and first officer Grayson kidnapped and Lt.Cm. Bortus laying an egg, command falls to the young Lieutenant Kitan who struggles with sitting in the big chair. Departure of characters who were focal point of the pilot, gave other crew members a real chance to shine and show some depth of their characters. Hopefully this trend will continue as the show, if imitating Star Trek, will rely on well written characters.
Likable Lt. Kitan stole the show completely, despite story arc of the episode being quite predictable. Predictability of the plot, makes the First Act of the episode most enjoyable, other two lagging behind due to their on-rails plot line. Once again, the Star Trek nostalgia is present. And for you Trek-fans out there, you might feel an echo of TNG's episode "Disaster" ringing in your ears, while watching Lt. Kitan struggling to command her crew.
B-plot revolves around Mercer and Grayson's reevaluation of the failed marriage and presents a little more depth to their characters as well, giving us more insight into how their relationship worked. This feels like a setup for future evolution of their bond.
Overall, episode 2 of Orville shows a lot of promise and is less uneven with the humour. "Licking balls" jokes are gone, replaced by somewhat more intelligent approach to the funny aspect of the show. After "Commanding Performance" I have no doubt crew of Orville could deliver real drama, despite light attitude the show rides on.
Okay so far
scott-8244318 September 2017
It's interesting series so far but the humor can be jarring in contrast to the situations. Dumb humor can be great but it is a fine line to walk. I'd like this show to do well but I don't think they are hitting the right combination yet. The switching between serious and silly seems forced at times. MASH was able to put silly and serious together well so it is possible.
Amazing episode, Loved it
azeznassar17 September 2017
Truly feels like a new funny star trek show, helps that this episode was directed by star trek voyager alumni Robert Duncan McNeil, along with writing from Seth, it hits all the right notes. Amazing visuals, great story telling and a bit of comedy. Definitely recommend watching to anyone who enjoys Star trek, sci-fi or comedy. We haven't had anything on the air like this in a long time.
Enjoyable Mash-up of Star Trek and Twilight Zone
IsaacTenewitz20 September 2017
I enjoy the lighthearted humor, and look forward to the character development. Special effects were surprisingly good for a network comedy.
As a Star Trek (Original Series) and Twilight Zone fan, I see how elements were borrowed to create this particular story. While this is a spoof of sorts, the actual plot has a certain seriousness and depth to it. It's the cast themselves who are the actual parodies.
I would recommend this show to any Star Trek / Lost in Space fan. Just fun to watch.
As a Star Trek (Original Series) and Twilight Zone fan, I see how elements were borrowed to create this particular story. While this is a spoof of sorts, the actual plot has a certain seriousness and depth to it. It's the cast themselves who are the actual parodies.
I would recommend this show to any Star Trek / Lost in Space fan. Just fun to watch.
Excellent follow-up
MrGoog22 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
******SPOILER ALERT******
One of the episode's credits grabbed my attention immediately: Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill, who played Tom Paris in "Star Trek - Voyager". After the episode, I learned that others associated with Star Trek would appear on The Orville on both sides of the camera. This bodes well for the series.
This episode gave a big spotlight to Lieutenant Alara Kitan and made her even more fun to watch. When Kitan was thrust into an intense command situation, she did what many 23-year-olds do when they suddenly need to take charge: run away, have a stiff drink, vomit, then turn around and face that responsibility. Fortunately, Dr. Finn was willing to be Kitan's Obi-Wan (excellent reference by Seth MacFarlane). Naturally, a young officer would feel intimidated by a Fleet Admiral, so she had believed that her only option was to obey Admiral Tucker's order to give up on Mercer and Grayson. But Kitan learned that being in command inevitably involves big risks, so she was willing to put her career and her kiester on the line to save her Captain and First Officer. This experience will make Kitan a better officer, which is significant for the Chief of Security.
It also was amusing to see Jeffrey Tambor and Holland Taylor as Ed's parents. Their brief but funny dialogue shows that quality can be more important that quantity. Hopefully, we will see Bert & Jeannie Mercer again (and for real next time).
The scenes in the Calivon menagerie (Star Trek fans will get that reference) were funny and thought-provoking. At their best, the many versions of Star Trek provoked the audience to think about what they are watching. Seth MacFarlane knows how to do this in a humorous way. Also, that final scene might make people reconsider their craving for reality TV (we can only hope).
Also, we saw how a male-only species - the Moclan - reproduces. I don't know how Klyden input his DNA to the egg and I don't want to know. But it was stunning to see that their offspring is...female!?!?!? (I don't know how many exclamation points and question marks are standard for this.) And thereby hangs a tale...
One of the episode's credits grabbed my attention immediately: Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill, who played Tom Paris in "Star Trek - Voyager". After the episode, I learned that others associated with Star Trek would appear on The Orville on both sides of the camera. This bodes well for the series.
This episode gave a big spotlight to Lieutenant Alara Kitan and made her even more fun to watch. When Kitan was thrust into an intense command situation, she did what many 23-year-olds do when they suddenly need to take charge: run away, have a stiff drink, vomit, then turn around and face that responsibility. Fortunately, Dr. Finn was willing to be Kitan's Obi-Wan (excellent reference by Seth MacFarlane). Naturally, a young officer would feel intimidated by a Fleet Admiral, so she had believed that her only option was to obey Admiral Tucker's order to give up on Mercer and Grayson. But Kitan learned that being in command inevitably involves big risks, so she was willing to put her career and her kiester on the line to save her Captain and First Officer. This experience will make Kitan a better officer, which is significant for the Chief of Security.
It also was amusing to see Jeffrey Tambor and Holland Taylor as Ed's parents. Their brief but funny dialogue shows that quality can be more important that quantity. Hopefully, we will see Bert & Jeannie Mercer again (and for real next time).
The scenes in the Calivon menagerie (Star Trek fans will get that reference) were funny and thought-provoking. At their best, the many versions of Star Trek provoked the audience to think about what they are watching. Seth MacFarlane knows how to do this in a humorous way. Also, that final scene might make people reconsider their craving for reality TV (we can only hope).
Also, we saw how a male-only species - the Moclan - reproduces. I don't know how Klyden input his DNA to the egg and I don't want to know. But it was stunning to see that their offspring is...female!?!?!? (I don't know how many exclamation points and question marks are standard for this.) And thereby hangs a tale...
Command Performance
bobcobb30119 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Okay, so this show is still far from great, but this was a vast improvement to the pilot. I think that The Orville relies too much on us thinking alien- looking creatures are funny instead of clever jokes, but thankfully there are a few of those thrown in. The faux marriage bit with them fighting over the morning beer was good.
Overall this was enjoyable, but it needs to get a lot better to retain viewers.
Overall this was enjoyable, but it needs to get a lot better to retain viewers.
Awsome !!!
MsMoebius2 March 2022
still going to keep watching
cherrypepsi-4138518 September 2017
OK after watching this episode last night my opinion really has not changed much I still think it could be funnier but I am still going to stick around and see what happens to it I am enjoying it so far and want to see where it goes I also kind of have a crush on the alien girl lol so I say I will keep tuning in to see more as long as it stays the way its going so far
Ensign Parker?
bryanpaul-4531116 August 2022
They Tell Me It's All Happening at the Zoo
Hitchcoc4 June 2022
I have little to add. This episode is a bit like the original Star Trek. But the silly byplay in life or death situations falls flat. The two principle characters are put in an intergalactic zoo and a neophyte is left in charge. Then solution is much too easy. Maybe I will watch reruns of The Simpsons.
Enjoyable overall, yet weaker than the pilot
TheDonaldofDoom8 October 2019
While I enjoyed some of the themes of this episode, especially the zoo which is funny and cruel at the same time, it was lacklustre in some areas. For such a technologically advanced species the Cavilon world and the Cavilon themselves were disappointly uninteresting. And the main character development of Kitan was flat and predictable. Meanwhile, more of the humour fell flat this time, aside from some of the gags involving Bortus. The episode's resolution was pretty entertaining though.
Sweet and Sour
RyanWinter10018 September 2017
Let me start right away by saying my 5 stars are solely based on the special effects. The sets and special effects are quite good. The photography is done by Marvin Rush, a Star Trek veteran. I'm not surprised since one of the executive producers was connected to Star Trek. That connection is the only reason I have watched this show. If Star Trek had kept making shows about going forward into the future instead of foolishly going backwards in the time line, those new shows would have Orville's look in the sense of visuals.
However...
The Orville is not Star Trek. NOT AT ALL.
The scripting is Seth McFarlane rubbish. His first problem is that he thinks he's funny. He's not. He takes what he thinks is funny and bathes a sci fi vehicle with it. The story is so poorly written and so poorly conceived, it's hard for me to even understand what I'm watching to review it. Sometimes it reminds me of a Disney Channel show, then it feels like an episode of Seinfeld or Friends. It also has a feel of a college filmmaker's project. At the same time you can tell that FOX poured a lot of money into this.
What a shame to live in 2017 with the capability of so much technology to use in production, that Hollywood producers can't produce one really good science fiction. I loved Star Trek, but they have decided to go backward and to make shows that can't be seen by the majority of the people. The Sci fi channel make stories that are just old cop shows put in space settings. And now here's the Orville.
I guess I'll sum it up by saying that watching Orville is like having your dream house mansion made. You drive up the long driveway and see the structure of a beautiful three story structure. It looks like it's going to be good until you get close and realize that the three stooges are working on the house.
However...
The Orville is not Star Trek. NOT AT ALL.
The scripting is Seth McFarlane rubbish. His first problem is that he thinks he's funny. He's not. He takes what he thinks is funny and bathes a sci fi vehicle with it. The story is so poorly written and so poorly conceived, it's hard for me to even understand what I'm watching to review it. Sometimes it reminds me of a Disney Channel show, then it feels like an episode of Seinfeld or Friends. It also has a feel of a college filmmaker's project. At the same time you can tell that FOX poured a lot of money into this.
What a shame to live in 2017 with the capability of so much technology to use in production, that Hollywood producers can't produce one really good science fiction. I loved Star Trek, but they have decided to go backward and to make shows that can't be seen by the majority of the people. The Sci fi channel make stories that are just old cop shows put in space settings. And now here's the Orville.
I guess I'll sum it up by saying that watching Orville is like having your dream house mansion made. You drive up the long driveway and see the structure of a beautiful three story structure. It looks like it's going to be good until you get close and realize that the three stooges are working on the house.
Not worth watching
mocaler17 September 2017
This was almost painful to watch. The timing of both the sci-fi and humor was terrible. The sci-fi took elements done in other shows and dumbs them down. The supposed humor was grotesque and not at all funny. For example, a member of the crew discusses how his species lays eggs to give birth. The captain then joked about omelets.
Second time's not a charm
Fluke_Skywalker6 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Plot; When Ed and Kelly are captured and put into an alien zoo, Lt. Kitan has to take command of the Orville.
Like the pilot episode, it doesn't find that comfortable balance between the comedy and the drama/action. Unlike Galaxy Quest, which was both a hilarious send up of the genre and worked dramatically stronger than any Trek movie this side of Wrath of Khan, the gags here fall rather flat and the drama/action is standard fare that's further undermined by the fact that I just don't care about the characters or their story.
Like the pilot episode, it doesn't find that comfortable balance between the comedy and the drama/action. Unlike Galaxy Quest, which was both a hilarious send up of the genre and worked dramatically stronger than any Trek movie this side of Wrath of Khan, the gags here fall rather flat and the drama/action is standard fare that's further undermined by the fact that I just don't care about the characters or their story.
went down REALLY fast
Gucek19 September 2017
While the first episode was promising - this one takes its worst treats and magnifies them. From childish, unprofessional and erratic behaviour of seemingly untrained crew to weak humour and pathetic clichés. Sprinkle it with some bad acting and you have it. So much wasted potential (again).
Giving it a chance.
the-n20 September 2017
Was disappointed in the Pilot. Episode 2 better, but clichéd with standard overused characters/situations. Writers, watch Stargate and see how ensemble cast, humor, and entertaining story go together.
5 stars for the Art Department. If this wasn't SiFi I wouldn't be giving it more opportunities.
5 stars for the Art Department. If this wasn't SiFi I wouldn't be giving it more opportunities.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
