The Orville

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Do you geek out over Star Trek? Do your friends lovingly call you a Trekkie? If so, welcome to the club! I’ve been a card-carrying member since the shag carpets and lava lamp days of the 60s. Hence, when The Orville hit the screens, a creation daring to trace its lineage back to the original series but not birthed by the Paramount clan, it felt like a mutiny. I staunchly refused to give it a peek.

Now, quick disclaimer, I’m as into contemporary American TV as a vegan is into a bacon sandwich. I’ve managed to dodge every episode of Family Guy like a ninja, and while Ted, the movie, did have its moments of levity, it pushed the envelope a bit too much for my liking. However, I have to doff my cap to Seth McFarlane for what he achieved with The Orville; it just took me a while to acknowledge that.

During a recent trip to Southeast Asia with friends, I met a cousin of one of my friends. We hit it off immediately, and everyone had a great time over snacks and drinks in a swanky Bangkok hotel bar. Late in this gathering, the Star Trek franchise somehow came up. As our conversations continued, Wendy, my friend Charley’s cousin, mentioned The Orville and asked if I’d watched the series. I sheepishly provided my opinion on that subject.

Wendy, in diplomatic fashion, suggested I venture outside my comfort zone and give it a whirl. Upon returning home, I plugged into Disney+ and, after a few episodes, found myself in open-mouthed admiration of the show.

Despite not being a Paramount offspring, The Orville shares a lot of DNA with the original series. I won’t plunge into the murky depths of debating Original Series versus The Next Generation (TNG) versus every other spin-off (a quagmire best left to others), but the familial connections are undeniable.

The Orville boasts impressive Star Trek alumni like Penny Johnson, Tim Russ, and Robert Picardo, not to mention producers, writers, and directors with Trekkie connections that reach back to TNG such as Jonathan Frakes and Brannon Braga.

So, what’s my take on The Orville? Seth McFarlane has definitely put his comedic stamp on the series, but it also encapsulates Roddenberry’s optimistic vision for humanity’s future. An egalitarian Earth, where your worth is measured by your societal contribution, and themes of unity, peace, and standing up for what’s right are prevalent.

McFarlane doesn’t shy away from addressing contemporary issues, which are unnervingly similar to those faced back in the 60s. Whether it’s racism, homophobia, or gender issues, he’s got it wrapped, tagged, and delivered with finesse.

One episode that particularly resonated with me was “Majority Rule.” This episode’s narrative revolves around the planet Sargus’s government, which rules by unstructured democracy. Spoiler Alert. In a twist we would find amusing, one of the crew members gets arrested for a minor act. This planet’s inhabitants maintain social profiles and badges signifying their societal standing. A good deed elevates you, while a misstep can plummet your rating. Add in ubiquitous smartphones and a culture of broadcasting everything, and it’s strikingly similar to our world today.

This episode ends with a thought-provoking scene where the local, a young woman, who’d previously been in contact with the Orville crew, is about to vote down someone being shown on the morning news. Just as she’s reaching for the vote button, she rethinks her paradigm and instead turns off the screen.

Bravo, Mr. McFarlane, for a job well done.