The Enterprise didn’t have replicators, but it did have food synthesizers. It must have also had something similar to replicators, though, because in “A Private Little War” Kirk asks Scotty to stark manufacturing flintlock rifles. Since the Enterprise isn’t a factory, it must have some kind of technology not unlike…

God is it ever. I have a screenshot somewhere of all those good and bad points deeds from the first episode.

But that really isn’t the case on this show.

The first episode involved protecting a colony from an enemy alien attack. Relatively straightforward lo-concept sci-fi.

The second episode was an alien zoo - Ed and Kelly were tricked into boarding an alien vessel. No stupidity there.

The third episode was about a baby sex…

You’re welcome!

I know that. But even in the U.S. military, basic professionalism and competence is expected of all officers, and there is disciplinary action for those who don’t measure up.

Now, I’m not saying I want the Union to be like the U.S. military, but clearly their professional standards are lacking.

I agree. I think the Orville would be better if MacFarlane got some more writers on board and didn’t write everything himself. I don’t think he’s doing a bad job at all, but his sitcom/spoof tendencies don’t fly very well on a show as serious-minded as the Orville.

Nick has written some negative reviews about the show, but I think they’re trending upward. I agree that he’s probably a little more negative than the show deserves, but I think his review for this episode was spot on.

Yes, there was. It was called Justice. I immediately thought of that episode too. That’s the episode I compared this one too.

Thank you!

There was a reference to the parallel development of a religion not unlike Christianity at the end. I wouldn’t call that a “Space Jesus concept.”

No one is expecting everyone in a spaceship to be a genius. But there’s a big difference between not being a genius and acting like an immature teenager in your thirties. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect 30- and 40- year old military officers to behave like men instead of boys.

But this isn’t really a comedy. By and large, the Orville isn’t being played for laughs. This is a feature-length show, not a sitcom. The plots are often quite serious, and large sections of these episodes go without a single joke.

If Seth MacFarlane wanted to craft another comedy, he could have. He’s going for…

Except that’s not the way the show is being played. Kelly, Isaac, Bortus and Dr. Finn are all being played straight and competent, and also Alara, to only slightly less of a degree. And the way they tackle the sci-fi plots is in a serious manner and not a sitcom manner.

This is obviously not an attempt at Red Dwarf…

The optimism of The Orville is great.

You know that Nick has written several positive reviews of Orville episodes already, right? I know, because I’ve read them all. And no, this isn’t *quite*classic sci-fi. Classic science fiction characters don’t dry hump a statue in the middle of broad daylight with thousands of witnesses on an unknown and possible…

You mean Tripp Tucker? 2nd officer. Although the first officer, T’Pol, was just as insufferable.

In Star Trek, characters quote classic literature. In The Orville, they quote Beyonce...

Yes, I know, the doctor does quote Ralph Waldo Emerson. But still. Beyonce.

I’m just now joining Star Trek: Discovery (dodging spoilers got too stressful) and so far...so good. I’m definitely still anxious (I’ve seen Zach’s letter grades for the next three episodes), but so far, this is hardly the flaming pile of disaster that will doom Star Trek all those Orville fans insist it is.

Love Saru.…

My objections to this episode have nothing to do with either Black Mirror or Community - neither of which I’ve seen. My objection is mostly the incomprehensible stupidity of John LaMarr.

I thought the theme of the episode was perfectly fine. But I have a hard time rooting for someone as incompetent as LaMarr. That’s…

If it dropped the bad humor, it could probably tell some decent stories. But Seth MacFarlane needs to stop writing all the scripts himself.