Fans on Internet forums say The Orville is the best Star Trek series on TV, which is highly illogical, considering it’s not a Star Trek show.

The comedy sci-fi show about a spaceship captained by a divorced couple (written by Seth MacFarlane, the creator of animated series Family Guy) has been a cult hit with sci-fi fans since it launched in 2017. Originally on FOX it most recently aired its third (but possibly not last season) on Hulu. With rumours swirling about the stellar series continuing with a fourth series sometime in 2024, Get Woke Up! takes a look at what makes this show so out of this world.

Space

Classic Star Trek had set the tone for intellectual sci-fi that engaged the mind. Modern ideas skillfully woven by liberal writers into a show about a spaceship. Grand story designs indeed, worthy of Shakespeare and acted out by talented people wearing colourful jumpsuits.

By the third episode of The Orville, we watched what is known as a TV bait and switch. The only difference being that, unlike modern entertainment, this particular switcheroo was positive.

While the series started out as a light comedy, episode three tackled a subject, then on the fringe, now part of the mainstream, in an extremely thought-provoking manner. It had people rushing to the forums in amazement. 

The Orville is a crafty beast. A multi-themed ship, flown like a cloaked Klingon vessel, right under the nose of the audience. The cast, complete with a TNG Worf wannabe and a Data clone could be viewed on first glance as generic joke vessels, there to dole out the gags and that’s all. But there is a unique aspect to the show. As you watch you realize that the crew of The Orville could be you. They like the same music and come from the same places. The alien races look different but face many of the same problems that we do. It is set in space but grounded in relatable reality. 

The viewer also gets to see what happens behind the scenes in a spaceship series, with the families of the crew presented in a unique and revealing way. You see the crew relaxing. That’s never really been shown before. Who knew what happened when a ‘shift ended’ as any given ship hurtled through space? 

The Final Frontier

In many ways the characters are extremely complex and involved in story lines that would be too daring for other shows. 

Addiction, between a cyborg and a human, love between a blob and a human (yes), sexism, racism, even suicide are explored and skillfully woven into episodes. The humour is organic, originating from the nature of the characters themselves, the people they are and how they feel and react. One second you are laughing, then the next you are watching exciting action sequences…complete with classic sci-fi tropes…new life and new civilizations.

Above all, you are watching people, not agendas. You are watching characters, not the writer’s opinions. It is surprisingly emotional, watching a show about hope and its beauty, when people and races overcome obstacles and work together. 

‘It must be science fiction’ one might muse, sadly thinking of our own planet.

These are the voyages

Themes are explored in an intellectual and subtle way, as opposed to browbeating the audience into submission. A sharp contrast to many modern shows that drive a narrative into the ditch by telling the audience ‘what to think’ and not ‘how to think’. Alienating you, as a person, for even daring to consider the opposite side of any given situation. That is not science fiction. That is one writer’s bought and paid for view of science fiction. 

“I’m a free thinker, just tell me what to think, big boss man.” 

They see for themselves, but they don’t inspire vision for others. These intellectual voids write about the horrors of a dystopian society seemingly unaware that they are in fact, writing a part of its manifesto. It seems that, even in space, we have stones and glass houses. 

With the never-ending galaxy of new shows, we often feel like we are watching something new but as we watch we realize that it is the same mass-produced and agenda driven narrative as all the rest.  

“Oh..I wonder what this character will say?” We know. 

“Oh….I wonder how this particular character will be portrayed?” We know.

All writing is about elevating a narrative, to inspire and illuminate. Intellectually most modern shows leave you in the dark. Ironically, they preach inclusivity but exclude. 

They preach love…but they hate. 

They preach peace…but use words as weapons in the culture war. 

They write for themselves and…not for the audience. 

It’s continuing mission

Good science fiction is about taking modern themes to a fantastical setting and exploring them in a considered and thoughtful way. A planet of beautiful people who love each other and enjoy an idyllic life without war. Sure! But arrive on this planet and fall into a bush (or dry hump a statue) and they give you the death sentence. It works because it draws you in, ‘this is perfect…no. hang on…It isn’t’. Suddenly you’re looking at the other side of the argument and it makes you think. That’s good science fiction that our TV insiders say could soon be coming back to your viewscreen.

So boldly go and seek out the first three seasons of The Orville before the rumoured fourth is officially announced. A show that flies at warp speed, under the radar. Now, more than ever we need an optimistic view of the future. You want to open this jar of pickles for me?