The Orville: Pria
October 5, 2017 9:19 PM - Season 1, Episode 5 - Subscribe
The Orville responds to a distress call from a ship crashed on a comet which about to plunge into a star. Captain Mercer is smitten by Captain Pria, who they rescue from the ship, but Commander Grayson does not trust her. Grayson launches an investigation into the Pria with the help of Lt. Kitan. Meanwhile, an attempt by Lt. Malloy to explain humour to Isaac results in them playing pranks on each other.
I watched it, but I really am not sure if I enjoyed it.
There were cringe-worthy moments and there were moments where it was like I was watching a ST show. I ain't ponying up for the real ST show, so I imagine I will give this a little time to prove itself.
Totally agree, amtho.
posted by Seamus at 12:32 PM on October 6, 2017
There were cringe-worthy moments and there were moments where it was like I was watching a ST show. I ain't ponying up for the real ST show, so I imagine I will give this a little time to prove itself.
Totally agree, amtho.
posted by Seamus at 12:32 PM on October 6, 2017
I felt like I had seen or read this same story before. John Varley perhaps?
posted by cazoo at 12:32 PM on October 6, 2017
posted by cazoo at 12:32 PM on October 6, 2017
I watched it, and, in truth, it was my favorite episode. The leg gag was the most surprising thing to happen on the show so far (revolting, but novel). I laughed! The Mr. Potato Head gag was also hilarious! The villain of the week was played masterfully by her actress. The first officer got some tiny chances to shine and did excellently.
Also, the implications of having a gelatinous engineer who can fit in tight spaces = much more innovative than the rest of this show so far. Clever! I liked it, even if the character is a bit thin.
So, progress. Now I want to watch the next one.
posted by amtho at 1:57 PM on October 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also, the implications of having a gelatinous engineer who can fit in tight spaces = much more innovative than the rest of this show so far. Clever! I liked it, even if the character is a bit thin.
So, progress. Now I want to watch the next one.
posted by amtho at 1:57 PM on October 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
The peurile humour was purile, but I lol-ed at Isaac lifting Malloy's leg as a counter-prank.
cazoo, the plot was super familiar to me, too. It's similar to the "Collector" TNG episode where Data's vapourization was staged so he could be abducted by a collector, remixed with a little time travel.
It was a coup casting Theron, and she looked like she had a ton of fun.
posted by porpoise at 4:39 PM on October 6, 2017
cazoo, the plot was super familiar to me, too. It's similar to the "Collector" TNG episode where Data's vapourization was staged so he could be abducted by a collector, remixed with a little time travel.
It was a coup casting Theron, and she looked like she had a ton of fun.
posted by porpoise at 4:39 PM on October 6, 2017
cazoo: The theme of time travellers showing up at events where there are no survivors was what the movie "Millennium" was about; and checking wiki: Yep based on a story by John Varley.
Just from what I've read the "getting antiques via time travel" theme shows up in Doctor Who's "City of Death"; the second Dirk Gently novel, one of Spider Robinson's "Callahan's Crosstime Saloon" stories; and stretching a point: Harry Harrison's Technicolor Time Machine. Though in that one a movie company is using time travel to make location shooting, costuming, and casting cheaper. So yeah, "exploiting time travel for commercial purposes" is pretty well trod sci-fi ground.
As for the show itself, I've just caught up on it and aside from the Chief engineer making me think Rob Ford somehow faked his death, it's been consistently better than my expectations. Not wildly so, mind, but better enough if that doesn't sound clunky?
posted by Grimgrin at 5:00 PM on October 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Just from what I've read the "getting antiques via time travel" theme shows up in Doctor Who's "City of Death"; the second Dirk Gently novel, one of Spider Robinson's "Callahan's Crosstime Saloon" stories; and stretching a point: Harry Harrison's Technicolor Time Machine. Though in that one a movie company is using time travel to make location shooting, costuming, and casting cheaper. So yeah, "exploiting time travel for commercial purposes" is pretty well trod sci-fi ground.
As for the show itself, I've just caught up on it and aside from the Chief engineer making me think Rob Ford somehow faked his death, it's been consistently better than my expectations. Not wildly so, mind, but better enough if that doesn't sound clunky?
posted by Grimgrin at 5:00 PM on October 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Did anyone else notice it was directed by Jonathan Frakes?
It also reminded me a bit of Picard's on again off again girlfriend Vash (?) who stole archeological artifacts if I remember correctly. I still enjoyed the episode. I like this much more than I thought I would.
posted by wittgenstein at 5:23 PM on October 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
It also reminded me a bit of Picard's on again off again girlfriend Vash (?) who stole archeological artifacts if I remember correctly. I still enjoyed the episode. I like this much more than I thought I would.
posted by wittgenstein at 5:23 PM on October 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
"It's the gravity from the star—it's pulling us in!"
Gravity does not work like that.
posted by sonascope at 10:24 PM on October 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Gravity does not work like that.
posted by sonascope at 10:24 PM on October 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Haha I thought that this was about the episode of TNG where the guy shows up claiming to be a professor from the future but the twist was he was actually a huckster from the past looking to collect and sell future tech. In this one she wasn't wasn't a huckster but was looking to collect and sell past tech.
Anyway this is not the best but I think it's the kind of watchable pablum that we've been sitting in front of for generations so why stop now. At least it manages to not be wildly offensive.
posted by bleep at 11:19 PM on October 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Anyway this is not the best but I think it's the kind of watchable pablum that we've been sitting in front of for generations so why stop now. At least it manages to not be wildly offensive.
posted by bleep at 11:19 PM on October 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh I got that wrong she was literally a huckster. I was just thinking about how her story turned out to be true when I wasn't expecting it to.
posted by bleep at 11:22 PM on October 6, 2017
posted by bleep at 11:22 PM on October 6, 2017
The villain of the week was played masterfully by her actress.
That... that... was Oscar-winning, $10+million a picture, A++ list actress Charlize Theron.
I don't understand this show. That doesn't mean I dislike it. I don't know whether I like it. I just can't get my head around it.
It's Star Trek. But with Seth McFarlane starring in it and a bunch of Seth McFarlane humor. But it's not a comedy. It's Star Trek. Without the budget. But with Liam Neeson and Charlize Theron in the first few episodes. What even is this?
I just don't understand.
posted by Justinian at 1:39 AM on October 7, 2017 [26 favorites]
That... that... was Oscar-winning, $10+million a picture, A++ list actress Charlize Theron.
I don't understand this show. That doesn't mean I dislike it. I don't know whether I like it. I just can't get my head around it.
It's Star Trek. But with Seth McFarlane starring in it and a bunch of Seth McFarlane humor. But it's not a comedy. It's Star Trek. Without the budget. But with Liam Neeson and Charlize Theron in the first few episodes. What even is this?
I just don't understand.
posted by Justinian at 1:39 AM on October 7, 2017 [26 favorites]
Like if all of a sudden George Clooney and Scarlett Johannson showed up and did a song and dance number I'd just go with it at this point.
posted by Justinian at 1:46 AM on October 7, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 1:46 AM on October 7, 2017 [7 favorites]
I am at a loss as well to grok this. Maybe it'll even out, provided that McFarlane has that ability in him. ST:OS had humor but it was dished out with a more nimble touch and definitely more character driven. I did have a hearty guffaw when the leg came through ceiling.
posted by Ber at 1:48 PM on October 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ber at 1:48 PM on October 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Seth has a habit of getting his showbiz buddies to show up in things. Charlize & Liam were both in his other cosplay vehicle "A Million Ways to Die in the West". I will not be surprised when Patrick Stewart actually appears. I mean, if Seth just wants to do earnest cosplay with a couple non-offensive gags thrown in, that's not unwatchable, who is anyone to stop him?
posted by bleep at 1:53 PM on October 7, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by bleep at 1:53 PM on October 7, 2017 [4 favorites]
"Earnest cosplay" is a great way to describe how this feels. It's like someone filmed fan fiction written by a talented 14 year old Trek fan.
posted by Justinian at 2:35 PM on October 7, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:35 PM on October 7, 2017 [9 favorites]
When I first read the reviews of the show I thought it was going to be a complete disaster. I have to admit that despite a few rough edges, I wholeheartedly enjoy it. Yeah it has a few flaws, yeah it is unlike most other shows in trying to blend honest SciFi with dick jokes, but honestly I think it works.
It probably doesn't hurt that I tend to like Seth, and it really reminds me of "what if I and my coworkers we're suddenly working on a Starship?"
The one complaint I had with this episode, is the third appearance of the quote about do you want to open this jar of pickles. The leg gag had me rolling.
posted by jzb at 8:38 PM on October 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
It probably doesn't hurt that I tend to like Seth, and it really reminds me of "what if I and my coworkers we're suddenly working on a Starship?"
The one complaint I had with this episode, is the third appearance of the quote about do you want to open this jar of pickles. The leg gag had me rolling.
posted by jzb at 8:38 PM on October 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
Comment 1, by amtho: "Also: I'm not sure I can watch this anymore."
Comment 4, by amtho: "I watched it, and, in truth, it was my favorite episode… Now I want to watch the next one."
????????????
posted by danny the boy at 8:45 PM on October 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
Comment 4, by amtho: "I watched it, and, in truth, it was my favorite episode… Now I want to watch the next one."
????????????
posted by danny the boy at 8:45 PM on October 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
Comment 1 was before I watched this episode. I saw this thread, thought about watching, and just felt...not positive about it. Then I read that Charlize Theron was in it, and that people who liked previous episodes thought this one was _the_ _worst_, so I had to know.
posted by amtho at 11:12 PM on October 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by amtho at 11:12 PM on October 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
At this point, it's clear what this show is. If TNG is Coca-Cola, then The Orville is RC Cola. (Plus dick jokes.)
I've been so thirsty for Coke, for so long, that I didn't mind too much (at first) that the RC tasted kinda flat and watered-down. (And I was willing to ignore the dick jokes.)
But now that the novelty has worn off...I dunno. The warmed-over TNG plots were familiar and comforting, at first – but as the show gets settled in, they're mainly just reminding me that TNG did them so much better. (And didn't subject me to fourth-grade toilet humor and threadbare take-my-wife-please bad-sitcom jokes.)
It just feels like the efforts toward earnest drama get hamstrung by the dumb jokes and the overall campy feel.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 5:28 AM on October 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've been so thirsty for Coke, for so long, that I didn't mind too much (at first) that the RC tasted kinda flat and watered-down. (And I was willing to ignore the dick jokes.)
But now that the novelty has worn off...I dunno. The warmed-over TNG plots were familiar and comforting, at first – but as the show gets settled in, they're mainly just reminding me that TNG did them so much better. (And didn't subject me to fourth-grade toilet humor and threadbare take-my-wife-please bad-sitcom jokes.)
It just feels like the efforts toward earnest drama get hamstrung by the dumb jokes and the overall campy feel.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 5:28 AM on October 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm still so confused over Charlize Theron's appearance in the film. I don't do doubletakes often, but boy, I got whiplash when she popped up on the screen. I found her performance a little underwhelming, to be honest, but to also be honest, the script and the episode really didn't give her much to do until the final act or so. The actual episode was fine, and the leg thing, okay, that got me.
Also, the jar of pickles thing, didn't Alara basically call that out earlier? It's as if now it's just a residual laugh at Seth/Mercer joke for being repetitive.
posted by Atreides at 9:00 AM on October 9, 2017
Also, the jar of pickles thing, didn't Alara basically call that out earlier? It's as if now it's just a residual laugh at Seth/Mercer joke for being repetitive.
posted by Atreides at 9:00 AM on October 9, 2017
Also, the jar of pickles thing, didn't Alara basically call that out earlier?
Maybe? Possible I missed it.
posted by jzb at 9:17 AM on October 9, 2017
Maybe? Possible I missed it.
posted by jzb at 9:17 AM on October 9, 2017
Also, the jar of pickles thing, didn't Alara basically call that out earlier?
Yes, it's a joke that has been in every single episode so far, and I dearly hope it is in every single episode that will ever be made. I can't wait for the a-very-special-episode where Mercer, teary eyed, says it one last time to Alara when she nobly sacrifices herself for the sake of the crew.
There are so many people on the internet who want this show to be a different show. (Same with Discovery.) But it's not, and never will be, no matter how hard you try.
PS, re: the nostalgic comparisons to TNG... I do not feel the bulk of it would hold up to a contemporary, non-sentiment tinged viewing. You guys, TNG had some real bad episodes. Like REAL bad. I'm not even talking about the racist one, or the sexist one(s), or the space jellyfish one. There was so much room temperature schlock on a weekly basis, but no one remembers that, they remember Best of Both Worlds.
posted by danny the boy at 5:22 PM on October 9, 2017 [6 favorites]
Yes, it's a joke that has been in every single episode so far, and I dearly hope it is in every single episode that will ever be made. I can't wait for the a-very-special-episode where Mercer, teary eyed, says it one last time to Alara when she nobly sacrifices herself for the sake of the crew.
There are so many people on the internet who want this show to be a different show. (Same with Discovery.) But it's not, and never will be, no matter how hard you try.
PS, re: the nostalgic comparisons to TNG... I do not feel the bulk of it would hold up to a contemporary, non-sentiment tinged viewing. You guys, TNG had some real bad episodes. Like REAL bad. I'm not even talking about the racist one, or the sexist one(s), or the space jellyfish one. There was so much room temperature schlock on a weekly basis, but no one remembers that, they remember Best of Both Worlds.
posted by danny the boy at 5:22 PM on October 9, 2017 [6 favorites]
Did you notice that the prop for the leg was wrong. Malloy's leg was cut just above the knee. The prop was the full leg. That bugged me.
posted by McSly at 6:31 PM on October 9, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by McSly at 6:31 PM on October 9, 2017 [7 favorites]
And what sort of half-arsed spaceship ceiling can't hold the weight of a leg without collapsing in a shower of... plaster?
Not that it matters. The joke had the legs to carry it off. However, I'll bet all the quatloos in my pocket against all the quatloos in your pocket that the rinky-dink future tech transporter (sorry, CBS lawyers, teleport) puck in Mercer's desk drawer did not timeline-vanish as it should.
(I'm constantly reminded while watching this series of an interview that Clarkson, May and Hammond did after they moved from Top Gear to Grand Tour, in which they detailed the line-by-line negotiations with the BBC's lawyers over what elements of the old show they could transpose to the new, and how. Things like being allowed top ten lists, but not being allowed to handwrite them. There must be a $500/hr lawyerly list like that for this show...)
posted by Devonian at 5:25 AM on October 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Not that it matters. The joke had the legs to carry it off. However, I'll bet all the quatloos in my pocket against all the quatloos in your pocket that the rinky-dink future tech transporter (sorry, CBS lawyers, teleport) puck in Mercer's desk drawer did not timeline-vanish as it should.
(I'm constantly reminded while watching this series of an interview that Clarkson, May and Hammond did after they moved from Top Gear to Grand Tour, in which they detailed the line-by-line negotiations with the BBC's lawyers over what elements of the old show they could transpose to the new, and how. Things like being allowed top ten lists, but not being allowed to handwrite them. There must be a $500/hr lawyerly list like that for this show...)
posted by Devonian at 5:25 AM on October 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
It hasn't had a Best of Both Worlds; and I don't think that the show is tonally capable of producing an Inner Light.
It would have to be overhauled quite a bit to pull off an "Inner Light." Agreed.
posted by Atreides at 11:10 AM on October 10, 2017
It would have to be overhauled quite a bit to pull off an "Inner Light." Agreed.
posted by Atreides at 11:10 AM on October 10, 2017
Best of Both Worlds happened at the end of the third year of TNG. It was the 75th episode to be made. We're on the 5th episode of Orville. I think it's totally fair to compare the 1st seasons of each series, but most people are cherry picking the best parts of 7 years of TNG and comparing it to a show that's only getting off the ground. That's the apples to oranges here.
Most of it holds up well
I have a deep and abiding love for TNG but... the one where Crusher gets seduced by a Scottish ghost/alien?? That was season SEVEN.
posted by danny the boy at 12:10 PM on October 10, 2017 [7 favorites]
Most of it holds up well
I have a deep and abiding love for TNG but... the one where Crusher gets seduced by a Scottish ghost/alien?? That was season SEVEN.
posted by danny the boy at 12:10 PM on October 10, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yeah, comparing it to every episode of all those shows is unfair. More shows than not take time to find their legs. I think the Orville is doing pretty well five episodes in. I watched TNG every week when it first aired, and although it was new and exciting at the time, even then I recoginised that there were loads of stinker episodes, and many of those that weren't outright stinkers were just earnestly corny or overtly ridiculous. Loudly making fun of TNG while watching it was a weekly Fimbulvetr Family Tradition back in the 80's' and 90's. Lately, I've been re-watching Everything Star Trek thanks to Netflix. I guess each to their own, but I don't think TNG has held up all that well. Even the "good" series DS9 has more than its fair share of stinkers. Don't even talk to me about VOY.
posted by fimbulvetr at 1:51 PM on October 10, 2017
posted by fimbulvetr at 1:51 PM on October 10, 2017
I really liked the 3rd episode, thought the 4th was overwarmed TNG but passable but this was just . . . confusingly bad.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:44 PM on October 10, 2017
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:44 PM on October 10, 2017
Just got an email from my Dad who says there is a reference to Giles Corey / Salem Witch Museum in this ep? Can someone tell me when/where or even what?
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:07 PM on October 13, 2017
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:07 PM on October 13, 2017
Charlize Theron & Seth McFarlane's characters bond over both being from the same town in Massachusetts & going to that museum. It's towards the beginning/middle.
posted by bleep at 8:19 PM on October 13, 2017
posted by bleep at 8:19 PM on October 13, 2017
How do you pronounce consortium?
posted by Literaryhero at 7:39 AM on October 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Literaryhero at 7:39 AM on October 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
I liked everything about this episode. It was great! Helped significantly by Theron of course, she carried every scene she was in. And a well written character too. "I don't give a fuck I'm just a sexy time thief" is good stuff. Even the weird humor worked for me. The Mr. Potato Head thing was pretty funny and then to resolve that with the amputation was hilarious. And hilariously Star Trek; nbd, we'll just regrow the leg.
I'm really liking Scott Grimes as the helmsman. I'm not sure if it's the writing or the acting but he's got terrific comic timing and inflection.
posted by Nelson at 9:22 AM on October 29, 2017
I'm really liking Scott Grimes as the helmsman. I'm not sure if it's the writing or the acting but he's got terrific comic timing and inflection.
posted by Nelson at 9:22 AM on October 29, 2017
robocop is bleeding: Just got an email from my Dad who says there is a reference to Giles Corey / Salem Witch Museum in this ep? Can someone tell me when/where or even what?
PRIA: Uh, I was born on Earth. Massachusetts, actually.
ED: No kidding? I'm from Massachusetts.
PRIA: Really? What part?
ED: Little town called Boxford.
PRIA: I'm from Andover.
ED: Oh, my God, we were neighbors.
PRIA: Did you ever go to the Salem Witch Museum as a kid?
ED: My mother took me there when I was ten. It scared the crap out of me.
PRIA: That holographic recreation of the Giles Corey interrogation?
ED: Yes, where they kept putting the rocks on top of him to get him to confess, and he was going,
PRIA: "More weight!"
ED: "More weight!" I had nightmares for a month.
(Rough transcript via Springfield Springfield, edited from my best recollection to credit who said what.)
It was in the first 1/4 or so, judging by the length of the transcript
posted by filthy light thief at 9:38 AM on December 1, 2017
PRIA: Uh, I was born on Earth. Massachusetts, actually.
ED: No kidding? I'm from Massachusetts.
PRIA: Really? What part?
ED: Little town called Boxford.
PRIA: I'm from Andover.
ED: Oh, my God, we were neighbors.
PRIA: Did you ever go to the Salem Witch Museum as a kid?
ED: My mother took me there when I was ten. It scared the crap out of me.
PRIA: That holographic recreation of the Giles Corey interrogation?
ED: Yes, where they kept putting the rocks on top of him to get him to confess, and he was going,
PRIA: "More weight!"
ED: "More weight!" I had nightmares for a month.
(Rough transcript via Springfield Springfield, edited from my best recollection to credit who said what.)
It was in the first 1/4 or so, judging by the length of the transcript
posted by filthy light thief at 9:38 AM on December 1, 2017
Does anyone watch and enjoy this without previous positive experience of Trek?
I've seen maybe 4 episodes of tos and that's about it. I'm watching and enjoying it more than any other McFarlane effort. A little late I know.
posted by Carillon at 10:38 PM on June 8, 2018 [2 favorites]
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Also: I'm not sure I can watch this anymore. Sorry, Seth; I think you really really need an emotionally intelligent, and possibly older, and possibly female, collaborator.
posted by amtho at 6:59 AM on October 6, 2017 [7 favorites]