I Watch TV: The Orville
So we’re back in season two of the comic Star Trek knock-off show. The second season really digs into two of the aliens aboard and the challenges facing their species; Bortus from the all-male Moclans (they’re not all male) has increasing trouble with his spouse Klyden and doubts about the government policies. This proceeds throughout the season, without quite coming to a conclusion. (Interestingly it doesn’t actually get much play in the first episode in which Bortus returns to Moclus for his annual urination).
Isaac, a robot from Kaylon there to observe the Union and decide if they want to join begins a relationship with Dr Finn. Initially he tries hard, finishes his observation then breaks up with her. But then he finds that this distracts him and they get together again. This seems a little rushed (I think they hang out and bond over one of her kids getting in trouble then suddenly they spend an entire episode on it with the second plot being very thin – a character grows a moustache) but it turns out that’s because there’s only 14 episodes in the season and they need to get there in time for the big Kaylon reveal two-parter in the middle, which then sets up the time travel duology at the end of the season (that gives a bit more on the Captain-First Officer-used-to-be-married theme).
Anyway there’s less weird planet (etc) of the week episodes and more issues directly (or partially) effecting the crew. Which is fine. (Oh, the security officer quits and is replaced with a sassier version, though in between there’s a one shot comedy alien officer with a tube from stomach to face. What’s with that?) In fact when they pick up a first contact (which goes wrong) they comment that they’ve not been out exploring, just running errands.
I don’t mind the issue episodes, I just wish they had more weird planets (etc). It throws in some unexpected events and it eases the pace on the ongoing political (etc) arcs which proceed at breakneck speed, so they can get to the big battle episode and set up the last few episodes.
Watch This: For an ongoing space opera series with at least one good joke per episode, usually the visual or practical gags, though one or two perfectly delivered lines had me snorting.
Don’t Watch This: If space comedy in the midst of serious issues does not work for you.
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