# The Orville season 3 (now on Disney+ also) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, disney-hulu\ **Created:** [February 5, 2022, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946 "2022-02-05T03:04:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2022, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/81 "2022-06-18T21:41:19Z")
This is actually a problem with more than just sci-fi shows. There has been an arms race of drama where most stories try to intensify the drama by artificially increasing the stakes so that every story has to have bigger consequences than it really needs to. After decades of stories galactic threats and saving the entire universe, it seems too small scale to save just a few people, or fight for an idea. This has been something that has bothered me for a while - when the stakes are raised to being an existential threat to humanity/the world/the universe when they don’t really have to be as a cheap gimmick to increase the drama, and then the story/characters don’t actually act like you would expect them to act if the stakes were actually that high. I [wrote more about this trend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunshine-2007-is-the-best-hard-sci-fi-movie-ive-ever-seen-spoilers-long/831791/2) a while back about the film Sunshine, which I think is one of the rare examples where an existential threat is reacted to non-frivolous way, and it’s a story that takes it’s stakes seriously. Having everything be an existential threat just leads to stakes fatigue where you lose all the drama you’re trying to cultivate because people are numb to the scale/importance of your threat in your story. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/82 "2022-06-18T21:43:06Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Having everything be an existential threat just leads to stakes fatigue where you lose all the drama you’re trying to cultivate because people are numb to the scale/importance of your threat in your story. Very good point. I think a good series needs a palate cleanser. Mix it up a bit. If it’s always dark and heavy, it weighs on the viewer. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/83 "2022-06-18T22:53:48Z")
Another interesting aspect of this episode is that the alien was interested in meeting Kelly who had a great influence on their world through a brief encounter, but showed no such interest in Isaac, who spent centuries on their planet (of course, Isaac wouldn’t have any fear of death to investigate, but an acknowledgement of his role would have been nice) ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/84 "2022-06-19T01:41:15Z")
I have used “The Orville” as a metaphor. Saying that so-and-so is thus-and-such is like saying that “The Orville” is “somewhat derivative”. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/85 "2022-06-19T02:27:13Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Unless you have a show like Lower Decks that features the lower ranks, this is how it will be. And often, not even then. Take a show like _West Wing_. President Bartlett was supposed to be something of a background character with the show focused on the staff, but Martin Sheen ended up being the main lead. It just ends up that the character who makes the big decisions is the character who gets the most time. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/86 "2022-06-19T04:06:04Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > Take a show like _West Wing_. President Bartlett was supposed to be something of a background character with the show focused on the staff, but Martin Sheen ended up being the main lead It’s kind of weird. If you watch the pilot episode, it pretty much does focus on the staff alone for most of the run time. President Bartlett only shows up for a few minutes at the very end, but Sheen so dominates those few minutes that they re-worked the whole concept. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/87 "2022-06-23T07:38:53Z")
Holy crap. I just finished 3x04 (when I should be asleep by now) and holy crap. This episode was turned up to 11. This is _The Orville_’s _The Best of Both Worlds_ episode. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/88 "2022-06-23T14:50:55Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I think the problem is that Seth has tried too hard to deal with serious issues here. For example, suicide seems a lot more serious than anything ST typically dealt with, and does not seem to me to be a parody of anything. There was a TNG episode where Worf was paralyzed and demanded Dr Crusher euthanize him. I don’t have a problem with how Seth handled the suicide per se; it was very realistic up until it turned out they could revive Isaac after all, but it would’ve had more impact if he stayed dead and the crew had to deal with the fall-out. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/89 "2022-06-23T14:55:22Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > There was a TNG episode where Worf was paralyzed and demanded Dr Crusher euthanize him. I don’t have a problem with how Seth handled the suicide per se; it was very realistic up until it turned out they could revive Isaac after all, but it would’ve had more impact if he stayed dead and the crew had to deal with the fall-out. Ah yes, I remember that episode now. I agree that with how the Orville episode played out, it would have been better if isaac had stayed dead (even though he may be my favorite character). The way it was, no-one really learned anything, and it was inconsequential anyway. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/90 "2022-06-23T20:12:04Z")
I would also note that the episode was dedicated to Lisa Banes, who appeared in it and has passed away since. Also thought that casting Bruce Boxleitner as the President was a hilarious bit. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/91 "2022-06-24T01:42:27Z")
Episode four has politics. A coup, abortion punishment, the Planetary Union First Lady, I believe Lisa Banes, surely looks like Nancy Pelosi. Computer generate “fake news”. Oh, and screwy religion in government. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2022, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/92 "2022-06-24T04:11:16Z")
I like how the Krill are getting developed into more thzn than just a Planet of Hats. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/93 "2022-06-26T03:19:46Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Holy crap. I just finished 3x04 (when I should be asleep by now) and holy crap Huh. I thought it was the jump the shark episode, and we all know EXACTLY what moment I am referring to. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/94 "2022-06-26T15:00:16Z")
I think I know but since I’m not sure I kind of miss the point. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/95 "2022-06-26T15:52:19Z")
I for one don’t. Not even a guess. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/96 "2022-06-26T17:26:36Z")
I’m not sure anyone does. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/97 "2022-06-26T17:34:28Z")
I knew which moment you meant, if you meant the moment that dropped on the characters like gentle rain. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/98 "2022-06-26T18:15:40Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Huh. I thought it was the jump the shark episode, I enjoyed it. Maybe I have low expectations, but I think The Orville is quite good for what it is. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2022, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/99 "2022-06-27T02:17:16Z")
It’s only a shark jumper if the rain turns out to bring two warring civilizations together and the rainmakers end up married and living happily ever after. Will everyone please hurry up and watch the episode so we can quit talking in riddles. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2022, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946/100 "2022-06-27T05:16:06Z")
I thought the episode was solid enough, not great. It’s been so long since the earlier seasons of the show I only vaguely remembered the woman Krill who they captured and let go. A little bit of humor back. I thought the Krill delegation talking about the harrowing propechy of the orphan in regards to Annie was pretty funny. They’re underusing Bortus so much this season and I don’t understand it - by far the funniest character. They had a scene with deep fakes but never went anywhere with it. I thought that was going to be part of the story but it was just a reference without any real commentary on it. That felt like a missed opportunity. The abortion commentary was also just sort of random and out of place, but I thought the idea of the “punishment” was actually kind of clever and interesting. I felt like the president of Earth just casually walking around on a formerly hostile alien world with no security detail or anything was kind of silly. I know, it wouldn’t have really affected the story if he had a security detail and they were killed, but it kind of makes the Union feel small when the president of a multi-planet alliance has less security (and pomp) than the current president of a small country does in Earth today. It was kind of contrived with the election and peace treaty timing, the commentary on a descent into fascism could’ve been explored more, but overall entertaining enough. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-season-3-now-on-disney-also/958946.md?page=6)