# The Orville-Seth McFarlane **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814 "2017-05-17T03:28:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 77
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1521 "2017-12-11T18:01:01Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > [Hot Ensign Turco.](https://www.google.com/search?q=Kyra+Santoro&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjOwJeYyP7XAhWQ2YMKHXE5BogQ_AUICigB&biw=1056&bih=501) Yowza. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > “Time travel. Since my first day on the job as a Starfleet captain I swore I’d never let myself get caught in one of these godforsaken paradoxes - the future is the past, the past is the future, it all gives me a headache.” -Admiral Janeway. “My advice in making sense of temporal paradoxes is simple: Don’t even try…” - Capt. Janeway > [@alphaboi867](#): > > Rule of funny, but I do imagine that Yaffid’s people consider him a sexual deviant… It’s “Yaphit”: [The Orville (TV Series 2017–2022) - Norm MacDonald as Yaphit - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5691552/characters/nm0005172?ref_=tt_cl_t10) > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > …why not leave [Isaac] on the planet a few more cycles and have him upload the planet’s collective knowledge every 11 days? Inside a month, tops, the Orville/Union could get tech that would squish the Krill. This is the problem with the open ending. The planet’s discovery is simply too huge an advantage to ignore. > > Of course, every other TOS/TNG episode featured an advance too huge to ignore, yet they managed it handily. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1522 "2017-12-11T18:11:54Z")
Is the rapid advance of technology on that planet plausible? I think we saw it advance from small villages to galaxy-spanning empire in 2100 years. That’s much faster than humans on Earth developed. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1523 "2017-12-11T18:17:56Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I saw it coming (I thought each of those bumps would spike outward, not a single large blade, but still…) and still enjoyed the payoff. You and I had the same thoughts, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1524 "2017-12-11T19:00:32Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > I really liked the ending, when they told Kelly that if it were not her, they would’ve found some other deity to worship and fight over. I looked at my wife and said, “just like planet Earth.” I find it hard to believe that a culture at that level of development didn’t already have at least some sort of religion. Some sort of polytheism where the Cult of Kelly would be added in syncretically to the already-existing pantheon, for example. Of course, I guess it could still then develop as was seen in Judiasm to a monotheistic system using the old beliefs as a basis and center on Kelly. But that just seems unlikely. And it’s one culture. Someone interfering to the small amount Kelly did in a Bronze/early Iron age culture in Europe would have no effect in the Americas until contact was made and probably minimal difference the further east into Asia or south into Africa you went. Mercer shouldn’t have hidden it, but the admiral’s response seems over the top. Then again, I always had a problem with the Prime Directive as well, especially depending on the tech level of the natives. ---
**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:** [December 11, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1525 "2017-12-11T19:15:10Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > For that matter, why not leave him on the planet a few more cycles and have him upload the planet’s collective knowledge every 11 days? Inside a month, tops, the Orville/Union could get tech that would squish the Krill. This is the problem with the open ending. The planet’s discovery is simply too huge an advantage to ignore. That actually leaves open the possibility of a funny scene, where the aliens turn around and explain their own version of the Prime Directive, “Which doesn’t allow us to interfere in the progress of primitive species”. Mercer: Wait, what? We’re not a primitive species! Isaac, tell him we’re not primitive! Isaac: Oh, yes. Yes, you are. _\>Glances at Malloy doing something stupid\<_ ---
**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:** [December 11, 2017, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1526 "2017-12-11T19:26:23Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Then again, I always had a problem with the Prime Directive as well, especially depending on the tech level of the natives. I imagine Picard watching something on the level of the Spanish Inquisition on the view screen and declaring, “Those people are killing and eating each other down there, and we can’t do a damn thing about it because of the bloody Prime Directive!” ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1527 "2017-12-11T20:24:00Z")
Well, I really tried to get into this but after the first four episodes, finally give up. The sci-fi stories were all too familiar, and the humor was scattershot and mostly depends on characters blurting out incongruous things–good for a cheap laugh but not nearly enough to make up for the slow spots. The saving grace could be the characters but that’s also slim pickings. The two helmsmen are completely interchangeable, the doctor is like every Starfleet doctor ever, and the robot (Data-not-Data) and the all-male-species alien (SpockWorf-not-SpockWorf) have added very little to the group dynamics. The captain and first officer are fine if a little too casual to be believable (also chained with the Will-They-Won’t-They anchor) and the only interesting shipmate so far is the super-strong one (Alara?). Ultimately, investing in the people matters to me most and they’re just not that interesting as a group. I was hoping for something _Galaxy Quest_-like, playing with tropes and genre conventions while still having real adventures and compelling situations or locations, but this just ain’t it. Pity. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1528 "2017-12-11T21:24:55Z")
We’ll miss you here, **MM**! > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > …Definitely wish we’d see some real consequences for Mercer’s continued disobedience to direct orders from admirals (do we know the actual name of the Union’s space navy, BTW?)… Anyone? ---
**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:** [December 11, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1529 "2017-12-11T22:15:43Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > Well, I really tried to get into this but after the first four episodes, finally give up. Fair enough, but why don’t you check back in after 20 episodes or so (probably a year from now) to see if there’s been any character development. ---
**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:** [December 11, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1530 "2017-12-11T22:27:41Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > the humor was scattershot I just try and ignore that, unless it is funny. > [@MovieMogul](#): > > the all-male-species alien (SpockWorf-not-SpockWorf) I agree with the Worf, but not the Spock. Is it because he is confused with Terran culture? > [@MovieMogul](#): > > the only interesting shipmate so far is the super-strong one (Alara?). She is an interesting character, but I wonder if anyone has fan wanked how she would prevent breaking arm and leg bones when she totes around a ton box. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2017, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1531 "2017-12-12T00:04:49Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Only because of the pheromones. The pheromones are what made her attracted to Yaphit, but her orgasmic state was due to the way he was able to “stimulate” her when he engulfed her. > [@DSeid](#): > > But then again Issac’s species already has technology superior to the Union’s that they are not sharing. > > But I like the cultural contamination the other way idea! I get the impression that the planet’s inhabitants weren’t all that far ahead of the Union when they returned Isaac; all we know for sure is that they had teleportation technology. One more cycle though and they could’ve surpassed Isaac’s species in technical development. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Is the rapid advance of technology on that planet plausible? I think we saw it advance from small villages to galaxy-spanning empire in 2100 years. That’s much faster than humans on Earth developed. True, but we don’t really have anything to compare are own history too do we? 😉 It’s a nice aversion to the usual sci fi rule that Humans advance at a faster rate that alien species. Also if Isaac’s species doesn’t have quite the same taboo against giving technology to less advanced species that Earth/the Union does he might have helped out a little. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1532 "2017-12-12T00:40:13Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > She is an interesting character, but I wonder if anyone has fan wanked how she would prevent breaking arm and leg bones when she totes around a ton box. I suppose there’s no reason she couldn’t have an equally strong skeletal system that’s complimentary to her muscular system. Can’t really have one without the other. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1533 "2017-12-12T01:11:55Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Also if Isaac’s species doesn’t have quite the same taboo against giving technology to less advanced species that Earth/the Union does he might have helped out a little. I thought they made it clear that the planet didn’t need him; he essentially was just an observer for the whole 700 years. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1534 "2017-12-12T01:12:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Is the rapid advance of technology on that planet plausible? I think we saw it advance from small villages to galaxy-spanning empire in 2100 years. That’s much faster than humans on Earth developed. > [@alphaboi867](#): > > True, but we don’t really have anything to compare are own history too do we? 😉 It’s a nice aversion to the usual sci fi rule that Humans advance at a faster rate that alien species. Also if Isaac’s species doesn’t have quite the same taboo against giving technology to less advanced species that Earth/the Union does he might have helped out a little. This show is bothering me more than all its predecessors with regards to how they deal with alien civilizations. I accept that they all look human because of budget, BUT THEY ARE NOT HUMAN, and a race that has regular interaction with alien species should understand ALIEN means not Earth human. Instead they treat everyone as if they are Earth humans with Earth development and Earth morality…even the obvious ALIENS. It doesn’t help that the aliens are all also written as human with ever-so-slight differences. Sci Fi really needs aliens who are alien but not evil. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1535 "2017-12-12T01:47:48Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > I thought they made it clear that the planet didn’t need him; he essentially was just an observer for the whole 700 years. His presence would have had a strong positive effect; showing just what technology is capable of and being someone who is incorruptible. Also he doesn’t have to hand over technology, or feel like he did anything, to do anything. For example, at the right point in human history, a casual response one day of “I think you’re making the assumption that all natural things that exist can be seen with the naked eye” would be an incredibly important clue to hear. (When Isaac went down, their technology was already more or less 21st century level, so this observation would be useless, but obviously I don’t know what the corresponding casual observation about _our_ level of technology would be, otherwise I’d be in line for my nobel :)) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1536 "2017-12-12T14:51:56Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > … being someone who is incorruptible… We all assume that, and it’s a typical trope about robots and AI, but we don’t know it for sure about Isaac and his race. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1537 "2017-12-12T15:40:54Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Great Scott! [throws toilet paper] ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1538 "2017-12-12T15:51:21Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > No doubt! I don’t think Yaphit’s sexuality was meant to be any deeper a topic than the answer to life, the universe and everything being 42 (from another “sci-fi” series). Just some food for thought. I assumed that Yaphit was based on [Shlock](https://www.schlockmercenary.com/). Similar name origin (Yiddish vs Hebrew), both are obviously amorphous creatures. Schlock too was attracted to human females. ---
**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:** [December 12, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1539 "2017-12-12T16:51:33Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > We all assume that, and it’s a typical trope about robots and AI, but we don’t know it for sure about Isaac and his race. If the word “incorruptible” was too far, let’s just say from what we’ve seen of the character, and his mission, we the audience are clearly meant to assume he would not deliberately mislead, nor suggest what they \*really \*need is to ramp up their holy wars. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/1540 "2017-12-12T17:57:13Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > If the word “incorruptible” was too far, let’s just say from what we’ve seen of the character, and his mission, we the audience are clearly meant to assume he would not deliberately mislead, nor suggest what they \*really \*need is to ramp up their holy wars. hey, if you thought Kelly was worth worshipping, wait till you meet me! ‘Bite my shiny metal ass’ ‘When you do things right, people won’t be sure you did anything at all’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814.md?page=76) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814.md?page=78)