The episode was good.The critics are on a mission to destroy Orville but the fan reviews are so much better. Very Star Trek like but with a great sense of humour and at the end very serious moral dilemma. I wish people would encourage other Trekkies to watch Orville a few episodes.
THE ORVILLE - S1, E6: "KRILL"
- Thread starter Skipper
- Start date
This was good, although definitely not the best episode of the year. It's definitely a story that could only be done on a comedy, since the premise is so ridiculous. There's no way two unprepared officers could infiltrate a completely unfamiliar society, nor would that society ever be fooled for a fraction of a second by their bumbling attempts at subterfuge. Before the show came on the air, they compared the mixture of comedy and drama to M*A*S*H, but I think I've settled on Get Smart as a better comparison.
Another thing that dragged the episode down a bit was the alien ship. After several episodes where a real sense of wonder and exotica was on display, with special effects that emphasized artistry over realism, the design of the ship was very mundane, down to a chapel and bridge that differed from human designs in no important way. It was also stretching credulity that a species that is so sensitive to ultraviolet that mere seconds of exposure char broils them would have ceiling lights that could be so easily jury-rigged to emit deadly radiation.
Other than that, the story itself was very well done, and most of the comedy was well integrated into the plot. I loved the opening sequence in the mess hall where the junior members of the bridge crew were just hanging out and chatting (although Alara's boyfriend problem remains incongruous). And the mission itself, to learn more about the Krill in the hopes of avoiding war, was more Trek than Trek. Mercer and Malloy's reaction to finding kids on board was commendable, and the lengths they went to to save the kids was heartbreakingly noble. The ending was indeed ominous, but the implication was that the adult Krill would remain with the Union as a prisoner, so perhaps she will return and learn more about humanity.
Another thing that dragged the episode down a bit was the alien ship. After several episodes where a real sense of wonder and exotica was on display, with special effects that emphasized artistry over realism, the design of the ship was very mundane, down to a chapel and bridge that differed from human designs in no important way. It was also stretching credulity that a species that is so sensitive to ultraviolet that mere seconds of exposure char broils them would have ceiling lights that could be so easily jury-rigged to emit deadly radiation.
Other than that, the story itself was very well done, and most of the comedy was well integrated into the plot. I loved the opening sequence in the mess hall where the junior members of the bridge crew were just hanging out and chatting (although Alara's boyfriend problem remains incongruous). And the mission itself, to learn more about the Krill in the hopes of avoiding war, was more Trek than Trek. Mercer and Malloy's reaction to finding kids on board was commendable, and the lengths they went to to save the kids was heartbreakingly noble. The ending was indeed ominous, but the implication was that the adult Krill would remain with the Union as a prisoner, so perhaps she will return and learn more about humanity.
Interestingly, the disparity is reversed with Discovery. The critic score is 89% but the audience score is 59%.
I think critics sometimes have a problem with something that doesn't fit in with the current definition of "good". Discovery is pretty much doing everything every other show is doing character wise and in worldview.
It's because Conspiracy of teh Haters.
Two things:
1. Despite what Ed believes at the end of the episode, I doubt The Union would actually send the kids back home. They have an opportunity to study them if they keep them, and potentially develop agents to use against the Krill. Plus, if they don't send them home, all the Krill know is that one of their destroyers has vanished mysteriously, but if they do, then the Krill would know The Union was responsible - and has their property.
2. I love the show and like the episode, but that isn't how religious literature works. Either it's super-secret and only for the clergy (like the Latin used by the priesthood of the Catholic Church before reforms) so the Church can use the power that controlling it lends them, or, it's open to everyone and mass produced in the kind of numbers that make McDonald's look over in appreciation. Since Ed and Gordon weren't immediately in trouble for looking through the book, it isn't the former, and there really should have been copies available to the crew people in their rooms (placed by the space Gideons?
) and possibly even electronically (KrillPDF format 
) if that isn't seen as disrespectful. (Some religious people don't like the idea of carrying the Bible electronically on reading tablets, for instance - odd to me, but true.) I get that it would have ruined the story they were going for if there had just been a copy in the computer on the shuttle in the first place, though.
1. Despite what Ed believes at the end of the episode, I doubt The Union would actually send the kids back home. They have an opportunity to study them if they keep them, and potentially develop agents to use against the Krill. Plus, if they don't send them home, all the Krill know is that one of their destroyers has vanished mysteriously, but if they do, then the Krill would know The Union was responsible - and has their property.
2. I love the show and like the episode, but that isn't how religious literature works. Either it's super-secret and only for the clergy (like the Latin used by the priesthood of the Catholic Church before reforms) so the Church can use the power that controlling it lends them, or, it's open to everyone and mass produced in the kind of numbers that make McDonald's look over in appreciation. Since Ed and Gordon weren't immediately in trouble for looking through the book, it isn't the former, and there really should have been copies available to the crew people in their rooms (placed by the space Gideons?
) and possibly even electronically (KrillPDF format ) if that isn't seen as disrespectful. (Some religious people don't like the idea of carrying the Bible electronically on reading tablets, for instance - odd to me, but true.) I get that it would have ruined the story they were going for if there had just been a copy in the computer on the shuttle in the first place, though.
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And CBS plants
Wife and I just completed "Pria" and "The Krill." "Pria" was just ok, with Theron giving a decent performance, but overall felt very average. The humor worked very well, and I enjoyed Alara's attempt at being polite to Issac over the Potato Head piece. Bortus' agreement with Mercer over what's funny also made me chuckle. Actually, the whole first act had just great little bits of humor that I enjoyed.
The highlight is probably Mercer' character growth in term of learning from his mistakes. The end of the episode with the very firm decision was good set up, character wise, for the next episode. Doubtful anyone notice, since I happened to watch them back to back
"The Krill" was a lot more interesting especially with the world building. Mercer and Malloy's struggle with what to do on their mission after the bomb is discovered. I don't even completely agree with their solution, and they don't end it on a note of greater understanding with the Krill or ending the violence.
I even appreciated the fact that the reason for such a quick mission and not using intelligence agents, rather than just making the main characters secret agents and being good at it. Good acknowledgement of the necessity of the mission.
Orville continues to be very enjoyable and interesting in its worldbuilding and character development.
Hi all, I'm a n00b here - just joining because I saw you discussing The Orville, which I'm currently liking right now.
I see people here puzzled over the use of certain jokes - like the Avis/Hertz stuff, or the "don't hurt the monkey" reference to Friends in Ep4. I think we have to see it as something akin to "4th Wall" - actually I'd think of it as "3.5th Wall" - like in the Deadpool movie, when he's constantly quipping to the audience.
Full-on 4th Wall is like in Deadpool or Ferris Bueller, where the character is directly addressing the audience. When Gordon is quipping about Avis, even while he's not full-on addressing the audience (4th Wall), the content of his quips are nevertheless aimed at the audience (We're the ones who'd know what Avis and Hertz refer to, rather than Krill or even other 25th century humans would.)
So that's why I'd call this type of humor "3.5th Wall" (like Duck Dodgers in the 24.5th Century)
I see people here puzzled over the use of certain jokes - like the Avis/Hertz stuff, or the "don't hurt the monkey" reference to Friends in Ep4. I think we have to see it as something akin to "4th Wall" - actually I'd think of it as "3.5th Wall" - like in the Deadpool movie, when he's constantly quipping to the audience.
Full-on 4th Wall is like in Deadpool or Ferris Bueller, where the character is directly addressing the audience. When Gordon is quipping about Avis, even while he's not full-on addressing the audience (4th Wall), the content of his quips are nevertheless aimed at the audience (We're the ones who'd know what Avis and Hertz refer to, rather than Krill or even other 25th century humans would.)
So that's why I'd call this type of humor "3.5th Wall" (like Duck Dodgers in the 24.5th Century)
Enjoyable. Very Trekish. Will be interesting to see if.it is a one off or we see the krill female officer.or.kids again.particularly the one main one.
I kind of.assumed they got picked for mission because If Gordon pilot skills and Ed being familiar with him and his quirks
I kind of.assumed they got picked for mission because If Gordon pilot skills and Ed being familiar with him and his quirks
2. I love the show and like the episode, but that isn't how religious literature works. Either it's super-secret and only for the clergy (like the Latin used by the priesthood of the Catholic Church before reforms) so the Church can use the power that controlling it lends them, or, it's open to everyone and mass produced in the kind of numbers that make McDonald's look over in appreciation. Since Ed and Gordon weren't immediately in trouble for looking through the book, it isn't the former, and there really should have been copies available to the crew people in their rooms (placed by the space Gideons?
The Ankhana can only be copied by hand, to make copies otherwise is blasphemous. Anyone can read it, but individual copies are rare.
Possible, I guess, but it seems very unlikely to me - it implies that even the uppermost echelons of their priesthood are actually true believers more interested in the purity of their scripture than in extending their own grasp. Perhaps I'm cynical, or maybe it's because the Krill are truly ALIEN, but I can't think of a single religion on Earth where that has been true *and stayed true* for as long as it would have had to do so with the Krill. (Maybe Avis is a real immortal or near-immortal being like Apollo from TOS that is always/periodically around reinforcing his religion?)
Avis Be Praised - May He Keep Your Tank Forever Full
I wonder if there's a "Krill bible" in the sense of "do's and don'ts" on how to portray the Krill?
I would agree with this. It does destroy suspension of disbelief but it's possible to still enjoy it while you're made conscious that "it's only a TV show". I mean, how many of us are at a point where we can be completely immersed in a world to the point where you're not aware you're watching a TV show? So many people are literally thinking about composing their reviews and deconstructing it WHILE they are watching it.
