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The Orville

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This article is about the U.S. TV series. For other uses, see Orville (disambiguation).
The Orville
Genre
Created bySeth MacFarlane
Starring
Voices ofMark Jackson
Theme music composerBruce Broughton
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes5 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Running time43 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseSeptember 10, 2017 (2017-09-10) –
present

The Orville is an American science fiction comedy-drama[1][2][3] series created by and starring Seth MacFarlane that premiered on Sunday, September 10, 2017, with new episodes to air Thursdays on Fox during the 2017–18 season.[4][5] Seth MacFarlane stars as Ed Mercer, an officer in the Planetary Union's line of exploratory space vessels whose career took a downturn following his divorce, and who is given the titular ship as his first command, only to discover that his ex-wife, Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki), has been assigned to be his First Officer. Inspired by the television series Star Trek, the series tells the story of Mercer, Grayson, and the crew of the Orville as they embark on various diplomatic and exploratory missions.[6]

Premise

The Orville is set on the titular U.S.S. Orville (ECV-197), a mid-level exploratory space vessel in service to the Planetary Union, a 25th-century interstellar state encompassing Earth and many other worlds.

Cast and characters

Main

  • Seth MacFarlane as Ed Mercer, the captain of the Orville.[7][8][9] Mercer was an up-and-coming officer, believed to be on the fast track to commanding his own heavy cruiser by age 40. However, a year before the pilot, he caught his wife Kelly in bed with an alien. Since then, he was cited for becoming lax in his duties, including six instances of reporting to duty while hungover, but was informed that due to the size of the fleet and the retirement of the former captain, the Orville, a mid-level exploratory ship, was in need of a new commanding officer.[8]
  • Adrianne Palicki as Commander Kelly Grayson, the first officer of the Orville and Ed Mercer's ex-wife.[7][9] The two divorced when Mercer caught Kelly in bed with an alien.[10] Unbeknownst to Captain Mercer, Kelly personally went to Admiral Halsey to plead her case to give her ex-husband a command, stating that despite some personal setbacks, he deserved his own command. They decide to put their differences aside, to work together as a team and stay as friends. She requested that this be kept from him when assigned the Orville.[8]
  • Penny Johnson Jerald[9] as Dr. Claire Finn, as the Chief Medical Officer on the Orville, holding the rank of Lt. Commander. A physician of exceptional credentials, she has expertise in molecular surgery, DNA engineering, psychiatry, which could have afforded her the privilege of choosing to serve on the heavy cruiser of her choice. She instead chose the mid-level exploratory vessel because, as she explains to Mercer in the pilot, she prefers to request her transfers based on where she feels she is needed, as she feels more stimulated by such assignments. When she tells Mercer she felt he could use her help on his first command, he interprets this as lack of confidence on her part in his competence, though she denies this.[8]
  • Scott Grimes as Lt. Gordon Malloy, the helmsman of the Orville and Mercer's best friend.[7][9] Considered the best helmsman in the fleet, he was relegated to desk duty after an attempt to impress a girl resulted in him shearing the door off a cargo bay during a precarious shuttle docking, losing cargo in the process. He was specifically requested by Mercer despite some hesitation by Admiral Halsey, who harbors concern over Malloy's history of crude and juvenile pranks.[8]
  • Peter Macon[9] as Lt. Commander Bortus, the second officer aboard the U.S.S. Orville. Bortus is from Moclus, a planet whose primary industry is weapons manufacturing,[11] and whose inhabitants, the Moclans, are a single-gender species. Bortus exhibits a degree of stoic formality. For example, Bortus disapproves of the bridge crew discussing Mercer and Grayson's breakup after Mercer leaves the bridge in the pilot episode. Among the peculiarities of the Moclans are that they only urinate once a year.[8][9] Moclans reproduce through the laying of eggs, which are incubated for 21 days. Bortus and his mate, Klyden, become parents in the series' second episode, when Bortus incubates and hatches an egg.[12] When the child is revealed to be female, a rare occurrence among Moclans, Bortus and Klyden's desire to have her undergo gender reassignment surgery provides the allegorical conflict of the series' third episode.[11]
  • Halston Sage[9] as Lt. Alara Kitan, the Orville's 23-year-old Chief of Security. She is a member of the Xelayan race, which inhabits a high-gravity planet, granting her greater-than-human strength, allowing her to knock down doors and walls by charging against them,[8] or crush a handheld cube of solid titanium and reshape it into a sphere with her bare hands.[11]
  • J. Lee as Lt. John LaMarr,[9] the navigator of the Orville. He and Malloy strike up an immediate friendship in the pilot, based on their ironic view that they are both "jerks".[8]
  • Mark Jackson[9][13] as Isaac, the Orville's Science and Engineering Officer. A member of the artificial, non-biological race from Kaylon-1 that views biological lifeforms, including humans, as inferior. Isaac tells Mercer in the pilot that the Union's Admiralty offered a posting to any Kaylon willing to accept it, as an attempt to initiate relations between the two powers. Isaac accepted the offer because he saw it as a way to study human behavior. During the course of his time with the crew, he comes to observe and understand aspects of human behavior, such as sarcasm and slang.[6][8]

Recurring

  • Chad Coleman as Klyden, Bortus's mate and father of their child. He first appears at the end of the series' second episode.
  • Norm Macdonald as the voice of Yaphit, an amorphous, gelatinous Engineering crew member of the Orville.[14]
  • Larry Joe Campbell as Steve Newton, Chief Engineer of the Orville.
  • Rachael MacFarlane as the voice of the Orville computer.[15]

Guest stars

  • Victor Garber as Admiral Halsey, Mercer's superior and an old friend of Grayson's father. He first appears in the series premiere.
  • Brian George as Dr. Aronov, the leader of the Episilon II science station in the series premiere
  • Ron Canada as Admiral Tucker, who ordered Lt. Alara to abandon a captured Capt. Mercer and Cmdr. Grayson in Episode 2
  • Jonathan Adams as the Moclan Arbitrator in Episode 3
  • Robert Knepper as Hamelac, who appears in episode 4
  • Liam Neeson as Dorahl, Captain of the derelict Bio Ship in Episode 4
  • Jeffrey Tambor as Ben Mercer, Captain Ed Mercer's father in episode 2
  • Holland Taylor as Ed Mercer's mother in episode 2
  • Charlize Theron as Pria Lavesque, who appears in Episode 5

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Old Wounds"Jon FavreauSeth MacFarlaneSeptember 10, 2017 (2017-09-10)1LAB018.56[16]
25th-century space pilot Ed Mercer divorces his wife, Kelly Grayson, after he catches her cheating on him. A year later, he accepts a position as Captain of the U.S.S. Orville and finds (to his dismay) that his ex-wife will serve as his First Officer. During the Orville's first mission, the hostile alien Krill Captain (Joel Swetow) attempts to steal a device that can accelerate time, which has both beneficial and dangerous applications. Mercer and Grayson rig the device to destroy itself and the Krill vessel.
2"Command Performance"Robert Duncan McNeillSeth MacFarlaneSeptember 17, 2017 (2017-09-17)1LAB036.63[17]
The technologically advanced Calivon imprison Mercer and Grayson in a replica of their former home as a zoo exhibit. Alara is left in command of the Orville, as Bortus has laid an egg and must incubate it. Alara is unsure of herself, but gains confidence with the help of Claire's mentorship. Mercer and Grayson wonder if they could have made their relationship work, but finally conclude that they were never compatible for a long-term romantic relationship, despite their strong camaraderie. Admiral Tucker orders Alara to return to Earth instead of approaching the powerful Calivon; Alara violates these orders and rescues Mercer and Grayson, along with an alien child, by trading an archive of Earth's reality television for them. Ed presents Alara with a medal of honor and believes he and Kelly can prevent her from being punished for insubordination. A female offspring hatches from Bortus's egg, stunning him and Klyden, as Moclan females are extremely rare.
3"About a Girl"Brannon BragaSeth MacFarlaneSeptember 21, 2017 (2017-09-21)1LAB044.05[18]
When Dr. Finn refuses Bortus and Klyden's request to have their daughter undergo gender reassignment surgery, which is standard practice for Moclans on the very rare occasions when a female is born, the parents petition Mercer to order the procedure. Mercer refuses, as he (and the rest of the crew) object to performing such a procedure on a healthy infant, so Bortus and Klyden arrange to have the procedure performed on a Moclan vessel. Gordon and John change Bortus's mind by showing him Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, but Klyden still wants to proceed, revealing that he was born female. The case is arbitrated on the Moclan planet, Moclus, where Kelly represents Bortus; she casts doubt on the idea of male superiority by demonstrating that Alara is physically strong and Gordon is stupid. Ed locates a female Moclan of advanced years, Heveena, who testifies that she lived a happy and fulfilling life in seclusion, and reveals that under the pseudonym "Gondus Elden", she has become an esteemed novelist on Moclus. But Klyden and the tribunal are unconvinced, and the baby undergoes the surgery. Despite their disagreement, Bortus and Klyden are committed to one another and to giving their son, Topa, a good life.
4"If the Stars Should Appear"James L. ConwaySeth MacFarlaneSeptember 28, 2017 (2017-09-28)1LAB023.70[19]
The Orville encounters a huge, 2000-year-old derelict ship drifting into a star. Mercer, Kelly, Kitan, Claire, and Isaac enter, discovering an artificial biosphere and a civilization of 3 million who worship an entity called "Dorahl" and do not know they are aboard a ship. Kelly is held prisoner by their theocratic dictator Hamelac, who imposes a death penalty on "Reformers" who believe anything exists beyond the known world. While Bortus takes the Orville to save a colony ship from a Krill attack, Kelly's crewmates rescue her and lead a group of Reformers to the alien ship's bridge. An ancient recording from Captain Jahavus Dorahl reveals that it was a generation ship disabled by an ion storm. Isaac initiates repairs and opens the hull's window, enabling the populace to see stars for the first time, moving even Hamelac. Ed makes arrangements for the Union to train the people to operate their ship. Meanwhile, Klyden is frustrated that Bortus's duties leave him little time for family.
5"Pria"Jonathan FrakesSeth MacFarlaneOctober 5, 2017 (2017-10-05)1LAB053.43[20]
The Orville comes to the rescue of a minining ship. Kelly is suspicious of their new guest who Ed is clearly attracted to. Gordon tries to teach humor to Isaac.
6"Krill"[21]Jon Cassar[22]UnknownOctober 12, 2017 (2017-10-12)1LAB06N/A
7"Majority Rule"[23]Tucker Gates[24]UnknownOctober 26, 2017 (2017-10-26)1LAB07N/A
8TBASeth MacFarlane[25]TBATBA1LAB08TBD
9TBAJamie Babbit[26]TBATBA1LAB09TBD
10TBAJon Cassar[27]TBATBA1LAB10TBD
11TBAKelly Cronin[28]TBATBA1LAB11TBD
12TBAKevin Hooks[29]TBATBA1LAB12TBD
13TBASeth MacFarlane[30]Mark Jackson[31]TBA1LAB13TBD

Production

Development

MacFarlane originally wrote The Orville as a spec script, which was given a 13-episode order by Fox on May 4, 2016, making it the first live-action television series created by MacFarlane, as well as his first live-action starring role on television.[32]

Following the project's greenlight, MacFarlane stated, “I've wanted to do something like this show ever since I was a kid, and the timing finally feels right. [...] I think this is gonna be something special.”[4]

According to MacFarlane, The Orville was inspired by The Twilight Zone and Star Trek.[33] He was also encouraged to sell the series due to the success of Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool.[34]

Casting

On July 29, 2016, MacFarlane's role was revealed to be Ed Mercer, the captain of the Orville, while Adrianne Palicki had been cast as Kelly Grayson, Ed's ex-wife and the newly appointed first officer of the Orville, and Scott Grimes, who voices Steve Smith on American Dad! (another show created by MacFarlane), was cast as Gordon Malloy, Ed's best friend whom he hires to pilot the Orville.[7] On August 19, Peter Macon and J Lee were cast as series regulars.[35][36] On October 31, Halston Sage and Penny Johnson Jerald joined the cast.[37] On December 8, Mark Jackson was cast.[13] On April 3, 2017, Chad L. Coleman was added as a series regular and Larry Joe Campbell was cast in a recurring role.[38]

At San Diego Comic Con, MacFarlane confirmed that Charlize Theron would guest-star in an episode.[39] The two had previously co-starred in A Million Ways to Die in the West.

Filming

On August 24, 2016, Jon Favreau signed on to direct the pilot.[40] Production on the pilot episode began in late 2016, and the rest of the episodes began filming on March 27, 2017.[32] Production wrapped on August 23, 2017.[30]

Jonathan Frakes and Robert Duncan McNeill also direct episodes of the show; the two have directed Star Trek episodes in the past.[41]

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 20% approval rating, with an average rating of 4.61/10 based on 35 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "An odd jumble of campiness and sincerity, homage and satire, The Orville never quite achieves liftoff."[42] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 36 out of 100, based on 21 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[43]

Liz Miller writing for IndieWire compared the series to Star Trek, calling it a rip-off and "Creatively, Morally, and Ethically Bankrupt". She criticized the lack of creativity, the blatant imitation, and was surprised that the show is "uninterested in being a comedy".[41]

Erik Kain of Forbes, gave a positive review of the show with the observation that "All the optimism and sincerity and lightheartedness of Star Trek is here, and in many ways it's kind of wonderful. I'm honestly surprised something like this exists." He says the critics were wrong and suggests their opinions are based on disliking MacFarlane and his type of humor.[44]

Ratings

The Orville has performed well in ratings. After its Sunday premiere on September 10, the show moved to Thursday nights at 9 pm. In its first broadcast in the new time slot, The Orville became Fox's highest rated Thursday 9pm broadcast in two years.[45]

After taking into account DVR and VOD, The Orville was Fox's most-viewed drama debut since the premiere of Empire in 2015.

Viewership and ratings per episode of The Orville
No. Title Air date Rating/share
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Old Wounds" September 10, 2017 2.7/9 8.56[16] — — — —
2 "Command Performance" September 17, 2017 2.2/8 6.63[17] 0.9 2.42 3.1 9.05[46]
3 "About a Girl" September 21, 2017 1.1/4 4.05[18] TBD TBD TBD TBD
4 "If the Stars Should Appear" September 28, 2017 1.1/4 3.70[19] TBD TBD TBD TBD
5 "Pria" October 5, 2017 0.9/3 3.43[20] TBD TBD TBD TBD
6 "Krill" October 12, 2017 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
7 "Majority Rule" October 26, 2017 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

References

  1. ^ a b "Shows A-Z – orville, the on fox". the Futon Critic. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca. "TV News Roundup: 'The Orville' Becomes Fox's Biggest Drama Debut in Two Years in Delayed Viewing". Variety. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b "The Orville: Seth MacFarlane Explains Why His New Show Isn't Just a Comedy". TV Line. August 8, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Seth MacFarlane to Create, Executive-Produce and Star in New Series". FOX.com. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  5. ^ Surette, Tim (June 22, 2017). "Here's When The Gifted, The Orville and Other Fox Shows Premiere". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Martinelli, Marissa (September 8, 2017). "Seth MacFarlane's The Orville Is More Earnest Star Trek Homage Than 'Family Guy in Space'""". Slate.
  7. ^ a b c d Andreeva, Nellie (July 29, 2016). "Adrianne Palicki Stars In Seth MacFarlane Fox Series, Scott Grimes Co-Stars". Deadline.com. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Old Wounds", The Orville, Season 1, Episode 1. Fox Broadcasting Company. September 10, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i "The Orville on FOX". Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  10. ^ "Inside Look In 360°". YouTube. September 1, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c "About a Girl", The Orville, Season 1, Episode 2. Fox Broadcasting Company. September 21, 2017.
  12. ^ "Command Performance", The Orville, Season 1, Episode 2. Fox Broadcasting Company. September 17, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Mark Jackson Joins Seth MacFarlane's Fox Series 'Orville". Deadline. December 8, 2016.
  14. ^ Wiegand, David (September 2, 2017). "MacFarlane is lost in space with 'Orville'". San Francisco Chronicle.
  15. ^ "Rachael MacFarlane (@GirlMacFarlane)". Twitter. August 21, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  16. ^ a b Porter, Rick (September 13, 2017). "'The Orville' and 'SNF' adjust up, Miss America and '20/20' adjust down: Sunday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  17. ^ a b Porter, Rick (September 19, 2017). "'The Orville' adjusts down,' 'Sunday Night Football' up: Sunday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  18. ^ a b Porter, Rick (September 22, 2017). "'The Orville,' 'Gotham,' 'Zoo' and CW originals unchanged: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  19. ^ a b Porter, Rick (September 29, 2017). "'Will & Grace,' 'Superstore,' 'Good Place,' 'Gotham' adjust up; 'How to Get Away' adjusts down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  20. ^ a b Porter, Rick (October 6, 2017). "'Grey's Anatomy' and NFL adjust up: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  21. ^ "(ORV-106) "Krill"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  22. ^ Seth MacFarlane [@SethMacFarlane] (May 17, 2017). "The fantastically talented @joncassar directing on @TheOrville this week" (Tweet). Retrieved July 27, 2017 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "(ORV-107) "Majority Rule"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  24. ^ Seth MacFarlane [@SethMacFarlane] (June 5, 2017). "Thanks to Tucker Gates for masterfully directing a movie-sized episode of @TheOrville this week" (Tweet). Retrieved July 27, 2017 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Kai Wener [@KaiWener] (June 15, 2017). "✨Our Director of the Day🎬@SethMacFarlane ✨ Meet us this Fall @TheOrville on #FoxTV 🙌🏽🌎🚀👽#SethMacFarlane #TheOrville @KaiWener @Tannerboys1" (Tweet). Retrieved July 27, 2017 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Seth MacFarlane [@SethMacFarlane] (June 21, 2017). "The awesomely talented @BabbitJamie directing on @TheOrville this week -- fun days" (Tweet). Retrieved July 27, 2017 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Seth MacFarlane [@SethMacFarlane] (July 12, 2017). "Can't wait to have the genius of @joncassar back for more!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 27, 2017 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Seth MacFarlane [@SethMacFarlane] (July 21, 2017). "Thanks to our awesome @TheOrville episode 11 director Kelly Cronin for a great show!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 27, 2017 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Seth MacFarlane [@SethMacFarlane] (July 25, 2017). "@KevHooks bringing his brilliance to @TheOrville this week" (Tweet). Retrieved July 27, 2017 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ a b Seth MacFarlane [@SethMacFarlane] (August 23, 2017). "That is a wrap on season 1 of @TheOrville -- Thanks to our incomparable cast and crew for everything!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 24, 2017 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ Mark Jackson [@MarkJackson] (August 4, 2017). "Can't believe I'm working on the ep13 script of @TheOrville already. Seems like only yesterday I was pulling on that fresh silver spandex..." (Tweet). Retrieved August 4, 2017 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 4, 2016). "Seth MacFarlane To Create & Star In Fox Sci-Fi Dramedy Series For 2017-18 Season". HhDeadline.com. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  33. ^ "Seth MacFarlane Talks New Comedy 'Orville'". Access Hollywood YouTube Page. May 17, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  34. ^ "How Seth MacFarlane Got Charlize Theron To Be On 'The Orville'". Entertainment Weekly YouTube Page. July 26, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  35. ^ Petski, Denise (August 19, 2016). "Peter Macon & J Lee Join Seth MacFarlane's Fox Series 'Orville'". Deadline.com. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  36. ^ McLennan, Cindy (August 23, 2016). "Orville: Peter Macon and J Lee Join Seth MacFarlane's New FOX Comedy". TV Series Finale. United States: DreamHost. Retrieved November 9, 2016. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  37. ^ Pedersen, Erik (October 31, 2016). "Halston Sage & Penny Johnson Jerald Join Seth MacFarlane's Sci-Fi Dramedy At Fox". Deadline.com. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  38. ^ Petski, Denise (April 3, 2017). "Chad L. Coleman & Larry Joe Campbell Join Seth MacFarlane's Fox Series 'Orville'". Deadline. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  39. ^ Snierson, Dan (July 21, 2017). "Charlize Theron to guest on Seth MacFarlane's space-set series The Orville". EW.com. United States: Time Inc. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  40. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 24, 2016). "Jon Favreau To Direct Seth MacFarlane's Space Comedic Drama Series For Fox". Deadline.com. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  41. ^ a b Shannon Miller, Liz (September 8, 2017). "'The Orville' Review: Seth MacFarlane's 'Star Trek' Rip-Off is Creatively, Morally, and Ethically Bankrupt". IndieWire. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  42. ^ "The Orville: Season 1 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  43. ^ "The Orville - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  44. ^ Kain, Erik (September 10, 2017). "'The Critics Must Be Crazy: Seth MacFarlane's 'The Orville' Captures The Spirit Of 'Star Trek'". Forbes. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  45. ^ Schneider, Michael. "The Orville vs. Star Trek: Discovery Ratings: Both Open Competitively | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  46. ^ Porter, Rick (September 27, 2017). "'The Orville' ties 'America's Got Talent' in 18-49: Broadcast Live +7 ratings for Sept. 11-17". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
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