Orville Vs. Star Trek: Discovery Debate Rages On In Social Media

I won’t get too deep into the Orville Vs. Star Trek: Discovery debate that’s going on all over social media in the sci-fi and pop culture forums. And it’s no secret that I have a strong dislike (that’s being kind) for the new Star Trek: Discovery series. I’ve already covered that in a previous post. I’ll just post a few thoughts and let you decide which side of the fence you’re on, or if you’re a happy fence rider for the most part like this monk.

Today, I’m going to write about The Orville, which is a complete surprise to me. No, I don’t like the burp-and-bodily function jokes, but they’re no worse than ridiculous Klingons, a protagonist who is a jerk, and relegating a legendary science fiction franchise to a Star Wars special effects extravanganza like in Star Trek: Discovery. These problems are bad; both take away from each respective series.

I’ve watched all the episodes of Orville so far, and I’m actually wondering where the bulk of the humor lies. Yes, there are the aforementioned cheap shots – and the homage to Stewie Griffin’s “Mom…mom…mommy” routine in episode six was a definite eye-roller.

I think, though, if you take a strong look at the Orville, you see a genuine fan (MacFarlane) trying to channel the best of Trek while poorly attempting to throw in really bad 90s “man-humor.” I actually laughed out loud, despite the inappropriateness, when the navigator referred to the space-time rip as a “glory hole.” It was a brief moment of stupid in an otherwise great episode. And for Seth MacFarlane, you can roll your eyes, of course, but his faults and foibles in Orville are just as dumb as those of Burnhan, the worst Trek lead since Scott Bakula as Captain Archer. 

Orville is definitely not family-friendly, but I’m betting your average 8-year-old (hopefully) wouldn’t understand. And why would a kid be watching Orville anyway?

Like the actual Star Trek series, Orville has a strong message in many of the episodes. My favorite one by far – and I thought it was sheer brilliance – was episode seven, called “Majority Rule.” Pretty much universally, the episode was called irrelevant by critics, and a “no-reason-behind-it attack on modern social media.” To me, it was a brilliant satire on our contemporary culture, where social media can very easily ruin lives.

The divide between Orville fans and Discovery fans is large; many fans of Discovery talk about how Orville is a joke because of MacFarlane’s lame humor. They deride those who don’t like Discovery as “old farts” and people “can’t accept change.” Many folks who enjoy Orrville jump on STD fans as “libtard millenials” and “people who don’t know what real Star Trek is.“

MAJORITY RULE: Voting “like” or “dislike” on fellow citizens

One would think intelligent people and nerds (like myself) who love to talk coherently would find something constructive to discuss. Can you see anything good in Orville? What about STD would make you come aboard as a fan? What parts of Trek are recognizable in either show? 

Sadly, we live in a society where if you don’t like what the mob likes, you’re one of THEM. And that goes for both sides. You’re up for ridicule, and the back-bench bomb throwers hiding behind their computer screen will hurl whatever they want at you, while logged in as “Anonymous Guest” many times too.

Personally, I love Orville.

I wish Seth MacFarlane would dump the dumb humor, but I think it has the Trek feel and the Trek message. Don’t like Discovery – would love to see a story line where the character of Burnham is imprisoned for life for mutiny and Tilly is kicked out of Starfleet Academy for maturity issues. I’d prefer a strong Star Trek female lead like Captain Janeway or Seven of Nine over these two any day.

But I also respect the right of people to like Star Trek: Discovery. I also realize that I need to see why they appreciate it so I can develop a better understanding and appreciation of different viewpoints and of my fellow Star Trek fans.

I just hope and pray there are enough intelligent Discovery fans out there to respect my right to enjoy Orville. 


As always, I am – Wally (AKA Paint Monk)