Which is better, The Orville or Lower Decks?

[JamesRye]

Lower Decks. Discuss it.

OK - so I'd like to rebut the dystopia comment - but sure, I can see that belongs to another thread.

I think Lower Decks has vastly improved since season 1. Interestingly, much like the Orville, the crass humour has been toned down a bit. At first, it was trying too hard to be Rick and Morty, with the gross out humour, it even looks like Rick and Morty. There's some nice callbacks to TNG, TOS, DS9 and TAS - maybe too many? I wonder what casual fans (if there are any - make of it). I mean the Tamarian character was really funny, but is it funny if you haven't seen Darmok? It's also interesting to me that the show pokes fun at itself and in fact, all of Star Trek. It's almost a parody of itself - in the same way that the Orville kinda is of TNG.

Which is better? Well, I'd argue that Lower Decks is funnier - but is more superficial and throwaway. The Orville tries hard to do 'issue' episodes like TNG did, and there's hardly any humour anymore. It can also feel like a bit of an ego trip for McFarlane. That said, I find myself pondering the odd episode after its aired - and I prefer live action over animation. So for me, The Orville is the better Sci-Fi and Lower Decks is the better comedy.

 

[dupersuper]

it hasn't turned into a totalitarian nightmare.

No, just a viewer's nightmare...

 

[Sci]

No, just a viewer's nightmare...

Star Trek: Picard premiered four months after my grandmother, to whom I was very close, died. It was a very cathartic experience that did a lot to help me process my grief.

For this viewer, Star Trek: Picard was far, far from a nightmare.

 

[fireproof78]

As with dystopia, nightmare gets thrown around with hyperbolic reckless inaccuracy.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Does that mean The Wrath of Khan is not Star Trek?

I have a thing for this somewhere...

But of course, Gene's opinion of those values changed a great deal. He disliked VI due to the anti-Klingon racism from Starfleet and Kirk, yet TOS had an episode where Starfleet officers showed anti-Romulan attitudes

 

[IRW Bloodwing]

Orville has the advantage of not having to worry about stepping on Trek canon.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I have a thing for this somewhere...

But of course, Gene's opinion of those values changed a great deal. He disliked VI due to the anti-Klingon racism from Starfleet and Kirk, yet TOS had an episode where Starfleet officers showed anti-Romulan attitudes

Roddenberry's Trek is best reflected in the novelisation of TMP, after that everything else is a pale imitation

 

[Bornin1980something]

The Orville. Only The Orville has Xelayans.

 

[Spike730]

I love them both.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I love them both.

No that's not how the internet works.

 

[The Wormhole]

No that's not how the internet works.

Not only do I love both The Orville and Lower Decks, but I also drink both Coke and Pepsi.

Have I fried your brain yet?

 

[dupersuper]

Not only do I love both The Orville and Lower Decks, but I also drink both Coke and Pepsi.

Have I fried your brain yet?

I like both Star Trek and Star Wars, DC and Marvel, Superman and Batman...

 

[DesolationGod]

I like both, Sucks orville will end with season 3.

 

[fireproof78]

All Good Things...

 

[F. King Daniel]

I like both, Sucks orville will end with season 3.

I know of another sci-fi show about people adventuring between planets that was cancelled at the 3rd season...

 

[Richard S. Ta]

I'm alright with The Orville finishing. It's a funny show but it's been years since it was on anyway and as The Orville goes... they start making more Futurama!

The Orville can't touch Star Trek in any of its' forms for me though. Not even in the same league for me.

 

[shapeshifter]

So I'm looking at the webs and not seeing The Oroville is/has/will be cancelled, just that it has not been renewed yet so, perhaps, not counting chickens before they hatch and all that jazz.

 

[JoaquinSlowly]

While not officially cancelled, the options on the cast’s contracts were not renewed, and they’ve all been released, which is usually an indicator that a show’s renewal is less likely.

Previously the Orville was in first position for its cast members, taking precedence over other roles they may be cast in. Now with their Orville commitments officially expired, they’re unlikely to wait, and if they’re able to will be cast on other series and films that could significantly limit, or even prevent entirely their availability for a hypothetical Season 04.

It’s certainly not an impossibility, by any means, but it becomes less and less likely over time.

 

[Charles Phipps]

Lower Decks.

I like the Orville but started liking it less and less when it became clear that Seth wanted to do sci-fi and not comedy.

I liked it better when it was a life of slice comedy.

 

[shapeshifter]

While not officially cancelled, the options on the cast’s contracts were not renewed, and they’ve all been released, which is usually an indicator that a show’s renewal is less likely.

Oh. Well. Fart. That does sound fatal, but miracles have happened before.