I think we all agree that Penny Jerald Johnson would be perfect as a maniacal villain (hmm...who could she playin Gotham???) For me, this episode showed that even though we only had 1/2 a season they have painted a good picture of the crew. The love and support that Alara had from everyone was completely believable, as well as their assurances to her that they trust her as security chief. Oh - and I am relieved that Nurse Park is still alive. I was worried that being just a , he could be easily killed (and in such a nonchalant way). But when our helmsman was killed, that gave me hope. Orville definitely feels like classic Trek (TOS and TNG)... haven't gotten set up fro my free week of CBS All Access yet, so I am enjoying this.
A great issue in a great series. I loved how Kirk knew nothing about him and learned that the rest of the crew was the same. It also helped that it came after a lackluster two-parter, which followed David and Bill Mumy's great "The Worthy" story line and J. Michael Straczynski's equally great "Worldsinger" one off. It truly is a shame that these three men, all of whom had/would create great sci-fi were not tapped to write for Star Trek shows. Back to The Orville, I'm still finding it excessively mediocre. I get that's why a lot of people like it, but aside from knowing there'd be a "dream/reset/holodeck" excuse once Gordon "died," it again made me realize, I don't care about these characters. Nurse Park dying actually had me more upset than Gordon dying. Maybe it's because I knew that on a show like this, it's all "low-stakes" and Gordon wouldn't actually die or maybe it's because I'm not attached to him. His quip at the beginning of the episode (I think it was about the plasma storm making for a great screensaver) really takes me out of the show. And what does facing the rest of the crew's fears do for Alara? After Gordon's "death," why not have Alara confront a situation where Mercer is trapped by fire and only Alara can save him? Wouldn't that have led to a better resolution? I'm going to stick with this for the next two episodes, it seems silly to quit right before the season ends. Then, hopefully they'll be some re-tooling for season 2, otherwise, I'm gone. Nostalgia for early TNG and seeing random Trek actors in small cameos is not enough to keep me interested. I need to start connecting with the characters and feel genuine concern for them or else I'm wasting my time.
It would be interesting if the show mentioned how Elara was able to maintain her muscle mass and bone density in a (relative to her world) low G environment. I'm assuming Dr. Finn gives her an anti-muscle-atrophy booster every so often, but it would be kind of cool if they'd mention it. Regarding Xelayan intelligence, I took Robert Picardo's statement to be simply an a-hole comment. His daughter didn't do very well in school (and maybe not because she's slow, but rather bored) and rather than pursue a career in academia and follow in his footsteps, she chose to join the Union; A union mostly comprised of "hillybilly" humans (loved that line by the way). Thus she's a disappointment to him. Kind of like Sarek's disappointment of Spock joining Starfleet.
“Humans... the hillbillies of the galaxy” One of my favorite lines of the whole series. Bortus in the giant wig...hilarious. Great story and another stellar turnout for Alara Kitan.
@Mr Awe - please do not forget about the quote button when you have several replies to make in a single thread.
My thought partway through was "Evil Shore Leave!!" .... the second I saw the simulation, I yelled out "Kobayashi Maru!" It really was the no win scenario, a test of nerves. People looked at me very oddly....