(Sigh) Can show runners PLEASE stop with the sensational opening battle scenes that are dreams or simulations? (yawn) It was apparent early in the opening sequence that it wasn't real to the story and before it got to the end we were guessing 'it's a dream' - 'it's an immersive game the kid is playing' or some other fake out. Not a great way to return to the series.
And was this script originally planned as a follow up to S2E9? It feels way out of sequence, not to mention it's long and over written, clearly a 'soapbox' episode to discuss the topic of suicide.
However - where was the obligatory suicide warning or "viewer discretion is advised" notices at the start or conclusion of the episode? I guess they didn't feel the need (or were embarrassed?) because this 'suicide' is an emotionless robot deciding its presence on the Orville was causing the crew to perform less efficiently, so it 'unplugs' itself.
Isaac's logic to terminate himself made perfect sense but I don't think that's the message you want to convey to those contemplating suicide, not to mention it was clear from the start they would find a way to restore him. After all he is just a machine. There is even a scene where the halodeck replicates him to an acceptable form so a grieving child can interact with him. Felt like a setup for a way to restore him, and yet the real solution was way more contrived.
So that's the core theme of this episode and it's a weak one and very disappointing. There is also a lot of filler material in this episode. I can almost see Seth doing the 'stretch it out' hand gestures as we spend an exorbitated amount of time flying around looking at the vast fleet, space port, new fighter doing a test drive, and of course that opening fake out battle.
I really hope the rest of the season is stronger than this opening salvo.
And was this script originally planned as a follow up to S2E9? It feels way out of sequence, not to mention it's long and over written, clearly a 'soapbox' episode to discuss the topic of suicide.
However - where was the obligatory suicide warning or "viewer discretion is advised" notices at the start or conclusion of the episode? I guess they didn't feel the need (or were embarrassed?) because this 'suicide' is an emotionless robot deciding its presence on the Orville was causing the crew to perform less efficiently, so it 'unplugs' itself.
Isaac's logic to terminate himself made perfect sense but I don't think that's the message you want to convey to those contemplating suicide, not to mention it was clear from the start they would find a way to restore him. After all he is just a machine. There is even a scene where the halodeck replicates him to an acceptable form so a grieving child can interact with him. Felt like a setup for a way to restore him, and yet the real solution was way more contrived.
So that's the core theme of this episode and it's a weak one and very disappointing. There is also a lot of filler material in this episode. I can almost see Seth doing the 'stretch it out' hand gestures as we spend an exorbitated amount of time flying around looking at the vast fleet, space port, new fighter doing a test drive, and of course that opening fake out battle.
I really hope the rest of the season is stronger than this opening salvo.