The Orville: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1016 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1016 Ratings

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The Orville

Now Playing: The Orville

Season Details & Credits

FOX | HULU | Season Premiere Date: September 10, 2017

Starring: Scott Grimes, Penny Johnson Jerald, Seth MacFarlane

Summary: Set 300 years, Captain Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) of the U.S.S. Orville and his crew -- that includes his ex-wife (Adrianne Palicki) and best friend (Scott Grimes) -- explore space and deal with life on a spaceship in Seth MacFarlane's sci-fi dramedy.

Creator: Jon Favreau and Seth MacFarlane

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction, Kids

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E12. Mad Idolatry
Air Date: December 7, 2017
tbd
S1:E11. New Dimensions
Air Date: November 30, 2017
tbd
S1:E10. Firestorm
Air Date: November 16, 2017

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Terry Terrones

Sep 11, 2017

While the series is initially disjointed, by episode three I had gained some insight into what MacFarlane was striving for with The Orville. Read full review

Rob Lowman

Sep 7, 2017

The humor is more throwaway and often falls flat while a lot of the drama can become stiffly serious. It’s not that the series is badly made. The action and effects are decent. The cast is fine, though the characters are still mostly unformed. ... Viewers may find the tone of series perplexing. Read full review

Michael Starr

Sep 21, 2017

It’s got top-notch special effects and terrific makeup (for its space-alien characters). But it just doesn’t quite gel. At least not yet, anyway. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Sep 8, 2017

While The Orville clearly demonstrates its fondness for a show that promised to boldly go where others hadn't, it feels like MacFarlane and his crew are taking a sizable step backwards. Read full review

Caroline Framke

Sep 8, 2017

It’s almost impossible to know whether there are too many jokes in The Orville or too few, both because the show doesn’t seem at all confident in whether it should even be making jokes at all, and because the jokes that are in the show are bad. Read full review

David Wiegand

Sep 5, 2017

At times, Orville feels like an uncomplicated paean to the original “Star Trek.” There are a few moments of humor, but they feel half-hearted, almost as though someone said, “Hey, you created ‘Family Guy.’ Write something funny.” At other times, the show wants to make social commentary. Read full review

Maureen Ryan

Sep 6, 2017

An air of self-congratulation hangs over the entire hour, as if MacFarlane, who wrote it, couldn’t get over his awe at his own bravery in engaging with a difficult, complex topic. Read full review

SEE ALL 21 REVIEWS

User Score

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8.4

User Reviews

rokweiller

Sep 11, 2017

This show did its intended job ... it was funny & entertaining. The cast, set, and story line were spot on. The "pro critics" should either get new jobs or stop reviewing shows of the genre. Generally speaking, pro critics know nothing about entertainment. Fire them all.

85 of 113 users found this helpful8528

fredwrogers

Nov 25, 2017

I introduced the kid to Star Trek over the summer, so watching The Orville seemed a good idea. We are both really enjoying it. If we have an episode of Discovery and Orville on the PVR, we'll usually watch The Orville first.

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

SebastianP

Sep 30, 2017

Its the Star Trek i missed since TNG.
I love the design, positive attitude and storytelling. I also love the fact it deals with philosphical questions again. The jokes are funny and not annoying at all. Everything Star Trek did wrong the last years is done right here. No need for lensIts the Star Trek i missed since TNG.
I love the design, positive attitude and storytelling. I also love the fact it deals with philosphical questions again. The jokes are funny and not annoying at all. Everything Star Trek did wrong the last years is done right here. No need for lens flare, war, social competition and actioncam, just good old storytelling in a great sympathical way. I really hope this Series gets bigger! Thank you Seth!… Expand

7 of 12 users found this helpful75

anandb

Sep 18, 2017

Good show, some great nostalgia for me- the intro, the score, the ship itself, all very nice homages to trek. And even beyond the trekkiness, its a lighthearted show with decent production values and a good mix of comedy and drama. Based on the 2 episodes that have aired so far, this showGood show, some great nostalgia for me- the intro, the score, the ship itself, all very nice homages to trek. And even beyond the trekkiness, its a lighthearted show with decent production values and a good mix of comedy and drama. Based on the 2 episodes that have aired so far, this show get's a thumbs up from me.

I dont get the critical consensus. Why must this show decide if its a comedy or scifi? Is it a crime to be both? Nobody wants to be the critic that liked the pleb show that went against the prestige television grain. Pretty cowardly if you ask me.… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

YossaBlackMage

Sep 12, 2017

Seth McFarlane is clearly a Star Trek fan. Him and the other creative people behind the show really get what the original Star Trek (up to and including Voyager) was really about. There is a feeling of optimism, hope and exuberance tempered with a touch of seriousness in the attitudes of theSeth McFarlane is clearly a Star Trek fan. Him and the other creative people behind the show really get what the original Star Trek (up to and including Voyager) was really about. There is a feeling of optimism, hope and exuberance tempered with a touch of seriousness in the attitudes of the characters - not because of any cynical, edgy 'darkness' that has crept into Star Trek this millenium - but because they understand the gravity of their mission.

This show captured the true essence of Star Trek so well in fact that, if you remove the gags, it could easily have been an episode of Star Trek. But it wasn't and that is kind of a shame. The gags are very funny in places but fell flat at other times. It seemed as though McFarlane created a Star Trek homage and then shoe-horned in a few jokes. At times when watching I found myself hoping there wouldn't be another joke anytime soon. Not because they weren't funny, but because I didn't want my immersion broken. The story in this episode is simple but there is a spark of inspiration in how it unfolded that gives me hope for the series.

Most of the main characters were set up well and I found them all intriguing to varying degrees. Some have alot of potential and I feel it will make or break the show how well they are written and performed in the season ahead. MacFarlane's Captain and his ex-wife first officer aren't part of that list as I thought they came off a bit bland, though I was impressed with both the actors when they needed shift gear to a more dramatic tone. Rather, it's the supporting cast I speak of here.

For what the show is, it is done really well so I'm giving it a 9. The jokes didn't always land and at times jarred with the main plot but it made me laugh and felt like a quality parody that really embraced it's source material with a clear passion.… Expand

12 of 20 users found this helpful128

yeash95

Sep 13, 2017

With this first episode comes a surprisingly strong start to this sci-fi drama comedy. I watched with low expectations as Macfarlane's other recent offerings have not been good. I liked early seasons of Family Guy and American Dad, but that's about it. With this show, I expected a moreWith this first episode comes a surprisingly strong start to this sci-fi drama comedy. I watched with low expectations as Macfarlane's other recent offerings have not been good. I liked early seasons of Family Guy and American Dad, but that's about it. With this show, I expected a more Galaxy Quest type parody of the classic trek format, but in reality this show is a true homage/love letter to classic TOS and TNG trek. The opening sizzle shots of the ship instantly reminded me of Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Encounter at Farpoint. The conflict and resolution to the first episode was clever and well written. The only thing it fell flat on was some of the humor. I could do without a penis joke. Everything else was almost perfect. A warm, optimistic sci-fi adventure show.… Expand

8 of 15 users found this helpful87

mdiperna

Feb 12, 2019

A show that can literally take you on a space trip and make you feel the excitement of traveling the Universe, is an amazing feat! As a child, I couldn't wait to watch Lost In Space, Star Trek, and Battle Star Galactic. These shows were visually exhilarating and creative in theirA show that can literally take you on a space trip and make you feel the excitement of traveling the Universe, is an amazing feat! As a child, I couldn't wait to watch Lost In Space, Star Trek, and Battle Star Galactic. These shows were visually exhilarating and creative in their depiction of space and other life. The Orville is such a journey. The Universe, the many planets and the possible life out there, is the most exciting and hopeful thought anyone can have. Seth's creation helps to continue the dream that everyone, regardless of age, must have. There is nothing more exciting that these kind of space exploration stories! I hope Seth can continue to make many more seasons!!!… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

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SEE ALL TRAILERS

Seasons & Episodes

36

Series Overview
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: June 2, 2022
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: December 30, 2018
Season 1

36
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 10, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E12. Mad Idolatry
  Air Date: December 7, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E11. New Dimensions
  Air Date: November 30, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E10. Firestorm
  Air Date: November 16, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E9. Cupid's Dagger
  Air Date: November 9, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E8. Into the Fold
  Air Date: November 2, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E7. Majority Rule
  Air Date: October 26, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E6. Krill
  Air Date: October 12, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E5. Pria
  Air Date: October 5, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E4. If the Stars Should Appear
  Air Date: September 28, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E3. About a Girl
  Air Date: September 21, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E2. Command Performance
  Air Date: September 17, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E1. Old Wounds
  Air Date: September 10, 2017