Seth MacFarlane faced an interesting challenge for season 3 of ‘The Orville’ (which we can see on Disney +). Along with the renewal of the science fiction series had come a jump from conventional television (FOX) to streaming (Hulu) with what this implied in all aspects. Especially in structure.
Among the most notable changes, in addition to budget issues (which is noticeable) and plot size/ambition, there was a lower number of episodes (10) and, in turn, a longer duration of each one (always above the hour of footage). Something that, I admit, has weighed somewhat against what, on the other hand, has been a fantastic season.
I also tell you that I have to admit that I’m a bit “fighted” with the episodes of more than an hour in length (especially American series). Not because of time issues, but because there is normally no narrative justification for it (you have to throw straws) and, in fact, it is one of the reasons why my viewing of ‘Stranger Things’ has stalled.
But beyond my misgivings about feature films disguised as episodes, it must be recognized that the format of self-contained episodes that ‘The Orville: New Horizons’ preserves It is a very good ally when it comes to running your times.
i kaylon
Following a bit the trend of the previous season, this one has had Isaac, the kaylon voiced by Mark Johnson, as its main (and I would almost say only) protagonist. The robotic crew member will face an atypical (due to the characteristics of the character) “redemption arc” in which we will see the true feelings of his companions towards him and his betrayal.
This will take us from ‘The electric sheep’, the opening episode of the season, to the end throughout an exploration of the emotional asymmetry in the relationship between humans / aliens and androids in which precisely the threat of aliens grows. kaylon. This touches, incidentally, on topics such as love, trauma, death and even suicide..
It is not the only thing that the science fiction series stops at, determined to tackle controversial issues like abortion and sex change. In fact, we have in ‘History of two Topas’ a sequel to one of the most remembered (and controversial) episodes of season 1, ‘The girl’.
An expansion that puts the protagonists in the rear
It is also noteworthy that the series puts something in the rear to captain mercer (MacFarlane) and his second in command Kelly (Adrianne Palicki), especially the former. This does not mean that they do not have their leading moments, but it does mean that ‘The Orville: New Horizons’ makes the decision to give much more weight to what happens outside the bridge of command.
This is not in all the episodes, in fact there is one in which Mercer has his own major problem, but the general idea of the season is precisely to offer those new horizons and in this sense it’s a pretty welcome expansion of this sci-fi world.
Which does not mean that this expansion has been entirely successful. The resolution of horizontal storylines (such as the impending war with the Kaylons and strained diplomatic relations with other worlds) I think it’s done a bit with a broad brush, disappointing.
But aside from being a little underwhelmed by the final act of the season, the journey is what matters. And in ‘The Orville: New Horizons’ this has been quite pleasantproving once again why MacFarlante’s fiction remains one of today’s essential space science fiction series.