Martin Carr reviews the tenth episode of The Orville… With more twists and turns than a Kubrick hedge maze The Orville delivers, surprises, engages and entertains without once dropping the ball. ‘Firestorm’ is by turns inventive, emotive and laced with subtle moments of humour which break things up without detracting from the overall structure. Every […]

Martin Carr reviews the ninth episode of The Orville… Aside from the slick piece of casting which reminds us all exactly how likeable Rob Lowe can actually be, The Orville is out to have fun this week. With karaoke, incidental lift music and gelatinous coupling on a carnal level ‘Cupid’s Dagger’ is one hell of […]

Martin Carr reviews the eighth episode of The Orville season 1… This narrative segue might be old-fashioned, stereotypical and not without a blatant appeal to audience’s heartstrings, but it works effectively to put Doctor Claire Finn and Isaac together. Laying down a foundation of high-ranking, hardworking single mother ‘Into the Fold’ broadens our understanding, gives her […]

Martin Carr reviews the seventh episode of The Orville… Written by Seth MacFarlane this episode has more in common with Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror than anything else. Referencing ‘Nosedive’ from season three The Orville passes comment on our smartphone driven way of life, without lessening the impact with levity. Taking a cue from the feature […]

Martin Carr reviews the sixth episode of The Orville season 1… Buried beneath the sight gags, latex make up and tag team chemistry of ‘Krill’ sits a moral message. For five episodes the villainy at this programme’s centre has remained vague and ambiguous. As a species The Krill have been alluded to but there was […]

Martin Carr reviews the fifth episode of The Orville… After the mediocre effort from last week ‘Pria’ represents a return to form for The Orville. Kicking off with a snippet of Seinfeld before segueing into some bridge banter, MacFarlane quickly establishes situation, character and central friction by roping in a former co-star. Oscar-winning and clearly […]

Martin Carr reviews the fourth episode of The Orville… There are scant moments of genuine humour this week in an episode which feels like someone kicked into autopilot. ‘If The Stars Should Appear’ is a by the numbers Star Trek mission which verges on cliché rather than pastiche. For once the limited run time hampers […]

Martin Carr reviews the third episode of The Orville… Online entertainment sites seem more concerned with the impact of Thursday night football on The Orville than anything else. Fox also re-launched Gotham against the Star Trek pastiche which is another reason why ratings may have bottomed out for MacFarlane’s creation. Whatever their arguments for moving […]

Martin Carr reviews the second episode of The Orville… Critical opinion over Seth MacFarlane has always been split. With no skeletons in his closet, a genuinely affable persona and creative carte blanche he has been the target of jealous detractors for years. However with The Orville it’s time they cut him some slack and let […]