The transformation began several episodes prior. No longer is the Orville a comedy with a hint of Star Trek it is now its own space show with a hint of comedy. This episode was fantastic and heart felt. Give it a try!
109 Reviews
MacFarlane Addresses A Classic Theme With Fresh Eyes
atlasmb25 March 2019
You can tell this episode was written by Seth, himself. It is based upon the film "Laura" (1943) starring Dana Andrews. Like the film, this episode is about a character falling in love with a woman he has never met, as he investigates her life. When the crew finds a time capsule from 2015, Gordon creates a hologram program utilizing the contents of a cell phone that was owned by a young woman named Laura Huggins (cf. Laura Hunt in the film). Virtual reality becomes Gordon's reality as the episode explores the differences, if any, between objective truth, subjective truth, and virtual truth.
What a joy to watch a story that is intelligent and challenging. And romantic! In the end, Gordon must decide which truth he will embrace, leading to a beautiful denoument. Those who enjoy this episode should check out the classic film and another film that plays with the same theme, "Sharkey's Machine" starring Burt Reynolds.
What a joy to watch a story that is intelligent and challenging. And romantic! In the end, Gordon must decide which truth he will embrace, leading to a beautiful denoument. Those who enjoy this episode should check out the classic film and another film that plays with the same theme, "Sharkey's Machine" starring Burt Reynolds.
This has to be, by far, my favorite episode of this series
knradzak22 March 2019
From the beginning, I felt a connection to the story and it had this aura of surreal reality that I just couldn't place. Never has a show such as this made me feel so invested and lingering for more. I hope that Gordon Malloy got to keep that picture because it's one that can stand the test of time.
Feel Trip
FranTesla22 March 2019
Everyone who knows the magic feeling of failing in love can empathize with Gordon on this one, love is for the most part an illusion, a projection of our own necessities, hopes and dreams, but what happens when the illusion seems to became real, and when things go sideways, how much control we do really have... an episode that reminds me of TNG and Voyager, also Tim Russ!, anyway, I love this one.
Best of both worlds
AParkinson-222 March 2019
I rate this as the funniest episode of the Orville so far (was in stitches at every smoking related scene), yet at the same time the Gordon story-line was at the other end of the straight up drama end of the spectrum. Well done.
Best episode so far
blackhawk515014 May 2019
When I first watched Orville, I thought it was fun, but I couldn't figure out what it wanted to be...was it a parody, a comedy, a legitimate sci-fi drama? It obviously borrows so heavily from Star Trek that I thought it was a straight up parody. Then I began to realize that regardless of what it was, I liked it far better than any version of Star Trek. It stood well on it's own right. And the later episodes have been getting better and better. This one had by far the funniest comedy, thanks to smoking Bortus, and yet it was easily the most touching of the episodes to date. I think we can all relate to Gordon...he's likeable, and down to earth, and things rarely go his way, just like many of us. I think he reacted to the circumstances in this episode just about exactly as any of us would have, and that's what made it great.
Welcome Tim Russ
cpotato101022 March 2019
I have always thought that Star Trek: Voyager (1995) was Seth's favorite. The opening montage of The Orville (2017) is a clear homage to Star Trek: Voyager (1995).
I know everyone may not like this episode, there is no "space action". However, I think it is a nice change of pace, where it it more about the way those of the future might see the past.
I also liked the exposition near the end, about people being the sum of their experiences. Well-delivered by Adrianne Palicki.
A couple of side-notes - it seems that in the Orville universe, they currently appear to have the ability to create matter from energy, in their synthesizers, but they do not appear to have matter transporter technology.
Gordon seems to easily adapt to the cell phone user interface. I am not quite sure what that says. Has the cell-phone interface become so intuitive that even those who have not seen it for hundreds of years will be able to figure out what it means? Or slightly horrifying, there is nothing better to be developed?
The scene where Bortus is showing Klyden where all of the hidden cigarettes are located is hysterical. Short but sweet.
btw, I love the smell of un-burned tobacco, but hate cigarette smoke.
Leighton Meester has an excellent singing voice.
I know everyone may not like this episode, there is no "space action". However, I think it is a nice change of pace, where it it more about the way those of the future might see the past.
I also liked the exposition near the end, about people being the sum of their experiences. Well-delivered by Adrianne Palicki.
A couple of side-notes - it seems that in the Orville universe, they currently appear to have the ability to create matter from energy, in their synthesizers, but they do not appear to have matter transporter technology.
Gordon seems to easily adapt to the cell phone user interface. I am not quite sure what that says. Has the cell-phone interface become so intuitive that even those who have not seen it for hundreds of years will be able to figure out what it means? Or slightly horrifying, there is nothing better to be developed?
The scene where Bortus is showing Klyden where all of the hidden cigarettes are located is hysterical. Short but sweet.
btw, I love the smell of un-burned tobacco, but hate cigarette smoke.
Leighton Meester has an excellent singing voice.
A great episode, without even a single ship battle.
jonezyguy22 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER/TRIVIA: The song Laura sings is from The Last Unicorn soundtrack by America. It's very apropos to the episode. It is also a duet in the original film, something that's carried over here as well with Gordon.
What an awesome nod to children of the eighties. Thank you, Seth!
Seth and crew - I congratulate you
iliketomoviesmovies23 March 2019
The Inner Light - Orville Style
AGood24 March 2019
If the two parter Identity was a homage to Best of Both Worlds. This new episide definitely has to be a homage to The Inner Light episode from Season 5 of The Next Generation.
It was the episode where Picard gets taken over by a time capsule of a long extinct planet and seemingly lives his entire life inside of it as a member of that planet.
This was a fantastic episode. I went from a mixture of teary eyed at the Gordon scenes to literally laughing out loud at adiction to smoking scenes.
Both were handled brilliantly. This really is a must see episode. I feel I am not over-rating it giving it 10/10
The girl who played Laura was also very cute and I hope she gets cast in other things too.
It was the episode where Picard gets taken over by a time capsule of a long extinct planet and seemingly lives his entire life inside of it as a member of that planet.
This was a fantastic episode. I went from a mixture of teary eyed at the Gordon scenes to literally laughing out loud at adiction to smoking scenes.
Both were handled brilliantly. This really is a must see episode. I feel I am not over-rating it giving it 10/10
The girl who played Laura was also very cute and I hope she gets cast in other things too.
I think most people arent going to it.
Billslone200722 March 2019
I thought the episode was powerful. We are all insignificant and to think about how you might possibly have such a profound effect on someone 400 years into the future is inconceivable because most of us wont. You'll never know what effect you have on other and it makes me feel sad. Thinking about all who have come before us that we have forgotten, someday we will be the forgotten. Every life is beautiful and it's sad that most will never see it. I thought the episode was great sure there are weird moments and if you just read the synopsis it sounds goofy to say outloud but in my opinion the episode worked. I think what if some kind hearted spaceman found my daughters phone and was able to see something as special as her life was is and will be. Not knowing what ultimately happened to her but just getting to see her in the happiest moments of her life would be an amazing thing. I think people need to have an open mind and think of the bigger picture. It's ok to put thought into watching a show.
Cross your eyes and have a smoke!
d.rust23 March 2019
I'm reminded of a movie I once saw, I think it may have been european, where some kids, grouped together at the seaside, are about to try Coca-Cola for the first time. Faces of disgust, they spit it out and declaim its vile taste.
Photographs and letters are nostalgic: it is in their essence. The messages and videos on a "Smart" phone make a portrait of a person in a very narrow slice of a life. Gordon is smitten by what he sees when the device is turned on and decides to create a simulation based on the data retained.
Again MacFarlane knocks one out of the park. His team puts together a collision of culture, a tale of opportunities missed and taken with a healthy dose of Moclan Misunderstanding. It is also a commentary on how everyone in your life affects how you act and react: I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the sum of my relationships.
The Master Craft goes deep and we are presented with an unasked question: did Gordon meet his long-dead ancestors in Greg and Laura?
Photographs and letters are nostalgic: it is in their essence. The messages and videos on a "Smart" phone make a portrait of a person in a very narrow slice of a life. Gordon is smitten by what he sees when the device is turned on and decides to create a simulation based on the data retained.
Again MacFarlane knocks one out of the park. His team puts together a collision of culture, a tale of opportunities missed and taken with a healthy dose of Moclan Misunderstanding. It is also a commentary on how everyone in your life affects how you act and react: I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the sum of my relationships.
The Master Craft goes deep and we are presented with an unasked question: did Gordon meet his long-dead ancestors in Greg and Laura?
Ghostly Romance??
safeJ22 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The meat of this episode could have been made into a 30-minute episode rather than the 1-hour it took up (actually about 45 minutes minus the advertisements). I almost found myself reaching for the remote to fast-forward through the idle chatter! The Bortus and partner instant cigarette addiction added a bit of humor. Of note, couldn't the doctor check the reference texts and find the formula for Nicoderm?
Also, I doubt Social Media found on a phone such as Facebook or Instagram, along with a collection of selfies, texts, emails and music, would give enough foundation to create a simulation good enough to produce sensible dialogue. I certainly wouldn't want an autobiography made using my cell phone's data!
All-in-all, romance is The Orville's weakest link!
Also, I doubt Social Media found on a phone such as Facebook or Instagram, along with a collection of selfies, texts, emails and music, would give enough foundation to create a simulation good enough to produce sensible dialogue. I certainly wouldn't want an autobiography made using my cell phone's data!
All-in-all, romance is The Orville's weakest link!
The Love Orville Returns!!!
suanniiq25 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Seth maybe talented, but becoming a one trick pony with exploring the empty romantic lives of his characters in the Orville.
The Doctor falls in love with a robot, and need a simulator to quinch her physical needs...very healthy!
The lonely navagator, so far his best relationship is with a made up hologram of a dead person.
The engineer, talks about all of his conquest and nothing on the screen.
The Head of security, became attracted to a moklan, how ends up being put to death (or something bad) for being attracted to women over men.
The Moklan couples, cannot stand eachother and trying to get out of the relationship.
Number One, wants a relationship with out being in a relationship.
Captain, still in love with number one, found a girl friend to distract himself, just to findout he was sleeping with the enemy....
Yes this is the mighty crew of the Love Orville!! Where exploring relationships over space has a dying / passionate fan base crying themselves to sleep after each episode.
Best line: "she didn't say Wireless Technology Factory, and just used WTF." That was a the best line in the whole show...
Then John was able to get the phone to work, Gordon saw her picture, and he was smitten with a dead women. Uses the " simulator" to bring her to "life" and start up a relationship with her. Finds out she has a boyfriend, delete him, which changes her into somthing Gordon didn't like, had to bring back to boyfriend to "preserve" her ideal self....no this isn't creepy or unhealthy relationship....I guess this speaks to the Orville fan base because their relationships are not real and unable to connect with real people, but a fantasy version of what they perceive as human contact....
The Doctor falls in love with a robot, and need a simulator to quinch her physical needs...very healthy!
The lonely navagator, so far his best relationship is with a made up hologram of a dead person.
The engineer, talks about all of his conquest and nothing on the screen.
The Head of security, became attracted to a moklan, how ends up being put to death (or something bad) for being attracted to women over men.
The Moklan couples, cannot stand eachother and trying to get out of the relationship.
Number One, wants a relationship with out being in a relationship.
Captain, still in love with number one, found a girl friend to distract himself, just to findout he was sleeping with the enemy....
Yes this is the mighty crew of the Love Orville!! Where exploring relationships over space has a dying / passionate fan base crying themselves to sleep after each episode.
Best line: "she didn't say Wireless Technology Factory, and just used WTF." That was a the best line in the whole show...
Then John was able to get the phone to work, Gordon saw her picture, and he was smitten with a dead women. Uses the " simulator" to bring her to "life" and start up a relationship with her. Finds out she has a boyfriend, delete him, which changes her into somthing Gordon didn't like, had to bring back to boyfriend to "preserve" her ideal self....no this isn't creepy or unhealthy relationship....I guess this speaks to the Orville fan base because their relationships are not real and unable to connect with real people, but a fantasy version of what they perceive as human contact....
Star Trek for the people who do (Love Star Trek)
Rob-O-Cop28 March 2019
JJ Abrams ridiculously and incomprehensibly said on an interview that he was changing the Star Trek movies to make them for the "people who don't like Star Trek". The end result of that was the dumbing down of an intelligent thought provoking franchise, more dumb action, less brain action. That wrong thinking seems to have permeated the whole Star Trek Universe with the latest incarnation 'Discovery' being painfully unwatchable.
How strange that a show that started out as a parody of the Star Trek Universe has surpassed the last 15 years of its target and grown to join it at the top of its game.
Excellent television and an enjoyable watch.
Another great episode.
Of all the holodeck type episodes on all the Star Trek shows...
barbtiller23 March 2019
This one is my absolute favorite episode. Wow. Touching, fun, realistic. And the scenes with Bortis are hilarious. I wish they could just rename this show Star Trek The Next New Generation or something. I love this show. My only gripes about it are the new security officer's side ponytail (yuck) and the dopey uniforms... lol. B ut I can forgive those minor problems and say The Orville ranks up there as one of the best space series of all times. Absolutely amazing show. Keep up the great work guys!
The Best Episode of the Show
nakrugt16 April 2021
I have already written "my wish" in my review among the others on the main page.
I sometimes ask my students to watch an episode of a TV show to talk about and analyze. I am passing on to you what a student of mine said after watching this episode verbatim:
"The best thing I have ever watched on TV in my life."
I sometimes ask my students to watch an episode of a TV show to talk about and analyze. I am passing on to you what a student of mine said after watching this episode verbatim:
"The best thing I have ever watched on TV in my life."
One of the best episodes !!
razielepsilon-698-52031722 March 2019
This episode touched me deeply
tabyeus3023 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is by far one of the best! Such an heart warm, but sad episode. I felt so sorry for Gordon, I guess this moves me so, because I can relate. Just when I couldn't handle anymore for a moment, they would jump to the comic relief with Bortus, Klyden, and those damn cigarettes😂 loved this episode so much, and the show as a whole it great! Hope it stays on the air for a long time!!
I love Scott Grimes
cielindo22 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Unlike a previous reviewer, I found this to be a charming homage to ST:TNG season 3, episode 6, when Geordi became smitten with a holodeck creation.
Our pilot Gordon is portrayed as not so good with women, while John LaMarr is a real "ladies' man" with women around every corner. (Sorry Seth, but LaMarr is a tool.) So Gordon is a little geeky and awkward, but he becomes fascinated with the idea of this Laura who put her cell phone in a time capsule and asks the ship's computer to recreate her.
It was truly sad that Gordon invested himself in someone who wasn't real, but with her he was genuine, non-pretentious, non-posing, and completely authentic. The kind of man most women would really like to know. So I have hope that his character will be permitted to evolve - maybe like Colm Meaney's character did on ST:TNG and ST:DSN. He could have the real authentic relationship that isn't possible for Ed & Kelly or Isaac and the Doctor.
Not that Bortus & Klyden aren't an interesting couple, but their characters need a lot of development as we discover more about Moclan civilization.
I think Scott Grimes did great work here, and we got to hear his gorgeous voice. I loved the duet with Leighton Meester. Nice song, nice harmony.
Bittersweet, in a good way
aa-secrets25 March 2019
This is, in my opinion by far one of the best episodes of this season! It deals with love and the characters involved in a really human, relatable way. And indeed, reminds me of some of the episodes of Voyager series, when they were brave enough to explore aspects like this as well.
Anyway, I absolutely loved it!
Boooring
sumtim3s00n22 March 2019
I understand chosing a time that is close to now and how they would look at it but 2015? Its just so stupid (and not to mention redone already too many times). They act like theyve recovered something practically totally unseen or undocumented before and unknown. This is a time capsule from a time where everything was recorded and is documented to the tinniest detail. They would know very VERY well how people in that time lived. Heck these are highly educated ST officers, they would know "recent" history in detail.
Even I seem to know much better what happened on Earth 400years ago than they do and theyre the best of the best in that time. And come on, how many times more will we have an officer falling in love with a hologram or aritificially made person. Its been done too many times and im not talking the ST universe but in just Orville. Seth is getting a bit lazy.
A bit mundane
xaocam-7748028 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Well it had to happen, an episode that left you thinking, oh well the fun is over, nothing worse than future meets present with a soppy love story thrown in. There was so much material that was possible for this episode but they blew it on this one. If it wasn't for Bortas this episode would have got zero stars
Ugh! It's time for less "feelings" and more Krill.
jaydoo25 March 2019
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