Reviews

I get that people are excited to have Dexter back but, honestly, this first episode was nothing to write home about.

The only well done thing I noticed is the timing of the familiar voiceover. I'm sure many were wondering why there was no voiceover.

My take is a little different. After 3 episodes of watching people whose lives are already pretty messed up, will aliens really make it worse? Let the aliens wait their turn. And to me, that's the point of the show. From that viewpoint, I'm enjoying this show and the deep dive into the characters.

For a while, I thought I was the only one with this take until today when I read a review in the Toronto Star and the critic had the same take and positive reaction to the show. He noted, however, that he will likely be in the minority.

As with the character Michael Scott in The Office, this show is trying to make you cringe at Chad's awkward and desperate need to fit in. Chad just can't figure out social norms which is typical of people on the spectrum.

It seems, for many, Chad makes them cringe more than they would like. I have to admit, Both Chad and Michael Scott made me cringe at times but that's because it reminds me of social trainwreck moments in real life.

Chad is full of self-contradiction which makes for LOL moments. For example, Chad claims to be a feminist then goes straight to shunning evil female energy.

While the show isn't trying to hide the fact that Chad is played by a woman in her 30's, it's impressive that Pedrad plays her character so well, even down to posture. Her deadpan delivery is excellent, although, for some people who need a cue for when a joke is coming, it might mask the humor.

Much of the show is focused on Chad's fixations and, if you were or ever knew a Chad, you know fixations are part of the package.

I have not watched it all but what I have seen is worth the watch.

Unlike the critics who have seen the first three episodes, I've only seen the first. I found it well acted, well balanced between humor and conflict, creative, intriguing, and leaving me wanting more.

Perhaps, as critics are saying, the show stalls and gets muddled as it progresses.

Or, perhaps, it has something to do with Joss Whedon. The reviewers spend a lot of time focused on Whedon and not the show. I suspect the critics reviews are being unfairly soured by their view of Whedon.

I'll see after a couple of more episodes whether my suspicions are right.

This is a remake of a popular series that ran for 5 or 6 seasons. I love the well developed characters. It's well executed. The visuals and atmosphere are excellent.

Four points:

1. This has a different setting and characters from the original. Go with it. 2. For many, character development translates to boring. I, for one, enjoy getting to know each character's story. 3. Different regions have different acting styles from the overacting common is Asia to the overdramatic in Latin America. Embrace the differences, people. 4. Listen to the original Spanish and follow along with subtitles. Dubbing spoils the show,

I'm looking forward to the news season(s).

In trying to be both a parody and science fiction, the Orville fails to do well at either and is mediocre at best. Much of the humor might have appealed to me when I was 15 years old and I do mean "might". I'm pretty sure I was into more sophisticated comedy back then. When the show tries to be serious, I find it impossible to take it seriously.

The original Start Trek series knew how to incorporate humor is science fiction. A perfect case is The Trouble with Tribbles which is vastly superior to The Orville.

I realize this show is popular but honestly, I'd have to dumb-down several notches to think The Orville is a good show.

I'm no purist so I don't care about conflicts with previous Star Trek series. That's what allowed me to take Enterprise at face value and enjoy it, even though it didn't get good until the second season when the show serialized with the Xindi conflict.

This new series has started off with hardly anything fresh and new. Much of it was a cliché of past (future?) Star Trek series. I like the fact that it's a serial so I'll give it all the time it needs to improve, though.

Fingers crossed.