I really enjoyed this show when it first debuted on FOX in 2017. At first, it was kind of silly and a little rude but the cast was fresh and engaging. Instead of being a Sci-Fi spoof, it turned out that it was a love letter. As a lifetime Trek/Star Wars fan I appreciated every homage, every Easter Egg. Season 2 got more serious -- which was good. And then, of course, as FOX is wont to do, it was canceled. Fortunately, Disney+/Hulu picked it up and with season 3 I would say that the series is better than ever. With each episode going more than an hour, with the constrictions of broadcast TV being lifted, the whole thing seems to have blossomed. It's not just deeper, the show has texture and a ton of layers (thank some very high-end writers for this). Storylines from the first two seasons are continued but filled out to the point where they feel complete. Political messaging is still there but is typically more subtle than the OG Star Trek. It touches on a wide range of topics, including the complex issues of alliances between different cultures in a time of war, the use of weapons of mass destruction and working through loss and grief. The diverse threads of this show weave into something which leaves you thinking. All that being said it's not depressing. So much of today's Sci-fi has leaned into the gore and the dark view of the world. The Orville not only maintains mostly happy endings but something even more important -- hope. In the midst of cool technology they focus on the people. Brava, bravo. Looking forward to season four.
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