Back then, it was pointed out that the "Star Trek" episode was very much like Robert A. Heinlein's 1963 novella Orphans of the Sky that came from two of his 1941 short stories: "Universe" (Astounding Science Fiction, May 1941) and its sequel, "Common Sense" (Astounding Science Fiction, October 1941).
Matter of fact, David Gerrold's second season "The Trouble with Tribbles" was very much like the 'Flat Cats' from Robert A. Heinlein's 1952 juvenile novelThe Rolling Stones (a.k.a. Space Family Stone) and "Tramp Space Ship", a condensed version of the novel published earlier in Boys' Life (September, October, November, December 1952).
So, that proves if you are going to steal, only steal from the very best and that would be Bob Heinlein-- I call him 'Bob' because I got to meet him once in 1964 when I shook hands with the two men I held above all others with the exception of my late Father, George Bedford Lee. Those two just below Dad were 'Bob' and Barry Goldwater.
Well, to get back on target, this episode of "The Orville" did use a different tack in getting the lost' folk back on track that neither 'Bob' or Rik Vollaerts's "--Touching the Sky" used in their plotlines. I especially liked the cameo of Liam Neeson playing the long dead Captain of the derelict spaceship that had over eons been turned into a God and not in the good way.
There is still an unease with the balance between the drama and humor but I enjoyed the way they fleshed out the familiar plot ending and found the in-you-face humorous tinged feistiness of Adrianne Palicki's character Commander Kelly Grayson when facing torture down right refreshing in this day of strong, silent male heroes never yielding an inch or a sound.
Looking forward to next weeks episode guest starring one of my guilty pleasure sex-pots, Charlize Theron!
So, "The Orville" is no where near perfect and needs work, BUT it is still light-years ahead of CBS' disaster "Star Trek: Discovery" that took a knee and lost CBS my 10 bucks a month.
Okay, y’all say your piece—
I don’t get the newest Star Trek on my Dish Network.
So far it feel more like Trek than the current Drek
“CBS’ disaster “Star Trek: Discovery””
Just curious ... what didn’t you like about it in particular. The premiere episodes weren’t what I expected. It was much better than what I thought. Well, better than any non-Seven of Nine Voyager episode I saw :-).
I dug the tall alien science officer that seemed to be a bit more of a hawk vs. a dove. I thought the XO was a solid character / actress. The new captain seems to be no-nonsense ... I like that.
The only thing I was sick of watching was all of that Klingon nonsense ... they didn’t need to speak Klingon the entire time they were on the screen ... stuff like that turns casual fans of the show away.
Is something going to ruin it for me in the next few episodes that I am not aware of :-) ?
“So, “The Orville” is no where near perfect and needs work,”
Almost forgot ... I agree 100% ... it has enough to keep me coming back, but it certainly needs work.
Saw episode 3, with the baby has 2 daddies, baby is a girl, daddies want her changed to a boy, and vowed never to watch it again.
If they stop the ultra PC crap, I might go back to watching it.
I continue to be surprised with The Orville. I find it actually pretty good. They could cut out the Seth comedic lines, as they fall flat.
I did not care for ST:Discovery. Having to sign up and pay for CBS Access has a lot to do with it.
I watched the first 15 minutes of the first show...
I had to turn it off it was so lame...
Maybe I will give it second chance...
Orphans of the Sky was such a sad ending...................
Yeah I'm inspired to risk life & limb in the vacuum of space knowing I'm going to be on “The Orville”!
They might as well have named it “The Willie”!
Then there's the smirking visage of Seth McFarlane.
Again inspired - NOT!
I might follow him out of idle curiosity as long as it didn't take much effort. Into the dangers of the “Big Black”?
Nope!
I’ve reached the point where I’m pretty much saturated on Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr Who, or any seriously long running series. Feel sorta obligated to keep up, but then decide I’m not.
RE: "The Trouble With Tribbles:" David Gerrold has always given a hearty hat-tip to RAH and The Rolling Stones. I remember some long-ago ST convention where he was a guest speaker and specifically mentioned that he lifted the tribble idea straight out of that book.
On another note...I too had the pleasure of meeting RAH when I was just a tyke (about...oh...12 years old or so. Maybe 13.) He made me blush because he liked my red hair.
Hope all is well with you!
Best,