Not Your Typical Trek
The most “Trekkish” journey on Disney+ doesn’t actually wear a Starfleet badge. Seth MacFarlane’s The Orville launched with plenty of wink-and-nod humor, but quickly evolved into a character-driven space drama that still keeps things light. As Captain Ed Mercer and Commander Kelly Grayson navigate the moral challenges of deep space aboard the USS Orville, critics took notice: after a rocky debut with just a 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, both seasons two and three received a rare 100% from critics. All three seasons are streaming now, and according to the creative team, a fourth is being discussed but has not been officially announced.
The Warmth of a Familiar Friend
Some shows just feel like old friends. You get comfortable, the opening credits roll, and suddenly the universe is alive with intriguing new ideas. That’s been the draw of Star Trek for generations. If you’ve been missing that blend of curiosity, ethical dilemmas, and cosmic wonder, The Orville delivers. In the US, you can stream it on Hulu (and inside Disney+ with the Hulu add-on), and it proudly embraces its influences.
For decades, Star Trek offered thoughtful science fiction. The franchise continues, but there’s room for a kindred spirit. The Orville captures that same spirit of exploration: episodic journeys dealing with diplomacy, identity, and the often messy job of supporting one another. Rather than imitating, it joins a conversation across generations.
Charting a Legacy Through the Stars
When Star Trek premiered in 1966, it did more than create a vision of the future. Gene Roddenberry’s original series opened a cultural corridor spanning TV, movies, books, and games. Its best episodes blended adventure with deep moral questions, casting starships as mobile laboratories for exploring human possibility. The Orville, created by Seth MacFarlane, rises to this challenge with surprising grace.
MacFarlane, also the creator of Family Guy and American Dad!, stars as Captain Ed Mercer. He leads the exploratory ship USS Orville alongside Commander Kelly Grayson (played by Adrianne Palicki), who’s both his ex-wife and his trusted second-in-command. Their adventures echo classic space stories: first contacts, complex ethical puzzles, and a crew learning to trust each other.
From Gags to Gravitas… and Back Again
Early on, the series leaned heavily on comedy. Over time, it shifted focus to richer, more thoughtful storytelling while keeping its sense of humor. This evolution is clear in critics' scores: Season 1 remains at 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, but seasons 2 and 3 each achieved a perfect 100%. The stories now take bigger creative risks—sometimes venturing into suspense or even horror—while always centering on character and emotion.
All three seasons are streaming in the US on Hulu and through Disney+ for subscribers with the Hulu add-on. While the creative team has discussed a potential fourth season, there hasn’t been an official renewal. For those craving a contemporary series that explores serious questions while still offering laughs, The Orville is a welcome destination for anyone missing the spirit of Star Trek. The course may be familiar, but the journey continues to surprise.
A child of video stores and cable TV, Quentin never let go of a lifelong passion for film. Today, he reports on the latest in movies, series, and streaming—from blockbusters to hidden gems.
