TV Round-Up: The Orville, “Nothing Left on Earth Excepting Fishes”

An open letter to Seth MacFarlane:

Dear Seth,

Do you mind if I call you Seth?

I understand that your new series, The Orville is intended as a homage to the optimistic spirit of Star Trek.  And I know that many of your other animated comedies feature callbacks to certain moments from popular culture.

So, you will understand if I’m a bit concerned that it feels like the latest (at least to me) episode of The Orville feels like you crossed the streams of your series.  I can understand and forgive the plot line where Gordon is taking the command test and pulls out the “we’ve got this weapon that will reflect back whatever you throw at us” moment.  After all, Captain James T. Kirk only used that twice in the original series (and did it better.  Of course, when does James T. Kirk not make just about anything better?!?).