The Orville EPs Discuss Why Some Trek Fans Prefer Their Show Over Star Trek: Discovery

Seth MacFarlane's The Orville has been renewed for a new season, and as it stands, some fans actually prefer this series compared to CBS' Star Trek: Discovery. Showrunners Brannon Braga and David A. Goodman have an idea on why their Trek-inspired series is actually connecting with more classic Trek fans compared to Discovery.

Talking to CBR at the NYCC, Goodman explained:

"I think the difference for us, is that Seth [MacFarlane]was very much aware…he's making a show for everybody. That's what gets lost in the discussion of Star Trek fans liking and not liking a show. The original Star Trek was a show that millions of people watched, all over the world. A subset of them— like me—are super passionate Star Trek fans. I've written three Star Trek books. I'm a big fan, but we represent a very small, tiny part of the audience that watch that show."

Though Star Trek: Discovery is admittedly good, I can understand his point when he says that the show isn't really for everyone. Goodman continues:

"Seth wanted to do a show that was for everybody. And I think that may be closer to the reason that people are making that connection. That, this is a show, that people don't need to know the backstory of that universe to get into it."

Braga then added:

"And you don't need to watch every episode to swing into the story… It's more classical storytelling."

I can already imagine a lot of fans losing their heads over the comments, but comparing the two, The Orville is more episodic in nature as compared to Discovery which tells one serialized narrative. Though I admit that The Orville may be a step backward into the storytelling aspect of Trek, that's the very element that could be connecting with more people.

Then again, maybe it's just a bunch of purist fans who hate change and want everything in Trek to stay the same. It's just a guess.

Catch The Orville Sundays on Fox.

See Also: The Orville Picked Up For A Second Season