Why the World Needs More of ‘The Orville: New Horizons’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say, that The Orville: New Horizons (formerly known as The Orville) is a series that took everyone by complete and utter surprise and understandably so. After all, when the season one trailer debuted a couple of years back, it really seemed as though Seth MacFarlane and FOX had assembled a grandiose send up of the Star Trek Universe. Where big laughs would win the day amongst plots that resembled stuff, we all knew and loved and early on, some of the rapid-fire jokes and lighthearted/endearing nature of ‘Old Wounds’ seem to reinforce that reality. Because ‘we need no longer fear the banana’ was comedic gold. But once we had a few moments to reflect upon that episode, and of course… ponder upon the brilliant nature of ‘About a Boy’, it quickly became apparent that this show was something different.
​
In that, it wanted to pay tribute to the science fiction that came before it, including all things Trek, but it also wanted to be something vastly different. It wanted to be a science fiction show unlike any other and it wanted to revolutionize how science fiction stories are told on television and well… it is mission accomplished for certain. For this series has indeed established its standing in the genre and driven legions of fans to hang on its every moment, and it only continues to get better with each season. But what’s amazing… is that despite how well-loved this series is and the incredibly warm critical reception of its revolutionary nature of storytelling… it has yet to receive a fourth season renewal and well, we here at NTG thought it might be worthwhile to help that cause and speak to why the world needs a fourth season of this series and many more.

One such reason… involves the fact that New Horizons is just damn good television through and through. Because in addition to the wonderful science fiction concepts it offers, it is home to incredible, top-tier writing. For the scripts are simply engaging and beautifully woven together and they also allow for the actors to shine. For every single actor in this series turns in incredible performances, the kind that brings tears of joy to the audience’s eyes or prompts us to ask who is chopping onions with sorrow. But while it is amazing to be treated to next level screenplays and Emmy-winning level performances week in and week out, that same level of quality extends beyond those elements. For everything about this series is cinematic and breathtaking and that speaks volumes to how much everyone involved in this series is eager to present its fans with nothing short of a flawless production and that’s rare, and it sets a standard for other shows in the genre and takes them to task.

---

But the need for this series to receive a renewal goes beyond just setting a bar, for this is a show that is also quite brave in the topics it explores. Because let’s be honest, this is a series that is tackling topics that a great deal of television shows that could say something about our modern world are avoiding. In fact, season three has been perhaps the bravest of them all since it has touched upon the insurrection at the Capitol and what motivated this push to nationalism, the need for communication at a time where rhetoric and political ideology rule the day and of course… it deserves a round of applause for tackling transgender rights in a powerful manner. Granted, there are shows out there talking about transgender rights, and those should be celebrated as well. But New Horizons is one of a handful of science fiction shows making that a focus and it is perhaps the only one of all of them that took the time to plunge us into what it means to be transgender, and the emotions and experiences that transgender individuals experience in their quest to better understand their gender identity.
​
Which in turn, leads us to the final reason why this show deserves to be renewed for multiple seasons in that… it is teaching us how to have difficult conversations. Because time and time again, when someone brings up those topics in real life, there’s immediate struggle and strife to complete that conversation, if we are on opposing sides. Not to mention shows that tend to touch on topics that are sensitive in nature, are immediately derided on social media for being ‘too woke’. But that doesn’t happen with New Horizons. People watch, people learn, and they come away from this saga with a better understanding of a topic that normally might infuriate them or create conflict. Simply because this series is making it clear that such matters need to be presented to others in an objective manner, one where discussion and learning can take place and if we can perhaps do that more often, we might find the common ground we all seek.

If anything, this is simply a revolutionary show, one that is finding a way to address our problems in a wonderful manner at a time when everyone is begging for the industry to do just that. But it does so in such a smooth and endearing fashion that the observations and commentary never seem overwhelming and well, that level of care and unique storytelling needs to be celebrated and allowed to grow. And a new season of this series (and more) would allow for Seth MacFarlane and his writer’s room to accomplish wonders storytelling wise and continue to wow us on a regular basis and well… let us hope that we get some great news soon on season four of New Horizons. So, we can enjoy more incredible and moving, and downright thoughtful adventures from the most intelligent and dynamic science fiction series on the air right now.  

---