As both series lead and showrunner, MacFarlane has nobody to rein in his worst impulses or augment his considerable talents. The Orville has potential but the show -- and he -- first need to get out of their own ways.
MacFarlane never seems comfortable leading the charge with a phaser in hand, and comes off more like a man cosplaying a space captain than an actual, believable one.
In his first significant live-action TV role, Mr. MacFarlane's main attribute is a nervous proficiency. Ed may have to grow into his command, but that doesn't mean he should be the least memorable person on the bridge.
I share MacFarlane's yearning for the lost wonder of Star Trek, but I don't need to watch brand new C-level Next Generation episodes, especially not when some creative force behind the scenes keeps tossing out unfunny crude gags.
The Orville isn't particularly funny at all, both by design and accidental ineptitude. Instead, it's a bizarrely straight-up homage to Star Trek that can't seem to admit as much.
While The Orville clearly demonstrates its fondness for a show that promised to boldly go where others hadn't, it feels like MacFarlane and his crew are taking a sizable step backwards.
The Orville is trying so hard not to be so many things, it isn't fully any one thing. Which makes it, officially, the strangest misfire of the fall TV season.