Also, did I hear right that the Ferengi Lower Decker was in communication with the mysterious vessel?
That's what I got too. He was both expecting them, and also said they told him they'd make a lot of profit.
Also... Parliament :) Canadians see the word often ๐
It's nice that "new" Trek wants to portray things like equality for LGBT people as a given; hopefully we can reach that one day. And I think it's good that LGBT people can "see themselves" on the screen without having their queerness be the focus of the drama. People just want to live their lives, and they want to see other queer people just living their lives.
On the other hand, showing the struggle and making it the focus of the drama, as Orville does, is the thing that helps people understand and confront the issues themselves. The whole story around Topa is very strong. Societal misogyny. Klyden's entire journey (his own sex reassignment, hiding it from Bortus, their separation, his rejection of Topa when she transitioned back, the family's eventual reunion). Bortus' struggle to make the right choice as a loving husband and father. Bortus having the choice taken away from him. Topa lacking female role models.
These kinds of things are still very real issues that a lot of people don't think about unless presented to them on this way. These kinds of stories help people imagine how they might need to support their own children, families, and friends.
It's not really possible to compare Star Trek vs Orville because Trek is an entire franchise (even now there are 4.5 shows) and Orville is just one. But if I had to say of the current shows, which one does society need the most for social progress, I'd actually say Orville.
I'm all for not using Facebook, but this is really dumb. The federal Gov't and media outlets gave Meta and other SM platforms an ultimatum: pay for linking to news, or don't link at all. Meta called the bluff and chose the latter. Now the Gov't and media outlet are crying foul.
It takes a lot to make me defend Facebook, but they are absolutely not in the wrong here. They are playing by the government's and the media outlets' own rules. It's not even malicious compliance, its just compliance.
Have these media and the government even offered to make an exception for emergency messaging? I think they would say so of they did (to make themselves look better). The lack of say-so is telling.
Instead they're trying to shame and coerce Meta into paying them. Well, shame on the govt and shame on the media.
I've been shipping them since Rutherford told Badgey, "I was just trying to impress Tendi. I mean, look at her, she's so cute!" Earlier that same ep they're in the holodeck in the EV suits and they accidentally embrace (due to mag boots) which mirrors the B'Elanna and Tom scene where B'Elanna told Tom she loved him.
But if you really think about it, they've been hinting at the crush since the beginning. He was willing to change his career to make the time to watch a pulsar with her (which was episode 2). When Tendi thought T'ana was transferring her off the ship, they tell each other how much they love the ship and hug. Later that ep he tells Billups he's been triple backing up memories with her because he doesn't want to forget her again. (Notably he doesn't mention backing up memories with Mariner or Boimler.) They've always just a little closer than best friends, and damned if it isn't adorable!