Five Notes on Orville and the Data Dilemna

1. In the debate over the best Captain — Kirk vs Picard — I’m starting to think we should make room for Ed Mercer in this debate. The Star Trek captains (at least the ones I saw before Star Trek came through an online subscription service) were more statuesque paragons of authority than actual people. Ed Mercer is just a regular dude who happens to be a high-ranking military official for a living. He’s not more dedicated or more dramatic or charismatic than his peers: He’s just had more years in service and has better instincts. Ditto Kelly Grayson and the rest of the crew.