Benzians, or Binzians,[n 1] were an advanced species encountered by the USS Orville in the 29th century. A member of the species contracted with the time-travelling antiques dealer Pria Lavesque to steal the Orville in the year 2419 and sell it in their century.
Biology[]
Benzians sported a wealth of tentacles from their body, similar in appearance to a sea anemone. The Benzian language sounded much like a series of animal noises rather than humanoid languages. A dialogue, half in Benzian, remained untranslated:
- Pria Lavesque
- Benzian
- Pria Lavesque
- Benzian
- Pria Lavesque
- Benzian
- Pria Lavesque
Technology[]
The Benzian ship resembled a sea anemone as well, coming to a point at the front and breaking into tendril-like tips at the back. Unsurprisingly, the ship was technologically advanced well past the level of of 25th century Planetary Union vessels. According to Helmsman Gordon Malloy, the ship was equipped with "some sort of tractor beam."[1]
Production[]
The initial design of the Benzians was based on a sketch made by creator Seth MacFarlane and converted into a more detailed digital sketch by Digital Effects Supervisor Brandon Fayette. The semblance of Benzians to sea creatures is not coincidental. "The alien creature was based on Seth's sketch," reported Fayette. The Benzians speak a "form language similar to sea creature and anemone."[2]
Fayette coordinated with Visual Effects Supervisor Luke McDonald. McDonald added lights to the tips of the Benzian's tentacles, as he wanted "transparency in the tendrils," before sending the concept art to Tippett Studios.[2] Tippett converted the art into 3D art assets and rendered into the film.
Appearances[]
Notes[]
- ↑ There is no canonical spelling of this species. "Binzian" is found in the episode subtitles. "Benzian" is drawn from Jeff Bond's The World of the Orville and most closely matches the pronunciation of Pria Lavesque in the episode Pria. The Orville Wiki has chosen to follow the latter spelling based on this evidence.