Why Moral Orel Season 1 is Important (and Not Skippable) 

“You think you got problems? Try being TWELVE!” That’s always been one of my favorite lines.

One of the things that stuck out to me in the first season, was this little moment in episode one where Clay and Bloberta joke around during Rev. Putty’s sermon. They actually seem to enjoy being around each other, which is stricing taking the series in totality, because it showed they COULD have made things work if they tried to better themselves, but they’re too broken ultimately for that to happen.

Clay needing to take 3 bites of cereal before he realizes there's pee in it had me wheezing.

Maturity IS SO UNDDERRATED. It’s the one episode I find myself watching a lot along with sacrifice. Also, how could you not love Orel little BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM dance?

I really want to analyze the episode where Orel shows everyone his stop motion movie, because I feel like that's the first time we're show that Orel isn't as oblivious as he seems and is actually affected by what happens around him and has to process it in his own way

Season one is also the home of a lot of really thematically relevant running gags, the themes that are going to be explored in season 3 are set up subtly through the humor in season 1 and early season 2. One example is the recurring joke where Clay and Bloberta are sitting together, Clay mentions something someone did and Bloberta shakes her head and makes a judgmental comment. This contributes to the idea that Moralton is a mean and judgmental place and anyone can become an outcast at any time. This is really important to the stories of characters like Stephanie, Thomas, and Florence, to the point that it's kind of the point of my favorite episode of the show, Sundays. That episode hits harder because it ties into themes that were played for laughs in the early episodes.

I think season 1 is so important to see because it admittedly has viewers laughing at generic characters and wacky, dark shenanigans… but when you get to the darker seasons? Suddenly you remember all the little things you laughed at in season 1… and realize they weren’t so little after all. It almost adds this extra layer of guilt on the viewer that they were willing to laugh at something dark when presented as comedy but didn’t even THINK there could be much more serious trauma behind it all.

The first season is literally 10 episodes. The entire series is less than 8 hours. You can watch the whole thing. The whole show is a masterpiece and none of it should be skipped.

As a straight up parody of "Davey and Goliath," I think season 1 is pretty good overall, it sets the stage for the rest of the show.

There is a scene in the first episode where Stopframe is watching Clay pee on the side of the bar. He compliments his member and Clay asks for Stopframe's name.

The first season is kind of different and weird but I always liked it. Except God’s Chef and Waste for the same reasons you pointed out. But I will say it is weaker compared to the other two seasons but again, only by comparison. On its own it’s still pretty good.

Season 1 was phenomenal I loved its backwards lessons taught, like Orel not being punished for getting addicted to crack, but saying slang because of crack lmao

I actually think “God’s Chef” is one of the highlights of the season. Unlike the first episode which is a bit illogical in why Orel chooses to raise the dead, this episode is basically a perfect demonstration of the formula of the show. Orel gets some bad Christian advice from one of his elders and misinterprets it in a disturbing way. I don’t see how it stands out as especially bad compared to the rest of the season when it more or less does everything the same if not better. The more shocking scenes in the episode are well built up to, as well. It culminates in the horrifying yet hilarious scene of him wanking in front of a sleeping woman but this is built up to by having other scenes where we see Orel coming up with this plan and explaining his logic.

Poor little Orel! Glad he got a happy ending! Also will you talk about that special episode where he visits his grandfather? Just saw it on HBO MAX and had no idea it even existed!

We’ll have to continue discussion of Season 1…in my study.

Honestly I feel like the first season is on-parr with the others. It aims to get us used to the characters and town and hint to future problems and how dysfunctional Orel's family is

"And Shapey's a Demon"

I rewatched season 1 just yesterday and my answer to "should I skip it" is "why?" lol. I always watch season 1, its really fun and I want to watch more Moral Orel. Never realized God's Chef and Waste was so disliked until I came to this channel. The Christian songs are fun too, especially Crustmas and the Homosexual Hop.

It's rare that I ever say that I completely agree with every single word in a video review, but I agree with every single word in this video. Well said. I've always Moral Orel was the most underrated western animated series of all time, it's great to find an up-and-coming RU-vid review channel that feels the same way and is willing and eager to boost the show's profile. It's never too late to hope for a season 4! You know Dino Stamatopolus would jump at it if it were possible.

Everyone says the other episodes messed them up but for me, The Best Christmas Ever takes the cake. The way it ended was like ouch.

For the last ep in s1 just the "and shapeys a demon" is funny to me idrk

I really like this summary of season one and its importance, I agree 100%, and thats why I feel like season 1 of Moral Orel is less of a first season, and more of a prologue. By using a brief collection of stories to instead of explaining characters, they allow their antics to speak for themselves. But thinking of it as an intro piece, rather than a part of the narritive, I dont agree that God's Chef is the worst episode, I believe its the most extreme and grotesque, but I also think thats the only way it shouldve been done, and it only couldve been accomplished as early as they did it. The episode had very telling moments too, especially as clay reads the news report aloud to bloberta and they stew in their own rightousness, along with the book "fake facts of life" they use to teach orel, together those two scenes tell me they are both as brainwashed as they're raising Orel, they're hypocritical and unloyal, so seeing a town undergoing a surge of sudden pregnancies, they felt better about their guilt around Shapey being concieved. And thats why Im in the small group that actually really appreciates that episode

I watched the series because of your first few videos on the subject. I’m so glad I went to Season 1 first, even though I had been spoiled a bit from Nature going forward. This show left a huge impact on me, and I’ll gladly say this is the first show I’ve ever felt didn’t get enough episodes. Thanks for covering the first season.

God's Chef feels too "comfortable" with its premise, like Orel out here committing ASSAULT in episode two??

You made me rewatch the series with my girlfriend (her first time) and she didn't really mind those episodes at all. She actually likes the show so far

I find watching the seasons in order is like a slow burn into the finale season, like the first season has all that comedy aspect but there’s like a hint of something wrong. Then season 2 comes along and we start seeing the town through other characters apart from the Puppington’s and notice there’s REALLY something wrong happening here. And then obviously the third is like that crescendo, everything comes crashing down and it’s a marvellous and tragic way to show just how dark and deep this town really is. I don’t think you can do that without the context of season 1 and seeing that progress.

My favorite episode from season 1 is probably episode 9, “Maturity”.

Season one is what drew me in the first place! Couldn't ever skip it.

I blinked and now you’re close to 20k!! Congratulations on your growth 💕 🎉

I think the problem with season 1 is it's the sort of shallow parody adult swim wanted to greenlight. The producers bought a 'hur der, evangelicals are funny" when it was always about flawed humans and how failure to confront our flaws (hiding them behind "morals" and a higher power) just makes more problems, ie: the shows hijinks. I only saw two episodes of the series in it's original run: God's Chef and Alone. I had no clue who any of the characters in Alone were. I thought it was a stylistic story of a single woman's life where she went from young blonde, depressed brunette to bitter old woman with layered mental illness. Not knowing better, it looked like the show went from shallowest possible jokes to "edgy" because that's the stuff Adult Swim wanted. For that reason I think it was a good decision to air The Best Christmas ever first. most show writing shows the claws in the fist episode even if they don't come back until much later because it makes sure the audience knows there is substance below the surface.

please keep making moral orel videos, i love the show and am currently working on making an animatic and i rlly do hope to be more active in the community

man watching your videos is inspiring me to go back and rewatch this classic show after over a decade since i saw the finale. it'll be just like seeing it with a fresh pair of eyes. oh boy i can't wait!

Great video! You even inspired me to write up my own ranking for the season 1 episodes. That was pretty fun so I think I’ll do the same for 2 and 3 when/if those videos come out.

DUDE you made a video 7 months ago about this show and still have em cooking? Bless you man I always saw the shows ads as a youngin but never did watch. Your vids are well made and you funny

God-fearing's ending with the reverend was a pretty good indicator of how the show would evolve imh. It's an overall funny epsidoe but sets up his character arc pretty well

I used to watch Morel Orel a lot during middle school, but I never caught the original run of season 3. Hell, I didn't even know there was a season 3 until I stumbled across a clip from Alone about nurse Bendy- and damn that was a gut punch. At the time I watched it with the mind set of "Oh I wonder what wackiness will entail with nurse Bendy and her play family", but then it kept going with no punchline in sight, and I was stuck wondering "Is this some mean spirited joke, or is this played straight?". Especially with the title of "The scene that got Morel Orel Canceled". 100% expected black humor or a bait n switch. You're absolutely right about season 1, if they went out of the gate with the heavier writing then it wouldn't have as much build up (and risk getting cancelled sooner) and I would also say that season 1 sets up the status quo of the show. By being so formulaic it shows how Moralton and it's citizens act and think on a daily basis before the later seasons breaks it.

I wouldn’t say “weakest season” it’s more like the least strong season.

My favorite two season one episodes is God's greatest gift and charity. Both are so gleefully demented. And how the lessons completely miss the mark by several ball parks. Orel using the occult to raise the dead? Not if they're running around like in Ray Steven's the streak! Being charitable is good but not when others are going to exploit that is a good lesson. But it's overlooked by the best orel quote ever. Look Samson! Crack! Hooray!

i think you should win the award for the most underrated channel on youtube

Yay! More Morel Orel content! Keep it coming.

" And Shapey's a demon. " 🤣

Man if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have fallen in love with moral orel and I didn't skip seasons 1 and still liked it alot ^^ I'm really glad you introduced me to it but it sucks that we won't get any more Moral orel since it's canceled but these videos help at least a little :)

Grats on 17k man

Babe wake up, new Moral Orel video

Season 1 is just funny as hell and it clues you into the darker themes of the the later seasons. Also I like the gut punch of Season 3 deconstructing all the wacky gags in the first season, and imo if you don't watch it, it won't hit as hard.

I honestly prefer season 1 over 2 and 3 but hey we all have our own opinions. I liked the show more as a dark comedy

I totally agree w This. The complete and utter 180 season 3 takes won’t hit NEARLY as hard if you don’t sit through the formulaic and more light hearted first season. The first time I watched the series, Nature had my jaw on the floor and genuinely brought tears to my eyes because I watched it completely in order.

I introduced this show to my mom recently and she fell in love with it lol but she was disturbed at how old I was when I first watched it 😂

I watched season 1 when it was on DVD and then didn't get to the later seasons until they went online. I can't imagine starting with the later episodes.

Watching season 1 first makes you appreciate season 2 and season 3 way more

3:38 My first episode (I kid you not here) was the turning point of the show, “Nature”, because I was watching an Adult Swim stream, and the 2 part episode came on after Aqua Teen.

Season One was fantastic, I don’t know why people would want to skip it. I get people want to get to the more story focused parts of the show but hey, it’s what made me continue watch the show. If I didn’t like it I wouldn’t have continued. Plus, it introduces us to all the characters and what their deal is. It’s necessary context for later on, especially the backwards view on Orel and his dad’s relationship with how they think of each other.

Keep them coming!

Wait there are people who think you should skip season one? *where are they*

yooo new morel orel video hell yeah

Season one is build up to "The Best Christmas Ever" and proves the season is NOT skip able. PS: "The Blessed Union" is my favorite episode because it introduces ONE of my favorite characters in Moral Oral: Stephanie Puddy. And you better believe Trevor I'm WAITING for a Character Quest video on her specifically after I watch your video on Reverend Puddy.

Some day, I'd love to see/make a video like this about Reboot, which I feel has a similar relationship with its first season.

I am so happy this guy is giving the show the attention it finally deserved.😁 I remember watching growing up and no one watched it.

I think season one is good, it helped us get to kbow the characters and introduced us to running gags which will then be talked about in later seasons or payed off in general, even if it was wacky and a little differrnt compared to two and three

I saw the Pilot episode first. Best Christmas Ever made my Christmas that much more special.

i remember watching this show when it first aired and i think i only saw the episodes from season 1 other than the worst Christmas ever. you got me to watch this show and the watch order on the website i watched it on had the best Christmas ever as the finale for season 1. i thought it was a really good finale to lead you into the next season.

I feel like the 2nd season was the best season, but the 1st one was probably my favorite. Despite being mostly all jokes, there were a few serious moments that really made me think. I think I’m the whole show, for me, the scene that hit the hardest was the last episode of season one, when orel is all alone on Christmas, and he prays to god and says “I have faith in you” followed by the camera zooming out on him. It was absolutely gut wrenching to see this little boy having such faith that God will save the day and make everything better, but he doesn’t. It just ends on silence.

Yeah, you’re back!!!!!!

I have an idea. I think at some point in time you should do a Moral Orel iceberg, where you could get some things relating to the show or find a moral orel iceberg to make a video on.

this show is amazing i liked season 1 wanted more, loved s2 wanted more, was heartbroken s3 was the end adored s3.

I personally think Blessed Union should be a little bit higher on the episode ranking, but I may be slightly biased because Stephanie is my favorite character. Still, what I think is really important is how Orel and Stephanie interact. This is the first episode where we see Orel under the guidance of someone who admittedly isn’t perfect, but also someone who knows how Moralton can mess you up. Also, you see how there are some biblical lessons that Orel gets more than the adults. It’s not explicitly stated in the show (at least not until God’s Image), but it’s not exactly unheard of for Christians to be less accepting of those who are different to them. Stephanie is different from any other girl in Moralton in how she dresses, how she acts, and all of her piercings. Heck, if it weren’t for Stephanie and the sex shop’s existence, it’d be believable the show took place in the 1950’s, but Stephanie’s Store selling VHS tapes shows that it’s at least the 90’s. She would be the perfect target for “You’re different, and that’s scary,” a common conservative Christian ideal that wouldn’t be covered until God’s Image and The Lord’s Prayer in Season 2. Instead, Orel sees Stephanie as a person. He doesn’t care that she runs a sex shop. He doesn’t care that she looks different. He sees her as a good person, and that’s what’s important. Heck, at the end of the episode Orel says it’s a shame that Stephanie isn’t married, and you see Stephanie almost tense like she’s bracing herself for the “It’s God’s Plan for you” or “I’d hate for you to go to hell.” But it never comes. Instead, Orel’s reasoning is that she’d be a good mother, so it’s a shame she doesn’t have any kids. And as for Stephanie herself, she does some questionable things, but with reasonable reasons. I forget if there’s an actual line about it (I think the closest she gets is “I could’ve used someone like me at your age”) but I got the vibe of “I’m going to give you this piercing because I don’t want you going home and trying to do it yourself with a block of ice and an ice pick.” So yeah, maybe I’m overthinking things because of my perspective as a local alt. queer in my own small town with a strong Christian influence, but to me, Blessed Union shows that Orel isn’t going to judge others because they’re different and sets up the impact Stephanie has on his life. It shows that Orel will have non-“Traditional Christian” influences on his life, and he values them just as highly as he does those like his dad and Rev. Putty. Maybe I am overthinking things, but to me Blessed Union was the first time I thought that Orel may turn out okay.

Charity was the first episode I saw and I was hooked "Shut up, Jesus."

I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on “Dumb”

At least watch season one so that you'll get all the jokes in Orels movie premiere, cus that episode is great. Even God's chef and waste have moments that pop into my head constantly, like 'number three' and orel talking with the principal in the former, and the cereal and Danielle's goat sacrifice in the latter.

watched half a dozen of these synopsis/review videos for the show already. Should the Christmas/Pilot be watched first or should it be at the end of Season 1?

Fine i will give the show a freaking chance. When i have time

You have a really nice voice👍🏾

My friend that introduce me hated season one, she ended up just showing me nature + season 3 originally. I had no idea what the fuck was going on or who anyone is but god I just felt empty inside after that. I wonder how much more of an impact it would of had if I did start with season 1. I still loved season 1, the humor is hilarious if you grew up as a die hard Christian lol

I really need to watch this show

God's Chef is rated THAT low? That was the first episode I remember watching.

I love the MO content btw

Moral Orel S1 is a very funny show but it’s also pretty much like Early Simpsons in that it builds characters. Personally Maturity is my fav S1 episode but I love Waste even if it’s not too amazing I have a ton of fun with that one. And I like Charity and Best Christmas Ever too.

When you listen yo dubstep do you listen to the whole song or just skip to the bass drop? The camping trip is the bass drop.

Yooooo please do one on the episode "Grounded" S3 EP2 crazy ideas on what Oral saw👀👀👀

Please keep doing early 2000s tv shows !! 😂🤎

Are you going to do a video on the coach

After the episode Alone I went back to see if I could pick up on the teacher trying to catch the ice cream guy

I've convinced my girlfriend to watch MO with me and although s1 is crazy, it's a must watch. When I rewatched it a month or so ago I was sad that there weren't more seasons so idk why anyone would want to skip a season, the episodes are 11-14 minutes for goodness sake.

Now I understand why Adult Swim got scared and cancelled the show. Probably when they "urged" Stamatopoulos to make the show darker, they probably thought the guy would make it darker, but more along the tone of Season 1 where even though mess up things happen, it's still presented as a haha funny joke that doesn't have any longstanding consequences. Many critics when Morel Orel first came out did describe the show as a "more religious-themed South Park" They probably didn't think that "The Best Christmas Ever" and "Nature" were the stuff Stamatopoulos had in mind when he felt the network wanted it to be darker. They probably assumed those would be one offs or exceptions, and not that the entire show would end up adopting the tone of the two mentioned episodes (and worse) when all Adult Swim wanted was their own version of South Park (although they did technically have that already with Aqua Teen). In the end, Adult Swim should have communicated that, but at the very least they did let him end it. Other shows unfortunately couldn't get that kind of respect.

Just like Jojo Part 1 Phantom Blood.

Are going to make a iceberg

it's so weird that the show getting dark is what got it cancelled when other shows on adult swim have gotten way darker in comparison. if anything the show just got too real

my first episode was nature. part 1 and 2.

Fun fact and disturbing fact: my 1st Moral Orel episode was Nature part 2

Character Quest: Steph and Rod when?

I thought God’s Chef was downright hilarious, it had me and my gf laughing. All of season 1 is great, and I definitely don’t think it should be skipped

Moral Orel season 1 is kinda hilarious. I agree it’s not the best but I kinda say it’s really great

Season 1 to me sets up what’s coming… when Orel realized the hypocrisy he was raised in.

I forgot to watch yesterday well at least now I have an Easter present!

Since you sinned and started off later in the season, I'm curious on seeing what's your take on Clay's rant.

Not to mention season 1 has so many valuable morals and wholesome life lessons that season 3 lacks. Such lessons as it's okay to do drugs as long as you don't start using foul language, women are satisfied simply by cleaning alone, adulthood is bleak and miserable, and the missionary position is the only acceptable method of procreation. It's a great learning tool for children and adults alike.

My top two favorite moral Orel episodes are charity and maturity

In my opinion, alone isn’t that bad….it’s numb that really got me.

who do we have to talk to to get this show back???????

CAN YOU PLZ DO miss secondopinion