View Full Version : The Expanse
Science fiction TV at its best! Anyone else watching this fantastic show? The finale was top notch.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/05/expansetiein.gif
Love the show. But then - I kind of like Thomas Jane - now there's a man who embraces his cheese. He has a way of playing that loveable defeated character who does the right thing, at the right time, and finally - for the right reason!
I ignored this show for a year, and when I finally watched it - was seriously hooked. I couldnt wait for the 2nd Season, so I knuckled in and started reading the books. Im through Leviathan Wakes and Caliban's War. Now I see why the fanbase is chomping at the bit for Bobbie to show up. :D
CANNOT WAIT for Season 2 to begin -- although I am intrigued as to how they are going to write the story, because now I see that it doesnt follow the books in a straight line......
Just finished book 4. Book series is excellent!
TheUsualSuspect
01-28-17, 01:56 AM
My company supplies to gear for this show. I've heard good things, maybe I should support it by watching it.
for sho! bring us mo! LOL
https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TheExpanse_thumb_04.jpg
http://www.indiewire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/the-expanse-102.jpg
http://dl9fvu4r30qs1.cloudfront.net/cf/6c/729a4e454811a171ab5f522bd725/chad-coleman-and-dominique-tipper-in-the-expanse.jpg
http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Expanse3.jpg
I liked the first season, it really surprised me how good it was. I've been on the fence about reading the books, but seeing you lot praise them so highly makes me wonder what I've been missing. I think I'll buckle down and get book 1 tomorrow.
CosmicRunaway
01-28-17, 08:05 AM
Because I really liked season one, I picked up a copy of Leviathan Wakes a month or two ago. Since season two is starting soon I figured I'll wait until that's over to start reading it and gave it to my mom to read first over Christmas (she likes science fiction and would read it way faster than I would). Now she wants to watch the show as well and is a little irritated that I couldn't get the DVD of season 1 out to her before season 2 starts. :lol:
Fantastic series, such great concepts and attention to detail. I had intended to rewatch S1 before the new season came out, but I won't let that stop me from the S2 premiere on 1 Feb. I can't wait.
I saved the last episode of Season 1 --- I think I'll watch that Tuesday night. ;) :D
John McClane
02-01-17, 11:17 AM
Time left til launch (https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/launch?iso=20170202T03&p0=%3A&msg=The+Expanse+-+Season+2+Premiere%21%21%21&font=cursive)!!
http://i.imgur.com/nFYSBvn.jpg
I was hooked from the pilot episode! Totally Awesome!
Not a big fan of Thomas Jane until he met the crew of the Rocinante.
...and I still can't stand Shohreh Aghdashloo.
I can't figure out who told her she could acted...IMO.
coffeegod
04-03-17, 03:00 PM
I loved the first season and am currently debating just buying season 2 instead of waiting. Decisions.
How are you guys liking the TV version of Bobbie? I am .... less than impressed. I feel like the Bobbie in the books was definitely under PTSD and for sure a fierce woman, but I never read that she was stupid ... the TV Bobbie actually comes across as sullen, slightly juvenile, and very unpleasant. And a little slow on the uptake, actually. I get she's a bruiser, but I never thought it was a requirement that one be a politician to understand deeper plotlines and perceive subtlety. Its a chessboard. You are a piece on it. How do you become a lead officer in the military and fail to comprehend that complexity? I respect the book version of her that got burned and chose other options (happens to the best of us), but at least in the book, you get the impression she does it with more gravitas and equanimity and less babyish pouting/tantrum throwing.
just sayin.
still love the show though! And the TV Bobby is growing on me. They better grow her up fast though.....
Season 3!!
So far, so awesome. Totally nailing the Caliban's War story line so far. This show continues to impress.
https://www.thereportertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/The-Expanse-Season-3.jpg
Yoda Are you watching this show?
Not yet, but I have some old ones DVR'd to save me a few bucks if and when I do. I heard someone compare it to some other shows I've seen in a moderately unfavorable sense: as an example of shows with too much plot, essentially.
This is a complaint I'm sympathetic to. I feel like, 7-8 years ago, too many shows went the other way: way more about character relative to films, but I think there's been a pretty big shift, and now there are lots of shows with a ton of narrative momentum, so much that they end up twisting back and forth an awful lot, and you have to be really into them to really appreciate them at all. Fair description of this one?
Not yet, but I have some old ones DVR'd to save me a few bucks if and when I do. I heard someone compare it to some other shows I've seen in a moderately unfavorable sense: as an example of shows with too much plot, essentially.
This is a complaint I'm sympathetic to. I feel like, 7-8 years ago, too many shows went the other way: way more about character relative to films, but I think there's been a pretty big shift, and now there are lots of shows with a ton of narrative momentum, so much that they end up twisting back and forth an awful lot, and you have to be really into them to really appreciate them at all. Fair description of this one?
I really have no complaints about this show. There is certainly plenty of character development, that's for sure. The claim that there is quite a bit of plot to keep up with is fair, I guess, but not so much that it becomes bloated or confusing, IMO. There aren't a ton of episodes per season, either, so it's not a huge commitment, either. One of the cool aspects is that a fair amount of the intrigue is political, which is why I think it might be in your wheelhouse. Give it a shot! :)
Good stuff, and (perhaps stupidly) the lower number of episodes is appealing.
I'm still swamped with stuff to watch, but I will still, in fact, give this a try.
Good stuff, and (perhaps stupidly) the lower number of episodes is appealing.
I'm still swamped with stuff to watch, but I will still, in fact, give this a try.
Cool, let me know what you think once you get rolling.
Things you will like:
- The realistic approach to life in space/space travel. No standing around drinking Earl Gray while going warp speed here!
- The excellent and again realistic politics between the Earth/Moon faction, The militant Mars faction, and the scrappy Belters, that are sort of the underclass proletariat that lives in the asteroid belt mining resources for the other two factions.
- There's a noirish detective in it.
- The fantastic elements are extremely minimal - more realism there.
I just got caught up to what's available on Prime last weekend. I apparently finished the first season at some point, but couldn't remember much of it so started back around EP4 as a refresher. Wow. I burned through the rest of S1 and finished S2 on Sunday. This show is great. Only Lost and Battlestar Gallactica (2004) have excited me as much for serial sci-fi. I admit that on first watch I was unimpressed after two episodes. I tried again weeks later and couldn't put it down. I do remember that. Like I said, I made it through the entire season at some point.
IMO, this is far superior to Altered Carbon. I had very high hopes for that one and, while I did enjoy it, AC began to compress in of itself halfway through spending too much time setting up in S.T.A.R. Labs ...er, I mean the VR hotel as an HQ. The Expanse, Season 1, was very refreshing for me and offered a unique science fiction experience that took all the best of its predecessors such as gorgeous environmental shots and the quiet, lonely cold of deep space from BSG; the political drama of Babylon 5, and maybe hints of Farscape with the variety of settings from episode to episode, then made something better. There is something special about this series, and I'm a fan now for it.
I almost bought S3 on Prime just to keep going, but it looked like only 2 episodes have been released. That was not worth the $29 admission fee because I won't have the patience to wait!
I agree with the OP in that the season finale of S1 was simply gorgeous and poetic. It seems very likely now that the writers have had a clear path ahead of them, as seeds were planted at the start of S1 that took an entire season to evolve enough to return to. Now having finished Season 2, I believe there are even more elements that will only begin to show in S3, alluded to early in S1. That long-term arc really excites me and I hope that this show can keep its momentum and recognize when to close its story lines down properly before it gets stale.
Glad to hear you are digging the show! Not sure if you are aware, but the source material for the show is a series of books by James S.A. Corey, which is actually two people writing under the pen name. I have read all but the most recent one, which just came out within the last few months. So far, season 3 has been extremely faithful to the book that covers the same period of time in the story. I am excited to see the events that are just about to happen in the show, as I feel they will pull it all off really well.
New episode tonight!
Glad to hear you are digging the show! Not sure if you are aware, but the source material for the show is a series of books by James S.A. Corey, which is actually two people writing under the pen name. I have read all but the most recent one, which just came out within the last few months. So far, season 3 has been extremely faithful to the book that covers the same period of time in the story. I am excited to see the events that are just about to happen in the show, as I feel they will pull it all off really well.
New episode tonight!
I did NOT know! Makes total sense though, given how tight the plots have been.
http://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3498423/syfy-pulled-plug-expanse-hope-not-lost/
"The third season of Syfy’s sci-fi series “The Expanse” only kicked off a month ago, but the network has announced today that the currently-airing season will be the last. The last episode of the series will air on Syfy this coming July.
The good news? Deadline reports that Alcon Television Group, which fully finances and produces the critically praised series, plans to shop it to other buyers.
They add, “The cancellation decision by Syfy is said to be linked to the nature of its agreement for the series, which only gives the cable network first-run linear rights in the US. That puts an extraordinary amount of emphasis on live, linear viewing which is inherently challenging for sci-fi/genre series which tend to draw the lion share of their audiences from digital/streaming.”
“We respect Syfy’s decision to end this partnership but given the commercial and critical success of the show, we fully plan to pursue other opportunities for this terrific and original IP,” Alcon Entertainment co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson said of the well-reviewed series."
https://twitter.com/THR/status/998684862851768321
TheUsualSuspect
05-22-18, 11:08 AM
https://twitter.com/THR/status/998684862851768321
First line of the article: "Amazon Studios is in talks to revive one of CEO Jeff Bezos' favorite properties."
Ha, damn those headlines.
Let's hope this happens!
One of the best science fiction programs currently on TV.
TheUsualSuspect
05-25-18, 10:45 AM
Were sending more gear out to the set for The Expanse. Maybe this means it has been officially saved? Don't quote me to the media though.
Were sending more gear out to the set for The Expanse. Maybe this means it has been officially saved? Don't quote me to the media though.
Damn I hope so man! That would make my week.
What exactly do you do for work, Suspect?
TheUsualSuspect
05-25-18, 04:57 PM
Damn I hope so man! That would make my week.
What exactly do you do for work, Suspect?
Sim International (https://www.siminternational.com/)
I work out of the Lighting & Grip department in Toronto.
So we supply for The Expanse, Star Trek Discovery, Suits, Downsizing, 12 Monkeys, The Strain etc.
Lights, Grip Gear, Cable and Electrical Distribution, Cameras. I work in the cable department.
TheUsualSuspect
05-26-18, 09:06 AM
The Expanse has officially been saved by Amazon.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheExpanse/comments/8m7o4g/jeff_bezos_just_announced_that_they_are_picking/?st=JHNCLEDC&sh=01132221&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app
John McClane
05-27-18, 04:27 PM
I’m happy it’s saved, but I’m unhapppy about who saved it: Jeff Bezos is dangerous.
John-Connor
07-21-19, 03:40 AM
The Expanse Season 4 - Teaser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNIim3xqsEU
John-Connor
10-12-19, 06:50 AM
🔥
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jc76QrX5Vg
John McClane
11-17-19, 10:32 AM
It’s almost here!!!
Hopefully I can get it all watched before my break starts. I need to be focused on my craft and that’s hard to do when TV this good is available. :yup:
I just hit play on The Expanse, Season 4, Episode ONE!!!!
Nanny nanny boo boo...
I got a chance to watch episodes 1 and 2, which were both top notch. Looks like it has retained the vibe of previous seasons, upped the budget, and now finally Avasarala can swear the way she does in the books. So far, this season is awesome. Looking forward to watching more!
Binged it this weekend. Stays on par with earlier seasons if just a bit smaller scale. I really enjoyed it and hope AMZ continues.
Binged it this weekend. Stays on par with earlier seasons if just a bit smaller scale. I really enjoyed it and hope AMZ continues.
Season 5 already confirmed!
Just finished season 4. There's nothing seriously wrong with it but still, it's the worst season this far. I've heard that the quality of books declines around this spot so maybe it's the source material itself. There were lots of little things that annoyed me and I don't remember faults like them from previous seasons (like Holden saying "look at me" to Amos who's almost killed himself after going blind and the three men boarding at the end). It's still at least close to good but I hope they polish the next season a bit better.
Since people are talking about it so much in the Shoutbox. I think we need a thread for it.
Austruck
12-17-20, 10:35 PM
I just started it tonight (am on episode 2 of season 1). We don't have a thread for this series yet??
John McClane
12-18-20, 01:11 AM
https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?&t=44679
Merged the threads to keep things tidy!
the samoan lawyer
12-18-20, 11:08 AM
This worth getting into? Not watching any series at the moment so I have a slot open.
This worth getting into? Not watching any series at the moment so I have a slot open.
Easily one of my favorite recent sci-fi series. The first season takes a bit to get going, but the show on the whole is definitely worth a watch. I really enjoy the more realistic approach to life in space, and the focus on intrigue.
Austruck - thoughts so far?
the samoan lawyer
12-18-20, 11:13 AM
Easily one of my favorite recent sci-fi series. The first season takes a bit to get going, but the show on the whole is definitely worth a watch. I really enjoy the more realistic approach to life in space, and the focus on intrigue.
This should be enough. I'll try and get this started this weekend, time permitting. Thanks for the reply Sedai.
This should be enough. I'll try and get this started this weekend, time permitting. Thanks for the reply Sedai.
Pop back in and let us know what you think after you get into it!
the samoan lawyer
12-18-20, 11:41 AM
Pop back in and let us know what you think after you get into it!
Absolutely will do Seds
Austruck
12-18-20, 02:07 PM
Austruck - thoughts so far?
I'm on episode 5 of season 1.
I'm not sure why you said it takes some time to get into things, because I so far feel the opposite. I feel as if it jumped RIGHT in, into a fully formed world with fully realized characters. So, my only concern was that I really had to pay attention in the beginning in order to determine who these characters were, what this world was like. I'm still working some of that out, especially who the good/bad guys are. :) And it's usually better if that's not completely obvious right up front anyway.
Now, the *other* sci-fi series you recommended for me was The 100. I'm on season 3 of that series. The 100 was easier to get into at first, and the characters were clearer and easier to distinguish from each other. The world was even a little easier to figure out.
But so far, I can see that The Expanse is going to be the better series. It feels a lot more like Battlestar Galactica (in a good way), with a gritty, realistic world and complex characters.
There's one thing that BG had that I'm not necessarily sensing from The Expanse, though. BG started out with a very clear goal in mind: Find Earth. Get to Earth. Even in The 100, the goal was kinda to find Earth and see if it's okay to stay there (along with a lot of teenage Lord of the Flies). (I'd argue, though, that by where I am in season 3 of The 100, that long-term goal seems to have come and gone, leaving a strange amalgam of The Island of Dr. Moreau and Battle for the Planet of the Apes or something. :D )
I'm not sure what the long-term, overarching goal is in The Expanse (unless I just missed it early on while I was keeping everything/everyone straight in my head). The description for every episode of this season is this: "The disappearance of rich-girl-turned-political-activist Julie Mao links the lives of Ceres detective Joe Miller, accidental ship captain James Holden, and U.N. politician Chrisjen Avasarala. Amidst political tension between Earth, Mars, and the Belt, they unravel the single greatest conspiracy of all time."
So I guess THAT is the overarching storyline.
Also, anyone who loves the feel and ambiance of Bladerunner will love this show for its style and look alone. Add on some excellent casting and pretty terrific effects (oh, that guy who lost his head, yikes!), and you've got an impressive show so far.
I'll keep you posted if my opinion changes, but so far, it gets two thumbs-up from me.
Austruck
12-18-20, 02:09 PM
Oh, and now that there is a merged thread, I might go back and read the previous pages here... although I'm hesitant to read spoilers since I'm still so early on.
Oh, and now that there is a merged thread, I might go back and read the previous pages here... although I'm hesitant to read spoilers since I'm still so early on.
I don't recall all the content in the thread, so tread carefully!
As to your previous post...
It's funny, because I think the show hits the ground running, as well, but a couple of my friends have griped about the first season being slow, so I thought I would post the caveat in an effort to keep Lawyer watching if it doesn't click right away.
I have trouble comparing The 100 to The Expanse, as they are pretty different animals. The Expanse is a much more serious and grounded format, while The 100 is ore fantastical in some ways, even if it aims to be hard sci fi. I will say that maybe The 100 hits more emotional highs along the way, with the expanse being more on the clinical side in its examination of its characters. This latest season ups The Expanse's game in that regard though...
The BSG comparison is more in the same wheelhouse, and I would only add that The Expanse, at least so far, hasn't tacked on a gimmick like the whole 'who is a cylon?" thing we dealt with throughout BSG.
There is a temporary tonal shift in The Expanse that take some viewers a bit by surprise, but it only lasts for several episodes, so if you find yourself raising an eyebrow when it occurs, just push through.
Austruck
12-18-20, 04:29 PM
Thanks! I'll skip reading earlier posts here for now, then. I tend to binge series quickly, so I'll catch up soon enough. :) It's still early going, so I'm having a FEW issues figuring out what/who the OPA are. Jared Harris in another great role as Anderson Dawes. Gosh, that guy can play just about any sort of part. <3
Apologies for the odd comparison to The 100. It's mostly because they're both fictional worlds, both recently recommended by YOU, HERE, and I'm bopping back and forth between them myself. I needed to take a break from The 100 for a while as they kept adding more on-the-ground factions I hardly cared about. :D
Back to season 1, episode 5!
John McClane
01-05-21, 09:56 PM
I honestly can’t think of any sci-fi show that is like The Expanse. It is a juggernaut unto its own, and this is the show that future sci-fi will be compared.
Austruck - Outer Planets Alliance (OPA) started as a union labor/advocacy group for anyone not from Earth or Mars. In season one, they are loosely viewed as a terrorist organization by Earth and Mars.
But this is all you need to better understand the OPA: “The more you share, the more your bowl will be plentiful.”
Think low key communism for air, water, and food.*
EDIT: it’s also better to think of this show as political sci-fi. No goals. Just straight up world building and what happens happens. That undefined goal is precisely why this series is so good.
John McClane
01-05-21, 11:02 PM
Ok, holy crap, this deserves a double post: Amos’ character development tonight was insane. Omg, I am floored. I am still goose fleshing.
Holy crap! HOLY CRAP!
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/camp-battle-royale-players/images/3/30/Holy_Crap.png
Ok, holy crap, this deserves a double post: Amos’ character development tonight was insane. Omg, I am floored. I am still goose fleshing.
Holy crap! HOLY CRAP!
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/camp-battle-royale-players/images/3/30/Holy_Crap.png
I haven't seen the latest episode, but this is what I was alluding to a week or two ago. The writing re: Amos this season is just off the charts awesome. This show is the bomb.
xSookieStackhouse
01-06-21, 10:30 AM
i never watched the series but i heard one of my favorite people is in this show so i dont know if i watched it or not cause i loved her on shadowhunters
John McClane
01-07-21, 12:31 PM
Sedai: Did you get a chance to watch that latest episode last night? Interested to hear what you think.
Sedai: Did you get a chance to watch that latest episode last night? Interested to hear what you think.
I did! I am crushed at work, but will try to pop in here and post some thoughts asap!
GulfportDoc
01-07-21, 01:44 PM
I became interested in the series from reading all of your comments, so we started with season 1, and have watched the first 2 eps. I was surprised at the high level of special effects, especially in a TV series. The story is mildly interesting, although I really haven't developed interest in any of the characters.
I suspect the series is very attractive to space opera/Star Wars/Trekkie enthusiasts. Seems like @CitizenRules ought to be following this one. I know he's a big Star Trek fan.
I became interested in the series from reading all of your comments, so we started with season 1, and have watched the first 2 eps. I was surprised at the high level of special effects, especially in a TV series. The story is mildly interesting, although I really haven't developed interest in any of the characters.
I suspect the series is very attractive to space opera/Star Wars/Trekkie enthusiasts. Seems like @CitizenRules ought to be following this one. I know he's a big Star Trek fan.
Pretty much my first impressions. After maybe the third or fourth episode I was hooked. I admit I had to restart it half a year or more later to get into it. Since, I've binged each season that's come except this last one. End of year obligations and such are the only reasons I've not done that yet.
^I feel uncontrollably obligated to mention that every time I see someone post a comment, being on the fence with this show. Sorry for the reruns ;)
I became interested in the series from reading all of your comments, so we started with season 1, and have watched the first 2 eps. I was surprised at the high level of special effects, especially in a TV series. The story is mildly interesting, although I really haven't developed interest in any of the characters.
I suspect the series is very attractive to space opera/Star Wars/Trekkie enthusiasts. Seems like @CitizenRules ought to be following this one. I know he's a big Star Trek fan.
It's much more of a political intrigue focused show than the Trek stuff, even if Trek series such as DS9 had some political intrigue throughout.
It takes a bit of time to start developing the characters, but it does develop them, and especially lately, it does so extremely well.
Gets my vote for the best sci-fi show going currently. Give it some time, or at least a few more episodes, to see if you warm to it more.
John McClane - The latest episode was excellent. I am glad they spent a good portion of the episode focusing on Amos et al., even if it sacrificed time with some of the other characters to do so. I am a big fan of both Amos and Peaches in the novel series, and am so glad they are being done justice in the show. I am trying to think of a more complex character than Amos in really any show currently running, and I can't really come up with one.
*Waits patiently for Austruck to check in with her progress...*
Austruck
01-08-21, 01:40 PM
*Waits patiently for Austruck to check in with her progress...*
Sorry! I'm still on season 1, episode 6. I'm stuck with a huge proofreading project for the next few days more, and then I can binge-watch stuff again. I know if I tell myself, "Just one episode..." that I'll end up bingeing this and will get behind on my work!
I'm also avoiding this thread because it goes so far beyond where I currently am in the series! Soon!! I'll catch up soon!
Austruck
01-10-21, 11:46 PM
I'm finishing up season 1, episode 9 (although I should be working!).
This show gives me mixed vibes: the Miller stuff feels like Blade Runner. The rest feels very Battlestar Galactica. Not a bad combination, really. Still not reading any more of this thread until I catch up, though...
This latest season is cementing The Expanse as the best thing to happen to science fiction in a long time. It exposes other shows' shortcomings by being almost unassailable in its quality. It's complete dedication to realism in its approach to life in space and its extrapolation of realistic future political machinations elevate to new heights in television sci-fi. The Expanse puts a clown suit on pretty much everything else in recent memory. Once the show finds its legs (mid season two, maybe), the actors lock into their roles, and you start to become aware of what a talented and diverse bunch they are. Life in space is given a realism unlike any other show in history. Space is portrayed as vast, lonely, and extremely dangerous. The people that live in the Mars colonies have trouble walking and moving on Earth, as their bodies have trouble adjusting to the gravity here. And the people that live in the belt, out in space itself, can't even go to Earth, as the gravity causes extreme pain or even death.
One reviewer I like to watch said, and I paraphrase... "The Expanse is smart, mature, well-written, shot brilliantly, and perfectly portrayed by a large cast of extremely talented actors, who invest their characters with genuine depth, emotion, and gravitas. It makes an absolute mockery out of the usual shallow, pretentious garbage that passes for sci-fi today, such as Star Trek Discovery."
He's right, and I think that may even apply to historical well-received and good shows, like Star Trek:TNG and BSG. It exposes Star Trek for its silly deus-ex machina driven contrivances, and BSG for its over-reliance on gimmickry such as The Plan and Who are the Cylons? The Expanse doesn't need any of that stuff.
Last night, as I watched yet another absolutely stellar episode chock full of engaging character development and political intrigue, I realized that almost the entire episode had been focused on character, with hardly any plot events, and yet I was on the edge of my seat and just glued to the screen. This show has multiple characters that qualify as some of the most complex and well-developed characters I have seen in a TV show. Then almost as if the show had read my mind, events spun out of control, with an amazing space battle and some jaw-dropping dramatic turns sending my wife and I into fits. The episode faded to black and my wife exclaimed "NOOOOOOOOOO - I need to see what happens!!!"
Best sci-fi show, hands down. I reiterate that it does take some time and unpacking to get going, but it is well worth it.
This latest season is cementing The Expanse as the best thing to happen to science fiction in a long time. It exposes other shows' shortcomings by being almost unassailable in its quality. It's complete dedication to realism in its approach to life in space and its extrapolation of realistic future political machinations elevate to new heights in television sci-fi. The Expanse puts a clown suit on pretty much everything else in recent memory. Once the show finds its legs (mid season two, maybe), the actors lock into their roles, and you start to become aware of what a talented and diverse bunch they are. Life in space is given a realism unlike any other show in history. Space is portrayed as vast, lonely, and extremely dangerous. The people that live in the Mars colonies have trouble walking and moving on Earth, as their bodies have trouble adjusting to the gravity here. And the people that live in the belt, out in space itself, can't even go to Earth, as the gravity causes extreme pain or even death.
One reviewer I like to watch said, and I paraphrase... "The Expanse is smart, mature, well-written, shot brilliantly, and perfectly portrayed by a large cast of extremely talented actors, who invest their characters with genuine depth, emotion, and gravitas. It makes an absolute mockery out of the usual shallow, pretentious garbage that passes for sci-fi today, such as Star Trek Discovery."
He's right, and I think that may even apply to historical well-received and good shows, like Star Trek:TNG and BSG. It exposes Star Trek for its silly deus-ex machina driven contrivances, and BSG for its over-reliance on gimmickry such as The Plan and Who are the Cylons? The Expanse doesn't need any of that stuff.
Last night, as I watched yet another absolutely stellar episode chock full of engaging character development and political intrigue, I realized that almost the entire episode had been focused on character, with hardly any plot events, and yet I was on the edge of my seat and just glued to the screen. This show has multiple characters that qualify as some of the most complex and well-developed characters I have seen in a TV show. Then almost as if the show had read my mind, events spun out of control, with an amazing space battle and some jaw-dropping dramatic turns sending my wife and I into fits. The episode faded to black and my wife exclaimed "NOOOOOOOOOO - I need to see what happens!!!"
Best sci-fi show, hands down. I reiterate that it does take some time and unpacking to get going, but it is well worth it.
Some very pretty visuals in the FX shots as well.
It does strain credulity in that our featured players are always at the center of the most important events for the human race and I can only take so much baby-talk pseudo-Jamaican belter-speak, Boss Manggg.
It does strain credulity in that our featured players are always at the center of the most important events for the human race and I can only take so much baby-talk pseudo-Jamaican belter-speak, Boss Manggg.
Spoken like a tru Innah! ;)
I thought I commented on the Blade Runner bit already. I guess I got distracted and closed the browser before I finished. Figures. Yeah. Season 1 was the mystery hook that might make the run more relatable/approachable by those not so into sci-fi stuff. It's a decent missing person mystery. That narrative crutch starts to fade moving into Season 2 when the ...well ...the universe opens up. As Sedai noted, you should be properly invested by mid-Season 2. If you're into it at the moment at all, please do continue. I think you will be pleasantly surprised in the coming development.
In comparisons to Battlestar Gallactica, The Expanse takes that "real feel" of space to the next level. BSG mounted camera points of view to ships, giving us the perspective and physics of non-Starwars physics of space. There are clearly nods to that throughout The Expanse. Aside from hearing turret fire in the vacuum of space, BSG also did a great job of showing how cold, vast, and lonely space is. But where BSG seemed to focus on mysticism and interpersonal relationships between crew and enemies, The Expanse widens our interests from the individual to very large group dynamics. I mean the political play between WORLDs (belters included). Arguably, broader than say Game of Thrones. I mean, GoT was mostly focused on a few individuals too. Ego was the motive. Sure, The Expanse development has to be simplified and an individual face has to placed in lieu of the nameless masses, but the show really does create a "world" that is bigger than a world's perspective. More of what I think BSG was starting with in the mini-series and part of Season 1, but drifted from as Baltar needed more sex. kinda joking. kinda not.
I love me some BSG though, so don't think I'm knocking it (or ST: TNG) as that heathen, Sedai, did earlier.
lol at that crew being in the middle of everything. Yeah. Fair point. The accent, though annoying in season 1, seems to feel very well established now. I catch myself speaking it from time to time =\
Spoken like a tru Innah! ;)
And you speak like a true outer, or should I say terrorist?
Tell Inaros that Earth is not going to take this lying down.
John McClane
01-14-21, 08:00 PM
Ok, I just realized no one has mentioned this yet.
How about that intro and the theme music? As soon as I typed that my imagination started playing it in my head and I goose fleshed. Just like I do at the start of every episode.
So, so good. This show has ruined me for just about everything else.
John McClane
01-14-21, 08:04 PM
It does strain credulity in that our featured players are always at the center of the most important events for the human race and I can only take so much baby-talk pseudo-Jamaican belter-speak, Boss Manggg. In the first two seasons it is not so outlandish because they have a warship. No free crew in the outer belt has a warship, so by sheer ownership of a warship they get to be a part of everything. Because no one is going to say “no thanks, we don’t want your warship” or “we don’t have to listen to you”. Warships have their perks.
Austruck
01-14-21, 09:01 PM
Still scrolling past any new comments until I catch up...
I'm near the tail end of season 2. My huge proofreading project is finally done so I'll have lots of time to binge my way through and catch up now. :) In fact, I have episode 9 of season 2 on, on my second monitor right now as I type this. Back to it! :) I'm finally getting a feel for who belongs to what. :D
Austruck
01-14-21, 09:03 PM
I'm finishing up season 1, episode 9 (although I should be working!).
This show gives me mixed vibes: the Miller stuff feels like Blade Runner. The rest feels very Battlestar Galactica. Not a bad combination, really. Still not reading any more of this thread until I catch up, though...
Oh, I need to amend this. While Joe Miller was still alive and not burned up on Venus, I would have probably added a sort of Firefly vibe too, minus more than half of the humor. :D
Austruck
01-15-21, 12:22 PM
That protomolecule monster...
71795
reminds me a little bit of a blue version of this green guy:
71786
GulfportDoc - Have you watched any more of this series?
Austruck - And you?
Last night's episode was another fantastic piece of storytelling. This thing is just full steam ahead at this point, right John McClane?
John McClane
01-21-21, 05:35 PM
Last night's episode was another fantastic piece of storytelling. This thing is just full steam ahead at this point, right John McClane?Yeah, that episode really pissed me off. I wanted more of Amos and Peaches, but now that I think about it they actually had right much of the episode. Damn, I didn't realize just how much story they packed into it now that I think about it.
I have been double and triple watching every episode this season, so I will watch it again soon (I always catch it on Tuesday night since they put them up early).
But yo, right now I am knee deep into that Showtime show Your Honor, and not really thinking about The Expanse.
Austruck
01-26-21, 06:28 PM
Scrolling past everyone else's posts...
I just started season 4!
Season 3 was a wild ride!
John McClane
01-26-21, 08:28 PM
Thank you for the reminder. New episode tonight. :D
Austruck
01-26-21, 08:39 PM
If I time things right, season 5 will all be aired by the time I get that far. :D
Austruck
01-27-21, 01:41 AM
Question: Have they done all five seasons one episode released at a time? Or is this a new-ish thing?
Question: Have they done all five seasons one episode released at a time? Or is this a new-ish thing?
When it was on Sci-fi channel, it was weekly, for sure. Trying to recall if the first season on Amazon was weekly or if they just dumped it all out at once.
John McClane
01-28-21, 02:35 PM
Austruck / Sedai: Season 4 was dropped in its entirety on Amazon. They hadn't started the slow release model with any of their shows at that time.
So season 5 is the first slow release.
Austruck
01-28-21, 03:02 PM
Ah, I didn't even realize it had been on SyFy first. Still, I wonder why Amazon is doing a weekly release since most of their customers (I assume) purchase Amazon Prime on a yearly subscription basis. Or... maybe they don't? (It's a lot cheaper when subscribing for a full year at once.)
I'm on season 4, episode 7. Good thing I don't have much of a real life these days. I'll be caught up soon at this rate. :D
Not sure what John McClane thinks, but since the show hit Amazon, it has just taken off into the stratosphere as far as the quality of the writing is concerned. Not that it was bad before, but man, so good now!
John McClane
01-28-21, 03:59 PM
Austruck: The slow burn release is, and I'm purely speculating here, a better model for gauging interest (i.e. if people keep coming back every week then it is a winner). Since none of these companies release viewing numbers we are left in the dark, but I think they are doing it to see when to pull the plug on a show or not. I know with The Expanse next season is the last but that's primarily because it is a niche genre, it is expensive, and the books do a 30 year time jump that would be difficult for them to pull off with the current actors. The writers have mentioned that they were struggling with how to handle it, but I suspect we will see a major deviation from the source material in next season in order to neatly wrap up everybody's plot lines.
Sedai: Yup, I have been with this show from the first episode premiere on SyFy (it was lonely being the only one raving about it back then, but glad to see I'm not left out in the cold anymore ;)) and the writing has definitely skyrocketed in quality since moving to Amazon. Pun fully intended. :D
When SyFy pulled the plug on it in season 3 the writing dropped off quite a bit because they wanted to leave an ending that would work in case no one ponied up to pick up the show. They had been shopping around for awhile because it had just gotten too expensive for them to continue it, which I totally understand. With that said, even with the drop off in writing, it was still infinitely better than any other show on television at that time.
I love how the show focuses on character development a good portion of the time, while still moving the narrative forward at a good pace, also stopping from time to time to have a little moment of contemplation for this character or that. That last thing happened again last night, I am sure you know the scene I am talking about!.
Austruck
01-28-21, 05:11 PM
Okay... a question about season 4, episode 7 (which I'm watching right now)...
In one scene, Avasarala's husband is teaching a literature class on Ulysses. The class is interrupted by his wife, so he dismisses everyone from class so he can talk to her. He dismisses them with instructions to keep reading because it'll be on the test... "... as well as Preston, Wordsworth, and Logan."
Surely that's a fun nod to William S. Preston and Ted "Theodore" Logan, right? Right?
72378
Austruck
01-28-21, 05:13 PM
Also, somebody needs to tell Avasarala to stop coloring her hair a completely pitch black color. It's becoming a distraction. :D
Ha!! Nice catch. I did not notice that... Seems an odd reference for the show, though... However, Bill and Ted tossed around name drops from literature and history, so I presume he meant the actual scholars from history, although I don't know exactly who he meant.
Okay... a question about season 4, episode 7 (which I'm watching right now)...
In one scene, Avasarala's husband is teaching a literature class on Ulysses. The class is interrupted by his wife, so he dismisses everyone from class so he can talk to her. He dismisses them with instructions to keep reading because it'll be on the test... "... as well as Preston, Wordsworth, and Logan."
Surely that's a fun nod to William S. Preston and Ted "Theodore" Logan, right? Right?
72378
Austruck
01-28-21, 06:51 PM
I asked myself that right away: Were there a real Preston and Logan famous enough in literature to be included alongside Homer and Wordsworth in a class centuries in the future? I don't think so. It almost has to be a nod, doesn't it?
Austruck
01-29-21, 01:54 AM
Starting season 5!!
Also, side note: I love Amos. :D
Austruck
01-31-21, 02:31 AM
I'm caught up!
QUESTION about episode 9 (the current one): If Naomi is such a whiz with all this stuff on ships, why doesn't she just defuse the ship as a bomb? That seems a lot easier than everything they just showed her doing with the repeating message broadcast. No?
Also...
TIMMMMMMYYYYY!
72494
Austruck
01-31-21, 04:17 PM
I suspect the series is very attractive to space opera/Star Wars/Trekkie enthusiasts. Seems like @CitizenRules ought to be following this one. I know he's a big Star Trek fan.
I'm actually not a fan of those sorts of shows. People like Sedai keep getting me hooked on this crap! :D :D Battlestar Galactica, The 100, The Expanse... All this sci-fi stuff is probably why I also watch This Is Us religiously: as a counterbalance. :D
Austruck
01-31-21, 04:30 PM
If I time things right, season 5 will all be aired by the time I get that far. :D
(sigh) I caught up yesterday, so I was off by about three days. Ugh, I had forgotten how much I hate waiting for weekly episode drops. :D
ALSO... that Belter accent... and accents in general...
Frankly, since I binged nearly five seasons in a matter of weeks, I could much more easily see a progression of that accent. In every Belter it becomes more pronounced as the episodes and seasons go on. I noticed it especially with Naomi, who is almost purely a British accent in the first season. By the end of season 5 where we are now, she's talking like a Belter who lived in London for a few years. :)
Anderson Dawes's accent was a nice mixture I could handle, but again, if these people are multi-generation Belters, they likely wouldn't have traces of British accents at all anymore.
Now, PERHAPS in Naomi's case, the accent change is because she went back to her Belter folk and one's accents might naturally go back to what one grew up with. That's a plausible storyline explanation, and that's fine. But I suspect it's just the actress not being as consistent with the accent.
Kinda like if you compare the earliest representations/drawings of character from The Simpsons to the much more cartoony and stylized versions that later became the standard...
And, honestly, why is Bobbie Draper the ONLY Martian or ONLY PERSON in this entire story universe with an Australian accent??
Also also... if we continue to write about these episodes going forward, can we name them with season and episode numbers? I finally went back and read earlier posts, and so many say "That last episode was amazing!" without telling me WHICH episode it was. That's gonna get impossible to figure out as the series rolls into another season. Just my two cents on that! :)
Austruck
01-31-21, 04:31 PM
Sedai... you've read the books then? I have them on my Amazon wishlist now but was going to ask the group if anyone had already read them. Did you start the books before the series came out?
John McClane
01-31-21, 04:33 PM
I'm caught up!
QUESTION about episode 9 (the current one): If Naomi is such a whiz with all this stuff on ships, why doesn't she just defuse the ship as a bomb? That seems a lot easier than everything they just showed her doing with the repeating message broadcast. No?
Um, she just survived a hard vacuum transfer between ships. The last thing you’re going to do is start messing around with disarming a bomb.
I’m sure her vision is shot. Plus, she has no tools.
Austruck
01-31-21, 04:37 PM
Um, she just survived a hard vacuum transfer between ships. The last thing you’re going to do is start messing around with disarming a bomb.
I’m sure her vision is shot. Plus, she has no tools.
But she had enough stamina and tools to keep going back and forth with oxygen/no oxygen MANY times to create that fake/altered message?
Sorry, not buying it. :D I envision a moment in the writers' room where someone came up with the idea of her altering a message so it reads completely differently, and then they shoehorned it in because it was too cool NOT to use. :D
I admit, also, that it took Alex and Holden both just TELLING us what the altered message was before I "got" it. It just sounded like a message that kept cutting in and out, until one of them said, "I am... in control." Ohhhhh, NOW I get it! :D
John McClane
01-31-21, 04:59 PM
Austruck: Sounds like you’re just being big picky. She has ONE tool. Disarming a bomb that’s rigged to explode is a totally different beast from just controlling your breathing and popping junction boxes open. There’s oxygen in the suit. The problem is CO2 build up. Come on, give it some thought.
Austruck
01-31-21, 05:40 PM
Austruck: Sounds like you’re just being big picky. She has ONE tool. Disarming a bomb that’s rigged to explode is a totally different beast from just controlling your breathing and popping junction boxes open. There’s oxygen in the suit. The problem is CO2 build up. Come on, give it some thought.
This is why I cannot be counted on to watch sci-fi shows properly. :D
Okay, you win. It's plausible.
But that shifting accent............ ;)
John McClane
01-31-21, 06:03 PM
Austruck: No arguments from me about the accents. They are all over the place, but I ain’t got much room to talk. I sound like a thoroughbred hick most of the time so just about everyone sounds like a Harvard English professor to me. :lol:
Re: belter accents.
I recently restarted the show and noticed the accents were all over the place. Naomi's in particular. But after reading *McClane's comment on her accent spilling back in this season since rejoining belter society, I could give that the benefit of the doubt, even though her season 1 accent was sci-fi British. For me though, that started to fall apart a bit when Anderson Dawes shows up late in Season 1. His accent, while still not as developed as later seasons, was very acceptable and foreign enough to believe. In comparison, there really was no comparison to Naomi's accent at the time. Still, I was willing to let it go for the reason noted earlier. Once Camina Drummer (the second-in-commandish, deep-voiced woman on Tycho Station) appears, her accent is somewhere between Naomi and Dawes. Compare her then accent to her later accent, and it's a stark contrast IMO.
I don't think I would notice (I don't think I did?) on a first watch, as it was organic in development. As with the acting, story, and effects, I figure actors became more confident in their roles and were willing to push that comfort zone into experimenting more with their language as the show moved forward. On a re-watch, it's pretty obvious and does pull me out a bit.
*Edited for harassment.
:)
John McClane
01-31-21, 06:28 PM
Another reason why Naomi’s accent isn’t as hard in the first season is she is working for a company that is owned and operated primarily by Inners. I would imagine it is quite similar to a foreigner taking a job in a different country. To get ahead in that world you gotta adapt.
I don’t think it’s too hard to believe that the belters who don’t have a heavy accent don’t have a heavy accent because of their close connection with Inners (whether it be working with them or trying to establish political credibility). This season we are spending a lot of time with Belter exclusive crews and the accents are heavy because of it.
It doesn’t excuse them being all over the place but it’s certainly a reason to not knock them for it.
And in the case of Dawson (I’m just playing devils advocate because I love this show) I think it’s plausible to say that his accent is only so heavy because he has to establish credibility with the Inners without losing the support of the Belt.
Food for thought.
John McClane
01-31-21, 08:03 PM
there. fixed. happy now?I wasn’t saying it like it was a bad thing. I kinda like it. I can’t tell you how much I hate having to capitalize that second C. It’s too bad my username ain’t Dredd.
I wasn’t saying it like it was a bad thing. I kinda like it. I can’t tell you how much I hate having to capitalize that second C. It’s too bad my username ain’t Dredd.
lol i was teasing ;)
But yeah, that second C always... Always throws me.
Austruck
01-31-21, 08:57 PM
You guys can tease all you want, but I'm pretty sure **I** was the one who mentioned Naomi's accent spilling back due to her being back with Belter society.
So, um... yeah, whatever. :D
And as I also said in the same post, I can totally forgive the changing accents for those plotlines that feasibly explain it, but I'm still pretty sure it's just the actors not being consistent as the series continued.
I think I didn't really get a good handle on what a specifically "Belter" accent was until Drummer showed up, along with Ashford. Their conversations had a rhythm and lilt to them, a cadence, that finally helped me hear a Belter accent. Probably because it wasn't mixed with a British accent. :D
And seriously... WHY does Bobbie Draper have an Australian accent out of nowhere? :D
John McClane
01-31-21, 10:14 PM
And seriously... WHY does Bobbie Draper have an Australian accent out of nowhere? :DProbably because her family immigrated to Mars from Australia/New Zealand generations before. She’s of Polynesian descent in the books, so her family brought the accent with them.
Martians were once Earthers. It’s not that far fetched. I feel like you’re just looking for things to nitpick at this point.
Austruck
01-31-21, 10:45 PM
Probably because her family immigrated to Mars from Australia/New Zealand generations before. She’s of Polynesian descent in the books, so her family brought the accent with them.
Martians were once Earthers. It’s not that far fetched. I feel like you’re just looking for things to nitpick at this point.
You do notice all the " :D " emojis, right? I'm hassling! That's all! Geez, nobody has a sense of humor anymore. :D <----emoji
John McClane
01-31-21, 10:48 PM
Austruck: My bad. I never really thought of that emoji as kidding, but duly noted. :D ;)
But here’s an interesting ready about Bobby Draper’s casting for season 2.
https://www.indiewire.com/2017/02/the-expanse-bobbie-draper-frankie-adams-season-2-casting-1201779336/
Frankie Adams is a beast. I’d totally let her kick my ass.
She’s my second favorite character behind Amos.
Austruck
01-31-21, 11:17 PM
Austruck: My bad. I never really thought of that emoji as kidding, but duly noted. :D ;)
But here’s an interesting ready about Bobby Draper’s casting for season 2.
https://www.indiewire.com/2017/02/the-expanse-bobbie-draper-frankie-adams-season-2-casting-1201779336/
Frankie Adams is a beast. I’d totally let her kick my ass.
She’s my second favorite character behind Amos.
AGREED. And I didn't even like her character at first, so she's hopped over a lot of other characters for me. I'd definitely place her up there with Amos as a personal favorite. <3
Can we agree that Avasarala has gotta stop with the uniformly pitch-black hair, though? :D Actually, it's still okay when some of it sweeps down over her face, but when it's pulled back severely, it looks like a black helmet. :D
I may or may not be kidding about that opinion. ;)
Austruck
01-31-21, 11:18 PM
Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they didn't cast Draper as some whisper-thin skinny-jeans type. She's got some meat on her bones, and she's a PRESENCE. Just as she has to be. <3 Great casting!
Austruck
01-31-21, 11:22 PM
That's a great article. I wondered for a brief moment if she might be from New Zealand, but I have a friend from NZ whose accent isn't QUITE like that, so I was hearing more Australian than NZ. Sorry, Frankie! My bad! :D
John McClane
02-01-21, 12:58 AM
Yeah, I’ve seen some of the photos of her training for the role and she is a force to be reckoned with and she has been my second favorite ever since her first appearance.
I was all in with that character from the start. They couldn’t have done a better job of casting and I’m glad they picked Frankie. But as much as I love her performance it ain’t anywhere close to the love I have for Amos.
Sedai... you've read the books then? I have them on my Amazon wishlist now but was going to ask the group if anyone had already read them. Did you start the books before the series came out?
I read 6 of the books, which was the last one available at the time I was reading them. I really do need to get back to the series and read the rest.
RE: Diffusing the bomb - They addressed this. Someone said they had tamper triggers all over the place. I think it was Naomi who said it, but it might have been someone else.
While Amos and Peaches are probably my favorites from the books and the show, I like many of the other characters a whole lot, and think this show is cast really well.
Keon Alexander as Marcos Inaros. I already can't see Marcos being played by anyone else. This guy just slipped into this role and started completely killing it. The perfect blend of charisma and psychosis. He steals ever scene he is in.
https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/1561719/marcos-inaros-expanse-season-4.webp?w=790&f=bfac058e0f54d69e20f62c6da51ff299
Cara Gee as Camina Drummer. I saw an interview with Cara Gee, and she is a sweet, sort of meek person. Drummer is not meek. Drummer is a bad ass. I love the work Gee is doing on the show, and am glad we still get plenty of coverage on her character.
https://64.media.tumblr.com/438338d80f79def8d930d0b69310c1a0/tumblr_pb8xpgyfEd1sr2bbuo2_540.gifv
Shohreh Aghdashloo as Christian Avasarala - The snake lady. I recall seeing this actress for the first time in season 4 of 24. In that show, she was a vicious terrorist, and her voice always sort of unnerved me. I am glad the show went to Amazon, as in the books, she swears like a truck driver, and the more adult format on Amazon allows her to portray this on the show. Really great, complex character.
https://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2016/03/Shohreh-Aghdashloo-expanse-1280b-720x405.jpg?fit=bounds&width=640&height=480
You guys already mentioned Booby, who also kicks ass - too bad her role, as well as Alex's, have been sort of reduced as of late due tot he source material.
John McClane
02-01-21, 12:39 PM
Re Alex: and he’s gonna go bye bye entirely next season because of his improper behavior. :facepalm:
Re Alex: and he’s gonna go bye bye entirely next season because of his improper behavior. :facepalm:
Damn, I had no idea. Shame, that.
Austruck
02-01-21, 03:05 PM
Re Alex: and he’s gonna go bye bye entirely next season because of his improper behavior. :facepalm:
Wait... what? Do you mean the actor? Or have you read beyond Seds in the books? Or do I even want to know? :D
Also, Sedai ... that's where I know the Chrisjen actor from as well: 24. I actually love her deep, gravelly voice. It has suited both roles well, and I love when she swears in this series because her English speaking has a sort of odd cadence to it that always brings out the swear words and gives them a strange noble sound. :D
Still though, that hairline is too severe. :D
Wait... what? Do you mean the actor? Or have you read beyond Seds in the books? Or do I even want to know? :D
The actor, and...you do not want to know.
John McClane
02-01-21, 03:18 PM
Austruck: The actor. He used his platform on The Expanse to act like a sleeze, even going so far to harass and sexually assault woman at conventions.
There's actually a scene in season 5 where, once you know about the above, it sits real uneasy in your stomach. Much like when Spacey's stuff broke and we rewatched his acting with the same uneasiness. It's when he's getting a drink with (oh hell I can't remember) and he comes on to her and that whole scene...it just makes me sick thinking about it because well, he "acts" it so well. Turns out it wasn't an act.
Austruck
02-01-21, 03:26 PM
(sigh) Yeah, the scene with, I think her name was Babbage. The professor's assistant. (BTW, I easily recognized the professor from when he was in HBO's Carnivale. He's aging nicely.)
Sorry to hear this about the Alex actor. And yeah, I hate when someone's personal behavior is so bad that it ruins their otherwise good work. Spacey is one (I really want to rewatch all of House of Cards because it's an amazing show, but I just can't bring myself to do it). Bill Cosby is another. (His earlier comedy albums, which my parents had in vinyl, were hilarious... but probably wouldn't be funny if I listened to them now.)
Random Side Note: It was weird to get up this morning and not be able to watch a few more episodes. What, I have to wait till Wednesday? BARBARIANS! How cruel! :D
(sigh) Yeah, the scene with, I think her name was Babbage. The professor's assistant. (BTW, I easily recognized the professor from when he was in HBO's Carnivale. He's aging nicely.)
Sorry to hear this about the Alex actor. And yeah, I hate when someone's personal behavior is so bad that it ruins their otherwise good work. Spacey is one (I really want to rewatch all of House of Cards because it's an amazing show, but I just can't bring myself to do it). Bill Cosby is another. (His earlier comedy albums, which my parents had in vinyl, were hilarious... but probably wouldn't be funny if I listened to them now.)
Random Side Note: It was weird to get up this morning and not be able to watch a few more episodes. What, I have to wait till Wednesday? BARBARIANS! How cruel! :D
And even then, it is just the one more and then we are waiting for next season. My wife hates this.
Austruck
02-01-21, 05:26 PM
And even then, it is just the one more and then we are waiting for next season. My wife hates this.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder how I grew up with this business model for television. :D Oh, and that included no way to rewatch anything except if it had reruns. And no pausing the TV to take a potty break.
I tell ya, I grew up rough. :D
Austruck
02-02-21, 08:52 PM
https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/the-expanse-is-the-decades-defining-science-fiction-series/amp/?__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR0bJiDTgXE-YQKlBTvdg0fGreYAOaHSUTEW15s9Qvo8PShNCRBwQVHTu4k
When BSG was moved from Friday to Sunday, it ended my world. I got so far behind I had to stop. Couldn't catch up till the DVDs released. Times was ha'd, I do deh'clayr.
Or was it Sunday to Friday?? Ugh.
John McClane
02-02-21, 11:32 PM
Well ****, that was an intense finale.
Austruck
02-03-21, 04:40 PM
Wait... what just happened there at the end of that season finale?
Also...
Well, they certainly made quick work of ol' Alex. :D
John McClane
02-03-21, 05:17 PM
Wait... what just happened there at the end of that season finale?
Also...
Well, they certainly made quick work of ol' Alex. :D
Remember how the proto molecule builds a weapon to burn out solar systems because of an unknown villains that was killing the proto's creator? I suspect that's what we just witnessed. The villains doing their thing.
Remember: Elvi Okoye and Holden talk about feeling an awful disturbing prescene every time they pass through a ring gate.
Little sick that his last words were:
That was one hell of a ride.
Would have been way better to just kill him without anything said. Nope, had to give him a mouthpiece.
Austruck
02-03-21, 07:11 PM
Remember how the proto molecule builds a weapon to burn out solar systems because of an unknown villains that was killing the proto's creator? I suspect that's what we just witnessed. The villains doing their thing.
Remember: Elvi Okoye and Holden talk about feeling an awful disturbing prescene every time they pass through a ring gate.
So you're thinking that Sauveterre and Babbage are toast then? I know the fact that it was all red instead of blue was for a reason, but I hadn't made that connection with whatever happened to the earlier protomolecule folks. I was so wrapped up in this season's lengthy plot contrivances to keep our Roci crew members apart that I completely forgot that there has been a larger, *older* issue that has never been answered/resolved.
Having said that, are we to think that whatever race got obliterated before all this might have been some "good guys" and not all villains?
spoilers just to be part of the kool kids. I haven't seen the last episode yet.
John McClane
02-03-21, 08:38 PM
in theory, yes, because Miller bonded with the proto and was privy to things the audience was not. also, the nature of the proto’s reaction when humans showed they weren’t a threat in the Slow Zone is an inference that their motives were purely defensive.
I think also the fact that the slow zone opened up after the threat is further proof of their indifference. I feel it’s far better to say they were indifferent than friendly/good.
And yes, Sauveterre and Babbage are toast. They were exiting the ring to go to the system where the scientist was using the proto to build. I think it’s a far assessment that the “virus” that wiped the creators from existence is an extension of the very people that built the ring gates. In other words, it’s the natural order of things trying to create balance by erasing things that are destructive to the common good. Keep in mind they were talking about what would be expected of their new world (the Martian way is war war war) and I think the virus clued into that fact by their eagerness to destroy the UN ships in Sol (our system as well as their new found faith in the Martian way). And the “virus” won’t let it stand.
Austruck
Well, last night's episode put the finishing touches on what has turned out to be one of the best seasons of sci-fi TV ever produced.
So damned good!
Maybe I can catch it tonight. Last night I had to watch a third of Willow in that I rented it the night before. I still have maybe half an hour left tonight. I hope I can stay awake enough to get both in. Will be tight! I think the rental expires around 7.
Alright, I finally got to finish this last night. Is everyone caught up? Still needing spoiler tags? KINDA disappointed. Some of that is my typical method for processing shows/movies. Some of it is me questioning logic here and there. Nothing major. I think if this were any middle episode I probably wouldn't give it much concern. Being a season cap, I'm on the fence. I should probably watch the season again in a binge as some of my thoughts may be resolved in that.
Pretty danged far from GoT disappointment, that's for sure! :)
John McClane
02-05-21, 11:43 PM
Alright, I finally got to finish this last night. Is everyone caught up? Still needing spoiler tags? KINDA disappointed. Some of that is my typical method for processing shows/movies. Some of it is me questioning logic here and there. Nothing major. I think if this were any middle episode I probably wouldn't give it much concern. Being a season cap, I'm on the fence. I should probably watch the season again in a binge as some of my thoughts may be resolved in that.
Pretty danged far from GoT disappointment, that's for sure! :)YES!!!! Omg, what a lame season finale. It just had zero umphm almost like when they tried to cap everything on S3. I suspect money influenced the writing but omg I really did not like that episode at all. They better knock season 6 out of the park.
But the worst episode of this is better than the best episode of other shows.
Austruck
02-06-21, 06:42 PM
YES!!!! Omg, what a lame season finale. It just had zero umphm almost like when they tried to cap everything on S3. I suspect money influenced the writing but omg I really did not like that episode at all. They better knock season 6 out of the park.
But the worst episode of this is better than the best episode of other shows.
I think some of the problem is that the entire season has had our four intrepid heroes apart from each other, so the finale *had* to spend time getting them all back in the same room somehow. That alone is gonna dictate how much *else* they can get done in a single episode. I was surprised it was the same length as all other episodes.
John McClane
02-06-21, 06:53 PM
Exactly. It could have been 2 hours and done better. I understand why it’s difficult to wrap things up this season but that episode was weak.
I thought the episode was fine.
How many gates are there on the Sol side of the Stargate system?
I finally get back from Luna base and I come in here talk about the absolutely fantastic season finale, and what do I find?
You lot in here talkin all crazy! Thinking back through the episode, I just can't come up with anything weak. SPOLIERS AHEAD!
- Drummer's turn and subsequent confrontation with Karal culminating and a downright bad ass space battle involving the Roci and the other free Navy ships. This is followed by a heartbreaking scene of Drummers crew being forced to watch one of their own get executed, which causes their crew to split and go their separate ways.
- The absolutely nail-biting events with Naomi putting the Chetzemoka into a spin, then putting herself out the airlock into a freefall into space, culminating in her rescue by Bobbie. This scene had us on the edge of our seats holding our breath the entire time.
- You people are on crack.
- Avasarala's rousing speech about using the Roci's crew as role models in the "victory" vs Marcos which is immediately undercut by a transmission of their blockade getting decimated, as they slowly realize how far behind events they have fallen, and how far out of the loop they really are. Amazing writing - see comment directly above! ;)
- Clever scene with Amos doing an end-around on Holden, tricking him into letting Peaches come aboard the Roci to join the crew, since they all of a sudden need a pilot now thanks to a certain unnamed actor turning into a total ****head. A nice bit of levity to break the tension of previous events.
- Episode ends with a cryptic cliffhanger foreshadowing a sinister force behind the scenes as a ship and her crew is wiped from existence.
SO. GOOD.
You people are on crack! :)
Austruck
02-10-21, 04:00 PM
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Austruck
02-10-21, 04:01 PM
Do GIFs not work in posts? (sigh)
Do GIFs not work in posts? (sigh)
Some of them so, but others don't - I don't know the reason why...
John McClane
02-10-21, 05:10 PM
I remember my first rock...
GIFs don't work as attachments. Just fyi.
And your reasons are valid except for there's zero breathing room for any of that **** to sink in. That space battle was good but not great. We've seen better. The speech was good but not great. We've heard better. All around it was just a good episode but at the end of a line of great episodes which makes it meh. Big fat meh.
Amos dropping that bottle of tequila was the highlight of the episode for me. I damn near fell out of my chair during that scene.
EDIT: At this point I think it was purely a pacing problem. An extra hour (even another 30 minutes) would have made the breaks between all that action/development sink in better. I'm used to the slow burn this show has perfected. Fast and dirty (outside of space battles) has never been this show's strong suit.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OGiN_DQSaE/Vjox4iw5UTI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/75Bi9ABOaug/s640/1641982005_65e80e6098.jpg
Spoilers incoming, but I think we're all caught up at this point.
Amos dropping the bottle and sneaking Peaches on were pretty great. Though Peaches deserved to be left on Earth with her shifting morals. I kept asking myself, "Who is this chick just out of supermax that went ballistic on a farmer just a few days earlier, now being all super naive just to create plot conflict?" I kinda felt like her introduction was tacked on for what ended up playing out. Oh so convenient, that turn of events. And the long, drawn-out efforts of Glenn Rhee Naomi Nagata with so many close encounters only to play the red herring to Alex in the end felt manipulative. Totally an opinion here, but I felt like Naomi would have detonated the ship soon after realizing her transmission edits failed and long before any other ship could have come within range. Regardless, Holden immediately telling her what's up (really so that the audience knew what just happened) seemed cold, considering how much hell she'd been through on her own, would likely feel totally responsible and just decide to jump out an airlock (again) in a suicidal guilt rage. But that's cool, I mean we're all happy and drinking at the endgame party in the end.
A lot of these details felt out of sync with much of the show to date, if not somewhat rushed and forced. Like I noted in my earlier post though, it was better than say GoT final SEASONs. lol. I'm just not convinced it holds up to the rest of the season(s) so far. Not as a finale. Oh. There's only one ship guarding the portal with all the terrorism and war playing out? That might be a detail that is explained and I missed it, but that did throw my head for a loop. going back to my criticism of being rushed, this sequence was a victim of that. IMO.
*Parts a few lines over a mirror with my credit card* Hate me.
Spoilers incoming, but I think we're all caught up at this point.
Amos dropping the bottle and sneaking Peaches on were pretty great. Though Peaches deserved to be left on Earth with her shifting morals. I kept asking myself, "Who is this chick just out of supermax that went ballistic on a farmer just a few days earlier, now being all super naive just to create plot conflict?" I kinda felt like her introduction was tacked on for what ended up playing out. Oh so convenient, that turn of events. And the long, drawn-out efforts of Glenn Rhee Naomi Nagata with so many close encounters only to play the red herring to Alex in the end felt manipulative. Totally an opinion here, but I felt like Naomi would have detonated the ship soon after realizing her transmission edits failed and long before any other ship could have come within range. Regardless, Holden immediately telling her what's up (really so that the audience knew what just happened) seemed cold, considering how much hell she'd been through on her own, would likely feel totally responsible and just decide to jump out an airlock (again) in a suicidal guilt rage. But that's cool, I mean we're all happy and drinking at the endgame party in the end.
A lot of these details felt out of sync with much of the show to date, if not somewhat rushed and forced. Like I noted in my earlier post though, it was better than say GoT final SEASONs. lol. I'm just not convinced it holds up to the rest of the season(s) so far. Not as a finale. Oh. There's only one ship guarding the portal with all the terrorism and war playing out? That might be a detail that is explained and I missed it, but that did throw my head for a loop. going back to my criticism of being rushed, this sequence was a victim of that. IMO.
*Parts a few lines over a mirror with my credit card* Hate me.
Fair call on Peaches, who is a POV character for a while in the books, so get much more time/development with her, coming to understanding of how much of a conflicted and confused person she is at times.
Naomi jumped out f the airlock in an attempt to get rescued, as she had seen the Razor back incoming, She even says "Come on...see me...see me..." as she floated along.
There were multiple ships guarding the portal. I recall seeing at least 3 blips winking out as they watched helpless from afar on Luna. That last ship was their crown jewel dreadnaught battleship, I believe, which is why it was given more focus.
Back to hitting the hash pipe and clubbing baby seals, you lot! ;)
John McClane
02-11-21, 11:33 AM
ynwtf I am glad I am not the only one that feels S5 finale was weak. But like he and I are saying that's not a bad thing when you think of how awful other shows have been with their finales. But his criticism is valid. There were a lot of actions and decisions that are completely out of step and left field for some of these characters.
Better space battles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq0xETavaN0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K56b0ZBrr3o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oieq-A4Ucy8
And the best one I can't even find is the one where Alex remarks to Holden that he must have aced zero G combat training. It's where they denote two missiles in front of a UNN ship while performing a high speed burn at it. When they cut through the missile debris all their displays go offline and when they come out the other side they shoot and sheer off the engines on a ship almost 3 times their size. They punched above their weight class but won in minutes, and the build up to that was one of the most nail biting experiences I have had on the show.
It's hard to follow up any of these battles, and the season 5 finale was the worse for it.
John-Connor
04-01-21, 05:43 AM
For the most part I agree with Sedai, maybe y'all are not on crack but I think were all spoiled by previous seasons which were admittedly slightly better than season 5, but overall quality wise it's still a way above average sci-fi TV show.
https://media2.giphy.com/media/3ornk6qNeKHAevVcRi/giphy.gif
lol, that's totally fair and reasonable. It is still is better than most anything else currently available. What's the television equivalent of "first world problems?" I think that knowing TV serials have come so far that we come to expect cinema-level quality is pretty awesome.
John McClane
07-27-21, 01:31 AM
Started a rewatch of season 5 tonight. Third time.
This show is so damn good.
That shower scene sets the mood for the whole season. This was Amos’ season for sure. He was raised for the new reality.
Flicker
07-27-21, 05:18 AM
I'm not a fan, but it's still a series I enjoy and respect. "Hard science" sci-fi is rare and precious. I like its general respect for distances, momentum, gravity, etc. What I'm not too fond of is :
- The Holden character (or lack of). Don't know why, doesn't really work on me. Something too artificially pure, too Tintin, that feels Gary Stu. I generally like chivalrous noble heroes as much as I like grey-ish flawed antiheroes, but something feels a bit off within that specific universe. A lack of personality, of idiosyncratic traits, beyond high morals ? Reminds me of Scott Mccloud's description of blank, empty-design characters everyone can project themselves onto. Holden is to smooth for me. Some kind of "character definition" version of
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- A bit disappointed with the grand ark of protomolecules and space gates and all. With the first season, I was hoping for a grounded universe as a background for simple human stories (kidnapping, conspiracies, criminality, politics). Human-level low stake plots. But each time an author creates a sci-fi universe, there's this need to put it whole at stake. So, its realism gets challenged by reality-defining events. I wish sci-fi could, sometimes, just be a setting like the Old West, bigger than its plots. I miss Cowboy Bebop. It really captured my ideal scale of grand world building and human-size stakes.
- Uneasy with the Alex thing. Spoiler :
It's the question of how the real world affects the fiction. I think the fiction should have its own life, that Alex, as a character, and his story, should not be affected by the behavior of an actor. What does it mean, in practice ? It's complicated. I'm generally against removing an actor from a project due to unrelated matters (thinking Gina Carano, removed from the Star Wars universe for expressing very dumb opinions and beliefs on twitter), but I accept that, in Cas Anvar's case, the issue was too directly work-related. So, I think, in such cases, the public should accept a change of cast. It's all a representation, actors aren't the characters, it's a theatrical play. We can wrap our minds around that. I don't t think that altering the story was required, or that stories should be so vulnerable. Plus, damn did it look artificial.
Whole thing is sad. People like Anvar are sad and creepy. But stories should survive them. I don't like the public to be assumed incapable of processing a change of actor between seasons.
John McClane
08-01-21, 05:45 PM
On episode 2 tonight. That scene with the stealth asteroid is so subtle.
Holden was raised by 8 Mormon parents. If anything is going to give you the right set of conditions to make a character like him it’s gotta be that.
EDIT: One thing I find pretty interesting about this whole series is how effective Earthers are at space combat (i.e. being able to withstand heavier Gs).
Austruck
12-10-21, 03:05 AM
Ummm... Season 6, episode 1 dropped TODAY. And it's 2 a.m. and I was headed off to bed when I caught the news. Now I have to wait till tomorrow.
But a heads-up to the rest of you!
Austruck
12-12-21, 01:53 AM
Watched it. Will need to rewatch to get back into the swing of things. There is a recap episode (about six-ish minutes or so) that seems vital to me (mostly because I always have a tough time remembering specifics with things like sci-fi and/or space shows).
Austruck
12-28-21, 02:27 PM
Okay, we're three episodes into season 6. I have a minor question, not really spoilery:
On Laconia, the scenes with the little girl and the birds... I'm probably forgetting something, but is she on the surface of some planet or is she enclosed in an entire eco-bubble of some sort? I ask only because the sets in those scenes are soooo terrible and look soooo fake. The lighting looks like eco-bubble sound stage.
Okay, we're three episodes into season 6. I have a minor question, not really spoilery:
On Laconia, the scenes with the little girl and the birds... I'm probably forgetting something, but is she on the surface of some planet or is she enclosed in an entire eco-bubble of some sort? I ask only because the sets in those scenes are soooo terrible and look soooo fake. The lighting looks like eco-bubble sound stage.
I can't remember if they pull out to reveal the location, but I feel it's on a planet as there is a scene in which her parents explain the animal life evolved differently and cannot eat things that she can.
That ongoing sequence is a very weak point for me. I'm sure it's important, and will show its value in the end. Until then, it's very distracting and awkward.
Austruck
12-28-21, 02:35 PM
I can't remember if they pull out to reveal the location, but I feel it's on a planet as there is a scene in which her parents explain the animal life evolved with differently and cannot eat things that she can.
That ongoing sequence is a very weak point for me. I'm sure it's important, and will show its value in the end. Until then, it's very distracting and awkward.
Oh duh, yes. That first episode of the season STARTS with them panning into this small scene with the girl and the birds. I'd forgotten that context. And yet... horrible set! I can almost see the light bulbs in the lights that are supposed to look like natural lighting. :D
And I agree that those scenes come up and suddenly I'm thinking, "Wait... what?"
John McClane
12-28-21, 02:44 PM
They are living out in the open as far as I could tell. The end of episode 3 kinda confirmed it I think. A lot like the miners from season 4 talking about how they adapted. I do feel they are ruining the best part of this series (Laconia) by hamfisting it into the final season and we’ve barely seen it.
Austruck
12-28-21, 03:01 PM
They are living out in the open as far as I could tell. The end of episode 3 kinda confirmed it I think. A lot like the miners from season 4 talking about how they adapted. I do feel they are ruining the best part of this series (Laconia) by hamfisting it into the final season and we’ve barely seen it.
But is it just me, or are those "outdoor" sets really just awful?
Austruck
12-28-21, 03:02 PM
They are living out in the open as far as I could tell. The end of episode 3 kinda confirmed it I think. A lot like the miners from season 4 talking about how they adapted. I do feel they are ruining the best part of this series (Laconia) by hamfisting it into the final season and we’ve barely seen it.
And yeah, that's been part of my confusion. It seemed they HAD to be out in the open on a planet and not an eco-bubble of some sort--because the animals were new to them/her. But boy, they all look like bad 1960s sci-fi sets. I can almost smell those Styrofoam boulders. :D
John McClane
12-28-21, 03:04 PM
But is it just me, or are those "outdoor" sets really just awful?
Precisely one of the reasons I feel they are ruining Laconia. And yeah, the sets are a far cry from the stuff we saw in the first few seasons. I can’t help but wonder if this last season was affected by COVID restrictions at some point of production.
Nodding my head across the board. The plants look plastic, the rocks and landscape look like foam, the lights look artificial and those CGI critters only reinforce how artificial it all is. I expected some kind of holodeck situation or that it was a manmade scientific lab to approximate the creatures' natural habitat, like a sciencey space zoo.
Nope.
That ongoing sequence is a very weak point for me. I'm sure it's important, and will show its value in the end. Until then, it's very distracting and awkward.
I heard rumors that there will be another movie and mini-series set 30 years later, and I presume all the Laconia stuff is setup for that?
That said, this season is aces so far, as far as the main story is concerned.
Austruck
12-28-21, 04:04 PM
I heard rumors that there will be another movie ad mini-series set 30 years later, and I presume all the Laconia stuff is setup for that?
That said, this season is aces so far, as far as the main story is concerned.
Agreed. Didn't mean to imply otherwise, because those sets are pretty much the only real thing bugging me about this season so far. :D
I am glad we are finally getting some more good development for Peaches - better late than never!
This chick...
https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/the-expanse-season-5-cara-gee-camina-drummer-amazon-prime-video.jpg
Austruck
01-06-22, 04:09 PM
This chick...
https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/the-expanse-season-5-cara-gee-camina-drummer-amazon-prime-video.jpg
I know, right? I was pretty "meh" about her character at first, but she is rockin' it in this last season. <3
I know, right? I was pretty "meh" about her character at first, but she is rockin' it in this last season. <3
Always been a huge fan, but yes, she has elevated it to a new level in this final season. If looks could kill!
Austruck
01-06-22, 04:55 PM
Always been a huge fan, but yes, she has elevated it to a new level in this final season. If looks could kill!
That wide broadcast where she blasts Inaros is golden. She is badass and focused this season.
That wide broadcast where she blasts Inaros is golden. She is badass and focused this season.
My screen cap is from that scene!
my portrait. guess who?
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Austruck
01-06-22, 05:45 PM
The man-bun and the perpetual Batman utility belt fanny pack are dead giveaways, ynwtf! :D :D
Austruck
01-06-22, 05:46 PM
And the accidental drawing of his (likely) teeny wienie. :D
The man-bun and the perpetual Batman utility belt fanny pack are dead giveaways, ynwtf! :D :D
Every time I see him on screen in full gear, throwing his arms waaaaaaay out the sides I about lose it. Later I noticed that man-bun and now I just can't take him seriously. Like at all.
Re: teenie-peenie. Well. That was so NOT what I was thinking of rofl. SHAME!!!!
Austruck
01-06-22, 05:57 PM
Every time I see him on screen in full gear, throwing his arms waaaaaaay out the sides I about lose it. Later I noticed that man-bun and now I just can't take him seriously. Like at all.
Re: teenie-peenie. Well. That was so NOT what I was thinking of rofl. SHAME!!!!
Hey, YOU'RE the one who drew it, mister! I just noticed it!
See?
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John McClane
01-06-22, 05:59 PM
Yeah, he definitely looks like a poser. Glad to know I'm not the only one that can't take him seriously with that manbun. He seems more like an Earther to me.
OMG STOP I CAN'T EVEN LOOK AT MY OWN DRAWING NOW!!! hahaha ufghghuguhguhugh
Yeah, he definitely looks like a poser. Glad to know I'm not the only one that can't take him seriously with that manbun. He seems more like an Earther to me.
yeah. dude has like perfect skin and hair and seems so delicate!
Austruck
01-06-22, 06:03 PM
yeah. dude has like perfect skin and hair and seems so delicate!
Plus, I think he (like so many others) wears eyeliner. And yet had a five o'clock shadow perpetually. No thanks. :D
John McClane
01-14-22, 12:35 PM
Weak-ass ending. If they don't carry it on with a spinoff show for Laconia I will hold this ending in the same regard I hold BSG.
Austruck
01-14-22, 03:59 PM
Weak-ass ending. If they don't carry it on with a spinoff show for Laconia I will hold this ending in the same regard I hold BSG.
Well, I thought it was a better ending than BSG or Lost, let's say. Or Dexter. :D Not saying much, though, is it? :D
They purposely stopped short of where the books all go, and I assume that just leaves them the opening to take up another series later if they want.
But maybe I need to rewatch or read a wiki or something, so here's the question I literally yelled at the TV as soon as that last episode ended: "SO WHY DID WE SEE THAT STUFF ON LACONIA AT ALL?"
I mean... what's up with the "dogs," etc.? I... I... can't even.
Did I just completely miss something obvious with why they included all that stuff at all?
Austruck
01-14-22, 07:04 PM
Meh... this article helped me a LITTLE. But not enough. :D
https://ew.com/tv/the-expanse-series-finale-burning-questions-showrunner-interview-naren-shankar/?did=726364-20220114&utm_campaign=ewk-tv_newsletter&utm_source=ew.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=011422&cid=726364&mid=77092755480
John McClane
01-14-22, 07:50 PM
Austruck: Yeah, they basically **** the bed at the end hoping someone will want to continue the story. I had a feeling that was going to be the case, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
Had to put up with all that Marco/Filip crap for nothing. Wish I could get those hours back.
Like it’d be a totally different take if they had already announced a new show spinoff or movie spin-offs. Nope, just a bunch of poorly designed sets and random characters that have no bearing on anything. It’s like they ran a test pilot inside of a series finale. Who does something like that?!?
Austruck
01-14-22, 08:11 PM
Austruck: Yeah, they basically **** the bed at the end hoping someone will want to continue the story. I had a feeling that was going to be the case, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
Had to put up with all that Marco/Filip crap for nothing. Wish I could get those hours back.
Like it’d be a totally different take if they had already announced a new show spinoff or movie spin-offs. Nope, just a bunch of poorly designed sets and random characters that have no bearing on anything. It’s like they ran a test pilot inside of a series finale. Who does something like that?!?
The article I quoted above adds some context for the Laconia story... which I would NEVER have guessed on my own, having not read the books. It just felt completely separate and tacked on all season long.
I actually stopped watching halfway through this final episode and checked Google to see if there were more episodes left, or perhaps a seventh season in the works. I could tell halfway through that this just didn't feel like the right timing or pacing for a *series* finale at all. Especially since the description on my Roku called it simply a "season finale." I was surprised that this really is/was the *series* finale. Wasn't surprised at all to find out there are three further books in the series...
It had that ridiculous "THE END???" feeling to it. I hate shows that do that. :D
Having said all this, though, I did enjoy this series quite a bit throughout its run. But most of this last season felt like stereotypical "chase the bad guy and git 'em" stuff without as much going on outside of that basic plotline. I completely forgot about the protomolecule stuff way too much this season. And I was really getting tired of Inaros by mid-season. :D
Austruck
01-14-22, 10:53 PM
Okay, collective hive mind... I've been meaning to ask this for several SEASONS of this show now. If you watch with the subtitles on (and I do that with everything now), you've seen this every single episode during the opening credits. Is the opening music from a song from Norway or something?
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Chypmunk
01-15-22, 05:12 AM
The opening music is by Clinton Shorter - here's a link (https://open.spotify.com/album/5DD0Esg45mLCU1K0GRmmcp) to the soundtrack album on Spotify that was released for Season One. According to Uncle Google the singer on the opening credits is Lisbeth Scott.
Austruck
01-15-22, 03:13 PM
The opening music is by Clinton Shorter - here's a link (https://open.spotify.com/album/5DD0Esg45mLCU1K0GRmmcp) to the soundtrack album on Spotify that was released for Season One. According to Uncle Google the singer on the opening credits is Lisbeth Scott.
So it's music written for the show then. I guess I just always scratched my head at that "woman singing in Norwegian" bit in the subtitles, since I kept wondering if that fact had any significance. :D
Chypmunk
01-15-22, 03:21 PM
So it's music written for the show then. I guess I just always scratched my head at that "woman singing in Norwegian" bit in the subtitles, since I kept wondering if that fact had any significance. :D
I'm guessing they just tapped into the trend of having Scandic singing over the credits, apparently Scott wrote the lyrics herself.
3 minutes into ep6 and it's come to space zombies.
I haven't read comments yet, but I'm frustrated reading the ep note that this is the finale. My feeling is there are just too many loose ends to close out in this one ep. Yeah. I paused and it's not a 2-hour closure either.
I don't know. Hopes are low at this point. Magic otter squid dogs seem to be way out of left field. If for no other reason, their existence and powers surely would have been discovered as colonists settled the land. That kid tho. Meh. How can they close this arc in one ep considering it's taken five just to introduce the mystery beginning? I'm guessing this is a past timeline showing the original protomolecule or whatever it was that started season 1. I can't remember how it was all spelled out in previous seasons, if at all. I wondered, after necrosquid seal burped out that momma hen earlier on but if it's something along those lines, well, I'm forced back to asking why the colonist SCIENTISTS hadn't already discovered and exploited this?!
Kk. I'm done typing. Manbun man is on screen. He so perdy.
You know me, ever the pessimist. Let's tune in!
*EDIT*
Well. I guess I was wrong there.
Austruck
01-17-22, 11:10 PM
I assume you meant you were wrong about your theory re. Laconia? Yeah, the way they handled that totally sucked. If they weren't going to cover that *whole* story in this particular incarnation of the books, they shouldn't have touched on it at all, IMHO. One lousy scene with the guy on Laconia talking to Manbun Inaros, and that's supposed to be our connection? I mean, we were supposed to start caring about that kid and her brother and then... poof! Sorry, folks. Nothin' you're gonna see or hear here. Wait for some follow-up series five years from now.
Not cool.
I assume you meant you were wrong about your theory re. Laconia? Yeah, the way they handled that totally sucked. If they weren't going to cover that *whole* story in this particular incarnation of the books, they shouldn't have touched on it at all, IMHO. One lousy scene with the guy on Laconia talking to Manbun Inaros, and that's supposed to be our connection? I mean, we were supposed to start caring about that kid and her brother and then... poof! Sorry, folks. Nothin' you're gonna see or hear here. Wait for some follow-up series five years from now.
Not cool.
Absolutely. That near hour of screen time could have been used more to explore the ring entities concept more than a tease from Holden feeling "something." Or more time to plan out and execute that battle at the end. It looked great, but I had no clue wtf was going on. =\
I need to rewatch the season again but I'm so bothered by the girl and manbun man, I'm not sure I can. I did like the way the politics were played in the end. I'm ok with that. And I guess they created a hook hoping it will be picked up again by someone. I guess. But the licorice world dog squid zombie sub-plot was kinda useless in context. IMO, at least.
If anyone decides to rewatch, lemme know. I might try. With support.
:D
Show ruled. Roci crew ending was fantastic. I was fine with the way all that tied up; I thought they were going to kill Peaches, and I was going to smash the TV.
Surprised folks aren't picking up on the moral of the story re: Filip and Marcos (or maybe you are, but you just hate it). If anything, I thought it was a tad on the nose, but I liked the message well enough. You guys must bow to Keon's man-bun! Filip was a good character; I liked how his story was handled.
Wasn't happy with how they didn't use Drummer enough in the final battles, but hey, for a gal that wasn't even supposed to still be around, I am glad they expanded her character the way they did.
Gladly, I wrote off Laconia early in the season, as I had a feeling it would just end up being a trail of bread crumbs for some hoped-for future expansion pack.
Lastly...if the ending seemed abrupt, let's all gather round and blame the real culprit: Amazon. The bastards pulled the rug out from under the showrunners, chopping the season down to 6 episodes instead of the usual 10. Total ********.
Austruck
01-19-22, 06:46 PM
Sedai... I'm curious because I think you've read at least some of the books, yes? Did that help you realize it was a good idea to not invest too much curiosity in the Laconia part of the story this season?
And I think we all were watching episode six and thinking it felt like it was ending too soon. Some of those storylines just conveniently wrapped up and ended, when I would have liked to see more of the post-battle negotiations and how life looked after they were trying to live together in harmony.
Sedai... I'm curious because I think you've read at least some of the books, yes? Did that help you realize it was a good idea to not invest too much curiosity in the Laconia part of the story this season?
And I think we all were watching episode six and thinking it felt like it was ending too soon. Some of those storylines just conveniently wrapped up and ended, when I would have liked to see more of the post-battle negotiations and how life looked after they were trying to live together in harmony.
With the Laconia thread being introduced in the last season, and with the way it was being revealed in such tiny increments, it just had to be a leader for another project.
As to your second point, I would surmise the showrunners felt this more than any of us, having their labor of love cut off at the knees like that. I understand these are expensive episodes, but this is Amazon, and this just reeks of some group of suits looking at a balance sheet, and screw the rest.
I assume you meant you were wrong about your theory re. Laconia? Yeah, the way they handled that totally sucked. If they weren't going to cover that *whole* story in this particular incarnation of the books, they shouldn't have touched on it at all, IMHO. One lousy scene with the guy on Laconia talking to Manbun Inaros, and that's supposed to be our connection? I mean, we were supposed to start caring about that kid and her brother and then... poof! Sorry, folks. Nothin' you're gonna see or hear here. Wait for some follow-up series five years from now.
Not cool.
Hey man, he's got Gods to kill. He doesn't have time to TV.
That and, fingers crossed, there's more to come in another project.
John-Connor
01-25-22, 04:34 PM
oye Bosmangs..
Just finished watching, shame the final season had disappointing moments but overall I don't hate it. The space zombie side story was indeed an absolute punishment to watch and there wasn't enough Amos.
My final rating for the entire series would be somewhere around 79-81. So, were would we place this in the all time sci-fi tv-show list? And which show will fill the sci-fi gap this leaves behind? Not sure about that Snowpiercer McClane is talking about but I won't rule it out as an option. There's time to think about it because I still have saved for a rainy day; The Boys season 2 and brand new Boba Fett episodes.
^ I returned to Star Trek: tNG. Netflix reset my account during the Christmas holidays and so every seasonal history was deleted. it actually still holds up for the most part.
I'm not sure where The Expanse would fall for me. Off the top of my head theres (in no particular order):
Lost
Battlestar Galactica (reboot)
Star Trek: The Next Generation
The Expanse
Farscape
The Boys
Westworld (Season 1 only)
Legion
Stranger Things (?)
Jupiter's Legacy has potential
Babylon 5 (excellent run with closure, if you can get past the dated sets and effects)
Heroes (just kidding!)
Random, but I'd love to find a streaming service that has old Mtv's, The MAXX. I loved that!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWNuYAgfNaQ
John-Connor
01-25-22, 06:12 PM
^
Also in no particular order:
Battlestar Galactica x2
The Expanse
Dark
Fringe
Westworld S1
Stargate Universe
Firefly
Star Trek x2
The Mandalorian
Almost forgot about the MAXX, thanks for that throwback, *Liam voice; I'll find it and watch it again sometime.
I just burned through an Expanse run and have started Season 6. I'll post up if any opinions shift once I am done again.
If only I had time to watch it all again!
Guaporense
04-23-23, 09:52 PM
The Expanse is one of my favorite TV shows ever. I watched it in 2021-2022. Together with Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica one of my favorite Western Science fiction shows.
So, are they going to finish The Expanse? Because season 6 ended quite abruptly IMO,
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