The Expanse - best hard sci fi show in years!!

[Marcus]

Didn't know about this show and will be resubscribing to Netflix to watch it . BSG was the last half decent Sci Fi series I watched but it got a bit strange towards the end.

[cptwhite_uk]

Personally, I think The Expanse is better than BSG.

[Bonebreaker777]

I like twists in the series where seemingly important characters die ;-)

When the unnamed Dr was shot by one of the lead characters. I was left a tad surprised

[Spreadie]

Personally, I think The Expanse is better than BSG.

High praise indeed!

[cptwhite_uk]

There's just so many magical attentions to detail when it comes to the physics of the world they've created.

Everything is just within the realms of possibility. The way they use the weapons in the CQB battle is a fantastic example. Long range guided missiles which are countered by fast firing / rotating multi cannons to try and neutralise them, followed by close range rail gun (mass drivers) for dumb high velocity rounds at close range - they even divert power to them, which is a likely scenario as rail guns would work best with maximum available energy for faster projection of the projectile.

Spoilers ahead, don't watch if you plan on watching the series:

[kalniel]

I've just finished the series available on Netflix (ie, 1). While I appreciate the nods to realism (but it's still no 2001) what it most reminded me of was a computer game, sorry. The storyline and factions stuff could be the background to any number of space sims from Wing Commander IV to Freelancer.

And maybe I just didn't pay enough attention, but it didn't really seem to go all that far in the 10 episodes - there wasn't a great deal of character development or plot progression (sure, there was a bit of 'mystery reveal' but that could have been done in one episode)! It's certainly pleasant enough to watch, sort of reminding me of Babylon 5 more than anything else. Hope S2 improves things.

[cptwhite_uk]

You get the Mars angle more in Season 2. I understand your issues with character development, they seem a bit wooden in comparison to AAA series like Game of Thrones, House of Cards etc... Still, for me, the story line pulls it though along with the hard science and visual effects. There's some great events in season 2. the first 4 or 5 episodes are wrapping up season 1 and there's a second event that seems to dominate the rest of the season. It's good stuff but I am a little concerned how it's going to maintain it's momentum, time will tell.

[Ttaskmaster]

While I appreciate the nods to realism (but it's still no 2001) what it most reminded me of was a computer game, sorry. The storyline and factions stuff could be the background to any number of space sims from Wing Commander IV to Freelancer.

Well....

It was originally conceived as an MMO... but then the level of detail being devised in the background was felt better suited to an old school tabletop RPG... but then the main characters got such detail in them that the guys turned it into a series of novels... which were so good it got turned into a TV series.

Aside from the hard sci-fi leanings regarding tech and how it affects/has affected societal development (which the series is very big on, but often in quite subtle ways too), it's also a good environment for the soft sci-fi. The politics of the three main powers is obvious and pretty classic, but that allows for exploration of cultural and other social themes like poverty, oppression and discrimination, all within the contexts of the story.

TBH, I was a bit disappointed when the mystery stuff started happening as the people and the society was already pretty darn interesting to me... I felt the same way when, halfway through Freelancer, it was suddenly all about the Nomads and all human-interest kinda ceased.
Fortunately, it looks like the human side of The Expanse carries on in Season 2, both within society and around the main characters.

Cas Anvar had the best line of Season 1 with "Donkey Balls"...
Shohreh Aghdashloo in Season 2 has several of them, in very quick succession!!

[NewLexican]

Make sure to check out the web exclusives on the SyFy site. One looks into the science of the Expanse world with Adam Savage of MythBusters fame. There's also a season one recap... as re-enacted by cats...

[liams]

How have i not seen this binge watching now

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The latest trailer for season 3 just dropped:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MowKgO0IeyU

[Biscuit]

Buzzing

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Buzzing

The new season starts on April the 11th.

We should also get to see the UN Navy equivalents to the Donnager Class Dreadnoughts,so more spaceship porn!!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

BTW,here is an article which shows the concept art behind the series:

https://magazine.artstation.com/2016...t-art-expanse/

Also,here is a comparison of the size of the ships in the universe:

https://william-black.deviantart.com...hart-583762865

[Phage]

Looking forward to this. I binged through series 1 & 2 when C5th put it up...
Totally agree with TTaskmaster though. It would be fascinating without the blue mcguffin, as a way to explore a society.

[wazzickle]

Given source material this could and should be the best season yet. Very excited!