(http://www.111one.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1484233348223075652.jpg)
No word on a UK airdate yet but I just watched the pilot for this sprawling new space opera/futurepolitics show based on a series of books and it's seriously impressive statement of intent.
Clearly aiming to be a space Game of Thrones with all gritty bits and intrigue (the titles and the first episode pre-titles bit are very heavily indebted to GoT) it seems to be following three central characters, one in space, one on an asteroid and one on Earth. There's war a'brewing and weird stuff is afoot. It's admirably dense and I'm quite keen to get onto more of it.
Hopefully with the massiveness of the new SW there'll be a bit more of this sort of thing as this current era of the HBO style series has really been gagging for a decent sci-fi show. *mumble mumble* shame Star Trek ain't currently filling that gap but this is promising.
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 19 December, 2015, 09:27:42 PM
No word on a UK airdate yet
Although actually it's a moot point as SyFy themselves have uploaded the pilot onto Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lqz_oEWZEU
Go and see if CFM is speaking wank or not. I certainly was about there being a pre-titles bit.
It's not just the pilot - ScyFy has put the first four episodes out on t'web already.
It were alright, but I thought the made-up space language stuff was an embarrassing throwback, as was the pointless zero-gravity sex scene and tacky tracking shots. Also, it suffers from the usual problems of much of SyFy's output in that its fictional world doesn't make much sense, though for some reason what stuck with me was the usual "oppressed underclass" guff - how many engineering degrees and years of training would you need before getting to the point where you could swing a pickaxe in space, yet we're expected to take it as read that none of these (possibly literal) rocket scientists would join a union? This "Earth is the oppressor of all the colonies" stuff is pretty unworkable if you play it too serious, but stuff like the more campy Killjoys and Dark Matter got away with it by playing up to the idea of the upper classes being an evil empire of some sort, whereas Expanse just seems to want you to take it at its word that Earth controls everything because Reasons, even though it seems happy to overexplain a lot of other stuff considerably less essential to the coherence of the fiction.
Still, it's a space opera coming out just as space opera has become huge again, which is a no-brainer, shirley?
Ag - I'll hold back on watching them all at once, that way madness lies.
I get your drift but I viewed as more fantastical than literal if you see my meaning. As in - this is as much about an actual perceived future as Game of Thrones is about the actual medieval past. It is steeped in enough tropery to be a bit fey and fun (Tom Jane's noir asteroid detective in the pilot is pure pulp) but has enough going on for me to make it seem worth following. "Because reasons" can sometimes be enough for worlds this dense if the characters are engaging enough to carry you through it. However I may have to watch more before trying to wade too far into defending it!
I'll definitely give this a try, Tom Jane is the man.
I know I'm dredging up an old topic but I need to ask - did this thing ever actually air in the UK?
I remember getting really excited at the idea of a new sci-fi show, loved the look of it, love Tom Jane, and then...nothing. Unless it came on and I totally missed it. Desperate for a new spaceshippy show just now, contemplating a blind purchase of the Killjoys blu-ray just because it looks like it'll scratch an itch, but it's The Expanse that I want!
I've been looking out for it too, it hasn't been aired in the UK / Ireland.
A quick perusal of Amazon.co.uk threw up a Blu-Ray (region free) US seller; https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Expanse-Season-1-Blu-ray/dp/B01AHWLX24/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467734951&sr=8-1&keywords=the+expanse
It must have been received favourably in the US as according to Wikipedia a 2nd series is due to air next year. May need to hunt the 1st series down and pass judgement myself!
Tis really bloody good.
Best of the newer batches of SF TV. Might be best space-SF since BSG in my humble opinion.
The thing itself doesn't really grab me but that's a bloody fantastic poster/tagline
Quote from: amines2058 on 06 July, 2016, 11:13:40 AM
It must have been received favourably in the US as according to Wikipedia a 2nd series is due to air next year.
Like Black Sails before it, The Expanse was renewed before the first episode aired, one presumes this is because if they demolish the sets with only ten episodes in the bank, they'll never get a decent return on their (allegedly quite large) investment in the show. Channels are not falling over themselves to buy ten episodes of a show with no ending.
This has been picked up by Netflix in the UK as one of their Netflix Originals, we watched the first four episodes at the weekend (which is a lot for us, we don't tend to telly binge) and I'm with CFM, loving it. It's very much the sci-fi show I've been craving for a long time, ever since Battlestar ended. And if 'Tom Jane is an asteroid belt detective...' isn't the most enticing first line to a Netflix synopsis ever then I don't know what is.
Currently sitting at work wishing I could get home just to watch some more, been a while since a show got its hooks in like that!
I tried reading the first book of this series and ended up ditching it half way through, bored.
Too many cliches, too few ideas. It might translate better as live action and I'm tempted to give it a shot now it's on Netflix.
Quote from: Spaceghost on 07 November, 2016, 02:06:55 PM
I tried reading the first book of this series and ended up ditching it half way through, bored.
Too many cliches, too few ideas. It might translate better as live action and I'm tempted to give it a shot now it's on Netflix.
Same here. Terrible book.
I found the books a fun if pulpy easy read. The TV show is a big improvement however.
Quote from: Spaceghost on 07 November, 2016, 02:06:55 PM
I tried reading the first book of this series and ended up ditching it half way through, bored.
Too many cliches, too few ideas. It might translate better as live action and I'm tempted to give it a shot now it's on Netflix.
Me too. I tried reading the book, but didn't make it very far. 'Cliched' sums it up. It seemed like a weirdly anachronistic or retro sci fi novel, full of ideas about what someone from the 60s or 80s might think the future might be like, and I honestly couldn't tell if that was a stylistic choice or just a bland, dated aesthetic...?
Shame about the books but I maintain that the series is good - glad it's on Netflix now, hope it finds the audience it deserves!
Just started watching it tonight, quite like it so far.
Just got around to watching this. It looks bloody great, the story and characters are compelling and I'm looking forward to Season Two. One of the best things I've seen, of any genre, in a long time.
:D Yes, more of this sort of thing. Since it appeared on Netflix people are gradually turning onto this which is really gratifying as it's one of my favorite new series and the best slice of TV sci-fi there's been in years. On the third or so episode of season 2 and I can assure you - it just keeps getting better :O
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 25 February, 2017, 11:46:45 AM
:D Yes, more of this sort of thing. Since it appeared on Netflix people are gradually turning onto this which is really gratifying as it's one of my favorite new series and the best slice of TV sci-fi there's been in years. On the third or so episode of season 2 and I can assure you - it just keeps getting better :O
I take it season 2 isn't on UK Netflix yet? I've been keeping my eyes peeled, we were absolutely hooked on that first season so the wait for more is proving difficult!
Up to ep5 of season 2 of this and...
[spoiler]
Whoa! [/spoiler]
Just must see TV for me.
Yeah just saw that :o Blimey that was extraordinary - those catching up have a lot to look forward to!
Quote from: CrazyFoxMachine on 27 February, 2017, 08:59:20 PM
Yeah just saw that :o Blimey that was extraordinary - those catching up have a lot to look forward to!
[spoiler]Had to check they weren't ending the series early and that there were more episodes. :)[/spoiler]
Dunk!
There's a comic, too, (https://www.comixology.co.uk/The-Expanse-Origins-1-of-4/digital-comic/486030) you know...
(TV series rather than novel tie-in. Background stories on the key characters... single issues exclusive to Comixology, a TPB forthcoming down the line.)
Thanks for the nod on this guys. My daughter has been nagging for a netflix subscription for a while so we've taken the plunge. Saw this and thought, 'why the heck not'? I'd have to say that some of the criticisms are valid in that it deploys a lot of the current sci-fi tropes, mixed in with a bit of noir pulp. That said, it does so fairly competently. There is enough mystery, chicanery and downright deviousness to keep me engaged and lets face it, it's not as if there is much else out there. The world building is fairly robust and believable, the SFX works pretty well (on the iPad at any rate), the quality of acting is reasonable and the characters are believable enough. It's been a while since a series has hooked me in to the level this has. Not sure if I want to try the novels based on CFM's and SG's feedback. Having been burnt with Game of Thrones I think I'll just stick with the telly this time.
Quote from: Tjm86 on 01 April, 2017, 03:57:15 PMNot sure if I want to try the novels based on CFM's and SG's feedback. Having been burnt with Game of Thrones I think I'll just stick with the telly this time.
:o I've not read the novels!
Although good timing as I showed my auld man this last night - he loves a bit of hard sci-fi and that first episode is still as convincing as it was the other year. Good solid bedrock to what turns into an absurdly vital series.
Still not that tempted to read the books though :lol:
My bad CFM, I misread your post. Got to the end of episode 10 last night and thought 'bugger' when I realised that was the end of the current series. Nice to know that there is a S2 to come.
I enjoyed the books a lot, but the TV series is definitely better. The books were quick, quite light reads with a bit of a thriller/pulp/noir feel to them. IN SPACE.
Apologies for necroposting but Email from Netflix announcing that season 2 is starting on 8th Sept. Tidy!
Quote from: Tjm86 on 31 August, 2017, 02:31:39 PM
Apologies for necroposting but Email from Netflix announcing that season 2 is starting on 8th Sept. Tidy!
YES!
I started watching this but everything was dark and everyone was whispering or mumbling.
I decide to give up - didn't seem much point watching a programme I couldn't see or hear!
Quote from: JamesC on 01 September, 2017, 10:48:51 AM
I started watching this but everything was dark and everyone was whispering or mumbling.
I decide to give up - didn't seem much point watching a programme I couldn't see or hear!
I know what you mean about the mumbling - I've had to stick the subtitles on...
Still enjoying it though - halfway through S2 now.
Mrs Monkey and myself finished S2 last night and have to say, it's hands down, far and away our favourite show on TV these days by a really, really long way. Definitely the most into something we've been since Battlestar. We're enjoying it so damn much, and love every character on that wee ship. It's incredibly rare nowadays that we do anything approaching binge-watching a show and we only generally like to watch something different from night to night and keep a few things on the go, but with this it was Expanse every night until it was done.
And now it's done.
The thought that it might be a year before Netflix get S3 is a bit of a torment.
Worth the wait though :)
Yep, totally chained season 2 - watched it over three days. Damn, it was soooo good... to a point (after which it was still good, just not as much).
[spoiler]While it remained of high quality and great interest throughout, I thought the first six episodes with the chase followed by that cop dude's arc coming to an end was just some of the best telly ever - so thrilling!
However, the subsequent episodes, while still very entertaining indeed, were all a bit of an anti-climax afterwards. Plus the fact that this alien blue stuff just seems to be everywhere now, making that mad rush to wipe out the asteroid redundant. Still, I'm very curious to see what happened to all the folk in that ship touching down on Venus. [/spoiler]
In a nutshell, better than that new Star Trek series (albeit there have only been three episodes of that out so far).
I just started the Expanse season 2 (I gobbled up the first three episodes) and, yes it's very enjoyable.
I'm enjoying Discovery just as much. Two very different stories that work well.
We watched the last four episodes all in one go last night. I can't recall the last time we did something like that after mini-IP arrived on the scene. I'm really enjoying shows that barrel things along. The first half of this season (which itself is only 13 episodes) felt like an entire season in and of itself; and the same with the second half.
Mrs IP also pointed out that the show manages to be quite diverse in some areas, too (body; race; gender), which is still bafflingly a rarity these days. (They could do with another woman on crew though.) Elsewhere, the effects are solid, the scripting works well, the acting's strong, the characters are generally well-rounded with very few ciphers, and there are really nice moments peppered throughout, such as [spoiler]using Jupiter's many moons to slingshot into position[/spoiler]. Looking forward to s03, and glad it's already on a full order, rather than Syfy hedging its bets.
I just spotted that I started this thread :o I was ahead of the curb on that one, at least! (I also was championing Rick and Morty when the first episode came out NOW THEY'RE BURNING DOWN McDONALDS ACROSS AMERICA JUST FOR THE LOVE IT).
My next recommendation: [spoiler]Crufts.[/spoiler]
'The Expanse' To End On Syfy With Season 3, Will Be Shopped Elsewhere By Alcon (https://deadline.com/2018/05/the-expanse-canceled-syfy-after-three-seasons-to-be-shopped-1202388026/)
The current third season of The Expanse will be the space drama's last one on Syfy. The cable network has decided not to renew the show for a fourth season, with the last episode slated to air in early July. Alcon Television Group, which fully finances and produces the critically praised series, plans to shop it to other buyers.
Gutted. Haven't seen any of season 3 yet (because we get them on a few month's delay on Netflix here) but seasons 1 and 2 established it as my favourite show on TV, by a very long way. Hopeful that with it being a Netflix original they'll be keen to pick it up and continue it (one can dream)!
I suppose it depends on $$$$ but this would be a good one for Netflix to pick up itself.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 11 May, 2018, 04:48:17 PM
I suppose it depends on $$$$ but this would be a good one for Netflix to pick up itself.
Alcon Television Group, which fully finances and produces the critically praised series, plans to shop it to other buyers.These are the same crowd who made BR2049 – they must have buckets of someone else's money.
It looks like the entire Earth Alliance Plot isn't just the only thing it shares with Babylon 5*, as it adds a torrid relationship with a network, and being on the Brink (no pun - okay a small one) of permanent cancellation to the list
[spoiler](*the whole message with Sadavir Errinwright being recorded, channels Morgan Clarke message being recorded by Ivannova, as does the hybrid "weapon's supplies", the third season being the one the "great war came upon us all, the poisoning of Pyotr Korshunov as was the way in the "old republic" and more. There are shots, which, if not lifted are er "similar" - the reveal of Fred Johnson is similar to Londo at the bombardment of Narn, the attack on the Ganymede redolent of Zha'ha'Duum, the whole aesthetic of the UN military and more it's too geeky to mention. But still I enjoy it.)[/spoiler]
W
Be nice if this got picked up - not least as its production model seems to be akin to the idea behind the Dredd TV show.
Personally its an okay watch but marred by terrible acting from too many key characters (no more than 'Gunnie' (sic) who is just awfully unconvincing. The lead guy isn't much better. Was a shame when the detective left the show (no spoilers - but I assume that was the end of him early in season 2) as he was easily the most watchable thing. Production was great - the Earth Councillor's outfit were always fabulous looking affairs and the B cast did decent work.
Well my post went awry but all it amounted to was 'Well that's a shame'. Was nice for Syfy to make decent sci-fi for a bit.
'The Expense' 'The Expanse': Amazon In Talks To Pick Up Space Series After Syfy Cancellation
There is hope forThe Expanse beyond its upcoming third season, which will be the sci-fi drama's last one on Syfy. I hear Alcon Television Group, which fully finances and produces The Expanse, is in conversations with Amazon about picking up the critically praised series for Season 4. Sources stress the talks are still preliminary. Reps for both companies declined comment.
http://deadline.com/2018/05/the-expanse-amazon-talks-pick-up-season-4-canceled-syfy-1202395538/
Smart move from Amazon, who could do with a few more critically acclaimed shows. I'm surprised Netflix didn't jump at this one though.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 22 May, 2018, 10:17:52 AM
Smart move from Amazon, who could do with a few more critically acclaimed shows. I'm surprised Netflix didn't jump at this one though.
I believe Amazon already had the streaming rights, which would have made it difficult for another online service to pick it up.
The first two seasons are on Netflix as well as Amazon Prime. Perhaps the deal meant Amazon got first dibs – or it just jumped in before Netflix did.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 22 May, 2018, 10:52:52 AM
The first two seasons are on Netflix as well as Amazon Prime. Perhaps the deal meant Amazon got first dibs – or it just jumped in before Netflix did.
Netflix have international streaming rights, Amazon have US domestic, which is likely a determining factor.
The show never really grabbed me - perhaps I'll give it another go at some point - but good news for fans - it's officially been picked up by Amazon.
Ah, nobody has talked about this for a while and I'm sure everyone had given up hope like me but finally there's a date for season 3 coming on Amazon Prime! Seasons 1-3 being added February 8th, with the new Amazon-produced season 4 coming later in the year.
Feels like it's been a ridiculous wait to get season 3 here in the UK, so I'm really buzzed about jumping back in.
I tried watching this and really wanted to like it but it was so dark, I couldn't see what was happening and everyone mumbled so I couldn't hear what they were saying. It was like trying to watch a badly pirated VHS.
I watched it on Blu-Ray and the quality and production value was excellent. This is one off the best sci-fi shows the last few years.
Quote from: JamesC on 03 February, 2019, 09:33:31 AM
I tried watching this and really wanted to like it but it was so dark, I couldn't see what was happening and everyone mumbled so I couldn't hear what they were saying. It was like trying to watch a badly pirated VHS.
Given that literally no one else here has reported having this problem, have you considered the possibility that you actually
do have a dodgy copy and/or that your eyes and ears are knackered?
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 03 February, 2019, 10:07:08 AM
... and/or that your eyes and ears are knackered?
Not just eyes and ears in my case ....
[my copy was fine though, as was watching it on an iPad when it was on Netflix]
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 03 February, 2019, 10:07:08 AM
Quote from: JamesC on 03 February, 2019, 09:33:31 AM
I tried watching this and really wanted to like it but it was so dark, I couldn't see what was happening and everyone mumbled so I couldn't hear what they were saying. It was like trying to watch a badly pirated VHS.
Given that literally no one else here has reported having this problem, have you considered the possibility that you actually do have a dodgy copy and/or that your eyes and ears are knackered?
Or a general settings issue?
I find dark things a bit difficult to make out on my tv, although I can't remember if that was an issue with the Expanse. As I have this with various films/programmes I'm certain it's my settings though. Or films are generally too badly lit nowadays.
I have attempted to sort it out, but it's surprisingly difficult to get things right, not the actual altering itself which is just sliding bars about, but getting it to look right is another thing.
Not helped by the TV in my room behind a touch too small for the distance from my peepers. Heh.
It's very probably to do with my eyes not being great. I have this problem a fair bit. On computer games, for example, I always have to have the saturation turned up much higher than the advised 'adjust the sliders until the logo is barely visible'. If I do that and then go into a cave or something, I literally can't see anything, so I have to set it much brighter.
The mumbling is something else I often have trouble with. I've recently bought a soundbase for my TV which certainly helps. I have the 'clear voice' option on the highest setting which is really good - there are still some shows and films I struggle with though.
I'm sure The Expanse is excellent and I'm sure the moody lighting and low drawly accents are all part of the noir aesthetic but it doesn't help if your senses aren't particularly acute. If I watched the show in a pitch black room with the volume wacked up it would probably be fine, but that's just not the reality of how TV viewing happens in my house.
For what it's worth, my hearing is fine, yet I often still find myself resorting to subtitles to make out what people say. I have no difficulty hearing the sounds, but often miss the actual words.
Don't get me wrong, it's not so bad that I'd miss most of the film if I left the subtitles off. It doesn't stop me enjoying films at cinemas. But with a rewind function I feel the need to catch everything... and it can make the viewing drag on a bit, if I'm not careful. 😆
While I like the naturalism* in modern acting, there's something to be said for the older days when people spoke more clearly on film..or maybe that's just in my head.
*I might have used the wrong word, there.Speaking and acting in an everyday kind of way** rather than exaggerating enunciation like in some plays is what I mean. Not to be confused with a slightly different spelling which involves people doing everyday activities with their clothes off.
**Making allowances for criminal activities and other naughtiness which provide much of story it's story, of course.
We tend to pretty much always have the subtitles on, with TV shows especially, which can be very dense with information these days, making it fairly easy to miss essential plot info, and doubly so in a show like The Sopranos or The Deuce where there is a lot of specific slang and shorthand.
It did take me a couple of episodes to get into the way people spoke and use slang - especially Thomas Jane. Fortunately, the missus kept dozing off so we had to rewatch bits anyway.
It definitely takes a bit of time to get into the phrasing and the way the characters speak. I remember comparing it a little bit to The Wire when I first started watching, just in the sense that you feel a bit like you've been dropped in at the deep end and expected to figure out for yourself what everyone is talking about. It's like joining a conversation mid-way instead of being introduced, if that analogy makes sense!
Once it clicked I didn't find it a problem though, and like The Wire I maybe feel a bit more engaged with it than I would have if it hadn't asked that of me.
I'm four episodes in to the new series and absolutely loving it!!!
Best TV Space Opera since Blake's Seven.
Such a treat!
Chained all 13 episodes of season 3 this weekend. Absolutely bloody brilliant.
Glad people are getting into some Expanse. I didn't get hooked into the show, but I love the books - I get each new one the day it comes out and devour it quickly.
Yeah we're about 6 episodes into S3 now after watching 3 back to back last night. It's pretty unheard of for us to watch more than one episode of anything in one sitting (outside sitcoms), but it's so damn good. I think the last time we actually binged anything was S2 of The Expanse actually.
Quote from: Keef Monkey on 11 February, 2019, 11:09:55 AM
Yeah we're about 6 episodes into S3 now after watching 3 back to back last night. It's pretty unheard of for us to watch more than one episode of anything in one sitting (outside sitcoms), but it's so damn good. I think the last time we actually binged anything was S2 of The Expanse actually.
Same with us. *Damn* season 3 is hot.
I want to try ths again now.
I wouldn't mind giving the books a go too.
Quote from: JamesC on 11 February, 2019, 11:58:46 AM
I want to try ths again now.
I wouldn't mind giving the books a go too.
Season 3 takes a little dip in the second half but recovers for an excellent finale. Very excited for S4, but very tempted by the books as well.
I'm told the books are really tough going, in the way that 'hard' SF has a tendency to be. I dislike 'hard' SF as a point of general principle* but those who are better disposed towards the sub-genre might get on with them.
*I was once told by one of its enthusiastic supporters that "no one should be allowed to write science fiction if they can't use a slide rule."
It is not really hard SF with its obsession with numbers and so forth, it's hard SF in that until a point very few things act without regards to physics and the tech is all based around actual principles and mechanics. But it's not hard SF where they spend much time dwelling on that.
Quote from: Theblazeuk on 15 February, 2019, 03:27:16 PM
It is not really hard SF with its obsession with numbers and so forth, it's hard SF in that until a point very few things act without regards to physics and the tech is all based around actual principles and mechanics. But it's not hard SF where they spend much time dwelling on that.
Fair enough. I haven't read 'em — all I know is what people (whose opinion I generally trust) have said and they all seem to think the books are pretty turgid. Other opinions are available, obviously!
I have not read the books either but the show is awesome. I am almost halfway with season 3 and so far it is as great as the previous seasons.
The books are dumb fun, in my opinion. Much prefer the TV show though
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 15 February, 2019, 03:20:52 PM
*I was once told by one of its enthusiastic supporters that "no one should be allowed to write science fiction if they can't use a slide rule."
This person believes you shouldn't write about futuristic technology unless you understand an obsolete and completely outdated piece of technology?
Actual scientists don't use slide rules anymore. The only time I've ever seen a slide rule in real life was when my old professor showed one in a tutorial and remarked on how quaint it seemed.
I hope you rolled your eyes in an exaggerated fashion at this silly person.
And tutted.
Loudly.
Quote from: Mister Pops on 15 February, 2019, 04:14:58 PM
I hope you rolled your eyes in an exaggerated fashion at this silly person.
I was too busy consulting my log tables...
I've been getting into series 3 - I was frustrated with the first season because it didn't quite match what my imagination could throw up when reading the books. Still: really enjoying series 3.
The real-physics tech stuff in the books I love - so many sci-fi things have magic gravity on ships that it was refreshing to read about the problems reality would throw up in particular situations.
There's a brilliant set piece (which we're not up to yet in the series) where an unexpected sudden change in acceleration decimates anyone not strapped in. I'm being coy to avoid spoilers.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 15 February, 2019, 06:40:46 PM
I
The real-physics tech stuff in the books I love - so many sci-fi things have magic gravity on ships that it was refreshing to read about the problems reality would throw up in particular situations.
There's a brilliant set piece (which we're not up to yet in the series) where an unexpected sudden change in acceleration decimates anyone not strapped in. I'm being coy to avoid spoilers.
I've not read the books yet. (In two minds) That said, the scientific 'accuracy' is a pleasant change. So much of this is a nice change from the lazy plotting of so much sci-fi.
The third season continues to impress. The mix of political manipulation, scientific speculation and raw humanity mix well. Granted it helps that it has nothing against which to compare at present but of all the thin gruel available at present it is the most satisfying.
Quote from: Funt Solo on 15 February, 2019, 06:40:46 PM
There's a brilliant set piece (which we're not up to yet in the series) where an unexpected sudden change in acceleration decimates anyone not strapped in. I'm being coy to avoid spoilers.
There's two examples of this on the show I can recall in series 3. One was when someone was strapped in, and the other was an entire episode dedicated to the effects of such an event set on a larger scale, but with less speed and rapid deceleration involved. What I particularly loved about the attention to detail about that, is that it depicts how dangerous any kind of injury in zero gravity conditions would have, even if it would be relatively minor with 1G.
It's also got one of a few (possibly only?) true depictions of what a spontaneous fire outbreak would do and look like in zero gravity, even if it's the wrong colour.
There was also a moment I particularly liked in S3: [spoiler]a character's dying tears stuck by surface tension to her eyes.[/spoiler] Awesome.
Quote from: wedgeski on 16 February, 2019, 05:55:00 PM
There was also a moment I particularly liked in S3: [spoiler]a character's dying tears stuck by surface tension to her eyes.[/spoiler] Awesome.
YES!! Noticed that also - genius!
There are occasional doubtful bits though. [spoiler]Everyone on the Mormon ship wearing magnetic shoes (before they got it spinning) so they don't float around in zero g, yet apparently alcoholic beverages can be poured from bottles into wine glasses no problem at all. [/spoiler] That confused the hell out of me.
Quote from: shaolin_monkey on 17 February, 2019, 09:28:14 AM
Quote from: wedgeski on 16 February, 2019, 05:55:00 PMThat confused the hell out of me.
I mean, we could criticise how no-one's hair behaves like it should (except for stand-out moments like Julie Mau in the pilot), or their clothes. At some point we have to accept that they're doing the absolute best they can within a realistic budget. :)
I also had that 'why is their hair not floating?' moment, before reminding myself that for sci-fi on a telly budget they're actually addressing way more little details than most shows would bother with! I didn't even register the pouring drinks thing, I think it works in the show's favour that because everyone is walking around in magnetic shoes I almost forget there's no gravity for long stretches. I also thought the [spoiler]tears moment was really cool, such a small detail and was really neat that they did it.[/spoiler]
Another detail I liked was that they'd thought about how someone's dialect and accent adjusts to who they're around, it's most obvious with [spoiler]Naomi because she flits between the Rocinante and the belter community, and it's really cool how she slips in and out of belter lingo as she goes back and forth. Everyone does that when they visit home, but not sure I've noticed that detail in a show before.[/spoiler]
Have finished season 3 now and about halfway through it I turned to my wife and declared it my favourite show I've ever watched, and she agreed. Battlestar has been the king for a long time for me (so much so that it felt a bit like a betrayal to say it!) but it really has engaged me that much. Time will tell if it will stand up to that claim, or if I was just caught up in the moment, but right now I'm really excited about rewatching it all before season 4 appears later in the year, and I very rarely do that with TV shows.
I find one of the biggest strengths of it, particularly in season 3, is [spoiler]how with many of the conflicts it's not 'goodies vs villains', because there are a bunch of characters you've invested in and grown to love on all sides of the conflict and they're all just trying their best to carry out what their interpretation of the correct solution is. There are so many times that in the pursuit of that a character does something pretty awful, but it doesn't ever feel like a heel turn, you just feel for them and know they've been pushed into a position where that felt the only action. And man, Amos is just the best TV character in years. He is THE BEST, and he's so stoic and closed off that when he does his loyal friend thing it grabs me by the heart and squeezes all the feels out. I like all the characters that I'm genuinely tense as hell for a lot of it because there aren't any characters I wouldn't find gut-wrenching to lose![/spoiler]
In short, I love it, fantastic.
Amos is one of the reasons why I prefer the TV show to the book. Also, I don't have to stay inside James Holden's head for too long, and I also think the TV show interweaves the plotlines and characters more satisfyingly than the more episodic books (easier to work from a complete picture I imagine).
I love really Belter dialect. Sort of a mish-mash of west-indian, working class London* and something else. Well to my ears. The London is mild, more the lasy pronunciation of the le-uh tee. (See what I did there. Not that we all do it and not all the time, but I remember my mum reprimanding me as a kid "IT'S WAW-TER, NOT WAW-UH'. To this day I'm loathe to do that any any more, although it might creep in on occasion.) It's massively exaggerated in Belter, obviously.
Anyway, [spoiler]las' episode me watch was when dat bel'uh racing doof' goh 'im noggin spla'ered a' l gee.
[/spoiler]
*Granted there's more than one accent there, but I'm not cockney and I've encountered it. Sometimes out my own cake-ole.
Quote from: Mardroid on 19 February, 2019, 06:47:56 PM
I love really Belter dialect. Sort of a mish-mash of west-indian, working class London* and something else. Well to my ears. The London is mild, more the lasy pronunciation of the le-uh tee. (See what I did there. Not that we all do it and not all the time, but I remember my mum reprimanding me as a kid "IT'S WAW-TER, NOT WAW-UH'. To this day I'm loathe to do that any any more, although it might creep in on occasion.) It's massively exaggerated in Belter, obviously.
Anyway, [spoiler]las' episode me watch was when dat bel'uh racing doof' goh 'im noggin spla'ered a' l gee.
[/spoiler]
*Granted there's more than one accent there, but I'm not cockney and I've encountered it. Sometimes out my own cake-ole.
I do love the way the Belters talk, and wonder how much actors enjoy being allowed to go pretty hog-wild with an accent that doesn't really exist in the real world, seems it would be a fun challenge. I liked that it extended to their computer displays and readouts too, [spoiler]I forget which other spots I noticed that in but the computer monitors had something like 'ShowxaTings' on them[/spoiler] which was a nice bit of detail.
The Belter accent sounds like Bob in this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TutMf0xPczI
2:08
I'm up to episode 4 of season 2 and have to agree, this is really good stuff!
Blimey! And that episode 5 chasing Eros is some of the best and most affecting telly I've seen since the Season 4 Walking Dead episode The Grove.
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 15 March, 2019, 12:29:21 PM
Blimey! And that episode 5 chasing Eros is some of the best and most affecting telly I've seen since the Season 4 Walking Dead episode The Grove.
That episode is SO good!
Ooh. Hello.
Season 4 trailer. (https://youtu.be/TFdzpVt5rbk)
Roll on Dec 13th.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 18 November, 2019, 08:26:09 PM
Ooh. Hello.
Season 4 trailer. (https://youtu.be/TFdzpVt5rbk)
Roll on Dec 13th.
I AM SO EXCITED!!! :D
Antagonist: "Someday you and I are going to end up bloody."
Amos: "I'm free right now!"
Mrs IP: "So when did this series suddenly become Stargate?"
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 19 November, 2019, 09:06:39 AM
Mrs IP: "So when did this series suddenly become Stargate?"
End of last season — do keep up! :-)
I dipped my toe into season 4 by binge-watching the entire thing. I remember the next book feeling a bit weak, so it'll be interesting to see where they go with it.
The Kevin Smith recap is worth a watch.
Just started watching this and blazed through all 5 seasons in a week. It's so good!
Amos definitely has the best lines, I thought nothing could top "I *am* that guy" but then he went and did this:
Quote from: Funt Solo on 19 November, 2019, 06:01:18 AM
Antagonist: "Someday you and I are going to end up bloody."
Amos: "I'm free right now!"
Of all the characters in the Expanse Amos is by far the most intriguing. There is a barely restrained feral dimension that he lets loose like a finely honed weapon. The effect is devastating. Yet at the same time there is a morality that tempers it.
What I've found most interesting though is the way he has personally internalised that control. At the outset Naomi was his 'governor'. There were times when even she struggled to keep him in check. Now he uses force just enough to make his point, only fully unleashing it on those he considers truly contemptible.
Yes, I am in total agreement. Amos started out almost like a blunt instrument but his moral compass what can and what cannot be done gives his character a real edge over the rest of the cast. I also like Bobbie Draper a no-nonsense character.
Interesting take but I don't think he has his own morality; he's painfully aware that he doesn't know right from wrong. Naomi wasn't his governor she was his moral compass.
If you are up to date on Season 5 you get a lot more of his backstory and it's heartbreaking without being whimsical. His anger and inabilty to connect emotionally (even with himself) are totally understandable.
In the most recent episode, there were [spoiler]questions about his ability to keep his immoral side in check. [/spoiler]
Quote from: Rara Avis on 11 January, 2021, 07:17:05 PM
Interesting take but I don't think he has his own morality; he's painfully aware that he doesn't know right from wrong. Naomi wasn't his governor she was his moral compass.
Very much my take on the character, too. He's a hair's breadth from being a psychopath, in as much he's only able to feel empathy for a very few people and everyone else... well, God help them if they're in his way, or a threat to those few he does value.
Yes, exactly. You could argue that he's amoral but he does seem to care about what's right / good and wrong / bad. He just can't tell the difference between what needs to be done and the right thing to do. He's at a loss when these are in conflict which is why he looks to Naomi and Holden for guidance. He's a brillaint depicted character - he has all the tropes of the badass psycho but this conflict gives him huge depth.
On a side note; how does he maintain his physique in zero gravity?
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 11 January, 2021, 07:48:11 PM
In the most recent episode, there were [spoiler]questions about his ability to keep his immoral side in check. [/spoiler]
Quote from: Rara Avis on 12 January, 2021, 06:00:36 AM
On a side note; how does he maintain his physique in zero gravity?
He re-sleeved
I only ask because the show (books) are lauded for their true to life physics and yet both Amos and Holden not only keep their gainz but increase their gainz in space .. I guess they just need to shoot a scene in the Roci's as yet unseen onboard gym.
The TV show also abandoned making lots of the off-worlders really tall.
We're just cracking on with Season 5 right now. It's essentially flawless.
I tried to give this a go back on season one and gave up after an episode because I couldn't really make out a lot of the dialogue.
My brother in law recommended the show and when I mentioned that he said 'yeah, I watch it with subtitles on.'
Is that still a thing?
That is one of the most difficult thing about Expanse when the belters start to talk. Using sub-titles is a nice way around it. Throughout the series you have too deal with the belters. Still it is a great series
We watch everything with subs on. In part, that habit for my wife—in her country, everything is subbed, but only children's fare is dubbed. Obvs, subs aren't in English there, but she likes having words. But also, sound mixes are so dreadful these days—especially if you have a standard stereo set-up like we do—that we often rely on the subs to actually hear anything. (This is further exacerbated by mini-IP being in the room above where the telly is, and getting—rightfully—grumpy with us if the TV's too loud after she's gone to bed.)
Fortunately, Amazon Prime's mostly solid with subtitles.
Huh. Can't say we've ever had a problem with that.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 13 January, 2021, 01:35:19 PM
We watch everything with subs on. ...
I'm the same but mainly because my hearing is so crap the only way I can hear properly if it is at cinema level so the residents half way down the hill complain! Discovered the joys of subtitles years ago.
To be fair Amazon is actually pretty good on the ST front. BBC is always fun to watch with them on, mainly for how bad they are at it (not to mention the Ceefax effect ... I mean seriously ... that died out decades ago!)
There was definitely more mumbling in Season 1 and not just the Belters. But it definitely reduces whether by me getting used to the characters and the terminology or by them doing something on the production side, I don't know.
If the latter, can someone give them Christopher Nolan's phone number.
BBC is one of my bugbears, or more specifically iPlayer on Apple TV, which still lacks subtitles. BBC argues its system isn't compatible with Apple's (or the other way around), but as a public broadcaster, this is contrary to its remit. (Also, notably, Netflix, Amazon and even bloody NOW TV don't seem to have any problems.)
My god, this season is just fantastic, isn't it? Caught up with the last two episodes last night, and was blown away. So much great stuff going on!
If I was to compare it to the other sci-fi shows I watch with any regularity I would put it just below The Mandalorian and WAAAAAY ahead of ST: Discovery!!
I like it much more than Mando (which I did enjoy). It's just so rich in every way.
I'm still on Season3 and up to now, if you squint, you could pretend that THE EXPANSE is a Star Trek prequel. Before Cochrane. Maybe.
I'm similar with SF show rankings as IP with regards to Mando and Shaolin wrt Trek. Modern Star Trek is mostly coasting on my good will to the franchise.
Finding the middle of Season 2 a bit of a chore. From the inner solar system feeling like a vast and challenging place, everything now seems to be zipping from Earth to the Belt and back in the same time it takes Miller to drag a nuke into a bar.
Quote from: TordelBack on 14 January, 2021, 12:21:57 PM
Finding the middle of Season 2 a bit of a chore. From the inner solar system feeling like a vast and challenging place, everything now seems to be zipping from Earth to the Belt and back in the same time it takes Miller to drag a nuke into a bar.
Keep with it. I had misgivings about the first two seasons. Its was often challenge of the week in season one and other times I felt characters moved to suit plot - though the worst of those gets nicely - very nicely - addressed. There was always enough very good moments though to keep me with it. And then Season 3 - after the introduction of a character that really didn't sit well with me it basically ramps up in to frankly superb tv.
I will now go back to trying to ignore this thread until I'm caught up!
Quote from: Tiplodocus on 13 January, 2021, 07:50:16 PMModern Star Trek is mostly coasting on my good will to the franchise.
We gave up with Picard. It suffered terribly with us watching other shows at the same time, which packed more plot into a single episode than Picard managed in the four or five we struggled through. I'm not much of a Star Trek fan anyway. I watched a fair bit of TNG, but always felt the universe stilted, very American, sexist and overly 'clean' (I like my SF grubby). But Mrs IP likes it a lot and has watched entire series when I've been doing other things. Picard was a step too far. We both happily mainline The Expanse though.
Quote from: TordelBack on 14 January, 2021, 12:21:57 PM
... it takes Miller to drag a nuke into a bar.
That sounds like the start of a rather interesting joke. What's the punchline?
Quote from: Tjm86 on 14 January, 2021, 01:26:01 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 14 January, 2021, 12:21:57 PM
... it takes Miller to drag a nuke into a bar.
That sounds like the start of a rather interesting joke. What's the punchline?
KABOOOOM !!!!!!!
Just watched the latest episode .. it's incredible ..
(https://i.giphy.com/media/3o7aCWJavAgtBzLWrS/giphy.webp)
I hadn't realised that the next season will be the last. On the one hand, that makes me sad. On the other, I'm happy that the series will come to a planned ending, rather than just getting unceremoniously cancelled, probably on a cliff-hanger. (Yes, I'm looking particularly at you, Dark Matter.)
Oh that's surprising, I thought there would be 9 seasons.
This week's episode was a bit of a non episode - not much happening.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 16 January, 2021, 10:14:50 AM
I hadn't realised that the next season will be the last. On the one hand, that makes me sad. On the other, I'm happy that the series will come to a planned ending, rather than just getting unceremoniously cancelled, probably on a cliff-hanger. (Yes, I'm looking particularly at you, Dark Matter.)
That makes sense as there's a [spoiler]generational shift[/spoiler] from one book to the next. I started with the books and am awaiting
season book #9, which is touted as being the finale.
I just found out yesterday that the Star Trek animated series Below Decks is available now in the UK. It on Amazon Prime.
The tone is rather different from the various series (which can be different from each other) in that this is a comedy series. It's not just played mostly straight with the main characters providing the comedy, either. You get the impression that the whole crew are a bit silly. It's basically like Futurama in a Star Trek setting, but not QUITE as crazy as that... well, so far. It makes me wonder how canon to consider this, for that reason, but it's probably not worth worrying about that. It's quite a fun ride.
I haven't watched it all yet, but so far I've enjoyed it. There's quite a bit of homage and parody of the other series and it might go a bit overboard with the references but I haven't found that irritating yet. I did get a bit irritated by the repetitive '[spoiler]boy who is a stickler for procedure is rubbish while the cooky rebel girl turns out to be really accomplished and bails him out' stuff, but the guy does get his moment later.[/spoiler]
Quote from: Rara Avis on 22 January, 2021, 06:02:24 PM
Oh that's surprising, I thought there would be 9 seasons.
This week's episode was a bit of a non episode - not much happening.
At least it had some Punching Amos and was 100x better than the previous week Glottlestop Family Therapy Session.
TBH the whole season hasn't had much happen to the main characters aside from the insufferable weeping gal. And yet it's still infinitely better than the planet mud season.
Quote from: Mardroid on 23 January, 2021, 02:12:26 PM
I just found out yesterday that the Star Trek animated series Below Decks is available now in the UK. It on Amazon Prime.
The tone is rather different from the various series (which can be different from each other) in that this is a comedy series. It's not just played mostly straight with the main characters providing the comedy, either. You get the impression that the whole crew are a bit silly. It's basically like Futurama in a Star Trek setting, but not QUITE as crazy as that... well, so far. It makes me wonder how canon to consider this, for that reason, but it's probably not worth worrying about that. It's quite a fun ride.
I haven't watched it all yet, but so far I've enjoyed it. There's quite a bit of homage and parody of the other series and it might go a bit overboard with the references but I haven't found that irritating yet. I did get a bit irritated by the repetitive '[spoiler]boy who is a stickler for procedure is rubbish while the cooky rebel girl turns out to be really accomplished and bails him out' stuff, but the guy does get his moment later.[/spoiler]
Sorry everyone! I got this thread mixed up with the general TV series thread, hence my post above waffling on about the new Star Trek cartoon. I think it was the Star Trek comparisons in previous episodes that did it. How embarrassing. I can't delete it unfortunately, but admin, feel free,if you like.
Anyway, enjoying the Expanse as well, but I seem to prefer it bit by bit. I.e. I enjoy each episode but don't feel the urge to watch the next quickly, like I do most shows.
This isn't a bad thing however. I get through shows way too quickly
Quote from: BPP on 23 January, 2021, 02:28:36 PM
At least it had some Punching Amos and was 100x better than the previous week Glottlestop Family Therapy Session.
TBH the whole season hasn't had much happen to the main characters aside from the insufferable weeping gal. And yet it's still infinitely better than the planet mud season.
Who did Amos punch? How did I miss that?
I thought the same about the previous week until [spoiler]Naomi threw herself out of the airlock. Wow![/spoiler]
Absolute cracker this week !
I can't say enough good things about The Expanse. I haven't been this invested in a show since B5's original run.
Brilliant episode last night!! I'm on the edge of my seat re every scenario being played out. Magnificent space opera television!! For me it's kicking all other sci-fi shows into touch, except maybe The Mandalorian.
Wow! Episode 10 - is that the last episode of the series?! Bloody superb
Quote from: shaolin_monkey on 28 January, 2021, 02:03:35 PMFor me it's kicking all other sci-fi shows into touch, except maybe The Mandalorian.
For me, The Expanse is way in front. I liked Mando, but it's very much episode of the week, very templated, and, frankly, had the kind of ending to S02 that made me want to slap the showrunner. (The sheer number of spin-offs planned is also pretty depressing.) But The Expanse just builds and builds. I have no idea how they will manage to finish this in another handful of episodes. The only negative is it makes me feel a bit dirty, because it's something to thank Bezos for.
Does anyone else think it's mad the way Bezos and Zuckerberg both look like cartoon villans.
Well, that's one way to end a series. Very glad they've not done a Netflix and already confirmed it'll be back (although quite when, who knows, given COVID).
I'm still on Season 4 and mostly can't stop getting confused that they are filming on location as opposed to the lovely but enclosed sets they put up with for years.
Is it me or does The Expanse series 5 have some of the worst use of extras ever? The workers who show up looking for help at the snowy country estate and the politicians / army types in the incident room when [spoiler]Marko attacks The Ring defenses[/spoiler] - the unified cheer they gave when the Mars ships show up made me snigger - the unified shoulder slump when they realise they are [spoiler]not fighting with them[/spoiler] made me sigh.
Overall it was better than season 4 but still way, way down on 3. Marko is such a mustache twirling villain its hard to sell him. I thought what they did with Alex was brave and interesting, by the very fact it lacked expected drama and scale. That lack of drama and scale also robbed it of much of its impact as well. It felt really rushed in places, as though there wasn't time to set up conflicit or incident so they just cut to the chase. The 'security' turning up at aforementioned snowy country estate for the gun fight of it all. The escape from the prison was so contrived and the time it look [spoiler]Chrisjen to get to the head of the UN[/spoiler] in the time it look everyone else not to [spoiler]get to Noami[/spoiler] was Empire Strike Backian in its timelines.
Still much more compelling that season 4 and seems to be setting up some interesting stuff for the 6th Season - which I seem to have in my head is the last?
And I've just discovered why Alex[spoiler] is written out so quickly[/spoiler]. Christ that's depressing!
Yep: next series is the last. Even the wallet of Bezos has limits.
Colin, the revelations about Cas Anvar (Alex) are beyond depressing. My eldest daughter wants to a career in theatre production. Knowing how common some of the behaviours alleged are does not fill me with confidence for her safety.
Quote from: Tjm86 on 13 June, 2021, 04:27:36 PM
Colin, the revelations about Cas Anvar (Alex) are beyond depressing. My eldest daughter wants to a career in theatre production. Knowing how common some of the behaviours alleged are does not fill me with confidence for her safety.
Yeah and then you hear how sexual harrassment is so normalised in schools these days as well.
In the context of of this show its particularly depressing... well no its infuriating wherever and when makes no difference. It has a different level as one thing this show does very well is be effortless diverse. Showing that there should be no rythm or reason to expect anything else.
Good luck to your daughter I hope she enters a time where the calling out of this crap puts and end to it...
I never could sympathize those babbling idiot Belters, so was delighted when Season 5 gave me a reason to embrace my xenophobic hatred.
Earth must come First.
New trailer out; the end is nigh ..
https://youtu.be/fb01ds-4IC4
relatable but awe-inspiring too. it's a super stylish, highly emotional, character driven space opera. for me it's the best sci-fi show of them all. i can't wait.
Fantastic I really enjoyed the first 5 seasons this will give me some Xmas bingeing
Only 6 episodes!
A second cloaked asteroid just struck my heart.
Quote from: Link Prime on 19 November, 2021, 10:23:34 AM
Only 6 episodes!
A second cloaked asteroid just struck my heart.
Hopefully this will be reflected in the quality on show. Being the final season no need for much character building just getting on with the story arc.
I don't mind short seasons as long as it's quality.
Interesting response on Twitter from James Corey:
QuoteThe question I have for the people worried that #TheExpanse season 6 is "only" 6 episodes is this: Would you rather have six very expensive very high energy non-stop awesome episodes of the show, or zero?
I like the six we got.
Fair enough. Just as long as it doesn't upend the nature of the show, like Game of Thrones.
Well, that first episode did the business. I can't believe there are only five more, but I can't wait for the next one. Hey, Chibnall: THIS is how you do it.
it's all about character, most of all. and then you care. simple.
I know what you mean but let's be honest, it is a little more nuanced than that. Time and effort has clearly gone into the world building of the Expanse. In many respects it connects disturbingly closely to our present society which is what good SF does.
There is balance of action, intrigue and drama that, yes, is both driven and underpinned by believable characterisation. It also manages to avoid the pitfalls of too many SF series of believing its own hype and crawling up its own posterior or just becoming downright silly (Star Trek, Dr Who ... I'm looking at you ...).
It's interesting also to see scientists talking about the show and being broadly in favour of the concepts used. That shows an element of research and an attempt to make the show feel real rather than just hand-waving everything away.
I've been watching this and enjoying it. However it has now slightly spoiled my viewing of other space(flight) based shows. I now expect more from the others out there regarding how they actually travel & live in space.
I feel I need a bit of "realism" in my fantasy based viewing 😂😂😂
Very solid start to the season.
Character commentary:
- I miss Alex.
- Both Filip and Peaches are utterly irredeemable.
- I hope they bring Bull back as pilot of the Rocinante, cause A) Yer man was a great actor & B) I wouldn't trust Holden to pilot a furrowed brow while staring intently at a screen.
A very good opening episode. I will miss this series when it is all done and dusted.
Not started watching this yet - and having just bought the kids a Disney Plus and Netflix sub for Xmas I'm not sure when I will - so coming into this thread with great caution and don't know if this has been mentioned. Just in case though I saw this when pottering around the internet this morning
https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/24/22851119/the-expanse-season-6-final-amazon-x-ray (https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/24/22851119/the-expanse-season-6-final-amazon-x-ray)
apparently some bonus scenes are available on tablet and photo - though not TV - though I'm sure I get X-Ray on my telly we'll see... anyway just wanted to make sure folks knew about this and apologise if its old news.
Last couple of episodes have been great, particularity the Christmas Eve Pella v Rocinante segment.
Two episodes left to tie it all up, and weave in the Laconia sub-plot?
Strewth.
Quote from: Link Prime on 05 January, 2022, 10:33:38 AM
Last couple of episodes have been great, particularity the Christmas Eve Pella v Rocinante segment.
Two episodes left to tie it all up, and weave in the Laconia sub-plot?
Strewth.
Exactly my worry. Good as this series is, it still feels like a casual 12-episode stroll, not the 6-episode sprint I assumed it would be. Perhaps the final episode will be double-length.
The last one is supposed to be longer, at around 75 minutes. So we're getting six and a half episodes, I guess.
Really enjoyed the series finale but what was with the dog like aliens
For me the last season ends in a satisfactory way the main storyline at least has been completed with some nice possibilities kept open for a spin-off (or two)
Enjoyed it and definitely left for a spin off.
Is there any reason for the name drop for "Aliens" just before the drop or just paying homage the writers fav film?
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 16 January, 2022, 09:34:30 PM
Is there any reason for the name drop for "Aliens" just before the drop or just paying homage the writers fav film?
The screen showing the assault team's names was full of references, not just to Aliens:
(https://i.imgur.com/DvGUy8B.jpg)
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 17 January, 2022, 07:00:49 AM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 16 January, 2022, 09:34:30 PM
Is there any reason for the name drop for "Aliens" just before the drop or just paying homage the writers fav film?
The screen showing the assault team's names was full of references, not just to Aliens:
(https://i.imgur.com/DvGUy8B.jpg)
Good spot it was only the Aliens ones that stood out for me. Now I'm trying to name the films the characters are in (without google) it will while away the morning 😁
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 07:53:24 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 17 January, 2022, 07:00:49 AM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 16 January, 2022, 09:34:30 PM
Is there any reason for the name drop for "Aliens" just before the drop or just paying homage the writers fav film?
The screen showing the assault team's names was full of references, not just to Aliens:
(https://i.imgur.com/DvGUy8B.jpg)
Good spot it was only the Aliens ones that stood out for me. Now I'm trying to name the films the characters are in (without google) it will while away the morning 😁
Too late, someone on another forum had already beaten you to the punch and wrote them all down.
Quote from: Batman's Superior Cousin on 17 January, 2022, 08:16:22 AM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 07:53:24 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 17 January, 2022, 07:00:49 AM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 16 January, 2022, 09:34:30 PM
Is there any reason for the name drop for "Aliens" just before the drop or just paying homage the writers fav film?
The screen showing the assault team's names was full of references, not just to Aliens:
(https://i.imgur.com/DvGUy8B.jpg)
Good spot it was only the Aliens ones that stood out for me. Now I'm trying to name the films the characters are in (without google) it will while away the morning 😁
Too late, someone on another forum had already beaten you to the punch and wrote them all down.
I'll soldier on the without looking for 24 hours then I'll search for the answers - so far pick out 6 films but struggling now - I sooo want "Rico J" to be Judge Rico 😁 when it's confirmed.
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 08:43:44 AM
I sooo want "Rico J" to be Judge Rico 😁 when it's confirmed.
Surely it'll be this guy - "I'm from Buenos Aires, and I say kill 'em all!"
Quote from: Barrington Boots on 17 January, 2022, 08:57:19 AM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 08:43:44 AM
I sooo want "Rico J" to be Judge Rico 😁 when it's confirmed.
Surely it'll be this guy - "I'm from Buenos Aires, and I say kill 'em all!"
That makes more sense Trooper 😉
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 07:53:24 AM
Good spot it was only the Aliens ones that stood out for me.
It was, but I can't take credit for it — I naffed that image from John Freeman's FB feed.
QuoteNow I'm trying to name the films the characters are in (without google) it will while away the morning 😁
Hint: not
just films...
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 17 January, 2022, 09:35:56 AM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 07:53:24 AM
Good spot it was only the Aliens ones that stood out for me.
It was, but I can't take credit for it — I naffed that image from John Freeman's FB feed.
QuoteNow I'm trying to name the films the characters are in (without google) it will while away the morning 😁
Hint: not just films...
😳 that's me fecked then - I'm up to 7 films I hope!
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 10:24:55 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 17 January, 2022, 09:35:56 AM
Hint: not just films...
😳 that's me fecked then - I'm up to 7 films I hope!
Think I'm up to ten. A couple of the others ring a bell but otherwise I'm stumped. Fun.
I'm pretty sure the top left one is a reference to the character Betty Draper from the popular series Madmen. Below her is Star Wars' own Admiral Ackbar, whom many rappers would tell you is the original G. Then there's Dennis Quaid, who was in sci-fi classics such as Enemy Mine and Inner Space, followed by everyone's favourite Avenger, Da Bowman. At the bottom is the ambiguously gendered Commander Shepherd from Mass Effect. At the top of the next column is a reference to the Actor who played Geordie Laforge, none other than levAr Burton.
That's as far as I've got.
Quote from: Mister Pops on 17 January, 2022, 12:13:34 PM
Then there's Dennis Quaid, who was in sci-fi classics such as Enemy Mine and Inner Space
Or possibly Doug Quaid, Arnie's character in Total Recall.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 17 January, 2022, 12:14:55 PM
Quote from: Mister Pops on 17 January, 2022, 12:13:34 PM
Then there's Dennis Quaid, who was in sci-fi classics such as Enemy Mine and Inner Space
Or possibly Doug Quaid, Arnie's character in Total Recall.
Also Colin Farrell's character in Total Recall.
Haven't seen this episode but Burton and Draper are Amos and Bobbie I'm guessing?
I see Star Wars, Total Recall, Aliens, Last Starfighter, Terminator, Blade Runner, Battlestar Galactica, Dune, Tron, Star Trek, 2001, possibly Spaceballs referenced here and there's loads of others I haven't got. I think there's also a Mass Effect reference, which means there could also be a Halo one...
And Starship Troopers obviously! Oops!
Is that Lucky Starr from the Isaac Asimov YA novels?
Quote from: broodblik on 16 January, 2022, 12:30:12 PM
For me the last season ends in a satisfactory way the main storyline at least has been completed with some nice possibilities kept open for a spin-off (or two)
Agreed.
Although I should feel
more satisfied that the [spoiler]favorable outcome was achieved without any loss for The Rocinante crew. That was genuinely unexpected.
Come to think of it, the only major character to kick the bucket in the finale was 'ol Space Bin Laden.[/spoiler]
Surely there's the possibility that The Expanse could be revived a few years down the line - if those aul wans from Sex and the City can successfully stage a comeback after 20 years, then anything's possible.
Anyway - great series, fantastic characters and a complete, solid story. A rare gem.
Great show. I'll miss it.
For anyone with one or two left to get : https://screenrant.com/expanse-season-6-finale-battle-scifi-characters-easter-eggs/amp/
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 08:43:44 AM
Quote from: Batman's Superior Cousin on 17 January, 2022, 08:16:22 AM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 17 January, 2022, 07:53:24 AM
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 17 January, 2022, 07:00:49 AM
Quote from: Trooper McFad on 16 January, 2022, 09:34:30 PM
Is there any reason for the name drop for "Aliens" just before the drop or just paying homage the writers fav film?
The screen showing the assault team's names was full of references, not just to Aliens:
(https://i.imgur.com/DvGUy8B.jpg)
Good spot it was only the Aliens ones that stood out for me. Now I'm trying to name the films the characters are in (without google) it will while away the morning 😁
Too late, someone on another forum had already beaten you to the punch and wrote them all down.
I'll soldier on the without looking for 24 hours then I'll search for the answers - so far pick out 6 films but struggling now - I sooo want "Rico J" to be Judge Rico 😁 when it's confirmed.
A full list below, curtesy of the 24-hour user from another forum.
[spoiler] Draper, B - Bobbie Draper, The Expanse
Burton, A - Amos Burton, The Expanse
Ackbar, G - Admiral Giar Ackbar, Star Wars
Idaho, D - Duncan Idaho, Dune
Quaid, D - Douglas Quaid, Total Recall
Rogan, A - Alex Rogan, The Last Starfighter
Bowman, D - David Bowman, 2001: A Space Odyssey
Nesmith, J - Jason Nesmith, Galaxy Quest
Shephard, C - Commander Shephard, Mass Effect
Buck, E - Edward Buck, Halo universe
Garrity, K - Kathleen Garrity, one of showrunner Naren Shankar's karate teachers
Ochiai, H - Hidy Ochiai, one of showrunner Naren Shankar's karate teachers
Ripley, E - Ellen Ripley, Alien
Vasquez, J - Jenette Vasquez, Aliens
Hicks, D - Dwayne Hicks, Aliens
Hudson, W - William Hudson, Aliens
Cooper, J - Joseph 'Coop' Cooper, Interstellar
Deckard, R - Rick Deckard, Blade Runner
Anderton, J - John Anderton, Minority Report
O'Neil, J - Jack O'Neil, Stargate
Levine, R - Rob Levine, one of showrunner Naren Shankar's karate teachers
Rico, J - Johnny Rico, Starship Troopers
Starr, L - Lucky Starr, Asimov or Lone Starr, Spaceballs
Thrace, K - Kara Thrace (Starbuck), Battlestar Galactica
Banks, L - Louise Banks, Arrival
Connor, S - Sarah Connor, The Terminator
Flynn, K - Kevin Flynn, TRON
Stone, R - Ryan Stone, Gravity
Neary, R - Roy Neary, Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Riker, W - William Riker, Star Trek: The Next Generation[/spoiler]
Thanks for posting that list Batman's superior Cousin.
I only got up to 8 and wouldn't have got the others in a million years. It was fun racking my brain for a few hours- without google
Just finished Season 6 at last and ... well it felt like a season cramped into 6 epsiodes and ther last episode was particularly rushed and had some cringey moments. Extra acting continues to be truly awful in places. It was okay but really this series has Season 3 which was excellent and the rest is different degrees of no bad.