The Expanse (TV series)

[superstring01]

I only found the first book moderately enjoyable. I didn't love it on the level of "Dune" or "The Quantum Thief", but I sort of liked it. What they managed to do was make a really compelling show, improving characters I didn't love in the books while giving us some special effects that seem like they should be far beyond Syfy's budgetary constraints. I have to wonder if those amazing actors are even getting paid.

By far, for me, the stand out characters end up being in this order:

• Crisjen Avasarala played by the amazing Shohreh Aghdashloo. I love that she's at the center of everything on Earth and is usually a step ahead of the people around her.
• Amos Burton played by Wes Chatham. I think I love him because I want to blow him ... but he's also a great character. No nonsense and totally badass.
• Bobbie Draper played by Frankie Adams. She's not in the first season, and her arc in the second season takes a bit, but where she starts and where she finishes is a thing of beauty.
• Joe Miller played by Thomas Jane. Didn't like him so much in the first season, though he was a compelling character. But like with Draper, where they take him is outstanding and he fleshes out one of the very best episodes in any scifi series I've ever seen.

Clearly, I highly recommend it.

 

[DaveC426913]

I read the book and enjoyed it. Something prevented me from risking having it destroyed by watching the show.

 

[superstring01]

I read the book and enjoyed it. Something prevented me from risking having it destroyed by watching the show.

I think the TV show is one of the rare instances where it improves on the books. My brother is also a passionate scifi reader and he's read them all. He thinks the TV show is superior as well.

 

[Sarkus]

Didn't see this on UK TV at all, so took a bit of a gamble based on reviews that rated it highly.
Didn't realise it was based on some novels, and had initially thought it would be a reasonably hard SF fare, given that they more or less stick to proper physics (albeit with a fantastical propulsion system) etc. But I thought the first series (or season as the US refers to such) was excellent stuff. Not having a clue of what it was actually about meant I had no idea if a character was important or not, whether they might get killed off or not, but the acting, the story, the sfx, all wonderful stuff. I'm definitely looking forward to series/season 2.

The arc with the main crew was also reminiscent of some role-playing (p&p) that some friends and I did a while back... the group being pushed together and then effectively find themselves on their own after things go wrong.

 

[superstring01]

Well, the good news is that you're highly perceptive. The books were based on research done for an MMORPG. As I said, I only read the first book and thought it mediocre writing but a good story. The second season (or "series" as you Brits say) has already landed in the US and should make it your way soon. It really has a magnificent middle-season arc. Consider this fair trade for what you send us: Doctor Who.

 

[RADII]

I think the TV show is one of the rare instances where it improves on the books. My brother is also a passionate scifi reader and he's read them all. He thinks the TV show is superior as well.

I also have waded through all the books. I can't agree with "the TV show is one of the rare instances where it improves on the books" but the show comes awfully damned close. I guess for me, the depth conveyed in a written narrative is just never approachable in a visual one. I also agree on 'Crissie' Avasarala & Bobbi Draper.
I remember remarking @ the first indication they were making this "No way they can visually reproduce some of the events" from the books. Discovering Julie Mao, for example, or the final scene with Julie & Joe.

I was wrong.

 

[superstring01]

the final scene with Julie & Joe.

Oh god. That scene where he's confessing his love to her. I don't get choked up easy, but that may well have been one of the greatest moments in scifi TV. 2017 was good for that. If you watch the show "Legion", the final fight with Aubrey Plaza's "The Shadow King" when they went int olde timey silent film with the dialogue in those boxes on the screen. Perfection!

 

[RADII]

Oh god. That scene where he's confessing his love to her. I don't get choked up easy, but that may well have been one of the greatest moments in scifi TV. 2017 was good for that. If you watch the show "Legion", the final fight with Aubrey Plaza's "The Shadow King" when they went int olde timey silent film with the dialogue in those boxes on the screen. Perfection!

These days, pretty much only watch Expanse (for reasons already discussed) & Black Matter. Can't stand the current Dr. Who (well, past two or three) & found Killjoys pretty formulaic.

 

[Sarkus]

Meh, Dr.Who has never quite been the same as it used to be... I grew up with Tom Baker as Dr. Who... and find the current modern take to be too rushed by comparison... would much prefer a slower and more thoughtful story rather than the breakneck frantic escapades they cram into 45 minutes these days.

The Expanse is actually probably the first show to give me the same sense as when I first saw Babylon 5.
Killjoy is fun, and Dark Matter is okay. But The Expanse is much better on almost every level.

 

[superstring01]

These days, pretty much only watch Expanse (for reasons already discussed) & Black Matter. Can't stand the current Dr. Who (well, past two or three) & found Killjoys pretty formulaic.

I wanted to LOVE Killjoys. Couldn't stand it either. I really liked Matt Smith as Doctor Who. I didn't grow up on the show and only started watching it in 2012. I'm a binge watcher and usually access a show after a season is done and when I have a few days off. With that said, it's generally similar stuff:

• AHS (which has sucked)
• Exorcist
• The Expanse
• Rick and Morty
• Legion
• Doctor Who
• Sherlock (if it's ever on)
• WestWorld
• Bosch (which, I haven't seen the newest season)

 

[RADII]

I wanted to LOVE Killjoys. Couldn't stand it either. I really liked Matt Smith as Doctor Who. I didn't grow up on the show and only started watching it in 2012. I'm a binge watcher and usually access a show after a season is done and when I have a few days off. With that said, it's generally similar stuff:

• AHS (which has sucked)
• Exorcist
• The Expanse
• Rick and Morty
• Legion
• Doctor Who
• Sherlock (if it's ever on)
• WestWorld
• Bosch (which, I haven't seen the newest season)

• AHS - no interest, just the ads are too disturbing
• Exorcist - I saw the original movie, don't need anymore (ambulance was pulling up when we got there!)
• Expanse - op cit
• Rick and Morty - don't know this one
• Legion - haven't decided, yet
  
• Doctor Who - op cit
  
• Sherlock (new) - yes, Cumberbatch & Freeman are very good
• WestWorld - tainted by memories of Yul Brynner
• Bosch - absolutely, top-notch adaptation & Welliver is perfect

First watched with Baker as the Doctor, then Eccleston & Tennant. Still think Tennant the best, but Baker did it well enough to make the Doctor a go-to whenever possible

 

[river]

I have both seasons on DVD , enjoyed throughly .

Have read the first book , Leviathan Wakes and a little more than half way through , Caliban's War .

But without reading reading the books , and there are books inbetween , never heard of this before , 2.5 Gods Risk , 3.5 The Churn , 5.5 The Vital Abyss etc.. it seems to skip ahead . Naturally I assume but at times difficult to follow .

I'm thinking that it is these , .5 books , at least I hope they are books which would fill in the gaps . Don't know right yet but I'll find out .

Apparently the 3rd season has just begun , wish I could get the SyFy channel here in Canada .

Otherwise it is a series which I recommend , so far ....

 

[psikeyhackr]

I managed to finish the first book but nearly threw it across the room when the vomit zombies showed up.

I am more tolerant of TV and movies, probably because they are less work than reading, but The Expanse series is pretty good. I don't even try to compare it to the first book and I am not reading any more.