Anyone watching: The Expanse? - Possible SPOILERS

[Ubik]

Just about to start watching this. Got the first 4 episodes cued up and ready to go. I am horrendously sleep deprived and slightly hung over after NYE.

Let's see what this TV show can deliver!

[Ubik]

MILD SPOILERS

Episode 1: Very convincing stuff!

High production values throughout, great acting and proper space physics in terms of ship maneuvering.

The dwarf planet Ceres has a B5 like feel, lived in and thriving, very noir overtones and a bit down below-esque. Detective Miller has shades of Garibaldi, but the tone is slightly more serious, he bends the rules but has a conscience.

Some nice political intrigue and genuinely dense story telling in this first episode. It establishes loads with small details and snippets. Let's you start extrapolating a bit yourself. No spoon feeding.

I loved the world building. This reminds me a bit of BSG, but perhaps not quite as self consciously gritty. In fact, it definitely has its own feel. This is far better than any Sci-fi channel show I've seen, from acting, to FX. It's all closer to a HBO show in terms of feel.

Great thus far, oh man I hope this is the space opera I've been waiting for!

Diving into Episode 2 in a sec.

[sense8ional]

I didn't like the first episode at all so I didn't watch any more. But from what I hear it gets better so if you loved it from the start.. for you it can only be good news?

I'll try watching a few more episodes to see if it indeed improves if I don't have anything better to do.

[Ubik]

I didn't like the first episode at all so I didn't watch any more. But from what I hear it gets better so if you loved it from the start.. for you it can only be good news?

I'll try watching a few more episodes to see if it indeed improves if I don't have anything better to do.

Out of curiosity, what was it you disliked so much? I thought the first episode was very rich, especially in its world building. Very dense.

[sense8ional]

It's been a while because I first saw it was when it was made freely available online before it even aired so I don't remember details but I pretty much found distracting flaws in every aspect you liked. Writing, acting, FX.. It had high production values I'll give you that

I can't be much more specific because I can't remember much for something I didn't like (or hated it passionately!) weeks later

Some of the world building did remind me of BSG but several aspects of the show actually reminded me more of Caprica which on the whole is probably a memory best left forgotten

[Ubik]

I am starting Ep. 4 now, and I think B5 fans are going to like this a lot. It's very political and Ceres has the feel of an outpost / station, with a bit of a noir atmosphere. The space combat and ships are also reminiscent of Earth Aliiance in B5.

There are even a few nods to B5 that fans will no doubt notice. I also love that the scope is galactic. As a sci-fi nut, it just ticks so many boxes for me. It's space opera, and this excites me a great deal! It's also intelligent and not lowest common denominator, which is what we SF fans so often get lumped with!

It's holding my attention better than most shows.

[DaveNarn]

I've enjoyed the first two episodes.
Interesting story so far.

The style of sets are appreciated as are the Newtonian motion dynamics you mentioned. Just say no to dogfights in space!

I look forward to the day JMS gets back into the swing of B5, but this will help due till then.
btw - I caught the "Be seeing you" gesture made to Detective Miller in the first ep.

[Ubik]

I've enjoyed the first two episodes.
Interesting story so far.

The style of sets are appreciated as are the Newtonian motion dynamics you mentioned. Just say no to dogfights in space!

I look forward to the day JMS gets back into the swing of B5, but this will help due till then.
btw - I caught the "Be seeing you" gesture made to Detective Miller in the first ep.

It just gets better. Was drooling for more after ep. 4.

[DaveNarn]

It just gets better. Was drooling for more after ep. 4.

The third episode begins to heat up the political landscape.
It made me think of the Independence movement and the Alliance from Firefly.

[Ubik]

The third episode begins to heat up the political landscape.
It made me think of the Independence movement and the Alliance from Firefly.

I really like the political aspect of this show. It's what reminded me of B5, the 'UN in space' element of it. I am just excited to see something that has that same space opera quality of B5. It's been too long. Also, epic space battles too! I just does a lot of things that I haven't seen in ages. It's not a 'ship show', which is already a great start for any SF show.

I really hope it delivers in the long term.

[Biffy Clyro]

The Expanse was already renewed for a 13 episode second season. Which is nice.

I've very much enjoyed this show. Great production values and world building. It might be a little confusing at first when nothing is spoon fed to the viewer. Having read the first two books, the show is quite loyal to them. This is a good thing, the books will translate pretty well onto the small screen.

After four episodes i'm already at the point where watching an episode will be an event for me, instead of just casual viewing. Sure, there are other shows that have achieved this status, but none are space scifi shows.

The solar system's politics are shrouded in mystery and there is a feel of something ominous in the air. This is my favorite aspect of the show so far. Not knowing people's and/or factions' motives makes the characters (everything) more interesting. Sure, some of the "heroes" are more clear cut, as they should. Every character is complicated or has secrets, and i think things will get more interesting character wise as the show progresses and we learn more about them.

I strongly recommend anyone with an interest in B5 or space scifi to check The Expanse out. It's worth it. Let's hope it keeps going in the right direction for the remainder of the first season.

[sense8ional]

Alright, watched up to ep4.

The show gets so so much better after the first episode. I even watched ep1 a second time to see if I just wasn't in the mood the first time; nope, same boring, unimpressive episode it was the first time around. The terrorist subplot goes nowhere, the UN lady is just mysterious for the sake of being mysterious, the pseudo intro looks bad, the CGI bird in the end looks bad along with some CGI enhancements on the real sets. The guy that bangs that gal subplot is bad, the guy with the plants as well.. And none of the stories are really connected.

From ep2 the production values and CGI shoot through the roof, there is much conflict and tension over like.. every single choice of the characters (LOVE this), the UN lady becomes a very intriguing character, there is much mystery over who is behind everything.. And it continues like that up to ep4.

I can't say that the writing or acting is among the best you can find (they certainly aren't bad at all) but the world building, intrigue and production values are well above average. You can classify them as very good, if not excellent, actually.

My recommendation: definitely check this show out and stick with it after the first episode.

I didn't like the first episode at all so I didn't watch any more. But from what I hear it gets better so if you loved it from the start.. for you it can only be good news?

I'll try watching a few more episodes to see if it indeed improves if I don't have anything better to do.

[phazedout]

could we maybe either add spoilers tot eh thread title and-or use the spoilers tag, I

[Biffy Clyro]

Yeah, spoiler tags for plot discussions are a good idea.

I had some minor EPDN-syndrome symptoms after the last couple of episodes. That's a good sign.

[Jan]

could we maybe either add spoilers tot eh thread title and-or use the spoilers tag, I

Added the spoiler warning to the thread title. Thanks for thinking of it!

Jan