Right, I think this show deserves its own thread. Definitely one of the best new TV shows I've seen and has the potential to be the best sci-fi TV series ever.

The end of that two episode premiere was shocking. Unsurprising in hindsight, but god was I not expecting that right then. The look on Fred Johnson's face was just fantastic, especially after what was revealed to Avasarala.

The characterisation has to be the high point of the series, everyone has their own motivations, and they all make sense. In some ways, you have to hate a lot of characters, but at the same time, you must sympathise with them. Avasarala being the primary example, the actress who plays her does a phenomenal job. The dynamic between Amos and... well everyone is great too.

Shit's really starting to get real, with the revelations that just occurred. Can't wait for next week.

 

I loved the first season so much, bought all the books and devoured them. The 6th book just came out and was excellent. I will watch season 2 when all episodes are out.

But def 5/5. The new firefly.

 

Would you guys say The Expanse is worth watching for someone who already read the books?

 

Yes. It's excellent. The best hard sci-fi show since early SG1, imo.

 

I haven't read the books but just to see the first SF show ever where everything is just right should be motivation enough to watch it. This is real Hard-SF/Military-SF, not the usual fantasy/drama/theatre/campy pseudo SF.

To me this is a 10/10.

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Just mentioning SG1(as entertaining it was) in the context of Expanse deserves a push out of the airlock.

 

This is definitely a great show for SciFi lovers, and easily the best production from Syfy channel since SG1/SGA and BSG ended.

I highly recommend the books, as well. There are six right now, and the show hasn't even gotten to the end of book 1, so there's a lot of material to enjoy.

 

Yeah, I've got the books in the queue. Finishing up my Wheel of Time reread first though. On book 12, so not too long to go! In some ways i'm not acutally sure I want to read them though, I'm loving the TV show so much, I don't know if I want to spoil it.

 

I'd say the show is better actually. Daniel Abraham and his cowriter buddy are excellent storytellers, but their prose is only okay, and sometimes the story suffers for it. Works much better as script.

 

At times I that's true, but many times the characters are better on paper. Bobby, for instance.

 

Aah! Season 2 is out?!

Afk

 

I tried reading the books just after the first season ended. They didn't really hold my attention. I think this is the first time I can think of where I actually prefer the show over the books.

Yes first two episodes of season 2 are out

 

Season two is finally getting to the action that was at the end of the first book. Excellent episode last night.

 

Try the 100; the books and tv show are so different from each other it's not even the same story at all.

As for the Expanse, I just started watching it; had to consume more sci-fi media for my upcoming Sci-fi RPG game. Only to episode 3 so far, but I like what I see. It's nice to see a show that is focused on portraying a realistic sci-fi (?).

 

Does this show improve over time? I've read the books, and watched the first few episodes. The actors are great, but I was annoyed by how they seemed to change a lot of key stuff for no apparent reason. And the characterization and plot seemed shallow compared to the books.

Does it get better?

 

Yes

/10char

 

Huh. Having not read the books I'm really not sure where things go from here after that last episode.

Spoiler

I just don't know where the main conflict in the show is going to be now. The whole Eros station ordeal would seem to hint at some possibility of reconciliation between the Belt/Mars/Earth since they have a common enemy to be united against. I guess it'll just depend on what information comes out regarding the protomolecule. Eros smashing into Venus would seem to be a definitive end to the immediate crisis though. Aside from the sample they hidden away on that one torpedo, everything else should be space dust.
Anyway, I appreciated Miller taking the James T. Kirk approach to space exploration. First instinct upon first contact with sentient extrasolar lifeform is basically to try an have sex with it? I'll allow it.

 

Haven't read the books either (yet) but I don't think that crash on Venus is the end of this energy entity.

 

It isn't, it's just the beginning. Read the books! They're quite good.

 

The first two books aren't especially great, but really entertaining nonetheless. The third books is fucking atrocious. Still, way better than the sub-par acting and artificial drama we've got in the TV show.

 

I do wonder how much they will start to deviate from the books. Most shows that are derived from a book usually stick to the events of the first book before they start taking heavy detours.