18 votes

Saving The Expanse is one of fandom’s greatest triumphs

14 comments

  1. [13]
    Algernon_Asimov
    Link
    I know, right? And maybe 'Star Trek' would have lasted more than two seasons if they’d had social media like we do now. Social media isn't the only thing that provides fans with a voice. Fans have...

    “It’s an incredible time for fans,” Lambert says. “You have a voice, whereas before it probably felt like you didn’t. Firefly could have had a couple more seasons, perhaps, if we’d had social media like we do now.”

    I know, right? And maybe 'Star Trek' would have lasted more than two seasons if they’d had social media like we do now.

    Social media isn't the only thing that provides fans with a voice. Fans have had a voice - and used it - for 50 years. These days it might be emails and Facebook and Twitter, but in the olden days, it was letters and newsletters and protests.

    4 votes
    1. [12]
      cfabbro
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Yeah and as much as I want to believe this feel good story about The Expanse being saved by the efforts of the fans... I suspect that it being Jeff Bezos' favorite book series and him wanting to...

      Yeah and as much as I want to believe this feel good story about The Expanse being saved by the efforts of the fans... I suspect that it being Jeff Bezos' favorite book series and him wanting to be the one to produce the show in the first place (instead of Syfy) had far more to do with it being "saved" than anything the non-billionaire fans did.

      With that being said, I am glad Bezos did save it, because it is hands down my favorite scifi series on the air right now.

      7 votes
      1. [11]
        Algernon_Asimov
        Link Parent
        I haven't got around to watching it yet. But it's on my list!

        it is hands down my favorite scifi series on the air right now.

        I haven't got around to watching it yet. But it's on my list!

        3 votes
        1. [6]
          cfabbro
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          It's no ST:TNG, which is my favorite scifi series of all time (probably yours as well?)... but it's pretty dang good, IMO. It's middling hard scifi with most elements taken seriously as far as...

          It's no ST:TNG, which is my favorite scifi series of all time (probably yours as well?)... but it's pretty dang good, IMO. It's middling hard scifi with most elements taken seriously as far as scientific realism is concerned, with only a few exceptions (e.g. the protomolecule and artificial gravity in ships). It's incredibly dark and primarily conflict focused, but also doesn't suffer from the typical shortcomings that can make that annoying, e.g. Irrational characters making dumb decisions, black & white / good vs evil, etc. But where it really shines is in the characters, IMO. The writing and the cast are absolutely superb and the crew of the Rocinante and even the other ancillary characters really grow on you as the show develops.

          6 votes
          1. [3]
            starchturrets
            Link Parent
            Artificial gravity by constant acceleration isn’t unrealistic, it’s the Epstein drive that makes said constant acceleration possible that’s unrealistic. Ships in The Expanse are basically built...

            artificial gravity in ships

            Artificial gravity by constant acceleration isn’t unrealistic, it’s the Epstein drive that makes said constant acceleration possible that’s unrealistic. Ships in The Expanse are basically built like skyscrapers, and their engines are on almost all of the time. No engines, no acceleration, no gravity.

            4 votes
            1. roboticide
              Link Parent
              Yeah, the artificial gravity is handled very well. The only other not-so-realistic thing I can think of is how combat-caused ship debris is handled. In most cases it'd be as much a hazard to the...

              Yeah, the artificial gravity is handled very well.

              The only other not-so-realistic thing I can think of is how combat-caused ship debris is handled. In most cases it'd be as much a hazard to the "victor" that blew up an opposing ship, but they never really cover it. Or hiding in a "debris field" that definitely should have dispersed immediately.

              But honestly that's just nit-picking compared to how great the show is otherwise.

              2 votes
            2. cfabbro
              (edited )
              Link Parent
              Ah I didn't realize the ships were build like skyscraper since it's never really explained in the show (and I haven't yet read the books)... that actually makes so much sense now. Thanks for the...

              Ah I didn't realize the ships were build like skyscraper since it's never really explained in the show (and I haven't yet read the books)... that actually makes so much sense now. Thanks for the insight!

              2 votes
          2. [2]
            Algernon_Asimov
            Link Parent
            Yes. That's not a great recommendation - but, then again, I liked the 'Battlestar Galactica' reboot which could be described the same way. Anyway, like I said, it's on my list. I'll get around to...

            ST:TNG, which is my favorite scifi series of all time (probably yours as well?)...

            Yes.

            It's incredibly dark and primarily conflict focused,

            That's not a great recommendation - but, then again, I liked the 'Battlestar Galactica' reboot which could be described the same way.

            Anyway, like I said, it's on my list. I'll get around to watching it one of these years. :)

            3 votes
            1. cfabbro
              Link Parent
              Yeah, I hear ya. I am not normally a huge fan of conflict driven scifi either unless it's exceptionally well done, which IMO The Expanse is. And it is very reminiscent of the BSG reboot in terms...

              Yeah, I hear ya. I am not normally a huge fan of conflict driven scifi either unless it's exceptionally well done, which IMO The Expanse is. And it is very reminiscent of the BSG reboot in terms of tone, pacing and feel so if you liked BSG then you will probably like The Expanse.

              4 votes
        2. [2]
          spctrvl
          Link Parent
          It's got a little bit of that firefly feel if you were ever into that. But the scope and stakes are on a much higher level.

          It's got a little bit of that firefly feel if you were ever into that. But the scope and stakes are on a much higher level.

          4 votes
          1. Algernon_Asimov
            Link Parent
            I never liked 'Firefly'. I should have - it ticked the right boxes in theory - but I just never enjoyed it.

            It's got a little bit of that firefly feel if you were ever into that.

            I never liked 'Firefly'. I should have - it ticked the right boxes in theory - but I just never enjoyed it.

            2 votes
        3. [2]
          SleepyGary
          Link Parent
          I'd say the weakest link in the series is the over use if last second saves and the main character, his 2 dimensional self-righteous indignation is grating and gets tiresome. Thankfully there are...

          I'd say the weakest link in the series is the over use if last second saves and the main character, his 2 dimensional self-righteous indignation is grating and gets tiresome. Thankfully there are so many other interesting characters they don't focus all thier time on him. Amos is probably my favourite, great depth to his character and the right amount of sociopath to comedic relief.

          3 votes
          1. cfabbro
            Link Parent
            His sociopathy is actually kind of endearing in the way he recognizes it as a major flaw of his and so compensates by going out of his way to protect people he knows aren't similarly damaged. He's...

            His sociopathy is actually kind of endearing in the way he recognizes it as a major flaw of his and so compensates by going out of his way to protect people he knows aren't similarly damaged. He's basically future space Dexter but without the ritualistic murder impulse. ;)

            1 vote
  2. stromm
    Link
    And not saving Firefly is one of it's greatest failures...

    And not saving Firefly is one of it's greatest failures...

    3 votes