It’s gritty and uncompromising. Reminiscent of Ronald D. Moore’s Battlestar Galactica, it has a very down to earth (in space!) feel to it.
Like BSG, there's a large cast of characters, and initially the Expanse cast is a little harder to get into. Hell, it’s difficult to tell who the main characters even are. That sorts itself out quick, but it can still be a barrier to getting into the show.
I highly recommend sticking it out for at least 4 episodes before deciding to drop the show. Trust me. It’s worth the investment.
One advantage The Expanse has over BSG: it does have a plan. The whole program is one great overarching story, beginning to end, a grand narrative that’s been plotted in advance by a series of books (which are not actually finished yet… deja GOT).
I have faith they’ll be able to bring the whole thing to a satisfying conclusion, although how I have no idea. So many threads! So many mysteries! Again, a little deja GOT.
I’m not sure how much I can even really say about the program without giving important details away.
I can say that the books were written in a highly unusual fashion. Also, the characters prove themselves to be awesome. They act intelligently, with solid motivations.
The two are connected.
The reason why they have greater integrity? They're based on RPG player characters.
I shit you not: the book(s) were written based on role playing game sessions.
A writer (I believe it was Daniel Abraham) joined sessions being run by a fellow who was developing his own sci-fi game (and universe) named Ty Franck. Abraham thought it a blast, that it would make a really good book series, and a collaboration was born (along with James S. A. Corey, their combined pen name).
My understanding is that there was originally going to be one more main character (the healer/doctor/medic), but he dropped out of the game (too busy to play). As a result, his poor character was unceremoniously decapitated while sitting in a prison cell during a space battle.
That'll teach him.
What an interesting idea, though! Using the combined brain power of a team of players to test your plot. To show what people in that situation (or imagining themselves in that situation) would do.
Brilliant!
There are many shows where characters devolve into plot plotters, shuffling around not because they have any character need, but because the plot requires it. This creates unsatisfying stories, and I know (as an attempted author) it can be a real problem.
Sometimes characters take on agency of their own, and disobey and derail your plot, all without needing external people to actually embody them. So... just think how much more authentic actions would be if taken by… real people!
That’s just one of the unusual angles in The Expanse.
The science in the show is far more rigorous than in Star Trek (which isn’t difficult, admittedly, Trek is more sci-fantasy), and (possibly) a bit more than BSG. Except when you bring in the, um, yeah, stuff later in the series... but even then it's presented really well.
So it's not entirely realistic. Travel time is compressed (oh, GOT) and some mundane concerns have been glided over, as there’s a lot to consider with space travel and colonies. Still, it takes a lot more into consideration than I’m used to in run of the mill sci-fi.
You get the sense that the people behind the show really Give A Shit.
This show has a dedication to craft and authenticity that is unrivalled in sci-fi. It's the best sci-fi TV show on television, hands down.
Thoroughly engaging, highly recommended.
And there’s still time to get a go on it before the final season arrives. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.
I’m stoked!
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