"Set in a future where humanity has colonized the Solar System, it follows police detective Miller (Thomas Jane), ship's officer Jim Holden (Steven Strait), and his crew as they unravel a conspiracy that threatens peace across the System and the survival of humanity."
Reasons to love:
1. Thomas Jane's character is a hopeless dickhead and nobody likes him. By the last episode I watched (ep 5 - ep 6 aired tonight) I felt like the only person rooting for him, and only because I want to find out the answers! I love an irredeemable loser antihero, once in a while. And everybody calls him out on his stupid PUA hat. Which I think he wears mostly because his haircut is even worse. Good stuff.
2. Jared Harris speaking in a completely made-up space person accent (that no other character has?!?) and being an ice cold asteroid gangster! I should not have to go on!
3. Hard sci-fi space combat that resembles submarine warfare but with lots of slug weapons! Ship "gravity" entirely dependent on constant acceleration! People surviving limited exposure to vacuum! People with sort-of-visible deformation* and musculoskeletal issues due to growing up in low-G!
4. the Martian Congressional Republic Navy, is a thing
5. a pretty important main character named "Fred Johnson" - science fiction, everybody
6. OK I guess the big draw is the space political thriller angle but you know what? Spaceships and crappy space detectives and gangsters in space. The UN and Mars and Belter Independence stuff or whatever is just kind of background noise imo.
*basically as far as I can tell they accomplished this, to the extent possible, by casting stocky folks as "Earthers" and rangier folks as "Belters." A for effort.
I can't be the only one watching this, you people are nerds
― service desk hardman (El Tomboto), Wednesday, 20 January 2016 03:51 (eight years ago) link
OK, I'm intrigued. Is the writing and acting any good?
― like Uber, but for underpants (James Morrison), Wednesday, 20 January 2016 04:11 (eight years ago) link
Really uneven, but serviceable
― service desk hardman (El Tomboto), Wednesday, 20 January 2016 04:17 (eight years ago) link
this is pretty exciting so far, though i agree it works better as a sci-fi noir than as a political thriller
also it has Space Mormons
― ciderpress, Saturday, 23 January 2016 18:39 (eight years ago) link
Oh yes who could forget the LDS contracting to build a gigantic colony ship!
Why does Athena Karkanis' character care so much about Miller? Are they going to explain that at some point?
― service desk hardman (El Tomboto), Saturday, 23 January 2016 19:07 (eight years ago) link
definitely the most promising SyFy series in a good while, although the pilot held my attention a lot more than the subsequent episodes
― some dude, Saturday, 23 January 2016 19:10 (eight years ago) link
i read and remember nothing of the book (first in a series i believe) except that it felt like screenplay bait. one of the pseudonymous authors is one of george r r martin's attendants
https://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lj11ztijdh1qhhbv2o1_500.jpg
― adam, Saturday, 23 January 2016 22:19 (eight years ago) link
show is good tho, sometimes it feels pleasingly cheap (drinks in a space bar that looked chintzier than ten forward, a future montana ranch house that looks a whole lot like a 21st century montana ranch house)
― adam, Saturday, 23 January 2016 22:20 (eight years ago) link
Started the book, solid B so far
― calstars, Saturday, 23 January 2016 23:32 (eight years ago) link
most recent episode was super tense, v good imo
― ciderpress, Saturday, 30 January 2016 22:31 (eight years ago) link
i just started watching this --- i like it for all the above reasons
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Saturday, 30 January 2016 23:10 (eight years ago) link
I got kinda bored midway through the pilot (soooo much exposition) can I jump in a bit later or
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Sunday, 31 January 2016 00:13 (eight years ago) link
nah it moves pretty fast except for maybe one ep in the middle of the season i forget which. if you didn't like the pilot then idk
― ciderpress, Sunday, 31 January 2016 02:51 (eight years ago) link
maybe moving fast is the wrong way to say it since the 2 main plots for most of the season are detective investigation and space survival neither of which involve a lot of direct conflict, but i never got the feeling of it being stretched out like i do with a lot of shows
― ciderpress, Sunday, 31 January 2016 02:55 (eight years ago) link
I've been watching it... really enjoyed the most recent episode, promises to be a good finale
Feels more like Chinatown In Space than anything
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 31 January 2016 16:21 (eight years ago) link
Mr Veg & I joked the other night about "the mystery of why people mumble in space, and who is giving everyone bad haircuts"
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 31 January 2016 16:23 (eight years ago) link
in space, no one can hear you
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Sunday, 31 January 2016 16:34 (eight years ago) link
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, January 31, 2016 11:23 AM (55 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
Thomas Jane went to the space barber and said "give me the Gary Oldman in Fifth Element"
― 77 lines about 77 albums i haven't heard (some dude), Sunday, 31 January 2016 17:19 (eight years ago) link
lol
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 31 January 2016 17:39 (eight years ago) link
Make me look like I used to own a skate shop
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 31 January 2016 17:40 (eight years ago) link
lolol
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Sunday, 31 January 2016 19:03 (eight years ago) link
i admit that I got a bit bored with all the worldbuilding, and that fake southern?/texan? dude who talks to spaceship computers like they're truckstop waitresses was almost a bridge too far... but I appreciate having a halfway decent scifi show on SyFy again so I am not complaining
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 1 February 2016 00:25 (eight years ago) link
the books are good n' popcorny. kind of a shame that the TV series starts w/ the first novel, which is definitely the worst of the whole shebang.
― remy bean, Monday, 1 February 2016 02:31 (eight years ago) link
So the second-to-last episode of Season 1 spends a LOT of time inside a derelict and it is great creepy television. I loved how they mixed the soundtrack low so you're really just listening to magnetic boots on metal gangplanks almost the entire time, which you then realize is also the only thing any of the characters can hear.
― Sith Dog (El Tomboto), Monday, 8 February 2016 17:36 (eight years ago) link
I was gonna watch this but Hulu won't let me watch on TV. Booooo
― Kiarostami bag (milo z), Monday, 8 February 2016 19:51 (eight years ago) link
i watched it at syfy's website
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Monday, 8 February 2016 20:00 (eight years ago) link
oh wait missed the "on TV" part n/m
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Monday, 8 February 2016 20:01 (eight years ago) link
amos and the UN lady are both super compelling actors, look forward to more of this show
― adam, Monday, 8 February 2016 20:13 (eight years ago) link
One small nitpick - the action sequence towards the end (of the second to last episode) was a little choppy. I rewound it a few times and still had to just make some assumptions about how a couple things happened / who did what. Even then - how did that grenade not go off?
― Sith Dog (El Tomboto), Monday, 8 February 2016 22:16 (eight years ago) link
also a pleasingly hard sci fi plausible-ish near future involving asteroid mining and no (at least so far) fanciful alien species or completely out there tech. like it seems like space travel actually involves orbital mechanics in this
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Monday, 8 February 2016 23:31 (eight years ago) link
finale 2-parter was great
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 9 February 2016 04:55 (eight years ago) link
xp yeah one of the things i like most about this show is that it really gives a sense of how fragile humanity in space is
― ciderpress, Tuesday, 9 February 2016 16:09 (eight years ago) link
Just binged. Its been such a desert for good space sci-fi that I didn't look too closely for seams. The gumshoe with the dodgy haircut was the comic relief, some good character actors in the bit roles, the sets are appropriately gritty and/or antiseptic, the effects crew clearly communicate the lonely peril of deep space, and the show runners are clearly love their hard sci-fi. And I want the actress playing Avasarala to purr in my ear.
Glad to have some episodic sci-fi to look forward to, now that Continuum has wrapped its loose ends.
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 16 February 2016 01:42 (eight years ago) link
Winchell Chung, creator of the terrific hard sci-fi resource Atomic Rockets, gives The Expanse his Seal of Approval. I agree with every word.
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Friday, 19 February 2016 04:51 (eight years ago) link
can't believe we have to wait 9 months to find out what the hell is going on
― Sith Dog (El Tomboto), Sunday, 21 February 2016 05:40 (eight years ago) link
if only there was like a whole bunch of books based on the tv show but like that actually ran ahead of the tv show that we could read
― Option ARMs and de Man (s.clover), Sunday, 21 February 2016 06:14 (eight years ago) link
wait did continuum turn out to be good? the pilot was kinda rough and i never saw more
― adam, Sunday, 21 February 2016 14:23 (eight years ago) link
It was better than any time-travelling cop series had a right to be, and while the budgets shranked, the writing became more interesting. I'll be frank, though: My initial attraction was Rachel Nichols in a cat suit.
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Sunday, 21 February 2016 15:30 (eight years ago) link
guys i watched the first episode and.... really?
"UN BLACK OPS SITE"
space sex
COOL FEDORA GUY
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 22 February 2016 18:52 (eight years ago) link
it was like every crap 90s 'graphic novel' cliche throwd into one
only thing i liked apart from the awesome opening exposition title cards was the tense horror movie stuff p much
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 22 February 2016 18:55 (eight years ago) link
ok i've actually read the thread now and
People with sort-of-visible deformation* and musculoskeletal issues due to growing up in low-G!
made-up accent that no one has - it's supposed to be a kind of 'third world' Belter accent, right? to hammer home the allegory of the exploited other-class?
'flip n burn' was pretty good
GAH I DON'T KNOW
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 22 February 2016 18:58 (eight years ago) link
I've read (and really) enjoyed all the pulpy popcorn books & novellas and thought the first episode was pretty ropey. However, it gets much better and by the end is easily one of the best sci-fi shows in years and probably the best thing SyFy have done since BG.
― groovypanda, Monday, 22 February 2016 21:24 (eight years ago) link
space sex only happens in the first episode because there's an unwritten rule now that all tv pilots need sexual content regardless of the tone of the show
― ciderpress, Monday, 22 February 2016 21:37 (eight years ago) link
By ep 4 it starts getting really good afaict
It has been distracting seeing my doppelganger the medic
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 27 February 2016 23:22 (eight years ago) link
I couldn't get past the first ep of this, might give it another shot.
― calzino, Saturday, 27 February 2016 23:32 (eight years ago) link
the other recent new SyFy show The Magicians (which is imo better than The Expanse) ALSO had gravity-defying midair sex in the pilot
― some dude, Saturday, 27 February 2016 23:40 (eight years ago) link
I like both shows a lot, nice to see SyFy step it up
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Sunday, 28 February 2016 00:41 (eight years ago) link
I've read all the Magicians books too and whilst I'm enjoying the show, I think The Expanse is much better.
Do they go out at different times in the States? It's noticeable that whilst Avasarala is very foul mouthed in the books, on the show she's not whereas The Magicians seems to have no problems dropping in the f-word several times each episode.
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 2 March 2016 13:20 (eight years ago) link
There's been a recent trend towards series that air on non-sweary networks to throw in curses they can't actually air and just blank them out. (This is especially glaring on American Crime, where - I assume as a deliberate aesthetic choice - every "fuck" is announced with a few frames of completely blacked-out screen.)
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Wednesday, 2 March 2016 15:52 (eight years ago) link
I assume it's because they know/hope the unedited versions will be available on DVD
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 2 March 2016 17:07 (eight years ago) link
They announced to book fans that TV Avasarala would be very different in her first scene (water balloon assault punished by tickling). When combined with the 20 hour gravity torture she becomes a complex character in just two scenes. The comic relief has been redistributed to Alex & Amos. I expect Avasarala will provide profane fan service once removed from family and immediate superiors, and with her progressive exasperation.
Upon reading the books, there's some remarkably efficient screenwriting going on, particularly in episodes 1, 3, and 9. There's also so much background detail to catch in reviewings: the 90 second tracking shot at 4 minutes into the premiere encompasses 40 pages of descriptive text.
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 2 March 2016 20:08 (eight years ago) link
the pilot of the Canterbury / Rocinante is one of the worst actors I have ever seen in anything, pro or amateur - it is astonishing to watch the man work
I like how certain bits of the world-building they just sort of gave up on, like, yeah, everyone's basically got phones they look at all the time, and bars will probably be playing Basic Channel style techno, good enough
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 3 March 2016 22:50 (eight years ago) link
ugh hate the pilot sooooo much
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 4 March 2016 00:23 (eight years ago) link
Cas Anvar (who plays the Alex, pilot) has [a career of hamming it up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKvSt69Whr8), but to be fair Alex in the books has the Texas drawl adopted by Indian and Chinese immigrants to the Mariner Valley, and in the books the accent disappears during stressful events (MCRN conditioning). The authors also view Alex as the dumb one who blurts what's on his surface.
When we have Oscar winners most notable for squinting meaningfully, its hard for me to kvetch about acting according to some weird marionette strings.
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Friday, 4 March 2016 03:55 (eight years ago) link
xp: A few have gone ahead and gotten the full cybernetic implants, but for baseline humans, the smartphone, or as they call it in the books, datacube, is a pretty optimal format. It also allowed them to shorthand the pathos of Miller with his perpetually cracked phone.
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Friday, 4 March 2016 03:59 (eight years ago) link
It's not his accent - most of the accents are weird in this show - and I don't think he's actually that hammy - Thomas Jane is way hammier. It's like he literally doesn't know what speech rhythms humans use to communicate with each other.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 4 March 2016 10:24 (eight years ago) link
P sure he thinks he's in Firefly
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 4 March 2016 16:42 (eight years ago) link
Before/after reels from Spin VFX and Rocket Science VFX. Spoilers to Season 1, obv.
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Saturday, 5 March 2016 06:51 (eight years ago) link
the guy who plays Amos is awesome, probably my favorite actor in the whole thing.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 5 March 2016 10:39 (eight years ago) link
Yep. I'd rank em (Why? its ILX):
Wes Chatham - Amos BurtonShohreh Aghdashloo - Chrisjen AvasaralaThomas Jane - Joe MillerChad L. Coleman - Col. Frederick Lucius Johnson (shone in The Wire, utterly wasted in The Walking Dead)Dominique Tipper - Naomi Nagata (sometimes a bit too inscrutable)Florence Faivre - Julie Mao (impressive, considering she's a model with a few walkons)Steven Strait - Jim Holden (too young, not enough gravitas for this role)Shawn Doyle - Sadavir Errinwright (a Paul Reiser for our time)Cas Anvar - Alex Kamal (I defended him above, but he's got the worst script)
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Sunday, 6 March 2016 02:15 (eight years ago) link
Special mention:
Greg Bryk - Lopez (the Martian intel officer who went from creepy to heroic in 2 episodes)Elias Toufexis - Kenzo (the stowaway spy. Stayed creepy, and convincingly played unconvincing)
― Assault Mime (Sanpaku), Sunday, 6 March 2016 02:19 (eight years ago) link
how can you be forgetting Jared Harris as Anderson Dawes, leader of the OPA on Ceres?? He'd be #2 on my list. Despite having to say some of the most ludicrous lines in the series, which is saying something, and despite having to adopt this weirdo Belter Afrikaans/Carib patois
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 6 March 2016 12:13 (eight years ago) link
For all of Thomas Jane's quirks & corniness, when he finally finds the girl (spoilers etc) it was genuinely sad & v moving
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 6 March 2016 16:05 (eight years ago) link
Halfway through this, after recommendation on the Netflix thread. So fun!
I'm ashamed to say I only really started getting into it after the ((spoiler)) headsplodey incident in episode 4. But I'm totally hooked now. The characters are super blank, but the plot and FX are fun enough that it doesn't matter. They've done an amazing job of making it look expensive, even though you know it's really cheap. I don't think I've ever seen a TV show shot in Toronto that looks expensive.
Jared Harris's accent though, bloody hell. He sounds like Adam Buxton doing a voice.
― Chuck_Tatum, Thursday, 20 October 2016 16:24 (seven years ago) link
yeah it's kind of a slow burn at first, but it ramps up to be v enjoyable
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 20 October 2016 16:29 (seven years ago) link
Good grief that accent! Maybe JH is such a nice guy that nobody had the heart to tell him to stop doing it.
― calzino, Thursday, 20 October 2016 17:50 (seven years ago) link
it's v upsetting
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 20 October 2016 17:53 (seven years ago) link
Was hoping that revival of thread might be a sign that there was a season 2 imminent. Was really getting into this when the series ended.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 20 October 2016 18:09 (seven years ago) link
season 2 is slated for spring iirc?
― ciderpress, Thursday, 20 October 2016 18:10 (seven years ago) link
Hope so. Would like some more
― Stevolende, Thursday, 20 October 2016 18:23 (seven years ago) link
17 Jan!
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 20 October 2016 20:03 (seven years ago) link
boooooo
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 20 October 2016 22:06 (seven years ago) link
JAN not JUN!
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 20 October 2016 22:07 (seven years ago) link
Shame it ain't sooner nonetheless. It went over the winter last year according to IMDB. Started in November.But great that there is a concrete date for its return. Looking forward to seeing it.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 20 October 2016 22:23 (seven years ago) link
Yes. Almost as excited for this as I am for the new Nintendo
― El Tomboto, Friday, 21 October 2016 00:56 (seven years ago) link
That finale was REALLY good. Some Caves of Androzani vibes. Definitely a "grim 80s Doctor Who" thing going on.
Has anyone read the books - could I pick up the 2nd book where this leaves off?
― Chuck_Tatum, Tuesday, 25 October 2016 22:30 (seven years ago) link
yeah otm re the dark Whovian vibe.
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 26 October 2016 05:13 (seven years ago) link
Weird how critical I was on this thread - in my memory this ruled unconditionally
Maybe a year of attempting to fill the void with garbage like Killjoys has done this
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 26 October 2016 08:40 (seven years ago) link
I've just started this. E2 was a bit slow but let's see what happens.
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Wednesday, 26 October 2016 09:17 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, the first three episodes are a slog, but it hits a groove with the 4th and keeps getting better.
― Chuck_Tatum, Wednesday, 26 October 2016 09:27 (seven years ago) link
That finale was REALLY good. Some Caves of Androzani vibes. Definitely a "grim 80s Doctor Who" thing going on. Has anyone read the books - could I pick up the 2nd book where this leaves off?
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 26 October 2016 10:25 (seven years ago) link
Just checked. Chapter 31 of the first book is basically the last one covered in season one.
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 26 October 2016 10:34 (seven years ago) link
Thanks! Think I'll read from the start. Seems readable enough from the excerpt.
― Chuck_Tatum, Wednesday, 26 October 2016 11:45 (seven years ago) link
@ Chuck
I've listened to all the audiobooks. Season 1 ended about 2/3 of the way through the first book Leviathan Wakes, while including elements of the novella The Butcher of Anderson Station. The rest are fairly good, with the exception of book 4 Cibola Burn, which is a chore one could skip, excepting a few moments of exposition about the makers of the protomolecule.
― publicity hungry, opportunistic, disgruntled former employee (Sanpaku), Thursday, 27 October 2016 01:29 (seven years ago) link
Just binge watched this, didn't realise it ended on a cliffhanger! Hope season 2 comes to netflix uk quickly. Agreed that episode 4 is where it got good, after that I was prepared to forgive its faults - such as the entire earth government apparently consisting of two people, or the fortunate existence of bulletproof sofas.
― quis gropes ipsos gropiuses? (ledge), Sunday, 13 November 2016 22:24 (seven years ago) link
Hope season 2 comes to netflix uk quickly
I was about to bump this thread and complain that February can't come soon enough
― El Tomboto, Sunday, 13 November 2016 22:32 (seven years ago) link
In print, Avasarala doesn't appear until book 2 (which we might see covered mid-season 2). Having read the series, I think the screenwriters did a great job pulling an Earth perspective into the exposition.
I love Shohreh Aghdashloo's voice so much I want to d/l some of the handful of audiobooks she's narrated for sleepytime.
― Distribution of all possible outcomes (Sanpaku), Sunday, 13 November 2016 22:43 (seven years ago) link
some of the accents in this show. it's really offputting.
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Monday, 14 November 2016 01:16 (seven years ago) link
Jared Harris especially.. what is going on?
― Lennon, Elvis, Hendrix etc (dog latin), Monday, 14 November 2016 01:18 (seven years ago) link
red herring designed to throw you off - !stay the course!
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 14 November 2016 04:14 (seven years ago) link
Scuttlebutt on the subreddit earlier this year was that the 2nd season cuts way back on Belter language. Somewhat disappointing, as that added to the sense of place, but to be fair, they did a lousy job emphasizing that everyone on Ceres spoke the creole.
― Distribution of all possible outcomes (Sanpaku), Monday, 14 November 2016 06:10 (seven years ago) link
it's funny how many of the characters in Ep 1 I just assumed were going to be around for awhile!
lol @ hunkademus cap'n jim having such good zero-g sex he has to literally wipe away a tear after descending to full-g
"here comes the juice" indeed
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 7 January 2017 23:44 (seven years ago) link
also i, er, forgot that shohreh aghdashloo runs an earth-based torture camp where rubber-limbed belters wilt until they talk, or die
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 7 January 2017 23:45 (seven years ago) link
fuck! I can't wait for this.
― calzino, Sunday, 8 January 2017 00:14 (seven years ago) link
Hint from Book 6: both are safe.
― not because roaches like to party (Sanpaku), Sunday, 8 January 2017 01:40 (seven years ago) link
i got excited cos i thought it was back in Jan but then realized no, not til Feb :/
sooon
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 8 January 2017 01:46 (seven years ago) link
yeah parts of s1 were dodgy but I am hopeful for s2, it's doing things no other show is doing and it has the bonus of not being completely humorless about it
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Sunday, 8 January 2017 02:07 (seven years ago) link
For those listening to the audio books, Cibola Burn will be re-recorded by Jefferson Mays (narrator of the rest of the series).
I'm through to the end of book 6. Like most sci-fi with eschatological aspirations, its a bit underwhelming, but here I suspect its because they wasted 3 books fleshing out a diaspora and its discontents.
Here's hoping for a more provocatie books 7-9.
― not because roaches like to party (Sanpaku), Sunday, 8 January 2017 03:03 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, thought the latest book was fairly mediocre.
Imagine (hope) the final "trilogy" will be better though.
― groovypanda, Sunday, 8 January 2017 17:06 (seven years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivej0OW7WZk
― this device is capable of killing you without warning (Sanpaku), Friday, 13 January 2017 02:34 (seven years ago) link
"Did you just say 'donkeyballs'?"
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 16 January 2017 00:56 (seven years ago) link
Is it weird to say the acting on this show is often bad but the casting is practically perfect? I can't think of anyone else I'd want playing those parts despite the cornball choices they make. Honorable exception made for Wes Chatham playing Amos obviously. He is such a hard diamond of nihilistic composure, so totally in sync with himself, he raises everyone else's game and makes up for any rough patches (AHEM PILOT GUY WHOSE NAME I REFUSE TO LOOK UP I'M LOOKING AT YOU). I saw an interview w/him last year where he said he was familiar with the books before he'd heard about the TV show, and his favorite character was Amos, so he got his agent to get him a reading specifically for that part. It shows.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 16 January 2017 01:07 (seven years ago) link
yeah Amos is great
Pilot guy ... o pilot guy
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 16 January 2017 01:50 (seven years ago) link
lol Miller's hat is like the Millennium Falcon
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 17 January 2017 21:57 (seven years ago) link
the thomas jane cat is out of control
― adam, Tuesday, 17 January 2017 21:58 (seven years ago) link
I'm about to go in
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 2 February 2017 22:14 (seven years ago) link
ITS HERE ITS HERE :D
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 2 February 2017 22:31 (seven years ago) link
What what what
I was not expecting this already. Sweeeeet
― Chuck_Tatum, Thursday, 2 February 2017 23:34 (seven years ago) link
i saw a trailer where some news outlet had described it as "Battlestar Galactica meets Game of Thrones" & I was like "Are you sure you were watching THIS show?"
My pull quote would be "It's like if Farscape got rid of the puppets & was written by Raymond Chandler"
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 3 February 2017 01:08 (seven years ago) link
That is a good description of a show that I would watch! Did Farscape have hard scifi space station life like this though?
― El Tomboto, Friday, 3 February 2017 01:12 (seven years ago) link
I just remember that one harlequin alien woman and the chewbacca-alike and the ship mom
i loved it more than almost any scifi show ever
hard space station lyfe not so much, i remember it being more congenial & spacious, not so oppressive as Expanse
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 3 February 2017 01:14 (seven years ago) link
however it's been over a decade since i watched
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 3 February 2017 01:15 (seven years ago) link
lots of aussie cameos in farscape, benefits of shooting in sydney
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 3 February 2017 01:17 (seven years ago) link
Farscape had some pretty terrific cast chemistry, perhaps the best I've seen in TV scifi. The planet of the week eps were done with enthusiasm, but the overarching plot careened downhill with soapy melodrama, as each season's nemesis somehow joined the crew, and a worse big bad was found.
― my neurons made me do it (Sanpaku), Friday, 3 February 2017 02:20 (seven years ago) link
yeah it did get kinda bogged down with scorpius etc
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 3 February 2017 02:22 (seven years ago) link
As for Expanse 201-202 (they're airing together on US SyFy): some improvements, particularly now that Avarasala is permited to curse almost as much as in the book, but the Thoth station stuff in 202 should have been given 2 episodes. Everything from exposition to action feels rushed, and budget limitations are more visible than in any prior episode..
― my neurons made me do it (Sanpaku), Friday, 3 February 2017 02:25 (seven years ago) link
dug it
didnt notice budget limitations myself. everything looked p good to me
glad theyve toned down annoying pilot guy a bit
belter accent = jamaican + boer? idk driving me crazy figuring it out
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 3 February 2017 05:04 (seven years ago) link
It's silly voice that Adam Buxton does, isn't it?
― Chuck_Tatum, Friday, 3 February 2017 12:30 (seven years ago) link
https://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2016/02/nick-farmer-knows-dozens-of-languages-so-he-invented-one-for-the-expanse/
― groovypanda, Friday, 3 February 2017 12:47 (seven years ago) link
wow that's v cool
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 3 February 2017 17:52 (seven years ago) link
I loved this.
Anybody else notice that the haircuts were just a LEEEETLE bit different? Particularly Amos' - no longer just a buzzcut but with a slight soccer-player part in it now. And the pilot's (refuse to learn his name) (but yes he is slightly more tolerable this time around).
Loved the lasagna scene. So great. I doubt we'll see them this relaxed again. I like Miller's tentative steps to becoming a part of the group. None of them quite know how to deal with him. Or whether they can trust him. It might feel like that for the actors a little bit as well! They barely had any scenes with him at all last season. In any case the slightly stilted way he injects himself into their conversations feels totally real.
I'm confused at how the research base had such hair-trigger deadly defenses when their ship approached, but once inside security were only armed with paintguns?
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 7 February 2017 10:53 (seven years ago) link
Oh and BRING BACK THE HAT
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 7 February 2017 10:54 (seven years ago) link
this has started again very strongly. The scene where Fred Johnson effortlessly airlocks the big troublesome agitator/gobshite was cool as!
― calzino, Tuesday, 7 February 2017 12:53 (seven years ago) link
yeah you knew it was coming but still was 😮
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 7 February 2017 13:09 (seven years ago) link
If only my ex-flatmate's netflix account i've been piggybacking on for 3+ years hadn't finally shut me out.
― brekekekexit collapse collapse (ledge), Tuesday, 7 February 2017 14:07 (seven years ago) link
omfg S2:E2
the space combat is so good in this show
― El Tomboto, Sunday, 12 February 2017 03:44 (seven years ago) link
ep 3 pretty dope
i dont remember anyone's names itt but the scene with the scientist prisoner & the hot kinda Tim Riggins dude was so good! love how they are only just starting to realize how in over their heads they are with this Eros stuff ... and as viewers we only know a little bit more than they do, do it's kinda exciting/scary to see what's in store
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 12 February 2017 04:16 (seven years ago) link
*so
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 12 February 2017 04:17 (seven years ago) link
Nah, they had one stealth ship which doesn't seem like it was crewed for combat, and a mining projectile that hit a shipping container on a straight trajectory. They clearly never planned on being seiged.
― El Tomboto, Sunday, 12 February 2017 05:57 (seven years ago) link
Note the scientist with induced permanent sociopathy. In the books, there were around a hundred scientists on research station Thoth (dozens survived), and all of them, including head-honcho Dresden, had undergone this procedure. They still were valuable assets, so all the riot control gear was intended to prevent lethal conflict between the scientists.
― президент компромат (Sanpaku), Sunday, 12 February 2017 16:42 (seven years ago) link
BTW, Ep. 3's Dr. Cortazar is featured in one of the novellas (The Vital Abyss (#5.5)).
― президент компромат (Sanpaku), Sunday, 12 February 2017 16:48 (seven years ago) link
all the riot control gear was intended to prevent lethal conflict between the scientists
This was touched on in Ep 3
TOm I guess I need to watch that scene again - I thought they got absolutely hammered? And in Ep 3 the pilot runs the simulator over and over again to see if he can figure out how he could have done it better? I will admit I was about three gins deep at that point
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 12 February 2017 17:12 (seven years ago) link
Comparing 202 (the second half of the premiere) and 203, its pretty clear the more time should have been spent on the assault. Consider how rushed the conference with Fred Johnson in 202, persuading him to assault the Protogen station, and yet this episode had time for handball courts, dance sequences, and the Alex resims. Were I in the writing room, I would have placed the 202-203 cut right when Miller's breaching pod touched down, moving the assault and Dresden's apologia into 203.
I get the feeling the writing staff knows they'll have 5 seasons (at most) to tell their story, so they're racing to the 2nd books climax for this season's cliffhanger, compress all of books 3 and 4 (the 4th, Cibola Burn, added little) into season 3, books 5 and 6 (a single arc) in season 4, and books 7-9 in season 5. 10-13 episode seasons don't provide a lot of room for the characters to breathe.
― президентских компромат (Sanpaku), Sunday, 12 February 2017 19:00 (seven years ago) link
I see what you did there
― El Tomboto, Monday, 13 February 2017 01:39 (seven years ago) link
I think my made-up excuses for why they even survived the spin station assault aren't completely terrible but the fact that they seem just about as plausible as the real reasons (martian gunships are incredibly hardy, they got lucky, and the guards are just there to keep the scientists from killing each other) is also symptomatic of the show's deliberately minimal exposition approach occasional being too show-don't-tell for convenient comprehension. Which is one of my favorite things about it.
Sanpaku I disagree with your 202/203 idea; I appreciated that this episode was much more lackadaisical and chatty, and I think the raid was perfect, a bisected version would be less awesome.
I miss Dawes and Muss and the rest of the Ceres milieu. Are we going back there? Can we replace the Mars Marines punching each other with Dawes Sings The News?
― El Tomboto, Monday, 13 February 2017 03:12 (seven years ago) link
Minor spoilers:
In the books, the Eros feed is also transmitting video. I don't think it would have spoiled too much to have accompanied the electronic groans with artifacty video where an infected severed arm is pulling itself along a corridor.
Major spoilers:
Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck were so impressed with TV Dawes that they and the writing team gave him a bigger role in S1, and he (as does Shaddid) returns in books 5-6. It seems parts of that story arc may be pulled earlier in the narrative, but I don't expect them to recreate the more expensive Ceres sets. As for Marines, we've only a couple more episodes of tolerating arsenal room hijinks.
― президентских компромат (Sanpaku), Monday, 13 February 2017 14:50 (seven years ago) link
Hai! Please Sanpaku would you mind not posting book-based spoilers in this thread before the events have happened in the show?
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 13 February 2017 15:17 (seven years ago) link
K.
― президентских компромат (Sanpaku), Monday, 13 February 2017 16:41 (seven years ago) link
Thank hoss.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 13 February 2017 18:49 (seven years ago) link
ThankS
This is such a fanatastic show, my wife introduced us to it last year and then binge read the books in a spectacular effort of end semester procrastination.
What the spin station battle brought home to me is how much The Expanse owes to the Patrick O'Brian book. I half expect Holden or Alex to start banging on about the importance of having the weather gauge. Clearing for action, splinters, improbably successful manoeuvres. The other thing that mirrors o'brian and I'm really pleased these really started to bring out in season 2 is the importance, closeness and complexity of the relationships aboard ships and especially the Rocinante.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Monday, 13 February 2017 20:36 (seven years ago) link
I'm up through part 1 of the season 1 finale.
I like the pilot guy, Alex, partly out of sympathy, and Holden, I feel a bit sorry for too, because he seems to carry the burden of being a second rate Timothy Olyphant. Amos is the best, kinda a sociopathic jock version of BSG's Chief (prob because they look a bit alike).
― sarahell, Tuesday, 14 February 2017 16:20 (seven years ago) link
I've always wanted to but never read the O'Brien books - they're good, are they?
― Chuck_Tatum, Tuesday, 14 February 2017 16:30 (seven years ago) link
I read the whole set last year and really enjoyed them. He historical fiction equivalent of hard sci-fi, incredible attention to detail;. Despite he last 18 months of the napoleonic wars taking 15 books, there's a lot of varie, plots and stories. . You'll end up loooking stuff up because o'brian doesn't explain everything; you'll know all parts of a full rigged ship by he end.
Taken as a whole it's a great set of work but that's not to say there aren't flat spots. Battles and gun drill get very repetitive and for a couple of books Jack becomes a fat punning buffoon pacing up and down the deck. You'll also have to be down with a lot of 18th century admiralty politics.
They are great though and O'Brian truly loves Aubrey and Maturin and the best aspect of the books is the growing and deep friendship between the two main characters. Worth reading the set but maybe skim a few passages.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Tuesday, 14 February 2017 20:42 (seven years ago) link
oh i need to go back to the obrien books, i loved them
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Tuesday, 14 February 2017 20:54 (seven years ago) link
obrien is dope
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 14 February 2017 21:28 (seven years ago) link
It was piss funny the way they run totally roughshod over the god-botherers in this ep. yeah we'll send your temple hurtling into the sun, now sit down + stfu! Joe taps his future smartphone "the network must be down mate!".
― calzino, Friday, 17 February 2017 15:17 (seven years ago) link
that was a really excellent fakeout at the end of this week's ep
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 17 February 2017 15:24 (seven years ago) link
I just binged watched to catch up, and I quite like it! Oddly though for all of its hard SF allegiances it has (for now anyway) a very strong idealistic streak that seems very genre.
But anyway...
Yes! One thing that GOT did right was to establish the possibility of killing off central characters a lot more plausible for a whole bunch of series.
― Dr. MC Selar (Leee), Tuesday, 21 February 2017 02:22 (seven years ago) link
Buying our first ever big TV has really enhanced our enjoyment of this, there is so much detail in the background.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Tuesday, 21 February 2017 03:51 (seven years ago) link
And this goes without mentioning, but Shohreh is so awesome.
― Dr. MC Selar (Leee), Tuesday, 21 February 2017 04:53 (seven years ago) link
Holy fleurkin shiiit ep 4 was TIGHT
that was like an Apollo 13 series of unfortunate events plus moral crisis plus impending outbreak fuuuuuhuuuck I love this shit
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 February 2017 05:38 (seven years ago) link
stealing the church to use as a fuckin battering ram is the greatest idea ever, how could anyone say no to getting in on that plan srsly
― Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 February 2017 05:39 (seven years ago) link
it was funny the way they did it in such an impenitent manner, as if like fuck these idiotic god botherers sideways!
― calzino, Tuesday, 21 February 2017 07:06 (seven years ago) link
Did I miss some world building regarding interplanetary communications?
― El Tomboto, Tuesday, 21 February 2017 09:32 (seven years ago) link
In the books there's often just recorded videos if distances are too far or conversations with x minutes delay
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 21 February 2017 10:47 (seven years ago) link
Avasarala's Aphorisms: Deep and Pertinent Thoughts for Your Daily Life
― президентских компромат (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 21 February 2017 18:06 (seven years ago) link
So good this week (and looked stunning)
Really hope this gets a third season. Critics seem to be falling over themselves to praise it but no idea what viewing figures are like.
― groovypanda, Thursday, 23 February 2017 13:09 (seven years ago) link
what a fucking ep!
― calzino, Thursday, 23 February 2017 13:22 (seven years ago) link
That was as truly spectacular piece of TV, but The conversation betwen Arjun and and Crisjen Avasarala was one of the most fantastic things and then the show just ramped up the emotional intensity.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Friday, 24 February 2017 10:50 (seven years ago) link
Miller's conversation with (redacted) was a bit much, especially the way it ended, but the last shot of the episode made me forget that.
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 24 February 2017 10:53 (seven years ago) link
miller achieving consummation with his woman-in-a-refrigerator while performing a noble sacrifice was some grade-a neckbeard bullshit imo
― adam, Friday, 24 February 2017 14:51 (seven years ago) link
haha I mean I am definitely sympathetic to that view
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 24 February 2017 14:51 (seven years ago) link
that said I it/they were all properly 'sploded and we don't get any "they still exist in the whispery space ether" bullshit
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 24 February 2017 14:52 (seven years ago) link
yeah the protomolecule is the least interesting thing about this show, maybe we can get back to taut political maneuvering now
― adam, Friday, 24 February 2017 15:04 (seven years ago) link
isn't complaining that sci-fi plotting isn't realistic enough also a sort of a neckbeard disposition though adam? :p
― calzino, Friday, 24 February 2017 16:29 (seven years ago) link
The scene did not play as it did in the book. In the book, what remains of Mao is cocooned in protostuff, her lines are heavily dissassociative. Sticking the actress in a nude body stocking and zero-g harness and having her kiss Miller was a lovely image, but it sexualized Miller's quest in unpleasant ways.
The White Walkers are the least interesting thing about Game of Thrones, and yet *one hopes* they offer a deadline for all the maneuvering.
"properly 'sploded"
― президентских компромат (Sanpaku), Friday, 24 February 2017 16:32 (seven years ago) link
it's not a matter of realism so much as of an unpleasant aftertaste of authorial wish-fulfillment. the damaged anti-hero hits all his marks in a confluence of contemporary SF cliches. that those cliches are tinged with a retrograde sexualized othering of the julie mao character doesn't help.
― adam, Friday, 24 February 2017 16:45 (seven years ago) link
I agree w/ that, I was fine with his julie mao obsession right up until then
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 24 February 2017 16:48 (seven years ago) link
it sexualized Miller's quest in unpleasant ways
it was skin-crawly but you could say that miller's "thing" for julie always had that unpleasant tinge to it. keeping her photo in his hat - he never got that hat back! :( - the wistful tone in his voice when talking about her.
also creepy: the protomolecule special effects having an after-school craft-club vibe to them (or would that be "crepe-y" heh heh)
i didn't follow that miller had actually succeeded in changing julie's mind lol - at the end i thought "wow SF that actually goes ahead and destroys the earth is maybe pretty rare?"
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 5 March 2017 00:44 (seven years ago) link
I didn't either. I wasn't sure what the hell was going to happen until they cut to Venus and showed the impact. I kinda feel like some of what happens after they lose contact with Miller is all his own daydream. Like, when he takes his helmet off, hasn't he been basically knocking holes through the whole place since he pried open the airlock? II hypothesize he just let the bomb detonate and that threw it off course, and all the nonsense with reconstituted Julie is in his oxygen-starved brain.
The latest episode was good. I finally googled Fred Johnson's lieutenant (played by Cara Gee) and I have determined that they have in fact deliberately made her up to look less attractive. Belters, man.
― El Tomboto, Sunday, 5 March 2017 01:46 (seven years ago) link
Dunno. I still have a soft spot for goths. Potential spoilers for 207:
http://www.nerdspan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/NUP_174491_0062.jpg
― Sanpaku, Sunday, 5 March 2017 02:19 (seven years ago) link
you really are shameless about the spoliation dude
― El Tomboto, Sunday, 5 March 2017 02:26 (seven years ago) link
Very sorry, I've been living with the sneak peak from 207 for a couple days (and hence didn't think there was anything major here), and this was the best lit press shot of Cara Gee as Drummer.
― Sanpaku, Sunday, 5 March 2017 03:08 (seven years ago) link
something else i didn't understand - a suddenly sentient eros starts accelerating, kamikaze-like, toward earth, and mars gets sniffy when earth realizes it has to do something about it? mars says "we won't consider it a 'first strike'" - well why would they, anyway? eros doesn't belong to mars, right? did i miss something (else?)?
i like how nutty amos is getting
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 5 March 2017 22:11 (seven years ago) link
also i like how expanse mobile phone tech doesn't really advance, even over hundreds of years. it reached a point of good enough.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 5 March 2017 23:12 (seven years ago) link
i started watching series one
― mark s, Sunday, 5 March 2017 23:32 (seven years ago) link
The clear cellphone thing looks cool, but it's so ridiculous. You can see the screen from the back! Especially silly when Miller is doing police stuff on his phone and trying to be stealthy.
― DJI, Monday, 6 March 2017 00:54 (seven years ago) link
Earth firing a gigantic spread of interplanetary missiles at any target should be of concern to anybody in the solar system imho.
― El Tomboto, Monday, 6 March 2017 01:02 (seven years ago) link
How can this already be on Ep 7???
I sorta miss Miller :(
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 9 March 2017 21:57 (seven years ago) link
Still think they need to take some hints from GoT and let their Jon Snow character get beat up more. Holden is still too golden-boy/authorial-self-insertion, and hence Amos or Dawes steal every scene.
― Sanpaku, Thursday, 9 March 2017 22:04 (seven years ago) link
I'm fine with Holden as the Hamlet-type figure, always agonized, trying to right the wrongs, live morally in a corrupt society etc.
I also miss Octavia, I had a bit of a crush on her tbrr
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 9 March 2017 22:13 (seven years ago) link
Holden's still too boyscout, I really miss Miller
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 9 March 2017 23:50 (seven years ago) link
Maybe Miller is that glowy blue monster thing that attacked Gunny.
― DJI, Thursday, 9 March 2017 23:58 (seven years ago) link
I was thinking that as well!
― calzino, Friday, 10 March 2017 00:01 (seven years ago) link
I'm hoping Octavia makes a return as well because yeah, Athena Karkanis
Holden's a twit but that's been true since Ep 1. I don't mind.
Fred Johnson should have known better than to get Dawes involved with anything, but we all reap the benefits, so yippee!
― El Tomboto, Friday, 10 March 2017 02:47 (seven years ago) link
Also they better not be messing with Amos. LEAVE MY AMOS ALONE
― El Tomboto, Friday, 10 March 2017 02:48 (seven years ago) link
I was wondering if collision with Venus disposed of 2 characters I would have used further. But did wonder if this weird humanoid that pops up elsewhere was tied in. Only I'm not sure where the elsewhere is related to Venus.Also not getting the drive thing that they cut back several decades to. Is it a standard feature of contemporary travel once discovered? Looked like they were setting up the character for First Contact too, did I miss that happening? Humanoid isn't him is it? Or reason for alien presence on Eros down to him?
― Stevolende, Friday, 10 March 2017 08:14 (seven years ago) link
Thirteen episodes this season though so we still have six to go.
Really hope this gets renewed. Think ratings are down on last season but looking at this it's still one of the most viewed shows on SyFy and critics love it (not that that seems to count for anything with TV execs)
― groovypanda, Friday, 10 March 2017 08:16 (seven years ago) link
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/03/decrypted-the-expanse-the-truth-is-never-what-you-expect-it-to-be/
Belter creole
― Jeff, Friday, 10 March 2017 16:07 (seven years ago) link
it's a lock for renewal
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 10 March 2017 16:09 (seven years ago) link
I wouldn't be surprised if Alcon Entertainment pursued this with Amazon or Netflix if SyFy dropped them. The lesson of science fiction television is that the syndication/merchandising tail of revenues is very long, even if the upfront ratings aren't.
― Sanpaku, Friday, 10 March 2017 16:34 (seven years ago) link
But did wonder if this weird humanoid that pops up elsewhere was tied in. Only I'm not sure where the elsewhere is related to Venus.Also not getting the drive thing that they cut back several decades to. Is it a standard feature of contemporary travel once discovered?
1. I think the weird humanoid on Ganymede is a sign that they haven't found ALL the research Protogen was involved in. Note: spoilers abound, so FYI do not google anything about this show, for reals - Sanpaku is like the least of our problems what with the immensely detailed, overlapping book/tv wiki pages that show up in results
2. The Epstein drive story was good world-building to give us background on Martian society and how the Belt was colonized. I don't know that it had a lot of other significance, I figure the guy just died and his "yacht" wound up drifting endlessly through space, out of the solar system, at 5% of the speed of light or whatever they said he got up to.
― El Tomboto, Friday, 10 March 2017 19:29 (seven years ago) link
The writing room adores Jared Harris's Anderson Dawes (and Diogo played Andrew Rotilio), so we're seeing things that weren't hinted at until last year's book. This season, there's enough liberty taken with timelines that, for better or worse, the series may be approaching a fork between book and adaptation like the last couple of seasons of GoT. Readers may know the shape and dramatis personae, but can only speculate on how the jigsaw will be reassembled.
― Sanpaku, Friday, 10 March 2017 20:06 (seven years ago) link
Holy cow, Jared Harris is Warhol in I Shot Andy Warhol...
― Sanpaku, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:07 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, when he was in Mad Men I had one of them "he/I have gotten quite old" moments.
― calzino, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:12 (seven years ago) link
no series two for me yet so i am watching series one again, this time more carefully
― mark s, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:16 (seven years ago) link
I fully endorse this strategy. It turned out I missed a lot of stuff in the first few episodes. References sort of whiz past, like the expect you to just know the milieu already.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 10 March 2017 21:24 (seven years ago) link
interim report: miller's hat annoys me even more the second time
― mark s, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:31 (seven years ago) link
Lol it is ridiculous.
I had forgotten that Miller was genuinely crooked - taking bribes, looking the other way. Unnecessarily violent. Kind of a nasty piece of work. Avsarala too starts off as a total villain.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 10 March 2017 21:37 (seven years ago) link
He'd look a lot better with a classic trilby, that thing looks like something that would come with an Indiana Jones costume from a fancy dress shop. I liked the episode and follow up where the god-botherer mistakes his questions for some kind of benign curiosity.
― calzino, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:43 (seven years ago) link
had to look up the name of the guy everyone -- justifiably imo -- kept calling "anus"
― mark s, Friday, 10 March 2017 21:48 (seven years ago) link
hat was egregious
feel more inclined to forgive it now that he's not around :(
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 11 March 2017 00:14 (seven years ago) link
i'm not going to say NO SPOILERS as it's my fault for being in the thread at all when i know yr all halfway thru series two (and i already picked this plot point up)
i really think there's a lot of terrific stuff here -- i only started binge-watching about ten days ago, my first run through, and i'm finding it even more watchable the second time
― mark s, Saturday, 11 March 2017 00:29 (seven years ago) link
It certainly rewards a second run through. Looking forward to doing that with this season although now I'm Expanse Trained I doubt there will be as much missed detail to pick up.
Miller's hat is there to help him store important clues and hide his phenomenally terrible haircut. In season two he resolves both issues.
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 11 March 2017 04:04 (seven years ago) link
honestly I've warmed to the haircut. Miller doesn't play by your ~space rules~ maaaaaaaaaaan.
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 11 March 2017 04:40 (seven years ago) link
love the, idk, "shades of the IRA" I'll call it, running through the Belter rhetoric in that standoff between Fred & the Jared Harris dude
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 11 March 2017 05:47 (seven years ago) link
There was some good fanwank in this episode but I'll keep Schtum.
Second watching of the first series is a must (or a 4th if your my wife). I loved the nods to how belters are different in the first episode that I don't notice at all first run through.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 11 March 2017 06:44 (seven years ago) link
boyscout captain is treading a pretty thin line now, feel like it's gonna pretty splintered here pretty quick if he doesn't watch himself
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 11 March 2017 06:50 (seven years ago) link
minor thing i like: that everyone's mastered liquid-pouring in gravities where earth-style DOWN is a long way off
― mark s, Saturday, 11 March 2017 17:15 (seven years ago) link
ha that is true!
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 11 March 2017 17:25 (seven years ago) link
hottest of takes: i am pro the accents
― mark s, Saturday, 11 March 2017 18:08 (seven years ago) link
I f hated them at first, but Dutch S African/Caribbean belter dialect seems about right now.
― calzino, Saturday, 11 March 2017 18:23 (seven years ago) link
I've been thinking about trying a Miller haircut.
― Jeff, Saturday, 11 March 2017 18:26 (seven years ago) link
jared harris in the latest one is fucking magisterial. the writers went to town on his discourse - this is the right word - with johnson and holden. straight outta the marc antony playbook.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 11 March 2017 18:58 (seven years ago) link
observation: when there's an interraction between two (or more) CGI spaceships, esp.a hostile one, there are no visual clues what relative sizes they are
this doesn't happen with models i don't think
― mark s, Saturday, 11 March 2017 19:44 (seven years ago) link
Personally, I think they should have gone with the Battlestar Galactica (recent) documentary style rather than a more cinematic style for ship interactions. BSG established shots for its battles as though a lone camera drone occupied a distant still point in space, and the camera would zoom on individual ships, pan with them as their relative position moved across the starfield, and shake with action. This provided distances, relative scales, motion, and energy. It brilliantly used the audience's familiarity with camera zooms to give context and verisimilitude.
The VFX head is a subreddit regular, and his justification for his style is aesthetics and comprehensibility, but scale is lost when the camera is flying in formation with the ships, always framing to keep everything in frame. The VFX team also doesn't have much knowledge of our solar system, Jupiter was turned 90° on its axis in Ep. 206 and will return in the wrong orientation later in this season. Ganymede felt like it was only one Jupiter diameter away from the cloud tops, whereas its really roughly 7. They could take inspiration from real imagery and gain tremendously.
― Sanpaku, Saturday, 11 March 2017 20:08 (seven years ago) link
i am now pro accents - i think it just takes a while to absorb the alot-ness of it
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 11 March 2017 21:18 (seven years ago) link
The blocking in these scenes is also lots of fun. Dawes very deliberately uses his distance, facing and direction every time he's talking to someone. Great contrast with the MCRN where everyone basically stands still while being incredibly pissed off all the time.
― El Tomboto, Sunday, 12 March 2017 01:13 (seven years ago) link
yeah. the way he touches people right before twisting the knife in. the whole thing is just amazing. you can see the delight he's taking in it, the coiled energy inside, sensing everyone's eyes on him, pushing just the right buttons at just the right times.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 12 March 2017 11:16 (seven years ago) link
also feels like a well planned rhythm of formal echoes in terms of scenes mirroring one another? an obvious one is miller being pushed down into the airlock a couple of eps after he'd done the same to his snitch (in the exact same place), but it feels like there's many others
(i'm assuming deliberate bcz i think if the airlock business just arose twice as a function of the technical plot, the writers wd probably have worked at a non-mirroring way to do it? obviously the facts of the environment require return to the same kinds of bottlenecks quite often but this was in a largish colony city not a tiny little spaceship)
(kinda feel this point is v unclear)
― mark s, Sunday, 12 March 2017 11:21 (seven years ago) link
I definitely get the impression that the writing and directing staff are aiming for that. Very little about the way this show is put together has felt "workmanlike" it's the golden age of TV goddamn it, SyFy Channel wants its own AMC show
― El Tomboto, Sunday, 12 March 2017 13:54 (seven years ago) link
are you talking about when johnson "spaced" the insurrectionist belter a few eps ago? i was thinking of that during dawes' speech. like "you're killin it dawg but um you might want to watch yr step"
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 12 March 2017 13:57 (seven years ago) link
Renewed for season 3.
― Sanpaku, Friday, 17 March 2017 05:28 (seven years ago) link
Yay!
― groovypanda, Friday, 17 March 2017 08:08 (seven years ago) link
Yippee
― SFTGFOP (El Tomboto), Friday, 17 March 2017 11:02 (seven years ago) link
*incomprehensible Belter celebratory slang*
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 17 March 2017 16:49 (seven years ago) link
Just got up to speed over a couple of weeks, love it! Such a pleasure to watch a sci-fi show that actually takes its world building seriously, unlike some of its predecessors (naming no names, rhymes with "Smattlebar Batactica"). None of the tropes or ideas are particularly new to a reader of hard SF, but they have been combined in a seamlessly fun and exciting way. The detail of the setting enables and enriches the story, and is never allowed to get in the way fo its telling. Season 2 has been relentless.
One downside is the underdevelopment some of the characters, particularly the crew of the Rosi. I'm not particularly fond of any of them, except maybe Amos. Naomi was cool at first, but now has become Little Miss Exposition pretty much. More peripheral characters such as Dawes and Miller tend to be better value. The kiwi chick is very well cast - though I don't know why Martians just have a bunch of different human accents. The consistency of the belter accent between actors isn't much better, tbh, but at least they're trying.
― chap, Monday, 27 March 2017 12:19 (six years ago) link
Last ep was terrific but I have a little plot whiplash. What happened to Dawes and Johnson? Psyched to find out what's happened on Venus - and how - if? - it relates to the mysterious firefight on Ganymede
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 27 March 2017 13:09 (six years ago) link
The assailant without a vac suit is obviously made of protomolecule so there's a connection there - how direct a one remains to be seen.
― chap, Monday, 27 March 2017 13:21 (six years ago) link
The special effect that bothered me in this episode was the barf by that one poor martian schlub stepping out of the landing craft. I get that the easiest thing to do is just to have the extra fill their mouth with colored water and just spit it out on cue. But that's not what vomiting is. Vomiting is your stomach trying to evacuate itself as quickly as possible. Your stomach is bigger than your mouth. Screen puking should be more than a symbolic gesture, is what I'm saying, otherwise just have the actors make the ASL sign for vomit and save the mopping entirely.
― Not the real Tombot (El Tomboto), Monday, 27 March 2017 13:48 (six years ago) link
What happened to Dawes and Johnson?
We are running up against the problem GoT has where these well built & populated worlds that work in a novel with chapters start to get really difficult to do in a 1-hour (much less 43-minute) block. Also as of the ep before this one it's officially Dawes and Drummer, not Dawes and Johnson, poor guy from the Wire has been completely eclipsed by his lieutenant why because she look interesting
― Not the real Tombot (El Tomboto), Monday, 27 March 2017 13:54 (six years ago) link
Space Cutty is a bit po-faced.
― chap, Monday, 27 March 2017 14:13 (six years ago) link
Some of the cutting-into-chapters work in the second season made it a slog to make it through a few episodes for me. The problem with having lots of plot threads that need to play out in realtime is the inability to resolve anything at all in some episodes.
Have there been any episodes with action followed by another that follows a completely different group over the same time? I'm trying to think of examples from other series but I'm coming up blank -- basically the cliche where someone opens a door and exclaims "how are YOU here?" only for the next episode to run the same timeline from the perspective of the second party.
― mh 😏, Monday, 27 March 2017 14:39 (six years ago) link
campaign for real space-puke
― mark s, Monday, 27 March 2017 14:43 (six years ago) link
Tom i actually started wondering where they were specifically because I was like "where the hell did Drummer go, did she get killed while I wasn't watching?" Anyway yes - you're right - and it's not just the look either, her past seems just as interesting as either of those two belter marquee idols, hastily sketched as it is. MORE DRUMMER IN THE MONITOR PLEASE
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 27 March 2017 15:05 (six years ago) link
I know they're not following the books very closely, but is there any chance Miller (Thomas Jane's character) shows back up in some way?
― mh 😏, Monday, 27 March 2017 15:07 (six years ago) link
i don't know but i have to admit i miss the old kerouacky son of a bitch
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 27 March 2017 15:09 (six years ago) link
I mean, having his last scene played against a woman who completely reconstituted her body via alien organism seems like the door was left open
― mh 😏, Monday, 27 March 2017 15:11 (six years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7geyt5XQAYGCOt.jpg
HAPPY #TheExpanse DAY! From #Draomi @CaraGeeeee @ExpanseSyfy this is when we were shooting the handball scene and we already loved eachother
https://twitter.com/Mi55Tipper/status/844458801239609344
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 29 March 2017 07:56 (six years ago) link
😍
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 29 March 2017 14:04 (six years ago) link
right????????
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 29 March 2017 14:41 (six years ago) link
The most recent ep is just extraordinary. Possibly the best episode yet? (in related news, lots of Amos Content)
Terry Chen as Prax has quickly become one of my favourite dudes.
I loved the loooooong wordless moment with Draper when she finally got to the end of that drainage tunnel and saw the ocean. How do you even write that in a script? (I was slightly worried about the effect of the presumably ruined water on her bare skin but she didn't flinch.) How fucked is she now tho :(
I kinda want to watch it again. There were a ton of amazing little moments that couldn't have been written down in the script that they just "found" by looking through the camera lens, by editing. Hot stuff.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 3 April 2017 07:06 (six years ago) link
SPOILER.
I wondered what was in the water but you see that she's on a beach when the Indian ambassador lady talks to her.
― Stevolende, Monday, 3 April 2017 07:28 (six years ago) link
I know, but the beach of an ocean that's been polluted beyond repair by earthers, right? Hence the necessity for ice-mining? I mean it's a small detail maybe but I'll admit it added a note of tension to the scene for this guy
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 3 April 2017 07:42 (six years ago) link
Bobbie Draper always looks so worried.
― chap, Monday, 3 April 2017 09:15 (six years ago) link
Amos' Weapons Training Course Syllabus for Beginners:
1) This is safe2) This is fire3) Don't shoot us
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 8 April 2017 21:03 (six years ago) link
when does this start again in the uk?
>:(
― mark s, Saturday, 8 April 2017 21:30 (six years ago) link
It's on PB if you need it.
― Stevolende, Saturday, 8 April 2017 21:34 (six years ago) link
supposedly will hit UK Netflix once the run finishes on SyFy (about three weeks time, possibly?)
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 8 April 2017 21:34 (six years ago) link
I buy the DVDs to support good shows, but watch via www.space.ca/show/the-expanse/ and a VPN to participate in the conversation.
― Sanpaku, Saturday, 8 April 2017 21:38 (six years ago) link
Jim is starting to realise where Miller's mindset was at when he iced the evil scientist at the research station, if he could go back now he probably wouldn't be such a prissy moralist and go into such a big huff about it with him.
― calzino, Saturday, 8 April 2017 21:54 (six years ago) link
A major problem with the series is that there isn't enough time spent watching Holden go from idealist to angry pragmatist. The competing plotlines and characters with more foreign backgrounds always catch the camera's eye.
It was more forgivable in the books, where half the first book and about a fifth of subsequent ones are from his viewpoint.
― Sanpaku, Saturday, 8 April 2017 22:33 (six years ago) link
draper feels like the star of this season. it's bold (or crazy) to not only have a first season with two equal protagonists, but then essentially ditch them midway through the next season
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 8 April 2017 22:40 (six years ago) link
xp: That's to say, in the broadcast series, it isn't really clear at all why the other crew would stick their neck out for Holden. This isn't Starfleet, where there are social norms, or Firefly, where the core have a history, or even Farscape, where there's a common enemy.
― Sanpaku, Saturday, 8 April 2017 22:42 (six years ago) link
was anything else been heard of the tagalong guy who was like the first contact with the alien force in the first series. Was he just killed outiright? I thought at the time there might be something more made out of taht, had some idea of a hybrid form appearing or something.
― Stevolende, Sunday, 9 April 2017 10:35 (six years ago) link
THink he had attached himself to the crew of the Rocinante somehow and seemed to be a rather underhanded type, then he gets ditched but you see something happening to him. & from the amount of time spent setting up the character t seemed like something more would come out of that. But i was thinking something more would happen with the pair who crash into Venus, though that might still occur over the next couple of shows.
― Stevolende, Sunday, 9 April 2017 15:31 (six years ago) link
Didn't he get chomped by the protomolecule?
Apparently his name was Kenzo Gabriel: http://expanse.wikia.com/wiki/Kenzo_Gabriel
I liked him. Thought the actor was great.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 9 April 2017 16:49 (six years ago) link
I have to give some respect to shows that build a character up just enough to seem fleshed out before unceremoniously killing them. Avoids the whole "meaningful death" plot point while still showing that the loss of life can happen to anyone at any time.
― a landlocked exclave (mh 😏), Sunday, 9 April 2017 18:00 (six years ago) link
xp Holden refused to give him a lift off Eros so he was indeed chomped by the protomolecule
― groovypanda, Sunday, 9 April 2017 20:03 (six years ago) link
yes.. holden's hardening does stretch back over quite a few episodes. it's been pretty clearly telegraphed,Sanpaku. some might say overly so!
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 9 April 2017 20:11 (six years ago) link
Holden is the blandest character in this regardless, really.
― chap, Sunday, 9 April 2017 20:17 (six years ago) link
I still get the sense that most decisions are by crew consensus, we needed more moments where Holden's tells off a naysaying Naomi/Alex/Amos, "Here's where you're wrong, and why". We just have Holden's gut instincts, which usually result in worse global outcomes, and the crew (prior to the last ep) still follows. As a book reader with access to internal monologues, the motivations are clear, but as a series viewer, we just see Holden as less gentleman and more well-meaning brute.
I didn't question why crews followed John Crichton (Farscape) or Malcolm Reynolds (Firefly), and it isn't the quality of acting, its the script.
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Sunday, 9 April 2017 21:09 (six years ago) link
I feel like such a Holden in life, sometimes. His decisions don't necessarily seem heartfelt; in fact, the script really hasn't given him a deep heart. The character development has been perfunctory, the actions logical but with any internal conflict being familiar guideposts. I'd guess he's going to fuck up majorly at some point, if the story needs it, otherwise he's going to fuck up in a relatable if enraging way and the polarization of others will be our engagement.
John Crichton was thrust into a battle that wasn't his and Mal on Firefly was always fighting battles that weren't implicitly his but he carried this weight of responsibility as the competent man
― a landlocked exclave (mh 😏), Sunday, 9 April 2017 23:07 (six years ago) link
Holden is in search of a cause. I kind of wrote him off as a self-righteous twerp before I even started this thread, I think. The rest of the leftover Canterbury crew bought into his hero act for a while, I can understand that.
This was a very good episode. I really liked the gravity-assisted approach sequence. I hope that one day Amos and Draper get to go to punch-out prom together.
― The Jams Manager (1992, Brickster) (El Tomboto), Monday, 10 April 2017 01:35 (six years ago) link
Is anyone else warming to Alex? He's such a ridiculous character at this point that I can't help but like him a bit.
― chap, Monday, 10 April 2017 08:29 (six years ago) link
guilty!
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 10 April 2017 08:33 (six years ago) link
Could be just that it was the last thing that happened in the 1st series but I was thinking that once the protomolecule had assimilated Gabriel it would use what it found in some way. Looked like it was going to be a strand for further development. But not seen anything of it.Thought it was more being taken in to examine thoroughly than ate but not sure.
― Stevolende, Monday, 10 April 2017 09:40 (six years ago) link
Alex's generally annoying fake chirpy demeanour and naff cowboy patter is fairly bad, but against the odds he is alright!
― calzino, Monday, 10 April 2017 10:27 (six years ago) link
I don't understand why he talks and makes cultural references like a Texan when he's from Mars.
Can book readers clarify the political makeup of Earth? Is it basically one superstate under the UN now?
― chap, Monday, 10 April 2017 10:54 (six years ago) link
http://expanse.wikia.com/wiki/Mariner_Valley
"It was originally settled by Chinese, East Indians and Texans from Earth, and people from the Mariner Valley may look like any of those ethnic group, but they generally speak with a Texan accent; for example, Alex Kamal is from there, has the skin complexion and hair color of an East Indian, but speaks with an exaggerated Texan drawl."
― groovypanda, Monday, 10 April 2017 11:47 (six years ago) link
Surely the accent would've evolved into something quite different from Texan over a couple of hundred years? I am nitpicking.
― chap, Monday, 10 April 2017 11:52 (six years ago) link
"quite different from texan" is a v accurate description of alex's accent 🙃
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 10 April 2017 12:12 (six years ago) link
Ha, fair enough.
― chap, Monday, 10 April 2017 12:16 (six years ago) link
I was warming to Alex and then we had that extended sequence where he talked to the ship again and I reset back to zero :/
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 10 April 2017 16:53 (six years ago) link
His somersault maneuver to catch the beer in his mouth was pretty sweet though.
― chap, Monday, 10 April 2017 17:08 (six years ago) link
I liked the extended ship talking sequence
― a landlocked exclave (mh 😏), Monday, 10 April 2017 18:15 (six years ago) link
So happy the Roci herself isn't voiced.
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Monday, 10 April 2017 18:50 (six years ago) link
Captain Martens is an idiot if he didn't want Draper to defect.
― ...and DON'T *bleeep* IT UP! (Leee), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 19:12 (six years ago) link
Also thinking Shohreh was being at least a little disingenuous when she said she was hoping to avoid a diplomatic incident with Draper.
― ...and DON'T *bleeep* IT UP! (Leee), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 19:13 (six years ago) link
I was trying to remember where I'd heard her distinctively husky voice before, looking at imdb it was probably that BBC/HBO Saddam Hussein mini-series where she played his wife.
― calzino, Tuesday, 11 April 2017 19:23 (six years ago) link
I first remember her as Ben Kingsley's wife in House of Sand and Fog
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 19:37 (six years ago) link
24, Day 4 is what I remember her from.
― DJI, Tuesday, 11 April 2017 20:16 (six years ago) link
^ the mother of riz ahmed iirc
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 21:06 (six years ago) link
Different dude: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1332975/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t7
― DJI, Tuesday, 11 April 2017 21:24 (six years ago) link
haha holy shit i always tht that was him
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 21:37 (six years ago) link
So Shohreh was his mother both as Iranian secular immigrants who bought depressive Jennifer Connally's house from the bank, and as Turkish Islamist militants who sought to melt down all the nuclear plants.
Notably, no desis on /r/Expanse buy that Avarasala is from the subcontinent. Pale skin is fine for a Brahmin, but the accent is completely off.
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 22:55 (six years ago) link
I love Shoreh -- the little hand-gestures she makes whenever she speaks are so mesmerizing
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 11 April 2017 23:11 (six years ago) link
I am really the only person shipping amos and draper though
― The Jams Manager (1992, Brickster) (El Tomboto), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 01:15 (six years ago) link
I'll stick to Alex and various Roci maintenance ports.
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 01:58 (six years ago) link
dude
― The Jams Manager (1992, Brickster) (El Tomboto), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 02:33 (six years ago) link
there is a commonality there for sure btwn draper/amos - the emotional stuntedness, the "set of tools" they bring to a situation. god how cathartic was it when she finally let rip in the last ep
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 06:58 (six years ago) link
My girlfriend was convinced the actress was South American before we looked her up.
― chap, Wednesday, 12 April 2017 08:05 (six years ago) link
I expected more of you people to have known Shohreh from 24!
― ...and DON'T *bleeep* IT UP! (Leee), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 22:55 (six years ago) link
She was in Day 4? I skipped that season for some reason.
― chap, Wednesday, 12 April 2017 23:26 (six years ago) link
Skipped the show when I learned the producer [aimed to reduce American public opposition to torture](http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/02/19/whatever-it-takes).
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Thursday, 13 April 2017 00:57 (six years ago) link
Day 4 and 5 were probably the best of the lot.
Another solid episode last night. Can't believe it's the finale next week :(
― groovypanda, Thursday, 13 April 2017 08:40 (six years ago) link
lol at Holden calling the plant guy "plant guy"
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Thursday, 13 April 2017 12:12 (six years ago) link
I think I might have blinked and missed the closing shot, but apparently the protomolecule monster has stowed away on the side of the Rocinante.
― calzino, Thursday, 13 April 2017 12:38 (six years ago) link
http://i63.tinypic.com/o9n7us.jpg
― groovypanda, Thursday, 13 April 2017 13:16 (six years ago) link
totally missed that
― jason waterfalls (gbx), Thursday, 13 April 2017 14:07 (six years ago) link
Note to self, when designing my next superhuman soldier, make sure it doesn't glow...
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Thursday, 13 April 2017 21:59 (six years ago) link
you've got to work with the protomolecule you're got, not the protomolecule you want to have
― a landlocked exclave (mh 😏), Thursday, 13 April 2017 22:15 (six years ago) link
this one was a little bit too much "penultimate episode" if that makes sense. the senator guy turning the tables on everybody, the refugee ship drama, etc.
― The Jams Manager (1992, Brickster) (El Tomboto), Friday, 14 April 2017 01:34 (six years ago) link
The senator switcheroo was pretty well done, I was convinced the posion was for himself.
― chap, Friday, 14 April 2017 08:27 (six years ago) link
Yeah they did a decent job leading in to that with his visit to his son, the letter to his wife, and then heyo don't drink that scotch!!!!
I think what made this episode's melodrama a little much for me was that it was a lot of people being stentorian about their beliefs and then committing Significant Acts - by the Senator, by Naomi, by the big dude on Ganymede, by Holden - what it needed was a Drummer or a Dawes or Miller (RIP) to bring some authentic cynicism and leaven the Moments
― The Jams Manager (1992, Brickster) (El Tomboto), Friday, 14 April 2017 14:00 (six years ago) link
Miller's coming back in some form next week, I'd bet.
― chap, Friday, 14 April 2017 15:00 (six years ago) link
fingers crossed
― a landlocked exclave (mh 😏), Friday, 14 April 2017 15:18 (six years ago) link
If he comes back with some protomolecule type boosts like not needing a space suit anymore or being impervious to death, he is bound to be a complete dick about it - so yes please!
― calzino, Friday, 14 April 2017 16:14 (six years ago) link
if you see a giant blu protomolecule alium with a porkpie hat and/or skater haircut, that's our guy
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 14 April 2017 16:32 (six years ago) link
the refugee stuff in this new episode was really good, I got all teared up at the end there
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 14 April 2017 16:33 (six years ago) link
Someone explain to this moran the purpose of Errinwright killing his Martian opposite number, blowing up the MCRN black ops ship, and saying mean things to Monsieur Mao?
― ...and DON'T *bleeep* IT UP! (Leee), Friday, 14 April 2017 19:09 (six years ago) link
to keep the protomolecule hybrid research from ending up with the MCRN
― The Jams Manager (1992, Brickster) (El Tomboto), Friday, 14 April 2017 19:46 (six years ago) link
and kill the only other person on Earth who could have revealed his role in it
― The Jams Manager (1992, Brickster) (El Tomboto), Friday, 14 April 2017 19:47 (six years ago) link
"You made some pretty stupid choices since you've been in charge, but you always did the right thing"
― a landlocked exclave (mh 😏), Friday, 21 April 2017 00:55 (six years ago) link
this episode was like the exact opposite of last week's. makes a lot more sense now why they needed to put so much people-talking-indoors, so they could spend this week kicking and punching and shooting around in bays and shafts and on the outer hulls and whatnot.
I love the sci-fi trope of explaining solutions exactly backwards from how real people do it.
"jargon term!""what?!?""jargon term, from field of study - it's an analogy""why should I care?!?!?""because if we apply the logic of the analogy we could solve the problem""how?!?""we have nuclear warheads don't we?""oh I get it now"
you can replace "jargon term" with "anecdote" and "field of study" with "previous, crappy job" and you get the Amos mix
Lastly, the final line of this season is just silly, see point 5 in thread starter
― El Tomboto, Friday, 21 April 2017 03:06 (six years ago) link
the space marine suit being "power armor" is so right and also Fallout
― a landlocked exclave (mh 😏), Friday, 21 April 2017 03:10 (six years ago) link
Is the final scene this season supposed to be setting something up or tying up a loose end? Won't say what it is, just that they did that last season and I don't think it got reexplored.Looked like the fact that they cut from what seemed to end the series to something else gave it significance otherwise why not slot it in elsewhere.
― Stevolende, Friday, 21 April 2017 06:53 (six years ago) link
I'd say setting something up.Enjoyed the finale but slightly underwhelmed by it.
― groovypanda, Friday, 21 April 2017 06:57 (six years ago) link
mr veg pointed out that the last few episodes seem to have taken the show away from the hard scifi of the early episodes, magnet boots and slow heavy ships & began to feel more conventional by the end, well lit narrow spaces & zipping around from planet to planet
kinda missing the belters tbh
and i really miss miller ;_;
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 21 April 2017 07:06 (six years ago) link
and yeah, finale felt kinda paint by numbers
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 21 April 2017 07:07 (six years ago) link
Everything since Eros crashed into Venus has felt slightly anti-climactic, tbh.
― chap, Friday, 21 April 2017 10:33 (six years ago) link
Oh dear this was a bit of a damp squib in the end. Even when Draper gets to deck some baddies in the corridor it was the type of amateur fighting choreography you'd expect from some sub-standard sci-fi channel dreck. None of the attempts to build up any tension worked at all, the protomolecule beast was a total soft touch!
― calzino, Friday, 21 April 2017 12:10 (six years ago) link
No spoilers but something else happens in the books that is a real "OMG!" moment and I don't understand why they didn't do it as it would have been such a great end to the season (and much better for it).
― groovypanda, Friday, 21 April 2017 19:25 (six years ago) link
The S2 finale only made it two thirds through Caliban's War (book 2), while the OMG! moment I suspect you're referring to doesn't happen till the last lines. Book 1's ending was similarly delayed to S2E5.
I really didn't care for the finale's montage wrapping up events on the Arboghast and the Guanshiyin under Naomi's confessional voiceover, these subplots would have stood better on their own.
It condensed the major problem with S2 compared to S1, the wildly choppy pacing. The plot's either racing forward with little chance for characters to react, or dragging with digressions. I mean, Fred Johnson is given about 20 seconds to decide to sacrifice the Nauvoo, but we have time for handball matches between Drummer and Naomi. Meanwhile, poor Steven Strait (Holden) has to go from the sane to obsessed and back without the book's monologues providing justification. I think Holden, in particular, might have benefited from a captain's log (or similar) framing of each episode's events. Without that device, the straight-man leader (er...) seems a background character.
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Friday, 21 April 2017 21:18 (six years ago) link
I actually liked the finale a lot more than the preceding few episodes!
Anyway, I'm constantly amused by Florence Faivre's name still appearing in the opening credits -- she's had one 5(?)-minute scene this season (which was also the first time she interacted with someone from the main cast). I mean, it probably signals that Julie is coming back, but in a very clumsy way.
― Bashir-Worf Hypothesis (Leee), Monday, 24 April 2017 18:30 (six years ago) link
Not Julie, but close. Mentioned several times this season.
― behavioral sink (Sanpaku), Monday, 24 April 2017 18:56 (six years ago) link
You're really not very good with this spoiler thing, are you?
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 25 April 2017 06:56 (six years ago) link
still not on uk netflix >:(
(it isn't actually quite three weeks since tracer PROMISED but i am IMPATIENT)
― mark s, Tuesday, 25 April 2017 22:40 (six years ago) link
"is this your first time diving through hot clouds of sulfuric acid?"
"well there was that one time.. at college.."
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 9 May 2017 20:40 (six years ago) link
for a hyperintelligent future-weapon that protomolecule beast was a bit dimm innit? a brain somewhere between a sparrow and a wookie?
"plant guy" was so good i sorta forgot about miller. but i do miss the sub-noir belt stuff.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:06 (six years ago) link
anyway i love all those buffoons regardless.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:07 (six years ago) link
imo the implication so far (from only having watched the tv show) is that nobody knows what the fuck they're actually doing and are using the protomolecule, a completely new thing to humanity, in very human ways
― mh, Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:10 (six years ago) link
except for the geniuses who were like "let's just turn it loose on a station and see what the fuck happens"
while an exceedingly poor idea, they at least had some experimental vision
― mh, Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:11 (six years ago) link
:D
i sorta got the idea that it has a mind of its own but i guess that's just eros, once it got outta control. the beast thing pn the other hand was a result of a difft more focused program?
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:12 (six years ago) link
the implication was that it can do a hell of a lot when given free reign over organic matter, seems to have created some mega-lifeform with weird powers now
but yeah, the whole "maybe we can put it in people and make supersoldiers" thing is one scientific insight beyond "what happens if we put it in bullets"
― mh, Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:14 (six years ago) link
that protomolecule beast would previously kill a roomful of people in 10 secs and take out whole squadrons of elite soldiers. In the finale it seemed a good job it didn't need to think about complicated things like breathing.
― calzino, Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:16 (six years ago) link
the whole plot angle of deciding that the belters need to "possess the protomolecule" had me turning into yakov smirnoff and yelling "no, the protomolecule HAS YOU"
― mh, Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:16 (six years ago) link
yeah I'm thinking the protomolecule soldier in the field actually had some sort of control mechanism
― mh, Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:17 (six years ago) link
lol totally this. finale went from Doom to, like, Ico in two seconds flat
xpost ahhh that's what it ripped out i guess.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:20 (six years ago) link
tbf, and this is ethically horrible, they did make the soldiers out of sick children
― mh, Tuesday, 9 May 2017 21:21 (six years ago) link
belter glossary
https://www.memrise.com/course/1102952/belter-creole/1/?platform=hootsuite
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 27 May 2017 07:57 (six years ago) link
s2 still not arrived on netflix >:( >:( >:(
― mark s, Saturday, 27 May 2017 09:45 (six years ago) link
Memrise and the expanse is like a match made in heave for Mrs Ed
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 27 May 2017 10:03 (six years ago) link
Gútegow bosmang!
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 27 May 2017 10:53 (six years ago) link
S1 didn't appear until November last year so may be a while yet
― groovypanda, Sunday, 28 May 2017 19:10 (six years ago) link
this sucks i hate everything
― mark s, Sunday, 28 May 2017 19:16 (six years ago) link
;_;
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 28 May 2017 19:19 (six years ago) link
Ask these good gentlemen anything tomorrow. ANYTHING. #TheExpanse @JamesSACorey @AbrahamHanover https://t.co/zGodpSdkiq— Cara Gee (@CaraGeeeee) June 14, 2017
mark do i need to send a usb or something?
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 14 June 2017 20:42 (six years ago) link
season two resolutely not appearing on netflix uk
― mark s, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 20:46 (six years ago) link
that sucks
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 14 June 2017 21:30 (six years ago) link
Reddit seems to think it's getting a worldwide Netflix release on July 7th
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheExpanse/comments/6d13sh/expanse_season_2_uk_release_date/
― groovypanda, Thursday, 15 June 2017 14:04 (six years ago) link
Nog even volhouden! Seizoen 2 van The Expanse is vanaf 7 juli te zien op Netflix.— Netflix NL & BE (@NetflixNL) May 21, 2017
apparently david straithairn is joining D'EXPANSE!!
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 14 July 2017 19:16 (six years ago) link
niiiice. more people should really have watched Alphas
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 14 July 2017 19:18 (six years ago) link
aka the only superhero thing from the last decade I kinda liked
― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.), Friday, 14 July 2017 19:23 (six years ago) link
I tried to watch Alphas but it was too much like Misfits of Science and I am no longer 7
― El Tomboto, Friday, 14 July 2017 19:35 (six years ago) link
oooh strathairn :D :D yay
― Yoni Loves Chocha (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 14 July 2017 21:22 (six years ago) link
How's the prose in the books?
― Leee Media Naranja (Leee), Tuesday, 1 August 2017 18:18 (six years ago) link
SEASON TWO IS HERE ON UK NETFLIX
― mark s, Sunday, 10 September 2017 15:37 (six years ago) link
Your life has been improved
― El Tomboto, Sunday, 10 September 2017 22:16 (six years ago) link
I'll be dead and never even see season 3, by the mark s + UK Netflix catch-up on The Expanse seasons rate. No wonder the torrents still reign!
― calzino, Sunday, 10 September 2017 22:29 (six years ago) link
https://techraptor.net/content/the-expanse-review-choose-wisely
― groovypanda, Friday, 15 September 2017 09:21 (six years ago) link
Just finished S2
I love this. So gloomy and dark and claustrophobic, alienates 'earth' wonderfully. I feel more at home in cramped space tunnels than on earth after watching. Anderson Dawes is wonderful. I was reading a website about how real space rockets work before I watched this and like all the realness they put in.
Was a bit let down by the monster. It was a bit too blue and glowing. I think I'd have preferred something pale, naked and hairy.
The bits of bad acting don't seem to matter in this, unlike in the nu BSG. I like Gunny, her violence and her weary confused offense at everything around her. I have a mate who looks and behaves exactly like Amos.
In terms of a family tree it seems to connect with a lot of British vibes, Dr Who obviously but also with like, Bottom, Maid Marion, and Red Dwarf and 2000AD. And also with a certain something called Rogue Trader which I'm not sure I should admit to knowing about or liking but whatevs.
But it is also its own, new kind of thing and feels as though it's incidentally ticking my boxes whilst being something new?
― Never changed username before (cardamon), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 00:34 (six years ago) link
The hybrid is a letdown but I think the episodes with it remind you of what works in good old B horror, it's the human reactions to it are what make it frightening and effective. I haven't read the books but I suspect it's better in prose form, like most monsters.
I think I agree with your last two sentences. Part of me would like to see this show get knocked off 3 different ways, like a CSI or L&O.
― El Tomboto, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 03:04 (six years ago) link
ok finished my first watch-thru (and finally read the whole thread): going straight back in when this ep of celebrity masterchef is over
i no longer hate everything
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 19:46 (six years ago) link
lol you guys have known all this for so long and yet i had unspoilered even miller's end (by the useful magic of being ancient and forgetful)
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 19:52 (six years ago) link
the end... OR IS IT
― mh, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 20:09 (six years ago) link
envisaging the planet venus sporting a huge hat made of protomolecule tipped at an irritating angle
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 20:22 (six years ago) link
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 20:43 (six years ago) link
these ppl are very wasteful with whole moons
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 21:20 (six years ago) link
slightly unexpectedly miller just reminded me of my mum: "i hate space" was a phrase she once used when i was watching a documentary abt the solar system, an anathema that stayed with me bcz it's such a big and distant and kind of routinely unobtrusive thing to hate
anyway miller just said "god i hate space" -- he has more obvious reason to
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 21:29 (six years ago) link
it was a great moment
i miss the ol' scenery chewer, i do
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 22:13 (six years ago) link
TIME TO PLAY SQUASH
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 22:22 (six years ago) link
AND THEN A RAVE
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 22:26 (six years ago) link
holden is so boring
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 22:44 (six years ago) link
Yeah I didn't like the squash or the rave
There's always something a bit hokey about depictions of 'nightlife' in TV shows (apart from the Wire) and doubly so in space TV shows
― Never changed username before (cardamon), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 23:00 (six years ago) link
the young guy whose music miller hated shd have been a 24th century wire reader and chin-stroker
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 23:04 (six years ago) link
Yeah what we've seen of the Expanse clubbing scene is all a bit contemporary white American college student naive 'rave' style.
I reckon Belters would listen to music made on bits of metal detritus found lying around and used as percussion, or that copied the ambient sounds of space stations. Or would consist of fragments of earth music they find a significance in that we wouldn't, like music from classic adverts or windows startup sounds. I dunno. Probably some rapping too, seeing as the bit where Dawes was giving a speech to the different OPA factions was more or less a toasting session. Mind you the program gives us enough worldbuilding that this conversation isn't entirely ridic
― Never changed username before (cardamon), Wednesday, 20 September 2017 23:10 (six years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWO5Ai_a80M
― mark s, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 23:19 (six years ago) link
Real belter music is the reactor hum
― El Tomboto, Wednesday, 20 September 2017 23:38 (six years ago) link
anus: "bombs away! always wanted to say that" (second sentence is quieter and smiling, almost more to self than others) holden: "feels like we're covering up a crime" (wooden as ever)anus: "yeah! that's feels exactly like that" (still quiet, still smiling, wonderingly to self)
^^^really liked this exchange
well, half of it
― mark s, Thursday, 21 September 2017 17:19 (six years ago) link
nice touch also when the nauvoo is launching away from wherever it was docked as a mormon cathedral, and all the little tug-drones* are peeling away from it, the animators took care that a couple of them get a little close to the flames of the thrusters -- i don't think they burn up, but there is a brief flare-up as if serious singeing is going on**
*i assume unmanned **animation of relative scale of spacecraft seems much better this series
― mark s, Thursday, 21 September 2017 17:27 (six years ago) link
total digression -- and it's probably not the only other work that charts this territory -- but this story (of a catastrophic war between earth and elements of the colonised solar system) is also more or less the distant backdrop to samuel delany's TRITON
― mark s, Thursday, 21 September 2017 18:09 (six years ago) link
more relevantly maybe, a fvck of a lot of old-school quasi-hardcore hard-science nuts-and-bolts rocketships type 50s/60s SF -- the stuff that wasn't stars wars and wasn't the ballardian new wave -- was about how the science-which-we-didn't-understand was actually opening portals to magickal elvish realms
(i'm thinking colin kapp's "lambda-1" or donald malcolm's “beyond the reach of storms” and the like, maybe lewis padgett's "mimsy were the borogoves" -- which is abt fourth-dimensional logic rather than rockets)
so anyway
― mark s, Thursday, 21 September 2017 19:05 (six years ago) link
ps the miller-julie death-sex in eros aka magic blue elfland scene is interminable, they shd have played squash imo
― mark s, Thursday, 21 September 2017 19:08 (six years ago) link
I'm tempted to read the books, although I've heard the show really goes in some different directions. I am curious if they're going where I think they're going with the protomolecule!
One pretty wild science fiction idea is that long-distance space travel really sucks, so instead of sending a crew that terraforms a planet, why not use the same process on organic life you find. As in, you send some sort of technology that turns organic matter *into you*
― mh, Friday, 22 September 2017 15:10 (six years ago) link
wd they have let plant guy watch the spacing? i think probably no
― mark s, Friday, 22 September 2017 15:16 (six years ago) link
"when the european tall ships first arrived in the new world, the natives couldn't even see them -- they were just too far outside their experience to comprehend"
a: usually hear this story abt australia rather than south america? b: either way i don't believe it, not even slightly
― mark s, Friday, 22 September 2017 18:04 (six years ago) link
you send some sort of technology that turns organic matter *into you*
Mild book spoiler: the protomolecule is indeed a colonial technology. But it doesn't turn the biomass it encounters into its maker. End spoiler.
The most plausible accounts I've read of human expansion to the stars involve nanotech Von Neumann probes, gossamer like light/microwave sails, travelling well below light speed, and reconstituting ecologies using stored genomic data.
Mormons wouldn't approve of this technology. They're really a perfect literary device for slowboating to the stars. I suspect the colonists on the Nauvoo would face a similar outcome to those of Kim Stanley Robinson's Aurora, probably the best space sci-fi I've read from the past decade.
If you feel oppressed by economically and technologically superior political entities, you probably assume others feel similarly. In contemporary ISIS videos, one can glimpse non-implicated locals in the audience.
― Special Egyptian Guest Star (Sanpaku), Friday, 22 September 2017 19:21 (six years ago) link
maaaaybe -- i just think they'd hustle him away and not require him actually to watch, esp.as he started enacting that very intense goodbye, it makes a liability of him by needlessly heightening a possible conflict of loyalties?
― mark s, Friday, 22 September 2017 19:35 (six years ago) link
suddenly realised at the end of S2 E13 that this is turning into CAPTAIN SCARLET :D
https://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/villains/images/d/d2/Mysteronised.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20161009174122
― mark s, Friday, 22 September 2017 20:20 (six years ago) link
One thing that is pleasing about the future as portrayed in the expanse is that very few things are voice activated and no computer has a voice. This is a future I’d be entirely comfortable with.
I know we’re not talking about the novels here, however I am pretty excited by Persepolis rising coming out in December and I’m just about to launch into a re-read of the preceding 6.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 23 September 2017 02:13 (six years ago) link
so it's possibly partly an expanse-expense-of-cgi issue driving this, but to me one of the great strengths of this telling of this story is the extent to which (one mass-spacing excepted)* large-scale horrors happen largely OFF-screen**, including the gradual revelation of what originally happened on eros, but also the wipe-out of draper's team -- of course it's about the effects (and the politics) of hiding things with massive effect and implication. but it helps us stay on the ground with the small crew and the various individuals that we haven't witnessed first-hand*** much either, it's creeping in on the viewers as an unsettling reveal (of a world-changing encounter and of the world-changing crime that immediately followed it)
*tho probably i've forgotten something that invalidates this post (i'm not including huge but distant explosions) **sometimes just as ships blinking out of existence off of a radar ***not sure if "first-hand" is the right term for what viewers are seeing on-screen, but it isn't second-hand either
― mark s, Saturday, 23 September 2017 13:40 (six years ago) link
Still think budget/PG13 considerations forced them to eliminate the most impactful scene from Caliban's War. Gunny Draper watched as the protomonster tore through the UN and Martian marine patrols, in graphic detail.
― Special Egyptian Guest Star (Sanpaku), Saturday, 23 September 2017 17:33 (six years ago) link
if true than budget has underpinned a strength
― mark s, Saturday, 23 September 2017 17:50 (six years ago) link
And the blue glowy thing wasn't scary enough for that to have worked. Should have been pink and hairy.
nice touch also when the nauvoo is launching away from wherever it was docked as a mormon cathedral, and all the little tug-drones* are peeling away from it, the animators took care that a couple of them get a little close to the flames of the thrusters -- i don't think they burn up, but there is a brief flare-up as if serious singeing is going on***i assume unmanned **animation of relative scale of spacecraft seems much better this series
I loved that bit - an incidental technical detail given screen-time just to play out. Like some of the technical processes they show on Breaking Bad.
― Never changed username before (cardamon), Saturday, 23 September 2017 20:29 (six years ago) link
‘sometimes just as ships blinking out of existence off of a radar‘
This is an ongoing theme in the books, most of the ships are somewhat crappy, none have star trek style big picture windows on to space. The only experience people have of other ships is pips on screens, yes they have cameras but they hardly ever seem to use them.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 23 September 2017 20:44 (six years ago) link
visual scanning in space is difficult but you'd think they'd have decent motion tracking/zooming
― mh, Sunday, 24 September 2017 20:46 (six years ago) link
So I've been plowing through the books and just finished book 3. The writing and dialogue are sub-GRRM, but the plotting is impossibly addictive.
Something I'm wondering about is Volovodov -- shouldn't it be Volovodova, or were the authors extrapolating gender politics in Russian surnames for 200 years from now?
― FLCLeee (Leee), Saturday, 16 December 2017 20:54 (six years ago) link
Get ready. #TheExpanse season 3 premieres 4/11 on @SYFY.No planet, asteroid, or ship is safe. pic.twitter.com/a8XeQxJHNC— The Expanse (@ExpanseSYFY) February 23, 2018
― groovypanda, Friday, 23 February 2018 21:30 (six years ago) link
love when this gets revived
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 23 February 2018 21:36 (six years ago) link
i've semi-forgotten some of what on in the first two seasons -- are the books any good?
― gbx, Friday, 23 February 2018 21:43 (six years ago) link
Pretty enjoyable popcorn read, yeah. And very interestingly put together as a series. Each book takes the protomolecule Macguffin in a different direction and plays it out as far as possible, changing the universe's status quo before returning to the main plot-line and advancing the characters just a little further. The books are fairly different from each other in style, but each of them carries the crew of the Rocinante deeper into weirdness than what came before. Also, there are two writers as "James S.A. Corey" and one of them is very interested in integrating 'real' science, and the other is kinda tv-style Mr. Character Backstory. The TV series covers book one and part of book two, and it gives heavier weight to the Earth/Mars/Belter politics than the novels.
Book three or book four deals with colonization and rebellion and ooky-creepy aliens, and seems TOTALLY unfilmable... but would be kind of like Deadwood meets Twilight Zone.
― rb (soda), Friday, 23 February 2018 22:00 (six years ago) link
i cant wait for s3 <3
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 23 February 2018 22:03 (six years ago) link
my wife and I started this a couple of weeks ago. I was doubtful she would want to watch more after the first episode, but I think she's on board. That said, it's been a couple weeks and we haven't seen episode 2 yet.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 23 February 2018 22:04 (six years ago) link
it properly kicks in around ep 4 iirc
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 23 February 2018 22:06 (six years ago) link
I watched the first season of this awhile back, but have recently been plowing through the books. On the last book now, looking forward to revisiting the series.
― Jeff, Friday, 23 February 2018 22:19 (six years ago) link
April 11.
― Rick Wokeman (Leee), Tuesday, 27 February 2018 23:45 (six years ago) link
Whoops didn't see the post above.
― Rick Wokeman (Leee), Tuesday, 27 February 2018 23:46 (six years ago) link
Introducing anyone to this, I'd recommend watching S1E1/S1E2 and S1E3/S1E4 each as 80 minute double episodes. E2 and E3 dragged so much. It picks up.
― It's because I'm human, isn't it?! (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 28 February 2018 01:51 (six years ago) link
Yeah I think literally everyone I've recommended it too has got stuck around that point and come away thinking it's a really boring and confusing show.
― chap, Wednesday, 28 February 2018 09:33 (six years ago) link
a thing i liked abt it was that it showed space is super-boring as well as bad and dangerous
― mark s, Wednesday, 28 February 2018 10:10 (six years ago) link
Chrisjen doesn't curse enough.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 28 February 2018 11:20 (six years ago) link
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 28 February 2018 13:12 (six years ago) link
xp the commentary we need
― mh, Wednesday, 28 February 2018 15:05 (six years ago) link
I'm midway or so thru season 2, was a bit worried in ep 3 when they seemed to drop a spoiler for the season climax(*). But then said climax climaxed in ep 6 and where are we going now? Thrilling.(*) And probably my favourite bit of terrible dialogue so far, "I didn't kill him because he was wrong, I killed him because he was RIGHT!", >>>>> than all the "this thing is happening that we are all completely familiar with but i am going to explain it anyway for the viewers".
― lana del boy (ledge), Wednesday, 28 February 2018 20:17 (six years ago) link
https://io9.gizmodo.com/if-you-arent-watching-the-expanse-the-best-scifi-show-1825114968
― Meme Imfurst (Leee), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 22:40 (five years ago) link
Chrisjen better fucking curse more this season.
― Jeff, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 22:43 (five years ago) link
Too danged right!
― Meme Imfurst (Leee), Wednesday, 11 April 2018 22:44 (five years ago) link
Not in the US it would appear
"Flying coffin"? The line was "Fucking deathtrap" #TheExpanse— Naren Shankar (@narenshankar) April 12, 2018
― groovypanda, Thursday, 12 April 2018 20:25 (five years ago) link
Strong opener. They appear to have upped their CGI budget and it somehow looks better shot than before.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 14 April 2018 06:56 (five years ago) link
Yeah that was pretty good!
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 14 April 2018 07:05 (five years ago) link
Only took until episode 2 of the third season for the main players to finally come together though I hope Chrisjen and Bobbie still have scenes together by themselves.
Honestly, I was looking forward more for the return of this (and Bosch) than Westworld. It's somehow captured the best parts of old Heinlein-style pulps - characters bounce around between planetary nationalism, trillionaires funding mad scientist outputs on Io, some sort of handwavey "protomolecule" that makes vague mad science sense - and made it all work and somehow current. Firefly who?
I haven't read any of the books but I think I'm OK with that.
― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 19 April 2018 23:40 (five years ago) link
Oh nice, is Bosch back as well?!
this is off to a good start, agree the graphics look a little updated.
― they call me melo gelo (Spottie), Thursday, 19 April 2018 23:46 (five years ago) link
I am amazed how hard this episode went! I got to the end and was hollering because I want to know what happens next!
― mh, Friday, 20 April 2018 00:27 (five years ago) link
Read the book!
― Jeff, Friday, 20 April 2018 00:27 (five years ago) link
Not yet! Let me enjoy this at it is without having to go all GoT expanded universe/extra web content/social media engagement
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 20 April 2018 00:35 (five years ago) link
I feel like we're going to diverge pretty hard from the books this season in any case.
That episode was edge of the seat awesome.
We're watching via iTunes and there have been several Crisjen F-Bombs.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Friday, 20 April 2018 04:32 (five years ago) link
the entire plan to intercept and pick up that ship was the kind of tactical thing that seems completely unbelievable, but they're doing a good job at selling us on the idea this crew is somehow remarkable
it really did feel like the story was rpg-derived for a minute there. "you try the missile gambit and it.. *rolls* succeeds!"
― mh, Friday, 20 April 2018 13:41 (five years ago) link
Yes! The premiere bored me but this had great action, plus some nice fleshing out of the SG -- my god the "You'll get used to her" is so loaded it's beautiful.
― Meme Imfurst (Leee), Friday, 20 April 2018 17:44 (five years ago) link
Seeing the Roci's torpedoes escorting the Razorback gave me, as the kids might say, the feels.
― Meme Imfurst (Leee), Friday, 20 April 2018 17:47 (five years ago) link
Only disappointing thing about this episode was the lack of Drummer who is clearly the best Belter; I loved her snarling at Fred in the bar last week. That said I’m liking how Prax is developing.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Friday, 20 April 2018 21:12 (five years ago) link
I love Drummer. One of the few characters where I like the tv version more than the book version. The tv version has fulfilled all my Drummer dreams and desires.
― Jeff, Friday, 20 April 2018 21:18 (five years ago) link
Fairly interested in the Canadian feminist western series Strange Empire, where Cara Gee plays lead as a gunslinger for good.
As for The Expanse, my recommendation to newcomers used to be watch S1E4 (CQB) first, then the series in order (S1E2 & S1E3 are slogs), but now it might be watch S3E2 first.
― Zhoug speaks to you, his chosen ones (Sanpaku), Friday, 20 April 2018 21:38 (five years ago) link
plus some nice fleshing out of the SG -- my god the "You'll get used to her" is so loaded it's beautiful.
To expand a little on this: that scene dramatizes the "winners write history" axiom re: perpetrating war crimes and how that line in particular that the voice speaking truth to power, even if it gets a seat at the table, will get patronized and sidelined.
― Meme Imfurst (Leee), Friday, 20 April 2018 22:15 (five years ago) link
What is SG?
― Jeff, Friday, 20 April 2018 22:36 (five years ago) link
Secretary General, i.e. Errinwright's boss.
― Meme Imfurst (Leee), Friday, 20 April 2018 22:57 (five years ago) link
Right! Aka Bill Paxton’s brother in big love.
― Jeff, Friday, 20 April 2018 23:51 (five years ago) link
Err, well, Errinwright. Not the SG.
I feel like the physics of space travel/battles are being better displayed, they played such a big part of the books. Like how the Roci was decelerating as it sliced the engines off. The effect of the burn on Chrisjen. The flying tools, that was tense. Can’t wait to see how they handle the super tactical battles coming up. Still getting used to this Anna and the amalgamation of some of the book characters.
― Jeff, Saturday, 21 April 2018 16:48 (five years ago) link
Also didn’t expect that much space in the Razorback. They could totally fit a couple more crash couches in there.
― Jeff, Saturday, 21 April 2018 16:49 (five years ago) link
Might be remembering incorrectly but I think in the book it was a lot more cramped and Bobby couldn't fit in without removing her power armour.
― groovypanda, Saturday, 21 April 2018 19:41 (five years ago) link
Yep she was just jammed in there, iirc.
― Jeff, Saturday, 21 April 2018 20:05 (five years ago) link
The Razorback was small enough to fit on the Roci in the books. In any case w shave a thread for book talk.
The Expanse novel series thread WARNING TV SPOILERS
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 21 April 2018 20:59 (five years ago) link
“I’d say cry me a river, if I thought you could appreciate what one was.”Chrisjen still isn’t cursing efuckingnough.
― Jeff, Thursday, 26 April 2018 03:26 (five years ago) link
Just a note to say this season fricking fucking RULES
I even don't really mind Alex any more, what is happening to me. Amos still the best. Also he's clearly the moral center of the crew. As his loyalties lie, so lies the captain.
Grav-boots scene with Krisjen so delicious.
Everybody saying the space stuff looks better OTM
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 27 April 2018 21:39 (five years ago) link
Yeah, I'm really enjoying this season. Almost enough to see if my wife would want to give it another try. Tired of watching episodes on my phone on the way to work...
― DJI, Friday, 27 April 2018 22:41 (five years ago) link
Holy shit
― Jeff, Thursday, 3 May 2018 02:25 (five years ago) link
Drummer and the Drones taking back the Nauvoo.. A++++
― Jeff, Thursday, 3 May 2018 02:35 (five years ago) link
Glad to know cable isn’t afraid to give my wife & I a nice dose of visceral body horror right before bedtime. Jesus fuck and Mary Joseph Pete, if I wanted Hacksaw Ridge, I could have fired up Starz On Demand. Good ep though. Red kibble sounds interesting, would try.
― El Tomboto, Thursday, 3 May 2018 02:55 (five years ago) link
"it's the skin of my enemy"
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 4 May 2018 02:21 (five years ago) link
I actually spat out "whoa!" during this sequence. "Fuck yeah!" to everyone who's on the backline for this season - all of that is better now.
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 4 May 2018 02:47 (five years ago) link
"Shit. Did I miss it?"
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 4 May 2018 02:49 (five years ago) link
^Really liked the white Martian, the "reasonable" one - he had a gratifying sass about him. hope we see more of himsome awkward moments in this - is it weird to anyone else that we hardly ever see close-ups in this show? - but overall this was another bangin episode - genuine thrills when you realized what the prisoners were up to. jp mao has now turned heel again, which is as it should be. i feel for naomi :/
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 4 May 2018 23:22 (five years ago) link
the “oh yes you were right to continue the research” scene was maddening
― mh, Saturday, 5 May 2018 01:36 (five years ago) link
They need to get the auto doc on holden’s nose. His crimson broken schnozz is very distracting
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 10 May 2018 12:14 (five years ago) link
You absolute hoofwanking bunglecunts SyFy
https://io9.gizmodo.com/syfy-says-this-season-of-the-expanse-will-be-the-last-o-1825944225
― groovypanda, Friday, 11 May 2018 07:29 (five years ago) link
That’s boneheaded. This is all because my wife & I love it, of course.https://arstechnica.com/science/2015/12/certain-customers-spell-doom-for-new-products/
― El Tomboto, Friday, 11 May 2018 12:59 (five years ago) link
syfy has done all kinds of tricks to do their best to get their investment back on higher-budget shows but their slice after streaming and recouping costs just isn't an easy sell to executives
the 12 monkeys show, while not the same fare as the expanse, did a wonky "entire season over three days" drop in order to capture binge audiences, or something
I'm hoping this means there's not a huge delay between seasons, but it's almost a shoe-in for being picked up by amazon/netflix/hulu, right?
― mh, Friday, 11 May 2018 13:53 (five years ago) link
I would hope so. Do the critics like it? Or is it just a niche audience.
― Jeff, Friday, 11 May 2018 14:00 (five years ago) link
Oh and last night’s episode was intense, as usual
― El Tomboto, Friday, 11 May 2018 14:08 (five years ago) link
xp they think it's ok-ish? it's not really been reviewed by season in too many places
― mh, Friday, 11 May 2018 14:08 (five years ago) link
Ugh stupid news.
I've been very iffy on this season thus far, but the last episode is amazing. Poor [insert secondary characters]!
― Twyla Thwoorp (Leee), Friday, 11 May 2018 17:20 (five years ago) link
Do the critics like it? Or is it just a niche audience.
Current season is on 100% on RT, last season 95%
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_expanse
― groovypanda, Friday, 11 May 2018 19:43 (five years ago) link
only eleven reviewing publications with about half of them being science fiction/nerd sites, though
so not a whole lot of coverage in the press
― mh, Friday, 11 May 2018 20:28 (five years ago) link
Ratings would have benefited from casting a higher stature (and older) actor in the Holden role, and it seems negotiations for production financing would have benefited if either Netflix or Amazon had global streaming rights. If Netflix picks the series up, it would be their best original genre show, period. Pretty much every Netflix original sci-fi or fantasy show has been pants. If Amazon picks it up, it would join some fairly prestige (and high budget) productions, and be fairly superfluous.
I've done my bit, and bought each season on bluray, albeit used.
― Microtransgressions as a Business Model (Sanpaku), Saturday, 12 May 2018 01:29 (five years ago) link
did you call them to tell them you bought a used copy and to count that as a sale or
― mh, Saturday, 12 May 2018 01:31 (five years ago) link
Purchasers of used product, by driving the used price up and making the new product more price competitive, *and* making speculative purchase of the new product less risky, can drive sales. Just not as much as buying new. Every purchaser of a used but reliable Honda made buying a new one more attractive, and benefited Honda sales.
At any rate, I'm a dying breed, as I still buy paper books and physical programming, and old seasons of The Expanse for $16 + shipping. Most who purchased The Expanse did so via streaming services, esp. Amazon, as it was the only way to view it in less compressed 1080p for those with home theaters.
― Microtransgressions as a Business Model (Sanpaku), Saturday, 12 May 2018 01:42 (five years ago) link
Netflix do have global streaming rights. That may even be part of the problem, Syfy don’t even have US streaming rights.
We watch paid through US iTune because it takes too long to turn up on Aussie Netflix - they aren’t really promoting it which may be a problem. Hope they pick it up though.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 12 May 2018 07:32 (five years ago) link
I did my part by starting this thread
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 12 May 2018 14:05 (five years ago) link
[Renewal megathread] EARTHERS, MARTIANS, BELTERS, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Help us save The Expanse! https://reddit.com/r/TheExpanse/comments/8iq1a0/renewal_megathread_earthers_martians_belters_we/Not sure what each of these would accomplish, but at least these nerds are trying.
― Jeff, Saturday, 12 May 2018 15:46 (five years ago) link
maybe we can get nbc to drop the cop show or whatever and pick up this instead
― mh, Saturday, 12 May 2018 17:09 (five years ago) link
Imagine Brooklyn 99 is a lot cheaper to produce tho
― groovypanda, Saturday, 12 May 2018 20:40 (five years ago) link
Damnit I've been holding off since the end of S1 so I could binge S2&3 together. I mean, I guess I can still do that, but still.
― Chuck_Tatum, Saturday, 12 May 2018 22:05 (five years ago) link
Seems like a no-brained for Bezos Prime to pick it up. I just want Amos & Drummer to be in my life for a couple more years (would also not mind more time with a bunch of S1 characters, HI JARED HARRIS)
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 12 May 2018 22:12 (five years ago) link
There are worse, bigger-budget shows than this on Amazon, no question
― Chuck_Tatum, Saturday, 12 May 2018 22:17 (five years ago) link
https://imgur.com/gallery/vmUPFth
― Twyla Thwoorp (Leee), Wednesday, 16 May 2018 19:14 (five years ago) link
there is literally no legal way to watch in the UK afaik
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 16 May 2018 20:29 (five years ago) link
How do they even calculate ratings these days? Assume Netflix and Amazon can get exact numbers, but is cable still a random selection of people who have some special piece of hardware in their homes?
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 16 May 2018 21:20 (five years ago) link
when cable switched to HD a box became semi-mandatory (or a card that goes directly into a tv) and those boxes can track iirc
― (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻ (mh), Wednesday, 16 May 2018 21:24 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNjobkmzaOY
― Microtransgressions as a Business Model (Sanpaku), Thursday, 17 May 2018 02:00 (five years ago) link
xp Google seems to suggest it's still a system (Nielsen ratings) that only samples a very small percentage of American households - although that sample is scientifically worked out to give as accurate an extrapolation as possible.
It does mean though that lots of extra people watching The Expanse will be pretty meaningless unless some of those are part of the 0.03% with the requisite hardware to report views.
― groovypanda, Thursday, 17 May 2018 08:08 (five years ago) link
there is literally no legal way to watch in the UK afaik― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand),
I am assuming you mean S3, as S1/S2 are on Netflix UK ? I just assumed that S3 would drop on Netflix later this year once the season has completed.
― mark e, Thursday, 17 May 2018 09:17 (five years ago) link
yes s3
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 17 May 2018 10:09 (five years ago) link
We get it through a US iTunes account - buy the season pass. Our Apple TV has US, UK and Australian accounts for exactly this reason.
That was a storming episode. I like how they’ve slowed the pace of the series right down for this Io storyline and really focussed in. It’s made for absolutely gripping TV. I’m stoked for the space jellyfish.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 17 May 2018 10:29 (five years ago) link
Affirmations by Avasarala
https://i.imgur.com/ngyywZg.png
― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 17 May 2018 22:51 (five years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/Q797dsD.png
― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 17 May 2018 22:54 (five years ago) link
nice
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 17 May 2018 23:33 (five years ago) link
"I am that guy."Most satisfying line of the series?
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 17 May 2018 23:34 (five years ago) link
I mean i am getting an Amos T-shirt with that shit written underneath even if I have to buy it from myself on Redbubble
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 17 May 2018 23:35 (five years ago) link
The saddest thing about this getting cancelled will be not seeing how they adapt some of the later Amos story lines from the books.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Friday, 18 May 2018 02:31 (five years ago) link
I’m confused as to why I don’t already own that Amos T-shirt that Tracer just described
― El Tomboto, Friday, 18 May 2018 03:42 (five years ago) link
Hell Amos’s escape from \REDACTED/ with \REDACTED/ after \REDACTED/ would make an awesome stand alone movie.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Friday, 18 May 2018 07:11 (five years ago) link
Hell Amos’s escape from REDACTED with REDACTED after REDACTED would make an awesome stand alone movie.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Friday, 18 May 2018 07:12 (five years ago) link
Damnit ilxor beat me
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Friday, 18 May 2018 07:13 (five years ago) link
https://www.inquisitr.com/4904061/the-expanse-hits-one-of-its-highest-television-ratings-in-years-amid-campaign-to-save-show-from-cancelation/amp/
― groovypanda, Friday, 18 May 2018 15:18 (five years ago) link
good timing that they just put out one of the top 5 episodes of the entire run
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 18 May 2018 17:05 (five years ago) link
sentences that make you go hmm
The show was a cornerstone of Syfy’s rebranding effort that saw it shift to more science-fiction programming.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 18 May 2018 17:06 (five years ago) link
― they call me melo gelo (Spottie), Friday, 18 May 2018 17:07 (five years ago) link
Sorrento-Gillis really is a bobblehead, isn't he?
― Twyla Thwoorp (Leee), Friday, 18 May 2018 20:40 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7thXHaJh9g
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 19 May 2018 16:40 (five years ago) link
Didn't know Wes Chatham was already a fan of the books before.
I just realized something btw - what did Katoa do with all of the blood, when he took apart his nurse?
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 19 May 2018 23:56 (five years ago) link
Having flown a #savetheexpanse banner over Amazon Studios HQ, now fans crowdfunded sending a model Rocinante into near space on a weather balloon this Friday. $4k in under 3 hrs.
― Microtransgressions as a Business Model (Sanpaku), Monday, 21 May 2018 22:40 (five years ago) link
How much more would it cost to equip the Baby Roci with enough ordinance to shoot down that Tesla?
― Regreta Garbo (Leee), Monday, 21 May 2018 22:54 (five years ago) link
Also there's this: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/expanse-revived-season-4-at-amazon-1113803
― Regreta Garbo (Leee), Monday, 21 May 2018 22:59 (five years ago) link
!!! I hope that's true.
― DJI, Monday, 21 May 2018 23:47 (five years ago) link
yeah im pumped. the last couple eps have been so good.
― they call me melo gelo (Spottie), Monday, 21 May 2018 23:52 (five years ago) link
Looking down that list of continuing SyFy shows; the only one I’ve seen is Killjoys and that is a steaming turd (although presumably cheap to produce because they don’t appear to have spent anything on scripts, sets or acting talent)
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Tuesday, 22 May 2018 01:32 (five years ago) link
Same story, more accurate headline. #TheExpanse https://t.co/cYvLEHaSQj— Daniel Abraham (@AbrahamHanover) May 22, 2018
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 11:15 (five years ago) link
Also, forgot Amazon were doing Consider Phlebas
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 11:19 (five years ago) link
Not quite caught up yet but there was a line in the third (I think?) episode of this season referencing the Belter/Earth dynamic that mapped so neatly onto Israel/Palestine that my jaw dropped a bit
― Simon H., Tuesday, 22 May 2018 13:57 (five years ago) link
uh, reverse one of those to make the parallel actually work, obviously
― Simon H., Tuesday, 22 May 2018 13:58 (five years ago) link
Which line was that?
― Regreta Garbo (Leee), Tuesday, 22 May 2018 17:29 (five years ago) link
Avasarala (I think) was ranting about Belters relying on the OPA, I forget the specifics but it felt pretty pointed
― Simon H., Tuesday, 22 May 2018 17:35 (five years ago) link
this is the same Avsarala that tortured a belter in S1E1 iirc. weird how everyone forgets that. i still don't trust her.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 22 May 2018 23:10 (five years ago) link
Well, her stance in that ep was pretty odious.
― Simon H., Tuesday, 22 May 2018 23:22 (five years ago) link
This episode was weird, felt like the beginning of a new season but it wasn’t, so uh? Drummer and Amos clearly weren’t having any fun, or really accomplishing anything, and the novelty of Belter Strathairn wore off quick. Completely unsure of what the stakes are re: dumbass flying through the ring. Also, mildly implausible that a dumbass is really capable of whipping slingshots around the outer solar system unless the sport really does just boil down to “let the autopilot calculate the fastest trajectory and then see if your physiology can hold up”
― El Tomboto, Thursday, 24 May 2018 04:06 (five years ago) link
How does the belt just get to keep that Mormon mega-ship?
― DJI, Thursday, 24 May 2018 19:27 (five years ago) link
one thing this show has in common with GOT is it plays fast and loose with how far things are away from each other and how fast the respective ships can travel
that and the protoman from last week's ep looked an awful lot like the Night King
― Simon H., Thursday, 24 May 2018 19:31 (five years ago) link
the stakes are pretty much the highest you can set for a ridiculous stunt? it'd be like base jumping off the statue of liberty, the day the statue of liberty opened. also, the statue of liberty here was mysteriously put in place by aliens and has a military presence observing it
― (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻ (mh), Thursday, 24 May 2018 19:33 (five years ago) link
Nice that they touched on Amos' backstory. One of the novellas is all about that and last night made we wonder if they're going to go there in a future episode.
― groovypanda, Thursday, 24 May 2018 20:04 (five years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/6g7BiKH.jpg
― Microtransgressions as a Business Model (Sanpaku), Thursday, 24 May 2018 22:06 (five years ago) link
Wow a lot happened. Kind of wish that had been two eps.
― Jeff, Friday, 25 May 2018 02:51 (five years ago) link
Reconciling in my head that the way I read Ashford in the book is totally different from the depiction in the show.
― Jeff, Friday, 25 May 2018 11:27 (five years ago) link
― El Tomboto, Friday, 25 May 2018 11:35 (five years ago) link
So much love for this episode and this series. The deep purple belter slingshot racer was a great device for getting us through a lot of time and plot. (Which, quite frankly, is a bit tedious in the book).
I’m also loving the series structure of having a/the big crescendo mid series.
TEDIOUS BIT FROM THE BOOK BELOW DO NOT READ IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW OR CARE———The book goes into a whole bunch of stuff about the belter slingshot subculture. Engines bolted to space junk, crappy old navigation systems. The belter equivalent of a large bore silencer on a souped up Honda Civic. There’s a bunch of stuff about slingshotters having to be good at astral mechanics to compensate for their shitty systems, another example of belter’s evolved space survival skills. Doing all of that on TV would have taken 20mins and not added anything. ———MESSAGE ENDS
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 26 May 2018 08:24 (five years ago) link
All so we can find out the ring has a force field inside?
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 26 May 2018 09:38 (five years ago) link
Uhhh, let’s not assume that.
― Jeff, Saturday, 26 May 2018 10:47 (five years ago) link
https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/26/the-expanse-amazon/
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 26 May 2018 12:37 (five years ago) link
Mild spoilers having inferred what book segment everyone's talking about (I'm waiting til the blu-rays to watch). It further establishes the key technologies of the protomolecule's creators, which to date in the broadcast series include 1) control over momentum, even at a distance (which nonetheless obeys conservation of energy), 2) infectious regenerative nano-tech, and 3) simultaneous/FTL communication through quantum entanglement. It's a finite bag of tricks, which we can presume plays roles through book 9.
Also:
https://i.redd.it/hx843749o5011.jpg
― Microtransgressions as a Business Model (Sanpaku), Saturday, 26 May 2018 13:46 (five years ago) link
I was being earnest, Tom!
Agreed that everything in the show has ridiculously high stakes but that dude was a complete one-off and seemed like more of a civilian, as much as any belter could be. Ed, thanks for the background.
― (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻ (mh), Saturday, 26 May 2018 14:43 (five years ago) link
To spell it out: http://deadline.com/2018/05/the-expanse-amazon-picks-up-space-drama-series-season-4-syfy-cancellation-1202398511/
― Young Lunchy (Leee), Saturday, 26 May 2018 16:22 (five years ago) link
YAAAAAAAY
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 26 May 2018 16:32 (five years ago) link
Woo, and indeed, hoo
― groovypanda, Saturday, 26 May 2018 17:25 (five years ago) link
Hope they yielded Amazon some merch rights. I already have a "Ubiquitous/Mendacious/Polyglottal/Donkey Balls" T-shirt produced by a fellow on another forum, but I could use some MCRN coffee mugs...
― Microtransgressions as a Business Model (Sanpaku), Saturday, 26 May 2018 21:24 (five years ago) link
otm
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 26 May 2018 21:30 (five years ago) link
Belter Strathain talked distractingly like Papa Lazarou:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qln5o6LlG84
OTM about it seeming like the first episode of a season. Ultlimately I didn't mind, and they did a good job on the exposition, but it was jarring at first - I had to scan a few recaps to check I hadn't missed one. Did one of the books finish at the same point as ep 6?
― chap, Tuesday, 29 May 2018 09:33 (five years ago) link
Yes, the second one, I refuse to commit the ridiculous names to memory.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Tuesday, 29 May 2018 09:37 (five years ago) link
Fuck me, that was intense
― groovypanda, Thursday, 31 May 2018 08:13 (five years ago) link
i'm about to go in on this latest one but can i just say: i think i was actually more thrilled to see JOHN KAPELOS show up on my screen than i was david straithairn (or thomas jane??). also i think the male clone from orphan black was his crewmate?? shit's gettin crowded in space and i love it. if jared harris came back my expanse life would be complete.
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 2 June 2018 21:35 (five years ago) link
also i am super here for Naomi's code-switching
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 2 June 2018 21:53 (five years ago) link
being in charge sucks the big felota
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 2 June 2018 22:02 (five years ago) link
I laughed/groaned at that one both times I watched this episode
― mh, Saturday, 2 June 2018 22:06 (five years ago) link
So Holden gets a psychic message from the protomolecule's reconstruction of Miller that the Roci can safely enter the Ring to escape from being fired on by both the Behemoth and the UN.. which they do, because Amos places his faith in Holden (even though he's just seen Holden talking to someone who's not there, and seen the log of Holden's frantic self-scans).. and the technique is to go REAL SLOW through The Ring instead of FAST like the slingshotter did. (And it appears to have... worked? And everything's in a weird state of suspended animation on the other side, i.e. the rocket that was fired is just.. frozen in space next to them? Can anyone else see them, i.e. are they just on the other side of The Ring, or are they "inside" something else and invisible to any who hasn't gone into The Ring? Guess we'll find out)
And it appears Holden has some kind of special psychic link to the protomolecule because it starts communicating with him at exactly the same moment that the slingshotter gutted himself
Freaky!
Oh and how much do we all HATE the film crew!? Wow talk about supervillains. Is Mr. blind-ESP cameraman responsible for the faux-Holden that appears on the comms? Is that what his 2001-ish memory card swapsies move was about? And if so what the hell is he up to?? GAH
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Monday, 4 June 2018 10:18 (five years ago) link
Oh see, I haven’t been trying to make sense of stuff for at least 1.6 episodes
― El Tomboto, Monday, 4 June 2018 10:28 (five years ago) link
there’s some sort of glowing protomolecule residue they missed growing in the cargo part of the ship right? pretty sure it’s acting as an antenna to beam Miller into Holden’s head
― mh, Monday, 4 June 2018 12:56 (five years ago) link
doesn't look like is growing, so much as just chilling out.
― Mad Piratical (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 4 June 2018 15:03 (five years ago) link
I kind o wish that I hadn't read the books, because I did not get any suspense from this last episode.
there’s some sort of glowing protomolecule residue they missed growing in the cargo part of the ship right?
Yes, there was a shot some episodes back of a protomolecule glob in an inconspicuous part of the Roci.
― Martin Landau Ballet (Leee), Monday, 4 June 2018 17:33 (five years ago) link
I've read all the books and still got massive goosebumps watching it
― groovypanda, Monday, 4 June 2018 20:28 (five years ago) link
Rolling so many danged eyes at Expanse dingbats lauding the show for not forcing diversity on its viewers.
― Martin Landau Ballet (Leee), Wednesday, 6 June 2018 23:23 (five years ago) link
smh, nerds are the worst fans.
― they call me melo gelo (Spottie), Wednesday, 6 June 2018 23:47 (five years ago) link
Still not entirely enthused with this season, but I really liked Drummer's speech!
― Martin Landau Ballet (Leee), Monday, 11 June 2018 20:02 (five years ago) link
I've actually been enjoying the ring business more than the first half of the season, it's felt like a fresh direction. I'm partial to a Big Dumb Object in my sci-fi.
― chap, Tuesday, 12 June 2018 08:02 (five years ago) link
yeah it feels like proper old-skool SF now
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 12 June 2018 08:11 (five years ago) link
The hell was all that?!
― Mad Piratical (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 15 June 2018 01:12 (five years ago) link
holden has been given THE KNOWLEDGE maybe
― mh, Friday, 15 June 2018 02:58 (five years ago) link
Was that our sun being proto-moleculed?
― chap, Friday, 15 June 2018 07:42 (five years ago) link
Book spoiler: In this scene Holden gets a God's eye view of the Protocreators' civilization, and its "immune response" to an infection that presented an existential threat. The Core often amputated to prevent the spread of this gangrene, by initiating supernovae in infected systems.
― Chaos reigns... in my pants (Sanpaku), Friday, 15 June 2018 14:29 (five years ago) link
No more book spoilers on this thread please.
― chap, Friday, 15 June 2018 15:05 (five years ago) link
Doesn't seem to work as that's about the 10th they've posted (after being asked not too)
― groovypanda, Friday, 15 June 2018 16:22 (five years ago) link
Double episode finale next week!
― groovypanda, Friday, 22 June 2018 09:15 (five years ago) link
No book spoilers from me, but I will say it’s almost like a new series now with the way things are going on the behemoth.
― Jeff, Friday, 22 June 2018 10:31 (five years ago) link
It's been a while since I read the books but I thought majority of plot beats this week were pretty much identical to the books.Shame we've had no Avasarala the last few weeks
― groovypanda, Friday, 22 June 2018 15:48 (five years ago) link
Taking over here: The Expanse novel series thread WARNING TV SPOILERS
― Jeff, Friday, 22 June 2018 17:26 (five years ago) link
"if this is another one of your 'teaching moments' i'd prefer to bleed out in silence"
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 22 June 2018 21:21 (five years ago) link
I agree. Definitely curious to see how that develops.
― Martin Landau Ballet (Leee), Friday, 22 June 2018 21:33 (five years ago) link
holy shit @ this episode
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 22 June 2018 21:36 (five years ago) link
Great finale. Looks like the storyline will go some majorly different places next season.
― chap, Monday, 2 July 2018 22:09 (five years ago) link
Legit impressed with the ending. Missed Avasarala. Looking forward to new network, new season, and total refocus of the show.
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 2 July 2018 22:21 (five years ago) link
Naren Shankar seems especially happy to be freed from the "no nudity" constraint. So its going to be Holden's ass, all the time.
― Roomba with an attitude (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 3 July 2018 00:20 (five years ago) link
Just about to finish S1, and loving this so far. Whoever was responsible for casting picked a bunch of people with really interesting faces to watch.
― Mince Pramthwart (James Morrison), Friday, 31 August 2018 02:29 (five years ago) link
Ha, I just noticed you’re the second post on the thread. Congratulations, one of us, etc!
― Paleo Weltschmerz (El Tomboto), Friday, 31 August 2018 11:03 (five years ago) link
Finally got around to it when I saw it was vanishing from Netflix at the end of September, I guess because of Amazon taking over. Just got to tne end of S1 tonight, and holy crap.
― Mince Pramthwart (James Morrison), Friday, 31 August 2018 12:40 (five years ago) link
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 31 August 2018 13:08 (five years ago) link
randomly caught a tweet thread of a guy breaking down episodes and the sets and production design, and on one of the screens on the Roci, you can just make out that its drones are named "Peart", "Lee", and "Lifeson"
― sous les paves, Tuesday, 4 September 2018 20:20 (five years ago) link
Alex's screen seems to indicate that the ship has three little drones like this, and that they're named "Pearl", "Lee", and "Lifeson". Pearl seems to be the one he's using. #TheExpanse #SomeThingsINoticed pic.twitter.com/6Rt1r87AFQ— Wagnarok (@will_wagner) September 3, 2018
― sous les paves, Tuesday, 4 September 2018 20:35 (five years ago) link
Up to 2.5, ie the one that ends with something hitting Venus. Only just realised that the screenwriters are the guy who wrote the books, so to speak.
― Mince Pramthwart (James Morrison), Wednesday, 5 September 2018 01:39 (five years ago) link
And now just ended 3.7, the one iwht this startling conclusion:https://preview.ibb.co/f5zgPz/Untitled_1.jpg
Very much enjoying this show.
― Mince Pramthwart (James Morrison), Wednesday, 19 September 2018 05:55 (five years ago) link
what an image!! i still haven't seen any of 3 and i love how gross/significant-seeming/non-spoily that is at the same time
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Wednesday, 19 September 2018 18:03 (five years ago) link
I don't want to spoil for anyone, but it's grand.
― Mince Pramthwart (James Morrison), Wednesday, 19 September 2018 21:46 (five years ago) link
I couldn't make it through the initial exposition-dump in the first 10 minutes of the first episode
I hate sci-fi exposition
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 19 September 2018 21:54 (five years ago) link
Just make it through the first 2-3 episodes and I promise you'll get into it.
― DJI, Wednesday, 19 September 2018 22:00 (five years ago) link
I think you'd like it by the middle of the first season,, Shakey. I didn't like the first few eps either, but it does pick up.
― remy bean, Wednesday, 19 September 2018 22:05 (five years ago) link
Yeah. Me and my wife gave up after the first ep. I went back and ended up getting hooked. I finally convinced her to give it another shot and she binged 2 seasons in like one week.
― DJI, Wednesday, 19 September 2018 22:09 (five years ago) link
m/l the same to all this
― Machine Gunk Jelly (Spottie), Wednesday, 19 September 2018 22:10 (five years ago) link
m/l? Is that "much love?"
― DJI, Wednesday, 19 September 2018 22:11 (five years ago) link
more or less
― Machine Gunk Jelly (Spottie), Wednesday, 19 September 2018 22:31 (five years ago) link
there is a point early in the 1st season where it Gets Real and it never really lets up after that
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 19 September 2018 22:42 (five years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dn6UyW9X0AAiUc_.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dn5ytwFVYAAcKUh.jpgCast dinner in prep for S4
― Mince Pramthwart (James Morrison), Tuesday, 25 September 2018 06:35 (five years ago) link
That rules
― El Tomboto, Tuesday, 25 September 2018 10:58 (five years ago) link
Cara Gee can smile! And has actual eyes!
― Nag Reddit (Leee), Tuesday, 25 September 2018 17:39 (five years ago) link
I've watched the first season and read the first book, and dug them both. But should I carry on with the books or the show???
― Chuck_Tatum, Tuesday, 25 September 2018 21:12 (five years ago) link
FWIW, I watched the show first. Started in on the books but bailed out somewhere in book 2 - I'm super-snobby about my SF so that was not unexpected.
― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 26 September 2018 06:48 (five years ago) link
I kind of feel that having read the books ruined this last season for me.
― Deontology Sanders (Leee), Monday, 8 October 2018 20:29 (five years ago) link
But which would you rather have ruined?
― Chuck_Tatum, Monday, 8 October 2018 21:23 (five years ago) link
Recommend the audiobooks. Jefferson Mays pretty much nailed the characters prior to the broadcast series' casting. Just listen far enough in advance that you've largely forgotten the details before airing. The books aren't timeless classic, just better than average space opera, but if you like the universe and characters, the books add to the immersion, particularly with respect to Miller in S1-S2.
I expect that that the broadcast series will take enormous divergences with the content of book 4, Cibola Burn, which is by general fan consensus the least-liked book. I think pretty much all of book 4's contribution to the overall arc could be provided by reading the handful of pages upon which the word "Miller" appears from an ebook. Several of the novellas offered more backstory than book 4.
My hope is that S4 will cover Cibola Burn as a half-season, alongside some material presaging book 5-6 arc within the solar system, and the wider book 7-9 arc that's still emerging. This still leaves enough time for another entirely novel narrative amidst the Expanse, beyond the rings, as well as ending S4 after a book 5 cliffhanger.
― godless hippie skank (Sanpaku), Monday, 8 October 2018 21:23 (five years ago) link
GUYS GUYS GUYSSS! Season 3 goes worldwide Feb 8th on @PrimeVideo #FINALLY #TheExpanse 🚀🚀🚀 https://t.co/zAnejuofLC— Dominique Tipper (@Mi55Tipper) January 22, 2019
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 22 January 2019 15:44 (five years ago) link
― resident hack (Simon H.), Tuesday, 22 January 2019 15:44 (five years ago) link
amazon prime.bastards.other seasons were released on Netflix in the uk.
― mark e, Tuesday, 22 January 2019 16:11 (five years ago) link
Guess it was kind of inevitable once Amazon stepped up to save the show.
And all future seasons will be on Prime
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 22 January 2019 20:10 (five years ago) link
My impression is that Amazon also obtained rights to S1-3 from Netflix in jurisdictions where it formerly aired. There's going to be a big marketing push over the next 6 months or so.
― dancing the Radioactive Flesh (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 22 January 2019 22:23 (five years ago) link
hell yea
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Wednesday, 23 January 2019 20:25 (five years ago) link
Amazon launched a new twitter for updates:
You helped #SaveTheExpanse. Next month, #TheExpanse finds its new home on Amazon @PrimeVideo. Binge all three seasons starting Feb 8: https://t.co/4EYd54z6st pic.twitter.com/a0yOk2BXG2— The Expanse (@ExpanseOnPrime) January 23, 2019
― dancing the Radioactive Flesh (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 23 January 2019 23:16 (five years ago) link
Hurry up with season 4
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 24 January 2019 00:21 (five years ago) link
aw what a delightful promo
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Thursday, 24 January 2019 02:41 (five years ago) link
Holden w the scruff!!
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 24 January 2019 09:55 (five years ago) link
When is season 4 due?
Wondering if I've got time to rewatch the first three beforehand
― groovypanda, Thursday, 24 January 2019 09:58 (five years ago) link
OF COURSE YOU DO
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 24 January 2019 10:07 (five years ago) link
you make time, buddy
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 25 January 2019 23:55 (five years ago) link
Looks like we're definitely getting Cibola Burn then
Introducing Adolphus Murtry. Welcome to #TheExpanse Season 4, @burngorman. pic.twitter.com/pp5kJlgi7q— The Expanse (@ExpanseOnPrime) February 7, 2019
― groovypanda, Thursday, 7 February 2019 14:59 (five years ago) link
as a burn gorman stan i am ready for this
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Friday, 8 February 2019 21:43 (five years ago) link
Season 3 is up on Prime now (went up yesterday in the US I think). Gonna check it out soon.
― grawlix (unperson), Friday, 8 February 2019 23:27 (five years ago) link
Just watched the whole season over a couple long couch sessions, I take back anything bad I've said about this during S2, it's great
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Sunday, 10 February 2019 21:00 (five years ago) link
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Friday, February 8, 2019 1:43 PM (two days ago)
MY MAN!!!!
― sarahell, Sunday, 10 February 2019 21:01 (five years ago) link
Burn!
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 10 February 2019 21:26 (five years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie93HzFCjJY
― Mince Pramthwart (James Morrison), Monday, 11 February 2019 00:19 (five years ago) link
For any Burn fan who hasn't seen it.
― Mince Pramthwart (James Morrison), Monday, 11 February 2019 00:21 (five years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2xfQOVVYAAFRUA?format=jpg&name=medium
― groovypanda, Thursday, 28 March 2019 21:06 (four years ago) link
Glad Cara Gee has risen to the stature of UN secretary/Roci crew/authors/showrunner with Drummer.
Though honestly I wasn't sure it wasn't Nadine Nicole (Clarissa) before looking closely. The racoon makeup is iconic.
― with Chew Guard™ technology (Sanpaku), Thursday, 28 March 2019 23:38 (four years ago) link
BRING BACK JARED HARRIS.
― El Tomboto, Friday, 29 March 2019 00:25 (four years ago) link
yes!
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Friday, 29 March 2019 00:47 (four years ago) link
He left S3 for AMC's The Terror (highly recommended). He'll be back.
― with Chew Guard™ technology (Sanpaku), Friday, 29 March 2019 01:42 (four years ago) link
Must watch The Terror. I really enjoyed the novel.
― chap, Friday, 29 March 2019 10:30 (four years ago) link
it’s v good
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 29 March 2019 13:59 (four years ago) link
I hope we get more Jared Harris in The Crown tbh.
― LEOPLOD BLOOMPS (Leee), Friday, 29 March 2019 16:18 (four years ago) link
TS: Richard or Jared.
― with Chew Guard™ technology (Sanpaku), Saturday, 30 March 2019 01:46 (four years ago) link
Up to Season 3 on the rewatch. So good.
Was wondering as this was now Amazon, we're going to get all of Season 4 in one go, yes?
Think their only weekly releases are their exclusives of shows that are on weekly on US TV.
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 3 April 2019 08:35 (four years ago) link
Honestly, I'd prefer if Amazon and other streaming services presented their serialized/episodic series on a one episode per week schedule, if only to preserve the "social event" nature of broadcast TV.
I don't think any streaming series has sparked the amount of water cooler talk that everyone in the fanbase, awaiting the next installment, can. There's a degree of anticipation that comes with serialized output, that's ill served when its squeezed out at once, just a miniseries/movie, too long for one sitting. The internet's going to be ablaze for a week wondering how (for example) Jon Snow gets out of a cliffhanger, and that's a good thing for the show, the broadcaster, and the viewership.
If the Amazon et al tried this, those who wished to binge could of course do so, 10-14 weeks later, but will have to avoid spoilers online. Those who want to watch with their friends anywhere on the planet, as a common focus to pleasant conversation, and without so much concern about seeing spoilers, can follow episode by episode on the day of release.
― Kardashev scale sex tape (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 3 April 2019 08:56 (four years ago) link
Yeah, I'd much rather a weekly release.
I haven't got the time to binge 10 or 13 episodes over one weekend but there are plenty of people who will and then spoilers will be out there.
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 3 April 2019 09:01 (four years ago) link
Fun thread:
pic.twitter.com/6h5aoXDfVx— Cas Anvar (@Casanvar) May 7, 2019
― nonsense upon stilts (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 7 May 2019 19:13 (four years ago) link
(Non-book spoilers FYI)
Finally caught up with this, really liked the Ring plotline, the disaster recovery episode was amazing and totally sold me on how much space sucks. My only complaint is that a lot of the character arcs and dialogue in the finale seemed off. Ashford in particular, I get that they were trying to make him a noble antagonist but but it really seemed to come out of nowhere. And Melba, whose storyline has always seemed kinda dumb tbh, asking a stranger if one good deed will make up for a lifetime of bad choices was just awful writing and totally unnecessary.
Can’t wait for the new season though!
― JoeStork, Tuesday, 14 May 2019 23:39 (four years ago) link
I dunno he seemed pretty noble from the beginning? To the point where his antagonism could have been construed as purely a consequence of Drummer's POV
At times I've wondered whether Ashford's character was a rewritten Anderson Dawes once they realised Jared Harris had other commitments
― Lil' Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 15 May 2019 09:28 (four years ago) link
I probably phrased that badly - it’s not the nobility I object to, it’s that his decisions in the finale are really hard to buy, and it comes off like the writers are using his nobility to justify his bizarre behavior because they need an antagonist to make the episode work.
― JoeStork, Wednesday, 15 May 2019 15:27 (four years ago) link
I recently had a meeting with a potential client for work and the dude eerily reminded me of Amos. Similar voice and brusque, humorless manner, even looked a bit like him. It was a bit unsettling. As you can probably guess the gig didn’t pan out.
― Conceptualize Wyverns (latebloomer), Wednesday, 15 May 2019 18:00 (four years ago) link
i like how the dead don't fall bcz magnetic boots
― mark s, Tuesday, 25 June 2019 20:26 (four years ago) link
belatedly this is s3e10
wanna watch this again!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 25 June 2019 20:43 (four years ago) link
you're allowed i think!
― mark s, Tuesday, 25 June 2019 20:47 (four years ago) link
dr annushka "anna" volovodov is a very annoying character tbh
― mark s, Tuesday, 25 June 2019 21:10 (four years ago) link
Need to watch s3 again.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Tuesday, 25 June 2019 21:23 (four years ago) link
― mark s, Thursday, September 21, 2017 8:05 PM (one year ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― mark s, Tuesday, 25 June 2019 21:40 (four years ago) link
it all got quite beyond the reach of storms, didn't it??
i remember anna being a) annoying as fuck b) interesting because she thinks she's the hero when actually she's kind of a baddie (though i do need to watch it again because i can't remember precisely why i think that)
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 25 June 2019 22:59 (four years ago) link
ok now i have to rewatch all 3 series despite more miller than i bargained for plus also his horrible hat
― mark s, Tuesday, 25 June 2019 23:25 (four years ago) link
Trying to deconflict my book and series memories but she is a godfathering busybody. IIRC in the book her internal monologue is a lot more conflicted although IIRC her role in the book is very different so....
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Wednesday, 26 June 2019 00:15 (four years ago) link
They posted this yesterday. The coordinates are for the San Diego Convention Centre so assume there'll be a release date announcement at comic con in a couple of weeks
Coordinates set. Prepare for flip and burn. pic.twitter.com/ruPiwmLlRX— The Expanse (@ExpanseOnPrime) June 25, 2019
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 26 June 2019 07:24 (four years ago) link
rewatching from s1e1: miller gets his stupid hat lampshade hung at just 7 mins in
― mark s, Wednesday, 26 June 2019 19:01 (four years ago) link
first holden sex-butt shot is a p much hard cut from some guy's arm being squished off ("stand by for thrust correction"
― mark s, Wednesday, 26 June 2019 19:11 (four years ago) link
I thought it was pretty funny that there was zero-g boning in the first 10 minutes of the show and then no one so much as kisses for the rest of the season.
― JoeStork, Wednesday, 26 June 2019 19:13 (four years ago) link
that's they mean by "stand by for thrust correction"
― mark s, Wednesday, 26 June 2019 19:15 (four years ago) link
lol it's mike from breaking bad in a micro-role
― mark s, Wednesday, 26 June 2019 19:18 (four years ago) link
head-knocked-off scene still good
― mark s, Wednesday, 26 June 2019 22:26 (four years ago) link
a neat little thing is when a belter on ganymede sprays a "remember the cant" graffiti (with a pic of holden beside it) and the spraycan does the entire correct slogan and image in one preprogrammed sweep
(i mean, i assume CAD spray-beds exist that can do this now but this was just a little just-shaken hand-held)
― mark s, Thursday, 27 June 2019 18:32 (four years ago) link
there was an Ashford character in the book, though he was a bit different ... and Drummer basically stands in for two different characters ... so, i don't think so, but on the other hand, maybe the writers' idea was to substitute Dawes for the book captain?
― sarahell, Thursday, 27 June 2019 18:46 (four years ago) link
don't think i grasped before (ftb sleepy inattention) that the anderson station story is a flashback and an origin story
― mark s, Thursday, 27 June 2019 18:49 (four years ago) link
i love protomolecule glitch Miller
― sarahell, Thursday, 27 June 2019 18:59 (four years ago) link
more hot takes from mark s: alex is good from start to finish
― mark s, Thursday, 27 June 2019 20:44 (four years ago) link
i kind of like holden more also
(also he's definitely got younger since i first watched)
― mark s, Thursday, 27 June 2019 21:24 (four years ago) link
rewatching from s2e1: enter bobbie draper
― mark s, Friday, 28 June 2019 20:08 (four years ago) link
Bobbie is probably my favorite character on the whole show
― the public eating of beans (Sparkle Motion), Friday, 28 June 2019 20:16 (four years ago) link
holden (the second worst character after miller): "alex? make us look like something that got dropped" alex (the second best* character after bobbie): "you got it hoss"
*i will not be taking questions at this time
― mark s, Friday, 28 June 2019 22:06 (four years ago) link
My initial reaction to Alex was “come on” but over time he grew on me to reach the top tier (along with Drummer)
― the public eating of beans (Sparkle Motion), Friday, 28 June 2019 22:20 (four years ago) link
drivers and drummers
― mark s, Friday, 28 June 2019 22:22 (four years ago) link
ok I may take this show from the top again. It's really so very good.
― the public eating of beans (Sparkle Motion), Friday, 28 June 2019 22:25 (four years ago) link
squash klaxon
― mark s, Friday, 28 June 2019 22:58 (four years ago) link
"not dead! [exultant pause] becoming!!"
― mark s, Saturday, 29 June 2019 17:31 (four years ago) link
does the "becoming" trope come from red dragon? like when weirdos are excitedly explaining why they do horrific stuff? "it's not me, i'm becoming"
― mark s, Saturday, 29 June 2019 17:33 (four years ago) link
"i've heard that shit in bars, i thought it was just bad music"
(insert amos in cafe oto gag here_
― mark s, Saturday, 29 June 2019 17:38 (four years ago) link
has there been IRL mormon comment on the nauvoo hijack? i mean it's fiction but i's still a bit of a burn
― mark s, Saturday, 29 June 2019 18:04 (four years ago) link
I know I said this before, but the show is full of the most interesting faces
― And according to some websites, there were “sexcapades.” (James Morrison), Sunday, 30 June 2019 07:39 (four years ago) link
it's very well cast
― mark s, Sunday, 30 June 2019 18:39 (four years ago) link
Amos in particular, the way his face seems to flicker back and forth between wide-eyed innocence and dead-eyed sociopathy is amazing.
― JoeStork, Sunday, 30 June 2019 18:55 (four years ago) link
amos really really really reminds me the young steven wells in look and now (and then in manner)
― mark s, Sunday, 30 June 2019 19:08 (four years ago) link
BONE DENSITY ENHANCER
― mark s, Sunday, 30 June 2019 20:29 (four years ago) link
welcome back to earth dudes
gunny is a slur
(i mean i guess it's not but it feels super-patronising whenever anyone uses it)
― mark s, Sunday, 30 June 2019 20:54 (four years ago) link
I still haven't figured whether to read the second book or start with the second season. Hmm
― Chuck_Tatum, Sunday, 30 June 2019 23:09 (four years ago) link
The first season finished about half way through the second book, but the plot started to diverge. If that helps.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Sunday, 30 June 2019 23:44 (four years ago) link
super-patronising?
I had a uncle in the US Marines who made E-7 before mustering out. Some gunnery sergeants are indeed still called gunny, with affection.
― despondently sipping tomato soup (Sanpaku), Monday, 1 July 2019 08:55 (four years ago) link
i'm sure but in the show
― mark s, Monday, 1 July 2019 09:28 (four years ago) link
a good thing is that s2 and s3 are both 13 eps long (10 is a bad and stuid number which shd fuck off)
also: the way her superior officers treated bobbie in the U confirms my sense that gunny is a slur (to them)
― mark s, Monday, 1 July 2019 19:42 (four years ago) link
Probably officer vs. enlisted tensions.
― GRETA GABBO (Leee), Monday, 1 July 2019 19:50 (four years ago) link
of course but these are kind of baked into the situation in any case
― mark s, Monday, 1 July 2019 19:51 (four years ago) link
"is there a plan b?""yeah! make sure plan a works!"
― mark s, Monday, 1 July 2019 20:44 (four years ago) link
other enlisted marines will use gunny as a term of respect because duh, that probably means they’re your bossnavy officers use gunny as a replacement for the second person pronoun, with baggage
― El Tomboto, Monday, 1 July 2019 21:22 (four years ago) link
that probably means they’re your boss
wait who's whose boss?
this wasn't at all obvious as i originally wrote it but my abreaction was purely in response to its usage in this show: where lines of are somewhat corrupted by the fact that the high-ups are all* scheming arseholes who treat lower-downs as contemptible pawns and worse (so that even if neutral or affectionate usage occurs here -- as y'all say it does IRL hoss -- it's poisoned by viewer doubts abt the users and their agendas)**
*even the "good" ones**noticed at all bcz "gunny" is more a regional term perhaps than other possible names for ranks (but this is probably why it was chosen in the first place)
― mark s, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 09:36 (four years ago) link
a gunnery sergeant in the USMC is in the upper echelon of the enlisted hierarchy
― El Tomboto, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 10:17 (four years ago) link
bobbie's strength as a character is possibly that she's the only (lasting) person who actually believes in military ideals as ideals (and martian military ideals as ideals): everyone else is more or less sardonic or cynical towards same, so that their appeals to esprit de corps always ring hollow (amusingly when yr one of her men i guess, and nastily when yr one of her superiors)
― mark s, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 10:23 (four years ago) link
Alex believes in in Them too but for him it was just a means to an end, flying spaceships, whereas Bobby, at least at the start, is a true believer in the Martian project.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Tuesday, 2 July 2019 10:29 (four years ago) link
ok but that's not quite the same thing as i'm talking about really: she can break with the martian hierarchy bcz she's drawn to the professed ideals, it's not so much the project she believes in as what she's been brought up to believe the project represents
(she prefaces her turning point with a story abt her dad telling a lie, albeit a comfortable lie)
― mark s, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 10:41 (four years ago) link
the crew of the rossie are all also idealists sorta-kinda but not really inflected thru an official ideology? alex is martian and certainly has residual martian loyalties -- and can get riled up when martian stuff is dissed -- but i don't think he gives a stuff abt the project or what it represents
(his deep loyalty is to the rossie itself: at the close of s2 he has a very fireflyish speech abt "she's beat up but she'll fly right")
― mark s, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 10:44 (four years ago) link
Can't read this thread until I catch up, but man is this show good—pacing, music, characters, themes, direction. I keep waiting for it to go south like Star Trek: Discovery or Battlestar Galactica, but it's as if the whole series had been created as a whole before airing, without a care in the world for whether it gets canceled.
― Peter Scholtes, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 17:34 (four years ago) link
I never thought of "gunny" as being derogatory? I thought it was a reference to common US military nicknames? Like calling a Lieutenant "El-Tee" -- you would call a Gunnery Sergeant "Gunny"?
― sarahell, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 19:27 (four years ago) link
And the Gunnery Sergeant would be "Gunny" to differentiate them from a Staff Sergeant or other Sergeant who would be "Sarge"?
― sarahell, Tuesday, 2 July 2019 19:28 (four years ago) link
outside this show: likely not derogatory much of the time (caveat: i have not served and have only encountered this term in the context of fictio) within this show, as said by others at bobbie: often if not always somewhat sneering in my opinion
― mark s, Wednesday, 3 July 2019 13:53 (four years ago) link
i dunno mark! i just watched S2E1 last night and bobbie's CO calls her that a couple of times and i never felt that. he is always kind to her and generous with his experience. i guess what people used to call 'paternal' (in a good way)
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 3 July 2019 15:14 (four years ago) link
ooh i will go back and check that out
― mark s, Wednesday, 3 July 2019 15:35 (four years ago) link
red kibble
― mark s, Wednesday, 3 July 2019 19:45 (four years ago) link
the invention of mpbile phones were you can see the message from both sides is a great step forward for privacy and security
― mark s, Saturday, 6 July 2019 18:15 (four years ago) link
scene where alex thanks bobbie for saving everyone: when he calls her gunny it is (i entirely accept) not sneery
i do however think it's an index of how he hasn't yet clearly worked though his relationship to his martian loyalties (since he only recently nearly got the roci and the razorback seized by three very cross martian children)
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 10:02 (four years ago) link
the slingshot vessel which cones to grief in the ring is call y que, which is the equivalent of " so what" but of course translates as "and what" :D
many redditors want a full release of the not-yet-identified version of "highway star" that manéo jung-espinoza is playing before he does the kessel run in under 11 parsecs, some on the grounds that it slams more than the deep purple version
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 11:11 (four years ago) link
a low-key virtue of this high-key grebt series is that the TV news ppl watch now and then is evidently just as shitty as our own
(provoked into the observation by the moodly collage of holden and tbe ring, with the legend "james holden to visit the ring", which inspires manéo jung-espinoza ito lol do the same, but there's several earlier examples)
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 11:18 (four years ago) link
the encounter between drummer (and naomi) and klaes ashford (and diogo) is terrific, given that it's also largely exposition and introduction
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 11:45 (four years ago) link
ashford cracks me up every time he's on-screen, esp. his accent, which is more like a weird ironic riff on scotty in star trek than any of the other belters
(in general this is a thing i like abt the belter accent, that a good percentage of it is actually consciously performative on the part of the individual belter: as in "i am now going to speak in a totally fucked-up way that fucks you up, for piratey lulz bcz i am in fact a pirate")
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 15:20 (four years ago) link
Ashford sometimes spoke a bit like Papa Lazarou.
― chap, Sunday, 7 July 2019 16:49 (four years ago) link
I'm a bit disappointed the Martians aren't given any kind of defining accent. The first few we ever met (Alex excepted probably) had a kind of Germanic thing going on which I thought was quite cool.
― chap, Sunday, 7 July 2019 16:50 (four years ago) link
alex has an accent!
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 16:55 (four years ago) link
back to klaes ashford: when he's confiding with e.g. naomi he has almost no evident belter accent at all, of any kind, which is what i mean by "performative" -- it's like code-switching in the wrong direction, to position yrself
(i mean obviously since it's all being performed -- by david strathairn -- so it can't help but be "performative" but there's a self-conscious outsizeness to it being deliberately signalled. it's not necessarily fully realised but i think the idea is that accent is actually mostly political in this context, rather than "natural" if you see what i mean) (this may also explain mars?)
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 16:57 (four years ago) link
i like when ppl regain consciousness and their nose blood is floating in pretty little blobs in front of their face
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 17:19 (four years ago) link
what's the little fleet of baby bits and bobs that tags along with the nauvoo aka the behemoth, i don't remember this ever being explained? i mean self-built salvaged belter shit but is there a reason they need it like space navally, or whatever
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 18:00 (four years ago) link
question for readers of the book i guess
They're automated drones that act like tugs.
― Garbo Pond (Leee), Sunday, 7 July 2019 18:28 (four years ago) link
ah! ok
why are tugs needed at all times in deep space?
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 18:29 (four years ago) link
Because the Nauvoo wasn't outfitted with thrusters (it being a generation ship) and firing up its engines would've melted Tycho Station into space slag. Some neat details here, I don't think it's too spoilery: https://expanse.fandom.com/wiki/Tycho_Manufacturing_Accelerator_Tug
― Garbo Pond (Leee), Sunday, 7 July 2019 18:37 (four years ago) link
ah i get it, like external micro-steering :)
(aka tugs lol)
i was reading them more like the reaver ships in serenity, but i guess if you look carefully they all look the same
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 18:43 (four years ago) link
"lids on and load up"
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 18:44 (four years ago) link
Just like a Texas-y accent though no? None of them have a wacky made up space accent like the Belters.
― chap, Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:03 (four years ago) link
the all-blue protomolecule room inside the nucleus inside the ring reminds me (inexplicably, given the colour scheme) of cult 1957 east german TV fairytale the singing, ringing tree
http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/spotlights/2007/rtuk_obscura_0803.jpg
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:06 (four years ago) link
actually there's quite a lot of blue there i guess
here's the entire thing (which i haven't seen since the night thatcher resigned lol)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhVFcy4ZMIg
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:07 (four years ago) link
yes that's true chap, but in my (evolving) theory, belter-speech isn't so much an accent as a syncretic urchinspeak patois* unrolled as a political act of defiance and subversion: mars was officially settled (in discrete communities which largely retained their speech-of-arrival even despite the fight for independence) whereas the belterworld is much more fluid and piratical and marginal and etc
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:12 (four years ago) link
also in dramatic terms it makes sense for earth and mars to be on a level language-wise for the big set pieces, which a third accent would probably fuck with
(also lol belterspeak being extremely unstable of manifestation is acceptable in one made-up way of speech if you can give it a rationale -- if that's what i'm even doing -- but i think two of them would tend to suck a bit) (a LOT)
and getting the mars one to be stable wd just end up annoying
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:17 (four years ago) link
for me the true Martian accent is Bobbie's Australian one. i kind of pretend everyone else has one. making the best of an inhospitable desert world.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:22 (four years ago) link
dude it's NZ-samoan
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:24 (four years ago) link
DAMMIT
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:27 (four years ago) link
shohreh aghdashloo meanwhile has a BA in international relations from brunel
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 19:31 (four years ago) link
i still think it's weird how quickly she became a good guy given that we saw her literally torturing a belter in person in S1
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 7 July 2019 20:16 (four years ago) link
brunel's very well regarded
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 20:40 (four years ago) link
"regrowing a spinal cord is a delicate procedure even under the best circumstances"
trudat!
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 21:37 (four years ago) link
Alex comes from mariner valley which was colonised by Texans and Indians so he has the classic mariner valley drawl. The writers make a big deal of this in the books.
Bobby is from Londres Nova which clearly doesn’t have a distinctive accent because I’m not sure it is mentioned once.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Sunday, 7 July 2019 22:10 (four years ago) link
nu-coquenie
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 22:12 (four years ago) link
if you bear in mind what's happening w/her spine, drummer's mini-waldo in the final ep of s3 is as bad-ass as ripley's in the finale of aliens
― mark s, Sunday, 7 July 2019 22:21 (four years ago) link
I like the way this show has an arse-kicking grandmother with a voice like razorblades, and it makes perfect sense.
― And according to some websites, there were “sexcapades.” (James Morrison), Monday, 8 July 2019 00:30 (four years ago) link
finished my rewatch of the expanse s1-s3, now rewatching the singing ringing tree for the first time in 29 years just in case it's relevant expanded universe material
― mark s, Monday, 8 July 2019 18:06 (four years ago) link
Belterese is a creole of a bunch of different languages, so of course they're not going to speak like Holden or Alex.
― Garbo Pond (Leee), Monday, 8 July 2019 18:47 (four years ago) link
the books go into the origins and syntax of Belterese -- but yeah, it works really well in the context of the show because it can sound credible spoken by actors with wildly disparate accents.
― sarahell, Monday, 8 July 2019 20:23 (four years ago) link
i think my added point also works onscreen which is that density of irl marginal accent in fast-changing multicultural contexts is often an in-the-moment political decision of codeswitching: you deepen or soften the weirdness and the threat -- the refusal to communicate merely politely and helpfully -- by choice depending on who yr talking to and how. this is a dimension you'd probably omit in a book in the actual dialogue (you might mention it in descriptions of the dialogue), but it's something inventive actors can have fun with, and that's going on here
― mark s, Monday, 8 July 2019 21:13 (four years ago) link
errinwright is one of most deliciously hatable baddies in the history of tva few thoughts on S2:- plowing the nauvoo into eros is so awesomely bonkers. the very implausibility of it makes concrete the stakes of what would happen if eros is allowed to continue. extremely strange however that it's now "unguarded" given its importance to jp mao and by extension to errinwright? and presumably mars knows how important it is given what happened on phoebe?in any case the speed with which a skeptical holden agrees to the nauvoo plan is pretty whiplashy! he goes from never wanting to see miller again to partnering up with him on the hijacking of a multitrillion pound spaceship and scuppering the most ambitious migration attempt ever attempted in human history. he grits his teeth real good for a second. and naomi's basically like - I'm down for whatever!- the roci crew decides to annihilate the médecins sans frontières dudes. good scene. tense. but like GUYS THE DEBRIS. did they not think of it?? if they'd played those cards slightly differently, diogo's nuke is fine and miller comes back. they fucked up big time!! but nobody ever says sorry.- speaking of miller and his nuke, he seems to have had a real death wish this whole time. he volunteers for spin station boarding duty, then for the nuke planting spacewalk, then takes the fritzing nuke from diogo. fine, buddy. but then in E4, once the nauvoo's missed eros, suddenly he's like hey guys, you want to get me off this rock? what, NOW??
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 8 July 2019 21:20 (four years ago) link
and this is nitpicky but i thought nuking eros would spread protomolecule all over the system in a million tiny pieces (TM james frey)
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 8 July 2019 21:26 (four years ago) link
in s4 the roci goes off through a supplied wormhole to a far-off galaxy where they encounter the deep descendents of the nauvoo 2, who have added to the tales of their religion told over tens if not hundreds of generations a great deal of cross detail abt these ARSE HOLES who ripped them off back in the old solar system days, and now (unexpectedly) a reckoning can come!
(ok i think there's a glitch in this plot timewise but handwave handwave alien protomolecule alien ideas handwave handwave there i fixed it)
― mark s, Monday, 8 July 2019 21:29 (four years ago) link
lol extremely down for that
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 8 July 2019 21:35 (four years ago) link
extremely Chernobyl vibes from this on rewatch btw obv
unbearable contrast between the near-lethal speed of the roci and the lumpy wheel of miller's dolly ker-flopping along the infected corridors of eros"you're going to negotiate with a woman who thinks she's a spaceship??"
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 8 July 2019 22:05 (four years ago) link
i wrote a thing far upthread abt it being hard to judge scale and position in the actual outerspace scenes but it now strikes me this difficulty (in fact somewhat resolved after the first series in the CGI or animation or whatever) is replicated in the metaphysics of the story: let's use a spaceship as a bomb! what if a person was a molecule? what if a molecule connected the entire cosmos together?!?
it's like a sequence of fevered panics abt how things fit alongside one another in proper relationship once we enter a zone (nearby space) where a lot of the ways we judge such things just aren't around us any more
also everyone onscreen is always super-aware which moon is where! i'm not! are you? ceres? it's er no i don't know which planet ceres goes round
(i mean obviously it's important to them and anyway they have tech which instantly reminds them but there's a kind WOAH factor to all these extra layers of knowledge, plus the need to file things in three dimensions rather than just two, which i think is quite well brought to bear)
― mark s, Monday, 8 July 2019 22:15 (four years ago) link
Ceres is an asteroid/dwarf planet/whatever, not a moon, but diagetically, I think most people know about it because it's one of the first/biggest objects in the solar system that humans were able to spin up to create gravity and begin to make habitable, and thus one of the largest achievements in human engineering.
And besides, there are only a handful of colonized extra-terran astronomical bodies.
― Garbo Pond (Leee), Monday, 8 July 2019 22:23 (four years ago) link
i didn't put what i was getting at very clearly ("no!" i hear you cry)
i don't find this surprising or unconvincing, it's part of their world -- yes of course they know in their bones lots of stuff i have a v dim grasp of at best -- but the show is i think very good abt getting across the mind-expansive* element of this newer layer of technical knowledge, even as they're showing basically p ordinary people who've mastered it (alex is an excellent space pilot but he's not a marvel superhero). so we get the high-speed mastered competence but also retain a sense of the OMIGOD WOW cultural effect it's going to be having
a LOT of onscreen SF is not actually that good at bringing these two wings of SF into such intimate working contact? (except sometimes conceptually sometimes, like with the stunt eps of o/g stark trek where the alien is an omnipotent baby or all the people on a planet are under the age of 10 or whatever). but i'm talking abt a different kind of juxtaposition of ordinary and extraordinary: like we can actually get a sense of it in the fingertips of these ppl, even if some of them are basically twerps like the Xtreme rockhopper-racer -- they have casual physical dominion over a space and its technics that we can currently only dab it on diagrams, but this show is good at getting across a (of course faked) sense of what might be practical; and routine and even tiresome abt such mastery, without masking what we find startling
lol i need to go to bed, i don't think this is any clearer at all
*blimey i think i just twigged something
― mark s, Monday, 8 July 2019 22:45 (four years ago) link
What’s very clear is that belters have become very good at orbital mechanics and survival in deep space. The ones that didn’t got dead. I assume they imbibe complex ballistics with mother’s milk and grandpa’s kibble. I love the whole slingshotter subculture because it is a very recognisable.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Monday, 8 July 2019 23:55 (four years ago) link
drummer: "you control thirty nukes, you're the most powerful man in the solar system"Johnson: "then how come you won't make me a cup of coffee?"drummer gives him the stinkeye.BUT after eros blorps into Venus and Earth is saved.... johnson's watching it on TV and drummer walks in with.. coffee
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 9 July 2019 21:26 (four years ago) link
also I'm pretty sure when the Roci and the belters return to Tycho as conquering heroes, Diogo gets with the bartender who had earlier laughed him off. "this one's for you, Miller" he says as she leads him away
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 9 July 2019 21:40 (four years ago) link
― El Tomboto, Tuesday, 9 July 2019 21:45 (four years ago) link
mark i love your thoughts on the big-smallness of this show.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 9 July 2019 22:01 (four years ago) link
xp:
http://up-ship.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/feb59a.jpg
― despondently sipping tomato soup (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 10 July 2019 00:59 (four years ago) link
For those who never handled one, that's a slide rule.
― despondently sipping tomato soup (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 10 July 2019 01:00 (four years ago) link
Maybe this is a stretch but the sudden thrust of Gs, the maneuvering of such vast hulks of gear in frictionless space, feels like it has a narrative echo in S2E5-7 - when the ballad of Miller and Mao slingshots into a new story of factional conflict. The story of Phoebe and Eros, which has been barrelling along at a million miles an hour, skids into a new trajectory. Suddenly it's not just the military brass who has a tribe. The Roci crew get testy with each other. As everything starts splitting apart, Dawes appears. Holden keeps saying they have to stick together, but who's he talking about? The Roci? Alone in the universe (apart from maybe the poor Medécins sans Frontières dudes) it's a genuinely cooperative unit - Mars, earthers, a belter - all working together, partly out of necessity, partly out of fear, partly out of idealism. But everybody else? C'mon Holden - you're dreaming
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 10 July 2019 07:42 (four years ago) link
re slide-rules: i keep my BRITISH THORNTON AA010 (comprehensive) within reach of my writing desk! Still in its (p ugly 1970s dark grey plastic case). It was a bit of a swank purchase as a 15-yr-old, we were steered towards a much more basic one
https://i.imgur.com/nNQ7VuG.jpg
(note breakfasty croissant crumbs i shd probably have swept up first, what can i say, i'm a PIRATE)
― mark s, Wednesday, 10 July 2019 09:54 (four years ago) link
for some reason reading irony-poisoned twitter this morning reminded me of this exchange
naomi: are they hypoxic? krisjen: they're whistling past the fucking graveyard
― mark s, Wednesday, 10 July 2019 11:15 (four years ago) link
mark - did you notice that all-in-one spraypaint technology has been leveraged for tattoo parlours? diogo gets his belter neck tattoo in about 10 seconds flat! another set of craftspeople put out of work by technology :(
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 10 July 2019 18:15 (four years ago) link
There's this old SF magazine cover of a space pirate gripping a slide rule in his teeth:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7a/27/85/7a278551149fbd27a84644729e8851d2.jpg
― And according to some websites, there were “sexcapades.” (James Morrison), Thursday, 11 July 2019 03:27 (four years ago) link
Oh, fuck, already posted, somehow it didn't show for me until I made a dickhead of myself.
― And according to some websites, there were “sexcapades.” (James Morrison), Thursday, 11 July 2019 03:28 (four years ago) link
tracer: this technology already exists!
― mark s, Friday, 12 July 2019 16:53 (four years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_yFpMNU8AA2iN4.jpg
― groovypanda, Friday, 19 July 2019 11:32 (four years ago) link
the hair!!!!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 19 July 2019 11:59 (four years ago) link
The stare!!!! (Drummer)
― chap, Friday, 19 July 2019 12:04 (four years ago) link
the two white men in the center!
― sarahell, Friday, 19 July 2019 16:28 (four years ago) link
Yeah, both Naomi and Alex should definitely be featured more prominently than than Amos.
― beard papa, Saturday, 20 July 2019 02:07 (four years ago) link
It should be Drummer in Amos’ place. A male earther, a female belter, it all makes sense.
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 20 July 2019 02:10 (four years ago) link
or y'know ... Naomi? ... if this season is going to be about what the next book was about, Naomi has as significant a role as Holden iirc
― sarahell, Saturday, 20 July 2019 15:54 (four years ago) link
I don’t even read fiction
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 20 July 2019 16:01 (four years ago) link
holden shd be v tiny on that poster, w/red-rimmed bug eyes and also wearing miller's stupid hat
― mark s, Saturday, 20 July 2019 16:11 (four years ago) link
I sincerely hope that the holden family are into massive egg beater sculptures because it’s testing my suspension of disbelief to think that the laws of fluid mechanics have changed enough in the future to allow ground mount vertical axis wind turbines to be worthwhile.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Sunday, 21 July 2019 04:51 (four years ago) link
Ack the are shrouded by trees and the damned house.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Sunday, 21 July 2019 04:53 (four years ago) link
Actual goosebumps. Definite higher budget feel. But boooo to December.
Welcome to Ilus. pic.twitter.com/X84gZMf2Gu— The Expanse (@ExpanseOnPrime) July 20, 2019
― groovypanda, Sunday, 21 July 2019 09:19 (four years ago) link
One thing I did miss is that Season 5 has already been confirmed, so yay
― groovypanda, Monday, 29 July 2019 13:23 (four years ago) link
How many books have been televised, and how many are there in total?
― chap, Monday, 29 July 2019 14:19 (four years ago) link
There's going to be 9 in total (8 released so far) and the new season will be book 4
― groovypanda, Monday, 29 July 2019 16:09 (four years ago) link
Thanks.
― chap, Monday, 29 July 2019 16:15 (four years ago) link
we just started this and are pretty into it, just dropping in here to note that. I like how they go for the "everything in the future is rusty and broken" look most of the time.
― bookmarkflaglink (sleeve), Monday, 29 July 2019 17:04 (four years ago) link
also cool to know that there will be an S5, thanks
― bookmarkflaglink (sleeve), Monday, 29 July 2019 17:05 (four years ago) link
lol yes, basically the future looks like Gary, Indiana.
― There's more Italy than necessary. (in orbit), Monday, 29 July 2019 17:07 (four years ago) link
If S5 is based on Book 5, then damn .... looking forward to that for sure
― sarahell, Monday, 29 July 2019 23:45 (four years ago) link
My guess:
Season 4 will be book 4 + the Bobbie Mars novella + Sol system background from books 5 and 7.
Season 5 will be the arc from books 5-6.
Season 6 will be the arc from books 7-8.
Season 7 will be the forthcoming book 9 (the confrontation with the what fans are calling the Goths), plus a healthy amount of denouement.
― hedonic treadmill class action (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 30 July 2019 00:10 (four years ago) link
plant guy"half the station's in ruins, infrastructure's smashed.. how are we supposed to find anyone there?"
alex"the first step is getting there. we'll leave the Somnabulist once we dock and then we'll mingle with the locals"
plant guy"and then?"
alex"and then we'll assess the situation"
plant guy"are your plans always this vague?"
amos"this is about average"
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 3 August 2019 22:22 (four years ago) link
except amos plays the punchline like he's proud of average which is like punchline 2.0
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 3 August 2019 22:25 (four years ago) link
His name is Praxidike Meng, and he deserves more respect.
― hedonic treadmill class action (Sanpaku), Saturday, 3 August 2019 23:49 (four years ago) link
one of my all-time favourite characters but they barely know him at this point - they actually call him 'plant guy'!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 4 August 2019 01:04 (four years ago) link
I was kinda more mocking the authors, there...
― hedonic treadmill class action (Sanpaku), Sunday, 4 August 2019 18:23 (four years ago) link
ok! certainly did not intend disrespect. but i never knew his name was praxidike so thank you.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 4 August 2019 19:35 (four years ago) link
they call him Prax fwiw
― sarahell, Monday, 5 August 2019 19:15 (four years ago) link
when bobbie lays eyes on those cucumber sandwiches in jules pierre-mao's luxury cruiser
<3
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 9 August 2019 22:52 (four years ago) link
s3e1 is just so good.
- avsarala's security guy is hot- drummer doing upside-down chin-ups with a visibly bleeding abdomen- drummer's full-body revulsion at johnson's revelation that he volunteered the existence of the protomolecule to dawes. every lines drips with disgust. (tho there's a scene in s2 where it's implied they used to have a relship.. hmm)- drummer is reminded of the existence of naomi. '-bitch.'- despite their sophisticated electronic navigational systems johnson/gee's command centre is festooned with neatly hand-drawn equations and notes on orbits and telemetry- that said the spaceships are not really as crud-punk as some people make out- the escape from pierre-mao's spaceship is sensational. a set piece that not only spans episodes, but seasons - and thoroughly worth it. the mech suit. the esprit de corps. sometimes it's a pleasure just watching people you admire (and even people you don't) working out how to wriggle free from a bad situation. trying every door, having every door slam in their face. now what?- s2 was full of moments for amos - some weird, some suddenly profound, some no more than a pause held a moment too long. feel like alex now is like OK I get a backstory goddammit! i have softened towards alex, the big galoot, but i'm not sure i needed his guilty, pathetic call back home. just when i was warming toward ya kid. turns out you're kindof an asshole. iirc his wife calls back in a later episode and is like "hi alex. sorry, i've moved on. BYEEE!' which makes me kinda feel for him here. but not really. she's right.- after the Tycho vs Io power struggle i feel like Naomi wants to say, 'well, could you drop me off?'- Avsarala's bodyguard has an emotional moment prior to Avsarala's escape with Bobbie in the racing skiff. He turns to Bobbie. 'good work, Marine.' without hesitation Bobbie replies 'same to you, spy!'- 'Hitch your tits and pucker up, it's time to peel the paint!'- 'Brace for impact!' Bobbie i appreciate the consideration but we're at 6G suckin juice, i can't do much more than i'm doing right now
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 12 August 2019 22:31 (four years ago) link
security guy = 'cotyar' i have just discovered. the wonders of subtitles! the actor's from beirut.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 12 August 2019 22:32 (four years ago) link
we need a gallery of Bobbie's reaction shots when she tries new food - the 'red kibble' face was priceless
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 15 August 2019 15:19 (four years ago) link
"if this is one of your 'teaching moments' i'd prefer to bleed out in silence"
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 2 September 2019 22:19 (four years ago) link
i am enjoying the hell out of this!!!
reading thru this thread it finally twigged -- the handball scene with drummer and naomi could be a lil nod to this gem:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outland_(film)
― goole, Tuesday, 3 September 2019 20:25 (four years ago) link
I just ordered a Blu-Ray of Outland; will watch for anything that makes me think of The Expanse.
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Tuesday, 3 September 2019 21:49 (four years ago) link
ha I haven't seen it since I was a teenager, I hope it holds up
― goole, Wednesday, 4 September 2019 01:16 (four years ago) link
btw how is jared harris's ridiculous mashup accent so entertaining and energetic and david strathairn's such a mess? you hate to see it.
― goole, Wednesday, 4 September 2019 03:02 (four years ago) link
Harris' sounds like a real, albeit ridiculous, accent; Strathairn just sounds like a bloke doing a silly voice...
And also a bit like Papa Lazarou:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHdcP-WxSRE
― chap, Wednesday, 4 September 2019 09:28 (four years ago) link
they're both extremely good not bad, you're not allowed to carry on watching if you diss the endless mutability of full-on belter codeshifting
― mark s, Wednesday, 4 September 2019 09:30 (four years ago) link
it's almost as if you want their accents to wear UNIFORMS
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 10:34 (four years ago) link
"in this fucked up alien place, we're all on the same side"
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 23:00 (four years ago) link
drummer re-growing her own spine through force of will while getting around on jerry-built mech legs is some hardcore next ish
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 4 September 2019 23:03 (four years ago) link
code beratna abort
― goole, Thursday, 5 September 2019 16:23 (four years ago) link
yes that took me 24 hours
been thinking about mark's post, about what i think is my fave aspect of the show:
― mark s, Monday, July 8, 2019 5:45 PM (one month ago) bookmarkflaglink
i realized in watching this that i was dimly aware of some of the technical underpinnings here from gaming. gnarly dry stuff like GURPS Space and Transhuman Space that of course i never played. accel/deceleration & spin gravity, how the captured atmospheres work, some solar geography, why the ship weapons all seem sort of primitive (no lasers), the effects of low-g on the human frame -- even gestation is brought up at one point? people like having their babies on ganymede?
i wonder where, if not for games, this body of factoids would be kept? i'm really unfamiliar with hard sf discourse otherwise. it all flows upward: basic physics implies the engineering which implies the political economy. at least, that's the refreshingly dorky seduction of it. since it's "real" they can get down to character, conspiracies, hats, accents. i've found recent high-concept scifi stuff like black mirror less interesting
ok maybe the space thrusters are not real, the amount of energy involved there is like big, right
― goole, Sunday, 8 September 2019 01:46 (four years ago) link
i think it's essentially the equiv of releasing a fire extinguisher - just using controlled depressurisatons of stored gases (which is why they don't show up in radar)
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 8 September 2019 09:43 (four years ago) link
er no I meant the big g-inducing drives for interplanetary travel.which are, interestingly, given their own origin story in flashback! one of 3 things to get one iirc, along with Fred Johnson's war crime and the Mao family dynamic
― goole, Monday, 9 September 2019 02:20 (four years ago) link
I can’t remember if it’s mentioned in the show but in the books, which I just started, they explain the origin of the unfortunately-named Epstein drive
― untuned mass damper (mh), Monday, 9 September 2019 02:55 (four years ago) link
I have trouble separating the books from the show but fairly sure there was a sequence in one episode that showed Epstein in his ship and unable to reach the non voice-activated controls due to the g-forces involved.
― groovypanda, Monday, 9 September 2019 09:03 (four years ago) link
there was
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 9 September 2019 09:37 (four years ago) link
that was the origin story of the drive!
thankfully he left the schematics behind, because his test journey was a one-way trip
― untuned mass damper (mh), Monday, 9 September 2019 14:10 (four years ago) link
in the show the flashback is narrated by epstein himself, which lends an odd effect once you realise he is speaking from the great beyond
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 9 September 2019 14:19 (four years ago) link
the expanse, if you will
The first person narration makes more sense in the written context. The novels, and anciliary novellas like "Drive", all have viewpoint characters (which rotate in the novels).
Wise for most of the broadcast series to avoid this, as it would be 30 hours of voiceover ala the studio cut of Blade Runner.
― hedonic treadmill class action (Sanpaku), Monday, 9 September 2019 14:43 (four years ago) link
there's a rotation of viewpoint characters, but I believe everything I've read so far is second person perspective. not omniscient, although there's enough overlap between chapters to provide a preview of what's about to happen before they rotate
― untuned mass damper (mh), Monday, 9 September 2019 15:32 (four years ago) link
it's like Game of Thrones that way
― sarahell, Monday, 9 September 2019 16:58 (four years ago) link
second person perspective
Third person, surely?
― Johnny Grottan from the Skeks Pistols (Leee), Monday, 9 September 2019 17:17 (four years ago) link
hmm yes, not sure how I thought "third" and typed "second"
― untuned mass damper (mh), Monday, 9 September 2019 17:27 (four years ago) link
Miller? MILLER!!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 9 September 2019 17:31 (four years ago) link
coupla tidbits from wiki"Ty Franck began developing the world of The Expanse initially as the setting for a MMORPG and, after a number of years, for a tabletop roleplaying game. Daniel Abraham, who had authored a number of novels on his own, suggested, given the depth of the setting, that it could serve for the basis for a series of novels. "People who write books don't do this much research", Abraham has said.""Franck writes all the Holden, Bobbie and Anna chapters, while Abraham writes the Miller, Melba, Avasarala, Bull and Prax chapters."
― goole, Tuesday, 10 September 2019 00:05 (four years ago) link
"You don't sa-sa nothing--me crush ass to dust!" lmao
― Dan I., Thursday, 12 September 2019 23:07 (four years ago) link
My only complaint is that a lot of the character arcs and dialogue in the finale seemed off. Ashford in particular, I get that they were trying to make him a noble antagonist but but it really seemed to come out of nowhere. And Melba, whose storyline has always seemed kinda dumb tbh, asking a stranger if one good deed will make up for a lifetime of bad choices was just awful writing and totally unnecessary.
JoeStork i found myself agreeing with this once I finally got to the last episode on my rewatch last night. It's extremely weird that these things happen in this sequence:
1) ashford and drummer have a profound near-death experience together, where each is willing to sacrifice their lives for the other2) once holden's plan to turn off all the ship drives is hatched, they immediately consider ashford the enemy - they don't even bother trying to explain it to him3) and this is BEFORE they even know of ashford's plan to turn the comms laser into a giant knife.
the less said about melba the better. though i would appreciate knowing where her intermittent superstrength / ham-mode comes from? i don't recall it being explained
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 14 September 2019 08:40 (four years ago) link
it is explained fairly quickly -- her powers come from these glandular modifications(?) which is in keeping with the sci-fi biotech being used for sketchy purposes that figured more in the first season.
― sarahell, Saturday, 14 September 2019 21:41 (four years ago) link
The “Pinus Contorta”? Haha
― Dan I., Sunday, 15 September 2019 01:22 (four years ago) link
I'm so happy I watched this show. This is right up next to tng as my favorite science fiction TV ever.
― Dan I., Tuesday, 17 September 2019 02:57 (four years ago) link
Way better than TNG! (I'm not particularly a Trek fan)
― chap, Tuesday, 17 September 2019 13:08 (four years ago) link
i've only started watching this (which is to say I binged all the way through the second episode of season 2) and it's really impressive. The plotting is maybe the most impressive part thus far, but the acting is mostly really good as well. Thomas Jane is great and makes for a really fine antihero/detective in over his head/asshole with a heart of gold. The character walks a fine line between understanding why most other people think he's a dick but also why he's an extremely good guy who is covering up the fact he's damaged goods. Shohreh Aghdashloo just completely owns.
What's most impressive though i think is the sense of a fully populated system -- to cite a recent example, Game of Thrones had multiple episodes taking place in a city of a million people and it felt like there were a couple thousands people at most in the entire place (vs earlier seasons, where the filmmaking was crafty enough to use less scope to hint at a more populated world). And the entire world of Westeros just felt sparsely populated, like an empty game board upon which you moved around the pieces that were main characters until half of them were gone, collected by your opponent. But here, even with a much lower budget, you get the real sense of humanity having spread out. And I appreciate the limited reach of the story; they've only gone so far into the solar system, but not beyond (at least at this point that seems to be the case). I'm sure it's been pointed out previously but it makes life in space look like a real chore, you can see how easy people have it just living a life on earth vs the strain of trying to be merely normal on an asteroid or Mars.
― omar little, Tuesday, 17 September 2019 15:39 (four years ago) link
I've got to really get moving on my reading or renew my library loan
The books are a lot closer to the show than what I'd been led to believe, but I am guessing the deviations start to pile up after a while. With the exception of Bobbie and maybe Naomi, I've had no difficulty envisioning the tv actors in the book roles.
Really hard to cast it in a way that really gets the belter body types that are described in the novels
― untuned mass damper (mh), Tuesday, 17 September 2019 15:48 (four years ago) link
i know Bobbie is a main character moving forward, but I've only seen her in several scenes since they just introduced her. Even so at this point the particular intensity of that actor's performance is really something.
― omar little, Tuesday, 17 September 2019 15:51 (four years ago) link
it's a good character arc, someone who's highly competent and gets fucked over and thrown into a mess, only to be offered opportunities that are completely foreign to her
― untuned mass damper (mh), Tuesday, 17 September 2019 16:13 (four years ago) link
They did kind of drop the "Belters can't function at 1G" thing after the early S1 gravity torture bit. I mean, I don't think they've ever shown a belter visiting earth, but there have been lots of times that belter characters have been shown to be exposed to artificial gravity sources, right? (especially that notable occasion near the end of S3) Was the guy that got tortured a special kind of never-felt-gravity Belter, or are they all supposed to be like that?
― Dan I., Tuesday, 17 September 2019 16:23 (four years ago) link
COME DOWN BELTALOADA
― Dan I., Tuesday, 17 September 2019 16:26 (four years ago) link
Some belters are born and develop on the float (0 g), others in places like Ganymede (0.146 g) or Ceres (0.33 g). Also in the premiere, there's a huge variation in quality of bone-development medication, ranging to sub-par (Miller's) to counterfeit (the skinny belter with the shivers).
― hedonic treadmill class action (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 17 September 2019 16:29 (four years ago) link
makes sense!
― Dan I., Tuesday, 17 September 2019 16:37 (four years ago) link
I was reading about a real-life rocket plane test flight program yesterday and actually mumbled, "I didn't think you could take that many Gs without being on the juice"
― untuned mass damper (mh), Tuesday, 17 September 2019 16:43 (four years ago) link
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/10/04/tetraplegic_patient_ai/
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 4 October 2019 23:23 (four years ago) link
Teaser trailer for season 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jc76QrX5Vg
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 7 October 2019 01:28 (four years ago) link
Niiiice. Burn Gorman living up to his name very explicitly there.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Tuesday, 8 October 2019 00:35 (four years ago) link
i'll take that with a side of fries
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 8 October 2019 07:57 (four years ago) link
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 8 October 2019 16:37 (four years ago) link
Just started the books, so far so good. though it's fair to say that they don't spend a lot of time of visual descriptions--wondering how I'd be imagining most of the settings if it weren't for the TV series.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 10 October 2019 00:20 (four years ago) link
I imagine it as a lot crappier and more cramped than the TV also bigger physical distinctions between betters, earthers and Martians
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 10 October 2019 01:18 (four years ago) link
My physics nerd side still prefers the book's Razorback cabin, no larger than a Gemini capsule. There's absolutely no reason for the gimbaled seating, in a cabin larger than my living room in the TV version, aside from visual appeal. All that mass comes at a price...
― Inherent Contempt (Sanpaku), Thursday, 10 October 2019 01:44 (four years ago) link
yeah i never really got why it was so ~spacious~seemed v impractical
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 10 October 2019 02:04 (four years ago) link
In the book avasarala gets the one couch and Bobby wedges her power armour in place and lets the armour deal with the Gs. It’s actually a much better image in my mind.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Thursday, 10 October 2019 02:09 (four years ago) link
N Y C C 2 0 1 9 :) @ExpanseOnPrime #TheExpanse pic.twitter.com/T4rXKy9hFr— Dominique Tipper (@Mi55Tipper) October 5, 2019
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 10 October 2019 04:37 (four years ago) link
yeah i never really got why it was so ~spacious~
That's because they are in....... space.
― HELLA FITZGERALD (Leee), Thursday, 10 October 2019 05:03 (four years ago) link
an expanse, if you will
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 10 October 2019 07:26 (four years ago) link
I have now read all the books, but have yet to read any of the short stories. aI think I started with the series around August 20 so it’s been a ride
― mh, Thursday, 10 October 2019 09:55 (four years ago) link
"Strange Dogs" gives background to some of the stuff in Tiamat's Wrath, but I found the short stories to be poorly written.
― HELLA FITZGERALD (Leee), Thursday, 10 October 2019 17:21 (four years ago) link
I just enjoyed the backstory they gave to various characters like Bobbie, Amos & Johnson.
― groovypanda, Friday, 11 October 2019 08:31 (four years ago) link
The writing seems pretty variable in the main books too. Perhaps one of Corey is better than the other Corey?
― Chuck_Tatum, Friday, 11 October 2019 11:34 (four years ago) link
Ty Franck devised the universe of the Expanse (a binder full of background info) as setting for a tabletop role-playing game, and handles half the viewpoint chapters, including those for the character Holden. Daniel Abraham, former assistant to George R. R. Martin and published author in his own right, handles the other half of chapters, including those for detective Miller. They plotted out the 9-book arc before starting, divy up plot beats for each book, and then write their respective viewpoint chapters, then the other author reviews and lightly edits the other's chapters for continuity/science. Abraham has the harder job editing, as many of Franck's "pear-shaped" situations and air "tasting of copper" still find their way in.
― Inherent Contempt (Sanpaku), Friday, 11 October 2019 15:34 (four years ago) link
Reading the novels, it's surprising how unpadded they are, despite their size. The big action set-pieces are usually resolved in just a few pages.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Wednesday, 23 October 2019 23:27 (four years ago) link
with the exception of the on-planet novel that I seem to have enjoyed more than most, there’s pretty much an action/plot/character beat moment per chapter and they all move the story forward It’s not deep literature, but as a pulpy space science fiction adventure it works really well! The dumbest criticism I’ d seen is about why all the huge galactic events seem to hinge on the actions of Holden and company. Of course it does, they’re the main characters and that’s how the genre they’re going for works!
― mh, Thursday, 24 October 2019 01:31 (four years ago) link
Also, shit follows them everywhere.
― Inherent Contempt (Sanpaku), Thursday, 24 October 2019 04:36 (four years ago) link
i think proto-Miller even explicitly asks Holden - have you noticed how you're always in the middle of it?
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 24 October 2019 06:20 (four years ago) link
I love proto-Miller.
― sarahell, Thursday, 24 October 2019 17:43 (four years ago) link
Was looking at the Expanse role-playing game, and the designers/illustrators seem to be under the impression that the main characters are all trolls:https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/ce/f1/70cef1ebb360e3f20ce24a750b6a3b4f.jpghttps://i.pinimg.com/474x/c6/39/d4/c639d4eb1d58a4b1713e142dd5d99e70.jpg
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 25 October 2019 03:46 (four years ago) link
To be fair, the broadcast series cast the crew really young. Amos in the books starts as a balding middle aged man with a paunch.
― Inherent Contempt (Sanpaku), Friday, 25 October 2019 16:53 (four years ago) link
My internal image of Amos has always been something along the lines of Herc Hauk from the wire.
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Friday, 25 October 2019 20:23 (four years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EI8m5r5XsAAWGgf?format=jpg&name=small
― groovypanda, Saturday, 9 November 2019 17:50 (four years ago) link
Explore the unknown. #TheExpanse season 4 premieres December 13 on @PrimeVideo. pic.twitter.com/TVH96KlroC— The Expanse (@ExpanseOnPrime) November 18, 2019
― groovypanda, Monday, 18 November 2019 20:23 (four years ago) link
ヾ(^^ゞ)
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 18 November 2019 20:59 (four years ago) link
😍😍😍😍😍
― Squeaky Fromage (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 19 November 2019 02:38 (four years ago) link
Same day as UK election results - will be some consolation in the event of a Tory majority I suppose.
― chap, Tuesday, 19 November 2019 11:13 (four years ago) link
Season 4 is up.
― полезный инструмент (Sanpaku), Friday, 13 December 2019 00:06 (four years ago) link
aww chap, I just had the same thoughtstarting it right now and I can’t wait for Holden to start pulling rabbits out of his hat
― mh, Friday, 13 December 2019 00:24 (four years ago) link
Oh right saw a non series thing was up on pirate bay. Had serial number including 00 and I haven't had a closer look. So may be making of special or something.So thought new season must be due.
― Stevolende, Friday, 13 December 2019 00:27 (four years ago) link
watch out, there’s a series summary clip (maybe that 00 thing) narrated by... Kevin SmithI can report that I have watched it and it summarizes the series thus far reasonably well but the attempts at humor are bad
― mh, Friday, 13 December 2019 00:33 (four years ago) link
thank fuck for the expanse.
it will be weird not having to wait a week in between episodes.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 13 December 2019 01:15 (four years ago) link
they’re going a different direction with the planetary hijinks than the books and it’s working pretty well so far! (watching episode 2)
― mh, Friday, 13 December 2019 01:30 (four years ago) link
I’m wondering how many hours of sleep I absolutely need to be able to work semi-productively tmrw.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 13 December 2019 03:55 (four years ago) link
Wife is out at her Christmas party tonight so wondering how many episodes I can cram in
― groovypanda, Friday, 13 December 2019 08:33 (four years ago) link
i managed to do four before the cold medication took me out.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 13 December 2019 14:22 (four years ago) link
It's okay (minimal spoilers):
We won't hear more talk of unlimited Bezos money, as several scenes called for an Emmerich production and got a non-premium TV budget. "A" plot adapts the (by consensus) weakest book in the series. Burn Gorman plays to type, the red shirt death counter ticks up, but it all feels stakeless compared to prior seasons. Of the three "B" plots, "OPA self-policing" is good (esp. Inaros casting); "Bobbie Breaks Bad" is rote, but usefully presages the Martian existential crisis, and has the best action scenes to date; and the "UN West Wing" plot is dire (Pres. Roslin couldn't save it).
Aside: those with subwoofers and downstairs neighbors will need to turn it down. So many doom WHOOMPs and drones that that Zimmer might be embarrassed.
― полезный инструмент (Sanpaku), Friday, 13 December 2019 19:52 (four years ago) link
I’m enjoying it a bit more than that!The subtext is made clear where I’m at, 2/3rds of the way in, in a monologue by the bent cop Bobbie’s fallen in with. The promise of terraforming Mars seems hollow when there are new planets already capable of life beyond the gates, Earth is feeling the pinch — and it’s likely going to be worse by season end I’m guessing — and the OPA is at war with itself. Meanwhile, the Roci crew are seeing what happens when those promised new worlds backfire. I’m feeling the tension! And I don’t mind a lack of large scale effects when the smaller sets and the camp work pretty well. It’s a very claustrophobic show, tbh
― mh, Friday, 13 December 2019 20:27 (four years ago) link
There's tension in the pileup of Blackwater 2350, biblical disasters and afflictions, to be sure. We need two hands to count the ways our heroes are imperiled to certain death by Ep 8. But until the final scenes, these only endanger the Roci crew and a few dozen mostly extras, which is a pronounced reduction in stakes compared to prior big-bads...
― полезный инструмент (Sanpaku), Friday, 13 December 2019 21:12 (four years ago) link
Going out tonight, planning to start watching this over the weekend.
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Friday, 13 December 2019 21:18 (four years ago) link
i'm going in!
(actually went in 10 mins ago so no one could stop me)
― mark s, Saturday, 14 December 2019 19:53 (four years ago) link
"It's good advice"
― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 14 December 2019 19:57 (four years ago) link
god i love these guys
― mark s, Saturday, 14 December 2019 19:59 (four years ago) link
Not even close to being Amos's best line this episode.
"What was she wearing?"
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Saturday, 14 December 2019 20:05 (four years ago) link
“I’m just going to see if it works”
― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed), Saturday, 14 December 2019 20:25 (four years ago) link
loved the first episode - boom, straight in, let's go
pvmic but I didn't realize how much I'd missed Amos' upper arms <3
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 14 December 2019 20:37 (four years ago) link
on episode 3 - Amos is basically playing out Justified in Space which I am thoroughly into
― Simon H., Sunday, 15 December 2019 04:08 (four years ago) link
Thought "What was she wearing?" was a swing and a miss. Only "I'm free right now" rises to join the Hall of past Amos one-liners.
― полезный инструмент (Sanpaku), Sunday, 15 December 2019 04:40 (four years ago) link
They’ve skirted around the edges of Amos’s morality a bit, possibly from lacking more of his backstory... but they’re catching up
He’s such a singular presence in the books, because the idea that killing someone who needs killing could affect his mental state or karma? Absolutely not an issue. It’s a sidecar to the Holden narrative logic — if he kills them they needed kill in’, if he saves them then he’s right
― mh, Sunday, 15 December 2019 06:00 (four years ago) link
I didn't get into this season until episode 7/8, but once it clicks, whoa.
Really like the way that they interweaved the setup for the next book into this season.
Shohreh chewing the scenery is fun.
I've been thinking about how Naomi speaks noticeably slower when she's switched to Belter (as opposed to when she's talking to her Roci crewmates), I figure that's because when you have to communicate over transmissions, going at a measured pace probably helps with comprehension.
Also goddammit the arc for that one character who is hateable in the books but isn't on the show...
― Scorsese runs afoul of the Irishman (Leee), Monday, 16 December 2019 21:05 (four years ago) link
i love everyone
― mark s, Monday, 16 December 2019 21:06 (four years ago) link
I forgot to rewind and check -- was that Filip that set off the bomb that Bobbie escapes just in the nick of time?
― mh, Monday, 16 December 2019 21:07 (four years ago) link
Oh the Bobbie stuff... some of it is kind of "What were they thinking?" I mean, I get she's a marine and maybe that's why her tradecraft probably sucks...?
― Scorsese runs afoul of the Irishman (Leee), Monday, 16 December 2019 21:09 (four years ago) link
It was a little clumsy but I get where they're coming from -- extricating her nephew from the drug cartel is pulled straight from a short story, and putting her in the middle of the equipment smuggling places a main character in the plot to set up exactly where all that material's going
― mh, Monday, 16 December 2019 21:21 (four years ago) link
It'll be interesting to see how far they lean into making Marc the anti-Holden
fuckin' Marco
― mh, Monday, 16 December 2019 21:22 (four years ago) link
It was a little clumsy but I get where they're coming from
Oh I get why they did it (beats having her being on the dole for a whole season), I just wish she didn't try to be so naively chummy with the other folks in that criminal conspiracy ("Hi, I'm Bobbie Draper, you may know me from all those times I betrayed Mars"). OTOH I liked how they adapted Leelee, whose characterization in the short story is problematic (granted the misogyny could be ascribed to the viewpoint character, but I kind of felt the weight of authorial intent too).
― Martialarts Ali (Leee), Monday, 16 December 2019 21:45 (four years ago) link
i wish that every actor in everything was as good as drummer and ashford are in this show. those two make me really feel like i'm on a spaceship.
― dynamicinterface, Tuesday, 17 December 2019 01:46 (four years ago) link
just watched the first season; i liked it, but the sheer commitment to making miller and alex as corny as possible is exhausting
also lol at how every minor guest actor was also in orphan black or bsg or discovery -- a canadian mafia is controlling our sci-fi series
― mookieproof, Tuesday, 17 December 2019 05:17 (four years ago) link
an actor in one of these three? based in toronto, they be
― mh, Tuesday, 17 December 2019 14:41 (four years ago) link
i've been trying to get on it as their version of a red shirt for a while now.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 17 December 2019 15:38 (four years ago) link
Oh and I'm not a fan of this character but another highlight of the season, described in two words: bloody smile.
― Martialarts Ali (Leee), Tuesday, 17 December 2019 18:24 (four years ago) link
Kinda amusing in S3E04 when Zeph and Pippin from Killjoys stage a mutiny aboard the Roci.
― полезный инструмент (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 17 December 2019 21:58 (four years ago) link
"Well, if I'm not, I'm acing my Turing Test."
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 17 December 2019 23:31 (four years ago) link
"Thank you"
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 17 December 2019 23:32 (four years ago) link
Finished up last night. I liked the stuff on Illus, but the belter, Mars and UN election subplots were pretty weak. She has a cool voice, but Shohreh Aghdashloo is just not a good line reader. And her husband was such a weird, sort-of condescending character. Zero ZERO chemistry with those two. Other thoughts:I can’t believe they didn’t throw Murtry off that bridge to “fall until he died.” Chekhov’s bridge!I haven’t read the books, but it seems like Miller and then Dr Okoye both experienced some kind of interactions with some kind of super AI(s)? Not sure how you should film stuff like that, but in SF books, that’s often some of the most thrilling material. On this show, it seemed kinda vague and they didn’t really discuss it.Amos is still the MVP. Bobby was also good in parts but I didn’t really understand her moral journey.Still looking forward to the next season!
― DJI, Friday, 20 December 2019 17:35 (four years ago) link
On ep 6 or so and the Ilus plot is really feeling like a 3- or 4-episode story stretched out to season length
― Simon H., Friday, 20 December 2019 17:41 (four years ago) link
I'd have loved for this to be another bifurcated season, s3-style. I thought that was a great format for them.
― Simon H., Friday, 20 December 2019 17:43 (four years ago) link
Simon: that's the experience of reading book 4 (Cibola Burn), which covers the Ilus plot. The books are split between 8 (and soon 9) novels considered "obligatory", and 8 (soon 10?) "optional" novellas restricted to world building and character background. The parts of book 4 that advance the series arc are limited; one could safely cntl-F for "Miller" to find them. Otherwise, its Western-genre gold rush town novella, padded to novel status with a litany of plagues, biological descriptions from Elvi, etc.
Contrary, I thought the S4 Belter arc was the best of the 4. David Strathairn, Cara Gee, and (now) Keon Alexander are the best actors left in the cast, and this arc elegantly pulls forward/reshapes Nemesis Games background, though I thought the last scene showed too many cards.
― raisin d'etre (Sanpaku), Friday, 20 December 2019 18:53 (four years ago) link
I kind of figured they do they’d do the dual plot arc thing this season due to the slow book 4, but I think they want to give us maximum Marco next season
― mh, Saturday, 21 December 2019 01:30 (four years ago) link
alex stops being corny and becomes tremendous
miller's status i am disinclined to call currently
― mark s, Saturday, 21 December 2019 20:08 (four years ago) link
lol bobbie: "at least now i've got something to do"
― mark s, Saturday, 21 December 2019 21:09 (four years ago) link
Finished S4 and then started binging Lost In Space S2 on Netflix. It is hilarious how one show is basically the adult version of the other
- how did we get here? dangerous alien precursor technology we don't understand- what is happening to us? a series of discrete crises, almost like chapters in a story- why? because alien planet OK
then they diverge
- what can we say on tv? (LIS: not even "asshole")- who is having sex? (LIS: no one, I don't think mom and dad even kiss)- what are the stakes? (LIS: they don't even kill the NPCs)- do we even get to punch the smarmy awful villain in the face? (LIS: nope)
― El Tomboto, Wednesday, 25 December 2019 15:49 (four years ago) link
Just parachute Amos into LIS to take care of business.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 25 December 2019 16:29 (four years ago) link
i haven't seen S4 yet nor finished S3 but had one of the biggest lols in a show in awhile when Amos was hanging out with the rescued little tykes from Doc Strickland's Io project, turns to the TV to see the protomolecule thing emerging from the atmosphere of Venus, and says "What...the fuck...is that?"
top-tier show, shockingly consistent in terms of quality.
― omar little, Friday, 21 February 2020 17:41 (four years ago) link
Finally finished S4 - really excellent. But now we have to wait for next season which is not excellent :(Almost noped out with the eye bugs & then the paralysis slugs. YUK NOPE GROSS NO
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 7 March 2020 06:21 (four years ago) link
They finished filming S5 a couple of weeks ago but imagine there's a lot of work in post to do
― groovypanda, Saturday, 7 March 2020 07:22 (four years ago) link
*loud sigh*
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 7 March 2020 20:15 (four years ago) link
I got a little bored with the "trapped in alien cave" story line that just had manufactured crises until the other characters' plot lines could catch up with their timeline. Very excited for the Bobbie-Chrisjen development.
― There's more Italy than necessary. (in orbit), Sunday, 8 March 2020 15:15 (four years ago) link
otm, bobbie/chrisjen is the best outcome of the whole thing :D
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 8 March 2020 17:00 (four years ago) link
Bobbie's my favourte character I think (find Chisjen a bit annoying though).
― chap, Sunday, 8 March 2020 17:12 (four years ago) link
Also Frankie Adams was looking amazing this season.
― chap, Sunday, 8 March 2020 17:14 (four years ago) link
it’s vmnic for me to have not seen this yet. Insane, even. it just came out at such a bad time of year. but also I’ve been putting it off for some reason, not sure why
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 8 March 2020 17:15 (four years ago) link
Finally watching this and I’m on E3. I love it. I have completely come around on Alex. Everybody’s great. Amos continues to rule. “Does this mean we’re not fucking?” Loved Bobbi wrecking shop in her nephew’s cookhouse. Feel for the corner she’s in. Love that they’re on planets now. Love unlocking the billion-year-old tech by snapping a root.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 14 April 2020 22:18 (three years ago) link
That part was very Video Game
― El Tomboto, Tuesday, 14 April 2020 22:32 (three years ago) link
"Oh, fuck, I had swagger. You know the age..."Drummer: "I was never that young"
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 24 April 2020 21:38 (three years ago) link
just finished s4 last night
gotta say that attempting to board an enemy spacecraft seems like an exceptionally poor idea
also the first name of the actor who plays murtrie is 'burn' wtf
― mookieproof, Friday, 24 April 2020 22:08 (three years ago) link
He's a beatboxer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guo2Q424td4
― Judd Apatowsaurus (Leee), Friday, 24 April 2020 22:13 (three years ago) link
Burn Gorman Thread
― El Tomboto, Saturday, 25 April 2020 01:29 (three years ago) link
holy shit
amos waited way too long
― mookieproof, Saturday, 25 April 2020 02:52 (three years ago) link
Man this show is grim
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 30 April 2020 20:53 (three years ago) link
Ain't nothing compared to what will be happening in s5
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 1 May 2020 00:59 (three years ago) link
https://www.hjackets.com/buy/the-expanse-jim-holden-jacket/
want ^
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 1 May 2020 12:23 (three years ago) link
"A" plot adapts the (by consensus) weakest book in the series. Burn Gorman plays to type, the red shirt death counter ticks up, but it all feels stakeless compared to prior seasons.disagree with this. once the settlement is overwhelmed by events ca. ep 5 it starts getting really good. and the stories unfolding in orbit above them are fantastic as well. i love all the problem-solving. i could watch nothing but people on this show figure shit out.Of the three "B" plots, "OPA self-policing" is good (esp. Inaros casting);ehhhh. is it? they all feel like they’re in a soundstage somewhere else. not doing much. lotta jibber jabber."Bobbie Breaks Bad" is rote, agreed. however bobbie continues to have my undying love forever. and the "UN West Wing" plot is dire (Pres. Roslin couldn't save it).yeah not feeling this one either. something feels not quite joined up but i’m too tired to pinpoint it
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 1 May 2020 21:36 (three years ago) link
i don't even care what he's jibber jabbering about, i just want more strathairn
― mookieproof, Friday, 1 May 2020 21:53 (three years ago) link
more straithairn is always better!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 1 May 2020 21:56 (three years ago) link
his actions in the finale didn't make much sense to me, but whattayagonnado
― mookieproof, Friday, 1 May 2020 22:00 (three years ago) link
xp: I meant "stakeless" in the sense that it wasn't a race to save billions on Earth in 1st half S2 or save Mars in 1st half S3 or all of humanity in 2nd half S3. The people at risk were a couple hundred (at most) in the Ilus system, which happened to include the crew.
― speaking moistly (Sanpaku), Saturday, 2 May 2020 22:41 (three years ago) link
― mookieproof, Sunday, 3 May 2020 02:18 (three years ago) link
well now i have watched the finale :/i am pleased that we got a bit of bad-ass straithairn action. what specifically are you thinking about that didn’t add up mookie?i want a new season like, yesterday obv
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 3 May 2020 10:25 (three years ago) link
why board marco's ship, rather than just shooting it? and why surrender rather than taking marco with you?
― mookieproof, Sunday, 3 May 2020 20:24 (three years ago) link
i expect he wanted to bring marco in alive to face justice and reap the institutional rewards for it. he’s always been the one saying that belters need to show they respect the rule of law and that’s how they’ll eventually win equal power with the inners.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 3 May 2020 20:46 (three years ago) link
not through S4 yet so not gonna read end of thread, but we love this. Here are my comments:
made-up accent
check
I expect Avasarala will provide profane fan service once removed from family and immediate superiors, and with her progressive exasperation.
Yes, this has been great
has been bugging me ever since
― mark sthis is A+
t’s testing my suspension of disbelief to think that the laws of fluid mechanics have changed enough in the future to allow ground mount vertical axis wind turbines to be worthwhile.― American Fear of Pranksterism (Ed)
YES THANK YOU
― sleeve, Monday, 25 May 2020 16:00 (three years ago) link
Just blew through all four seasons of this in the past two weeks. I figured I would like it but I totally loved it. There are very few moments that make me feel like this was filmed in a studio and not in space, the production is great. I'm such a nerd for all the scientific limitations, like ship maneuverability or time delay when receiving information. Sci-fi TV shows usually shy away from technical explanation but they do a good job weaving it in without being too expository imo. Great balance of character development and story. The acting is the only place where this sometimes falls down. Even by S4 the actors for Holden and Alex can't stand up to the better actors on the show though Alex's terrible accent and weird line delivery kind of grew on me
Might read the books next with such a long wait for S5
― Vinnie, Friday, 29 May 2020 00:25 (three years ago) link
I did that after a prior season. I think I got into a rhythm and took out every single one over a month!
― mh, Friday, 29 May 2020 01:04 (three years ago) link
wouldn't be surprised if I end up doing the same
― Vinnie, Friday, 29 May 2020 07:54 (three years ago) link
I did.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 30 May 2020 00:45 (three years ago) link
Appears there are multiple allegations against Cas Anvar being investigated at the moment
― chonky floof (groovypanda), Friday, 26 June 2020 17:37 (three years ago) link
Sounds like:
So one of the core cast of #TheExpanse has been accused of sexual misconduct. We immediately passed these serious accusations onto the studio, Alcon. Alcon has engaged an independent firm to investigate this matter and takes these allegations very seriously.— Daniel Abraham (@AbrahamHanover) June 26, 2020
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 26 June 2020 18:03 (three years ago) link
If it's true, I would invite a recasting tbh
― k*r*n koltrane (Simon H.), Friday, 26 June 2020 18:07 (three years ago) link
season 5!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caLji74IIp4
― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 8 October 2020 21:48 (three years ago) link
Season 1-3 of #TheExpanse aired episodes weekly while season 4 dropped all at once. Season 5 will be a hybrid! This way we'll have the ability to binge a little but also live tweet and discuss each episode afterwards. 🚀 https://t.co/pMWTeZrpDt— The Expanse Writers (@TheExpanseWR) October 8, 2020
― groovypanda, Thursday, 8 October 2020 21:53 (three years ago) link
what happened to Anvar?
― sleeve, Thursday, 8 October 2020 21:55 (three years ago) link
already looks way more promising than s4
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Thursday, 8 October 2020 22:00 (three years ago) link
only two more months!? so stoked
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 8 October 2020 22:03 (three years ago) link
I think he's still being investigated so probably being kept well away from PR.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 8 October 2020 22:05 (three years ago) link
Frankie Faison! Drummer slow burn!
― Fisherman's Worf (Leee), Thursday, 8 October 2020 22:31 (three years ago) link
They’ve succeeded in making me mumble “Marco, you shithead” at the screen so they’ve nailed the character so far
― mh, Thursday, 8 October 2020 22:35 (three years ago) link
Hoping they don't hold back on the extreme Earth-based events in the book that are only hinted at there (trying not to spoil for non-book folk)
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 9 October 2020 01:25 (three years ago) link
I guess they had to get rid of that character to show the ruthlessness of the rising one. It's just a shame it had to be that character cos I liked them.Good ending they had though.
― Stevolende, Friday, 9 October 2020 07:48 (three years ago) link
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand)
Yes, this seems very speedy, especially given you know what! Lots of post work I suppose.
― chap, Friday, 9 October 2020 08:59 (three years ago) link
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 9 October 2020 18:26 (three years ago) link
haven't read the books but I'm stoked 4 Amos in Baltimore
― JoeStork, Friday, 9 October 2020 18:42 (three years ago) link
Amos in balitmore is one of my favourite sequences from the books, whereas the Marco inaros stuff is one of the bits I found most tedious. However, the series has fixed the stodgier paced parts of the books.
Stoked for this.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Friday, 9 October 2020 21:17 (three years ago) link
Amos in Baltimore is the best (in depth, not necessarily in writing) single character arc and I hope they at least delve into it. As the books progress you get a sense of how he adapts, and what he’s moved through in that adaptation. in short, <3 amos
― mh, Saturday, 10 October 2020 01:24 (three years ago) link
i'm not able to contain my impatience for this series to start
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 17 November 2020 15:03 (three years ago) link
now you’re going to have me petulantly stomping around mumbling “the expanse! NOW!”
― mh, Tuesday, 17 November 2020 15:10 (three years ago) link
saaaaaame
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 17 November 2020 17:20 (three years ago) link
yeah, when i saw the thread revived i had a moment of joy thinking it was back early
― H in Addis, Tuesday, 17 November 2020 17:32 (three years ago) link
I'll be curious how they handle the Cas Anvar situation, which erupted after production concluded. He's barely present in S5 promotional material. I wouldn't be surprised if some arrangement where he continues as Alex, but doesn't represent the show at fan conventions, is how it will be handled.
― Advanced Doomscroller (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 17 November 2020 18:30 (three years ago) link
I started reading the books because I got tired of waiting. They are fast, easy reads, though I still prefer the show if just for the visuals. Seems I did not start reading soon enough, as I've just finished the book the fourth season is based on, and now we're close enough I can wait for the next season
― Vinnie, Friday, 20 November 2020 01:44 (three years ago) link
I binged all 8 early this year and now have to wait until 2021 for the end.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 20 November 2020 06:40 (three years ago) link
Thinking I'm going to rewatch all four seasons in the next few weeks. Also very happy that most of the new season will be released weekly instead of all at once.
― groovypanda, Friday, 20 November 2020 11:02 (three years ago) link
me too!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 20 November 2020 11:56 (three years ago) link
Renewed for sixth and final season
“You can’t stop the work.” Season 6 is a go. pic.twitter.com/ayk93DChGm— The Expanse (@ExpanseOnPrime) November 24, 2020
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 24 November 2020 18:01 (three years ago) link
why final????
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 24 November 2020 18:55 (three years ago) link
universe gets destroyed obvs
― mookieproof, Tuesday, 24 November 2020 18:55 (three years ago) link
fair
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 24 November 2020 18:59 (three years ago) link
it’s basically the same ending as Space Runaway Ideon, right?
― sound of scampo talk to me (El Tomboto), Tuesday, 24 November 2020 19:05 (three years ago) link
There's going to be a lot of story compression in season 6, to cover the arc in books 7/8/9. Sure, some scene setting can be done in a B-story of season 5, but if the broadcast series mimics the book timeline, that will be limited.
I want a Drummer spinoff series, focusing on events between seasons 5 and 6.
― Advanced Doomscroller (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 24 November 2020 19:09 (three years ago) link
I wish s4 had compressed its A-plot to, like, 3-4 episodes tbh
― it bangs for thee (Simon H.), Tuesday, 24 November 2020 19:50 (three years ago) link
I'm assuming they won't do books 7 to 9 xps
Especially (book spoiler): given the big time jump from book 6 to 7
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 24 November 2020 21:45 (three years ago) link
No Cas Anvar in the final season either, guess they are taking the complaints seriously
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 25 November 2020 00:03 (three years ago) link
xp: Makeup on the principals and cobwebs in the corners of the Roci are not expensive, as production costs go. I'd like to see a Drummer spinoff series occupying the interval between seasons 5 and 6.
― Advanced Doomscroller (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 25 November 2020 00:42 (three years ago) link
Its nice seeing Bezos promotion money behind something I like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFbdb3fm_AA
― oblique allergies (Sanpaku), Friday, 27 November 2020 17:11 (three years ago) link
Reacting to your comments on Twitter. 😂😂How thirsty are you for season 5 of @ExpanseOnPrime? The best 3 comments win a signed Avasarala photo. Let's have fun! 😁#ScreamingFirehawks #TheExpanse pic.twitter.com/WrXXotExCO— Shohreh Aghdashloo (@SAghdashloo) December 3, 2020
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 4 December 2020 05:10 (three years ago) link
i miss jared harris tbh
caek might do in a pinch
― mookieproof, Friday, 4 December 2020 05:14 (three years ago) link
you guys S5 is up - 3 episodes! :D :D
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 16 December 2020 02:56 (three years ago) link
Awlright! Going in...
― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 16 December 2020 03:58 (three years ago) link
rest of episodes will start coming out weekly from Dec 29 apparently
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 16 December 2020 03:59 (three years ago) link
Am on E9 of S4 of rewatch. Will try and hold off watching new ones just yet if it's two weeks until we get more
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 16 December 2020 08:51 (three years ago) link
The Expanse or the EGGspance?
― ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 16 December 2020 08:54 (three years ago) link
the escamps
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 16 December 2020 08:56 (three years ago) link
In space you just use powdered eggs
― calzino, Wednesday, 16 December 2020 09:00 (three years ago) link
I am disappointed shipping containers are no longer hexagonal.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Wednesday, 16 December 2020 10:55 (three years ago) link
Can I buy the season without signing up for Prime?
― Stone Cold Steve Ostentatious (Leee), Wednesday, 16 December 2020 20:06 (three years ago) link
Some lovely lines in this.
"I saw a button so I pushed it.""Jesus Christ, that's really how you go through life, isn't it?"
"Don't you want to be my friend?"
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Wednesday, 16 December 2020 21:28 (three years ago) link
"You know I work in space, right?"
― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 17 December 2020 03:56 (three years ago) link
"I saw a button so I pushed it."
this better be amos
― mookieproof, Thursday, 17 December 2020 03:58 (three years ago) link
“Claiming to have brain damage is not the way to sell me on this, son.”
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 17 December 2020 23:04 (three years ago) link
“Hey, first of all, I didn’t start it. Second, they were all alive when I walked out of there.”
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 17 December 2020 23:21 (three years ago) link
Ok I kinda stopped watching at the start of season two, I should probably start again huh
― Chuck_Tatum, Thursday, 17 December 2020 23:34 (three years ago) link
jealous!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 17 December 2020 23:45 (three years ago) link
same here tbh, might have to download s3 + s4. I'm certainly not paying for the shitehawks that legally stream it.
― calzino, Thursday, 17 December 2020 23:51 (three years ago) link
yes i feel absolutely zero guilt over that tbh
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 18 December 2020 00:05 (three years ago) link
Prime is free for a month when you sign up, if you don’t mind entering your card details. Then you can just create a new free account every month with a different email. It never notices/cares that it’s the same credit card.
― Chuck_Tatum, Friday, 18 December 2020 00:11 (three years ago) link
Does it actually fully register a card number before using it for the first time. Presumably checks there's a valid card which might be the same thing or may not be.Wish I'd known that about swapping names.Was about to cancel on the llast day of Prime and realised that some things I hhad ordered hadn't been dispatched. Wondered if that would effect things assumed it would now it's too late. Was hungover at the time.
― Stevolende, Friday, 18 December 2020 08:08 (three years ago) link
Enjoying the first couple of episodes anyway.Need to get the books or some of them at least.
― Stevolende, Friday, 18 December 2020 08:10 (three years ago) link
https://www.htafc.com/siteassets/image/players/christopher-schindler/201819/christopher-schindler-contract-16_9.jpg/Large
https://blackgirlnerds.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Screen-Shot-2020-12-16-at-8.05.20-PM.png
separated at birth
― calzino, Sunday, 20 December 2020 00:07 (three years ago) link
http://images.gawker.com/1365411078219804711/original.gif
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 20 December 2020 09:33 (three years ago) link
just catching up on season 3, god knows why I bailed out on it a few years back because (especially before hologram Miller turns up!) it is an absolute trip. And now I'm just a couple of eps from diving into season 4.
― calzino, Tuesday, 22 December 2020 00:03 (three years ago) link
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 22 December 2020 00:29 (three years ago) link
just finished s5e3. i thought there was gonna be a new one this weekend tho!bobbie’s turning out to be kind of... a jerk? not that you can blame her really. avsarala is really good this season, maybe better than i’ve ever seen her.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 22 December 2020 00:33 (three years ago) link
Nice Thomas Jane is still involved: he directed ep 3.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Tuesday, 22 December 2020 00:37 (three years ago) link
like to imagine this with everyone saying 'max' (read)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UABerh_DNmQ
― mookieproof, Tuesday, 22 December 2020 00:48 (three years ago) link
IMPROVER ALERT!
one of the most satisfying moments of S3 was seeing that annoying little twat Diogo getting splatted by the speeding elevator!
― calzino, Tuesday, 22 December 2020 01:41 (three years ago) link
Burn Gorman character trying to act tough cowboy with Amos. Some day I think you and I are going to end up bloody he says with all the menace of Tucker Jenkins in High Noon or some posh acting school kid playing a thug in The Bill. lol that would be a tragic mismatch. But season 4 is very addictive viewing as well so far.
― calzino, Wednesday, 23 December 2020 02:10 (three years ago) link
his weaselly shitheel of a character does have some interesting levels of murderous menace tbf - a worthy baddie in a series where most of the fun is in enjoying watching the wrong uns.
― calzino, Wednesday, 23 December 2020 02:52 (three years ago) link
yeshuge improvement over s4 so far
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 23 December 2020 03:05 (three years ago) link
were talking about different characters but it still works
I could imagine S4 not being as good as S3 but I have enjoyed the first 3 eps so far
― calzino, Wednesday, 23 December 2020 03:08 (three years ago) link
just the most dire moment of this part of the seriesimo the most wrenching twist in the books is that (redacted) is just a useful idiot for the next phase where (redacted) is the real badI think the thing about the series that makes it interestingly cohesive is that the books really did characterize role playing game style. in some ways, Marco is like Amos in that he has no conscientious objection to killing, but his moral compass is nearly 180 degrees from Amos. Amos would kill a single person with no remorse when it protects the few good or reasonable people, but Marco has no problem killing millions for a cause
― mh, Wednesday, 23 December 2020 03:20 (three years ago) link
wait what’s the most dire moment?i really, really liked s4 tbh
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 23 December 2020 09:23 (three years ago) link
dire for the characters, not writing
now that it’s “aired”: Marco’s attack on earth succeeding
― mh, Wednesday, 23 December 2020 16:21 (three years ago) link
are drummer's eyelids tattooed or is she just a magical super-goth
― mookieproof, Thursday, 24 December 2020 07:23 (three years ago) link
I assume 24th century makeup is more durable and less smeary.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 24 December 2020 11:42 (three years ago) link
We had that conversation and decided it was part of her tats. Drummer is the best.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Thursday, 24 December 2020 12:55 (three years ago) link
So I’m forcing myself through S1 for promises of things to come but shit it seems so full of stock characters and pew-pew that I’m bored to tears
― calstars, Thursday, 24 December 2020 13:35 (three years ago) link
christ this is grim
― mookieproof, Saturday, 26 December 2020 04:58 (three years ago) link
What happened to no firearms on space stations and ships?
― Stone Cold Steve Ostentatious (Leee), Saturday, 26 December 2020 07:23 (three years ago) link
I think in the books when they have them they tend to be non-piercing plastic bullets?
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 26 December 2020 07:39 (three years ago) link
Calstars, it's an ensemble piece. There's at least a dozen characters that have some depth, the recurring ones still being fleshed out in S5. It's worth the ride, and vs any sci-fi since Farscape, its a relative masterpiece.
― A Like Supreme (Sanpaku), Sunday, 27 December 2020 14:04 (three years ago) link
Thanks, I’ll keep pushing
― calstars, Sunday, 27 December 2020 14:08 (three years ago) link
wiah they'd keep characters I find interesting alive.BUt I guess they wouldn't get anywhere if they did.Still goshdarnit.Maybe that is a nice touch that recognisable actors aren't necessarily going to survive.
― Stevolende, Sunday, 27 December 2020 14:40 (three years ago) link
I feel like they stumbled on having a VEEP in space dynamic and wished someone actually did VEEP in space but apparently the recent Iannucci space comedy is terrible.It's bizarre for a series to have their main protagonists be so void of charisma, though.
― Philip Nunez, Sunday, 27 December 2020 15:04 (three years ago) link
Obv it's terrible - it's Veep in space!I'm fully caught up with this now. Damn, the death of **** ***** was not what I wanted to happen.
― calzino, Sunday, 27 December 2020 15:26 (three years ago) link
I was on my phone and deliberately used the wrong amount of asterisks to be not too spoilerific, but that was a big death I wasn't expecting
― calzino, Sunday, 27 December 2020 16:05 (three years ago) link
me too. also that robot was cray cray. really excellent and unexpected and frightening as fuck
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 27 December 2020 16:08 (three years ago) link
jesus yeah that was one grim ass machine!
― calzino, Sunday, 27 December 2020 16:11 (three years ago) link
There was a dancer on set portraying the robot. I want to see that pre-vis.
― A Like Supreme (Sanpaku), Sunday, 27 December 2020 18:56 (three years ago) link
I suppose one element that is frightening about the robot, other than in a horribly scary industrial visual sense. Was the compact violent physicality of it without any guns. The way it smashes everything in its path and can't be put down very easily. The fear of getting shot is much less than getting bludgeoned to death. Like if its instructions were to kill everyone in the room rather than pick up the payload, it would have succeeded with flying colours. But when it twats Holden it just gives him a little tap rather than a the fatal blow!
― calzino, Sunday, 27 December 2020 23:57 (three years ago) link
well also it looked like a fuckin spider
wish it had given holden a fatal blow, tho -- he and alex are corny as fuc
― mookieproof, Monday, 28 December 2020 00:31 (three years ago) link
this was GRIM
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Monday, 28 December 2020 00:42 (three years ago) link
see as a corny fuc myself i can relate to themxpost
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 28 December 2020 01:40 (three years ago) link
sci-fi without corny as fuck is like fish 'n' chips without vinegar!
― calzino, Monday, 28 December 2020 01:47 (three years ago) link
lol with some practice you could be nearly as corny as holden, but never alex
the fate of the galaxy is ultimately going to come down to holden's mysterious ~connection~ to protomolecule/aliens/'miller' and him persuading it/them to chill, isn't it
will the protomolecule also be his dad y/n
― mookieproof, Monday, 28 December 2020 01:53 (three years ago) link
not so much a mysterious connection as an explicit infection/rewriting
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Monday, 28 December 2020 09:10 (three years ago) link
How do series map to books. Did people get killed off because we were entering a new volume or something?I'm not 100% up on chronology either is this all supposed to be happening consecutively or are there supposed to be major intervals anywhere.
― Stevolende, Monday, 28 December 2020 12:34 (three years ago) link
B1: first 1.5 seasons. B2: 2nd half S2+1st half S3. B3: 2nd half S3. B4: S4. B5: S5, with backstory in B plots of S4.
Some characters that have died in the series didn't get resolutions in the books.
So far, everything in the series is chronological. By season 5, years have passed since Julie Mao disappeared. In the books, Rocinante is a working ship, not wholly dependent on Fred Johnson's charity. It's glossed in the books that it's taken on other jobs between books 2 & 3, and between books 3 & 4, like anti-piracy patrol for the Belt and high-value transport, that keep the crew in fuel & kibble.
― A Like Supreme (Sanpaku), Monday, 28 December 2020 13:58 (three years ago) link
Cool, thanks
― Stevolende, Monday, 28 December 2020 15:43 (three years ago) link
some of the series characters are composites (kinda) of book characters (e.g. Drummer) - though I think this was covered upthread. I was watching Season 4 when Covid hit (9 months ago lol) and stopped because too close for comfort ... I finished it the other night and started on Season 5.
― sarahell, Tuesday, 29 December 2020 19:54 (three years ago) link
I liked the futuristic DeWalt product placement
― sarahell, Tuesday, 29 December 2020 19:55 (three years ago) link
yeah I like a bit of DeWalt. The unstoppable robot spider had a brand name on it as well I think.
― calzino, Tuesday, 29 December 2020 19:58 (three years ago) link
disappointed it wasn't DeWalt trademark yellow
― sarahell, Tuesday, 29 December 2020 20:14 (three years ago) link
it would be a bugger if you forgot to fully charge it before tasking it with such an important cargo!
― calzino, Tuesday, 29 December 2020 20:44 (three years ago) link
lmao
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Tuesday, 29 December 2020 21:49 (three years ago) link
Wouldn't be surprised if Frederick W. Smith (founder of FedEx and Alcon Entertainment) had some ownership interest in Spectrum Brands to smooth the brand placement.
― A Like Supreme (Sanpaku), Wednesday, 30 December 2020 14:41 (three years ago) link
more than anything else I'm watching right now, this season just has such a compelling STORY
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 30 December 2020 17:20 (three years ago) link
what a concept
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 30 December 2020 17:21 (three years ago) link
unstoppable robot spider said "Savage" on it iirc -- was disappointed it wasn't a Hilti as the colors were right
― sarahell, Wednesday, 30 December 2020 18:22 (three years ago) link
the amos scenes in this ep have Cube energy
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 30 December 2020 18:40 (three years ago) link
this last episode was a fuckin crackerinaros really turning into a very enjoyably hatable villain
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 3 January 2021 20:47 (three years ago) link
this is the first time in years I'm eagerly waiting for a new ep of a series to drop - it's so good right now.
― calzino, Sunday, 3 January 2021 21:20 (three years ago) link
it really is. however i’ve completely forgotten the basis for amos’ tender connection with “peaches” i.e. melba i.e. julie mao’s sister clarissa. didn’t she frame holden for a previous opa bombing??
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Sunday, 3 January 2021 22:52 (three years ago) link
whoa was that who that was?! that makes more sense, I thought it was some random new plot element from his criminal past but you are right. I assume he was seeing her for reasons yet unknown.
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Sunday, 3 January 2021 23:12 (three years ago) link
that episode totally fucking ruled, obviously, the shock wave taking out UN1 was A++
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Sunday, 3 January 2021 23:13 (three years ago) link
In the book they transport her back to earth from the ring gate for trial. It’s takes months to cover the distance and at some point they let her out and Amos and her form a bond repairing stuff on the rocinante, which is beat up after the slow zone incident.
Everything is a bit foreshortened in the tv series but the better pacing suits it. The inaros stuff is a bit turgid in the book.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Sunday, 3 January 2021 23:50 (three years ago) link
ah, thanks for context
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Sunday, 3 January 2021 23:52 (three years ago) link
I never know if booksplaining is a good idea or not but this bit sets up probably the best sequence in the books, Amos on earth, and how it’s unfolding so far on screen is really gripping.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Sunday, 3 January 2021 23:56 (three years ago) link
yep, cuz he is fucked now, there ain't gonna be some easy way offplanet
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Monday, 4 January 2021 00:11 (three years ago) link
So after trying to wait to get whole season broke down, and that means half way (or more) through season already
as always amos and chrissy (!) were/are joys, apart and def together
think thy've, which has been ongoing, done great job of combining/compressing storylines from booksin re that though, and responding to cpl above comments - maybe wasnt ultra clear but think not just in books but in show they have
1. made clear that the rocinante doesn't just depend on goodwill of fred johnson - the whole point of in (s 3?) transporting the journalists, lead of whom is back in this season but whose name i'm blanking is that that was a pay job - fred just gives them a friends/family discount on repairs not full subsidy for adventures
2. re peaches/clarissa mao- not just a book thing but when they are transporting her back for trial (again s3, end) she is working with amos on ship repairs and it comes up that he intentionally gave her option of committing suicide as opposed to facing life in prison, feeling that wld be a choice he'd want in that position. her belief she deserves to face trial/punishment is when he told her (bad paraphrase/memory) - then take the shit they give you and just grind out your time giving nothing back. a line she repeats to him when he comes to visit her and she realises he's really there.
think for amos who we've seen clings to codes he's gained from others or maybe more tries to live by the codes of others he sees as better, saw a chance to maybe serve as a compass for someone else who is even more lost lost (and love amos having to serve as moral compass for lost person)
but yeah, have been pushing the show on friends for years now and restarted now new season is back - and great
― H in Addis, Monday, 4 January 2021 15:06 (three years ago) link
Ah yes, Amos give her a chance to space herself.
― calzino, Monday, 4 January 2021 15:13 (three years ago) link
this show is finally properly "GOT (but good) in space" and I love it
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 14:02 (three years ago) link
the Amos standoff / Clarissa attack sequence is good as hell!!
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 14:10 (three years ago) link
killer closing line (straight from the books I'd guess), great delivery from Chatham
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 14:28 (three years ago) link
some more thoughts up to 5.06
The Marco/Naomi scene where they're openly talking in medieval terms (not to mention the mention of "rallying to his banner") had me chuckling in its sheer GOTness. also, I think Marco is a fantastic villain. the guy plays him with just the right mix of petulance, arrogance, and conviction.
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 6 January 2021 14:58 (three years ago) link
it occurs to me that Marco’s a lot like a dog chasing a car
― mh, Wednesday, 6 January 2021 15:46 (three years ago) link
re Amos & Clarissa -- I think some of the bond between them is the darkness/anger/sociopathy aspect of their personalities that aren't just completely chaotic or mercenary. Like, there's a kindred spirit aspect there, as well as the fascination that they come from opposite social strata.
Also, the polyamorous sex-positive belter pod is in the books. This wasn't an invention of the show to make things sexy on a show that doesn't have as much sex as comparable programs (e.g. Game of Thrones lol)
― sarahell, Thursday, 7 January 2021 01:50 (three years ago) link
I hadn't even really paid enough attention to those characters to notice they had a polycule going tbh
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Thursday, 7 January 2021 03:37 (three years ago) link
everyone on Drummer’s ship right now (at least before they met up with Marco)? polycule
― mh, Thursday, 7 January 2021 17:19 (three years ago) link
the "Clarissa goes ham on the weirdo" sequence was, I daresay, slightly Lynchian!
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Thursday, 7 January 2021 18:57 (three years ago) link
Showxiating
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 7 January 2021 21:50 (three years ago) link
think for amos who we've seen clings to codes he's gained from others or maybe more tries to live by the codes of others he sees as better
pretty much called the end of yesterday's episode!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 8 January 2021 00:18 (three years ago) link
this was intense. did not expect the Last Of Us vibes!so happy for bobbie and and alex. they deserve it.absolutely cannot wait for the next episode. too far away!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 8 January 2021 00:44 (three years ago) link
Drummer's Faction: RequirementsLoyaltyLoveDedicationand being really, really, really ridiculously good looking #TheExpanse506— Aspect of Dan (@Garcian_Smith) January 8, 2021
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 8 January 2021 00:54 (three years ago) link
Dawes is, AFAWK, still alive, right? I wonder if we'll get one last Jared Harris appearance.
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Friday, 8 January 2021 01:56 (three years ago) link
holy fuck these last two eps were good
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Friday, 8 January 2021 06:43 (three years ago) link
Marco looks like such a high school drama teacher.
― DJI, Friday, 8 January 2021 17:44 (three years ago) link
and the silly little han solo stripe down the side of his space trousers!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 8 January 2021 17:45 (three years ago) link
E06 best of this season so far - six separate story threads weaving around and incredibly exciting and well edited rather than overstuffing. Major LOLs at Bobbie's HUD display showing the Belter boarding party as "Low Threat"
― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 9 January 2021 08:06 (three years ago) link
I think this is the first time there's been a ton of different plots and none of them are boring
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Saturday, 9 January 2021 14:29 (three years ago) link
yeah nice to see Bobbie in her armor again
everything abt that EP totally ruled, the smug Belter prisoner was done really well because the foreshadowing was just vague enough
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Saturday, 9 January 2021 17:00 (three years ago) link
seems improbable
― mookieproof, Thursday, 14 January 2021 05:01 (three years ago) link
She injected herself with pure liquid plot armour.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 14 January 2021 05:54 (three years ago) link
I'm just wondering if injecting yourself in zero g with zero surface pressure would be a good idea. You wouldn't find blood not being contained by the skin or something would you. Like, never seen it done but would be wondering how wise a move it would be.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 14 January 2021 10:12 (three years ago) link
idk it was a bit silly but many many silly things happen on this show
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Thursday, 14 January 2021 10:19 (three years ago) link
a sci-fi tv series without preposterousness is like trying to imagine germany without hitler sausages!
― calzino, Thursday, 14 January 2021 10:27 (three years ago) link
I think they get the preposterousness/gritty realness balance quite correct in this show
― calzino, Thursday, 14 January 2021 10:42 (three years ago) link
Made for a good cliffhanger so I’ll take the hokum.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Thursday, 14 January 2021 11:00 (three years ago) link
if you're not a regular on the Roci are you even real
more on 5.07:
As hokey as the space jump itself was, I was glad it meant the end of Naomi on Marco's ship - I already felt like that story was threatening to run in circles. This was maybe the only episode of the season where it felt like a lot of the plots were just kind of proceeding apace rather than reaching some kind of important new juncture. That said, ice fucking cold ending for Brent Sexton's character. Also, I thought the little glimpses of younger Naomi and baby Filip were tastefully handled.
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Thursday, 14 January 2021 12:30 (three years ago) link
https://www.cnet.com/news/what-happens-to-the-unprotected-human-body-in-space/
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Thursday, 14 January 2021 12:33 (three years ago) link
Was going to say--Naomi's dive was unlikely but not preposterous, especially with whatever stimulanty thing was in the needle (can't remember what it was in the books). The main thing that bothered me was her touching the outside of the ship with bare skin because that metal would be close to -273 degrees C.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 15 January 2021 00:48 (three years ago) link
I don't even care for the fictional credulity ... that it was a powerfully dramatic (daft) moment that left me eagerly waiting for the next instalment is good enough for me.
― calzino, Friday, 15 January 2021 00:57 (three years ago) link
yupit was oxygenated blood, same thing they gave to....journalist lady
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Friday, 15 January 2021 03:13 (three years ago) link
the first 30 minutes of this dragged, could have used some editing imo (i.e. Simon otm)
then it got good again
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Friday, 15 January 2021 15:53 (three years ago) link
The whole family-reunion plotline mostly sucked IMO. I hate Marco, but not in the way the writers want me to.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Friday, 15 January 2021 16:13 (three years ago) link
haha so true
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Friday, 15 January 2021 16:15 (three years ago) link
i didn't like it, but it could have been much worse imo
― mookieproof, Friday, 15 January 2021 16:17 (three years ago) link
I like him in actual command mode (like when he gave his big address to the system), but we definitely got too many scenes of him being petty and small - it kinda overshadowed the menace.
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Friday, 15 January 2021 16:22 (three years ago) link
Just imagining him stamping his feet and yelling "regional theater IS real theater!"
― DJI, Friday, 15 January 2021 16:39 (three years ago) link
looool
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Friday, 15 January 2021 16:43 (three years ago) link
I just had the idea that if she punctured skin while not wearing a suit in space she might just wind up with things streaming out of the hole. But maybe that's not the way an injection works at that point in history.JUst surely if there's no external pressure then surely everything will be rushing to get out.
BUt I guess it looked good and leaves a cliffhanger.
― Stevolende, Friday, 15 January 2021 16:43 (three years ago) link
omg DJI lmaoooo
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 15 January 2021 22:53 (three years ago) link
yeah it was getting stale, they’d had those Very Intense conversations about 5 times eachFilip’s heel turn took me by surprise - it seemed as though he’d genuinely reconnected w Naomithe battle between the Roci and the drone was a+++++
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 15 January 2021 22:57 (three years ago) link
So one thing I’m confused about - when that ship was destroyed, was the sample on the ship; or had somebody gotten it off at that point?
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 16 January 2021 00:43 (three years ago) link
it is unclear, imo (I have not read the books)
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Saturday, 16 January 2021 00:50 (three years ago) link
i've seen it claimed that the ship fired off a bluish missile before blowing up
in any case, there's no way in hell the sample got destroyed that easily
― mookieproof, Saturday, 16 January 2021 01:20 (three years ago) link
Ya that would have been mighty anticlimactic
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 16 January 2021 01:21 (three years ago) link
we don't know for sure but i don't think holden does either.. hence "fuck!"
millions of proto-bits flying with full inertia 360 degrees from the explosion would be pretty hard to track down
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 16 January 2021 01:25 (three years ago) link
when someone fires fast movers missiles at you and you try to shoot them, how big do you think your bullets have to be?
― mookieproof, Saturday, 16 January 2021 01:28 (three years ago) link
just big enough to rip a hole in them i reckon.. did i mention already how awesome the fight was? the fight was awesome.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 16 January 2021 01:36 (three years ago) link
“want one of my old medals?”
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 16 January 2021 17:03 (three years ago) link
I made a mini version of #TheExpanse Rocinante galley wall light plant lamp thing pic.twitter.com/j7u2bY4jS0— Darren Schwindaman (@djschwin) January 17, 2021
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 17 January 2021 20:58 (three years ago) link
excellent way to end this week’s episode. I was hoping they’d let that scenario play out
― mh, Wednesday, 20 January 2021 01:23 (three years ago) link
if this episode had been just the Naomi scenes it would have been a classic
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 20 January 2021 04:19 (three years ago) link
unfortunately the rest was mostly very dull
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 20 January 2021 04:20 (three years ago) link
Forgive the thread spam, but I wanted to note that this show's 2020 season is nominated in the 2020 ILX TV poll:
ILX's Best Television of 2020 Poll / VOTING AND CAMPAIGNING THREAD / Voting Ends After January 29, 2021
If you like this show and you'd like to see it have a good showing in the poll (running in February) all you need to do is submit a ballot including it and your other favorites (3 minimum, 25 maximum, ranked by your favorite to least favorite) to forksclovetofu at gmail. It'll take five minutes; get to it!
― the serious avant-garde universalist right now (forksclovetofu), Thursday, 21 January 2021 19:42 (three years ago) link
non-naomi scenes dull? - drummer and her crew and tensions there? the UN Sec-Gen deliberations as to reactions to the strikes? pee breaks?
ok, holden scene and alex scene were not particularly exciting but still pushing story forward
― H in Addis, Friday, 22 January 2021 15:24 (three years ago) link
Holden is absolutely the most boring character on this show. It's like biting into a Tootsie Pop and finding a ball of dry lint.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Friday, 22 January 2021 15:30 (three years ago) link
I don't know if the Amos actor can handle being a character who is more than a cipher.
Lots about saving the Roci in this episode which seems like much smaller stakes than in previous stories.
― wasdnuos (abanana), Friday, 22 January 2021 15:36 (three years ago) link
drummer and her crew and tensions there?
I hated this scene lol, the bit/supporting actors on this show are mostly very wooden and it's a consistent problem
I don't know if the Amos actor can handle being a character who is more than a cipher
Wes Chatham is totally delightful to me in this tbh
Strait has gotten a little easier for me to take over the years (mostly thanks to crew/cast rapport) but yeah I can't imagine anyone watching for him.
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Friday, 22 January 2021 15:49 (three years ago) link
feels like very little happened in this one
― mookieproof, Friday, 22 January 2021 15:51 (three years ago) link
i am very much enjoying this season but i was very much not enjoying naomi on marco's ship, just very badly written and acted all around, marco in particular, yikes.
feel like the belt not being able to make its own air and water would be a huge thing everyone would have in mind at all times as a political issue re: independence, didn't any of these people watch total recall??
― goole, Monday, 25 January 2021 03:24 (three years ago) link
he’s certainly a step down from straithairn and jared harris.. i dunno, in a way it just makes him even more bad and hated for me so it sorta worksthe endless urgently whispered threats to an imprisoned naomi do get v repetitive after awhile though. it’s one thing to see her helpless and want her to escape; it’s another for maybe your most iconic character to be stuck in jail for a whole season
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 25 January 2021 08:36 (three years ago) link
i think my favourite bit of wtf writing was after naomi has already assaulted his head engineer with a wrench and they’ve essentially expressed their undying enmity towards each other, the writers needed a way for naomi to get to the airlock so inaros says “look i’m giving you the liberty of the ship.. but if you try anything, i’ll be watching you!!!” let naomi hack her way out of her cell or something at least sheesh
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 25 January 2021 08:40 (three years ago) link
When you have high-speed interplanetary travel the belt and outer planet moon systems are full of water ice you can tow where it's needed and crack for oxygen. It's live soil and food that are the issues.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Monday, 25 January 2021 10:41 (three years ago) link
THat was Naomi's parents taht were with the belter army wasn't it? Mother now on the ship with the female captain and expressing surprise that Naomi might be alive at the end of the episode after having been the one to say that she was dead. NOt exactly expressing maternal feelings so is she mother or step mother?
― Stevolende, Monday, 25 January 2021 10:53 (three years ago) link
Hmm no I don't think so. Do you mean the badass Black belter from Inaros' ship who's now on Drummer's as a result of a purported crew swap? I don't think she's related to Naomi - she just said that she used to know Naomi back in the day.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 25 January 2021 11:53 (three years ago) link
We found out that Drummer's eyeshadow is actual makeup and not tattooed on.
― Sammy Agar-Agar (Leee), Monday, 25 January 2021 17:09 (three years ago) link
xxp - uh, those women are not related, in fact I am pretty sure that woman is/was a romantic rival
― sarahell, Monday, 25 January 2021 18:01 (three years ago) link
the way she suggested to Marco in a previous episode that if he wanted Naomi spaced, rather than have Phillip do it, she would do a better job of it
― sarahell, Monday, 25 January 2021 18:05 (three years ago) link
hard to argue with tbf
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 25 January 2021 18:36 (three years ago) link
she's just not very maternal innit
― Stevolende, Monday, 25 January 2021 19:02 (three years ago) link
alas all this "naomi in peril" stuff should have been greatly condensed
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 27 January 2021 22:15 (three years ago) link
The "Marco and Philip hug and cry" scene in this week's episode could definitely have been cut. Glad to see the Amos-visits-Earth plot resolve in a somewhat interesting way, though.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Wednesday, 27 January 2021 23:20 (three years ago) link
unfortunately the writing for Clarissa is hopelessly inconsistent
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Wednesday, 27 January 2021 23:24 (three years ago) link
Amos ruled, as usual. "Nobody ever starts over because they never really leave anything behind"
"why does he call you Peaches?"
"I have no idea. Why do you call him Timmy. Do I even want to ask?"
"I wouldn't"
was great as well
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Thursday, 28 January 2021 04:54 (three years ago) link
and I like the Naomi scenes, she's slowly figuring out bits and pieces of a solution, it's all silent, very tense
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Thursday, 28 January 2021 04:55 (three years ago) link
the Marcos/Philip tears should have been cut for more Clarissa/Erich banter imo
I'm wondering with Naomi, has she slept since she arrived on the ship. has she any food on the ship since I would assume it was stripped when it was booby trapped. Also including what's the story on air supply? NOt sure how that is sorted for any vehicle and assume that there must be a limited supply available, is it contiunually reprocessed by shipboard equipment or is it something one buys a supply of taht one carries with one?
I mean she's on a ship that was only really supposed to be present for one very limited reason and therefore shouldn't really be set up for human survival should it?
― Stevolende, Thursday, 28 January 2021 10:59 (three years ago) link
yup, they stripped almost everything out of there and she’s running out of time
― mh, Thursday, 28 January 2021 16:08 (three years ago) link
I found the Naomi scenes super tense and gut wrenching last week. this week I was just like....I get it, yknow?
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Thursday, 28 January 2021 16:09 (three years ago) link
The casting for this show is so weird -- "you give off bible camp counselor vibes -- you're perfect for dystopian Baltimore crime boss!"
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 28 January 2021 18:21 (three years ago) link
why are there so many canadians in baltimore
― stylish but illegal (Simon H.), Thursday, 28 January 2021 18:22 (three years ago) link
it does seem like they have really fucked up the pacing for naomi’s story. this week’s episode ends almost exactly like last week’s. the inaros family psychodrama stuff is interesting only insofar as it gets you to big moments of decision or conflict and those have been thin on the ground.absolutely phenomenal escape from earth. what started as a slightly shonky low-budg children of men homage became surprisingly stressful and the last gasp where amos goes back for the gang member (who had earlier helped him out of a similar scrape!) was bananas - at first i was like omg amos, you’re not rescuing them only in order to use them as a human shield??! but then they came up firing with a backup handgun as amos dragged them back towards the ship!! a+ teamwork
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 29 January 2021 23:29 (three years ago) link
xxp Erich was more physically frail in the book! Part of the history was that he was the more frail, but very hackerish, of the duo. Timmy (Amos) was the one who protected him as the muscle
― mh, Saturday, 30 January 2021 19:50 (three years ago) link
yeah if anything he should be skinnier. mostly I just don't like how canadian he sounds lol
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Saturday, 30 January 2021 20:27 (three years ago) link
i'm finally caught up and I've pretty much adopted Avasarala's "whereever I goddamn like" whenever anybody asks where I'm going or what I'm getting at.
― if Spaghetti-Os had whammy bars (Neanderthal), Saturday, 30 January 2021 20:29 (three years ago) link
her screen career is really something
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Saturday, 30 January 2021 20:31 (three years ago) link
What was Amos doing to Hutch's (Erich's enforcer) body at the end? Sealing the bullet holes so blood wouldn't get everywhere?
― RandPaul's Drag Race (Leee), Saturday, 30 January 2021 23:28 (three years ago) link
possibly, I guess due to lack of gravity?
― if Spaghetti-Os had whammy bars (Neanderthal), Sunday, 31 January 2021 02:34 (three years ago) link
wonder what Havelock is up to rn
― if Spaghetti-Os had whammy bars (Neanderthal), Sunday, 31 January 2021 02:37 (three years ago) link
Yeah was wondering of she'd totally had it or could recover at all.
Some amount of destruction left in their wake though. I thought those vehicles were like holiday hoppers so suppose that can't have been the normal effect. Every time they take off the owner has to rebuild the family pile.
― Stevolende, Sunday, 31 January 2021 08:13 (three years ago) link
the ship’s computer had said that the blast doors weren’t closed yet and Erich (?) said fuck it and took off anyway
― mh, Sunday, 31 January 2021 14:39 (three years ago) link
oh right, thought it might be a little expensive otherwise
― Stevolende, Sunday, 31 January 2021 14:40 (three years ago) link
Yea he incinerated the pursuers, the homes and everything else were collateral damage.
― if Spaghetti-Os had whammy bars (Neanderthal), Sunday, 31 January 2021 14:41 (three years ago) link
Weirdly the Amos/"Peaches" of that ep felt reminiscent of the end of the movie Wind River to an extent. The atmosphere of the shootout in the dark was well done.
― if Spaghetti-Os had whammy bars (Neanderthal), Sunday, 31 January 2021 14:43 (three years ago) link
Pacing is nuts -- does Avasarala's reclaiming the iron throne take more time in the books?
― Philip Nunez, Tuesday, 2 February 2021 01:24 (three years ago) link
She doesn't lose the election in the first place in the books, from memory.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Tuesday, 2 February 2021 01:58 (three years ago) link
since we didn't see the plane go down, i'm sure Gao will return looking like Toxie from Toxic Avenger and reclaim her right to the throne
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Tuesday, 2 February 2021 01:59 (three years ago) link
that was it? all the naomi stuff was just timekilling bullshit?
― wasdnuos (abanana), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 03:14 (three years ago) link
yeeaaaahhh not a great back half overall
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 04:44 (three years ago) link
i think it was undone by the expectedly awkward handling of Alex due to having to fire Cas Anvar. a lot of it felt very holding pattern.
though WTF happened at the end?
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 05:01 (three years ago) link
omg it's the Unknown Aggressors that killed the Builders innit?
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 05:11 (three years ago) link
one season to go, it'd have to be
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 07:11 (three years ago) link
I know they were in a shitty situation but was that really the best solution they could find? makes me think the call was made pretty damn late in production
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 07:14 (three years ago) link
I'm sure that's what happened. It's just weird because of how it was executed. It was a Chekhov's stroke. Also considering all of the adventures they'd been on together and how they usually reacted when one of their own was in danger, they were surprisingly disaffected by Alex's death
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 13:41 (three years ago) link
I guess my question would be what would this chunk of season have been like "according to plan"? does it explain stranding naomi wordlessly on a ship for three full episodes? what would have been the endgame and how did having to kill Alex off ruin it?
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 14:13 (three years ago) link
anyway, the first five episodes were some of the best they've ever done and there was still lots of great stuff in the other ones, but it's a shame they didn't knock this one out of the park like it seemed they would. I will say that technically the show's never been better- loved the sound design on Bobbie's rescue of Naomi, and the wonderful "fucked up digital video artifacts" effects in the ending scene. also laughed very hard at Amos' little speech to Holden and the reveal that followed
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 14:21 (three years ago) link
makes me think the call was made pretty damn late in production
based on this photo, i would say so
don't really understand why there was *so much* stranded naomi and then such a rush at the end, tho. did no one even bother talking to drummer?
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 3 February 2021 15:30 (three years ago) link
his arc about losing his family would have played in nicely with amos and james saying they were family now.
― wasdnuos (abanana), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:02 (three years ago) link
yeah I get the sense they were finally going to pay off all that stuff next season. oh well lol
the existence of that photograph is extremely funny to me
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:03 (three years ago) link
they should have just said Alex was 'visiting family' for two seasons
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:04 (three years ago) link
anyway on balance I think this was still the second best season (behind s3)
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:04 (three years ago) link
but this whole situation epitomizes poochie.png
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:06 (three years ago) link
i'm majorly excited about next season.
sad that Freddie Lounds is dead now
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:07 (three years ago) link
The polycule was such a missed opportunity for some actually interesting interpersonal drama, oh well.
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:30 (three years ago) link
next year introduces the fartmolecule
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 3 February 2021 16:31 (three years ago) link
there are some really attractive people in this series (canadians)
― mookieproof, Thursday, 4 February 2021 00:18 (three years ago) link
laughed very hard at Amos' little speech to Holden and the reveal that followed
Best scene in the whole episode, especially the end with Holden just staring off into space like he'd been hit between the eyes with a hammer.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Thursday, 4 February 2021 00:20 (three years ago) link
haha yeah it took me a moment when I realized what he was setting up.
also how does Peaches trigger her mods? they always show her like closing her eyes and biting down and her eyes dilate and suddenly she's ripping people's limbs off
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 00:24 (three years ago) link
― mookieproof, Wednesday, February 3, 2021 7:18 PM bookmarkflaglink
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 00:25 (three years ago) link
i think Drummer is my favorite character, wish we'd had more of her this year. though her playing off of Ashford was the best
Drummer is a tv series invention/concatenation -- and yeah she's rad. ... There is a lot of deviation from the books at this point, and I am behind a couple episodes
― sarahell, Thursday, 4 February 2021 00:26 (three years ago) link
my friend keeps giving me the "this is how it went in the books" spiel, which I would read, except I am currently reading Bruce Dickinson's autobiography so
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 00:27 (three years ago) link
interesting to know she's a series-specific character!
my friend also said he was shocked by the ending because it sets up things that are 30-some odd years away in the books
i also wonder at what point they learned that they'd been renewed
haha i'd kind of wondered if drummer's expansion into a regular was a response to fandom
― mookieproof, Thursday, 4 February 2021 00:36 (three years ago) link
that scene where her and Ashford were trapped and singing old Belter songs to each other to comfort each other was a great scene
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 00:39 (three years ago) link
I am currently reading Bruce Dickinson's autobiography
Oof. I read that a couple of years ago (if it's the one I'm thinking of; he may have written another since).
― but also fuck you (unperson), Thursday, 4 February 2021 01:05 (three years ago) link
― Wrong Screamed Barney (Neanderthal), Wednesday, February 3, 2021 4:27 PM (fifty-six minutes ago)
she's partially based on a character in the books and her story is kinda combined with that of another character, who actually does exist in the show now but his earlier story was allocated to drummer
― sarahell, Thursday, 4 February 2021 01:26 (three years ago) link
iirc the s5/s6 renewal happened at once
also they're saying they consider the s6 ending a "pause" which scares me
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Thursday, 4 February 2021 01:30 (three years ago) link
I was discussing the season with a friend and realized the scope of how much stuff they quite possibly had to rearrange or excise, going back through the whole season, thanks to cas fucking anvar
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Thursday, 4 February 2021 01:31 (three years ago) link
like for example all those scenes of bobbie and alex doing basically nothing but sitting in the ship reading diagnostics...did they have bantz to go with that originally?
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Thursday, 4 February 2021 01:32 (three years ago) link
The book writers seem to be pretty clear that it's ending at the end of s6.
also how does Peaches trigger her mods? In the books it's a certain tongue/mouth gesture combination, I think?
Just saw that Cara Gee was 8 months pregnant during the shooting of her S5 scenes, but you wouldn't have known it from the final shots.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtB8jJFXIAMKAc3?format=jpg&name=large
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 4 February 2021 01:40 (three years ago) link
that's when cara geetakes a tug upon the stringthat held the line of marco's free navy
― mookieproof, Thursday, 4 February 2021 01:45 (three years ago) link
it's the end of Anvar as we know it ...
― sarahell, Thursday, 4 February 2021 02:21 (three years ago) link
thank you for not leaving me hanging <3
― mookieproof, Thursday, 4 February 2021 02:27 (three years ago) link
And everyone's getting fatExcept Anvar, Cas
― he said that you son of a bitch (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 02:29 (three years ago) link
also how does Peaches trigger her mods?
in the books, it looks like a moment of concentration to others but she is basically circling her tongue against the roof of her mouth in a certain way
― mh, Thursday, 4 February 2021 02:30 (three years ago) link
this ruled, great ep
― goole, Thursday, 4 February 2021 04:52 (three years ago) link
I mean, I want them to cover *more* materialoverall but they could really do most of the published series in two moreThe last one is *redacted* shit with the “red” faction, they could do really great things with Marco, the hub outside the ring... because I breezed past too quickly in the books, but it’s all tension
― mh, Thursday, 4 February 2021 05:00 (three years ago) link
Wtf was that that happened at the very end?!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 4 February 2021 07:52 (three years ago) link
That was awesome. I’ve really enjoyed the Naomi sections in the show, absolutely gripping.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Thursday, 4 February 2021 10:10 (three years ago) link
xp If it's like the books, which I've only read a summary of, they got eaten by the enemies of the race that made the protomolecule.
― wasdnuos (abanana), Thursday, 4 February 2021 10:12 (three years ago) link
They finished filming Season 5 almost exactly a year ago and the allegations against Anvar didn't surface until a few months later so pretty sure they just filmed a few extra bits of dialogue to retcon his death into the finale. Might be wrong but looked to me like they just used am existing shot of Alex in his pilot chair and slowed it down or whatever to make it look like he was dead
― groovypanda, Thursday, 4 February 2021 11:27 (three years ago) link
yeah not going to bring him back in to shoot taht are they
― Stevolende, Thursday, 4 February 2021 11:30 (three years ago) link
Might be wrong but looked to me like they just used am existing shot of Alex in his pilot chair and slowed it down or whatever to make it look like he was dead
I had this thought too. Everything about that shot/moment was suuuuuper odd.
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Thursday, 4 February 2021 13:19 (three years ago) link
It all kinda sucks but they were in a horrible position and they also couldn't really give him a "hero's death" or whatever, so this was almost the only way out
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Thursday, 4 February 2021 13:21 (three years ago) link
that seems like a proper explanation, because when I saw him staring into space, I didn't notice the trickle of blood supposedly in his nose, and I started getting aggravated ('why the fuck isn't he answering Bobbie? this is so annoying!')
― he said that you son of a bitch (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 15:12 (three years ago) link
they could have perhaps added a reaction shot from Bobbie/Naomi without Alex on-screen when they boarded the craft that might have given a little more weight to the scene.
the clumsy 2 second explanation from Holden to Naomi reduced it to "aww man, Alex is dead? bummer. let's watch Jeopardy!"
― he said that you son of a bitch (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 15:15 (three years ago) link
I will say it's been interesting to sift through the Expanse subreddit. lots of talk about the potential impact of recasting, how it could impact the future, etc, but absolutely no one thinking he should have been kept on, which is nice to see
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Thursday, 4 February 2021 15:32 (three years ago) link
I wondered if Amos's guest was supposed to be a replacement pilot since she had been one in th eescape.
Did Amos ask after the character he'd been patching up in the airlock and find out she'd survived too?
― Stevolende, Thursday, 4 February 2021 15:55 (three years ago) link
sorry half asleep I thought I had hide to teh end of that post
― Stevolende, Thursday, 4 February 2021 15:56 (three years ago) link
Yes and yes she is fine
― he said that you son of a bitch (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 16:12 (three years ago) link
also laughed very hard at Amos' little speech to Holden and the reveal that followed
I LOL'd
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Thursday, 4 February 2021 16:22 (three years ago) link
this ep was super tense, I really thought Naomi was done for
In the books there were chapters that took place on Medina station (the former Behemoth that basically manages the ring entrance/exiting) about disappearing ships ... it makes sense these were excluded from the show because they were peripheral and didn't have any of the main characters.
― sarahell, Thursday, 4 February 2021 18:03 (three years ago) link
THOSE ARE BELTER EMERGENCY HAND SIGNALS!! let’s see, that one means low air.. that one means, i’m in trouble.. the third one, i’m not sure, it’s either the second code revision for canteen drone docking or it’s from the updated code that allowed any type of catering supply vessel.. hang on.. just going to enlarge this if i can..
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 4 February 2021 23:22 (three years ago) link
i was hoping they'd think she was dancing and start groovin on the Razorback
― he said that you son of a bitch (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 February 2021 23:25 (three years ago) link
sliiide to the left
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 4 February 2021 23:29 (three years ago) link
anyway this was excellent.i was waiting for filip to finally flip on his old man - which is either still on the cards or we’ll never hear from the family inaros again except in rumour, either of which would suit me fineappreciate all the observations upthread and agree with them mostly. it’s true that naomi’s harrowing ordeal didn’t really move the needle story-wise but it was totally gripping and great to see her get so much time to flex her chops (actually.. her brilliant and dramatic idea to hack the outgoing false rescue message... didn’t... really... have any effect on anything? did i miss something?)what did naomi order up a missile strike on, from her hospital bed, btw?i’m not sure the actress playing bobby gets enough credit for how consistently she maintains her pissed-at-the-world demeanour - and how despite being such a sourpuss she still manages to stay completely adorablei hope the shot of Grumpy Security Guy holding alex’s mug isn’t foreshadowing a continuing role for him. he’s a weak link imo
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 4 February 2021 23:30 (three years ago) link
naomi blew up the booby-trapped ship
― mookieproof, Thursday, 4 February 2021 23:36 (three years ago) link
xp Bobbi is my favorite I think, although Amos is great as well obv
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Thursday, 4 February 2021 23:53 (three years ago) link
mookie yeah that makes sense. i sometimes get them mixed up tbhthere was tremendous SPACE ACTION in this one. really outstanding.
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 4 February 2021 23:55 (three years ago) link
poor bobbie stuck with alex on the razorback spouting exposition almost all season :( :(
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Friday, 5 February 2021 00:08 (three years ago) link
better than being with Esai
― he said that you son of a bitch (Neanderthal), Friday, 5 February 2021 00:10 (three years ago) link
give the girl a decent plot next season I am begging you
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Friday, 5 February 2021 00:37 (three years ago) link
I hope we get more Marco next season ...
― sarahell, Friday, 5 February 2021 00:50 (three years ago) link
hey at least we got to see Bobbie do her body armor power move
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Friday, 5 February 2021 00:51 (three years ago) link
it would also be nice to see Jared Harris again
― sarahell, Friday, 5 February 2021 01:09 (three years ago) link
oh, I think they’ll give Marco his proper send-off
― mh, Friday, 5 February 2021 01:36 (three years ago) link
Jay Hernandez will come back, he's not been hangin around for a while
― he said that you son of a bitch (Neanderthal), Friday, 5 February 2021 02:03 (three years ago) link
Apparently the Martian power armour props cost $150,000 each.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 5 February 2021 05:31 (three years ago) link
well sure, if you're buying them on the black market ;)
― Überschadenfreude (sleeve), Friday, 5 February 2021 16:23 (three years ago) link
i made my own and wear it as i watch
― mark s, Friday, 5 February 2021 17:08 (three years ago) link
also i need to rewatch s4 and s5 (and possibly s3 also)
we need a breakdown of who is most annoying and who is most effective speaking belter (the most syncretic and chaotically code-shifting language in human history)
― mark s, Friday, 5 February 2021 17:10 (three years ago) link
I loved Jared Harris' swarthy, full bodied take on the belter accent
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Friday, 5 February 2021 17:12 (three years ago) link
It’s one of Drummer, Ashford, Dawes or Diogo.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Saturday, 6 February 2021 06:23 (three years ago) link
Just caught up on this season: another banger. The first two episodes were slower than I remember this show being, but during ep 3 I got so pulled in and ultimately I think it was my favorite season since S2. Amos's storyline was fantastic, totally loved all the trekking through a ravaged Earth stuff. I could have seen a whole season of that. I was moved by Naomi's family drama and her ordeal in the booby trapped ship. Her final rescue by Bobbie was also creatively depicted. Really, only Holden's storyline was boring and they wisely didn't spend much time on it. It did seem like Alex's death was glossed over, but that situation was probably handled as best as it could be. In summary, love this show
― Vinnie, Thursday, 25 February 2021 00:43 (three years ago) link
I was planning on taking a break before reading the next book in the series (B5, the one this series was based on) but after seeing S5, goddamn I can't wait to read the book either
― Vinnie, Thursday, 25 February 2021 00:48 (three years ago) link
my appropriately waif-like roommate is planning to audition to play a belter miner!
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Thursday, 25 February 2021 00:50 (three years ago) link
lol. make them practice the accent/lingo with you
― mookieproof, Thursday, 25 February 2021 00:52 (three years ago) link
friend of mine worked on the set last season. he said all face tattoos must be real. make sure to tell your roommate in advance.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 25 February 2021 01:22 (three years ago) link
Lol will they give a stipend to get one
― Red Nerussi (Neanderthal), Thursday, 25 February 2021 01:48 (three years ago) link
Fiiiinally caught up. Naomi stuff was the weirdest combination of super tense & completely baffling, never been so on the edge of my seat for something i could barely fathom lmao. great acting loved the Amos side adventure - honestly they could drag us to him attending space traffic-school and I’d still love itBobbi + Crisjen = 🎶 reunited and it feels so good🎶All the band is back together, all we need is some miller (somehow?) and we’ll be full circlefave characters ranked:1 Amos2 Bobbi3 Camina4 Chrisjen5 Naomi...and Holden last bc he’s such a goob so many great female characters in this show, such a blessing
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 28 February 2021 07:33 (three years ago) link
veg that's my ranking too
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Sunday, 28 February 2021 07:42 (three years ago) link
and Holden last bc he’s such a goob
agreed but 'there was a button and i pushed it' was great
― mookieproof, Sunday, 28 February 2021 07:50 (three years ago) link
i'd move bobbi down to 4th but thats just coz love chrisjen and drummer so muchcara gee really has been so good on this, anyone ever seen anything else she's been in?
― H in Addis, Sunday, 28 February 2021 11:14 (three years ago) link
she was in one episode of LETTERKENNY, eh?
almost didn’t recognize her without the eyelids
― mookieproof, Sunday, 28 February 2021 15:34 (three years ago) link
― mookieproof, Saturday, February 27, 2021 11:50 PM (yesterday
lol yeah!
― sarahell, Sunday, 28 February 2021 21:25 (three years ago) link
Although the authors have stated that they edit each other's chapters several times, Franck is the main writer on the chapters with Holden, Amos, Bobbie, and Anna as viewpoint characters, and Abraham writes Miller, Melba, Avasarala, Bull, Prax, Naomi, and Alex
I'm guessing Holden is a better character in the books -- in the TV show, all of Franck's other characters > all of Abraham's characters.
― wasdnuos (abanana), Monday, 1 March 2021 03:16 (three years ago) link
They're not very different (I don't care much for the book Holden or show Holden thus far) but I don't think Steven Strait is a great actor, which hurts the show character
― Vinnie, Monday, 1 March 2021 10:12 (three years ago) link
Strait has grown, or grown on me, a lot over the years tbh
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Monday, 1 March 2021 12:18 (three years ago) link
to put it another way, he's much easier for me to watch than Jon Snow despite essentially being Jon Space
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Monday, 1 March 2021 12:40 (three years ago) link
it's always sort of helped for me that he looks practically identical to one of my top HTFAC footballing heroes of the last decade, the German centre-back Christopher Schindler. So I just let it go that he's a pisspoor actor with zero charisma.
― calzino, Monday, 1 March 2021 12:47 (three years ago) link
Jon Space is a perfect description
― Vinnie, Monday, 1 March 2021 13:18 (three years ago) link
the Zeppo of the stars, if you will
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Monday, 1 March 2021 14:52 (three years ago) link
He's the blank slate handsome male lead who just knows how to do things, possible audience insert character. I think the writers know that is all he is and give him the material he's fated to have. That was probably the misstep with the alien technology planet -- they had this kind of interesting self-contained plot arc that added lore to the main story, but having it so Holden-centric on the ground was just kind of blah. The space stuff got short shrift in the show but it honestly was a lot of technical maneuvering and material shortages so there wasn't a lot for the screen there, either.
I guess his main bonus aspect is everyone can say "oh, it's so nice you're here to keep our forward momentum going, buddy!" while every other character is less boring
honestly, Alex was the second-most boring to me in the books, just this old-timey former military guy who was dodging his family and doing scutwork because he'd rather be on a job. not a huge loss as far as the show goes?
I think the fact the show was fairly gamed-out as a rpg-style exercise makes a lot of the choices make sense. Each character is a different class, and differing faction alliances and backstories. Holden has points allocated to leadership and pluckiness and his backstory is "hey I'm from the future and my family is some sort of collective child-raising/polycule thing" but not a lot beyond that
― mh, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 02:29 (three years ago) link
I actually quite like Strait, he has a weary glumness that rings true for someone who has been through all that shit.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 10:28 (three years ago) link
he's a bimbo who unexpectedly got involved in an intergalactic power struggle and is just tryina do good, and within those parameters he knocks it outta the park imo
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 11:43 (three years ago) link
sorry, interplanetary
he does do the glumness well
imagine, you’ve fucked off to an ice hauler gig and the galaxy finally gives you purpose in life and it’s just this never-ending series of bullshit
― mh, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 15:40 (three years ago) link
― mh, Wednesday, March 3, 2021 7:40 AM (twenty-four minutes ago)
honestly this is super relatable to me ... I do miss the Holden/Miller interplay
― sarahell, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 16:07 (three years ago) link
and also everyone in the galaxy knows who you are and mostly just finds you annoying
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 16:10 (three years ago) link
when you make the Right decisions that benefit the common good and no one group in particular, no one group will be your friends
― mh, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 16:12 (three years ago) link
and combine that with being the first one to tell people something they really don't want to hear. I do feel that he could be written better though -- there are some more interesting/funny bits in the books that the show doesn't use. It's like they're thinking, "isn't being the cute white guy in charge enough?"
― sarahell, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 16:15 (three years ago) link
I was sort of hoping the show would do more with his weird family/origins situation but it would pull attention from too many other characters I like better. This is the rare show that would actually benefit from longer seasons.
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 16:26 (three years ago) link
yeah, i don't really have a problem with with strait, holden was boring in books as well, so strait at least pretty when furrows brow the books don't really give anyone deep characterization so not much lost by portrayal and think show done great and better job of providing emotions and motivation to all
think someone posted above re show but i think just comes from books they were set up as RPG to begin with
― H in Addis, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 19:32 (three years ago) link
also he furrows his brow and frowns stoically so much of the time that when he does have occasion to crack a genuine smile it feels like a major moment, lol
― stimmy stimmy yah (Simon H.), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 20:09 (three years ago) link
every time holden smiles i genuinely think "wow that guy has such a nice, warm, inviting smile! i love this guy!"
― Clay, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 23:39 (three years ago) link
He's the straight man, his name is literally Strait. He's my least favorite of the major characters, but as an inert mass that the rest of the characters orbit around I guess he does the job. I don't know how much more a better actor could do with the part. Though Timothy Olyphant, e.g., might make it more interesting.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 3 March 2021 23:55 (three years ago) link
Recast everyone with it's always sunny players. Jimmi Simpson already played the same kind of mopey character in Westworld and Perpetual Grace.
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 4 March 2021 00:06 (three years ago) link
The Gang Opens an Intergalactic Alien Portal
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 4 March 2021 01:21 (three years ago) link
Fred Johnson may stay.https://i.redd.it/mqsgtpj4kql01.jpg
― Philip Nunez, Thursday, 4 March 2021 23:01 (three years ago) link
how the fuck did I not make the connection that Fred Johnson is Cutty from The Wire
― Red Nerussi (Neanderthal), Thursday, 4 March 2021 23:20 (three years ago) link
i.... dk!
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Thursday, 4 March 2021 23:42 (three years ago) link
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 5 March 2021 00:22 (three years ago) link
his range in acting is such that he was completely incognito
― mh, Friday, 5 March 2021 01:54 (three years ago) link
what makes little sense is when he showed up on Always Sunny, I said "that's Cutty" immediately, yet no reaction when I saw him on the Expanse
― Red Nerussi (Neanderthal), Friday, 5 March 2021 02:14 (three years ago) link
the game wasn't in him anymore
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 5 March 2021 19:18 (three years ago) link
in the books he survives the assassination
― sarahell, Tuesday, 23 March 2021 06:42 (two years ago) link
Drummer wasn't a fan favorite by then. There's certainly some influence of the show on the later books.
― A Like Supreme (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 23 March 2021 18:20 (two years ago) link
Cara Gee deserves immense credit for what she's done with that role. She rules.
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Tuesday, 23 March 2021 18:40 (two years ago) link
Yeah the show is playing out a bit differently than the books, moreso in the later seasons. I was surprised that some chunks of book 6 (which I just finished) were pulled into season 5 - I feel they'll have to add quite a bit of new or future material to season 6 to compensate. Incidentally book 6 was my least favorite thus far, didn't have enough to it, too many POVs
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 23 March 2021 23:19 (two years ago) link
started this up recently, about 6 episodes in, still on the fence
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Tuesday, 23 March 2021 23:21 (two years ago) link
noooo keep going it's so good. but honestly if those first 6 don't hook you it might just not be for you. by the time they escaped the Martian ship I was hooked.
― I like signing up to dead sites (sleeve), Tuesday, 23 March 2021 23:29 (two years ago) link
I'm convinced that the Rocinante is a sly reference to "Cygnus X-1" and "Hemispheres" by Rush
― Mr. Cacciatore (Moodles), Wednesday, 24 March 2021 02:05 (two years ago) link
Heh I knew of the Don Quixote reference but not the Rush one, seems likely to have inspired the books
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 02:09 (two years ago) link
I saw the Fred Jackson/Cutty guy in Walking Dead back when I was watching that. Think I've seen him elsewhere too.
Used to be a time when it seemed that there was only a small pool of black actors that were used at any one time. Like there were only 5 black actors permitted in Hollywood. So hope that is becoming a thing of the past.
― Stevolende, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 07:30 (two years ago) link
He's also in The Orville but you're unlikely to recognise him from that
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 07:59 (two years ago) link
yeah he's under prosthetics but I think he can be recognised a bit. Have managed to do that before. Did know who he was when you said taht. but may have looked it up before.THink he has been in a few things anyway.
― Stevolende, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 09:25 (two years ago) link
OH & probably nice that Expanse does seem to be using a pretty diverse array of ethnicities. Not read teh boooks yet so not sure to what extent that reflects teh source material.BUt does seem that there are diverse people in authority roles and things doesn't it.Which I hope more projects do
― Stevolende, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 09:31 (two years ago) link
I don't recall the books specifying any ethnicities but things like Avasarala's saris and last name give some hints
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 14:23 (two years ago) link
The main weakness in terms of representation on the show is that everyone is apparently cis, which is extra glaring cause, yknow, it's the future? I remember when Spartacus' showrunner announced that he was going to make an extremely horny and gay sci-fi series for Starz, but they pulled the plug at seemingly the last minute...someone still needs to make that show
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Wednesday, 24 March 2021 14:30 (two years ago) link
everyone is apparently cis
Except for Drummer and at least half her crew, sure.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Wednesday, 24 March 2021 14:39 (two years ago) link
mmmmmm you might want to look up what cis means! unless i’ve missed something (entirely possible)
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 24 March 2021 14:40 (two years ago) link
the wiki missed it too in that case
https://expanse.fandom.com/wiki/Camina_Drummer_(TV)
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Wednesday, 24 March 2021 14:45 (two years ago) link
I binged the whole series over the past month. No deep thoughts - it was compelling and fun ('cept season 4 dragged a bit). Can't say I would be first in line for space travel after watching the show, looks grueling.
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 14:46 (two years ago) link
yeah the most persistent message of the show is "space really really sucks ass" and you know what, they're right
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Wednesday, 24 March 2021 14:47 (two years ago) link
Begs the question why so many people end up living on Mars, the Belt, etc. Some combo of "space, the final frontier," Earth becoming miserable with overpopulation and limited jobs, and implication that the Belt starts out as a form of indentured servitude.
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 15:05 (two years ago) link
No, you're right; I see "cis" paired with "het" so often that I made the mental leap on my own.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Wednesday, 24 March 2021 15:10 (two years ago) link
xp I think the closest they get is a character using they/them pronoun
https://expanse.fandom.com/wiki/Liang_Goodfortune_(Books)
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 15:15 (two years ago) link
OH & probably nice that Expanse does seem to be using a pretty diverse array of ethnicities. Not read teh boooks yet so not sure to what extent that reflects teh source material.
A lot of the characters in the books have names that imply multi-racial identity. Avasarala and her husband are both Indian/South Asian in the books. I think in terms of ethnicity, the show is fairly loyal to the books -- though Naomi's physical description in the book is more white-seeming? I think? Maybe it's just that it mentions her hair being straight ... I don't remember well and please correct me if I'm wrong. I love Dominique Tipper as Naomi.
― sarahell, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 17:02 (two years ago) link
Nagata is a surname which can be either of Japanese (written: 永田 or 長田) or Fijian origin
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 19:51 (two years ago) link
I think Bobbie is Polynesian in the books too
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 20:03 (two years ago) link
There are probably details like Naomi's straight hair in the books that I totally ignored because whenever I see the show/movie first, I can't help but picture the actors in my head while reading
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 24 March 2021 23:14 (two years ago) link
Yeah, that this is a show that just has, eg, an Ojibwe space captain and it's just not even a plot point it just is part of the tapestry of the show, is cool.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 25 March 2021 02:12 (two years ago) link
It makes sense that it's more or less a "post-racial" future - there's still rampant and violent subjugation and discrimination, of course, it's just based on point of origin and political allegiance
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Thursday, 25 March 2021 02:27 (two years ago) link
it's kind of funny/weird that Holden is the whitest motherfucker on the show when he has eight parents or whatever
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Thursday, 25 March 2021 02:28 (two years ago) link
IIRC, when we meet the parents, one of Holden's fathers is of African background.
― A Like Supreme (Sanpaku), Friday, 26 March 2021 19:03 (two years ago) link
i don't remember meeting the parents?? when was that
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 26 March 2021 21:29 (two years ago) link
s1 I think?
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Friday, 26 March 2021 21:38 (two years ago) link
d'oh
― Li'l Brexit (Tracer Hand), Friday, 26 March 2021 21:53 (two years ago) link
avasarala goes to see them in S1 to learn more about what this Holden dude is up to.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 27 March 2021 00:27 (two years ago) link
And Avasarala is psychic so she decides Holden is a good egg based on the short time she spends with his mother.
― that's not my post, Saturday, 27 March 2021 01:13 (two years ago) link
The more parents the gooder the egg iirc
― Vinnie, Saturday, 27 March 2021 02:56 (two years ago) link
Think s1 on;y met one momthink meet more of the pod beginning of s4 when they visit earth before heading to ilus, naomi has to facetime with holden and inlaws as still cant handle earth grav
― H in Addis, Saturday, 27 March 2021 05:30 (two years ago) link
on revisit, s5 might be the most powerfully canadian season
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Saturday, 27 March 2021 23:18 (two years ago) link
1. a roommate has just started using tinder and the first expanse cast member has turned up, complete with belter face tats. unfortunately they did not match. but efforts continue.2. acc to the wiki, the members of Drummer's polycule are actually married? were we supposed to infer that at some point? if so we definitely missed it
― intern at pepe le pew research (Simon H.), Tuesday, 20 April 2021 15:25 (two years ago) link
After reading books 7 and 8 and seeing where they go, I'm bummed they won't get turned into TV (though the authors have vaguely said not to count it out)
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 21 April 2021 01:13 (two years ago) link
Yeah the large time jump between 6 and 7 means they could theoretically look to do it in five, ten years or whatever although the show has not leaned as heavily into all the Duarte stuff
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 21 April 2021 06:57 (two years ago) link
I can't wait that long - they gotta The Crown that shit and recast everyone. Well, keep Wes Chatham tho
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 21 April 2021 08:19 (two years ago) link
Just learned Wes Chatham and one of the two Expanse authors have a podcast: https://tyandthatguy.com/
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Sunday, 25 April 2021 08:05 (two years ago) link
Holy shit I thought this was me. https://t.co/I5HZ6RoP5N— Cara Gee (@CaraGeeeee) April 26, 2021
― groovypanda, Monday, 26 April 2021 17:21 (two years ago) link
I watched the first three episodes of this based on its seeming popularity around here. Does it get better?
― Gwar ina Babyon (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 5 September 2021 22:32 (two years ago) link
Yes
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 5 September 2021 22:38 (two years ago) link
Okay, thanks. Because right now it just seems under lit and underwritten.
― Gwar ina Babyon (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 5 September 2021 22:41 (two years ago) link
It’s the 4th or 5th ep where it starts to improve iirc, and then it keeps getting better. The finale is v tense
― Chuck_Tatum, Sunday, 5 September 2021 22:41 (two years ago) link
The first episodes definitely suck
― Chuck_Tatum, Sunday, 5 September 2021 22:42 (two years ago) link
will probably remain under-lit tho
― mookieproof, Monday, 6 September 2021 01:25 (two years ago) link
yep. adds necessary moodiness
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 6 September 2021 01:53 (two years ago) link
besides the characters yet to appear “light up the screen all on their own” (robin leach voice)
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 6 September 2021 01:54 (two years ago) link
Heh, lighting has actually improved, even whilst remaining somewhat twilit.
― Gwar ina Babyon (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 6 September 2021 02:32 (two years ago) link
you’ll want underlighting on all your shows when you’re done: regular tv will require sunglasses
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 6 September 2021 02:42 (two years ago) link
Heh
― Gwar ina Babyon (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 6 September 2021 15:33 (two years ago) link
forgot about the hole in the cathode layer
― Duke Detain (Neanderthal), Monday, 6 September 2021 15:46 (two years ago) link
S1E4&5 were good as you say and am now officially into this and on E6. Anderson Dawes has an accent like Hugh Masekela.
― What Does Blecch Mean to Me? (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 6 September 2021 21:07 (two years ago) link
yeah once the SPOILER Martian warship that took them hostage gets wasted and they barely escape AGAIN, the story really gets going
― sleeve, Monday, 6 September 2021 23:08 (two years ago) link
it's different interesting in that they fool you into what the main narrative is going to be for the first season.
― Duke Detain (Neanderthal), Tuesday, 7 September 2021 00:22 (two years ago) link
The scene where Nico shows Gunny how to walk like a human is so well done.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Saturday, 2 October 2021 04:15 (two years ago) link
Guy Molinari?
― He POLLS So Much About These Zings (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 2 October 2021 14:38 (two years ago) link
Smack dab in the middle of S2, in the episode after the central crescendo, and loving the incredibly crap drawing of the martyr mural.
― He POLLS So Much About These Zings (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 October 2021 00:48 (two years ago) link
Just finished S1. My justification for not stopping at this point is I watched all of Battlestar Galactica.
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Monday, 4 October 2021 01:56 (two years ago) link
Fair. Also this is way better than BSG
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Monday, 4 October 2021 02:10 (two years ago) link
Thought people loved that BSG reboot. At least that's the impression I got over here during the discussion about his more recent show: I come in peace... three times a night -- FOR ALL MANKIND (Apple TV Plus)
― He POLLS So Much About These Zings (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 October 2021 02:31 (two years ago) link
people do love the BSG reboot, until the last third
sticking the landing is paramount+
― mookieproof, Monday, 4 October 2021 02:41 (two years ago) link
Wait there is another, second reboot/third version?
― He POLLS So Much About These Zings (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 October 2021 02:58 (two years ago) link
the last third of the second rebootdo keep up, james(jk)
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 4 October 2021 03:14 (two years ago) link
BSG reboot's last third wouldn't have bothered me so much if every episode's intro to that point hadn't told us that THE CYLONS HAVE A PLAN. If you aren't expecting things to make sense, the last third is more enjoyable
― Vinnie, Monday, 4 October 2021 03:31 (two years ago) link
Okay, vg, thanks, but I was talking about this
― He POLLS So Much About These Zings (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 October 2021 03:50 (two years ago) link
…wtfdo keep up, me
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 4 October 2021 03:55 (two years ago) link
Maybe I was confused about Peacock vs. Paramount+.
― He POLLS So Much About These Zings (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 October 2021 03:57 (two years ago) link
There were rumors of a third reboot but I don’t think anything has come of it.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Monday, 4 October 2021 03:58 (two years ago) link
Was this ever posted on this thread? https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/12/nick-farmer-knows-dozens-of-languages-so-he-invented-one-for-the-expanse/
― He POLLS So Much About These Zings (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 October 2021 04:17 (two years ago) link
like the villain feels poorly phoned in by ep4-5 of s1- and I hope I’m wrong.
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Monday, 4 October 2021 04:47 (two years ago) link
Who was it at that point? I feel like one of the better things about the show is that for a lot of it there isn’t a villain. Just different people with different goals clashing.
― dan selzer, Monday, 4 October 2021 11:13 (two years ago) link
It was Avasarala's war-crazy rival at that point, no? He was pretty villainous.
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 4 October 2021 11:19 (two years ago) link
Errinwright. Maybe that was S2. Sorry.
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 4 October 2021 11:20 (two years ago) link
S1E4: Donnager gets attackedS1E5: Roci goes to Tycho Station to meet Fred Johnson.
― He POLLS So Much About These Zings (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 4 October 2021 12:32 (two years ago) link
Only 6 episodes left in the whole series? :((((
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PJpkGPtAHE
― DJI, Friday, 8 October 2021 21:47 (two years ago) link
did they go way over budget on special effects / set design and have to trim the number of episodes? or maybe we get 6 eps at 2 hours each?
― that's not my post, Friday, 8 October 2021 22:07 (two years ago) link
you mean if we degrade to Superman 4 fx, we can get like 100 more eps?
― Gardyloominati (Neanderthal), Friday, 8 October 2021 22:08 (two years ago) link
lol probably could upgrade from superman 4 (1987) to maybe mid-2000s fx and still make a full season. or we could do Garth Marenghi's Expanse and have infinite episodes
― that's not my post, Friday, 8 October 2021 22:13 (two years ago) link
Lol
― DJI, Friday, 8 October 2021 22:16 (two years ago) link
iirc they used about half the content of book 6 in S5 already, which made me wonder what they were going to do to fill 10 episodes. I guess less episodes is one solution
― Vinnie, Friday, 8 October 2021 23:26 (two years ago) link
Just wondering how they have a satisfying conclusion, unless it completely deviates from the books (which is entirely possible): the baddies of books 7 and 8 aren't really going to have time to establish themselves.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 9 October 2021 01:43 (two years ago) link
I don't think they've confirmed but it's very likely they won't touch anything after book 6
― Vinnie, Saturday, 9 October 2021 01:49 (two years ago) link
I don’t think they’re doing the time jump. Which is fine, they could always revisit it down the road and avoid spending money on aging effects, right?
― mh, Saturday, 9 October 2021 14:12 (two years ago) link
is this gonna be like the final final season of Game of Thrones?
― sarahell, Sunday, 10 October 2021 20:41 (two years ago) link
It's funny because I usually think less episodes results in higher average quality, but GoT disabused that notion. At least Expanse doesn't have its entire narrative resting on these six episodes
― Vinnie, Monday, 11 October 2021 03:08 (two years ago) link
one thing about those last few episodes of game of thrones is that they were basically all feature film length
― a doula for creation (Clay), Monday, 11 October 2021 03:17 (two years ago) link
My only complaint about possibly ending it before the time jump that happened in the books is that Marcos might end up being the final villain. Marcos doesn’t deserve that! He’s such a shithead.
― mh, Monday, 11 October 2021 14:57 (two years ago) link
i couldn't finish the most recent season, largely because there was a lot of belter dialogue and man sometimes that accent sounds right and sometimes it's just so, so cringey
― gbx, Monday, 11 October 2021 15:00 (two years ago) link
you could even say sometimes…. it sucks the big felota
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 11 October 2021 17:28 (two years ago) link
careful saying that around the beltalowda
― Gardyloominati (Neanderthal), Monday, 11 October 2021 17:31 (two years ago) link
i chalk up the cringiness to belter culture tbh - i mean, tribal tatts? come on man
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 11 October 2021 17:43 (two years ago) link
Just got to Amos's "I'm that guy" moment, incredible that it works instead of being a cheesy action movie line because of the work they've done on Amos's character and the look on the actor's face when Prax calls him his best friend.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Monday, 11 October 2021 19:01 (two years ago) link
My favorite group of characters (except for the Secretary-General/Errinwright who are too one-dimensional) since Deadwood.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Monday, 11 October 2021 19:02 (two years ago) link
That TY and that Guy Podcast is quite interesting. Th9ough I haven't got very far with it. Listened to episode 4 a few days ago.
― Stevolende, Monday, 11 October 2021 19:25 (two years ago) link
Paul Krugman today in column about Dune & Foundation: "For example, quite a few experts on international relations who I know are fanatics about the TV version of “The Expanse.” I think it’s because good science fiction involves building imaginary worlds that are different from the world we know, but in interesting ways that relate to the attempt to understand why society is the way it is."
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 27 October 2021 18:11 (two years ago) link
Indeed the final season:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb01ds-4IC4
― Nelleee Hooper (Leee), Tuesday, 23 November 2021 19:17 (two years ago) link
The final series and the final book coming out at about the same time so I can really confuse continuities in my head.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Tuesday, 23 November 2021 23:21 (two years ago) link
Other than season 1 I haven't really been enthralled by this, having said that I somehow managed to watch it all so far so I will most likely be up for the finale.
― Ste, Thursday, 25 November 2021 11:51 (two years ago) link
(to clarify I wasn't enthralled much by season 1 either but for me it's the most interesting out of all of it)
― Ste, Thursday, 25 November 2021 11:52 (two years ago) link
We were looking for a new show a while ago, and like everyone, found the first 5-6 episodes compelling enough but kind of awful. The friend who recommended it said, "trust me, it gets better, it's the best sci-fi show in years, you'll love it," and so we kept on, mostly because we both think Amos is just unstoppably hot.
And then in 1.5 months, we finished all five seasons. Super excited for the next, though am admittedly sad about it being the finale.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Wednesday, 1 December 2021 22:45 (two years ago) link
amos is unimpeachable <3
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 2 December 2021 00:58 (two years ago) link
hard agree, the best
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Thursday, 2 December 2021 01:05 (two years ago) link
with Bobbi a close second
Don't forget Drummer!
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 2 December 2021 01:44 (two years ago) link
AmosDrummerBobbi
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 2 December 2021 01:45 (two years ago) link
Shout out to the Avasarala & Bobbi story in the The Expanse tie-in comic (the Corinna Bechko one)
― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 2 December 2021 02:33 (two years ago) link
For me itsAmosDrummerAvasaralaBobbi
(I really love Shohreh Aghdashloo, I just think she's the best)
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Thursday, 2 December 2021 17:39 (two years ago) link
Her voice is great but her line reading is pretty stilted.
― DJI, Thursday, 2 December 2021 17:40 (two years ago) link
I think that's...part of her character? Sort of halting, calculating, imperious?
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Thursday, 2 December 2021 17:44 (two years ago) link
I mean, she's one of the greatest Iranian actresses of all time lol
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Thursday, 2 December 2021 17:45 (two years ago) link
she's in the not great new blade runner cartoon.
― dan selzer, Thursday, 2 December 2021 18:16 (two years ago) link
Yeah, she’s great, I lov3 her.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 2 December 2021 21:00 (two years ago) link
I’m still stuck on Ganymede trying to finish Season Two, but I think she’s great in that role. I could easily imagine a less skilled actress turning in a kind of soap opera level performance.
― Goofy the Grifter (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 2 December 2021 21:18 (two years ago) link
Having finished book 9, genuinely cannot imagine how they'll wrap up the TV series without doing the last 3 books.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 3 December 2021 00:31 (two years ago) link
The nature of the ring gate, uh glitch, that’s been alluded to in the show could be executed differently
― mh, Friday, 3 December 2021 00:40 (two years ago) link
Hopefully that was vague enough
― mh, Friday, 3 December 2021 00:41 (two years ago) link
Also re book 9, it's a shame we won't get to see the very final scene done on TV, I think it would be a crowd-pleaser with the audience here.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 3 December 2021 01:11 (two years ago) link
the coda? yeah, it made me smile
― mh, Friday, 3 December 2021 01:46 (two years ago) link
Season 6 drops on Friday
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 8 December 2021 22:48 (two years ago) link
Can't fuckin wait.
― hopefully this review helped someone (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 8 December 2021 23:56 (two years ago) link
yesssssssssss
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 9 December 2021 01:47 (two years ago) link
Weekly instead of all at once. Damn it.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Thursday, 9 December 2021 04:33 (two years ago) link
At least it's only six weeks (or less?). I hate watching weekly nowadays, and will usually wait until it's done - dunno if I have the discipline to do that for the final season tho
― Vinnie, Thursday, 9 December 2021 12:36 (two years ago) link
Interview here. Seems like final episode is a long one and there's 5 extra shorts viewable after each of the first 5 episodes https://gizmodo.com/the-expanse-creators-explain-why-season-6-is-only-6-epi-1848173715
― groovypanda, Thursday, 9 December 2021 14:06 (two years ago) link
i like weekly! more time to anticipate and digest and speculate and gossip.
― Tracer Hand, Thursday, 9 December 2021 14:46 (two years ago) link
There was no short available to watch afterwards for me :(This may just be a part of the general whiteness of Prime in Australia.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 10 December 2021 10:33 (two years ago) link
Wasn't on my TV either but can see it via mobile app and laptop
Ohh so the X-Ray is posted, but it might not be available on your TV (depending on the device you’re watching it on). From what I can tell, your best bet for watching it is on the Prime Video app on your phone, FireTV, or your laptop. 🙂— The Expanse Writers (@TheExpanseWR) December 10, 2021
― groovypanda, Friday, 10 December 2021 16:11 (two years ago) link
Also, interesting that this episode (mild book spoiler:) featured the start of the Strange Dogs novella which lays the foundation for events that happen in the final three books and so you'd have thought outside the scope of the show
― groovypanda, Friday, 10 December 2021 16:19 (two years ago) link
hey, I’ve got the same barstools in my dining room that the belter bar has
― mh, Friday, 10 December 2021 17:27 (two years ago) link
chrisjen lookin like leather tuscadero THANK YOU TV GODSreal talk i do not like the actor playing marcos’ kid aka little lord fuckboy
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 11 December 2021 06:17 (two years ago) link
OIMA HERO
― hopefully this review helped someone (Neanderthal), Saturday, 11 December 2021 07:07 (two years ago) link
Very nice to hear the title sequence music again.
― that's not my post, Sunday, 12 December 2021 06:32 (two years ago) link
For veggrrrl
@keonmalexander and #jasaichaseowens regretting participating in “Take your kid to work day”! 😜 @ExpanseOnPrime #theExpanse pic.twitter.com/M7PqPV8dll— Brian Hui (@BriBriGuy23) December 11, 2021
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Sunday, 12 December 2021 07:18 (two years ago) link
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 12 December 2021 07:24 (two years ago) link
As a show skeptic (I'm a book stan), I really liked this episode! The Bobby and Chrissy scenes especially.
― Shower Farts (Leee), Sunday, 12 December 2021 22:11 (two years ago) link
Well, Filip scenes aside, obviously.
― Shower Farts (Leee), Sunday, 12 December 2021 22:12 (two years ago) link
Since I've never seen either of them in anything else, I don't know how much credit to give the two actors, but Marco and Filip really are two of the most enraging, I-want-these-people-to-die-as-painfully-as-possible characters on TV at the moment. It's pretty incredible that neither of them has had a single redeeming moment, ever. They're just horrible. It's a hell of a two-handed performance.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Sunday, 12 December 2021 22:16 (two years ago) link
My least favourite characters in the books as well, Marco more than filip. the free navy went on far too long. Having now read book 9 I might do a reread of the series, and I'm more inclined to skip the Free Navy than Illas.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Sunday, 12 December 2021 22:32 (two years ago) link
- subtitles now on all the time in this house- MARCO MAN BUN ALERT- avsarala in full “reboot” leathers and short slicked back hair freaked me out- i love peaches- i love peaches and amos- that said i totally get naomi.- i love how totally washed out and beat up the roci crew are after their firefight with the free navy. they all look tired as fuck.- did not love amos’ cgi hull walk- marco’s local bar has big airport mall / total recall energy- marco’s accent has fallen off a cliff, particularly when he speaks to blonde logistics lady who seems to have only the slightest detectable belter twang- drummer’s black kohl is off the chain- ceres exteriors look amazing
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 12 December 2021 23:52 (two years ago) link
I just loved hating Marco in the books. They’ve really captured his essence on screen
― mh, Sunday, 12 December 2021 23:58 (two years ago) link
It's a hell of a two-handeddimensional performance.
― DJI, Monday, 13 December 2021 00:45 (two years ago) link
Sorry, that was dumb. I don’t know which I rmde at more, the characters, or the performances. So OTT, and the accents seem moment-to-moment.
― DJI, Monday, 13 December 2021 00:48 (two years ago) link
First ep was your typical final season first ep, setting the ground work for awesome shit mostly
― hopefully this review helped someone (Neanderthal), Monday, 13 December 2021 01:23 (two years ago) link
- drummer’s black kohl is off the chain
I saw her being interviewed somwehere saying it only takes 15 minutes in make-up to put on her Belter tatts, but an hour to do her eyes.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Monday, 13 December 2021 01:37 (two years ago) link
Welcome to our Humble Abode @CaraGeeeee @vsmythe 🏡🚀😘 @ExpanseOnPrime @TYandThatGuy @JamesSACorey #expanse @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/rAPGmoQuPD— Samer Salem (@SamerSalem8) December 12, 2021
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Monday, 13 December 2021 04:18 (two years ago) link
lol I’ve seen Cara Gee in other things, but seeing her on that set and just sounding normally Canadian takes a mental readjustment
― mh, Monday, 13 December 2021 04:30 (two years ago) link
“this is where the camera usually goes, to capture all our shenanigans”
― mh, Monday, 13 December 2021 04:31 (two years ago) link
I guess they’re making Drummer: The Video Game?!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QaV_A453SA
― mh, Monday, 13 December 2021 04:39 (two years ago) link
deck 9 is the team behind “life is strange” - the first season of which was one of the coolest gaming experiences i’ve ever had, the second season one of the lamesti will obviously be getting this day 1
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 13 December 2021 08:54 (two years ago) link
Thank u 2 this thraed, I would've had no idea the new season had started otherwise.
― Rep. Cobra Commander (R-TX) (Old Lunch), Monday, 13 December 2021 14:38 (two years ago) link
I love Drummer so much.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Monday, 13 December 2021 17:23 (two years ago) link
she is great
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 13 December 2021 17:29 (two years ago) link
great look; good drummer
― mookieproof, Monday, 13 December 2021 17:36 (two years ago) link
Drummer's deadened stare when she's locked in is intense, also nicely contrasts with her more human, vulnerable moments, of which there seem to have been a lot more lately.
― hopefully this review helped someone (Neanderthal), Monday, 13 December 2021 17:46 (two years ago) link
Loved Bobbie in this last episode.
― Shower Farts (Leee), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 00:24 (two years ago) link
She was great. And she was right.
I still can't help thinking those mods make Peaches a liability.
I like Drummer's new friend.
Not sure what the significance is of the Martian ships transiting "differently" (with red swirly clouds around them)? Why would Holden think that has anything to do with the protomolecule?
I feel for Naomi. Very off her game!
― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 21 December 2021 00:44 (two years ago) link
Bobbie is a great character, grown to like her more and more in recent seasons.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 00:53 (two years ago) link
i love how ~capable~ she islike, in any situation she just works shit out
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 00:56 (two years ago) link
I often think that scenes with her and Avasarala are among my favorites in the series. I love the two of them together.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 00:57 (two years ago) link
Me too but Avsarala looks like she's the new lead singer for the Arctic Monkeys and it's making me distrust her!
― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 21 December 2021 01:00 (two years ago) link
Loving these episodes even if there isn't much new (Clarissa + jungle intro kids I guess) and the plot is definitely staying in a comfort zone. Just so satisfying! Gonna miss it when it's gone.
― Vangelis fleadh (seandalai), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 01:20 (two years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/Gm1Uq3z.jpg
― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 21 December 2021 01:23 (two years ago) link
Oh man the Cara scenes have been PAINFUL to watch. I've read the short story it's based on and I don't think I wanted to slap THAT version of her?
― Shower Farts (Leee), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 01:50 (two years ago) link
lol Tracer STFU I can't hear you la la la emergency eyewash station
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:16 (two years ago) link
thank god I'm not familiar with said band
must... move... image... upthread
the weird dog stealing the dead sunbird was def in the "OK I wonder where this is going" zone
I love Clarissa but that scene did seem to deliberately introduce the "mods becoming a liability" issue
Bobbie is so great, I got nothin to add
all the spaceship/in space shots have been really great this season? like just the cool pan photos of some ship flying somewhere comes across as epic
this crew totally has PTSD up the ass and it's now biting them there, hard
how the hell do we watch these bonus shorts?
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:21 (two years ago) link
Naomi should not be on the Roci in any capacity right now she is like a walking poster for PTSD lol poor thing
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:26 (two years ago) link
the character should do an IRL PSA
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:46 (two years ago) link
I.e. VG otm
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:47 (two years ago) link
i mean for christs saje she’s completely triggered just breathing in and out lol
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:48 (two years ago) link
sake
and holden is like u ok?WHY WOULD SHE BE OK SHES BEEN IN EXACTLY THE SAME STATE, UNCHANGED, SINCE SHE WAS RESCUED
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:50 (two years ago) link
im fine guys
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:51 (two years ago) link
Leee what Cara scenes r u referring to
― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 21 December 2021 08:45 (two years ago) link
Without going into specifics because book spoilers but so far it certainly appears that they haven't ruled out filming the final three books at some point in the future
― groovypanda, Tuesday, 21 December 2021 10:23 (two years ago) link
fuck, I forgot the second ep was out already.
gonna try to watch while I work later.
― hopefully this review helped someone (Neanderthal), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 13:24 (two years ago) link
I don't care about the little girl and her brother. I was really hoping the alien creature was going to eat her.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 13:36 (two years ago) link
same, she’s an idiot
― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 21 December 2021 15:13 (two years ago) link
agree 100%
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 16:06 (two years ago) link
Tracer, Cara is the little girl. (I just realized that the name could be unclear for a show viewer, since it's also the name of a prominent cast member.)
― Shower Farts (Leee), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 16:36 (two years ago) link
thx for clarifying- i was v confused
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 16:49 (two years ago) link
haven't read the books -- are those scenes just hail marys that someone will let them continue the series? i'm having a hard time believing that they'll amount to anything useful toward wrapping this season up
― mookieproof, Tuesday, 21 December 2021 16:53 (two years ago) link
Yeah, my partner and I were like, "this is bullshit, tho we can see where it's going..."
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Tuesday, 21 December 2021 18:32 (two years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FHOLk_8WQAQycC1?format=jpg&name=small
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 23 December 2021 04:21 (two years ago) link
still hot
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 23 December 2021 04:39 (two years ago) link
No argument!
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 23 December 2021 04:41 (two years ago) link
lol wow
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Thursday, 23 December 2021 18:10 (two years ago) link
This made me chuckle
pic.twitter.com/ZtAXFvqjdA— Joe Schwartz (@designr66) December 22, 2021
― groovypanda, Friday, 24 December 2021 09:28 (two years ago) link
Good episode last night!~
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Saturday, 25 December 2021 15:43 (two years ago) link
smdh holden
― mookieproof, Saturday, 25 December 2021 15:49 (two years ago) link
We talked about how that was a shit move but also how...well, having an antagonist like Marco is what a show like this demands, in some way...
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Saturday, 25 December 2021 15:52 (two years ago) link
I'm confused about how Marcos was able to fire the drive back up and go away, was that some protomolecule trick?
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Saturday, 25 December 2021 16:01 (two years ago) link
Holden’s move didn’t make sense even for his noble fair play ethic. Probably table has right explanation - can’t kill Marco in E3 of 6.
― that's not my post, Saturday, 25 December 2021 16:11 (two years ago) link
These episodes go by so fast
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 25 December 2021 16:34 (two years ago) link
What’s not to make sense. Didn’t want to kill his girlfriends son.
― dan selzer, Saturday, 25 December 2021 16:43 (two years ago) link
Amos and Bobbie scenes are so precious.
― Shower Farts (Leee), Saturday, 25 December 2021 17:50 (two years ago) link
The little extra scene between the two of them was great.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Saturday, 25 December 2021 18:21 (two years ago) link
still can't figure out how to see those, watching on Prime video
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Saturday, 25 December 2021 19:23 (two years ago) link
They're supposed to be exclusive to the mobile apps, I've read.
― Shower Farts (Leee), Saturday, 25 December 2021 19:53 (two years ago) link
No, I watch on a laptop and they're in the left-hand sidebar along with headshots of the cast members, trivia, etc. You just have to mouse over the left side of the screen and the link pops up.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Saturday, 25 December 2021 20:25 (two years ago) link
I’m on a PlayStation and get it!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 25 December 2021 23:02 (two years ago) link
dan otm. holden’s decision is a mirror image of marco’s frankly psychotic choice to once again attempt to get his son to repudiate naomi but this time by ordering him to actually pull the trigger that will kill his own mother“no coercive methods” - o rly avasarala?excellent value canteen chat between amos and bobbie as noted above“whole crew has PTSD” comment upthread otm, holden sounds like tom waits in the first scenepermanent inaros battle-bun nowspace camerawork so great again. the pull back from exploding ceres was amazing. i interpreted those bombs as little “surprises” from the free navy? all part of being “prepared” for the inners? the streams of “bullet” fire or whatever those missile countermeasures are during the battle between the roci and the pallas were fantastic toothe moment inaros’ face shows up on th roci’s screen was kind of a “finally!” momentamos: “did we win?” lolll
― Tracer Hand, Saturday, 25 December 2021 23:35 (two years ago) link
literally no other person ever would have made that choice
i mean dan otm, and i suppose i'd forgotten that we spent five seasons establishing holden as essentially an angel. but he'd better re-assume his full angeldom soon
― mookieproof, Sunday, 26 December 2021 00:09 (two years ago) link
yeah and beyond just demonstrating "holden good / inaros psycho" - as if we needed any more proof of that - it shows how important naomi is to him and by extension how the personal has come to be as important, or more important, than saving the world. this time, this choice, was a personal one but yes it comes at a public price
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 26 December 2021 00:38 (two years ago) link
inaros also made the choice to pursue a personal goal instead of the smart military move and it's cost him whatever respect his son still had for him
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 26 December 2021 00:40 (two years ago) link
I like tracer’s analysis of the contrast between Holden and Inaros even though I still think Holden’s decision begs credulity. So on the list of things Holden regrets is going to be all the folks killed by Inaros’s subsequent actions?
― that's not my post, Sunday, 26 December 2021 01:13 (two years ago) link
marco is a classic small guy (without even taking into account any belter physiognomy, which we obviously have not)
― mookieproof, Sunday, 26 December 2021 01:48 (two years ago) link
Holden's entire persona is being the guy who does good things when it would be better if he didn't
― Vangelis fleadh (seandalai), Sunday, 26 December 2021 01:59 (two years ago) link
Loved this episode, they're just too short though! This is the first season that I didn't binge (discovered the show in the summer, thanks ILX!) - a 40-minute Expanse session every week doesn't quite satisfy like two hours every night.
― Vangelis fleadh (seandalai), Sunday, 26 December 2021 02:02 (two years ago) link
I love that someone on the design team of this show probably thought, "How can we visually demonstrate how annoying and horrible Marco is? ... Let's give him a man-bun!"
― sarahell, Sunday, 26 December 2021 15:23 (two years ago) link
I'm an episode or two behind ... the blond woman is totally fucking or wants to fuck marco, yeah?
― sarahell, Sunday, 26 December 2021 15:25 (two years ago) link
I am actually okay with Filip tbh ... reminds me of D'angelo Barksdale in The Wire
― sarahell, Sunday, 26 December 2021 15:26 (two years ago) link
That’s a super interesting comparison!
Let's give him a man-bun!
I was actually wondering if he was balding a little under that!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 26 December 2021 15:52 (two years ago) link
i was behind, caught up nowblonde girl who wants to fuck inaros = is tge actress who also played clare in beverly hills 90210! inaros Pella bridge looks like a Top of The Pops set for Depeche Mode holden has always been referred to by Mr Veg as The Boyscout and this assessment has held water. this move was SO infuriating but v in keeping with his character so 🤷🏻♀️love the awkard looks from amos during the infodump section of plant guy’s message
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 29 December 2021 06:19 (two years ago) link
blonde girl & marco have matching buns!!!
also ... did I mishear a bit of dialog or did someone actually mention "spreadsheets" in reference to supplies for Ceres. Like, after all these centuries and technological and linguistic evolution would belters actually use the word "spreadsheets"?
― sarahell, Wednesday, 29 December 2021 07:01 (two years ago) link
maybe its like part of officer uniform code
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 29 December 2021 07:02 (two years ago) link
maybe they are BATTLE BUNS!
― sarahell, Wednesday, 29 December 2021 07:27 (two years ago) link
WAR BUNS
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 29 December 2021 08:03 (two years ago) link
Tracer HandPosted: 25 December 2021 at 23:35:19dan otm. holden’s decision is a mirror image of marco’s frankly psychotic choice to once again attempt to get his son to repudiate naomi but this time by ordering him to actually pull the trigger that will kill his own mother“no coercive methods” - o rly avasarala?excellent value canteen chat between amos and bobbie as noted above“whole crew has PTSD” comment upthread otm, holden sounds like tom waits in the first scenepermanent inaros battle-bun now
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 29 December 2021 09:48 (two years ago) link
noticed this week that the canadian cinematic universe rolls on — the actress who plays the journalist on the expanse showed up on letterkenny
― mh, Wednesday, 29 December 2021 16:04 (two years ago) link
i am slightly in love with her
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 29 December 2021 17:58 (two years ago) link
tracer, watch the letterkenny episode. she’s in CAR SALES
― mh, Thursday, 30 December 2021 04:59 (two years ago) link
Same, Tracer.
Found this on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTk8V7KLaxX/
Which is both peak Canadian and peak sci fi.
― Virginia Worf (Leee), Thursday, 30 December 2021 06:58 (two years ago) link
the juxtaposition of her very serious characters I’ve recently seen on screen and that instagram username is killing me
― mh, Thursday, 30 December 2021 14:35 (two years ago) link
still episodes are TOO SHORT but I fully respect the way they engineered a scene to redeem Michio's reputation despite nobody really caring about her
― Vangelis fleadh (seandalai), Saturday, 1 January 2022 01:53 (two years ago) link
final episode is gonna be like 4 hours
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Saturday, 1 January 2022 01:55 (two years ago) link
I hope so!
― Vangelis fleadh (seandalai), Saturday, 1 January 2022 01:59 (two years ago) link
Always happy to get a Drummer speech.
― Rabbit Pen Warren (Leee), Sunday, 2 January 2022 07:11 (two years ago) link
expanse s6e4if they’re trying to make me hopelessly in love with this show in the 4th episode of season 6 by letting me watch amos and bobbie sing along to a full verse and a half of “so lonesome i could cry” while they simultaneously tinker with some spare parts, seethe at letting marco get away, and fondly remembering alex, it’s workingnice to see filip following in his mother’s footsteps vocationallyweapons telemetry log: fully expected peaches to show amos a rickrollamos/holden confrontation was superbholden should have abdicated his captaincy by now, whatever you think of his decisionthe raid was insane. second best action sequence in the whole show after bobbie saving avasarala from jules-pierre mao’s goons in the S2 finale? the spacewalk that kicked it off was great too, almost like some kind of ritual, they’re assembled together in a floating semicircle, preparing, making tiny thrust adjustmentssuch generous editing to let us hang with holden and peaches for a minute while she oversalts the fuck out of her gray kibble
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 2 January 2022 23:27 (two years ago) link
yeah I can't remember the last time we got a good Amos/Bobbie moment so that scene felt like a long overdue treat.
I can't make sense of what's going on with filip/his motivations. def picked up on him following in naomi's footsteps though (would he be aware of that?)
― salsa shark, Sunday, 2 January 2022 23:44 (two years ago) link
i like to think it’s just in the blood somehow but he’s not exactly a natural at it is he
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 2 January 2022 23:49 (two years ago) link
yeah he’s very hard to read, it seems like he’s bro-ing down with the hoi polloi and breaking with his dad and then all of a sudden he’s back on team marco. i dunno
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 2 January 2022 23:51 (two years ago) link
I tend to think that he's overcompensating with the hoi polloi/ in public so that his discomfort and anger and patricidal urges aren't picked up on so keenly, tbh.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Monday, 3 January 2022 01:19 (two years ago) link
I feel like he's the pure version of what his dad pretends to be
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Monday, 3 January 2022 01:24 (two years ago) link
Seems like they are setting up a moment where Filip makes a critical decision that is either pro-Marco or pro-Naomi. And trying to keep it reasonably uncertain which way he will go.
― that's not my post, Monday, 3 January 2022 05:31 (two years ago) link
Glad they spent time on Holden’s decision to deactivate the torpedo rather than pretend it wasn't controversial. It was almost like the they read the ILX discussion lol.
― that's not my post, Monday, 3 January 2022 05:35 (two years ago) link
totally
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 3 January 2022 09:32 (two years ago) link
i suspect you’re right about the moment of choice for filip
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 3 January 2022 09:33 (two years ago) link
yes, seems so - thanks for all your reads on filip, confirms what I suspected. I've taken more of an interest in his arc this season, think I got a bit fatigued with the naomi/filip stuff last season
― salsa shark, Monday, 3 January 2022 12:01 (two years ago) link
just thinking that by this point everybody on the roci has made traitorous decisions apart from amos
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 3 January 2022 13:04 (two years ago) link
this is now how many times Marco could have been easily killed and someone hesitated due to guilt (either over killing Marco himself or killing Filip or killing Marco in front of Filip or......etc etc)?
if anything this proves the scrupulous aren't meant for war.
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Monday, 3 January 2022 16:31 (two years ago) link
coulda saved a billion people
Marco is such a piece of shit it's hard to choose which character most deserves the honor of killing him. It's probably gotta be Naomi, but I think I'd like to see Bobbie or Drummer literally skin him alive.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Monday, 3 January 2022 16:49 (two years ago) link
if they do things how they did in the books, I’m really going to enjoy reading this thread after the resolution of both the marco and filip situations!
― mh, Monday, 3 January 2022 19:57 (two years ago) link
do they open a Bed and Breakfast on Ceres
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Monday, 3 January 2022 19:59 (two years ago) link
no spoilers, Neanderthal!
― mh, Monday, 3 January 2022 20:00 (two years ago) link
filip’s an interesting character in that, if he had his heart in it, he’d probably be a more charismatic leader than his father, as mentioned above
the underlying question when thinking about the motivations of the belters following marco is whether their cause is about justice, or if it’s more about rage and spite. marco’s fundamentally incapable of making it to his own end goal, imo, because while he’s charismatic he’s going to do the most spiteful thing every time regardless of whether it makes sense in the end.
he’s holden’s diametric opposite. holden has amos and company checking him and asking why he’s disarming torpedos, but marco’s not going to get that from filip because his kid’s still sorting out his own feelings and stance. the person who has the same basic interests (well-being of the belters, etc) as marco who is getting closest to putting him in check is drummer
― mh, Monday, 3 January 2022 20:10 (two years ago) link
rewatching s5 w/o rereading the thread to reacquaint myself, blindsided by alex still being a character, feels like he was taken out of the story like five or six years ago but time has no meaning any more
― mark s, Tuesday, 4 January 2022 19:32 (two years ago) link
― Tracer Hand, Monday, January 3, 2022 5:04 AM (yesterday)
Amos did break out Clarissa Mao from jail and bring her aboard the ship ... besides being a total sociopath
― sarahell, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 00:28 (two years ago) link
Due to his extreme left-wing belief in rehabilitation!
Ok maybe not
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 5 January 2022 00:34 (two years ago) link
"you know that chick who tried to kill you? .... yeah, I decided to make her a crewmember."
― sarahell, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 00:38 (two years ago) link
yeah i was debating that in my head but you’re right it definitely counts!
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 00:50 (two years ago) link
Did she try to kill you? Yes. Did she kill 5000 people? Also yes.
But we bonded, okay?
― papal hotwife (milo z), Wednesday, 5 January 2022 01:00 (two years ago) link
I love Holden tbh. Though Naomi is my hero
― sarahell, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 04:13 (two years ago) link
Naomi is awesome and i hope they give her more to do in the final episodes.
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 05:14 (two years ago) link
Amos's moral code is pretty much "what's done is done, but if you're not an active threat I'll listen to you and examine your motivations and maybe you can be redeemed"
if you're pointing a gun at his head and are going to fire, kill you with no hesitation
― mh, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 17:22 (two years ago) link
"I AM CAMINA DRUMMER"
― mark s, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 18:37 (two years ago) link
from my least to my most favorite character!! space is a journy
― goole, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 22:54 (two years ago) link
hello goole!
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 5 January 2022 23:10 (two years ago) link
Amos, Drummer and Bobbie, impossible to pick a fave
― papal hotwife (milo z), Wednesday, 5 January 2022 23:12 (two years ago) link
Drummer has very much become my favorite.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Friday, 7 January 2022 15:31 (two years ago) link
don't know what it was like in the books but clearly feels like a case of "let's center the show and drama around the fan-favorite"
― dan selzer, Friday, 7 January 2022 15:39 (two years ago) link
considering Drummer is a composite character ...
― sarahell, Friday, 7 January 2022 17:16 (two years ago) link
in the books there are at least two characters that the TV Drummer's storyline is derived from
― sarahell, Friday, 7 January 2022 17:17 (two years ago) link
I mean tbh the less time spent on Holden and Naomi the better.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Friday, 7 January 2022 17:28 (two years ago) link
This was part of the "trivia" in the sidebar during this week's episode: they mentioned that book-Drummer and book-Michio were kind of combined to create TV-Drummer, which I guess means TV-Michio is made up from whole cloth?
Was not expecting the stupid little girl in the opening sequences to go full Pet Sematary with her little brother. That storyline is still worthless IMO, though.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Friday, 7 January 2022 20:47 (two years ago) link
It’s extremely important for the final 3 books, not sure how it will work for the about-to-end show.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 7 January 2022 23:00 (two years ago) link
ya, i have no idea the point of the story line. was there some relevance shown earlier that i missed?
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 8 January 2022 00:20 (two years ago) link
Did they deepfake younger Steven Strait in the bonus thingy, or is he just younger looking without the beard?
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 8 January 2022 05:46 (two years ago) link
yeah he looked v weird & filterythat was a fkn great episode! no idea how the hell they tie this bow in one episode unless its just ends in total carnage it is an outrage that this series is not infinite
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 8 January 2022 07:11 (two years ago) link
I presume it ends in one big battle with Marco's people getting fucked up by the ring using Naomi's overload deal somehow. Wait until they're about to enter the ring and overload it with a mass of torpedos.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Saturday, 8 January 2022 07:44 (two years ago) link
haven’t watched last night’s yet but anybody got a link to the “extras” from prime? the usual places don’t seem to have it…
― Tracer Hand, Saturday, 8 January 2022 10:58 (two years ago) link
N Z B p l a n e t has them if you’re set up for usenet.
― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 8 January 2022 13:18 (two years ago) link
Been searching for the extra/x-rays myself
in course of that started checking out wes chatham's post-show broadcasts and the latest one is with shoreh and cara gee – so amos, drummer, & chrissie – my 3 faves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkDGL0o7gvg
also found an older clip where wes and ty franck talk about cara gee just smashing all her scenes and that being the reason she got a much larger role, that they just enjoyed writing for her https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuqMQS3oXl8
cant believe show over next week, but been a very tight/great season so far with exception of lacona subplot which only seem sto be there for possibility of eventual spinoff/sequal (watch me be proved wrong next week when they wrap it in somehow)
― H in Addis, Saturday, 8 January 2022 14:15 (two years ago) link
cannot believe its over next weel. wtf.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Saturday, 8 January 2022 21:01 (two years ago) link
Can't handle Cara Gee not sounding like Drummer.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Saturday, 8 January 2022 21:10 (two years ago) link
the scene at the end with Drummer and Naomi, and the scene with Drummer and Avasarala were fucking ace.
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Saturday, 8 January 2022 21:31 (two years ago) link
can't handle Cara Gee *smiling* lol. the dead-eyed Drummer stare is permanently etched into my mind
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Saturday, 8 January 2022 21:32 (two years ago) link
want Marco Inaros's head floating in space like a soccer ball
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Saturday, 8 January 2022 21:33 (two years ago) link
the scene w Bobbi & Amos at the bar w the glitter etc was A+
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 8 January 2022 21:54 (two years ago) link
totally, so good
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Saturday, 8 January 2022 22:42 (two years ago) link
is the last episode going to be 16 hours long because otherwise i can't figure how this is going to be satisfying as a conclusion
― Clay, Saturday, 8 January 2022 22:43 (two years ago) link
crossover with Cobra Kai
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Saturday, 8 January 2022 22:51 (two years ago) link
Blow Marco the fuck up and then a 5 minute scene of all the Rocinante characters looking at each other like "okay, what do we do now?"
― papal hotwife (milo z), Sunday, 9 January 2022 01:10 (two years ago) link
then the strange dogs attack, cut to black
― chaos goblin line cook (sleeve), Sunday, 9 January 2022 01:57 (two years ago) link
no guys everyone goes to a space summit where they sing songs hold hands & agree to stop fighting #holdensdream
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 9 January 2022 02:08 (two years ago) link
It could end with the Amos and Bobbie MMA sex scene we missed out on this week.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Sunday, 9 January 2022 02:15 (two years ago) link
one can only hope
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 9 January 2022 02:33 (two years ago) link
I have an infinite capacity to watch the characters talk about stuff but I do hope that more than one thing happens in the final episode
― Vangelis fleadh (seandalai), Sunday, 9 January 2022 02:47 (two years ago) link
yes, i as well would enjoy a Amos/Bobby brothel scene
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Sunday, 9 January 2022 05:15 (two years ago) link
*crosses fingers*
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 9 January 2022 05:50 (two years ago) link
oh no, much more fun leaving it open-ended as to whether bobbie goes with or WITH or neither,
cracked up at bobbie's reaction to amos telling her about holden - holden gotta holden #kumbaya
and of course loved drummer and avasarala's summit meeting
― H in Addis, Sunday, 9 January 2022 12:35 (two years ago) link
Usually the clothes on this show are just kind of utilitarian and there, and even Avasarala's outfits are just "rich, fancy old lady," but the hair and outfit she wore for the meeting with Drummer were amazing.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Sunday, 9 January 2022 13:32 (two years ago) link
new protomolecule roci skin droppedfully expected the eerie skindog things to show the girl her brother’s body neatly disembowelled on the forest floor, and looking pleadingly at her like “may we have…. some more?”we gon have a big ol fight in ep 6 huhomg drummer/naomi scene“this universe has no place for me” 😓blonde battle bun is seriously dtfavasarala’s rendez-vous with drummer on ceres has that chiming music that we heard during drummer’s raid of inaros’ supply cache and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. big dj koze “brutalga square” energyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3n8NE0TGQktight close-up on bobby when she’s expounding her philosophy of war to amos in the bar on ceres, maybe the tightest i’ve seen on this show. feels like the closest they’ve come to a thesis statement. that “your people” are ultimately what’s important. the roci is an elective little sovereign statelet of badasses and dreamers - they are each other’s people. “i pick my own side” (- naomi bob marley)
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 9 January 2022 23:00 (two years ago) link
i was truly hoping those dog things would eat her brother in front of her :(
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 9 January 2022 23:03 (two years ago) link
btw i choose to believe that right after the camera cuts away from bobbie at the bar she looks up, we get another massive close up, and she goes “wait up, amos”we have no proof this didn’t happen is all i’m saying
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 9 January 2022 23:05 (two years ago) link
i just assume thats what happens WHO ON EARTH WOULD TURN THAT DOWN
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 10 January 2022 00:15 (two years ago) link
it's crazy how not hot and extremely hot everyone on this show is, is that what space is like, is that what canada is like
― goole, Monday, 10 January 2022 03:22 (two years ago) link
we should conduct a field trip
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 10 January 2022 03:24 (two years ago) link
Everyone Marcos lady friend is on screen I say “hey it’s Pink” to nobody.
― dan selzer, Monday, 10 January 2022 04:07 (two years ago) link
I HEAR YOU DANEVERY TIME
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 10 January 2022 08:50 (two years ago) link
finally watched eps 4-5. i'm not sure i really buy drummer coming over like that, but they did a great job in limited time trying to sell it. the little moments they have -- bobbie and amos in the bar, holden and peaches in the kitchen, drummer and naomi on the bridge -- are so good at developing both the characters and the story.
(it's such a stark contrast with star trek discovery's efforts in this area, where it's all like Character A: hello, i am feeling poorly because of x, y and z, some of which are my parents! then Character B: (simpering) but i believe in you! do you feel seen yet?)
that said, philip's 'dis is woah!' speech was bad and cringeworthy
is that what canada is like
y
― mookieproof, Monday, 10 January 2022 17:17 (two years ago) link
filip is always cringeworthy. he’s cringe made flesh.
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 10 January 2022 17:30 (two years ago) link
He's also really sensitive, call him Filip Glass
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Monday, 10 January 2022 17:35 (two years ago) link
lol a+
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 10 January 2022 17:44 (two years ago) link
to me he always looks like he’s just done a popper. eyes buggin out, no idea where he is or even his own name
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 10 January 2022 17:45 (two years ago) link
yeah his acting face is the same as “riding electric scooter for the first time”
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 10 January 2022 17:51 (two years ago) link
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 10 January 2022 17:54 (two years ago) link
s5 e8 which starts with clarissa and amos both peeing lol
― mark s, Tuesday, 11 January 2022 19:33 (two years ago) link
in space no one can hear u pee
― mark s, Tuesday, 11 January 2022 19:34 (two years ago) link
urine trouble in space
― mh, Tuesday, 11 January 2022 19:42 (two years ago) link
Not seen it yet as only just heard about it, but free webseries starring Cara Gee:http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbvYWjKFvS5qJ_012WgLY8oJRF250q_ZH
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Wednesday, 12 January 2022 02:21 (two years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FI_jslvVgAEO5zE?format=jpg&name=small
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 13 January 2022 22:55 (two years ago) link
We watched the first five episodes of S6 the last few days. First episode felt off a bit - some worse than usual CGI, a lot of cuts to black that halted the flow, and the Filip/Yoan scenes were badly acted - but it picked up in episode 2 and now I'm fully invested again. I found the book this season is based on to be a bit of a slog but the TV writers have pared it down to the most exciting/interesting moments, as well as added some good new stuff
― Vinnie, Friday, 14 January 2022 00:01 (two years ago) link
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, January 10, 2022 9:51 AM (three days ago)
clearly the ending will involve Filip, Naomi and Holden riding electric scooters together as a family lol
― sarahell, Friday, 14 January 2022 02:21 (two years ago) link
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 14 January 2022 03:11 (two years ago) link
Filip Nagata
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Friday, 14 January 2022 04:34 (two years ago) link
Pretty satisfying finale. While the action scenes didn't quite match the best ones in previous seasons, I was very drawn in. Some nice quiet moments among the Roci crew. The Laconia storyline was handled pretty poorly in the season though - it was a lot of setup with zero closure. Feels like the writers included it in order to will the next 3 seasons to happen lol. Think it would have been more effective to just have a few minute tease at the end of the finale where we see Duerte observing Xan and the protomolecule ship
― Vinnie, Friday, 14 January 2022 14:59 (two years ago) link
I am late to this one. I picked up the first book in the series because it was offered for cheap on Amazon. At first, I thought it was pretty generic sci-fi, but it captured my attention pretty quickly. Still on the fence about whether to watch the series.
― jimbeaux, Friday, 14 January 2022 15:56 (two years ago) link
there’s a book thread if you want to check that out, jim
― mh, Friday, 14 January 2022 19:27 (two years ago) link
Thanks, I will
― jimbeaux, Friday, 14 January 2022 19:28 (two years ago) link
just when i thought the filip redemption arc couldn't get any worse
― mookieproof, Friday, 14 January 2022 23:07 (two years ago) link
good to see some things happening! there was nothing like the intensity of previous seasons though, no real cost to anything
― Vangelis fleadh (seandalai), Saturday, 15 January 2022 00:13 (two years ago) link
maybe 3 < 1 < 2 < 5 << 4 < 6
― Vangelis fleadh (seandalai), Saturday, 15 January 2022 00:18 (two years ago) link
holden in an oxford - i know, i know, it’s seriouswhen drummer says holden and bobby’s plan for the assault is “ingenious, actually - would make a belter proud” and holden gulps and says “thank you” i stated bawlinghowever i’m happy that the plan ended up being to use protomolecule ring magic to kill marco rather than boring old bulletsNeanderthal called it w the Filip name change!assault on the railguns intense as fuck.psychedelic tron shit. low angle of bobby blasting hell for leather from her suit totally iconic“as long as we’re going to kill marco, i’m in”“we’re definitely doing that”reader i yelpedtenye wa chesh gut
― Tracer Hand, Saturday, 15 January 2022 00:49 (two years ago) link
marco’s attempt to tell filip he should appreciate what he’s inheriting, filip looking around and just going “uh oh”just working with your dad to soup up the fastest car that dad’s now driving at top speed toward a cliff with you in the passenger seat
― mh, Saturday, 15 January 2022 01:07 (two years ago) link
when drummer says holden and bobby’s plan for the assault is “ingenious, actually - would make a belter proud” and holden gulps and says “thank you” i stated bawling
thought it was hilarious that they say they'll explain it shortly, but then Avasarala leaves immediately before they do. wouldn't she be at least curious??
― Vinnie, Saturday, 15 January 2022 01:34 (two years ago) link
Well, what am I supposed to do with my life now?
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 15 January 2022 03:17 (two years ago) link
https://www.ilxor.com/ILX/
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Saturday, 15 January 2022 03:19 (two years ago) link
I was enjoying the ride of bad ass space battles but after the ring magic destroyed the Pella and they cut to Naomi I did get teary eyed. Otoh she did seem to get over it quickly
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Saturday, 15 January 2022 03:35 (two years ago) link
loved Marco going dutchman
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Saturday, 15 January 2022 03:36 (two years ago) link
VEER OFF
Tbf between Naomi breaking down and the next time we see her, months have probably passed.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 15 January 2022 05:51 (two years ago) link
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 15 January 2022 1:47 PM (three hours ago) bookmarkflaglink
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal),
I’d prefer something with believable characters.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Saturday, 15 January 2022 07:10 (two years ago) link
Can't remember the last time I was this bummed a show was ending. Sucks so hard this season couldn't have been twice as long.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Saturday, 15 January 2022 19:21 (two years ago) link
i'm told that d. idaho and e. ripley were among the members of the assault team
― mookieproof, Saturday, 15 January 2022 20:06 (two years ago) link
When you're done watching The Expanse series finale pic.twitter.com/i9QLGtN4Vq— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) January 15, 2022
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 15 January 2022 20:35 (two years ago) link
ok so where does the zombie kid story arc go now? it was boring and i dont actually care but it feels like a loose end or was i out of the room for something
― mark s, Saturday, 15 January 2022 20:42 (two years ago) link
I assume those were protomolecule-infused 'dogs' doing the zombification and the planet would be a major storyline if the show got picked up elsewhere.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Saturday, 15 January 2022 20:45 (two years ago) link
I think it was obliquely referenced in Holden's "we still don't know what happened to that missing protomolecule sample" and maybe the blue glimmering ship we saw? and the guy cutting Marco off?
all sorta handled by Naomi's "can we just worry about this later" (when there is a sequel?)
post
― bad milk blood robot (sleeve), Saturday, 15 January 2022 20:45 (two years ago) link
xpost
Short of an Expanse continuation, I'd like some kind of comedy series starring the actors who played Amos and Bobbie with Avasarala as a wacky neighbor.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Saturday, 15 January 2022 20:49 (two years ago) link
RIP the many science fiction franchises that meet their end when their leads die during the assault on Medina Station. pic.twitter.com/jYfOEMbP7S— Chris Barrus (@quartzcity) January 15, 2022
― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 15 January 2022 20:50 (two years ago) link
The zombie kids are on Laconia, the planet colonized by the Mars navy defectors led by Duarte. The blue glowing ship thing was briefly mentioned as a dormant orbital platform left there by a prior civilization. That prior civilization had some protomolecule stuff going on, and Duarte was given the sample in exchange for a lot of armaments and ships he traded to Marco. I’m fine with having set that stuff up, not because it leaves the door open for more tv episodes, but due to the fact it leaves the world open. Holden and company aren’t creating some utopia, just addressing the challenges that continually pop up given the world the show’s created. Whether we see those stories as not, the universe is going to keep changing.
― mh, Saturday, 15 January 2022 20:58 (two years ago) link
ok sure but why was it so boring
― mark s, Saturday, 15 January 2022 21:00 (two years ago) link
it's worse than the blue wizards (also ptoro-molecule-related iirc)
― mark s, Saturday, 15 January 2022 21:01 (two years ago) link
fairit’s the protomolecule curse, the more reasonable people use it to advance their material science a little and make new armor for ships and some gradual advances, the opportunistic and narcissistic will try to grab the golden ring and boast about how they’re going to fight gods (whoever nuked the prior protomolecule civilization)
― mh, Saturday, 15 January 2022 21:08 (two years ago) link
Because it was centered around annoying children (redundant, I know).
― but also fuck you (unperson), Saturday, 15 January 2022 21:22 (two years ago) link
got to agree with both of you here, zombie kids was tedious
― calzino, Saturday, 15 January 2022 22:46 (two years ago) link
i was carefully *not* reading the thread bcz i was coming to lots of it way late and i see everyone else already thought this many times
tbh i need to go back and rewatch the last 3 series with my legendary "metaphysics of scale" thesis in mind once more
― mark s, Saturday, 15 January 2022 23:18 (two years ago) link
the entire zombie kids arc would have been redeemed if zombie bro entered the house and started zapping them all with his eyes
― Tracer Hand, Saturday, 15 January 2022 23:25 (two years ago) link
real monkey's paw shit
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Saturday, 15 January 2022 23:33 (two years ago) link
or started talking to the revived orbiting station, yeah anything
― bad milk blood robot (sleeve), Saturday, 15 January 2022 23:41 (two years ago) link
I didn't mind the zombie kid thing because I did see it as an opportunity for the series to perhaps be spun off in another direction, which would be nice. Not many shows have captivated my attention the way this one has over the past few months.
― we need outrage! we need dicks!! (the table is the table), Saturday, 15 January 2022 23:45 (two years ago) link
people who have read the books: is there enough material left for another season/series/final movie?
― bad milk blood robot (sleeve), Saturday, 15 January 2022 23:51 (two years ago) link
There's enough left for three seasons.
― Wordle Stephen Curry II (Leee), Saturday, 15 January 2022 23:58 (two years ago) link
:O
― bad milk blood robot (sleeve), Sunday, 16 January 2022 00:25 (two years ago) link
Extremely much so.
Technically, the last couple of pages of the last book could be turned into a 10-season spin-off with a central character that would make most people round here extremely happy.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Sunday, 16 January 2022 00:31 (two years ago) link
it was a pretty exciting/moving finale, lots of nice moments w everyone i’m kinda glad now that it wasn’t a bloodbath - i thought it was just going to be kamikaze full out w bobby & amos & was like oh no wait wait i dont want everyone to die noooo - i was v relieved!!! loved all those easter eggs in the assault team names, we had fun figuring some of them out (missed a lot tho!)
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 16 January 2022 06:10 (two years ago) link
my friend told me that in the post-credits there wasn't a 'scene' (obviously), but a "hint" of something. anybody know what he's talking about? I'm afraid to ask him and seem like dummy.
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Sunday, 16 January 2022 06:13 (two years ago) link
no idea?
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 16 January 2022 06:40 (two years ago) link
Shockingly satisfying finale given the shortened season and wasting 15% of each episode on the zombification dogs.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Sunday, 16 January 2022 07:01 (two years ago) link
Glad Bobbie and Amos didn’t go out like Gordo and Tracey
― that's not my post, Sunday, 16 January 2022 07:36 (two years ago) link
Neanderthal, at the very end of the credits sequence with the ring gate image, you see it start to fleck red and then a big fucking Laconian protomolecule-tech ship starts to emerge.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Sunday, 16 January 2022 11:17 (two years ago) link
if they're going with zombies as plot then based on all TV shows i've ever watched abt zombies there's enough for an infinite number of new series which i will not be watching
― mark s, Sunday, 16 January 2022 11:33 (two years ago) link
Got into this show very late and pretty much binged all six seasons in the past couple of months. Very sad it’s done - very few series have lasted this long and still remained enjoyable to watch.
Liked the callback to the Cant (the Roci is travelling with an ice hauler carrying the assault team) and the quiet moments among the team.
It is a little unsatisfying though that after opening up all those portals, we only got to see two new planets, both of which were frankly pretty boring. If there are spinoffs, I hope they’ll get a chance to do those better. and of course, would love it if Drummer got her own show.
― Roz, Sunday, 16 January 2022 11:50 (two years ago) link
There's a final trilogy of books so plenty of material left for a future season(s) xpsFor those who've only watched the show, you could just read those final three books if you wanted to see how the story finishes (and how zombie dogs fit in) as the show has been pretty faithful to the books, especially in terms of main plot (one character death aside).
― groovypanda, Sunday, 16 January 2022 13:46 (two years ago) link
i think sic posted a videogame starring Cara Gee as Drummer?
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 16 January 2022 14:13 (two years ago) link
Ah thanks, I must have missed that, haven’t read through the whole thread
― Roz, Sunday, 16 January 2022 15:08 (two years ago) link
here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c27FGhsT7kI
― Tracer Hand, Sunday, 16 January 2022 15:48 (two years ago) link
Not only enough material for more seasons, but books 7 and 8 stand up with the best of the books imo. If any show-only fans are interested, I think it's quite easy to just start reading from book 7 - the show has revealed everything you need to know
― Vinnie, Sunday, 16 January 2022 16:18 (two years ago) link
Oops I see groovypanda made that point already
Mark S, they're not zombies, if that's putting you off the books. Those resurrected by the "dogs" retain their memories and rationality and sentience and have continuity of personality and are not infectious or violent (any more than they used to be); they DO have altered physiology and perceptions.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Monday, 17 January 2022 06:48 (two years ago) link
yeah dont worry JM i was just making a dumb and hostile joek abt a very little going a very long way in zombie-based dramas
which are bad not good btw
― mark s, Monday, 17 January 2022 09:35 (two years ago) link
i want the drummer spin-off
thery can call it "SAME drummer"
― mark s, Monday, 17 January 2022 09:36 (two years ago) link
funky drummer
― they were written with a ouija board and a rhyming dictionary (Neanderthal), Monday, 17 January 2022 14:02 (two years ago) link
Camina Drummer get some?
― Tracer Hand, Monday, 17 January 2022 14:34 (two years ago) link
This guy is not how I imagined the character in my head AT ALL, but I did laugh at this.
That moment alone when you first look in the mirror after getting a coherent reply pattern from the protomolecule. #TheExpanse #TheExpanseFinale #TheExpanse606 @ExpanseOnPrime pic.twitter.com/5kgGLpFtRg— Dylan Taylor (@DylanTaylorEh) January 20, 2022
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Friday, 21 January 2022 05:05 (two years ago) link
I appreciate how much they tried to make Duarte look like Ted Cruise.
― American Fear of Scampos (Ed), Friday, 21 January 2022 06:52 (two years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FJ4bOJaXMAEEJ5b?format=jpg&name=small
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Tuesday, 25 January 2022 09:07 (two years ago) link
loll
― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 25 January 2022 09:10 (two years ago) link
Forgive the thread spam, but I wanted to note that this show's 2021 season is nominated in the ILX TV poll, with voting ending this weekend:
ILX's Best Television of 2021 Poll / VOTING AND CAMPAIGNING THREAD / Voting Ends After January 31, 2022
― i cannot help if you made yourself not funny (forksclovetofu), Wednesday, 26 January 2022 20:57 (two years ago) link
Can we have some more please.I guess it ends on something of a high but still not happy that there won't be more.Hope some of the folks go onto further good stuff.I need to read some of this, but am reading about 20 different books at the same time right now.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 27 January 2022 11:05 (two years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmRQXpbeA-0
― Gowron Hubbard (Leee), Tuesday, 1 February 2022 04:18 (two years ago) link
no amos calling her chrissy, no credibility
― mookieproof, Tuesday, 1 February 2022 04:42 (two years ago) link
The Expanse: The Animated Series (1973): pic.twitter.com/sPncnDSIG4— Alasdair Beckett-King (@MisterABK) February 23, 2022
― mookieproof, Thursday, 24 February 2022 03:16 (two years ago) link
lmao thats awesome
― terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 24 February 2022 04:37 (two years ago) link
so good
― Roz, Thursday, 24 February 2022 05:27 (two years ago) link
Hi I'm late to the party but I just started this and oh my god it's good. I think I gave the first episode a go a short while back but was confused about whether people were speaking Belter Creole or just mumbling. But by the power of subtitles, voila, I am a convert - and only two episodes in. Good grief, that second episode was STRESSFUL!
― Urbandn hope all ye who enter here (dog latin), Wednesday, 5 October 2022 09:54 (one year ago) link
Took me a few tries to get into it but it just gets better and better.
― dan selzer, Wednesday, 5 October 2022 11:30 (one year ago) link
Welcome dl!
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 5 October 2022 19:41 (one year ago) link
one of us, one of us
― H in Addis, Thursday, 6 October 2022 05:45 (one year ago) link
Can’t wait for the Drummer game next year. The zero-g stuff looks cool. Not the same as having more show obviously but I’ll take what I can get.
― Tracer Hand, Thursday, 6 October 2022 06:18 (one year ago) link
Wrapping up the first book tonight - it's pretty decent but it drove home how much of what I loved about the series was the actors. Not enough Anderson Dawes in the book (or Jared Harris in the series IMO).
― papal hotwife (milo z), Thursday, 6 October 2022 06:21 (one year ago) link
wildly otm re dawes
― Tracer Hand, Thursday, 6 October 2022 07:13 (one year ago) link
haven’t read the books
― Tracer Hand, Thursday, 6 October 2022 07:14 (one year ago) link
Books are good! It's clear they're written by two people, though, as the quality varies wildly from chapter to chapter -- not sure if that gets better in the later books
I think I am choosing to continue with the TV show rather than the books based only the time commitment
― Chuck_Tatum, Thursday, 6 October 2022 10:34 (one year ago) link
The TV series ends around book 6. Someone upthread recommended reading books 7-9 to finish the story. I was v glad I did.
― that's not my post, Thursday, 6 October 2022 14:52 (one year ago) link
I liked the books but don't think they really offer much if you've watched the show. They mostly stick to the same stories, and they read like the TV show (short scene-like chapters, not overly heavy on description). Books 7-9 are well-worth reading since we're not getting a TV version anytime soon
― Vinnie, Thursday, 6 October 2022 16:03 (one year ago) link
Books > show for me, although with the huuuuge caveat that the first book is boring IMO.
― Kim Wipers - Youth in America (Leee), Thursday, 6 October 2022 16:24 (one year ago) link
I loved the books. Like others here, the first one didn't grab me right away. If memory serves, you start seeing some major divergence between TV and books around book 3. The story in the books goes places I hadn't imagined it would, and I can see why they never bothered trying to film it. It's well worth reading all of the books just for the last few.
― beard papa, Thursday, 6 October 2022 17:59 (one year ago) link
I totally forgot that Jonathan Banks (Mike from Breaking Bad) was on the first episode of this
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Thursday, 17 November 2022 18:08 (one year ago) link
Very strange cameo, just appears for a minute
― Fash Gordon (Neanderthal), Friday, 18 November 2022 00:54 (one year ago) link
Just finished the last book a couple days ago. Now I’m sad I’m out of book.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 18 November 2022 01:34 (one year ago) link
Did you read the short story/novella collection?
― papal hotwife (milo z), Friday, 18 November 2022 04:32 (one year ago) link
NO!?
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 18 November 2022 05:08 (one year ago) link
The collection's pretty decent overall, not quite a full dose of book (400 pages give or take) but fill in some spaces between the books (and one after).
― papal hotwife (milo z), Friday, 18 November 2022 05:28 (one year ago) link
I will def look into it. “Upgrade” was my next book and I’m already almost done (I’m usually a slow reader)
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Friday, 18 November 2022 05:32 (one year ago) link
Maybe give Donaldson's Gap Series a go if you fancy some more politics + space opera xps(First book can be a grim and unpleasant read but it's very short)
― groovypanda, Friday, 18 November 2022 08:10 (one year ago) link
https://www.mining.com/web/asteroid-mining-startup-astroforge-to-launch-first-missions-this-year/
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 13:20 (one year ago) link
"Huntington Beach, California-based AstroForge came out of stealth mode last May..."
wow, they really are using cutting edge future tech
― calzino, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 13:23 (one year ago) link
AstroForge’s goal of refining platinum-group metals from asteroids, with the aim of bringing down the cost of mining these metals. It also hopes to reduce the massive amount of carbon dioxide emissions that stem from mining
i feel like launching stuff into space negates these two goals right off the bat?!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 16:17 (one year ago) link
I never posted in this thread, but since it got a revive—
I binged this show last month. I’d tried a few times in the past but something about the first episode really turned me off. A friend assured me it gets much better so I persevered—and yes, it did pay off.
Anyway, I found this thread and basically followed you all here episode by episode as I watched, which gave me the feeling that I wasn’t watching it alone & late. So, thanks for keeping me company everyone.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 17:22 (one year ago) link
Aw <3
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 17:24 (one year ago) link
It's weird how that first episode gives such an inaccurate impression. It makes it seem like you are going to watch a series all about d-bag Miller and his shitty haircut being space Columbo with a bunch of goofy belters. The show doesn't completely find it's footing until they get the Roci.
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 17:32 (one year ago) link
Luckily Miller gets sidelined as things progress, but they never really solve their Holden getting indignant and shouty with everyone problem.
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 17:34 (one year ago) link
think I watched the first episode 3 times. First time I turned it off 10 minutes in.
― dan selzer, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 17:39 (one year ago) link
i never minded Miller. he was never supposed to be likeable and i enjoyed him for what his role was on the show. the books deal with him much better tho (i read them after watching the show) – it's kind of a running joke how much he creeps the shit out of literally everybody.
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 17:44 (one year ago) link
amazing show, i keep hoping they'll come back for more. i do think it's a distinct possibility but might be awhile.
the thing about Holden is he's space Jon Snow to an extent, but the character is a lot more likable and Steven Strait is a solid comic actor when the role calls for humor.
I didn't mind Miller either, i kinda thought he was likable, albeit truly weird. when he got inside Holden's head it made for some good comedy (see above, Holden was vv funny in a lot of those moments.) Also, Holden seeing Miller with his fedora (which never made the trip with him to meet the Roci crew) was the sign Holden wasn't losing his mind.
the most awkward part of the show was dealing w/the Alex character at the end, but the production was in a no-win situation.
― omar little, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 17:47 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/wmDdtoo.gif
― Beautiful Bean Footage Fetishist (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 17:53 (one year ago) link
I don't want to wait 30 years.
― Rabbity Gainsborough (Leee), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 18:26 (one year ago) link
I keep saying this but there is an “interactive fiction” style videogame coming soon where Drummer is the main character, played by Cara Gee. I assume you get to play as her.
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 18:29 (one year ago) link
Telltale has a good pedigree with this sort of thing. https://telltale.com/the-expanse/First episode supposedly out this summer.
― Tracer Hand, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 18:31 (one year ago) link
the last three books i thought were amazing too. they'd make a great movie. also i ate pizza at the place that is owned by the actress who played Monica Stuart (she was there serving pizza)!
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 18:33 (one year ago) link
i loved Miller! i think he was good as a slightly-but-not-really-uh normcore? “way in” to the show … like you toodle along w him into the bigger wtf ideas of the show & then off you go
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 20:47 (one year ago) link
It is sorta funny that the first protagonist (Miller) gets sidelined fairly quickly, and Holden pretty gradually loses his lock as main character too. After the season on the alien planet it seems like he never really had a whole lot to do. It became about the rest of the crew.
― omar little, Wednesday, January 25, 2023 bookmarkflaglink
They definitely did what they could with that last season - getting on abruptly without Alex, limited number of episodes... and I would assume they didn't fully know they were getting canceled until after they'd committed to the awful subplot with the little girl on the other planet, which never resolved.
At first I was a little let down by how much is unresolved by the end of the series but after talking with a friend I kinda like it as a metaphor for global warming. They come to some great conclusion about how to get along with each other but they just willfully ignore this massive threat looming in the distance. They know its there but after everything they went through with the protomolocule, the idea of something out there that is even more malevolent is just too hard to comprehend.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Wednesday, 25 January 2023 21:07 (one year ago) link
The awful subplot with the little girl becomes central to the final 3 books. Really worth reading to see how everything plays out. Shame they didn’t have the backing to finish out the series.
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 21:14 (one year ago) link
and I would assume they didn't fully know they were getting canceled until after they'd committed to the awful subplot with the little girl on the other planet, which never resolved.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think it was canceled a second time? IIRC the showrunners specifically said that season 6 would be its last, not that it was a diktat from on high (FWIW Amazon rescued it from its first cancellation because Bezos is a notable fan).
― Rabbity Gainsborough (Leee), Thursday, 26 January 2023 00:16 (one year ago) link
IIRC the showrunners specifically said that season 6 would be its last, not that it was a diktat from on high
Well that makes that creative choice really perplexing then. It took up so many precious minutes in such a short season, only to go completely unresolved.
I get that it relates to the books, and that the door could always be open to a future season... but as pure television it's irritating and unsatisfying.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Thursday, 26 January 2023 01:25 (one year ago) link
I honestly think the Amos/Clarissa plotline in S5 is one of the best TV achievements of the last decade, just riveting
― sleeve, Thursday, 26 January 2023 01:41 (one year ago) link
― def jeftones (Neanderthal), Thursday, 26 January 2023 01:43 (one year ago) link
I just finished the first book Leviathan Wakes and was amused to find that Holden is even more of a pretty boy dumbass in there than in the show. The way he ends up together with Naomi in the book is pure comedy - the show handled that much better imo (and is also far better in its treatment of women in general. Naomi is barely sketched out so far, Julie is mostly seen through Miller's POV *eyeroll*, and we don't meet Avasarala or any of the other main female characters until later books).
I'm actually glad I watched the show first cause I'm not sure I would have liked this series as much based on how the characters are portrayed in Book 1 - Holden is good but way too naive and impulsive, Miller is a washed-up asshole in love with a perfect young girl in his head. Yikes. It's a credit to the show and the actors that they managed to turn them into tolerable protagonists at all. The book's strengths were the space horror elements, the world-building, and Amos lol. still looking fwd to reading the rest though!
― Roz, Thursday, 26 January 2023 03:28 (one year ago) link
To be fair, a lot of the show was written by the book authors, so I guess they were aware of some of the book shortcomings themselves and rewrote them.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Thursday, 26 January 2023 05:02 (one year ago) link
does anyone else find it jarring that Cas Anvar was a big enough asshole they had to drop him immediately from the show, yet they spend all this time in s6 being all emo about Alex's sudden death? I feel like they should've treated the character the same way and just said "oh well, fuck him" and never mentioned him again.
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 16:48 (eight months ago) link
coulda just began season 6 with "Well after hearing about all of that startling testimony against Mr Anvar I guess we can all say we're glad he's dead, yes?" and everybody looks straight into the camera.
― sad Mings of dynasty (Neanderthal), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 16:53 (eight months ago) link
That would work too. Naomi being shitty to Amos for "replacing" Alex with Peaches was a bit much. Like really who gaf?
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 16:57 (eight months ago) link
yeah, just drew more attention to things overall. plus she was a much more interesting character
― sad Mings of dynasty (Neanderthal), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 17:01 (eight months ago) link
There was really no easy way to handle that, they probably did the best they could. And I mean it's not the character who was problematic, so it was a farewell to Alex not to the actor.
― omar little, Tuesday, 27 June 2023 17:04 (eight months ago) link
best way to handle it would be to move on instead of continually reminding us by trying to turn it into a plot point
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 17:08 (eight months ago) link
I thought the bigger objection against bringing Peaches in was her entire quest to kill Holden
― mh, Tuesday, 27 June 2023 17:13 (eight months ago) link
water under the bridge, who hasn't wanted to kill Holden at one point or another?
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 17:15 (eight months ago) link
Maybe but I don't think it was really that big a deal
― omar little, Tuesday, 27 June 2023 17:18 (eight months ago) link
Thought they did the best they could, but I also still found it slightly odd. It was just a quick moment though, I thought? There's no good way to acknowledge the death of a character people loved from the books without making us think of the POS who played him on TV
Mythic Quest had a similar situation with F. Murray Abraham and had nearly a whole episode about him in S3, but I only learned of what he'd been accused of after watching the episode. Still makes it weird in retrospect
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 27 June 2023 19:25 (eight months ago) link
I don't remember that much emo time about Alex but it would have been much weirder to not acknowledge the tragic death of a core character.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 20:27 (eight months ago) link
Yeah, this seems a deeply weird complaint. Actors and characters are actually different things.
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 22:23 (eight months ago) link
I know, it just felt weird to me that after dispatching with him and doing a bit of mourning last season, now we're back with tensions between the crew based around who is or is not feeling the loss of Alex appropriately. This is obviously something that wasn't originally supposed to be part of the plot and I think if they just skipped it the fans would be ok with that, especially since this is all taking place some months later. I can't remember what happens after the first episode, maybe this is the last we hear about this particular thing.
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 22:48 (eight months ago) link
I honestly just wish they would have replaced the actor. Shows have pulled that off in the past, haven't they? People would have gotten used to it. Because they wrote him out of the show even if they do ever pick anything back up again, they're going to have to deal with what they did to that character, when they could have easily explained a different actor with aging or whatever.
― beard papa, Tuesday, 27 June 2023 22:50 (eight months ago) link
throw Michiel Huisman in there, that's his specialty!
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 22:58 (eight months ago) link
He dies in a similar way in the books IIRC, not at the same point but out of the blue.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 22:58 (eight months ago) link
now that is something I did not know, figured he just kept on keepin' on with his Texan BS
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 23:03 (eight months ago) link
Oh no I'm misremembering, it was another character who died that way - they just cut and pasted the names.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 23:07 (eight months ago) link
I don’t remember Alex dying in the books?
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 23:10 (eight months ago) link
It was Fred who stroked out at the end of a high-g chase/battle.
― papal hotwife (milo z), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 23:12 (eight months ago) link
Xpost there
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 23:14 (eight months ago) link
Yes: Milo has the correct answer
― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 27 June 2023 23:15 (eight months ago) link
GOT re-cast the Mountain TWICE (i.e. they had three different actors playing him).
― Last of the Mojitos (Leee), Wednesday, 28 June 2023 00:23 (eight months ago) link
so i saw this article a few days ago on mashable which made me think of a post here
taken me this long to try and post and also never tried linking to an older post, so lets see if this works
original post: Is anybody else watching The Expanse?
and in new tech stuff. https://sea.mashable.com/laptops/31413/lenovo-thinkbook-transparent-laptop-hands-on-yes-its-actually-see-through
― H in Addis, Thursday, 29 February 2024 12:30 (two weeks ago) link