Review: THE EXPANSE Lays The Foundation for a Great Space Opera
As it's currently in the running for most underrated sci-fi of the winter season, I'm sure you've heard of The Expanse. Syfy shocked more than a few with a surprisingly high budget space drama that was being called "Game of Thrones in Space." Others acclaimed it as the most scientifically accurate science fiction to grace television in a long time. In other words, it was hyped beyond belief by critics far and wide. Having binged the whole season last week, there's some claims I agree with, and others I dispute.
First, this show is no Game of Thrones, and I mean that in an apples to oranges way not as a criticism. Sure it may appear that way with the intro looking "heavily inspired" at best, warring planets, and an unknown enemy, but there's a lot more to cut your teeth on here. GOT has the advantage of bringing you into a world you know. They don't have to explain the properties of magic, dragons, sword fighting. Even most non geeks know the classic tropes of the fantasy genre.
This isn't necessarily true for fans of the space opera. For one, this is a space show without hyperspace, teleportation, or non humans of any sort. Everyone has a smart device (go figure), but it's essentially Smart Glass tech that we might see even 15 years from now. If there were any complaints I would say it's that at times things seem a little too low tech for 200 years into our future!
This is a story of Earth's colonization 200 years from now, and political tensions between Earth, Mars, and the working class people who live within the Asteroid belt, called "Belters." Really trying to explain anything beyond that without you actively watching the show will just confuse.
This video might help.
You'll learn the differences between nations rather quickly, as well as be fully immersed within the culture in no time. My best advice is to PAY ATTENTION when watching. I missed what O.P.A. meant (they say it all the time) and just now learned that it's the Outer Planetary Alliance.
Don't let the learning curve dissuade you from watching, though! There's a rich and well developed culture that we learn about all throughout the season. From the creation of a Creole-based language to the reimagining of songs we love today. The best part is it never feels intrusive. The show does a good job of teaching you about this new world without bogging down the pace of the show.
Another strength of this show is that it is absolutely gorgeous. Truth be told, I can't think of a show I've seen (premium channels excluded) where the production value appears so high. The locations, ships, space...all top of the line in visual quality. If this show does begin to show its age 10 years out, it won't be from an aesthetic standpoint.
I'll admit my love of the show's execution kept me in for the first couple episodes. The cast is not at all easy to love right out the gate. Thomas Jane plays a native Belter detective with a chip on his shoulder and a fedora on his head, and I'll say right out the gate I was over him. By the season's end, however, he had grown on me considerably, but nowhere near as much as Steven Strait (James Holden) and supporting cast. These guys have a natural dynamic that screams "we can hold together a show where we are in a ship 90% of the time," and I'm all for learning how their characters move forward here on out.
Things can get talk heavy (especially in the Earth scenes), but the action really makes up the bulk of it. You're guaranteed at the very least an action scene per episode, and a proper amount of gore to boot. It is SyFy after all.
By episode five you'll love this show, and I know that's a lot of time to give to something on my word, but this one takes some time to appreciate. The season finale lays the foundation for what looks to be an awesome (and already confirmed) season two filled with more action and more information about this brave new world. I'm ready. Anyone else?