The Expanse |S2| You guys look like shit

[lt519]

OT will contain a recap with spoilers from Season 1

Also check out the book OT, new one out soon!

Where to watch:
Live TV Airings: Syfy (US), Space (CA), Wednesdays 10:00PM ET (2 episode premiere on February 1st!)
Streaming: Netflix (International)
Other options: Purchase on iTunes, Google Play, Youtube, or free on Syfy.com with ISP login
13 Episode Season

Season 1 Subscription Streaming Options
Amazon Prime (US)
Netflix (International)
Other options: Purchase on iTunes, Google Play, Youtube, or free on Syfy.com with ISP login

What is The Expanse?

Hundreds of years in the future, humans have colonized the solar system. The U.N. controls Earth. Mars is an independent military power. The planets rely on the resources of the Asteroid Belt, where air and water are more precious than gold. For decades, tensions have been rising between these three places. Earth, Mars and the Belt are now on the brink of war. And all it will take is a single spark.

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Courtesy of io9 (Gizmodo), which declared The Expanse the #1 show of 2016.

We've said this many times: we like to make space a character in the show. The hardships of it, it's a hostile environment, life doesn't exist in it, and life probably shouldn't exist in it. We re-emphasize that quite often. I think it's one of the unique features of the show. When I was on Star Trek: The Next Generation, a show that I loved, you couldn't get away from the fact that the ship looked like a floating hotel. [On The Expanse], our environment is tin cans in space. They do not look comfortable, and they are harsh and uninviting because they need to be strong. That's part of the design of the show, and we're not changing that.

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We've seen the show where technology leads to utopia. We've seen the show where technology rises up and eats us and destroys everything. We've never seen the show where technology is in the background, where it belongs. It is a tool, and we wanted it to be a part of a real world. It's not as interesting as the people we're [focusing] on.

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Syfy often teams up with NASA for videos on the science behind the scenes.

This is sci-fi at its best. Characters are at the forefront but their interactions are bound by the realities of science. Space travel is still hard, there is no faster than light travel. Space is overwhelmingly massive, cold, maddening, and dangerous. The Expanse takes some liberties, but the writers and showrunners stick closely to hard sci-fi; ships need to turn and burn to stop, gravity is respected, and missile battles in space often result in hours of waiting for seconds of intense action. But in close quarters, it can get messy fast.

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What about the books?
The show is based on the novels by James S.A. Corey (pen name for Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). Six books, starting with Leviathan Wakes, have been released along with several novellas and free prequels. Season 1 covered part of Leviathan Wakes and pulled in characters from the second book Caliban's War. Season 2 will finish off Leviatian Wakes and dip more into the rest of the series. They promise a 10 book series with a yearly release which they've been on track for. There shouldn't be Game of Thrones situation here, although George is close friends with the writers.

Season 2 Preview
Season 2's themes are based on the three factions that have formed due to space travel; Earthers, Martians, and Belters (OPA). The crew of the Rocinante made up of all of the above find themselves in the middle of it all. While the focus on the first season was between the Earthers and Belters, Season 2 will shift some of its focus to Martians and their marines.

Season 2 is going to dive right into what Season 1 has set up. We'll learn about the protomolecule, Julie Mao's father's intentions, the role each faction has to play in the fate of the system, and maybe we'll even learn about what those crazy Mormons are up to.

Season one was a lot of mystery and shadow play. It was conspiracies about who was behind what, what are they hiding, who's involved? We answered a lot of those questions at the end of season one, and what that enables us to do in season two is really play the story in forward momentum. Season two is largely about understanding this protomolecule [infection]: what it's doing, the direction it wants to move in, and why people are after it. Season one was 'What's going on?' and this season is 'What's gonna happen next?' Now we know the pieces, we know the players. We set up season one so that we could do that in season two; now we can drill in on all those promises that we made to the audience in season one.

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In other words get ready for some intense action:

Season 1 Recap spoilers!
The crew of the ice hauler the Canterbury respond to a distress signal and send a boarding ship Knight to investigate. While investigating the distressed ship the Canterbury is destroyed by missiles from an unknown ship, leaving Knight stranded. The crew of Knight consisting of Holden (Earther), Naomi (Belter), Alex (Martian), Amos (Earther), and Shed (now, oh so gruesomely, deceased) send out a distress signal and get picked up by the Donnager, a Martian war class ship. The Martians interrogate the crew about events that have occurred on Phoebe. Not being able to avoid trouble, the crew then finds themselves on the Donnager when it is attacked by mercenaries. The Donnager is overtaken, and dumps core (self detonates), but not before the crew sneaks off on a stolen Martian fighter ship, later renamed Rocinante by the crew.

The destruction of the Canterbury and the Donnager leave the solar system in disarray. Earthers blame Martians, Martians blame Earthers, Belters blame Holden and continue to be persecuted by Earthers and Martians. All the while the crew bonds:

Meanwhile on Ceres, our favorite haircut (Detective Miller)

is chasing down the disappearance of rich play-girl Julie Mao. Keeping the story short, he digs up leads throughout the season that point to her being on Eros, and heads there. Millers point of view also gives us insight into the Belters (OPA) perspective of the events occurring and their subsequent rioting at the hands of Ceres' OPA leader Anderson Dawes.

Now in control of their newly stolen ship, the crew receives a tightbeam message from Fred Johnson (The Butcher of Anderson Station), Earther turned Belter supporter, to head to Tycho station where a generational ship is being built to ship Mormons off into space. Fred Johnson claimed leader of the OPA, sends them on an errand to Eros to meet with a contact who has information about the events on Phoebe. The crew picks up an Earther spy sent by U.N. politician Avasarala, who is investigating the destruction of the ships and curious behavior by the Martians. She uncovers Mars has had some of its stealth tech stolen and soon uncovers the involvement of Julie Mao's father's business in the middle of all this.

On Eros, the crew and Detective Miller collide and uncover a nasty science experiment being conducted by Julie Mao's father (and subsequently conducted on Julie Mao's now deformed body). The entire station is infected by a blue substance (that is seemingly sentient) and the crew barely escapes, although not unscathed.

Or just watch the re-cat:
Season 1 Recat
Or read some recaps:
Read episode Re-caps on syfy.com

Season 2 Hype
Trailer #1
Trailer #2
Trailer #3
Choose a Side Trailer

Adam Savage's look at the Expanse and the crew's ship the Rocinante
The Expanse, Expanded

Season 1 Reviews

TV.com -- Into the Unknown

All of it—the cast, the mood, the visuals—added up to one incredibly impressive first season of hard science-fiction.

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A.V Club

Going forward, I'm crossing my fingers that The Expanse will find a way to augment its beauty and melancholy with some bigger narrative risks. There are signs of the writers getting more adventurous in the season's latter half; here's hoping the trend continues.

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TV Fanatic

That was one hell of a finale, wasn't it? What a terrific season of television!...We've been asking for less ghost shows, wrestling and more sci-fi for years now. It's safe to say Syfy has delivered big time with The Expanse. Let's show them we're grateful by supporting the network and introducing new fans to the series. This incredible story simply has to continue.

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io9/Gizmodo: How The Expanse Pulled Off Two Miracles at the Same Time

The Expanse just finished its first season—leaving us with ten episodes of a show which beat all our highest expectations and made Syfy a destination in a way that it hasn't been since Battlestar Galactica. How?

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IndieWire: 'The Expanse' Season 1 Has Totally Changed the Game for Sci-Fi on TV

If you let yourself sink into this complex sci-fi drama that transcends genre, you'll be happier for it...."The Expanse" is something new, and it's worth watching. Get caught up. Get engrossed. It's worthy of that.

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Aired TV content does not need spoiler tags. Un-aired book content requires spoiler tags. Please tag spoilers with the book name so people know what they are clicking on, many are still reading the series.

Edit: I wanted a place for us to hype up about Season 3 and chat about the new books coming up, hopefully a few of you made it over to ResetEra!

 

[Deleted member 268]

I've nearly finished my rewatch of the show. I went into season 2 still a bit vague after the first.

It's an even better watch the second time.

 

[WesleyShark]

Babylon's Ashes just arrived at my house yesterday (I only buy the large sized paperbacks of this series). Hype!

 

[Big Tent Expat]

I'm a long time Star Trek fan. I kept seeing The Expanse mentioned in those threads for Discovery and decided to check it out. Binged season 1 and 2 and now I'm feeling withdrawal. I'm going to stay from the books but I can't wait for season 3.

Amos da bes

 

[Deleted member 5745]

Hey guys! Just wanted to let the book readers know that I've brought back the OT for the novels.

TV watchers be warned, there will be unmarked spoilers for future seasons. I included a link to this OT in the post, if OP here wants to do the same and link mine feel free.

https://www.resetera.com/threads/the-expanse-book-series-ot-doors-and-corners-kid.840/

 

[evilpigking]

Babylon's Ashes just arrived at my house yesterday (I only buy the large sized paperbacks of this series). Hype!

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Thanks for the reminder. I can't keep track of when paperbacks launch these days other than 1 year after HC. Though in general I have switched to HCs if I start something in paperback I'd prefer the whole collection in the same format and I feel like these started as TPB only.

 

[Wracu]

Someone tell me there's a chance this will survive past season 3. I'm honestly shocked we're getting it to begin with.

 

[lt519]

I included a link to this OT in the post, if OP here wants to do the same and link mine feel free.

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Done! Really excited for the next book in December.

Someone tell me there's a chance this will survive past season 3. I'm honestly shocked we're getting it to begin with.

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I certainly hope so, the numbers weren't great but it was critically praised and they do have that Amazon and Netflix money coming in. Maybe scaled back or new network, but it certainly has more options to live on than something like Firefly did back in the day.

 

[Kovu]

God I hope this gets renewed for a 4th season. That last season was just amazing.

 

[WesleyShark]

Thanks for the reminder. I can't keep track of when paperbacks launch these days other than 1 year after HC. Though in general I have switched to HCs if I start something in paperback I'd prefer the whole collection in the same format and I feel like these started as TPB only.

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It drives me nuts that I can't get the PB day one after they switched to HCs midway through the series. Gahhhh. Always behind lol

 

[Xe4]

I love this show! Surprised that it's gotten this far, given its ratings.
If this doesn't take off, there's no way it won't end up a cult hit. It's too good not to.
Been meaning to re-watch for a while now, this thread might give me the inspiration to.

 

[DBT85]

Bring on season 3!

 

[Quinton]

I'm so glad this thread is back.

What I wouldn't give for better ratings. I hate that it suffers so. Maybe the streaming deals keep it alive for another 2-3 more seasons?

 

[AndersK]

Best Sci file show in a long time. Like holy shit.

 

[Deleted member 835]

I'm so glad this thread is back.

What I wouldn't give for better ratings. I hate that it suffers so. Maybe the streaming deals keep it alive for another 2-3 more seasons?

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I can see it dying soon, sadly

 

[lt519]

A bit back they cast Monica (Elizabeth Mitchell) for Season 3, not familiar with the actress but surprisingly this is like the first role that has matched my imagination.

http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/syfys-the-expanse-adds-defiance-alum-for-season-3-role

David Strathairn is in as well but they don't identify a role. Old scientisty looking guy?

 

[Taki]

Thanks for making this.

Oh shit I didn't know Juliet from Lost is joining. Good actress and good catch.

I too worry about the show's longevity so I make sure to buy season passes on Amazon or Itunes to help out. Consider doing it too! The HD quality is great.

 

[Deleted member 5745]

Well, this was something I didn't know I needed until I saw it.

http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/videos/the-expanse-season-1-recap-with-cats-recat

 

[lt519]

Well, this was something I didn't know I needed until I saw it.

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Haha yeah, the Miller cat is fantastic. We better get one for Season 2!

 

[Paganmoon]

There's been casting news, Nadine Nicole has been cast in an unknown part, I've speculated on the part in the book series OT (Warning that's a full on spoiler thread for all released books):

https://www.resetera.com/threads/the-expanse-book-series-ot-doors-and-corners-kid.840/

 

[Quinton]

Oh man. Hit 2x05 on my rewatch this morning. Those lost 10-15 minutes or so are the best sequence in 2017 television IMO.

 

[Quinton]

Up to 2x08 now. I still feel kind of weird about them including the Solomon Drive short story during 2x06 but I am less against it now than I was when the episode premiered. I kind of hope they don't do stuff like that during Season 3 though. It's nice seeing the ancillary content being brought into the adaptation but the show's ratings aren't strong so I'd rather they focus on blasting through the books (without rushing of course).

 

[Quinton]

Draper's stuff in 2x10 really does an amazing job endearing her character to me. Her actress is so good in those scenes during her "walkabout" on Earth.

I'd forgotten how much I like Prax, too.

I hope y'all don't mind the triple post and counting, by the way. No one's been talking in here and I'm just gradually making my way back through the sophomore season. I'm starting from the beginning again soon, too, because my roommates want to check this out. God knows the show needs more fans...

 

[Paganmoon]

I liked Prax too. Last I saw the actor was probably way back in Stark Raving Mad with Sean William Scott. Was like 15 years ago and the guy looks exactly the same (to my recollection anyway)

 

[Quinton]

As much as I love this season, the finale doesn't completely work for me. The scenes with the creature, while gorgeously-produced, are hampered somewhat by the insular set and a bit too much back-and-forth editing work. The scenes above Venus mess with the pacing a little, too, because those just aren't characters that are going to stick with people compared to the rest of them, and we hadn't seen them at all in the previous, fantastic, episode.

The rest of the finale performs its functions well, though. It's kind of an awkward place to leave things for 2017, but as someone who's read this volume of the source material I get where they're coming from. It's nice emotional stuff where the crew of the Roci really comes together and reflects (while doing battle, heh). And the Bobbie/Avasarala side of the plot basically shoots for a similar spin.

On SyFy, The Expanse draws a weekly crowd of ~550k-750k. I don't know how it fares on Netflix and Amazon. I hope it does OK. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this is a show that deserves so much more awareness than it gets.

 

[Quinton]

New interview is up with Mark Fergus. It doesn't reveal anything new, I think, but it's maybe worth a read anyway.

This is the part where I realize I no longer have any idea how to link stuff into sentences.

https://www.thereelword.net/the-expanse-mark-fergus-interview-producer-creator-series/

 

[Chopper]

Just watched episode 5. That is a pretty fucking noteworthy piece of televisual quality right there. Holy fuck, that whole scene at the Blue Falcon was amazing.

 

[Manipular]

Holy crap, had no idea this show had an OT. I loved the first season, but I only saw the first two episodes of S2 before life interfered and I fell behind. I really need to catch back up. And yes, I also think that this show needs to much move love and attention. I hate the constant fear of cancellation that I had when watching S1, and still have even now.

 

[Quinton]

Season 2 is great. You're in for a heck of a ride.

 

[Praetorpwj]

So given that the series is unlikely to complete (given current ratings) is it worth starting the books? I find the universe to be thoroughly compelling but I have heard mixed things especially later in the run.

 

[Paganmoon]

So given that the series is unlikely to complete (given current ratings) is it worth starting the books? I find the universe to be thoroughly compelling but I have heard mixed things especially later in the run.

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They're wrapping up Season 3, so not sure if there's anything indicating it's getting cancelled anytime soon.

 

[Deleted member 835]

They're wrapping up Season 3, so not sure if there's anything indicating it's getting cancelled anytime soon.

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Was also talk of season 3 being several books to finish of the story

 

[Quinton]

I hadn't heard anything to that end before. At least not on any official channels. Do you have a link? Last I checked, the wiki still states it wraps book 2 and centers on book 3, and the lone known episode title doesn't exactly dispute that.

 

[Deleted member 835]

I hadn't heard anything to that end before. At least not on any official channels. Do you have a link? Last I checked, the wiki still states it wraps book 2 and centers on book 3, and the lone known episode title doesn't exactly dispute that.

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It was just rumours that books 2 and 3 will be finished in series 3 from what I saw. I hope it isn't true as the series is dope. After losing Dark Matter I have hardly any sci fi show I like

 

[apocat]

So given that the series is unlikely to complete (given current ratings) is it worth starting the books? I find the universe to be thoroughly compelling but I have heard mixed things especially later in the run.

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I like the books more than the show, and I say that as someone who loves the show. Some of the books are better than the others, but I've liked them all a lot, and am still heavily invested in the series.

While it does seem beyond unlikely that the show will be running long enough that they will cover all the books, I still hope we get at least one or two more seasons after the third one. One can hope, right?

Was also talk of season 3 being several books to finish of the story

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I really hope they don't do this. That would be more rushed than the last season of got.

 

[Quinton]

Ah, gotcha. Thanks for the quick reply! Yeah, I feel safe saying the odds are ridiculously slim this will be the case with Season 3. Nothing I've seen through social media channels and news updates suggests the plan has changed. Thankfully, heh.

Now, if the show gets renewed for fourth and even fifth seasons, I think we may we'll see some superspeedy uber-altered adaptation. Sadly, I concur that the show is not reaching the ninth book. Or even the seventh. Not in the traditional sense.

 

[Praetorpwj]

They're wrapping up Season 3, so not sure if there's anything indicating it's getting cancelled anytime soon.

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I meant given that the books seem to be on a lengthy cycle, and this is after all Sci Fi it would be unlikely to survive on its current ratings. Here's hoping otherwise.

 

[Praetorpwj]

I like the books more than the show, and I say that as someone who loves the show. Some of the books are better than the others, but I've liked them all a lot, and am still heavily invested in the series.

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OK thanks will give them a try. Without giving any specific spoiler do the books ever address the cryptic final words of the navigator on the Cant?

 

[apocat]

I haven't got the first book here at the moment, so I'm not even sure what those words were. I'd say that it's not touched upon again, but if I misremember I'd gladly be corrected. It was a while since I read the older books.

 

[Quinton]

I meant given that the books seem to be on a lengthy cycle, and this is after all Sci Fi it would be unlikely to survive on its current ratings. Here's hoping otherwise.

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The books have released every year without fail since launch actually, if I understood what you meant correctly and you were saying they take a while to release. I think nine is the target? Unless things change (which I mean, frankly, with two left it's likelier than ever that they'll need more time) the saga will wrap in 2019.

 

[Praetorpwj]

I haven't got the first book here at the moment, so I'm not even sure what those words were. I'd say that it's not touched upon again, but if I misremember I'd gladly be corrected. It was a while since I read the older books.

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When she says 'There's something you should know' just before the Canterbury blows. It is never mentioned in the series just wonder whether it was a relevant plot point in the books.

 

[apocat]

When she says 'There's something you should know' just before the Canterbury blows. It is never mentioned in the series just wonder whether it was a relevant plot point in the books.

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Nah, as far I can remember that doesn't allude to anything in the bigger picture. Wasn't that the girl Holden had a love affair/friends w. benefits arrangement with? Probably just a narrative device to make the vaporization of the canterbury even more painful for him, and push him to send out the message that kickstarted the rest of the story.

 

[Zoe]

Wasn't she telling him that she was pregnant?

 

[apocat]

Wasn't she telling him that she was pregnant?

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Oh, that seems like it would make sense. Was that explicitly stated, or something that could be inferred?

 

[Praetorpwj]

Nah, as far I can remember that doesn't allude to anything in the bigger picture. Wasn't that the girl Holden had a love affair/friends w. benefits arrangement with? Probably just a narrative device to make the vaporization of the canterbury even more painful for him, and push him to send out the message that kickstarted the rest of the story.

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Oh ok. I assumed that the Cant had some larger significance to come given they went to the trouble of hiring Jonathan Banks just to tread in a pile of dirt.

 

[Quinton]

Banks was wasted. ;_; Still kinda bitter.

 

[apocat]

I mean, if you want your dirt-treading to have extra gravitas he's not a bad choice.

 

[Praetorpwj]

I mean, if you want your dirt-treading to have extra gravitas he's not a bad choice.

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Oh I BELIEVED that treading. It didn't even twig until later in episode 2 when I suddenly thought Hang on that means that Jonathan Banks is dead! WTF!

 

[napoleonic]

When will s3 air?

 

[Deleted member 268]

Not soon enough.