The Expanse needs a thread, as it's definitely the best sci-fi show currently running, and it's one of the best ever (in my opinion). I should have made a thread sooner. I'm glad Amazon is picking it up for season 4. Whatever they're charging, I'll pay. Hard sci-fi geeks love it, because it sticks with realistic physics whenever possible. Sure, the alien tech can violate Newton's Laws of Motion, but the humans have to obey those laws. Spacecraft still travel by way of rocket engines attached to their back end. No faster than light travel, and humans haven't left the solar system. Gravity has to be simulated by acceleration or spin. Fighting is mostly done by missiles at ranges of thousands of kilometers. No energy weapons, as dispersion over distance renders them useless. Like a lot of shows, it started slowly, but it just kept building steam. I thought it might slow down after the latest "story arc" ended mid season 3, but it got better. The last episode was particularly good. Lots of action wasn't necessary. The stunned crews emerging from the aftermath of feeling Newton's First Law (a body in motion will stay in motion), that was very effective. I hadn't thought about the effect of zero-G on wound healing before. The ending ... that had me jumping up and yelling "Oh **** yeah!". I had assumed it would be the injured Amos showing up to save the day. What a wonderful surprise, but in character, once you think about it. I have not read the books, so I never know what's coming.
I've not read the books either but since there are several of them they have a lot of material to work with. I agree it's the best hard SF show currently on, although frankly I thought Netflix's Lost In Space was equally good and also stayed (so far) within the hard SF realm.
First rule don't send Martian Marine Grunts into an alien object and make decisions for the human race well over their pay grade, it won't turn out well.
Great show. One of my favourites. Love the commitment to make it as realistic as possible on the human side. Also love the 'belters'. So much thought has clearly gone into this from the author and the TV series is better for it. Can't wait for the next series.
I've been rewatching the last eps just to see the Anna/Amos interactions again. Amos, he's sort of sociopath, but he knows he is, so he tries harder. I don't want to get too spoiler-y, as people are still catching up. Drummer rocks. And Thomas Jane may have played the best noir detective ever.
