the expanse
May. 16th, 2019 06:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
The Expanse (seasons 1-3)
I got this from the library and watched it quite fast because the show is gripping and fascinating, with excellent characters, great world-building, suspense, cool costumes, and fun haircuts. They seem to have no shortage of money; the sets and special effects are great.
The action mostly takes place in the Asteroid Belt, focusing on the lives of Belters. Miller is a stereotypical hard-boiled detective on Ceres, and he is assigned to quietly look for a missing woman named Julie Mao. Meanwhile, on an ice freighter, James Holden is offered the position of XO, and struggles with the responsibility. Earth is governed by the UN. Our window into this world is Chrisjen Avasarala, surely one of the greatest characters to ever grace a TV screen. Chrisjen is worried about a war breaking out between Earth and Mars.
The Expanse can be quite violent. Season 1 is more focused on white men than later seasons are, and I noted a couple of "bury your gays" moment (minor characters). By season 3 we have a lesbian character; I'd say queer representation on this show is a somewhat mixed bag.
I appreciate that there is (so far) no sexual violence. There are some brief torture scenes, lots and lots of murder, some gore, some child harm, a suicide.
I love how this show wrestles with ethics. The characters struggle to make the right decisions and sometimes they screw up. Violence vs. mercy is a repeated theme. The first season in particular focuses on lower class people who are just trying to get by. After a season and half, the story shifts, wrapping up several plot lines and starting in a different direction. This happens again in mid season 3.
Other appeal: Canadian actor bingo.
Highly recommended!
I got this from the library and watched it quite fast because the show is gripping and fascinating, with excellent characters, great world-building, suspense, cool costumes, and fun haircuts. They seem to have no shortage of money; the sets and special effects are great.
The action mostly takes place in the Asteroid Belt, focusing on the lives of Belters. Miller is a stereotypical hard-boiled detective on Ceres, and he is assigned to quietly look for a missing woman named Julie Mao. Meanwhile, on an ice freighter, James Holden is offered the position of XO, and struggles with the responsibility. Earth is governed by the UN. Our window into this world is Chrisjen Avasarala, surely one of the greatest characters to ever grace a TV screen. Chrisjen is worried about a war breaking out between Earth and Mars.
The Expanse can be quite violent. Season 1 is more focused on white men than later seasons are, and I noted a couple of "bury your gays" moment (minor characters). By season 3 we have a lesbian character; I'd say queer representation on this show is a somewhat mixed bag.
I appreciate that there is (so far) no sexual violence. There are some brief torture scenes, lots and lots of murder, some gore, some child harm, a suicide.
I love how this show wrestles with ethics. The characters struggle to make the right decisions and sometimes they screw up. Violence vs. mercy is a repeated theme. The first season in particular focuses on lower class people who are just trying to get by. After a season and half, the story shifts, wrapping up several plot lines and starting in a different direction. This happens again in mid season 3.
Other appeal: Canadian actor bingo.
Highly recommended!