SyFy has axed The Expanse - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: apis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 10:25:53 pm
content: So the SyFy channel decided to cancel yet another good Sci-Fi series. I guess it was inevitable from a network that apparently hate science fiction.https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/05/syfy-has-canceled-the-expanse-but-its-producers-want-to-find-it-a-new-home/

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 10:58:06 pm
content: Maybe YouTube Red will pick it up. Then, along with Cobra Kai, they will have two things worth paying for.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 11:53:30 pm
content: Quote from: apis on May 17, 2018, 10:25:53 pmHad it been really good, then they would have cancelled it before the second season.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 12:00:07 am
content: It's a great series, but any non-episodic story is a hard sell, especially a space based science fiction one. The deal that SyFy had wasn't exactly good for them either.Long and short, SyFy not making enough money on it.3 seasons is a pretty good run for a show like this, unfortunately the story it's telling takes more than 3 seasons to accomplish.Might have to start reading the books.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 12:12:14 am
content: Didn't they have that show that was also linear story but is taboo to us nerds to even mention? *cough*Stargate Universe*cough*

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 12:35:43 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on May 18, 2018, 12:00:07 amTo one extent or another, what about Babylon 5, DS9, Enterprise, BSG, and SG1?QuoteCritics made the point that SyFy's distribution with no online options was not a good match for a show like The Expanse now.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 01:31:57 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on May 18, 2018, 12:35:43 amEnterprise and SG1 are definitely episodic. Both have the odd story arc for sure, but still each episode, or at least the majority of a season's episodes, could more or less be watched independently. They are like The X-Files (at least the original, I haven't seen the reboot), mostly "monster of the week" but occasional "prior knowledge advised" episides. B5 is more serialised than those but much less than The Expanse, BSG similar, DS9 more episodic.But The Expanse, this is a very long running story which is, realistically, not something you can just jump in at any point without prior knowledge of almost all that went before. All The Expanse episodes except #1 are "prior knowledge required" I feel.

author: borjam
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 06:16:41 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on May 18, 2018, 12:35:43 amIt's available on Netflix in Spain.And sad news, I was really surprised to see Syfy (who lately seem to generate clone series by some algorithm) produce one of the best science fiction shows in many years.I wonder how successful it's been on Netflix. I hope they pick it up.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 07:12:10 am
content: Netflix may take it over, as they appear to have the right for outside the US.It closely follows the books, so diehard fans can finish it off.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 07:18:58 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on May 18, 2018, 12:00:07 amYeah, by the end of season 2, it felt like it was going to need at least 5 seasons.QuoteLikewise. Hopefully, it gets picked up as I still like watching it, but even if it doesn't, it did get me interested to dive into the novels.

author: senso
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 11:35:18 am
content: Its on Netflix on Europe, but they only release a season after its complete, so for now all we have is Season 2.I kinda hate that only USA companies make decent series, why is the cinema/tv industry non existent in EU?And then they only use USA ratings to measure a series performance, that and choosing WWE over anything else..

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 11:53:32 am
content: Quote from: senso on May 18, 2018, 11:35:18 amThat's not really true there is plenty of good tv out of Europe, especially Scandinavia and of course the UK.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 12:26:46 pm
content: AwwwwI was enjoying it.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 12:28:49 pm
content: Damn, that's sad newsIf netflix continues the show i'll give in and get a netflix account.Been thinking about it for a while.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 01:13:03 pm
content: Quote from: bitseeker on May 18, 2018, 07:18:58 amhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_(novel_series):Leviathan Wakes (2011)Caliban's War (2012)Abaddon's Gate (2013)Cibola Burn (2014)Nemesis Games (2015)Babylon's Ashes (2016)Persepolis Rising (2017)Tiamat's Wrath (2018)Unnamed novel 9 (2019)

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 07:13:09 pm
content: And nine books is the short version--the authors had originally planned out a twelve-book arc as well. As of the latest book there are a couple of big things that still haven't been fully revealed, so the last two books are going to be pretty heavy if they want to put a bow on everything.I haven't really kept up with the TV series, in part because it was kind of a pain to watch online. Looks like it's on Amazon Prime, though, so I'll have to find some time to catch up on it.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 11:10:30 pm
content: That's not bad. I'm making my way through the mainHonor Harrington series. Currently at book #9, Ashes of Victory.

author: apis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 12:11:51 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on May 18, 2018, 01:31:57 amIsn't it a bit different now when you can watch tv-series on demand? (At least on Netflix you can just watch each episode when you like so you do not have to miss anything.) Game of Thrones seems to have done well and it's also based on a book series.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 01:13:57 am
content: Quote from: apis on May 19, 2018, 12:11:51 amHBO was big enough and Game of Thrones was popular enough to make it work despite problems with distribution.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 07:37:40 am
content: I wonder why TV/Movie studios don't understand that a good show/movie (even if it doesn't get good ratings) is going to bring in much more income overall in the decades to come as new people discover and watch it.Babylon 5 is still bringing in good income from ongoing DVD sales 24 years later

author: Decoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 06:03:48 pm
content: I really liked The Expanse, and I like to think that I am picky when it comes to fantasy / sci-fi movies.I especially like how I get to relate to another universe, and to get to know it.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2018, 06:29:21 pm
content: Apparently Amazon is in talks to pick it up:https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/05/has-amazon-stepped-up-to-save-the-expanse-from-cancellation/

author: Acecool
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2018, 08:39:03 am
content: The Expanse is one of the only TV shows I actually watch... One of the biggest issues with the outdated tv rating system is they use number of boxes tuned to a show to determine ratings and most people leave their boxes on either a random channel or some channel so they get millions of ratings despite no one actually watching them, and the good shows which people watch or pay for online ( I don't subscribe to TV ) - those ratings aren't included... only the box ratings for the day the show aired the first time instead of total number who purchases it online, or subscribe to someplace online to watch it, etc...Amazon Prime already gives you the first 2 seasons in 144p ( yes 144p - you can't force UHD and can only get UHD if you own a TV and use a TV which I don't - I own a computer... truth be told, it's much easier to copy / record from a TV than it is from a computer because of all of the other processes, you can end up losing frames and a TV is this dedicated system ).... Also Netflix doesn't provide 4k to PCs, neither does Amazon or anyone else - so as much as I like the expanse, unless Amazon corrects this mistake they won't see money from me either.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2018, 03:56:18 pm
content: It figures.I read Leviathan Wakes a few years ago, but only recently discovered the show. Probably heard it mentioned but didn't connect it - I don;t think the original edition of the book said anything about calling it the Expanse series. Almost through season 2 and damn, one more and done.

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2018, 05:43:52 am
content: Fear not, Bezos signed the deal to keep making one of his favorite shows:https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/expanse-officially-revived-season-4-at-amazon-1115160(And there is the moment of the announcement:https://youtu.be/uqBEIyG0Dp8)

author: apis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2018, 02:06:16 pm
content: Great news!Quote from: Acecool on May 25, 2018, 08:39:03 amAs long as the show isn't cancelled you always have the option to buy it on DVD later if you like.

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2018, 05:44:05 pm
content: After seeing this thread I started watching the program on NetFlix. I'm only up to Series 1 Ep 3 but enjoying it. Thanks!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2018, 12:43:20 pm
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on May 26, 2018, 05:44:05 pmJust you wait until it really gets going. The show slowly gets better and better.It took around 1 season to hook me in. Maybe a little less.The first half of S1 is ok as the show finds its footing. The second half of S1 is very good.But then you get into S2 and S3 and you totally lose your shit over how awesome the show is.It reminds me of Babylon5 in the way it builds up.which everyone who likes scifi and massive story arcs should watch.B5 has aged quite well, so its totally watchable today.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2018, 05:39:41 pm
content: Yeah, I struggled a bit during the first season, but it was worth it. The worst part is waiting for the next episode!

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2018, 06:41:41 pm
content: I don't know, I seem to have lost all interest in it. I can handle a 12 part mini-series or a few ridiculously long movies like Lord of the Rings, but if this thing's going to take a decade to come to the end, I'll pass.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2018, 07:01:23 pm
content: rdl, wait for the end, then watch it. One episode a week is so 20th century.I never got into Stargate SG-1 in its first run. When I could watch episodes at my own pace, though, I really enjoyed it. Watched all 10 seasons plus the wrap up movies in two years.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2018, 07:10:49 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on June 09, 2018, 12:43:20 pmYes, it is truly awesome, and I'm rewatching it. There are so many little details you miss, which will all come together the second time.I'm so glad Amazon picked it up, really hope that it gets some bigger budget. The world building and details are just amazing.Can we see the Martian colonies please? The earth outside the UN building? MCRN HQ? Ship race with the razorback? Battles that we only saw for 10 seconds?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2018, 11:25:44 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on June 09, 2018, 07:10:49 pmThere's some of that later in the series (at least in the novels), but if you don't want to wait you could check out the first few novellas.Driveis about the invention of the Epstein drive, and has a little bit about life in the Martian colonies ~150 years before the novels start.The Churnis Amos's backstory, and gives a good look at what life is like for the lowest of the low on Earth. Neither one spoils anything in the show. I expect that we'll see Amos's backstory in the show as a flashback in another season or two.God's of Riskgives a more recent look at Martian life. I don'tthinkit has any spoilers for anything after the third season, but can't promise that--it's been a while since I read the first few books and I've only watched up to the first half of season two.Butcher of Anderson Stationis Fred Johnson's backstory, which we've already seen on the show.

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2018, 02:19:33 am
content: I read the first three books before the show first aired, and the initial episodes followed the books so closely it wasn't worth watching for me. It's no fun when you already know everything that's going to happen for the next several seasons. My memory is too good...takes about 20 years before I'll even consider rereading most books.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2018, 02:31:07 am
content: I'm saving the books for when the series ends, whether naturally or prematurely.

author: Acecool
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2018, 01:13:28 pm
content: The problem with that is that I'm already paying for Ultra HD ( 4k ) and I'm receiving 1/4th the quality because I'm using a device which makes it difficult to record ( PC running Windows ) - but those on TVs can easily record because their devices run their TV and their recorders connect to an output port and do a single function.... No dropped frames, etc... they're being rewarded..The ban on quality images despite paying for it on Windows machines is disgusting and I hope the Expanse team fights Amazon on this.