The Expanse first three seasons/books discussion thread (spoilers)

[Zontar]

So now that the first three seasons of The Expanse are done and available on home video release, I think it's time to discuss the series.

So far the first three seasons have adapted the first three books and two of the six novella/short stories of the series. But not in the way that you think, instead the first book being adapted over the first season and first 5 episodes of the second, the second book adapted from the start of season 1 all the way to the 6th episode of season 3, the third season being the rest of season 3 and the novella/shot story being each part of an episode in seasons 1 and 2 respectively.

I personally think it worked out in the end, let the show have a coherent plot that was a faithful, if different, version of the story from the books. he events are more or less the same, but the tone is oddly different. The books are light hearted and funny, filled with dark humour and even straight comedy at times, while the show is a serious and dramatic work. Which is odd because the books are at the same time far more brutal in their events, with the Earth-Mars alliance ripping apart in war in the first book that only ended in a cease fire that ended in the second book and went to full on war between the two before a deescilation occurred, while in the series the show starts with Earth and Mars in a cold war, and while there are incidents it's not until the second and third season that the war begins.

I like the books and have really enjoyed the show so far, and am looking forward to season 4 which seems set to be an adaptation of the 4th book and two of the remaining 4 novella. Since it's on Amazon now I think it's safe to assume the show will adapt all 9 books and the 6 novella/short stories, since apparently Jeff Bezos is a fan of the series, and even made the announcement of the show being saved by Amazon Video himself. Not that I'd have been too upset if the show had ended, season 3 ends with what would have been a satisfying conclusion to the series, but I'm glad the show was saved.

 

[Eacaraxe_v1legacy]

Personally, I think the show has more than its fair share of humor. Bobbie's banter with Chrisjen in the front-half of season 3 is pretty witty, and Surprise Physics Lessons never fail to deliver.

 

[Trunkage]

I've never watched anything on Amazon. So I'm probably never going to see the rest of this show. Which makes me sad. I think its been one of the better ones from the last couple of years

 

[Zontar]

I've never watched anything on Amazon. So I'm probably never going to see the rest of this show. Which makes me sad. I think its been one of the better ones from the last couple of years

You could try a free trial when the next season comes out (or when it's done if they release it over time rather then one shot). I personally like the service, the fast free shipping is great (I consistently get orders the day before they're supposed to be released), the discount I get on stuff I was going to get otherwise make it pay for itself, and the original content on Amazon Video is, in my opinion, better then Netflix's.

Personally, I think the show has more than its fair share of humor. Bobbie's banter with Chrisjen in the front-half of season 3 is pretty witty, and Surprise Physics Lessons never fail to deliver.

Yes there is plenty of comedy, but the books are practically a comedy with serious moments, the show is a serious drama with moments of levity.

 

[Hawki]

So now that the first three seasons of The Expanse are done and available on home video release,

Take it this is Canada? Australia has only had season 1 released so far. Managed to get season 2 through Netflix.

The books are light hearted and funny, filled with dark humour and even straight comedy at times, while the show is a serious and dramatic work. Which is odd because the books are at the same time far more brutal in their events, with the Earth-Mars alliance ripping apart in war in the first book that only ended in a cease fire that ended in the second book and went to full on war between the two before a deescilation occurred, while in the series the show starts with Earth and Mars in a cold war, and while there are incidents it's not until the second and third season that the war begins.[/quote]

I can't remember much of that, or really, much of anything. As much as I like the show, I detest the books - they started out average, and got worse with each installment (read the first four), and the short stories didn't sell me on the setting either. The one thing the books do well for me is worldbuilding, but worldbuilding isn't enough to carry a series if your characters and plots aren't interesting.

You could try a free trial when the next season comes out (or when it's done if they release it over time rather then one shot). I personally like the service, the fast free shipping is great (I consistently get orders the day before they're supposed to be released), the discount I get on stuff I was going to get otherwise make it pay for itself, and the original content on Amazon Video is, in my opinion, better then Netflix's.

I can't speak for Trunkage, but I have little reason to use Amazon at this point. If I want books, I can order from Book Depository. If I want electronics, I can usually get them from other places that are still cheaper. Doesn't help that reportedly, the selection of Amazon Video is pitiful (even more so than the comparative lack of Australian Netflix content when compared to its US counterpart). At this point, I'm hoping it's still released on DVD here. I've used Netflix in the past, but I find it's just not worth it when I can borrow DVDs from the library for free.