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So, I just finished watching the first two episodes of The Expanse. Previously, I had never finished episode 1. It helps that I have a state of the art TV and great surround sound system. High quality content. I didn't remember that Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) from Breaking Bad makes an appearance.

I watched and enjoyed The Expanse all the way up to the point where it changed networks (to Amazon Prime I think?). I never picked it back up after that.

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 05, 2024 7:54 am

I watched and enjoyed The Expanse all the way up to the point where it changed networks (to Amazon Prime I think?). I never picked it back up after that.

I did for the first season on prime and it wasn't the same.... wasn't necessarily bad but just not what we previously knew. Really loved the first 2-3 seasons.

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 05, 2024 7:54 am

I watched and enjoyed The Expanse all the way up to the point where it changed networks (to Amazon Prime I think?). I never picked it back up after that.

That is because it went from, when you watched it, having a limited budget on SyFy network. When Amazon took over (because ratings on SyFy were going to cause a large budget cut, impacting what was already a limited budget), they poured a lot of money into it. Didn't change anything else. You'll notice the quality goes up quite a bit when Amazon took over. You're missing out if you don't revisit it.

My friend Perplexity adds a little more context for you, Mori:

Amazon took over The Expanse starting with Season 4, following a dramatic rescue campaign that culminated in Jeff Bezos personally announcing the show's salvation at the International Space Development Conference in 2018.

The Transition Impact


Production Improvements
- Increased visual effects budget and upgrade to 4K HDR
- Freedom from the strict 43-minute episode length restriction
- Removal of language censorship, allowing more authentic dialogue
- Enhanced production value, particularly visible in planetary scenes and space battles

Distribution Changes
- Switched from weekly releases to all-episodes-at-once format
- Removed commercial breaks
- Made previous seasons more accessible through Prime Video

Why Amazon Saved It

The rescue came about through a combination of factors:
- An passionate fan campaign, including flying a "Save The Expanse" banner over Amazon Studios
- Jeff Bezos's personal interest in the show
- The series' strong performance on Amazon's streaming platform even while airing on Syfy

Creative Impact
The move to Amazon brought creative benefits:
- Longer episode running times allowing scenes to "breathe"
- Ability to plan long-term story arcs due to early season renewals
- Freedom to explore more ambitious storylines and settings
- Maintained the core quality of writing and storytelling while expanding its scope

The transition to Amazon is widely considered to have been beneficial for the series, providing the resources and creative freedom needed to fully realize its potential.

Its one of those shows I want to go back and finish but usually squirrel out to something else.

I took the liberty of moving the last several posts about video games to the Video Games thread; hope that's okay.

Mori Chu wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 05, 2024 3:20 pm

I took the liberty of moving the last several posts about video games to the Video Games thread; hope that's okay.

Love it! Was going to ask if that would be possible so we can keep the convo on point.

I just finished episode 4 of The Expanse. I'm firmly into it now. Also two into Cross and enjoying that as well.

I finished Cross tonight. Very good and compelling show. One thing bothered me at the end though:

How far are you on The Expanse?

AmareIsGod wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 7:25 am

How far are you on The Expanse?

I think e5 is still next. Cross got me hooked and I was watching two at a time. The Expanse is a little denser and not easy to watch back to back, I've found so far. I'll watch the next episode tonight though for sure.

Anyone watch Dune: Prophecy? I’m mixed on it. I want to like it but feel it’s trying too hard to be game of thrones.

Kryptonic wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:28 pm

Anyone watch Dune: Prophecy? I’m mixed on it. I want to like it but feel it’s trying too hard to be game of thrones.

I still haven't even watch part 2 of the new Dune movie. Is that streaming?

Superbone wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:06 pm

Kryptonic wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:28 pm

Anyone watch Dune: Prophecy? I’m mixed on it. I want to like it but feel it’s trying too hard to be game of thrones.

I still haven't even watch part 2 of the new Dune movie. Is that streaming?

Yeah it's on Max

Based on the recommendations, I watched the first episode of the Expanse last night. So far, so good. I'll keep watching.

TOO wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:15 pm

Superbone wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:06 pm

Kryptonic wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:28 pm

Anyone watch Dune: Prophecy? I’m mixed on it. I want to like it but feel it’s trying too hard to be game of thrones.

I still haven't even watch part 2 of the new Dune movie. Is that streaming?

Yeah it's on Max

And a great movie!

AmareIsGod wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:50 am

TOO wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:15 pm

Superbone wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:06 pm

Kryptonic wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:28 pm

Anyone watch Dune: Prophecy? I’m mixed on it. I want to like it but feel it’s trying too hard to be game of thrones.

I still haven't even watch part 2 of the new Dune movie. Is that streaming?

Yeah it's on Max

And a great movie!

Yeah, even my wife likes it which is big for me lol. She's pretty anti nerdy sci-fi

Wife and I finished Foundation S1, E8, The Missing Piece. SO GOOD! Bravo. I think it was Episode 6 that was a snoozer (I was also tired that night, to be fair). E8 is amazing. Mori, if you gave up before getting here, I highly recommend. Very character driven with fantastic dialogue between Demerzel and Brother Day towards the end.

TOO wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:56 am

AmareIsGod wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:50 am

TOO wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:15 pm

Superbone wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:06 pm

Kryptonic wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:28 pm

Anyone watch Dune: Prophecy? I’m mixed on it. I want to like it but feel it’s trying too hard to be game of thrones.

I still haven't even watch part 2 of the new Dune movie. Is that streaming?

Yeah it's on Max

And a great movie!

Yeah, even my wife likes it which is big for me lol. She's pretty anti nerdy sci-fi

I lucked out. My wife loves sci-fi. My dad loves it too but my mom isn't much a fan. He misses out.

TOO wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:56 am

AmareIsGod wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:50 am

TOO wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:15 pm

Superbone wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 11:06 pm

Kryptonic wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:28 pm

Anyone watch Dune: Prophecy? I’m mixed on it. I want to like it but feel it’s trying too hard to be game of thrones.

I still haven't even watch part 2 of the new Dune movie. Is that streaming?

Yeah it's on Max

And a great movie!

Yeah, even my wife likes it which is big for me lol. She's pretty anti nerdy sci-fi

Your wife also likes you!!