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Files

Previews only

The Expanse: Season 2 - Episode 13 - Patreon Version

Comments

Stefan

hmmm I kinda see what you mean by "side stuff" like the venus events having no connection to the main story but.... I don't know if that hast to do with me knowing the show much better of course but... I don't really see how you could think they are NOT connected to the main thing. The main story is still about them trying to find out info about and trying to contain the protomolecule and we already found out that it learns if it gets the chance to work with now stuff or "samples" so.... all that feeds a lot into the main storyline.

Torsten Maekler

Finally got to watch your reactions to Expanse Season 2. It's interesting to experience it through the eyes of people who don't connect to the show as we who got hooked to it. It's just this difference of not knowing what happens in the background and this slow layer by layer reveal that makes it so interesting - at least to me. It is so not Star Trek - and I am a Trekkie - that makes it interesting. I though can understand your issues with the characters and your disconnection to them because of this lack of understanding their motivations. Seeing the show through your eyes, the reveals feel slower than how I remembered watching it on my own. As Simone said: expectations are a bi...ch ;-). You were right, George, this is midway through Book 2. Book 2 ends with Episode 6 of Season 3 (by the way, when you come to Episode 7 it's best to NOT watch the intro when the music plays, because it is way more fun to be surprised who is coming on the show from Episode 7 onward).

Khan1001

Hi guys, been watching you guys on YouTube for a while and decided to try your patreon as well and glad I did, currently watching your Wire reactions, easily Top 5 shows of all time, anyway hope you guys come back to the Expanse and give Season 3 a try, The Expanse is at its very best in S3,S4, please give it one last go if you get a chance. I know you guys didn't love S1, it was a bit of a slow burn and some of the writing, acting and character motivations were questionable but the show gets better every season like S2 was miles better and S3 really opens up the story and a lot of questions are finally answered! anyway, wish you all the best, hope your YT channel & Patreon keeps growing and then you can quit your day jobs! Man, wish I could quit my day job! TC

Pamela Hofman

Book II ends with Season 3, Episode 6. Will you guys continue the series?

James W.

I think watching faster might actually make is worse in some ways. I would rewatch an episode like 2 or 3 times before the next one aired so I rarely felt lost or confused. Also due to my own personal saturation of Sci-Fi and Grinmdark sort of stories, the self-serious tone of the show and clunky bits of season 1 and 2 didn't bother me. I came up in the 80/90s where most Sci-Fi were hot garbage by comparison. Since BSG (2004) we have gotten increasingly cooler sci-fi shows and I eat that shit up. Before that I think Babylon 5 was the last one I remember obsessively watching and that show had some very rough early episodes got better and better until it kinda whimpered in the last season and a half. The Expanse seemed to just get better but that may be because of how bought into some of us were. hard to be objective. Because of the midseason sort of narrative overflow, the finale of each arc kinda hit in the middle of the following which is structurally weird compared to most shows. I understand that empty sort of feeling y'all had at the end of this season.

Farbod

Damn... shame this show wasn't for you guys. I think its the best Sci Fi show ever made. Seasons 1 and 2 are terrific but don't pay off until season 3. Oh well.

Etta Eskridge

Please, please, please continue the Expanse!! You will NOT be sorry that you did. Best show EVER IMHO. I can't even count how many times I have seen it now with so many reactors.

Brandon Duckett

Damn, joined to watch this in particular cause I assumed you'd finished it. ah well.

James W.

Still bummed y'all didn't connect with this show, some of the best sci-fi TV there has been.

Rav Low

TL;DR at the front because it's important: PLEASE give season 3 a shot eventually! A lot of the stupid character drama gets dropped, the writing gets a lot tighter and the issues of Season 1 & 2 go away. It's the "Riker's Beard" season (Simone would know :P) I've watched through all of these now and originally was a little more defensive of the show, but now that we've gotten to this point I'll say this: I think the BIGGEST issue that season 1 and (I think to a lesser extent) 2 have is that there's a lot of internal dialogue from POV characters in the novels, and not a lot of characters wear their hearts on their sleeves. But then how to you express their character traits on an external medium like film? They went with really shoddily written character drama that REALLY does not match the caliber of the characters themselves or the world or the mystery/political intrigue. And it's so distracting that it like re-contextualizes other characters, their motivations, what they're actually doing, etc. (Avasarala being "wrong" is a big one. She's rarely wrong, she's just a liar, and she'll throw shit at the wall to see what sticks.)

Matthew Langley

I really hope you give this show another try some day. I'd recommend starting over again. Not meant as a direct criticism since it's your thing but I think your style of talking over the show as it goes (I get it, don't want to cause pauses, sync issues, etc) caused you to miss so many details you thought weren't there but were. The Expanse is so deep and at first it really overloads you with lore and details. There's a reason there are so many scientist and science related people in love with this show. They pack so much depth in even in getting the science part right. I think you guys are genuinely the first people I've ever seen not fall in love with it. Give it another go please :) You won't regret it.

Matthew Langley

tbh the show was perfect season 1 and 2, I felt they talked over all the details they felt were missing. Definitely not a show you can start out doing that.

hackbyte

Heya ... please, is there maybe any chance that you might come back to The Expanse? Dunno if you need a (quick) restart/recap .. but ... uh, the series got so good over time.... It would be a shame if you never came back to it as far as the series itself evolved. ;)

Hammerdash

Oh dear. Just signed up to the Patreon and was looking forward to watching this series again, but judging by the comments here it sounds like they won't be the best reactions. I can live with stopping early, but if they're really confused and not enjoying the show then I don't know if I'll enjoy it either. I'll give it a shot at least and hope for the best.

By Grapthar's Hammer, what a member!

Was so excited to watch The Expanse with my favourite reactors but after reading the comments I don't think I'm going to bother. I'm a sci-fi nerd and this is one of my favourite shows of all time. Watched many reactions to it and never seen any that didn't love it. Can't see how it is hard to follow or understand. It has an amazing story and some great characters (Amos being my favourite of course. His line in season 3 is one of the coolest lines of all time.

Max

I think The Expanse is a fantastic show. It has many attributes that, in my experience, adults typically appreciate in shows and movies: - ambiguous character motivations, - understated emotional arcs, - flawed protagonists, - unresolved moral conflicts, - shifting loyalties and relationships, and - psychological realism. I find it puzzling that what you seem to want is so diametrically opposed to these attributes and disenchanting that I could only see smiles briefly dispel the looks of boredom and confusion on your faces in rare moments when the show dared to have a short cheesy moment.

BT

I joined Patreon to watch your Expanse reaction, and I'm disappointed you guys couldn't vibe with it. I consider this show to be one of the greatest sci-fi shows of all time. I understand it's not for everyone, though.

Logan Nelson

I'm slightly confused... Do you mean you will be returning with season 3? (Edited because I'm dumb and read expanse, and saw The Wire... Apologies for the dumbassery)

Einherj

George, I got a plan... Deadwood (2004) when?

JayF

I'm just happy you'll be returning to The Wire. I haven't been able to make myself watch The Expanse even with you two watching with me. Edit - I decided this post was too negative so I wanted to counter that with some sci-fi TV suggestions. Fringe X-Files Eureka Battlestar Galactica (the more recent one) Man in the High Castle and what the Hell, I'll suggest Star Trek: TOS to make Simone happy.

Elvenwitch

I am bummed you didn't enjoy the Expanse. I don't watch much that is anywhere close to a real-life drama. I look forward to future comedy/action/sci-fi/fantasy reactions. Have a cool Yule and a Happy Holidays!

Martin Nicholls

Yeah, book 2 ends in the middle of s3, then book 3 ends at the end of s3 and everything lines up with seasons from there.

Martin Nicholls

I love BSG but IDK why they wouldn't have the same issue with it they have with The Expanse, it's very dark and monotonously dark all the way through, at no point in the show does anything much "positive" happen - and there's a lot of characters you're not even supposed to like (or in a lot of cases ever really understand the motivations of), much like The Expanse. Also isn't Simone doing a Star Trek watch though, last I heard she was on Voyager (IDK why she didn't share with the class but that's another conversation smileyface).

Florian Hoyer

honestly stopping in the middle of the season where the book ends would always be a better break point xD Sad you dont like the execution of the story telling but i think everyone prefers different things, its one of the things i love about this show, it expects the viewer to do his own homework dont hold his hand and be like "yeah you can be unsure for a minute u will understand later" i feel it brings so much more

redddfer44

I also think that the first two seasons do a really poor job of giving an idea what's going on in anyone's head. Several times, I grew frustrated just because someone snapped again out of the blue or did something weird again and I wasn't sure if it was motivated in any way in the show. Was it something they thought? Was it some plot point that I'd forgotten in the complex web of facts that the showis? Or was it just poor execution where the script and the actors' performances aren't enough? I'm starting to think it's the latter. Or maybe it's all the grunting and christianbaleing and needless conflict that threw my concentration off. The books are indeed more coherent. I for one can't stand Miller in the show and was glad to see him and his fantasy girl go in the show, but he's a much more coherent and interesting character in the book. Likable? I'm not sure, but a character whose actions and thoughts are interesting to follow.

Haye Zeus

I’m in season 4 right now and the show does get way better but these first few seasons are a struggle. The only reason I kept watching cause I really wanted to see the moment when this show got good. And it does but I still haven’t gotten to the point where I really love it. But the show does become better

Luis Torrefranca

ehheh... "atmosphere as thrust" Someone call Jessica Chastain!

Grand Moff Slackin'

I do think the Amazon seasons are better than the SciFy seasons

Guthwulf

I'm still very confused why it's so difficult for you to connect to the story or characters. I would agree that the show shouldn't end seasons mid book, but I completely disagree with every single other of your problems with the show. Of course I respect your opinion, but I doubt that the other seasons will change anything for you. If you're still not enjoying the show, I would suggest to drop it. Tastes are different and that's ok.

James Lawson

Yeah I sorta feel sad, mostly because It seems that people are too used to characters being perfect in their motivations or not being irrational/distracted/angry. I found the Expance to be more real, people did lie, have ulterior motives, maybe not tell the whole truth, get angry, etc, because it's a big part of what makes us human. Not that everyone is just a perfect person who never has conflict. I would *love* them to continue Season 3 just because I do dislike that S2 ends at that point, then S3 seems to actually really wrap up a LOT while giving more time to some of my faves (Drummer!) Happy to wait for it though xD

Travis H

I didn’t watch The Expanse with you, I heard it was difficult to get into and I am not looking for a show like that at the moment. If you want a different sci-fi show I second the BSG reboot. Whats good about it is that it starts with 4ish hour mini series. And you will know immediately if it’s a show you want to continue with. If you don’t like the miniseries, don’t continue with the show. With that said I can’t wait to go back “down the hole” with you two and The Wire! I have not continued with the show since you finished season one and I love season 2!

Travis H

I felt weird talking about sci-fi shows and not bringing up my favorite show of all time, LOST! If you two start covering LOST (insert Futurama “take my money” gif)!

Lemons

Thank you for watching and reacting to Season 2 even after not quite enjoying Season 1. I know it can be a little frustrating with how the show goes about keeping the viewers guessing with information, but it does reveal answers later on. It can also be a little jarring for their stories to not finish until the middle of the next season and it does take awhile for characters to grow on you. I hope you continue with the show, but if you don't, I don't blame ya'll. Other sci-fi shows, you could check out are Fringe and 12 Monkeys. Fringe is a fun show with pseudo science and fun characters and monster of the week stuff like the X-Files, but the first season does take a bit to get through. 12 Monkeys, if you love timey wimey stuff, is very awesome and clever with its take on time travel.

Anthony Fontana

I think all of your criticisms are valid. I'm bummed you don't like the show more, but I'm glad you both seemed to enjoy it more than season 1. Excited to get back to The Wire!

Thomas Wendel

The Expanse was on the SyFi channel. It lasted 3 seasons. Then Amazon picked it up for 3 more seasons. Since there was no way of knowing if anyone would pick it up, most storylines are resolved in season 3. I hope you return to The Expanse if for no other reason than to finish out cliffhangers and the main story. It's worth it, in my opinion. The Amazon seasons drop the world building and melodrama and focus on action while still being true to the books. Much better writing too. Thank you for all these reactions! You guys are awesome. I hope you both have a great holiday.

Deserana12

What was the thing you guys mentioned at the end of last weeks episode? You said there’d be an extra smaller thing this week because of only 1 Expanse episode?

8bitAndy

Sad to say I haven't been vibing with the patreon exclusives since Firefly (which is crazy to admit because The Wire is probably most people's choice for greatest show of all time). Any chance we'll see Sherlock, Avatar The Last Airbender, Stranger Things, House MD, or Downton Abbey get some love in the near future? (I'd add Better Call Saul to that list, but you definitely need to watch Breaking Bad first.) No worries if not. You guys pump out so much content for YT that I'm always entertained regardless of when the exclusives aren't my cup of tea. Keep up the great work, and have a wonderful holiday season!

Martin

A couple more suggestions for future series to watch: Peacemaker and Invincible (animated series on Amazon).

JokerDanny

Please add Gotham to future TV polls

G P

You guys should check out Oz - I don't think anyone has reacted to it. Shares many actors with The Wire, was on HBO shortly before. Great writing with insane character development, unlike any show I've ever seen. Very violent, but its appropriate for the setting.

Matthew Langley

I'm surprised you guys aren't connecting more with the show. The Expanse is my wife and my favorite Sci Fi show and we're the type of people who've watched all 10 SG1 seasons like 7 times or more, every Star Trek show many times etc. Season 1 is definitely slow but definitely not bad IMHO. I can imagine coming in hyped up it might be disappointing, but I can tell you that having rewatching The Expanse multiple times Season 1 is amazing when you know things. It's a great season, just a really mediocre intro season. You get overwhelmed with info, names, people, cultures etc. People are constantly hinting at their motives personalities etc often in subtle ways. It's too much to pick up on the first time around, but rewatching it the characters are spot on for what you see later and it's really a great season once you know the people and the world. I love this though, they don't give you the normal dumbed down tutorial feeling. You are just immersed in everything and have to figure it out as you go. The attention to detail is amazing. Season 2 really ramps things up and is quite epic IMHO, even if the ending is a bit slow. The world and the characters are fantastic. I can say that I know it's overwhelming watching it the first time, but it feels like you guys really try to find reasons to not like the show, to deliberately look for plot holes/character behavior holes that aren't there. I can tell you that at least 95% of the issues I've seen either of you express with peoples motivations not being explained etc are usually actual things you just missed. No offense intended, I know watching this with you guys now is probably my 4th time through the whole show and I'm still picking up things. I can tell you they include an amazing amount of subtle things both in season 1 and 2 that explain pretty much everything you have issues with. It's really impressive actually, the rewatchability of this show is fantastic. Don't give up on it, the show just keeps amping up the epic-ness and is great all the way through.