/r/TheExpanse: Save the Roci! : subredditoftheday

Authored by reddit.com and submitted by ZadocPaet
image for /r/TheExpanse: Save the Roci! : subredditoftheday

49,538 Belters, Earthers, and Martians in orbit for 4 years!

The Expanse is a science fiction television series that airs on the only cable network that looks like a slang term for a sexually transmitted disease, Syfy. (You know which one I'm talking about.) The show is based on a series of novels by James S. A. Corey and is in its third season.

The world building is what drew me in, and I stayed for accurate portrayals of science that are usually not present in modern movies and television, multifasceted characters, and compelling political intrigue. Plus, you know, action. The show, hands down, has the best space battles I've ever seen.

So, what is this show all about?

It takes place in a future where mankind has colonized the Moon, Mars, various asteroids, and moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn. On Earth, we've continued down our current path of environmental destruction and have achieved a one-world government, overseen by the United Nations. Our colonies on Mars have declared independence. A cold war brewing between the two powers becomes hot after three seasons. Also, we've discovered a way to travel pretty fast.

In the midst of all of this is the Belt. The inners (those living on Earth and Mars) rely on belter labor for resources. Life in the belt is hard where freshwater and common commodities, such as cheese, are scarce.

If political tensions and eventual war are not enough, a new problem threatens to destroy all of humanity, which comes in the form of the protomolecule, an alien lifeform of unknown origin and intent that has the ability to repurpose biological and technological resources for its own designs. The few in power who initially knew of its existence attempted to weaponize it, making matters worse for all parties (of course).

The show is sooo good that its current season has a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It compares favorably to other popular shows in and outside of its genre.

The Expanse does bring me back to 2003 when the reimaging of a childhood favorite of mine, Battlestar Galactica, appeared in the form of a three hour miniseries on the then-named Sci Fi Channel. The Expanse has the same gritty feel as the first few seasons of BSG. Just badass scifi in space with great storytelling.

The Game of Thrones comparisons are unavoidable. Just as the Lannister, Stark, and Targaryen factions jockey for power, so do Earth, Mars, and the Belt. Like in GoT, The Expanse delivers the story from multiple points of view on all sides in an equally high stakes political game that even Littlefinger would appreciate.

So, what makes r/TheExpanse so great?

It's the community. The users, the mods, everyone. This is one subreddit where you don't just interact with fellow fans, but also with members of the crew who come visit to give detailed explanations on technical feats achieved on a TV budget and express their genuine gratitude to everyone who loves their work. The mods don't just procedurally remove spam and vulgarities, they are big fans who are members of the community, not just overlords. These are not an unheard of phenomena in the redditsphere, but they are undeniably ingredients that make for the best of the best fandom-based subreddits.

Speaking of the users... You may have heard that Syfy announced its decision to cancel The Expanse. (It's been on the front page of reddit, like a lot.) This is honestly a tragedy for lovers of great television. Scientists and artists alike have vocally risien to the show's defence, including George R.R. Martin.

I've seen fan campaigns to save shows in the past. I participated in the one for Farscape (it half-worked) and I remember when people sent nuts to CBS exes to get a second season for Jericho (it did work).

These guys at r/TheExpanse helped to organize funding to get an airplane to fly a banner over Amazon headquarters to push the company into picking up the show for a fourth season. That's a thing that happened.

Yesterday, in under four hours, they helped to raise enough money for a publicity stunt to top even that one. They're sending a model of one of the shows spaceships to space. That's a thing that's going to happen.

Amazon is currently in talks to renew The Expanse.

It's unbelievable. I am so happy to be a fan of the show and a member of this community.

Remember, the show is on tonight. Watch it live through in ways that count for ratings, like YouTube TV and HULU TV. Get a one week free trial. Buy the show on Amazon. DVR it. Watch it on Netflix.

Quotes in this article are from a Q&A with u/backstept, who is a moderator of r/TheExpanse.

asodfhgiqowgrq2piwhy on May 23rd, 2018 at 13:20 UTC »

ALRIGHT I'LL START WATCHING THE EXPANSE

BoxScoreHero on May 23rd, 2018 at 13:14 UTC »

As someone who lurks a ton but has been a huge fan of The Expanse from the jump I'm incredibly proud of this place and all the awesome fans behind the movement to #SaveTheExpanse.

Can't stop the work.

Combat_Wombatz on May 23rd, 2018 at 12:50 UTC »

It reaches out.