racheltobac 

Thanks to all your recommendations I just finished The Expanse! What a show!!

Has anyone read the books *after* watching the show? Should I? I have so many questions I think the books will help clear up (Re: Laconia).

If you have shows you watched after The Expanse please also recommend those too, I’m really going to miss living in this world (or should I say System) while watching this show!

Dec 23, 2022 at 6:45amWeb
Show thread🍜 Alan Braithwaite Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac read them after, still enjoying them. I'm past the series now. They're good but the show is better and even the authors admit it. They're just so long!
Show thread🍜 Alan Braithwaite Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac and they do talk more about Laconia.
Show threadShelenn AyresDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac The 100
Show threadrAmAk ✅Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac I stopped after season 2 because I wanted to read the books first ... on book 4 right now, but can't wait to continue the journey both in the books and on the screen.
Show threadAdam Hall 🇳🇿🇺🇸 Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac I am half way through re-watching Fringe (it’s all on Prime), I really enjoyed that show.
Show threadracheltobac Dec 23, 2022
@Adman ooo I’ll look into that thank you
Show threadcremevax👩🏻‍💻🏳️‍🌈​🇨🇦🇺🇦Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac I have read the first four books after watching the series. I liked them and plan on reading more, but imho the series was better. The visual world the series created was utterly remarkable.
Show threadKonstantinos XynosDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac reading during the show and just as good
Show threadJimDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac I did the show first, then all the books - I did them as audiobooks and Jefferson Mays does a great job reading. I enjoyed both, a bunch
There’s also a podcast called Ty & That Guy in which Wes Chatham (the actor who played Amos) and Ty Frank (half of the James SA Corey writing duo) talk about the series episode by episode. It drifts a bit, but often in fun ways and they offer a lot of insight into the series production, how and why the show differs from the books sometimes, etc.
Show threadNick FohsDec 23, 2022

@racheltobac if you want to optimize, just read the last trilogy (will cover Laconia)

SF shows that I truly enjoyed this year that were very different: Foundation and The Peripheral (hadn’t read books for either).
Show in general: Tokyo Vice

Show threadracheltobac Dec 23, 2022
@deltaon good call, I’ll prob read them all but good to know my Laconia curiosities will be addressed. Love The Peripheral, I’ll check out the others!
Show threadTanya Janca | SheHacksPurple  Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac The books are absolutely outstanding. The show made Naomi weak. Shes the most badass character of all time in the books.
Show threadracheltobac Dec 23, 2022
@SheHacksPurple loooved Naomi. The character that grew on me the most was Drummer, too. Excited to see how they’re portrayed in the books!
Show threadFabrice Roux  Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac @SheHacksPurple
Show threadxntrikDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac @SheHacksPurple +1 on the books. Great read!
Show threadAaron GrattafioriDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac @SheHacksPurple Drummer is different in the books unfortunately, she was my favorite! Such a badass, and her makeup was really cool.
Show threadTanya Janca | SheHacksPurple  Dec 23, 2022
@dyn @racheltobac Good call. I feel like they mashed Drummer in the show from two characters in the books. It was weird to have then squish two characters together
Show threadAaron GrattafioriDec 23, 2022
@SheHacksPurple @racheltobac it was, I would have liked show drummer in the books!
Show threadderekheldDec 23, 2022
@SheHacksPurple @racheltobac Drummer is my absolute favorite in the show. And in the books maybe Amos is my favorite. The books are a lot harder for me to pick a favorite.
Show threadTanya Janca | SheHacksPurple  Dec 23, 2022
@derekheld @racheltobac Did you read the novellas? There's one entirely about Amos and his origins
Show threadderekheldDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac @SheHacksPurple yup! I’ve nearly read everything 😂 I haven’t read Auberon or The Sins of Our Fathers yet.
Show threadBrandon WoodDec 23, 2022
@SheHacksPurple @racheltobac agreed that Naomi was so much better in the books (though I did still love her on the show, but agree that the show made her weak). The books also get much more into the significance of Laconia. I read the books, then watched the show, then reread the books. The collection of novellas is also quite good, especially The Churn.
Show threadTanya Janca | SheHacksPurple  Dec 23, 2022
@bcwood @racheltobac yessssss. The churn was tragic, but connected so many dots for me
Show threadBrandon WoodDec 23, 2022
@SheHacksPurple @racheltobac yes, definitely. Added so much depth to Amos’ character.
Show threadThe Chris DantesDec 23, 2022
@SheHacksPurple @racheltobac
Seriously. Everytime I see or read "This is Naomi Nagata of the Rosinante. Please tell James Holden that I am in... control" I get goosebumps.
Show threadTanya Janca | SheHacksPurple  Dec 23, 2022
@thechrisdantes @racheltobac I listened to the audio books. That sentence was AMAZING. So incredible
Show threadPadreSJDec 23, 2022

@racheltobac

The Expanse is one of those rare instances of a "book series-become TV series" in which BOTH series are great and clearly tell the same story, but in ways that take full advantage of the medium in which they are being told.

Characters were changed, arcs were shortened or omitted, but I just did a re-read of the book and the story is completely intact.

-- This is once-in-a-generation space SciFi. (Like BSG reimagined)

Show threadracheltobac Dec 23, 2022
@PadreSJ I’m so glad to hear that!!
Show threadJess TelfordDec 23, 2022

@racheltobac
If you haven't yet; I highly recommend watching Firefly. It's got a similar "follow a small crew" vibe, and when combined with the Serenity movie to cap it off, touches a bit on the Space Opera side.

In an ideal world, Disney's purchase of Firefly IP would mean an Expanse-esque reboot: so much in that universe to explore, and so many fascinating interlocking relationships and histories to tie together 😍

Show threadDave SmithDec 23, 2022
@jesstelford @racheltobac omg a Firefly spinoff would be amazing 🤞
Show threadJess TelfordDec 23, 2022

@smittyplusplus @racheltobac

I think Disney is planning a reboot in the same universe.

I really really want it to be in the style of Expanse, not in the style of Disney-Starwars 😅

Show threadDave SmithDec 24, 2022
@jesstelford @racheltobac I could dig an Andor-vibed version of it though. Andor is actually good, if you haven’t checked it out.
Show threadJess TelfordDec 24, 2022

@smittyplusplus @racheltobac

It's on my list! I've heard great things - I would be glad to be wrong about Disney 😅

Show threadbbennettesq Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac the expanse was the official show of #privacy Twitter for several years. We all stan Avasarala.
Show threadracheltobac Dec 23, 2022
@bbennettesq love that! I need to find a place where I can buy similar clothes, specifically Avasarala’s long coats!!
Show threadMichaelDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac Check out Tales From the Loop on Prime.
Show threadAaron 🥞Dec 23, 2022
@racheltobac My wife is reading the books and has enjoyed them a lot. We both watched the show and loved it. The realistic detail to what space could actually be like was impressive.
Show threadWilliamDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac next stop is The Peripheral, based on a Gibson book of the same name. Produced by the people who did Westworld I think.
Show threadxaniwoopDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac not so much a show but I jumped into the audiobooks of the BobbiVerse by Dennis E Taylor and I'm guessing you've already done Altered Carbon?
Show threadAaron GrattafioriDec 23, 2022

@racheltobac I read about half the books. I paused after the first season to do so though... then finished the TV series which was quite good.

I stopped at half the book series because I was annoyed at how much they slowed down and focused on random BS. Some people like that though or just don't care. The books also go farther than where the series stopped, I'll probably read the rest at some point.

Show threadAdam FieldsDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac I’m reading the books after watching the show. I’m on book 7 now. By and large, while the show is excellent, the books are even better.
Show threadAdam FieldsDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac there are a number of character and plot restructurings that the show did. Some of them work well, some I was like “oh, that would have been totally badass to see in the show”.
Show threadMatt SilverlockDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac Also: https://expanse.fandom.com/wiki/Laconia - !
Laconia

Laconia II, simply referred to as Laconia by its inhabitants, is an Earth-like and the second planet in the system with the same name. The official name of the planet was CRS-673, after the Comprehensive Ring Survey that discovered its existence and its Ring. Following the reactivation of the Ring network, the planet was settled by a rogue element of the Martian Congressional Republic Navy (MCRN) during the Free Navy Conflict, effectively establishing a functioning government as the Laconian Emp

The Expanse Wiki
Show threadFritzDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac I read the books after watching the first season. Highly recommended! Haven't gone back to the show but it's on my list.
Show threadShelenn AyresDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac While I think the Expanse was great, and I am a Trekkie, my all time fav sci-fi universe is Babylon 5 and the HBOMax digital remaster (not the movies or spinoffs) is worth the watch or rewatch!

B5 was the forerunner of 5 year story arcs in the early 90's, was the first to have realistic space vehicles from a physics perspective, created by acclaimed writer J. Michael Straczynski, on time on budget, and in bringing CGI to the industry. CGI powers todays 3D graphics industries. The Expanse reminded me of these facts as it portrayed a 5 year story arc with some interesting physics details as well even though they have vastly different content, plots, characters, and stories.

Both are well-written and directed series' that help us think about where humanity is today and is going in the future "if we are not careful". The intersectionality in B5 is very intriguing and the foresight of JMS to see into the future of politics and supremacy divisions is uncanny. He addresses nearly every societal issue within the series itself much more so than within the Trek universe even though DS9 writers attempted to do so.

It has been interesting to see the reactions of millennials and Gen Z to watching B5 for the first time while they are podcasting their commentaries. ;) In any case, it is definitely sci-fi of interest to anyone who enjoys great story lines with a focus on science, sociology, politics, diversity, futurism, and intersectionality. So I encourage anyone to take a fresh look given the state of our world - especially since 2016 in the US.

Cancelled series you may enjoy are: BSG Prequel Caprica and B5 spinoff Crusade. I recommend any of the B5 Movies as well but they make more sense when watched in conjunction with the series.
Show threadtqgibtngoDec 23, 2022

@shelenn @racheltobac

"We've been borrowing your good ideas for years."
— #TheExpanse co-author Ty Franck, tweeting to #Babylon5 creator J Michael Straczynski. (2018)

Show threadChar has movedDec 23, 2022

@racheltobac #scifi #tv #books

I technically started watching the tv show first, but finished the last book before the Expanse tv show ended. I much preferred the book series - had a better conclusion by far. I can’t think of a better “space opera” show, although Altered Carbon comes very close (I highly recommend it).
For the Peripheral, the tv show definitely deviated from the books, but I really liked it and feel it did a great job of bringing the story to life in that medium.

Show threadChris WithersDec 23, 2022
@Char @racheltobac Altered Carbon is that good huh? I’ve seen a few people mention it, but I hesitate. An acquaintance worked on the show and speaks very poorly of the experience.
Show threadChar has movedDec 23, 2022

@Chrisosaur @racheltobac

Altered Carbon did a great job of bringing very human themes to a very sci fi world. But kept both very believable and realistic. While it felt more distant future, it related easily to current life. Without a spoiler, I recall an ad blocker that felt very believable.

Show threadChar has movedDec 23, 2022

@racheltobac #books #scifi

As far as sci fi book recommendations, assuming similar themes from the Expanse:
Diving series by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (space)
Murderbot series by Martha Wells (space, human/computer interaction/cyborg)
Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons (space, distant future)
Heorot Series by Niven, Pournelle, Barnes (colonization)
I read anything Gibson writes (Peripheral, etc) - but his focus is people more than space and science

Show threadMatt StewartDec 23, 2022
@Char @racheltobac
MurderBot is very fun. I love how it lives in a constant state of anxiety/existential crisis. Not opera like The Expanse, but loads of fun nonetheless.
Show threadChar has movedDec 23, 2022

@jackscerebellum @racheltobac

Yes exactly. It’s a special take on human characterization - with technology, “otherness”/prejudice. There’s plenty of plots in the Expanse where groups like belters are demonized, all the way to people essentially repurposed by aliens but questions are they still human? Murderbot has a lot more humor which I appreciate in such a otherwise morose/serious story.

Show threadLe BelgeDec 23, 2022

@Char @racheltobac

I second the Kristine Kathryn Rusch suggestion. I also like the first half dozen books in her Retrieval Artist series very much. The Murderbot series is very good indeed. I am somewhat ambivalent about the Hyperion cantos. Another series I particular like is the Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold.

#Rusch #Bujold #SciFi

Show threadthepwnicornDec 23, 2022
@racheltobac the books are fantastic! I can definitely recommend them.
Show threadThe Chris DantesDec 23, 2022
I started reading the books after season 3, I think. I love the books, but oddly, there's more character development in the show at times. Some scenes are better in the books. The last three books are quite different than the rest. But yeah, I loved the books.
Show threadDopeGhotiDec 23, 2022

@racheltobac
It is not based on books, but if you are not yet familiar with it, I highly recommend Farscape. It's not steeped in hard SF as The Expanse is but it is definitely quite a well-written and produced series IMO.

You have also been recommended Babylon 5 which is a spectacular series and I'll vouch for it as well.

Show threadBartoszJan 23, 2023
@racheltobac altered carbon is a good book, in similar universe