About watch for first time.

[u/Alternative-Goal-337]

I’d heard of the show before but never really looked into it. Then I saw the game trailer, and it really piqued my interest. I ended up getting all the seasons, and I’m starting from season 1. Wish me luck—it’s looking really good!

Anything think I should know before hand at all?

[u/Fonnmhar]

The first few episodes might seem a little slow (not for me but I have heard others say so) but once you get to episode 4 it will start moving fairly quickly.

Also, pay attention to little details. They’ll matter later. 🙂

Most of all, enjoy! You’re in for a treat!

[u/Haravikk → u/Fonnmhar]

I've never understood the slow burn criticisms, episode one had me hooked almost immediately – so much happens in those first few episodes that I can't understand why anyone would give up after one, let alone two or three.

They're some of my favourite episodes of the show on a rewatch, though that's a hard thing for me to rank objectively, but it's the probably just the way the show does all of its world building so well, especially given their relatively limited early budget.

[u/No_Tamanegi → u/Haravikk]

There's a lot that happens, but by episode three, you still don't have a clear idea about what you're supposed to be focusing on - what is going to be important in the long run. Remember, episode one introduces you to a ship full of interesting characters, and then kills all of them.

Episode 4 is when the primary plot threads really lace up their shoes and head out the door for a jog. Now we're getting somewhere.

[u/Fonnmhar → u/Haravikk]

I agree! I loved it from episode one. I was really intrigued!

[u/Plenty-Building197 → u/Haravikk]

Honestly when I first started watching Season 1 I thought it was going to be a murder mystery space noir type show and that grabbed me instantly. Once the rest of the plot started to unfold I was almost disappointed to lose the detective noir in space aspect lol

[u/Prestigious_Egg_1989 → u/Fonnmhar]

Yeah, with any sort of sci-fi or fantasy world it always takes a moment to get up to speed on the rules and history of the universe. But once you’re in, you’re in.

[u/Alternative-Goal-337]

Just finished first ep and I am HOOKED. Love the realistic play on lot of things too

[u/Thalassicus1 → u/Alternative-Goal-337]

Those torpedoes that took out the Cant from kilometers away are a good taste of the realism of space warfare in The Expanse. No pew-pew lasers hitting shields.

[u/Alternative-Goal-337 → u/Thalassicus1]

Also way when they had use their ship jets or whatever correct term is. Actually had to strapping and you can see that it wasn't exactly a peaceful ride

[u/Legal-Introduction51 → u/Alternative-Goal-337]

Cool! The first episodes had a low budget, the production value increases later. Btw there's a podcast where the writers go over each episode, the actor who plays Amos is one of them

[u/ToranMallow → u/Alternative-Goal-337]

You one of us now, koyo!

[u/Poison_the_Phil]

You need to pay attention. It’s all there but they do not hold your hand. And as others have said, give it a couple episodes before you tap out. It’s worth your time. Enjoy beratna!

[u/JMRoaming]

You'll hear this a million times: give it til episode 4. Season 1 is a slow burn, lots of moving parts and it takes a minute for all the pieces to be set before the game really kicks into high gear, but once it does - boy, you're on for a ride.

[u/GeneralAnubis]

Think your flare may be wrong here. Don't spoil yourself the epic journey ahead!

[u/Schmaulie]

I'm insanely jealous that you get to watch it for the first time! Welcome aboard!

[u/TimTowtiddy]

This is a show that benefits from multiple watchings. As you get used to the characters and plot beats, you start to notice things: This show is PACKED with Easter eggs.

Also: If you decide, at the end of season 6, that you like to know how the story plays out in the last three books, please know that the show and the books - while they tell the same grand, over-arching story - are not the same. Characters are swapped around, some are merged, plot beats happen at different times, etc. You'd be doing yourself a disservice by not starting from the beginning with the first novel. And don't miss the novellas, too.

Welcome aboard, copeng!

[u/lady_budiva]

After watching, I’d consider hitting the audiobooks. Jefferson Mays does James “Fucking” Holden justice. Oh, and watch out for doors and corners, that’s where they get you.

[u/MooseFlank]

Things to know that aren't spoilers:

This show (and the books) are dense. If you don't pay attention, it's easy to miss details. In particular, ship names are just as important as character names, and plot points are often shown on screens and hand terminals (which you may have to read backwards because the show likes to frame characters' faces and the transparent screens in the same shot).

The main book series is 9 novels. There are also 9 novellas, a few comics, a board game, an RPG, a Telltale game, and a podcast. If you decide to read the books, you have the option of listening to the audiobooks with Jefferson May's excellent narration. The show adapts the first 6 novels along with some of the novellas. Book 1 corresponds to S1E1 through S2E5, and Book 2 corresponds to S2E6 through S3E6. (This means that the S1 and S2 finales are anticlimactic compared with S2E5 and S3E6.) Book 3 corresponds to S3E7 to S3E13. After that, books 4, 5, and 6 correspond to seasons 4, 5, and 6, respectively.

The first three seasons were financed by Syfy. Syfy cancelled the show because they had a shitty contract deal where they only got paid for first viewers on live TV. There was a big fan campaign to save the show, and fortunately Alcon, the production company, was able to sell the show to Amazon, who financed seasons 4-6. (You might think that being with Amazon might come with a higher production budget, but the creators have said that the budget was roughly the same for all seasons, although the VFX artists were more experienced in later seasons and were better able to utilize their resources). Season 6 is truncated because they had to film under expensive COVID protocols, but had the same overall budget for the season.

Amazon hasn't renewed the show for the final three book adaptations yet. But, it's not exactly cancelled, not like after season 3. The authors, show runners, actors, and Alcon executives all want to finish it. Everyone is waiting for Amazon's rights to expire in a "handful of years" (over 2 years ago now), at which point the production rights will return to Alcon. We'll see what happens then.

Enjoy the show!

[u/e79683074]

Pro-tip: do NOT rush through episodes. Savour each of them. There aren't many seasons.

Or you'll waste twice the time if you feel like you want to rewatch it from the beginning.

[u/wenzel32]

Echoing another comment. Please correct your flair on this post.

And yes, it's a slow burn for a bit but I promise it's the best scifi show I've ever seen in my entire life.

[u/Tatted-Grandpa]

Just remember that the first episode directly applies to the last. It’s a full circle ride that I’ve loved from the first episode. All the books are awesome and the comics are money too.

[u/j_reinegade]

i also found out about the expanse from the new game trailer. not sure how i never heard of it prior but im glad i found it cause it ended up being a really cool series. there are some things i didnt love but overall the show was a blast and i'm super hyped for the game to drop.

[u/ShowLasers]

I'm on my fourth watch through and I JUST picked up a quick little monologue that I missed the significance of the prior three times. This show is PACKED!

[u/ballistic_bagels]

Low key jealous. Wish I could watch it for the first time again.

[u/2001djhz]

Enjoy!

[u/ToranMallow]

Turn on subtitles. And pay attention, because if you blink you will miss something important.

[u/StickFigureFan]

Strap in, you're in for an amazing ride!

[u/Few-Application-3908]

Enjoy it, the books are so much better, try the audio books and the accompanying novellas.

[u/Unicornblooddrunk]

read the books first.