The Expanse

:

Season 1
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 640 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 566 out of 640
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 640
  3. Negative: 40 out of 640
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Expand

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. FRomary
    Mar 1, 2018
    9
    The books have been an amazingly fun read, great character and universe building, and, besides a few minor things such as some props being low budget (water bottles and cups dont work in low gravity syfy, that's why they use "bulbs" in the book, and the Martian power suits look like rubber forms over shiny cloth onesies) the show has over all been a good, compelling adaptation and i wouldThe books have been an amazingly fun read, great character and universe building, and, besides a few minor things such as some props being low budget (water bottles and cups dont work in low gravity syfy, that's why they use "bulbs" in the book, and the Martian power suits look like rubber forms over shiny cloth onesies) the show has over all been a good, compelling adaptation and i would recommend anyone who enjoys sci-fi to dive in and enjoy. I have just a few criticisms with the show, and they are as follows:
    1: Naomi Nagata is clearly stated to be a full head taller than Holden, and it seems we are at a point in social change that a woman could surely be portrayed as taller than the man in a relationship and regardless of actor choice, it is always possible to make people appear taller/shorter etc. 2: The Show runners/casting directors did such an amazing job casting Alex ( perfect Martian drawl (described in the books as being almost southern)) then turned around and cast a kiwi with zero ability to fit the role of a die-hard martian-born marine (as made crystal clear in a "motivational scene" in which she yells to her crew "who are we?!" only to blurt out "hoo ah way!!".) Over all, I would say the crew is doing a great job, and i truly do look foreward to once again joining syfy the crew of the Roci, and to see what lies beyond the "gateway" to season 3.
    Please take what I've said with a grain of salt, as I realize a show will never be the same as the book, I am simply stating what i find to be the biggest loss in translation.    … Expand
  2. mgleitef
    Apr 14, 2018
    10
    A Space opera masterpiece. I missed a good science fiction series that blended action, suspense and a great script. Expanse fulfills the role, in addition to throwing you into a society that even in the future has very serious problems in social and ethical terms. A sensational criticism of our times. Recommended!
  3. GrantD243
    Jun 11, 2018
    8
    Wow. I was aware of The Expanse's existence long before the whole cancellation ordeal that ended with Amazon picking it up for a fourth season. But, I had never watched it, and I really didn't plan on watching it for quite a while longer. The hype around the revival peaked my interest, though, so I decided to start it. And, boy, I'm glad that I did. While it took me a few episodes toWow. I was aware of The Expanse's existence long before the whole cancellation ordeal that ended with Amazon picking it up for a fourth season. But, I had never watched it, and I really didn't plan on watching it for quite a while longer. The hype around the revival peaked my interest, though, so I decided to start it. And, boy, I'm glad that I did. While it took me a few episodes to finally become hooked, The Expanse is the sci-fi show I've been longing for for quite some time. I've always felt that sci-fi often fell short of its potential on the small screen (I'm looking at you Altered Carbon), but this one hits every note I want it to. There's mystery, space battles, plenty of futuristic tech, action, and a world that seems very deep. I do think there is potential for it to be better, but given that I still have two seasons to get through, I think that it will reach its true potential by the time I'm caught up.… Expand
  4. SVM
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    The Expanse (all three seasons) has catchy action scenes, memorable dialogues, impressive CGI and most realistic, complex characters among all Sci-Fi shows I've seen in the past 20 years. I love that all characters show real-life behaviors and feelings to which one could relate: they aren't your customary Sci-Fi comic-book super-heroes or surreal monstrosities. I also appreciate theThe Expanse (all three seasons) has catchy action scenes, memorable dialogues, impressive CGI and most realistic, complex characters among all Sci-Fi shows I've seen in the past 20 years. I love that all characters show real-life behaviors and feelings to which one could relate: they aren't your customary Sci-Fi comic-book super-heroes or surreal monstrosities. I also appreciate the subtlety of the 'extra-solar' element in this show: I've seen a lot of 'Aliens', 'Predators' and got accustomed to a g-zillion of extraterrestrial characters in the Star Trek series or the Star Wars, but The Expanse develops its 'extra-solar element' in a unique way. If I could give it more than ten stars, I would: phenomenal work. Keep up the rowing, The Expanse!… Expand
  5. soupbeast
    May 10, 2018
    10
    The Expanse Incorporates one of the most believable sci-fi settings out there.
  6. RogueExperience
    Jul 23, 2019
    10
    Watching the first season and all I can say is WOW! This show combines ACTION, DRAMA, POLITICAL GAMES, DETECTIVE WORK, SOCIAL AND ECO COMMENTARY, into a beautiful package smartly written and cleanly executed along with absolutely OUTSTANDING special effects and (nearly) 100% accurate physics in space(yes there are some mistakes but nothing glaring).

    My new favourite show!! Love    Watching the first season and all I can say is WOW! This show combines ACTION, DRAMA, POLITICAL GAMES, DETECTIVE WORK, SOCIAL AND ECO COMMENTARY, into a beautiful package smartly written and cleanly executed along with absolutely OUTSTANDING special effects and (nearly) 100% accurate physics in space(yes there are some mistakes but nothing glaring).

    My new favourite show!! Love Marvel, Joss Whedon stuff and James Cameron movies, just to give you an idea where my tastes normally lie!

    Watch it!!!    … Expand
  7. greenisgood
    Nov 18, 2020
    8
    TL;DR - Current Sci-Fi that was my staple for years like Doctor Who and Star Trek Universe has been targeted by the 'Woke Missiles' and are being shot to sh1t while I helplessly plead and hope that they survive. This also means I am starved for the good stuff and I am glad I finally got around to The Expanse. This first season worked like cannabis to my nerves immediately putting me in aTL;DR - Current Sci-Fi that was my staple for years like Doctor Who and Star Trek Universe has been targeted by the 'Woke Missiles' and are being shot to sh1t while I helplessly plead and hope that they survive. This also means I am starved for the good stuff and I am glad I finally got around to The Expanse. This first season worked like cannabis to my nerves immediately putting me in a state of relaxation of being at home in good sci-fi writing, great performances, great characterization and a nice slow burn plot supported by decent and adequate CGI for a show set mostly in Space.

    The Good
    Even though I generally dislike heavy politicized shows especially in Sci Fi, here the execution and it's role in the plot works well making The Belters, The OPA, Mars and Earth important parts of the story. Even though it mirrors our own civilization, it is intriguing albeit a little disheartening that even after we conquer the stars The Expanse paints a close picture of what our reality might just be.
    Thomas Jane is one of those actors who I feel have just not gotten the right role yet but has consistently been giving great performances whenever I see him, Det. Miller is a good fit for him. We see his journey from a Star Helix Officer to the Cop who is like a dog with a bone picking at the plot sideways only to tumble straight into it. Jane pulls of an effortless performance in this gritty but still better off than others Ceres Station Setting.
    Shohreh close to 75 pulls off an amazing performance as an experienced, intelligent and jaded but still trying Earth politician doing her level best to keep things from spilling into an all out war. Her no nonsense, cut the bullcrap characterization was very refreshing because of how she plays it always adorned in beautiful and elegant costumes still looking like the belle of the ball.
    Steven Strait was the stand out for me in Sky High and in the so bad it's good Covenant 2006, it feels like his performance though similar to the aforementioned silent but strong portrayal has evolved nonetheless as he plays the character that written well for the actor.
    Dominique and Wes come onscreen as a duo pulling of the male strength and the female intuition/tempered thinking you would expect from a far flung future. And surprise-surprise, all this without shoving an agenda driven message down out throats, I am happy actual character writing still exists for the Strong Woman.
    Cas Anvar pulls of a slightly uneven performance from moment to moment going from could not care less to intense to man with hidden past, it may just be that his character is a tad bit overwritten but it woks well as a whole with the Rocinante crew.
    Jared Harris has grown o be one of my favorite actors in the last five years from Moriarty to Legasov in Chernoby and Crozier in the Terror he pulls off amazing character performances and sadly his role is small but I am hoping he will return back in the coming seasons.

    The special effects a quite good for a TV show nowhere near the best but the future tech, space travel and space living is pulled of well with amazing help from the costume and art department that amalgamate together into a believable and lived in Future Space. The plot is a great slow burn but doles out information at a good pace making sure to keep viewers engaged in the mystery unless you are a self induced ADD-Twitterholic wreck who cant keep an attention span for more than 280 letters/characters. most normal people will be engaged in the mystery to solve why 'Remember the Cant' is important and maybe all is not as straightforward as it seems.
    Dialogue writing is great and believable as characters communicate to each other in an amalgamation of accents with the Lang-Belta and it's creole/various influence being a particularly great addition to the show.

    The Bad
    I only had one issue which by the end was pretty redundant, Det. Miller's character falling in love with Julie Mao without even seeing her. It is not outright stated but hinted of his infatuation. It is Julie as an Earther fighting for Belters while Miller himself a belter labeled as a traitor for working as a Star Helix officer this is motivation as to why Miller takes an interest in her, but it is hinted by other characters and not outright confirmed that Miller is in Love with Mao. Even so this asinine character motivation is pretty redundant by the end as there are other more serious reasons as to why Miller needs to be a part of whatever is happening.

    The Expanse is a labor of love clearly adapted well from the original book by Daniel Abraham since he is clearly being consulted while writing the show. This is a very satisfying watch for Sci Fi lovers and Mystery lovers and though it might not be the most accessible show to for the masses the good score tells me otherwise.    … Expand
  8. SimboTheKing
    Jan 3, 2022
    8
    I'm doing a big rewatch of the Expanse as it has been one of my favourite TV shows of the last few years. I feel like the initial few episodes of this season do suffer a little from pacing issues but I would say this is largely due to it having to build and establish its wolrd and lore. By episode 3 (so very early in the season) I think you can really tell you're watching something reallyI'm doing a big rewatch of the Expanse as it has been one of my favourite TV shows of the last few years. I feel like the initial few episodes of this season do suffer a little from pacing issues but I would say this is largely due to it having to build and establish its wolrd and lore. By episode 3 (so very early in the season) I think you can really tell you're watching something really good. I just love how complex it already starts to get. The Expanse is up there with early Game of Thrones for me in terms of building this rich, complex world and creating a fascinating story out of it. Rewatching this has made me remember why I like it so much and I thoroughly look forward to finishing the whole thing all over again!

    One of the best series and opening seasons of recent years.    … Expand
  9. Sealanlo
    Mar 1, 2019
    10
    Haven't seen a sci fi show this good since Battlestar Galactica, really likeable characters, a very well driven story, lots of space action, moments of intense tension. Holden is a weirdo, but the other characters are just superb, I like Amos a lot and I'm just in love with gunny. A must see for every sci fi fan. Watch it now!
  10. dk150968
    Mar 25, 2019
    10
    One of the best SYFY shows out there, since Firefly or even Dark Matter.
    re watching all three seasons again. The characters, the story line, makes you feel part of it, a truly engaging show that just gets better with every episode.

    Cant wait to see season four..........................
  11. AKS90
    Mar 9, 2019
    10
    One of the best futuristic TV series out there. Its great! Thank God amazon picked up the series. Looking forward to the next season!
  12. AWESOM-0
    Jan 1, 2020
    10
    A great adaption of an amazing novel. Just like the books it’s not too ‘Hard sci fi’ and not too ‘space opera’ it’s just enough of both to make it the perfect mix.
  13. drastikk
    Oct 19, 2020
    10
    The Expanse is the best sci-fi show I have ever seen, and I hold that in the same company as Battlestar Galactica and the Stargate series. The feeling of "immersion" in space while watching it is unlike any other space opera I've ever seen - from the physics realism, to the sound effects, to even the theme song and sound track, it truly feels like you are hundreds of years in the futureThe Expanse is the best sci-fi show I have ever seen, and I hold that in the same company as Battlestar Galactica and the Stargate series. The feeling of "immersion" in space while watching it is unlike any other space opera I've ever seen - from the physics realism, to the sound effects, to even the theme song and sound track, it truly feels like you are hundreds of years in the future in the spaceship with the cast. The production quality, writing, character development, special effects, and story progression are outstanding.

    The Expanse is criminally under-watched and under-marketed. I look forward to each new season as much as I did Game of Thrones.    … Expand
next
Page:

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
27
#27 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Liz Shannon Miller
    Feb 2, 2017
    91
    The biggest challenge will be how well all these threads can hold together, but so far, the show’s proven its ability to focus when essential. And all those little stories, when blended together, create a hell of a narrative.
    Read full review
  2. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Dec 15, 2015
    80
    The show overexplains here and there--especially in the first episode--but after some early jitters, it settles in and simply lets its world be.
    Read full review
  3. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Amber Dowling
    Dec 15, 2015
    50
    The Expanse is indeed expansive with the universe it sets up within the pilot and through the characters presented. Unfortunately though there’s so much going on in the pilot that it quickly becomes a convoluted romp through space that’s more about showcasing the wasteland that humans have become than developing characters viewers will remember, let alone invest in watching.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »