Sci-Fi Storm

Like with The Magicians, Syfy’s The Expanse was one of the programs I was looking forward the most to returning. The gritty, realistic portrayal of semi-near-future space travel, along with the issues of culture and politics with Earth, Mars, and the Belt all at odds over the scarce resources was a huge draw to me. Stylistically it was a bit like the revival of Battlestar Galactica, but more grounded with known physics and seemingly more attainable future. Similarities with early set stories in Larry Niven’s Known Space, of which I know a little bit, pull me in even more.

At the end of last season, the crew of the Rocinante and Ceres detective Joe Miller (Thomas Jane) tracked the disappearance of Julie Mao to the colony on Eros, where she is found, being consumed by the “protomolecule” infection, as are many others…and it seems that this infection may have been intentional.

Season 2 picks up immediately from there, with the Rocinante crew trying to find out what is going on, but also trying to decide how they can stop the spread of the protomolecule further. And the source of the protomolecule might have an extra-solar origin…

In the meantime, Earth and Mars are on the brink of war. Fear of conspiracies and terrorists and lack of resources, and the resentment of the Belt pushes each to the edge, tightening their belts at the expense of the lower classes – all while being egged on by a mysterious fourth party.

We will get to see more of life on Mars and how they train, and why there are apparently a more militaristic society, providing a new setting for us to see.

Who sent the protomolecule, and who is behind using it on Eros? And why?

The Expanse returns to Syfy Wednesday, February 1st at 10/9c.

A few tidbits from the past few days…

Syfy’s The Magicians are pulling a bit of sophomore magic, with the Season 2 premiere getting double digit gains over the series premiere in the Live+3 ratings, netting a 25% overall increase and 33% higher in the 18-49 demo, and the highest for the channel since 2014. It seems that this show really has caught with audiences as the story has developed.

Jason Momoa’s Aquaman has found its villain…Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Get Down) has signed on to play foe Black Manta in the standalone film, scheduled for an October 2018 release.

Teri Hatcher is returning to the Kryptonian world of DC Comics…the former Lois Lane from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman will join the cast of Supergirl in an unspecified recurring role – but word on the street is that she will become the new Big Bad of the show.

It is, alas, official. Peter Capaldi announced via BBC Radio 2 that he is leaving Doctor Who after the upcoming 10th series (since revival) and the 2017 Christmas Special. This did not come as much of a surprise, as showrunner Steven Moffat is also departing at the end of the year since taking over from Russell T. Davies, who likewise co-departed with David Tennant. And with the exception of Christopher Eccleston, each Doctor since has held the title for three complete series – although Tennant had several “special movies” as well leading up to his departure. Capaldi said when making the announcement, “I’m always someone that did different things. I’ve never done one job for three years before and I feel it’s time for me to move on to different challenges.”

“One of the greatest privileges of being Doctor Who is to see the world at its best,” Capaldi added. “From our brilliant crew and creative team working for the best broadcaster on the planet, to the viewers and fans whose endless creativity and generosity and inclusiveness points to a brighter future ahead. I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been cosmic.”

Chris Chibnall, who is a Doctor Who fan himself, will take over for Moffat. Chibnall was the head writer on Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood, and wrote several episodes of Doctor Who, as well as created the series Broadchurch starring David Tennant.

Let the speculation on the new Doctor begin…and keep in mind, we are never right 🙂