Beyond Reality discussion

Someone mentioned in the "what are you reading this onto?" thread that he was watching Leviathan Wakes on TV.

That got me thinking about other SF/F books that have recently been or are currently on TV--Shannara, Childhood's End, Game of Thrones, The Magicians, etc. And that got me thinking about non-book-related SF/F shows on TV.

We are currently recording but have not yet started watching "The Expanse".

This a rambling way to start a topic where people can recommend or warn other away from SF/F series or mini-series. Best to give reasons why, and to avoid or mark major spoilers in the discussion.

I've watched the first seasons of Dark Matter and Killjoys. Interesting enough that I will continue to watch when their next seasons start to see where things are going. Or more likely, wait until the season is over and hit it all in one great big marathon.

And then Dr Who of course. Been watching it since I was a kid. :)

Other than the excellent Dr Who, none of those are shown over here in the UK. Cross fingers that they will be one day.

The Expanse is pretty good. I am really enjoying the changes they made.
Shannara is ok. I have some problems with some of the acting in the pilot. What really annoys me is the background scenery, one episode showed a truck with its rubber tires still intact. According to the timeline of the show it's been thousands of years since the apocolypse.
I have also been working through The Man in the High Castle. It's good. I do have a problem with the Marshall. Terrible character.

Really enjoying Minority Report right now & surprised it's not getting more press. It's based on the movie (in turn based on the Phillip K. Dick short story of the same name) and has been consistently excellent through the first season. It's good philosophy-questioning sci-fi with interesting characters all around.

Of course, my favorite shows on TV right now are Once Upon a Time (fairy tale fantasy) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter, which are both comic book... science fantasy? Not really sure how to classify them but geeky fun!

And currently catching up on Doctor Who, I'm a series behind right now.

Oh! And Star Wars Rebels which is a good not-just-for-kids cartoon. If you're a Star Wars fan, of course.

I watched Dr. Who for a while (way back in the Tom Baker years) and then got away from it. It always appealed to me--I should give it another go.

I am not much of a comic book superheroes person, so I have not watched any of those shows or movies other than the 3 Iron Man movies, mostly because I enjoy Robert Downey, Jr.

We watched Once Upon a Time for a couple seasons, but gave up when we discovered we no longer cared what happened to the characters.

We also watched Fringe till it got cancelled.

I got some good suggestions here--thanks!

At least Fringe was able to give us a proper ending. Same with Chuck and Continuum. Always a bubble shows so when it was ending they were allowed to finish it up.

I beleive Minority Report has been cancelled

Rebels is pretty good. My son and i watch it.

What an interesting thread to stumble upon. Thanks Kathi, for getting it started. I tend to watch things a year or longer after they've originally played. I am looking forward to the Expanse series as I've read the first 3 books.

I am concerned about "The Man in the High Castle" -- how can it be as good as the book? Distressing to hear of a caustic character being thrown in. But someday I will give it a chance.

I am glad that PKD is being given all the attention, but with Minority Report cancelled (as reported above) I hope the interest does not backfire with non-quality films. What few PKD films there have been over the last 30 years, starting with Blade Runner, tend to be wonderful IMHO, even if small budget, like "Screamers" and "The Trouble with Dick."

Nick wrote: "What an interesting thread to stumble upon. Thanks Kathi, for getting it started."

You're welcome.

We are enjoying The Expanse but have only watched about 4 episodes so far.

Has anyone watched The Magicians, also on SyFy, I believe?

We're watching The Magicians, and I like it so far. It's been awhile since I read the books, but the general arc seems on track. The link to Fillory seems a bit weaker than I remember, it's more focused on our world, but it's early days yet. We'll see how it goes.

Chris wrote: "We're watching The Magicians, and I like it so far. It's been awhile since I read the books, but the general arc seems on track. The link to Fillory seems a bit weaker than I remember, it's more fo..."

I have not read the books, having read mixed reviews, so I didn't dive into the TV show. Thanks for your initial impressions.

I watched the first two episodes of "The Magicians" and thought it had real promise. I then read the first book of the trilogy and - this us just my opinion - I really wasn't impressed.

The TV Show has real promise and is very different from the book. I think this is example of the TV Show / Film being better then the book.

Other examples of this phenomenon for me include:

Do Androids Drew of Electronic Sheep? / Blade runner
The Game of Thrones..

We are currently watching Stargate: SG1, one of our round robin series. I just got season 1 of Twelves Monkey which I really like and Marvel's Agent Carter which I think is superior. Season 5 pt1 of Teen Wolf and S4 pf Falling Skies have come, but not seen yet.

Nick wrote: "I am concerned about "The Man in the High Castle" -- how can it be as good as the book? Distressing to hear of a caustic character being thrown in. But someday I will give it a chance.."

its very good, that character came and went, he wasnt caustic he was so cliche it was terrible to watch. The rest of the series is well done. We have two episodes left.

We finished up the first season of The Expanse last night. I think I mentioned that we have not read the books, although I will be watching for them now when I am book browsing. Anyway, we will be watching season 2 when it comes out. Some of the characters are strong enough and the plot(s) interesting enough to keep us going. But I thought there were times when things dragged a bit and there seemed to be some obscurity for the sake of obscurity. Still, enough good stuff to keep us interested.

We also finally watched the movie "Minority Report", which was pretty good.

Nothing else on our radar for now.

I have been watching Alien Nation the Series right now.
While the pilot movie was quite well done, the episodes are hit and miss. Taking a break to watch some Series four Downton Abbey

Kathi wrote: "We finished up the first season of The Expanse last night. I think I mentioned that we have not read the books, although I will be watching for them now when I am book browsing. Anyway, we will be ..."

Kathi wrote: "We finished up the first season of The Expanse last night. I think I mentioned that we have not read the books, although I will be watching for them now when I am book browsing. Anyway, we will be ..."

I liked the 2002 "Minority Report" a lot, but have not seen the more recent one. I think I have liked every PKD translation to film that I have seen. His stuff really translates well to film, even the remake of "Total Recall."

Kathi wrote: "We finished up the first season of The Expanse last night. I think I mentioned that we have not read the books, although I will be watching for them now when I am book browsing. Anyway, we will be ..."

My biggest problem with the books is that they are large trade paperbacks, running about $20.00 canadian, I expect that price to jump with the way our dollar is these days. I have been waiting for the $10 dollar mass market paperback for several years. I havent seen it yet.

Ken wrote: "My biggest problem with the books is that they are large trade paperbacks, running about $20.00 canadian, I expect that price to jump with the way our dollar is these days. I have been waiting for the $10 dollar mass market paperback for several years. I havent seen it yet. "

I feel like this is a trend lately. I keep wanting to buy some Joe Abercrombie books, but every time I find them in the bookstore, they're trade paperbacks. I don't particularly have a problem with them, but I'd much rather pay less money for the mass market paperback, especially when it's a book that's been out for several years.

Large trade paperbacks is the trend. I read the Expanse series and The First Law books by borrowing them from the library. The only book I couldn't get from the library was Red Country by Joe Abercrombie, so I paid $12 to get it.

Gary wrote: "Large trade paperbacks is the trend. I read the Expanse series and The First Law books by borrowing them from the library. The only book I couldn't get from the library was Red Country by Joe Aberc..."

I prefer hardbacks and often wait until they are affordable in the used and secondary market. If it is not in hardcover, I'm thankful for trade paperbacks since I have trouble reading mass market PBs with my agéd eyes.

FWIW, I loved the Expanse books and think the series is superior and true to the novels. I have to watch on DVD so have only seen season 1.

We've recently watched Battlestar Galactica (2003) and Caprica and are now watching the original BSG. I must say I enjoy the original more. I find the reboot overly sentimental and frankly mawkish. All the emotional, "human" stuff became annoying and boring for me.

Now we're watching Babylon 5, I think my favorite SciFi TV series. I eve like it better than Star Trek, though that may be dure to over-familiarity (having seen the ST series too many times.) Bab 5 is how a SciFi series should be done for me.

Bill wrote: "FWIW, I loved the Expanse books and think the series is superior and true to the novels. I have to watch on DVD so have only seen season 1."

That is good to know--I have debated about getting the Expanse books. We watched Season 1 and I am currently just recording season 2 on DVR to watch later. My husband & I both like it.

I think all I watch on TV are SFF now. With the exception of some historical fiction such as Black Sails and The Last Kingdom and some comedies such as Veep and Fargo.

Currently watching The Expanse (best show on TV in the last few years), Star Wars Rebels (season 3 just ended), Legion, and Supergirl (pure candy). Following Dark Matter and Killjoys (Syfy is killing it nowadays), Daredevil, Doctor Who (can't wait for the new companion).

Silvana wrote: "I think all I watch on TV are SFF now. With the exception of some historical fiction such as Black Sails and The Last Kingdom and some comedies such as Veep and Fargo..."

I really like The Last Kingdom, though it's taking them forever to get S2 on DVD. I'd like to re-read Cornwells books.

Hello, everyone! On 30 April will be released "American Gods" TV series based on Neil Gaiman book. Any fans here? :) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1898069/?...

Cristian wrote: "Hello, everyone! On 30 April will be released "American Gods" TV series based on Neil Gaiman book. Any fans here? :) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1898069/?..."

An all time favorite up there with Dune, STranger in a Strange Land and LOTR

Gary wrote: "Large trade paperbacks is the trend."

I was on an authors website a few weeks ago and they are not getting a paperback release to one of their books
http://www.nobledead.org/2017/01/pres...

Sort of sucks, taking books and putting them out of the reach of people who don't have a lot of money. You used to be able to pick up a book for around 10 bucks +/- 1 buck either way. Now most of these trades are 25 +/- 3 bucks. Thats quite a jump

I am currently waiting for the next installment of Doctor Who.

I also really enjoyed recently watching Star Trek Discovery - although I really could have done without the modifications to Klingon physiognomy. Just because special effects technologies are improving doesn't mean that a story's continuity should be disrupted.

Also, the pervasive use of the Klingon language required me to look at the subtitles continually, which annoyed me. Don't get me wrong - I love world building! But when it slows down the story, then I am more in favor of trimming it down and providing supplemental materials for people to delve in more deeply at their leisure.

But overall, the drama and message of the series was really good! Plus, I loved the fact that Michelle Yeoh had a starring role!

Only nominaly SF, but Mr. Robot might be the best TV series ever (Star Trek TOS excluded, of course) and I adore Legion.

The Expanse… I've been watching it, but it hasn't resonated with me. It shows a future where technology has advanced while people have regressed, behaving as if it were 1916. I have trouble accepting that for some reason--maybe Steven Pinker's The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined has ruined dystopias for me forever.

Anyway, check out Dark on Netflix, but make sure you leave the German language on, with subtitles--the dub is deplorable.

Philip wrote: "
The Expanse… I've been watching it, but it hasn't resonated with me. It shows a future where technology has advanced while people have regressed, behaving as if it were 1916. I have trouble accepting that for some reason"

Just go on social media and I have no problem with what I am seeing on The Expanse. I saw a couple of pretty terrible comments this morning. Heck riding on my bicycle seems to bring the worst out of some people. As much as I want a world where everyone is everyones friend I will be incredibly lucky to see that happen in my lifetime

OK, I am finally watching The Expanse Season 3 (only as far as the first 2 episodes). I don't remember from the books that Reverend Doctor Anna Volovodov was introduced as a speechwriter for the UN Secretary-General. My memory from the books (faulty as it is) was that we first met her on the ship going to the gates (which have not yet been created, as far as we know, in the TV show). Not a big point, but it took me by surprise. I'm not sure I recall her having a connection with the Sec-Gen, but that may have slipped my mind.

Looking forward to seeing the rest of Season 3 and hopeful that someone else will pick up the series since SyFy is not continuing it.

Series has been appropriated by Amazon for future episodes. The production so far has cobbled around with the characters; giving some more attention (e.g., Anna, Drummer) and ignoring others (e.g., Bull). Likely seen as a means of paring down the story for the interest spans of casual TV viewers. Doesn't seem to have harmed the overall story so far.

Jim wrote: "Series has been appropriated by Amazon for future episodes. The production so far has cobbled around with the characters; giving some more attention (e.g., Anna, Drummer) and ignoring others (e.g.,..."

Thanks, I figured it was something like that. Also, I was not aware that Amazon picked it up. Yay!

Looking forward to it's re-emergence. Apparently Jeff Bezos is a big Expanse fan. Hopefully that will translate itself into some awesome production values.

Kathi wrote: "OK, I am finally watching The Expanse Season 3 (only as far as the first 2 episodes). I don't remember from the books that Reverend Doctor Anna Volovodov was introduced as a speechwriter for the UN..."

Book 3 she is introduced in a colony, she was the local pastor. She was invited to the visit the ring.

I have a friend who is a recently retired female Methodist pastor. I told her about the character of Anna and she and her husband (also retired Methodist clergy) became instant fans of the SyFy series and have watched all the episodes.

Ken wrote: "Kathi wrote: "OK, I am finally watching The Expanse Season 3 (only as far as the first 2 episodes). I don't remember from the books that Reverend Doctor Anna Volovodov was introduced as a speechwri..."

I remember that. She was introduced on the ship heading to the ring in the books, which is why I was surprised to see her helping the Sec-Gen write speeches in NYC.

Reviving this topic thread because we are currently watching “The Man in the High Castle”—about halfway through season 2. I understand season 4 is the final season. So far I am finding it fascinating. I probably should mention that I have not read the book, so I don’t know how faithful to it the series is and if it goes beyond the events in the book. But I am glad we finally decided to give it a go!

Has anyone watched “Carnival”, also on Amazon Prime? We might try that one, too.

Do you mean Carnivale? I watched that when HBO released it the first time and I LOVED it. Be warned that there are only two seasons and it did not end with any sort of resolution - I was so mad they never continued the series! But it's excellent.

I should rephrase that - it has a big climax, but it's very open-ended and I wanted more :)

Shel wrote: "Do you mean Carnivale?"

Oops, no, it’s actually “Carnival Row”.

Oh. I don't know that one. But you should watch Carnivale, you would like it :)

Shel wrote: "Oh. I don't know that one. But you should watch Carnivale, you would like it :)"

Thanks for the tip! I added it to our Prime watchlist.

We finished all 4 seasons of “The Man in the High Castle” and we both liked it a lot. Some of the characters were just so interesting. I think season 4 suffered a bit because some key characters were no longer in the story. There was enough resolution to satisfy me.

Now we are giving “Altered Carbon” a go.

Season 5 of The Expanse is filmed and is in post production now. It should be great. They may do all 9 seasons!!

I tried THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE but I just couldn’t get into one more non-diverse SF show and bailed after episode 7 of season 1...

Hubby and I Just finished STAR TREK DISCOVERY season 2. We liked it but it has writing flaws.

I tried Continuum and TRAVELERS but they both had significant production and xastjvg issues I thought to bail after a few episodes

MadProfessah wrote: "I tried THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE but I just couldn’t get into one more non-diverse SF show and bailed after episode 7 of season 1..."

The other seasons have a more diverse cast, IMO.

Reviving this topic again—we started watching “Dark Matter”. I see it had 3 seasons before being cancelled. No spoilers, please, but does anyone know—did the show’s writers know it was ending and therefore could plan for a wrap-up or will we be left hanging when we get to the end of season 3? (We are currently only 4 episodes into season 1.) Thanks!

Also thinking about Killjoys, although it looks like we have to watch it on SyFy online unless we want to pay for it (we don’t currently have the right streaming services to get it “free”).

Kathi wrote: "Reviving this topic again—we started watching “Dark Matter”. I see it had 3 seasons before being cancelled. No spoilers, please, but does anyone know—did the show’s writers know it was ending and t..."

I watched both shows when they were on TV (back to back) awhile ago ,so I don’t remember a lot about how Dark Matter ended. I remember that I was disappointed. But more so that it got cancelled than any big lingering issues. I thought it was getting better with each season while I had quit watching Killjoys , which had been my favorite of the 2 in the beginning. While I believe there are some unanswered questions- though I cannot remember how “unclosed” Dark Matter was left, they had started filming the next season when they were cancelled.
I am glad I watched it. My memory is of the great characters and a few plot details rather than the ending.

Candace wrote: "I watched both shows when they were on TV (back to back) awhile ago"

Thanks, good to know.