So the first episode of the new SyFy space opera, based on the novels by James S.A. Corey (a pseudonym for two authors, both closely associated with George R. R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame), is now free to legally watch online: http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/videos/101-dulcinea
SyFy is really pushing their adult genre dramas now, with this show leading the pack, so I'm very curious to see how it works out.
Score is by Clinton Shorter, who's done a lot of TV work but is probably best known here for District 9 and Pompeii.
I'm about to watch the pilot, will chime back in with impressions of the score later today.
Watched the pilot yesterday - and I have read all 5 books in the series. The show is excellent, better than I'd hoped it would be.
The music was well done - but I am looking forward to hearing more as the major plot points are established. Didn't get to hear enough score to establish if specific character themes were present yet.
Yes, I've been thoroughly enjoying this show too -- seems like SyFy-produced shows are getting better and better (although the other premiere last year, the mini-series CHILDHOOD'S END, was back to more shaky SyFy ground).
I hope there will be a second season!
(and don't say anything about the last two episodes. Haven't seen them yet!).
Shorter did brilliant work on POMPEII -- my favourite of his (even above DISTRICT 9), and I notice some good things here and there in this show as well. Hope it gets a release, so that I can sample it, at the very least.
I haven't read the books, but I thoroughly enjoyed the show, with its “no simple answer” politics and what seems like a genuine respect for science. I particularly liked how the big space battle wasn't a thrilling roller-coaster ride, but a tense game of waiting in a tin can.
The score was very low-key, but effective. I will probably notice more when I watch the season again.
Lakeshore Records will release the soundtrack to The Expanse, the 10-hour Syfy series which premiered in December 2015. The album features score by Clinton Shorter (Pompeii, District 9) and will be released on May 20. More soundtrack details are forthcoming.
Academy Award®-nominated screenwriting duo Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men, Iron Man) wrote the pilot and serve as writers, as well as executive producers and showrunners. Executive producer Naren Shankar (CSI, Farscape) joins Fergus and Ostby as showrunners. Award-winning director Terry McDonough (Breaking Bad, Suits, Better Call Saul) directed the first two episodes of the series.
I think season 2 is starting just about now, but I have no idea about soundtrack releases.
I also think Shorter is doing some fine work on COLONY -- another very entertaining sci fi show (although not quite as cerebral and complex as THE EXPANSE).
Aside from his early score to Contraband, Shorter's never really impressed me -- until The Expanse! He's really owning this show and has done a terrific job. Bless iTunes for releasing it. Hope future seasons get score releases, and wouldn't mind a Colony release either.
My goodness. The music at the end of the most recent episode in Season 3 (Six: Immolation) was just gorgeous! Stunning chorales, and lovely scoring. I really hope there's more music coming. I know what's coming per reading the books, but now I'm just more excited about the music!
