Yeah, exactly. even if the OT didn't do much in terms of foreshadowing, I think the writing was good enough it making it all connect and fit in a way that the ST didn't.
Poll "Small Universe Syndrome" - Yay Or Nay?
- Thread starter wayoung
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Yeah, exactly. even if the OT didn't do much in terms of foreshadowing, I think the writing was good enough it making it all connect and fit in a way that the ST didn't.
The Expanse has given us nearly 5 seasons of what many believe to be brilliant stories based on science fiction. In the 4 seasons we’ve seen , pretty much everything that’s happened involved the Earthers, Belters, or Martians. In fact, none of the 3 factions has the capability of even leaving the solar system. There is a gateway to a different universe, but that to, so far, has had an affect on the same 3 human factions.
By many, many, accounted The Expanse is one of the best sci-fi series ever. I’v heard no complaints about the show being damaged by small universe
To me, small universe syndrome is just a talking point that some people raise when they start their list of why they don’t like a show or movie or book. If you like the stories, characters, etc, then small universe syndrome is not likely to bother you.
By many, many, accounted The Expanse is one of the best sci-fi series ever. I’v heard no complaints about the show being damaged by small universe
To me, small universe syndrome is just a talking point that some people raise when they start their list of why they don’t like a show or movie or book. If you like the stories, characters, etc, then small universe syndrome is not likely to bother you.
I haven't seen seasons 4 and 5 yet, but I thought the gateways just went to different solar systems...
Well, the gateway hub itself is something apart but the gateways do go to different solar systems.
What makes the Expanse small universe?
In the books, there a few things. A couple of examples,
In book 4, Cibola Burn, the Rocinante is sent out to to a solar system to settle a dispute between some sooner Belters and the authorized colony expedition. The security guy for authorized expedition is Miller's old partner.
In book 6, Babylon's Ashes, the leader of the breakaway OPA group The Free Navy is Naomi's ex from her OPA days and of course there is a kid, her teenage son, who is with the ex.
In book 6, Babylon's Ashes, the leader of the breakaway OPA group The Free Navy is Naomi's ex from her OPA days and of course there is a kid, her teenage son, who is with the ex.
If by small Universe syndrome you mean major characters crossing over then I don't mind. Like Kirk and Picard was something everyone wanted to see. But if it's random slave girl is grand daughter to the badest dude in the Universe or young Kirk lands on the same planet as Spock by chance and then they accidentally run into Scotty by chance I might have a problem. To me, that's small Universe syndrome and it doesn't work. I don't think everything needs to be connected. If it's within reason, OK. It's it's done with finesse, sure. If it's bloody awesome and epic, hell yeah.
I think that's where I will often times be borderline on use of connecting characters. "Wouldn't be awesome if...?" is a sentence I treat with extreme trepidation. Kirk and Picard had to meet? No, they really didn't and in my opinion it was a poor showing to make that epic idea come to life. Same thing with Anakin making C-3PO. It's a lot of intersectionality that starts to add up and strains suspension of disbelief. Obviously, that suspension will vary from person to person.
Ah! Thank you for clarifying that!
At the risk of repeating myself, it's a trade-off. Is the awesomeness worth dinging the suspension of disbelief, and to what extent? This is always going to be a judgement call, but I'm not sure maintaining the suspension of disbelief should automatically take priority, especially if the awesomely cool thing would be really, really awesome.
My own instinct is that, when in doubt, err toward awesome. Better too much fun than not enough. Better over-the-top than safely sensible or "believable."
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I tend to feel that the bigger a world is, the more variety there should be, therefore less chance for small-universe to occur. All too often, the chance encounters are all too common though, and all links between characters end up making a universe feel objectively smaller. A character can know about another character by reputation, but not personally know them. Good writing should take that into account, but all too often it feels there are too many direct connections.
I think some people might say it is because nothing that has happened in the show has not involved one or more of the same 3 factions. I don’t see it that way, but whether it is or is not an example of small universe syndrome is really irrelevant to me.
Nor me. Plus, it's just been humans in our solar system, with hints of more, so
Idk - In "The Force Awakens" I was like:
Where the f*** did this "Snoke" guy come from?
What the f*** is the New Republic doing so that a supposed Empire substitute (AKA The First Order) can just arise and somehow become a threat? And why doesn't the Republic military do something? IE Why are they acting like they're a small Rebel Alliance again?
The latter two aspects just seemed like a lazy attempt at a reset button because JJ Abrams needed a version of "The Empire" back. I found that really ridiculous and just plain disappointing.
I feel like that would be a poor example then.
That's fair. I'm a case by case type of person but I'm less inclined towards more awesome. Mileage will vary.At the risk of repeating myself, it's a trade-off. Is the awesomeness worth dinging the suspension of disbelief, and to what extent? This is always going to be a judgement call, but I'm not sure maintaining the suspension of disbelief should automatically take priority, especially if the awesomely cool thing would be really, really awesome.
My own instinct is that, when in doubt, err toward awesome. Better too much fun than not enough. Better over-the-top than safely sensible or "believable."
Because if there was a big Galactic War between big armies, it would just be the Prequels all over again.
Rebels vs Empire is the only plotline the fans were always okay with, so that's what they went with.
...every word you just said is wrong. I want you to know this.
There's a reason Rogue One was as beloved as it is. It's because it was set back in the OT time, it killed off every new character and never mentioned them again so it's like they never existed and never overshadowed the OT cast.
Which is how OT fans want it, for all new characters to never ever be continuing ones who threaten the OT cast's prominence.
Nope.
I liked the Prequels. A lot. Even with their faults.
So there.
So there.
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