With the rise of the Social Media phenomena many previously unthinkable dialogues are becoming more frequent. This interconnection is not always beautiful, constructive, or sincere — but when it is it is a wonderful thing. I would like to write now about one such time.
In 2015 the Syfy Network aired the first episode of The Expanse based on a series of the same name written by James S.A. Corey (the pen-name of duo Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) and produced by Alcon Entertainment.
By 2018 Syfy decided to the cancel the show. Despite the strong following and ratings on other services, the show was not being watched via cable, and so the Syfy Network was not making any revenue on a series that cost millions per episode to produce. Instead the streaming services Netflix and Amazon Prime were capitalizing on the shows popularity with the convenience and accessibility they offered. And so in May of 2018 Syfy did not renew its rights to first runs of future episodes produced by Alcon Entertainment because as mentioned, streaming services were then — and have since continued to — decimating cable viewership. Further still perhaps no one should be surprised that an audience with its interest in science fiction, was showing itself to be technologically astute.
The announcement on the 7th of May 2018, by Chris McCumber then President of NBC Entertainment Networks — USA Network & Syfy, did not take the shows fandom entirely by surprise in light of other business decisions that the network had made about fan favorites in the past.
However, unlike in times past the fans had the means to make themselves heard and they were encouraged by Alcon Entertainments accompanying statements explaining that they wanted to continue the production of the show and were in the midst of seeking a new home for arguably the best IP in the science fiction sphere since the reboot of Battlestar Galactica years prior.
So on this slim hope they were unafraid of embarking on a quest as seemingly quixotic as any of those undertaken by James Holden and the other protagonist of the show they loved. At first fans sensed that Netflix — who held the rights the shows international distribution — was the best place to focus. Regrouping after the weekend fan tweets to Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, making the case for The Expanse began to appear. Likewise the cast and crew were included in the outreach, and a petition was made on change.org, which was soon getting signatures, especially after one of the shows stars, Dominique Tipper, tweeted the link.
Netflix’ disinterest lead to a broadening of the petition to include Amazon in its appeal. Fans were even trying to rekindle the Syfy networks interest by giving an all out effort to boost the shows cable ratings as the final episodes of season 3 aired. Simultaneous to this, the fans campaign centered its attention on Jeff Bezos founder and CEO of the titan that is Amazon as well as the folks at Amazon Prime Studios. Within a week of the news fans on reddit and elsewhere had crowd funded a plane to fly over Amazon Studios sporting a ‘# Save The Expanse’ banner, and they would amplify this signal by live streaming it from platforms such as twitch tv. In close proximity to this a fan-made trailer overflowing with pathos made a slick appearance further showcasing the passion of the show’s appreciators.
By the 17th of May, the petition would gather more than 100,000 signatures. Leading up to this even George R. R. Martin would voice his dismay at the cancellation. On the 24th of May the grass roots movement would reach its apogee when a model of the Rocinante — namesake of the horse of Don Quixote and character in its own right as the ship/home of the heroes— was flown to the edge of space by balloon. The next day at a conference Jeff Bezos would declare with the cast of the show present that the deal had been struck for the shows renewal as an Amazon exclusive.
The Expanse was a steal for Amazon. With talented and committed writers and cast and crew, giving life to not unfamiliar scenarios to human experience in a setting that lends itself to many things but primarily to the phenomena psychologist have dubbed the overview effect. This fan — and not me only I am certain — feels privileged to have been invited to share in that reality altering perspective.
Now as of this anniversary period the show will have its 6th season in the coming December. And though this season is the conclusion of this arc, many — including the authors — are hopeful that this will only be a pause until we all have a front row seat to the solar system and beyond again.
To summarize in broad strokes:
- The power of communities is amazing.
- The avenues of dialogue between different groups that occupy different niches in the same ecology are increasingly relevant.
- People love being cool if given the opportunity.
