The Season Finale of The Expanse was thrilling, fitting but sad for a show that does so well at exploring the dangers and problems that Humans may face once we become an Interplanetary Species after Colonising Space.
Throughtout its 6 Season run, The Expanse addresses some of the most important questions related to Mankind’s conquest of Space such as will human Space Colonization result in the Utopian society envisioned in the imagery depicting our Colonisation of Mars or will the social injustice, inequality and politics that have plagued life on Earth also be replicated on future Space Colonies and also whether Alien Life can be privatised as a Resource and Weaponised by the Military Industrial Complex?
Social Injustice & Conflict In Space Colonies
Whilst certain Films like Ridley Scott’s Alien Franchise have excelled at exploring the theme of Space Colonisation to shed light on the future roles of big business, artificial intelligence and government on Space Colonies, the Alien Monsters In Space motif it skillfully employed can become cliche.
Based on a book series by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck under the pen name James S. A. Corey, The Expanse is a Televsion Series set in the 23rd Century after Humanity has colonised and set up Space Colonies on Mars and the Moon as critical asteroid mining operations for minerals and most importantly, water are carried out on the hard labour and backs of the Belter underclass.
The United Nations controls Earth and the Moon, whilst Mars has established itself as an independent military colony.
In The Expanse, we get a glimpse of the future of mankind on Space Colonies due to the politics and conflicts that may play out in Space should Mars decide to secede from Earth, and how the social oppression familiar on Earth may be mirrored on Space Colonies in the ensuing conflict involving Earth, Mars and the Belters, as each group begins to assert the interests of its own Space Colony in The Expanse.
Taking some visual cues from the most recent Alien Films, The Expanse manages to render its own unique vision of Space technology and exploration on Space Colonies, and is definitely not another cliche Space TV Show.
Control Over Alien Life, Resources & Other Technologies From Space Exploration
The Expanse also explores the question of Life in Space and in particular who will have control over it particularly if it can be used as a weapon.
In addition, who will have the power to control the distribution of other critical resouces like Water and other important Raw Materials.
The fact is Earth Laws do not apply to Space and therefore The Expanse warns us of the possibility that Space Colonization could ultimately lead to Class Warfare on an Interplantery scale over conflicts related to these questions.
Conclusion: Possible Solutions For The Future
Whilst our faith in the Human endeavour to conquer Space has been characterised as a form of new Space Religion, in my view, blind optimism may be necessary at this stage in order for us to overcome the massive obstacles required to accomplish the task of Colonising Space.
In the midst of the euphoria, however, The Expanse is a necessary cautionary tale that encourages us to imagine beyond the initial creation of Space Colonies.
In The Expanse, we are made to consider the possibility that ultimately the same issues and questions of Power, Politics and Social injustice that we have failed to resolve on Earth will come to haunt us on our future Space Colonies.
The Expanse articulates its message on the potentially omonious future of Space Colonies using a deft balance of plot, characters, science and special effects to deliver a compelling critique of a Utopian vision of the Human Space Project.
On another level, The Expanse can also be treated as a call to resolve the issues that have plagued us on Earth before we transport them even unwittingly to the Space Colonies of the future.
At the end of Season 6, The Expanse suggests that ultimatelty we will have to work together and be prepared to form unexpected alliances in order to achieve the common good whenever the opportunities present themselves in the heat of the conflict.
Its no surprise that The Expanse is being hailed the best Sci-Fi TV show ever made.
Ultimately, The Expanse also speaks to current conflicts Humanity is facing on Planet Earh today like the gender, race and culture wars.
Our approach to dealing with such problems may be an indicator of how we will approach the daunting challenges of Space.
