Prime Video is bringing in a new Stargate series to fill the void left by The Expance, and it’s exactly what the sci-fi genre needs right now. Amazon picked up The Expanse after Syfy canceled the series in 2018, and this turned out to be a very lucrative business decision. The show’s revival for three more seasons put Prime Video on the map for sci-fi, and it has kept that ball rolling alongside the genre’s other frontrunner, Apple TV.
The Expanse came to a (somewhat disappointing) close three years ago, but it appears that Prime Video has officially secured an adequate replacement. Amazon MGM Studios has given the green light on a new Stargate series written by Marin Gero, who previously worked on other installments in the franchise. It’s pretty fantastic news, especially since a sci-fi series of Stargate‘s particular flavor is exactly what the genre needs.
Stargate Is The Sci-Fi Show That Television Is Missing
The Stargate franchise got its start in the 1990s and fit right in with the types of sci-fi TV shows that were popular at the time. It was an episodic space opera that centered on a different, relatively self-contained adventure with every episode. Though there was an overarching story, Stargate’s format kept things fresh with new worlds, new friends, and new enemies in nearly every installment.
This sort of structure isn’t nearly as prevalent in today’s sci-fi series. Screenwriters have been drawn to more complex, long-form stories with massive budgets. There’s nothing entirely wrong with this, but watching is more of a commitment. It’s virtually impossible to jump in midway. Episodic shows like Stargate, however, provide a fun, somewhat easier viewing experience. Add in the ’90s nostalgia of this format, and Prime Video’s new Stargate has the power to scratch an itch that has long gone ignored.
The Expanse’s Ending Left A Void That Has Yet To Be Filled
Though The Expanse wasn’t an episodic series, it captured a lot of what made shows like Stargate so delicious. Shows like Severance bend the mind with their exploration of psychological technology, but The Expanse was a bit more like a traditional space opera, with humanity spread across the Solar System and plenty of alien technology to explore. Since this series came to a close in 2022, there hasn’t been anything quite like it.
Sci-Fi Is Thriving On TV – But We Need More Traditional Space Operas
Despite that void left by The Expanse, the sci-fi genre is truly thriving in ways it hasn’t in years. Apple TV has begun to make a name for itself with projects like Foundation, Severance, and Pluribus. Prime Video has twisted our minds with Outer Range and made us laugh with The Boys. There’s no doubt that great sci-fi TV shows can take a wide variety of forms. However, we have lost out on some of the genre’s origins.
It’s been too long since episodic space operas ruled the world of television. A genre revolution might have been necessary, but it’s essential that we don’t lose that campy and nerd-worthy feel. The nostalgic Stargate could be just the thing to balance out sci-fi in the new age.
