The first three episodes make you think it's a neo-noir detective story with heaps of unnecessary extra stuff.

You have to get through those first few episodes before it becomes more clear what the show is about. And even then, you might be misled into thinking it's about a merry band of crew floating around space on a ship; because that's not what it's about. The clue is in the name; it's about humans expanding beyond Earth, and the conflict that arises from that.

The popular theory you see in r/TheExpanse is that S01E04 is what hooks you on to the series. The first season is indeed a bit slow, but seasons 2 and 3 really take it up a few notches and are fantastic.

I'd concur that The Expanse S01E04 "CQB" is one of my favourite episodes of television.

Huh this is what I've been saying to friends too

A season and a half in for me and it still hasn't picked up, IMO.

Bezos is a fan of the series. Iirc, he insisted that one of the books be featured in an early kindle ad (can't find the source, so that very well could be apocryphal). I wouldn't be too surprised if the audience just barely merits the the production costs, if at all. I know a lot of geeks, and not one of them had heard of the show until I told them about it.

https://www.geekwire.com/2018/expanse-safe-jeff-bezos-says-a...

Also didn't hurt Jeff Bezos is a fan and bought the show

it isn't for everyone. it especially isn't for people who can't resist peeking at their phones when watching. it requires (and deserves!) attention.

> Half my friends bounced off the first couple episodes

The show starts off quite slow, which is probably its biggest "weakness".