When it comes to space opera-type stories, it doesn't get any more mythical and epic than George Lucas's Star Wars. Since then there have been many attempts to replicate if not emulate what Lucas did, and the results have ranged from from standout to projects that maybe should have been retooled if not canceled before it went into production. That being said, the desire for space opera stories is present, and when YouTuber Daniel Orrett of the YouTube channel Spacedock teamed with up with some other actors/producers for a space opera of his own, my own curiosity was definitely piqued. And once I saw these two trailers, I knew this was going to be something different.
Taking place in another galaxy far away from our own (not that one) and in a star cluster called The Tantalus Cluster, we find a human race that is facing a "species-wide mass famine", as one of the characters puts it. The fact that there had been a war before this only makes this famine even worse. During all this a nebula is discovered, and along with it some planets that are possibly habitable and resource-rich. Upon finding this out the three governing bodies-The Centrum Assembly, Frontier Union and the Merician Freehold-pool together their resources to organize an expedition known as the Avalon Exploratory Initiative, which is where our three main characters Captain Cassandra Farren, Mathias Croft, and Tamara "Meds" Melari come in.
When we first meet them they are just in the middle of finishing up a privateer job before getting ready to join the expedition - which they had already signed on to before the story begins, and right away you get to see who these characters are and what their personalities are like.
When they finally get onto the ship called The Avalon you get to meet two other characters like Lt. Jasper Ravi, and Elizabeth Ancelet, who is the Director of the entire expedition.
Meanwhile within the new nebula that was found, We are introduced to an alien race known as the Advari who are currently choosing a select number of people for sacrifices as tribute to their god. While all this is happening the Empress Velandra and Lord Inquisitor Castian Vadric are trying to live their lives according to what their faith has commanded of them. However, when they see mysterious ships appear within their territory the Empress sends her Inquisitor to investigate which ultimately leads to an encounter with the people from Tantalus, namely Elizabeth as well as the crew of the Guinevere.
With First Contact established, one would think things could be peacefully resolved between the people of the expedition and the Advari but as Vadric points out to Elizabeth, it would be impossible for the fact that the Advari take their beliefs seriously to the point that anything that could threaten that faith they would try to destroy it regardless if the outsiders don't mean any harm.
So the story continues with our main characters trying to find the remaining gate haulers in hopes of creating a way back home along with using the flora/vegetation on one of the planets to harvest food, with Vadric striking up a friendship with Elizabeth as well as the crew of the Guinevere. But such moments aren't meant to last for the Advari do make their move, and meanwhile the Empress begins to suspect more than before that there is a conspiracy to preserve the faith even if what they do would be seen as treasonous, and when things escalate to an all-out fight at the end of the story, you are left wondering who survived, and what happens next.
So in all, what are my final thoughts on this first season?
I like it!
Not only is it a fun first season, but it takes the concepts of a space opera and does something quite unique with it. You have a human race that is facing extinction as a result of a previous war as well as a famine, and in that are people that are simply trying to survive while others are enthusiastic about the opportunity this expedition has broght them. The fact that they also use terminology similar to ocean faring is also a nice throwback. It's old-school, yet it also has a contemporary feel at the same time.
Plus the world building is great yet it doesn't beat you over the head with it. You more than get a sense that Tantalus has a rich history behind it though not much is revealed yet-something that I'm sure the producers will take care of in the next season.
So if you're looking for a new audiobook/audio drama experience, this series is worth checking out. As of right now you can listen to it on Audible and Apple Books, so give it a shot. In a time where good space opera/sci fi stories are a little hard to come by it is nice to see a passion project come to life in a great way.
Also, check these features out!
Lore of The Sojourn:
Story of The Frontier War:
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