Prime Video’s Upcoming Sci-Fi Series Will Show Star Trek How It’s Done

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An upcoming sci-fi series on Prime Video, adapted from a popular book series, is being described as feeling very much like Star Trek—even though it isn’t officially connected to that universe.

For many Star Trek fans, including me, the line “to boldly go where no one has gone before” feels instantly comforting and nostalgic. It reminds me of watching old episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series with my dad. Thankfully, the franchise has continued to thrive, consistently capturing that same spirit of adventure.

It’s rare for a science fiction show to feel like classic Star Trek – even some Star Trek series haven’t quite captured the same magic. But a new show, created by the team behind The Expanse, promises to have a similar feel, particularly reminiscent of the original Star Trek series.

The Captive’s War Has More In Common With Star Trek Than The Expanse

Many readers compare The Captive’s War to The Expanse since they share the same author. However, the first two installments – the novel The Mercy of Gods and the novella Livesuit – actually feel more like Star Trek in style and tone than The Expanse does.

A key similarity between The Captive’s War and Star Trek is the inclusion of many different alien species, ranging from less developed to highly advanced. This variety of intelligent life is a core element of all Star Trek stories. The Expanse, however, largely avoids featuring aliens, with the exception of the Ring Entities, and instead centers on conflicts and power struggles between humans.

The Carryx Empire shares many traits with the Terran Empire from Star Trek’s Mirror Universe. Both civilizations believe they are superior and practice aggressive imperialism, strong nationalism, and fascism. Like the Terrans, the Carryx constantly seek to expand their power and routinely enslave the populations of the worlds they conquer.

In The Mercy of Gods, the Carryx control many different species – over a dozen are mentioned, and eight appear on screen. They view these species as expendable, keeping them only as long as they are useful to the empire. This mirrors how the Terrans previously dominated species like the Vulcans, Andorians, and Tellarites, treating them as mere tools and even encouraging their deaths.

Both Star Trek and The Captive’s War are thoughtful and deliberately paced. A common theme in Star Trek – and in The Captive’s War – involves humans being held captive by alien forces. Both shows also highlight the importance of logic and scientific thinking when facing challenges.

What truly sets Star Trek apart is its optimistic vision of the future and belief in human progress. While The Mercy of Gods is a very dark story, it still suggests the possibility of hope – that enslaved aliens might overcome their oppressors and improve their situation. Considering these factors, The Captive’s War has the potential to feel very much like classic Star Trek.

The Captive’s War Is Taking A Much Bigger Risk Than The Expanse

Prime Video made a smart move picking up The Expanse. The show was already partially made – it had two seasons and a cast in place from its time on SyFy. Plus, a dedicated fanbase was eager for its return. And because the series focused on realistic space travel rather than fantastical elements like aliens, it didn’t require a lot of complicated and expensive visual effects.

Unlike other adaptations, Prime Video’s The Captive’s War doesn’t have any existing source material to fall back on. While the show benefits from having the original authors, Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham, involved, along with experienced leadership from showrunner/writer Naren Shankar and director Breck Eisner, everything else is a gamble.

The team making The Captive’s War has to find all of the actors for the show, and fans will be closely watching their choices. Getting the cast right is crucial, because the first few episodes will largely determine if the series succeeds.

I’m really hoping The Captive’s War finds its audience, but it feels like it’s got a bit of an uphill battle. It definitely has a built-in fanbase thanks to the books, which is great. But unlike The Expanse – which managed to attract viewers who hadn’t read the books too – The Captive’s War really needs to put some effort into getting the word out there and building excitement. A strong marketing push could make all the difference, honestly.

Compared to The Expanse, The Captive’s War will probably be much more expensive to produce. This is because it involves building a whole alien civilization, complete with many different kinds of aliens. And these aren’t human-like creatures – think insects, jellyfish, floating orbs that make sounds, and crabs the size of dogs, just to give you an idea.

While The Captive’s War could be a gamble, it has the potential to become as iconic as the original Star Trek if it succeeds.

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2026-03-07 00:29