Explaining Space Opera in 5 minutes

Space operas are a staple in the science fiction diet and one of the most popular subgenres for fans. Here, I take a brief look at what the space opera actually is, as well as a brief history. Thanks for watching.
#spaceopera #sciencefiction
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MY STUFF
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vvv MORE vvv

MY SCI-FI NOVELS

DELPHINE DESCENDS
After her family is killed and her homeworld occupied, young Kathreen Martin is sent to the distant world of Furoris for re-education. She will live the rest of her life as a serf – to be bought and sold as a commodity of the Imperial Network.

When her only chance of escape is ruined, a chance mistaken identity offers her a new life as the orphaned daughter of a First-Citizen Senator and heiress to a vast fortune.

She vows to claw her way into power to sit among the worlds’ elite. Then, with her own hands, she will reap bloody vengeance on them all.

But to beat them, she must play their game. And she must play it better than them all.

BLACK MILK
Prometheus has the chance to bring his wife back from the dead, but doing so will mean the destruction of Earth.

Spanning time, planets and dimensions, Black Milk draws to a climactic point in a post-apocalyptic future, where humanity, stranded with no planet to call home, fights to survive against a post-human digital entity that pursues them through the depths of space.

Five lives separated by aeons are inextricably linked by Prometheus’s actions:

Ystil.3 is an AI unit sent back in time from the distant future to investigate Prometheus’s discovery...

The mysterious Lydia has devoted her life to finding a planet that the last remaining humans can call home…

Tom Jones (he’s a HUGE fan!) is an AI trapped inside a digital subspace, lost and desperate to find his way back to his beloved in real-time…
Dr Norma Stanwyck is a neuroscientist from 24th Century Earth whose personal choices ripple throughout time...

Prometheus must learn the necessity of death or the entire universe will be swallowed by his grief.
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GOODREADS
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IMAGE USE
The images in in my videos are mostly licensed stock photos. However, occasional I will use images found online. I always seek to properly credit artists and offer a link back to their amazing work but sometimes it's hard to find the original source of work. If I've used an image you own and I haven't credited you, please feel free to get in touch as I am always more than happy to do so.

[TheDylls]

To me "Space Opera" always felt like something I could never QUITE define, but I've always found myself going back to Harlock: Space Pirate as my first example...

[Brianna-eonu]

The term “Space Opera” implies the existence of other space-based sci-fi genres that take their names from types of literary theatre, such as space play, space musical and space theatrical dance. But idk if we’re ready for that conversation…

[sciencefantastic]

Space opera I feel goes hand in hand with the term “space epic”. A story with a grand scope in a far future space setting tends to be something space opera falls under, so space epic is applicable.

[RelativelyBest]

"Super-science epics" would have been a _far_ superior name for the genre in my opinion.

[WordsinTime]

I just started the Sun Eater series and loved Empire of Silence. I'd describe it as sci-fantasy and a space opera. I just started the second book Howling Dark, and have a feeling it's going to be a pretty epic series!

[leeming]

whenever i use this term with friends or colleagues they think of naked space vikings singing about space conquest lol

[johnluther]

Came across your channel few days ago and have been binge watching your older videos. Thanks for the explanations as well as recommendations.

[aliciacampos]

Very much enjoy your videos. I always learn something new!

[pasiedonify]

Just found your channel, love your approach, sometimes find the channels talking about science fiction feel a little pretentious but love your direct and easy to understand approach. I’d love to hear hear your thoughts on Expeditionary Force…

[JLchevz]

I love these videos because you understand the genre so well and they're very well made.

[leeming]

So say we all speech is probably my favorite chilling space speech.
SO SAY WE ALL

[Alexander-tuiv]

Dune actually fits almost perfectly in the older planetary romance subgenre.

[bookendsandbiscuits]

Understanding sub genres can be very confusing, enjoyed this breakdown :)

[Gworms]

Just when I’m getting on a space opera kick, I find this gem. Great video!

[lptxfet]

The picture you chose for you thumbnail is incredible

[LarryHasOpinions]

great vid, i had never heard of horse opera! :-D

[scene]

Excellent channel and content. You have my subscription 💫

[K_E_Robin]

I havn't heard term "Super Science Epic" before but I love the sound of it! 😀

[tokyoreads]

Horse operas!? Haha I had no idea that was a thing.
This is a great summary. I’ve always assumed the “opera” in space opera was related to the musical form; stories that are complex, long, and entertaining 🪐🎶

[willh]

dune doesn't just qualify as a space opera because of its themes of grandeur, no, it qualifies as a space opera because the story hinges on galactic politics, human evolution in space across thousands of worlds, not just because there are themes of grandeur on the planet of Arrakis alone. wtf?