In December 2021, Jim Jones and A. Ron Hubbard wrote and commissioned their own very own fanfic audio-drama, A Very Belter Christmas. Set in The Expanse universe, it is a professional production with talented voice actors and is a must-listen for all fans of The Expanse. Very little knowledge about the books or show is necessary so non-fans can still appreciate the setting and holiday spirit as we settle in for a new yearly sci-fi tradition.
A Very Belter Christmas is presented as a UNESCO project to understand the Christmas traditions of the people living and working in the asteroid belt, the Belters. The Expanse as a whole revolves around the tensions between these Belters, Earth, and Mars. This UNESCO project is an attempt to humanize the citizens of the Belt for an Inner (Earther and Martian) audience.
Two major traditions are described and they both demonstrate how deeply Jim and A. Ron love, respect, and understand the source material. There is first a discussion how Belters like to throw rocks at the Sun for celebration. Two Belters are interviewed about this tradition; an old traditionalist and a young radical and their responses reflect the divisions in Belter culture. The second tradition replaces Christmas trees with gilded pine cones. The gilded cone ties these Belter families to Earth traditions while still demonstrating the different circumstances of Belt. It recognizes how luxurious pine cones are since they need to be shipped all the way from Earth. Wood is more expensive than gold in the Belt, and the gilding represents the cheapest part of the tradition. An Inner might show off wealth with a gilded tree. A Belter would demonstrate wealth by not gilding their cone because they could afford to buy a new one next year.
It’s very well done and a short production, approximately 20 minutes so there’s no reason not to check it out.
The Keasy Depot 