Darker in tone yet delving deeper into the backstories of the main characters, the first three episodes of season five are heavy in exposition yet intriguing as hell at the same time. The Expanse can sometimes get in its own way in terms story building, and while the first three episodes are more story than action, it is well worth it, as we learn some things that have only been hinted about over the first four seasons.
We get hints in terms of how the major threat is going to play out this season, involving a science vessel, rogue asteroids, and some familiar faces. However, the initial episodes leave the viewer with more questions than answers, which is how it should be. There is just enough buildup in terms of suspense and danger to keep things interesting, but most of the attention in the early episodes focuses on the crew of the Rocinante.
With the Rocinante docked at Tycho Station for much needed repairs, Alex (Cas Anvar) heads to Mars to try and reconnect with his family while Amos (Wes Chatham) heads to Earth, also on personal business. That leaves Holden (Steven Strait) and Naomi (Dominique Tipper) as the only crew members left. However, that doesn’t last long as Naomi sets out to try and reconnect with the son we found out about last year, something she has to do alone.
RELATED: TV Recap & Review: The Mandalorian “Chapter 15: The Believer”
It doesn’t take long for Holden to find himself hip deep in yet another chaotic and dangerous situation that screams protomolecule, and to be fair, Fred Johnson (Chad Coleman) is not exactly an innocent party to what is going on aboard Tycho. Amos has a tough time on Mars, not only with his family but also his reunion with Bobbie (Frankie Adams), who we find out is working on the sly with Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo) investigating a black market for some high end weapons.
However, it’s Amos’s backstory and a walk through his past on Earth that is the most intriguing, as we get information about some cryptic hints of his ugly past and how it would define his future. Wes Chatham has made Amos a great character, still with the rage and violence that is a part of his DNA, but not without compassion. This is something we learn more about as the first few episodes of season five highlight, sometimes in remarkable ways.
It was also great to see Camina Drummer (Cara Gee) with her new crew, her new family, and follow her hunt for justice in the death of Klaes Ashford (David Strathairn). It also gives us a closer look at Belter culture and personal relationships, giving depth to the Belters in general. The terrorist Marco Inaros (Keon Alexander) a huge threat to all for more than a few reasons, but with Drummer seeking revenge and Naomi’s history with him, it makes it more personal and brings the tension up a few notches.
RELATED: Review: ‘Lego Star Wars Holiday Special’ is a Fun Nostalgic Trip
The writers do a wonderful job of setting so many characters on different paths, yet not letting them stray too far from the relationships they’ve built and ties they have made to both people and places. Avasarala has been basically shut out of the big picture, but she is not one to just lie down and take it. Same for Drummer, who is fighting personal demons, yet can see the big picture, even through the haze of revenge. They are all fighters, struggling with personal demons yet always able to eventually find the light, although not without consequences along the way.
The Expanse has always incorporated intriguing political situations and scenarios with hard sci-fi and action in a very tight, seamless way. However, the strength of the show has always been the characters and how, with great acting and writing, people have grown attached to them and care what happens in their respective story arcs. Within the first three episodes, the emotional stakes have been raised and the personal journeys more revealing, making a show set in space feel even more human than it ever has before.
RELATED: ‘The Boys’ Board Game Pits Players Against Homelander
