It’s been quite a ride for The Expanse, and it’s no small feat that they managed to get six seasons out of this show. Canceled and brought back to life by Amazon, we have finally come to the end, with an abbreviated sixth and final season of six episodes. In episode 1 of season 6, “Strange Dogs,” the show immediately lets us know that they aren’t fooling around, jumping into many storylines and action sequences that set up the rest of the season quite nicely.
Picking up where things left off in season five, everyone is on the hunt for Marco Inaros (Keon Alexander), who continues to use his Free Navy to threaten Earth, thus keeping them on the defensive most of the time. The crew of the Rocinante are looking beat down and exhausted, with nothing to show for their six-month hunt for Marco except frustration.
The theme runs through the Rocinante and the rest of the fleet back to Earth. They need a win, and a big one, to boost everyone’s morale. The possibility of such a big win does appear, a big find by the Rocinante, and she heads off on a mission that, if successful, could be a big blow to Marco and his Free Navy.
Speaking of Marco, his Free Navy currently occupies Ceres Station, and his charisma and determination bring in lots of support from Belters. His son Filip (Jasai Chase Owens) is still stuck between two worlds. He enjoys the attention and freedom of being his father’s son but also has doubts, anger, and frustration, which come out in full force in a violent encounter at the station. The father/son dynamic between Marco and Filip has always been fascinating, and it truly represents a lot of what is going on throughout Ceres and the Free Navy. A lot of believers but some with serious doubts as well, something most cult-like leaders eventually face.
Meanwhile, Drummer (Cara Gee) is trying to do her best to keep her crew alive and fight off Marco’s people and the hired guns while also seeing if there are some Belters out there willing to join her in her fight against Marco. It’s a tricky thing, Belter against Belter, something I’m sure will be a constant theme throughout these six episodes. Choosing sides with your head or your heart is never easy and, in this situation, almost impossible in terms of coming out unscathed.
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It is hard to put into words how tense this episode is, right from the first few minutes until the very end. Everyone’s nerves are frayed, except perhaps Amos (Wes Chatham) who always seems like he moves from one tough situation to another with ease, although that is not the case. His wonderfully odd and unique relationship with Peaches (Nadine Nicole) is still endearing and fun to watch, as is the back and forths between Holden (Steven Strait) and Naomi (Dominique Tipper), who look ready to fall apart from stress and exhaustion.
There is an interesting part at the beginning of the episode, before the action begins, surrounding the planet Laconia and the system of the same name. It is a curious way to begin the season, but as with all things The Expanse, I’m sure it will tie into the overarching story by the time we come to the final episode.
As it is, “Strange Dogs” was a strong, tense, action-filled start to what is sure to be a very interesting final season.
