Erika Hardison reviews the season 4 premiere of The Expanse…
Spoilers ahead…
Fans were excited that Jeff Bezos’ Amazon Prime picked-up the sci-fi series The Expanse almost immediately after it was dropped by SyFy, and at New York Comic-Con 2019, the series debuted its season 4 premiere to fans and media alike. For those who aren’t aware, The Expanse is a realistic sci-fi journey of humans and alien lifeforms battling over who deserves to occupy space and how much of it.
I hope you are up to speed because season 4, episode one sets the tone for the great war. The season starts off right where they left off from season 3, then bam! All the action starts.
We see the Belter ship that’s called the Barbapiccola, going through the ring gate in the beginning. The Belters aren’t supposed to be going through the gate but at this point, they don’t care about rules or threats. Once they make it through the ring gates that’s that.
Now, back on Earth, Avasarala calls Holden to visit with her in New York. On his visit, she finally grants him permission to go through the ring. He’s been wanting to this for seasons now. However, she’s only letting him through based on his visions he’s had.
Ilus is the newest territory everyone wants to claim and explore, however, the Belters have already claimed the territory as their own. Now Holden has already has been having visions of genocide, Avasarla wants him to tell her if Ilus is safe for them or not or if they should destroy it. Now Holden has to be responsible for the Belters and help evacuate them if they are in danger. Ilus also just happens to have protomolecule substances on the planet which makes it unsurprising.
Tension rises onboard. While the crew is making their way to the New Terra, Alex and Bobbie discuss the idea of fear and Naomi and Drummer bump heads over who should stay on Ilus. Naomi feels like they are colonizing the New Terra and are more Inner than they are Belters.
Finally, a spaceship of doctors and scientists arrives at Ilus. They consult at the possible discoveries they might make on the New Terra. Adolphus Murtry who is also onboard is concerned about monetary gain. Then suddenly, BOOM! Out of nowhere, the ship crashes after being attacked by an unknown attacker. The ship is ruined and many are dead. You see Murty’s rage building up and he clearly wants revenge.
The episode explores how the characters are dealing with this unexplored territory and how they all are not on the same page on who they think should occupy it. It was nice to see Naomi experience gravity for the first time when she got to the New Terra by falling down. The New Terra is a beautiful planet and the Belters aren’t going to leave without a fight. The Belters are prepared to fight any and everyone who wants to remove them.
Besides the fight over Ilus there are other smaller plots as well on Earth such as dealing with pirates trying to raid ships. An unexpected Belter is found and it is revealed that Belters think Earthlings want to take over new planets and leave them with “dirt”. The dirt they are referring to is planet Earth.
The season 4 premiere is full of drama and excitement. It’s a great welcome from a long wait.
Rating: 10/10
Erika Hardison