I love how the show so far has put so much details in its science-fiction. Almost like they're putting back the science in science fiction. The coriolis gravity effect when pouring water was a nice touch in Eps 2. They have been fairly consistent the physics as well. The logics of air and gravity are used seamlessly in the storytelling, not as mere plot devices but actual environment that has to be considered by the characters.
The episode has shootout, and perhaps it's one among the better ones I've seen so far in TV series. Typically TV series just throw a crowd shooting at each other without taking cover like amateurs (even though they're supposed to have military training). From The Walking Dead to The Mandalorian, shootouts always look dumb and incompetent. But The Expanse manage to direct it to look as if the ones shooting were actual soldiers with military training. They take cover and aim their shot. They also don't waste too much screen time depicting the shootings, which makes the event effective and has a sense of decisiveness.
The plot takes twist and turn, and when it does twist, there is no holds barred. What happened to the characters are shocking and feel like out of nowhere, adding to the sense of danger and urgency the episode plays out. Unlike the previous episodes, this one is more focused on Holden's story, that helps exploring characterization and depth this promising TV series has.
That was a strong episode. Some genuine excitement and one real shock moment. It helped that it devoted most of its time to one story thread rather than jumping around all the time. There was also some real emotion for the characters at long last.
I think I quite liked the Martian Navy, they actually seemed like decent people. A nice mystery is now fully set up as to who the mysterious attackers are and what their goal is.
I am intrigued to see how this will continue but I can't shake the feeling I've seen all this before. Maybe in parts of one show/movie, or cobbled togehter from different ones. I can't put my finger on it.
Totally Epic! I am amazed by this show. This show gave me chills.
The have been show off, and they screwed up
This episode is simply stupendous.
Space combat in this TV show is different than other sci-fi shows. It's more realistic, and just plain cool. It would be worth watching the show just for that, but the writing is excellent too!
The population differences are interesting: Earthers, Martians, OPA, and Belters (and Ceres inhabitants, if they are different.) I especially like the Martian culture. The humans who come from Mars are vaguely similar to Romulans in Star Trek (TOS); their difficult life on Mars has resulted in a fascist-like dedication to the state and fierce militarism, yet also a noble dedication to their own people. There is also a sort of Cold War type stand-off between Earthers and Martians, with little information flow and a lot of mystery and suspicion. The ending of this episode also brings to mind Romulans. And yet, the Martians are unique and don't seem derivative at all. One nitpick: the red lighting in the Martian helmets is trying too hard to say, "These guys are the Martians!"
Belters are tall and thin. In this episode or the previous one, we learned that Belter prostitutes are very striking in lingerie. Belters are even more culturally different from Earthers than Martians are, in that Belters have their own language, which apparently includes body motions.
The Earthers we've seen have mostly been corrupt upper class and bureaucrats. They enjoy fine wine, while giving lip service to plans of recycling that they'll probably never actually implement.
Oh, and then there are the Mormons. LOL. They count as their own faction. And they have a Plan.
Ok, this show just went from "pretty cool" to "amazing". I enjoyed this show, but I just fell in love with this show.
As we say in Barbados, this episode 'up de ting'. The last twenty minutes of this show was beautiful, organised chaos.
Again I am amazed by the production ethics of this show. The gritty 'movie-like' quality and pacing is wonderful, and this episodes twists were well executed.
I like that we get to see a little more of the Martians and the ethos, and the mysterious warship and it's blue masked invaders, all deepen the mystery of what's really going on. We see the hypocrisies and machinations of the Earthers as well as the set up for Belter culture.
We're introduced to OPA head man, Frederick Johnson who has just the right amount of passion and cool nerve, and I am very amused at how he handled the Mormon representative. I am also deeply intrigued by their generational ship.
This episode gives us even more backdrop for the politics at play in the solar system, and nicely sets up the enduring loyalty of the survivors of the Cant. Bless Holden and his matinee idol jawline and pretty, squinty eyes and lovely pouty mouth. Yes, I had to point all of that out. I positively begs to be pointed out.
This episode was well acted, the action sequences were exceptional, the special effects were fucking EYEPOPPING,
It's so nice to see the Sy Fy gave a show some budget and talent. I had given up hope after Battlestar Galactica left the air, but this show gets better, and this is my second time watching this first season.
The science in this show is getting a little ridiculous. For one, who is their right mind would think it's a good idea to have guns as weapons in space? Not only could it cause a fire on board (fire in space = bad), it could also cut a hole in the ship. And the entire "sealing" of other holes in this episode didn't make sense either. If the vacuum of space is sucking everything out because of the pressure difference, the sealant she applies would just be sucked out too. Unless it's a super high tech future composite or something I guess. Still, if you can suspend disbelief in these technical aspects, still enjoying it. I won't put it on par with BSG (early seasons), but better than some of the other sci-fi shows to come out recently.
Called it! Policeman is alive.
On the other hand, I did not expected that they would kill comedic relief after saving him for some odd reason a couple of episodes ago. You win some, you lose some.
I love almost everything and everyone in this show, but I'm afraid that it gonna turn into Aliens. Could it be time travel or wormhole to some 3rd power force or something like that? I would prefer that big time.
Great action! Those CQB (close quarter battle) scenes where so awesome! The torpedos are already cool but the PDCs (point defense cannons) are even cooler and the railguns are obviously cool as well (although there where only two shots or so of them firing).
Now I finally remember what happened to Shed (the medic). I was already wondering about that because I didn't remember him so he shouldn't've been around for long. When they strapped in I started to remember but his death was still more brutal than I thought :o
"Everything's going to be okay, okay? This is going to calm you right down. Trust me, we're all going to be just fi..."
The final escape scene in the beautiful and high-tech M.C.R.N Tachi ship was so awesome! :)
Also: It was kinda fun that the (fake) ID of the person scanned at the morgue had also German translations (which is quite unexpected as that language might not even be around anymore by then but who knows, maybe there's a reason for it). Anyway, as a German I did like that :D
Episodes 3 and 4 aired on the 16th please fix this error
Review by GabyBlockedParentSpoilers2017-11-12T23:18:09Z— updated 2018-10-27T20:14:47Z
Intense and so damn good!
Episode focuses on space combat, but unlike other shows that make it feel cold and detached, Expanse moves the battle back to the audience to fully experience the confusion, fear and thinking on your feet that is often lacking. We get to see the commanders try to take control of an uncontrollable and unpredicatble situation, trying to stay alive while knowing they will probably die. Our team from the Canterbury constantly on the edge of death as they try to navigate a space they don't belong in, and facing the reality that war and conflict always has casualties (and those include your friends). We also get the duty and commitment to ideaology that is part of military service, even when you might not agree with the decisions you are to impliment.
Visually it reminds me of water battles (like submarines or oldship canon battles) with close quarter attack, pieces of ships getting blown to pieces, while the desperate crew running, trying to survive: a visual frenzy. Also we get reflect neon blues and reds in the main deck (again a reminder of cold ward submarine battle scenes).
The battle is wall to wall in the episode. Kudos to the writing for mixing great action sequences and plot, with action sequences that have purpose and not just eye candy, that are actually needed to move the plot along.
The ship attacking the Martin Military Vessel is the same one that blew up the Cantebury. Someone is trying to frame Mars and start a war, but why? Do they know something about Phoebe Station? Is this whole thing a coverup?
At the same time, we get glimpses of the Miller going further down the rabbit hole of the missing Miss Mao investigation that just keeps getting more and more complicated with no end in sight. Plots within plots.
This is the second time that the Mormons have been mentioned. Could they be setting up something for a bigger payoff in the story?
Loved: the scene where Martian commander describes the paradise he imagines earth to be as his uncle desbribed it and wonders why anyone (looking at you Holden) would ever leave it behind. His anger and frustration of Earther's destroying their planet. How they've dreamed of the day they could terra-form mars into another earth. Another piece of heaven. To be protected. To be preserved, not squandered like Earth.
Great sequences when the tream tries to cross bridge in the ship amongst a rainstorm of gunfire, as they work against time to save themselves before the ship it's destroyed. And then taking a small Martian ship and blasting their way out of the large carrier. So freaking badass!
Overall: intense battle that would rival any Star Wars or BSG combat scene. On top of that great writing to support the amazing visuals!