Oye Beltas, Earthers, and Dusters, get ready it’s time to strap into your crash couches so we can flip and burn like hell, because The Expanse returns to Amazon Prime for season five this Wednesday, December 16. The season starts with the release of the first 3 stellar episodes EXODUS, CHURN, and MOTHER. The release schedule for The Expanse season 5 will be a little different this time around with a new episode premiering each Wednesday, with the final episode (the 10th of this season) airing February 3rd.
I recently had the pleasure of getting an early look at the first nine episodes of season five and I was absolutely blown away by the visually stunning episodes. The cast, the writers room, the crew and the visual effects department have really stepped up and intensified the magnitude of artistry and brilliance for this season, making it a treat for the senses. Although I can only talk about the first three episodes, unless I want to be shoved into a airlock and spaced, it is no exaggeration to say that I believe hands-down this is the best season yet.
The first three episodes have the crew of the Rocinate all on different personal journeys, and we get to see each one carrying out a more personal quest, although sometimes this journey does not always seem to come by their own choosing. Back on Tycho Station James Holden (Steven Strait) is dealing with the consequences of his past decision of Fred Johnson (Chad Coleman) having a sample of the Protomolecule, he is dealing with the new repercussions and problems that are arising from that decision. Also while the Rocinate is docked at Tycho for repairs, “Murder Snuggles” Amos Burton (Wes Chatham) is heading back to Earth, and on episode two Churn we get a peek into his past to see some of the struggles he had to endure on his path. Before Amos gets to Earth he stops at Luna and we get a fantastic exchange between Amos and Avasarala.
Chrisjen Avasarala, our cursing queen, who is played by the incomparable brilliant Shohreh Aghdashloo, finds herself being pushed to the sidelines on Luna but is fighting back against her new position while trying to use all her political might and connections to try to stop a terrorist attack that she believes to be approaching imminently. Shohreh has been magnificent tour de force throughout all the seasons of The Expanse with season five being no exception, really if I’m being honest I could watch Shohreh read a grocery list and I would be ecstatic.
Bobbie Draper (Frankie Adams) is on Mars secretly working in secret for Avasarala while trying to find out who is behind the sales of the weapons and stealth tech. Alex Kamal (Cas Anvar) has also returned to Mars where he is trying to make amends with his estranged family. Alex witnesses first hand the devastation that opening the Ring Gate has brought to Mars with the mass exodus of people seeking new worlds. Bobbie and Alex uncover a plot that could have drastic consequences on the whole system. Drummer (Cara Gee), has found a new life with a new crew and family as she deals with her anger, grief, and guilt over the death of Ashford.
We also get more in-depth with Marcos Inaros, with Keon Alexander bringing the character to light you can see how easy it would for people to be swayed by his ideals
Season five is a vast array of brilliant star fields but one star gleams above the rest and that is the deeply personal journey of Naomi Nagata, brought to life magnificently by Dominique Tipper. Naomi embarks on a mission to Pallas Station after learning the whereabouts of her son Filip (Jasai Chase-Owens), whom she shares with known OPA (Outer Planets Alliance) terrorist Marcos Inaros (Keon Alexander). She leaves Holden and the Rocinate to try and reason with Filip and undo some of the influence of his father before it is too late. Dominique delivers a beautiful, brilliant, masterful performance as Naomi, with this emotional journey her heartfelt performance will cut right to through your soul.
The show is not meant to be a faithful retelling of book five, Nemesis Games, it was meant to be a separate entity that stands on its own, but if you adore Nemesis Games as I do you will be overjoyed with this season. I am so excited for everyone to get to view season five of The Expanse, please let me know your favorite moments of the show down below in the comments.
The first 3 episodes of THE EXPANSE season 5 are now available on Amazon Prime Video.
