2-02. "Doors & Corners"
Written by Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck
Directed by Breck Eisner
First aired 1 February 2017
SYNOPSIS
During a debate over a proper response to the destruction of Phoebe Station, UNN Admiral Michael Souther steps down as Fleet Commander, objecting to the UN's desire to escalate the situation. Later, at a bar, Avasarala quizzes Souther over events surrounding Fred Johnson's departure from the UNN. Afterward, Avasarala asks Cotyar, her new spy, for a means to secretly contact Fred Johnson.
The Rocinante returns to Tycho Station, where Fred Johnson confronts Holden and crew over their long radio silence. Holden convinces Johnson they must mount an attack on Thoth Station, the target of radio transmissions from the scientist responsible for the Eros incident. Johnson organizes a strike team from OPA faction members, "spacing" (killing) one of them to make his point. Miller volunteers to lead the boarding party.
The assault on Thoth Station is successful, although it comes at a price: one of two breeching pods is destroyed before it could reach the station, and the Roci is heavily damaged. Miller captures Antony Dresden, head of the Protomolecule research project, as well as Paolo Cortázar, one of Dresden's staff. Dresden tries to convince Johnson and the rest that the Protomolecule represents a significant threat to humankind. However, just as Dresden and Johnson are about to come to an agreement to continue the Protomolecule research, Miller shoots Dresden dead.
ANALYSIS
"Invincible me!"
As various plot threads grow ever more tangled, we're treated to some of the behind-the-scenes goings-on at the UN as arguments break out over plans for escalation. In particular, Avasarala and Souther's exchange at the bar is spicy. But the standout scene is the assault on Thoth Station, one of those rare set pieces that has you almost literally on the edge of your seat. And Miller gunning down Dresden is a real shock. He drives his point home further by putting two more slugs in Dresden's dead body; the act is underscored by the station's acoustics, which make the gunshots' echoes long and loud.
Best Scene: Without question, the Roci's assault on Thoth Station is a genuine nail-biting, breathtaking thrill ride, particularly the Roci's surprise attack on the stealth ship protecting Thoth Station.
Best Line: As the Roci is about to take out the stealth ship, Alex yells, "Surprise, assholes!" Yeah!
Hard Media Commentary: Supervising Producer/Writer Ty Franck; Supervising Producer/Writer Daniel Abraham; Cas Anvar (Alex Kamal).
SCORE: 