2-08. "Pyre"
Written by Robin Veith
Directed by Kenneth Fink
First aired 15 March 2017
SYNOPSIS
Aboard a Ganymede refugee ship, botanist Praxideke "Prax" Meng, wounded and disoriented, meets Doris Bourne, a colleague. She fills him on the events on Ganymede, and the likelihood his daughter, Mei Ming, was killed when the mirrors fell from orbit. The refugee ship is presumed to be headed for a rendezvous with another ship to take the Inners to Earth and Mars; instead, the Inners, including Doris (who was from Mars), are all spaced, while Prax looks on in horror. The ship then docks with Tycho Station, which is being inundated with refugees.
Investigating Cortázar's disappearance, Holden learns that Cortázar had received a transmission from the Protomolecule, and Naomi determines the signal came from Ganymede. Looking for links between the Protomolecule and Ganymede, Holden then discovers that Cortázar originally worked for Protogen (a Jules-Pierre Mao company), and that a Dr. Lawrence Strickland, who also worked for Protogen, was stationed on Ganymede. Searching for refugees linked to Strickland, Holden finds Prax, who is on Tycho Station. A photo taken of Strickland before the battle shows Prax's daughter with him.
An OPA faction breaks into Tycho Station's control center, and they take Drummer and Johnson hostage in an attempt to steal the UN missiles. Finding Amos wandering around aimlessly, Alex confronts him over his unwillingness to help. They discover the attempt to steal the missiles and, together with Holden, subdue the OPA terrorists. Hopeful he might find Mei, Prax then joins the Rocinante crew as they set off for Ganymede.
ANALYSIS
"This... this is the Earther in you still."
The introduction of Prax is perfect: he provides a solid moral center for Roci's crew, and gives us a fresh new POV to help us better understand and appreciate the complicated events to come. Not to mention that Terry Chen is a gifted actor, especially as his character suffers the back-to-back heartbreakers of learning his daughter died on Ganymede, and then witnessing a potential new love interest get spaced. We're also treated once more to Jared Harris as Anderson Dawes, who delivers a potent monologue to Fred Johnson. Oh, and props to Drummer for grabbing Alex's gun and taking out the two Belters who tried to steal the missiles. Very Belter!
Best Scene: When the refugee ship spaces all of the Inners, the scene is graceful, poetic, almost dreamy, despite being crushingly grim; it sticks with you for a long time.
Best Line: Errinwright apologizes to the Martian delegation for the discomfort of Earth's gravity. Defense Minister Korshunov brushes it off. "It's like riding a bike." Avasarala adds, "With tires made of lead."
Hard Media Commentary: Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer Naren Shankar; Wes Chatham (Amos Burton).
SCORE: 