3-02. "IFF"
Written by Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck
Directed by Breck Eisner
First aired 18 April 2018
SYNOPSIS
As protestors surround the UN building, Secretary General Esteban Sorrento-Gillis calls upon his old speechwriter Doctor Annushka "Anna" Volovodov, now a Methodist pastor, to help him convince the public the war with Mars is justified. Anna is reluctant, but agrees to help write his speech on the condition he fund her clinic.
Jules-Pierre Mao arrives on Io to see how Strickland is doing with the Protomolecule weapons project. Mao says they should shut the program down because they can't control the hybrids, while Strickland reveals that the children under his care hold the key to changing that.
Fleeing in the Razorback, Bobbie does her best to avoid pursuit by a UN ship under Errinwright's control, which is a challenge given that she's not a trained pilot, and Avasarala cannot withstand the acceleration forces. Bobbie sends out a distress signal. The Rocinante responds, and disables the UN ship's engines to protect the Razorback. Avasarala goes unconscious, and Bobbie carries her aboard the Roci.
ANALYSIS
"We're in a war with no bullets."
Although I believe it would be unfair to expect every episode to pack the same wallop as "Fight or Flight," it seems as if the producers shot their whole wad the first hour, then more or less coasted through the second. Nevertheless, it's still worthy of one's time. We're introduced to Dr. Anna Volovodov, who makes a good foil for Sorrento-Gillis—she takes no "bullshit" from him (her word choice). She can also stand toe-to-toe with Errinwright: "Collective punishment is still a war crime. Look it up."
Although Dr. Strickland appears to be an appropriately smarmy Mao ass-kisser, he's actually pretty good at manipulating his boss, not unlike Errinwright and Sorrento-Gillis, although Mao is not a fool. So, we have a nice assortment of interesting character dynamics. Plus plenty of drama and plot twists. And I must add that Clinton Shorter's drumbeat-driven score effectively ramps up the excitement during the action sequences.
Incidentally, "IFF" stands for "Identify Friend or Foe," a system on the Roci that picked up Bobbie's distress call.
Best Scene: As Bobbie carries Avasarala aboard the Roci, a half-conscious Avasarala glimpses a reflection of herself in the docking tube windows—a surreal visual effect. Then we're treated to Holden and crew's stunned looks. "Help her, please."
Best Line: Sorrento-Gillis inquires about the cut on Anna's head. "Your MPs were handing them out to the protesters."
SCORE: 