5-01. "Exodus"
Written by Naren Shankar
Directed by Breck Eisner
First aired 15 December 2020
SYNOPSIS
While the science vessel Hasami is investigating an anomalous group of asteroids, it's attacked by a team of Belters led by Filip Inaros, the son of Marco Inaros and Naomi.
While Holden and Naomi wait on Tycho Station for the Rocinante to be repaired, Holden is approached by Monica Stuart about intel that Protomolecule research is being done in the Belt. Fred Johnson informs Naomi that her son Filip is on Pallas Station, and she makes plans to go there alone.
On his way to Earth, Amos meets with Avasarala during his stop on Luna. Later she begins investigating the incident with the science vessel attack.
On Mars, Bobbie investigates Martian weapons trafficking with the help of Avasarala. Alex arrives on Mars to try and reconcile with his wife, but fails. He later tries to hook up with Bobbie at a bar, but that also ends badly.
ANALYSIS
"Try the yaka mien. The best this side of Ceres."
While the season starts out as a mixed bag, the good outweighs the not-so-good. The science vessel attack is a classic action/mystery set piece to draw us in, except it's hobbled by the unconvincing stuck-foot trope and Jasai Chase Owens' rather flaccid performance as Filip Inaros. The line, "I think we're gonna have to recalibrate the sensors and reboot the array" is the most Star Trek-sounding dialog of any in the series. Just sayin'... Then we have Alex's soap opera (ugh, just shoot me now), although Bobbie's grumpy put-downs at the sickeningly Cowboy-themed bar make it worth the pain.
Plus-side stuff: The return of Monica Stuart is welcome little surprise, the Belter working on the Roci is a hoot, and Carlos "Bull" de Baca, Fred Johnson's security chief, is an enjoyable no-nonsense ballbuster—he's introduced with "What the fuck do you think I'm running here, a fucking soup kitchen?" Amos' fight with the insurance scammers features some of the most creative editing of bloody violence I've seen in a while. "You have to ask yourself, how much damage do you think I can do to you in two minutes before the knockout gas hits?" (Reminiscent of "You feeling lucky today... punk?") Best of all, Amos and Avasarala discussing his trip to Earth is worth the price of admission—putting the two of them in a room together is pure genius.
Best Scene: Naomi explaining to Holden why she has to see Filip by herself is a depressing foretaste of just how really hard this season is going to be on her.
Best Line: Avasarala objects to being called "Chrissie" by Amos. "I'm a member of parliament, not your favorite stripper."
SCORE: 