5-05. "Down and Out"
Written by Matthew Rasmussen
Directed by Jeff Woolnough
First aired 29 December 2020
SYNOPSIS
Drummer receives an invitation from Marco Inaros to visit and discuss her allegiance, and she reluctantly accepts.
Amos and Clarissa are trapped in the underground prison facility by debris from the second asteroid attack. Together with three guards and another prisoner, they escape up an elevator service shaft to find the prison above totally obliterated.
Aboard Marco's ship, Naomi's attempt to kill Marco fails. Learning that the Rocinante's reactor has been sabotaged with a software virus, she struggles to send a message to Holden just in time to avoid destruction.
Alex and Bobbie are spotted as they observe the Barkeith rendezvous with Belters. They're attacked and last seen adrift in space.
ANALYSIS
"It's Schrödinger's parents."
After the sucker punch of the previous episode, we need a little time to catch our breath, which is what we get. Alliances are evaluated, relationships examined, navels gazed, and bodies counted. Amos and Clarissa's escape from the prison offers us a low-key sequence to keep us engaged between family counseling sessions with Naomi et al, although "Tiny" is borderline over-the-top. But Sakai, as played by Bahia Watson, is one warped little Belter.
Best Scene: Naomi narrowly preventing the Roci from blowing up is this episodes nail-biter. Holden's expression on seeing Naomi being restrained speaks volumes.
Best Line: Drummer and crew discuss the fallout of Marco's attack, and someone remarks Fred Johnson was a good man, for an Earther. Drummer sternly asserts, "He was a good man. Period."
SCORE: 