5-10. "Nemesis Games"
Written by Daniel Abraham & Ty Franck
Directed by Breck Eisner
First aired 2 February 2021
SYNOPSIS
Surrounded by Free Navy ships, the Rocinante is saved by Drummer as she defies Karal and fires on Marco's other ships. Inaros executes Drummer's exchange crewmember in retaliation, and Drummer's family and crew break up in response.
On the Chetzemoka, Naomi breaks a gas valve, sending the ship into a spin so Alex can't dock. As Alex attempts to dock anyway, Naomi exits the ship and uses hand signals to warn him off. Bobbie rescues Naomi, but Alex dies from a high-G-induced stroke.
The Rocinante crew reunites on Luna, where Amos brings Clarissa on board. Newly-reelected Avasarala holds a dinner party, and Bobbie shows up as her new liaison.
Under the command of Admiral Sauveterre, rogue Martian warships join Free Navy ships to destroy the Earth/Mars blockade at the Rings. As the ex-MCRN Barkeith transits the Ring Gate on the way to Laconia, the ship is destroyed by the entities that killed the Ring builders.
ANALYSIS
"Please see me..."
Although slightly difficult to follow at times, the Roci's successful defeat of the Free Navy fleet is quite the thrill ride—Bull's "I'll do it for Fred" is a Yes! fist-pump moment. And Avasarala's celebratory gathering, where a smartly-dressed Bobbie officially joins her team, makes for a most enjoyable "season afterparty," even though it's interrupted by dire events at the Ring. Yeah, maybe we saw that coming, but so what?
I will say that Admiral Sauveterre is entirely too over-the-top, especially when it comes to his fanatically strict military philosophy, which he addresses in a vaguely Hitler-like monologue; then, demanding that Lieutenant Babbage (who is amusingly awestruck by his mere presence) surrender her jewelry because it breaks dress code is as subtle as a sledgehammer. It's about as close as The Expanse has ever come to featuring a mustache-twirler, complete with sidekick—I half-expected her to snap her heels together and deliver him a Nazi salute. Still, I suppose it makes their comeuppance all the more satisfying, eh?
Anyway, it matters not because Naomi's rescue is what this episode is all about; even "brave idiot" Alex's awkward exit doesn't detract from it. Still, there's a scene that nearly ties for best-of status: Holden and Naomi's reunion in the med bay. Who can keep from getting choked up over her awesomely beautiful farewell message to Holden?
Oh, and Drummer's little Addams Family-like reference is just too cute... "Captain now, Camina later."
Best Scene: Bobbie and Naomi absolutely steal the show as our fearless Marine rescues our nearly-dead engineer. Seen more or less from Naomi's POV, we only hear Bobbie until the very end, when she swings into view. Brilliant blocking and direction, but most especially sublime performances. OMFG, talk about waterworks...!
Best Line: There are many, but for me the winner is Holden's heart-rendering explanation of why he didn't listen to Naomi's farewell message. "I couldn't. It would've meant you were gone. I wasn't ready to accept that." More tissues, please...
SCORE: 