Season 5: Nemesis Games

"Starting over isn't always bad."

The Expanse is back! Well, in a manner of speaking. After my least-favorite season, this one was like returning home. However, it's not without its faults. Overall it moves along in a relatively consistent pace, but I feel a teensy bit too much time is spent focusing on the family dynamics between Filip Inaros and his parents; it might have been better if Jasai Chase Owens was a slightly stronger actor (although I will say the casting was excellent based on his appearance—I can totally believe he's their progeny). Also, Amos and Clarissa's long march to Baltimore tends to drag a bit, especially in the woods. But these are minor quibbles.

The whole subplot about Alex's split from his wife is the very definition of superfluous. Right from its start in Season 3, it's always felt like an afterthought, something bolted onto the series just to give Alex some more screen time (I'm certain that's not the case; that's just how it came across to me). It was all made worse by the behind-the-scenes drama that resulted in Alex's death, even though he doesn't die in the book. Alcon received multiple complaints of inappropriate behavior by Cas Anvar toward female cast and crew members, and after a full investigation, they fired him. Unfortunately, the last episode was already complete, so they did some hasty re-shoots, resulting in an awkward (to put it politely) death. It's strange, because long before this became public, Alex was my least-favorite regular character; I thought he came across as just a teeny bit smarmy around the edges. I can't say if I sensed Anvar's true nature seeping through, or if it was just coincidence, but I for one was not saddened by his demise. Many fans feared it would end the series, but it didn't.

Okay, now that I've got all of the bad shit out of the way, it's time to talk about the good stuff. Keon Alexander as Marco Inaros is worth cheering about; like the character, the actor has (in Ashford's words) "the gift." Cara Gee earns kudos as her character Drummer moves front and center, especially when she's faced with the loss of Naomi. But above all, special commendation must go to Dominique Tipper for her bravura performance toward the end of the season.

  1. "Exodus
  2. "Churn
  3. "Mother
  4. "Gaugamela
  5. "Down and Out
  6. "Tribes
  7. "Oyedeng
  8. "Hard Vacuum
  9. "Winnipesaukee
  10. "Nemesis Games

SEASON SCORE:

Note that there are no bonus materials on the new full-series hard media release.

Original book cover art by Daniel Dociu.

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