The Expanse

I  consider the fourth season the weakest one so far. I’m not saying it was bad, I just didn't like the main villain, and the creators could have done a better job with the events on the newly colonized planet. But they made up for it with the final two episodes. It was the good old Expanse again, just the way I like it. Despite all my quibbles, I was actually quite satisfied. I know a lot of series which run out of things to say by the second season. (20.03.2020)

The season's opener caught me off guard initially. I almost thought I'd missed the previous finale or simply forgot it altogether. But as I got into it, I realized there'd been significant off-screen developments, which I'm now eager to explore further. Despite the initial confusion, it was a solid start. (17.03.2020)

In the second episode, we didn't get much space action, and when it did happen, I was surprised at how light they traveled. The focus of the narrative definitely shifted toward Ilos/New Terra (seriously, when will the Martians come up with their own name?), and honestly, I'm not complaining. But what really caught me off guard was that I didn't find Bobbi Draper annoying at all. Weird, right? (18.03.2020)

The creators have started teasing some fresh political intrigues and high-level manipulations, and I'm all for it. Give me more of Chrisjen Avasarala doing her thing. With the situation heating up in the newly colonized territory, things are getting more complex in all the right ways. No sign of stagnation here. (18.03.2020)

The first four episodes weren't exactly groundbreaking but they were all solidly enjoyable. Personally, I'm all in for more of the Camina Drummer/Klaes Ashford duo — I'm hoping they get plenty of screen time ahead. (18.03.2020)

While Holden's discussion may have felt a tad pointless, the bulk of the episode maintained the high standard set by the fourth season. If only we could swap out our prime minister for Chrisjen Avasarala — she'd likely have us soaring as a global superpower within a month! 4*- (19.03.2020)

The episode injected a refreshing vitality into the series, with changes happening across continents and even worlds. A part of the episode delved into smaller yet impactful events on Mars, and I noticed yet again that Bobbi Draper isn't getting on my nerves, which I find oddly unsettling. (19.03.2020)

The seventh episode dives into three main storylines, each packed with its own dose of intrigue. Avasarala navigates political rivalries while simultaneously pursuing a galactic pirate. Meanwhile, in orbit around New Terra, a high-stakes altitude battle ensues, and the only one who could possibly help would be a hungry Frenchman with an absinthe-soaked digestive tract. (19.03.2020)

There was certainly no lack of action, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that despite the thrilling events and the peculiar concept of orbital towing, I wasn't fully immersed. Maybe Holden's constant blank expressions got under my skin more than I realized... (20.03.2020)

The ninth episode delivered precisely what I crave from this series. New Terra was full of action-packed scenes, and even the team in orbit kept up the pace (except for that ridiculous towing). Unlike the previous episode, this one had me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. (20.03.2020)

The season finale keeps up with the pace and vibe set by the previous episode. It seamlessly weaves in events from Mars, adding depth to the narrative. However, there's a slightly weaker subplot involving Avasarala. The ending sets the stage nicely for the fifth season, although I was let down by the demise of my favorite character. (20.03.2020)

I have never been this disappointed with The Expanse. While the first half of the season was decent, it went downhill after the fifth episode. To make matters worse, one of the more likable characters on the show was sadly forced to leave. 4*- (19.06.2021)

To be perfectly honest, I was hoping for a bit more oomph to kick off the fifth season, but things got off to a rather slow start. Looking back on it, not much of significance really happened; the creators seemed more focused on introducing us to the cast and their various side stories. Unfortunately, the execution fell a bit flat for me. It all felt a bit awkward and occasionally boring. (09.06.2021)

I actually found myself enjoying the episode. That said, there were definitely some weaker moments. One humorous highlight was tough Bobbi lifting what were clearly lightweight props, her arm muscles practically screaming "It's plastic!" (Admiral Ackbar style, if you catch my drift). Less amusing was the tired old cliché we've seen in countless movies and series; any seasoned viewer knows the person being rescued is always behind the second door. Can't the writers switch up that pattern a bit? 4*- (11.06.2021)

I had high hopes that the story would really take off, and for a while, it seemed like it was heading that way. However, I have mixed feelings about this episode. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes involving Avasarala, Camina, and Alex, but then the creators threw in their own version of the Oprah Winfrey Show, which slightly ruined it for me. I understand they were aiming for an emotional touchpoint, but it just didn't resonate with me. 4*- (11.06.2021)

Finally! It wasn't until the fourth episode that the creators decided to return to the kind of Expanse I enjoy. This is how it should have been all along: excellent atmosphere, decent tension, some action, and behind-the-scenes intrigues. This episode really hit the mark and greatly improved my mood. (12.06.2021)

The creators did make an effort, and I definitely wasn't bored, but I did notice some flaws. The big guy impressively displayed his veins when exerting effort, but the emergency ladder ruined it for me (it was so inaccessible and hidden that even the staff didn't know about it). Additionally, after overcoming it, everyone looked surprisingly fresh, except for one person who was almost dead before the action. Well, as they say, the devil is in the details. (12.06.2021)

Sure, Amos' storyline dragged on a bit, much like his journey to Baltimore, but for the most part, the episode moved along at a refreshing pace. Once again, the creators dared to include some zero gravity action, so in the end, I was actually quite satisfied. (17.06.2021)

The attempt to tug on the heartstrings of the more sensitive viewers was blatant and nearly everywhere, making it feel at times like a sci-fi soap opera. It was just missing a less intelligent character or a blind person to make the picture complete. Well, I didn't quite enjoy it, but I did come away with two observations: 1) Naomi looks like Filip's dad, and 2) That injection must have had some damn good stuff in it! 3*- (17.06.2021)

The eighth episode, thankfully, didn't veer into soap opera territory, but I still struggled to find many reasons to praise it. The plot mainly centered on Naomi's desperate suffering, and after about the tenth groan, I'd had my fill. The second half of the fifth season seems to have dozed off. (18.06.2021)