We discover Lucia’s part in the plot in the explosion of Murtry’s shuttle. Alex plays mother hen to the apocalypse. Two new threats emerge on Ilus. Avasarala faces Nancy Gao in the first debate of election season. Holden tries to mediate between the Belters and the security force in order to evacuate Ilus before the photo-tech comes fully on line.

Things I Love

Alex having field medicine experience. We’ve seen a bit of this in past episodes, but it makes sense that someone among the Roci‘s crew would have had, or gotten, some medical training, especially once Shed got his head blown off back in Season 1. (Literally. It popped like a balloon). Sure, they have the auto-docs but robo-medics only have so much judgment and can only be programmed to do so many things. It also adds dimension to soft Alex, who cares openly and loves hard. I mean, come on, he made Lucia broth. Alex continues to be an important reminder to men everywhere that big guns and big balls don’t always make the man.

James “I don’t give a fuck what Murtry said” Holden. Except when they do. I know, I’m contradicting myself here, but part of this is the character at baseline. Holden is passionate, but he usually prefers to give speeches than roll up with hardware. It’s always fun to see a new dimension to your favorite characters and gun-toting Holden is fun because he’s unpredictable.

Amos and Chandra eye-fucking when she unlocks his cuffs. These two, I swear.

Nu, deadly Holden being clearly intimidated by Dr. Okoye. When she gets insistent, he caves and I love it. It takes a real man to admit he may have picked the wrong strategy, and Holden’s discomfort with being called out battling his compulsion to tell the truth is both poignant and hilarious. This is truly one of my favorite exchanges so far this season.

“I’m telling you something you need to know if you want to live.” Naomi finally revealed her past, her naivety, and her mistakes to someone else openly, showing the ugly bits along with her bravery, the regrets that parallel her triumphs. The most important lesson she learned: “There is a path from where you are to why I am,” she tells Lucia, which is “living a life I like living.”

Things I Didn’t Like

I think this is the first time I’ve ever said this about casting for The Expanse but I am not a fan of the actor now playing Arjun Avasarala. His delivery is, I think, meant to be supportive and helpful but it comes across, when coupled with his body language, as condescending and dismissive. Arjun and Chrisjen certainly have their moments of conflict in the books, but no matter how angry or upset he was, Arjun would never speak to Chrisjen the way this incarnation does. The more times I watch Season 4, the angrier it makes me.

I was Proud When

Lucia told her husband off. I may not agree with her methods, but she was ready to fight for her family and the survivors of Ganymede – who have no home to which they can return. Sometimes the only way forward is through.

When Lucia decided to let Alex help her rather than bleeding out. Death, as has been a topic of so much conversation lately as regards a certain movie and its ending, is the easy path to redemption. Living and learning is far, far more difficult.

Most Relatable Moment/Serious Talk

Watching Avasarala during the debate scene is so much like watching Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. Smart, savvy, and experienced, she knows what’s coming, she knows how to guide her constituents in the right direction, and she knows what could go wrong. She’s experienced, direct, and has no intention of taking any bullshit. And because of those qualities, that in a male candidate would be assets, people begin to doubt her leadership.

Next up: 406: “Displacement”