The proto-tech is super unhappy and blows a reactor, creating shock waves and tremors on the surface of Ilus. Holden promises to help the Belters with their land claim if they’ll take his advice to evacuate before the earthquakes, high winds, and tsunami hit. Felcia decides to make her own future. The Roci, the Barb, and the Edward Israel lose their reactors, endangering their orbital stability. The moon melts. Holden has to come up with a plan C.

Things I Love

Amos: “Cap’s got something important to say.” I love the way clichéd actions are reborn as something new, threatening, and hilarious on The Expanse. Lots of people have fired guns into the air to get a crowd’s attention but no one does it like MurderSnuggles.

The men panic and the women solve the problems. So much reality infused into such a simple dynamic. Special nod to Patti Kim’s Carol Chiwewe, who has been an incredible leader and advocate for every member of her community, no matter the challenges facing them.

“You’re breaking my wrist.” “Yes, that is the intent.” Bobbie Draper, friends. Also singlehandedly disproves George Lucas’s “there’s no underwear in space” BS.

Drummer and Ashford versus the UN. The Inners are so sure they’re better than the Belters. They’re not, and Drummer, though she’s learned to play the politics game when necessary, isn’t going to take their shit. Her matter-of-fact “he will be killed” on the issue of Marco Inaros is truly a thing to behold: practical, chilling, and absolute. She has no doubts and she might even enjoy watching it happen. This may be, in part, because of her friendship with Naomi, but it’s also the knowledge space is trying to kill you and, sometimes, the bad guys have to go down for becoming a little too friendly with it. Also, Cara Gee continues to have the best facial expressions of anyone on The Expanse.

Ashford watching a recording of his younger self singing to his infant son. Even in war, even in the worst of times, people love, babies are born, and parents sing. We haven’t learned much about Ashford’s background beyond his OPA connections this far, and this was a sweet, human window into the man.

Things I Didn’t Like

I got nothing. This was a great episode. #sorrynotsorry

I Was Proud When

Lucia let Alex stay when she talked to Felcia. Though the conversation didn’t go the way Lucia wanted it to, she shared it – and the ensuing upset – with someone. That’s a huge step for the character, especially considering how her husband treated her when she told him about the shuttle bombing.

Holden agreed to support the Belter’s claim to Ilus. Although very clear he couldn’t force other people to agree with him, Holden continues to value people over money or land. If this were the deal he needed to make to save lives, he was going to make it. Murtry would have let the Belters die over a metaphorical piece of paper. Holden isn’t going to stand for that sort of sentiment.

Most Relatable Moment/Serious Talk

The Belters on Ilus are willing to help Murtry’s team despite everything the security team has done to them. Murtry’s team would be very happy to leave the Belters to die.

The colonizers rely on the help of the colonized and then dispose of them like broken machinery when they’re no longer convenient.

Sound familiar?

Next up: 407: “A Shot in the Dark”

Show notes: The Expanse team just announced that Keon Alexander (Marco Inaros), Jasai Chase Owens (Filip Inaros), and Nadine Nicole (Clarissa Mao) have all been promoted to series regulars for Season 5.