The Expanseis an epic sci-fi story that has often been described as “Game of Thronesin space” for its complex character dynamics and high-budget battle scenes. The story is based on the original novels by James S. A. Corey, and it is about a universe-wide conspiracy.The Expanselasted for six seasons, and while it begins with detective Joe Miller investigating a relatively small missing person case, he soon begins to uncover a disturbing truth.The Expansehas been praised by viewers, reviewers, and scientists, and many have considered it to be the greatest sci-fi show of all time.
A major criticism of the sci-fi genre can often be its lack of realism, with science that is barely explained or factually incorrect.The Expansestands out against many other sci-fi TV shows for this reason. An astrophysicist haspraisedThe Expansefor its attention to scientific detail, and it is generally regarded as an unusually accurate sci-fi show. Another defining feature ofThe Expanseis its epic space battles, which are not only extremely impressive to watch, but many of them do not shy away from portraying the brutality of war.
5CQB
Season 1, Episode 4
The episode “CQB” is often considered a make-or-break episode ofThe Expanse, as this is when many viewers truly get invested after the show began with a relatively slow burn. The episode begins with UN Secretary-General Chrisjen Avasarala stargazing with her grandson on her roof, foreshadowing the battle. She tells him, “I worry about people who throw rocks,”and he replies,“Nobody could throw rocks that big.” This scenesets up one ofThe Expanse’s biggest twistsin season 5, but also sets the scene for the Donnager battle, which finally turns the simmering tension into warfare.
The battle has been praised for its physics, including the loss of gravity and lack of sound.
The battle on the Donnager comes as a shock. Characters are concerned over the arrival of an approaching ship, which suddenly splits into smaller vessels, firing torpedoes. At this early stage in the show, it is not clear who will live or die, raising the stakes, whileThe Expansestill shows human moments among the crew. Shed sharing his cinnamon sticks is a tiny scene, but one that reminds us that kind people are going to die in the show. The battle has been praised for its physics, including the loss of gravity and lack of sound in space.
4Doors & Corners
Season 2, Episode 2
While many sci-fi space battles are filmed from afar for the spectacle of giant spaceships crashing into each other, the season 2 episode “Doors & Corners” does something more clever. The battle is filmed in a similar way to a tactical army assault, which is quiet, gritty, and claustrophobic. Itblends genres, combining sci-fi horror with military warfare, and using the simple concept of doors and corners to illustrate the danger. Once a door swings open, the enemy can hide behind it, or shoot through it. This constant threat sets the scene as the team faces the unknown.
The battle is more than just a tense spectacle, as it gives the story a new dimension by revealing more of Protogen’s role in unleashing the protomolecule. When Miller and his team find the room containing people with their heads networked together, it introduces a new alien horror moment, with different enemies for the team to fight. Ofall the crew members on the Rocinante,this space battle scene builds on Miller as a character, showing him to be even more morally ambiguous than he first appeared. Miller executes Dresden against Holden’s orders, setting up a smaller personal conflict.
3IFF
Season 3, Episode 2
The space battle in IFF is a defining moment for many of the characters, building up their camaraderie, which will become significant in later episodes. That said, one of the best things about the battle is the attention to scientific detail, using gravity as an opposing force just as dangerous as the enemy. The scene in which Bobbie coaches Chrisjen through strategies for surviving high G-force is one of the best scenes in both the battle and the episode. The acting and suspense are both outstanding, and relatively true to life, highlightingThe Expanseat its best.
The Razorback chase sequence is one of the best in all six seasons ofThe Expanse, and in the sci-fi genre in general. It blends scientific accuracy, stunning visuals, and character development into one battle, which is paced extremely well. The scene takes place at high speed, without an overwhelming musical score, artificial gravity, or the comfort in space that many other sci-fi shows include. This allows the characters to be centered and treats both the Razorback and the enormous and ominous UNN ship in pursuit as characters in their own right.
2Immolation
Season 3, Episode 6
The Expansehas changed drastically since season 1, losing much of the film noir tone as Miller took less of a role in the show.Even by the third season,The Expanseis much broader-reaching,and the epic space battle in the episode “Immolation” shows this like no other. The battle between Earth and Mars is chaotic and visceral, threatening the entire future of humanity. At the same time, it is emotional, with the moral dilemma over whether or not to launch the missile at Mars. Miller’s decision to kill Dresden in Doors & Corners feels incredibly trivial in comparison.
Rather than just focus on the battle and the possibility of death for Mars,Immolation adds another terrifying threat as a horrific biologically-engineered hybrid creature infiltrates the ship. Having a threat so close to home grounds much of the action, and stops the larger battle from feeling like style over substance. That said, the actual combat scenes are relatively short. It is the human stakes that make the battle so effective, with Cotyar’s tragic last stand and Holden’s decision to halt the destruction forming a turning point forThe Expanseand for humanity.
1Nemesis Games
Season 5, Episode 10
The space battle in “Nemesis Games” is one of the most emotionally charged scenes inThe Expanse. The Rocinante and Razorback are racing against time to rescue Naomi, but are heading into a trap laid by Marco Inaros. Bobbie and Alex maneuver the Razorback into some of its most impressive moves yet, at high speeds, as Naomi looks almost certain to die before she can be reached. Butwhile the ship’s gymnastics are impressive, the scene is about desperation rather than slick heroics, and these emotional stakes make the battle even better.
The Expansehas won seven awards, including three Hugo Awards.
Naomi Nagata might be one of the most tragic characters inThe Expanse, but the aftermath of the battle in the season 5 finale shows her at her best and most ingenious. Having been kidnapped and told that the fake distress signal being broadcast will lure in her rescuers,Naomi sabotages the transmission signalusing her excellent memory and limited oxygen. Her plan is one of the best moments for her character, and the race to rescue her has the much-needed emotional payoff at the end of an episode full of tension.
