To think it all started with a simple missing person’s case.
The search for a rich girl who went missing on Ceres led to a small crew of misfits and outcasts lifting the lid on a massive conspiracy to foment war between the UN-controlled Earth, with its multitudes of poor and hungry, and the independent and technically-advanced, yet far less numerous, Mars. Caught in between these two powerful adversaries, the Belt. Millions of people living and working in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and who’re dependent on both powers for their very survival – and exploited by both for their resources and held in contempt for being different. That’s a powder keg waiting to explode – and explode it does.
The official synopsis for the upcoming season five is as follows:
Season 5 picks up as multitudes of humans leave the solar system in search of new homes and vast fortunes on the Earth-like worlds beyond the alien Ring, and a heavy price for centuries of exploitation of the Belt finally comes due and a reckoning is at hand. For the crew of the Rocinante and the leaders of the Inner Planets and the Belt, the past and present converge, bringing forth personal challenges that have wide-reaching repercussions throughout the Solar System.
Let’s take a look:
I enjoyed season four, but overall I felt that the season mostly consisted of setup for future events and didn’t deliver all that much in the way of pay-off – it looks like season five is about to pay off in a big way. The Belt, under the leadership of Marco Inaros, is throwing a lot of rocks – but never forget they live in glass houses.
What do you think?
The ten-episode-long fifth season of The Expanse will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 16 December. The first three episodes will be available then, and subsequent episodes will be released weekly on Wednesdays, with the season finale on 3 February. It stars Wes Chatham, Dominique Tipper, Frankie Adams, Cas Anvar, Steven Strait, Cara Gee, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Keon Alexander.
Last Updated: October 9, 2020
For the Emperor!
October 9, 2020 at 13:40
How long into season 1 do things “pick up”. I found that first episode about as much of a slog as Altered Carbon Season 2 episodes 1-5
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 9, 2020 at 14:17
Been ages since i watched S1 but I remember it did take a few episodes to really pick up the pace, and it’s worth it because it’s a damn good series.
Dresden
October 9, 2020 at 14:37
Like Trevor said, it takes a few episodes to get going (although I loved it from the beginning).
I can’t force you to do anything, but I would encourage you to keep on watching. It’s one of my all-time favourite series.
Kervyn Cloete
October 9, 2020 at 16:08
It’s not so much pacing that I think is the issue with S1. There’s just a lot of setup needed at the story as you’re introduced to all the various factions with all their own agendas. That doesn’t just take time, but it can also be confusing. With the books these things were much easier to explain with narration, so you kinda got stuck into the story much quicker. With the TV series you have to give it a bit more time before everything clicks into place.
For the Emperor!
October 9, 2020 at 16:46
Thank you @dre@disqus_SNXBQc9w9g:disqus @disqus_DoEH3TsffU:disqus @kervyncloete:disqus, those are 3 recommendations. Once I am done with Baldur’s Gate 3, I will push through and see how it goes!
Banana Jim
October 9, 2020 at 17:10
It’s one of those rare shows where the buildup actually pays off (I’d highly recommend giving it another go). It really builds on itself and you’ll appreciate the world building in later seasons. A lot of people are calling it one of the best SciFi shows in decades, and I’ll join the choir in singing its praises!
…. and yes… I also agree that Altered Carbon Season 2 was a garbage fire, next to an open sewer… How did they end up with such a steaming pile after the excellent season 1? I had high hopes because of Anthony Mackie. But, he was also one of the main reasons it stank. At least it’s cancelled now, and I can just pretend the second season never happened.
Conan the Barbarian
October 10, 2020 at 10:31
I enjoyed it from S1E1 I think, but my wife only started enjoying it a couple of episodes into Season 2.
Most of S1 is setting up the world.
Tbone187
October 12, 2020 at 09:30
It doesn’t go all American Gods on you for sure.Picks up pace pretty well.
Seeker
October 9, 2020 at 13:48
Gaddamn I love this series.
I just don’t like how Amazon is starting to release episodes weekly.
Gavin Mannion
October 9, 2020 at 15:41
December 16…. that’s way way too far away. I need more of this in my life
Kapitan Balalaika
October 9, 2020 at 15:41
This show does not want to fully commit to aliens.
Kervyn Cloete
October 9, 2020 at 16:01
I’ve read all the books, and I can tell you that it’s not really that kind of story. The alien elements are more the triggers for things that happen with the humans. And its part of a greater overarching mystery. Spoiler-ish alert (maybe). You will get to learn a whole lot more about the builders of the protomolecule but don’t expect to see them.