The Expanse Season 4
Season four of The Expanse was an epic ride. One of emotion, action, and sci-fi goodness.
Four main storylines could be enjoyed by people who have been with the show since season one. Though unlike some shows, it would be really hard to understand the depth of the storyline and characters just jumping into this as one’s first season.
The beginning of the season was hard to understand for people like me who haven’t gotten through the books, so it had a slow start but really picked up as it went along. And while it only had ten episodes, the season felt like an epic movie.
I really do agree that the move to Amazon Prime gave more freedom to tell the story as they would like it to be told.
The Four Main Storylines:
A new planet – Elis
Just like in times of old, an array of new planets means hope for a new start. Especially to the belters who lost most of their homes during the war. But Earth also wants its foothold in the face of a new planet and sends a science team. It has a general who not only doesn’t care for belters, but is out for revenge as most of his crew got killed upon landing.
Soon after, the arrival of our hero’s (from the Rocinante) show up, and it’s clear that both sides have one common enemy: the planet itself. And the creatures that killed its first inhabitants.
Will they be able to survive with knives at each other’s throats? You will have to watch to find out.
Mars
Mars is a planet nation born from new exploration and for war. With no war and people more interested in the new planets, many people find themselves lost. Especially Bobby Draper.
Through this season, a story we hear and see too often plays out in front of us. Bobby was a marine and is left with no purpose. When faced with a proposition that gives Bobby some purpose back, it becomes too good to be true.
Every day we hear about our vets coming home to nothing. To a home that might not be there, no jobs, and a lack of guidance through a civilian life that they no longer understand. She and others find their own path to survival. But will it be their demise or new hope?
Earth
Prime Minister Chrisjen Avasarala has her toughest fight yet: fighting for re-election. All while keeping her love life with her husband intact. In a time when politics are at the forefront of everyone’s mind, this was a good reminder of how far someone will go to claim a title.
Chrisjen makes a speech to soldiers and families who lost their friends and loved ones. She mentions that her son died in the war, and she knows nothing she says can stop their pain. This pisses off her husband. He calls her out for using their son as a political tool to win the election. Even though she swears that her words about their son were all her own feelings, her husband feels betrayed, causing a rift between them.
The Madina
A Belter warship captained by Camina Drummer and Klaes Ashford. A ship they’ve used to keep peace with the inners and keep the belts independence.
But at the cost of their own people’s life. Life’s their taking since they take out any Belter ship that illegally enters Ring space. How long will they both be able to continue this?
We also see the Belters separating themselves into factions — those who go planet side and those who stay in space. Many Belters don’t believe that they should be going planet-side, but they do enjoy the financial gain from the rare ore they are mining.
Even Camina stated that she wasn’t sure she liked the fact so many wanted to leave the belt. She believed their children’s children wouldn’t even know about the struggles they faced as the first colonizers of space.
My thoughts on this season:
– Cinematically beautiful as always.
– An exciting, powerful storyline that fully pulls you into the lives of the characters.
– The way they drew real-world issues into this made-up world is amazing.
– The actors gave 150% plus more this season. Though the characters that we lost were tough and their presence will always be felt.
– One drawback is there was no LGBT representation this season, in a time when it’s important.
In conclusion,
Even though it had its issues like the lack of LGBT representation of any-kind, it was a ride worth taking.
I hope that they take a little more care in making the story understandable for people who haven’t also read the books next time. There were many spots where I felt that without that knowledge, you were left a little on the sidelines.
You can catch up with all four seasons of The Expanse on Amazon Prime.
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