The Expanse season 2

[Hyperspace05]

Great episode, and I'm glad they worked in the Epstein backstory as flashbacks.

My biggest nitpick is that they seemed to obfuscate what happened in the battle on and above Ganymede, but hopefully that will be cleared up when Bobby "remembers"(?) in the bext episode. But it seems unnecessary, since this was such a great opening chapter to book 2.

As far as adapting the books to the show, I would not be surprised if most of book 4 - Cibola Burn - is skipped completely. It is no spoiler to mention that it is the most stand-alone book in the series. (And probably most people's least favorite book) Any discussion about why should be spoiler tagged, though.

 

[Aragorn]

So Thomas Jane is off the cast but Florence Faivre is still listed. Does this mean she gets to become the face for the protomolecule as a full-fledged character?

 

[Christopher]

Great episode, and I'm glad they worked in the Epstein backstory as flashbacks.

This really felt like the start of the second volume of the series, despite being the sixth episode of the season. It opened with a flashback sequence filling in universe backstory. It had the characters having a lot of conversations that recapped the previous events. It set up a new mystery with the attack on Ganymede, and introduced a new character to go investigate Venus for Chrisjen. I get the sense they were sticking pretty close to the book.

The Epstein flashbacks were odd. Did he just die at the end? Then how could he be narrating in first-person past tense? Is it just a Sunset Boulevard-style metaphorical device? Maybe that was the only way to translate the prose narrative to the screen in a sequence where the character was alone and mostly unable to speak. But it was still confusing. The past-tense narration made me expect that he'd survived and that what we were hearing was a recorded account or lecture he gave years later.

 

[EmoBorg]

The attack on Ganymede scene was confusing for me on two points. Who was attacking the Martian warship ? And were the U.N Marines running to attack the Martian Marines or running away from from the alien protomolecule creature ?

 

[The Wormhole]

An interesting episode, it's largely an in-between story for the first two novels, as the final scene with the Martian Marines is the prologue of Book 2. I really liked the scenes with Alex and Amos this week, Amos especially is starting to resemble the fun character he is in the novels. I particularly liked the scene in the bar where Amos says he has a flop next door. Alex asks "isn't next door a brothel?" Amos answers "yeah." And I liked that they seem to have found a way to keep Diogo active even with Miller gone.

As far as adapting the books to the show, I would not be surprised if most of book 4 - Cibola Burn - is skipped completely. It is no spoiler to mention that it is the most stand-alone book in the series. (And probably most people's least favorite book) Any discussion about why should be spoiler tagged, though.

While I agree that could easily be lifted without affecting the story arcs too much, it would still be a mistake, IMO, since it does offer some insight on the changes a particular plot development would present. And besides, we could get to catch up with Miller's partner from season 1 again.

So Thomas Jane is off the cast but Florence Faivre is still listed. Does this mean she gets to become the face for the protomolecule as a full-fledged character?

What's odd about that this episode still includes imagery of Thomas Jane anyway (Diogo was standing next to a portrait of Miller). In fact, as Julie Mao is never seen in the novels again after Eros crashed into Venus. A theory, this week they did mention Jules-Pierre Mao has another daughter, who does eventually become a character in the novels. Maybe they plan on introducing her early and are going to have Florence Faivre play her?

The Epstein flashbacks were odd. Did he just die at the end?

Yeah. In the novels the whole Epstein bit is just a paragraph or so of exposition explaining that he accidentally discovered a faster and better method of propulsion, but he wasn't able to control it and just flew out into deep space for eternity. The show embellished on that a bit, and I'd assume his narration was just artistic license.

The attack on Ganymede scene was confusing for me on two points. Who was attacking the Martian warship ? And were the U.N Marines running to attack the Martian Marines or running away from from the alien protomolecule creature ?

Well, those are good questions, which the coming episodes should provide answers to.

 

[Christopher]

An interesting episode, it's largely an in-between story for the first two novels, as the final scene with the Martian Marines is the prologue of Book 2.

Oh, that's surprising. As I said, all the dialogue recapping past events made it feel like the first chapter or so of a sequel novel.

I particularly liked the scene in the bar where Amos says he has a flop next door. Alex asks "isn't next door a brothel?" Amos answers "yeah."

Hold on... Does that mean he's a full-time customer of the brothel, or that he's an employee of it?

And besides, we could get to catch up with Miller's partner from season 1 again.

Didn't he get killed by Amos?

Yeah. In the novels the whole Epstein bit is just a paragraph or so of exposition explaining that he accidentally discovered a faster and better method of propulsion, but he wasn't able to control it and just flew out into deep space for eternity. The show embellished on that a bit, and I'd assume his narration was just artistic license.

Hmm. It was an interesting bit of hard-science exposition, exploring the effects of high-g acceleration, but I wonder why they included it if it wasn't important to the narrative to know these details. It feels very much like the kind of in-depth background exposition you'd get in a novel, which makes it surprising that it's expanded so much from the novels.

 

[The Wormhole]

Hold on... Does that mean he's a full-time customer of the brothel, or that he's an employee of it?

Full-time customer, I'd guess.

Didn't he get killed by Amos?

I'm talking about Havelock, the young guy from Earth he was partnered with on Ceres who in the show got a harpoon to the chest because of his origin from Earth.

 

[Hyperspace05]

The attack on Ganymede scene was confusing for me on two points. Who was attacking the Martian warship ? And were the U.N Marines running to attack the Martian Marines or running away from from the alien protomolecule creature ?

I think that it will be explained in the next episode. (based on the preview)

 

[Christopher]

Full-time customer, I'd guess.

I think it'd be a more interesting twist if he were one of the prostitutes.

I'm talking about Havelock, the young guy from Earth he was partnered with on Ceres who in the show got a harpoon to the chest because of his origin from Earth.

I thought he was dead too.

 

[JD]

I thought he died when the Belters attacked him?
I finally got caught up this morning, and these last couple episodes were great.
I already knew from comments from the book readers that Miller died, but I wasn't aware of how it happened. That was a cool moment, and I loved that he went out (maybe?) in Julie's arms. I'm wondering if they're definitely gone though. Sure they crashed into Venus, but I wouldn't rule out anything with the Protomolecule at this point.
I like the kid giving the big speech about MIller by his memorial.
Avaserala's big speech to her boss was a great moment, and a lot more interesting when you know he's working with Mao.
Now I'm very curious to see what exactly was going on in the battle at the end. Was that an actual alien at the end, or someone infected by the Protomolecure or something else entirely?

 

[Noname Given]

Yeah. In the novels the whole Epstein bit is just a paragraph or so of exposition explaining that he accidentally discovered a faster and better method of propulsion, but he wasn't able to control it and just flew out into deep space for eternity. The show embellished on that a bit, and I'd assume his narration was just artistic license.

^^^
If that is the case HOW did the rest of mankind learn about his discovery? I ask because in the flashback he stated he was tinkering with the yacht and this was his first test (IMO - meaning if Earth or Mars never recovered the ship, how would they know of his breakthrough?)

 

[Hyperspace05]

^^^
If that is the case HOW did the rest of mankind learn about his discovery? I ask because in the flashback he stated he was tinkering with the yacht and this was his first test (IMO - meaning if Earth or Mars never recovered the ship, how would they know of his breakthrough?)

He mentioned that his wife had access to his work data, so that's how he assumed people would learn of his breakthrough.

And, yes, he was never recovered. When his fuel ran out, he had achieved a significant enough velocity (a few % of light speed) that no one could hope to reach him. His test craft left the solar system rather quickly.

 

[Mr Awe]

Another great episode! There didn't seem to be a lot of actual developments, at least not ones by the main crew. But, I did enjoy their personal moments. Fred acquiring the missiles was interesting and I'm sure will play a huge role. Avaserala confronting her boss was great! I haven't read the books but wondered if the reflection in the visor indicates that there were other samples of the protomolecule? I guess we'll find out soon!

More speculation, look at what the protomolecule did with a small asteroid. What can it do with the entire planet of Venus?! I don't think it crashing will destroy it, it seemed fine with smashing into Earth (although I realize that was Julie directing it).

The Epstein flashback was odd. Not sure the point. But, he did state that his wife had the plans so I'm sure she figured out what happened and then was able to recreate the drive.

This was a mishmash of an episode but it worked for me.

Mr Awe

 

[JD]

Yeah, he said his wife had all his notes and she would be able to use them to get very, very rich.
One other I forgot to mention in my last post that I'm thinking will be hugely significant is the fact that didn't destroy the Protomolecule sample.
I just found something interesting on Syfy.com's interactive story guide. When you go to Venus you get an data point about it's atmosphere, and then another more interesting one:

Location
- Venus
Planet
Decades ago, Venus was slated for development by Mao-Kwikowski Mercantile. The project aimed to create an earth settlement on Venus, but was cancelled for unknown reasons. Venus has been unoccupied ever since.

I'm thinking since this is something mysterious involving Mao that it could end up becoming significant later.

 

[Christopher]

And, yes, he was never recovered. When his fuel ran out, he had achieved a significant enough velocity (a few % of light speed) that no one could hope to reach him. His test craft left the solar system rather quickly.

Hmm. A few percent of lightspeed... 137 years ago. That's long enough to reach another star system, although the odds would've been enormously against him happening to be aimed in the right direction. But maybe something out there noticed a ship coming from Sol System and decided to send the protomolecule as a probe? (Just speculating, without any knowledge of the books.)

 

[B.J.]

There was a 7-page short story released for free called "Drive" that explains the whole Epstein drive sequence. I haven't read the books, but I did read that before the series started.

Here it is: http://www.syfy.com/theexpanse/drive/

 

[Shawnster]

Did they introduce all those Martian Marines just to kill them all off this episode?

Interesting you're saying last week felt like a season ender and this week a premiere. Perhaps they originally were trying to make a 13 episode season instead of a 10? They wrapped up the first arc in 13 episodes.

 

[Christopher]

Interesting you're saying last week felt like a season ender and this week a premiere. Perhaps they originally were trying to make a 13 episode season instead of a 10? They wrapped up the first arc in 13 episodes.

Actually it was 15 episodes, 10 in season 1 and 5 in season 2.

 

[The Wormhole]

I thought he was dead too.

Nope. Miller visited him in the hospital in the next episode, and though he certainly wasn't in good shape, there was no indication he was going to die either.

I already knew from comments from the book readers that Miller died, but I wasn't aware of how it happened.

Sigh.

Spoiler

When I made those comments in the season 1 thread, this wasn't what I was referring to.

 

[wayoung]

I see I'm not alone in suspecting Epstein is how the aliens found out about us.