The Small Fries

Last week was the two hour season finale of The Expanse on Syfy. I wish I could say that all the loose ends were tied, but it left off with an even bigger cliffhanger. Miller and Holden were exposed to extreme dosages of radiation, Eres is being used as an experimental station, and Earth is planning on finding and arresting Frank Johnson. So much happened in the last two episodes that it only left me with more questions.

We learn that someone had been developing a biological weapon. It is the same weapon that was discovered on the Anubis and killed the crew of the Scopuli. When Julie Mau’s body is found, covered in this weapon, in her hotel bathroom, Miller and the surviving crew of the Cant flee the scene. A mysterious group begins studying her body, taking samples of the mysterious weapon.

Detective Miller and Jim Holden teaming up to get some answers

Miller and Holden separate from the rest of the group to follow a suspicious group, where they soon walk into a room full of Eres citizens and an immense amount of radiation. As they slowly die of radiation poisoning, the crew try to find their way to the docks in order to escape from Eres. It’s a race against the clock: Miller and Holden trying to get back to the ship before their insides melt and the crew trying to escape before Eres authorities stop them. On top of this, they discover Eres citizens are being exposed to the biological weapon. Whatever this is, it is alive and moving. At the end of an episode, we watch this thing devour a man, almost using him as an energy source.

While everything is hitting the fan in The Belt, Frank Johnson released a statement claiming the Anubis was not tied to the OPA. Earth doesn’t believe him and plan on going after him, all while Chrisjen hides her speculations of her friend’s suicide so she can learn more about the conspiracy going on in the UN.

Eres citizens receiving heavy dosages of radiation

Things escalated quickly in the last few episodes, only making me more anxious for season 2 to premier. However, I have to wait until 2017 for the next season...UGH! The political games in this show are so well crafted and laid out that it has me second guessing the plot the entire way. Everyone has their own hidden agenda, and somehow everything is connected; I just don’t know to what. Just when I think I know what is going on, something throws a wrench in the midst of things. After finishing the season, I can’t help but wonder several things: Who is creating this weapon? What is so important about the drives Chrisjen found? What’s going to happen to Miller and Holden? How will the OPA react to when news of Eres reaches them?

After finishing the first season, I’ve decided that this show was a great way to fill the gap Game of Thrones leaves behind during its hiatus. It’s a brilliant show with great material to back it up. It is currently Syfy’s most expensive show; meaning they aren’t kidding around when it comes to telling this story. Dave Howe, the president of Syfy, has said “This [The Expanse] is big. This is premium network scale.” They have invested a lot of time and money into producing this show, and it is paying off. The quality of script, casting, and special effects is something that I would expect from HBO or Starz. If you like shows with political intrigue, strong characters, and conspiracies this is a show you NEED to check out! So, since we have plenty of time until the premier of season two, I suggest going to syfy.com right now and catching up on this show, and if you still need more check out the book series.

The weapon taking a form to trick its next victim

Catch season 1 of The Expanse on Syfy.com now and check back in 2017 for season 2!

--Kasey