‘The Expanse’ Season 6 Episode 1– “Strange Dogs” Breakdown
The final season of The Expanse premiered this week. Marco Inaros’ Free Navy rains hellfire down on Earth.
We’ve had a shorter-than-normal wait between seasons 5 and 6. But fans of The Expanse have been waiting impatiently for the final season’s premier.
This is a show with the unique and impressive ability to push to the breaking point by the season’s end. Only it makes everything somehow bigger, weirder, and with higher stakes the next season.
So it goes without saying that we are excited to see how season 6 plays out. We’ve been watching episode 1 for clues of where it’s all going.
This article contains spoilers for ‘The Expanse’.
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Ring #673, Planet 2: Laconia
The episode opens with a little girl caring for wild animals that look just different enough from creatures we know from Earth. The viewer knows this has to be another planet; we just don’t know which one yet.
The shot quickly pans out and shows the words “Ring #673, Planet 2” followed by “Laconia.” Laconia isn’t a system we know much about yet. But we do know that it has become home to rogue Martians establishing their own home and government.
We only saw the forests of this planet for a few moments. But considering what it is, who lives there, and how it’s been established, we will almost definitely be coming back to Laconia at some point this season.
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Six Months Of Asteroids
Season 5 ended with Marco’s attack of Earth, weaponizing countless asteroids. These pummeled the planet and caused immeasurable damage and loss in life.
The start of season 6 shows Belters loyal to Marco celebrating these attacks and their leader. Honestly, the Belters aren’t wrong to feel anger and resentment towards Earth– even if their approach is definitely a space war crime.
This made the Belters into some of the most interesting and fun characters to follow in previous seasons. It also makes Marco and his crew some very compelling and interesting villains.
On Earth, Chrisjen and Bobbie discuss how the last six months of attacks have forced them to learn to destroy asteroids before they touch Earth. This minimizing the destruction and death toll.
Chrisjen brings a dower note of reality though. She points out that each rock they succeed in destroying increases contaminants on the planet. So they’re slowly killing Earth regardless.
It’s clear by the end of the episode that she has a plan. The ever-loyal Bobbie will definitely be there for ever step of it.
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Alex’s Absence Is Very Noticeable in The Expanse Season 6
Aboard the Rocinante tensions are high as crew members seem to be dealing with various stages of mourning, anxiety, and conflict. One of the biggest causes of this is the very loud silence left behind by Alex Kamal. The character’s was victim to a sudden death in the finale of season 5.
In the real world, Alex was written off of the show when multiple fans and coworkers accused his actor, Cas Anvar, of abuse and harassment. This resulted in the third-party investigation, along with reshoots of a number of scenes.
Within the narrative of The Expanse, Alex died heroically while saving Naomi. Six months have passed since his death, but the crew is obviously still feeling the loss in little things.
Like Naomi realizing she’d never had to pilot the Rocinante before. And Amos brining Peaches into the crew, causing an argument and rift with Naomi.
That said, this is a show with strong elements of the ‘found family’ trope. And sometimes families have to experience tragedy together and argue.
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Drummer’s Family Is Also Having Problems
Drummer’s crew are attempting to take down Free Navy ships, but Michio almost costs them a mission and puts them in serious mortal danger.
Drummer tells her she’ll have to leave the crew, but they will come back for her when everything is over. Still, Michio is understandably upset. Nobody knows when– or if– that will be.
We don’t spend nearly enough time with them in this episode. But it’s clear that something is being set up here– even if it’s a secondary story line or back up to the Rocinante’s future mission.
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Marco’s Crew Has Their Own Issues
While Marco has all of the adoration and support of many of the Belters, Filip is experiencing mixed feelings and guilt about his part in the attacks on Earth.
While his friend boasts of their accomplishments to attract some women, Filip storms off and confronts his father. He insists that they should be doing more to help the Belters most in need.
When his friend confronts him, the two get into a fight. This results in Filip shooting his friend.
It’s not terribly surprising that the young and hot-headed character is hot-headed. But the cracks around Marco’s crew were starting to form at the end of last season. It looks like season 6 will be more fully exploring them.
Is there a chance for Filip to redeem himself and be reunited with his mom? We’ll have to see in the next episode of The Expanse.
What do you want to happen in the final season of The Expanse? Do you think Filip can or deserves to have a redemption arc at this point? Which character group or duo is your favorite to watch? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Adventuring!
