the expanse season 5 ramblings

Well. I was not as amazed by the Expanse’s 5th season as I was by 3rd and 4th. There was entirely too much Marco Inaros, to my taste. And not enough weird adventures, aliens and crazy science. I know, it was my design that it was mostly focused on humans, the changing or establishing relationships, on tribes, families, and choices, but still.

The threat of Marco Inaros was established in the last season, came to fruition in this season, and will be necessarily dealt with in the next season. It feels like it is entirely too much Marco Inaros comparing to everyone else.

I understand why it was impossible to kill him off quickly and forget about it, but it doesn’t mean that I enjoyed his storyline. Or, maybe I enjoyed it on a level - damn, he is good at what he does, and charismatic, and you see how people would love and follow him wherever. He is the flame without any warmth, and he is an interesting counterpoint to Jim Holden who looks like a sad puppy, but warm and stubborn, and wants good for everyone, and even people who dislike him end up agreeing with him, because you want his optimism to make sense in the horrible world.

I really have nothing to say about Naomi Nagata this season who was stuck in all the wrong places and trying to make the best in a number of bad situations.

My heart was with Drummer and her family. Just seeing Camina Drummer facing tragedies and impossible choices while trying to keep her family together, was powerful, and her decision in the season finale was – well, expected, of course, but still the weight of it was painful, and we felt all its pain. I am sorry I couldn’t feel anything except for relief at Karal’s death. I think she deserved more interesting story to be told about her, but here she was just something of an obstacle.

Amos and Clarissa Mao ended up the most interesting parts of the season, since I had no idea what would happen to them (ok, I was reasonably sure that Amos would get back, but everything else about his journey else was less expected.) I certainly didn’t expect to be happy not only see Clarissa again, but to see her on the Roci.

Avasarala is always a joy to watch. Even when she is wrong, but especially when she was right.