The Expanse Season 6 Episode 1 review: Strange Dogs sets up an explosive final season

Weeks after the ninth and last book of the sci-fi book series dropped, the last episode of the series also opens, albeit with only six episodes to wrap it all up. So, the series opener is a slow-burn, the explosive outcome of which we cannot wait to see.

A scene from The Expanse Season 6 Episode 1

The Expanse

Story: The Free Army is still throwing stealth rocks at what remains of earth, where its forces are now busy trying to avert further disasters. The Rocinante, minus ace pilot, Alex, is on a recon mission scouting for Free Army activity and neutralizing any threats they encounter.

Review: The Expanse is, without doubt, one of the most compelling sci-fi dramas out there currently. The series, based on the James SA Corey books by the same name, is set in a distant future in which man has colonized the solar system. It’s about people fighting for power or survival and has a political tone, set between the Earthers, Martians and Belters. This brilliant show, which in its five-season run so far has had some of the best writing and execution for TV so far, did not get the recognition it truly deserved, until a cancellation after three seasons by original makers Syfy.

Fortunately, the fan out-cry did not fall on deaf ears, with Jeff Bezos himself announcing its revival on Amazon. Sadly, though, the series is on its swan song final season now. Good sci-fi shows involving space travel is expensive and so, The Expanse will wrap up, with a six-episode season, even though the ninth and final book in the series (Leviathian Falls) came out only a few weeks ago. The seasons so far have been largely loyal to the books, with Season 5 drawing from Books 5 and 6. So, it would be interesting to see how the makers round the series up well, in only six episodes and three books to fall back on.

Today’s Season 6 opener picks up where we the last let off. After the devastating asteroid attack on Mars and Luna by the Free Army, led by Marco Inaros, what’s remaining of humanity is grappling with staying alive, as the attack severely compromised its biosphere. Inaros’ actions, for the supposed good of Belters, and his hard-fisted approach to getting things his way, have most factions of the Belt supporting him. One of the few who didn’t is Camina Drummer, who’s got a bounty on her and her crew and has managed to stay out of his radar so far. Inaros and his team are now at Ceres station, where Filip appears to be battling his inner demons of having been part of his father’s biggest ever attack on humanity, by having sex with random women and angry outbursts.

The motley crew on the Rocinante, including Holden, Amos, Naomi and Peaches, meanwhile, are on a recon mission checking for Free Navy activity, especially stealth rocks, and chance upon one that they manage to disable in the nick of time. Naomi, meanwhile, figures that the rocks have a launch pattern and triangulates a signal that could lead them to the Spotter ship that is co-ordinating the attacks.

With the Roci on the hunt for the Spotter, the focus is back on Chrisjen Avasarala, who is seemingly fed up with Inaros having the upper hand. She wants to turn the tide and knows it will have to be big, much bigger than taking out the Spotter ship, and what’s more, she’s got a plan.

Verdict: With only five more episodes, Strange Dogs, felt more like a slow-burn for much bigger things to unfold. Like, for instance, that scene in the beginning from Ring #673 Planet 2 Laconia, which is bound to be more important in the narrative. But now begins our wait till the next episode drops. Can it be next Friday already, please?

Share

Where To Watch