The Expanse Podcast - Tales From The Rocinante

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[5:15] Episode Recap

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This week we discuss the eighth episode of season 4 of The Expanse titled “The One Eyed Man”.

You can purchase The Expanse books via Amazon. USA or Canada or the UK

Or listen to the audiobook version through Audible

The episode opens on Earth. A restless Avasarala prepares herself for a memorial service in honour of the marines killed during the boarding of the Pizzouza.

Video of the Pizzouza’s final moments is circulating on all the news feeds and causing an uproar in the Belt. Former UNN Officer turned OPA leader Fred Johnson condemns the UN for threatening the armistice and alliance around the Ring Gate.

Nancy Gao is calling for an investigation into the action and stresses that peace is essential for the colonization of the new worlds.

General McCourt, who’s marines were the ones killed tenders his resignation, stating that he cannot work for someone like Avasarala who only has her best interests in mind.

Later, at the memorial service, Avasarala halts mid-speech. She discards the prewritten speech and talks from her heart. She shares the story of her own son’s death and how it affected her as a mother.

She admits to her failure in keeping the people of earth safe and takes responsibility for the death of the marines. She tells them she’s truly sorry.

When later questioned about the memorial service, Nancy Gao praises Avasarala for accepting responsibility and showing she’s an honourable woman.

However, the day doesn’t end on a pleasant note. Classified footage showing the Protomolecule machines on New Terra was leaked to the media causing a new apprehension towards the Ring Gate and the worlds beyond. An investigation into the security breach is underway.

Arjun confronts Christjen about the report. She admits to leaking the footage in order to change the narrative. In her mind, this election should have always been about New Terra.

He’s upset that she’s placed her pride over what’s best for the people. She’s manipulating the system and she used their son’s death for political advantage. Upset, he walks out on her.

——

In Ring Space, Fred Johnson arrives at Medina Station. Drummer doesn’t give him the warm welcome he expected. She blames him for leaking Marco Inaros’ location to the innards which ended in the death of the Pizzouza’s crew. The results of which rallies the Belters’ against the innards and turns Marco into a hero.

He tells her it was the right move to make. Leaking the location appeased the Earthers and keeps the OPA’s hands clean when it comes to the other OPA factions who support Marco.

Fred turns the blame on Drummer for siding with Marco when she had the chance to kill him, but Ashford backs Drummer up saying it was the right move at the time.

But there’s a bigger issue at hand. In the aftermath of the Pizzouza tragedy, the Belters are losing their authority in Ring Space. Fred Johnson is there to negotiate a way for them to maintain control of the Ring Space and ensure the UNN removes their battleship. Medina Station is the backbone of the Belt’s economic future and they must do whatever they can to protect it.

Still upset over the circumstances, Drummer quits. Ashford talks to her. She’s uncertain about the Belt’s future and she’s afraid that Marco’s vision may be right. He assures her it’s not. Their future cannot be built on violence.

Ashford tells Drummer he turned down Fred’s offer to take her place as head of Medina. Instead, he plans on hunting down Marco himself and would like her to join his cause. She later meets him on his ship. Not to join him, but to wish him well. She’s done working for men with big dreams and wants to stay out of politics.

——

On Mars, Thomas splits out early on Bobbie after their night together. He as a job interview that might take him off-world.

Later Bobbie and her crew are briefed on their new contract. Bobbie questions the simplicity of the mission compared to the huge payout and wonders what package they are moving.

She later visits Esai at his home and is surprised that he has a wife and kids. She tells him there’s something about their new job that doesn’t feel right. Beltran, the active marine is the one who brought them the job and she doesn’t trust him.

But Esai is blinded by the payout. He sees this as his family’s ticket off of Mars. With thousands of newly inhabitable worlds to explore, there’s no reason to stay on the red planet. He tells Bobbie her debt to him is paid so if she wants out, it’s OK.

She later runs into her nephew David. The two have an awkward conversation. He tells her he’s been accepted into the terraforming project and thanks her for her help in getting him there. Bobbie’s joy for her nephew is weighed down by her recent conversation with Esai about Mars being a dead planet.

That night, Thomas tells her he got the job. He leaves for Europa next week and he wants her to come with him. He tells her he knows what she’s been up to. He’s not judging her, but he knows she’s better than that.

She tells him it’s become fruitless to work for the betterment of Mars, and they part on less than pleasant terms.

——

In orbit, the Roci and the Barbipicola complete the modifications to connect the two ships.

Tensioners on both ships will ensure the cable remains taught. They were only able to fabricate 800 meters of cable and should any slack develop between the two ships, it’s possible the cable snaps with catastrophic results.

When everything is ready, they position the two ships and connect the cable. Alex gives the Roci a bit of thrust and they start pulling the Barb to a higher orbit. It looks like their plan is working.

——

On Ilus, everyone has gone blind except for Holden. Without sight, the death slugs are taking their toll on the refugees. Bodies are stacking up and people are getting jumpy. Jim is concerned about Amos’ state of mind.

The lack of sight doesn’t prevent Dr, Okoye from continuing her research. It’s slow going, and she requires Holden to read all the results to her. But so far, there’s nothing to explain why Jim isn’t going blind.

Medication to help calm those who are panicking is depleted. Murtry reminds Holden that should the situation get worse, the Belters will remember that it’s because of Jim that they are all down there which will not turn out well for him.

Jim gets called over to the Belter camp. Amos wandered away. When Jim finds him, Amos panics and tries to attack him. Jim tells the big man that he can’t lose him. He calms Amos down and returns him to the camp.

Wei later visits the big man. She tells him it’s ok to be scared but he says he’s not sure what he is. He recounts a story from his youth when he felt helpless. That’s how he feels now.

Holden is frustrated with their situation and why he’s the only one who can still see. He’s feeling the pressure of everyone’s fate on his shoulders.

Then Elvi has a thought. What if the reason Jim can still see is not his blood, but his eye fluid.

After extracting a sample, they discover that Holden’s cancer treatments from his exposure on Eros are what makes him different.

With this new information, Dr. Okoye is able to produce a treatment for their blindness.

While everyone’s eyesight is being treated, Jim climbs to the surface and informs Naomi of the good news.

While below, Murtry confirms the readiness of the light shuttle with the proximity detonator.

Returning below, Holden encounters Miller again. Or at least a glitching, screaming version of the detective. Something is obviously wrong.

That’s the episode.

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[2:15] Episode Recap

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This week we discuss the seventh episode of season 4 of The Expanse titled “A Shot In The Dark”.

You can purchase The Expanse books via Amazon. USA or Canada or the UK

Or listen to the audiobook version through Audible

The episode opens on Ilus. The Tsunami survivors within the ancient ruins have divided into two camps, the Belters and the RCE. Everyone is making due with reduced rations and cramped quarters while they wait for the ocean of water outside to recede.

But it’s taking longer than expected and the Belters only have a day worth of water purification tablets left.

Murtry orders his RCE team to be vigilant and protect their supplies. They have more than the other camp and as time passes, the Belters will get desperate and want theirs.

He approaches Holden and asks if there’s any way for him and his team to help Holden to shut down the machines Miller started so they can all get out of there.

Dr. Elvi then arrives. She’s concerned about the number of eye infection cases. She’s been telling everyone that it’s an allergy. But in truth, it’s a native micro-organism that’s taken residence in everyone’s eyes which will cause them all to go blind.

Upon examination, it turns out that Holden is the only person not affected so she takes a blood sample from him.

With everything already going on, this new event jumps to the top of the priority list.

Jim and Elvi discuss his connection to Miller. She envies him his connection to an advanced alien species and wishes she could experience what he does. But Holden tells her it’s not the same when you don’t have a say in it. He wishes it had never happened.

Holden lets Amos in on the situation with the eyes. He’s counting on him to help keep things under control when panic sets in.

When a confrontation between a Belter and the RCE over water arises, Murtry uncharacteristically helps the Belter and allows him to get water.

He then informs Wei about the eye situation. Should they all go blind, the Belters outnumber them and the situation could be lost. So they need to start sharing their supplies now for the safety of everyone.

But he has a long term plan. He’s sure that if they wait it out, the settlers will eventually fail and relinquish any claims to the planet. When that happens, his contract with the RCE grants him one percent of the claim value once the Belters are gone. Which could be in the millions. However, if they can also gain control to the technology that Holden has activated, it could be worth billions. And he’s willing to share his cut with anyone who helps him with what needs to be done.

But for his plan to succeed, Holden needs to be eliminated. Wei says she has Murtry’s back and Amos won’t be a problem.

—

REC member Eugene goes looking for his partner Liam and finds him dead in a pool of water. He immediately attacks Angeletti, the Belter he suspects of killing Liam and starts drowning him.

He only stops once Holden and Murtry threaten to shoot him.

When Angeletti sits up, he’s covered in green slug-like creatures. He immediately starts gasping for air before falling down dead.

Another slug falls from above and lands on Eugene, who also drops dead gasping.

Looking up, everyone sees that the ceiling and walls of the chamber are covered with millions and millions of deadly slugs.

——

Above the planet, the ships are running out of time as they try to get their reactors back online. The Barbipicola only has two days left until it falls out of orbit.

As a last resort, Alex and Naomi plan on evacuating the crew of the Barb to the Roci, But Lucia explains that if they lose the lithium ore the Barb is carrying they might as well be dead.

—

Naomi instructs Felcia on board the Barb how to remove the parts from the light shuttle they’ll need to increase power to the Barb’s thrusters.

She tells the young girl that her mother only did what she did out of love for her family and home. All Lucia wants is for her daughter to follow her dreams, but she’s scared that she won’t be able to protect her.

Alex and Lucia have a conversation about family and how happy Lucia and her’s were on Ganymede. This sparks an idea. On Ganymede, they used tug drones to raise the mirrors when their thrusters failed. They can do the same with the Barb.

If they weaved together a kilometre long cable, they could use the Rocinante to pull the Barb to a higher orbit.

——

On Earth, Avasarala is discontent with how her campaign team is making her sound. She feels they are making her sound weak and incompetent. As the election approaches, Nancy Gao is only three points behind her in the polls.

Christjen seems angry with everyone, including herself. Arjun tries to console her to no avail. It’s obvious that her attitude is taking a toll on their marriage.

—

She later surprises Arjun by showing up at his class. She confesses how helpless she felt when the Eros incident happened. And how she’s feeling helpless now, for both the planet and her lack of control over the outcome of the election.

He tells her that she’s always done the right thing, but this election feels like it’s not about her being right but about her winning. Would losing be so bad?

That’s what scares her, she doesn’t know. What she does know is that she can’t be right if she doesn’t win.

—

Later at an intelligence briefing to discuss the recent attack on Earth, Avasarala is told that Marco Inaros is on board the Pizzouza, an OPA freighter in the fringes of the Belt. Marco often travels on passenger ships and uses the people on board as human shields.

Christjen is presented with two military options. Destroy the Pizzouza, or board it with a company of marines and take Inaros alive. She ops for the second and orders the Marines to proceed.

She watches from the ops room, as the marines board the Pizzouza with military precision, but Marco Inaros is nowhere to be found. A firefight erupts with people dying on both sides when the signal is lost and all marine life signs register zero.

The UNN ship monitoring the operation informs them that the Pizzouza blew up.

That’s the episode.

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[2:49] Episode Recap

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This week we discuss the sixth episode of season 4 of The Expanse titled “Displacement”.

You can purchase The Expanse books via Amazon. USA or Canada or the UK

Or listen to the audiobook version through Audible

The episode opens with tensions rising, the Belters and RCE are yelling at each other when Holden receives a call from Naomi informing him of an island exploding like a nuclear bomb.

As if matters were not bad enough, the explosion is causing a ripple effect and the camp will soon feel the explosion in the form of an earthquake, followed a few hours later by the shockwave and then a tsunami resulting in the destruction of the settlement.

Jim devises a plan to use the Roci and all available shuttles to evacuate everyone off the planet. Carol Chiwewe agrees to leave only if Holden publicly supports their claim to the planet. He can’t speak for anyone else but he gives his word to do whatever he can.

—

While preparing for the evacuation, Felcia is discovered on the Barbapicola. She’s planning on leaving with the ship when it goes back to the Sol system to attend university.

Jakob, tells his daughter the unsettling news of what her mother has done.

Felcia then talks to her mother on board the Rocinante. She expresses how ashamed she is of her and then abruptly ends the call.

—

In orbit something is wrong with the ships, none of their fusion reactors are working. It’s as if the physics of fusion has been re-written by the Protomolecule.

And without their reactors and the ability to speed up, the ships declining orbits means they will eventually be pulled down towards the planet and burn up. The Barbipicola, in its low orbit, being the first one.

Alex informs Jim of the situation, putting a wrench in their evacuation plan. Fortunately, light shuttles use chemical rockets and still function. They’ll have to make more trips, carrying smaller groups but it can be done.

However, Murtry objects to Holden backing the Belter’s claim and refuses to help them evacuate unless they agree to dump all the lithium they’ve mined.

When the Edward Isreal sends down their shuttle it mysteriously disintegrates upon entry along with an unexplained phenomenon causing one of the planet’s moons to start melting.

With no other options, they decide to use the old ruins as shelter, blasting their way in.

Murtry pulls Wei aside and tells her that depending on the length of their stay, there may not be enough supplies for everyone. If it comes down to it, they may have to eliminate the Belters for the RCE members to survive.

—

While packing her things, Dr. Elvi experiences vision problems. She runs a test and discovers microscopic organisms attached to her retina.

——

On earth, Avasarala reviews the last broadcast message from New Terra. Since Carol Chiwewe’s message, nothing has been heard from the planet. Speculations arise as to what could be going on.

——

On Mars, Bobbie takes on the role of muscle for her new crew.

When she discovers her old dockyard foreman has been arrested for murder in connection to a black market ring, she suspects her new crew’s involvement.

After hooking up with Thomas, Bobbie joins her new crew where she receives payment for their last job.

She questions Leelee about the dead customs agent but doesn’t get a satisfactory answer.

A new member joins their crew. They plan on taking advantage of a decommissioned terraformer tower by stealing valuable components from it and selling them to Belters.

They arrive at the decommissioned tower only to find a new security protocol in place denying them access. Bobbie suggests an alternative plan. She dons an environmental suite and climbs the outside of the tower to an access hatch. With very little breathable air left, she climbs in and releases the hydraulics for the door.

Bobbie’s actions are noticed by a guard who locks her out of the airlock as her oxygen runs out.

She comes to, surrounded by her crew. The guard who spotted her knocked out and bound. They proceed with their plan to salvage what they can from the tower.

——

On Medina Station, The captain of the UNN Tripoli voices Earth’s displeasure in how the Marco Inarus situation was handled.

Before the Sojourner was destroyed, a tight beam comm laser was sent to an unknown location in the Belt.

The captain then announces that the Tripoli will remain in the Ring Space to “help” with any other issues the Belters cannot handle.

Ashford and Drummer take this news to mean the UN is planning on taking over Medina Station and ousting the Belters.

They know they don’t have the power to force the UN out, so their best option is to find out where the tight beam comm laser was sent.

Drummer discovers that the message was sent to an unregistered OPA router that redirected the message. However, the message was encrypted with MCRN codes. They can’t figure out why a Martian would help a Belter.

They do know the final destination of the message was a Belter ship, and they know that Marco is on it. They need to board the ship now and recapture Marco before he can slip away.

——

Back on Ilus, using explosives provided by the Belters they blast and opening into the ruins and start the slow process of lowering people inside.

Back at the camp, Holden prepares those remaining for the oncoming shockwave which hits with ferocity, levelling part of the settlement and killing several people in the process.

The survivors make their way to the ruins.

As the tsunami approaches, wiping out the settlement, the makeshift door they fabricated to seal the ruins won’t close. Holden risks himself to close the hatch making it back in with seconds to spare.

That’s the episode.

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[3:19] Episode Recap

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This week we discuss the fifth episode of season 4 of The Expanse titled “Oppressor”.

You can purchase The Expanse books via Amazon. USA or Canada or the UK

Or listen to the audiobook version through Audible

The episode opens with a flashback from Ilus. Dr. Lucia, Coop and their gang are installing detonation charges to blow up the landing platform. When the RCE shuttle appears in the sky, 10 hours ahead of schedule, Lucia panics knowing the shuttle’s drive will set off the charges killing everyone on board. She doesn’t want to be responsible for the death of the shuttle passengers so she tries to remove the charges but Coop shoves her away knocking her out in the process.

She regains consciousness just in time to remotely set off the charges, minimizing the shuttle’s casualties.

Dr. Lucia wakes up from the nightmare in the present time onboard the Rocinante. She’s in the medical bay recovering from the gunshot wound she received.

Her first thoughts are about the safety of her family. Alex and Naomi assure her that Holden will take care of them.

——

On the planet. Holden arrives back at the camp only to find it in lockdown. In the process of getting Amos released, he confronts Murtry about what’s happening on the planet. When Jim mentions evacuating everyone from the planet, Murtry likes the idea, his job is to get the Belters off the planet and evacuating them is a lot easier than shooting them.

But Jim makes sure the RCE Man knows that once their back home, Murtry will be charged with murder.

Once alone, Murtry calls the Edward Israel and orders one of their shuttles to be rigged for remote operations and to have all it’s safety mechanisms disabled, turning it into a proximity bomb.

—

On his way to talk with the Belter leader, Jakob, Lucia’s husband asks Holden and Amos if they’ve seen his daughter Felcia, but they can’t help.

Much to Holden’s frustration, Carol Chiwewe informs Jim that, regardless of the dangers the protomolecule machines pose, the Belters will not evacuate. They know that if they leave, they will never be allowed to return.

—

Elsewhere, Elvi and Fayez are discussing the islands that are giving off hear. Neither has an explanation but plan on keeping tabs on them.

When an RCE guard comes looking for Elvi, the doctor comments on the unsightly green blemish on her eye, but the guard dismisses the comment.

Murtry arrives and questions Elvi about the alien technology she, Alex and Holden were investigating.

Later, Elvi confronts Holden and insists he tells her how he’s connected to what’s been going on with the planet.

Their conversation is interrupted by gunfire as two RCE guards on patrol attacked and taken prisoner. Resulting in a tense standoff between the Belters and the RCE.

Carol Chiwewe broadcasts a message saying the RCE has attacked their people and all they want is to be left alone.

This only makes Murtry more determined to round up the Belters and get them off the planet by force. And due to the recent circumstances, Holden isn’t sure if he can blame the man.

Jim shares his feelings with Naomi who reminds him that nobody is responsible for anybody else’s actions but their own. The best he can do is give them the facts and let them decide for themselves.

—

An unarmed Holden approaches the Belter side of the standoff. He brings the two sides together and comes clean about Miller, the Protomolecule and why he was sent to Ilus.

He explains that the Protomolecule was created to build the ring gates and then report back to its creators, but they’re gone.

Whatever Holden is in contact with is turning on all the old technology and won’t stop until it gets answers.

But, regardless of what’s going on, the Belter’s still refuse to leave. They’ll never find another planet so rich in lithium. They aren’t giving up.

Tensions on both sides continue to rise as everyone starts yelling at each other.

——-

In orbit, Naomi receives a call from Dr. Fayez on board the Edward Israel. He’s wondering if the Roci has any surface readings they may help with his investigations of the planet’s surface.

Jakob calls to ask his wife if she knows where Felcia is. Lucia fears that Murtry may be involved in her disappearance.

Jakob lets his wife know how ashamed he is about her involvement with Coop and the other OPA Belters in the destruction of the landing pad.

Lucia notices her wound is bleeding again, but in her grief over what she’s done and the words of her husband, instead of seeking medical attention decides to let nature take its course.

When Alex stops by her quarters with a meal, he finds her near death. The wound is too much for Alex’s limited medical knowledge. She just wants to die, but he uses her daughter against her and forces the Lucia to tell him how to save her.

Later, Naomi confronts the remorseful doctor. She tells Lucia about her time with Marco Inaros. Their plan was in insert a secret code into ships that would allow them to remotely turn off the ship’s drive, and then they would come to their rescue and collect the reward from the grateful crew.

But Marco used Naomi’s code to instead overload a ship’s reactor resulting in the death of 516 people.

When she told Marco that she wouldn’t help him again, he left with their son, and Naomi hasn’t seen her little boy since.

After that, being dead seemed better than living with herself and she almost walked out an airlock.

But she now has a life she likes living and a family who loves her. And Lucia can have the same if she chooses the right path for her life. But only she can decide to follow it.

——

Back on Earth, Avasarala is frustrated with the lack of knowledge from Ilus while she’s preparing for her upcoming political debate.

Later, as Avasarala and Nancy Gao are facing off against each other, Nancy seems to be winning the crowd when a security alert forces Avasarala to leave before she can rebut her opponent’s words.

Once safely in orbit, she’s informed that a runaway ship is on a collision course with an Earth asteroid detection satellite.

The ship is broadcasting saying they have families on board and are trying to fix their navigation problem.

When intelligence identifies the ship as the pirated Sojourner, Chrisjen orders it destroyed.

Later, Nancy Gao, who was the clear winner of the debate, uses the incident as a political means to further attack Avasarala, saying that if the blockade wasn’t in place this wouldn’t have happened.

——

In orbit above Ilus, Alex is alerted to seismic activity on the planet, One of the islands that have been heating up, exploded in what looks like a massive nuclear blast.

That’s the episode.

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[5:02] Episode Recap

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This week we discuss the fourth episode of season 4 of The Expanse titled “Retrograde”.

You can purchase The Expanse books via Amazon. USA or Canada or the UK

Or listen to the audiobook version through Audible

The episode opens immediately after Murtry’s mass killing from episode 3. Naomi, with the help of a distraction from Amos that lands him in custody, Naomi manages to slip the now hunted Dr. Lucia out of the camp. If she can get the doctor to the Roci they’ll be safe.

——

Meanwhile, Holden, Alex and Dr. Elvi are examining the aftermath of the Rocinante’s missile strike on the mysterious Protomolecule device. Jim and Alex are content that the device is now inert, but Elvi isn’t happy with the situation. She knows the two are keeping things from her and she wants to know what.

Whatever they were going to do next is cut short when Naomi informs Jim of Murtry’s actions.

Holden calls Murtry and the two butt heads to no avail and then Jim and Alex head off to rendezvous with Naomi.

——

Lucia and Naomi navigate a back route to the Rocinante. Lucia confides in Nagata that she was in fact, along with the now-dead Belters, responsible for the crash of the Edward Israel shuttle.

They make their way to the base of the ridge where the Roci is parked but Murtry is one step ahead of them and he shoots and injures Lucia when they break cover.

Holden is concerned when he can’t reach Naomi. He heard the pain in her voice and thinks she’s hurt, but Alex comes clean about her condition and how gravity is affecting her.

Naomi remotely engages the Rocinante’s point defence cannons and the distraction allows them to reach the ship with the help of Jim and Alex where both women are hooked up to the ship’s medical facilities.

—

Later, Elvi and Fayez discuss Murtry’s actions and their options. With the lack of any clear direction, Fayez suggests they do what they came there to do and study the planet. He shows her that there’s more seismic activity on the continent, lots more. He also discovers that several islands on the planet are generating massive amounts of heat.

——

Back on Earth, Avasarala is frustrated with the lack of information coming from Ilus.

Later in an interview, she expresses her disappointment in learning about Nancy Gao’s checkered past in defrauding the government.

——

On Mars, Bobbie tries to come clean to her foreman about her involvement in the theft from the dockyards.

To her surprise, the foreman wants in on the action and asks if she can make it happen again. Disgusted, she quits her job and walks out.

Unfortunately, with so many veterans returning to Mars, jobs are at a premium and there’s nothing available for her.

She later confides in her fellow Marine Thomas how disenchanted she is with the current state of Mars.

—

Back at home, Bobbie, her brother and David are in a heated discussion when the police arrive and arrest her for grand larceny. She uses her one phone call to ask Detective Esai if his offer still stands and she agrees to work for him.

——

Out in the belt on board the O.P.A.S. Tynan, Ashford and Drummer take Marco Inaros into custody.

Drummer inquires as to the whereabouts of Filip, Naomi’s son. He recounts how, in their youth, he and Naomi destroyed a ship together. Her coding skills and his coordination made it possible.

After the incident, Naomi was haunted by what she had done. The pain of killing a ship full of people overcame her love for Inaros and she left him and their son behind.

—

Ashford informs Drummer that Marco’s people are pursuing them. They’re evenly matched so the best course of action is for them to run.

Marco warns them that if anything happens to him there will be retaliation on Ceres, Tycho and possible Medina Station.

A problem with their ship causes them to lose ground.

Marco tries to appeal to Ashford by reminding him of what they come from. Truce or no truce, they will always be Belters to the Innards. The resources are now available to make the Belt a paradise. All they have to do is take them.

Ashford says they don’t have the ships or guns for that fight, but Marco tells him not to be so sure of that. Mars isn’t the treat it used to be but refuses to elaborate.

The whole thing was a ploy to get Marco talking but it didn’t work.

At Ashford’s signal, ships from Black Sky, Golden Bough and Matar Kubileya reveal themselves and Marco’s people break off pursuit.

Ashford and Drummer were never planning on turning Inaros over to the Innards.

—

Later, representatives of the different Belter factions hold an informal trial on Marco Inaros’ fate. They plan on executing him but Marco reminds them that the crimes they are accusing him of are no less than what any of them have committed.

They all believe that the appearance of the rings somehow changed things but he tells them they’re wrong. The Innards have always taken what they need from Belters and they’ll do the same with the 1300 new worlds.

Ashford and Drummer want to shut him up but the other faction representatives vote to let him have is last say.

Marco reminds them that the OPA, regardless of factions has always fought for the rights of all Belters and nothing has changed.

A ring appears and they are now expected to make a truce with the Innards and hunt down their own kind?

While the innards take advantage of new planets that Belters can’t even live on?

How does the appearance of a ring suddenly make the Innards just, fair and kind? Do they really think the Innards will honour their new treaty?

The war between Earth and Mars made the innards weak, and their just buying their time as they build up their strength enough to no longer need the Belter’s help.

Marco offers to hand over the gains from his recent activities and wait patiently for the Innards to break their treaty, which he’s certain they will.

The five representatives put Inaros’ fate to a vote. It’s a two-two tie until Drummer, much to Ashford’s surprise votes to spare Marco’s life.

She later explains she did it to avoid a civil war between the OPA factions. Ashford feels like they lost their only chance to take Marco Inaros down.

——

Back on Ilus, Holden says bye to Naomi as she and Alex take the Roci back up to orbit. As the ship lifts off he comes face to face with Murtry and punches him in the face informing him that he’s no longer in charge.

That’s the episode.

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[4:14] Episode Recap

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This week we discuss the third episode of season 4 of The Expanse titled “Subduction”.

You can purchase The Expanse books via Amazon. USA or Canada or the UK

Or listen to the audiobook version through Audible

The episode opens immediately after Murtry’s shooting from the previous episode. Tensions are high as the RCE and Belters standoff against each other. A dire outcome is averted when lightning strikes the village knocking out the Belter’s power.

——

Back on Earth, Nancy Gao announces her run against Avasarala for UN Secretary-General. Christjen looks forward to the challenge.

The pre-election approval ratings remain in Avasarala’s favour, but she’s still worried about Gao’s chances.

Christjen’s aid uncovers that Nancy Gao cheated the system to get off basic and they decide to leak the information.

——

As the settlers, joined by Amos and a still weak Naomi see to repairing the damage, the RCE security force holds their ground refusing to offer aid.

Dr. Lucia is treating a young child’s eye injury when she notices her daughter is no longer there. She finds her hanging out with Naomi. Felcia wants to go to university and study engineering but her mother won’t hear of it. They came to Ilus as a family and they’re going to remain there as a family.

Scotty approaches Lucia asking if she’s in. He’s gathering a bunch of people to stand up to the RCE but she wants no part of it. Little did they know that Murtry was listening in on their conversation.

When Amos needs a part, he takes it by force from the RCE encampment. Chandra Wei prevents further bloodshed by ordering the guards to stand down.

Once power is back on, Amos and Murtry have a conversation. Amos claims to know what Murtry is, a killer who can’t wait to kill again. The two seem to be on a path to confrontation.

——

Holden is upset with Miller and himself for inadvertently starting the machine.

With the help of Fayez on board the Edward Israel, Elvi learns that the lightning strikes are not a natural phenomenon. She’s scared in the aftermath of Murtry killing a Belter but is determined to remain on the planet and figure out what the lightning means.

After several hours the lightning mysteriously stops and they experience an earthquake. They set up seismometers and determine the source of the quake.

They discover a giant spike that is tearing up the ground leaving a path 3km wide. If they don’t stop it will destroy the settlement.

To Elvi’s strong opposition, Holden decides to fire one of the Roci’s missiles at the spike destroying it.

——

On Mars, Bobbie is worried about David when he calls saying he’s in trouble. She goes to meet him but instead is met by his abductor. The man is upset about the loss Bobbie caused him and intends for David to work off the debt. Bobbie can help free the boy if she agrees to “accidentally” leave a security door unlocked at the end of her shift.

Bobbie decides to go to the police only to find out that the man who has her nephew is decorated detective Esai on the force.

Angry, but backed into a corner, she agrees to do what he asked. Leave the door to a security locker open.

She keeps an eye on who goes in and out and spots a couple of disguised OPA Belters stealing a crate of tightbeam encryption modules.

Detective Esai releases David as promised and offers Bobbie a job working for him. She turns him down but he thinks she’ll come to her senses for the good of Mars.

——

Back at the settlement, Murtry asks Lucia to adjust his leg brace and questions her relationship to Scotty. He tells her he wants a peaceful resolution to the recent violence.

Naomi angrily confronts him about his actions when she collapses from the stress of being on the planet.

Dr. Lucia tends to her and tells her she has to go back up the well soon or she will die.

—

Scotty and his crew are secretly planning their attack on the RCE force when Murtry and his squad open fire on them, killing the lot.

That’s the episode.

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[2:50] Episode Recap

Links from J.P.’s feedback.

This is the Most Scientifically Accurate TV Show – YouTube

The best show about international relations on television right now is on – wait for it – Syfy – Article

The Macroeconomics of “The Expanse” – Article

I want to hear from you! Send me your feedback at 1-805-910-7656 or [email protected]

This week we discuss the second episode of season 4 of The Expanse titled “Jetsam”.

You can purchase The Expanse books via Amazon. USA or Canada or the UK

Or listen to the audiobook version through Audible

The episode opens with a distorted view of Miller’s perspective. He’s trying to figure out what happened to the Protomolecule when he notices a small spark of something on the planet New Terra.

On the planet, everyone is recovering from the swarm attack, and wondering if they’re what caused the crash of the Edward Israel’s shuttle.

——

On Medina station, Drummer and Ashford are investigating a mysterious group of human bodies that hurtled through the gate before disassociating when the hit the ring periphery. They extrapolate from their trajectory that they came from the UN colony ship Sojourner after being attacked by pirates.

Drummer doesn’t see a reason for the attack, but Ashford thinks it’s a message that some Belters are not happy with the new peace between Earth, Mars and the Belt.

The U.N.N. reluctantly shares their findings from the attack with Medina Station as tensions between the three factions remains high, even in this time of peace.

The new information helps Ashford determine who the pirate is that attacked the Sojourner. One Marco Inaros who has a past with Naomi Nagata.

They reach out to Anderson Dawes and Fred Johnson to sanction a bounty on the pirate.

——-

On her way to Mars with a delegation including her husband Arjun, Avasarala isn’t happy to learn the Protomolecule may be active on New Terra.

Meanwhile, On her way to work, Bobbie receives an invitation to attend Chrisjen Avasarala’s address to Mars. This brings in the question of her loyalty to Mars when she’s later questioned by police about the death of a Customs Inspector.

Later, at the official gathering. Avasarala and the Martian Prime Minister are questioned about the timeframe for distributing and colonization of the 1,300 new planets beyond the rings. Neither commits to anything.

Bobbie arrives and feels out of place as her presence at the gathering is questioned. However, her placement at the table next to Arjun Avasarala helps ease her tension.

Chrisjen gives a moving speech on lasting peace between Earth and Mars and points out the dishonourably discharged Bobbie as one of the courageous soldiers from the war.

After the dinner, Avasarala asks Bobbie to come work for her but the ex-marine walks away.

Draper is brooding at home when she decides to follow her nephew to see where he’s going at such a late hour.

She tracks him to a drug lab run by his girlfriend LeeLee. Bobbie takes matters into her own hands and attacks the two thugs and LeeLee before leaving with David.

——

Back on New Terra, Alex and Dr. Lucia Mazur set up a test to determine if anyone cut in the swarm attack is infected by the Protomolecule.

They test the citizens but everyone is clean.

Alex is warming up to the Doctor when she introduces him to her husband and daughter, putting an end to his intended advances.

——

Amos and Murtry take a look at the Israel’s shuttles crash site to see if the metal swarm could have caused it. What they find instead is that someone blew up the landing pad.

Back at the settlement. Murtry confronts the town’s leader accusing the settlers of attacking his shuttle and killing his people.

Murtry threatens retaliation if they don’t produce the people responsible for the bomb by morning.

Amos stays behind at the bar drinking and is later joined by Wei, Murtry’s second in command. The two ending up in bed together.

Later a couple of Belters confront Murtry. One of them makes an idle threat and Murtry kills him for it.

——

Naomi and James join Dr. Elvi Okoye in her lab to try and figure out what the swarm of small metal “insects” are. Upon closer examination, Holden determines that they are made of Protomolecule tech.

They travel to one of the non-native towers found on the planet. From their initial scans, the Edward Israel determined that they disappear deep below ground. Deeper than their scans can penetrate.

Their investigation reveals a solid structure with no way in. Analysis dates it at 1.5 billion years old. Holden says the structure feels dead.

Later, back on the Roci, Naomi passes out from the effects of the planet’s gravity on her system. Her cardiovascular system isn’t strong enough to deal with the strain.

She asks Alex not to tell Holden. James has enough on his mind already.

That night, Miller comes to Holden. James was on the right track but there’s more to be done and Miller needs Holden’s hands to do it.

Drone footage shows the solid structure they investigated earlier now has openings in it so James and Alex head off.

The entire front of the structure has swung inwards like a door revealing a chasm below. Holden descends where Miller asks him to remove some roots from some ancient mechanism.

Miller confesses to Holden that he hears the voices of the hundred thousand people who died at Eros in his head.

When Jim removes the roots, the machinery starts operating and the door he came in through starts closing. It’s a mad scramble but he makes it out with no time to spare.

The newly activated machines across the planet start firing lightning blasts into the air.

That’s the episode.

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[4:20] Episode Recap

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This week we discuss the first episode of season 4 of The Expanse titled “New Terra”.

You can purchase The Expanse books via Amazon. USA or Canada or the UK

Or listen to the audiobook version through Audible

The episode opens outside the Sol Ring; several belter ships are making a run for the ring trying to avoid the blockade. UNN ships open fire, destroying some of the ships, but a few make it through and traverse the Ring Space disappearing through some of the 1,300 gates to other worlds.

—-

8 Months later, on his family farm in Montana, Holden’s mother gives him a copy of Don Quixote. She says it was nice meeting Naomi with the rest of the family, even if just through a screen.

When left alone, Holden experiences a vision of the ring gates and the worlds beyond, when he snaps to, Miller is with him. The detective wants a ride through the ring, saying It’s the next clue to the case. Holden says he’ll ask again when he visits New York the next day.

—-

In New York, Secretary-General Avasarala is not happy with her board of governors. She wants the ring blockade strengthened but is facing resistance. There are arguments for opening the blockade and allowing ships through to explore the other worlds they now have access to. But Christjen is adamant until they know what’s on the other side of those rings and are sure there are no threats to the Sol system, nobody is going through.

When Holden arrives, Avasarala assigns him a new mission. The crew of the Barbapiccola that ran the ring gate, have settled on a planet designated as New Terra, although they’re calling it Ilus. Images sent back reveal structures that look eerily like the work of the Protomolecule.

She wants the Rocinante to investigate. If the Protomolecule is active, he’s to try and destroy it and evacuate the Belters.

—-

In Earth orbit on the Rocinante, Amos receives a call from Clarissa, who is now serving a life sentence in a penitentiary on Earth. She wants to thank him for his kindness towards her on their trip back. And also ask about an incident where she could have killed herself. She’s wondering if the option was left open on purpose. Amos, nonchalantly replies that if he was facing a life sentence, he would want his options to be open.

Holden arrives to explain their mission. The R.E.C. Edward Israel, a science ship, will be there to assist them in their investigation. Naomi surprises them all by saying she wants to go down to the planet when they arrive.

—-

On Mars, Bobbie arrives home after a long day’s work. She’s crashing with her brother and his family while she’s looking for a place of her own. Her nephew David is a bit embarrassed when his “study date” LeeLee shows up early.

Alex calls Bobbie as the Rocinante passes by Mars, and he confides in her that he’s scared of what they may find on Ilus.

Later at a bar, Thomas, a fellow ex-Marine, asks her about her choices. The MCRN wanted Bobbie to lie during her trial, but she refused. She was discharged without any pension.

—-

Out in the Belt, Ashford hunts down pirates attacking supply ships. He captures one of the pirates who berates Ashford for turning on his own people and working for the innards.

When he arrives at Medina station, Drummer scolds him for aggravating the innards. He’s still bitter about how the battle for the rings turned out with him on the losing side.

—-

Onboard the Roci, Naomi is undergoing bone and muscle intensity treatment as they pass into the Ring Space.

After her treatment, she calls Drummer at Medina Station. The OPA woman is still recuperating from her broken back. Drummer voices her disdain for the Belters trying to make a living on the surface of Ilus. She sais in two-generation they won’t be Belters anymore.

—-

Once the Rocinante passes the ring gate into Ilus space, Miller briefly appears to Holden thanking him for the ride. James starts to question him, but it appears like Miller vanishes and travels to the planet.

—-

Orbiting New Terra, the R.C.E. Edward Israel launches a landing shuttle. Those on board are expecting trouble from the squatting Belters, even though the UN and Mars have a charter for the planet.

As it descends, the shuttle is struck and crash lands. Only a few on board survive many of them with injuries. Luckily, the Belters come to their aid. Security Chief Murtry, the highest-ranking survivor takes command of the expedition.

—-

Holden receives a message from Avasarala telling him to get to the planet, do his job, let the RCE do theirs, and don’t get involved with things that don’t involve him.

The Rocinante arrives and lands on the planet. Naomi, the first to debark and not accustomed to being on a planet, is momentarily stricken by the vastness of her surroundings.

They are greeted at the Belter settlement by both the new inhabitants and the survivors of the RCE Shuttle. Tension builds as both sides are vying for control, guns are drawn, and the situation looks dire when a new threat emerges.

A swarm approaches the colony and seems to attach them. It passes in a matter of seconds leaving everyone cut and confused

That’s the episode.

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Here are the instructions for submitting feedback to The Expanse Podcast – Tales From The Rocinante for season 4.

Feedback deadlines are Mondays 9 am Eastern time starting with episode 1 feedback by December 16.

If you plan on watching ahead you can still submit your feedback. But keep each episode’s feedback to one submission. I will hold onto your feedback until I discuss that episode.

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I look forward to experiencing season four of The Expanse with you.

Mark

[10:54] Ep 1: Fight Or Flight

[14.07] Ep 2: IFF

[19:15] Ep 3: Assured Destruction

[25:27] Ep 4: Reload

[29:43] Ep 5: Triple Point

[34:53] Ep 6: Immolation

[40:12] Ep 7: Delta-V

[47:11] Ep 8: It Reaches Out

[53:18] Ep 9: Intransigence

[58:34] Ep 10: Dandelion Sky

[1:03:26] Ep 11: Fallen World

[1:07:18] Ep 12: Congregation

[1:10:53] Ep 13 Abaddon’s Gate

I’ve combined all thirteen of my season 3 recaps into on episode. In just over an hour of listening, you can be back up to speed on where things stand in The Expanse before the premiere of season 4 on December 13.

Want to listen to The Expanse series? Get a FREE audiobook download and 30-day free trial at solotalkmedia.com/audible. Over 200,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle or mp3 player. Leviathan Wakes amongst them.

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I’d like to thank everyone who has subscribed to this podcast and encourage you to join the discussion by sending in your feedback by calling +1-805-910-7656 or by e-mailing me at [email protected] or visiting the website at solotalkmedia.com. If you are enjoying this podcast please consider leaving me a review on Apple Podcasts.

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