WiC Watches: The Expanse season 4

Image: The Expanse/Amazon

Episode 406: “Displacement”

The impending danger that is an entire side of a planet exploding is bearing down on the settlement. Holden begins an evacuation plan for both the Belters and RCE members. The two sides are still at each others throats, and their imminent death doesn’t immediately become their first priority. After Holden first breaks the news, the woman who’s been speaking for the Belters blames Holden for bringing about all of these problems. Her claims that certain issues hadn’t come until his arrival is true, though blaming him is unwarranted. To assume Holden could do anything to control whatever the proto-molecule is doing to him is ludicrous.

Meanwhile, Drummer and Ashford learn that, unsurprisingly, Marco Inaros lied to them about his attack on an U.N. ship and about the capabilities of his own ship. We cut to the next day, where we see Ashford dressing while watching a clip of himself introducing his baby daughter, Drummer, to zero gravity. This Belter home video provides our first look at the softer side of the OPA Captain, but watching it, Ashford looks somber. It’s like he’s watching the morning news instead of a touching family moment. It makes me wonder if this is a morning tradition of his, a way to remind himself what’s important, or what he’s fighting for.

The ships in orbit around New Terra start having reactor problems, and it’s soon discovered that fusion has just stopped working. The old tech left by the proto-molecule creators has completely altered the rules of physics, again. Now each of the three ships, the RCE vessel, the Belter ship, and the Rossi are slowly descending down the gravity well and are incapable of helping the people on the planet. This forces Holden and Murtry to work together to get everyone to the ruins, as it’s the only structure that can withstand the wave of destruction heading their way.

Though they have mere hours until the wave hits them, the seriousness of the situation doesn’t register for many of the settlers. Only Elvi, still the voice of reason, understands what is truly important for their survival. Among the last to vacate the settlement, she and Holden try to bring two pieces of equipment vital to survival in the long term. Elvi continues to be an unsung hero this season, constantly thinking through the implications of what it means to be human on a planet with entirely different biology, something I think will become very relevant very soon.

Remember how hard it was for Bobbie to break her code and go against her morals in helping a gang steal equipment? I don’t think she does either. We see her not only enjoy being the muscle for a professional thief but put her life at risk to complete the job. We even see her have romantic relations with a man she met in a bar earlier in the season. It’s such a sudden change I have a hard time believing it. Why fight so hard to hold on to what you believed if you pretend it was never there once it’s gone? The Marine in Bobbie seems to be slipping away with each job, as she begins to get accustomed to life on the other side of the law.

Holden — of course it’s Holden — is the last one to make it into the ruins, just as the tidal wave hits. The barrier in place fails to stop the water from pouring into the ruins, and the episode ends with Holden hanging from the entrance’s ledge. It’s yet another cliffhanger, only this time the danger is clear and present.

The problems never seem to end for the crew of the Rossi. Each step they take on New Terra has been met with hostility from the people they’re trying to protect, deadly weather, apocalyptic disasters, alien tech trying to kill them, and even the laws of physics changing. Oh, and we’re only halfway through the season.