# The Expanse season 2 episode discussion (spoilers as it airs) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 1, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787 "2017-02-01T23:52:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/1 "2017-02-01T23:52:40Z")
In anticipation of the season 2 premiere of _The Expanse_ tonight, let’s start a new thread for episode discussions\*. I thought they were shooting themselves in the foot with such a long delay between seasons, but I’m happy to hear a little more buzz this time around. Not as much as it deserves, but I think a few more people got into it during the break. \*My proposal for the thread: open spoilers for episodes that have already aired. Mention of the books is fine for events already portrayed/skipped/changed in the show (but please spoiler these for people who might read the book later or don’t want to know). Sharing details of the overall universe from the books (e.g., how did they spin up Ceres?) is fine. **No** discussion of what’s upcoming in the show based on your knowledge of the books. I’m confident we can avoid GoT-type arguments. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/2 "2017-02-02T01:13:18Z")
I only just watched season 1 on Amazon streaming a few weeks ago. Short wait for my wife and me. We are super excited. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/3 "2017-02-02T14:05:38Z")
I recorded it but have not yet watched it. I can’t wait!!! I love the books and loved how they handled the first season. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/4 "2017-02-02T15:17:39Z")
It’s tonight?! Damn, I’ll be playing Infinity at the game store. This is humorous since Infinity is a sci-fi game sort of reminiscent of The Expanse. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/5 "2017-02-02T15:19:38Z")
The premiere was last night, but was a 90-minute episode starting at 10:00 pm, so all us old-timers have it taped to watch at a more reasonable hour tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/6 "2017-02-02T15:27:35Z")
Well, shit. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/7 "2017-02-02T16:12:39Z")
A very good opening to Season 2! Love that they ended it on Miller shooting the Protogen asshole (that was one of my favorite moments from Leviathan Wakes). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/8 "2017-02-02T17:19:11Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > The premiere was last night, but was a 90-minute episode starting at 10:00 pm, so all us old-timers have it taped to watch at a more reasonable hour tonight. Did it really start at 10 and run until Midnight? I thought the first 2 episodes were airing, but I only watch stuff the day after or so. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/9 "2017-02-03T01:46:44Z")
That was a very good start to season 2. I really hope we get to see more of Mars this season. And more of Chrisjen Avasarala. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/10 "2017-02-03T01:55:37Z")
I thought Bobbi Draper was going to be more of a California Type ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/11 "2017-02-03T14:13:22Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > A very good opening to Season 2! Love that they ended it on Miller shooting the Protogen asshole (that was one of my favorite moments from Leviathan Wakes). Ditto. I hope in E2 they have Miller explain why he shot him (for the non-book readers benefit). It would only take a few lines of dialog. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/12 "2017-02-03T16:37:39Z")
> [@Algernon](#): > > Ditto. I hope in E2 they have Miller explain why he shot him (for the non-book readers benefit). It would only take a few lines of dialog. There were a few things that seem like they would have been confusing without knowing the books. But it might also be the year break between episodes. I’ll have to rewatch the last few from season 1. Good episode overall. I got a chuckle from the Airplane callout, “do you like space gladiator movies?” ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/13 "2017-02-03T16:47:58Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Good episode overall. I got a chuckle from the Airplane callout, “do you like space gladiator movies?” And the FedEx container breaching pods. Good to know FedEx is still around. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/14 "2017-02-03T16:54:10Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > I thought Bobbi Draper was going to be more of a California Type Yeah, I got to admit the actress they have for Draper is really not synching with the mental picture I had based upon the books. Regarding the books - Anyone read the latest, Babylon’s Ashes? Honestly I did not care for it very much. The story involving the Free Navy was just not up to par and I’d have preferred more focus on the larger protomolecule arc. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/15 "2017-02-03T16:55:18Z")
> [@Algernon](#): > > Ditto. I hope in E2 they have Miller explain why he shot him (for the non-book readers benefit). It would only take a few lines of dialog. Well I did think that making Fred look so obviously interested in making a deal sold it as well. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/16 "2017-02-04T20:06:04Z")
I thought it was very obvious why Miller shot that guy - someone would always be tempted to wield the power the protogen molecule has, and it was way too dangerous. The fact that even Fred was thinking about using it just sealed the deal. The guy had to die. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/17 "2017-02-04T20:52:25Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > Yeah, I got to admit the actress they have for Draper is really not synching with the mental picture I had based upon the books. How many 6+ foot muscle-bound polynesian actresses are there out there? I think they came about as close as they reasonably could. I really enjoyed the first 2 eps (or 2-part first ep). Good job of expanding the scale of what to expect in the season, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/18 "2017-02-05T09:05:47Z")
Yeah, I don’t get the mystery about why Miller shot the guy–at the beginning of the first episode, he says “Me, I don’t care much if justice gets involved… I just want them dead.” Obviously, he wants revenge for the 100,000… and specifically Julie Mao. He doesn’t strike me as a guy that puts much weight in vague claims about benefiting the species at some indefinite point in the future. I liked these lines: - I hate this part. - You gotta do it. They’ll be poking holes in us. - Yeah, but this feels like we’re agreeing to it. Not just because it was funny, but because it seems a heck of a lot more realistic than magic shields or armor that stops bullets. Turns out that energy shields don’t exist and armor plate is too heavy for a spaceship. Easier to just accept that you’ll be pincushioned. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/19 "2017-02-06T01:31:30Z")
Dude, these first two episodes are kind of boring, and I loved, loved, loved the first season. My wife and I are having a hard time parsing out what is happening. I may have to re-watch them some time just to figure out what was happening. I’m more lost than at any point in the first season. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787/20 "2017-02-06T01:58:34Z")
I think that’s a fair criticism. They tried to pack so much into those first two episodes that it was a little incoherent at times. Take that initial battle on Mars. What the heck was going on there? Who were they fighting? Or was that a training exercise? With live rounds blowing up real gun emplacements? And why are Mars and Earth getting ready to go to war again? Just over Phoebe station? Or the attack on the Donnager? I thought that was sorted out last season. There are many questions. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-expanse-season-2-episode-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/778787.md?page=2)