The Expanse Review: Down and Out (Season 5 Episode 5)

The Expanse Season 5 Episode 5, “Down and Out,” is another stellar episode punctuated by resonant emotional highs that leave us breathless. 

The most gasp-inducing part for me is when Holden views the message from Naomi. The face he makes as he sees Naomi wrestled away from the screen by the Inaros crew rips my heart to shreds. 

It is not just that Naomi, the love of his life, is held captive by the terrorist who killed millions of people. It is that this way of losing someone he loves has happened before.

On the pilot of The Expanse, Holden watches as his lover sends a final message to him over video. He watched as her ship exploded. Naomi’s desperate plea is a direct parallel to this earlier loss. 

For all Holden knows, he has just witnessed Naomi’s last words. 

How much more loss can Holden take? 

This is a rather existential question that most of the characters are facing this season. When nothing will bring back the people who are gone, how exactly does one move forward? 

This is another way to word the dilemma I wrote about in my review on The Expanse Season 5 Episodes 1-3 that I have deemed the “executioner’s dilemma.” 

When the characters face the decision to get revenge or not, they end up facing a mirror. No matter what they choose, mercy or revenge, the executioner is brought closer to their own pain. 

For example, as Naomi lunges forward to kill Marco, her son Fillip intervenes. And there she is face to face with the embodiment of her greatest regret. 

It piles on the anguish when Naomi learns that Fillip saved her life by taking her aboard. 

This information, as interpreted by the razor sharp Naomi, leads her to know that the Roci is compromised. (It is notable that Holden himself doesn’t realize this even though Sakai not so subtly hints at her layered subterfuge. The women are the geniuses on The Expanse.)

That Filip saved her is also salt on a wound.

She failed to save him, but he still saves her. That is never how a mother wants it to be between her and her son. 

Drummer too is subject to the executioner’s dilemma. She chose mercy with Marco. And now millions are dead. 

And this is the crux of the executioner’s dilemma. Whatever you choose, violence or peace, it doesn’t erase the impact that the past has had on your soul. 

This is a brilliant move for The Expanse because it makes all the choices valid. Morality isn’t as simple as choosing peace. 

This brings me to Sakai. 

I can say with my whole chest that I adore Sakai. 

She is brutal, brilliant, and brave. She is all the best b-words.  

She is also culpable for the murder of millions of people as she played an integral part in the Inaros plan. She hints that there is much more to unfold, and not just the sabotage of the Rocinante. There’s a Queen’s Gambit to be had in there, I have no doubt. 

And yet, she is wholly relatable. 

Her retorts to Holden put into keen focus the privileges that Earthers have but do not see.

The Belt rebelling against generations of oppression with the intent to take back the space that is theirs, without wanting to commit genocide on all Earthers, is an almost inevitable reaction. In fact, the part of that that is choice, telling the Earthers and Martians that if they just stick to their planets they will not be harmed rather than trying to kill them all, can be seen as merciful.

Oksana brings up a very important point, though. The consequences of Sakai’s, Marco’s, and the rebels’ choice to war will be levied upon all Belters. 

The aftershocks of those asteroids are strong. Marco would be wise not to ignore them. 

Amos gives us even more reasons to fall in love with him on “Down and Out.” It is subtle, but the way that Amos never lets his ego get in the way is incredible. He defers to the smarter and stronger women and men, without taking it as any reflection of his own strength or intelligence. 

It is a great example of a character swollen with traditionally masculine traits, with without any wares of toxic masculinity. 

The escape sequences are heart-pounding and the episode does a good job of not making it too complicated or drawn out. 

The Amos and Peaches story is set up really well at this point. They are now alone and free. Clarissa’s mods will be working soon and they will no doubt be in touch with Avasarala. 

Pretty much anything could happen! These two saving the solar system from utter demise (again) would be an excellent road.

Even if they have a more minor role to play in the Big Conflicts going on, the setting is ripe for some excellent character development. Giddy is not an understatement for how I’m feeling. 

The only story that falls flat for me on “Down and Out,” is Bobbie and Alex’s. The blocking of them in the tube shape limits some of the impact of the conflict. 

The pieces are getting in place and there is no question that these two are important. The stakes just don’t feel as high for some reason. 

When Bobbie is once again with Avasarala, that is when it with feel more tense and emotional. 

It feels like the drama for the lost-in-space duo has been friend zoned in favor of the other characters’ conflicts.

Perhaps that is a smart move because not every episode can be as packed full of shock as The Expanse Season 5 Episode 4, “Guagamela.” We would never survive!

It is unacceptable for Chrisjen to be off screen for more than one episode a season. So, next week will be sure to allow us to check-in with our favorite macaroon-loving queen. 

Stray Asteroids

• The bond between Cyn and Naomi is fascinating. Mark my words, he is going to be the father figure Filip and Naomi didn’t know they needed.
• Jasai Chase-Owens is phenomenal as Filip, adding more depth and emotion with every episode. 
• The season opening with Sakai and Naomi as badass ship mechanic friends is a brutal narrative choice. Brutal.
• Naomi looking at the coffee maker is unfair. My heart can’t take it! 
• Drummer deserves this family and they deserve her. They all are good huggers, I can just tell. 
• Cyn’s point about Naomi not being able to survive Earth’s gravity is heavy and correct. 
• The elevator situation nearly had me pass out. I thought for sure it would yank off some of Tiny’s skin! 
• Nolden are an underrated OTP. 

What did you think of this episode of The Expanse? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Expanse airs Wednesdays on Amazon Prime.

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