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Reviews
The Expanse: Babylon's Ashes (2022)
They left it in the best possible place...
One of the things I've always admired about The Expanse is it's willingness to stick to it's rules. Our characters rarely come out unscathed, and no one capable of inhuman feats. Drummer just about making it out of the fight. Marco barely getting to fight are a collision. No plan survives contact with the enemy and it's a show that has always been willing to test it's characters, as it did here... there can't really be drama without threat.
... I hope we get another three seasons, I truly do. But even if we don't, the writers managed to walk the line required to both end several seasons worth of plot and still leave enough open to cause demand for a possible renewal.
For example we know the entities are a threat, but we also know that traffic through the ring gates can now be managed to prevent it.
We know there's strange happenings on Laconia, but equally we know that the gate is now "closed" as the other side of the gate is a mine field.
We know Filip made an actual choice for himself. Not to reach out to his mother. Not to kill his father as many were expecting. But to walk away and choose a life for himself.
Appreciate the effort required to delivered this.
And best of all no one elected Bran to lead.
The Expanse: Redoubt (2021)
The problem with many reviews...
... is that they completely forget the context of and history within the show. Want examples?
Someone wrote:
"nothing that can realistically change the balance of power and course of this war happened(for example, supplies that Drummer took are insufficient and obviously can't feed even 1000 people for 5 days"
Drummer doesn't just have a few supplies. Drummer has hundreds of cargo containers. A good Belter can do a lot with Cargo containers, which we know; watch this space.
"when are we going to get some battle scenes?"
This isn't Star Wars. When has the Expanse *ever* been about space battles? Yes, they happen, but in service of the plot.
"Why is the protomolecule ring still in the credits?"
Several reasons; but mostly because it's part of the system now, and the singular reason for this shift in power. In the face of something so incredible, the old hatreds still burn hot.
... also this is book six. In a series of nine books. The last three books are set 30 years after book six. So while many see a "cancelled" show, what the show runners have actually said is their taking a break.
Oh, and the story on Laconia? That's like, through a ring, bro. The Laconia thing is important.
Lastly the complaints about Marco. Marco isn't a character who turned up a season or two ago. He's had a pressence in this show since the very first episode. The Belter on the hooks for smuggling Stealth composites? That wasn't Marco in person, but it was Marco in plot. He's a fundamental part of the fabric of the story, and he's insane. He'll tear the system to pieces rather than lose.
Personally i'm very happy with S6. It's right where it should be with the source material.
The Expanse: Strange Dogs (2021)
The Board Is Set
This did everything it needed to; Established Laconia's progression, Earth's slow death and the united Belt...
... but way more importantly every character feels stretched and conflicted, and the episode deftly sets a brooding tone. You can feel the exhaustion with the Roci's crew. The Boredom with Macro. The sense of futility with Avasarala.
Enjoyed it.
Doctor Who: Flux: Chapter Six - The Vanquishers (2021)
Watched it. Liked it. Reviewed it.
For what it was, I enjoyed it. Fun, over the top, and offered something new. The series as a whole had some really fun ideas. This episode felt like it had too much to do, pacing was patchy and perhaps the original intent was a slightly longer series?
Here's the thing... Doctor Who can't just endlessly repeat your favourite stuff from the RTD era. Chibnall tried something new; some of it worked, some of it didn't, but I appreciate the attempt to offer up something fresh.
Not perfect at all, but the random hate, negative pre-air reviews and general whining from the "fan" base it getting tiresome.