The opening of the Ring Gates to thousands of new habitable worlds seems to mark a new chapter in humanity’s story. However, the old grudges are not gone, and, despite a treaty between the Inners and the Belters, tensions are already rising. A dispute forms between an Earther Corporation and a Belter group vying for control of the same planet. Avasarala sends Holden and crew into the heart of this brewing conflict…

The move of The Expanse from Syfy to Amazon Prime prompted concerns that the core of the show might change. However, first impressions are that the storytelling are is as gripping as ever. The increased budget is most obvious in the breathtaking first five minutes that explores the landing on the planet Illus (also contentiously known as New Terra). Not only an example of film-quality level of cinematography and direction, this also shows the first time Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper) has set foot on a planet of any kind. Tipper subsequently gives one of her best acting performances so far.

With a move to a new network we also experience the biggest time jump yet seen in the series. For the most part, it is not too jarring: we are already so comfortable with many of the main characters that getting settled back with them seems to come fairly easy. However, there is also a moment between Amos Burton (Wes Chatham) and Clarissa Mao (Nadine Nicole) that establishes a relationship that has clearly developed in this gap between seasons. Readers of James S. A. Corey’s source novels will find this less of an unexpected revelation, but TV viewers might find it jarring to have this set up, seemingly out of the blue. The excellent acting by both Chatham and Nicole means that by the end of the episode I was sold, and intrigued, and it left me wishing we could have seen the beginning of that relationship.

The first half of this episode is fairly obviously all about the setup for the rest of the season, and it shows: most of it involves manoeuvring the right pieces into position. There is still time for some quiet character-building moments, which were so often one of the hallmarks of earlier series of The Expanse. The scene between James Holden (Steven Strait) and his mother Elise (Frances Fisher) right at the beginning of the episode is especially touching.

We also see the return of many other beloved characters such as Bobbie Draper (Frankie Adams), Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), Camina Drummer (Cara Gee) and Klaes Ashford (David Strathairn). With them comes the setting up of new storylines, and how the plot points intersect over the coming episodes will be interesting as the issue of huge distance that now separates so many of the characters will pose some interesting writing challenges.

Verdict: An excellent start with a balance of character scenes and interesting set-upa that hopefully promises another gripping series of The Expanse. 8/10

Emily Day