The Expanse Season 4 preview – Amazon takes a risk

In just two weeks The Expanse season 4 will be released. The series, based on the continuing novels of authors James S. A. Corey is often described as Game of Thrones set in space. I suppose that alone makes it worth watching – and it is. but the description hardly does it justice. It goes beyond the bloody feudal politics and senseless violence of shows such as GoT and Battlestar Galactica. Instead show creators Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostbyhave opted for a ‘realistic’ depiction of space physics and combat. This is combined with a gritty and functional look. And it works, The Expanse has managed to carve out a significant fan base.

So where does that leave us with season 4? Well, it roughly follows the timeline of the fourth novel in the series – Cibola Burn. The United Nations and the Martian Congressional Republic are both keen to explore what is beyond the Ring left by the unknown alien species. Of course it won’t high drama of the belters (independent space miners living beyond Mars) also stake a claim.

A familiar story

From the trailer below it becomes the story follows James Holden (Steven Strait) a lot as he is tasked by the UN to explore the first planet beyond the gate. A planet already settled by belters. Holden of course does not go alone, he takes his trusty sidekicks Naomi (Dominique Tipper) and Amos (Wes Chatham) with him.

Meanwhile Chrisjen Avasarala deals with the high politics of the discovery of the Ring. As readers of the books will know the Mexican standoff between Mars, Earth and the Belt won’t cool down any time soon. From the trailer it is unclear what exactly Bobbie’s story will be. She is briefly seen contacting Naomi but does not appear on New Terra, the planet settled beyond the ring. Instead we glimpses of her going on another mission for Chrisjen.

New characters

On New Terra we also see several new characters, on of them is Adolphus Murtry (played by Burn Gorman) who appears to be a leader amongst the settlers. A colleague of his is Elvi Okoye, a biologist, played by Lyndie Greenwood. From the trailer it is clear we can expect a lot of tension between the settlers of different backgrounds. All the while the unknown alien – or proto-molecule is slowly terraforming the planet which places a time constraint on Holden’s mission.

Holden is thus going to need Naomi and Amos. Especially when things get dirty and the situation requires a choice that contradicts his sensitivities. From the trailer I see nothing of Elizabeth Mitchell‘s character Anna Volovodov, but she is listed as a recurring character.

The Expanse Season 4 trailer

From the trailer I do get that distinctive Battlestar Galactica feeling, that show had a significant storyline set on the planet New Caprica after the Cylons destroyed humanities 12 colonies. On The Expanse it is the belters that claim the first planet they discover after passing through the Ring. I will admit I am personally more biased towards the high politics that the conflict will spawn instead of the action on the ground. It was the same with another Amazon show – The Man in the High Castle.

Anyway season 4 of The Expanse is set for a release on Amazon Prime Video on December 13th. It will consist of 10 episodes while a fifth season has already been greenlit. Thus there is no fear of Amazon pulling a Syfy. Please tell me what your hopes and aspirations are for of The Expanse season 4 below in the comment section. If you want to keep abreast of all news on SciFiEmpire.net than please fill in the subscription box on the right!