The Expanse

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Season 2
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 252 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 237 out of 252
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 252
  3. Negative: 8 out of 252
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  1. SimboTheKing
    Jan 14, 2022
    9
    I really believe season 2 is where The Expanse comes into it's own. With the world-building of season 1 out of the way, the plot just really develops into this complex, interlinking series of points.

    It's just so fantastic having so many charcters and stories and yet none ever feel rushed or unbelievable. It's prestige TV and it excels. I feel like it's gonna be difficult writing a review    I really believe season 2 is where The Expanse comes into it's own. With the world-building of season 1 out of the way, the plot just really develops into this complex, interlinking series of points.

    It's just so fantastic having so many charcters and stories and yet none ever feel rushed or unbelievable. It's prestige TV and it excels. I feel like it's gonna be difficult writing a review for every season without just repeating myself over and over again. The Expanse is just top-notch TV no two ways about it.    … Expand
  2. greenisgood
    Dec 5, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Tl;DR - I had high hopes for Season 2 and had set my expectations to levels I normally avoid because of the current landscape of TV and Movies, The Expanse blew right past all that and continued soaring higher. I recently reviewed Barry and remarked how much of an improvement Season 2 was over the first and even though S01 Expanse was pretty good I felt a relatively similar improvement in The Expanse second season as I did with Barry S02. I am glad good sci fi television is not completely in the grave even though shows like ST:Discovery and 2019-20 Doctor Who are trying their level best.

    The Good

    Everything was improved. Just all across the board character writing, tighter screenplay, great pacing, comparatively better visuals that S01. I felt a slight bit of regret for not having read the Book as I was watching S02, because the story and plot has refreshing and engaging sides to it. I can now only imagine what the experience would have been the first time I read it in the book; would my imagination surpass what I saw adapted on screen or does the on screen adaptation blow out anything I would have imagined.

    The actors feel more at home in their Character's skin with Thomas Jane and Shohreh again stealing the show but not by much as Dominique, Wes, Anwar and Strait are more comfortable in their roles and bring their 'A' game to match. I even love that one of my main points of complaint with S01 of Miller abruptly being in love with Julie is given an amazing payoff thereby making sense of the whole love story angle. We have a couple of new additions to the story with Frankie Adams being the loyal soldier whose morals are tested and Shawn Doyle as Sadavir shinning through compared to S01, there was a point that felt like Doyle's character might be dying and even though he was a part of the antagonistic drive I did not want that to happen, I cannot stress how good the character writing is for everyone in the show.
    Having not read the books I really am enjoying watching the 'Protomolecule' evolve and being an avid Sci-Fi lover I feel like I know/knew exactly where it would go but it is still engaging enough to not spoil the experience for me.

    The Bad

    There were definitely a few things that stood out to me while I was watching the show, but after having finished the season I cannot remember what those things were. This is me saying that there are small problems with the show as nothing is perfect but they were so minuscule in the overall experience that no matter how hard I try I cannot remember them, I can only feel joy, satisfaction and a want for more after the finale.

    At the point I am watching this I have been given the news that Season 6 will be the finale and this makes me somewhat sad. But I also prefer that the show runners and fans have time to come to terms with this Fantastic Gem coming to an end instead of being abruptly cancelled with a cliffhanger or something. I eagerly look forward to finishing this wonderful and fascinating story.    … Expand
  3. Metodist
    Mar 12, 2020
    10
    Very exciting mix of sci-fi action, mystery with suspence and political drama
  4. AWESOM-0
    Jan 1, 2020
    10
    It’s the kind of show that will make watching other hard sci fi/space operas hard to do.
  5. GrantD243
    Jul 11, 2018
    8
    The second season of The Expanse expands on the mystery created in the first season, and provides some answers while also introducing new questions. The universe of the show continues to grow larger with each story arch and I have become fully invested in the overarching story now. I've also come to care quite deeply for most of the main cast. I will say that once again at the end of theThe second season of The Expanse expands on the mystery created in the first season, and provides some answers while also introducing new questions. The universe of the show continues to grow larger with each story arch and I have become fully invested in the overarching story now. I've also come to care quite deeply for most of the main cast. I will say that once again at the end of the season I wasn't left entirely satisfied, but looking forward to what has been set up for the next season. This is one of the most consistently good shows out there right now.… Expand
  6. Injun
    Jul 6, 2018
    10
    Wow! Absolutely excellent. I was completely gripped and much more big stuff happening in Season 2
  7. AbeMC
    Jul 5, 2018
    9
    Season 2 of The Expanse is where the show hits its stride, with some questions answered but many more waiting. Kudos to the writers for not making every resolution a happy one; conflicts frequently result in no clear winners, both sides annoyed at having to compromise. Interesting new characters, a superb mid-season episode and new ramifications to the mysterious proto-molecule make thisSeason 2 of The Expanse is where the show hits its stride, with some questions answered but many more waiting. Kudos to the writers for not making every resolution a happy one; conflicts frequently result in no clear winners, both sides annoyed at having to compromise. Interesting new characters, a superb mid-season episode and new ramifications to the mysterious proto-molecule make this an excellent follow-up that takes advantage of all the groundwork that was so painstaking laid in Season 1. Who said sequels are bad?… Expand
  8. sithhappens
    Jun 28, 2018
    9
    didn't expect this while watching season 1. season 2 was a big surprise. this show is going places, guess will be in the best sci-fi shows list in the end.
  9. Rome
    May 17, 2018
    10
    I hardly thought it possible but season 2 is even better than season 1. And damn this is some good serious sci fi for a mature and intelligent audience. Frakking good acting, super sweet cgi, a killer plot, top notch character development and amazing story telling. And the characters matters to us, the viewers, we feel involved, we really care about what happens to them. This is in myI hardly thought it possible but season 2 is even better than season 1. And damn this is some good serious sci fi for a mature and intelligent audience. Frakking good acting, super sweet cgi, a killer plot, top notch character development and amazing story telling. And the characters matters to us, the viewers, we feel involved, we really care about what happens to them. This is in my opinion a very strong trait for a tv-show, but not all shows manage to draw viewers into really empathizing and caring for its characters, but The Expanse does it so brilliantly. For this fact alone the show is more than worth it to watch.

    Every episode I'm sitting glued to the screen loving every minute of it. Shows like this unfortunately are a bit of a rare commodity these days. Enjoy it while it's here, it's one hell of an awesome ride!    … Expand
  10. norse
    Apr 30, 2018
    6
    It's pretty ok.

    I know the source material is top notch, and this is one of the few ok SF shows out there at all, but the direction and acting could use help. Effectively, the presentation has much too much of meaningful stares, dramatically delivered lines (think I am not a X, I just play one on TV) and crew members explaining things to each other or finishing each others sentences    It's pretty ok.

    I know the source material is top notch, and this is one of the few ok SF shows out there at all, but the direction and acting could use help.

    Effectively, the presentation has much too much of meaningful stares, dramatically delivered lines (think I am not a X, I just play one on TV) and crew members explaining things to each other or finishing each others sentences when in a real world situation they either would have kept quiet because they already understand or the most knowledgeable character would have delivered a concise explanation without interruptions or switches.

    Space ships and space combat are also handled a bit irrationally, with ships maneuvering in impossibly tight quarters for all the wrong reasons.    … Expand
  11. hallllloo
    Mar 1, 2018
    9
    Staffel 2 gelingt der Start wesentlich besser als Staffel 1. Dies kommt natürlich dadurch, dass direkt an das Ende der ersten Staffel angeknüpft wird und es direkt sehr spannend weiter geht. Wir sehen nun in jedem Charakter eine deutliche Entwicklung und werden so nie gelangweilt von ihnen. Dies ist ebenfalls eine tolle Weiterführung der Charaktereigenschaften aus Staffel 1, da man immerStaffel 2 gelingt der Start wesentlich besser als Staffel 1. Dies kommt natürlich dadurch, dass direkt an das Ende der ersten Staffel angeknüpft wird und es direkt sehr spannend weiter geht. Wir sehen nun in jedem Charakter eine deutliche Entwicklung und werden so nie gelangweilt von ihnen. Dies ist ebenfalls eine tolle Weiterführung der Charaktereigenschaften aus Staffel 1, da man immer noch nicht alles über sie weiß und man sich nie richtig im Klaren ist, was sie alles für ihr Ziel tun würden. Die zweite Staffel ist hierbei wesentlich mehr action-geladener, was sie aber nicht übertreibt und dadurch mehr spannende Momente entstehen.… Expand
  12. chidime
    Feb 26, 2018
    10
    Definitely better than Season 1, and Season 1 was really good. Shohreh Aghdashloo remains my favorite actor on the show, and she/her character keeps getting more interesting. All-around great acting, and I'll add Wes Chatham (Amos) to the great acting/great character list this season. Can't wait for Season 3. Bloody good job guys!
  13. RobertGreenfiel
    Feb 14, 2018
    10
    Season 2 only gives us a bigger and badder version of what season 1 offered - the cast, settings, plot, storyline, graphics, everything about this show is engrossing and really makes you feel for all the characters. I love the political aspect including the UN and Mars - such an amazing show - if you're not watching it yet you need to!
  14. wiiy71
    Dec 26, 2017
    9
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  15. OscarTheGrouch
    Nov 11, 2017
    9
    "Good men do bad things; and bad men do things believing it's for the good of all mankind."

    This line by Anderson Dawes pretty much sums up The Expanse. There are no real clear cut good guys here. Much like reality, things tend to be a bit more complex. And I'm loving every second of seeing how this story unfolds. This is a top quality (sci-fi) series. If you're not watching the    "Good men do bad things; and bad men do things believing it's for the good of all mankind."

    This line by Anderson Dawes pretty much sums up The Expanse. There are no real clear cut good guys here. Much like reality, things tend to be a bit more complex. And I'm loving every second of seeing how this story unfolds.

    This is a top quality (sci-fi) series. If you're not watching the Expanse, you're missing out. This show is quickly rising up my all-time best tv shows list.    … Expand
  16. Celdric
    Oct 24, 2017
    10
    currently best scify series in my opinion. Great charakters and great charakter progression. Very cool and exciting world and storyline! more please!
  17. Ushae
    Sep 17, 2017
    10
    The second really surprised me, Expanse has now become my favourite sci fi show. SyFy have a real gem on their hands here, and Netflix were smart to get this as an original in other regions.
  18. Nephandus
    Jun 15, 2017
    9
    Having read the books, I found the series very faithful (as it is possible on the screen) to the core story, but sometimes it felt rushed and shallow, specially on important parts that in the book felt much longer, like in the last episode of the seasons, where things seem to happen too quickly. I also found the actress who played Draper's hole a bit different from my imagination somehow -Having read the books, I found the series very faithful (as it is possible on the screen) to the core story, but sometimes it felt rushed and shallow, specially on important parts that in the book felt much longer, like in the last episode of the seasons, where things seem to happen too quickly. I also found the actress who played Draper's hole a bit different from my imagination somehow - I always vizualized here bigger and fiercer, and the actress (aside from the initial Mars shots) do not display that side, it's just not "in her". The scenes where the fights are also very plain and simple-made, it's like her enemies don't even try to fight back or have any kind of resistance at all. And her movements do not seem like a martial artist's at all.

    Aside from that, the season was awesome. Very interesting effects as well.    … Expand
  19. ScienceAdvisor
    May 31, 2017
    7
    By the end of the season the belters are almost eliminated from the story, as we either focus on the soap opera of the UN/MCC politicking, or the crew of the Roci exclusively. The scenes invoving the Bobbie Draper character are exceedingly immersion breaking, seeing someone with no muscle definition (at all), beating up people twice her size with her fists. It is not the muscle mass thatBy the end of the season the belters are almost eliminated from the story, as we either focus on the soap opera of the UN/MCC politicking, or the crew of the Roci exclusively. The scenes invoving the Bobbie Draper character are exceedingly immersion breaking, seeing someone with no muscle definition (at all), beating up people twice her size with her fists. It is not the muscle mass that is lacking, it is the fact that her arms, torso, and even neck all jiggle when doing so. If she were 6"2 and 250 lbs, that would not matter so much. The director should be hiding this through the use of weapons and loose clothing, but seems to be oblivious to the obvious. If this is a sign of how the show is progressing, it does not bode well. Attention to detail is a significant matter in SciFi, and even moreso in action based SciFi. The de-escalation of threat from season one ultimately leaves this season tasting flat. This went from an interesting mix of genres to just being a soap with action moments. Hopefully season three will correct some of these decisions, and get that actress toned a bit. Contrary to public opinion, I would not be surprised that the director is also to blame for her robotic performances, not the actress herself.… Expand
  20. kennfusion
    May 9, 2017
    9
    Season 2 was just simply amazing. I was really impressed at the balance they found between hard science-fiction, space opera and action/adventure. And on top of the great story, and fascinating intertwining story lines, it is just visually stunning.
  21. AReedy
    May 1, 2017
    9
    Great show......................................................................................................................................................................................................
  22. metabad
    Apr 29, 2017
    9
    It's Season 2 and it's still such a terrific show. The story is still great, I like the characters and it all feels so real and authentic. Not one bit of cheesiness spoils this wonderful and exciting piece of entertainment.
  23. theredsox
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    My TIVO has 83 current series being recorded, The Expanse is ranked #1. It expands across so many genres; hard sci-fi plausible future with drama, suspense, political intrigue, action, mystery, heart wrenching moments, great characters with many layers, good special effects. All that and the show has so much left unexplored. Reminds me a lot of Babylon 5, but with potential to be better inMy TIVO has 83 current series being recorded, The Expanse is ranked #1. It expands across so many genres; hard sci-fi plausible future with drama, suspense, political intrigue, action, mystery, heart wrenching moments, great characters with many layers, good special effects. All that and the show has so much left unexplored. Reminds me a lot of Babylon 5, but with potential to be better in some areas. Can't wait to see where the story goes.… Expand
  24. MikeVentris
    Apr 8, 2017
    10
    Nowadays rarely see truly science fiction. One of the best show of this kind for last years. Great universe, fascinating story, interesting characters - all the good show needs.
  25. triplenerd
    Apr 7, 2017
    10
    Probably the best TV show I have ever viewed in my entire life.

    I found myself in the same position I was in before i began watching HBO's 'Leftovers,' Ignorant to the shows existence, but wowed by each respective shows season 2 metacritic user ratings. After mustering up enough fortitude to begin viewing the 'lesser rated' season 1's, I had realized i had just found my two favorite    Probably the best TV show I have ever viewed in my entire life.

    I found myself in the same position I was in before i began watching HBO's 'Leftovers,' Ignorant to the shows existence, but wowed by each respective shows season 2 metacritic user ratings. After mustering up enough fortitude to begin viewing the 'lesser rated' season 1's, I had realized i had just found my two favorite shows.

    The Expanse, in my opinion, has brought suspension and character development since the first scene in season one, and haven't stopped progressing up till now (S02E10). If you can table the forced space diversity and apparent 'strengthening' of regional accents 300 years in the future, then you are in for an inviting treat. And also get over yourselves and your "syfy" boycotts 'cuz omg they made sharknado.

    This show perfectly balances macro geopolitical entities jockeying for position, individual character development of 10 main characters and introducing unpredictable sci fi elements while adhering to plausibly rationalized technology of the future.    … Expand
  26. elyh
    Mar 31, 2017
    9
    Awesome show the best thing on TV at the moment and the best sci-fi series since BSG.

    Love the settings and the lore, the show gives a vivid image of what a system spanning civilization would look like. Lots of details make the settings and characters very vivid.

    Really love it.
  27. geniusloci
    Mar 14, 2017
    10
    While the first Season was good, even amazing in some way, Season 2 is simply amazing. I mean better-than-the books kind of awesome, and I cant wait between the episodes.

    Have to say ScyFy could start broadcasting it on more countries sooner - I pay my Netflix with it's measly 10% of the total content just to have The Expanse Season 1 at the tips of my fingers, but right now I have to    While the first Season was good, even amazing in some way, Season 2 is simply amazing. I mean better-than-the books kind of awesome, and I cant wait between the episodes.

    Have to say ScyFy could start broadcasting it on more countries sooner - I pay my Netflix with it's measly 10% of the total content just to have The Expanse Season 1 at the tips of my fingers, but right now I have to rely on pirate content until it becomes available there or anywhere I could buy it from my country. This is a big downside of a series I'd gladly and fully support in every possible way.    … Expand
  28. donelson
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    The Expanse season 1 was thrilling and superb fun. It's so very difficult to do hard science fiction well, and episodes 1-9 of season one, and these first 6 episodes of season 2 were terrific. Each episode keeps getting better. And the translation from book to screen is the BEST I have ever seen for sci-fi.
  29. Extintor
    Mar 1, 2017
    10
    This is the best Sci Fi show in years and it is based on some outstanding source material that only gets better and better with each passing book (now book 6 at time of writing this review). I cannot stress enough how appreciative I am that SyFy are investing in the way that they are to produce this show so faithfully.

    The Expanse has the potential to be the grippingly addictive multi    This is the best Sci Fi show in years and it is based on some outstanding source material that only gets better and better with each passing book (now book 6 at time of writing this review). I cannot stress enough how appreciative I am that SyFy are investing in the way that they are to produce this show so faithfully.

    The Expanse has the potential to be the grippingly addictive multi box-set 'discovery' that Battlestar Galactica was to so many, many years after it first aired. The quality and the depth is there. The character development is there. The epic narrative and setting. Beat those people to it by watching (and reading) this now.    … Expand
  30. notrockyswife
    Feb 25, 2017
    10
    Just awesome. Genuinely thought the second half of book 1 would be almost unfilmable but credit to SyFy and everyone involved, it just gets better and better
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Mitchel Broussard
    Feb 2, 2017
    90
    In a broad sense the show lives up to its name, but season 2 proves it can be as intricate, and intimate, as it can be expansive, and in those lovely details of its well-drawn characters embattled with deliciously complex moral choices, The Expanse soars.
    Read full review
  2. UPROXX
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Jan 31, 2017
    80
    On the whole, the series is one I’d mainly recommend with an “if you like this sort of thing” caveat (as opposed to BSG, whose appeal transcended space operatics). I happen to be someone who likes this sort of thing, but The Expanse season two is a much better version of that thing now that everyone knows what’s up and can take action accordingly.
    Read full review
  3. Collider
    Reviewed by: Haleigh Foutch
    Jan 31, 2017
    80
    The Expanse continues to match its most far-reaching concepts with deeply human stories rooted in a politically torn culture on the brink of war. It’s some of the most compelling, intelligent and immersive genre fiction on television, and it’s back in peak form.
    Read full review
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