The Expanse

:

Season 4
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 140 out of 169
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 169
  3. Negative: 15 out of 169
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User Reviews

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  1. MrNiceGaius
    Feb 2, 2020
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While I would rate the first and second season a very good 8.5 to 9 and the third season a 7.5, this fourth season is not a 7 or 8 and CERTAINLY not a 9 or 10. I would rate it a 5 and a 6 with fan glasses on. Yes, the quality of this show has dropped quite a bit. I don't know if I will continue watching it, surely not without trustworthy opinions beforehand. I have other things to do.

    The biggest problem is: nothing of importance ever happens until the very end and even that feels a bit uninspired and is presented with stupid action scenes and cliché characters. While I was always surprised that the previous seasons provided so much content, now the first six or seven of only ten episodes feel like filler. There is this totally stupid and unnecessary feud going on between the two uninteresting factions on the planet with one of the most cliché bad guy I have ever seen. Worst thing is that this guy is even part of the last three episodes. The Bobby and Avasarala stories felt like they were only there to keep them in the show and find a reason to get them together again in the future and were stretched as far as possible. For the most part this season felt more like a drama generator than a science-fiction show. The snails could have been good but they were also presented in such a bad way. From one moment to another they materialised from thin air and vanished as soon as there was another plot going on. Just like the feud they were just there for the drama and didn't provide anything to the global story.
    On top there were stupid, lazy and illogical things like the doctor who didn't know that cancer medicine can help against infections (which is stupid in itsself) and who solved the problem producing more medicine !while being blind! or the random scrapyard girl who suddenly was on par with Georgi La Forge in terms of engineering. Or Naomi who from all women in the solar system coincidentally is the ex and mother of the two top terrorists of the century. This is science fiction. Don't make the world smaller, make it bigger! I would have liked to see the first flight through another gate into a new solar system and the first landing on another planet. Instead we start the season on a scrapyard where nobody cares for the massive spikes coming out of the ground. And did they really forget to test the environment on aggressive bacterias and viruses beforehand? Just send a team and all will be good? Come on, that's stupidity level of "The War of the Worlds". And what happened to Drummer? She has no purpose at all. Is she going to get buried soon like Fred Johnson? This is sad.

    You can say that it is based on a book and that the book prepares the story for what's coming next. But well then ... this particular book must be quite boring and stupid too. If season 4 is just there to lay out the hints for season 5 and otherwise is full of fillers, then why not put them together? Sadly most of the times money milking is the answer. I also think that the show's writers couldn't properly handle the book template. Maybe because they were pressured by an unreasonable deadline and therefore just stuck with an ordinary black and white story with a good guy and bad guy and a clash in the end. Something I hoped the Expanse as a whole could largely avoid and represented a big part of me liking it until now.

    What I liked about this season are the visuals (but I am not a fetishist of visuals), some of the main characters (though they acted way stupider and more illogical than before) and the mysticism around Miller and the alien races which, however, is not season 4 exclusive.

    If you look up the reviews you'll notice that the 9 and 10 reviews are mostly just a short babbling like: "Oh my god! This is the best show ever! I love the CGI, Bobby and the crew. They are all so cool!" There's no analysis, no detail, no nothing - just like with Star Trek Discovery. Don't trust them. Especially not in times when Amazon takes over. You know that they are specialists in getting a product a rating of at least 4 1/2 stars regardless of its quality. But I also don't like the low protest votes, even if I can understand them in order to compensate for the fake or headless top ratings.

    Reading my own opinion I think I am quite generous with my 5 to 6 rating. I hope this is not the beginning of the end.    … Expand
  2. LaGuapa
    Dec 23, 2019
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm with LSargeant: Sooooo disappointed in this season that I joined this site to vent. Where to start? This season was less about ideas and more about action, like the difference between Ridley Scott's Alien and Cameron's Aliens, except with boring even stupid writing. I guess they thought it was cute that Arasavala was cursing every other sentence. Bobbie became a totally one dimensional good guy. I hate to say it but both of them became boring. In fact, there were a lot of tropes and clichéd writing that I'm too tired to list. Here's one: the Belter teenager who wants to go to college all the sudden is running the engineering department of a spaceship in a life-or-death scenario. How did she get up there, anyway? I missed Drummer being a bad-ass, she just stood around for the most part. The last episodes on the planet were really the worst. All the sudden there are neurotoxic slugs that will kill you in 20 seconds falling from the walls, so that they have to walk around covered up or stay under tents. Then all of the sudden in the last episode the slugs are gone, everyone walking around bareheaded like nothing ever happened. Did I miss something? Oh and everyone's going blind from protomolecule that's infecting the eyes, everyone except Holden. So the world's worst doctor does a blood test and can't figure it out. Why? She doesn't do the most basic medical history. Doesn't this show have consultants? They can get the coreolus effect but now they cant do a medical exam? Somehow she can make his chemo drugs--enough for everyone, even though she's blind--and hallelujah! they recover their sight...the very next day! Then there was the scene with Holden outside and the tsunami roaring in...whatever, he doesn't die, you know he won't. I was so irritated by the last episode that I don't even know how it finished. It was too painful to watch. Just when I was feeling a little warm towards Jeff Bezos for saving my show, his team turns it into schlock. FU (again) Jeff Bezos.… Expand
  3. shoulderoforion
    Dec 17, 2019
    7
    I thought Season 4 was good but not great. They spend way too much time on that one planet and all the ancillary subplots (dropping slugs as the tenth or so threat on top of threat, really? really?) seemed and felt like filler (because it was). The Avasarala plot was plodding, and the Bobbie plot was frustrating her being all on her own (yeah yeah I know they're working her andI thought Season 4 was good but not great. They spend way too much time on that one planet and all the ancillary subplots (dropping slugs as the tenth or so threat on top of threat, really? really?) seemed and felt like filler (because it was). The Avasarala plot was plodding, and the Bobbie plot was frustrating her being all on her own (yeah yeah I know they're working her and Avasarala and probs the rest of the crew together next season but still). The Expanse was my favorite TV show by far the first 3 seasons, and as I'd feared when it moved to Amazon it lost something in translation (but gained Avasarala cursing like a drunk sailor every 3 sentences which isn't nothing)… Expand
  4. delta12330
    Dec 24, 2019
    10
    Рад что сериал спасли. Явно видно улучшение графики, персонажей и сюжета в целом.
  5. BossABrisch
    Jul 9, 2020
    0
    I wanted to come here and rate every season before Amazon picked it up. Seasons 1 2 and 3 were amazing. Flawless. Perfect balance of action, drama, storyline build up, and character development. Season 4 was meh. Same actors but felt like a different show...not the expanse that I loved.
  6. Bringo69
    Dec 30, 2019
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I just want to second everything Isargent has said their review here, season 4 is a massive letdown for this series. How can the f**** up such an amazing series i don’t understand. The whole vibe and feeling of what made the first 3 seasons amazing is home and what’s left is a mediocre and boring narrative.… Expand
  7. lsargent
    Dec 22, 2019
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was really surprised at the idiocy of this season and then surprised again when I checked the reviews which was why I had to open an account and write the first ever on-line review in my 40 years of life. I gave it 2 stars due to the fact the same production values were there and the actors did the best they could with the content they were given, but the plot and logic are completely gone in this season. In past seasons, there was the odd logic gap which every science fiction show eventually has and us, as viewers just looking to be entertained for 10 hours, don't often mind.
    However in Season 4, NOTHING MAKES ANY SENSE!
    -Bobbie learns in previous seasons that Mars isn't any better than anyone else and constantly refuses orders, but now she's once again 100% loyal to Mars no matter what happens.
    - Avasarala let the odd f-bomb drop in previous seasons which made the viewer sit up and notice where as in this season, she's turned into a cursing sailor. She was a pivotal, intelligent character in previous seasons who saved Earth despite great personal risk and she has trouble in an election? The election was so tedious and complete waste of time.
    - There is no reasoning given to why there is a blockade at the gate, why they let colony ships just stack up in front of it, why they let the belter station remain in the ring area.
    - Makes no sense why Mars would be decommissioning their warships? As the most "advanced" faction, and after protomolecule and belter alliances and UN shadow governments, AND 1300 new worlds to explore, you would think there would be a massive need more more warships and science ships.
    - After 3 seasons of watching the factions learn somewhat to work together, why isn't there a permanent "UN-Style" location where governments of the UN, OPA, and Mars can communicate and get along? It's like each still operates in a vacuum and nobody knows what the other is doing. You would just think that for all factions, there would be a mutually beneficial great need to cooperate and looking for conflict wouldn't be high on anyone's radar.
    - Amos does nothing in this season, but get shot and beat up and makes him out to be a total incompetent idiot.
    - Naomi is supposed to be the smart one, but she throws logic aside and puts everyone at risk when it's obvious her body can't handle the planet's gravity.
    - The belters and scientists hate living with each other, but on an entire planet, they choose to live in the exact same area...
    - Holden and his ship are sent directly from UN Government, but is treated with zero respect on the planet to the point they are just actively trying to kill him for no particular reason... do they think there would be no consequences?
    - Alex was inconsequential the entire season except you heard him sometimes say "hoss"
    - Holden has cancer and takes anti-cancer drugs on a regular basis and somehow they have trouble figuring out what makes him immune to blindness.
    - The whole season is basically the show's "heros" stuck on a planet for no good reason, helping a few settlers which are (in the scheme of the show) not important. After 1300 new words are available, this is best course of action? Mediation 101?
    - One thing I also found puzzling with this show is the ship design... other shows... Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar -- they all had ships which had sleek, inventive designs which helps develop a fondness for these vessels along with.... merchandising? Desktop wallpapers? Posters? But ALL SHIPS on this show look exactly the same! They are basically different profiles of tin cans. Some thinner and longer... some longer and thicker... and the biggest ship made by the belters... looks exactly like a tin can. Can you pick out a Mars ship and what makes it different than a UN ship? There's a huge opportunity missed here with ship design... I've played video games in the past with much better ideas. Given this dumb decision, every space battle looks very similar and you can't make out who's who.
    - And as a broader critique of this whole idea (haven't read the books, but I will now), in the future there is ZERO possible chance that the United States/China/Russia or any other powerful nation would ever agree to be ruled by the United Nations. (part of suspension of disbelief)    … Expand
  8. mortendynamo
    Jan 1, 2020
    4
    A total **** of charter development that does not make any sense. It should have stopped at season 3. This is just waste of time.
  9. bronzeager
    Dec 18, 2019
    9
    Make sure to stick with this...I was really let down by the first four episodes, after the flashy, epic Seasons 2 and 3. But the drama builds and the storylines all become more complex, and the second half of the season is absolutely top tier material. You can also see the increased budget from Amazon in a lot of little details of the show...the Roci looks a bit more lived in, space looksMake sure to stick with this...I was really let down by the first four episodes, after the flashy, epic Seasons 2 and 3. But the drama builds and the storylines all become more complex, and the second half of the season is absolutely top tier material. You can also see the increased budget from Amazon in a lot of little details of the show...the Roci looks a bit more lived in, space looks a bit cooler, etc.. and the characters still manage to surprise you, even after all they've been through.… Expand
  10. utfriar
    Dec 22, 2019
    10
    Fantastic season. I was worried with the transition to Amazon that something might have been lost, but I am overjoyed that my fears were unwarranted. This series is the best science fiction since the remake of Battlestar Galactica. The cast and crew have done amazing work and my family and I are simply thankful for their passion to bring this series to our television …
  11. iLirian
    Jan 7, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It was a good season, overall. But some book characters didn't get an interesting transition into the show.
    Elvi Okoye's story was cut down to make space for Avasarala, who didn't appear in the fourth book, and was boringly brought into the show's fourth season.
    What was greatly done, was the introduction of Marco Inaros, and the death of Ashford.    … Expand
  12. Nathonas
    Jan 4, 2020
    9
    Another great season from the best sci-fi show. Perhaps not as strong and epic as seasons 2 and 3 with the storylines taking a long time to get interesting but still good. The additional budget from Amazon is quite noticable.
  13. Eisenhart
    Dec 14, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great season overall! Worthy addition to the series. :)

    Just wish they could have included the Havelock arcs but that's pretty much my only gripe.    … Expand
  14. Poochingus
    Jan 4, 2020
    8
    An intelligent cooling off after season 3. Many shows, games and films seem to lose sight by going further each time. I was afraid that the rings would make this into some really crap version of stargate. Thankfully, tons of wacky aliens were not introduced, and the stakes were kept high and tense without adding in anything crazier than we have yet seen in some regards.

    The conflict    An intelligent cooling off after season 3. Many shows, games and films seem to lose sight by going further each time. I was afraid that the rings would make this into some really crap version of stargate. Thankfully, tons of wacky aliens were not introduced, and the stakes were kept high and tense without adding in anything crazier than we have yet seen in some regards.

    The conflict between the 3 factions is seemingly cooled off, but things are different now, there is great change in each faction, and division within them all. Earth seems like it might realize it has been holier than thou, mars may give up on the hope of mars, and many belters seem to have lost their fangs, while trying to find a home among the stars, while finally gaining respect, but maybe not as much as some would want, while others don't want it all.

    New characters were introduced in a healthy way, some of which we knew existed, but are finally meeting.

    At this point many shows would try to make people act differently, but thankfully the crew are acting the same. Holden is still Holden, finally knowing where he stands. Amos proved to be my secret favorite, and he holds true, being brutal, but fair, simple, but great with getting the job done. Alex had a great interaction with a potential love interest, whose life reflected his own, perhaps the most underrated aspect of the whole season.

    While I didn't like the slug thing, it made for better plot than the tired trope that shows with stranded people get or petting fighting among factions(star gate universe and Lost come to mind). And thankfully it resolved, in a way, without anyone from the main cast coming up with the solution, which felt good to see.

    We said some goodbyes, but in the end, it set up for a lot of stuff in season 5. And while it wasn't easy, this season did what it needed to do, keep some action going, but also let things cool off, shuffle the board, and set up for another big change. And we know exactly how the S*** it going to hit fan, but the real question is, what will the fallout be, and how will the solar system adapt to what is about to happen, and even further, can it be stopped, or undone?

    I get why this season won't be seen as so exciting, but if it were, thing would have started to seem like the show was trying too hard to one up itself.    … Expand
  15. AWESOM-0
    Jan 1, 2020
    10
    First off let me say that I love the novels. The show, like every adaption will never be as good as the books. However, this show in its own way is amazing. A lot of people have this as the worst of the 8 novels, I like the book a lot and I feel they did a great job adapting it for tv. To me, book 5 starts the best part of the series and continues as it gets better and better right up tillFirst off let me say that I love the novels. The show, like every adaption will never be as good as the books. However, this show in its own way is amazing. A lot of people have this as the worst of the 8 novels, I like the book a lot and I feel they did a great job adapting it for tv. To me, book 5 starts the best part of the series and continues as it gets better and better right up till the end. I think they are doing a good job setting it up.… Expand
  16. Xizor14
    Dec 13, 2019
    10
    The drastic change of setting and pace really set this season up for success, which it handily achieves. Amazing performances from Dominique Tipper as Naomi across the board. New characters added to the mix really change the plot direction. In addition, the show has never looked better as the production value has ramped up.
  17. CamdalfTheWhite
    Dec 16, 2019
    10
    Made an account just to rate this season. absolutely phenomenal. Loved every episode start to finish
  18. skvbgf44
    Dec 19, 2019
    10
    Amazing story, amazing series, amazing characters and ofc amazing effects, again amazing season! 10/10 100/100!!!!
  19. philipvpham
    Dec 16, 2019
    10
    Everything has improved this season which is crazy considering the quality of season 3. nest scifi show on right now
  20. ilap
    Dec 15, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The 4th season was as good as ever. VFX was great, Roci's crew was badass, Bobby was a trooper, Avasarala"s arc was a bit slow. Over all can't wait for the 5th!… Expand
  21. davlon
    Dec 15, 2019
    10
    This show just gets better and better! - it was so sad to see Dark Matter cancelled, but Expanse has filled the void, not an easy feat - well done everyone...
  22. echoegami
    Dec 16, 2019
    10
    The writing, the acting, the stories, the characters... all fantastic. This is the kind of hard SF I've been waiting a long time to see. Top to bottom, inside and out, it's brilliant. Best TV out there right now.
  23. giodonaire
    Dec 14, 2019
    10
    una serie maravillosa, lo mejor que hay hoy x hoy en cuanto a ciencia ficción espacial, cada temporada solo hacen subir el liston, netflix se equivoco enormemente al dejar ir a esta serie y gracias a amazon por revivirla
  24. diex
    Dec 30, 2019
    10
    one of the best, no doubt about it. its great that amazon prime have taken in its hands
  25. davifelipeso
    Dec 15, 2019
    10
    O seriado vem evoluindo desde a sua primeira temporada, foi ousada na terceira e agora temos uma excelente continuação na quarta. Para um fã que assiste apenas o seriado, saira contente no final. Não conheço os livro, mas espero grandes coisas para The Expanse.
  26. GhostKey911
    Dec 17, 2019
    10
    My favourite book from the series, done perfect justice. I love how faithful the show has been to its source material.
  27. rykama
    Jan 2, 2020
    7
    I remember when I found out that Amazon was going to renew this show and the joy that came with finding out. They certainly did not disappoint at all. Well acted, beautiful set designs and CGI, although in some episodes they're hiding behind plastic bins from gunfire. The roles didn't feel tired or too far deep into identity politics. It was a pleasure to watch and I look forward to whatI remember when I found out that Amazon was going to renew this show and the joy that came with finding out. They certainly did not disappoint at all. Well acted, beautiful set designs and CGI, although in some episodes they're hiding behind plastic bins from gunfire. The roles didn't feel tired or too far deep into identity politics. It was a pleasure to watch and I look forward to what comes next.… Expand
  28. tmazz
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazon picked up a real gem when they saved The Expanse from cancellation. The show is smart with a brilliantly developed universe and set of characters. If you love science fiction it's a no-brainer. And if you don't love scifi, this show will make you a fan.… Expand
  29. cramseyLA25
    Dec 25, 2019
    9
    Few shows get better as they go, at least in my opinion. I feel this is one of those. I felt like I had to force myself to watch the first few episodes of season 1 but now I can't get enough of it.
  30. SimboTheKing
    Feb 5, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I wasn't such a huge fan of this season unfortunately. This is largely due to the Nancy Gao-Avasarala, and Bobby Draper sub-plots. I understand that they set up future storylines but they're just so boring and contain some truly tiring stories. It kinda reminds of early season one where the pacing is a bit off and they're just trying to set up plotlines. The only difference is that in season 1 this was confined to 3 or 4 episodes whereas, in this season, it goes th WHOLE way through.

    Everything on New Terra and the Marcos Inaros storyline was the same old expanse that I know and love. But having like half of the plots for this season be a bit of a grind to get through means I can't really give it a truly great score. I know that I like next season though so I would advise that if anyone else feels like me they don't let one (slightly) worse season prevent you from finishing such a fantastic show.    … Expand
  31. movingpictures
    May 3, 2020
    8
    Expanse peaked at Season 3. Four is also excellent and well worth watching. Still high enough quality to make you excited for future seasons. I love how each season has its own theme and vibe. The show is constantly reinventing itself and that is a very good thing :)
  32. cylun
    Feb 4, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Personally, I see season 4 as the weakest season of the whole show. The whole story pacing is decelerated in this outer star system without a good reason. The whole sub conflict between Holden's crew and Murtry doesn't seem authentic or natural. It has a manufactured taste to it like it is only plot armor because they needed to fill a whole season. It doesn't seem to influence the character arcs of Holden's crew either. It has no overall significance to the whole plot except for a minor discussion during the election campaign on Earth. The story around Bobbie Draper gives a good contrast to this lethargic process in the outer system. Unfortunately, her character isn't told in a consistent and authentic way. At least, it doesn't fill its full potential. Bobbie's complete shift in moral has a manufactured taste to it. The story doesn't thoroughly show why her morals should change and change back. It could have been told differently in such a way that Bobbie's suspicion is her main drive to get into the black market crew and not the need for a job or for money - as it is communicated in various scenes. This would have been a more authentic way to lead into the next season as well. These two issues define this season and fortunately solely this season. This is why I can not agree that it reaches any of the other seasons' quality.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Dec 13, 2019
    90
    Complicated as this set-up might read, the sheer gorgeousness of “The Expense” goes quite a distance toward shoring up a person’s commitment to it, as do the performances. ... A heavily serialized show like this one will never be easily accessible to newcomers who drop into mid-voyage. Ergo, to say that this previous description provides all you need to know to get up to speed is not quite accurate. But it does help that these new episodes reconfigure the grid a bit and simplify the plot.
    Read full review
  2. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Steve Greene
    Dec 13, 2019
    91
    Continuing the tradition of thoughtfully outlining a system-wide conflict while following through a portal to countless untold problems, “The Expanse” is an evolving text that an increased sense of scale has only made richer.
    Read full review
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Zack Handlen
    Dec 9, 2019
    91
    Minor misgivings aside, it’s a relief to have a new season of The Expanse to get lost in. The show is still one of the best science fiction series out there, and it appears to have made the move to streaming with minimal compromises.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »