The Expanse

:

Season 5
Season #: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 79
  3. Negative: 15 out of 79
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User Reviews

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  1. Babaman
    Dec 17, 2020
    10
    The best sci-fi series of all time. And Amos is an incredible character! I recommend everyone to see this series, it's worth it. A fantastic series, I hope the specialized critics realize it!
  2. onurcan
    Jan 11, 2021
    9
    Going great so far, much better than Season 4, and close to the quality of the first 3 seasons. I only wish that Inaros drama wasn't so time consuming in the show time.
  3. cylun
    Feb 4, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's one of the better seasons of this show without a doubt. The acting keeps impressing for the most parts, especially for Naomi's character (Dominique Tipper). However, Holden's character and acting don't appear to progress. He keeps his incompassionate attitude, even towards Naomi. It might be justified by the sacrifices but we don't get to see any progress. I'm more impressed as we get to understand more of Amos's arc and background story and why he is as messed up but straight-forward as he used to be in previous seasons. Chrisjen's arc and subplot are thrilling as well. The viewer really feels her struggle and drive. The writers play with ambiguous character attributes and motivations where appropriate, giving the viewer room for interpretation and narrowing it down sufficiently to justify character consequences and plot consequences. Obviously, credit should also go to the book and RPG writers, but this adaptation keeps surprising me in a positive way (after a lamely-paced season 4). I would give it more points if there wasn't this one thing. Cas Anvar hasn't done anything legally offensive. It's a shame how the producers treated him. I think he deserved more fairness. Especially his character (Alex Kamal) deserved better. His write off appears completely manufactured.… Expand
  4. Costs1129
    Dec 16, 2020
    10
    So far ... amazing! If they keep this pacing up for the last 2 episodes of the season, we will be looking at another slam dunk! What a heck of a cliffhanger too.
  5. mPayne980
    Dec 28, 2020
    10
    I hope that they will not stop with season 6.
    Amazing show. Thinking about going for another round from season 1.
  6. c300g97
    Dec 26, 2020
    10
    This is the only show that keeps me on the edge of the seat , every episode!
    I loved every second of it, just like i did with Mandalorian, but this time around there are no filler episodes, the story grows with each episode and the viewer can't catch a break!
  7. shoulderoforion
    Dec 23, 2020
    10
    So far leaps and bounds better than season 4, so much more space, so much more character interplay, hooray! I think The Expanse is returning to form after a personally disappointing 4th season. Hate that I can't binge it all at once, and after this first 3 ep dump, it'll be a drip drip drip weekly watch, but it's quality scifi, and I love it.
  8. SevenThunders
    Feb 17, 2021
    10
    This season the cast separates into several interesting adventures, further developing their relationship. It's about tragedy, hope, terrorism and a hair raising finale that will leave you wanting for more. Nice work.
  9. puna
    Feb 14, 2021
    10
    Another amazing sci fi show from Toronto, Canada. Could be their best season yet.
  10. SimboTheKing
    Feb 4, 2021
    10
    Another fantastic season from the expanse. Every time this show breaks up before a new season i somehow convince myself that maybe I'm overhyping it. As soon as a new season starts I immediately change my mind again.

    I've heard the criticism that this season focuses too much on family drama and politics but I point to game of thrones as a case study in what happens when you prioritise    Another fantastic season from the expanse. Every time this show breaks up before a new season i somehow convince myself that maybe I'm overhyping it. As soon as a new season starts I immediately change my mind again.

    I've heard the criticism that this season focuses too much on family drama and politics but I point to game of thrones as a case study in what happens when you prioritise events over character development. Whilst this season has a slower pace, it still masterfully weaves an intricate and engaging story. The Expanse's charms go beyond just the plot though, the acting (especially Dominique Tipper this season) is fantastic. In fact I'd say the trifecta of Marcos Inaros, Filip Inaros and Naomi were my favourite aspect of this season. The rest of the characters are similarly interesting and engaging though and I just love the complexity of the show. Everything feels so meticulously planned and foreshadowed and its a joy to watch.

    I think the only aspect of this season i didn't like was Alex's death. However, given the nature of the accusations against Cas Anwar I'm more than willing to give a pass on this.    … Expand
  11. AWESOM-0
    Feb 7, 2021
    10
    One of my favorite books turned into a fantastic season. Well done, and I hope somewhere down the line things change and seasons 7-9 get done.
  12. professorbt
    Dec 29, 2020
    10
    The plot, pacing, acting, direction, production values exceed the already excellent season 4; perhaps the best season of a sci-fi series ever made.
  13. Qgal5kap
    Mar 18, 2021
    10
    It's absolutely fantastic! I can't wait for the next season. This show is the best current sci-fi series available. From my perspective it might even be the best series overall, disregarding category.
  14. Ithilfaen
    Feb 16, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not the best season but definitely a step up from most of season 4.
    It seems most of the bad reviews here are about politics or some misguided notion of what scifi should be (Science fiction bringing current issues, social and political, to a futuristic setting is as old as the genre itself; in fact that's what fantasy and science fiction were created for)
    Much much less Holden and proto molecule drama makes for a season that takes more time exploring secondary characters like Amos or Naomi, to great effect.
    My biggest issues with the season have to do with the changes made between seasons to accommodate the decision to make season 6 the last one. Namely, the brilliantly plotted and devastating attack on earth by Marco Inaros has been rendered pretty much toothless because they didn't need Earth uninhabitable to move the plot past the ring so they turned into some uber-9/11, which takes away from it all.
    My other issue is not enough Avasarala. Her scenes saved season 4 and sadly, they don't really know what to do with the character at this point with the changes to the storyline, which is a shame.

    Best scifi show ever? Not by a long shot. Best one on tv right now? You bet your skinny, copaing!    … Expand
  15. Moviessuck
    Mar 3, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was expecting so much more out of season 5. It reminds me of Walking Dead where there are long boring parts mixed with moments of intense excitement. This does create some great payoffs but I literally got bored of watching the show during the second half. Luckily I slugged through to a decent payoff I was just expecting more you know...expanse this season. Oh well. Season 6 looks to be setup to be pretty interesting so hoping for better next time.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Steve Greene
    Dec 16, 2020
    83
    Even with the protomolecule saga relatively sidelined this season, “The Expanse” draws so much strength from exposing how fragile an expansive society like this is.
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  2. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Dec 16, 2020
    80
    The Expanse’s complexity risks turning off the casual viewer. Yet its portrayal of a multi-faceted and morally ambiguous future brimming with dozens of heroes and villains remains a stunning achievement. For those prepared to commit the necessary time and attention, it’s an absolute blast.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Dec 15, 2020
    70
    If you can look past some wooden dialogue and stiff acting, however, the new season might be the show’s best as an adventure-drama delivery system — the creators have only gotten better at pacing and packaging a taut conspiracy thriller over 10 weeks.
    Read full review
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