The Expanse is a great example of a series that is canceled by the traditional networks, only to continue living under the umbrella of one of the many streaming services. With Amazon at its back, the show recently completed its fourth season, and a fifth is on the way. Perhaps the networks have underestimated the viewing public's appetite for good science fiction.
Currently weighing in at 46 episodes, the series is generally well regarded by audiences and critics. But even on a really good show, some episodes are going to be better than others. Here are the ten episodes the good folks at IMDB have deemed the best.
Dandelion Sky (9)
This episode finds Holden traveling towards the center of the pocket dimension as more is revealed about the nature of the Protomolocule. The Investigator turns out to be nothing more than a mental construct in Holden's mind trying to fulfill the Protomolocule's goal of discovering the fate of an ancient civilization. From its point of view, we see the past and future.
Meanwhile, Clarissa Mao faces the possibility of exposure by someone from her past; and Bobbie joins forces with a Martian team to follow Holden. A tense episode that hints at larger revelations to come.
Congregation (9)
Two episodes later, Holden is declared insane and is locked in a cell by the OPA along with Mao. It is revealed that the mysterious race that created the Protomolocule and the Rings were wiped out. They used the rings to destroy planetary systems in an attempt to save themselves
At the end of the episode, the Ring prepares to annihilate the entire solar system. Earth and Mars disable the Ring, but seemingly at the cost of stranding everyone currently inside. The penultimate episode of season 3, Congregation ends with one hell of a cliffhanger.
Displacement (9)
The sixth episode of the fourth season finds our protagonists bracing for disaster. A massive explosion on the planet Ilus has set off a chain reaction that will decimate the continent The Belters are currently settled on. Attempts to evacuate are hindered when the explosion triggers the planet's defense system, and Holden and The Belters are forced to instead seek refuge in an alien structure.
Meanwhile, tension builds between Holden and Murty over the right course of action. Bobbie joins a heist that goes wrong when it turns out their inside man has the wrong information, and are unable to get past a security door.
It Reaches Out (9.2)
After hallucinating his old friend Miller, Holden continually scans himself for any sign of brain damage from the Protomolocule but finds nothing. The Miller hallucination continues to appear to Holden when he is alone and speaks only nonsense. Eventually, the vision reveals that both he and Holden are tools to help, "It," get to the Ring.
Melba destroys a ship and frames Holden for the destruction of a ship, prompting the OPA to fire on the Rocinante. The ship manages to enter the ring just in time to avoid destruction.
Cibola Burn (9.2)
The season four finale of The Expanse see's the stakes set suitably high. While the crew of The Rocinante does their best to help rebuild life on Illus, while Ashford hunts down Inaros. On earth, Avasarala sees all her efforts come to naught as she loses the election for Secretary-General to Nancy Gao. By the end of the episode, Ashford is dead, and a cluster of asteroids cloaked with stolen Martian stealth technology is hurtling toward Earth. It seems that Ashford managed to record the conversation in his last moments and transmitted it to parties unknown. Talk about a cliffhanger.
Saeculum (9.4)
In the penultimate episode of season four, Miller and Holden desperately try to avert the destruction of Illus. Meanwhile, Murty puts his endgame into motion. He first attempts to blow up The Roccinante by launching a weaponized shuttle at it. Accompanied by Wei, he then attempts to kill Holden; with Wei being killed by a reluctant Amos. Miller plans to end his tortured existence by integrating himself into the technological network on Illus and then deactivating it.
This episode sees the deaths of two major characters, and emotions run high throughout.
Home (9.5)
With the Protomolocule-corrupted Eros Station on a collision course with earth, Miller and The Rocinante crew desperately try to stop it. Earth launches a barrage of nuclear missiles in an attempt to blow it up, but fail. Inside the station, Miller makes the shocking discovery that some semblance of Julie Mao's consciousness has survived, and is affecting the Protomolocule. In an act of self-sacrifice, Miller allows himself to be merged with the molecule to steer it away from Earth.
An emotional episode that answers some questions while also posing entirely new ones.
Triple Point (9.5)
Onboard the Agatha King, Souther and his men attempt a mutiny against Admiral Nguyen, but they are all killed. Nguyen attempts to force Mao to turn over monsters created by the Protomolecule over to him. By episode's end, the Admiral is wounded and launches missiles containing the infectious monsters.
This episode moves at a brisk pace, with events developing rapidly right up until the end. For many shows, this would be a season finale. For The Expanse, it's just another in a long string of great episodes. Things only get crazier from here.
Immolation (9.5)
This episode sees treachery exposed, and multiple long-running plot threads come to an end. Earth and Mars continue their war, while Errinwright is finally revealed as a traitor. The missiles are destroyed, and at the very end it the Protomolecule launches a giant structure from the surface of Venus.
Interestingly, this episode came out around the time it was announced that Syfy was canceling the show. Given the heights the show has continued to reach, perhaps giving it the ax was a shortsighted move? Their loss is Amazon Video's gain, it would seem.
Abaddon's Gate (9.5)
This episode is the point where everything changes. The status quo is permanently altered. After spending the first three seasons in our cosmic backyard, the season three finale ends with Humanity gaining access to hundreds of habitable worlds. All of this may or may not have been a part of the Protomolecule's plan. Either way, exciting times are ahead, and nothing will ever be the same.
Abaddon's Gate earns the top spot on IMDB by being the episode that redefines the series going forward. So far, it seems to have done so for the better. With a fifth season on the way, time will tell if this episode can be topped.