What The Expanse season 5 clues can be gleaned from the corresponding book title? The Expanse's fourth season marked the first tentative steps into a new world, both in terms of the Rocinante's exploration of Ilus and the show's real life debut on Amazon Prime after a brush with cancellation. With the finale setting up a major new villain in Marco Inaros, The Expanse's fifth season could potentially be the strongest yet, and if the established pattern of adapting one novel per season remains intact, the next run of episode will cover material from Nemesis Games.
When it comes to book titles, James S.A. Corey (the joint name of The Expanse's two authors) is well-known for delving into mythology for inspiration, resulting in titles that can seem vague for those who aren't up to date with their legends, biblical references and Shakespeare. Nevertheless, each Expanse book title is relevant to events or characters in the story itself. For example, Caliban's War (book 2 in the series) is a nod to The Tempest that connects to The Expanse's Protomolecule Hybrids, while Cibola Burn (the basis for season 4) compares the newfound planet of Ilus to the fabled Seven Cities of Gold in Spanish myth.
Nemesis Games is no different and the title's mythological allusions can provide some hints as to what The Expanse season 5 might have in store. On a surface level, "nemesis" is a fitting word considering the rise of Marco Inaros, but the title's meaning harks back to the etymology of the word itself. Nemesis was the ancient Greek goddess of retribution and revenge. Her job was to visit those whose arrogance and pride had insulted the Gods and dish out some divine justice against those sins. Other interpretations portray Nemesis as a more karmic figure, rewarding and punishing in equal measure depending on what the recipient deserved. Nemesis' purpose as a character within Greek mythology is to highlight how actions, good or bad, have inevitable repercussions.
Once again, the meaning of "Nemesis Games" appears to orbit around the new character of Marco Inaros, who is the "Nemesis" of The Expanse season 5 both in the modern and mythology meanings of the term. As a former member of the OPA and now the leader of the Free Navy, Marco's mission is to punish the dual powerhouses of Earth and Mars, who he believes have long acted in hubris and now deserve harsh retribution. Fulfilling the same role as the Greek goddess, Marco is the self-appointed Nemesis of the Sol system, enacting punishment upon those who deserve it. The Greeks would honor Nemesis (and many others) in their Olympic Games, which perhaps informs the remainder of the Nemesis Games title - the upcoming battle between the Free Navy and the Inners will be a deadly, futuristic competition. Probably without the rubbish mascots and corporate sponsorship though.
However, there is another way of interpreting the Nemesis Games title. Although Marco may see himself as the bringer of retribution, he isn't far from being the same tyrannical leader he so despises. As is so often the case in reality, those who claim to champion the oppressed often end up doing the oppressing. Consequently, the real "Nemesis" could actually be Holden and the Rocinante crew, tasked with bringing justice to an arrogant and prideful Marco. Either way, Nemesis Games certainly makes clear the purpose of Marco Inaros' mission and establishes him a central part of The Expanse season 5, while drawing a natural opposition between him and James Holden.
The Expanse season 5 is currently without a release date.