"The Expanse" Assured Destruction (TV Episode 2018) Poster

(TV Series)

(2018)

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10/10
The Ability to Talk Out of Both Sides of Your Mouth
Hitchcoc18 January 2020
Iago (I mean Errenwright) and his minions are slowly ramping up the war. He makes Hitler look like a choirboy. The fact is that his big talk is embraced by so many. This is happening in our country today. Anyway, he talks the Secretary General into all kinds of dangerous actions. There is more clashing going on on board the ships and the earth seems to have the foothold right now.
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7/10
Would have been a 10, but for Reverend Dr Volovodov.
petercyberstrength4 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"Assured Destruction" is a thrilling and thought-provoking episode that continues the series' exploration of complex themes such as power, politics, and morality.

The episode opens with a tense conversation between the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Chrisjen Avasarala, and Admiral Souther, the commander of the UNN flagship, the Agatha King. The two are discussing the possibility of a war between Earth and Mars, and the Admiral is adamant that the Martian government is responsible for recent attacks on UN ships. Avasarala, however, is more cautious and suspects that there may be other forces at play.

Meanwhile, the crew of the Rocinante is still dealing with the aftermath of their recent battle with the protomolecule-infected Eros station. Holden, the ship's captain, is struggling with the guilt of having destroyed the station, knowing that there were still people on board. His crewmates try to reassure him that he did what he had to do, but he remains haunted by his decision.

As the episode progresses, tensions between Earth and Mars escalate, with both sides preparing for war. Avasarala continues to investigate the attacks, and with the help of a Martian defector, she discovers that the true culprits are a group of rogue Martian soldiers who have been working with a radical faction on Earth. The revelation that both governments have been misled leads to a tense confrontation between Avasarala and the Secretary-General, as she tries to convince him to stand down before it's too late.

One of the standout aspects of this episode is the way it explores the complex political landscape of The Expanse universe. The show has always been interested in examining the ways in which power operates, and this episode is no exception. We see how governments and militaries can be manipulated by small groups with their own agendas, and how even the most well-intentioned leaders can make catastrophic mistakes. The tension between Avasarala and the Secretary-General is particularly fascinating, as we see the contrast between her experience and expertise, and his more idealistic and naive approach.

Another strength of this episode is the way it continues to develop the characters and their relationships. Holden's guilt over the destruction of Eros is a particularly affecting storyline, as we see how his actions have affected him deeply. The scene where his crewmates try to comfort him is a testament to the strong bonds between them, and serves as a reminder of the emotional depth that this show is capable of.

The episode also introduces a new character, Dr. Strickland, a scientist working on the protomolecule for the sinister corporation known as Protogen. He is an intriguing addition to the cast, and his scenes hint at the larger role that the protomolecule will play in the series' overarching plot.

I would have given this episode a 10, if it weren't for the annoying, irrelevant and pointless character, the rather bombastically named Reverend Doctor Volovodov. Why is she there? Her input seems at odds with the ongoing narrative.

In spite of this glitch, this episode is a thrilling and well-crafted installment in the series. It continues to explore the complex themes and nuanced characters that have made the show so compelling, while also introducing new plotlines and characters that hint at even more excitement to come. Fans of science fiction, political dramas, and character-driven storytelling will find much to enjoy in this episode, and in The Expanse as a whole.
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