THE EXPANSE – 1.03 ‘Remember the Cant’ Miller’s hat & Everyone gets outed!

Holden’s message made it through and Ceres Station is in a kerfuffle. The Earth Corps employees, each prepare in their own way for the mounting tensions. And despite their instructions to remain impartial, everyone is on edge regarding the OPA.

Even with the appearance of OPA leader Anderson Dawes, violence still erupted and Havelock paid the ultimate price. Sometimes all people need to act according to their true nature is an excuse. Dawes called it true when he said “I think that under the ridiculous hat, there is a Belter longing to find his way home.” Which side will Miller land?

Miller is like a dog with a bone. As it turns out the Scopuli was the ship that started this whole distress call mess leading to the Canturbury’s destruction. Julie Mao was on that abandoned ship. He is instructed to leave the matter alone, but it seems Joe isn’t the type of man to give up so soon.

The remaining Canterbury crew is “rescued” and right away we know something isn’t right when Alex is identified differently than the others and is separated. The crew needs to brush up on their team building skills because the Martian’s turned them on each other with ridiculous ease. Most gave it a good college try save Shed, who owned his cowardice like a true champion.

Thanks to some Matrix like magic pills, the MCRN uncovered some curious history.

• Holden is a Dishonorably Discharged Naval Officer with five fathers and three mothers!

•  Naomi is a suspected OPA operative.

• Amos is still an unknown, but is utterly loyal to Naomi.

• Shed faked his medical credentials and fled to Ceres to escape a drug deal gone bad.

• Alex is a former officer and flew with the Mars Navy for twenty years!

Christen back on earth seems to be the only one alarmed regarding the destruction and argues with the leaders on a plan of action. Not to be deterred Christen approaches the Mars Ambassador who is an old acquaintance. Wait! Did he call Christen “Bubbles?” I would love to know the back story on that pet name.

Avasarala proved just how clever she is in playing her old friend Ambassador Frank to find out the truth. Mars isn’t behind the destruction of the Canterbury and now there is an unidentified ship following the Donnager. Who is this mystery player?

Observations & Questions:
• Everyone’s jealous of Miller’s hat. I still feel it is a nod to Blade Runner.

• “Do you like to laugh?” You have to hand it to the Mormons, 200 years later and these guys are still hard at it.

• Did you see the Matrix Move the Martian’s pulled? I want one of those little pills.

• Grey water into wine. Talk about Extreme Recycling!

•  Ambassador Franklin’s words struck a chord with Chrisjen.
“You will do anything to win. Just like your Father…that’s what got him killed. I won’t play with you ever again.”

• With the death of Nightbandit13 it seems that anyone who knew of Julie Mao is now a target.

• I don’t find Naomi’s story of free online tutorials to be particularly believable. She is hiding something, but terrorist? I don’t believe that either.

• Love the little details. Of course Miller would have a cracked screen!