At long last, The Expanse season 3 is nearly upon us. The new season kicks off Wednesday, April 11, and judging by the tingling vibrations from the social media reactions, it’s a development worth celebrating.
As we look toward a new season, I’m taking a look back at season 2 and some of the questions I’m interested in seeing answered in season 3. They may not be THE questions everyone else is interested in, but I’m a quirky type that likes to cut his own trail. That sounded too rustic, but you get the point. So, without further silliness — my Top 6 Questions about The Expanse for season 3.
Question 1: Will the trio of Cotyar, Chrisjen Alvasarala and Bobbie Draper continue their interesting and entertaining run as the three musketeers? I’m hoping so because as the season ended, I really enjoyed the vibe this trio brought to the story and the screen. Bobbie and Cotyar were a delight as they prodded each other in wonderfully passive-aggressive ways while making each other’s acquaintance.
Frankie Adams as Bobbie Draper — (Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
That pair demonstrated a nice bit of antagonism while also delivering the flickering light of mutual respect for each other while doing the dance around this burgeoning relationship. My feeling is that these two could be a dynamic duo that proves resourceful and effective for Chrisjen as she navigates a world that seems completely intent on going to war. And besides, Errinwright needs killing, so go get him with these two.
My hope is that this threesome gets some run during season 3. There’s a ton of potential with this group — to raise some hell and get some things accomplished. Here’s my plea to the showrunners, writers and actors — let this trio of fine actors do their stuff. I liked this crew by season’s end.
Question No. 2: What’s going on with the Venus Protomolecule build and how do Joe Miller and Julie Mao figure into it? I may be whistling in the breeze here, but I can’t escape the feeling that the Mao-Miller love-athon isn’t quite over yet. My hope is that the Protomolecule will resurrect them in some sort of green-tinted, highly-developed new life form that brings our dynamic lovebirds back.
I’ve spent a decent amount of time on Twitter pushing the “Save Joe Miller” tagline and though it doesn’t look good, I”m not about to give in. For me, the dream lives on and we will see Miller return in some form. So that leads us to wonder what is being built/developed on Venus via the Protomolecule. Perhaps a honeymoon estate for Mao and Miller? No, that’s just the romantic in me hoping against hope that my dream becomes realized. No, what is going on with that planet? What might the protomolecule be up to and what might it be capable of in the future?
Personally, I look forward to seeing what the future of Venus is and how it will impact Earth, Mars and The Belt. I’m hoping (guessing, really) that Venus will have a part to play in the greater protomolecule world. Will it be the instrument of peace and cooperation, or the tinder with which war rages?
(l-r) Dominique Tipper as Naomi Nagata, Wes Chatham as Amos Burton — (Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Question 3: What’s up with Mei Ming and the new planetary science complex she’s been transported to? Wow, there’s so many questions regarding Mei and the other children. Of course, you can’t wonder about Mei without wondering what the hell Dr. Strickland is up to and just how many secret science bases are hidden in and around this part of the galaxy. And they’re fully staffed. How is that happening?
Anyway, back to the issue at hand. How does Mei figure into Strickland’s work with the protomolecule and to what end? Given the trailer we’ve seen for the new season, it appears we get a little bit of Mei screaming in terror or pain while being confined in some sort of smallish area. We haven’t seen a ton of Mei thus far, but given the cold and science-infused calculating nature of Dr. Strickland and his associates, I worry for the young lady.
Is Strickland developing a protomolecule-infused fighting force that will be used by one of the antagonists in the coming war? Is there another entity that hasn’t made its presence known yet that may play a part in whatever is going on? It couldn’t just be Strickland going off on his own looking to that next step in human evolution — with a protomolecule DNA update?
I don’t know what it is, but I’m looking forward to The Expanse delving into the secret facility, Mei’s purpose and Dr. Strickland’s ultimate plans in more detail. And then I’m hoping Mei’s father puts a piece of pipe through Strickland’s sternum as he says something completely out of character but incredibly witty. I think that would be a highlight.
(l-r) Wes Chatham as Amos Burton, Steven Strait as Earther James Holden — (Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Question 4: Will Amos and Dr. Meng continue to build on their relationship? Maybe this will lead to nothing, but I thought the last few weeks of season 2 saw an interesting dynamic between Dr. Meng and Amos. Amos has always been more of a blunt instrument in the overall scheme of things, but we saw some other sides of him develop and I believe Dr. Meng has a lot to do with that.
By the end of the season, Amos seemed to be on a bit of walkabout in self-discovery mode. Again, these two are very mismatched on the surface, but as the season’s final episodes went on, there was some interesting interplay between the two. Amos was a little deeper than we’d assumed and Dr. Meng was a patient and encouraging guide even as he was pained by Mei’s kidnapping.
Anyway, it may amount to nothing, but I thought the pair were good together. Hope it can continue.
Question 5: Can Naomi and Holden keep their relationship together? Let’s be honest, this couple has hit some rough patches in the past and they both have strong personalities, but it seemed they had found some solid ground to anchor the relationship on as the season went along. Then, Naomi didn’t destroy the rocket in the asteroid field and things kind of went a little sideways bit by bit from there. The capper was when she admitted to Holden she hadn’t destroyed it and had given the protomolecule to the Belt. Ouch!
Now that’s a bit of betrayal that may not be so easy to forget for our good captain moving forward. I can still remember his look from the season 2 finale. It was not a look of calm acceptance and forgiveness. And while I’m not sure Naomi cares, it was a stark reminder that there are still questions about where each of their ultimate loyalties lie – Earth or Belt?
I’m very curious to see where the Holden-Nagata relationship goes in season 3, and if it goes. If the trailer is to be believed, war is coming and there will be plenty of time to choose up sides. Could our young space-hopping couple find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict and discover the rift that emerged in season 2 has become a chasm they can’t get across?
Pictured: Adam Savage as Tech #5 — (Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
I love a good love story, but I’m not sure we’re going to see one in season 3. This should be interesting.
Question 6: The Anderson Dawes question. So, Earth, Mars, and The Belt all have the protomolecule and will no doubt leverage that in some way in season 3. But Dawes made off with a scientist that worked with the substance and, outside of Dr. Strickland, may have the most knowledge of it. How will Dawes insert himself into the equation?
Fred Johnson ostensibly represents The Belter’s interests, but I’m not sure Dawes is fully buying that scenario. Does Dawes become the fourth spoke in the protomolecule wheel? Does he do something irresponsible with it? Will he get a seat at the table if and when negotiations begin? Can he align with Fred Johnson when the time comes or does he have another agenda?
I thought Dawes was a very interesting and engaging character, one I hope we see again liberally in season 3. There was a calm menace about the character that spoke to past hurts and a desire to exact a toll for those. He’s for The Belt, no doubt, but there’s something else flirting around inside Anderson Dawes. I’m curious to know what.
Let’s be honest, those are just a few of the many questions and storylines swirling in our craniums as we head toward the start of season 3 of The Expanse. Fortunately for fans, the wait is nearly over, but the anticipation of where the show will head during its next installment is almost palpable amongst fans. War is brewing, the protomolecule now seems to be everywhere, and the players in this space drama will almost certainly find themselves in strange and exciting adventures. I’m ready. How about you?
Follow The Expanse on these social media sites: Facebook and on Twitter @ExpanseSyfy.
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