The Expanse 5x10 Reaction
Added 2022-08-28 23:42:59 +0000 UTCsorry this is so late, blame serbia vs turkey.
this is a weird one, we didn't know the actor got fired and they had to do this in post, we read it before the review and that explains why it felt off.
the full one will be up tomorrow
Comments
This episode won the Hugo award 2022: Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form 1) The Expanse: Nemesis Games, written by Daniel Abraham, Ty Franck, and Naren Shankar; directed by Breck Eisner (Amazon Studios)
Metro498
2022-09-20 16:08:43 +0000 UTCHow about Avasarala focusing on his husband's recent death even more than Alex's instead of smiling uncomfortably pure? Edit: Do you remember how Naomi reacted in S3E9, after the Behemoth fired a torpedo on the Rocinante and everyone had good reason to think that Holden and crew on the Roci - Naomi's family - had perished, either by having been blown up by the missile or hitting the wall trying to transit the Ring?
Nonman
2022-08-30 09:04:11 +0000 UTCAgreed. Would have been beautiful, if heartbreaking, if they could have written/filmed around Alex quietly stroking out. Those smiles were uncomfortably pure and Avasarala's "all of us together" speech was in poor taste. She no doubt would have focused on a Martian veteran sacrificing his life for a Belter, and the lost glances would have hit hard. We really deserved that win though. S5 hit hard.
Kevin McDonough
2022-08-30 07:00:30 +0000 UTCSuper minor point but never loose sight of the fact that even with constant thrust it takes XX days going from point to point. just like how Naomi had months(?) to work on her self physically at the begining of S4 before reaching Ilus, so by the time they reached Luna they and Amos had really sat with Alex's fate for a while. (but ya I get what you're saying about those scenes)
hrcaffee
2022-08-30 05:10:53 +0000 UTCI love Naomi so much!!
DrEEsky
2022-08-30 01:30:19 +0000 UTCDoes suck for the character, as Alex is a great character in the books, and continues to be after this point.
Patrick
2022-08-29 23:24:32 +0000 UTCNot to mention his medical display showing a big red blotch in his brain when the alarm was going off. Earlier, when they came out of the high G burn near the Chet, his display was showing a yellow warning spot, while Bobbie's was clear.
Alex Antonio
2022-08-29 18:40:28 +0000 UTCGood point. I’ve deleted that paragraph hoping they haven’t read it yet.
T. Arnold Ferguson
2022-08-29 14:47:37 +0000 UTCCareful with book spoilers, they have said they want to read them (apparently).
Podey Williams
2022-08-29 14:38:31 +0000 UTCHow about telling the reactor exactly what we, fans were told by the showrunners before the release of S5: Cas Anvar won't be in S6, period. Nothing about how they were gonna work that out. It worked perfectly well for me, maybe for some others, too.
Nonman
2022-08-29 14:20:50 +0000 UTCMy girls are basketball fans? I knew there was a reason I love them 😁
Christopher Alexander
2022-08-29 13:23:03 +0000 UTCDon't tell her. The situation is awkward no matter how you slice it. Or maybe give her a note to read after she watches the episode.
Christopher Alexander
2022-08-29 13:01:52 +0000 UTCAgreed across the board, especially on people missing the travel time thing, though to be fair there's a lot happening and the show rarely gives "dates" outside of season premieres.
Pietro Pomella
2022-08-29 11:32:01 +0000 UTCAs far as your comments about the characters not showing much grief after Alex's death, particularly in the scene on Luna: keep in mind that, while the show doesn't specify travel times between scenes, it would have taken weeks, if not months, for the Roci to have made it there, It was obviously enough time for Naomi to have healed. So it's assumed they had time to deal with their grief (unlike us, the viewers). And, yes, S6 is going to be "crammed," but I think you're still going to like it a lot. Don't forget those bonus film shorts called "One Ship" under the X-Ray content of S6,E1-E5. I'm anxious to see your reactions to those, too.
T. Arnold Ferguson
2022-08-29 10:55:45 +0000 UTCAre you proud of us or upset that we didn't spoil Alex's departure from the show? It does kind of ruin this particular episode as you mentioned in your review.
Camzeee
2022-08-29 08:57:23 +0000 UTCI think they tried to add some blood coming out of Alex's nose during the freeze frame, but it's hard to see. I could barely tell when I first saw it. That said, they did do pretty well with what they had. I would've preferred a recast, but this is at least better than killing or removing the character off-screen and having some throwaway line at the beginning of season 6 to explain it. This at least pays tribute to the character even if the actor was awful. Alex Kamal was a complicated man who abandoned his terrestrial family but was instrumental in keeping his space family together through all the ups and downs. Unfortunately it comes right after maybe the most beautiful moment in the season (IMO) where Bobbie saves Naomi. In the book it's written from Naomi's point of view, and you read her thoughts as she's fading out while determined for her last act in life to be warning her friends to stay away from danger. The show adapted it beautifully, including the muffled sound as Bobbie calmly talks her through the process. Naomi's had a hell of a season. Found her son. Reunited with her son. Kidnapped by her son and held captive by her ex. Knocks out her old friend to save the Roci from exploding from a modified version of her old code. Makes some progress in repairing her relationship with her son but ultimately fails. Jumps through space from one ship to another without a suit and unassisted by thrusters. Finds tools on an unfamiliar ship that's been completely stripped down and rigged to blow. Modifies the distress call while dealing with a limited air supply so everyone knows something is weird. Manually rigs a thruster to make the ship spiral so nobody tries to dock. Then throws herself out the airlock again so she can die warning everyone that the ship is a bomb. All before losing a family member. Truly a beacon of resilience.
jveezy
2022-08-29 07:25:47 +0000 UTCIt's definitely interesting to see the difference between reactors who watched it live and knew he was fired and reactors who came in blind later. I'm glad Milena and Lola actually looked it up before talking about it. Others went through the whole review confused and then came back in episode 6x01 to say "okay we understand now and it makes sense why they did it that way". I'm also glad they mentioned how they're glad nobody told them earlier because it would've been distracting during any of the previous scenes with Alex this season (or before). I felt the same way while watching. I think it really just depends person to person. I'd ask your reactor friend if she would prefer any heads up about really awkward and confusing scenes. I kinda like Ken's idea, but maybe leave her a note that says "don't open until you get to the really confusing freeze frame" and in the note just put "Yes he's dead. Cas Anvar was fired for sexual misconduct after filming and they had to kill him off in post" so she doesn't have to pause and Google (which I've heard causes problems for uncut reactions).
jveezy
2022-08-29 06:35:22 +0000 UTCThis is one of the reasons why I think they're taking some time. Finishing the current arc without Alex looked challenging enough, but trying to do the next 3 books without him requires some creative thought and some time to connect all the dots.
jveezy
2022-08-29 06:11:53 +0000 UTCSure, but we weren't with Miller for 5 seasons, like we were with Alex. I agree that Miller was a main character at the time, but it's a different situation because of the length of time. My point was simply that a lot of viewers naturally developed a sense of security with the Roci characters. We saw them get out of so many near death situations, that it almost feels like they'll always find a way. I think Alex's death works well to reminds us that The Expanse doesn't always grant the characters that kind of plot armor, however.
Varun Laks
2022-08-29 04:35:54 +0000 UTCI think the way they handled Alex's death was perfect. With all that happened with Cas Anvar, all of us who followed the show in real time, knew that his death was the most probable way of giving his character an exit. And I for one was completely satisfied with how they brought it about. No fuss, no dramatic build up, just a man stroking out. For all the fantastical things that happens on the show, and the sometimes, impenetrable, plot armour that our main crew comes dressed in, it served as a reminder of how based in reality the universe of the Expanse actually is. How something can just cease to exist in the blink of an eye. Without warning. Much like life.
PongPong31
2022-08-29 04:34:31 +0000 UTCTo me Miller was a main character, my favorite to boot, and they killed him off. Arguably Julie was one, too.
Nonman
2022-08-29 04:22:48 +0000 UTCAlex stroked out.
Gilbert Serrano
2022-08-29 03:56:03 +0000 UTCIf no one’s already told you: season 6 has five extra scenes on Amazon X-Ray (one for episodes 1-5). They each tell a small vignette about a character and I think they’re all excellent, but they’re also incredibly easy to miss! I’d watch them after the credits of each episode.
Joe Tucker
2022-08-29 03:18:07 +0000 UTCI wanted to warn Lola and Milena after 5x9 that something was going to happen, but couldn't think of a good way to do it. Like "Hey, something weird is gonna happen next episode, you'll know it when you see it, just know that the person in question is a huge piece of shit scumbag and they had to handle it in post production so don't worry about it". I figured that'd just make the episode awkward to watch waiting for a weird thing to happen. Maybe just tell her something weird is going to happen, and when it happens pause the episode and google it so it doesn't confuse her for the rest of the episode?
Ken Hendel
2022-08-29 03:01:27 +0000 UTCAs a Texan named Alex with dreams of flying a spaceship, this one hurt a lot
Alex Albano
2022-08-29 02:24:24 +0000 UTCI actually really love the way Naomi's message serves as a graceful a send-off for Alex.
Gillian Rosheuvel
2022-08-29 01:52:11 +0000 UTCJust one little point, Cortázar and the rogue Martians don't go to Ilus. Marco said the name: "Laconia is yours". It's also in the display from Cortázar's video.
Aldo Cassola
2022-08-29 01:33:49 +0000 UTCJust one thing to correct: Cortazar is not on Ilus. He's on the new planet called Laconia that the Martian were going to when they were "atomized" like you said.
MaxVSTheGames
2022-08-29 01:30:17 +0000 UTCI had to watch this battle multiple times before I figured out what exactly is going on.
Jordan
2022-08-29 01:28:39 +0000 UTCit was good, but the out of nowhere death is an ugly smudge on what would've been close to perfect. Fuck Cas Anvar!
John West
2022-08-29 01:28:11 +0000 UTCThank you! I actually am not sure what to do, so I welcome opinions from other fans :) The reason I was considering hinting at it is because in most of the reactions I've watched, the reactors knew about Cas getting fired. They knew before they even started the season, and I didn't feel it compromised the reaction at all. And in the few reactions I've seen that had no idea it would happen, they sense the awkwardness and end up being distracted for the rest of the episode. I wouldn't tell her until she's about to watch season finale. But based on your argument, maybe I won't at all. And like I said, it probably won't matter, cause someone will probably mention it on YouTube and she reads all her comments :D
XanderWhat
2022-08-29 01:14:00 +0000 UTCNow you have seen this episode (I have yet to watch this!!) I am putting in a link to Space Dock's analysis of the space battle between the Roci and Marco's forces because the action happens so fast it is really hard to tell what is happening. Space Dock breaks it down scene by scene and makes it even more breathtaking! Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1AEHK8oQeA
DrEEsky
2022-08-29 01:08:52 +0000 UTCThey actually added CGI blood coming out of Alex nose. It's hard to tell though because of the lighting in that scene.
Lychee
2022-08-29 01:04:06 +0000 UTCI think I'm subscribed to the reactor you're talking about and for what it's worth, I don't think you should mention it. I think there's going to be a bit of awkwardness regardless and if anything it would just deflate the moment entirely. I think its better to let her know after, and possibly inflate the moment in reflection, rather than have her anticipate something weird happening. Also, I think people sometimes forget or don't realize that the surprise of the moment actually is intentional. The books utilize that same type of death/ surprise. While obviously their hand was forced in having to use it for Alex and having to use it in this moment, I do think the sobering effect of a sudden stroke in space was something Ty & Daniel really liked. I think sometimes it's important to not have grand deaths, in order to ground a story. Still, that's just my two cents.
Varun Laks
2022-08-29 01:01:20 +0000 UTCWait - Serbia is at war with Turkey?? 😲
Gaius Frakking Baltar
2022-08-29 00:58:59 +0000 UTCSo yeah, lots to unpack here to say the least. I'm glad you guys looked it up before going into the review, because not everyone does that. But yeah, like everyone has also mentioned, obviously the decision was made to kill of Alex after they investigated Cas Anvar's actions. And between killing him off, recasting, or writing him out, I think they made the right decision. I say that, because from a narrative standpoint, I actually really like Alex's death and what it means for the story. The theme of this season was 'Survival', and I think the fact that someone didn't make it, really gives weight to that theme. Similarly, in a sequence/ episode where Holden, Naomi and Alex were all willing to risk their lives to save their family, I think its very appropriate that one of them do in fact not make it. I remember you guys mentioning a few episodes ago that you didn't think The Expanse would kill of a Roci-crew member. I think that was a very common belief amongst the fanbase at large too. They were sort of a security blanket. Sure they might kill of people like Ashford, Cotyar and Fred, but they would never kill *the main characters*. But The Expanse *does* have genuine stakes for everybody, and I think Alex's death here really brings home the fact that this is a War story end of the day. It sobers the audience a bit, into remembering that what these characters are always doing, even just flying, is genuinely risky. Stroking out on a High-G burn is something the show has kept in its back pocket since the first season. They mention how risky it is very often. Even though they had limited options in how to kill off Alex, the suddenness and randomness of his death, I think was very intentional and meant to feel realistic in a war setting. It was a feature, not a bug of the reshoots. The writers actually used that same type of death/ scenario in the books for a different character (who died another way already in the show). I think it's fair to say that the execution wasn't perfect, but under the circumstances I think it was flat out incredible that they pulled it off as well as they did. The show had a very difficult job of saying goodbye to a beloved character, while not giving the actor additional face-time. And while I'm not sure how much (if any) of Naomi's recorded message was re-recorded during the reshoots, I think that was the perfect send-off and true goodbye that they could have given to the character.
Varun Laks
2022-08-29 00:51:36 +0000 UTCI personally think it would have been better to cast a new actor. If they are still adapting the last 3 books, they will have to change a lot of things a lot. I would like the seventh season in a few years to pretend that he didn't die, but at the same time it would be confusing for the fans. Ultimately, the series is very different in terms of characters anyway, so an adaptation of the books without Alex here could bring a whole new touch when it comes.
Robert H.
2022-08-29 00:48:58 +0000 UTCI wonder if reactors would prefer that they have an idea that there is some.. awkwardness in the editing of this episode before watching it. Not the spoiler of Alex's death, or even the behind the scenes story, but just some foreknowledge that the episode required a last minute change. I'm editing videos for an Expanse reactor. She's months away from even getting to this season, but I'm considering giving her a vague warning when she's about to watch this episode. I'm guessing someone in her YouTube comments will do it anyway
XanderWhat
2022-08-29 00:34:28 +0000 UTC@John West Agreed.
Zyrus
2022-08-29 00:29:57 +0000 UTCIt is still a great season finale
Dante
2022-08-29 00:24:15 +0000 UTCWell I just checked and it was over 30 allegations. Which I just assume are from 1 person each, could not be. Either way still terrible
The Sci-Fi Slut
2022-08-29 00:01:52 +0000 UTC30!? omg, what a fucking pig
sand_fl
2022-08-28 23:59:18 +0000 UTCNah Serbia won so all good :) . Kinda got worried there for a second after almost wasting 20+ point lead . Yea Alex in the books didn't die here . Actually another character died from stroke in the books . I think in the post they decided to go down this route and show danger from high G burn maneuvers .
Sone
2022-08-28 23:58:15 +0000 UTCactually an hour later for you if i'm not wrong (00:54)... wow i can't believe i consider this hour being late, 20 year old me would stay up until 4 on a daily basis. 27 year old me sadly has migraines quite often 💀 anyway, no idea about the serbia vs turkey or which sport it was that but i hope you won. here's to our matching headaches 🍻
sand_fl
2022-08-28 23:58:01 +0000 UTCstill think they should've just recast him.
John West
2022-08-28 23:57:02 +0000 UTCI think the creators did a damn good job of making Alex's death still make sense story-wise since it was all done in post after the season was finished. We've heard all series long how sustained high G burns can cause you to stroke out. Well, it finally happened. It could have happened to any of our crew by now with how many high G burns they've done
Dante
2022-08-28 23:56:56 +0000 UTCit is also late here and i also have a headache, we're matching
LM Reactions
2022-08-28 23:52:45 +0000 UTCjesus i didn't know it was that many.. good for the show for taking action, they did the best they could with the cards they were dealt with
LM Reactions
2022-08-28 23:51:30 +0000 UTCYeah it really sucks about Cas Anvar, Alex's actor. The makers of the show had to do this, it was the right thing to do. But it sucks to see a great character to have to go out like this. Good on the 30 women who spoke up though.
The Sci-Fi Slut
2022-08-28 23:49:55 +0000 UTCi did not know the actor was fired and just googled and fuck... at this point i shouldn't be surprised of how many actors turn out to be fucking pieces of shit it's kinda late and i have a headache so i'll probably watch this tomorrow while having breakfast.
sand_fl
2022-08-28 23:49:29 +0000 UTCyea... creepy ass Cas Anvar ruined what would've been a great season finale.
John West
2022-08-28 23:48:52 +0000 UTC
