The Expanse is returning for more extra-solar action on Amazon Prime, and here’s everything you need to know about where season 3 left each major faction. The Expanse came dangerously close to cancellation following its third season, when its original home, the Syfy network, cancelled the cult favorite series due to low ratings. Fans revolted and Jeff Bezos heeded the calls, with Amazon Prime snapping up The Expanse for an additional two seasons.
Set during the 24th century, The Expanse depicts a world in which humanity had spread out across the solar system and come across a substance of alien origin called the Protomolecule. Unfortunately, this blue goo isn’t the only trouble facing mankind. Tensions between those remaining on Earth, the rapidly advancing Martian colonists and the “Belters” scattered on asteroids and stations throughout the system are at breaking point, and the emergence of advanced alien technology gives each side a prize to compete for and a threat to be wary of. In The Expanse season 3, the growing resentment between sides boiled over into all out war, just as the Protomolecule was making its decisive move.
Earth In The Expanse Season 3
After two seasons of working behind Earth’s back, colluding with the renowned scientist and businessman known as Jules-Pierre Mao, Sadavir Errenwright’s betrayals are exposed, and both men are held to account for secretly developing Protomolecule weapons and testing them on innocents before selling to the highest bidder. Errenwright is exposed after the Rocinante saves the U.N.’s Chrisjen Avasarala from an assassination attempt and aid her bringing forward the evidence required to end the conspiracy. Unfortunately, other high-ranking Earthlings are in league with Mao, and Admiral Nguyen triggers a battle between U.N. ships, launching missiles containing Protomolecule soldiers as a last resort. These projectiles are taken down on the orders of The Belt’s Fred Johnson.
Earth later partakes in a trip to the newly-opened Ring Gate near Uranus.
The Belt In The Expanse Season 3
The inhabitants of the Belt are the trickiest side to follow in The Expanse, as there are so many different subdivisions each with unique methods, personnel and morals. In season 3, two of the biggest OPA (Outer Planets Alliance) leaders join forces. Fred Johnson and Anderson Dawes pool their resources and form a united front to represent the belt, while Johnson also has the giant Mormon Nauvoo craft retrofitted into his side’s own flagship, renamed the Behemoth. The Belters are in possession of both a Protomolecule sample and a scientist who knows how to use it.
When war is over, the OPA join the Ring Gate expedition but they and Holden are framed for attacks on allied ships by Jules-Pierre Mao’s disgruntled daughter. The Behemoth fires on the Rocinante to prove they’re not in league with Holden, forcing the Roci inside the ring. After the events inside the Protomolecule station, there’s a disagreement over whether the Ring Gate must be destroyed or appeased and Ashford begins the process of firing upon the structure. Holden knows the attack will have no impact and the entire solar system could be obliterated should the structure retaliate. A group comprising of all factions manage to halt the assault, and the Ring Gate responds by opening paths to hundreds of new, unexplored systems.
Mars In The Expanse Season 3
Because of Errenwright’s persistent pushing towards war, Mars responds by landing a missile on South America and killing millions. The Red Planet is finally talked down from conflict when the Rocinante encounters a stranded Martial vessel and passes on the same evidence of Errenwright’s scheming that Avasarala had sent to Earth, deescalating tensions on both sides. After the Protmolecule Ring Gate is opened, Mars, Earth and the OPA embark on a joint exploration mission, along with Holden and the Rocinante crew. It’s the Martian ship that first discovers Holden and the OPA were not responsible for the mysterious destruction of 2 ships. However, it’s also the Martian crew who follow Holden into the Protomolecule station at the center of the Ring zone.
The Expanse season 4 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
