The Expanse pays homage to its fans with a neat season 5 Easter egg. Like sports teams and rock bands, every TV show claims to have the most dedicated, passionate set of fans, but not every following has saved the future of their series. The Expanse novels by James S.A. Corey already boasted a faithful core audience, but the popularity of the Rocinante crew exploded after Holden, Naomi, Amos and Alex were finally realized in live-action. Over the course of 3 seasons, The Expanse earned a modest legion of fans with its character-based storytelling and lived-in futuristic world, and when cancellation beckoned, an extensive fan campaign ended with Amazon Prime saving the day.
The Expanse season 5 begins with the Rocinante crew temporarily splintered onto separate paths. Holden is investigating a sinister conspiracy on Tycho, Naomi is trying to save her son from a life of terrorism, and Amos is reexamining his past on Earth. Meanwhile, Alex heads back to Mars, where he’s swiftly rebuffed by his wife and child. Undeterred, the pilot arranges to meet with Bobbie Draper, who has been struggling to eke out a living since her adventure with the Roci. Once again, he’s swiftly rebuffed, but their encounter contains a fascinating hidden Easter egg nonetheless.
Bobbie and Alex meet in a gaudy wild west-themed bar that forces Bobbie to do a double-take with its sheer, unadulterated Earthy-ness. After a terse conversation between the two, Bobbie is overcome by the stress of her investigation into the smuggling of Martian weapons, and storms out of the establishment before so much as ordering a drink. But as Bobbie leaves, the camera lingers on a bright sign for “Firehawk Whiskey.” While casual fans may not think much of this alcoholic advertisement, the sign acts as a shout-out to The Expanse‘s fan base, affectionately known as the Screaming Firehawks.
The term derives from a scene where James Holden and the gang are attempting to choose a name for their “acquired” Martian gunship. Before eventually settling on the iconic, metaphor-laden “Rocinante,” Alex suggests the “Screaming Firehawk.” The idea is shot down almost immediately, but the moniker did eventually become the handle of The Expanse‘s feverish following. And at least it’s better than “Expanders.”
The nod to the Firehawks in The Expanse season 5 acts as a touching tribute to fans that have not only championed the show since its days on Syfy, but ensured the Rociante found a new home when all looked lost. The Easter egg takes on a deeper meaning following the recent news of The Expanse coming to an end. Prior to season 5’s premiere, Amazon announced that The Expanse season 6 would be the show’s last. While viewers will no doubt feel disappointed to be denied the full 9 seasons (one for each novel), The Expanse can at least end on its own terms. And that’s one more season of Screaming Firehawk shout-outs still to come.
