The Expanse 3×04 Review: Reload

reload the expanse

The third episode of The Expanse season three, “Assured Destruction”, contained a lot of buildup, and “Reload” definitely delivered some payout on that, though some of the characters were pretty maddening throughout this episode.

First things first, I’m excited about the Belters salvaging the Nauvoo at the very beginning of “Reload”. I’m guessing it will be a while before anything truly comes of their possessing it again, but the Nauvoo’s journey is one of my favorite parts of the books. The Expanse has been great at doing its source material justice, for the most part, and I hope the Nauvoo story won’t be an exception.

reload the expanse avasaralaI also can’t help but love the banter between Bobbie and Avasarala. The show is really hitting it out of the park with their relationship, and while at first I had my concerns about Bobbie’s attitude toward Mars, they’ve also hit a good stride with her coming to terms with her current situation. The entire conversation between Bobbie and Avasarala about the suits they were wearing (Martian navy and Razorback, respectively) was total gold.

Now, not everything about “Reload” was amazing. The side plot with the three Martian survivors trying to take over the Contorta seemed kind of like forced action. I might have felt differently if the whole thing hadn’t been resolved in this episode, and I suppose there’s a chance this situation will have an effect on something else down the line, so for now I’m trying to withhold too much judgment.

reload the expanseI am, however, enjoying getting to see more of what’s going on with Strickland, Mao, and the children. Strickland is appropriately creepy, and it’s interesting to see Mao actually looking like he’s questioning what they’re doing to these kids with the protomolecule. I expected that he would continue to be a one-note villain, but it seems like the show might be taking at least a somewhat/slightly different route, giving us glimpses at his humanity…even if it seems intent on almost immediately taking them back.

“Reload” also had more of Holden being Holden – after insisting that he didn’t want to be involved in things that are outside of his ability to fix, he then agreed to send a message for Avasarala anyway. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he agreed to help her, but this is obviously going to turn into much more than just him sending a simple message. (I mean, it wouldn’t be Holden if it didn’t.)

At least that message – a very condemning video of Errinwright – was put out there, and hopefully it will have some consequences. Who knows, though…Errinwright is frustratingly slippery, so it might be a while before anything comes of Avasarala exposing him.

What did you think of “Reload”? Do you think Errinwright will get his comeuppance sooner rather than later? Let us know in the comments!

Author: Tara Lynne

Tara Lynne is an author, fandom and geek culture expert, and public speaker. She founded Ice & Fire Con, the first ever Game of Thrones convention in the US, and now runs its parent company Saga Event Planning.


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