The penultimate episode of the fifth season of The Expanse, sees things racing towards the season finale. Written by the duo of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, collectively known as James S.A. Corey, the author of the novel series, and Naren Shankar, this episode first dropped on Prime on 27 January, 2021.

On Luna, Chrisjen (Shohreh Aghdashloo) is shocked to see that the new government is getting ready to strike back at the Belters in retribution for the attacks conducted by Inaros (Keon Alexander) and she refuses to be a part of that. She’s surprised to find that she’s not the only one who walks away at that point, and even more surprised to learn that people are talking about treason and instating her in charge.

Drummer (Cara Gee) is having problems with her loyalty to Inaros, especially considering the fact that she believes Inaros may have killed Naomi (Dominique Tipper). In actuality, Naomi’s message has gotten out, and Holden (Steven Strait) is still trying to find a way to save her, even as forces begin to come together for an assault.

On Earth, Amos (Wes Chatham) and Clarissa (Nadine Nicole) work to get a lunar shuttle ready to go, but their efforts draw some unwanted attention, and it’s going to be a run and gun until the ship can get off the planet.

Inaros continues his manipulation of his and Naomi’s son, Filip (Jasai Chase-Owens) and how will it all play out in this and the next episode?

It’s tense and fast-paced, and as Naomi waits in fear, and longs to b rescued, the pieces are drawing close together for the next big confrontation that will launch us into the sixth and final season.

Nemesis Games sees Holden commissioning Alex (Cas Anvar) and Bobbie (Frankie Adams) to go in and rescue Naomi in their racing skiff, the Razorback, while Holden and the rest deal with the things that are coming.

Written by Franck, Abraham and Shankar the season finale aired on 3 February, 2021, and brought new changes to The Expanse universe as off-screen issues, necessitated some on-screen changes, specifically, Cas Anvar.

Holden leads an attack against Inaros’ ships as a distraction while the Razorback does its thing. Drummer makes a decision that puts her at odds with her Belter associates, those who are loyal to Inaros. It seems she holds family and friends a little closer than they do.

Inaros escapes with Filip, and he’s already putting a new plan into action as the Rocinante returns to Earth and Luna, where Amos is reunited with he crew, brings Clarissa aboard, and they all mourn the loss of Alex before attending the new SG’s reception. It seems Chrisjen is the Scretary General, again.

But even as they take a breath, the fleet at the Gate is attacked, and its revealed that perhaps some defecting members of the Martian Navy have their hands on the final sample of the protomolecule and are taking it to one of the new planets, like Ilus that have more ruins to explore, and perhaps activate.

And we also see that not all the ships get through the Gate, one has a very strange encounter during its transition and vanishes in a red haze!

What’s going on? We’ll have to wait until next week and the beginning of the shortened season six. Let’s go!