The Expanse Review: Congregation S03E12

The third season of The Expanse comes to a close with what is effectively a two-parter, starting with episode 12: Congregation. (BEWARE! This review contains SPOILERS!)

As we approach the end of the season, we know that something significant is about to happen, and we have seen glimpses of what that will be.  For that to occur though, there still needs be a shift in the story, and many characters to move about the board.  It could easily feel that such manoeuvring of the various elements was artificial, but this episode has a nice pace to it and all the choices seem natural, with a good flow.  All season this has been a feature of the writing, and nothing feels like it has had to be rushed.

Over the second half of this season there has also been an increase in the emotional depth of many characters, and there has been a lot of excellent character moments, giving great insight.  This is exemplified by the brilliance of Elizabeth Mitchell as Anna, who has portrayed the pain and conflict of her character, alongside her drive to care and minister to all.  Over this episode we see a growing connection with Amos (Wes Chatham), who is essentially closed off emotionally, yet she seems to be able to have some kind of dialogue with him, unlike many others.

THE EXPANSE — “Congregation” Episode 312 — Pictured: Nadine Nicole as Melba Koh — (Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)

Anna’s conflict is typified by her reaction to Clarissa/Melba (Nadine Nicole), as they have her subdued in the Rocinante med bay.  On one hand she is angry at her, but also still wants to give her Mercy.  Like Elizabeth Mitchell, Nadine Nicole has been a stand out in this second half of the season, and she has some great scenes in this episode.

As the title suggests, the various factions in the ring space are congregating on the Behemoth following the imposition of the latest speed limit by the Ring Station, and the ensuing injuries.  Although tentative, there is an uneasy collaboration between all the parties too, which seems almost encouraging.

THE EXPANSE — “Congregation” Episode 312 — Pictured: David Strathairn as Klaes Ashford — (Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)

This includes the crew of the Rocinante, who all gear up and cross over to the Behemoth to see how they can help, as well as find Holden (Steven Strait).  Holden has been handed over by the Martian Marines, led by Draper (Frankie Adams), and is being interrogated by each faction.  Some are more open to his claims than others, with the least dismissive being Klaes Ashford (David Strathairn), but even he thinks Holden has lost his mind.

What Holden describes is the ring trying to communicate back to whoever created it, but that they are all gone, wiped out by something mysterious.  The ring tried to stop it, but failed.  It now sees the humans inside the ring space as threats, which also need neutralising, and that the ring views us much like we view insects.  All of this stuff is great, and really expands on where the show can go, revealing more tantalising snapshots of the wider mystery to come.

THE EXPANSE — “Congregation” Episode 312 — Pictured: Steven Strait as James Holden — (Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)

If I do have a gripe with this episode, it’s the scenes that involve Holden and Clarissa/Melba in the brig.  While Holden is being held there, he introduces himself to Clarissa/Melba, and she doesn’t respond, not even with a barbed comment.  To a degree this works, as she laughs in disbelief that they’ve ended up in the same place, against the odds.  What is more of an issue is that even after he gets visited by Naomi (Dominique Tipper), no one says to him: ‘oh, by the way, that’s Julie’s sister who wants to kill you’.  You’d think that might be one of the first things to come up!  This is a trope that annoys me quite often, so I bumped on this immediately and it stuck out; it’s a rare weak point for this show!

THE EXPANSE — “Congregation” Episode 312 — Pictured: (l-r) Dominique Tipper as Naomi Nagata, Cara Gee as Drummer — (Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)

Much of this episode revolves around the Behemoth, where Ashford is solidifying his power, while Drummer (Cara Gee) recuperates.  Knowing this is going on, and knowing that her people are suffering, Drummer refuses to sit still in the med bay, despite having her spine being regrown!  To aid her, she puts together a mech suit, with Naomi’s help.  As a quid pro quo, Drummer agrees to get Naomi in to see Holden.  Ashford meanwhile is still co-operating with the UNN and MCRN, and playing the political game, including trying to use the Behemoth’s communications laser to contact ships outside the ring space; an idea put forward by the UNN scientist Kolvoord (Chris Owens).  Kolvoord also suggests exploding a reactor in the ring space to gather more data on the force that is stopping all the ships, an experiment that they may well regret.

It’s Ashford that figures out, piecing together things that Holden has said with the data they gather, that the ring is building up to destroying them all, including the whole solar system.  This prompts him down the path of using the communications laser as a weapon to break the ring, sacrificing themselves, but also saving the human race.  This really works as a dramatic, emotional cliff-hanger.

What’s great about this show is that despite there being many players involved, and with its wide scope, all of these plot points make perfect sense.  So many of the characters have motives and logic behind their actions that conflict with one another, but it totally works.  As we approach the end of the season, it’s all building up to great climax.