DISCLAIMER: This recap of The Expanse episode “Azure Dragon” has spoilers. Proceed at your peril. 

Oye, Screaming Firehawks! The Expanse‘s second episode of the final season, “Azure Dragon,” finds the Inners making significant moves against Marco. They control the narrative now that they’ve curbed Marco’s ability to fire asteroids at will. That said, Marco’s excitement at the prospect of a fight could spell danger for our heroes and perhaps something more ominous in store for Ceres. 

“Azure Dragon” reminds us the women of this show rule the roost. I love Bobbie’s remarks toward Amos about how he couldn’t handle MCRN armor and her display of badassery, from leading the charge to leaping out of a ship into the perils of space. 

Still of Dominique Tipper in The Expanse Season 6 Episode 2, "Azure Dragon."

Pictured: Dominique Tipper in THE EXPANSE Season 6. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.

Clarissa kicks all of the ass, and Drummer rallies together fellow Belters to take the scraps off “Marco’s table.” Avasarala enlists Monica’s aid in filming a poignant documentary to show Belters that Earthers suffer from the ravages of war. I think it might be in poor taste given the actual oppression Belters face.

Even Naomi’s brave face following a triggering moment is the epitome of badass. I’m glad The Expanse refuses to sweep Naomi’s trauma and PTSD under the rug. Enduring what she did last season, and as courageously as she did, is bound to leave internal scarring. 

In short, the ladies of The Expanse kick butt. If you want well-written, strong female characters, this is the show to watch. 

Ready to delve into “Azure Dragon”? Let’s get to it. 

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We open with Cara (Emma Ho) on Laconia, running toward her home while cradling the injured sunbird. She brings it to her parents, Gary (Daniel Jun) and Dot (Dianne Aguilar), but it’s too late. The sunbird died because Cara fed it her protein bar. Gary and Dot attend a meeting for all Laconians and instruct Cara and Xan (Ian Ho) to stay put. 

However, Cara defies her parents’ orders, snagging a drone and supplies along with the deceased sunbird. She returns to The Glade, where the sunbird’s babies need assistance returning to their nest. Cara successfully deposits one of the baby birds with the drone, but, unfortunately, the drone malfunctions. Frustrated, Cara prepares a small grave for the dead sunbird. 

Suddenly, the “strange dog” from last week’s premiere surreptitiously steals the sunbird behind Cara’s back. 

Meanwhile, the Rocinante crew receives supplies in the Belt. One of the Belter suppliers informs Holden (Steven Strait) that a mission specialist from the UN will join them — direct orders from the Secretary-General herself. Holden urges Clarissa (Nadine Nicole) to hide in her quarters until the coast is clear. 

We see the mission specialist is none other than Bobbie Draper (Frankie Adams), which explains Avasarala’s unknown plans from the previous episode. 

Next, Sanjrani (Joanne Vannicola) releases Filip (Jasai Chase-Owens) from a cell on Ceres per Marco’s (Keon Alexander) orders. Marco tells his son Yoan attacked a “superior officer,” and Filip defended himself — simple as that. After Marco returns his weapon, a bewildered Filip wonders why his punishment isn’t more severe. Marco regales him with a story from his wild years with Cyn (RIP), attempting to understand why Filip rebels. 

Bobbie briefs Holden, Amos (Wes Chatham) and Naomi (Dominique Tipper) regarding the mission to capture the Azure Dragon. The plan is to disable the ship and hijack its data core. Naomi struggles with retaliating against Belters, and I’m glad the show doesn’t ignore this. 

Holden shows Bobbie footage of the Barkeith traveling through the Ring Gate. Bobbie mentions talk of MCRN ships “going dark” while passing through the Ring, and she vows to gather whatever intel she can for Holden about the matter.

Later, aboard the Tynan, Drummer (Cara Gee) and Josep (Samer Salem) argue about arming their torpedoes. They meet with Liang Walker (Stuart Hughes), a Belter from the Golden Bough faction supposedly allied with Marco Inaros.

Still of Cara Gee in The Expanse Season 6 Episode 2, "Azure Dragon."

Pictured: Cara Gee in THE EXPANSE Season 6. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.

Drummer pays Liang to smuggle Michio (Vanessa Smythe) onto his ship. However, according to Liang, the Free Navy falls prey to regular security checks, so there’s no guarantee she’ll remain safe. Ganymede is also out of the question. 

Drummer learns more about Liang’s feelings regarding Marco — sure, he “bent the knee,” so to speak, but that’s because Liang enjoys sticking it to the Inners. Marco doesn’t like Liang. 

Once Drummer discovers a bevy of supply depots now exists courtesy of Marco, she invites Liang aboard the Tynan for a “tour.” 

Rosenfeld (Kathleen Robertson) chats with Marco about Filip and his rebellious ways. She believes Marco should “drop him in the recycling tank for a few hours to see if he can swim.” Marco confesses his love for his son and that he needs Filip to become “the man” he’s destined to become. It’s a surprisingly vulnerable moment for Marco, which Alexander delivers with nuance and grace. 

We see Filip rummage through Yoan’s belongings with a look of remorse on his face. Drummer persuades Liang to reach out to fellow Belters who haven’t expressed devotion to Marco and rally them together to raid one of the supply depots.

That’s my badass bosmang!

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Filip asks Rosenfeld if they can do more for Yoan’s family in the wake of his death. Rosenfeld believes they don’t owe them anything, namely since Filip acted in self-defense. However, she’s touched by his compassion and vows to send Yoan’s loved ones much-needed supplies. 

Filip records a message for Yoan’s kin, informing them about the incoming supplies. He asserts that Yoan died honorably, the guilt visibly scrawled across his face. 

Meanwhile, Team Roci spots the Azure Dragon, but before they can board it, the ship notices them and speeds away. Holden pursues them and charges the vessel’s railguns, much to Bobbie’s irritation. Bobbie orders Holden to refrain from firing at the Azure Dragon.

Once they reach the Belter ship, Bobbie leaps from the Roci onto the vessel’s exterior like the badass she is. Naomi follows Bobbie with vital materials; however, she succumbs to a bout of anxiety as she’s about to jump into space. This PTSD undoubtedly stems from her time on the Pella and the Chetzemoka. Clarissa snatches up the necessary items instead and meets Bobbie on the Azure Dragon.

Still of Steven Strait in The Expanse Season 6 Episode 2, "Azure Dragon."

Pictured: Steven Strait in THE EXPANSE Season 6. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.

Thus, Naomi directs Clarissa and the gang from inside the Roci. After they disable the ship, Holden and Amos head inside to grab the files they need to seize control of Marco’s asteroids. Suddenly, members of the Azure Dragon crew charge Bobbie and Clarissa. Clarissa activates her mods and kills them instantly. Bobbie finds Clarissa unconscious, vomit caked on the inside of her helmet. She takes Clarissa back to the Roci. 

Next, with the help of Naomi, Holden and Amos extract the data core from the Azure Dragon. Holden asks Naomi what happened earlier regarding her “technical malfunction” (Clarissa’s words), but Naomi’s not ready to discuss it yet. 

Holden sends the info to Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), who calls Monica (Anna Hopkins) into her quarters. Earlier, Avasarala threatened to revoke Monica’s press status if the latter continued to pester her about sensitive information. Now, she asks Monica to create a documentary detailing the emotional, mental and physical toll Earthers suffer because of the war. 

Monica doesn’t believe in resorting to propaganda tactics. Avasarala counters she doesn’t want something that rings false — she wants Belters to think more carefully the next time they wish to strike the Inners. 

Amos tends to Clarissa in the med bay while Holden chastises her for going against his orders and taking Naomi’s place amid the Azure Dragon mission. After Holden departs, Clarissa grins, realizing that, for the first time, Holden considers her part of the crew. Seeing Peaches happy makes me happy. 

Still of Wes Chatham in The Expanse Season 6 Episode 2, "Azure Dragon."

Pictured: Wes Chatham in THE EXPANSE Season 6. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.

Rosenfeld and Marco watch the last footage from the Azure Dragon before it goes dark. They realize the UN didn’t destroy the ship; instead, they captured the vessel. The Inners have access to the controls for Marco’s asteroids, the ones making a beeline for Earth and the ones not yet deployed. 

But Marco’s not letting this news dampen his spirits. Rosenfeld promised the war would come to their door, and now it’s here. Yay, war!

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Chase-Owens continues to own his role as Filip, imbuing him with searing vulnerability and driving him down the path of redemption. You can’t help but feel for him, especially given his father. There’s hope for Filip, I think. 

The space sequences never cease to take my breath away — nobody does sci-fi epicness quite like The Expanse. 

Amos and Clarissa’s friendship warms my heart, and his genuine desire for her to succeed is so touching. 

Do you think we’ll see more of Cortázar and what he’s building on that vessel in Laconia’s orbit? How will Marco strike back against the UN? What on Earth is happening with the ships near the Ring Gate? Tune in next week to (hopefully) find out!

New episodes of The Expanse stream every Friday on Prime Video. 

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Melody McCune
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