Back to the Butcher (S01E05)
Airdate: January 5th 2016
Written by: Dan Nowak
Directed by: Ron Lieberman
Running Time: 43 minutes
The fifth episode of The Expanse, titled Back to the Butcher, stands out as one of the quieter installments in the series, utilising its relative lack of action to deepen world-building and character development.
The primary plot of the episode revolves around the survivors of the Canterbury, who, having successfully escaped from the Donnager, are now faced with the daunting task of deciding their next move. The debate among the crew members is intense, with some arguing that Mars may not believe their claims of innocence regarding the destruction of their capital ship, while others fear that the rest of the solar system may view them as terrorists. This predicament is further complicated by the fact that their new ship, Tachi, cannot dock anywhere without a transponder, prompting Naomi to alter the ship's signature and rename it to Rocinante. The crew's newfound home, a high-tech Martian military space vessel, is a significant upgrade from the cramped commercial ships they previously worked on, but their joy is short-lived as they receive a message from Fred Johnson, inviting them to Tycho Station. Despite their initial reservations and fears that Fred Johnson may be involved with the OPA or even implicated in the events surrounding the Donnager's destruction, the crew reluctantly agrees to head to Tycho Station, driven by a lack of alternative options.
This reluctance is expertly explained through the show's first flashbacks, which take place 11 years prior to the current events. The scene is set on Anderson Station, an ore refinery in the Belt, where armed workers, led by Marama Brown (played by Billy MacLellan), have taken over the facility to protest the poor air quality that has caused hypoxia and other health problems for their children. The response from the authorities comes in the form of UN Marines. Despite Marama Brown’s offer of surrender, station is attacked resulting massive loss of life, including Marama Brown and his young daughter, Kiri (played by Raven Stewart). It is revealed that the commander of the US Marines during the attack was none other than Colonel Fred Johnson, who earned the notorious nickname "The Butcher of Anderson Station". The segment suggests that Johnson's troubled conscience and desire to atone for his role in the massacre may have driven him to join the OPA.
In the meantime, Detective Miller visits his friend and partner Havelock, who is recovering from his injuries in the hospital, and is less than pleased to see him exchanging pleasantries with a prostitute named Gia, whom he suspects may be involved in the attack. The attack, which was recorded and broadcast by Filat Khotari (played by Ted Ludzik), a Loca Greiga enforcer, leads to Miller being approached with deal offer from Anderson Dawes: in exchange for giving up Khotari, who is held in OPA safe house, Miller must provide information about his investigation into Julie Mao's disappearance. Miller's investigation has led him to discover the flight path of a mysterious ship called Anubis, which he believes may be connected to the Scopuli, the destruction of the Canterbury, and the Donnager. A discussion with Neville Bosch (played by Rosiff Sutherland), a part-time OPA associate who chartered a ship for Julie Mao, leads Miller to a data cube in Julie's apartment, but before he can examine it, he is abducted by two assailants, leaving his fate uncertain.
Back to the Butcher is a masterfully directed and written episode that handles multiple storylines with ease, even with the added complexity of the flashback sequence. The depiction of the Anderson Station Massacre is economical yet powerful, leaving a strong emotional impact thanks to the excellent acting by Billy MacLellan.
The episode also offers an interesting glimpse into the capabilities of 23rd-century medical technology, highlighting the ease with which people can recover from severe injuries. This is evident in Havelock's rapid recovery from his injuries, which raises questions about the advancements in medical science and their implications for society.
Furthermore, the episode's attention to detail is impressive, with the renaming of the Tachi to Rocinante being a notable example. The name, chosen by Holden, means "workhorse" in Spanish, and its connection to the protagonist's horse in Don Quixote, a famous 16th-century novel by Miguel Cervantes, adds a layer of literary depth to the narrative. The fact that Holden is apparently unaware of this connection may be seen as ironic, given the quixotic nature of his and his crew's efforts to navigate the complexities of The Expanse.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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