The Expanse Season 6 What was the Point of Cara and Xan?

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What was the point of the scenes with Cara and Xan on Laconia in the Expanse Season 6? Please subscribe! 👉 bit.ly/PetePeppers
The final season of the Expanse opened every episode with a short scene on Laconia where a young girl brought her brother back from the dead with the help of what she referred to as "dogs". This story wasn't directly connected to the main story of the war with the Free Navy in Sol System, and some fans wondered why they included it in the shorter season at all.
Interview with Ty Franck, Daniel Abraham, and Naren Shankar that I mentioned in the video:
www.polygon.com/interviews/22...
Strange Dogs is an Expanse novella that shows what life on Laconia was like right after Winston Duarte and the Breakaway Martian Fleet arrived. Cara and her family came to the planet as part of a science expedition and weren't able to leave once the soldiers arrived. In season 6 we see that things are starting to wake up on the planet after the active protomolecule sample arrived.
After Cara's little brother Xan dies in an accident she meets Winston Duarte. She had encountered some strange creatures in the woods near her house, and noticed that reanimated a bird that had died. She decides to enlist their help to bring her brother back, and when her parents find out they're terrified. Cara leaves home with her brother who is no longer dead, but noticeably changed. It's implied that she will die of starvation and expects that they'll bring her back as well.
606 "Babylon's Ashes"
Directed by Breck Eisner
Written by Daniel Abraham, Ty Franck, and Naren Shankar
First aired 1/14/2022
Official Description: Inners and Belters fight side by side with the crew of the Rocinante in a last, massive, desperate battle with Marco and his Free Navy, with the fate of the Solar System, the Ring Gates, and of all humanity hanging in the balance.
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About the Expanse:
The disappearance of rich-girl-turned-political-activist Julie Mao links the lives of Ceres detective Joe Miller (Thomas Jane), accidental ship captain James Holden (Steven Strait) and U.N. politician Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo). Amidst political tension between Earth, Mars and the Belt, they unravel the single greatest conspiracy of all time.
Chapter Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:31 Something you might have missed on Laconia
3:29 Why Include Strange Dogs?
5:31 What’s the deal with the Protomolecule?
7:32 Final Thoughts
#TheExpanse #TheExpanseSeason6

КОМЕНТАРІ: 606

@PetePeppers1 2 роки тому

I have been working on the Duarte video, and kept seeing a lot of comments asking what happened to the zombie kid. Thought it made sense to put this one out first so I didn't have to spend too much time on it in that video. Let me know what you thought about Cara and Xan and the final season in general. What other Expanse videos would you like to see?

@esecallum 2 роки тому

IT WAS STUPID.THE FATHER PULLING OUT A KNIFE ON HIS OWN SON. IDIOT.

@rfmckean 2 роки тому

@@esecallum It wasn't his real son.

@esecallum 2 роки тому

@@rfmckean ? does not matter. if your recently dead 6 year son walks thru the door you dont pull a knife and try to slash him...you might be scared frightened puzzled shocked. these people are are aware of many miracles such as the protomolecule and he acted totally stupid...

@ChiefOfAss 2 роки тому

THANK YOU PETE! It was a fever dream to see Strange Dogs brought to life and I'm grateful they did it. I don't care what anyone else thinks, I feel like season six was a love letter to book readers. I care so much about this story (perhaps to an unhealthy level) so seeing a "strange dog" visually was worth it. Thank you for doing this. It really added to my experience of the show.

@CHMichael 2 роки тому

It was a side book. Its just a giant cliff hanger they didn't have to insert if they don't intend to continue. They could have simply shown Duarte telling everyone not to enter ther gate.

@Andrew-qq8fb 2 роки тому

My theory is that the ahowrunners intentionally teased the Laconia stuff in Season 6 in order to generate buzz around a Season 7. They want to prove to future investors of the show that interest for a Season 7 is real, so they put the Laconia stuff in to keep the post-series momentum alive.

@sonjabeier5575 2 роки тому

Lets hope it works 🥺

@Paul-ew5st 2 роки тому

I agree about their intentions I just thought they included the wrong Laconia stuff.

@tallaganda83 2 роки тому

I reckon they should make a 2-3 season spin-off that bridges the events between book 6-7.

@bartolomeestebanmurillo4459 2 роки тому

They've talked about a Laconia spin off.

@alphawolfgang173 2 роки тому

i need season 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, ad infinitum.

@mattgilbert7347 2 роки тому

The Laconia scenes, for me, not only functioned as a setup for future Expanse projects but also served to reinforce the mystery, wonder, and danger associated with all things protomolecule. They were beautifully shot and worked as pure Expanse "vibe".

@dare2liv_nlove 2 роки тому

Yes agreed. Without these scenes the story would have lost the wonder & mystery of the first few seasons, only focusing on the Sol system wars.

@luisdotespinal 2 роки тому

It's not just that. Cara and Xan are fundamental to the last books in "The Expanse" series. It just so happens that the show got cancelled. Let us hope the show brings financial attention again in the future.

@g4ng22 2 роки тому

@@luisdotespinal ich checks nicht... ja wie geht es den weiter?

@svastia 2 роки тому

It may not be protomolecule but different species or alients that are far more powerful and advanced than humans but only appear to be weak. For a show to function, we need an enemy (who may be someone else) but these aliens may help humans in their fight. I'd like a storyline like that with the typical Expanse vibe. Amazon makes lots of rubbish but decide to end this..?! :-)

@AkalaTanara Рік тому

They were interesting and weird, and I wanted more, but I feel robbed that it was cut short and cancelled for a 7th season, the tiny bits we got felt totally pointless in the end to me, which was kinda infuriating in a way.

@soloposmenu 2 роки тому

I see it as a gift to lure the people that hopefully will pick up the series, they will have a foundation on what comes next.

@dgd947a15fl 2 роки тому

Huh, that's a clever idea. I assumed it must mean they already have funding lined up, but setting up an easy point to pick off from is a great idea to help make it more attractive for investors.

@chuck3938 2 роки тому

Goes the zombie route and I'm sick of the walking dead. Enough already.

@UncleShish 2 роки тому

@@chuck3938 It's from the books, and it's got nothing to do with zombies except coming back from the dead. The kid is now basically enhanced in pretty much everything thanks to the dogs, sight, hearing, and most of all intelligence

@CircusOfFive 2 роки тому

I love that the show runners included the Strange Dogs adaptation: to me it speaks to the passion and optimism the Expanse team has demonstrated from minute one. Beyond "making the connections" these guys lived every season as if the next season was a sure thing. Between the authors saying "this is a pause" and an audience hungry for more, history indicates we shouldn't doubt the Expanse will be back on the screens, in one form or another, eventually. And when that happens, the inclusion of the Laconian story, will sit perfectly in the epic tale.

@albertrubio5934 2 роки тому

WTH!

@obelisk21 2 роки тому

I think the thing that people forget about Illus and the chaos caused by the proto molecule was that it wasn't so much the presence of the proto molecule on Illus that caused everything to turn on. It was the investigation (Miller) who admitted to Holden he was basically throwing every switch he could find on trying to find some indication as to what happened. That is why Cotizar was so happy when he went and found Duarte at the wake; he was able to try a new communication protocol with the orbital platform using the proto molecule and got a coherent response. The first step in controlling the orbital platform.

@tmmartinesq.6216 2 роки тому

To get those glimpses of the that eerily gorgeous orbital platform and to see a different version of it emerging through the Ring Gate in the closing credits intrigues the hell outta me and just makes you crave more Cortazar & Duarte. I think Cara & Xan were somewhat superfluous to the series finale, but since Duarte played such a key role with Marco Inaros, I appreciated the inclusion of the Strange Dogs story because it ties directly into the Inaros-Rogue Martian/Laconian alliance. It really makes sense for book readers (who are aware of CaraXan's future relationship w/Duarte) and even non-book readers can now appreciate what happened to Cortazar and what he's been developing/working on.

@eds1942 2 роки тому

There was a button…

@AerielFerguson 2 роки тому

@@eds1942 ....and I pressed it😂

@Paul-ew5st 2 роки тому

Yes that is a very important scene in the story of season 6 but the kids are not.

@Lady_Vengeance 2 роки тому

@@tmmartinesq.6216 Do we know it was some version of the orbital platform emerging from the ring gate in the closing credits? I’ve watched it twice and all I see is it turning red.

@kirkdarling4120 2 роки тому

Good connection of the teacher's request to the arrival of the Protomolecule to Laconia. We should have recognized from the beginning that the chances of The Expanse series continuing to the end of the ninth book were slim to none. There was never a certainty they would be able to complete all nine books. The producers had a choice: They could stick with the proven superior story of the books and give the audience some of the best science fiction that has ever been on screen...with the hope that somehow in the future they'd have a chance to complete it properly. Or they could do what GoT did and cobble up a false ending that would be out of character with the quality of storytelling they've maintained until now. They chose to leave us on a high note, a story told properly...and with reasonable hope that the property will be picked up again and concluded. The Strange Dogs story is a pointer to that possibility.

@trevey1123 2 роки тому

Perfect point!

@birdie8644 2 роки тому

I haven’t read the books, but I’m going to now that the show is supposedly over, but one thing that I’ve been told is where the show just ended, the next book doesn’t take place for 30 years, and apparently with new characters. Idk how true either of those statements are, but if that’s true then there is plenty of opportunity to reboot the show in the future.

@will2brown50 2 роки тому

@@birdie8644 30 years is true. New characters no. At least the villains I kinda new, but that's to be expected given the free navy just doesn't exist any more. And the villains are still familiar anyway so. Expanse has anti aging drugs that basically mean the rocinante crew are effectively middle aged in 30 years time. There's new characters ofc too but they are excellent.

@chrisknockwood5682 2 роки тому

So I absolutely agree with you on your comment but what I am failing to understand is why this wasn't a "season finale". Am I mistaken in the presumption that all of the books are published as opposed to GoT? Further to that from what I've been reading it seems like the show no longer has a patron but if it's so succesful, which it obviously is wouldn't Jeffy B and the bros at Amazon just big dick slap a big blank cheque down and say good hunting, make the show? I haven't read the books but I will now but I must say as a casual fan I'm mildly annoyed at this season. For me there was too much left open and that doesn't smell like a great way to end. Easter eggs are one thing but an entire story about a family that went nowhere, bruh.

@kirkdarling4120 2 роки тому

@@chrisknockwood5682 Yes, all the books for the story have been written, so there is a "real" ending. Unfortunately, the show is not that generally successful. It's a brilliant show, but it demands from the audience something most people today can't give: Their full attention.

@StorytellerStudios 2 роки тому

Without the scenes of Cara and Xan, this season would be lacking a crucial element of the entire storyline of seasons 1-5 of The Expanse- the proto-molecule. The mystery and power of this ancient substance literally drove the plot of the series. It is what motivated the characters decisions and I loved that we never fully understood it. The "monkeys with a microwave" analogy is excellent. If no further seasons are produced (Perish the thought!), the fans of the expanse are nevertheless motivated to read the final books, and that's a good thing. The Expanse without the proto-molecule is simply less interesting...Cara and Xan are like a ring portal...what will we find on the other side? I've got to know more!

@ptonpc 2 роки тому

I liked it in it's own right. Would it have been better as an additional episode or a series of mini episodes? I don't know but I do feel season 6 could have done with more time to tell its story.

@jasonfeek6284 2 роки тому

Yes the strange dogs story would have been great as the x ray but pointless in the series if they are not going to include the last 3 books

@juliusf1906 2 роки тому

Agreed, it felt like they left a lot of story points quite ambiguous and to an extent open ended. In my opinion it would have been better to make the last season 10 or 13 episodes long (like every other season) so the writers would have more time to tell the story.

@kentslocum 2 роки тому

Even though I have only just begun reading the books, I never felt upset or confused by the inclusion of the Strange Dogs storyline in the show because I was impressed they had the confidence to wrap some plot threads up while leaving other questions unanswered for the future. A lesser show would have ignored it completely (leaving the audience very confused after the Season 5 ending) or tried to cram a lot of plot resolution via exposition (which would have been too much for one season and closed the possibility of a future continuation).

@yensid4294 2 роки тому

Something the show has always done since the first season is to include extra material contained in the novellas as well as bring characters into the story early for continuity. The books each felt like an individual story where the show definitely has more of a connected, over arching story feel. Showing Strange Dogs answered the question of what happened to the defecting Martian fleet & also showed that for all his bluster Marco was not really in charge. He got played. It had been Duarte who was the mastermind behind the scenes all along. Pretty big reveal & I for one loved it when Duarte told Marco to F off lol. I understand if show only watchers feel confused. I felt that way watching the first 3 seasons on SyFy. Like there were things that just weren't being conveyed fully visually that maybe the books spelled out more clearly. That's why I decided to read the books. This show does not do info dumps & it's easy to miss or forget details. Read the books if you want to know more. I gets old trying to explain things while dodging spoilers all the time.

@skepticalbadger 2 роки тому

Such bullshit. The show should stand on its own without needing gatekeeping fans to exasperatedly explain everything to people who don't have the time or interest to read the books. Would you expect book readers to have to watch the show to understand what the hell was going in that? No, of course not. This show lost its way with season 5 (many say 4, I am more charitable). Rushed, confusing, poorly staged action, confusing space battles and bad editing. If I sound bitter it's because it was once a favourite show of mine and it's frustrating as hell to see it become just average.

@aolson1111 2 роки тому

@@skepticalbadger Sorry the show doesn't hold your hand.

@gregcorker2193 2 роки тому

It is such a GREAT series. I can’t wait to begin reading the books starting with Leviathan Wakes. Love your monkey analogy. It is a difficult truth that, at our current level, we cannot possess the context to understand a technology from a race so advanced. it was also great how you pointed out we occupy the inverse position with many species here that encounter our tools and technologies. I also was saddened by the ugly likelihood that to protect our tribes from each other, we all would likely end up taking turns breaking ourselves in such a situation. This was well demonstrated in the show. It was kind a sad how they treated Xan after he was resurrected and changed. He sought to be hugged by the family, but his parents could no longer see any of the child they lost in him. Given other encounters with proto-molecule altered creatures I could see their logic, but their reaction was not driven by logical caution, but terror of the unknown. I can’t imagine what it was like to be the parents in such an awful circumstance, but in the larger sense, this kind of mind-warping challenge is to be expected in exploration of the universe. What also appeared to be true (at least in this story) was that in some circumstances, proto-molecule altered (or sometimes replicated) entities retained some or much of the emotional imprint that they had before they changed. Some of who they were was still there. The ability to interact with such beings sometimes allowed characters to avoid the worst outcomes from what is truly an unbalanced encounter. Scary, fascinating,…and food for thought. It is guaranteed to be a real existence type of scenario. I am sure humans have done this to each other over and over. I think about the “prime directive” in Star Trek and how it might apply. I also think about how the ring builders clearly reached other conclusions about the usefulness (or uselessness) of such a position in light of their expansionist objectives. A different cost / benefit analysis. Humans make such seemingly callous choices (as well as some remarkably kind ones) all the time.

@lastpme 2 роки тому

I bought the books too…I have to know what happens next with the break away Mars Fleet….

@gregcorker2193 2 роки тому

@@lastpme I also wonder what type of world Duarte and the Mars mindset envision for Laconia and beyond. I see him staring up at the Ring Builders orbital platform and ask myself what does he imagine will be any more predictable (or safe for human occupation) about the protomolecule’s designs for Laconia than it was for Ilus IV or when when it was intentionally turned loose on Eros. Even on Ganymede I’d feel hard pressed to feel like they had enough control to conduct the same type of research on a broadly populated planet. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if the human population there all ended up like Xan. Not sure that is good or bad…just NOT what any of them think they signed up for…except perhaps Duarte.

@RamSamudrala 2 роки тому

It wouldn't have mattered from a story POV. The point of the protomolecule and the third species was that they're McGuffins, they're meant to be mysterious and un-knowable no matter what. Even if humans had advanced to the level of the gate builders when the book series started, we'd still have something else metaprotomolecule or whatever, that would be the "magic" part of the show. It's a blend of sci-fi and fantasy. Contrast what is happening and how they showcase our solar system (the fights, the gravity, etc.) vs. how they deal with the protomolecule. The latter is fantasy. The former is pretty hard sci-fi. It's a winning combination in my view.

@RamSamudrala 2 роки тому

@@gregcorker2193 If you've not read the books, you're doing a good job.

@trevey1123 2 роки тому

@@lastpme you will not be disappointed

@Michael-ez3zg 2 роки тому

When the Laconia's Admiral Winston Duarte said to Marco Inaros..., "You were a useful distraction but I have gods to kill". In other words, you are merely an ant that I played with but did not step on.

@tmmartinesq.6216 2 роки тому

Duarte might not have directly "stepped on," Marco, but he threatened him to the hilt and set him up for the ultimate kill. 💥

@poposterous236 2 роки тому

I hated the story at first but now its one of my favorite parts of the season. It ends so whimsical yet so twisted, like some kind of weird nightmare. The kid performers were especially great and it is good to know that the protomolecule hasn't been swept under the rug.

@DrEsky914 2 роки тому

I am glad you did this video. On one level it is a clear dividing line between those that have read the books and are in general thrilled to see the novella Strange Dogs put on the screen vs those who have not and are left wondering why this was important at all. I do love the idea often explored in The Expanse that not all things mysterious have to be explained. That is not the way life actually works, not all questions are answered. And yes, seeing the story from a child's point of view was super important because Cara looked at the problems she faced and came up with logical answers from her naive point of view as someone who feels she is a native of Laconia. This is her world and she wants to understand it better. We as viewers are privileged to see the story unfold as Cara sees it and those with either foreknowledge or a fertile imagination seemed to absolutely love the inclusion of this tale. Of course an easy solve is to read the rest of the books but I can understand why some defer that enjoyment but it is not something I could possibly do as I love every word written by James SA Corey and could reread these novels again and again. Thanks Pete. Hopefully you have "expanded" the thinking of some of those still stumped. I truly hope with all my heart that we get to see the rest of the story unfold on the screen!!

@michaelmayo 2 роки тому

I did a hard burn through the last three books after the series ended. I don't think they'll do the rest because the budget would dwarf the original series and they'd seriously have to deal with Alex (who's alive in the last books) or awkwardly replace him. That said, If there's a continuation, they needed to introduce Cara and Xan now since they're an integral part of the last books, or have an extended flashback showing how they came to be, not to mention it sets up how the third character is brought back to life. I'm happy with the "prolog" bits because it shows the protomolecule in a different light than we've seen it before, as well as sets the stage for Duarte's eventual plan. I'd love to see the last books done, if nothing else to see Muskrat floating around in zero g. Good Doggy!

@user-px7kx2gp1b 2 роки тому

About Alex, they dealt with it quite good in the 6th season. I think they could handle it through the next seasons.

@tmmartinesq.6216 2 роки тому

@@user-px7kx2gp1b I'm still smarting over the whole Alex Kamal kill off in the television series.

@SomeGuys31415 2 роки тому

The below includes spoilers for books 7-9. In one of Alex’s son’s 2 or 3 messages to Alex during the show, he says that he’s proud of his dad and would one day like to fly with him. A simple solution to adapting Alex’s story in adaptations of books 7-9 would be to start with Alex’s son from the show as the Roci’s pilot and say he’s been there for sometime (like 10+ years). His son appears to be 11-14 yo when we see him in season 5. Given the 30 year time jump, that would make him 42-45 yo in book 7. They could add as backstory that Alex’s heroics (including heroic death), further encouraged Alex’s son to follow in his footsteps. Say he joined the Roci crew when he was 30ish after a long stint as a pilot for the MCRN or MMC. Then Alex’s son’s story in the adaptations of books 7-9 could follow Alex’s story from those books (book 8: going with Bobbie to serve on the Gathering Storm and returning to the Roci at the end of book 8; book 9: having his own issues with his son (Alex’s grandchild) and fear of repeating his father’s (Alex) parenting mistakes. Age the son down a bit so he’s recently out of college, but otherwise the same… a new father and taking an assignment on a colony). It still works time wise. Say the son is 23 yo, so he was born 7 years after season 6. It is very reasonable for Alex’s 11-14 yo son in season 5 to have a son of his own 8ish years after season 5 (where he’d be a college aged 19-22).

@SomeGuys31415 2 роки тому

Not to mention that a few years pass between books 7 and 9. So Alex’s grandson in my proposed adapted story outlined above (Alex’s son’s son), could be like 27 or 28 by the time Book 9’s story happens.

@Paul-ew5st 2 роки тому

@@gailmcqueen150 I'm not sure they couldn't just make it a 10 year jump and just say how amazingly fast the protomolecule made everything change.

@takeuchi5760 2 роки тому

I don't think it made the story more complete, but it definitely made it more interesting.

@no2party 2 роки тому

I've read almost all the books (I'm currently reading Leviathan Falls). I'm happy they included the Laconia Arc in this season as it provides a good setup for an adaptation of the last three books which are almost a seperate trilogy in itself.

@msalvarez74 2 роки тому

Started watching first season of The Expanse again. It's so good. The level of detail, world building, character development. Love it so much.

@dguisinger 2 роки тому

I think it suffered from them just not giving enough context. Many things this season had that feeling, like they rushed everything to fit it into 6 episodes and there is context missing everywhere.... that someone like you who has read and fully understands everything going on, doesn't need.... but I've seen plenty of people not getting the point of things this season.

@randyallison3757 2 роки тому

Unless some producer is sure that they will adapt the last three books, I would have preferred that they had left Strange Dogs out and shown more about Duarte and Cortazar. I look forward to your next video.

@chrismcgowan3938 2 роки тому

Cara and Xan turn up again in the final 2 books, more so in book 9 "Leviathan Falls". I thought that one possible reason for introducing them here, via the novella "Strange Dogs" was as a lead in for the final 3 books in the whole series. My guess is that they want to make 3 more seasons, and this is a teaser as we are left hanging in the TV series about what happens to them.

@eds1942 2 роки тому

I might be wrong, but I think that they said that what happened to them, happened 18 years before book 8. But, I like the idea of moving this back to around the time shortly after the Proto-Molecule was brought to Laconia. People are going to die there, some likely out in the wild. So it’s a little hard to swallow that the first time that anyone, dead or alive, to ever encounter these repair dogs was Cara and Xan a decade or more after the fact.

@tuomasholo 2 роки тому

Imagine never growing up, never needing to eat, never dying…you’re immortal!

@tmmartinesq.6216 2 роки тому

I'd rather have real death than a living-death.

@robertalaverdov8147 2 роки тому

Imagine never tasting food, never enjoying sleep, no pleasure from love. Can't feel the sun on your skin, the cold breeze, or the tickling rain. Your mind is forever trapped inside a husk of a being. Doomed to trod along like an automaton. Endlessly wishing to feel alive again. No sir I do not wish for such a cursed existence. Life may be fragile but it's worth living. Without death existence has no meaning.

@markpeavy4005 2 роки тому

Great stuff, Pete! I'm behind on the commentary and translation but finished season 6 last night. Keep them coming! My wife bought me the first book and I will read all of them in this series.

@tmmartinesq.6216 2 роки тому

HERE, HERE! Pete Peppers did another bang on job! Thank you so much. Cheers!

@jamesholland5761 2 роки тому

Once again sir another great video! Well explained and very informative! I thank God for people like yourself! I personally haven't read the books except for " The Churn " but now that the show has concluded I'm hoping that a special edition box set may come available! As for including " Strange Dogs " I thought it felt completely natural as to your point with the Marco connection with Duarte! The one thing that I have learn ( though it was earned) was to trust the writers room on this show! Sometimes I would be angry and displeased at first but once things evolved I was relieved that they knew what they were doing all along! Thank you again!

@LarryKelly 2 роки тому

Again, an analysis that added to my understanding of the series. Loved your summary of the protomolecule.

@woolenthreads 2 роки тому

The problem I have with the Laconia Storyline is that it essentially happens 30 years after the Inaros War. So I'm OK with their not doing a season and teasing a possible sequel series, lets call it "The Expanse: Laconian Empire" which could run say 3 seasons.

@Nym146 2 роки тому

The point is, they're holding out hope that someone will pick it up for a season 7

@rfmckean 2 роки тому

Apple Tv?

@Nym146 2 роки тому

I hope not.

@constantinsavu5301 2 роки тому

@@Nym146 Why not? They are doing a good job with For all mankind so far.

@logirex 2 роки тому

It simply makes no sense to add unless as they started planning and writing this season they were not yet cancelled. There is so much wasted set up for further seasons such as Laconia, Duarte, vanishing ships that takes away from a rushed final season. I might add the final book does not even properly explain what happened to the ships that vanished..

@Nym146 2 роки тому

@@logirex We don't always get to have every question answered in fiction.

@mrmotozen 2 роки тому

A parent's greatest nightmare is losing a child. What kind of super-nightmare is it to have a deceased child return to life looking like Xan? I'm torn between the books and video series. It wasn't until I read Strange Dogs that I realized the 'repair drones' mentioned in the later books could be something that would appeal to children on a more 'garden' like planet. Especially considering the form of the "tools" created by the proto molecule on Elis in book/season 4 were very machine like. All metal and sharp edges. Different creations from different environments. I don't think the hard-edged environment of Ellis would have lent itself to a soft, warm-fuzzy, kind of side story. I enjoy your videos. Thanks!

@anticarrrot 2 роки тому

A very revealing nightmare? "Boo hoo. My child isn't pretty any more. I am now totally justified in trying to stab them." Frankly, these aren't just parents. They're scientists from a society where regrowing limbs is routine surgery. The idea that the alien space-magitech they're surrounded by might be able to do this should NOT be a shock to them. They have every right to be skeptical that this is in fact their revived son (as opposed to several other possibilities.) But they do NOT have the right to react as if they are brainless extras in a horror film.

@RamSamudrala 2 роки тому

@@anticarrrot I agree with you, terrible writing there. Especially considering the culture and all, what parent wouldn't go to any lengths to bring their kids back. There are many Asian horror movies about this.

@sircrapalot9954 2 роки тому

First, their horrified reaction comes from a place of deep instinct: even in the future, when a child dies they don’t come back. Second, knowing what the PM did to the people on Eros, why should they trust anything that it revives? I’d be scared too!

@anticarrrot 2 роки тому

@@sircrapalot9954 Except sometimes, with the assistance of heroic levels of medical assistance, the dead do come back to life. There is a reason for the paramedic phrase "They're not dead until they're *warm* and dead." And that's today. Mars Republic medicine is a lot better than ous. The aforementioned limb regrowth et all. Realistically their kid didn't die because they got hit by a car. They died because there wasn't a decent hospital anywhere nearby. And the kicker is we can imagine better medical technology and put in our stories, and they really should be able to do the same. So this absolutely should not be a completely novel idea to them. Shock and WTF reactions are fine. But we don't react to their limb regrowth tech as 'evil black magic' and they similarly shouldn't do so either. That aside, alien super tech brings dead boy back to life should be an end of act one event, not an end of story event.

@sircrapalot9954 2 роки тому

@@anticarrrot Xan was hit by a car. If he can’t get something to stop the internal bleeding and organ failure within a few minutes then he is dead-dead. Mars tech can’t help him after that point. Xan’s revival is not the end of the story. It’s only the start of the Laconia plot line.

@kentslocum 2 роки тому

I always appreciate Pete's spoiler warnings--the best ones I've heard.

@WpnX0351 2 роки тому

Great break down and explanation! I agree with you on all points!

@dubiago8440 2 роки тому

I REALLY hope we get to see books 7-9 adapted...the whole Laconian thread was awesome--we've only seen the beginning with Duarte.

@DaveSimcik 2 роки тому

Pete, I think U R right about this. I read the novella based on your recommendation. I was surprised to see just how close the adaptation was to the printed story. The inclusion of it in season 6 is a give away that more expanse is to come..... to be continued.....

@mindfury1980 2 роки тому

Another great video as always, love the tight editing, fluid narration, and everything was on point. I see the man himself Ty Franck (James S.A. Corey) retweeted the link to this.

@sircrapalot9954 2 роки тому

One of the best aspects of this show is how the writers hinted at future events long before they’d manifest. In S1 and S2, Belters and Avasarala both threaten and fear rocks hitting Earth. Marco’s name shows as a known affiliate when Naomi’s ID is revealed during Holden is interrogated on the Donnager. The Belter on hooks was really trying to get stealth composites for asteroids back in S1, but the viewers are deceived that he may be working with Mao for the Protogen stealth ships. As viewers we’ve been shown repeatedly that everything in this show matters sooner or later; there are no wasted scenes. S6 isn’t a finale, it’s a conclusion of the second act. There is so much more to this story and I hope they get to bring it to the screen.

@Michael-ez3zg 2 роки тому

I was fine with them adding the Pet Sematary little brother because it allows my imagination to take over.

@garywise1378 2 роки тому

I'm glad they included the Strange Dogs story in season 6 despite the fact it took away precious minutes from the main story. Aside from being interesting in its own right, it kept us abreast of the developments with the protomolecule, which had been central to the story from season 1. It also needed that link between Inaros and Duarte, as you mentioned, to put that relationship in context and for us to understand why it was a big thing that Duarte shut off Marco in the end. PS Watching your follow up videos has been part of my Expanse experience. I share your enthusiasm for the show and the books (I'm half way through Babylon's Ashes - read Michio, visualise Drummer!) and thank you for the insights your follow-ups have provided.

@smalec123 2 роки тому

Beyond connecting out to - hopefully - a continuation of the series, and tying off in ways you describe Pete, I think the Cara/Xan storyline provided grounding for the larger, crazy context in which the smaller (relatively) human drama played out across the season. At the end of it, we're still in-fighting and barely able to overcome ourselves self-destructing, and we've learned precious little about the outside world beyond the rings (within the context of the show). I enjoyed each episode starting with a reminder that humans are now far-flung, headed blindly into mysteries they couldn't comprehend, and into danger unknown. All while "core" humanity continued the scuffle for our home solar system nearly to dire ends. Great, short scenes that contextualize and open up focus and world building, whether or not we get more show.

@uwandumichael1607 2 роки тому

Duarte said "he has a god to kill" He must have noticed how to control the protomolecule efficiently

@ginsengaddict 2 роки тому

The inclusion of Peculiar Puppers suggests they are really keen to continue the adaptation in some form. For that reason, I love it.

@annoyed707 2 роки тому

Confounding Canines

@alifewithclaire 2 роки тому

I loved that they included the content from Strange Dogs. Excluding it would have likely closed the door on future opportunities to tell the rest of the story.

@d.a.f. 2 роки тому

What I learned from The Expanse is actually an active fear I have shared/pondered since childhood about the daunting challenge of Space. Once we finally settle into the ease of sailing the Vacuum of Space as we did with Earth's oceans. What happens when, and I emphasize the word WHEN, we discover something that we ultimately can not learn from. When we find something that can not be conquested, controlled, and/or studied what will Homo-Sapiens across the Stars decide to do. Descend into Chaos and embrace the entropy of the Universe or fervently cling to a soul-sucking level of order and discipline out of fear of the possibility that what we may do whether on purpose or not will lead to our extinction. The Anthropocene is ramping up and civilization is losing its patience. We don't want to wait for our progenitors to benefit from what we learn. WE WANT IT NOW. This is ultimately a turning point. One or the other. Wait carefully and hope something bigger than us doesn't throw a rock we can not dodge or Rush so fast that we accidentally just wipe ourselves out.

@oaklandblocks 2 роки тому

They need to do more seasons to finish the book before these two kids age.

@eddybrock227 2 роки тому

Excellent content,ty

@grogman1911 2 роки тому

I'm glad that the "Strange dogs" were added to this season. There are so many things going on in the background of this universe. Many stories could be written about them. I'd like to see more novella stories come out.

@emchartreuse 2 роки тому

I've read all 9 novels and most of the novellas including Strange Dogs. I know the experience is different for viewers who haven't read the books.... BUT... the show spent considerable time setting up the Laconian plot and Duarte's deal with the Free Navy in exchange for the protomolecule. Duarte, Cotizar, the protomolecle, and ultimately Laconia are all pivotal to the plot that played out in the 5th season and before. The Laconian cold opens tie directly to the end of season 5... the protomolecle was brought to Laconia and it woke up the alien tech. That's why they wanted it. I can't express how excited I was when I saw the alien ship building platform at the end of season 5. I really can't express how exited I was to see the strange dogs! The strange dog cold opens were my favorite part of this season. Actually SEEING the strange dogs was unbelievable cool! I think it's the coolest thing they've shown us since introducing the protomolecle in the first season. I'm so grateful they were able to give us that. Honestly, the last 3 books are a long slog of Laconia effing up everything. It's depressing and I'm glad they ended it at 6. What's important are the mysteries we started the story with: the gate builders and the something that killed them. Everything else is just more stories about monkeys throwing poop and that's why we can't have nice things. I really want to hear your take on the 9th book. I hope you'll do some spoiler deep dives on the rest of the story. Thanks for all the great content!

@astrodb4487 2 роки тому

I think the point of XAN and the orbital platform was there there is still strange and potentially dangerously linked to the protomolecule.

@zandraj1570 2 роки тому

Unfortunately my confusion continues. No choice but to read the books and return here for further enlightenment. Thank you for all the reviews.

@TheRealAlpha2 2 роки тому

So what I'm getting is: Adding this seems like an effort to say "If we get to do more all this will make perfect sense," if there's another season they wont have to bring actors back to film scenes that take place during the end of the war to tell this part of the timeline of events to potentially continue a story that might involve a whole new cast of characters.

@jezebulls 2 роки тому

I know this was the last season, but I’m praying someone decides to fund a movie that continues the Laconia story line.

@shaneezhameed3528 2 роки тому

Great explanation. Thanks!

@MrComtrend 2 роки тому

The final trilogy will be made at some point, the Expanse is just to good of an IP to be overlooked. Battelstar Galactica(Peacock), Firefly(Disney+), Babylon 5(CW/WB), Stargate(prime?) etc are all about to come back in some form in the near future.

@carlito19934 2 роки тому

Naming all shows that died and won't come back isn't making the point you thought you were making

@kirkdarling4120 2 роки тому

@@carlito19934 However, Farscape, Stargate SG-1, and and Firefly did conclude their stories with movies after their cancellation. Everything the producers of The Expanse has been saying is that they better-than-reasonable hope something similar will happen with The Expanse.

@MrComtrend 2 роки тому

@@carlito19934 They are coming back though, I even listed the networks they are returning on....

@Paul-ew5st 2 роки тому

@@kirkdarling4120 Stargate always made the most of their low budgets I'm not sure the creators of this show are willing to go that route.

@TheCognient 2 роки тому

I liked the Strange Dogs addition.

@PluckySmurf 2 роки тому

Laconia is a huge element in the overall saga. It would be very "hack" to neglect seeding what's left of the story with curiousity about Duarte and Cara and Xan. I think it's brilliant and compelling to leave unfinished business for fans to marinate in. (It'll be great for book sales too. 🤷‍♂️😁) This entire franchise is greatness.

@ChunMotorsport 2 роки тому

Thanks, I really never understood this side story, so I needed this explanation

@razariel5693 2 роки тому

I didn't even read the books yet, just looked at the bts infos with primes x-ray feature and it made all sense. I found the inclusion of Strange Dogs great. Also the dogs reminded me instantly at the 'Miller-Bot' of season 4, so they must be some kind of robots. Season 6 was just awesome and imo they did everything right! Great Videos Pete!

@SirISubscribealot 2 роки тому

Pete, good video as always. Are you going to do a review of Leviathan falls?

@Nebulorum 2 роки тому

Now that the final books are not guaranteed to make it to the screen. If I want to know the f story ends, can I jump from the series to book 7 or do I have to read all of them?

@rodneysmith1750 2 роки тому

Love the content, keep it coming in small doses or large doses!

@ViridisAmbrosia 8 місяців тому

I loved the Laconia stuff. It was actually my favorite part of season 6 bc it was the sci-fi. I was more interested in what was happening with Cara and Xan than in the main plot as i knew Marco would be defeated. I wish they had continued the story. 😢 I'll probably read the book strange dogs, but it's more satisfying in motion picture form. I'm just so sad they couldn't complete all the books this was like the best show ever.

@crisbajcrisbaj468 2 роки тому

thanks... you brought up everything I'd thought about...

@tracymetherell8744 2 роки тому

The.novellas are wonderful additions to the main books. I highly encourage folks to read the series including the novellas.

@cleigh113 2 роки тому

I really enjoyed the Strange Dogs portion of each show, and found it relevant to previous seasons and the progress of understanding the protomolecule. If the books were to be continued adapted to tv they would have even been more relevant. Some episodes I was actually more interested in this story line.

@butchoward24 2 роки тому

Did season 6 cover most of the strange dogs novela? I’m starting to read the last three books. Im on book seven and im wondering if I should have read strange dogs first.

@yensid4294 2 роки тому

You can read it after book 7 & before book 8. It will make sense there

@prpplague 2 роки тому

Hey Pete! can you do a video to discuss what it would be like to read the last three books if you have only watched the series and not read the first six? i am curious how difficult that would be!

@Hochspitz 2 роки тому

There were a few scenes in the finale that were not needed but Strange Dogs all the way through made very good sense to me. I like the idea that Duarte is our next Villain whether or not the last 3 books are ever adapted.

@JOAOPENICHE 2 роки тому

whats the episode from the scene at 6:00 ??

@daynet293 2 роки тому

Can I start reading the books where the series ended (book 7) or will I be lost and should start with book 1? I really want to know how the Protomolecule storyline wraps up

@PetePeppers1 2 роки тому

I recommend starting from book 1 for the full experience, but you probably could start at 7 if you're impatient. Book Drummer is a totally different character and plays a significant role in Persepolis Rising.

@petersonfamily6223 2 роки тому

Thanks, at the end of Episode 6 I was confused about the reasoning for the Cara and Xan storyline unless it is for a new series.

@marca5883 2 роки тому

I liked the Laconia bits of season six, felt like a nod to a season seven or film being the end game...💚🇬🇧🌱

@django02 2 роки тому

It's great to see that 200 years from now, they will be using the same Lee Valley LED work light I have on my bandsaw to light up students' desks in classrooms. 1:49

@tmmartinesq.6216 2 роки тому

LOL

@sehismith 2 роки тому

SPOILER ALERT! I just finished "Leviathan Falls" - all I can say is WOW - Cara and Xan are SO important in the final book.

@misterjib 2 роки тому

I hadn't read any of the books or novellas before this series, found the Cara Xan arc so intriguing that between epidode 5/6 I listened to Strange Dogs audio book. Then immediately started Persepolis Rising. I'm half way through Tiamat's Wrath now, and can't get enough of the Expanse saga. It's too good.

@Sabitar1 Рік тому

Where can I find the link to the finale discussion livestream of The Expanse?

@PetePeppers1 Рік тому

ukposts.info/have/v-deo/n4WUhIFqeax0pHU.html

@truejim 2 роки тому

Was Jules-Pierre really trying to use the protomolecule “to his advantage” as implied at 8:13 in this video? I interpreted his actions as: this technology is going to change humanity one way or another, and it’s better if we get ahead of this. He used that to justify terrible crimes. But he wasn’t doing this “for his own advantage”. He already had power and wealth beyond anybody’s imagining, to the point where he controlled his own unassailable stealth fleet.

@Paul-ew5st 2 роки тому

I think that was the excuse he was using but if there was no personal gain for him he didn't care about humanity

@jaffarebellion292 2 роки тому

I think instead that his actions were motivated by curiosity, mixed with a fair amount of fear. We always fear the unknown, and the Protomolecule was as unknown as it gets. It stands to reason that the kind of fear one feels on the face of that would drive one to do some pretty fucked up shit. Back in season 2, even Holden was so consumed by his fear of the Protomolecule that he lost sight of himself, only pulling back from the brink when Naomi was threatened. Fear drives people to do crazy things. It is, after all, the mind-killer.

@richardgaynor2659 2 роки тому

I liked the addition of Strange Dogs. We needed to see events beyond the war with Marco to avoid a claustrophobic storyline. Plus we needed something from Laconia so that didn't feel like a dropped story thread too. I have loved all the mysterious protomolecule stuff throughout the show. I don't know how they would have done it, but I would have loved if they included Miller in the strange dogs thread. It would mean he failed in season 4, which would be sad, but he does come back eventually, so why not?!

@DrEsky914 2 роки тому

Umm, SPOILER alert dude?

@scottdorfler2551 2 роки тому

Really great video Pete!!! I promised myself I wouldn't start reading the books before the tv series came to a conclusion. I loved the monkeys and microwaves analogy. Recognize it from season 3 when Holden and Proto-Miller were floating towards the Proto-station inside the ring space. Draper and the other MCRN recon marines hear Holden say that over the radio. Followed by, "exactly". That's when the marines think Holden has cracked. Nice touch of comedy.

@Keenergetic 2 роки тому

Thanks. Very interesting.

@dgd947a15fl 2 роки тому

They have to be in talks with people to fund more seasons. It's the only explanation for why they would start these new plotlines in the last season.

@alansnyder4104 2 роки тому

Non-book reader here. (althought that is about to change). I was for adding the Strange Dogs to the start of each episode, if for no other reason than to allow them to pitch the final 3 books for NetFlix / Media companies. It seems Amazon doesn't want to do it right now, but having that teaser out might make the pitch easier, and if they just neatly wrapped everything up. My question is does the Strange Dog novella end at the same place as what we saw on the screen? Does it end with Xan and Cara running through the forest?

@alansnyder4104 2 роки тому

Also want to add, that the CGI for those dogs was spectacular. Detailed and really well thought out. Art even.

@madux42 2 роки тому

Some minor SPOILER incoming, obviuosly... ... ... Yes, the novella ends exactly the same way. In fact, this was the most faithfully adaption of a novella so far. And for book readers, it's pretty much the same, they don't know the relevance of this novella for a while. Cara and Xan only play a role 1 1/2 books later again. But then, from the middle of book 8 and even more in book 9, their roles are super important.

@scottwooster4102 2 роки тому

thanks that explains a lot!

@Egobyte83 Рік тому

imo, that whole Laconia B-plot just felt out of place for anyone experiencing the Expanse for the first time through the show and not the books. If the showrunners knew that season 6 was gonna end the show, they could have just cut that thing completely, because it went absolutely nowhere and left joe schmoe going "huh? tf was that all about?". For six episodes, this kid and Duarte show up, people the viewers have absolutely no clue as to who they are and it is way too few episodes to even have us begin to invest ourselves in them. As far as I am concerned, the whole deal with the protomolecule was done, over, it was there to work as a plot device enabling humanity to travel between the stars after a lot of initial mistakes and misunderstandings. But suddenly we are back to someone becoming a resurrected zombie, the big Laconia station just hanging there doing nothing except being a blue-glowing chandelier and alien dogs playing corpse-doctor, etc... it is all too much of a tease to have no payoff whatsoever. All of that could have (and should have) just been dropped and the ending would have been fine, as the Belter war-deal was wrapped up in a servicable manner. As it is now, it's another case of writers getting us pumped up for something that we will never see. And no, new Expanse projects won't happen, because the show (and books) are not mainstream enough for more projects to be green-lit.

@lenrek 2 роки тому

Ya... When I saw end of S5 where they brought samples of protomolecule to Laconia, I knew something weird will be happening on the planet. There was a brief exchange between Avasarala and Holden about it to reinforce this point. So I am a bit surprised that, it seems, many didn't pick up this hint. IMO, one major implication of Laconia thread is, every planets that joined the Ring Gate were "touched" by the protomolecule, thus were transformed/assimilated into this protomolecule civilization. The civilization has died but the left over artifacts can be activated by protomolecule. Meaning, if Duarte was successful to activate and access the protomolecule technology (the end of S6 seems strongly implied he has), he could launch his force to re-claim all the planets that connected through the Ring Gate. This Laconia Empire will have the same reach as the ancient protomolecule builder. This new protomolecule-base empire may launch its own protomolecule to try assimilate more planets. The only system that was not assimilated successfully is Earth or Sol System. I have not read the books, but I can see big confrontation coming between Laconia Empire and Sol System. Still not sure if I should buy books and read though...

@trevey1123 2 роки тому

Do read them, you will not be disappointed. I love the audiobooks too.

@stephenbetley9596 2 роки тому

Thought doing the Strange Dogs story to explain/setup Laconia was inspired. I suspect we'll see B7-9 in movie/season form sometime in a few years with a probable 10 year jump not 30 years. Gave us an excellent Duarte - the actor loves the role.

@KodaVoss 2 роки тому

I saw one of your videos, before the season started, where you said strange dogs was a novella... SO, I knew that it wasn't a part of the main story/plot but extra... if I didn't see that, I wonder if I would have been confused about how strange dogs fit into this story arc of season 6... especially since that is the first thing they showed us each week. I personally like that they included it, because it was the like "interesting sci-fi thing" that happened... sure there were space battles and space walks... but the series has been about the protomolecule and what it was doing in our solar system... then the gates open and you have the orange aliens in the gate transit... idk, it would have been strange to have season 6 just be about the human war and the associated politics.

@A.N.A8 2 роки тому

Can you please make a video explaining point by point what happened when Holden put his hand in the thing in ring central station and all those fast flashbacks. If you can explain that in details it would be very helpful.

@generalreign3483 2 роки тому

Didn't realize I missed so much lol, great video! I hope we at least get a couple movies, it does not at all feel like a finale while I did like the season!

@SKiZ0TT 2 роки тому

I hope for a spin off.

@CyclonerM 2 роки тому

It was beautiful in its own right and was needed to explain what was going on with the protomolecule sample, the breakaway fleet and duarte. Even for show watchers only i think it would have been much worse if they killed an important character and did a lot of mayhem and chaos to steal the sample just to never hear about it again

@zeek72358 2 роки тому

I appreciated the storyline!

@kathleenyes-cp2uf 8 місяців тому

The books are so incredible. If anyone loved this story hasn’t read the books…read them

@uiuiuiseraph 2 роки тому

I liked it. I just wished the seasons had more eppisodes over all. I am sad that it's over and just whish I could see more of my favourite show.

@Syrilian 2 роки тому

This may be reading into it too much but the protomolucle is kind of a metaphor for the theme of the entire show/books: humanity messing with things they don't understand. Earth and Mars interactions with each other is messy because they don't understand each other, same with the Belt and well everyone. The entire story is a bunch of people fumbling around in the dark trying to do what they think is right.

@lmamakos 2 роки тому

I think the protomolocule is a lot like some broader tool - think "electricity". You can use electricity to perform all sorts of tasks, but it's like if you've only seen electricity in the form of lightning bolts, you might not be aware of all the possible uses, most of which are much more subtle than splitting a tree in half from the sky.

@danielwood719 2 роки тому

The show was too good to go away. This show and Netflix, lost in space were my favorite.

@erichschader1079 25 днів тому

Dang bro, that is really thorough

@PeterHamiltonz 2 роки тому

Can't believe it's even a question... It's continuity from events in season 5 and a ramp to the future if it ever happens. Who even opposes this? 😵‍💫

@trevey1123 2 роки тому

Exactly!

@mikhailv67tv 2 роки тому

I love the protomolecule in the story. It adds enormously to the story. It takes it further than an other SCyFy story as we don’t just have a humans on their own story and exploring the solar system we have the meeting of extra terrestrial life forms. It works very well. I like Clara and Xan. The dogs are brilliant

@d.a.f. 2 роки тому

Just like the builders' bridges in a sense the storyline was a bridge to help prepare the utter mind****ery of what will happen throughout the last 3 books. IMO , as Pete points out, we keep trying to understand it when we can not. We assume partially out of hubris and partially hope for progress that we can. That it won't hurt if we just make one exception for it. This ultimately erodes. You can't sustain or control this reliably. Laconia from my perspective was an utter failure and important(if not necessary) lesson in the dangers of assuming that the tier of life/consciousness of humanity posses can possibly be allowed, by the law of whatever makes the vast swats of existences tick, to ascend(for lack of a better world) In a sense, this makes one thing about the Many-worlds theories. Humanity was attempting to in a sense cheat the laws we find in our plane of existence(universe or however you want to call it). The Builders(my nickname of the inventors of the protomolecule)