Ep 1. Fight or Flight

The Expanse season 3 episode 1 titled "Fight or Flight" begins with our favorite characters still reeling from the events of the previous season. Those affected most are Holden, Naomi, and Amos. The episode starts with new characters drifting into the main story in some way to spice up the character dynamics.

The premiere episode is more of a foundation setting episode, moving sluggish as it deals with the aftermath of what happened last season. A few of the crew members from Rocinante have gone their ways, two trying to pick up their life where they left it, while others try to move on and cope with the losses they incurred.

At the beginning of "Fight or Flight," Naomi is still in distress over betraying her crew, while Holden struggles to keep Rocinante from unwanted dangers. On the other hand, Drummer, who we met mid-way through season 2, becomes a massive piece of the story, blowing a fresh air of tough to the Roci crew.

The first episode of season 3 introduces a couple of rule breakers who won't be well-liked when they finally hit our favorite characters' radar walking around the Belt docks. In between all of this tension it seems there may be a burgeoning romance, and new unlikely partnerships may form that could have some interest and intrigue if they are fleshed out over the next nine episodes.

The episode also shows some of the villains from the previous seasons that seem to have their own plans and agendas, which might not be what they seem.

As expected in The Expanse, "Fight or Flight" does feature bursts of action. Some are heightened but manage to give fans more of the type of intense action they enjoyed in previous seasons. Some of the effects work in the show is impressive, as always, with well-paced fight scenes and a decent space sequence that should leave fans excited for what's to come in the new episodes.

Overall, The Expanse season 3 episode 1 does a lot of leg work to confirm where characters are politically and emotionally, where alliances and feuds currently reside, and where the show will be going this season. However, it's not the most thrilling episode of The Expanse, but it sets the stage for a continuation of the intricate space opera established in the previous two seasons.