Ep 1. New Terra

In the first episode of The Expanse's fourth season, titled "New Terra," we find the crew scattered across the solar system dealing with the consequences of their previous actions. The Rocinante has traveled to Ilus, a newly discovered planet with a promising ring of protomolecule, a powerful alien technology that has wreaked havoc in the past. Meanwhile, the Belt and Earth tension remains high as the search for a missing Mars ship heats up.

The Rocinante's crew - James Holden, Naomi Nagata, Alex Kamal, and Amos Burton - have been tasked with overseeing the first phase of colonization on Ilus. However, not everything goes as planned. Upon arrival, they find themselves embroiled in a struggle with the settlers as they attempt to claim ownership over the planet's valuable resources. The situation escalates quickly, and the Rocinante crew must use all their skills to prevent the tensions from boiling over into full-blown conflict.

Meanwhile, Earth has dispatched UN Deputy Secretary Chrisjen Avasarala to investigate the disappearance of the Martian ship. The investigation leads her to the Belt, where she encounters a new Belt leader who is intent on starting a rebellion against Earth, making Avasarala's job much more difficult.

On top of all of this, tensions between Holden and Naomi are at an all-time high. Naomi's secret about a past relationship with one of the settlers on the planet creates a divide between her and Holden, which threatens to tear the team apart.

The cinematography and visual effects in this episode are stunning, as viewers are transported to a new world full of intrigue and danger. The plot is tightly woven, and the character development is strong, giving viewers a deeper look into the personalities and motivations of the show's beloved protagonists. Overall, "New Terra" is an exciting and engaging start to the fourth season of The Expanse, promising new adventures and obstacles for the crew to overcome as they navigate the ever-changing political landscape of the solar system.