The Expanse Season 5 Episode 8 Breakdown | Hard Vacuum Recap & Review

The eighth episode of season 5 of the Expanse focuses on Naomi Nagata (Dominique Tipper) and Camina Drummer (Cara Gee), but it manages to check with all the different Roci crew member’s stories. Naomi escaped her ex. Marco Inaros (Keon Alexander), but is now trapped in a ship that the Free Navy is using as a trap to kill her crew/family from the Rocinante. With very little to work with and still recovering from her suitless vacuum transit she manages to make a small change in the distress signal that the Chetzemoka is transmitting. She’s hoping that this will be enough to set off red flags for anyone who is trying to rescue her.

In episode 8 the Rocinante is searching in the blast zone from the Zmeya for signs of the protomolecule sample. James Holden (Steven Strait), Bull, and Monica Stuart aren’t sure that the sample is gone, but they can’t find any evidence either. Holden is distracted when they find out about Naomi’s distress call, and he wants to rendezvous with the Razorback to go rescue her. Monica is still curious about the protomolecule, and Bull is concerned that Holden will get them all killed trying to save his girlfriend.

The Drummer faction is experiencing tension within their family as they are working with the Free Navy. Karal is on their ships giving them orders, and this is adding to the problem. They have a nice family moment, and things appear to be getting better until they hear Naomi’s distress signal. This leads to Karal telling them that Naomi’s dead, and the Chetzemoka is a trap to kill Holden and her crew. Drummer loses it, and it’s not clear how she will be able to continue following Marco.

Season 5 episode 8 sees Amos Burton (Wes Chatham) and Clarissa Mao (Nadine Nicole) finally make their way back to Baltimore. They go to see his childhood friend Erich, offering to help him get off the planet if he can get them to Winnipesaukee Island. At first Erich is in denial about his situation, and it takes convincing to get him to leave his criminal enterprise behind. Clarissa tells him a story about a woman she knew in prison, and this helps him to make up his mind.

Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo) is working with the new Secretary General David Paster on Luna. He gives a moving speech, and looks like he is more confident in his role now. Admiral Delgado advises him to destroy Pallas station for a proportional response, and this causes a disagreement as Avasarala and others don’t want to kill innocent Belters.

Alex (Cas Anvar) and Bobbie Draper (Frankie Adams) are on their way to Naomi in the Razorback. Marco only appeared briefly mourning the death of Cyn and blaming it on his son Filip (Jasai Chase Owens). Now Earth knows he must have a connection with Mars, and Monica thinks he might be trying to trade the protomolecule sample and Cortazar to finance the ships.

Let us know what theories you have about season 5, and how you think his story will end. If you’ve read ahead in the book series, please make sure to mark any book spoilers when you comment.

This Expanse season 5 episode 8 video explains everything you need to know about the episode and explains the ending. It explains what the characters are doing and what it means for the rest of the season.

The Expanse stuff:

Leviathan Falls - Coming soon...

The Expanse 508 "Hard Vacuum"
Written by Dan Nowak Directed by Marisol Adler First Aired 01/20/2020
Synopsis: Amos returns to Baltimore with Clarissa. On Luna, Avasarala's alliances begin to shift. Alone and adrift, Naomi becomes a deadly lure.

0:00 Intro/Nemesis Games Holden
1:26 Amos & Clarissa
3:56 Avasarala & The UN
5:25 Marco & Filip
6:08 Holden & The Rocinante
6:52 Alex & Bobbie
7:25 Naomi
9:49 Drummer
13:02 Review/Final Thoughts

#theexpanse #theexpanseseason5 #screamingfirehawks #expanseonprime

[maxilos]

Naomi's altered message playing into the credits was badass.

[tracymetherell]

Naomi is the ultimate engineer. She does something with literally nothing. I love how they don’t dumb it down for us. We don’t need to know her scientific reasoning about how much air she has left, we only need to know that SHE knows what she is up against

[jacqi]

I would watch 2 episodes of just Cara and Dominique. Drummer is so complex and fascinating. Naomi is the most resourceful and determined character on the show. They are both powerhouses. 7 days feels like a lifetime to wait. 😖

[asharastark]

Expanse is just the best show on telly, I mean, Dominique Tipper this episode. Just how much they scienced the shit out of her space exposure.

[cskandrsgyrgy]

A little detail to appreciate: Naomi wasn't suffocating in the vac suit because she had no oxygen to breathe in, but because of the CO2 she was breathing out.
It's a trope in most sci-fi movies and video games that astronauts have not enough oxygen, but real life astronauts worry more about their CO2 recycling systems. Which means, you're more likely to die in space because of CO2 poisoning, and not because of the lack of O2.

[chrismitchell]

I live in Baltimore, glad to see it still looks the same hundreds of years in the future.

[GrandSupremeDaddyo]

*This is Naomi Nagata . . . . . . Tell James Holden I am in. . . . . . Control.*

What a great episode.

[grayoptional]

I feel like it was a big moment for Avasarala when she advised against the civilian attack. She kept her head and pushed her hatred for the OPA aside even with a death toll in the millions and her husband's fate uncertain.

[chiragpatankar]

That Voice recording : "I am Naomi Nagata from the Roccinante. Tell James Holden I'm in
is still ringing inside my head!!!

[TheRealVranesh]

This season has been so good! Usually seasons become boring or lose their shine. But holy cow these guys have outdone themselves. I absolutely love this season

[m.e.]

I like the expression on Amos's face during Clarissa and Eric's exchange. It was like he was confused about what was going on. I guess to him it was obvious that Baltimore was beyond salvaging and they have to get off planet. He didn't understand the emotional connection Eric had with the place and they should quit talking and go. And take some tequila too.

[Xgamerdad]

I felt Cara's rage. I want to see a Drummer revenge scene

[CesarGarciaJara]

You realize it was a good episode with the credits roll and you wonder if the time is right.

[jlkh]

Find someone who looks at you the way Amos looks at that tequila.

[dealspeed]

Drummers crew has even less freedom under other belters than they did under the inners

[refinnej]

I have never in my life have stanned a TV duo before, but damn, I love Amos and Clarissa together.

[PureFPSPwnage]

Favorite line of the season so far:
"I'm not about to tuck tail and run because some belter f*ckstick throws a couple of rocks." *Don status.*

[WolfX]

Dam Dominique Tipper acting was simply amazing, you can tell after Naomi vacuum trip. She's probably feeling like shit, body aching all over the place, emotionally conflicted about her current situation even she had just kill and old friend. All were well portrayed in her scenes thumps up*

[mokeeiswatching]

This episode should be nominated for some award. So good.

[switchmuso]

I have been a fan of sci-fi all my life, (Iain M. Banks anyone?) and this episode is perfection. The sense of logical science-based prediction of future dilemmas has no peer. I enjoy the little details added here.