The Science of The Expanse: Season 1, Episode 3

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The Expanse is chock full of nifty gadgets, technology and, uh, sexual recreation. But just how realistic is all of it? Let's take a look at all of the future tech in each episode and discuss just how possible the 23rd century really is.

In Episode 3: "Remember the Cant," Amos rather bluntly tells Shed that their Martian captor "doesn't need any ball cream because he doesn't have any balls."

This is a low blow on Amos' part -- Martian soldiers aren't really castrated. However, it isn't that far-fetched that the MCRN might one day go to such extremes to further discipline their military power. Castration has been performed for thousands of years, whether it be to maintain an angelic singing voice or to neuter an opposing military force. By removing the testicles of a soldier, the MCRN could deprive that solidier not only of his virility but of an abundance of testosterone that is a driving force behind aggression and anger. Seeing the other drug cocktails that Mars has access to, it's not outside the realm of possibility that these soldiers are on some crazy combination of drugs to keep their hormones in check, but the removal of a man's family jewels could be an effective (overly so) future method of keeping his emotions in check.