by Miclpea

I recently attended The Science of The Expanse panel at WonderCon 2018. The panel was moderated by Kyle Hill, the host of Because Science and a true aficionado of The Expanse. The panelists were Cas Anvar (Alex Kamal), Frankie Adams (Bobbie Draper), and Naren Shankar (the Showrunner). Shoreh Aghdashloo (Chrisjen Avasarala) was scheduled to attend but the LA traffic proved to be more formidable even than Avasarala. Despite her absence, the discussion was lively and the questions from the audience were thought-provoking, as one would expect from a group of Expanse fans. The panel began with an exclusive clip from Season 3, which interestingly illustrated both an adherence to a known scientific principle as well a failure to do so.

The scene involved a space battle where unsecured items flew about the room as the Rocinante aggressively maneuvered in a space battle. Their motion was scientifically accurate but the sounds of the space battle as viewed from outer space were not. Naren admitted that he claimed artistic license with this inaccuracy. However, he later admitted to an epic failure in accurately portraying a scientific principle.

This failure occurred in Season 2 when Alex had to approach Ganymede without being detected. He used a very complex maneuver using gravitational assist from the moons of Jupiter to make a stealth approach to Ganymede. Naren admitted that this was scientifically inaccurate and he promised that this mistake would be rectified in Season 3.

Of course, no Expanse panel discussing scientific principles would be complete without discussing the Protomolecule. Naren explained that when mankind attempted to bend the Protomolecule to their will, they were doomed to fail, since they did not understand the true nature of the Protomolecule. He said that the audience would finally understand the purpose of the Protomolecule in Season 3.

Intermixed in the panel discussion about the science of The Expanse, the audience learned more about the interaction of the actors on and off the set. Wes Chatham (Amos Burton) is the jokester on the set and it drives Cas to distraction. The actors actually spend time away from the set working on their scenes together as well as just hanging out socially. They admitted that it is much easier to act when they have actual sets, as opposed to a green screen behind them. Frankie also told the audience that it takes far less time for her to don her armor than when she first started. A surprise revelation was that both Frankie and Cas would not go to space if given the opportunity!

Throughout the discussion, Naren and the actors dropped hints about what to expect in Season 3. Naren did say that the truth would be revealed about the Protomolecule. He also hinted that the audience might see a favorite character reappear! Cas revealed that the audience will learn more about Alex’s family and his motivation for making the crew of the Rocinante his new “family.”

The panel closed with an exciting new clip, which showed Bobbie climbing on the outside of Jules Pierre Mao’s yacht. She was working her way toward Julie’s racing ship, the Razorback. The audience will find out what Bobbie plans to do with the ship in Season 3.

Later, after the panel, I had the great opportunity to speak with Cas and Frankie together, and Shoreh separately. Cas and Frankie revealed that Bobbie and Alex will get along in almost a comedic way in Season 3. As the two Martians on the ship, who also share a military background, they spend time getting to know each other by discussing their military history. Cas did note that Bobbie was in an elite unit, while Alex was a regular pilot. Cas revealed that Bobbie will become the Rocinante’s gunner during one of the battle scenes. He remarked that Alex totally geeks out that this member of an elite Martian unit now is his gunner, a role reversal that probably would never have happened in the Martian forces.

We discussed Alex’s backstory (his family on Mars) in the Origins graphic novel as well as the possibility of future Expanse graphic novels. Both Frankie and Cas agreed that there should be a graphic novel about Jules Pierre Mao and his daughters. They also felt that it would be appropriate to have a graphic novel about Avasarala as well.

Frankie and Cas explained the impact of having Bobbie and Avasarala aboard the ship after the betrayal of trust by Naomi. This volatile mix includes Prax, whose only purpose for living at the moment is to find his kidnapped daughter. Frankie says that their introduction into the ship creates a bit of a storm, since Avasarala, Bobbie, and Naomi are all forces of nature in their own right. Frankie revealed that each of these women tries to take control at some point. Cas pointed out that these women had previously had power in different areas: Naomi had intellectual power, Avasarala political power, and Bobbie physical power. Cas noted that they will need to find balance if they are going to work together.

Both Cas and Frankie agreed that there were only shades of gray in the conflict over the Protomolecule, with the exception of Jules Pierre Mao. The consensus is that Jules is a terrible person who was willing to sacrifice his own daughter, as well as all of the people on Eros, to further his goals.

I asked them what fans should expect to see in Season 3. Cas explained that the first two seasons introduced the audience to the milieu that is the Earth, Mars, and the Belt. The audience was introduced to the different factions, and the leaders of the factions, as well as the myriad of motivations for their actions. Season 3 will see what happens when these forces finally meet. But as fans of the books know, the Protomolecule has its own purpose. It is a force that will only add complexity to the “three planet” problem.

After I met with Cas and Frankie, I had the opportunity to speak with Shoreh Aghdashloo. I now understand why she was chosen for the role of Avasarala, because she has a formidable presence. Shoreh explained that she believes that Avasarala views Bobbie as if she is her own daughter. She went on to say that in many ways, she views Frankie similarly in real life (Frankie had said earlier that she and Shoreh hang out together).

Shoreh revealed that Avasarala also sees Bobbie as a younger version of herself, with the same qualities that she possessed at that age. Avasarala also sees herself as a person who needs to teach Bobbie how to survive their passage through the deadly minefield, which is their current situation.

When I asked Shoreh about Bobbie and Avasarala going aboard the Rocinante and adding to the tension already present there, she gave a very thoughtful explanation. She explained that all of the crew members had to navigate through this new world where good and bad seemed to be fluid. Shoreh made an interesting comparison to her own life, where her perception of “good people” and “bad people” has changed as she has matured. Her explanation of the human dynamics in The Expanse reminded me of a very complex matrix governed by multi-dimensional mathematics. But clearly, this sort of complex environment is Avasarala’s raison d’être.

Shoreh also provided some new background on Avasarala. Avasarala comes from a very wealthy family, which explains why she was not in the least impressed by Jules Mao yacht. Shoreh explained that Avasarala’s speech to Errinwright about bringing the full force of the government down upon Jules Pierre Mao is her defining moment. Avasarala truly believes in the power of government to rein in the power of those greedy people who would destroy humanity in their personal pursuits, whether for money or for power. Avasarala believes in working for the people. But ideally, she would prefer to have the power of the Protomolecule for Earth. Shoreh reminded me that Avasarala said that she never ran for office because she “liked having her head attached to her body.” Avasarala understands that it’s easier to work behind the scenes.

From speaking with Cas, Frankie, and Shoreh, as well as the revelations from the panel, it is obvious that Season 3 of The Expanse is going to be phenomenal. There will be battles, betrayals, revelations, and the Protomolecule. I know that I and the other fans of the show can’t wait!

Season 3 of The Expanse premieres on SyFy on April 11th. Will you be watching? Click here to join the conversation on the FoCC forum.

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