Television Review: Salvage (The Expanse, S1X08, 2016)

Salvage (S01E08)

Airdate: January 26th 2016

Written by: Bill Johnson
Directed by: Robin Veith

Running Time: 43 minutes

The eighth episode of The Expanse, titled Salvage, represents a pivotal moment that many viewers of Season 1 had been eagerly anticipating. This episode rewards their patience by resolving one of the show’s grand mysteries and bringing together two of the three major storylines that have been developing throughout the season.

The episode opens with Detective Joe Miller travelling to Eros station. During his journey, he converses with a fellow passenger, a Mormon missionary portrayed by Kevin Bundy. This marks Miller's first departure from Ceres station, and he expresses scepticism about the Mormon plans to send the Nauvoo generation ship on a century-long voyage beyond the Solar System. However, as he learns about the political crisis potentially leading to interplanetary war, he begins to reconsider the mission’s significance. Upon arriving at Eros station, Miller seeks information about Anubis 1A, the shuttle used by Julie Mao, who is travelling under the alias "Lionel Polanski." Eros proves to be a far more violent and chaotic environment than Ceres, but Miller's aggressive methods in obtaining information—such as rough the dock master played by Philip Mackenzie—are too much even for that place and land him in jail. Fortunately, he is bailed out by his old friend Sematimba (played by Kevin Hanchard), who warns him that the security firm he works for has recently hired numerous thugs. Sematimba also provides crucial information: Julie Mao has been seen at the Blue Falcon Hotel.

Meanwhile, aboard the Rocinante, Holden and his crew follow coordinates provided by Fred Johnson to an asteroid designated BA-834024112. They discover a mysterious, seemingly abandoned ship hidden within it. As they investigate, they are struck by the eerie absence of air and signs of destruction within it, along with an unsettling biological material. This ship is revealed to be Anubis, the same vessel that Julie Mao encountered at the beginning of the series. It is also revealed that Anubis was stealth ship responsible for destroying the Canterbury. When Holden’s crew attempts to activate its reactor, they inadvertently revive a mysterious and likely malevolent biological entity, forcing them to flee and undergo decontamination before Holden destroys the ship with a torpedo as an act of vengeance for their fallen comrades.

Upon reaching Eros station, the crew of Rocinante disembarks and goes to Blue Falcon Hotel, where they immediately sense something amiss. Their instincts prove correct; Kenzo Gabriel, whom they had previously allowed to leave their ship, has alerted a UN black ops team led by Errinwright. This triggers a violent firefight in which they are saved by Miller's timely intervention. After dispatching their attackers, Miller and his newfound allies make their way to Julie Mao’s room only to uncover a horrifying scene: her naked corpse lies in the shower, grotesquely disfigured by rapid fungal growth.

Salvage adeptly weaves together various plot strands in both a spectacular and efficient manner, solving much of the overarching puzzle while leaving enough intrigue for future episodes. However, the complex interplanetary conspiracy involving biological experiments gone awry and secret weapons will necessitate additional episodes to fully explore and address their ramifications.

This episode also underscores The Expanse’s willingness to confront its audience with the harsh realities of its fictional universe. The character of Miller, arguably one of the most relatable and memorable figures in the series, sacrifices his career and risks his life in pursuit of Julie Mao—a quest that ultimately ends in tragedy and futility.

One standout moment in *Salvage? is a brief but intense shootout scene in Blue Falcon Hotel, which ranks among the best action sequences in The Expanse thus far. Additionally, scenes aboard the ghost ship Anubis are masterfully directed; they effectively build suspense through atmospheric tension and visual storytelling that keeps viewers on edge.

Salvage not only delivers on its promise of convergence but also enriches character arcs and expands upon existing mysteries within The Expanse. As it sets up for future revelations and conflicts, it solidifies itself as a critical juncture in Season 1—one that leaves audiences eager for what lies ahead in this intricate narrative tapestry.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)

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