The Expanse season 6 sees Holden make a decision that calls back to the Canterbury, tying into another reference in Amazon's current run.
The Expanse season 6 calls back to the show's very first episode - both through James Holden's contentious decision and a reference to the good ship Canterbury. For its third episode ("Force Projection") The Expanse season 6 goes all-out with a spectacular battle between the Rocinante and the Free Navy. Taken by surprise, the Roci relies on tactical maneuvering and well-timed railgun shots to beat back the Pella and its support ships, winning the day thanks to Bobbie Draper's crack sharpshooting skills. When the time comes to destroy the Free Navy's flagship and its leader, Marco Inaros, however, James Holden makes the last minute decision to deactivate Bobbie's nuclear missile.
Though straightforward mercy might've played its part, James Holden's decision was mostly down to the presence of Filip - the son of Roci engineer and Holden's lover, Naomi Nagata - on the Pella. Ever the bastion of morality, Holden simply couldn't bring himself to kill Filip, even if that meant letting the Sol system's most wanted man flee. Everyone can see why Holden made the choice he did; nevertheless, taking matters into his own hands is bound to trigger ructions throughout the Rocinante crew.
Related: The Expanse's Surprise Cameos In Season 6 Episode 3 Explained
Holden's nuclear controversy is inspired by events from James S.A. Corey's sixth The Expanse novel, Babylon's Ashes - but also calls back to Steven Strait's series debut. In The Expanse's very first episode, Holden is executive officer aboard private ice hauler, the Canterbury. The ship's captain ignores a distress signal to ensure the crew return in time to collect their bonus payment, but Holden's conscience nags away, prompting him to sneakily get up during sleeping hours and respond to the distress call. The scenario is a perfect mirror of Holden deactivating the Rocinante's nuke in The Expanse season 6. On both occasions, Holden made a divisive - albeit morally virtuous - call that he knew his crew disagreed with. He also took the decision behind his crew members' backs both times, not immediately owning up to making a contentious call on their behalf.
It's probably no coincidence that also in The Expanse season 6, episode 3, the Canterbury is brought up in conversation between Amos and Bobbie, with both admitting it's been a long time since they remembered the Cant. The ship where Holden, Naomi, Alex and Amos first met is seldom mentioned at this point in The Expanse's present-day timeline of Belter terrorists and Ring Gates. Season 6's rare mention conjures up memories of The Expanse's early years, pushing the parallel between Holden's secretly-aborted missile and his secretly-answered distress call to the fore. The Canterbury throwback also succeeds in bringing The Expanse back to its roots as the final chapter looms large - a reminder of how far the story (and the Roci crew themselves) have come since humbly hauling ice from rock to rock.
For some, Holden repeating his Canterbury trick in season 6 might demonstrate how little he's changed since The Expanse began. Instead, deactivating the missile proves how James Holden's core streak of morality has stayed true, despite the mad, alien-tinged adventures he's experienced over the past 6 seasons. The Roci captain has evolved hugely during that time, embracing his leadership role, becoming more emotionally open, and accepting his place in the fabric of destiny. However, Holden's unerring desire to do the right thing - even when that means upsetting the people he lives on a ship with - hasn't changed at all.
More: How The Expanse’s Book Changes Hurt The Roci vs Pella Battle
The Expanse season 6 continues every Friday on Amazon Prime.
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