The Expanse (TV Series) Hard Vacuum (2021) User Reviews

This season seems unbalanced

[GoobyPolice · 8/10 · 27 January 2021]

It's hard to imagine managing this many point-of-views in 10 episodes.....Which is why I'm confused by this season's heavy emphasis on Naomi's story. Solid acting and good depth for her character but it seems like the type of attention you'd give her if this season was 20 episodes, not 10. Thus, I'm left feeling like the season is wrapping up and I couldn't even fill a post-it note with plot points from Alex, Bobby, Avarsarala, and Holden's perspective.

Anyway, I still love this show, this universe and these characters. This Expanse, even at its weakest, still delivers more satisfying depth and thrill than most shows hope to achieve their entire run.

Good enough

[joanbt · 9/10 · 23 January 2021]

Holden has the protagonism in all previously seasons, I don't mind if they focus a little in Naomi, what makes sense since her ex is the main villain of the season. Only had 3 episodes really focused on her and they are already saying that the series is a naomi spin-off. if all the episodes had been released at once, I doubt that the reviews would be low, the fourth season has some boring episodes and the reviews are very high, because when you marathon, these episodes that slow down a little are not so uncomfortable. Is a good enough episode that don't deserve those 2/3/4 stars that some are giving. (English is not my first language, so I apologize for any grammar mistakes)

Better Ep than other reviews suggest

[antonydwhitehead · 8/10 · 23 January 2021]

After being put off by poor reviews and the previous and disappointedly clunky Ep 7 I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this Ep. Naomi's desperate efforts in the claustrophobic setting of the spaceship were tense and effective. A lot was achieved with little. And Ep 8 nicely set up the two concluding episodes of this excellent series.

Marks the lowest point in the series

[pontram · 24 January 2021]

Though it is totally ok that one member of the crew gets nearly her own episode, it is not quite that what we expect from The Expanse. Remember that Bobbie Draper was in the focus earlier in Season three. But that was during an incredible interesting story arc in season 2 and another in season three, carefully distributed over several episodes. In Hard vacuum and the episode before, Naomis' story was clearly not what the Expanse is known and praised for. But even if you give in and say, maybe it was necessary for some reasons, the rest of the episode was very disappointing, since we are nigh to the season's end. I do not like to have everything important pressed into the last episode, while we are in a huge system of political and explorational activities. But at the moment, it seems to be that prospect, which is not what the audience (which saved The Expanse) deserves.

This is Naomi Nagata...

[hhhrahulhhh · 10/10 · 20 January 2021]

Wow.. this was a one episode masterclass. I'm sure other people will have a variety of opinions about this episode either positive or negative. But this episode for me was probably Dominique Tipper at her best. I've not normally been a fan of either her or Steven Strait as far as portrayal, but watching this episode with her struggling with the crisis has turned my opinion.

From the beginning of the episode all the side stories seemed like a mere distraction from the monologue of Naomi's physical and mental struggle. Her condition coming in from essentially complete vacuum and how the human body organs would respond to such a stress was well done. It could be that it wasn't perfect but I've never seen another show or movie attempt such level of detail to their storytelling. As soon as she enters in, her cries from physical pain immediately attach us to her plight. Even though we could find hard to imagine someone's emotional pain, we can very well imagine what even minor physical pain does to us. Every time she struggled to walk, see, breathe, pull I could feel myself become physically anxious. The silence of the whole scene only broken by her despairing cries and trying to implement a solution we as the audience didn't know yet. Whenever the scene pulled away from her, it was to remind us of how truly alone she was when all the communication with her friends was actually a false simulation which she couldn't do anything about. I can't say enough about how much I like Cara Gee (Camina Drummer) as an actor but her mental anguish was probably the best mirror to amplify the feeling of anxiety in this episode. All the cut scenes to Earth seemed to provide occasional relief, till we were pulled back to further witness Naomi struggle to get her voice back and get back in control... We're ultimately left with the hope that someone can decipher her cryptic final call. And whether this final call is of someone about to martyr themselves.

This episode seemed like a mash between Castaway played out on a sinking ship. I admire how many different narrative methods this show employs and they can keep us engaged even without the cinematic masterpieces that this show is popular for. Can't wait for the finale to this season and still hoping someone (Amazon) can let the showrunners actually finish this original masterpiece beyond season 6.

Enough of this anti Naomi bull - this episode is awesome!

[eric_oliver_nicolas · 10/10 · 21 January 2021]

Tense, character-driven, this is the Expanse at its best. Naomi's situation is desperate and yet she keeps on fighting, Drummer reels from the pain of losing her friend, Alex is warping into a trap... seriously, what is wrong with all those negative reviews??? Even the end credits are gripping, with the modified distress call repeating over and over. It takes a lot for me to watch a ring gate for two minutes, but I couldn't get enough of that modified message: against all odds, Naomi managed to do SOMETHING to warn her friends away! Awesome episode!! Proof of the human spirit in the face of certain death. Awe-some!

Not getting all the negative reviews

[ignisgeodacius · 9/10 · 12 August 2023]

I am godsmacked by the negative reviews regarding the Naomi character. She is driven purely by survival to protect her most loved people.

This episode has all of the thrill of previous eps, plus it feels very human.

I for one like the drama with her, plus Drummer who has and will always be a great character in this series.

Naomi may have actually turned the tide in this terrorist war with her sacrificial efforts! I mean heck, she could have just blown up the ship, but instead decided to succumb to horrible radiation poisoning instead to save her old ship and family.

A great episode in a series which seems to be losing its way.

Naomi alone

[berry-54430 · 9/10 · 20 January 2021]

This episode focuses on Naomi's struggles to reach out to Holden ( or anyone) so they don't dock with the ship and blow her and themselves up. Great acting by Tipper and Gee, as we see Drummer grieving. I only wish they had more focus on the other characters and is why it's a 9 and not a 10. The way Amazon is rolling out the season has its plus and minuses, on one hand I wish I could see all the episodes together so I can fully immerse myself in the story yet they did this with Vikings and I watched every episode immediately which was great for that day but now leaves me wanting more. I guess you can't have it al.

Can only take so much of one thing.

[claytonhenry-39940 · 6/10 · 22 January 2021]

My general opinion of this season is "not good." This season has lost the thrill and wow moments other seasons had on a episode to episode basis. I was in a mood that allowed me to enjoy the previous episodes' acting and dialogue but this episode is just dragging the Naomi arc for far too long. It would be fine if anything interesting at all was happening but there are just no wow moments that a sci-fi show requires. The shortcoming of this season is the diminished writing.

Character is what this show is about....duh!

[spyklv · 9/10 · 23 January 2021]

I loved the way we got to see Naomi strive to survive despite almost insurmountable odds. Since the first season of this show, she has been struggling with this whole burden of abandoning her son and her fear of her radical ex. Of course we are going to see how this unwanted reunion affects her as she is forced to do everything in her power to save her Resonate family from her terrorist former family. Who the heck else would we focus on here? No one else packs the same emotional punch. Well, maybe with the exception of Drummer. Marco is taking away all they fought to gain as belters who called some inners friends. He's a monster and every time I see Naomi and Drummer in agony, it drives that home all the more. I like that we get to see that for as weak as her old family think her to be, Naomi is the strongest of them all, and much of that is due to her new family and how they are there for each other.

If people just want to look at cute guys preen across the stage, watch the Bachelor or something. This show is about depth of these characters in extreme circumstances in space. Better than anything, I appreciate that they didn't build up how horrible Marco's plans would be and then abandon that with other plots forever. The crew has been apart so long, I feel like it will be incredibly satisfying when they are all together once again. To me, that's good storytelling! I don't know how they are going to wrap this all up in two more episodes. I hope Amos gets off that dead rock that was earth and I don't really care if peaches is there or not as I have no real emotional investment in her. I am horrified that the spineless general now has balls of steel and wants to kill innocent belters along with Marco sympathizers. Chrisjen is going to be pissed and I love a pissed Chrisjen! Can't wait to see Jim get his crew back together and his girl. Will Drummer snap on Karal and Marco and put us all out of our misery? Will Filip grow a pair and stop being a daddy's boy when daddy does care about anyone but himself? Again, how will we get all these answers in two more episodes? I don't know, but I know I love it!

Not bad, just too much Naomi

[saner_place · 6/10 · 22 January 2021]

This was not bad, just too much of a good thing. Way too much Naomi this season. Nothing wrong with the acting or story, just need a bit (lot?) more screen time for the other characters and stories.

Naomi Shines

[cyberperro · 8/10 · 23 January 2021]

The season has been way different from the norm because the crew is not together, and on individual paths of inner enlightenment. This episode was very Naomi-centric, but it's by far her best work of showing an emotional range and determination combined with self-doubt, perseverance and ingenuity. I loved this episode...and it was her Ripley moment minus monsters.

Where are my boys?!

[isobel-42847 · 6/10 · 21 January 2021]

Again this episode focuses too much on Naomi. I mean... I like her and the acting is great, but where are Alex and Amos?! Please stop ignoring the best characters of the show!

Horrible, horrible Naomi story now dominates the show

[warren1128 · 1/10 · 13 April 2021]

What are the producers thinking bogging this down with the endless, horrible Naomi storyline with her family? The Expanse storyline is huge and they choose to focus on this? What a waste of a show.

So good! Very exciting.

[tom992 · 9/10 · 25 January 2021]

I don't get the bad reviews here, yes this was more about Naomi, she is stuck on a ship alone after been exposed to space, and she was Marco's former lover. I love this season, its way better than season 4! At the edge of my seat every episode.

History is cyclical

[mamanzana-27427 · 10/10 · 21 March 2021]

If somebody outside of our fan base ask to me about what does The Expanse stand for, I guess I show this episode as a clear preface. This episode shows human behavior in many possibilities. I cannot Express how glad I am just to see this big effort.

Incredibly tense!

[aleminium · 10/10 · 28 January 2021]

This episode focused mainly on Naomi yes, but it made you feel like you were also stranded on the ship with her too, trying to find a way to curtail any others from rescuing her and getting blown up. That's what tv and movies are meant to do, and they nailed it. Well done!

Best episode so far

[lordtargaryen · 10/10 · 27 January 2021]

Geez, so many people with bad taste here in the comments. What makes great shows great, including The Expanse, isn't just the pew pew layzorz action, but great character arcs, and this one is one of the best I've ever seen. Gut-wrenching, visceral. Tipper's performance as Naomi better get her an Emmy for this. All of the raw emotions are there - guilt, loss, despair, love, relentlessness, hope.

I kept watching the ending of both episodes - 7 & 8 - on a loop. It's so powerful, so emotional, so breathtaking. With an amazing soundtrack to it. The first time I watched it, every hair on my body was standing up, and my jaw was glued to the floor. Outstanding.

They were not in zero G

[James0987 · 6/10 · 21 January 2021]

I'm only making this review because of some of the other reviews. I'm not sure how you've made it into season 5 and still don't understand how the physics works. The ships in the expanse are Laid out so the drive is towards their feet, the majority of the time they're in a 1g burn going toward their destination then halfway there they flip and burn 1g to slow down. As seen from the exterior shots the ship Naomi was in was doing a burn, therefore she had gravity and couldn't lift the grate.

Very good

[malte-neumann · 8/10 · 22 January 2021]

I found the Inaros family situation clearly overstretched, but this was actually a really tense episode, so I don't understand the whining about too much Naomi here. It was made in best Expanse tradition, except maybe the dialogue between Amos, Clarissa and Erich, which settled things all too easily. If you don't like Naomi Nagata (anymore), then you probably shouldn't watch this show, because it's not about highlighting favourite characters.

Naomi...

[dsl89612 · 6/10 · 8 February 2021]

God she is annoying, crying and whinging all the time, although she should seem like this awesome techie, and well... Anyway, the acting really pulled down on this season so far.

Incredibly tense episode

[Jorgosch · 9/10 · 28 January 2021]

I cannot believe the low ratings for S05E08! This must be all the action junkies who are not interested in relationships. This season is as personal as it gets. Well, the stakes cannot be the galaxy all the time but on an emotional level this season is very strong. Granted, the source material is a bit thinner than last season and people probably wanted more emphasis an the exploration aspect of the series. However, meeting viewer expections is not what ratings should be based on. IMHO, Dominique Tipper deserves an Ocscar nomination for her portrayal of suffering and persistance in HARD VACCUUM.

Show is sure slowing down , no excitement anymore.

[tdonnelly-4 · 6/10 · 21 January 2021]

Last two episodes was about family issues and this one about fixing a radio. With only two episode left they have to get off the brakes soon. Did the good writers get the covid-19?

Naomi Ad Nauseum

[smaguilar · 3/10 · 25 January 2021]

Here we are season 5 episode 8, and The Expanse has turned into The Naomi Nagata Show. I've had more than enough of her tedious tearful family angst which has overshadowed the entire season. This episode did very little to advance the plot. There are so many other great characters but where are they? I miss them! First three seasons were great, season four was disappointing, season five started with a lot of promise until it got bogged down in Naomi Naomi Naomi. At this point I'm ready for this character to go, permanently. I can only hope the final episodes somehow manage to turn things around.

Show going downhill

[Turanic · 6/10 · 26 January 2021]

If the action through the season 5 went the way it went in seasons 1,2,3, the whole Marco attack Storyline would be resolved in 3- 4 episodes max... There are 1200 worlds wainting out there to be explored, aliens races to be met, technology to be discovered and they spent the whole season hanging out in Solar system on a boring "Armaggedon" plot ...